CHAPTER 7 —SOCIAL SECURITY
SUBCHAPTER I—GRANTS TO STATES FOR OLD-AGE ASSISTANCE
SUBCHAPTER II—FEDERAL OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS, AND DISABILITY INSURANCE BENEFITS
SUBCHAPTER III—GRANTS TO STATES FOR UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION ADMINISTRATION
SUBCHAPTER IV—GRANTS TO STATES FOR AID AND SERVICES TO NEEDY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND FOR CHILD-WELFARE SERVICES
Part A—Block Grants to States for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Part B—Child and Family Services
subpart 1—child welfare services
subpart 2—promoting safe and stable families
Part C—Work Incentive Program for Recipients of Aid Under State Plan Approved Under Part A
Part D—Child Support and Establishment of Paternity
Part E—Federal Payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance
Part F—Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program
SUBCHAPTER V—MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES BLOCK GRANT
SUBCHAPTER VI—TEMPORARY STATE FISCAL RELIEF
SUBCHAPTER VII—ADMINISTRATION
SUBCHAPTER VIII—SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN WORLD WAR II VETERANS
SUBCHAPTER IX—EMPLOYMENT SECURITY ADMINISTRATIVE FINANCING
SUBCHAPTER X—GRANTS TO STATES FOR AID TO BLIND
SUBCHAPTER XI—GENERAL PROVISIONS, PEER REVIEW, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SIMPLIFICATION
Part A—General Provisions
Part B—Peer Review of Utilization and Quality of Health Care Services
Part C—Administrative Simplification
Part D—Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research
SUBCHAPTER XII—ADVANCES TO STATE UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS
SUBCHAPTER XIII—RECONVERSION UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR SEAMEN
SUBCHAPTER XIV—GRANTS TO STATES FOR AID TO PERMANENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABLED
SUBCHAPTER XV—UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
SUBCHAPTER XVI—SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME FOR AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED
Part A—Determination of Benefits
Part B—Procedural and General Provisions
SUBCHAPTER XVII—GRANTS FOR PLANNING COMPREHENSIVE ACTION TO COMBAT MENTAL RETARDATION
SUBCHAPTER XVIII—HEALTH INSURANCE FOR AGED AND DISABLED
Part A—Hospital Insurance Benefits for Aged and Disabled
Part B—Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for Aged and Disabled
Part C—Medicare+Choice Program
Part D—Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program
subpart 1—part d eligible individuals and prescription drug benefits
subpart 2—prescription drug plans; pdp sponsors; financing
subpart 3—application to medicare advantage program and treatment of employer-sponsored programs and other prescription drug plans
subpart 4—medicare prescription drug discount card and transitional assistance program
subpart 5—definitions and miscellaneous provisions
Part E—Miscellaneous Provisions
SUBCHAPTER XIX—GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
SUBCHAPTER XX—BLOCK GRANTS TO STATES FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AND ELDER JUSTICE
Division A—Block Grants to States for Social Services
Division B—Elder Justice
Part I—National Coordination of Elder Justice Activities and Research
subpart a—elder justice coordinating council and advisory board on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation
subpart b—elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation forensic centers
Part II—Programs To Promote Elder Justice
SUBCHAPTER XXI—STATE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM
SUBCHAPTER I—GRANTS TO STATES FOR OLD-AGE ASSISTANCE
Repeal of Subchapter I of This Chapter; Inapplicability of Repeal to Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands
Amendments
1960—
§301. Authorization of appropriations
For the purpose of enabling each State, as far as practicable under the conditions in such State, to furnish financial assistance to aged needy individuals, there is hereby authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year a sum sufficient to carry out the purposes of this subchapter. The sums made available under this section shall be used for making payments to States which have submitted, and had approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (hereinafter referred to as the "Secretary"), State plans for old-age assistance.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title I, §1,
Repeal of Section
Amendments
1981—
1962—
1960—
1956—Act Aug. 1, 1956, struck out specific appropriation for fiscal year ending June 30, 1956, and inserted provisions relating to attainment of self-care by individuals.
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, §361(a), substituted "Federal Security Administrator (hereinafter referred to as the 'Administrator')" for "Social Security Board established by subchapter I of this chapter (hereinafter referred to as the 'Board')".
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Section 604 of
Change of Name
Secretary of Health and Human Services substituted in text for Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare pursuant to section 509(b) of
Short Title
For short title of this chapter and of amendments thereto, see
Declaration of Purpose of Title III of Act August 1, 1956
Section 300 of act Aug. 1, 1956, provided that: "It is the purpose of this title [enacting
Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands
§302. State old-age plans
(a) Contents
A State plan for old-age assistance must—
(1) except to the extent permitted by the Secretary with respect to services, provide that it shall be in effect in all political subdivisions of the State, and, if administered by them, be mandatory upon them;
(2) provide for financial participation by the State;
(3) either provide for the establishment or designation of a single State agency to administer the plan, or provide for the establishment or designation of a single State agency to supervise the administration of the plan;
(4) provide (A) for granting an opportunity for a fair hearing before the State agency to any individual whose claim for assistance under the plan is denied or is not acted upon with reasonable promptness, and (B) that if the State plan is administered in each of the political subdivisions of the State by a local agency and such local agency provides a hearing at which evidence may be presented prior to a hearing before the State agency, such local agency may put into effect immediately upon issuance its decision upon the matter considered at such hearing;
(5) provide (A) such methods of administration (including methods relating to the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards on a merit basis, except that the Secretary shall exercise no authority with respect to the selection, tenure of office, and compensation of any individual employed in accordance with such methods) as are found by the Secretary to be necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the plan, and (B) for the training and effective use of paid subprofessional staff, with particular emphasis on the full-time or part-time employment of recipients and other persons of low income, as community service aides, in the administration of the plan and for the use of nonpaid or partially paid volunteers in a social service volunteer program in providing services to applicants and recipients and in assisting any advisory committees established by the State agency;
(6) provide that the State agency will make such reports, in such form and containing such information, as the Secretary may from time to time require, and comply with such provisions as the Secretary may from time to time find necessary to assure the correctness and verification of such reports;
(7) provide safeguards which permit the use or disclosure of information concerning applicants or recipients only (A) to public officials who require such information in connection with their official duties, or (B) to other persons for purposes directly connected with the administration of the State plan;
(8) provide that all individuals wishing to make application for assistance under the plan shall have opportunity to do so, and that such assistance shall be furnished with reasonable promptness to all eligible individuals;
(9) provide, if the plan includes assistance for or on behalf of individuals in private or public institutions, for the establishment or designation of a State authority or authorities which shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining standards for such institutions;
(10) if the State plan includes old-age assistance—
(A) provide that the State agency shall, in determining need for such assistance, take into consideration any other income and resources of an individual claiming old-age assistance, as well as any expenses reasonably attributable to the earning of any such income; except that, in making such determination, (i) the State agency may disregard not more than $7.50 per month of any income and (ii) of the first $80 per month of additional income which is earned the State agency may disregard not more than the first $20 thereof plus one-half of the remainder;
(B) include reasonable standards, consistent with the objectives of this subchapter, for determining eligibility for and the extent of such assistance; and
(C) provide a description of the services (if any) which the State agency makes available (using whatever internal organizational arrangement it finds appropriate for this purpose) to applicants for and recipients of such assistance to help them attain self-care, including a description of the steps taken to assure, in the provision of such services, maximum utilization of other agencies providing similar or related services; and
(11) provide that information is requested and exchanged for purposes of income and eligibility verification in accordance with a State system which meets the requirements of
(b) Approval by Secretary
The Secretary shall approve any plan which fulfills the conditions specified in subsection (a) of this section, except that he shall not approve any plan which imposes, as a condition of eligibility for assistance under the plan—
(1) an age requirement of more than sixty-five years; or
(2) any residence requirement which (A) in the case of applicants for old-age assistance, excludes any resident of the State who has resided therein five years during the nine years immediately preceding the application for old-age assistance and has resided therein continuously for one year immediately preceding the application, and (B) in the case of applicants for medical assistance for the aged, excludes any individual who resides in the State; or
(3) any citizenship requirement which excludes any citizen of the United States.
At the option of the State, the plan may provide that manuals and other policy issuances will be furnished to persons without charge for the reasonable cost of such materials, but such provision shall not be required by the Secretary as a condition for the approval of such plan under this subchapter.
(c) Limitation on number of plans
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to permit a State to have in effect with respect to any period more than one State plan approved under this subchapter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title I, §2,
Repeal of Section
Amendments
1984—Subsec. (a)(11).
1981—Subsec. (a).
1972—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(10)(C).
Subsec. (b).
1968—Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(i).
1965—Subsec. (a)(10)(A).
Subsec. (a)(12), (13).
1962—Subsec. (a)(10)(A).
1960—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
1958—Subsec. (a)(11).
1956—Subsec. (a)(11). Act Aug. 1, 1956, added par. (11).
1950—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 28, 1950, substituted "provide for granting an opportunity for a fair hearing before the State agency to any individual whose claim for old-age assistance is denied or is not acted upon with reasonable promptness" for "provide for granting to any individual, whose claim for old-age assistance is denied, an opportunity for a fair hearing before such State agency" in par. (4), "Administrator" for "Board" wherever appearing, and "he", "him", or "his" for "it" or "its" wherever appearing, and added pars. (9) and (10).
1939—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 10, 1939, amended subsec. (a) generally commencing with par. (5).
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Section 210(b) of
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Section 221(e) of
Section 403(a) of
Effective Date of 1962 Amendment
Section 202(a) of
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1956 Amendment
Section 314 [315] of act Aug. 1, 1956, provided that: "The amendments made by sections 311(b), 312(b), 313(b), and 314(b) [amending this section and
Effective Date of 1950 Amendment
Section 301(c) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that: "The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section] shall take effect July 1, 1951."
Transfer of Functions
Functions, powers, and duties of Secretary under subsec. (a)(5)(A) of this section, insofar as relates to the prescription of personnel standards on a merit basis, transferred to Office of Personnel Management, see
Disregarding of Income of OASDI Recipients in Determining Need for Public Assistance
Section 306 of
§303. Payments to States and certain territories; computation of amount; eligibility of State to receive payment
(a) Computation of amounts
From the sums appropriated therefor, the Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to each State which has a plan approved under this subchapter, for each quarter, beginning with the quarter commencing October 1, 1960—
(1) Repealed.
(2) in the case of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam, an amount equal to one-half of the total of the sums expended during such quarter as old-age assistance under the State plan, not counting so much of any expenditure with respect to any month as exceeds $37.50 multiplied by the total number of recipients of old-age assistance for such month; plus
(3) Repealed.
(4) in the case of any State, an amount equal to 50 percent of the total amounts expended during such quarter as found necessary by the Secretary for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan.
(b) Method of computing and paying amounts
The method of computing and paying such amounts shall be as follows:
(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, prior to the beginning of each quarter, estimate the amount to be paid to the State for such quarter under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, such estimate to be based on (A) a report filed by the State containing its estimate of the total sum to be expended in such quarter in accordance with the provisions of such subsection, and stating the amount appropriated or made available by the State and its political subdivisions for such expenditures in such quarter, and if such amount is less than the State's proportionate share of the total sum of such estimated expenditures, the source or sources from which the difference is expected to be derived, (B) records showing the number of aged individuals in the State, and (C) such other investigation as the Secretary of Health and Human Services may find necessary.
(2) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall then certify to the Secretary of the Treasury the amount so estimated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, (A) reduced or increased, as the case may be, by any sum by which he finds that his estimate for any prior quarter was greater or less than the amount which should have been paid to the State under subsection (a) of this section for such quarter, and (B) reduced by a sum equivalent to the pro rata share to which the United States is equitably entitled, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, of the net amount recovered during any prior quarter by the State or any political subdivision thereof with respect to assistance furnished under the State plan; except that such increases or reductions shall not be made to the extent that such sums have been applied to make the amount certified for any prior quarter greater or less than the amount estimated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for such prior quarter: Provided, That any part of the amount recovered from the estate of a deceased recipient which is not in excess of the amount expended by the State or any political subdivision thereof for the funeral expenses of the deceased shall not be considered as a basis for reduction under clause (B) of this paragraph.
(3) The Secretary of the Treasury shall thereupon, through the Fiscal Service of the Treasury Department and prior to audit or settlement by the Government Accountability Office, pay to the State, at the time or times fixed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the amount so certified.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title I, §3,
Repeal of Section
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (b)(3).
1993—Subsec. (a)(4).
"(A) 75 per centum of so much of such expenditures as are for the training (including both short- and long-term training at educational institutions through grants to such institutions or by direct financial assistance to students enrolled in such institutions) of personnel employed or preparing for employment by the State agency or by the local agency administering the plan in the political subdivision; plus
"(B) 100 percent of so much of such expenditures as are for the costs of the implementation and operation of the immigration status verification system described in
"(C) one-half of the remainder of such expenditures."
1986—Subsec. (a)(4)(B), (C).
1981—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
1975—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(4)(A)(iv).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(4)(E).
1968—Subsec. (a)(4)(D).
1965—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (d).
1962—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (c).
1961—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
1960—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(2).
1958—Subsec. (a).
1956—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §301, substituted "during such quarter as old-age assistance in the form of money payments under the State plan" for "during such quarter as old-age assistance under the State plan" in cls. (1) and (2), "who received old-age assistance in the form of money payments for such month" for "who received old-age assistance for such month" in par. (A) of cl. (1), and inserted cl. (4).
Act Aug. 1, 1956, §311(c), struck out ", which shall be used exclusively as old-age assistance," after "the Virgin Islands, an amount" in cls. (1) and (2), and substituted "including services which are provided by the staff of the State agency (or of the local agency administering the State plan in the political subdivision) to applicants for and recipients of old-age assistance to help them attain self-care" for "which amount shall be used for paying the costs of administering the State plan or for old-age assistance, or both, and for no other purpose" in cl. (3).
Act Aug. 1, 1956, §341, substituted "October 1, 1956" for "October 1, 1952", struck out ", which shall be used exclusively as old-age assistance," after "the Virgin Islands, an amount", and substituted "$60" for "$55", in cl. (1), substituted "the product of $30" for "the product of $25" in par. (A) of cl. (1), and "including services which are provided by the staff of the State agency (or of the local agency administering the State plan in the political subdivision) to applicants for and recipients of old-age assistance to help them attain self-care" for "which amount shall be used for paying the costs of administering the State plan or for old-age assistance, or both, and for no other purpose" in cl. (3).
1954—Subsec. (b). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §303(b), substituted "subsection (a)" for "clause (1) of subsection (a)", wherever appearing, substituted "such subsection" for "such clause" in par. (1), and struck out "increased by five per centum" at end of par. (3).
Subsec. (b)(1). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §303(a), substituted "the State's proportionate share" for "one-half".
1952—Subsec. (a). Act July 18, 1952, increased Federal share of State's average monthly payment to four-fifths of the first $25 plus one-half of the remainder within individual maximums of $55, and changed formulas for computing Federal share of public assistance for Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands.
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, substituted "Administrator" for "Board", and "he", "him" or "his" for "it", or "its" wherever appearing and in subsec. (a) changed basis for computation of Federal portion of old-age assistance.
1948—Subsec. (a). Act June 14, 1948, substituted $50 for $45 and $20 for $15.
1946—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 10, 1946, §501(a), temporarily increased maximum monthly State expenditure for an individual to which Federal Government will contribute from $40 to $45, increased Federal contribution for assistance from one-half the State's expenditure to two-thirds the State's expenditure up to $15 monthly per individual plus one-half the State's expenditure over $15 and changed the Federal contribution for administration from 5 percent of Federal contribution for assistance to one-half the State expenditure for administration. See Effective and Termination Date of 1946 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (b). Act Aug. 10, 1946, §501(b), temporarily changed references to cl. (1) of subsec. (a) to refer to entire subsection, substituted "the State's proportionate share" for "one-half" in par. (1) and struck out "increased by 5 per centum" at end of par. (3). See Effective and Termination Date of 1986 Amendment note below.
1939—Act Aug. 10, 1939, amended section generally, including substitution of $40 for $30 in subsec. (a).
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13741(c) of
"(1)
"(2)
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by section 2353(a) of
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Section 7 of
"(a)(1) The amendments made by sections 2 and 5 of this Act [enacting
"(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 2004 of the Social Security Act, as amended by this Act [
"(A) the day in the twelve-month period beginning October 1, 1975, or
"(B) the day in the twelve-month period beginning October 1, 1976,
which is the last day of the twelve-month period established by the State as its services program year under that section. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of section 2003 of the Social Security Act, as amended by this Act [
"(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection or section 3(f) [set out as a note under
"(b) The amendments made by section 3 of this Act [amending this section and
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 301(e) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Section 212(e) of
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Amendment by section 221 of
Section 401(f) of
Effective Date of 1962 Amendment
Section 202(d) of
Section 202(f) of
Effective Date of 1961 Amendments
Section 303(e) of
Section 5(c) of
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Section 512 of
"(1) in the case of money payments, under a State plan approved under title I, IV, X, or XIV of the Social Security Act [subchapter I, IV, X, or XIV of this chapter], for months after September 1958, and
"(2) in the case of assistance in the form of medical or any other type of remedial care, under such a plan, with respect to expenditures made after September 1958.
The amendment made by section 506 [amending
Effective and Termination Date of 1956 Amendment
Section 345 of act Aug. 1, 1956, provided that: "The amendments made by this part [part V (§§341–345) of title III of act Aug. 1, 1956, amending this section and
Effective Date of 1956 Amendment
Section 305 of act Aug. 1, 1956, as amended by
"(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the amendments made by this part [part I (§§301–305) of title III of act Aug. 1, 1956, amending this section and
"(b) The amendments made by any section of this part shall not apply to any State (as defined in section 1101 of the Social Security Act [
Effective and Termination Date of 1952 Amendment
Section 8(e) of act July 18, 1952, as amended by act Sept. 1, 1954, title III, §301, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
Effective Date of 1950 Amendment
Section 302(b) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect October 1, 1950."
Effective Date of 1948 Amendment
Section 3(d) of act June 14, 1948, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
Effective and Termination Date of 1946 Amendment
Section 504 of act Aug. 10, 1946, as amended by act Aug. 6, 1947, ch. 510, §3,
Effective Date of 1939 Amendment
Section 102 of act Aug. 10, 1939, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Jan. 1, 1940.
Transfer of Functions
Functions of Federal Security Administrator transferred to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and all agencies of Federal Security Agency transferred to Department of Health, Education, and Welfare by section 5 of Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1953, set out as a note under
"Fiscal Service" substituted for "Division of Disbursement" in subsec. (b)(3) on authority of section 1(a)(1) of Reorg. Plan No. III of 1940, eff. June 30, 1940, 5 F.R. 2107,
Nonduplication of Payments to States: Prohibition of Payments After December 31, 1969
Prohibition of payments under this subchapter to States with respect to aid or assistance in form of medical or other type of remedial care for any period for which States received payments under subchapter XIX of this chapter or for any period after Dec. 31, 1969, see section 121(b) of
§304. Stopping payment on deviation from required provisions of plan or failure to comply therewith
In the case of any State plan which has been approved under this subchapter by the Secretary, if the Secretary, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing to the State agency administering or supervising the administration of such plan, finds—
(1) that the plan has been so changed as to impose any age, residence, or citizenship requirement prohibited by
(2) that in the administration of the plan there is a failure to comply substantially with any provision required by
the Secretary shall notify such State agency that further payments will not be made to the State (or, in his discretion, that payments will be limited to categories under or parts of the State plan not affected by such failure) until the Secretary is satisfied that such prohibited requirement is no longer so imposed, and that there is no longer any such failure to comply. Until he is so satisfied he shall make no further payments to such State (or shall limit payments to categories under or parts of the State plan not affected by such failure).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title I, §4,
Repeal of Section
Amendments
1968—
1960—
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, substituted "Administrator" for "Board", and "he", "him", or "his" for "it", or "its", wherever appearing.
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Amendment by
Transfer of Functions
Functions of Federal Security Administrator transferred to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and all agencies of Federal Security Agency transferred to Department of Health, Education, and Welfare by section 5 of Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1953, set out as a note under
§305. Omitted
Codification
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title I, §5,
§306. Definitions
(a) For the purposes of this subchapter, the term "old-age assistance" means money payments to, or (if provided in or after the third month before the month in which the recipient makes application for assistance) medical care in behalf of or any type of remedial care recognized under State law in behalf of, needy individuals who are 65 years of age or older, but does not include any such payments to or care in behalf of any individual who is an inmate of a public institution (except as a patient in a medical institution). Such term also includes payments which are not included within the meaning of such term under the preceding sentence, but which would be so included except that they are made on behalf of such a needy individual to another individual who (as determined in accordance with standards prescribed by the Secretary) is interested in or concerned with the welfare of such needy individual, but only with respect to a State whose State plan approved under
(1) determination by the State agency that such needy individual has, by reason of his physical or mental condition, such inability to manage funds that making payments to him would be contrary to his welfare and, therefore, it is necessary to provide such assistance through payments described in this sentence;
(2) making such payments only in cases in which such payments will, under the rules otherwise applicable under the State plan for determining need and the amount of old-age assistance to be paid (and in conjunction with other income and resources), meet all the need of the individuals with respect to whom such payments are made;
(3) undertaking and continuing special efforts to protect the welfare of such individual and to improve, to the extent possible, his capacity for self-care and to manage funds;
(4) periodic review by such State agency of the determination under paragraph (1) of this subsection to ascertain whether conditions justifying such determination still exist, with provision for termination of such payments if they do not and for seeking judicial appointment of a guardian or other legal representative, as described in
(5) opportunity for a fair hearing before the State agency on the determination referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection for any individual with respect to whom it is made.
At the option of a State (if its plan approved under this subchapter so provides), such term (i) need not include money payments to an individual who has been absent from such State for a period in excess of 90 consecutive days (regardless of whether he has maintained his residence in such State during such period) until he has been present in such State for 30 consecutive days in the case of such an individual who has maintained his residence in such State during such period or 90 consecutive days in the case of any other such individual, and (ii) may include rent payments made directly to a public housing agency on behalf of a recipient or a group or groups of recipients of assistance under such plan.
(b), (c) Repealed.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title I, §6,
Repeal of Section
Amendments
1981—Subsecs. (b), (c).
1972—Subsec. (a).
1965—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1962—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1960—Subsec. (a).
Subsecs. (b), (c).
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, redefined "old-age assistance".
1939—Act Aug. 10, 1939, inserted "needy" before "individuals who".
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Amendment by section 221 of
Section 222(c) of
Section 402(e) of
Effective Date of 1962 Amendment
Section 156(e) of
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1950 Amendment
Section 303(b) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect October 1, 1950, except that the exclusion of money payments to needy individuals described in clause (a) or (b) of section 6 of the Social Security Act as so amended [clauses (a) or (b) of this section] shall, in the case of any of such individuals who are not patients in a public institution, be effective July 1, 1952."
SUBCHAPTER II—FEDERAL OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS, AND DISABILITY INSURANCE BENEFITS
Amendments
1956—Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, title I, §103(i),
§401. Trust Funds
(a) Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund
There is hereby created on the books of the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the "Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund". The Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund shall consist of the securities held by the Secretary of the Treasury for the Old-Age Reserve Account and the amount standing to the credit of the Old-Age Reserve Account on the books of the Treasury on January 1, 1940, which securities and amount the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to transfer to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, and, in addition, such gifts and bequests as may be made as provided in subsection (i)(1) of this section, and such amounts as may be appropriated to, or deposited in, the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund as hereinafter provided. There is hereby appropriated to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1941, and for each fiscal year thereafter, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, amounts equivalent to 100 per centum of—
(1) the taxes (including interest, penalties, and additions to the taxes) received under subchapter A of
(2) the taxes certified each month by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue as taxes received under subchapter A of
(3) the taxes imposed by subchapter A of
(4) the taxes imposed by subchapter E of
The amounts appropriated by clauses (3) and (4) of this subsection shall be transferred from time to time from the general fund in the Treasury to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, and the amounts appropriated by clauses (1) and (2) of subsection (b) of this section shall be transferred from time to time from the general fund in the Treasury to the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, such amounts to be determined on the basis of estimates by the Secretary of the Treasury of the taxes, specified in clauses (3) and (4) of this subsection, paid to or deposited into the Treasury; and proper adjustments shall be made in amounts subsequently transferred to the extent prior estimates were in excess of or were less than the taxes specified in such clauses (3) and (4) of this subsection. All amounts transferred to either Trust Fund under the preceding sentence shall be invested by the Managing Trustee in the same manner and to the same extent as the other assets of such Trust Fund. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in any case in which the Secretary of the Treasury determines that the assets of either such Trust Fund would otherwise be inadequate to meet such Fund's obligations for any month, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to such Trust Fund on the first day of such month the amount which would have been transferred to such Fund under this section as in effect on October 1, 1990; and such Trust Fund shall pay interest to the general fund on the amount so transferred on the first day of any month at a rate (calculated on a daily basis, and applied against the difference between the amount so transferred on such first day and the amount which would have been transferred to the Trust Fund up to that day under the procedures in effect on January 1, 1983) equal to the rate earned by the investments of such Fund in the same month under subsection (d) of this section.
(b) Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund
There is hereby created on the books of the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the "Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund". The Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund shall consist of such gifts and bequests as may be made as provided in subsection (i)(1) of this section, and such amounts as may be appropriated to, or deposited in, such fund as provided in this section. There is hereby appropriated to the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1957, and for each fiscal year thereafter, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, amounts equivalent to 100 per centum of—
(1)(A) ½ of 1 per centum of the wages (as defined in section 3121 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954) paid after December 31, 1956, and before January 1, 1966, and reported to the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate pursuant to subtitle F of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, (B) 0.70 of 1 per centum of the wages (as so defined) paid after December 31, 1965, and before January 1, 1968, and so reported, (C) 0.95 of 1 per centum of the wages (as so defined) paid after December 31, 1967, and before January 1, 1970, and so reported, (D) 1.10 per centum of the wages (as so defined) paid after December 31, 1969, and before January 1, 1973, and so reported, (E) 1.1 per centum of the wages (as so defined) paid after December 31, 1972, and before January 1, 1974, and so reported, (F) 1.15 per centum of the wages (as so defined) paid after December 31, 1973, and before January 1, 1978, and so reported, (G) 1.55 per centum of the wages (as so defined) paid after December 31, 1977, and before January 1, 1979, and so reported, (H) 1.50 per centum of the wages (as so defined) paid after December 31, 1978, and before January 1, 1980, and so reported, (I) 1.12 per centum of the wages (as so defined) paid after December 31, 1979, and before January 1, 1981, and so reported, (J) 1.30 per centum of the wages (as so defined) paid after December 31, 1980, and before January 1, 1982, and so reported, (K) 1.65 per centum of the wages (as so defined) paid after December 31, 1981, and before January 1, 1983, and so reported, (L) 1.25 per centum of the wages (as so defined) paid after December 31, 1982, and before January 1, 1984, and so reported, (M) 1.00 per centum of the wages (as so defined) paid after December 31, 1983, and before January 1, 1988, and so reported, (N) 1.06 per centum of the wages (as so defined) paid after December 31, 1987, and before January 1, 1990, and so reported, (O) 1.20 per centum of the wages (as so defined) paid after December 31, 1989, and before January 1, 1994, and so reported, (P) 1.88 per centum of the wages (as so defined) paid after December 31, 1993, and before January 1, 1997, and so reported, (Q) 1.70 per centum of the wages (as so defined) paid after December 31, 1996, and before January 1, 2000, and so reported, and (R) 1.80 per centum of the wages (as so defined) paid after December 31, 1999, and so reported, which wages shall be certified by the Commissioner of Social Security on the basis of the records of wages established and maintained by such Commissioner in accordance with such reports; and
(2)(A) 3/8 of 1 per centum of the amount of self-employment income (as defined in section 1402 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954) reported to the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate on tax returns under subtitle F of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1956, and before January 1, 1966, (B) 0.525 of 1 per centum of the amount of self-employment income (as so defined) so reported for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1965, and before January 1, 1968, (C) 0.7125 of 1 per centum of the amount of self-employment income (as so defined) so reported for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1967, and before January 1, 1970, (D) 0.825 of 1 per centum of the amount of self-employment income (as so defined) so reported for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1969, and before January 1, 1973, (E) 0.795 of 1 per centum of the amount of self-employment income (as so defined) so reported for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1972, and before January 1, 1974, (F) 0.815 of 1 per centum of the amount of self-employment income (as so defined) as reported for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1973, and before January 1, 1978, (G) 1.090 per centum of the amount of self-employment income (as so defined) so reported for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1977, and before January 1, 1979, (H) 1.0400 per centum of the amount of self-employment income (as so defined) so reported for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1978, and before January 1, 1980, (I) 0.7775 per centum of the amount of self-employment income (as so defined) so reported for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1979, and before January 1, 1981, (J) 0.9750 per centum of the amount of self-employment income (as so defined) so reported for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1980, and before January 1, 1982, (K) 1.2375 per centum of the amount of self-employment income (as so defined) so reported for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1981, and before January 1, 1983, (L) 0.9375 per centum of the amount of self-employment income (as so defined) so reported for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1982, and before January 1, 1984, (M) 1.00 per centum of the amount of self-employment income (as so defined) so reported for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1983, and before January 1, 1988, (N) 1.06 per centum of the self-employment income (as so defined) so reported for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1987, and before January 1, 1990, (O) 1.20 per centum of the amount of self-employment income (as so defined) so reported for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1989, and before January 1, 1994, (P) 1.88 per centum of the amount of self-employment income (as so defined) so reported for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1993, and before January 1, 1997, (Q) 1.70 per centum of the amount of self-employment income (as so defined) so reported for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1996, and before January 1, 2000, and (R) 1.80 per centum of the amount of self-employment income (as so defined) so reported for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1999, which self-employment income shall be certified by the Commissioner of Social Security on the basis of the records of self-employment income established and maintained by the Commissioner of Social Security in accordance with such returns.
(c) Board of Trustees; duties; reports to Congress
With respect to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund (hereinafter in this subchapter called the "Trust Funds") there is hereby created a body to be known as the Board of Trustees of the Trust Funds (hereinafter in this subchapter called the "Board of Trustees") which Board of Trustees shall be composed of the Commissioner of Social Security, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, all ex officio, and of two members of the public (both of whom may not be from the same political party), who shall be nominated by the President for a term of four years and subject to confirmation by the Senate. A member of the Board of Trustees serving as a member of the public and nominated and confirmed to fill a vacancy occurring during a term shall be nominated and confirmed only for the remainder of such term. An individual nominated and confirmed as a member of the public may serve in such position after the expiration of such member's term until the earlier of the time at which the member's successor takes office or the time at which a report of the Board is first issued under paragraph (2) after the expiration of the member's term. The Secretary of the Treasury shall be the Managing Trustee of the Board of Trustees (hereinafter in this subchapter called the "Managing Trustee"). The Deputy Commissioner of Social Security shall serve as Secretary of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall meet not less frequently than once each calendar year. It shall be the duty of the Board of Trustees to—
(1) Hold the Trust Funds;
(2) Report to the Congress not later than the first day of April of each year on the operation and status of the Trust Funds during the preceding fiscal year and on their expected operation and status during the next ensuing five fiscal years;
(3) Report immediately to the Congress whenever the Board of Trustees is of the opinion that the amount of either of the Trust Funds is unduly small;
(4) Recommend improvements in administrative procedures and policies designed to effectuate the proper coordination of the old-age and survivors insurance and Federal-State unemployment compensation program; and
(5) Review the general policies followed in managing the Trust Funds, and recommend changes in such policies, including necessary changes in the provisions of the law which govern the way in which the Trust Funds are to be managed.
The report provided for in paragraph (2) of this subsection shall include a statement of the assets of, and the disbursements made from, the Trust Funds during the preceding fiscal year, an estimate of the expected future income to, and disbursements to be made from, the Trust Funds during each of the next ensuing five fiscal years, and a statement of the actuarial status of the Trust Funds. Such statement shall include a finding by the Board of Trustees as to whether the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, individually and collectively, are in close actuarial balance (as defined by the Board of Trustees). Such report shall include an actuarial opinion by the Chief Actuary of the Social Security Administration certifying that the techniques and methodologies used are generally accepted within the actuarial profession and that the assumptions and cost estimates used are reasonable. Such report shall also include an actuarial analysis of the benefit disbursements made from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund with respect to disabled beneficiaries. Such report shall be printed as a House document of the session of the Congress to which the report is made. A person serving on the Board of Trustees shall not be considered to be a fiduciary and shall not be personally liable for actions taken in such capacity with respect to the Trust Funds.
(d) Investments
It shall be the duty of the Managing Trustee to invest such portion of the Trust Funds as is not, in his judgment, required to meet current withdrawals. Such investments may be made only in interest-bearing obligations of the United States or in obligations guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States. For such purpose such obligations may be acquired (1) on original issue at the issue price, or (2) by purchase of outstanding obligations at the market price. The purposes for which obligations of the United States may be issued under
(e) Sale of acquired obligations
Any obligations acquired by the Trust Funds (except public-debt obligations issued exclusively to the Trust Funds) may be sold by the Managing Trustee at the market price, and such public-debt obligations may be redeemed at par plus accrued interest.
(f) Proceeds from sale or redemption of obligations; interest
The interest on, and the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund shall be credited to and form a part of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Disability Insurance Trust Fund, respectively. Payment from the general fund of the Treasury to either of the Trust Funds of any such interest or proceeds shall be in the form of paper checks drawn on such general fund to the order of such Trust Fund.
(g) Payments into Treasury
(1)(A) The Managing Trustee of the Trust Funds (which for purposes of this paragraph shall include also the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund established by subchapter XVIII of this chapter) is directed to pay from the Trust Funds into the Treasury—
(i) 1 the amounts estimated by the Managing Trustee, the Commissioner of Social Security, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services which will be expended, out of moneys appropriated from the general fund in the Treasury, during a three-month period by the Department of Health and Human Services for the administration of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, and by the Department of the Treasury for the administration of subchapters II and XVIII of this chapter and chapters 2 and 21 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, less
(ii) 1 the amounts estimated (pursuant to the applicable method prescribed under paragraph (4) of this subsection) by the Commissioner of Social Security which will be expended, out of moneys made available for expenditures from the Trust Funds, during such three-month period to cover the cost of carrying out the functions of the Social Security Administration, specified in
Such payments shall be carried into the Treasury as the net amount of repayments due the general fund account for reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with the administration of subchapters II and XVIII of this chapter and chapters 2 and 21 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. A final accounting of such payments for any fiscal year shall be made at the earliest practicable date after the close thereof. There are hereby authorized to be made available for expenditure, out of any or all of the Trust Funds, such amounts as the Congress may deem appropriate to pay the costs of the part of the administration of this subchapter, subchapter VIII of this chapter, subchapter XVI of this chapter, and subchapter XVIII of this chapter for which the Commissioner of Social Security is responsible, the costs of subchapter XVIII of this chapter for which the Secretary of Health and Human Services is responsible, and the costs of carrying out the functions of the Social Security Administration, specified in
(i) 1 for fiscal year 1996, $260,000,000;
(ii) 1 for fiscal year 1997, $360,000,000;
(iii) for fiscal year 1998, $570,000,000;
(iv) for fiscal year 1999, $720,000,000;
(v) for fiscal year 2000, $720,000,000;
(vi) for fiscal year 2001, $720,000,000; and
(viii) 2 for fiscal year 2002, $720,000,000.
For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "continuing disability review" means a review conducted pursuant to
(B) After the close of each fiscal year—
(i) the Commissioner of Social Security shall determine—
(I) the portion of the costs, incurred during such fiscal year, of administration of this subchapter, subchapter VIII of this chapter, subchapter XVI of this chapter, and subchapter XVIII of this chapter for which the Commissioner is responsible and of carrying out the functions of the Social Security Administration, specified in
(II) the portion of such costs which should have been borne by the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund,
(III) the portion of such costs which should have been borne by the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund,
(IV) the portion of such costs which should have been borne by the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, and
(V) the portion of such costs which should have been borne by the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund (and, of such portion, the portion of such costs which should have been borne by the Medicare Prescription Drug Account in such Trust Fund), and
(ii) the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall determine—
(I) the portion of the costs, incurred during such fiscal year, of the administration of subchapter XVIII of this chapter for which the Secretary is responsible, which should have been borne by the general fund of the Treasury,
(II) the portion of such costs which should have been borne by the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, and
(III) the portion of such costs which should have been borne by the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund (and, of such portion, the portion of such costs which should have been borne by the Medicare Prescription Drug Account in such Trust Fund).
(C) After the determinations under subparagraph (B) have been made for any fiscal year, the Commisioner 3 of Social Security and the Secretary shall each certify to the Managing Trustee the amounts, if any, which should be transferred from one to any of the other such Trust Funds and the amounts, if any, which should be transferred between the Trust Funds (or one of the Trust Funds) and the general fund of the Treasury, in order to ensure that each of the Trust Funds and the general fund of the Treasury have borne their proper share of the costs, incurred during such fiscal year, for—
(i) the parts of the administration of this subchapter, subchapter VIII of this chapter, subchapter XVI of this chapter, and subchapter XVIII of this chapter for which the Commissioner of Social Security is responsible,
(ii) the parts of the administration of subchapter XVIII of this chapter for which the Secretary is responsible, and
(iii) carrying out the functions of the Social Security Administration, specified in
The Managing Trustee shall transfer any such amounts in accordance with any certification so made.
(D) The determinations required under subclauses (IV) and (V) of subparagraph (B)(i) shall be made in accordance with the cost allocation methodology in existence on August 15, 1994, until such time as the methodology for making the determinations required under such subclauses is revised by agreement of the Commissioner and the Secretary, except that the determination of the amounts to be borne by the general fund of the Treasury with respect to expenditures incurred in carrying out the functions of the Social Security Administration specified in
(2) The Managing Trustee is directed to pay from time to time from the Trust Funds into the Treasury the amount estimated by him as taxes imposed under section 3101(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which are subject to refund under section 6413(c) of such Code with respect to wages (as defined in section 3121 of such Code). Such taxes shall be determined on the basis of the records of wages maintained by the Commissioner of Social Security in accordance with the wages reported to the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate pursuant to subtitle F of such Code, and the Commissioner of Social Security shall furnish the Managing Trustee such information as may be required by the Trustee for such purpose. The payments by the Managing Trustee shall be covered into the Treasury as repayments to the account for refunding internal revenue collections. Payments pursuant to the first sentence of this paragraph shall be made from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund in the ratio in which amounts were appropriated to such Trust Funds under clause (3) of subsection (a) of this section and clause (1) of subsection (b) of this section.
(3) Repayments made under paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection shall not be available for expenditures but shall be carried to the surplus fund of the Treasury. If it subsequently appears that the estimates under either such paragraph in any particular period were too high or too low, appropriate adjustments shall be made by the Managing Trustee in future payments.
(4) The Commissioner of Social Security shall utilize the method prescribed pursuant to this paragraph, as in effect immediately before August 15, 1994, for determining the costs which should be borne by the general fund of the Treasury of carrying out the functions of the Commissioner, specified in
(h) Benefit payments
Benefit payments required to be made under
(i) Gifts and bequests
(1) The Managing Trustee may accept on behalf of the United States money gifts and bequests made unconditionally to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, or the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund (and for the Medicare Prescription Drug Account and the Transitional Assistance Account in such Trust Fund) or to the Social Security Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, or any part or officer thereof, for the benefit of any of such Funds or any activity financed through such Funds.
(2) Any such gift accepted pursuant to the authority granted in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be deposited in—
(A) the specific trust fund designated by the donor or
(B) if the donor has not so designated, the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund.
(j) Travel expenses
There are authorized to be made available for expenditure, out of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, or the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund (as determined appropriate by the Commissioner of Social Security), such amounts as are required to pay travel expenses, either on an actual cost or commuted basis, to individuals for travel incident to medical examinations requested by the Commissioner of Social Security in connection with disability determinations under this subchapter, and to parties, their representatives, and all reasonably necessary witnesses for travel within the United States (as defined in
(k) Experiment and demonstration project expenditures
Expenditures made for experiments and demonstration projects under
(l) Interfund borrowing
(1) If at any time prior to January 1988 the Managing Trustee determines that borrowing authorized under this subsection is appropriate in order to best meet the need for financing the benefit payments from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund or the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, the Managing Trustee may borrow such amounts as he determines to be appropriate from the other such Trust Fund, or, subject to paragraph (5), from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund established under
(2) In any case where a loan has been made to a Trust Fund under paragraph (1), there shall be transferred on the last day of each month after such loan is made, from the borrowing Trust Fund to the lending Trust Fund, the total interest accrued to such day with respect to the unrepaid balance of such loan at a rate equal to the rate which the lending Trust Fund would earn on the amount involved if the loan were an investment under subsection (d) of this section (even if such an investment would earn interest at a rate different than the rate earned by investments redeemed by the lending fund in order to make the loan).
(3)(A) If in any month after a loan has been made to a Trust Fund under paragraph (1), the Managing Trustee determines that the assets of such Trust Fund are sufficient to permit repayment of all or part of any loans made to such Fund under paragraph (1), he shall make such repayments as he determines to be appropriate.
(B)(i) If on the last day of any year after a loan has been made under paragraph (1) by the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund or the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, the Managing Trustee determines that the OASDI trust fund ratio exceeds 15 percent, he shall transfer from the borrowing Trust Fund to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund an amount that—
(I) together with any amounts transferred from another borrowing Trust Fund under this paragraph for such year, will reduce the OASDI trust fund ratio to 15 percent; and
(II) does not exceed the outstanding balance of such loan.
(ii) Amounts required to be transferred under clause (i) shall be transferred on the last day of the first month of the year succeeding the year in which the determination described in clause (i) is made.
(iii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "OASDI trust fund ratio" means, with respect to any calendar year, the ratio of—
(I) the combined balance in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, as of the last day of such calendar year, to
(II) the amount estimated by the Commissioner of Social Security to be the total amount to be paid from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund during the calendar year following such calendar year for all purposes authorized by this section (other than payments of interest on, and repayments of, loans from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under paragraph (1), but excluding any transfer payments between such trust funds and reducing the amount of any transfer to the Railroad Retirement Account by the amount of any transfers into either such trust fund from that Account).
(C)(i) The full amount of all loans made under paragraph (1) (whether made before or after January 1, 1983) shall be repaid at the earliest feasible date and in any event no later than December 31, 1989.
(ii) For the period after December 31, 1987, and before January 1, 1990, the Managing Trustee shall transfer each month to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund from any Trust Fund with any amount outstanding on a loan made from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under paragraph (1) an amount not less than an amount equal to (I) the amount owed to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund by such Trust Fund at the beginning of such month (plus the interest accrued on the outstanding balance of such loan during such month), divided by (II) the number of months elapsing after the preceding month and before January 1990. The Managing Trustee may, during this period, transfer larger amounts than prescribed by the preceding sentence.
(4) The Board of Trustees shall make a timely report to the Congress of any amounts transferred (including interest payments) under this subsection.
(5)(A) No amounts may be borrowed from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under paragraph (1) during any month if the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund ratio for such month is less than 10 percent.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "Hospital Insurance Trust Fund ratio" means, with respect to any month, the ratio of—
(i) the balance in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, reduced by the outstanding amount of any loan (including interest thereon) theretofore made to such Trust Fund under this subsection, as of the last day of the second month preceding such month, to
(ii) the amount obtained by multiplying by twelve the total amount which (as estimated by the Secretary) will be paid from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund during the month for which such ratio is to be determined (other than payments of interest on, or repayments of loans from another Trust Fund under this subsection), and reducing the amount of any transfers to the Railroad Retirement Account by the amount of any transfer into the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund from that Account.
(m) Accounting for unnegotiated benefit checks
(1) The Secretary of the Treasury shall implement procedures to permit the identification of each check issued for benefits under this subchapter that has not been presented for payment by the close of the sixth month following the month of its issuance.
(2) The Secretary of the Treasury shall, on a monthly basis, credit each of the Trust Funds for the amount of all benefit checks (including interest thereon) drawn on such Trust Fund more than 6 months previously but not presented for payment and not previously credited to such Trust Fund, to the extent provided in advance in appropriation Acts.
(3) If a benefit check is presented for payment to the Treasury and the amount thereof has been previously credited pursuant to paragraph (2) to one of the Trust Funds, the Secretary of the Treasury shall nevertheless pay such check, if otherwise proper, recharge such Trust Fund, and notify the Commissioner of Social Security.
(4) A benefit check bearing a current date may be issued to an individual who did not negotiate the original benefit check and who surrenders such check for cancellation if the Secretary of the Treasury determines it is necessary to effect proper payment of benefits.
(n) Payments to Funds in satisfaction of obligations
Not later than July 1, 2004, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer, from amounts in the general fund of the Treasury that are not otherwise appropriated—
(1) $624,971,854 to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund;
(2) $105,379,671 to the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund; and
(3) $173,306,134 to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.
Amounts transferred in accordance with this subsection shall be in satisfaction of certain outstanding obligations for deemed wage credits for 2000 and 2001.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §201,
References in Text
Subchapter A of
Sections 1426 and 1420(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939, referred to in subsec. (a)(3), were a part of subchapter A of
Internal Revenue Code of 1954, referred to in subsecs. (a)(3), (4) and (b)(1)(A), (2)(A), redesignated Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by
Subchapter E of
Section 481 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939, referred to in subsec. (a)(4), was a part of subchapter E of
For provision deeming a reference in other laws to a provision of the 1939 Code as a reference to the corresponding provision of the 1986 Code, see section 7852(b) if the 1986 Code. For table of comparisons of the 1939 Code to the 1986 Code, see table preceding
Chapters 2 and 21 and subtitle F of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (g)(1)(A), (2), are classified to sections 1401 et seq., 3101 et seq., and 6001 et seq., respectively, of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Section 207 or 208 of the Social Security Independence and Program Improvements Act of 1994, referred to in subsec. (g)(1)(A), are sections 207 and 208 of
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (n).
2003—Subsec. (g)(1)(B)(i)(V), (ii)(III).
Subsec. (i)(1).
1999—Subsec. (g)(1)(A).
Subsec. (g)(1)(B)(i)(I).
Subsec. (g)(1)(C)(i).
Subsec. (k).
1998—Subsec. (g)(1)(A).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (g)(1)(B)(i)(I).
Subsec. (g)(1)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (g)(1)(D).
Subsec. (g)(4).
1996—Subsec. (g)(1)(A).
"(i) for fiscal year 1996, $260,000,000;
"(ii) for fiscal year 1997, $360,000,000;
"(iii) for fiscal year 1998, $570,000,000;
"(iv) for fiscal year 1999, $720,000,000;
"(v) for fiscal year 2000, $720,000,000;
"(vi) for fiscal year 2001, $720,000,000; and
"(viii) for fiscal year 2002, $720,000,000.
For purposes of this subparagraph, the term 'continuing disability review' means a review conducted pursuant to
1994—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(1)(O) to (R).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(2)(O) to (R).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A)(i).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (g)(1)(B).
Subsec. (g)(1)(C), (D).
Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (g)(4).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l)(3)(B)(iii)(II).
Subsec. (m)(3).
1990—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (j).
1989—Subsecs. (g)(1)(A), (i)(1).
1988—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A).
Subsec. (i)(1).
1986—Subsec. (c).
1984—Subsecs. (a)(3), (4), (b)(1), (2).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(1)(B).
Subsecs. (g)(2), (4), (i)(1).
Subsec. (l)(3)(B)(i).
1983—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1)(K) to (P).
Subsec. (b)(2)(K) to (P).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (l)(1).
Subsec. (l)(2).
Subsec. (l)(3).
Subsec. (l)(5).
Subsec. (m).
1981—Subsec. (l).
1980—Subsec. (b)(1)(H) to (M).
Subsec. (b)(2)(H) to (M).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k).
1977—Subsec. (b)(1)(G) to (K).
Subsec. (b)(2)(G) to (K).
1976—Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(4).
1973—Subsec. (b)(1)(E) to (J).
Subsec. (b)(2)(E) to (J).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A).
Subsec. (i).
1969—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
1968—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c).
1965—Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (h).
1960—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
1959—Subsec. (d).
1958—Subsec. (h).
1956—Act Aug. 1, 1956, amended section generally, inserting references to taxes imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, substituting "Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare" for "Federal Security Administrator," creating the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, requiring obligations issued for purchase by the Trust Funds to have maturities fixed with due regard for the needs of the Trust Funds, authorizing to be made available for expenditure out of the Trust Funds such amounts as Congress deems necessary to pay costs of administration of subchapter, and requiring the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to analyze costs of administration so that each Trust Fund may be charged with its proper share.
1950—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §109(a)(1)–(3), substituted "such amounts as may be appropriated to, or deposited in, the Trust Fund" for "such amounts as may be appropriated to the Trust Fund" in second sentence, simplified the accounting and collection processes required for determining the amounts appropriated to the trust fund, as set out in third sentence, and struck out fourth sentence authorizing appropriation of additional funds.
Subsec. (b). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §109(a)(4)–(8), substituted "Federal Security Administrator" for "Chairman of the Social Security Board", changed filing date for annual report from first day of each regular session of Congress to March 1 of each year, added par. (4), inserted sentence to require report to be printed as a House document, and made Commissioner of Social Security the Secretary of the Board of Trustees.
Subsec. (f). Act. Aug. 28, 1950, §109(a)(9), changed reference in text from Title II of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act to subchapter A of
1944—Subsec. (a). Act Feb. 25, 1944, inserted sentence authorizing appropriation of additional funds.
1939—Act Aug. 10, 1939, amended section generally.
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendments
Section 3(c) of
Section 110 of title I of
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
Section 301(c) of
"(1)
"(2)
Section 321(c)(1)(A)(ii) of
Section 321(c)(1)(B)(ii) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 5106(d) of
Section 5115(c)[(b)] of
Amendment by section 13304 of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 202(b) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 8005(b) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 9213(c) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2664 of
"(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided, the amendments made by sections 2661 and 2662 [amending this section and
"(b) Except to the extent otherwise specifically provided in this subtitle [subtitle D (§§2661–2664) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Section 141(c) of
Section 142(a)(2)(B) of
Section 152(b) of
Section 154(e) of
Section 341(d) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 1(c) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Section 2 of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 132(f) of
Section 305(c) of
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Section 701(f) of
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1939 Amendment
Section 201 of act Aug. 10, 1939, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Jan. 1, 1940.
Construction of 1994 Amendment
Section 321(d) of
"(1) The preceding provisions of this section [amending this section and
"(2) Any reference in title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [
Protection of Social Security
"(1) For fiscal year 2009, $5,000,000.
"(2) For fiscal year 2010, $9,000,000.
"(3) For fiscal year 2011, $8,000,000.
"(4) For fiscal year 2012, $7,000,000.
"(5) For fiscal year 2013, $8,000,000.
"(6) For fiscal year 2014, $8,000,000.
"(7) For fiscal year 2015, $8,000,000.
"(8) For fiscal year 2016, $6,000,000.
"(9) For fiscal year 2017, $7,000,000."
[
No Impact on Social Security Trust Funds
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
Impact of Pub. L. 107–134 on Social Security Trust Funds
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
Study by General Accounting Office of Existing Coordination of the DI and SSI Programs as They Relate to Individuals Entering or Leaving Concurrent Entitlement
Use of Continuing Disability Review Funds and Report Requirement
Section 103(d) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) the amount spent on continuing disability reviews in the fiscal year covered by the report, and the number of reviews conducted, by category of review;
"(B) the results of the continuing disability reviews in terms of cessations of benefits or determinations of continuing eligibility, by program; and
"(C) the estimated savings over the short-, medium-, and long-term to the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance, supplemental security income, Medicare, and medicaid programs from continuing disability reviews which result in cessations of benefits and the estimated present value of such savings."
Repeal of Changes in Medicare Part B Monthly Premium and Financing
Section 202(a) of
Transfer of Equivalent of 1983 Tax Increases to Payor Funds; Reports
Section 121(e) of
"(1)
"(B) There are hereby appropriated to the hospital insurance trust fund amounts equal to the increase in tax liabilities described in subparagraph (A)(ii). Such appropriated amounts shall be transferred from the general fund of the Treasury on the basis of estimates of such tax liabilities made by the Secretary of the Treasury. Transfers shall be made pursuant to a schedule made by the Secretary of the Treasury that takes into account estimated timing of collection of such liabilities.
"(2)
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(4)
"(A) the transfers made under this subsection during the year, and the methodology used in determining the amount of such transfers and the funds or account to which made, and
"(B) the anticipated operation of this subsection during the next 5 years."
[For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions relating to submission of annual reports to Congress in section 121(e)(4) of
Reimbursement to Trust Funds for Unnegotiated Benefit Checks
Section 152(c) of
"(1) The Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer from the general fund of the Treasury to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and to the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, in the month following the month in which this Act is enacted [April 1983] and in each of the succeeding 30 months, such sums as may be necessary to reimburse such Trust Funds in the total amount of all checks (including interest thereof) which he and the Secretary of Health and Human Services jointly determine to be unnegotiated benefit checks, to the extent provided in advance in appropriation Acts. After any amounts authorized by this subsection have been transferred to a Trust Fund with respect to any benefit check, the provisions of paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 201(m) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (m)(3), (4) of this section] (as added by subsection (a) of this section) shall be applicable to such check.
"(2) As used in paragraph (1), the term 'unnegotiated benefit checks' means checks for benefits under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] which are issued prior to the twenty-fourth month following the month in which this Act is enacted [April 1983], which remain unnegotiated after the sixth month following the date on which they were issued, and with respect to which no transfers have previously been made in accordance with the first sentence of such paragraph."
Study of Float Period of Monthly Insurance Benefit Checks
Section 153 of
Due Date for 1983 Report on Operation and Status of Trust Fund
Section 154(d) of
Study Relating to Establishment of Time Limitations for Decisions on Claims for Benefits; Report
Section 308 of
Effects of Certain Amendments by Pub. L. 96–265 ; Report
Section 312 of
Appointment and Compensation of Individuals Necessary To Assist the Board of Trustees
Section 8(e) of
Method of Determining Costs Prescribed by the Board of Trustees Certification and Transfer of Funds
Section 8(f) of
Advances From Trust Funds for Administrative Expenses
Section 305(b) of
"(1) Sums appropriated pursuant to section 1601 of the Social Security Act [
"(2) If the Trust Funds have not theretofore been repaid for expenditures made in any fiscal year (as described in paragraph (1)) to the extent necessary on account of—
"(A) expenditures made from such Funds prior to the end of such fiscal year to the extent that the amount of such expenditures exceeded the amount of the expenditures which would have been made from such Funds if subsection (a) had not been enacted,
"(B) the additional administrative expenses, if any, resulting from the excess expenditures described in subparagraph (A), and
"(C) any loss in interest to such Funds resulting from such excess expenditures and such administrative expenses,
in order to place each such Fund in the same position (at the end of such fiscal year) as it would have been in if such excess expenditures had not been made, the amendments made by subsection (a) shall cease to be effective at the close of the fiscal year following such fiscal year.
"(3) As used in this subsection, the term 'Trust Funds' has the meaning given it in section 201(g)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (g)(1)(A) of this section]."
Advances From Trust Funds for Administrative Purposes; Fiscal Year Transition Period of July 1, 1976, Through September 30, 1976, Deemed Fiscal Year
Fiscal year transition period of July 1, 1976, through Sept. 30, 1976, deemed fiscal year for purposes of section 305(b) of
Gifts and Bequests for the Use of the United States and for Exclusively Public Purposes
Section 132(g) of
Taxes on Services Rendered by Employees of International Organizations Prior to Jan. 1, 1946
Section 5(b) of act Dec. 29, 1945, ch. 652, title I,
Executive Order No. 12335
Ex. Ord. No. 12335, Dec. 16, 1981, 46 F.R. 61633, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 12397, Dec. 23, 1982, 47 F.R. 57651; Ex. Ord. No. 12402, Jan. 15, 1983, 48 F.R. 2311, which established the National Commission on Social Security Reform and provided for its membership, functions, etc., was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12534, Sept. 30, 1985, 50 F.R. 40319, formerly set out as a note under section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
1 So in original. Two cls. (i) and (ii) have been enacted.
2 So in original. Probably should be "(vii)".
3 So in original. Probably should be "Commissioner".
§401a. Omitted
Codification
Section, acts Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, title I, §116,
§402. Old-age and survivors insurance benefit payments
(a) Old-age insurance benefits
Every individual who—
(1) is a fully insured individual (as defined in
(2) has attained age 62, and
(3) has filed application for old-age insurance benefits or was entitled to disability insurance benefits for the month preceding the month in which he attained retirement age (as defined in
shall be entitled to an old-age insurance benefit for each month, beginning with—
(A) in the case of an individual who has attained retirement age (as defined in
(B) in the case of an individual who has attained age 62, but has not attained retirement age (as defined in
and ending with the month preceding the month in which he dies. Except as provided in subsection (q) and subsection (w) of this section, such individual's old-age insurance benefit for any month shall be equal to his primary insurance amount (as defined in
(b) Wife's insurance benefits
(1) The wife (as defined in
(A) has filed application for wife's insurance benefits,
(B) has attained age 62 or (in the case of a wife) has in her care (individually or jointly with such individual) at the time of filing such application a child entitled to a child's insurance benefit on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such individual,
(C) in the case of a divorced wife, is not married, and
(D) is not entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits, or is entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits based on a primary insurance amount which is less than one-half of the primary insurance amount of such individual,
shall (subject to subsection (s) of this section) be entitled to a wife's insurance benefit for each month, beginning with—
(i) in the case of a wife or divorced wife (as so defined) of an individual entitled to old-age benefits, if such wife or divorced wife has attained retirement age (as defined in
(ii) in the case of a wife or divorced wife (as so defined) of—
(I) an individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits, if such wife or divorced wife has not attained retirement age (as defined in
(II) an individual entitled to disability insurance benefits,
the first month throughout which she is such a wife or divorced wife and meets the criteria specified in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) (if in such month she meets the criterion specified in subparagraph (A)),
whichever is earlier, and ending with the month preceding the month in which any of the following occurs—
(E) she dies,
(F) such individual dies,
(G) in the case of a wife, they are divorced and either (i) she has not attained age 62, or (ii) she has attained age 62 but has not been married to such individual for a period of 10 years immediately before the date the divorce became effective,
(H) in the case of a divorced wife, she marries a person other than such individual,
(I) in the case of a wife who has not attained age 62, no child of such individual is entitled to a child's insurance benefit,
(J) she becomes entitled to an old-age or disability insurance benefit based on a primary insurance amount which is equal to or exceeds one-half of the primary insurance amount of such individual, or
(K) such individual is not entitled to disability insurance benefits and is not entitled to old-age insurance benefits.
(2) Except as provided in subsections (k)(5) and (q) of this section, such wife's insurance benefit for each month shall be equal to one-half of the primary insurance amount of her husband (or, in the case of a divorced wife, her former husband) for such month.
(3) In the case of any divorced wife who marries—
(A) an individual entitled to benefits under subsection (c), (f), (g), or (h) of this section, or
(B) an individual who has attained the age of 18 and is entitled to benefits under subsection (d) of this section,
such divorced wife's entitlement to benefits under this subsection shall, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) (but subject to subsection (s) of this section), not be terminated by reason of such marriage.
(4)(A) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subsection, except as provided in subparagraph (B), the divorced wife of an individual who is not entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits, but who has attained age 62 and is a fully insured individual (as defined in
(i) meets the requirements of subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (1), and
(ii) has been divorced from such insured individual for not less than 2 years,
shall be entitled to a wife's insurance benefit under this subsection for each month, in such amount, and beginning and ending with such months, as determined (under regulations of the Commissioner of Social Security) in the manner otherwise provided for wife's insurance benefits under this subsection, as if such insured individual had become entitled to old-age insurance benefits on the date on which the divorced wife first meets the criteria for entitlement set forth in clauses (i) and (ii).
(B) A wife's insurance benefit provided under this paragraph which has not otherwise terminated in accordance with subparagraph (E), (F), (H), or (J) of paragraph (1) shall terminate with the month preceding the first month in which the insured individual is no longer a fully insured individual.
(c) Husband's insurance benefits
(1) The husband (as defined in
(A) has filed application for husband's insurance benefits,
(B) has attained age 62 or (in the case of a husband) has in his care (individually or jointly with such individual) at the time of filing such application a child entitled to child's insurance benefits on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such individual,
(C) in the case of a divorced husband, is not married, and
(D) is not entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits, or is entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits based on a primary insurance amount which is less than one-half of the primary insurance amount of such individual,
shall (subject to subsection(s) of this section) be entitled to a husband's insurance benefit for each month, beginning with—
(i) in the case of a husband or divorced husband (as so defined) of an individual who is entitled to an old-age insurance benefit, if such husband or divorced husband has attained retirement age (as defined in
(ii) in the case of a husband or divorced husband (as so defined) of—
(I) an individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits, if such husband or divorced husband has not attained retirement age (as defined in
(II) an individual entitled to disability insurance benefits,
the first month throughout which he is such a husband or divorced husband and meets the criteria specified in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) (if in such month he meets the criterion specified in subparagraph (A)),
whichever is earlier, and ending with the month preceding the month in which any of the following occurs:
(E) he dies,
(F) such individual dies,
(G) in the case of a husband, they are divorced and either (i) he has not attained age 62, or (ii) he has attained age 62 but has not been married to such individual for a period of 10 years immediately before the divorce became effective,
(H) in the case of a divorced husband, he marries a person other than such individual,
(I) in the case of a husband who has not attained age 62, no child of such individual is entitled to a child's insurance benefit,
(J) he becomes entitled to an old-age or disability insurance benefit based on a primary insurance amount which is equal to or exceeds one-half of the primary insurance amount of such individual, or
(K) such individual is not entitled to disability insurance benefits and is not entitled to old-age insurance benefits.
(2) Except as provided in subsections (k)(5) and (q) of this section, such husband's insurance benefit for each month shall be equal to one-half of the primary insurance amount of his wife (or, in the case of a divorced husband, his former wife) for such month.
(3) In the case of any divorced husband who marries—
(A) an individual entitled to benefits under subsection (b), (e), (g), or (h) of this section, or
(B) an individual who has attained the age of 18 and is entitled to benefits under subsection (d) of this section, by reason of paragraph (1)(B)(ii) thereof,
such divorced husband's entitlement to benefits under this subsection, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) (but subject to subsection (s) of this section), shall not be terminated by reason of such marriage.
(4)(A) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subsection, except as provided in subparagraph (B), the divorced husband of an individual who is not entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits, but who has attained age 62 and is a fully insured individual (as defined in
(i) meets the requirements of subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (1), and
(ii) has been divorced from such insured individual for not less than 2 years,
shall be entitled to a husband's insurance benefit under this subsection for each month, in such amount, and beginning and ending with such months, as determined (under regulations of the Commissioner of Social Security) in the manner otherwise provided for husband's insurance benefits under this subsection, as if such insured individual had become entitled to old-age insurance benefits on the date on which the divorced husband first meets the criteria for entitlement set forth in clauses (i) and (ii).
(B) A husband's insurance benefit provided under this paragraph which has not otherwise terminated in accordance with subparagraph (E), (F), (H), or (J) of paragraph (1) shall terminate with the month preceding the first month in which the insured individual is no longer a fully insured individual.
(d) Child's insurance benefits
(1) Every child (as defined in
(A) has filed application for child's insurance benefits,
(B) at the time such application was filed was unmarried and (i) either had not attained the age of 18 or was a full-time elementary or secondary school student and had not attained the age of 19, or (ii) is under a disability (as defined in
(C) was dependent upon such individual—
(i) if such individual is living, at the time such application was filed,
(ii) if such individual has died, at the time of such death, or
(iii) if such individual had a period of disability which continued until he became entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits, or (if he has died) until the month of his death, at the beginning of such period of disability or at the time he became entitled to such benefits,
shall be entitled to a child's insurance benefit for each month, beginning with—
(i) in the case of a child (as so defined) of such an individual who has died, the first month in which such child meets the criteria specified in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), or
(ii) in the case of a child (as so defined) of an individual entitled to an old-age insurance benefit or to a disability insurance benefit, the first month throughout which such child is a child (as so defined) and meets the criteria specified in subparagraphs (B) and (C) (if in such month he meets the criterion specified in subparagraph (A)),
whichever is earlier, and ending with the month preceding whichever of the following first occurs—
(D) the month in which such child dies, or marries,
(E) the month in which such child attains the age of 18, but only if he (i) is not under a disability (as so defined) at the time he attains such age, and (ii) is not a full-time elementary or secondary school student during any part of such month,
(F) if such child was not under a disability (as so defined) at the time he attained the age of 18, the earlier of—
(i) the first month during no part of which he is a full-time elementary or secondary school student, or
(ii) the month in which he attains the age of 19,
but only if he was not under a disability (as so defined) in such earlier month;
(G) if such child was under a disability (as so defined) at the time he attained the age of 18 or if he was not under a disability (as so defined) at such time but was under a disability (as so defined) at or prior to the time he attained (or would attain) the age of 22—
(i) the termination month, subject to
or (if later) the earlier of—
(ii) the first month during no part of which he is a full-time elementary or secondary school student, or
(iii) the month in which he attains the age of 19,
but only if he was not under a disability (as so defined) in such earlier month; or
(H) if the benefits under this subsection are based on the wages and self-employment income of a stepparent who is subsequently divorced from such child's natural parent, the month after the month in which such divorce becomes final.
Entitlement of any child to benefits under this subsection on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of an individual entitled to disability insurance benefits shall also end with the month before the first month for which such individual is not entitled to such benefits unless such individual is, for such later month, entitled to old-age insurance benefits or unless he dies in such month. No payment under this paragraph may be made to a child who would not meet the definition of disability in
(2) Such child's insurance benefit for each month shall, if the individual on the basis of whose wages and self-employment income the child is entitled to such benefit has not died prior to the end of such month, be equal to one-half of the primary insurance amount of such individual for such month. Such child's insurance benefit for each month shall, if such individual has died in or prior to such month, be equal to three-fourths of the primary insurance amount of such individual.
(3) A child shall be deemed dependent upon his father or adopting father or his mother or adopting mother at the time specified in paragraph (1)(C) of this subsection unless, at such time, such individual was not living with or contributing to the support of such child and—
(A) such child is neither the legitimate nor adopted child of such individual, or
(B) such child has been adopted by some other individual.
For purposes of this paragraph, a child deemed to be a child of a fully or currently insured individual pursuant to section 416(h)(2)(B) or
(4) A child shall be deemed dependent upon his stepfather or stepmother at the time specified in paragraph (1)(C) of this subsection if, at such time, the child was receiving at least one-half of his support from such stepfather or stepmother.
(5) In the case of a child who has attained the age of eighteen and who marries—
(A) an individual entitled to benefits under subsection (a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g), or (h) of this section or under
(B) another individual who has attained the age of eighteen and is entitled to benefits under this subsection,
such child's entitlement to benefits under this subsection shall, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection but subject to subsection (s) of this section, not be terminated by reason of such marriage.
(6) A child whose entitlement to child's insurance benefits on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of an insured individual terminated with the month preceding the month in which such child attained the age of 18, or with a subsequent month, may again become entitled to such benefits (provided no event specified in paragraph (1)(D) has occurred) beginning with the first month thereafter in which he—
(A)(i) is a full-time elementary or secondary school student and has not attained the age of 19, or (ii) is under a disability (as defined in
(B) is under a disability (as so defined) which began (i) before the close of the 84th month following the month in which his most recent entitlement to child's insurance benefits terminated because he ceased to be under such disability, or (ii) after the close of the 84th month following the month in which his most recent entitlement to child's insurance benefits terminated because he ceased to be under such disability due to performance of substantial gainful activity,
but only if he has filed application for such reentitlement. Such reentitlement shall end with the month preceding whichever of the following first occurs:
(C) the first month in which an event specified in paragraph (1)(D) occurs;
(D) the earlier of (i) the first month during no part of which he is a full-time elementary or secondary school student or (ii) the month in which he attains the age of 19, but only if he is not under a disability (as so defined) in such earlier month; or
(E) if he was under a disability (as so defined), the termination month (as defined in paragraph (1)(G)(i)), subject to
(i) the first month during no part of which he is a full-time elementary or secondary school student, or
(ii) the month in which he attains the age of 19.
(7) For the purposes of this subsection—
(A) A "full-time elementary or secondary school student" is an individual who is in full-time attendance as a student at an elementary or secondary school, as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Commissioner) in the light of the standards and practices of the schools involved, except that no individual shall be considered a "full-time elementary or secondary school student" if he is paid by his employer while attending an elementary or secondary school at the request, or pursuant to a requirement, of his employer. An individual shall not be considered a "full-time elementary or secondary school student" for the purpose of this section while that individual is confined in a jail, prison, or other penal institution or correctional facility, pursuant to his conviction of an offense (committed after the effective date of this sentence 1 ) which constituted a felony under applicable law. An individual who is determined to be a full-time elementary or secondary school student shall be deemed to be such a student throughout the month with respect to which such determination is made.
(B) Except to the extent provided in such regulations, an individual shall be deemed to be a full-time elementary or secondary school student during any period of nonattendance at an elementary or secondary school at which he has been in full-time attendance if (i) such period is 4 calendar months or less, and (ii) he shows to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security that he intends to continue to be in full-time attendance at an elementary or secondary school immediately following such period. An individual who does not meet the requirement of clause (ii) with respect to such period of nonattendance shall be deemed to have met such requirement (as of the beginning of such period) if he is in full-time attendance at an elementary or secondary school immediately following such period.
(C)(i) An "elementary or secondary school" is a school which provides elementary or secondary education, respectively, as determined under the law of the State or other jurisdiction in which it is located.
(ii) For the purpose of determining whether a child is a "full-time elementary or secondary school student" or "intends to continue to be in full-time attendance at an elementary or secondary school", within the meaning of this subsection, there shall be disregarded any education provided, or to be provided, beyond grade 12.
(D) A child who attains age 19 at a time when he is a full-time elementary or secondary school student (as defined in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and without application of subparagraph (B) of such paragraph) but has not (at such time) completed the requirements for, or received, a diploma or equivalent certificate from a secondary school (as defined in subparagraph (C)(i)) shall be deemed (for purposes of determining whether his entitlement to benefits under this subsection has terminated under paragraph (1)(F) and for purposes of determining his initial entitlement to such benefits under clause (i) of paragraph (1)(B)) not to have attained such age until the first day of the first month following the end of the quarter or semester in which he is enrolled at such time (or, if the elementary or secondary school (as defined in this paragraph) in which he is enrolled is not operated on a quarter or semester system, until the first day of the first month following the completion of the course in which he is so enrolled or until the first day of the third month beginning after such time, whichever first occurs).
(8) In the case of—
(A) an individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits (other than an individual referred to in subparagraph (B)), or
(B) an individual entitled to disability insurance benefits, or an individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits who was entitled to disability insurance benefits for the month preceding the first month for which he was entitled to old-age insurance benefits,
a child of such individual adopted after such individual became entitled to such old-age or disability insurance benefits shall be deemed not to meet the requirements of clause (i) or (iii) of paragraph (1)(C) unless such child—
(C) is the natural child or stepchild of such individual (including such a child who was legally adopted by such individual), or
(D)(i) was legally adopted by such individual in an adoption decreed by a court of competent jurisdiction within the United States, and
(ii) in the case of a child who attained the age of 18 prior to the commencement of proceedings for adoption, the child was living with or receiving at least one-half of the child's support from such individual for the year immediately preceding the month in which the adoption is decreed.
(9)(A) A child who is a child of an individual under clause (3) of the first sentence of
(B) In the case of a child who was born in the one-year period during which such child must have been living with and receiving at least one-half of his support from such individual, such child shall be deemed to meet such requirements for such period if, as of the close of such period, such child has lived with such individual in the United States and received at least one-half of his support from such individual for substantially all of the period which begins on the date of such child's birth.
(10) For purposes of paragraph (1)(H)—
(A) each stepparent shall notify the Commissioner of Social Security of any divorce upon such divorce becoming final; and
(B) the Commissioner shall annually notify any stepparent of the rule for termination described in paragraph (1)(H) and of the requirement described in subparagraph (A).
(e) Widow's insurance benefits
(1) The widow (as defined in
(A) is not married,
(B)(i) has attained age 60, or (ii) has attained age 50 but has not attained age 60 and is under a disability (as defined in
(C)(i) has filed application for widow's insurance benefits,
(ii) was entitled to wife's insurance benefits, on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such individual, for the month preceding the month in which such individual died, and—
(I) has attained retirement age (as defined in
(II) is not entitled to benefits under subsection (a) of this section or
(III) has in effect a certificate (described in paragraph (8)) filed by her with the Commissioner of Social Security, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security, in which she elects to receive widow's insurance benefits (subject to reduction as provided in subsection (q) of this section), or
(iii) was entitled, on the basis of such wages and self-employment income, to mother's insurance benefits for the month preceding the month in which she attained retirement age (as defined in
(D) is not entitled to old-age insurance benefits or is entitled to old-age insurance benefits each of which is less than the primary insurance amount (as determined after application of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (2)) of such deceased individual,
shall be entitled to a widow's insurance benefit for each month, beginning with—
(E) if she satisfies subparagraph (B) by reason of clause (i) thereof, the first month in which she becomes so entitled to such insurance benefits, or
(F) if she satisfies subparagraph (B) by reason of clause (ii) thereof—
(i) the first month after her waiting period (as defined in paragraph (5)) in which she becomes so entitled to such insurance benefits, or
(ii) the first month during all of which she is under a disability and in which she becomes so entitled to such insurance benefits, but only if she was previously entitled to insurance benefits under this subsection on the basis of being under a disability and such first month occurs (I) in the period specified in paragraph (4) and (II) after the month in which a previous entitlement to such benefits on such basis terminated,
and ending with the month preceding the first month in which any of the following occurs: she remarries, dies, becomes entitled to an old-age insurance benefit equal to or exceeding the primary insurance amount (as determined after application of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (2)) of such deceased individual, or, if she became entitled to such benefits before she attained age 60, subject to
(2)(A) Except as provided in subsection (k)(5) of this section, subsection (q) of this section, and subparagraph (D) of this paragraph, such widow's insurance benefit for each month shall be equal to the primary insurance amount (as determined for purposes of this subsection after application of subparagraphs (B) and (C)) of such deceased individual.
(B)(i) For purposes of this subsection, in any case in which such deceased individual dies before attaining age 62 and
(I) such primary insurance amount shall be determined under the formula set forth in section 415(a)(1)(B)(i) and (ii) of this title which is applicable to individuals who initially become eligible for old-age insurance benefits in the second year after the year specified in clause (ii),
(II) the year specified in clause (ii) shall be substituted for the second calendar year specified in
(III) such primary insurance amount shall be increased under
(ii) The year specified in this clause is the earlier of—
(I) the year in which the deceased individual attained age 60, or would have attained age 60 had he lived to that age, or
(II) the second year preceding the year in which the widow or surviving divorced wife first meets the requirements of paragraph (1)(B) or the second year preceding the year in which the deceased individual died, whichever is later.
(iii) This subparagraph shall apply with respect to any benefit under this subsection only to the extent its application does not result in a primary insurance amount for purposes of this subsection which is less than the primary insurance amount otherwise determined for such deceased individual under
(C) If such deceased individual was (or upon application would have been) entitled to an old-age insurance benefit which was increased (or subject to being increased) on account of delayed retirement under the provisions of subsection (w) of this section, then, for purposes of this subsection, such individual's primary insurance amount, if less than the old-age insurance benefit (increased, where applicable, under
(D) If the deceased individual (on the basis of whose wages and self-employment income a widow or surviving divorced wife is entitled to widow's insurance benefits under this subsection) was, at any time, entitled to an old-age insurance benefit which was reduced by reason of the application of subsection (q) of this section, the widow's insurance benefit of such widow or surviving divorced wife for any month shall, if the amount of the widow's insurance benefit of such widow or surviving divorced wife (as determined under subparagraph (A) and after application of subsection (q) of this section) is greater than—
(i) the amount of the old-age insurance benefit to which such deceased individual would have been entitled (after application of subsection (q) of this section) for such month if such individual were still living and
(ii) 82½ percent of the primary insurance amount (as determined without regard to subparagraph (C)) of such deceased individual,
be reduced to the amount referred to in clause (i), or (if greater) the amount referred to in clause (ii).
(3) For purposes of paragraph (1), if—
(A) a widow or surviving divorced wife marries after attaining age 60 (or after attaining age 50 if she was entitled before such marriage occurred to benefits based on disability under this subsection), or
(B) a disabled widow or disabled surviving divorced wife described in paragraph (1)(B)(ii) marries after attaining age 50,
such marriage shall be deemed not to have occurred.
(4) The period referred to in paragraph (1)(B)(ii), in the case of any widow or surviving divorced wife, is the period beginning with whichever of the following is the latest:
(A) the month in which occurred the death of the fully insured individual referred to in paragraph (1) on whose wages and self-employment income her benefits are or would be based, or
(B) the last month for which she was entitled to mother's insurance benefits on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such individual, or
(C) the month in which a previous entitlement to widow's insurance benefits on the basis of such wages and self-employment income terminated because her disability had ceased,
and ending with the month before the month in which she attains age 60, or, if earlier, with the close of the eighty-fourth month following the month with which such period began.
(5)(A) The waiting period referred to in paragraph (1)(F), in the case of any widow or surviving divorced wife, is the earliest period of five consecutive calendar months—
(i) throughout which she has been under a disability, and
(ii) which begins not earlier than with whichever of the following is the later: (I) the first day of the seventeenth month before the month in which her application is filed, or (II) the first day of the fifth month before the month in which the period specified in paragraph (4) begins.
(B) For purposes of paragraph (1)(F)(i), each month in the period commencing with the first month for which such widow or surviving divorced wife is first eligible for supplemental security income benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter, or State supplementary payments of the type referred to in
(6) In the case of an individual entitled to monthly insurance benefits payable under this section for any month prior to January 1973 whose benefits were not redetermined under section 102(g) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972, such benefits shall not be redetermined pursuant to such section, but shall be increased pursuant to any general benefit increase (as defined in
(7) Any certificate filed pursuant to paragraph (1)(C)(ii)(III) shall be effective for purposes of this subsection—
(A) for the month in which it is filed and for any month thereafter, and
(B) for months, in the period designated by the individual filing such certificate, of one or more consecutive months (not exceeding 12) immediately preceding the month in which such certificate is filed;
except that such certificate shall not be effective for any month before the month in which she attains age 62.
(8) An individual shall be deemed to be under a disability for purposes of paragraph (1)(B)(ii) if such individual is eligible for supplemental security income benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter, or State supplementary payments of the type referred to in
(f) Widower's insurance benefits
(1) The widower (as defined in
(A) is not married,
(B)(i) has attained age 60, or (ii) has attained age 50 but has not attained age 60 and is under a disability (as defined in section 423(d) of the title) which began before the end of the period specified in paragraph (4),
(C)(i) has filed application for widower's insurance benefits,
(ii) was entitled to husband's insurance benefits, on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such individual, for the month preceding the month in which such individual died, and—
(I) has attained retirement age (as defined in
(II) is not entitled to benefits under subsection (a) of this section or
(III) has in effect a certificate (described in paragraph (8)) filed by him with the Commissioner of Social Security, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security, in which he elects to receive widower's insurance benefits (subject to reduction as provided in subsection (q) of this section), or
(iii) was entitled, on the basis of such wages and self-employment income, to father's insurance benefits for the month preceding the month in which he attained retirement age (as defined in
(D) is not entitled to old-age insurance benefits, or is entitled to old-age insurance benefits each of which is less than the primary insurance amount (as determined after application of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (3)) of such deceased individual,
shall be entitled to a widower's insurance benefit for each month, beginning with—
(E) if he satisfies subparagraph (B) by reason of clause (i) thereof, the first month in which he becomes so entitled to such insurance benefits, or
(F) if he satisfies subparagraph (B) by reason of clause (ii) thereof—
(i) the first month after his waiting period (as defined in paragraph (5)) in which he becomes so entitled to such insurance benefits, or
(ii) the first month during all of which he is under a disability and in which he becomes so entitled to such insurance benefits, but only if he was previously entitled to insurance benefits under this subsection on the basis of being under a disability and such first month occurs (I) in the period specified in paragraph (4) and (II) after the month in which a previous entitlement to such benefits on such basis terminated,
and ending with the month preceding the first month in which any of the following occurs: he remarries, dies, or becomes entitled to an old-age insurance benefit equal to or exceeding the primary insurance amount (as determined after application of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (3)) 1 of such deceased individual, or, if he became entitled to such benefits before he attained age 60, subject to
(2)(A) Except as provided in subsection (k)(5) of this section, subsection (q) of this section, and subparagraph (D) of this paragraph, such widower's insurance benefit for each month shall be equal to the primary insurance amount (as determined for purposes of this subsection after application of subparagraphs (B) and (C)) of such deceased individual.
(B)(i) For purposes of this subsection, in any case in which such deceased individual dies before attaining age 62 and
(I) such primary insurance amount shall be determined under the formula set forth in section 415(a)(1)(B)(i) and (ii) of this title which is applicable to individuals who initially become eligible for old-age insurance benefits in the second year after the year specified in clause (ii),
(II) the year specified in clause (ii) shall be substituted for the second calendar year specified in
(III) such primary insurance amount shall be increased under
(ii) The year specified in this clause is the earlier of—
(I) the year in which the deceased individual attained age 60, or would have attained age 60 had she lived to that age, or
(II) the second year preceding the year in which the widower or surviving divorced husband first meets the requirements of paragraph (1)(B) or the second year preceding the year in which the deceased individual died, whichever is later.
(iii) This subparagraph shall apply with respect to any benefit under this subsection only to the extent its application does not result in a primary insurance amount for purposes of this subsection which is less than the primary insurance amount otherwise determined for such deceased individual under
(C) If such deceased individual was (or upon application would have been) entitled to an old-age insurance benefit which was increased (or subject to being increased) on account of delayed retirement under the provisions of subsection (w) of this section, then, for purposes of this subsection, such individual's primary insurance amount, if less than the old-age insurance benefit (increased, where applicable, under
(D) If the deceased individual (on the basis of whose wages and self-employment income a widower or surviving divorced husband is entitled to widower's insurance benefits under this subsection) was, at any time, entitled to an old-age insurance benefit which was reduced by reason of the application of subsection (q) of this section, the widower's insurance benefit of such widower or surviving divorced husband for any month shall, if the amount of the widower's insurance benefit of such widower or surviving divorced husband (as determined under subparagraph (A) and after application of subsection (q) of this section) is greater than—
(i) the amount of the old-age insurance benefit to which such deceased individual would have been entitled (after application of subsection (q) of this section) for such month if such individual were still living and
(ii) 82½ percent of the primary insurance amount (as determined without regard to subparagraph (C)) of such deceased individual;
be reduced to the amount referred to in clause (i), or (if greater) the amount referred to in clause (ii).
(3) For purposes of paragraph (1), if—
(A) a widower or surviving divorced husband marries after attaining age 60 (or after attaining age 50 if he was entitled before such marriage occurred to benefits based on disability under this subsection), or
(B) a disabled widower or surviving divorced husband described in paragraph (1)(B)(ii) marries after attaining age 50,
such marriage shall be deemed not to have occurred.
(4) The period referred to in paragraph (1)(B)(ii), in the case of any widower or surviving divorced husband, is the period beginning with whichever of the following is the latest:
(A) the month in which occurred the death of the fully insured individual referred to in paragraph (1) on whose wages and self-employment income his benefits are or would be based,
(B) the last month for which he was entitled to father's insurance benefits on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such individual, or
(C) the month in which a previous entitlement to widower's insurance benefits on the basis of such wages and self-employment income terminated because his disability had ceased,
and ending with the month before the month in which he attains age 60, or, if earlier, with the close of the eighty-fourth month following the month with which such period began.
(5)(A) The waiting period referred to in paragraph (1)(F), in the case of any widower or surviving divorced husband, is the earliest period of five consecutive calendar months—
(i) throughout which he has been under a disability, and
(ii) which begins not earlier than with whichever of the following is the later: (I) the first day of the seventeenth month before the month in which his application is filed, or (II) the first day of the fifth month before the month in which the period specified in paragraph (4) begins.
(B) For purposes of paragraph (1)(F)(i), each month in the period commencing with the first month for which such widower or surviving divorced husband is first eligible for supplemental security income benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter, or State supplementary payments of the type referred to in
(6) In the case of an individual entitled to monthly insurance benefits payable under this section for any month prior to January 1973 whose benefits were not redetermined under section 102(g) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972, such benefits shall not be redetermined pursuant to such section, but shall be increased pursuant to any general benefit increase (as defined in
(7) Any certificate filed pursuant to paragraph (1)(C)(ii)(III) shall be effective for purposes of this subsection—
(A) for the month in which it is filed and for any month thereafter, and
(B) for months, in the period designated by the individual filing such certificate, of one or more consecutive months (not exceeding 12) immediately preceding the month in which such certificate is filed;
except that such certificate shall not be effective for any month before the month in which he attains age 62.
(8) An individual shall be deemed to be under a disability for purposes of paragraph (1)(B)(ii) if such individual is eligible for supplemental security income benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter, or State supplementary payments of the type referred to in
(g) Mother's and father's insurance benefits
(1) The surviving spouse and every surviving divorced parent (as defined in
(A) is not married,
(B) is not entitled to a surviving spouse's insurance benefit,
(C) is not entitled to old-age insurance benefits, or is entitled to old-age insurance benefits each of which is less than three-fourths of the primary insurance amount of such individual,
(D) has filed application for mother's or father's insurance benefits, or was entitled to a spouse's insurance benefit on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such individual for the month preceding the month in which such individual died,
(E) at the time of filing such application has in his or her care a child of such individual entitled to a child's insurance benefit, and
(F) in the case of a surviving divorced parent—
(i) the child referred to in subparagraph (E) is his or her son, daughter, or legally adopted child, and
(ii) the benefits referred to in such subparagraph are payable on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income,
shall (subject to subsection (s) of this section) be entitled to a mother's or father's insurance benefit for each month, beginning with the first month in which he or she becomes so entitled to such insurance benefits and ending with the month preceding the first month in which any of the following occurs: no child of such deceased individual is entitled to a child's insurance benefit, such surviving spouse or surviving divorced parent becomes entitled to an old-age insurance benefit equal to or exceeding three-fourths of the primary insurance amount of such deceased individual, he or she becomes entitled to a surviving spouse's insurance benefit, he or she remarries, or he or she dies. Entitlement to such benefits shall also end, in the case of a surviving divorced parent, with the month immediately preceding the first month in which no son, daughter, or legally adopted child of such surviving divorced parent is entitled to a child's insurance benefit on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such deceased individual.
(2) Such mother's or father's insurance benefit for each month shall be equal to three-fourths of the primary insurance amount of such deceased individual.
(3) In the case of a surviving spouse or surviving divorced parent who marries—
(A) an individual entitled to benefits under this subsection or subsection (a), (b), (c), (e), (f), or (h) of this section, or under
(B) an individual who has attained the age of eighteen and is entitled to benefits under subsection (d) of this section,
the entitlement of such surviving spouse or surviving divorced parent to benefits under this subsection shall, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection but subject to subsection (s) of this section, not be terminated by reason of such marriage.
(h) Parent's insurance benefits
(1) Every parent (as defined in this subsection) of an individual who died a fully insured individual, if such parent—
(A) has attained age 62,
(B)(i) was receiving at least one-half of his support from such individual at the time of such individual's death or, if such individual had a period of disability which did not end prior to the month in which he died, at the time such period began or at the time of such death, and (ii) filed proof of such support within two years after the date of such death, or, if such individual had such a period of disability, within two years after the month in which such individual filed application with respect to such period of disability or two years after the date of such death, as the case may be,
(C) has not married since such individual's death,
(D) is not entitled to old-age insurance benefits, or is entitled to old-age insurance benefits each of which is less than 82½ percent of the primary insurance amount of such deceased individual if the amount of the parent's insurance benefit for such month is determinable under paragraph (2)(A) (or 75 percent of such primary insurance amount in any other case), and
(E) has filed application for parent's insurance benefits,
shall be entitled to a parent's insurance benefit for each month beginning with the first month after August 1950 in which such parent becomes so entitled to such parent's insurance benefits and ending with the month preceding the first month in which any of the following occurs: such parent dies, marries, or becomes entitled to an old-age insurance benefit equal to or exceeding 82½ percent of the primary insurance amount of such deceased individual if the amount of the parent's insurance benefit for such month is determinable under paragraph (2)(A) (or 75 percent of such primary insurance amount in any other case).
(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), such parent's insurance benefit for each month shall be equal to 82½ percent of the primary insurance amount of such deceased individual.
(B) For any month for which more than one parent is entitled to parent's insurance benefits on the basis of such deceased individual's wages and self-employment income, such benefit for each such parent for such month shall (except as provided in subparagraph (C)) be equal to 75 percent of the primary insurance amount of such deceased individual.
(C) In any case in which—
(i) any parent is entitled to a parent's insurance benefit for a month on the basis of a deceased individual's wages and self-employment income, and
(ii) another parent of such deceased individual is entitled to a parent's insurance benefit for such month on the basis of such wages and self-employment income, and on the basis of an application filed after such month and after the month in which the application for the parent's benefits referred to in clause (i) was filed,
the amount of the parent's insurance benefit of the parent referred to in clause (i) for the month referred to in such clause shall be determined under subparagraph (A) instead of subparagraph (B) and the amount of the parent's insurance benefit of a parent referred to in clause (ii) for such month shall be equal to 150 percent of the primary insurance amount of the deceased individual minus the amount (before the application of
(3) As used in this subsection, the term "parent" means the mother or father of an individual, a stepparent of an individual by a marriage contracted before such individual attained the age of sixteen, or an adopting parent by whom an individual was adopted before he attained the age of sixteen.
(4) In the case of a parent who marries—
(A) an individual entitled to benefits under this subsection or subsection (b), (c), (e), (f), or (g) of this section, or
(B) an individual who has attained the age of eighteen and is entitled to benefits under subsection (d) of this section,
such parent's entitlement to benefits under this subsection shall, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection but subject to subsection (s) of this section, not be terminated by reason of such marriage.
(i) Lump-sum death payments
Upon the death, after August 1950, of an individual who died a fully or currently insured individual, an amount equal to three times such individual's primary insurance amount (as determined without regard to the amendments made by section 2201 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, relating to the repeal of the minimum benefit provisions), or an amount equal to $255, whichever is the smaller, shall be paid in a lump sum to the person, if any, determined by the Commissioner of Social Security to be the widow or widower of the deceased and to have been living in the same household with the deceased at the time of death. If there is no such person, or if such person dies before receiving payment, then such amount shall be paid—
(1) to a widow (as defined in
(2) if no person qualifies for payment under paragraph (1), or if such person dies before receiving payment, in equal shares to each person who is entitled (or would have been so entitled had a timely application been filed), on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such insured individual, to benefits under subsection (d) of this section for the month in which occurred such individual's death.
No payment shall be made to any person under this subsection unless application therefor shall have been filed, by or on behalf of such person (whether or not legally competent), prior to the expiration of two years after the date of death of such insured individual, or unless such person was entitled to wife's or husband's insurance benefits, on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such insured individual, for the month preceding the month in which such individual died. In the case of any individual who died outside the forty-eight States and the District of Columbia after December 1953 and before January 1, 1957, whose death occurred while he was in the active military or naval service of the United States, and who is returned to any of such States, the District of Columbia, Alaska, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, or American Samoa for interment or reinterment, the provisions of the preceding sentence shall not prevent payment to any person under the second sentence of this subsection if application for a lump-sum death payment with respect to such deceased individual is filed by or on behalf of such person (whether or not legally competent) prior to the expiration of two years after the date of such interment or reinterment. In the case of any individual who died outside the fifty States and the District of Columbia after December 1956 while he was performing service, as a member of a uniformed service, to which the provisions of
(j) Application for monthly insurance benefits
(1) Subject to the limitations contained in paragraph (4), an individual who would have been entitled to a benefit under subsection (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) of this section for any month after August 1950 had he filed application therefor prior to the end of such month shall be entitled to such benefit for such month if he files application therefor prior to—
(A) the end of the twelfth month immediately succeeding such month in any case where the individual (i) is filing application for a benefit under subsection (e) or (f) of this section, and satisfies paragraph (1)(B) of such subsection by reason of clause (ii) thereof, or (ii) is filing application for a benefit under subsection (b), (c), or (d) of this section on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of a person entitled to disability insurance benefits, or
(B) the end of the sixth month immediately succeeding such month in any case where subparagraph (A) does not apply.
Any benefit under this subchapter for a month prior to the month in which application is filed shall be reduced, to any extent that may be necessary, so that it will not render erroneous any benefit which, before the filing of such application, the Commissioner of Social Security has certified for payment for such prior month.
(2) An application for any monthly benefits under this section filed before the first month in which the applicant satisfies the requirements for such benefits shall be deemed a valid application (and shall be deemed to have been filed in such first month) only if the applicant satisfies the requirements for such benefits before the Commissioner of Social Security makes a final decision on the application and no request under
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), an individual may, at his option, waive entitlement to any benefit referred to in paragraph (1) for any one or more consecutive months (beginning with the earliest month for which such individual would otherwise be entitled to such benefit) which occur before the month in which such individual files application for such benefit; and, in such case, such individual shall not be considered as entitled to such benefits for any such month or months before such individual filed such application. An individual shall be deemed to have waived such entitlement for any such month for which such benefit would, under the second sentence of paragraph (1), be reduced to zero.
(4)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), no individual shall be entitled to a monthly benefit under subsection (a), (b), (c), (e), or (f) of this section for any month prior to the month in which he or she files an application for benefits under that subsection if the amount of the monthly benefit to which such individual would otherwise be entitled for any such month would be subject to reduction pursuant to subsection (q) of this section.
(B)(i) If the individual applying for retroactive benefits is a widow, surviving divorced wife, or widower and is under a disability (as defined in
(ii) Subparagraph (A) does not apply to a benefit under subsection (e) or (f) of this section for the month immediately preceding the month of application, if the insured individual died in that preceding month.
(iii) As used in this subparagraph, the term "retroactive benefits" means benefits to which an individual becomes entitled for a month prior to the month in which application for such benefits is filed.
(5) In any case in which it is determined to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security that an individual failed as of any date to apply for monthly insurance benefits under this subchapter by reason of misinformation provided to such individual by any officer or employee of the Social Security Administration relating to such individual's eligibility for benefits under this subchapter, such individual shall be deemed to have applied for such benefits on the later of—
(A) the date on which such misinformation was provided to such individual, or
(B) the date on which such individual met all requirements for entitlement to such benefits (other than application therefor).
(k) Simultaneous entitlement to benefits
(1) A child, entitled to child's insurance benefits on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of an insured individual, who would be entitled, on filing application, to child's insurance benefits on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of some other insured individual, shall be deemed entitled, subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection, to child's insurance benefits on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such other individual if an application for child's insurance benefits on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such other individual has been filed by any other child who would, on filing application, be entitled to child's insurance benefits on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of both such insured individuals.
(2)(A) Any child who under the preceding provisions of this section is entitled for any month to child's insurance benefits on the wages and self-employment income of more than one insured individual shall, notwithstanding such provisions, be entitled to only one of such child's insurance benefits for such month. Such child's insurance benefits for such month shall be the benefit based on the wages and self-employment income of the insured individual who has the greatest primary insurance amount, except that such child's insurance benefits for such month shall be the largest benefit to which such child could be entitled under subsection (d) of this section (without the application of
(B) Any individual (other than an individual to whom subsection (e)(3) or (f)(3) of this section applies) who, under the preceding provisions of this section and under the provisions of
(3)(A) If an individual is entitled to an old-age or disability insurance benefit for any month and to any other monthly insurance benefit for such month, such other insurance benefit for such month, after any reduction under subsection (q), subsection (e)(2) or (f)(2) of this section, and any reduction under
(B) If an individual is entitled for any month to a widow's or widower's insurance benefit to which subsection (e)(3) or (f)(3) of this section applies and to any other monthly insurance benefit under this section (other than an old-age insurance benefit), such other insurance benefit for such month, after any reduction under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, any reduction under subsection (q) of this section, and any reduction under
(4) Any individual who, under this section and
(5)(A) The amount of a monthly insurance benefit of any individual for each month under subsection (b), (c), (e), (f), or (g) of this section (as determined after application of the provisions of subsection (q) of this section and the preceding provisions of this subsection) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by an amount equal to two-thirds of the amount of any monthly periodic benefit payable to such individual for such month which is based upon such individual's earnings while in the service of the Federal Government or any State (or political subdivision thereof, as defined in
(i) such service did not constitute "employment" as defined in
(ii) such service was being performed while in the service of the Federal Government, and constituted "employment" as so defined solely by reason of—
(I) clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (G) of
(II) an election to become subject to the Federal Employees' Retirement System provided in
unless subparagraph (B) applies.
The amount of the reduction in any benefit under this subparagraph, if not a multiple of $0.10, shall be rounded to the next higher multiple of $0.10.
(B)(i) Subparagraph (A)(i) shall not apply with respect to monthly periodic benefits based wholly on service as a member of a uniformed service (as defined in
(ii) Subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not apply with respect to monthly periodic benefits based in whole or in part on service which constituted "employment" as defined in
(C) For purposes of this paragraph, any periodic benefit which otherwise meets the requirements of subparagraph (A), but which is paid on other than a monthly basis, shall be allocated on a basis equivalent to a monthly benefit (as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security) and such equivalent monthly benefit shall constitute a monthly periodic benefit for purposes of subparagraph (A). For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "periodic benefit" includes a benefit payable in a lump sum if it is a commutation of, or a substitute for, periodic payments.
(l) Entitlement to survivor benefits under railroad retirement provisions
If any person would be entitled, upon filing application therefor to an annuity under section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 [
(m) Repealed. Pub. L. 97–35, title XXII, §2201(b)(10), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 831
(n) Termination of benefits upon removal of primary beneficiary
(1) If any individual is (after September 1, 1954) removed under
(A) no monthly benefit under this section or
(B) if no benefit could be paid to such individual (or if no benefit could be paid to him if he were alive) for any month by reason of subparagraph (A), no monthly benefit under this section shall be paid, on the basis of his wages and self-employment income, for such month to any other person who is not a citizen of the United States and is outside the United States for any part of such month, and
(C) no lump-sum death payment shall be made on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income if he dies (i) in or after the month in which such notice is received, and (ii) before the month in which he is thereafter lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence.
(2) As soon as practicable after the removal of any individual under any of the paragraphs of
(3) For purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, an individual against whom a final order of removal has been issued under paragraph (4)(D) of
(o) Application for benefits by survivors of members and former members of uniformed services
In the case of any individual who would be entitled to benefits under subsection (d), (e), (g), or (h) of this section upon filing proper application therefor, the filing with the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs by or on behalf of such individual of an application for such benefits, on the form described in
(p) Extension of period for filing proof of support and applications for lump-sum death payment
In any case in which there is a failure—
(1) to file proof of support under subparagraph (B) of subsection (h)(1) of this section, or under clause (B) of subsection (f)(1) of this section as in effect prior to the Social Security Act Amendments of 1950, within the period prescribed by such subparagraph or clause, or
(2) to file, in the case of a death after 1946, application for a lump-sum death payment under subsection (i) of this section, or under subsection (g) of this section as in effect prior to the Social Security Act Amendments of 1950, within the period prescribed by such subsection,
any such proof or application, as the case may be, which is filed after the expiration of such period shall be deemed to have been filed within such period if it is shown to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security that there was good cause for failure to file such proof or application within such period. The determination of what constitutes good cause for purposes of this subsection shall be made in accordance with regulations of the Commissioner of Social Security.
(q) Reduction of benefit amounts for certain beneficiaries
(1) Subject to paragraph (9), if the first month for which an individual is entitled to an old-age, wife's, husband's, widow's, or widower's insurance benefit is a month before the month in which such individual attains retirement age, the amount of such benefit for such month and for any subsequent month shall, subject to the succeeding paragraphs of this subsection, be reduced by—
(A) 5/9 of 1 percent of such amount if such benefit is an old-age insurance benefit, 25/36 of 1 percent of such amount if such benefit is a wife's or husband's insurance benefit, or 19/40 of 1 percent of such amount if such benefit is a widow's or widower's insurance benefit, multiplied by
(B)(i) the number of months in the reduction period for such benefit (determined under paragraph (6)), if such benefit is for a month before the month in which such individual attains retirement age, or
(ii) if less, the number of such months in the adjusted reduction period for such benefit (determined under paragraph (7)), if such benefit is (I) for the month in which such individual attains age 62, or (II) for the month in which such individual attains retirement age.
(2) If an individual is entitled to a disability insurance benefit for a month after a month for which such individual was entitled to an old-age insurance benefit, such disability insurance benefit for each month shall be reduced by the amount such old-age insurance benefit would be reduced under paragraphs (1) and (4) for such month had such individual attained retirement age (as defined in
(3)(A) If the first month for which an individual both is entitled to a wife's, husband's, widow's, or widower's insurance benefit and has attained age 62 (in the case of a wife's or husband's insurance benefit) or age 50 (in the case of a widow's or widower's insurance benefit) is a month for which such individual is also entitled to—
(i) an old-age insurance benefit (to which such individual was first entitled for a month before he attains retirement age (as defined in
(ii) a disability insurance benefit,
then in lieu of any reduction under paragraph (1) (but subject to the succeeding paragraphs of this subsection) such wife's, husband's, widow's, or widower's insurance benefit for each month shall be reduced as provided in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D).
(B) For any month for which such individual is entitled to an old-age insurance benefit and is not entitled to a disability insurance benefit, such individual's wife's or husband's insurance benefit shall be reduced by the sum of—
(i) the amount by which such old-age insurance benefit is reduced under paragraph (1) for such month, and
(ii) the amount by which such wife's or husband's insurance benefit would be reduced under paragraph (1) for such month if it were equal to the excess of such wife's or husband's insurance benefit (before reduction under this subsection) over such old-age insurance benefit (before reduction under this subsection).
(C) For any month for which such individual is entitled to a disability insurance benefit, such individual's wife's, husband's, widow's, or widower's insurance benefit shall be reduced by the sum of—
(i) the amount by which such disability insurance benefit is reduced under paragraph (2) for such month (if such paragraph applied to such benefit), and
(ii) the amount by which such wife's, husband's, widow's, or widower's insurance benefit would be reduced under paragraph (1) for such month if it were equal to the excess of such wife's, husband's, widow's, or widower's insurance benefit (before reduction under this subsection) over such disability insurance benefit (before reduction under this subsection).
(D) For any month for which such individual is entitled neither to an old-age insurance benefit nor to a disability insurance benefit, such individual's wife's, husband's, widow's, or widower's insurance benefit shall be reduced by the amount by which it would be reduced under paragraph (1).
(E) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, if the first month for which an individual is entitled to a widow's or widower's insurance benefit is a month for which such individual is also entitled to an old-age insurance benefit to which such individual was first entitled for that month or for a month before she or he became entitled to a widow's or widower's benefit, the reduction in such widow's or widower's insurance benefit shall be determined under paragraph (1).
(4) If—
(A) an individual is or was entitled to a benefit subject to reduction under paragraph (1) or (3) of this subsection, and
(B) such benefit is increased by reason of an increase in the primary insurance amount of the individual on whose wages and self-employment income such benefit is based,
then the amount of the reduction of such benefit (after the application of any adjustment under paragraph (7)) for each month beginning with the month of such increase in the primary insurance amount shall be computed under paragraph (1) or (3), whichever applies, as though the increased primary insurance amount had been in effect for and after the month for which the individual first became entitled to such monthly benefit reduced under such paragraph (1) or (3).
(5)(A) No wife's or husband's insurance benefit shall be reduced under this subsection—
(i) for any month before the first month for which there is in effect a certificate filed by him or her with the Commissioner of Social Security, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security, in which he or she elects to receive wife's or husband's insurance benefits reduced as provided in this subsection, or
(ii) for any month in which he or she has in his or her care (individually or jointly with the person on whose wages and self-employment income the wife's or husband's insurance benefit is based) a child of such person entitled to child's insurance benefits.
(B) Any certificate described in subparagraph (A)(i) shall be effective for purposes of this subsection (and for purposes of preventing deductions under
(i) for the month in which it is filed and for any month thereafter, and
(ii) for months, in the period designated by the individual filing such certificate, of one or more consecutive months (not exceeding 12) immediately preceding the month in which such certificate is filed;
except that such certificate shall not be effective for any month before the month in which he or she attains age 62, nor shall it be effective for any month to which subparagraph (A)(ii) applies.
(C) If an individual does not have in his or her care a child described in subparagraph (A)(ii) in the first month for which he or she is entitled to a wife's or husband's insurance benefit, and if such first month is a month before the month in which he or she attains retirement age (as defined in
(D) No widow's or widower's insurance benefit for a month in which he or she has in his or her care a child of his or her deceased spouse (or deceased former spouse) entitled to child's insurance benefits shall be reduced under this subsection below the amount to which he or she would have been entitled had he or she been entitled for such month to mother's or father's insurance benefits on the basis of his or her deceased spouse's (or deceased former spouse's) wages and self-employment income.
(6) For purposes of this subsection, the "reduction period" for an individual's old-age, wife's, husband's, widow's, or widower's insurance benefit is the period—
(A) beginning—
(i) in the case of an old-age insurance benefit, with the first day of the first month for which such individual is entitled to such benefit,
(ii) in the case of a wife's or husband's insurance benefit, with the first day of the first month for which a certificate described in paragraph (5)(A)(i) is effective, or
(iii) in the case of a widow's or widower's insurance benefit, with the first day of the first month for which such individual is entitled to such benefit or the first day of the month in which such individual attains age 60, whichever is the later, and
(B) ending with the last day of the month before the month in which such individual attains retirement age.
(7) For purposes of this subsection, the "adjusted reduction period" for an individual's old-age, wife's, husband's, widow's, or widower's insurance benefit is the reduction period prescribed in paragraph (6) for such benefit, excluding—
(A) any month in which such benefit was subject to deductions under
(B) in the case of wife's or husband's insurance benefits, any month in which such individual had in his or her care (individually or jointly with the person on whose wages and self-employment income such benefit is based) a child of such person entitled to child's insurance benefits,
(C) in the case of wife's or husband's insurance benefits, any month for which such individual was not entitled to such benefits because of the occurrence of an event that terminated her or his entitlement to such benefits,
(D) in the case of widow's or widower's insurance benefits, any month in which the reduction in the amount of such benefit was determined under paragraph (5)(D),
(E) in the case of widow's or widower's insurance benefits, any month before the month in which she or he attained age 62, and also for any later month before the month in which she or he attained retirement age, for which she or he was not entitled to such benefit because of the occurrence of an event that terminated her or his entitlement to such benefits, and
(F) in the case of old-age insurance benefits, any month for which such individual was entitled to a disability insurance benefit.
(8) This subsection shall be applied after reduction under
(9) The amount of the reduction for early retirement specified in paragraph (1)—
(A) for old-age insurance benefits, wife's insurance benefits, and husband's insurance benefits, shall be the amount specified in such paragraph for the first 36 months of the reduction period (as defined in paragraph (6)) or adjusted reduction period (as defined in paragraph (7)), and five-twelfths of 1 percent for any additional months included in such periods; and
(B) for widow's insurance benefits and widower's insurance benefits, shall be periodically revised by the Commissioner of Social Security such that—
(i) the amount of the reduction at early retirement age as defined in
(ii) the amount of the reduction for each month in the reduction period (specified in paragraph (6)) or the adjusted reduction period (specified in paragraph (7)) shall be established by linear interpolation between 28.5 percent at the month of attainment of early retirement age and 0 percent at the month of attainment of retirement age.
(10) For purposes of applying paragraph (4), with respect to monthly benefits payable for any month after December 1977 to an individual who was entitled to a monthly benefit as reduced under paragraph (1) or (3) prior to January 1978, the amount of reduction in such benefit for the first month for which such benefit is increased by reason of an increase in the primary insurance amount of the individual on whose wages and self-employment income such benefit is based and for all subsequent months (and similarly for all subsequent increases) shall be increased by a percentage equal to the percentage increase in such primary insurance amount (such increase being made in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (8)). In the case of an individual whose reduced benefit under this section is increased as a result of the use of an adjusted reduction period (in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (3) of this subsection), then for the first month for which such increase is effective, and for all subsequent months, the amount of such reduction (after the application of the previous sentence, if applicable) shall be determined—
(A) in the case of old-age, wife's, and husband's insurance benefits, by multiplying such amount by the ratio of (i) the number of months in the adjusted reduction period to (ii) the number of months in the reduction period,
(B) in the case of widow's and widower's insurance benefits for the month in which such individual attains age 62, by multiplying such amount by the ratio of (i) the number of months in the reduction period beginning with age 62 multiplied by 19/40 of 1 percent, plus the number of months in the adjusted reduction period prior to age 62 multiplied by 19/40 of 1 percent to (ii) the number of months in the reduction period multiplied by 19/40 of 1 percent, and
(C) in the case of widow's and widower's insurance benefits for the month in which such individual attains retirement age (as defined in
such determination being made in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (8).
(11) When an individual is entitled to more than one monthly benefit under this subchapter and one or more of such benefits are reduced under this subsection, paragraph (10) shall apply separately to each such benefit reduced under this subsection before the application of subsection (k) of this section (pertaining to the method by which monthly benefits are offset when an individual is entitled to more than one kind of benefit) and the application of this paragraph shall operate in conjunction with paragraph (3).
(r) Presumed filing of application by individuals eligible for old-age insurance benefits and for wife's or husband's insurance benefits
(1) If the first month for which an individual is entitled to an old-age insurance benefit is a month before the month in which such individual attains retirement age (as defined in
(2) If the first month for which an individual is entitled to a wife's or husband's insurance benefit reduced under subsection (q) of this section is a month before the month in which such individual attains retirement age (as defined in
(A) in such month, or
(B) if such individual is also entitled to a disability insurance benefit for such month, in the first subsequent month for which such individual is not entitled to a disability insurance benefit.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, an individual shall be deemed eligible for a benefit for a month if, upon filing application therefor in such month, he would be entitled to such benefit for such month.
(s) Child over specified age to be disregarded for certain benefit purposes unless disabled
(1) For the purposes of subsections (b)(1), (c)(1), (g)(1), (q)(5), and (q)(7) of this section and paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of
(2) So much of subsections (b)(3), (c)(4),1 (d)(5), (g)(3), and (h)(4) of this section as precedes the semicolon, shall not apply in the case of any child unless such child, at the time of the marriage referred to therein, was under a disability (as defined in
(3) The last sentence of subsection (c) of
(t) Suspension of benefits of aliens who are outside United States; residency requirements for dependents and survivors
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, no monthly benefits shall be paid under this section or under
(A) after the sixth consecutive calendar month during all of which the Commissioner of Social Security finds, on the basis of information furnished to the Commissioner by the Attorney General or information which otherwise comes to the Commissioner's attention, that such individual is outside the United States, and
(B) prior to the first month thereafter for all of which such individual has been in the United States.
For purposes of the preceding sentence, after an individual has been outside the United States for any period of thirty consecutive days he shall be treated as remaining outside the United States until he has been in the United States for a period of thirty consecutive days.
(2) Subject to paragraph (11), paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply to any individual who is a citizen of a foreign country which the Commissioner of Social Security finds has in effect a social insurance or pension system which is of general application in such country and under which—
(A) periodic benefits, or the actuarial equivalent thereof, are paid on account of old age, retirement, or death, and
(B) individuals who are citizens of the United States but not citizens of such foreign country and who qualify for such benefits are permitted to receive such benefits or the actuarial equivalent thereof while outside such foreign country without regard to the duration of the absence.
(3) Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply in any case where its application would be contrary to any treaty obligation of the United States in effect on August 1, 1956.
(4) Subject to paragraph (11), paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply to any benefit for any month if—
(A) not less than forty of the quarters elapsing before such month are quarters of coverage for the individual on whose wages and self-employment income such benefit is based, or
(B) the individual on whose wages and self-employment income such benefit is based has, before such month, resided in the United States for a period or periods aggregating ten years or more, or
(C) the individual entitled to such benefit is outside the United States while in the active military or naval service of the United States, or
(D) the individual on whose wages and self-employment income such benefit is based died, before such month, either (i) while on active duty or inactive duty training (as those terms are defined in section 410(l) (2) and (3) of this title) as a member of a uniformed service (as defined in
(E) the individual on whose employment such benefit is based had been in service covered by the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 or 1974 [
except that subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph shall not apply in the case of any individual who is a citizen of a foreign country that has in effect a social insurance or pension system which is of general application in such country and which satisfies subparagraph (A) but not subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2), or who is a citizen of a foreign country that has no social insurance or pension system of general application if at any time within five years prior to the month in which the Social Security Amendments of 1967 are enacted (or the first month thereafter for which his benefits are subject to suspension under paragraph (1)) payments to individuals residing in such country were withheld by the Treasury Department under
(5) No person who is, or upon application would be, entitled to a monthly benefit under this section for December 1956 shall be deprived, by reason of paragraph (1) of this subsection, of such benefit or any other benefit based on the wages and self-employment income of the individual on whose wages and self-employment income such monthly benefit for December 1956 is based.
(6) If an individual is outside the United States when he dies and no benefit may, by reason of paragraph (1) or (10) of this subsection, be paid to him for the month preceding the month in which he dies, no lump-sum death payment may be made on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income.
(7) Subsections (b), (c), and (d) of
(8) The Attorney General shall certify to the Commissioner of Social Security such information regarding aliens who depart from the United States to any foreign country (other than a foreign country which is territorially contiguous to the continental United States) as may be necessary to enable the Commissioner of Social Security to carry out the purposes of this subsection and shall otherwise aid, assist, and cooperate with the Commissioner of Social Security in obtaining such other information as may be necessary to enable the Commissioner of Social Security to carry out the purposes of this subsection.
(9) No payments shall be made under part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter with respect to items or services furnished to an individual in any month for which the prohibition in paragraph (1) against payment of benefits to him is applicable (or would be if he were entitled to any such benefits).
(10) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, no monthly benefits shall be paid under this section or under
(11)(A) Paragraph (2) and subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (E) of paragraph (4) shall apply with respect to an individual's monthly benefits under subsection (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) of this section only if such individual meets the residency requirements of this paragraph with respect to those benefits.
(B) An individual entitled to benefits under subsection (b), (c), (e), (f), or (g) of this section meets the residency requirements of this paragraph with respect to those benefits only if such individual has resided in the United States, and while so residing bore a spousal relationship to the person on whose wages and self-employment income such entitlement is based, for a total period of not less than 5 years. For purposes of this subparagraph, a period of time for which an individual bears a spousal relationship to another person consists of a period throughout which the individual has been, with respect to such other person, a wife, a husband, a widow, a widower, a divorced wife, a divorced husband, a surviving divorced wife, a surviving divorced husband, a surviving divorced mother, a surviving divorced father, or (as applicable in the course of such period) any two or more of the foregoing.
(C) An individual entitled to benefits under subsection (d) of this section meets the residency requirements of this paragraph with respect to those benefits only if—
(i)(I) such individual has resided in the United States (as the child of the person on whose wages and self-employment income such entitlement is based) for a total period of not less than 5 years, or
(II) the person on whose wages and self-employment income such entitlement is based, and the individual's other parent (within the meaning of subsection (h)(3) of this section), if any, have each resided in the United States for a total period of not less than 5 years (or died while residing in the United States), and
(ii) in the case of an individual entitled to such benefits as an adopted child, such individual was adopted within the United States by the person on whose wages and self-employment income such entitlement is based, and has lived in the United States with such person and received at least one-half of his or her support from such person for a period (beginning before such individual attained age 18) consisting of—
(I) the year immediately before the month in which such person became eligible for old-age insurance benefits or disability insurance benefits or died, whichever occurred first, or
(II) if such person had a period of disability which continued until he or she became entitled to old-age insurance benefits or disability insurance benefits or died, the year immediately before the month in which such period of disability began.
(D) An individual entitled to benefits under subsection (h) of this section meets the residency requirements of this paragraph with respect to those benefits only if such individual has resided in the United States, and while so residing was a parent (within the meaning of subsection (h)(3) of this section) of the person on whose wages and self-employment income such entitlement is based, for a total period of not less than 5 years.
(E) This paragraph shall not apply with respect to any individual who is a citizen or resident of a foreign country with which the United States has an agreement in force concluded pursuant to
(u) Conviction of subversive activities, etc.
(1) If any individual is convicted of any offense (committed after August 1, 1956) under—
(A)
(B)
then the court may, in addition to all other penalties provided by law, impose a penalty that in determining whether any monthly insurance benefit under this section or
(C) any wages paid to such individual or to any other individual in the calendar year in which such conviction occurs or in any prior calendar year, and
(D) any net earnings from self-employment derived by such individual or by any other individual during a taxable year in which such conviction occurs or during any prior taxable year.
(2) As soon as practicable after an additional penalty has, pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, been imposed with respect to any individual, the Attorney General shall notify the Commissioner of Social Security of such imposition.
(3) If any individual with respect to whom an additional penalty has been imposed pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection is granted a pardon of the offense by the President of the United States, such additional penalty shall not apply for any month beginning after the date on which such pardon is granted.
(v) Waiver of benefits
(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subchapter, and subject to paragraph (3), in the case of any individual who files a waiver pursuant to section 1402(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is granted a tax exemption thereunder, no benefits or other payments shall be payable under this subchapter to him, no payments shall be made on his behalf under part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, and no benefits or other payments under this subchapter shall be payable on the basis of his wages and self-employment income to any other person, after the filing of such waiver.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, and subject to paragraph (3), in the case of any individual who files a waiver pursuant to section 3127 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is granted a tax exemption thereunder, no benefits or other payments shall be payable under this subchapter to him, no payments shall be made on his behalf under part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, and no benefits or other payments under this subchapter shall be payable on the basis of his wages and self-employment income to any other person, after the filing of such waiver.
(3) If, after an exemption referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) is granted to an individual, such exemption ceases to be effective, the waiver referred to in such paragraph shall cease to be applicable in the case of benefits and other payments under this subchapter and part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter to the extent based on—
(A) his wages for and after the calendar year following the calendar year in which occurs the failure to meet the requirements of section 1402(g) or 3127 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on which the cessation of such exemption is based, and
(B) his self-employment income for and after the taxable year in which occurs such failure.
(w) Increase in old-age insurance benefit amounts on account of delayed retirement
(1) The amount of an old-age insurance benefit (other than a benefit based on a primary insurance amount determined under
(A) the applicable percentage (as determined under paragraph (6)) of such amount, multiplied by
(B) the number (if any) of the increment months for such individual.
(2) For purposes of this subsection, the number of increment months for any individual shall be a number equal to the total number of the months—
(A) which have elapsed after the month before the month in which such individual attained retirement age (as defined in
(B) with respect to which—
(i) such individual was a fully insured individual (as defined in
(ii) such individual either was not entitled to an old-age insurance benefit or, if so entitled, did not receive benefits pursuant to a request by such individual that benefits not be paid, and
(iii) such individual was not subject to a penalty imposed under
(3) For purposes of applying the provisions of paragraph (1), a determination shall be made under paragraph (2) for each year, beginning with 1972, of the total number of an individual's increment months through the year for which the determination is made and the total so determined shall be applicable to such individual's old-age insurance benefits beginning with benefits for January of the year following the year for which such determination is made; except that the total number applicable in the case of an individual who attains age 70 after 1972 shall be determined through the month before the month in which he attains such age and shall be applicable to his old-age insurance benefit beginning with the month in which he attains such age.
(4) This subsection shall be applied after reduction under
(5) If an individual's primary insurance amount is determined under paragraph (3) of
(6) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), the "applicable percentage" is—
(A) 1/12 of 1 percent in the case of an individual who first becomes eligible for an old-age insurance benefit in any calendar year before 1979;
(B) ¼ of 1 percent in the case of an individual who first becomes eligible for an old-age insurance benefit in any calendar year after 1978 and before 1987;
(C) in the case of an individual who first becomes eligible for an old-age insurance benefit in a calendar year after 1986 and before 2005, a percentage equal to the applicable percentage in effect under this paragraph for persons who first became eligible for an old-age insurance benefit in the preceding calendar year (as increased pursuant to this subparagraph), plus 1/24 of 1 percent if the calendar year in which that particular individual first becomes eligible for such benefit is not evenly divisible by 2; and
(D) 2/3 of 1 percent in the case of an individual who first becomes eligible for an old-age insurance benefit in a calendar year after 2004.
(x) Limitation on payments to prisoners, certain other inmates of publicly funded institutions, fugitives, probationers, and parolees
(1)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, no monthly benefits shall be paid under this section or under
(i) is confined in a jail, prison, or other penal institution or correctional facility pursuant to his conviction of a criminal offense,
(ii) is confined by court order in an institution at public expense in connection with—
(I) a verdict or finding that the individual is guilty but insane, with respect to a criminal offense,
(II) a verdict or finding that the individual is not guilty of such an offense by reason of insanity,
(III) a finding that such individual is incompetent to stand trial under an allegation of such an offense, or
(IV) a similar verdict or finding with respect to such an offense based on similar factors (such as a mental disease, a mental defect, or mental incompetence),
(iii) immediately upon completion of confinement as described in clause (i) pursuant to conviction of a criminal offense an element of which is sexual activity, is confined by court order in an institution at public expense pursuant to a finding that the individual is a sexually dangerous person or a sexual predator or a similar finding,
(iv) is fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, under the laws of the place from which the person flees, for a crime, or an attempt to commit a crime, which is a felony under the laws of the place from which the person flees, or, in jurisdictions that do not define crimes as felonies, is punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year regardless of the actual sentence imposed, or
(v) is violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under Federal or State law.
(B)(i) For purposes of clause (i) of subparagraph (A), an individual shall not be considered confined in an institution comprising a jail, prison, or other penal institution or correctional facility during any month throughout which such individual is residing outside such institution at no expense (other than the cost of monitoring) to such institution or the penal system or to any agency to which the penal system has transferred jurisdiction over the individual.
(ii) For purposes of clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A), an individual confined in an institution as described in such clause (ii) shall be treated as remaining so confined until—
(I) he or she is released from the care and supervision of such institution, and
(II) such institution ceases to meet the individual's basic living needs.
(iii) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Commissioner shall, for good cause shown, pay the individual benefits that have been withheld or would otherwise be withheld pursuant to clause (iv) or (v) of subparagraph (A) if the Commissioner determines that—
(I) a court of competent jurisdiction has found the individual not guilty of the criminal offense, dismissed the charges relating to the criminal offense, vacated the warrant for arrest of the individual for the criminal offense, or issued any similar exonerating order (or taken similar exonerating action), or
(II) the individual was erroneously implicated in connection with the criminal offense by reason of identity fraud.
(iv) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Commissioner may, for good cause shown based on mitigating circumstances, pay the individual benefits that have been withheld or would otherwise be withheld pursuant to clause (iv) or (v) of subparagraph (A) if the Commissioner determines that—
(I) the offense described in clause (iv) or underlying the imposition of the probation or parole described in clause (v) was nonviolent and not drug-related, and
(II) in the case of an individual from whom benefits have been withheld or otherwise would be withheld pursuant to subparagraph (A)(v), the action that resulted in the violation of a condition of probation or parole was nonviolent and not drug-related.
(2) Benefits which would be payable to any individual (other than a confined individual to whom benefits are not payable by reason of paragraph (1)) under this subchapter on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such a confined individual but for the provisions of paragraph (1), shall be payable as though such confined individual were receiving such benefits under this section or
(3)(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of
(B)(i) The Commissioner shall enter into an agreement under this subparagraph with any interested State or local institution comprising a jail, prison, penal institution, or correctional facility, or comprising any other institution a purpose of which is to confine individuals as described in paragraph (1)(A)(ii). Under such agreement—
(I) the institution shall provide to the Commissioner, on a monthly basis and in a manner specified by the Commissioner, the names, Social Security account numbers, dates of birth, confinement commencement dates, and, to the extent available to the institution, such other identifying information concerning the individuals confined in the institution as the Commissioner may require for the purpose of carrying out paragraph (1) and other provisions of this subchapter; and
(II) the Commissioner shall pay to the institution, with respect to information described in subclause (I) concerning each individual who is confined therein as described in paragraph (1)(A), who receives a benefit under this subchapter for the month preceding the first month of such confinement, and whose benefit under this subchapter is determined by the Commissioner to be not payable by reason of confinement based on the information provided by the institution, $400 (subject to reduction under clause (ii)) if the institution furnishes the information to the Commissioner within 30 days after the date such individual's confinement in such institution begins, or $200 (subject to reduction under clause (ii)) if the institution furnishes the information after 30 days after such date but within 90 days after such date.
(ii) The dollar amounts specified in clause (i)(II) shall be reduced by 50 percent if the Commissioner is also required to make a payment to the institution with respect to the same individual under an agreement entered into under
(iii) There are authorized to be transferred from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, as appropriate, such sums as may be necessary to enable the Commissioner to make payments to institutions required by clause (i)(II).
(iv) The Commissioner shall maintain, and shall provide on a reimbursable basis, information obtained pursuant to agreements entered into under this paragraph to any agency administering a Federal or federally-assisted cash, food, or medical assistance program for eligibility and other administrative purposes under such program.
(C) Notwithstanding the provisions of
(i) the beneficiary is described in clause (iv) or (v) of paragraph (1)(A); and
(ii) the location or apprehension of the beneficiary is within the officer's official duties.
(y) Limitation on payments to aliens
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no monthly benefit under this subchapter shall be payable to any alien in the United States for any month during which such alien is not lawfully present in the United States as determined by the Attorney General.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §202,
References in Text
The effective date of this sentence, referred to in subsec. (d)(7)(A), is the effective date of section 5 of
Section 212 of
Section 102(g) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972, referred to in subsecs. (e)(6) and (f)(6), is section 102(g) of
Paragraph (3) of subsec. (f) of this section, referred to in subsec. (f)(1), was redesignated par. (2) of subsec. (f) by
Section 2201 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, referred to in subsec. (i), is
The Foreign Service Act of 1980, referred to in subsec. (k)(5)(A)(ii)(II), is
Clause (B) of subsection (f)(1) of this section as in effect prior to the Social Security Act Amendments of 1950, and subsection (g) of this section as in effect prior to the Social Security Act Amendments of 1950, referred to in subsec. (p), means such subsections as in effect prior to September 1, 1950, which was the effective date of section 101(a) of act Aug. 28, 1950. See section 101(b), (1), (3) of act Aug. 28, 1950, set out as an Effective Date of 1950 Amendment note below.
Subsection (c)(4) of this section, referred to in subsec. (s)(2), was redesignated subsec. (c)(3) by
Subsection (c)(6)(B) of
Subsection (g)(6)(B) of
The Railroad Retirement Act of 1937, referred to in subsec. (t)(4)(E), is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812,
The Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (t)(4)(E), is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812, as amended generally by
The month in which the Social Security Amendments of 1967 were enacted, referred to in the provisions following subsec. (t)(4)(E), is Jan. 1968, date of approval of
Part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (t)(9), (u)(1), and (v)(2), (3), is classified to
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (v) and (x)(3)(C), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Codification
In subsec. (t)(4), (10), "
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(4), (5).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3) to (5).
Subsec. (d)(6)(B).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(7) to (9).
Subsec. (f)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(1)(F).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A).
Subsec. (f)(3), (4).
Subsec. (f)(5).
Subsec. (f)(6) to (9).
Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (g)(4).
Subsec. (k)(2)(B).
Subsec. (k)(3)(A).
Subsec. (k)(3)(B).
Subsec. (k)(5).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (n)(1).
Subsec. (n)(1)(A).
Subsec. (n)(2).
Subsec. (n)(3).
Subsec. (x).
Subsec. (x)(1)(A)(iv), (v).
Subsec. (x)(1)(B)(iii), (iv).
Subsec. (x)(3)(C).
2000—Subsec. (w)(2)(B)(ii).
1999—Subsec. (w)(2)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (x)(1)(A).
Subsec. (x)(1)(A)(i).
Subsec. (x)(1)(A)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (x)(1)(A)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (x)(1)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (x)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (x)(3).
1996—Subsec. (d)(1)(H).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (d)(10).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (y).
1994—Subsec. (b)(4)(A).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B).
Subsec. (b)(4)(C), (5)(A).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C), (5)(A).
Subsec. (d)(7)(A).
Subsec. (d)(7)(B).
Subsec. (d)(8)(D)(ii).
Subsec. (e)(1)(C)(ii)(III), (5)(B).
Subsec. (e)(7)(A).
Subsec. (e)(7)(B).
Subsec. (e)(7)(C), (9).
Subsec. (f)(1)(C)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B).
Subsec. (f)(2)(C), (6)(B), (9).
Subsec. (g)(4)(A).
Subsec. (g)(4)(B).
Subsec. (g)(4)(C).
Subsecs. (i), (j)(1), (2), (5).
Subsec. (n)(1).
Subsecs. (n)(1)(A), (2), (p).
Subsec. (q)(1)(A).
Subsec. (q)(5)(A)(i).
Subsec. (q)(9).
Subsec. (q)(9)(B).
Subsec. (t)(1)(A).
Subsec. (t)(2).
Subsec. (t)(4)(D).
Subsecs. (t)(8), (u)(2).
Subsec. (v)(1).
Subsec. (v)(3)(A).
Subsec. (x).
Subsec. (x)(1).
Subsec. (x)(3).
1991—Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (t)(4)(D).
1990—Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (e)(9).
Subsec. (f)(6).
Subsec. (f)(9).
Subsec. (j)(4)(A).
Subsec. (j)(4)(B)(i).
Subsec. (j)(4)(B)(ii) to (v).
Subsec. (n)(1).
Subsec. (n)(2).
1989—Subsec. (d)(8).
Subsec. (d)(8)(D).
Subsec. (j)(5).
Subsec. (q)(3).
1988—Subsecs. (b)(4)(A)(ii)(II), (c)(2)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (e)(1)(C).
Subsec. (e)(7)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (e)(8).
Subsec. (f)(1)(C).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (f)(8).
Subsec. (g)(4)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (n)(1).
Subsec. (n)(3).
Subsec. (v).
1987—Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d)(1)(G)(i).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(7).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (g)(4).
1986—Subsec. (c)(5)(B).
Subsec. (d)(6)(E).
Subsec. (d)(8)(D)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (q)(5)(A)(i).
Subsec. (q)(5)(C).
1984—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(5)(A).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(1)(G).
Subsec. (d)(7)(A).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2)(C).
Subsec. (e)(7)(A).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(1)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A).
Subsec. (f)(3)(C).
Subsec. (f)(3)(D)(i).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (q)(3)(E).
Subsec. (q)(3)(G).
Subsec. (q)(7)(E).
Subsec. (q)(9)(B)(i).
Subsec. (t)(4)(E).
Subsec. (u)(1)(B).
1983—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C).
Subsec. (c)(1)(D).
Subsec. (c)(1)(I) to (K).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(4), (5).
Subsec. (d)(5).
Subsec. (d)(5)(A).
Subsec. (d)(8)(D)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (e)(1)(C).
Subsec. (e)(1)(D).
Subsec. (e)(1)(F)(i).
Subsec. (e)(1)(F)(ii).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (e)(2)(C), (D).
Subsec. (e)(2)(D)(ii).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (e)(6).
Subsec. (e)(7).
Subsec. (e)(7)(A).
Subsec. (e)(8).
Subsec. (e)(8)(A).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(1)(A).
Subsec. (f)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(1)(C)(i).
Subsec. (f)(1)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(1)(D).
Subsec. (f)(1)(F)(i).
Subsec. (f)(1)(F)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A).
Subsec. (f)(3)(A).
Subsec. (f)(3)(B).
Subsec. (f)(3)(B)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (f)(3)(C).
Subsec. (f)(3)(D).
Subsec. (f)(3)(D)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (f)(5).
Subsec. (f)(5)(B), (C).
Subsec. (f)(6).
Subsec. (f)(7), (8).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(1)(D).
Subsec. (g)(1)(E), (F)(i).
Subsec. (g)(3).
Subsec. (g)(3)(A).
Subsec. (g)(4)(A).
Subsec. (h)(4).
Subsec. (h)(4)(A).
Subsec. (j)(4)(B)(iii) to (v).
Subsec. (k)(2)(B), (3)(B).
Subsec. (m).
"(1) In any case in which an individual is entitled to a monthly benefit under this section on the basis of a primary insurance amount computed under section 415(a) or (d) of this title, as in effect after December 1978, on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of a deceased individual for any month and no other person is (without the application of subsection (j)(1) of this section) entitled to a monthly benefit under this section for that month on the basis of such wages and self-employment income, the individual's benefit amount for that month, prior to reduction under subsection (k)(3) of this section, shall not be less than that provided by subparagraph (C)(1)(I) of
"(2) In the case of any such individual who is entitled to a monthly benefit under subsection (e) or (f) of this section, such individual's benefit amount, after reduction under subsection (q)(1) of this section, shall be not less than—
"(A) $84.50, if his first month of entitlement to such benefit is the month in which such individual attained age 62 or a subsequent month, or
"(B) $84.50 reduced under subsection (q)(1) of this section as if retirement age as specified in subsection (q)(6)(B) of this section were age 62 instead of the age specified in subsection (q)(9) of this section, if his first month of entitlement to such benefit is before the month in which he attained age 62.
"(3) In the case of any individual whose benefit amount was computed (or recomputed) under the provisions of paragraph (2) and such individual was entitled to benefits under subsection (e) or (f) of this section for a month prior to any month after 1972 for which a general benefit increase under this subchapter (as defined in
Subsec. (q)(1).
Subsec. (q)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (q)(2).
Subsec. (q)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (q)(3)(E).
Subsec. (q)(3)(E)(ii).
Subsec. (q)(3)(F).
Subsec. (q)(3)(F)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (q)(3)(G).
Subsec. (q)(5).
Subsec. (q)(5)(A)(i).
Subsec. (q)(5)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (q)(5)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (q)(5)(C).
Subsec. (q)(5)(D).
Subsec. (q)(6).
Subsec. (q)(6)(A)(i).
Subsec. (q)(6)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (q)(7).
Subsec. (q)(7)(B).
Subsec. (q)(7)(D).
Subsec. (q)(9).
Subsec. (q)(10).
Subsec. (q)(10)(B)(i).
Subsec. (q)(10)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (q)(10)(C).
Subsec. (q)(10(C)(i).
Subsec. (q)(10)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (r)(1), (2).
Subsec. (s)(1).
Subsec. (s)(2).
Subsec. (s)(3).
Subsec. (t)(2), (4).
Subsec. (t)(11).
Subsec. (w)(1)(A).
Subsec. (w)(2)(A).
Subsec. (w)(3).
Subsec. (w)(6).
Subsec. (x).
1981—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(6)(A).
Subsec. (d)(6)(D), (E).
Subsec. (d)(7)(A).
Subsec. (d)(7)(B).
Subsec. (d)(7)(C).
Subsec. (d)(7)(D).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (q)(4).
Subsec. (q)(8).
Subsec. (q)(10).
Subsec. (s)(1).
Subsec. (w)(1), (5).
1980—Subsec. (d)(1)(G).
Subsec. (d)(7)(A).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (j)(1).
Subsec. (j)(2).
1978—Subsec. (v).
1977—Subsec. (b)(1)(G).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(8).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(3)(A).
Subsec. (f)(3)(B).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (f)(5).
Subsec. (f)(7).
Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (g)(4).
Subsec. (j)(1).
Subsec. (j)(4).
Subsec. (m)(1).
Subsec. (p)(1).
Subsec. (q)(3)(H).
Subsec. (q)(4).
Subsec. (q)(7)(C).
Subsec. (q)(10), (11).
Subsec. (s)(3).
Subsec. (u)(1)(C).
Subsec. (w)(1).
Subsec. (w)(1)(A).
Subsec. (w)(5).
1974—Subsec. (l).
1973—Subsec. (d)(8)(D)(ii).
Subsec. (e)(7).
Subsec. (f)(8).
Subsec. (w)(5).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(6).
Subsec. (d)(7).
Subsec. (d)(8).
Subsec. (d)(9).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(6).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(5).
Subsec. (f)(6).
Subsec. (f)(7).
Subsec. (g)(1)(F).
Subsec. (k)(2)(A).
Subsec. (k)(3)(A).
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (q)(1).
Subsec. (q)(3).
Subsec. (q)(7).
Subsec. (q)(9).
Subsec. (s).
Subsec. (w).
1971—Subsec. (i)(3).
Subsec. (i)(4).
1969—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (f)(5).
1968—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (d)(1)(B).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (d)(5) to (8).
Subsec. (d)(8).
Subsec. (d)(9).
Subsec. (d)(10).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
Subsec. (e)(1)(F).
Subsec. (e)(1)(G).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(5), (6).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(1)(B).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(1)(F).
Subsec. (f)(1)(G).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(5).
Subsec. (f)(6), (7).
Subsec. (q).
Subsec. (q)(1).
Subsec. (q)(3)(A).
Subsec. (q)(3)(C).
Subsec. (q)(3)(D).
Subsec. (q)(3)(E).
Subsec. (q)(3)(F).
Subsec. (q)(3)(G).
Subsec. (q)(6).
Subsec. (q)(7).
Subsec. (q)(9).
Subsec. (s).
Subsec. (s)(2), (3).
Subsec. (t)(1).
Subsec. (t)(4).
Subsec. (t)(6).
Subsec. (t)(10).
1965—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (d)(6).
Subsec. (d)(6)(A).
Subsec. (d)(7), (8).
Subsec. (d)(9), (10).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (f)(4)(A).
Subsec. (f)(5).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(3).
"In the case of any widow or former wife divorced of an individual—
"(A) who marries another individual, and
"(B) whose marriage to the individual referred to in subparagraph (A) is terminated by his death but she is not, and upon filing application therefor in the month in which he died would not be, entitled to benefits for such month on the basis of his wages and self-employment income,
the marriage to the individual referred to in clause (A) shall, for purpose of paragraph (1), be deemed not to have occurred. No benefits shall be payable under this subsection by reason of the preceding sentence for any month prior to whichever of the following is the latest: (i) the month in which the death referred to in subparagraph (B) of the preceding sentence occurs, (ii) the twelfth month before the month in which such widow or former wife divorced files application for purposes of this paragraph or (ii) September 1958."
Subsec. (g)(4).
Subsec. (h)(4).
Subsec. (h)(4)(A).
Subsec. (j)(1).
Subsec. (j)(2).
Subsec. (k)(2)(B).
Subsec. (k)(3).
Subsec. (k)(4).
Subsec. (p).
Subsec. (q).
Subsec. (q)(1).
Subsec. (q)(2).
Subsec. (q)(3)(A).
Subsec. (q)(3)(B).
Subsec. (q)(3)(C).
Subsec. (q)(3)(D), (E).
Subsec. (q)(3)(F), (G).
Subsec. (q)(4).
Subsec. (q)(5)(D).
Subsec. (q)(6).
Subsec. (q)(7).
Subsec. (q)(8).
Subsec. (q)(9).
Subsec. (r)(2).
Subsec. (s).
Subsec. (t)(9).
Subsec. (u).
Subsec. (v).
1961—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (h)(1).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (q).
Subsec. (r).
Subsec. (s).
1960—Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsecs. (g)(1), (h)(1).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (q)(5).
Subsec. (q)(6).
Subsec. (t)(4)(D).
Subsec. (t)(7).
1959—Subsec. (i).
1958—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2), (3).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(3) to (5).
Subsec. (d)(6).
Subsec. (e)(3)(B).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (f)(1)(D).
Subsec. (f)(2), (3).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (g)(1)(F).
Subsec. (g)(3).
Subsec. (g)(4).
Subsec. (h)(1).
Subsec. (h)(1)(B).
Subsec. (h)(4).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (q)(5).
Subsec. (q)(6).
Subsec. (t)(4)(E).
1957—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (g)(1)(F).
Subsec. (h)(1).
Subsec. (p)(1).
Subsec. (t)(4)(D).
1956—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §102(d)(1), inserted "Except as provided in subsection (q) of this section".
Subsec. (a)(3). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §103(c)(1), included an individual entitled to disability insurance benefits for the month preceding the month in which he attained the age of 65.
Subsec. (b)(1). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §102(d)(2), (3), substituted "old-age insurance benefits based on a primary insurance amount which" for "old-age insurance benefits each of which" in cl. (D), and "old-age insurance benefit based on a primary insurance amount which is equal to or exceeds" for "old-age insurance benefit equal to or exceeding" in provisions following cl. (D).
Subsec. (b)(2). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §102(d)(4), inserted "Except as provided in subsection (q) of this section".
Subsec. (c)(1). Act. Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §102(d)(5), (6), substituted "the primary insurance amount of his wife" for "an old-age insurance benefit of his wife" in cl. (E), and in provisions following cl. (E).
Subsec. (c)(2). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §102(d)(7), substituted "primary insurance amount" for "old-age insurance benefit".
Subsec. (d)(1). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §101(a), authorized child's insurance benefit for children, who at the time of filing application, are under a disability which began before they attained the age of 18, and permitted payment of such benefit until such disability ceases.
Subsec. (d)(2). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §102(d)(7), substituted "primary insurance amount" for "old-age insurance benefit".
Subsec. (d)(3) to (5). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §101(b)(1), substituted "A child who has not attained the age of eighteen" for "A child" wherever appearing in such paragraphs.
Subsec. (d)(6). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §101(b)(2), added par. (6).
Subsec. (e)(3). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §113, added par. (3).
Subsec. (h)(1). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §101(c), precluded payment of parent's benefit if an individual dies leaving an unmarried child over 18 who is under a disability which began before the age of 18 and who is deemed dependent on such individual.
Subsec. (i). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 837, §403(a), substituted "January 1, 1957" for "April 1956", and inserted provisions authorizing payment of lump-sum death payment in the case of any individual who died outside the United States and the District of Columbia after December 1956 while performing service, as a member of a uniformed service, to which the provisions of
Subsec. (j)(3). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §102(d)(8), added par. (3).
Subsec. (k)(2)(B). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §103(c)(2), inserted reference to
Subsec. (k)(3). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §102(d)(9), inserted provisions requiring reduction under subsection (q) of this section, and provided that the reduction should be not below zero.
Subsec. (m). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §102(d)(10), inserted references to subsection (q) of this section.
Subsec. (n)(1)(A). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §103(c)(3), inserted reference to
Subsec. (o). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 837, §407, added subsec. (o).
Subsec. (p). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §114(a), added subsec. (p).
Subsecs. (q) to (s). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §102(c), added subsecs. (q) to (s).
Subsecs. (t), (u). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §§118(a), 121(a), added subsecs. (t) and (u), respectively.
1955—Subsec. (i). Act Aug. 9, 1955, made subsection applicable to cases of deaths occurring before April 1956.
1954—Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §110(a), provided that applications for widow's insurance benefits would not be required if the widow was entitled to a mother's insurance benefit in the month prior to the month in which she attained retirement age.
Subsec. (g)(1)(D). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §110(b), provided that applications for mother's insurance benefits would not be required if the widow was entitled to a wife's insurance benefit for the month preceding the month in which the insured individual died.
Subsec. (i). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §§102(i)(2), 110(c), inserted ", or an amount equal to $255, whichever is the smaller" after "primary insurance amount.", and provided that an application for a lump-sum death payment would not be required from an individual who was entitled to wife's or husband's insurance benefits for the month preceding the month in which the insured individual died.
Subsec. (j)(1). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §105(a), substituted "twelfth" for "sixth".
Subsecs. (m), (n). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §§102(i)(1), 107, added subsecs. (m) and (n), respectively.
1953—Subsec. (i). Act Aug. 14, 1953, made subsec. (i) applicable to cases of deaths occurring before July 1955.
1950—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 28, 1950, changed the name of the benefit provided by this subsection from "primary insurance benefit" to "old-age insurance benefit", and continued the conditions under which an individual becomes entitled to the benefits.
Subsec. (b). Act Aug. 28, 1950, continued the conditions required for the wife to be entitled to benefits.
Subsec. (c). Act Aug. 28, 1950, provided benefits for the dependent husband of a female old-age insurance beneficiary who was currently insured at the time of her entitlement to the old-age insurance benefit.
Subsec. (d). Act Aug. 28, 1950, increased the total amount of the family benefits in a survivor family in which there is at least one entitled child by one-fourth of the worker's old-age benefit and restates the circumstances under which a child is deemed dependent upon an individual.
Subsec. (e). Act Aug. 28, 1950, permitted a wife entitled to wife's insurance benefits to become entitled to widow's insurance benefits upon the husband's death without filing a new application.
Subsec. (f). Act Aug. 28, 1950, provided benefits for the dependent widower of a woman who is fully and currently insured at the time of her death.
Subsec. (g). Act Aug. 28, 1950, changed title of widow's current insurance benefits to mother's insurance benefits and provided for payment of such benefits to the divorced wife of a deceased insured worker if she had been receiving at least half her support from the worker, and if she is caring for her son, daughter, or legally adopted child who is receiving benefits on the worker's wage record.
Subsec. (h). Act Aug. 28, 1950, changed the requirement that a parent must have been chiefly dependent upon and supported by the wage earner to the requirement that the parent only need have been receiving one-half his support in order for the parent to be found a dependent.
Subsec. (i). Act Aug. 28, 1950, limited the amount of the lump-sum death payment to three times the worker's primary insurance amount instead of six times the amount.
Subsec. (j). Act Aug. 28, 1950, increased from 3 to 6 the number of months for which benefits may be paid retroactively to individuals who failed to file their applications as soon as they were otherwise eligible.
Subsecs. (k), (l). Act Aug. 28, 1950, added subsecs. (k) and (l).
1946—Subsec. (c). Act Aug. 10, 1946, §402, changed par. (1) to prevent termination of benefits on adoption by a stepparent, grandparent, aunt or uncle and changed par. (3)(C) to omit qualification as to the time of such individual's death and to require the child to be chiefly supported by the stepfather.
Subsec. (f)(1). Act Aug. 10, 1946, §403(a), provided that benefit payments to parents are prevented only if the individual leaves a widow or child who could become entitled to benefits and required parents to be chiefly instead of wholly dependent.
Subsec. (g). Act Aug. 10, 1946, §404(a), required that a widow or widower must have been living with deceased at time of death to be entitled to a lump sum payment and provided that if there was no such spouse, the payment will be made to the person or persons equitably entitled thereto in the proportion and to the extent that he or they have paid the burial expenses.
Subsec. (h). Act Aug. 10, 1946, §405(a), extended provision for payment of benefits retroactively for three months to the primary beneficiary and provided that retroactive benefits shall be reduced so as not to render erroneous any benefit previously paid.
1939—Act Aug. 10, 1939, amended section generally.
Change of Name
Reference to Administrator of Veterans' Affairs deemed to refer to Secretary of Veterans Affairs pursuant to section 10 of
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
"(1)
"(A) subsection (a)(1) [amending this section] shall apply to individuals with respect to whom the Commissioner of Social Security receives a removal notice after the date of the enactment of this Act [Mar. 2, 2004];
"(B) subsection (a)(2) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to notifications of removals received by the Commissioner of Social Security after the date of enactment of this Act; and
"(C) subsection (a)(3) [amending this section] shall be effective as if enacted on March 1, 1991.
"(2)
"(3)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) the 60-month period described in such subparagraph (A) shall be reduced (but not to less than 1 month) by the number of months of such service (in the aggregate and without regard to whether such months of service were continuous) which—
"(i) were performed by the individual under the same retirement system on or before the date of enactment of this Act, and
"(ii) constituted 'employment' as defined in section 210 of the Social Security Act [
"(B) months of service necessary to fulfill the 60-month period as reduced by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph must be performed after the date of enactment of this Act."
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendments
Effective Date of 1996 Amendments
Amendment by section 308(g)(1) of
Section 503(b) of div. C of
Section 104(a)(2) of
Section 104(b)(3) of
"(A) The amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to final divorces occurring after the third month following the month in which this Act is enacted [March 1996].
"(B) The amendment made by paragraph (2) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Mar. 29, 1996]."
Effective Date of 1994 Amendments
Section 4(b) of
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Section 308(c) of
Section 321(b)(1) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 5103(e) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) is entitled to disability insurance benefits under section 223 of the Social Security Act [
"(B) applied for widow's or widower's insurance benefits under subsection (e) or (f) of section 202 of the Social Security Act during 1990 [subsec. (e) or (f) of this section], and
"(C) is not entitled to such benefits under such subsection (e) or (f) for any month on the basis of such application by reason of the definition of disability under section 223(d)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act (as in effect immediately before the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 5, 1990]), and would have been so entitled for such month on the basis of such application if the amendments made by this section had been applied with respect to such application,
for purposes of determining such individual's entitlement to such benefits under subsection (e) or (f) of section 202 of the Social Security Act for months after December 1990, the requirement of paragraph (1)(C)(i) of such subsection shall be deemed to have been met."
Section 5116(b) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 10203(b) of
"(1) in the case of any individual's old-age insurance benefit referred to in section 202(q)(3)(E) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (q)(3)(E) of this section] (as in effect before the amendments made by this section), only if such individual attains age 62 on or after January 1, 1990, and
"(2) in the case of any individual's disability insurance benefit referred to in section 202(q)(3)(F) or (G) of such Act (as so in effect), only if such individual both attains age 62 and becomes disabled on or after such date."
Section 10301(c) of
Section 10302(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 8004(c) of
Amendment by section 8007(b) of
Section 8010(c) of
Section 8014(c) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 9007(f) of
Section 9010(f) of
"(1) individuals who are entitled to benefits which are payable under subsection (d)(1)(B)(ii), (d)(6)(A)(ii), (d)(6)(B), (e)(1)(B)(ii), or (f)(1)(B)(ii) of section 202 of the Social Security Act [this section] or subsection (a)(1) of section 223 of such Act [
"(2) individuals who are entitled to benefits which are payable under any provision referred to in paragraph (1) for any month before January 1988 and with respect to whom the 15-month period described in the applicable provision amended by this section has not elapsed as of January 1, 1988."
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Section 1883(f) of
Section 12104(b) of
Section 12107(c) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by sections 2661(b)–(f) and 2662(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 2663(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendments
Section 111(a)(8) of
Section 114(c)(2) of
Section 131(d) of
"(1) The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) In the case of an individual who was not entitled to a monthly benefit of the type involved under title II of such Act for December 1983, no benefit shall be paid under such title by reason of such amendments unless proper application for such benefit is made."
Section 132(c)(1) of
Section 133(c) of
Section 134(c) of
Section 301(a)(5) of
Section 307(b) of
Section 310 of title III of
"(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this title, the amendments made by this part [part A (§§301–310) of title III of
"(b) Nothing in any amendment made by this part shall be construed as affecting the validity of any benefit which was paid, prior to the effective date of such amendment, as a result of a judicial determination."
Section 334(b) of
Section 337(b) of
[Section 2(a)(2) of
Section 339(c) of
Section 340(c) of
Section 7(d) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendments
Amendment by section 2201(b)(10), (11), (d)(1), (2) of
Section 2202(b) of
Section 2203(f)(1), (2) of
"(1) The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (c) [amending this section and
"(2) The amendments made by subsection (d) of this section [amending this section and
Section 2205(b) of
Section 2206(c) of
Section 2210(b) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Section 1011(b) of
Section 5(d) of
Section 303(d) of
Section 306(d) of
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Section 206 of title II of
Section 331(d) of
Section 332(b) of
Section 334(f) of
Section 336(c)(1) of
Section 337(c) of
Section 353(f)(1) of
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Section 603 of
Effective Date of 1973 Amendment
Section 240(b) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 102(i) of
Section 103(d) of
Section 107(c) of
Section 108(f) of
Section 109(b) of
Section 110(b) of
Section 111(b) of
Section 112(b) of
Section 113(c) of
Section 114(d) of
Amendment by section 116(b), (c) of
Effective Date of 1971 Amendment
Section 2 of
Effective Date of 1969 Amendment
Section 1004(d) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Section 103(e) of
Section 104(e) of
Section 112(b) of
Section 151(e) of
Section 157(d) of
Amendment by section 158(c)(1), (2) of
Section 162(a)(2) of
Section 162(b)(2) of
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Amendment by section 303(d) of
Section 304(o) of
Section 306(d) of
"(1) in the case of an individual who was not entitled to a child's insurance benefit under subsection (d) of such section [subsec. (d) of this section] for the month in which this Act is enacted [July 1965], such amendments shall apply only on the basis of an application filed in or after the month in which this Act is enacted, and
"(2) no monthly insurance benefit shall be payable for any month before the second month following the month in which this Act is enacted [July 1965] by reason of section 202(d)(1)(B)(ii) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(1)(B)(ii) of this section] as amended by this section."
Section 307(c) of
Section 308(e) of
Amendment by section 319(d) of
Section 323(b) of
Section 324(b) of
Amendment by section 328(a) of
Section 333(d) of
Section 334(g) of
Amendment by section 339(b) of
Section 343(b) of
Effective Date of 1961 Amendment
Section 102(f) of title I of
"(1) The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to monthly benefits for months beginning on or after the effective date of this title [see Effective Date of 1961 Amendment note set out above] based on applications filed in or after March 1961.
"(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D), section 202(q) of such Act [subsec. (q) of this section], as amended by subsection (b)(1), shall apply with respect to monthly benefits for months beginning on or after the effective date of this title [see Effective Date of 1961 Amendment note set out above].
"(B) Section 202(q)(3) of such Act, as amended by subsection (b)(1), shall apply with respect to monthly benefits for months beginning on or after the effective date of this title [see Effective Date of 1961 Amendment note set out above], but only if the increase described in such section 202(q)(3)—
"(i) is not effective for any month beginning before the effective date of this title, or
"(ii) is based on an application for a recomputation filed on or after the effective date of this title.
"(C) In the case of any individual who attained age 65 before the effective date of this title, the adjustment in such individual's reduction period provided for in section 202(q)(6) of such Act [subsec. (q)(6) of this section], as amended by subsection (b)(1), shall not apply to such individual unless the total of the months specified in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of such section 202(q)(6) is not less than 3.
"(D) In the case of any individual entitled to a monthly benefit for the last month beginning before the effective date of this title, if the amount of such benefit for any month thereafter is, solely by reason of the change in section 202(q) of such Act [subsec. (q) of this section] made by subsection (b)(1), lower than the amount of such benefit for such last month, then it shall be increased to the amount of such benefit for such last month.
"(3) Section 202(r) of such Act [subsec. (r) of this section], as amended by subsection (b)(1), shall apply only with respect to monthly benefits for months beginning on or after the effective date of this title [see Effective Date of 1961 Amendment note set out above], except that subparagraph (B) of section 202(r)(2) (as so amended) shall apply only if the first subsequent month described in such subparagraph (B) is a month beginning on or after the effective date of this title.
"(4) The amendments made by subsection (b)(2) [amending this section and
"(5) The amendments made by subsection (b)(3) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to applications for monthly benefits filed on or after the effective date of this title [see Effective Date of 1961 Amendment note set out above].
"(6) The amendments made by subsections (c) and (d)(1) and (2) [amending
"(A) monthly benefits for months beginning on or after the Effective Date of this title [see Effective Date of 1961 Amendment note set out above] based on applications filed in or after March 1961, and
"(B) lump-sum death payments under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] in the case of deaths on or after the effective date of this title.
"(7) The amendment made by subsection (d)(3) [amending
"(8) The amendments made by subsection (e) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to monthly benefits for months beginning on or after the effective date of this title [see Effective Date of 1961 Amendment note set out above].
"(9) For purposes of this subsection, the term 'monthly benefits' means monthly insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter]."
Section 104(e) of title I of
Section 109 of title I of
Effective Date of 1960 Amendments
Section 103(v) of
"(1) The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section and provisions set out as notes under this section] shall apply only with respect to reinterments after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 13, 1960]. The amendments made by subsections (b), (e), and (f) [amending
"(2) The amendments made by subsections (c) and (n) [amending
"(3) The repeal (by subsection (j)(1)) of section 219 of the Social Security Act [
Section 201(c) of
Section 202(b) of
Section 203(b) of
"(1) in the case of the death of an individual occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 13, 1960], and
"(2) in the case of the death of an individual occurring prior to such date, but only if no application for a lump-sum death payment under section 202(i) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (i) of this section] is filed on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income prior to the third calendar month beginning after such date."
Section 205(d) of
Amendment by section 208(d) of
Amendment by section 211(i)–(l) of
Section 301(b) of
Amendment by section 403(d) of
Section 47(e) of
Effective Date of 1959 Amendment
Section 47(e) of
Effective Date of 1958 Amendments
Section 302 of
Amendment by
Amendment by section 101(e) of
Amendment by section 205(b)–(i) of
Section 301(f) of
Section 304(a)(2) of
Section 305(c) of
Section 306(b) of
Section 307(h)(1) of
Effective Date of 1957 Amendment
Section 2 of
Section 3(i) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) The amendment made by subsection (f) [amending this section] shall not apply in the case of benefits under section 202(h) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (h) of this section], based on the wages and self-employment income of a deceased individual who died in or prior to the month in which this Act is enacted [August 1957] for any parent who files the proof of support, required by such section 202(h), in or prior to the month in which this Act is enacted; and the amendment to section 216(h)(1) of such Act [
Effective Date of 1956 Amendments
Section 403(b) of act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 837, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall be effective as though it had been enacted on March 31, 1956."
Section 101(h) of act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, provided that:
"(1) The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) In the case of an individual who was entitled, without the application of subsection (j)(1) of such section 202 [subsec. (j)(1) of this section], to a child's insurance benefit under subsection (d) of such section [subsec. (d) of this section] for December 1956, such amendments shall apply with respect to benefits under such section 202 [this section] for months after December 1956.
"(3) The amendment made by subsection (c) [amending this section] shall apply in the case of benefits under section 202(h) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (h) of this section] based on the wages and self-employment income of an individual who dies after August 1956."
Section 114(b) of act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply in the case of lump-sum death payments under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], and monthly benefits under such title for months after August 1956, based on applications filed after August 1956."
Section 118(b) of act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply in the case of monthly benefits under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] for months after December 1956 and in the case of lump-sum death payments under section 202(i) of such Act [subsec. (i) of this section] with respect to deaths occurring after December 1956."
Effective Date of 1954 Amendment
Section 105(b) of act Sept. 1, 1954, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall be applicable only in the case of applications for monthly benefits under section 202 of the Social Security Act [this section] filed after August 1954; except that no individual shall, by reason of such amendment, be entitled to any benefit for any month prior to February 1954."
Effective Date of 1950 Amendment
Section 101(b)(1), (3) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that:
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), the amendment made by subsection (a) of this section [amending this section] shall take effect September 1, 1950.
"(3) Section 202(j)(2) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (j)(2) of this section], as amended by this Act, shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 28, 1950]."
Effective Date of 1946 Amendment
Section 403(b) of act Aug. 10, 1946, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) of this section [amending this section] shall be applicable only in cases of applications for benefits under that Act filed after December 31, 1946."
Section 404(b) of act Aug. 10, 1946, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) of this section [amending this section] shall be applicable only in cases where the death of the insured individual occurs after December 31, 1946."
Subsec. 405(b) of act Aug. 10, 1946, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) of this section [amending this section] shall be applicable only in cases of applications for benefits under this title [this subchapter] filed after December 31, 1946."
Effective Date of 1939 Amendment
Section 201 of act Aug. 10, 1939, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Jan. 1, 1940.
Construction of 1994 Amendments
Section 7 of
Pilot Study of Efficacy of Providing Individualized Information to Recipients of Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Benefits
Treatment of Employees Whose Federal Employment Terminated After Making Election Into Social Security Coverage But Before Effective Date of Election
Section 8014(b) of
"(1) such person made, before January 1, 1988, an election pursuant to law to become subject to the Federal Employees' Retirement System provided in
"(2) such service terminated before the date on which such election became effective."
Monthly Payments to Surviving Spouse of Member or Former Member of Armed Forces Where Such Person Has in Care a Child of Such Member; Amount, Criteria, etc.
"(a)(1) The head of the agency shall pay each month an amount determined under paragraph (2) to a person—
"(A) who is the surviving spouse of a member or former member of the Armed Forces described in subsection (c);
"(B) who has in such person's care a child of such member or former member who has attained sixteen years of age but not eighteen years of age and is entitled to a child's insurance benefit under section 202(d) of the Social Security Act (
"(C) who is not entitled for such month to a mother's insurance benefit under section 202(g) of the Social Security Act (
"(2) A payment under paragraph (1) for any month shall be in the amount of the mother's insurance benefit, if any, that such person would receive for such month under section 202(g) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (g) of this section] if such child were under sixteen years of age, disregarding any adjustments made under section 215(i) of the Social Security Act [
"(b)(1) The head of the agency shall pay each month an amount determined under paragraph (2) to a person—
"(A) who is the child of a member or former member of the Armed Forces described in subsection (c);
"(B) who has attained eighteen years of age but not twenty-two years of age and is not under a disability as defined in section 223(d) of the Social Security Act (
"(C) who is a full-time student at a postsecondary school, college, or university that is an educational institution (as such terms were defined in section 202(d)(7)(A) and (C) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(7)(A) and (C) of this section] as in effect before the amendments made by section 2210(a) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (
"(D) who is not entitled for such month to a child's insurance benefit under section 202(d) of the Social Security Act (
"(2) A payment under paragraph (1) for any month shall be in the amount that the person concerned would have been entitled to receive for such month as a child's insurance benefit under section 202(d) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d) of this section] (as in effect before the amendments made by section 2210(a) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (
"(c) A member or former member of the Armed Forces referred to in subsection (a) or (b) as described in this subsection is a member or former member of the Armed Forces who died on active duty before August 13, 1981, or died from a service-connected disability incurred or aggravated before such date.
"(d)(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide to the head of the agency such information as the head of the agency may require to carry out this section.
"(2) The head of the agency shall carry out this section under regulations which the head of the agency shall prescribe. Such regulations shall be prescribed not later than ninety days after the date of the enactment of this section [Dec. 21, 1982].
"(e)(1) Unless otherwise provided by law—
"(A) each time after December 31, 1981, that an increase is made by law in the dependency and indemnity compensation paid under
"(B) each time after December 31, 1981, that an increase is made by law in the rates of educational assistance allowances provided for under
"(2) The amount of the benefit payable to any person under subsection (a) or (b) and the amount of any increase in any such benefit made pursuant to clause (1) or (2) of this subsection, if not a multiple of $1, shall be rounded to the next lower multiple of $1.
"(f) Payments under subsections (a) and (b) shall be made only for months after the month in which this section is enacted.
"(g)(1) During each fiscal year the Secretary of Defense shall transfer from time to time to the head of the agency such amounts as the head of the agency determines to be necessary to pay the benefits provided for under subsections (a) and (b) during such fiscal year and to pay the administrative expenses incurred in paying such benefits during such fiscal year. During fiscal year 1983, transfers under this subsection shall be made from the 'Retired Pay, Defense' account of the Department of Defense. During subsequent fiscal years, such transfers shall be made from such account or from funds otherwise available to the Secretary for the purpose of the payment of such benefits and expenses. The Secretary of Defense may transfer funds under this subsection in advance of the payment of benefits and expenses by the head of the agency.
"(2) The head of the agency shall establish on the books of the agency over which he exercises jurisdiction a new account to be used for the payment of benefits under subsections (a) and (b) and shall credit to such account all funds transferred to him for such purpose by the Secretary of Defense.
"(h) The head of the agency and the Secretary of Health and Human Services may enter into an agreement to provide for the payment by the Secretary or the head of the agency of benefits provided for under subsection (a) and benefits provided for under section 202(g) of the Social Security Act (
"(i) For the purposes of this section:
"(1) The term 'head of the agency' means the head of such department or agency of the Government as the President shall designate to administer the provisions of this section.
"(2) The terms 'active military, naval, or air service' and 'service-connected' have the meanings given those terms in paragraphs (24) and (16), respectively, of
Child's Insurance Benefits; Continued Eligibility of Certain Individuals; Limitations
Section 2210(c) of
"(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 202(d) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d) of this section] (as in effect prior to or after the amendments made by subsection (a)), any individual who—
"(A) has attained the age of 18;
"(B) is not under a disability (as defined in section 223(d) of such Act) [
"(C) is entitled to a child's insurance benefit under such section 202(d) [subsec. (d) of this section] for August 1981; and
"(D) is a full-time student at a postsecondary school, college, or university that is an educational institution (as such terms are defined in section 202(d)(7)(A) and (C) of such Act as in effect prior to the amendments made by subsection (a)) for any month prior to May 1982;
shall be entitled to a child's benefit under section 202(d) of such Act in accordance with the provisions of such section as in effect prior to the amendments made by subsection (a) for any month after July 1981 and prior to August 1985 if such individual would be entitled to such child's benefit for such month under such section 202(d) if subsections (a) and (b) of this section [amending subsec. (d) of this section and enacting a provision set out as a note under this section] had not been enacted, but such benefits shall be subject to the limitations set forth in this subsection.
"(2) No benefit described in paragraph (1) shall be paid to an individual to whom paragraph (1) applies for the months of May, June, July, and August, beginning with benefits otherwise payable for May 1982.
"(3) The amount of the monthly benefit payable under paragraph (1) to an individual to whom paragraph (1) applies for any month after July 1982 (prior to deductions on account of work required by section 203 of such Act) [
"(A) during the months after July 1982 and before August 1983, equal to 25 percent of such benefit for August 1981;
"(B) during the months after July 1983 and before August 1984, equal to 50 percent of such benefit for August 1981; and
"(C) during the months after July 1984 and before August 1985, equal to 75 percent of such benefit for August 1981.
"(4) Any individual to whom the provisions of paragraph (1) apply and whose entitlement to benefits under paragraph (1) ends after July 1982 shall not subsequently become entitled, or reentitled, to benefits under paragraph (1) or under section 202(d) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d) of this section] as in effect after the amendments made by subsection (a) unless he meets the requirements of section 202(d)(1)(B)(ii) of that Act as so in effect."
Nonapplicability of Amendments by Section 334 of Pub. L. 95–216 to Monthly Insurance Benefits Payable to Individuals Eligible for Monthly Periodic Benefits; Savings Provision
Section 334(g) of
"(1) The amendments made by the preceding provisions of this section [see section 334(f) of
"(A)(i) to whom there is payable for any month within the 60-month period beginning with the month in which this Act [December 1977] is enacted (or who is eligible in any such month for) a monthly periodic benefit (within the meaning of such provisions) based upon such individual's earnings while in the service of the Federal Government or any State (or political subdivision thereof, as defined in section 218(b)(2) of the Social Security Act) [
"(B) who at time of application for or initial entitlement to such monthly insurance benefit under such subsection (b), (c), (e), (f), or (g) meets the requirements of that subsection as it was in effect and being administered in January 1977.
"(2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), an individual is eligible for a monthly periodic benefit for any month if such benefit would be payable to such individual for that month if such individual were not employed during that month and had made proper application for such benefit.
"(3) If any provision of this subsection, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of this section shall not be affected thereby, but the application of this subsection to any other persons or circumstances shall also be considered invalid."
[Section 2(b)(3) of
Offset Against Spouses' Benefits on Account of Public Pensions
Section 334(h) of
"(1)(A) to whom there is payable for any month prior to July 1983 (or who is eligible in any such month for) a monthly periodic benefit (within the meaning of such provisions) based upon such individual's earnings while in the service of the Federal Government or any State (or political subdivision thereof, as defined in section 218(b)(2) of the Social Security Act [
"(2) who at the time of application for or initial entitlement to such monthly insurance benefit under such subsection (b), (c), (e), (f), or (g)—
"(A) meets the dependency test of one-half support set forth in paragraph (1)(C) of such subsection (c) as it read prior to the enactment of the amendments made by this section [see section 334(f) of
"(B) meets the dependency test of one-half support set forth in paragraph (1)(D) of such subsection (f) as it read prior to the enactment of the amendments made by this section, or an equivalent dependency test (if the individual is a woman), in the case of an individual applying for or becoming entitled to benefits under such subsection (e), (f), or (g)."
Redetermination of Widow's and Widower's Monthly Insurance Benefits for Months After December 1978
Section 336(c)(2) of
Minimum Monthly Insurance Benefits for Months After December 1978, for Widow or Widower and Other Jointly Entitled Individuals
Section 336(d) of
"(1) two or more persons are entitled to monthly benefits under section 202 of the Social Security Act [this section] for December 1978 on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of a deceased individual, and one or more of such persons is so entitled under subsection (e) or (f) of such section 202 [subsec. (e) or (f) of this section], and
"(2) one or more of such persons is entitled on the basis of such wages and self-employment income to monthly benefits under subsection (e) or (f) of such section 202 (as amended by this section) for January 1979, and
"(3) the total of benefits to which all persons are entitled under section 202 of such Act on the basis of such wages and self-employment income for January 1979 is reduced by reason of section 203(a) of such Act as amended by this Act [
then the amount of the benefit to which each such person referred to in paragraph (1) is entitled for months after December 1978 shall in no case be less after the application of this section [see section 336(c)(1) of
Termination of Special $50 Payments Under Tax Reduction Act of 1975
Special $50 Payment Under Tax Reduction Act of 1975
March Through May 1974 Monthly Insurance Benefit for Only Individual Entitled to Benefit on Basis of Wages and Self-Employment Income of Deceased Individual
Section 1(i) of
Cost-of-Living Increase in Social Security Benefits; Effective Date; Consumer Price Index Percentage
Section 201 of
"(a)(1) The Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services] (hereinafter in this section referred to as the 'Secretary') shall, in accordance with the provisions of this section, increase the monthly benefits and lump-sum death payments payable under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] by 7 per centum.
"(2) The provisions of this section (and the increase in benefits made hereunder) shall be effective, in the case of monthly benefits under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] only for months after February 1974 and prior to June 1974, and, in the case of lump-sum death payments under such title [this subchapter], only with respect to deaths which occur after February 1974 and prior to June 1974.
"(b) The increase in social security benefits authorized under this section shall be provided, and any determinations by the Secretary in connection with the provision of such increase in benefits shall be made, in the manner prescribed in section 215(i) of the Social Security Act [
"(1) the amount of such increase shall be 7 per centum,
"(2) in the case of any individual entitled to monthly insurance benefits payable pursuant to section 202(e) of such Act [subsec. (e) of this section] for February 1974 (without the application of section 202(j)(1) or 223(b) of such Act [subsec. (j)(1) of this section or
"(3) in the case of any individual entitled to monthly insurance benefits payable pursuant to section 202(f) of such Act for February 1974 (without the application of section 202(j)(1) or 223(b) of such Act), including such benefits based on a primary insurance amount determined under section 215(a)(3) of such Act as amended by this section, such increase shall be determined without regard to paragraph (3)(B) of such section 202(f).
"(c) The increase in social security benefits provided by this section shall—
"(1) not be considered to be an increase in benefits made under or pursuant to section 215(i) of the Social Security Act [
"(2) not (except for purposes of section 203(a)(2) of such Act [
and nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing any increase in the 'contribution and benefit base' (as that term is employed in section 230 of such Act) [
"(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize (directly or indirectly) any increase in monthly benefits under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] for any month after May 1974, or any increase in lump-sum death payments payable under such title in the case of deaths occurring after May 1974. The recognition of the existence of the increase in benefits authorized by the preceding subsections of this section (during the period it was in effect) in the application, after May 1974, of the provisions of sections 202(q) and 203(a) of such Act [subsec. (q) of this section and
Redetermination of Widow's and Widower's Benefits for December 1972 and After To Provide for 1972 Increases
Section 102(g) of
"(1) In the case of an individual who is entitled to widow's or widower's insurance benefits for the month of December 1972 the Secretary shall, if it would increase such benefits, redetermine the amount of such benefits for months after December 1972 under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] as if the amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) For purposes of paragraph (1)—
"(A) any deceased individual on whose wages and self-employment income the benefits of an individual referred to in paragraph (1) are based, shall be deemed not to have been entitled to benefits if the record, of insured individuals who were entitled to benefits, that is readily available to the Secretary contains no entry for such deceased individual; and
"(B) any deductions under subsections (b) and (c) of section 203 of such Act [
Adjustment of Benefits Based on Disability Which Began Between Age 18 and 22
Section 108(g) of
"(1) one or more persons are entitled (without the application of sections 202(j)(1) and 223(b) of the Social Security Act) [subsec. (j)(1) of this section and
"(2) one or more persons (not included in paragraph (1)) are entitled to monthly benefits under such section 202 or 223 [this section or
"(3) the total of benefits to which all persons are entitled under such sections 202 and 223 [this section and
then the amount of the benefit to which each person referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection is entitled for months after December 1972 shall be adjusted, after the application of such section 203(a) [
Termination of Child's Insurance Benefits by Reason of Adoption
Section 112(c) of
"(1) whose entitlement to child's insurance benefits under section 202(d) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d) of this section] was terminated by reason of his adoption, prior to the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 30, 1972], and
"(2) who, except for such adoption, would be entitled to child's insurance benefits under such section for a month after the month in which this Act is enacted [October 1972],
may, upon filing application for child's insurance benefits under the Social Security Act after the date of enactment of this Act, become reentitled to such benefits; except that no child shall, by reason of the enactment of this section, become reentitled to such benefits for any month prior to the month after the month in which this Act is enacted."
Savings Provision
1972—Section 102(h) of
"(1) two or more persons are entitled to monthly benefits under section 202 of the Social Security Act [this section] for December 1972 on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of a deceased individual, and one or more of such persons is so entitled under subsection (e) or (f) of such section 202, and
"(2) one or more of such persons is entitled on the basis of such wages and self-employment income to monthly benefits under subsection (e) or (f) of such section 202 (as amended by this section) for January 1973, and
"(3) the total of benefits to which all persons are entitled under section 202 of such Act [this section] on the basis of such wages and self-employment income for January 1973 is reduced by reason of section 203(a) of such Act [
then the amount of the benefit to which each such person referred to in paragraph (1) is entitled for months after December 1972 shall in no case be less after the application of this section and such section 203(a) than the amount it would have been without the application of this section."
Section 114(e) of
"(1) one or more persons are entitled (without the application of sections 202(j)(1) and 223(b) of the Social Security Act) [subsec. (j)(1) of this section and
"(2) one or more persons (not included in paragraph (1)) are entitled to monthly benefits under such section 202(g) as a surviving divorced mother (as defined in section 216(d)(3) [
"(3) the total of benefits to which all persons are entitled under such section 202 and 223 [this section and
then the amount of the benefit to which each person referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection is entitled beginning with the first month after December 1972 for which any person referred to in paragraph (2) becomes entitled shall be adjusted, after the application of such section 203(a), to an amount no less than the amount it would have been if the person or persons referred to in paragraph (2) of this subsection were not entitled to a benefit referred to in such paragraph (2)."
1961—Section 104(f) of
"(1) two or more persons were entitled (without the application of subsection (j)(1) of section 202 of the Social Security Act [subsec. (j)(1) of this section]) to monthly benefits under such section 202 for the last month beginning before the effective date of this title [see Effective Date of 1961 Amendment note set out above] on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of a deceased individual, and one or more of such persons is entitled to a monthly insurance benefit under subsection (e), (f), or (h) of such section 202 for such last month; and
"(2) no person, other than the persons referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection, is entitled to benefits under such section 202 on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income for a subsequent month or for any month after such last month and before such subsequent month; and
"(3) the total of the benefits to which all persons are entitled under such section 202 on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income for such subsequent month is reduced by reason of the application of section 203(a) of such Act [
then the amount of the benefit to which each such person referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection is entitled for such subsequent month shall be determined without regard to this Act if, after the application of this Act, such benefit for such month is less than the amount of such benefit for such last month. The preceding provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any monthly benefit of any person for any month beginning after the effective date of this title [see Effective Date note of 1961 Amendment note set out above] unless paragraph (3) also applies to such benefit for the month beginning on such effective date (or would so apply but for the next to the last sentence of section 203(a) of the Social Security Act)."
1960—Section 208(e) of
"(1) one or more persons were entitled (without the application of section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (j)(1) of this section]) to monthly benefits under section 202 of such Act for the month before the month in which this Act is enacted [September 1960] on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of an individual; and
"(2) any person is entitled to benefits under subsection (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), or (g) of section 202 of the Social Security Act for any subsequent month on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income and such person would not be entitled to such benefits but for the enactment of this section; and
"(3) the total of the benefits to which all persons are entitled under section 202 of the Social Security Act on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income for such subsequent month is reduced by reason of the application of section 203(a) of such Act [
then the amount of the benefit to which each person referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection is entitled for such subsequent month shall not, after the application of such section 203(a), be less than the amount it would have been (determined without regard to section 301 [
Section 301(c) of
"(1) one or more persons were entitled (without the application of section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (j)(1) of this section]) to monthly benefits under section 202 of such Act for the second month following the month in which this Act is enacted [September 1960] on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of a deceased individual (but not including any person who became so entitled by reason of section 208 of this Act [
"(2) no person, other than (i) those persons referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection (ii) those persons who are entitled to benefits under section 202(d), (e), (f), or (g) of the Social Security Act but would not be so entitled except for the enactment of section 208 of this Act [
"(3) the total of the benefits to which all persons referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection are entitled under section 202 of the Social Security Act on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income for such subsequent month exceeds the maximum of benefits payable, as provided in section 203(a) of such Act [
then the amount of the benefit to which each such person referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection is entitled for such subsequent month shall be determined—
"(4) in case such person is entitled to benefits under section 202(e), (f), (g), or (h), as though this section and section 208 [
"(5) in case such person is entitled to benefits under section 202(d), as though (i) no person is entitled to benefits under section 202(e), (f), (g), or (h) for such subsequent month, and (ii) the maximum of benefits payable, as described in paragraph (3), is such maximum less the amount of each person's benefit for such month determined pursuant to paragraph (4)."
1958—Section 304(b) of
"(1) one or more persons were entitled (without the application of section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (j)(1) of this section]) to monthly benefits under section 202 of such Act for the month in which this Act is enacted [August 1958] on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of an individual; and
"(2) a person is entitled to a parent's insurance benefit under section 202(h) of the Social Security Act for any subsequent month on the basis of such wages and self-employment income and such person would not be entitled to such benefit but for the enactment of this section; and
"(3) the total of the benefits to which all persons are entitled under section 202 of the Social Security Act on the basis of such wages and self-employment income for such subsequent month are reduced by reason of the application of section 203(a) of such Act [
then the amount of the benefit to which each such person referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection is entitled for such subsequent month shall be increased, after the application of such section 203(a), to the amount it would have been if no person referred to in paragraph (2) of this subsection was entitled to a parent's insurance benefit for such subsequent month on the basis of such wages and self-employment income."
1957—Section 5 of
"(a) one or more persons were entitled (without the application of section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (j)(1) of this section]) to parent's insurance benefits under section 202(h) of such Act for the month in which this Act [August 1957] is enacted on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of an individual;
"(b) a person becomes entitled to a widow's, widower's or mother's insurance benefit under section 202(e), (f), or (g) of the Social Security Act for any subsequent month on the basis of such wages and self-employment income;
"(c) the total of the benefits to which all persons are entitled under section 202 of the Social Security Act, on the basis of such wages and self-employment income for such subsequent month are reduced by reason of the application of section 203(a) of such Act [
then the amount of the benefit to which each such person referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) is entitled for such subsequent month shall be increased, after the application of such section 203(a), to the amount it would have been—
"(d) if, in the case of a parent's insurance benefit, the person referred to in paragraph (b) was not entitled to the benefit referred to in such paragraph, or
"(e) if, in the case of a benefit referred to in paragraph (b), no person was entitled to a parent's insurance benefit for such subsequent month on the basis of such wages and self-employment income."
Filing of Proof of Support
1968—Section 157(c) of
1961—Section 103(c) of title I of
1958—Section 207(b) of
Section 304(c) of
1954—Section 113 of act Sept. 1, 1954, provided that:
"(a) For the purpose of determining the entitlement of any individual to husband's insurance benefits under subsection (c) of section 202 of the Social Security Act [subsec. (c) of this section] on the basis of his wife's wages and self-employment income, the requirements of paragraph (1)(D) of such subsection shall be deemed to be met if—
"(1) such individual was receiving at least one-half of his support, as determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, from his wife on the first day of the first month (A) for which she was entitled to a monthly benefit under subsection (a) of such section 202, and (B) in which an event described in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 203(b) of such Act [
"(2) such individual has filed proof of such support within two years after such first month, and
"(3) such wife was, without the application of subsection (j)(1) of such section 202, entitled to a primary insurance benefit under such Act for August 1950.
"(b) For the purpose of determining the entitlement of any individual to widower's insurance benefits under subsection (f) of section 202 of the Social Security Act on the basis of his deceased wife's wages and self-employment income, the requirements of paragraph (1)(E)(ii) of such subsection shall be deemed to be met if—
"(1) such individual was receiving at least one-half of his support, as determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, from his wife, and she was a currently insured individual, on the first day of the first month (A) for which she was entitled to a monthly benefit under subsection (a) of such section 202, and (B) in which an event described in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 203(b) of such Act (as in effect before or after the enactment of this Act [Sept. 1, 1954]) did not occur.
"(2) such individual has filed proof of such support within two years after such first month, and
"(3) such wife was, without the application of subsection (j)(1) of such section 202, entitled to a primary insurance benefit under such Act for August 1950.
"(c) For purposes of subsection (b)(1) of this section, and for purposes of section 202(c)(1) of the Social Security Act in cases to which subsection (a) of this section is applicable, the wife of an individual shall be deemed a currently insured individual if she had not less than six quarters of coverage (as determined under section 213 of the Social Security Act) [
"(d) This section shall apply only with respect to husband's insurance benefits under section 202(c) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (c) of this section], and widower's insurance benefits under section 202(f) of such Act [subsec. (f) of this section], for months after August 1954, and only with respect to benefits based on applications filed after such month."
1950—Section 101(c) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that:
"(1) Any individual entitled to primary insurance benefits or widow's current insurance benefits under section 202 of the Social Security Act [this section] as in effect prior to its amendment by this Act who would, but for the enactment of this Act, be entitled to such benefits for September 1950 shall be deemed to be entitled to old-age insurance benefits or mother's insurance benefits (as the case may be) under section 202 of the Social Security Act, as amended by this Act, as though such individual became entitled to such benefits in such month.
"(2) Any individual entitled to any other monthly insurance benefits under section 202 of the Social Security Act as in effect prior to its amendment by this Act who would, but for the enactment of this Act, be entitled to such benefits for September 1950 shall be deemed to be entitled to such benefits under section 202 of the Social Security Act, as amended by this Act, as though such individual became entitled to such benefits in such month.
"(3) Any individual who files application after August 1950 for monthly benefits under any subsection of section 202 of the Social Security Act who would, but for the enactment of this Act, be entitled to benefits under such subsection (as in effect prior to such enactment) for any month prior to September 1950 shall be deemed entitled to such benefits for such month prior to September 1950 to the same extent and in the same amounts as though this Act had not been enacted."
Extension of Filing Period for Husband's, Widower's, or Parent's Benefits in Certain Cases
Section 210 of
"(a) In the case of any husband who would not be entitled to husband's insurance benefits under section 202(c) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (c) of this section] except for the enactment of this Act, the requirement in section 202(c)(1)(C) of the Social Security Act relating to the time within which proof of support must be filed shall not apply if such proof of support is filed within two years after the month in which this Act is enacted [September 1960].
"(b) In the case of any widower who would not be entitled to widower's insurance benefits under section 202(f) of the Social Security Act except for the enactment of this Act, the requirement in section 202(f)(1)(D) of the Social Security Act relating to the time within which proof of support must be filed shall not apply if such proof of support is filed within two years after the month in which this Act is enacted.
"(c) In the case of any parent who would not be entitled to parent's insurance benefits under section 202(h) of the Social Security Act except for the enactment of this Act, the requirement in section 202(h)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act relating to the time within which proof of support must be filed shall not apply if such proof of support is filed within two years after the month in which this Act is enacted."
Disregarding OASDI Benefit Increases and Child's Insurance Benefit Payments Beyond Age 18 to the Extent Attributable to Retroactive Effective Date of 1965 Amendments
Authorization to disregard, in determining need for aid or assistance under an approved State plan, amounts paid under this subchapter for months occurring after December 1964 and before October 1965 to the extent to which payment is attributable to the payment of child's insurance benefits under the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance system after attainment of age 18, in the case of individuals attending school, resulting from enactment of section 306 of
Lump-Sum Payments Where Death Occurred Prior to September 1, 1950
Section 101(d) of act Aug. 28, 1950, as amended July 18, 1952, ch. 945, §5(e)(1),
Lump-Sum Payments for Deaths Before 1940; Time Limitation
Lump-sum payments of 3½ percent of total wages paid with respect to employment after Dec. 31, 1936 and before reaching the age of 65 were provided for persons who were not qualified individuals upon reaching that age by section 204 of act Aug. 14, 1935, before amendment in 1939. Such lump-sum payments, except to the estate of an individual who died prior to Jan. 1, 1940, were prohibited after Aug. 10, 1939, by section 902(g) of act Aug. 10, 1939. Section 415 of act Aug. 10, 1946, provided that no lump-sum payments shall be made under section 204 of the 1935 act or section 902(g) of the 1939 act unless application therefor has been filed prior to the expiration of six months after Aug. 10, 1946.
Death Outside U.S.; Extension of Filing Time for Lump-Sum Payments
Section 5(e)(2) of act July 18, 1952, ch. 945,
Payment of Annuities to Officers and Employees of the United States Convicted of Certain Offenses
Section 121(b) of act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) of this section [amending this section] shall not be construed to restrict or otherwise affect any of the provisions of the Act entitled 'An Act to prohibit payments of annuities to officers and employees of the United States convicted of certain offenses, and for other purposes', approved September 1, 1954 (Public Law 769, Eighty-third Congress) [sections 2281 to 2288 of former Title 5, Executive Departments and Government Officers and Employees, and are covered by
Application for Benefits by Survivors of Members and Former Members of Uniformed Services
Forms for use by survivors of members and former members of the uniformed services in filing applications for benefits under this subchapter to be prescribed jointly by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, see
Payments of Aliens' Benefits Withheld Under Foreign Delivery Restriction of Checks Against Federal Funds
Section 162(c)(3) of
"(A) to any person other than such individual, or, if such individual dies before such benefits can be paid, to any person other than an individual who was entitled for the month in which the deceased individual died (with the application of section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (j)(1) of this section]) to a monthly benefit under title II of such Act [this subchapter] on the basis of the same wages and self-employment income as such deceased individual, or
"(B) in excess of the equivalent of the last twelve months' benefits that would have been payable to such individual."
Study of Retirement Test and of Drug Standards and Coverage
Section 405 of
Ex. Ord. No. 12436. Payment of Certain Benefits to Survivors of Persons Who Died in or as a Result of Military Service
Ex. Ord. No. 12436, July 29, 1983, 48 F.R. 34931, provided:
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, including Section 156 of
Ronald Reagan.
1 See References in Text note below.
§403. Reduction of insurance benefits
(a) Maximum benefits
(1) In the case of an individual whose primary insurance amount has been computed or recomputed under section 415(a)(1) or (4) of this title, or
(A) 150 percent of such individual's primary insurance amount to the extent that it does not exceed the amount established with respect to this subparagraph by paragraph (2),
(B) 272 percent of such individual's primary insurance amount to the extent that it exceeds the amount established with respect to subparagraph (A) but does not exceed the amount established with respect to this subparagraph by paragraph (2),
(C) 134 percent of such individual's primary insurance amount to the extent that it exceeds the amount established with respect to subparagraph (B) but does not exceed the amount established with respect to this subparagraph by paragraph (2), and
(D) 175 percent of such individual's primary insurance amount to the extent that it exceeds the amount established with respect to subparagraph (C).
Any such amount that is not a multiple of $0.10 shall be decreased to the next lower multiple of $0.10.
(2)(A) For individuals who initially become eligible for old-age or disability insurance benefits, or who die (before becoming so eligible for such benefits), in the calendar year 1979, the amounts established with respect to subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (1) shall be $230, $332, and $433, respectively.
(B) For individuals who initially become eligible for old-age or disability insurance benefits, or who die (before becoming so eligible for such benefits), in any calendar year after 1979, each of the amounts so established shall equal the product of the corresponding amount established for the calendar year 1979 by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and the quotient obtained under subparagraph (B)(ii) of
(C) In each calendar year after 1978 the Commissioner of Social Security shall publish in the Federal Register, on or before November 1, the formula which (except as provided in
(D) A year shall not be counted as the year of an individual's death or eligibility for purposes of this paragraph or paragraph (8) in any case where such individual was entitled to a disability insurance benefit for any of the 12 months immediately preceding the month of such death or eligibility (but there shall be counted instead the year of the individual's eligibility for the disability insurance benefits to which he was entitled during such 12 months).
(3)(A) When an individual who is entitled to benefits on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of any insured individual and to whom this subsection applies would (but for the provisions of
(i) the sum of the maximum amounts of benefits payable on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of all such insured individuals, or
(ii) an amount (I) initially equal to the product of 1.75 and the primary insurance amount that would be computed under
The year established for purposes of clause (ii) shall be 1983 or, if it occurs later with respect to any individual, the year in which occurred the month that the application of the reduction provisions contained in this subparagraph began with respect to benefits payable on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of the insured individual. If for any month subsequent to the first month for which clause (ii) applies (with respect to benefits payable on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of the insured individual) the reduction under this subparagraph ceases to apply, then the year determined under the preceding sentence shall be redetermined (for purposes of any subsequent application of this subparagraph with respect to benefits payable on the basis of such wages and self-employment income) as though this subparagraph had not been previously applicable.
(B) When two or more persons were entitled (without the application of
(i) the amount determined under this subsection without regard to this subparagraph,
(ii) the largest amount which has been determined for any month under this subsection for persons entitled to monthly benefits on the basis of such insured individual's wages and self-employment income, or
(iii) if any persons are entitled to benefits on the basis of such wages and self-employment income for the month before the effective month (after September 1972) of a general benefit increase under this title (as defined in
but in any such case (I) subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not be applied to such total of benefits after the application of clause (ii) or (iii), and (II) if
(C) When any of such individuals is entitled to monthly benefits as a divorced spouse under section 402(b) or (c) of this title or as a surviving divorced spouse under section 402(e) or (f) of this title for any month, the benefit to which he or she is entitled on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such insured individual for such month shall be determined without regard to this subsection, and the benefits of all other individuals who are entitled for such month to monthly benefits under
(D) In any case in which—
(i) two or more individuals are entitled to monthly benefits for the same month as a spouse under subsection (b) or (c) of
(ii) at least one of such individuals is entitled by reason of subparagraph (A)(ii) or (B) of
(iii) such entitlements are based on the wages and self-employment income of the same insured individual,
the benefit of the entitled individual whose entitlement is based on a valid marriage (as determined without regard to subparagraphs (A)(ii) and (B) of
(4) In any case in which benefits are reduced pursuant to the provisions of this subsection, the reduction shall be made after any deductions under this section and after any deductions under section 422(b) 1 of this title. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any reduction under this subsection in the case of an individual who is entitled to a benefit under subsection (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) of
(A) who also is entitled to a benefit under subsection (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) of
(B) who does not live in the same household as such individual, and
(C) whose benefit for such month is suspended (in whole or in part) pursuant to subsection (h)(3) of this section,
shall be made before the suspension under subsection (h)(3) of this section. Whenever a reduction is made under this subsection in the total of monthly benefits to which individuals are entitled for any month on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of an insured individual, each such benefit other than the old-age or disability insurance benefit shall be proportionately decreased.
(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when—
(A) two or more persons are entitled to monthly benefits for a particular month on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of an insured individual and (for such particular month) the provisions of this subsection are applicable to such monthly benefits, and
(B) such individual's primary insurance amount is increased for the following month under any provision of this subchapter,
then the total of monthly benefits for all persons on the basis of such wages and self-employment income for such particular month, as determined under the provisions of this subsection, shall for purposes of determining the total monthly benefits for all persons on the basis of such wages and self-employment income for months subsequent to such particular month be considered to have been increased by the smallest amount that would have been required in order to assure that the total of monthly benefits payable on the basis of such wages and self-employment income for any such subsequent month will not be less (after the application of the other provisions of this subsection and
(6) Notwithstanding any of the preceding provisions of this subsection other than paragraphs (3)(A), (3)(C), (3)(D), (4), and (5) (but subject to
(A) 85 percent of such individual's average indexed monthly earnings (or 100 percent of his primary insurance amount, if larger), or
(B) 150 percent of such individual's primary insurance amount.
(7) In the case of any individual who is entitled for any month to benefits based upon the primary insurance amounts of two or more insured individuals, one or more of which primary insurance amounts were determined under section 415(a) or (d) of this title as in effect (without regard to the table contained therein) prior to January 1979 and one or more of which primary insurance amounts were determined under section 415(a)(1) or (4) of this title, or
(8) Subject to paragraph (7) and except as otherwise provided in paragraph (10)(C), this subsection as in effect in December 1978 shall remain in effect with respect to a primary insurance amount computed under section 415(a) or (d) of this title, as in effect (without regard to the table contained therein) in December 1978 and as amended by section 5117 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, except that a primary insurance amount so computed with respect to an individual who first becomes eligible for an old-age or disability insurance benefit, or dies (before becoming eligible for such a benefit), after December 1978, shall instead be governed by this section as in effect after December 1978. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the phrase "rounded to the next higher multiple of $0.10", as it appeared in subsection (a)(2)(C) of this section as in effect in December 1978, shall be deemed to read "rounded to the next lower multiple of $0.10".
(9) When—
(A) one or more persons were entitled (without the application of
(B) the benefit of at least one such person for June 1978 is increased by reason of the amendments made by section 204 of the Social Security Amendments of 1977; and
(C) the total amount of benefits to which all such persons are entitled under such
then the amount of the benefit to which each such person is entitled for months after May 1978 shall be increased (after such reductions are made under this subsection) to the amount such benefits would have been if the benefit of the person or persons referred to in subparagraph (B) had not been so increased.
(10)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C)—
(i) the total monthly benefits to which beneficiaries may be entitled under
(ii) the total monthly benefits to which beneficiaries may be entitled under
(B) In any case in which—
(i) the total monthly benefits with respect to such individual's primary insurance amount for the last month of his prior entitlement to disability insurance benefits was computed under paragraph (6), and
(ii) the individual's primary insurance amount is computed under subparagraph (B)(i) or (C) of
the total monthly benefits shall equal the total monthly benefits that would have been authorized with respect to the primary insurance amount for the last month of his prior entitlement to disability insurance benefits if such total monthly benefits had been computed without regard to paragraph (6).
(C) This paragraph shall apply before the application of paragraph (3)(A), and before the application of subsection (a)(1) of this section as in effect in December 1978.
(b) Deductions on account of work
(1) Deductions, in such amounts and at such time or times as the Commissioner of Social Security shall determine, shall be made from any payment or payments under this subchapter to which an individual is entitled, and from any payment or payments to which any other persons are entitled on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income, until the total of such deductions equals—
(A) such individual's benefit or benefits under
(B) if such individual was entitled to old-age insurance benefits under
if for such month he is charged with excess earnings, under the provisions of subsection (f) of this section, equal to the total of benefits referred to in clauses (A) and (B). If the excess earnings so charged are less than such total of benefits, such deductions with respect to such month shall be equal only to the amount of such excess earnings. If a child who has attained the age of 18 and is entitled to child's insurance benefits, or a person who is entitled to mother's or father's insurance benefits, is married to an individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits under
(i) an individual shall be deemed to be entitled to payments under
(ii) if a deduction is made with respect to an individual's benefit or benefits under
(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in any case in which—
(i) any of the other persons referred to in paragraph (1)(B) is entitled to monthly benefits as a divorced spouse under section 402(b) or (c) of this title for any month, and
(ii) such person has been divorced for not less than 2 years,
the benefit to which he or she is entitled on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of the individual referred to in paragraph (1) for such month shall be determined without regard to deductions under this subsection as a result of excess earnings of such individual, and the benefits of all other individuals who are entitled for such month to monthly benefits under
(B) Clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to any divorced spouse in any case in which the individual referred to in paragraph (1) became entitled to old-age insurance benefits under
(c) Deductions on account of noncovered work outside United States or failure to have child in care
Deductions, in such amounts and at such time or times as the Commissioner of Social Security shall determine, shall be made from any payment or payments under this subchapter to which an individual is entitled, until the total of such deductions equals such individual's benefits or benefit under
(1) in which such individual is under retirement age (as defined in
(2) in which such individual, if a wife or husband under retirement age (as defined in
(3) in which such individual, if a widow or widower entitled to a mother's or father's insurance benefit, did not have in his or her care a child of his or her deceased spouse entitled to a child's insurance benefit; or
(4) in which such an individual, if a surviving divorced mother or father entitled to a mother's or father's insurance benefit, did not have in his or her care a child of his or her deceased former spouse who (A) is his or her son, daughter, or legally adopted child and (B) is entitled to a child's insurance benefit on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such deceased former spouse.
For purposes of paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of this subsection, a child shall not be considered to be entitled to a child's insurance benefit for any month in which paragraph (1) of
(d) Deductions from dependents' benefits on account of noncovered work outside United States by old-age insurance beneficiary
(1)(A) Deductions shall be made from any wife's, husband's, or child's insurance benefit, based on the wages and self-employment income of an individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits, to which a wife, divorced wife, husband, divorced husband, or child is entitled, until the total of such deductions equals such wife's, husband's, or child's insurance benefit or benefits under
(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), in any case in which—
(I) a divorced spouse is entitled to monthly benefits under section 402(b) or (c) of this title for any month, and
(II) such divorced spouse has been divorced for not less than 2 years,
the benefit to which he or she is entitled for such month on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of the individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be determined without regard to deductions under this paragraph as a result of excess earnings of such individual, and the benefits of all other individuals who are entitled for such month to monthly benefits under
(ii) Subclause (II) of clause (i) shall not apply with respect to any divorced spouse in any case in which the individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits referred to in subparagraph (A) became entitled to such benefits before the date of the divorce.
(2) Deductions shall be made from any child's insurance benefit to which a child who has attained the age of eighteen is entitled, or from any mother's or father's insurance benefit to which a person is entitled, until the total of such deductions equals such child's insurance benefit or benefits or mother's or father's insurance benefit or benefits under
(e) Occurrence of more than one event
If more than one of the events specified in subsections (c) and (d) of this section and section 422(b) 1 of this title occurs in any one month which would occasion deductions equal to a benefit for such month, only an amount equal to such benefit shall be deducted.
(f) Months to which earnings are charged
For purposes of subsection (b) of this section—
(1) The amount of an individual's excess earnings (as defined in paragraph (3)) shall be charged to months as follows: There shall be charged to the first month of such taxable year an amount of his excess earnings equal to the sum of the payments to which he and all other persons (excluding divorced spouses referred to in subsection (b)(2) of this section) are entitled for such month under
(2) As used in paragraph (1), the term "first month of such taxable year" means the earliest month in such year to which the charging of excess earnings described in such paragraph is not prohibited by the application of clauses (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), and (F) thereof.
(3) For purposes of paragraph (1) and subsection (h) of this section, an individual's excess earnings for a taxable year shall be 331/3 percent of his earnings for such year in excess of the product of the applicable exempt amount as determined under paragraph (8) in the case of an individual who has attained (or, but for the individual's death, would have attained) retirement age (as defined in
(4) For purposes of clause (E) of paragraph (1)—
(A) An individual will be presumed, with respect to any month, to have been engaged in self-employment in such month until it is shown to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security that such individual rendered no substantial services in such month with respect to any trade or business the net income or loss of which is includible in computing (as provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection) his net earnings or net loss from self-employment for any taxable year. The Commissioner of Social Security shall by regulations prescribe the methods and criteria for determining whether or not an individual has rendered substantial services with respect to any trade or business.
(B) An individual will be presumed, with respect to any month, to have rendered services for wages (determined as provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection) of more than the applicable exempt amount as determined under paragraph (8) until it is shown to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security that such individual did not render such services in such month for more than such amount.
(5)(A) An individual's earnings for a taxable year shall be (i) the sum of his wages for services rendered in such year and his net earnings from self-employment for such year, minus (ii) any net loss from self-employment for such year.
(B) For purposes of this section—
(i) an individual's net earnings from self-employment for any taxable year shall be determined as provided in
(ii) an individual's net loss from self-employment for any taxable year is the excess of the deductions (plus his distributive share of loss described in section 702(a)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) taken into account under clause (i) over the gross income (plus his distributive share of income so described) taken into account under clause (i).
(C) For purposes of this subsection, an individual's wages shall be computed without regard to the limitations as to amounts of remuneration specified in paragraphs (1), (6)(B), (6)(C), (7)(B), and (8) of
(i) the amount of any payment made to, or on behalf of, an employee or any of his dependents (including any amount paid by an employer for insurance or annuities, or into a fund, to provide for any such payment) on account of retirement, or
(ii) any payment or series of payments by an employer to an employee or any of his dependents upon or after the termination of the employee's employment relationship because of retirement after attaining an age specified in a plan referred to in
(D) In the case of—
(i) an individual who has attained retirement age (as defined in
(ii) an individual who has become entitled to insurance benefits under this subchapter, other than benefits under
there shall be excluded from gross income any such royalties or other income.
(E) For purposes of this section, any individual's net earnings from self-employment which result from or are attributable to the performance of services by such individual as a director of a corporation during any taxable year shall be deemed to have been derived (and received) by such individual in that year, at the time the services were performed, regardless of when the income, on which the computation of such net earnings from self-employment is based, is actually paid to or received by such individual (unless such income was actually paid and received prior to that year).
(6) For purposes of this subsection, wages (determined as provided in paragraph (5)(C)) which, according to reports received by the Commissioner of Social Security, are paid to an individual during a taxable year shall be presumed to have been paid to him for services performed in such year until it is shown to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security that they were paid for services performed in another taxable year. If such reports with respect to an individual show his wages for a calendar year, such individual's taxable year shall be presumed to be a calendar year for purposes of this subsection until it is shown to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security that his taxable year is not a calendar year.
(7) Where an individual's excess earnings are charged to a month and the excess earnings so charged are less than the total of the payments (without regard to such charging) to which all persons (excluding divorced spouses referred to in subsection (b)(2) of this section) are entitled under
(8)(A) Whenever the Commissioner of Social Security pursuant to
(B) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (D), the exempt amount which is applicable to individuals described in such subparagraph and the exempt amount which is applicable to other individuals, for each month of a particular taxable year, shall each be whichever of the following is the larger—
(i) the corresponding exempt amount which is in effect with respect to months in the taxable year in which the determination under subparagraph (A) is made, or
(ii) the product of the corresponding exempt amount which is in effect with respect to months in the taxable year ending after 2001 and before 2003 (with respect to individuals described in subparagraph (D)) or the taxable year ending after 1993 and before 1995 (with respect to other individuals), and the ratio of—
(I) the national average wage index (as defined in
(II) the national average wage index (as so defined) for 2000 (with respect to individuals described in subparagraph (D)) or 1992 (with respect to other individuals),
with such product, if not a multiple of $10, being rounded to the next higher multiple of $10 where such product is a multiple of $5 but not of $10 and to the nearest multiple of $10 in any other case.
Whenever the Commissioner of Social Security determines that an exempt amount is to be increased in any year under this paragraph, the Commissioner shall notify the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance within 30 days after the close of the base quarter (as defined in
(C) Notwithstanding the determination of a new exempt amount by the Commissioner of Social Security under subparagraph (A) (and notwithstanding any publication thereof under such subparagraph or any notification thereof under the last sentence of subparagraph (B)), such new exempt amount shall not take effect pursuant thereto if during the calendar year in which such determination is made a law increasing the exempt amount is enacted.
(D) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the exempt amount which is applicable to an individual who has attained retirement age (as defined in
(i) for each month of any taxable year ending after 1995 and before 1997, $1,041.662/3,
(ii) for each month of any taxable year ending after 1996 and before 1998, $1,125.00,
(iii) for each month of any taxable year ending after 1997 and before 1999, $1,208.331/3,
(iv) for each month of any taxable year ending after 1998 and before 2000, $1,291.662/3,
(v) for each month of any taxable year ending after 1999 and before 2001, $1,416.662/3,
(vi) for each month of any taxable year ending after 2000 and before 2002, $2,083.331/3, and
(vii) for each month of any taxable year ending after 2001 and before 2003, $2,500.00.
(E) Notwithstanding subparagraph (D), no deductions in benefits shall be made under subsection (b) of this section with respect to the earnings of any individual in any month beginning with the month in which the individual attains retirement age (as defined in
(9) For purposes of paragraphs (3), (5)(D)(i), (8)(D), and (8)(E), the term "retirement age (as defined in
(g) Penalty for failure to report certain events
Any individual in receipt of benefits subject to deduction under subsection (c) of this section, (or who is in receipt of such benefits on behalf of another individual), because of the occurrence of an event specified therein, who fails to report such occurrence to the Commissioner of Social Security prior to the receipt and acceptance of an insurance benefit for the second month following the month in which such event occurred, shall suffer deductions in addition to those imposed under subsection (c) of this section as follows:
(1) if such failure is the first one with respect to which an additional deduction is imposed by this subsection, such additional deduction shall be equal to his benefit or benefits for the first month of the period for which there is a failure to report even though such failure is with respect to more than one month;
(2) if such failure is the second one with respect to which an additional deduction is imposed by this subsection, such additional deduction shall be equal to two times his benefit or benefits for the first month of the period for which there is a failure to report even though such failure is with respect to more than two months; and
(3) if such failure is the third or a subsequent one for which an additional deduction is imposed under this subsection, such additional deduction shall be equal to three times his benefit or benefits for the first month of the period for which there is a failure to report even though the failure to report is with respect to more than three months;
except that the number of additional deductions required by this subsection shall not exceed the number of months in the period for which there is a failure to report. As used in this subsection, the term "period for which there is a failure to report" with respect to any individual means the period for which such individual received and accepted insurance benefits under
(h) Report of earnings to Commissioner
(1)(A) If an individual is entitled to any monthly insurance benefit under
(i) beginning with or after the month in which such individual attained retirement age (as defined in
(ii) if benefit payments for all months (in such taxable year) in which such individual is under retirement age (as defined in
(I) such individual is entitled to benefits under subsection (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) of
(II) such benefits are reduced under subsection (a) of this section for any month in such taxable year, and
(III) in any such month there is another person who also is entitled to benefits under subsection (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) of
The Commissioner of Social Security may grant a reasonable extension of time for making the report of earnings required in this paragraph if the Commissioner finds that there is valid reason for a delay, but in no case may the period be extended more than four months.
(B) If the benefit payments of an individual have been suspended for all months in any taxable year under the provisions of the first sentence of paragraph (3) of this subsection, no benefit payment shall be made to such individual for any such month in such taxable year after the expiration of the period of three years, three months, and fifteen days following the close of such taxable year unless within such period the individual, or some other person entitled to benefits under this subchapter on the basis of the same wages and self-employment income, files with the Commissioner of Social Security information showing that a benefit for such month is payable to such individual.
(2) If an individual fails to make a report required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, within the time prescribed by or in accordance with such paragraph, for any taxable year and any deduction is imposed under subsection (b) of this section by reason of his earnings for such year, he shall suffer additional deductions as follows:
(A) if such failure is the first one with respect to which an additional deduction is imposed under this paragraph, such additional deduction shall be equal to his benefit or benefits for the last month of such year for which he was entitled to a benefit under
(B) if such failure is the second one for which an additional deduction is imposed under this paragraph, such additional deduction shall be equal to two times his benefit or benefits for the last month of such year for which he was entitled to a benefit under
(C) if such failure is the third or a subsequent one for which an additional deduction is imposed under this paragraph, such additional deduction shall be equal to three times his benefit or benefits for the last month of such year for which he was entitled to a benefit under
except that the number of the additional deductions required by this paragraph with respect to a failure to report earnings for a taxable year shall not exceed the number of months in such year for which such individual received and accepted insurance benefits under
(3) If the Commissioner of Social Security determines, on the basis of information obtained by or submitted to the Commissioner, that it may reasonably be expected that an individual entitled to benefits under
(4) The Commissioner of Social Security shall develop and implement procedures in accordance with this subsection to avoid paying more than the correct amount of benefits to any individual under this subchapter as a result of such individual's failure to file a correct report or estimate of earnings or wages. Such procedures may include identifying categories of individuals who are likely to be paid more than the correct amount of benefits and requesting that they estimate their earnings or wages more frequently than other persons subject to deductions under this section on account of earnings or wages.
(i) Repealed. Pub. L. 103–296, title III, §309(a), Aug. 15, 1994, 108 Stat. 1523
(j) Attainment of retirement age
For the purposes of this section, an individual shall be considered as having attained retirement age (as defined in
(k) Noncovered remunerative activity outside United States
An individual shall be considered to be engaged in noncovered remunerative activity outside the United States if he performs services outside the United States as an employee and such services do not constitute employment as defined in
(l) Good cause for failure to make reports required
The failure of an individual to make any report required by subsection (g) or (h)(1)(A) of this section within the time prescribed therein shall not be regarded as such a failure if it is shown to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security that he had good cause for failing to make such report within such time. The determination of what constitutes good cause for purposes of this subsection shall be made in accordance with regulations of the Commissioner of Social Security, except that in making any such determination, the Commissioner of Social Security shall specifically take into account any physical, mental, educational, or linguistic limitation such individual may have (including any lack of facility with the English language).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §203,
References in Text
Section 5117 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (a)(8), is section 5117 of
The amendments made by section 204 of the Social Security Amendments of 1977, referred to in subsec. (a)(9)(B), means the amendments made by section 204 of
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (f)(5)(B)(ii) and (k), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2000—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (d)(1)(A), (2).
Subsec. (f)(1)(B).
Subsec. (f)(1)(D).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(8)(E).
Subsec. (f)(9).
Subsec. (h)(1)(A)(i), (ii).
Subsec. (j).
1996—Subsec. (f)(8)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(8)(B)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (f)(8)(D).
"(i) shall be $333.331/3 for each month of any taxable year ending after 1977 and before 1979,
"(ii) shall be $375 for each month of any taxable year ending after 1978 and before 1980,
"(iii) shall be $416.662/3 for each month of any taxable year ending after 1979 and before 1981,
"(iv) shall be $458.331/3 for each month of any taxable year ending after 1980 and before 1982, and
"(v) shall be $500 for each month of any taxable year ending after 1981 and before 1983."
1994—Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(4).
"(A) who also is entitled to a benefit under subsection (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) of
"(B) who does not live in the same household as such individual, and
"(C) whose benefit for such month is suspended (in whole or in part) pursuant to subsection (h)(3) of this section,
shall be made before the suspension under subsection (h)(3) of this section. Whenever" for "
Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsecs. (b)(1), (c), (f)(3), (4).
Subsec. (f)(5)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(5)(C)(i), (ii).
Subsec. (f)(5)(D), (6).
Subsec. (f)(8)(A).
Subsec. (f)(8)(B).
Subsec. (f)(8)(B)(ii).
Subsecs. (f)(8)(C), (g).
Subsec. (h)(1)(A).
"(i) beginning with or after the month in which such individual attained age 70, or
"(ii) if benefit payments for all months (in such taxable year) in which such individual is under age 70 have been suspended under the provisions of the first sentence of paragraph (3) of this subsection, unless—
"(I) such individual is entitled to benefits under subsection (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) of
"(II) such benefits are reduced under subsection (a) of this section for any month in such taxable year, and
"(III) in any such month there is another person who also is entitled to benefits under subsection (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) of
The Secretary may grant" for "Such report need not be made for any taxable year (i) beginning with or after the month in which such individual attained age 70, or (ii) if benefit payments for all months (in such taxable year) in which such individual is under age 70 have been suspended under the provisions of the first sentence of paragraph (3) of this subsection. The Secretary may grant".
Subsec. (h)(1)(B).
Subsec. (h)(3).
Subsec. (h)(4).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l).
1990—Subsec. (a)(3)(D).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (d)(1)(B).
Subsec. (f)(5)(E).
1989—Subsec. (f)(5)(C).
Subsec. (f)(8)(B)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (f)(8)(B)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (l).
1988—Subsec. (f)(3).
1986—Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(6).
1984—Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (d)(1)(A).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (f)(5)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(5)(D)(i).
Subsec. (f)(8)(B), (C).
Subsec. (f)(9).
Subsec. (h)(4).
1983—Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(1)(i).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(1)(D).
Subsec. (f)(1)(F).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(5)(C).
Subsec. (f)(5)(D)(i).
Subsec. (f)(7).
Subsec. (f)(8)(A).
Subsec. (f)(8)(D).
1981—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(8).
1980—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2)(F).
Subsec. (f)(5)(D).
1977—Subsec. (a)(1) to (7).
Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsecs. (c)(1), (d)(1), (f)(1)(B).
Subsec. (f)(1)(E).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(4)(B).
Subsec. (f)(8)(A).
Subsec. (f)(8)(B).
Subsec. (f)(8)(D).
Subsec. (h)(1)(A).
Subsec. (j).
1976—Subsec. (f)(8)(B)(ii).
1973—Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(8)(A).
Subsec. (f)(8)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(8)(B) foll. (ii).
Subsec. (f)(8)(C).
Subsec. (h)(1)(A).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(4)(B).
Subsec. (f)(8).
Subsec. (h)(1)(A).
1971—Subsec. (a)(2).
1969—Subsec. (a)(2).
1968—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (f)(4)(B).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h)(1)(A).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (h)(2)(A).
1965—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(4)(B).
Subsec. (f)(5)(B).
Subsec. (f)(5)(D).
Subsec. (h)(1)(A).
1961—Subsec. (f)(3).
1960—Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l).
1958—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (l).
1956—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §101(d), inserted "after any deductions under
Subsec. (b). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §101(e), inserted paragraph providing that a child should not be considered to be entitled to a child's insurance benefit for any month in which an event specified in
Subsec. (b)(3). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §102(d)(11), substituted "age 65" for "retirement age" and inserted "any such wife's insurance benefit for such month was not reduced under the provisions of
Subsec. (d). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §101(f), included events specified in
Subsec. (e)(4)(C). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §112(a), inserted "or performed outside the United States in the active military or naval service of the United States" after "performed within the United States by the individual as an employee".
Subsec. (g)(1). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §107(a), permitted reports to be made on or before the fifteenth day of the fourth month following the close of the year.
Subsec. (h). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §101(g), included deductions by reason of the provisions of
Subsec. (k). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §112(b), inserted "and are not performed in the active military or naval service of the United States" after "
1954—Subsec. (a). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §102(e)(7), increased maximum limitations on the total monthly amount of benefits.
Subsec. (b)(1), (2). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §103(a), (i)(3), put into effect an annual retirement test for beneficiaries whether they have wage or self-employment earnings, or both, inserted provision for making deductions on account of nonrecovered remunerative activity outside the United States, and provided that deductions because of such provisions be made from an individual's benefits only for months in which he is under the age of 72, rather than 75.
Subsec. (c). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §103(b), (i)(3), provided that deductions be made from a dependent's benefits for any month in which the primary beneficiary was under the age of 72, and for which he was charged with any earnings for work deduction purposes under subsec. (e) or on 7 or more different calendar days of which he engaged in noncovered remunerative activity outside the United States.
Subsec. (d). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §103(c), provided that the charging of earnings shall be treated as an event occurring in the month to which such earnings are charged.
Subsec. (e)(1), (2). Act Sept. 1, 1942, §103(d)(1), (2), (i)(3), provided a method for charging earnings to particular months of the year for purposes of determining the deductions required under subsecs. (b) and (c).
Subsec. (e)(3)(B). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §103(d)(3), provided authority to presume, for purposes of charging earnings to calendar months, that an individual rendered services for wages of more than $80 in any month.
Subsec. (e)(4), (5). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §103(d)(4), added pars. (4) and (5).
Subsec. (f). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §103(e), clarified the penalty provisions.
Subsec. (g). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §103(f)(1), amended heading.
Subsec. (g)(1). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §103(f)(2), (3), provided that if an individual entitled to any monthly benefit in a taxable year has earnings or wages in excess of $100 times the number of months in such year, he must make a report to the Secretary of his earnings for such taxable year, and substituted "seventy-two" for "seventy-five".
Subsec. (g)(2). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §103(f)(4), provided a schedule of penalty deductions for failure to make required reports within the time prescribed by subsec. (g)(1) if any deduction is imposed because of earnings in such year.
Subsec. (g)(3). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §103(f)(5), substituted "subsection (b)(1)" for "subsection (b)(2)", "earnings" for "net earnings from self-employment", and "such earnings" for "such net earnings", and added a new sentence at the end.
Subsec. (i). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §112(a), repealed subsec. (i), effective Sept. 1, 1954, and also provided that no deductions should be made pursuant to such subsec. (i) from any benefits for any month after August 1954.
Subsec. (j). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §103(f)(6), (i)(3), substituted "seventy-two" for "seventy-five".
Subsec. (k). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §103(g), added subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §103(h), added subsec. (l).
1952—Subsec. (a). Act July 18, 1952, §2(b)(2), increased the maximum and minimum monthly benefits payable a family.
Subsecs. (b)(1), (2), (c)(1), (2), (e), (g). Act July 18, 1952, §4(a)–(d), substituted $75 for $50 wherever appearing.
1950—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §102(a), amended subsec. (a) generally to consolidate provisions of former subsecs. (a) to (c) of this section and to liberalize the maximum amount of monthly benefits payable.
Subsec. (b). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §103(a), provided that deductions are to be made from benefits for any month in which a beneficiary is under age 75 and either renders services for wages of more than $50, or is charged with net earnings from self-employment of more than $50, and provided that deductions are to be made for any month in which a wife, widow or divorced wife does not have in her care a child or her husband or former husband entitled to a child's insurance benefit.
Subsec. (c). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §103(a), provided for the making of deductions from dependents benefits for any month in which the old-age beneficiary suffers a reduction in his benefit.
Subsec. (d). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §103(a), inserted second sentence.
Subsec. (e). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §103(a), provided the method for charging net earnings from self-employment to the particular months of the taxable year for the purpose of determining deductions under subsecs. (b)(2) and (c)(2) of this section.
Subsec. (f). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §103(a), continued provisions requiring the reporting of any event which causes a deduction from benefits.
Subsec. (g). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §103(a), outlined circumstances under which beneficiaries with net earnings from self-employment are required to file report with the Federal Security Administrator.
Subsec. (h). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §103(a), pointed out circumstances under which deductions otherwise required under subsecs. (b), (f), and (g) of this section will not be made.
Subsecs. (i), (j). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §103(a), added subsecs. (i) and (j).
1946—Subsec. (g). Act Aug. 10, 1946, §406(b), inserted exception limiting the first deduction for failure to report to one month's benefit.
Subsec. (d)(2). Act Aug. 10, 1946, §406(a), struck out par. (2) which related to deductions for failure to attend school.
1939—Act Aug. 10, 1939, amended section generally.
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Section 102(c) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Section 309(e)(1) of
Section 310(c) of
"(1) becomes entitled to an old-age insurance benefit under section 202(a) of such Act,
"(2) becomes reentitled to a disability insurance benefit under section 223 of such Act, or
"(3) dies,
after December 1995."
Section 314(b) of
Section 321(g)(3)(B) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 5117(a)(4) of
"(A)
"(B)
Section 5119(e) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
Section 5123(b) of
Section 5127(c) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by section 10208(b)(1)(A), (B) of
Section 10305(f) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 8002(c) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 12108(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2602(b) of
Section 2661(g)(1)(B) of
Section 2661(g)(2)(B) of
Amendment by section 2662(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 2663(a)(3) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by section 111(a)(4) of
Section 132(c)(2) of
Amendment by sections 306(i) and 309(f)–(h) of
Amendment by section 324(c)(4) of
Section 331(c) of
Section 347(b) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendments
Amendment by section 2201(c)(6) of
Amendment by section 2206(b)(2)–(4) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Section 1(b) of
Section 3(b) of
Section 4(b) of
Section 101(c) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Amendment by section 202 of
Section 301(e) of
Section 302(e) of
Section 303(b) of
Amendment by section 353(a) of
Effective Date of 1973 Amendment
Section 202(d) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendments
Amendment by section 101(b) of
Section 202(a)(2)(A), (B) of
Amendment by section 201(b) of
Section 144(b) of
Amendment by section 201(h)(1) of
Amendment by section 102(c) of
Amendment by section 107(b)(1), (2) of
Section 105(c) of
Section 106(b) of
Effective Date of 1971 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1969 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by section 101(b) of
Amendment by section 104(d)(1) of
Section 107(b) of
Section 163(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Amendment by section 301(c) of
Amendment by section 308(d)(6)–(8) of
Section 310(b) of
Section 325(b) of
Effective Date of 1961 Amendment
Section 108(b) of
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Amendment by section 103(b) of
Section 211(p)–(s) of
"(p) Section 203(c), (d), (e), (g), and (i) of the Social Security Act [subsecs. (c), (d), (e), (g), and (i) of this section] as amended by this Act shall be effective with respect to monthly benefits for months after December 1960.
"(q) Section 203(b), (f), and (h) of the Social Security Act [subsecs. (b), (f), and (h) of this section] as amended by this Act shall be effective with respect to taxable years beginning after December 1960.
"(r) Section 203(l) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (l) of this section] as amended by this Act, to the extent that it applies to section 203(g) of the Social Security Act as amended by this Act, shall be effective with respect to monthly benefits for months after December 1960 and, to the extent that it applies to section 203(h)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act as amended by this Act, shall be effective with respect to taxable years beginning after December 1960.
"(s) The amendments made by subsections (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n), and (o) [amending
Section 302(b) of
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Amendment by section 101(f) of
Amendment by section 205(j) of
Section 307(h)(2) of
Section 308(f) of
Effective Date of 1956 Amendment
Amendment by section 101(d)–(g) of act Aug. 1, 1956, applicable with respect to monthly benefits under
Section 107(a) of act Aug. 1, 1956, provided that the amendment made by that section is applicable in the case of monthly benefits under this subchapter for months in any taxable year (of the individual entitled to such benefits) beginning after 1954.
Section 112(c) of act Aug. 1, 1956, provided that: "The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section] shall be applicable with respect to taxable years ending after 1955."
Effective Date of 1954 Amendment
Section 103(i)(3) of act Sept. 1, 1954, provided that: "Subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), (c), (e), and (j) of section 203 of the Social Security Act [this section] as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act, to the extent they are in effect with respect to months after 1954, are each amended by striking out 'seventy-five' and inserting in lieu thereof 'seventy-two', but only with respect to such months after 1954."
Amendment by section 102(e)(7) of act Sept. 1, 1954, applicable in the case of lump-sum death payments under
Section 103(i)(1), (2) of act Sept. 1, 1954, provided that:
"(1) The amendments made by subsection (f) and by paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this section [amending this section] shall be applicable in the case of monthly benefits under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] for months in any taxable year (of the individual entitled to such benefits) beginning after December 1954. The amendments made by paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of this section [amending this section] shall be applicable in the case of monthly benefits under such title II for months in any taxable year (of the individual on the basis of whose wages and self-employment income such benefits are payable) beginning after December 1954. The amendments made by subsections (e) and (g), and by paragraph (2) of subsection (a) and paragraph (2) of subsection (b) [amending this section] shall be applicable in the case of monthly benefits under such title II for months after December 1954. The remaining amendments made by this section (other than subsection (h)) [amending this section] shall be applicable, insofar as they are related to the monthly benefits of an individual which are based on his wages and self-employment income, in the case of monthly benefits under such title II for months in any taxable year (of such individual) beginning after December 1954 and, insofar as they are related to the monthly benefits of an individual which are based on the wages and self-employment income of someone else, in the case of monthly benefits under such title II for months in any taxable year (of the individual on whose wages and self-employment income such benefits are based) beginning after December 1954.
"(2) No deduction shall be imposed on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 1, 1954] under subsection (f) or (g) of section 203 of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f) or (g) of this section], as in effect prior to such date, on account of failure to file a report of an event described in subsection (b)(1), (b)(2), or (c)(1) of such section (as in effect prior to such date); and no such deduction imposed prior to such date shall be collected after such date. In determining whether, under section 203(g)(2) of the Social Security Act, as amended by this Act, a failure to file a report is a first or subsequent failure, any failure with respect to a taxable year which began prior to January 1955 shall be disregarded."
Effective Date of 1952 Amendment
For effective date of amendment by section 2(b)(2) of act July 18, 1952, see section 2(c)(2) of act July 18, 1952, set out as a note under
Section 4(e) of act July 18, 1952, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply in the case of monthly benefits under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] for months after August 1952. The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply in the case of monthly benefits under such title II for months in any taxable year (of the individual entitled to such benefits) ending after August 1952. The amendments made by subsection (c) [amending this section] shall apply in the case of monthly benefits under such title II for months in any taxable year (of the individual on the basis of whose wages and self-employment income such benefits are payable) ending after August 1952. The amendments made by subsection (d) [amending this section] shall apply in the case of taxable years ending after August 1952. As used in this subsection, the term "taxable year" shall have the meaning assigned to it by section 211(e) of the Social Security Act [
Effective Date of 1950 Amendment
Section 102(b) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) of this section [amending this section] shall be applicable with respect to benefits for months after August 1950."
Section 103(b) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect September 1, 1950, except that the provisions of subsections (d), (e), and (f) of section 203 of the Social Security Act [this section] as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act [Aug. 28, 1950] shall be applicable for months prior to September 1950."
Effective Date of 1939 Amendment
Section 201 of act Aug. 10, 1939, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Jan. 1, 1940.
Savings Provision
Section 201(h)(2) of
Section 1002(b)(2) of
Section 170 of
"(1) one or more persons were entitled (without the application of section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act [
"(2) one or more persons (not included in paragraph (1)) become entitled to monthly benefits under such section 202 [
"(3) the total of benefits to which all persons are entitled under such section 202 or 223 [
then the amount of the benefit to which each such person referred to in paragraph (1) is entitled for months after January 1968 shall be increased, after the application of such section 203(a) [subsec. (a) of this section], to the amount it would have been if the person or persons referred to in paragraph (2) were not entitled to a benefit referred to in such paragraph."
Section 102(h) of act Sept. 1, 1954, provided that:
"(1) Where—
"(A) an individual was entitled (without the application of section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act [
"(B) one or more other persons were entitled (without the application of such section 202(j)(1) [
"(C) the total of the benefits to which all persons are entitled under such title on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income for any subsequent month for which he is entitled to an old-age insurance benefit under such title, would (but for the provisions of this paragraph) be reduced by reason of the application of section 203(a) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a) of this section], as amended by this Act,
then the total of benefits referred to in clause (C) for such subsequent month shall be reduced to whichever of the following is the larger—
"(D) the amount determined pursuant to section 203(a) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a) of this section], as amended by this Act; or
"(E) the amount determined pursuant to such section, as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act [Sept. 1, 1954], for August 1954 plus the excess of (i) the amount of his old-age insurance benefit for such month computed as if the amendments made by the preceding subsections of this section [amending this section and
"(F) the amount determined pursuant to section 2(d)(1) of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1952 [set out as a note under
"(2) Where—
"(A) two or more persons were entitled (without the application of section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act [
"(B) to total of the benefits to which all such persons are entitled on the basis of such deceased individual's wages and self-employment income for any subsequent month would (but for the provisions of this paragraph) be reduced by reason of the application of the first sentence of section 203(a) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a) of this section], as amended by this Act,
then, notwithstanding any other provision in title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], such deceased individual's average monthly wage shall, for purposes of such section 203(a), be whichever of the following is the larger:
"(C) his average monthly wage determined pursuant to section 215 of such Act [
"(D) his average monthly wage determined under such section 215, as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act [Sept. 1, 1954], plus $7."
Temporary Extension of Earnings Limitations To Include All Persons Aged Less Than Seventy-two
Section 2204 of
"(a) Notwithstanding subsection (e) of section 302 of the Social Security Amendments of 1977 (
"(b) In the case of any individual whose first taxable year (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 13, 1981]) ending after December 31, 1981, begins before January 1, 1982, the amendments made by section 302 of the Social Security Amendments of 1977 [amending this section] shall apply with respect to taxable years beginning with such taxable year."
Increased Exempt Amounts for Individuals Described in Subsec. (f)(8)(D); Notification in 1977 to 1981; Individuals Other Than Those Described in Subsec. (f)(8)(D)
Section 301(c)(2) of
Retirement Test Exempt Amount for 1976
By notice of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, Oct. 22, 1975, 40 F.R. 50556, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in subsec. (f)(8) of this section, the monthly exempt amount under the retirement test would be $230 with respect to taxable years ending in calendar year 1976.
Cost-of-Living Increase in Benefits
For purposes of subsec. (f)(8) of this section, the increase in benefits provided by section 2 of
Penalties for Failure To File Timely Reports of Earnings and Other Events
Section 161(c) of
Computation of Benefits for Certain Children
Section 163(b) of
"(1) one or more persons were entitled (without the application of section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act [
"(2) one or more persons became entitled to monthly benefits before January 1968 under section 202(d) of such Act [
"(3) the total of benefits to which all persons are entitled under such section 202 or 223 of such Act [
then the amount of the benefit to which each such person referred to in paragraph (1) above (but not including persons referred to in paragraph (2) above) is entitled for months after January 1968 shall be increased, after the application of such section 203(a), to the amount it would have been if the person or persons referred to in paragraph (2) were not entitled to a benefit referred to in such paragraph (2)."
Prohibition on Imposition of Deduction for Failure To File Certain Reports of Events
Section 209(b) of
Prohibition on Payment of Benefits to Certain Spouses or Children
Section 211(t) of
"(1) an individual has earnings (as defined in section 203(e)(4) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (e)(4) of this section] as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act [Sept. 13, 1960]) in a taxable year which begins before 1961 and ends in 1961 (but not on December 31, 1961), and
"(2) such individual's spouse or child entitled to monthly benefits on the basis of such individual's self-employment income has excess earnings (as defined in section 203(f)(3) of the Social Security Act as amended by this Act) in a taxable year which begins after 1960, and
"(3) one or more months in the taxable year specified in paragraph (2) are included in the taxable year specified in paragraph (1),
then, if a deduction is imposed against the benefits payable to such individual with respect to a month described in paragraph (3), such spouse or child, as the case may be, shall not, for purposes of subsections (b) and (f) of section 203 of the Social Security Act as amended by this Act, be entitled to a payment for such month."
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
§404. Overpayments and underpayments
(a) Procedure for adjustment or recovery
(1) Whenever the Commissioner of Social Security finds that more or less than the correct amount of payment has been made to any person under this subchapter, proper adjustment or recovery shall be made, under regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security, as follows:
(A) With respect to payment to a person of more than the correct amount, the Commissioner of Social Security shall decrease any payment under this subchapter to which such overpaid person is entitled, or shall require such overpaid person or his estate to refund the amount in excess of the correct amount, or shall decrease any payment under this subchapter payable to his estate or to any other person on the basis of the wages and self-employment income which were the basis of the payments to such overpaid person, or shall obtain recovery by means of reduction in tax refunds based on notice to the Secretary of the Treasury as permitted under
(B)(i) Subject to clause (ii), with respect to payment to a person of less than the correct amount, the Commissioner of Social Security shall make payment of the balance of the amount due such underpaid person, or, if such person dies before payments are completed or before negotiating one or more checks representing correct payments, disposition of the amount due shall be made in accordance with subsection (d) of this section.
(ii) No payment shall be made under this subparagraph to any person during any period for which monthly insurance benefits of such person—
(I) are subject to nonpayment by reason of
(II) in the case of a person whose monthly insurance benefits have terminated for a reason other than death, would be subject to nonpayment by reason of
until
(iii) Nothing in clause (ii) shall be construed to limit the Commissioner's authority to withhold amounts, make adjustments, or recover amounts due under this subchapter, subchapter VIII or subchapter XVI that would be deducted from a payment that would otherwise be payable to such person but for such clause.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, when any payment of more than the correct amount is made to or on behalf of an individual who has died, and such payment—
(A) is made by direct deposit to a financial institution;
(B) is credited by the financial institution to a joint account of the deceased individual and another person; and
(C) such other person was entitled to a monthly benefit on the basis of the same wages and self-employment income as the deceased individual for the month preceding the month in which the deceased individual died,
the amount of such payment in excess of the correct amount shall be treated as a payment of more than the correct amount to such other person. If any payment of more than the correct amount is made to a representative payee on behalf of an individual after the individual's death, the representative payee shall be liable for the repayment of the overpayment, and the Commissioner of Social Security shall establish an overpayment control record under the social security account number of the representative payee.
(b) No recovery from persons without fault
In any case in which more than the correct amount of payment has been made, there shall be no adjustment of payments to, or recovery by the United States from, any person who is without fault if such adjustment or recovery would defeat the purpose of this subchapter or would be against equity and good conscience. In making for purposes of this subsection any determination of whether any individual is without fault, the Commissioner of Social Security shall specifically take into account any physical, mental, educational, or linguistic limitation such individual may have (including any lack of facility with the English language).
(c) Nonliability of certifying and disbursing officers
No certifying or disbursing officer shall be held liable for any amount certified or paid by him to any person where the adjustment or recovery of such amount is waived under subsection (b) of this section, or where adjustment under subsection (a) of this section is not completed prior to the death of all persons against whose benefits deductions are authorized.
(d) Payment to survivors or heirs when eligible person is deceased
If an individual dies before any payment due him under this subchapter is completed, payment of the amount due (including the amount of any unnegotiated checks) shall be made—
(1) to the person, if any, who is determined by the Commissioner of Social Security to be the surviving spouse of the deceased individual and who either (i) was living in the same household with the deceased at the time of his death or (ii) was, for the month in which the deceased individual died, entitled to a monthly benefit on the basis of the same wages and self-employment income as was the deceased individual;
(2) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1), or if the person who meets such requirements dies before the payment due him under this subchapter is completed, to the child or children, if any, of the deceased individual who were, for the month in which the deceased individual died, entitled to monthly benefits on the basis of the same wages and self-employment income as was the deceased individual (and, in case there is more than one such child, in equal parts to each such child);
(3) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1) or (2), or if each person who meets such requirements dies before the payment due him under this subchapter is completed, to the parent or parents, if any, of the deceased individual who were, for the month in which the deceased individual died, entitled to monthly benefits on the basis of the same wages and self-employment income as was the deceased individual (and, in case there is more than one such parent, in equal parts to each such parent);
(4) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1), (2), or (3), or if each person who meets such requirements dies before the payment due him under this subchapter is completed, to the person, if any, determined by the Commissioner of Social Security to be the surviving spouse of the deceased individual;
(5) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4), or if each person who meets such requirements dies before the payment due him under this subchapter is completed, to the person or persons, if any, determined by the Commissioner of Social Security to be the child or children of the deceased individual (and, in case there is more than one such child, in equal parts to each such child);
(6) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5), or if each person who meets such requirements dies before the payment due him under this subchapter is completed, to the parent or parents, if any, of the deceased individual (and, in case there is more than one such parent, in equal parts to each such parent); or
(7) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6), or if each person who meets such requirements dies before the payment due him under this subchapter is completed, to the legal representative of the estate of the deceased individual, if any.
(e) Adjustments due to supplemental security income payments
For payments which are adjusted by reason of payment of benefits under the supplemental security income program established by subchapter XVI of this chapter, see
(f) Collection of delinquent amounts
(1) With respect to any deliquent 1 amount, the Commissioner of Social Security may use the collection practices described in
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term "delinquent amount" means an amount—
(A) in excess of the correct amount of payment under this subchapter;
(B) paid to a person after such person has attained 18 years of age; and
(C) determined by the Commissioner of Social Security, under regulations, to be otherwise unrecoverable under this section after such person ceases to be a beneficiary under this subchapter.
(g) Cross-program recovery of overpayments
For provisions relating to the cross-program recovery of overpayments made under programs administered by the Commissioner of Social Security, see
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §204,
Amendments
2009—Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
2004—Subsec. (g).
1999—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (f)(1).
1998—Subsec. (g).
1996—Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(1).
1994—Subsecs. (a)(1), (b), (d)(1), (4), (5).
Subsec. (f).
1990—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
1989—Subsec. (b).
1986—Subsec. (a).
1980—Subsec. (e).
1968—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d).
1965—Subsec. (d).
1954—Subsec. (a). Act Sept. 1, 1954, inserted "and self-employment income" after "wages" in second sentence.
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, substituted "Administrator" for "board".
1939—Act Aug. 10, 1939, omitted former provisions relating to payments to aged individuals not qualified for benefits and substituted the present section relating to overpayments and underpayments.
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 203(c) of
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 12113(c) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Section 153(b) of
Effective Date of 1939 Amendment
Section 201 of act Aug. 10, 1939, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Jan. 1, 1940.
1 So in original. Probably should be "delinquent".
§405. Evidence, procedure, and certification for payments
(a) Rules and regulations; procedures
The Commissioner of Social Security shall have full power and authority to make rules and regulations and to establish procedures, not inconsistent with the provisions of this subchapter, which are necessary or appropriate to carry out such provisions, and shall adopt reasonable and proper rules and regulations to regulate and provide for the nature and extent of the proofs and evidence and the method of taking and furnishing the same in order to establish the right to benefits hereunder.
(b) Administrative determination of entitlement to benefits; findings of fact; hearings; investigations; evidentiary hearings in reconsiderations of disability benefit terminations; subsequent applications
(1) The Commissioner of Social Security is directed to make findings of fact, and decisions as to the rights of any individual applying for a payment under this subchapter. Any such decision by the Commissioner of Social Security which involves a determination of disability and which is in whole or in part unfavorable to such individual shall contain a statement of the case, in understandable language, setting forth a discussion of the evidence, and stating the Commissioner's determination and the reason or reasons upon which it is based. Upon request by any such individual or upon request by a wife, divorced wife, widow, surviving divorced wife, surviving divorced mother, surviving divorced father, husband, divorced husband, widower, surviving divorced husband, child, or parent who makes a showing in writing that his or her rights may be prejudiced by any decision the Commissioner of Social Security has rendered, the Commissioner shall give such applicant and such other individual reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing with respect to such decision, and, if a hearing is held, shall, on the basis of evidence adduced at the hearing, affirm, modify, or reverse the Commissioner's findings of fact and such decision. Any such request with respect to such a decision must be filed within sixty days after notice of such decision is received by the individual making such request. The Commissioner of Social Security is further authorized, on the Commissioner's own motion, to hold such hearings and to conduct such investigations and other proceedings as the Commissioner may deem necessary or proper for the administration of this subchapter. In the course of any hearing, investigation, or other proceeding, the Commissioner may administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses, and receive evidence. Evidence may be received at any hearing before the Commissioner of Social Security even though inadmissible under rules of evidence applicable to court procedure.
(2) In any case where—
(A) an individual is a recipient of disability insurance benefits, or of child's, widow's, or widower's insurance benefits based on disability,
(B) the physical or mental impairment on the basis of which such benefits are payable is found to have ceased, not to have existed, or to no longer be disabling, and
(C) as a consequence of the finding described in subparagraph (B), such individual is determined by the Commissioner of Social Security not to be entitled to such benefits,
any reconsideration of the finding described in subparagraph (B), in connection with a reconsideration by the Commissioner of Social Security (before any hearing under paragraph (1) on the issue of such entitlement) of the Commissioner's determination described in subparagraph (C), shall be made only after opportunity for an evidentiary hearing, with regard to the finding described in subparagraph (B), which is reasonably accessible to such individual. Any reconsideration of a finding described in subparagraph (B) may be made either by the State agency or the Commissioner of Social Security where the finding was originally made by the State agency, and shall be made by the Commissioner of Social Security where the finding was originally made by the Commissioner of Social Security. In the case of a reconsideration by a State agency of a finding described in subparagraph (B) which was originally made by such State agency, the evidentiary hearing shall be held by an adjudicatory unit of the State agency other than the unit that made the finding described in subparagraph (B). In the case of a reconsideration by the Commissioner of Social Security of a finding described in subparagraph (B) which was originally made by the Commissioner of Social Security, the evidentiary hearing shall be held by a person other than the person or persons who made the finding described in subparagraph (B).
(3)(A) A failure to timely request review of an initial adverse determination with respect to an application for any benefit under this subchapter or an adverse determination on reconsideration of such an initial determination shall not serve as a basis for denial of a subsequent application for any benefit under this subchapter if the applicant demonstrates that the applicant, or any other individual referred to in paragraph (1), failed to so request such a review acting in good faith reliance upon incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information, relating to the consequences of reapplying for benefits in lieu of seeking review of an adverse determination, provided by any officer or employee of the Social Security Administration or any State agency acting under
(B) In any notice of an adverse determination with respect to which a review may be requested under paragraph (1), the Commissioner of Social Security shall describe in clear and specific language the effect on possible entitlement to benefits under this subchapter of choosing to reapply in lieu of requesting review of the determination.
(c) Wage records
(1) For the purposes of this subsection—
(A) The term "year" means a calendar year when used with respect to wages and a taxable year when used with respect to self-employment income.
(B) The term "time limitation" means a period of three years, three months, and fifteen days.
(C) The term "survivor" means an individual's spouse, surviving divorced wife, surviving divorced husband, surviving divorced mother, surviving divorced father, child, or parent, who survives such individual.
(D) The term "period" when used with respect to self-employment income means a taxable year and when used with respect to wages means—
(i) a quarter if wages were reported or should have been reported on a quarterly basis on tax returns filed with the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate under section 6011 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or regulations thereunder (or on reports filed by a State under section 418(e) 1 of this title (as in effect prior to December 31, 1986) or regulations thereunder),
(ii) a year if wages were reported or should have been reported on a yearly basis on such tax returns or reports, or
(iii) the half year beginning January 1 or July 1 in the case of wages which were reported or should have been reported for calendar year 1937.
(2)(A) On the basis of information obtained by or submitted to the Commissioner of Social Security, and after such verification thereof as the Commissioner deems necessary, the Commissioner of Social Security shall establish and maintain records of the amounts of wages paid to, and the amounts of self-employment income derived by, each individual and of the periods in which such wages were paid and such income was derived and, upon request, shall inform any individual or his survivor, or the legal representative of such individual or his estate, of the amounts of wages and self-employment income of such individual and the periods during which such wages were paid and such income was derived, as shown by such records at the time of such request.
(B)(i) In carrying out the Commissioner's duties under subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (F), the Commissioner of Social Security shall take affirmative measures to assure that social security account numbers will, to the maximum extent practicable, be assigned to all members of appropriate groups or categories of individuals by assigning such numbers (or ascertaining that such numbers have already been assigned):
(I) to aliens at the time of their lawful admission to the United States either for permanent residence or under other authority of law permitting them to engage in employment in the United States and to other aliens at such time as their status is so changed as to make it lawful for them to engage in such employment;
(II) to any individual who is an applicant for or recipient of benefits under any program financed in whole or in part from Federal funds including any child on whose behalf such benefits are claimed by another person; and
(III) to any other individual when it appears that he could have been but was not assigned an account number under the provisions of subclauses (I) or (II) but only after such investigation as is necessary to establish to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security, the identity of such individual, the fact that an account number has not already been assigned to such individual, and the fact that such individual is a citizen or a noncitizen who is not, because of his alien status, prohibited from engaging in employment;
and, in carrying out such duties, the Commissioner of Social Security is authorized to take affirmative measures to assure the issuance of social security numbers:
(IV) to or on behalf of children who are below school age at the request of their parents or guardians; and
(V) to children of school age at the time of their first enrollment in school.
(ii) The Commissioner of Social Security shall require of applicants for social security account numbers such evidence as may be necessary to establish the age, citizenship, or alien status, and true identity of such applicants, and to determine which (if any) social security account number has previously been assigned to such individual. With respect to an application for a social security account number for an individual who has not attained the age of 18 before such application, such evidence shall include the information described in subparagraph (C)(ii).
(iii) In carrying out the requirements of this subparagraph, the Commissioner of Social Security shall enter into such agreements as may be necessary with the Attorney General and other officials and with State and local welfare agencies and school authorities (including nonpublic school authorities).
(C)(i) It is the policy of the United States that any State (or political subdivision thereof) may, in the administration of any tax, general public assistance, driver's license, or motor vehicle registration law within its jurisdiction, utilize the social security account numbers issued by the Commissioner of Social Security for the purpose of establishing the identification of individuals affected by such law, and may require any individual who is or appears to be so affected to furnish to such State (or political subdivision thereof) or any agency thereof having administrative responsibility for the law involved, the social security account number (or numbers, if he has more than one such number) issued to him by the Commissioner of Social Security.
(ii) In the administration of any law involving the issuance of a birth certificate, each State shall require each parent to furnish to such State (or political subdivision thereof) or any agency thereof having administrative responsibility for the law involved, the social security account number (or numbers, if the parent has more than one such number) issued to the parent unless the State (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security) finds good cause for not requiring the furnishing of such number. The State shall make numbers furnished under this subclause available to the Commissioner of Social Security and the agency administering the State's plan under part D of subchapter IV of this chapter in accordance with Federal or State law and regulation. Such numbers shall not be recorded on the birth certificate. A State shall not use any social security account number, obtained with respect to the issuance by the State of a birth certificate, for any purpose other than for the enforcement of child support orders in effect in the State, unless section 7(a) of the Privacy Act of 1974 does not prohibit the State from requiring the disclosure of such number, by reason of the State having adopted, before January 1, 1975, a statute or regulation requiring such disclosure.
(iii)(I) In the administration of section 9 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (
(II) The Secretary of Agriculture may share any information contained in any list referred to in subclause (I) with any other agency or instrumentality of the United States which otherwise has access to social security account numbers in accordance with this subsection or other applicable Federal law, except that the Secretary of Agriculture may share such information only to the extent that such Secretary determines such sharing would assist in verifying and matching such information against information maintained by such other agency or instrumentality. Any such information shared pursuant to this subclause may be used by such other agency or instrumentality only for the purpose of effective administration and enforcement of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 [
(III) The Secretary of Agriculture, and the head of any other agency or instrumentality referred to in this subclause, shall restrict, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security, access to social security account numbers obtained pursuant to this clause only to officers and employees of the United States whose duties or responsibilities require access for the purposes described in subclause (II).
(IV) The Secretary of Agriculture, and the head of any agency or instrumentality with which information is shared pursuant to clause 2 (II), shall provide such other safeguards as the Commissioner of Social Security determines to be necessary or appropriate to protect the confidentiality of the social security account numbers.
(iv) In the administration of section 506 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act [
(v) If and to the extent that any provision of Federal law heretofore enacted is inconsistent with the policy set forth in clause (i), such provision shall, on and after October 4, 1976, be null, void, and of no effect. If and to the extent that any such provision is inconsistent with the requirement set forth in clause (ii), such provision shall, on and after October 13, 1988, be null, void, and of no effect.
(vi)(I) For purposes of clause (i) of this subparagraph, an agency of a State (or political subdivision thereof) charged with the administration of any general public assistance, driver's license, or motor vehicle registration law which did not use the social security account number for identification under a law or regulation adopted before January 1, 1975, may require an individual to disclose his or her social security number to such agency solely for the purpose of administering the laws referred to in clause (i) above and for the purpose of responding to requests for information from an agency administering a program funded under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter or an agency operating pursuant to the provisions of part D of such subchapter.
(II) Any State or political subdivision thereof (and any person acting as an agent of such an agency or instrumentality), in the administration of any driver's license or motor vehicle registration law within its jurisdiction, may not display a social security account number issued by the Commissioner of Social Security (or any derivative of such number) on any driver's license, motor vehicle registration, or personal identification card (as defined in section 7212(a)(2) of the 9/11 Commission Implementation Act of 2004), or include, on any such license, registration, or personal identification card, a magnetic strip, bar code, or other means of communication which conveys such number (or derivative thereof).
(vii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "State" includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
(viii)(I) Social security account numbers and related records that are obtained or maintained by authorized persons pursuant to any provision of law enacted on or after October 1, 1990, shall be confidential, and no authorized person shall disclose any such social security account number or related record.
(II) Paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of section 7213(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall apply with respect to the unauthorized willful disclosure to any person of social security account numbers and related records obtained or maintained by an authorized person pursuant to a provision of law enacted on or after October 1, 1990, in the same manner and to the same extent as such paragraphs apply with respect to unauthorized disclosures of return and return information described in such paragraphs. Paragraph (4) of section 7213(a) of such Code shall apply with respect to the willful offer of any item of material value in exchange for any such social security account number or related record in the same manner and to the same extent as such paragraph applies with respect to offers (in exchange for any return or return information) described in such paragraph.
(III) For purposes of this clause, the term "authorized person" means an officer or employee of the United States, an officer or employee of any State, political subdivision of a State, or agency of a State or political subdivision of a State, and any other person (or officer or employee thereof), who has or had access to social security account numbers or related records pursuant to any provision of law enacted on or after October 1, 1990. For purposes of this subclause, the term "officer or employee" includes a former officer or employee.
(IV) For purposes of this clause, the term "related record" means any record, list, or compilation that indicates, directly or indirectly, the identity of any individual with respect to whom a social security account number or a request for a social security account number is maintained pursuant to this clause.
(ix) In the administration of the provisions of
(x) 3 The Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Exchanges established under section 1311 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [
(x) 3 No Federal, State, or local agency may display the Social Security 5 account number of any individual, or any derivative of such number, on any check issued for any payment by the Federal, State, or local agency.
(xi) No Federal, State, or local agency may employ, or enter into a contract for the use or employment of, prisoners in any capacity that would allow such prisoners access to the Social Security 5 account numbers of other individuals. For purposes of this clause, the term "prisoner" means an individual confined in a jail, prison, or other penal institution or correctional facility pursuant to such individual's conviction of a criminal offense.
(D)(i) It is the policy of the United States that—
(I) any State (or any political subdivision of a State) and any authorized blood donation facility may utilize the social security account numbers issued by the Commissioner of Social Security for the purpose of identifying blood donors, and
(II) any State (or political subdivision of a State) may require any individual who donates blood within such State (or political subdivision) to furnish to such State (or political subdivision), to any agency thereof having related administrative responsibility, or to any authorized blood donation facility the social security account number (or numbers, if the donor has more than one such number) issued to the donor by the Commissioner of Social Security.
(ii) If and to the extent that any provision of Federal law enacted before November 10, 1988, is inconsistent with the policy set forth in clause (i), such provision shall, on and after November 10, 1988, be null, void, and of no effect.
(iii) For purposes of this subparagraph—
(I) the term "authorized blood donation facility" means an entity described in
(II) the term "State" includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
(E)(i) It is the policy of the United States that—
(I) any State (or any political subdivision of a State) may utilize the social security account numbers issued by the Commissioner of Social Security for the additional purposes described in clause (ii) if such numbers have been collected and are otherwise utilized by such State (or political subdivision) in accordance with applicable law, and
(II) any district court of the United States may use, for such additional purposes, any such social security account numbers which have been so collected and are so utilized by any State.
(ii) The additional purposes described in this clause are the following:
(I) Identifying duplicate names of individuals on master lists used for jury selection purposes.
(II) Identifying on such master lists those individuals who are ineligible to serve on a jury by reason of their conviction of a felony.
(iii) To the extent that any provision of Federal law enacted before August 15, 1994, is inconsistent with the policy set forth in clause (i), such provision shall, on and after August 15, 1994, be null, void, and of no effect.
(iv) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "State" has the meaning such term has in subparagraph (D).
(F) The Commissioner of Social Security shall require, as a condition for receipt of benefits under this subchapter, that an individual furnish satisfactory proof of a social security account number assigned to such individual by the Commissioner of Social Security or, in the case of an individual to whom no such number has been assigned, that such individual make proper application for assignment of such a number.
(G) The Commissioner of Social Security shall issue a social security card to each individual at the time of the issuance of a social security account number to such individual. The social security card shall be made of banknote paper, and (to the maximum extent practicable) shall be a card which cannot be counterfeited.
(H) The Commissioner of Social Security shall share with the Secretary of the Treasury the information obtained by the Commissioner pursuant to the second sentence of subparagraph (B)(ii) and to subparagraph (C)(ii) for the purpose of administering those sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which grant tax benefits based on support or residence of children.
(3) The Commissioner's records shall be evidence for the purpose of proceedings before the Commissioner of Social Security or any court of the amounts of wages paid to, and self-employment income derived by, an individual and of the periods in which such wages were paid and such income was derived. The absence of an entry in such records as to wages alleged to have been paid to, or as to self-employment income alleged to have been derived by, an individual in any period shall be evidence that no such alleged wages were paid to, or that no such alleged income was derived by, such individual during such period.
(4) Prior to the expiration of the time limitation following any year the Commissioner of Social Security may, if it is brought to the Commissioner's attention that any entry of wages or self-employment income in the Commissioner's records for such year is erroneous or that any item of wages or self-employment income for such year has been omitted from such records, correct such entry or include such omitted item in the Commissioner's records, as the case may be. After the expiration of the time limitation following any year—
(A) the Commissioner's records (with changes, if any, made pursuant to paragraph (5) of this subsection) of the amounts of wages paid to, and self-employment income derived by, an individual during any period in such year shall be conclusive for the purposes of this subchapter;
(B) the absence of an entry in the Commissioner's records as to the wages alleged to have been paid by an employer to an individual during any period in such year shall be presumptive evidence for the purposes of this subchapter that no such alleged wages were paid to such individual in such period; and
(C) the absence of an entry in the Commissioner's records as to the self-employment income alleged to have been derived by an individual in such year shall be conclusive for the purposes of this subchapter that no such alleged self-employment income was derived by such individual in such year unless it is shown that he filed a tax return of his self-employment income for such year before the expiration of the time limitation following such year, in which case the Commissioner of Social Security shall include in the Commissioner's records the self-employment income of such individual for such year.
(5) After the expiration of the time limitation following any year in which wages were paid or alleged to have been paid to, or self-employment income was derived or alleged to have been derived by, an individual, the Commissioner of Social Security may change or delete any entry with respect to wages or self-employment income in the Commissioner's records of such year for such individual or include in the Commissioner's records of such year for such individual any omitted item of wages or self-employment income but only—
(A) if an application for monthly benefits or for a lump-sum death payment was filed within the time limitation following such year; except that no such change, deletion, or inclusion may be made pursuant to this subparagraph after a final decision upon the application for monthly benefits or lump-sum death payment;
(B) if within the time limitation following such year an individual or his survivor makes a request for a change or deletion, or for an inclusion of an omitted item, and alleges in writing that the Commissioner's records of the wages paid to, or the self-employment income derived by, such individual in such year are in one or more respects erroneous; except that no such change, deletion, or inclusion may be made pursuant to this subparagraph after a final decision upon such request. Written notice of the Commissioner's decision on any such request shall be given to the individual who made the request;
(C) to correct errors apparent on the face of such records;
(D) to transfer items to records of the Railroad Retirement Board if such items were credited under this subchapter when they should have been credited under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 or 1974 [
(E) to delete or reduce the amount of any entry which is erroneous as a result of fraud;
(F) to conform the Commissioner's records to—
(i) tax returns or portions thereof (including information returns and other written statements) filed with the Commissioner of Internal Revenue under title VIII of the Social Security Act, under subchapter E of
(ii) wage reports filed by a State pursuant to an agreement under
(iii) assessments of amounts due under an agreement pursuant to
except that no amount of self-employment income of an individual for any taxable year (if such return or statement was filed after the expiration of the time limitation following the taxable year) shall be included in the Commissioner's records pursuant to this subparagraph;
(G) to correct errors made in the allocation, to individuals or periods, of wages or self-employment income entered in the records of the Commissioner of Social Security;
(H) to include wages paid during any period in such year to an individual by an employer;
(I) to enter items which constitute remuneration for employment under subsection (o) of this section, such entries to be in accordance with certified reports of records made by the Railroad Retirement Board pursuant to section 5(k)(3) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 [
(J) to include self-employment income for any taxable year, up to, but not in excess of, the amount of wages deleted by the Commissioner of Social Security as payments erroneously included in such records as wages paid to such individual, if such income (or net earnings from self-employment), not already included in such records as self-employment income, is included in a return or statement (referred to in subparagraph (F) of this subsection) filed before the expiration of the time limitation following the taxable year in which such deletion of wages is made.
(6) Written notice of any deletion or reduction under paragraph (4) or (5) of this subsection shall be given to the individual whose record is involved or to his survivor, except that (A) in the case of a deletion or reduction with respect to any entry of wages such notice shall be given to such individual only if he has previously been notified by the Commissioner of Social Security of the amount of his wages for the period involved, and (B) such notice shall be given to such survivor only if he or the individual whose record is involved has previously been notified by the Commissioner of Social Security of the amount of such individual's wages and self-employment income for the period involved.
(7) Upon request in writing (within such period, after any change or refusal of a request for a change of the Commissioner's records pursuant to this subsection, as the Commissioner of Social Security may prescribe), opportunity for hearing with respect to such change or refusal shall be afforded to any individual or his survivor. If a hearing is held pursuant to this paragraph the Commissioner of Social Security shall make findings of fact and a decision based upon the evidence adduced at such hearing and shall include any omitted items, or change or delete any entry, in the Commissioner's records as may be required by such findings and decision.
(8) A translation into English by a third party of a statement made in a foreign language by an applicant for or beneficiary of monthly insurance benefits under this subchapter shall not be regarded as reliable for any purpose under this subchapter unless the third party, under penalty of perjury—
(A) certifies that the translation is accurate; and
(B) discloses the nature and scope of the relationship between the third party and the applicant or recipient, as the case may be.
(9) Decisions of the Commissioner of Social Security under this subsection shall be reviewable by commencing a civil action in the United States district court as provided in subsection (g) of this section.
(d) Issuance of subpenas in administrative proceedings
For the purpose of any hearing, investigation, or other proceeding authorized or directed under this subchapter, or relative to any other matter within the Commissioner's jurisdiction hereunder, the Commissioner of Social Security shall have power to issue subpenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of any evidence that relates to any matter under investigation or in question before the Commissioner of Social Security. Such attendance of witnesses and production of evidence at the designated place of such hearing, investigation, or other proceeding may be required from any place in the United States or in any Territory or possession thereof. Subpenas of the Commissioner of Social Security shall be served by anyone authorized by the Commissioner (1) by delivering a copy thereof to the individual named therein, or (2) by registered mail or by certified mail addressed to such individual at his last dwelling place or principal place of business. A verified return by the individual so serving the subpena setting forth the manner of service, or, in the case of service by registered mail or by certified mail, the return post-office receipt therefor signed by the individual so served, shall be proof of service. Witnesses so subpenaed shall be paid the same fees and mileage as are paid witnesses in the district courts of the United States.
(e) Judicial enforcement of subpenas; contempt
In case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpena duly served upon, any person, any district court of the United States for the judicial district in which said person charged with contumacy or refusal to obey is found or resides or transacts business, upon application by the Commissioner of Social Security, shall have jurisdiction to issue an order requiring such person to appear and give testimony, or to appear and produce evidence, or both; any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by said court as contempt thereof.
(f) Repealed. Pub. L. 91–452, title II, §236, Oct. 15, 1970, 84 Stat. 930
(g) Judicial review
Any individual, after any final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security made after a hearing to which he was a party, irrespective of the amount in controversy, may obtain a review of such decision by a civil action commenced within sixty days after the mailing to him of notice of such decision or within such further time as the Commissioner of Social Security may allow. Such action shall be brought in the district court of the United States for the judicial district in which the plaintiff resides, or has his principal place of business, or, if he does not reside or have his principal place of business within any such judicial district, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. As part of the Commissioner's answer the Commissioner of Social Security shall file a certified copy of the transcript of the record including the evidence upon which the findings and decision complained of are based. The court shall have power to enter, upon the pleadings and transcript of the record, a judgment affirming, modifying, or reversing the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security, with or without remanding the cause for a rehearing. The findings of the Commissioner of Social Security as to any fact, if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive, and where a claim has been denied by the Commissioner of Social Security or a decision is rendered under subsection (b) of this section which is adverse to an individual who was a party to the hearing before the Commissioner of Social Security, because of failure of the claimant or such individual to submit proof in conformity with any regulation prescribed under subsection (a) of this section, the court shall review only the question of conformity with such regulations and the validity of such regulations. The court may, on motion of the Commissioner of Social Security made for good cause shown before the Commissioner files the Commissioner's answer, remand the case to the Commissioner of Social Security for further action by the Commissioner of Social Security, and it may at any time order additional evidence to be taken before the Commissioner of Social Security, but only upon a showing that there is new evidence which is material and that there is good cause for the failure to incorporate such evidence into the record in a prior proceeding; and the Commissioner of Social Security shall, after the case is remanded, and after hearing such additional evidence if so ordered, modify or affirm the Commissioner's findings of fact or the Commissioner's decision, or both, and shall file with the court any such additional and modified findings of fact and decision, and, in any case in which the Commissioner has not made a decision fully favorable to the individual, a transcript of the additional record and testimony upon which the Commissioner's action in modifying or affirming was based. Such additional or modified findings of fact and decision shall be reviewable only to the extent provided for review of the original findings of fact and decision. The judgment of the court shall be final except that it shall be subject to review in the same manner as a judgment in other civil actions. Any action instituted in accordance with this subsection shall survive notwithstanding any change in the person occupying the office of Commissioner of Social Security or any vacancy in such office.
(h) Finality of Commissioner's decision
The findings and decision of the Commissioner of Social Security after a hearing shall be binding upon all individuals who were parties to such hearing. No findings of fact or decision of the Commissioner of Social Security shall be reviewed by any person, tribunal, or governmental agency except as herein provided. No action against the United States, the Commissioner of Social Security, or any officer or employee thereof shall be brought under
(i) Certification for payment
Upon final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security, or upon final judgment of any court of competent jurisdiction, that any person is entitled to any payment or payments under this subchapter, the Commissioner of Social Security shall certify to the Managing Trustee the name and address of the person so entitled to receive such payment or payments, the amount of such payment or payments, and the time at which such payment or payments should be made, and the Managing Trustee, through the Fiscal Service of the Department of the Treasury, and prior to any action thereon by the Government Accountability Office, shall make payment in accordance with the certification of the Commissioner of Social Security (except that in the case of (A) an individual who will have completed ten years of service (or five or more years of service, all of which accrues after December 31, 1995) creditable under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 [
(j) Representative payees
(1)(A) If the Commissioner of Social Security determines that the interest of any individual under this subchapter would be served thereby, certification of payment of such individual's benefit under this subchapter may be made, regardless of the legal competency or incompetency of the individual, either for direct payment to the individual, or for his or her use and benefit, to another individual, or an organization, with respect to whom the requirements of paragraph (2) have been met (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the individual's "representative payee"). If the Commissioner of Social Security or a court of competent jurisdiction determines that a representative payee has misused any individual's benefit paid to such representative payee pursuant to this subsection or
(B) In the case of an individual entitled to benefits based on disability, the payment of such benefits shall be made to a representative payee if the Commissioner of Social Security determines that such payment would serve the interest of the individual because the individual also has an alcoholism or drug addiction condition (as determined by the Commissioner) and the individual is incapable of managing such benefits.
(2)(A) Any certification made under paragraph (1) for payment of benefits to an individual's representative payee shall be made on the basis of—
(i) an investigation by the Commissioner of Social Security of the person to serve as representative payee, which shall be conducted in advance of such certification and shall, to the extent practicable, include a face-to-face interview with such person, and
(ii) adequate evidence that such certification is in the interest of such individual (as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security in regulations).
(B)(i) As part of the investigation referred to in subparagraph (A)(i), the Commissioner of Social Security shall—
(I) require the person being investigated to submit documented proof of the identity of such person, unless information establishing such identity has been submitted with an application for benefits under this subchapter, subchapter VIII of this chapter, or subchapter XVI of this chapter,
(II) verify such person's social security account number (or employer identification number),
(III) determine whether such person has been convicted of a violation of
(IV) obtain information concerning whether such person has been convicted of any other offense under Federal or State law which resulted in imprisonment for more than 1 year,
(V) obtain information concerning whether such person is a person described in
(VI) determine whether certification of payment of benefits to such person has been revoked pursuant to this subsection, the designation of such person as a representative payee has been revoked pursuant to
(ii) The Commissioner of Social Security shall establish and maintain a centralized file, which shall be updated periodically and which shall be in a form which renders it readily retrievable by each servicing office of the Social Security Administration. Such file shall consist of—
(I) a list of the names and social security account numbers (or employer identification numbers) of all persons with respect to whom certification of payment of benefits has been revoked on or after January 1, 1991, pursuant to this subsection, whose designation as a representative payee has been revoked pursuant to
(II) a list of the names and social security account numbers (or employer identification numbers) of all persons who have been convicted of a violation of
(iii) Notwithstanding the provisions of
(I) such person is described in
(II) such person has information that is necessary for the officer to conduct the officer's official duties, and
(III) the location or apprehension of such person is within the officer's official duties.
(C)(i) Benefits of an individual may not be certified for payment to any other person pursuant to this subsection if—
(I) such person has previously been convicted as described in subparagraph (B)(i)(III),
(II) except as provided in clause (ii), certification of payment of benefits to such person under this subsection has previously been revoked as described in subparagraph (B)(i)(VI) 6 the designation of such person as a representative payee has been revoked pursuant to
(III) except as provided in clause (iii), such person is a creditor of such individual who provides such individual with goods or services for consideration,
(IV) such person has previously been convicted as described in subparagraph (B)(i)(IV), unless the Commissioner determines that such certification would be appropriate notwithstanding such conviction, or
(V) such person is a person described in
(ii) The Commissioner of Social Security shall prescribe regulations under which the Commissioner of Social Security may grant exemptions to any person from the provisions of clause (i)(II) on a case-by-case basis if such exemption is in the best interest of the individual whose benefits would be paid to such person pursuant to this subsection.
(iii) Clause (i)(III) shall not apply with respect to any person who is a creditor referred to therein if such creditor is—
(I) a relative of such individual if such relative resides in the same household as such individual,
(II) a legal guardian or legal representative of such individual,
(III) a facility that is licensed or certified as a care facility under the law of a State or a political subdivision of a State,
(IV) a person who is an administrator, owner, or employee of a facility referred to in subclause (III) if such individual resides in such facility, and the certification of payment to such facility or such person is made only after good faith efforts have been made by the local servicing office of the Social Security Administration to locate an alternative representative payee to whom such certification of payment would serve the best interests of such individual, or
(V) an individual who is determined by the Commissioner of Social Security, on the basis of written findings and under procedures which the Commissioner of Social Security shall prescribe by regulation, to be acceptable to serve as a representative payee.
(iv) The procedures referred to in clause (iii)(V) shall require the individual who will serve as representative payee to establish, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security, that—
(I) such individual poses no risk to the beneficiary,
(II) the financial relationship of such individual to the beneficiary poses no substantial conflict of interest, and
(III) no other more suitable representative payee can be found.
(v) In the case of an individual described in paragraph (1)(B), when selecting such individual's representative payee, preference shall be given to—
(I) a certified community-based nonprofit social service agency (as defined in paragraph (10)),
(II) a Federal, State, or local government agency whose mission is to carry out income maintenance, social service, or health care-related activities,
(III) a State or local government agency with fiduciary responsibilities, or
(IV) a designee of an agency (other than of a Federal agency) referred to in the preceding subclauses of this clause, if the Commissioner of Social Security deems it appropriate,
unless the Commissioner of Social Security determines that selection of a family member would be appropriate.
(D)(i) Subject to clause (ii), if the Commissioner of Social Security makes a determination described in the first sentence of paragraph (1) with respect to any individual's benefit and determines that direct payment of the benefit to the individual would cause substantial harm to the individual, the Commissioner of Social Security may defer (in the case of initial entitlement) or suspend (in the case of existing entitlement) direct payment of such benefit to the individual, until such time as the selection of a representative payee is made pursuant to this subsection.
(ii)(I) Except as provided in subclause (II), any deferral or suspension of direct payment of a benefit pursuant to clause (i) shall be for a period of not more than 1 month.
(II) Subclause (I) shall not apply in any case in which the individual is, as of the date of the Commissioner's determination, legally incompetent, under the age of 15 years, or described in paragraph (1)(B).
(iii) Payment pursuant to this subsection of any benefits which are deferred or suspended pending the selection of a representative payee shall be made to the individual or the representative payee as a single sum or over such period of time as the Commissioner of Social Security determines is in the best interest of the individual entitled to such benefits.
(E)(i) Any individual who is dissatisfied with a determination by the Commissioner of Social Security to certify payment of such individual's benefit to a representative payee under paragraph (1) or with the designation of a particular person to serve as representative payee shall be entitled to a hearing by the Commissioner of Social Security to the same extent as is provided in subsection (b) of this section, and to judicial review of the Commissioner's final decision as is provided in subsection (g) of this section.
(ii) In advance of the certification of payment of an individual's benefit to a representative payee under paragraph (1), the Commissioner of Social Security shall provide written notice of the Commissioner's initial determination to certify such payment. Such notice shall be provided to such individual, except that, if such individual—
(I) is under the age of 15,
(II) is an unemancipated minor under the age of 18, or
(III) is legally incompetent,
then such notice shall be provided solely to the legal guardian or legal representative of such individual.
(iii) Any notice described in clause (ii) shall be clearly written in language that is easily understandable to the reader, shall identify the person to be designated as such individual's representative payee, and shall explain to the reader the right under clause (i) of such individual or of such individual's legal guardian or legal representative—
(I) to appeal a determination that a representative payee is necessary for such individual,
(II) to appeal the designation of a particular person to serve as the representative payee of such individual, and
(III) to review the evidence upon which such designation is based and submit additional evidence.
(3)(A) In any case where payment under this subchapter is made to a person other than the individual entitled to such payment, the Commissioner of Social Security shall establish a system of accountability monitoring whereby such person shall report not less often than annually with respect to the use of such payments. The Commissioner of Social Security shall establish and implement statistically valid procedures for reviewing such reports in order to identify instances in which such persons are not properly using such payments.
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in any case where the other person to whom such payment is made is a State institution. In such cases, the Commissioner of Social Security shall establish a system of accountability monitoring for institutions in each State.
(C) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in any case where the individual entitled to such payment is a resident of a Federal institution and the other person to whom such payment is made is the institution.
(D) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), the Commissioner of Social Security may require a report at any time from any person receiving payments on behalf of another, if the Commissioner of Social Security has reason to believe that the person receiving such payments is misusing such payments.
(E) In any case in which the person described in subparagraph (A) or (D) receiving payments on behalf of another fails to submit a report required by the Commissioner of Social Security under subparagraph (A) or (D), the Commissioner may, after furnishing notice to such person and the individual entitled to such payment, require that such person appear in person at a field office of the Social Security Administration serving the area in which the individual resides in order to receive such payments.
(F) The Commissioner of Social Security shall maintain a centralized file, which shall be updated periodically and which shall be in a form which will be readily retrievable by each servicing office of the Social Security Administration, of—
(i) the address and the social security account number (or employer identification number) of each representative payee who is receiving benefit payments pursuant to this subsection,
(ii) the address and social security account number of each individual for whom each representative payee is reported to be providing services as representative payee pursuant to this subsection,
(G) Each servicing office of the Administration shall maintain a list, which shall be updated periodically, of public agencies and certified community-based nonprofit social service agencies (as defined in paragraph (10)) which are qualified to serve as representative payees pursuant to this subsection or
(4)(A)(i) Except as provided in the next sentence, a qualified organization may collect from an individual a monthly fee for expenses (including overhead) incurred by such organization in providing services performed as such individual's representative payee pursuant to this subsection if such fee does not exceed the lesser of—
(I) 10 percent of the monthly benefit involved, or
(II) $25.00 per month ($50.00 per month in any case in which the individual is described in paragraph (1)(B)).
A qualified organization may not collect a fee from an individual for any month with respect to which the Commissioner of Social Security or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that the organization misused all or part of the individual's benefit, and any amount so collected by the qualified organization for such month shall be treated as a misused part of the individual's benefit for purposes of paragraphs (5) and (6). The Commissioner shall adjust annually (after 1995) each dollar amount set forth in subclause (II) under procedures providing for adjustments in the same manner and to the same extent as adjustments are provided for under the procedures used to adjust benefit amounts under
(ii) In the case of an individual who is no longer currently entitled to monthly insurance benefits under this subchapter but to whom all past-due benefits have not been paid, for purposes of clause (i), any amount of such past-due benefits payable in any month shall be treated as a monthly benefit referred to in clause (i)(I).
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "qualified organization" means any State or local government agency whose mission is to carry out income maintenance, social service, or health care-related activities, any State or local government agency with fiduciary responsibilities, or any certified community-based nonprofit social service agency (as defined in paragraph (10)), if such agency, in accordance with any applicable regulations of the Commissioner of Social Security—
(i) regularly provides services as the representative payee, pursuant to this subsection or
(ii) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security that such agency is not otherwise a creditor of any such individual.
The Commissioner of Social Security shall prescribe regulations under which the Commissioner of Social Security may grant an exception from clause (ii) for any individual on a case-by-case basis if such exception is in the best interests of such individual.
(C) Any qualified organization which knowingly charges or collects, directly or indirectly, any fee in excess of the maximum fee prescribed under subparagraph (A) or makes any agreement, directly or indirectly, to charge or collect any fee in excess of such maximum fee, shall be fined in accordance with title 18, or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both.
(5) In cases where the negligent failure of the Commissioner of Social Security to investigate or monitor a representative payee results in misuse of benefits by the representative payee, the Commissioner of Social Security shall certify for payment to the beneficiary or the beneficiary's alternative representative payee an amount equal to such misused benefits. In any case in which a representative payee that—
(A) is not an individual (regardless of whether it is a "qualified organization" within the meaning of paragraph (4)(B)); or
(B) is an individual who, for any month during a period when misuse occurs, serves 15 or more individuals who are beneficiaries under this subchapter, subchapter VIII of this chapter, subchapter XVI of this chapter, or any combination of such subchapters;
misuses all or part of an individual's benefit paid to such representative payee, the Commissioner of Social Security shall certify for payment to the beneficiary or the beneficiary's alternative representative payee an amount equal to the amount of such benefit so misused. The provisions of this paragraph are subject to the limitations of paragraph (7)(B). The Commissioner of Social Security shall make a good faith effort to obtain restitution from the terminated representative payee.
(6)(A) In addition to such other reviews of representative payees as the Commissioner of Social Security may otherwise conduct, the Commissioner shall provide for the periodic onsite review of any person or agency located in the United States that receives the benefits payable under this subchapter (alone or in combination with benefits payable under subchapter VIII of this chapter or subchapter XVI of this chapter) to another individual pursuant to the appointment of such person or agency as a representative payee under this subsection,
(i) the representative payee is a person who serves in that capacity with respect to 15 or more such individuals;
(ii) the representative payee is a certified community-based nonprofit social service agency (as defined in paragraph (10) of this subsection or
(iii) the representative payee is an agency (other than an agency described in clause (ii)) that serves in that capacity with respect to 50 or more such individuals.
(B) Within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Commissioner shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report on the results of periodic onsite reviews conducted during the fiscal year pursuant to subparagraph (A) and of any other reviews of representative payees conducted during such fiscal year in connection with benefits under this subchapter. Each such report shall describe in detail all problems identified in such reviews and any corrective action taken or planned to be taken to correct such problems, and shall include—
(i) the number of such reviews;
(ii) the results of such reviews;
(iii) the number of cases in which the representative payee was changed and why;
(iv) the number of cases involving the exercise of expedited, targeted oversight of the representative payee by the Commissioner conducted upon receipt of an allegation of misuse of funds, failure to pay a vendor, or a similar irregularity;
(v) the number of cases discovered in which there was a misuse of funds;
(vi) how any such cases of misuse of funds were dealt with by the Commissioner;
(vii) the final disposition of such cases of misuse of funds, including any criminal penalties imposed; and
(viii) such other information as the Commissioner deems appropriate.
(7)(A) If the Commissioner of Social Security or a court of competent jurisdiction determines that a representative payee that is not a Federal, State, or local government agency has misused all or part of an individual's benefit that was paid to such representative payee under this subsection, the representative payee shall be liable for the amount misused, and such amount (to the extent not repaid by the representative payee) shall be treated as an overpayment of benefits under this subchapter to the representative payee for all purposes of this chapter and related laws pertaining to the recovery of such overpayments. Subject to subparagraph (B), upon recovering all or any part of such amount, the Commissioner shall certify an amount equal to the recovered amount for payment to such individual or such individual's alternative representative payee.
(B) The total of the amount certified for payment to such individual or such individual's alternative representative payee under subparagraph (A) and the amount certified for payment under paragraph (5) may not exceed the total benefit amount misused by the representative payee with respect to such individual.
(8) For purposes of this subsection, the term "benefit based on disability" of an individual means a disability insurance benefit of such individual under
(9) For purposes of this subsection, misuse of benefits by a representative payee occurs in any case in which the representative payee receives payment under this subchapter for the use and benefit of another person and converts such payment, or any part thereof, to a use other than for the use and benefit of such other person. The Commissioner of Social Security may prescribe by regulation the meaning of the term "use and benefit" for purposes of this paragraph.
(10) For purposes of this subsection, the term "certified community-based nonprofit social service agency" means a community-based nonprofit social service agency which is in compliance with requirements, under regulations which shall be prescribed by the Commissioner, for annual certification to the Commissioner that it is bonded in accordance with requirements specified by the Commissioner and that it is licensed in each State in which it serves as a representative payee (if licensing is available in the State) in accordance with requirements specified by the Commissioner. Any such annual certification shall include a copy of any independent audit on the agency which may have been performed since the previous certification.
(k) Payments to incompetents
Any payment made after December 31, 1939, under conditions set forth in subsection (j) of this section, any payment made before January 1, 1940, to, or on behalf of, a legally incompetent individual, and any payment made after December 31, 1939, to a legally incompetent individual without knowledge by the Commissioner of Social Security of incompetency prior to certification of payment, if otherwise valid under this subchapter, shall be a complete settlement and satisfaction of any claim, right, or interest in and to such payment.
(l) Delegation of powers and duties by Commissioner
The Commissioner of Social Security is authorized to delegate to any member, officer, or employee of the Social Security Administration designated by the Commissioner any of the powers conferred upon the Commissioner by this section, and is authorized to be represented by the Commissioner's own attorneys in any court in any case or proceeding arising under the provisions of subsection (e) of this section.
(m) Repealed. Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title I, §101(b)(2), 64 Stat. 488
(n) Joint payments
The Commissioner of Social Security may, in the Commissioner's discretion, certify to the Managing Trustee any two or more individuals of the same family for joint payment of the total benefits payable to such individuals for any month, and if one of such individuals dies before a check representing such joint payment is negotiated, payment of the amount of such unnegotiated check to the surviving individual or individuals may be authorized in accordance with regulations of the Secretary of the Treasury; except that appropriate adjustment or recovery shall be made under
(o) Crediting of compensation under Railroad Retirement Act
If there is no person who would be entitled, upon application therefor, to an annuity under section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 [
(p) Special rules in case of Federal service
(1) With respect to service included as employment under
(2) The head of any such agency or instrumentality is authorized and directed, upon written request of the Commissioner of Social Security, to make certification to the Commissioner with respect to any matter determinable for the Commissioner of Social Security by such head or his agents under this subsection, which the Commissioner of Social Security finds necessary in administering this subchapter.
(3) The provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection shall be applicable in the case of service performed by a civilian employee, not compensated from funds appropriated by the Congress, in the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Army and Air Force Motion Picture Service, Navy Exchanges, Marine Corps Exchanges, or other activities, conducted by an instrumentality of the United States subject to the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Defense, at installations of the Department of Defense for the comfort, pleasure, contentment, and mental and physical improvement of personnel of such Department; and for purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection the Secretary of Defense shall be deemed to be the head of such instrumentality. The provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be applicable also in the case of service performed by a civilian employee, not compensated from funds appropriated by the Congress, in the Coast Guard Exchanges or other activities, conducted by an instrumentality of the United States subject to the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Homeland Security, at installations of the Coast Guard for the comfort, pleasure, contentment, and mental and physical improvement of personnel of the Coast Guard; and for purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2) the Secretary of Homeland Security shall be deemed to be the head of such instrumentality.
(q) Expedited benefit payments
(1) The Commissioner of Social Security shall establish and put into effect procedures under which expedited payment of monthly insurance benefits under this subchapter will, subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, be made as set forth in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection.
(2) In any case in which—
(A) an individual makes an allegation that a monthly benefit under this subchapter was due him in a particular month but was not paid to him, and
(B) such individual submits a written request for the payment of such benefit—
(i) in the case of an individual who received a regular monthly benefit in the month preceding the month with respect to which such allegation is made, not less than 30 days after the 15th day of the month with respect to which such allegation is made (and in the event that such request is submitted prior to the expiration of such 30-day period, it shall be deemed to have been submitted upon the expiration of such period), and
(ii) in any other case, not less than 90 days after the later of (I) the date on which such benefit is alleged to have been due, or (II) the date on which such individual furnished the last information requested by the Commissioner of Social Security (and such written request will be deemed to be filed on the day on which it was filed, or the ninetieth day after the first day on which the Commissioner of Social Security has evidence that such allegation is true, whichever is later),
the Commissioner of Social Security shall, if the Commissioner finds that benefits are due, certify such benefits for payment, and payment shall be made within 15 days immediately following the date on which the written request is deemed to have been filed.
(3) In any case in which the Commissioner of Social Security determines that there is evidence, although additional evidence might be required for a final decision, that an allegation described in paragraph (2)(A) is true, the Commissioner may make a preliminary certification of such benefit for payment even though the 30-day or 90-day periods described in paragraph (2)(B)(i) and (B)(ii) have not elapsed.
(4) Any payment made pursuant to a certification under paragraph (3) of this subsection shall not be considered an incorrect payment for purposes of determining the liability of the certifying or disbursing officer.
(5) For purposes of this subsection, benefits payable under
(r) Use of death certificates to correct program information
(1) The Commissioner of Social Security shall undertake to establish a program under which—
(A) States (or political subdivisions thereof) voluntarily contract with the Commissioner of Social Security to furnish the Commissioner of Social Security periodically with information (in a form established by the Commissioner of Social Security in consultation with the States) concerning individuals with respect to whom death certificates (or equivalent documents maintained by the States or subdivisions) have been officially filed with them; and
(B) there will be (i) a comparison of such information on such individuals with information on such individuals in the records being used in the administration of this chapter, (ii) validation of the results of such comparisons, and (iii) corrections in such records to accurately reflect the status of such individuals.
(2) Each State (or political subdivision thereof) which furnishes the Commissioner of Social Security with information on records of deaths in the State or subdivision under this subsection may be paid by the Commissioner of Social Security from amounts available for administration of this chapter the reasonable costs (established by the Commissioner of Social Security in consultations with the States) for transcribing and transmitting such information to the Commissioner of Social Security.
(3) In the case of individuals with respect to whom federally funded benefits are provided by (or through) a Federal or State agency other than under this chapter, the Commissioner of Social Security shall to the extent feasible provide such information through a cooperative arrangement with such agency, for ensuring proper payment of those benefits with respect to such individuals if—
(A) under such arrangement the agency provides reimbursement to the Commissioner of Social Security for the reasonable cost of carrying out such arrangement, and
(B) such arrangement does not conflict with the duties of the Commissioner of Social Security under paragraph (1).
(4) The Commissioner of Social Security may enter into similar agreements with States to provide information for their use in programs wholly funded by the States if the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (3) are met.
(5) The Commissioner of Social Security may use or provide for the use of such records as may be corrected under this section, subject to such safeguards as the Commissioner of Social Security determines are necessary or appropriate to protect the information from unauthorized use or disclosure, for statistical and research activities conducted by Federal and State agencies.
(6) Information furnished to the Commissioner of Social Security under this subsection may not be used for any purpose other than the purpose described in this subsection and is exempt from disclosure under
(7) The Commissioner of Social Security shall include information on the status of the program established under this section and impediments to the effective implementation of the program in the 1984 report required under
(8)(A) The Commissioner of Social Security shall, upon the request of the official responsible for a State driver's license agency pursuant to the Help America Vote Act of 2002—
(i) enter into an agreement with such official for the purpose of verifying applicable information, so long as the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (3) are met; and
(ii) include in such agreement safeguards to assure the maintenance of the confidentiality of any applicable information disclosed and procedures to permit such agency to use the applicable information for the purpose of maintaining its records.
(B) Information provided pursuant to an agreement under this paragraph shall be provided at such time, in such place, and in such manner as the Commissioner determines appropriate.
(C) The Commissioner shall develop methods to verify the accuracy of information provided by the agency with respect to applications for voter registration, for whom the last 4 digits of a social security number are provided instead of a driver's license number.
(D) For purposes of this paragraph—
(i) the term "applicable information" means information regarding whether—
(I) the name (including the first name and any family forename or surname), the date of birth (including the month, day, and year), and social security number of an individual provided to the Commissioner match the information contained in the Commissioner's records, and
(II) such individual is shown on the records of the Commissioner as being deceased; and
(ii) the term "State driver's license agency" means the State agency which issues driver's licenses to individuals within the State and maintains records relating to such licensure.
(E) Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to require the provision of applicable information with regard to a request for a record of an individual if the Commissioner determines there are exceptional circumstances warranting an exception (such as safety of the individual or interference with an investigation).
(F) Applicable information provided by the Commission pursuant to an agreement under this paragraph or by an individual to any agency that has entered into an agreement under this paragraph shall be considered as strictly confidential and shall be used only for the purposes described in this paragraph and for carrying out an agreement under this paragraph. Any officer or employee or former officer or employee of a State, or any officer or employee or former officer or employee of a contractor of a State who, without the written authority of the Commissioner, publishes or communicates any applicable information in such individual's possession by reason of such employment or position as such an officer, shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof shall be fined or imprisoned, or both, as described in
(9)(A) The Commissioner of Social Security shall, upon the request of the Secretary or the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services—
(i) enter into an agreement with the Secretary or such Inspector General for the purpose of matching data in the system of records of the Social Security Administration and the system of records of the Department of Health and Human Services; and
(ii) include in such agreement safeguards to assure the maintenance of the confidentiality of any information disclosed.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "system of records" has the meaning given such term in
(s) Notice requirements
The Commissioner of Social Security shall take such actions as are necessary to ensure that any notice to one or more individuals issued pursuant to this subchapter by the Commissioner of Social Security or by a State agency—
(1) is written in simple and clear language, and
(2) includes the address and telephone number of the local office of the Social Security Administration which serves the recipient.
In the case of any such notice which is not generated by a local servicing office, the requirements of paragraph (2) shall be treated as satisfied if such notice includes the address of the local office of the Social Security Administration which services the recipient of the notice and a telephone number through which such office can be reached.
(t) Same-day personal interviews at field offices in cases where time is of essence
In any case in which an individual visits a field office of the Social Security Administration and represents during the visit to an officer or employee of the Social Security Administration in the office that the individual's visit is occasioned by—
(1) the receipt of a notice from the Social Security Administration indicating a time limit for response by the individual, or
(2) the theft, loss, or nonreceipt of a benefit payment under this subchapter,
the Commissioner of Social Security shall ensure that the individual is granted a face-to-face interview at the office with an officer or employee of the Social Security Administration before the close of business on the day of the visit.
(u) Redetermination of entitlement
(1)(A) The Commissioner of Social Security shall immediately redetermine the entitlement of individuals to monthly insurance benefits under this subchapter if there is reason to believe that fraud or similar fault was involved in the application of the individual for such benefits, unless a United States attorney, or equivalent State prosecutor, with jurisdiction over potential or actual related criminal cases, certifies, in writing, that there is a substantial risk that such action by the Commissioner of Social Security with regard to beneficiaries in a particular investigation would jeopardize the criminal prosecution of a person involved in a suspected fraud.
(B) When redetermining the entitlement, or making an initial determination of entitlement, of an individual under this subchapter, the Commissioner of Social Security shall disregard any evidence if there is reason to believe that fraud or similar fault was involved in the providing of such evidence.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), similar fault is involved with respect to a determination if—
(A) an incorrect or incomplete statement that is material to the determination is knowingly made; or
(B) information that is material to the determination is knowingly concealed.
(3) If, after redetermining pursuant to this subsection the entitlement of an individual to monthly insurance benefits, the Commissioner of Social Security determines that there is insufficient evidence to support such entitlement, the Commissioner of Social Security may terminate such entitlement and may treat benefits paid on the basis of such insufficient evidence as overpayments.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §205,
References in Text
Subsecs. (e) and (q) of
Parts A and D of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(C)(ii), (vi)(I), are classified to sections 601 et seq. and 651 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Section 7(a) of the Privacy Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(C)(ii), is section 7(a) of
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(C)(iii)(I), (II), is
The Federal Crop Insurance Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(C)(iv), is subtitle A of title V of act Feb. 16, 1938, ch. 30,
Section 7212(a)(2) of the 9/11 Commission Implementation Act of 2004, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(C)(vi)(II), is section 7212(a)(2) of
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (c)(2)(C)(viii)(II), (H) and (j)(2)(B)(iii), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(C)(ix), is act Mar. 4, 1927, ch. 509,
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(C)(x), is
The Railroad Retirement Act of 1937, referred to in subsecs. (c)(5)(D) and (i), is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812,
The Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, referred to in subsecs. (c)(5)(D), (i), and (o), is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812, as amended generally by
Title VIII of the Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(5)(F)(i), probably means former title VIII of the Social Security Act, which was classified to subchapter VIII (§1001 et seq.) of this chapter, and was omitted from the Code as superseded by the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Subchapter E of
For provision deeming a reference in other laws to a provision of the 1939 Code as a reference to the corresponding provisions of the 1986 Code, see section 7852(b) of the 1986 Code. For table of comparisons of the 1939 Code to the 1986 Code, see table preceding
Chapters 2 and 21 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, referred to in subsec. (c)(5)(F)(i), were redesignated chapters 2 and 21 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and are classified to sections 1401 et seq. and 3101 et seq., respectively, of Title 26.
The Peace Corps Act, referred to in subsec. (p)(1), is
Section 3122 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, referred to in subsec. (p)(1), redesignated section 3122 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by
The Help America Vote Act of 2002, referred to in subsec. (r)(8)(A), is
Codification
October 13, 1988, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(C)(v), was in the original "the date of the enactment of such subclause", and was translated as if it read "the date of the enactment of such clause", as the probable intent of Congress. The clause in question, cl. (ii) of subsec. (c)(2)(C), was originally enacted as subcl. (II) of subsec. (c)(2)(C)(i), see 1988 Amendment note below, and was subsequently redesignated as cl. (ii) of subsec. (c)(2)(C), see 1990 Amendment note below.
August 15, 1994, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(E)(iii), was in the original "the date of the enactment of this subparagraph" and "that date", which were translated as meaning the date of enactment of
In subsec. (g), act June 25, 1948, as amended by act May 24, 1949, substituted United States District Court for the District of Columbia, for District Court of the United States for the District of Columbia.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(x).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(xi).
Subsec. (r)(9).
2008—Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(iii)(I), (II).
2006—Subsec. (p)(3).
2004—Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(vi).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j)(2)(B)(i)(IV) to (VI).
Subsec. (j)(2)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (j)(2)(C)(i)(II).
Subsec. (j)(2)(C)(i)(IV), (V).
Subsec. (j)(2)(C)(v)(I).
Subsec. (j)(3)(E).
Subsec. (j)(3)(F).
Subsec. (j)(3)(G).
Subsec. (j)(4)(A)(i).
Subsec. (j)(4)(B).
Subsec. (j)(5).
Subsec. (j)(6).
Subsec. (j)(6)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (j)(7).
Subsec. (j)(8).
Subsec. (j)(9).
Subsec. (j)(10).
2002—Subsec. (r)(8).
2001—Subsec. (i).
1999—Subsec. (j)(1)(A).
Subsec. (j)(2)(B)(i)(I).
Subsec. (j)(2)(B)(i)(III).
Subsec. (j)(2)(B)(i)(IV).
Subsec. (j)(2)(B)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (j)(2)(B)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (j)(2)(C)(i)(II).
Subsec. (j)(3)(E)(i), (ii).
Subsec. (j)(3)(F).
Subsec. (j)(4)(B)(i).
1997—Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(H).
1996—Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(vi).
Subsec. (j)(1)(B).
Subsec. (j)(2)(C)(v).
Subsec. (j)(2)(D)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (j)(4)(A)(i)(II).
1994—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1), (2).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
Subsec. (c)(1)(D)(i).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(i), (ii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(iii)(III), (IV).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(v).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(vi).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(vii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(viii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(ix).
Subsec. (c)(2)(D)(i)(I), (II).
Subsec. (c)(2)(E).
Subsec. (c)(2)(F), (G).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (c)(5).
Subsec. (c)(5)(B).
Subsec. (c)(5)(F).
Subsec. (c)(5)(F)(i).
Subsec. (c)(5)(G), (J), (6), (7).
Subsec. (c)(8).
Subsec. (c)(9).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (j)(1).
Subsec. (j)(2)(A) to (C)(iv).
Subsec. (j)(2)(C)(v).
Subsec. (j)(2)(D)(i).
Subsec. (j)(2)(D)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (j)(2)(D)(iii), (E), (3)(A), (B), (D), (E).
Subsec. (j)(4)(A).
Subsec. (j)(4)(B).
Subsec. (j)(4)(D).
Subsec. (j)(5).
Subsec. (j)(6).
Subsec. (j)(7).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (p)(1), (2).
Subsecs. (q), (r).
Subsec. (s).
Subsec. (t).
Subsec. (u).
1990—Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (j)(1).
Subsec. (j)(2).
Subsec. (j)(3)(B), (C).
Subsec. (j)(3)(D).
Subsec. (j)(3)(E), (F).
Subsec. (j)(4).
Subsec. (j)(5).
Subsec. (j)(6).
"(A) The Secretary shall make an initial report to each House of the Congress on the implementation of paragraphs (2) and (3) within 270 days after October 9, 1984.
"(B) The Secretary shall include as a part of the annual report required under
Subsec. (s).
1989—Subsec. (c)(5)(H).
Subsec. (t).
1988—Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(i).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(D).
Subsec. (c)(2)(E).
Subsec. (c)(2)(F).
Subsec. (p)(1).
1986—Subsec. (c)(1)(D)(i).
Subsec. (c)(5)(F)(iii).
1984—Subsec. (c)(5)(D).
Subsec. (c)(5)(I).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (l).
Subsec. (p)(1).
Subsec. (r)(4).
Subsec. (r)(7).
1983—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C).
Subsec. (c)(2)(D).
Subsec. (r).
1980—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (g).
1978—Subsec. (p)(3).
1977—Subsec. (c)(1)(A).
Subsec. (c)(1)(D).
Subsec. (o).
1976—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C).
1974—Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (o).
1972—Subsec. (c)(2).
1970—Subsec. (f).
1968—Subsec. (q).
1965—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C).
Subsec. (n).
1961—Subsec. (p)(1).
1960—Subsec. (c)(5)(F).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (p)(1).
1956—Subsec. (b). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §111(a), required requests with respect to decisions to be filed within such period as the Secretary prescribes by regulation, which period may not be less than six months after notice of the decision is mailed.
Subsec. (c)(1)(B). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §107(b), substituted "three months" for "two months".
Subsec. (c)(5)(F). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §117, struck out provisions prohibiting inclusion in records of amount of self-employment income in excess of the amount which had been deleted as payments erroneously included in such records as wages paid to such individual in such taxable year, which provisions are now covered by subsec. (c)(5)(J) of this section.
Subsec. (c)(5)(J). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §117, added subpar. (J).
Subsec. (p)(1). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 837, provided for determinations with respect to service performed as a member of a uniformed service to which the provisions of
1954—Subsec. (o). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(a)(5), substituted "section 410(a)(9)" for "section 410(a)(10)".
Subsec. (p)(3). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(c)(3), inserted provisions making subsec. (p)(1) and (2) applicable to services performed by a civilian employee in the Coast Guard Exchanges or certain other activities at Coast Guard installations.
1952—Subsec. (o). Act July 18, 1952, substituted "subsection (a) or (e) of
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, §109(b)(1), substituted "Administrator" for "Board", "Administrator's" for "Board's", "he", "him", and "his" for "it", and "its", wherever appearing.
Subsec. (b). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §108(a), inserted "former wife divorced, husband, widower," after "widow".
Subsec. (c). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §108(b), amended subsec. (c) generally to include definitions, to provide for the maintaining of records of self-employed persons, to allow for the revision of the Administrator's record, to authorize corrections after the times limitations if an application for monthly benefits or a lump-sum death payment is filed within the time limitation and no final decision has been made on it, to continue the requirement that written notice of any deletion or reduction of wages be given to the individual whose record is involved, to give the Administrator discretion to prescribe the period, after any change or refusal to change his records, within which an individual may be granted a hearing, and to provide for judicial review.
Subsec. (l). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §109(b)(2), amended subsec. (l) generally.
Subsecs. (o), (p). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §108(c), added subsecs. (o) and (p).
1939—Act Aug. 10, 1939, omitted former section 405 relating to payments of $500 or less to estates, and added subsecs. (a) to (n).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by section 4002(b)(1)(B), (2)(V) of
Effective Date of 2004 Amendments
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2001 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 1090(b)(2) of
"(A) The amendment made by paragraph (1)(A) [amending this section] shall apply to applications made after the date which is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 5, 1997].
"(B) The amendments made by subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to information obtained on, before, or after the date of the enactment of this Act."
Effective Date of 1996 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 105(a)(5) of
"(A) The amendments made by paragraphs (1) and (4) [amending
"(B) The amendments made by paragraphs (2) and (3) [amending this section and
"(i) whose claim for benefits is finally adjudicated on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Mar. 29, 1996]; or
"(ii) whose entitlement to benefits is based upon an entitlement redetermination made pursuant to subparagraph (C).
"(C) Within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Mar. 29, 1996], the Commissioner of Social Security shall notify each individual who is entitled to monthly insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act based on disability for the month in which this Act is enacted and whose entitlement to such benefits would terminate by reason of the amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and
"(D) For purposes of this paragraph, an individual's claim, with respect to benefits under title II based on disability, which has been denied in whole before the date of the enactment of this Act, may not be considered to be finally adjudicated before such date if, on or after such date—
"(i) there is pending a request for either administrative or judicial review with respect to such claim; or
"(ii) there is pending, with respect to such claim, a readjudication by the Commissioner of Social Security pursuant to relief in a class action or implementation by the Commissioner of a court remand order.
"(E) Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, with respect to any individual for whom the Commissioner of Social Security does not perform the entitlement redetermination before the date prescribed in subparagraph (C), the Commissioner shall perform such entitlement redetermination in lieu of a continuing disability review whenever the Commissioner determines that the individual's entitlement is subject to redetermination based on the preceding provisions of this paragraph, and the provisions of section 223(f) [
[
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(1), (2), (4) of
Section 201(a)(1)(D) of
"(i)
"(ii)
"(I) an individual is entitled to benefits based on disability (as defined in section 205(j)(7) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (j)(7) of this section], as amended by this section),
"(II) the determination of disability was made by the Secretary of Health and Human Services during or before the 180-day period following the date of the enactment of this Act, and
"(III) alcoholism or drug addiction is a contributing factor material to the Secretary's determination that the individual is under a disability,
the amendments made by this paragraph shall apply with respect to benefits paid in months after the month in which such individual is notified by the Secretary in writing that alcoholism or drug addiction is a contributing factor material to the Secretary's determination and that the Secretary is therefore required to make a certification of payment of such individual's benefits to a representative payee."
Section 201(a)(2)(B)(iii) of
Section 201(a)(2)(D) of
Section 206(a)(3) of
Section 206(d)(3) of
Section 304(c) of
Section 321(f)(5) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendments
Amendment by section 1735(a), (b) of
Section 5105(a)(5) of
"(A)
"(i) certifications of payment of benefits under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] to representative payees made on or after such date; and
"(ii) provisions for payment of benefits under title XVI of such Act [subchapter XVI of this chapter] to representative payees made on or after such date.
"(B)
Section 5105(b)(1)(B) of
Section 5105(d)(2) of
Section 5107(b) of
Section 5109(b) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 10303(c) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Section 8009(b) of
Amendment by section 8015(a)(1) of
Amendment by section 8016(a)(1) of
Section 125(b) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Section 16(d) of
Amendment by section 2661(h) of
Amendment by section 2663(a)(4), (j)(4) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendments
Amendment by sections 301(d) and 309(i) of
Section 345(b) of
Section 4(b) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Section 305(c) of
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Section 5 of
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Section 302(b) of
Amendment by section 303 of
Effective Date of 1970 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Section 171(b) of
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Amendment by section 308(d)(9), (10) of
Effective Date of 1961 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Amendment by section 102(f)(2) of
Amendment by section 103(j)(2)(E) of
Section 702(b) of
Effective Date of 1956 Amendments
Section 111(b) of act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall be effective upon enactment [Aug. 1, 1956]; except that the period of time prescribed by the Secretary pursuant to the third sentence of section 205(b) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b) of this section], as amended by subsection (a) of this section, with respect to decisions notice of which has been mailed by him to any individual prior to the enactment of this Act may not terminate for such individual less than six months after the date of enactment of this Act."
Amendment by act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 837, effective Jan. 1, 1957, see section 603(a) of act Aug. 1, 1956.
Effective Date of 1954 Amendment
Section 101(n) of act Sept. 1, 1954, provided that: "The amendment made by paragraph (3) of subsection (g) [amending
Effective Date of 1950 Amendment
Section 108(d) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that: "The amendments made by subsections (a) and (c) of this section [amending this section] shall take effect on September 1, 1950. The amendment made by subsection (b) of this section [amending this section] shall take effect January 1, 1951, except that, effective on September 1, 1950, the husband or former wife divorced of an individual shall be treated the same as a parent of such individual, and the legal representative of an individual or his estate shall be treated the same as the individual, for purposes of section 205(c) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (c) of this section] as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act [Aug. 28, 1950]."
Section 101(b)(2) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that: "Section 205(m) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (m) of this section] is repealed effective with respect to monthly payments under section 202 of the Social Security Act [this section], as amended by this Act, for months after August 1950."
Effective Date of 1939 Amendment
Section 201 of act Aug. 10, 1939, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Jan. 1, 1940.
Repeals: Amendments and Application of Amendments Unaffected
Section 202(b)(3) of
Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding
Social Security Cards and Numbers
"(a)
"(1) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 17, 2004]—
"(A) restrict the issuance of multiple replacement social security cards to any individual to 3 per year and 10 for the life of the individual, except that the Commissioner may allow for reasonable exceptions from the limits under this paragraph on a case-by-case basis in compelling circumstances;
"(B) establish minimum standards for the verification of documents or records submitted by an individual to establish eligibility for an original or replacement social security card, other than for purposes of enumeration at birth; and
"(C) require independent verification of any birth record submitted by an individual to establish eligibility for a social security account number, other than for purposes of enumeration at birth, except that the Commissioner may allow for reasonable exceptions from the requirement for independent verification under this subparagraph on a case by case basis in compelling circumstances; and
"(2) notwithstanding section 205(r) of the Social Security Act (
"(b)
"(1) standards for safeguarding social security cards from counterfeiting, tampering, alteration, and theft;
"(2) requirements for verifying documents submitted for the issuance of replacement cards; and
"(3) actions to increase enforcement against the fraudulent use or issuance of social security numbers and cards.
"(c)
"(1)
"(A) the assignment of social security account numbers to unnamed children;
"(B) the issuance of more than 1 social security account number to the same child; and
"(C) other opportunities for fraudulently obtaining a social security account number.
"(2)
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(e)
Development of Prototype of Counterfeit-Resistant Social Security Card
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) shall be made of a durable, tamper-resistant material such as plastic or polyester;
"(B) shall employ technologies that provide security features, such as magnetic stripes, holograms, and integrated circuits; and
"(C) shall be developed so as to provide individuals with reliable proof of citizenship or legal resident alien status.
"(2)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
Similar provisions were contained in the following prior act:
Ninety-Day Delay in Deferral or Suspension of Benefits for Current Beneficiaries
Section 201(a)(1)(C) of
Study Regarding Feasibility, Cost, and Equity of Requiring Representative Payees for All Disability Beneficiaries Suffering From Alcoholism or Drug Addiction
Annual Reports on Reviews of OASDI and SSI Cases
Section 206(g) of
Report on Feasibility of Obtaining Ready Access to Certain Criminal Fraud Records
Reports on Organizations Serving as Representative Payees and Fees for Services
Study Relating to Feasibility of Screening of Individuals With Criminal Records
Study Relating to More Stringent Oversight of High-Risk Representative Payees
Demonstration Projects Relating to Provision of Information to Local Agencies Providing Child and Adult Protective Services
Counterfeiting of Social Security Account Number Cards
Inclusion of Self-Employment Income in Records of Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare
Section 331(c) of
Section 101(e) of
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. Probably should be "subclause".
3 So in original. Two cls. (x) have been enacted.
4 So in original. Probably should be "amendments made by, such Act."
6 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
7 So in original. Probably should be followed by "and".
§405a. Regulations pertaining to frequency or due dates of payments and reports under voluntary agreements covering State and local employees; effective date
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no regulation and no modification of any regulation, promulgated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, after January 2, 1976, shall become effective prior to the end of the eighteen-month period which begins with the first day of the first calendar month which begins after the date on which such regulation or modification of a regulation is published in the Federal Register, if and insofar as such regulation or modification of a regulation pertains, directly or indirectly, to the frequency or due dates for payments and reports required under section 418(e) 1 of this title.
(
References in Text
Subsec. (e) of
Codification
Section was not enacted as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Change of Name
"Secretary of Health and Human Services" substituted for "Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare" in text pursuant to section 509(b) of
Time for Making Social Security Contributions With Respect to Covered State and Local Employees
1 See References in Text note below.
§406. Representation of claimants before Commissioner
(a) Recognition of representatives; fees for representation before Commissioner
(1) The Commissioner of Social Security may prescribe rules and regulations governing the recognition of agents or other persons, other than attorneys as hereinafter provided, representing claimants before the Commissioner of Social Security, and may require of such agents or other persons, before being recognized as representatives of claimants that they shall show that they are of good character and in good repute, possessed of the necessary qualifications to enable them to render such claimants valuable service, and otherwise competent to advise and assist such claimants in the presentation of their cases. An attorney in good standing who is admitted to practice before the highest court of the State, Territory, District, or insular possession of his residence or before the Supreme Court of the United States or the inferior Federal courts, shall be entitled to represent claimants before the Commissioner of Social Security. Notwithstanding the preceding sentences, the Commissioner, after due notice and opportunity for hearing, (A) may refuse to recognize as a representative, and may disqualify a representative already recognized, any attorney who has been disbarred or suspended from any court or bar to which he or she was previously admitted to practice or who has been disqualified from participating in or appearing before any Federal program or agency, and (B) may refuse to recognize, and may disqualify, as a non-attorney representative any attorney who has been disbarred or suspended from any court or bar to which he or she was previously admitted to practice. A representative who has been disqualified or suspended pursuant to this section from appearing before the Social Security Administration as a result of collecting or receiving a fee in excess of the amount authorized shall be barred from appearing before the Social Security Administration as a representative until full restitution is made to the claimant and, thereafter, may be considered for reinstatement only under such rules as the Commissioner may prescribe. The Commissioner of Social Security may, after due notice and opportunity for hearing, suspend or prohibit from further practice before the Commissioner any such person, agent, or attorney who refuses to comply with the Commissioner's rules and regulations or who violates any provision of this section for which a penalty is prescribed. The Commissioner of Social Security may, by rule and regulation, prescribe the maximum fees which may be charged for services performed in connection with any claim before the Commissioner of Social Security under this subchapter, and any agreement in violation of such rules and regulations shall be void. Except as provided in paragraph (2)(A), whenever the Commissioner of Social Security, in any claim before the Commissioner for benefits under this subchapter, makes a determination favorable to the claimant, the Commissioner shall, if the claimant was represented by an attorney in connection with such claim, fix (in accordance with the regulations prescribed pursuant to the preceding sentence) a reasonable fee to compensate such attorney for the services performed by him in connection with such claim.
(2)(A) In the case of a claim of entitlement to past-due benefits under this subchapter, if—
(i) an agreement between the claimant and another person regarding any fee to be recovered by such person to compensate such person for services with respect to the claim is presented in writing to the Commissioner of Social Security prior to the time of the Commissioner's determination regarding the claim,
(ii) the fee specified in the agreement does not exceed the lesser of—
(I) 25 percent of the total amount of such past-due benefits (as determined before any applicable reduction under
(II) $4,000, and
(iii) the determination is favorable to the claimant,
then the Commissioner of Social Security shall approve that agreement at the time of the favorable determination, and (subject to paragraph (3)) the fee specified in the agreement shall be the maximum fee. The Commissioner of Social Security may from time to time increase the dollar amount under clause (ii)(II) to the extent that the rate of increase in such amount, as determined over the period since January 1, 1991, does not at any time exceed the rate of increase in primary insurance amounts under
(B) For purposes of this subsection, the term "past-due benefits" excludes any benefits with respect to which payment has been continued pursuant to subsection (g) or (h) of
(C) In any case involving—
(i) an agreement described in subparagraph (A) with any person relating to both a claim of entitlement to past-due benefits under this subchapter and a claim of entitlement to past-due benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter, and
(ii) a favorable determination made by the Commissioner of Social Security with respect to both such claims,
the Commissioner of Social Security may approve such agreement only if the total fee or fees specified in such agreement does not exceed, in the aggregate, the dollar amount in effect under subparagraph (A)(ii)(II).
(D) In the case of a claim with respect to which the Commissioner of Social Security has approved an agreement pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Commissioner of Social Security shall provide the claimant and the person representing the claimant a written notice of—
(i) the dollar amount of the past-due benefits (as determined before any applicable reduction under
(ii) the dollar amount of the maximum fee which may be charged or recovered as determined under this paragraph, and
(iii) a description of the procedures for review under paragraph (3).
(3)(A) The Commissioner of Social Security shall provide by regulation for review of the amount which would otherwise be the maximum fee as determined under paragraph (2) if, within 15 days after receipt of the notice provided pursuant to paragraph (2)(D)—
(i) the claimant, or the administrative law judge or other adjudicator who made the favorable determination, submits a written request to the Commissioner of Social Security to reduce the maximum fee, or
(ii) the person representing the claimant submits a written request to the Commissioner of Social Security to increase the maximum fee.
Any such review shall be conducted after providing the claimant, the person representing the claimant, and the adjudicator with reasonable notice of such request and an opportunity to submit written information in favor of or in opposition to such request. The adjudicator may request the Commissioner of Social Security to reduce the maximum fee only on the basis of evidence of the failure of the person representing the claimant to represent adequately the claimant's interest or on the basis of evidence that the fee is clearly excessive for services rendered.
(B)(i) In the case of a request for review under subparagraph (A) by the claimant or by the person representing the claimant, such review shall be conducted by the administrative law judge who made the favorable determination or, if the Commissioner of Social Security determines that such administrative law judge is unavailable or if the determination was not made by an administrative law judge, such review shall be conducted by another person designated by the Commissioner of Social Security for such purpose.
(ii) In the case of a request by the adjudicator for review under subparagraph (A), the review shall be conducted by the Commissioner of Social Security or by an administrative law judge or other person (other than such adjudicator) who is designated by the Commissioner of Social Security.
(C) Upon completion of the review, the administrative law judge or other person conducting the review shall affirm or modify the amount which would otherwise be the maximum fee. Any such amount so affirmed or modified shall be considered the amount of the maximum fee which may be recovered under paragraph (2). The decision of the administrative law judge or other person conducting the review shall not be subject to further review.
(4) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, if the claimant is determined to be entitled to past-due benefits under this subchapter and the person representing the claimant is an attorney, the Commissioner of Social Security shall, notwithstanding
(5) Any person who shall, with intent to defraud, in any manner willfully and knowingly deceive, mislead, or threaten any claimant or prospective claimant or beneficiary under this subchapter by word, circular, letter or advertisement, or who shall knowingly charge or collect directly or indirectly any fee in excess of the maximum fee, or make any agreement directly or indirectly to charge or collect any fee in excess of the maximum fee, prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall for each offense be punished by a fine not exceeding $500 or by imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both. The Commissioner of Social Security shall maintain in the electronic information retrieval system used by the Social Security Administration a current record, with respect to any claimant before the Commissioner of Social Security, of the identity of any person representing such claimant in accordance with this subsection.
(b) Fees for representation before court
(1)(A) Whenever a court renders a judgment favorable to a claimant under this subchapter who was represented before the court by an attorney, the court may determine and allow as part of its judgment a reasonable fee for such representation, not in excess of 25 percent of the total of the past-due benefits to which the claimant is entitled by reason of such judgment, and the Commissioner of Social Security may, notwithstanding the provisions of
(B) For purposes of this paragraph—
(i) the term "past-due benefits" excludes any benefits with respect to which payment has been continued pursuant to subsection (g) or (h) of
(ii) amounts of past-due benefits shall be determined before any applicable reduction under
(2) Any attorney who charges, demands, receives, or collects for services rendered in connection with proceedings before a court to which paragraph (1) of this subsection is applicable any amount in excess of that allowed by the court thereunder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be subject to a fine of not more than $500, or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.
(c) Notification of options for obtaining attorneys
The Commissioner of Social Security shall notify each claimant in writing, together with the notice to such claimant of an adverse determination, of the options for obtaining attorneys to represent individuals in presenting their cases before the Commissioner of Social Security. Such notification shall also advise the claimant of the availability to qualifying claimants of legal services organizations which provide legal services free of charge.
(d) Assessment on attorneys
(1) In general
Whenever a fee for services is required to be certified for payment to an attorney from a claimant's past-due benefits pursuant to subsection (a)(4) or (b)(1) of this section, the Commissioner shall impose on the attorney an assessment calculated in accordance with paragraph (2).
(2) Amount
(A) The amount of an assessment under paragraph (1) shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying the amount of the representative's fee that would be required to be so certified by subsection (a)(4) or (b)(1) of this section before the application of this subsection, by the percentage specified in subparagraph (B), except that the maximum amount of the assessment may not exceed the greater of $75 or the adjusted amount as provided pursuant to the following two sentences. In the case of any calendar year beginning after the amendments made by section 301 of the Social Security Protection Act of 2003 1 take effect, the dollar amount specified in the preceding sentence (including a previously adjusted amount) shall be adjusted annually under the procedures used to adjust benefit amounts under
(B) The percentage specified in this subparagraph is—
(i) for calendar years before 2001, 6.3 percent, and
(ii) for calendar years after 2000, such percentage rate as the Commissioner determines is necessary in order to achieve full recovery of the costs of determining and certifying fees to attorneys from the past-due benefits of claimants, but not in excess of 6.3 percent.
(3) Collection
The Commissioner may collect the assessment imposed on an attorney under paragraph (1) by offset from the amount of the fee otherwise required by subsection (a)(4) or (b)(1) of this section to be certified for payment to the attorney from a claimant's past-due benefits.
(4) Prohibition on claimant reimbursement
An attorney subject to an assessment under paragraph (1) may not, directly or indirectly, request or otherwise obtain reimbursement for such assessment from the claimant whose claim gave rise to the assessment.
(5) Disposition of assessments
Assessments on attorneys collected under this subsection shall be credited to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, as appropriate.
(6) Authorization of appropriations
The assessments authorized under this section shall be collected and available for obligation only to the extent and in the amount provided in advance in appropriations Acts. Amounts so appropriated are authorized to remain available until expended, for administrative expenses in carrying out this subchapter and related laws.
(e) Extension of fee withholding and assessment procedures to qualified non-attorney representatives
(1) The Commissioner shall provide for the extension of the fee withholding procedures and assessment procedures that apply under the preceding provisions of this section to agents and other persons, other than attorneys, who represent claimants under this subchapter before the Commissioner.
(2) Fee-withholding procedures may be extended under paragraph (1) to any nonattorney 2 representative only if such representative meets at least the following prerequisites:
(A) The representative has been awarded a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education, or has been determined by the Commissioner to have equivalent qualifications derived from training and work experience.
(B) The representative has passed an examination, written and administered by the Commissioner, which tests knowledge of the relevant provisions of this chapter and the most recent developments in agency and court decisions affecting this subchapter and subchapter XVI.
(C) The representative has secured professional liability insurance, or equivalent insurance, which the Commissioner has determined to be adequate to protect claimants in the event of malpractice by the representative.
(D) The representative has undergone a criminal background check to ensure the representative's fitness to practice before the Commissioner.
(E) The representative demonstrates ongoing completion of qualified courses of continuing education, including education regarding ethics and professional conduct, which are designed to enhance professional knowledge in matters related to entitlement to, or eligibility for, benefits based on disability under this subchapter and subchapter XVI. Such continuing education, and the instructors providing such education, shall meet such standards as the Commissioner may prescribe.
(3)(A) The Commissioner may assess representatives reasonable fees to cover the cost to the Social Security Administration of administering the prerequisites described in paragraph (2).
(B) Fees collected under subparagraph (A) shall be credited to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, or deposited as miscellaneous receipts in the general fund of the Treasury, based on such allocations as the Commissioner determines appropriate.
(C) The fees authorized under this paragraph shall be collected and available for obligation only to the extent and in the amount provided in advance in appropriations Acts. Amounts so appropriated are authorized to remain available until expended for administering the prerequisites described in paragraph (2).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §206,
References in Text
Section 301 of the Social Security Protection Act of 2003, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(A), probably means section 301 of the Social Security Protection Act of 2004,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (e).
2004—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A).
1999—Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (d).
1994—Subsec. (a)(1), (2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3)(B), (4), (5).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (c).
1990—Subsec. (a).
1989—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
1984—
1968—Subsec. (a).
1965—
1958—
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, substituted "Administrator" for "Board" and "Administrator's" for "Board's".
1939—Act Aug. 10, 1939, substituted the provisions of this section for former provisions relating to overpayments during life, now covered by
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
"(1) December 31, 1999, or
"(2) the last day of the first month beginning after the month in which this Act is enacted [Dec. 1999]."
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Amendment by section 321(f)(3)(B)(i), (4) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 10307(a)(3) of
Section 10307(b)(3) of
Effective Date of 1939 Amendment
Section 201 of act Aug. 10, 1939, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Jan. 1, 1940.
Nationwide Demonstration Project Providing for Extension of Fee Withholding Procedures to Non-Attorney Representatives
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) The representative has been awarded a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education, or has been determined by the Commissioner to have equivalent qualifications derived from training and work experience.
"(2) The representative has passed an examination, written and administered by the Commissioner, which tests knowledge of the relevant provisions of the Social Security Act [this chapter] and the most recent developments in agency and court decisions affecting titles II and XVI of such Act [subchapters II and XVI of this chapter].
"(3) The representative has secured professional liability insurance, or equivalent insurance, which the Commissioner has determined to be adequate to protect claimants in the event of malpractice by the representative.
"(4) The representative has undergone a criminal background check to ensure the representative's fitness to practice before the Commissioner.
"(5) The representative demonstrates ongoing completion of qualified courses of continuing education, including education regarding ethics and professional conduct, which are designed to enhance professional knowledge in matters related to entitlement to, or eligibility for, benefits based on disability under titles II and XVI of such Act. Such continuing education, and the instructors providing such education, shall meet such standards as the Commissioner may prescribe.
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(d)
"(e)
"(1)
"(2)
GAO Study Regarding the Fee Payment Process for Claimant Representatives
GAO Study and Report
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. Probably should be "non-attorney".
§407. Assignment of benefits
(a) In general
The right of any person to any future payment under this subchapter shall not be transferable or assignable, at law or in equity, and none of the moneys paid or payable or rights existing under this subchapter shall be subject to execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process, or to the operation of any bankruptcy or insolvency law.
(b) Amendment of section
No other provision of law, enacted before, on, or after April 20, 1983, may be construed to limit, supersede, or otherwise modify the provisions of this section except to the extent that it does so by express reference to this section.
(c) Withholding of taxes
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit withholding taxes from any benefit under this subchapter, if such withholding is done pursuant to a request made in accordance with section 3402(p)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by the person entitled to such benefit or such person's representative payee.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §207,
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (c), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Codification
In subsec. (b), "April 20, 1983" substituted for "the date of the enactment of this section", which was translated as meaning the date of enactment of this subsection, as the probable intent of Congress.
Amendments
1998—Subsec. (c).
1983—
1939—Act Aug. 10, 1939, amended section generally, incorporating provisions of former
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Section 335(c) of
Effective Date of 1939 Amendment
Section 201 of act Aug. 10, 1939, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Jan. 1, 1940.
§408. Penalties
(a) In general
Whoever—
(1) for the purpose of causing an increase in any payment authorized to be made under this subchapter, or for the purpose of causing any payment to be made where no payment is authorized under this subchapter, shall make or cause to be made any false statement or representation (including any false statement or representation in connection with any matter arising under subchapter E of
(A) whether wages were paid or received for employment (as said terms are defined in this subchapter and the Internal Revenue Code), or the amount of wages or the period during which paid or the person to whom paid; or
(B) whether net earnings from self-employment (as such term is defined in this subchapter and in the Internal Revenue Code) were derived, or as to the amount of such net earnings or the period during which or the person by whom derived; or
(C) whether a person entitled to benefits under this subchapter had earnings in or for a particular period (as determined under
(2) makes or causes to be made any false statement or representation of a material fact in any application for any payment or for a disability determination under this subchapter; or
(3) at any time makes or causes to be made any false statement or representation of a material fact for use in determining rights to payment under this subchapter; or
(4) having knowledge of the occurrence of any event affecting (1) his initial or continued right to any payment under this subchapter, or (2) the initial or continued right to any payment of any other individual in whose behalf he has applied for or is receiving such payment, conceals or fails to disclose such event with an intent fraudulently to secure payment either in a greater amount than is due or when no payment is authorized; or
(5) having made application to receive payment under this subchapter for the use and benefit of another and having received such a payment, knowingly and willfully converts such a payment, or any part thereof, to a use other than for the use and benefit of such other person; or
(6) willfully, knowingly, and with intent to deceive the Commissioner of Social Security as to his true identity (or the true identity of any other person) furnishes or causes to be furnished false information to the Commissioner of Social Security with respect to any information required by the Commissioner of Social Security in connection with the establishment and maintenance of the records provided for in
(7) for the purpose of causing an increase in any payment authorized under this subchapter (or any other program financed in whole or in part from Federal funds), or for the purpose of causing a payment under this subchapter (or any such other program) to be made when no payment is authorized thereunder, or for the purpose of obtaining (for himself or any other person) any payment or any other benefit to which he (or such other person) is not entitled, or for the purpose of obtaining anything of value from any person, or for any other purpose—
(A) willfully, knowingly, and with intent to deceive, uses a social security account number, assigned by the Commissioner of Social Security (in the exercise of the Commissioner's authority under
(B) with intent to deceive, falsely represents a number to be the social security account number assigned by the Commissioner of Social Security to him or to another person, when in fact such number is not the social security account number assigned by the Commissioner of Social Security to him or to such other person; or
(C) knowingly alters a social security card issued by the Commissioner of Social Security, buys or sells a card that is, or purports to be, a card so issued, counterfeits a social security card, or possesses a social security card or counterfeit social security card with intent to sell or alter it; or
(8) discloses, uses, or compels the disclosure of the social security number of any person in violation of the laws of the United States;
shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both.
(b) Restitution
(1) Any Federal court, when sentencing a defendant convicted of an offense under subsection (a) of this section, may order, in addition to or in lieu of any other penalty authorized by law, that the defendant make restitution to the victims of such offense specified in paragraph (4).
(2)
(3) If the court does not order restitution, or orders only partial restitution, under this subsection, the court shall state on the record the reasons therefor.
(4) For purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), the victims of an offense under subsection (a) of this section are the following:
(A) Any individual who suffers a financial loss as a result of the defendant's violation of subsection (a) of this section.
(B) The Commissioner of Social Security, to the extent that the defendant's violation of subsection (a) of this section results in—
(i) the Commissioner of Social Security making a benefit payment that should not have been made; or
(ii) an individual suffering a financial loss due to the defendant's violation of subsection (a) of this section in his or her capacity as the individual's representative payee appointed pursuant to
(5)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), funds paid to the Commissioner of Social Security as restitution pursuant to a court order shall be deposited in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, or the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, as appropriate.
(B) In the case of funds paid to the Commissioner of Social Security pursuant to paragraph (4)(B)(ii), the Commissioner of Social Security shall certify for payment to the individual described in such paragraph an amount equal to the lesser of the amount of the funds so paid or the individual's outstanding financial loss, except that such amount may be reduced by the amount of any overpayments of benefits owed under this subchapter, subchapter VIII of this chapter, or subchapter XVI of this chapter by the individual.
(c) Violations by certified payees
Any person or other entity who is convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of this section, if such violation is committed by such person or entity in his role as, or in applying to become, a certified payee under
(d) Effect upon certification as payee; definitions
Any individual or entity convicted of a felony under this section or under section 1383a(b) 1 of this title may not be certified as a payee under
(e) Application of subsection (a)(6) and (7) to certain aliens
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), an alien—
(A) whose status is adjusted to that of lawful temporary resident under
(B) whose status is adjusted to that of permanent resident—
(i) under section 202 of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, or
(ii) pursuant to
(C) who is granted special immigrant status under
shall not be subject to prosecution for any alleged conduct described in paragraph (6) or (7) of subsection (a) of this section if such conduct is alleged to have occurred prior to 60 days after November 5, 1990.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to conduct (described in subsection (a)(7)(C) of this section) consisting of—
(A) selling a card that is, or purports to be, a social security card issued by the Commissioner of Social Security,
(B) possessing a social security card with intent to sell it, or
(C) counterfeiting a social security card with intent to sell it.
(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to any criminal conduct involving both the conduct described in subsection (a)(7) of this section to which paragraph (1) applies and any other criminal conduct if such other conduct would be criminal conduct if the conduct described in subsection (a)(7) of this section were not committed.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §208,
References in Text
Subchapter E of
For provision deeming a reference in other laws to a provision of the 1939 Code as a reference to the corresponding provisions of the 1986 Code, see section 7852(b) of the 1986 Code. For table of comparisons of the 1939 Code to the 1986 Code, see table preceding
Chapters 2 and 21 and subtitle F of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), were redesignated chapters 2 and 21 and subtitle F of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and are classified to sections 1401 et seq., 3101 et seq., and 6001 et seq., respectively, of Title 26.
Section 902 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(A), is section 902 of
Section 202 of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(B)(i), is section 202 of
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsecs. (d), (e).
2000—Subsec. (a)(8) to (10).
"(9) except as provided in
"(10) obtains any individual's social security number, or any identifiable derivative of such number, for purposes of locating or identifying an individual with the intent to physically injure, harm, or use the identity of the individual for illegal purposes;".
1994—Subsec. (a)(6), (7).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A).
1990—
1988—
1984—
Subsecs. (f) to (h).
1981—
1976—Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
1972—Subsecs. (f), (g).
1960—Subsec. (a)(3).
1958—
1954—Act Sept. 1, 1954, made it clear that the penalty provisions of the section extend to cases of false statements or representations as to the amount of net earnings from self-employment derived or the period during which derived.
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, substituted "subchapter E of
1939—Act Aug. 10, 1939, amended section generally, incorporating provisions of
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 5130(a)(1) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 4(c) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 130(b) of
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1939 Amendment
Section 201 of act Aug. 10, 1939, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Jan. 1, 1940.
1 See References in Text note below.
§409. "Wages" defined
(a) In general
For the purposes of this subchapter, the term "wages" means remuneration paid prior to 1951 which was wages for the purposes of this subchapter under the law applicable to the payment of such remuneration, and remuneration paid after 1950 for employment, including the cash value of all remuneration (including benefits) paid in any medium other than cash; except that, in the case of remuneration paid after 1950, such term shall not include—
(1)(A) That part of remuneration which, after remuneration (other than remuneration referred to in the succeeding subsections of this section) equal to $3,600 with respect to employment has been paid to an individual during any calendar year prior to 1955, is paid to such individual during such calendar year;
(B) That part of remuneration which, after remuneration (other than remuneration referred to in the succeeding subsections of this section) equal to $4,200 with respect to employment has been paid to an individual during any calendar year after 1954 and prior to 1959, is paid to such individual during such calendar year;
(C) That part of remuneration which, after remuneration (other than remuneration referred to in the succeeding subsections of this section) equal to $4,800 with respect to employment has been paid to an individual during any calendar year after 1958 and prior to 1966, is paid to such individual during such calendar year;
(D) That part of remuneration which, after remuneration (other than remuneration referred to in the succeeding subsections of this section) equal to $6,600 with respect to employment has been paid to an individual during any calendar year after 1965 and prior to 1968, is paid to such individual during such calendar year;
(E) That part of remuneration which, after remuneration (other than remuneration referred to in the succeeding subsections of this section) equal to $7,800 with respect to employment has been paid to an individual during any calendar year after 1967 and prior to 1972, is paid to such individual during such calendar year;
(F) That part of remuneration which, after remuneration (other than remuneration referred to in the succeeding subsections of this section) equal to $9,000 with respect to employment has been paid to an individual during any calendar year after 1971 and prior to 1973, is paid to such individual during any such calendar year;
(G) That part of remuneration which, after remuneration (other than remuneration referred to in the succeeding subsections of this section) equal to $10,800 with respect to employment has been paid to an individual during any calendar year after 1972 and prior to 1974, is paid to such individual during such calendar year;
(H) That part of remuneration which, after remuneration (other than remuneration referred to in the succeeding subsections of this section) equal to $13,200 with respect to employment has been paid to an individual during any calendar year after 1973 and prior to 1975, is paid to such individual during such calendar year;
(I) That part of remuneration which, after remuneration (other than remuneration referred to in the succeeding subsections of this section) equal to the contribution and benefit base (determined under
(2) The amount of any payment (including any amount paid by an employer for insurance or annuities, or into a fund, to provide for any such payment) made to, or on behalf of, an employee or any of his dependents under a plan or system established by an employer which makes provision for his employees generally (or for his employees generally and their dependents) or for a class or classes of his employees (or for a class or classes of his employees and their dependents), on account of (A) sickness or accident disability (but, in the case of payments made to an employee or any of his dependents, this clause shall exclude from the term "wages" only payments which are received under a workmen's compensation law), or (B) medical or hospitalization expenses in connection with sickness or accident disability, or (C) death, except that this subsection does not apply to a payment for group-term life insurance to the extent that such payment is includible in the gross income of the employee under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(3) Any payment on account of sickness or accident disability, or medical or hospitalization expenses in connection with sickness or accident disability, made by an employer to, or on behalf of, an employee after the expiration of six calendar months following the last calendar month in which the employee worked for such employer;
(4) Any payment made to, or on behalf of, an employee or his beneficiary (A) from or to a trust exempt from tax under section 165(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939 at the time of such payment or, in the case of a payment after 1954, under sections 401 and 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, unless such payment is made to an employee of the trust as remuneration for services rendered as such employee and not as a beneficiary of the trust, or (B) under or to an annuity plan which, at the time of such payment, meets the requirements of section 165(a)(3), (4), (5), and (6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939 or, in the case of a payment after 1954 and prior to 1963, the requirements of section 401(a)(3), (4), (5), and (6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or (C) under or to an annuity plan which, at the time of any such payment after 1962, is a plan described in section 403(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or (D) under or to a bond purchase plan which, at the time of any such payment after 1962, is a qualified bond purchase plan described in section 405(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (as in effect before July 18, 1984), or (E) under or to an annuity contract described in section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, other than a payment for the purchase of such contract which is made by reason of a salary reduction agreement (whether evidenced by a written instrument or otherwise), or (F) under or to an exempt governmental deferred compensation plan (as defined in section 3121(v)(3) of such Code), or (G) to supplement pension benefits under a plan or trust described in any of the foregoing provisions of this subsection to take into account some portion or all of the increase in the cost of living (as determined by the Secretary of Labor) since retirement but only if such supplemental payments are under a plan which is treated as a welfare plan under section 3(2)(B)(ii) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [
(5) The payment by an employer (without deduction from the remuneration of the employee)—
(A) of the tax imposed upon an employee under section 3101 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or
(B) of any payment required from an employee under a State unemployment compensation law,
with respect to remuneration paid to an employee for domestic service in a private home of the employer or for agricultural labor;
(6)(A) Remuneration paid in any medium other than cash to an employee for service not in the course of the employer's trade or business or for domestic service in a private home of the employer;
(B) Cash remuneration paid by an employer in any calendar year to an employee for domestic service in a private home of the employer (including domestic service on a farm operated for profit), if the cash remuneration paid in such year by the employer to the employee for such service is less than the applicable dollar threshold (as defined in section 3121(x) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) for such year;
(C) Cash remuneration paid by an employer in any calendar year to an employee for service not in the course of the employer's trade or business, if the cash remuneration paid in such year by the employer to the employee for such service is less than $100. As used in this paragraph, the term "service not in the course of the employer's trade or business" does not include domestic service in a private home of the employer and does not include service described in
(7)(A) Remuneration paid in any medium other than cash for agricultural labor;
(B) Cash remuneration paid by an employer in any calendar year to an employee for agricultural labor unless—
(i) the cash remuneration paid in such year by the employer to the employee for such labor is $150 or more, or
(ii) the employer's expenditures for agricultural labor in such year equal or exceed $2,500,
except that clause (ii) shall not apply in determining whether remuneration paid to an employee constitutes "wages" under this section if such employee (I) is employed as a hand harvest laborer and is paid on a piece rate basis in an operation which has been, and is customarily and generally recognized as having been, paid on a piece rate basis in the region of employment, (II) commutes daily from his permanent residence to the farm on which he is so employed, and (III) has been employed in agriculture less than 13 weeks during the preceding calendar year;
(8) Remuneration paid by an employer in any year to an employee for service described in
(9) Remuneration paid to or on behalf of an employee if (and to the extent that) at the time of the payment of such remuneration it is reasonable to believe that a corresponding deduction is allowable under section 217 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (determined without regard to section 274(n) of such Code);
(10)(A) Tips paid in any medium other than cash;
(B) Cash tips received by an employee in any calendar month in the course of his employment by an employer unless the amount of such cash tips is $20 or more;
(11) Any payment or series of payments by an employer to an employee or any of his dependents which is paid—
(A) upon or after the termination of an employee's employment relationship because of (A) 1 death, or (B) 1 retirement for disability, and
(B) under a plan established by the employer which makes provision for his employees generally or a class or classes of his employees (or for such employees or class or classes of employees and their dependents),
other than any such payment or series of payments which would have been paid if the employee's employment relationship had not been so terminated;
(12) Any payment made by an employer to a survivor or the estate of a former employee after the calendar year in which such employee died;
(13) Any payment made by an employer to an employee, if at the time such payment is made such employee is entitled to disability insurance benefits under
(14)(A) Remuneration paid by an organization exempt from income tax under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 in any calendar year to an employee for service rendered in the employ of such organization, if the remuneration paid in such year by the organization to the employee for such service is less than $100;
(B) Any contribution, payment, or service, provided by an employer which may be excluded from the gross income of an employee, his spouse, or his dependents, under the provisions of section 120 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to amounts received under qualified group legal services plans);
(15) Any payment made, or benefit furnished, to or for the benefit of an employee if at the time of such payment or such furnishing it is reasonable to believe that the employee will be able to exclude such payment or benefit from income under section 127 or 129 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(16) The value of any meals or lodging furnished by or on behalf of the employer if at the time of such furnishing it is reasonable to believe that the employee will be able to exclude such items from income under section 119 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(17) Any benefit provided to or on behalf of an employee if at the time such benefit is provided it is reasonable to believe that the employee will be able to exclude such benefit from income under section 74(c), 108(f)(4), 117, or 132 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(18) Remuneration consisting of income excluded from taxation under section 7873 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to income derived by Indians from exercise of fishing rights);
(19) Remuneration on account of—
(A) a transfer of a share of stock to any individual pursuant to an exercise of an incentive stock option (as defined in section 422(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) or under an employee stock purchase plan (as defined in section 423(b) of such Code), or
(B) any disposition by the individual of such stock; or
(20) Any benefit or payment which is excludable from the gross income of the employee under section 139B(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).2
(b) Regulations providing exclusions from term
Nothing in the regulations prescribed for purposes of
(c) Individuals performing domestic services
For purposes of this subchapter, in the case of domestic service described in subsection (a)(6)(B) of this section, any payment of cash remuneration for such service which is more or less than a whole-dollar amount shall, under such conditions and to such extent as may be prescribed by regulations made under this subchapter, be computed to the nearest dollar. For the purpose of the computation to the nearest dollar, the payment of a fractional part of a dollar shall be disregarded unless it amounts to one-half dollar or more, in which case it shall be increased to $1. The amount of any payment of cash remuneration so computed to the nearest dollar shall, in lieu of the amount actually paid, be deemed to constitute the amount of cash remuneration for purposes of subsection (a)(6)(B) of this section.
(d) Members of uniformed services
For purposes of this subchapter, in the case of an individual performing service, as a member of a uniformed service, to which the provisions of
(e) Peace Corps volunteers
For purposes of this subchapter, in the case of an individual performing service, as a volunteer or volunteer leader within the meaning of the Peace Corps Act [
(f) Tips
For purposes of this subchapter, tips received by an employee in the course of his employment shall be considered remuneration for employment. Such remuneration shall be deemed to be paid at the time a written statement including such tips is furnished to the employer pursuant to section 6053(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or (if no statement including such tips is so furnished) at the time received.
(g) Members of religious orders
For purposes of this subchapter, in any case where an individual is a member of a religious order (as defined in section 3121(r)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) performing service in the exercise of duties required by such order, and an election of coverage under section 3121(r) of such Code is in effect with respect to such order or with respect to the autonomous subdivision thereof to which such member belongs, the term "wages" shall, subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, include as such individual's remuneration for such service the fair market value of any board, lodging, clothing, and other perquisites furnished to such member by such order or subdivision thereof or by any other person or organization pursuant to an agreement with such order or subdivision, except that the amount included as such individual's remuneration under this paragraph shall not be less than $100 a month.
(h) Retired justices and judges
For purposes of this subchapter, in the case of an individual performing service under the provisions of
(i) Employer contributions under sections 401(k) and 414(h)(2) of Internal Revenue Code
Nothing in any of the foregoing provisions of this section (other than subsection (a) of this section) shall exclude from the term "wages"—
(1) Any employer contribution under a qualified cash or deferred arrangement (as defined in section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) to the extent not included in gross income by reason of section 402(a)(8) of such Code, or
(2) Any amount which is treated as an employer contribution under section 414(h)(2) of such Code where the pickup referred to in such section is pursuant to a salary reduction agreement (whether evidenced by a written instrument or otherwise).
(j) Amounts deferred under nonqualified deferred compensation plans
Any amount deferred under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan (within the meaning of section 3121(v)(2)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) shall be taken into account for purposes of this subchapter as of the later of when the services are performed, or when there is no substantial risk of forfeiture of the rights to such amount. Any amount taken into account as wages by reason of the preceding sentence (and the income attributable thereto) shall not thereafter be treated as wages for purposes of this subchapter.
(k) "National average wage index" and "deferred compensation amount" defined
(1) For purposes of sections 403(f)(8)(B)(ii), 413(d)(2)(B), 415(a)(1)(B)(ii), 415(a)(1)(C)(ii), 415(a)(1)(D), 415(b)(3)(A)(ii), 415(i)(1)(E), 415(i)(2)(C)(ii), 424a(f)(2)(B), and 430(b)(2) (and 430(b)(2) of this title as in effect immediately prior to the enactment of the Social Security Amendments of 1977), the term 'national average wage index' for any particular calendar year means, subject to regulations of the Commissioner of Social Security under paragraph (2), the average of the total wages for such particular calendar year.
(2) The Commissioner of Social Security shall prescribe regulations under which the national average wage index for any calendar year shall be computed—
(A) on the basis of amounts reported to the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate for such year,
(B) by disregarding the limitation on wages specified in subsection (a)(1) of this section,
(C) with respect to calendar years after 1990, by incorporating deferred compensation amounts and factoring in for such years the rate of change from year to year in such amounts, in a manner consistent with the requirements of section 10208 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989, and
(D) with respect to calendar years before 1978, in a manner consistent with the manner in which the average of the total wages for each of such calendar years was determined as provided by applicable law as in effect for such years.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term "deferred compensation amount" means—
(A) any amount excluded from gross income under
(B) any amount with respect to which a deduction is allowable under
(C) to the extent provided in regulations of the Commissioner of Social Security, deferred compensation provided under any arrangement, agreement, or plan referred to in subsection (i) or (j) of this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §209,
References in Text
Section 165 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939, referred to in subsec. (a)(4)(A), (B), was a part of
Section 405(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, referred to in subsec. (a)(4)(D), was repealed by
For provision deeming a reference in other laws to a provision of the 1939 Code as a reference to the corresponding provisions of the 1986 Code, see section 7852(b) of the 1986 Code. For table of comparisons of the 1939 Code to the 1986 Code, see table preceding
Internal Revenue Code of 1954, referred to in text, redesignated Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in text, is classified to Title 26.
The Peace Corps Act, referred to in subsec. (e), is
The enactment of the Social Security Amendments of 1977, referred to in subsec. (k)(1), means the enactment of
Section 10208 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989, referred to in subsec. (k)(2)(C), is section 10208 of
Section 402 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (k)(3)(A), was amended by
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (a)(20).
2004—Subsec. (a)(6)(B).
Subsec. (a)(17).
Subsec. (a)(19).
1996—Subsec. (a)(4)(J).
Subsec. (a)(4)(K).
1994—Subsec. (a)(4)(A).
Subsec. (a)(4)(C), (E), (5)(A).
Subsec. (a)(6)(B).
Subsecs. (a)(14)(A), (B), (15) to (17), (b), (f), (g), (i)(1), (j).
Subsec. (k).
1990—Subsec. (a)(7)(B).
1989—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsecs. (e) to (h).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k).
1988—
Subsec. (e)(8).
Subsec. (e)(9).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (t).
1987—
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (h)(2)(B).
1986—Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (s).
1984—
Subsec. (a)(5) to (9).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(7).
Subsecs. (f), (k) to (p).
Subsec. (p).
Subsecs. (q), (r).
Subsec. (s).
1983—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (e)(5) to (7).
Subsec. (e)(8).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (m)(1)(C).
Subsec. (r).
1981—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (q).
1980—Subsec. (f).
1978—Subsec. (p).
Subsec. (q).
1977—Subsecs. (g)(3), (j).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (p).
1973—Subsec. (a)(8).
1972—Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (a)(7) to (9).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (o).
1971—Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(6).
1968—Subsec. (a)(4), (5).
Subsec. (m).
1965—Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (l).
1964—Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (k).
1961—Subsec. (i).
1960—Subsec. (j).
1958—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (i).
1956—Subsec. (h)(2). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, included within definition of "wages" cash remuneration of $150 or more, and cash remuneration computed on a time basis where the employee performs agricultural labor for the employer on 20 days or more during the calendar year.
Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 837, added penultimate par. to define "wages" in the case of an individual performing service, as a member of a uniformed service, to which the provisions of
1954—Subsec. (a). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §104(a), provided that for years after 1954 "wages" would exclude any remuneration in excess of $4,200 paid to an individual with respect to employment during a calendar year.
Subsec. (g)(2). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(a)(1), made coverage of domestic service depend solely on receipt by the employee, in a quarter, of $50 in cash remuneration from one employer for such service.
Subsec. (g)(3). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(a)(2), added par. (3).
Subsec. (h). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(a)(3), redesignated subsection as cl. (1) and added cl. (2).
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, amended section generally.
1948—Subsec. (b)(15). Act Apr. 20, 1948, inserted subpar. (B).
1946—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 10, 1946, §414, in amending subsec. (a), made pars. (1) and (2) applicable only to payments before Jan. 1, 1947, added a new par. (3), applicable to payments after that date, and renumbered former pars. (3) to (6) to be pars. (4) to (7), respectively.
Subsec. (h). Act Aug. 10, 1946, §407(a), in amending subsec. (h), required a currently insured individual to have not less than six quarters of coverage during the period consisting of the quarter in which he died and the twelve preceding quarters.
Subsec. (i). Act Aug. 10, 1946, §408(a), in amending subsec. (i), required only that a wife be married to the insured individual for 36 months instead of requiring that they be married before Jan. 1, 1939, or before he became 60 years of age, as was formerly the case.
Subsec. (k). Act Aug. 10, 1946, §409(a), in amending subsec. (k), changed requirement that a stepchild or adopted child must have been such before the individual reached age 60 to require, in the case of a living individual, that the child must have been a stepchild or adopted child for 36 months.
Subsec. (q). Act Aug. 10, 1946, §410, added subsec. (q).
Subsec. (r). Act Aug. 10, 1946, §411, added subsec. (r).
1945—Subsec. (b)(16). Act. Dec. 29, 1945, added par. (16).
Subsec. (p). Act Oct. 23, 1945, added subsec. (p).
1944—Subsec. (o)(1). Act Apr. 4, 1944, §2, inserted "but shall not include any such service performed (1) under a contract entered into without the United States and during the performance of which the vessel does not touch at a port in the United States, or (2) on a vessel documented under the laws of any foreign country and bareboat chartered to the War Shipping Administration".
1943—Subsec. (o). Act Mar. 24, 1943, added subsec. (o).
1939—Act Aug. 10, 1939, amended section generally.
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by section 251(a)(1)(B) of
Amendment by section 320(b)(5) of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by section 1421(b)(8)(B) of
Amendment by section 1458(b)(2) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendments
Amendment by section 10208(a) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by sections 1001(g)(4)(C), 1011(f)(8), and 1011B(a)(23)(B) of
Amendment by section 1011B(a)(22)(E) of
Amendment by section 3043(a) of
Amendment by section 8017(a) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by section 9001(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 9002(a) of
Amendment by section 9003(a)(1) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by section 122(e)(5) of
Amendment by section 1151(d)(2)(C) of
Section 12112(c) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 491(d)(39) of
Amendment by section 531(d)(1)(B) of
Amendment by section 2661(i) of
Amendment by section 2663(a)(6) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by section 101(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 324(c)(1)–(3) of
Amendment by section 327(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 327(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 328(b) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
For effective date of amendment by
Effective Date of 1978 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Section 351(d) of
Effective Date of 1973 Amendments
Section 5(e) of
Section 203(e) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendments
Amendment by section 104(g) of
Section 122(c) of
Section 138(c) of
Section 203(c) of
Effective Date of 1971 Amendment
Section 203(c) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Section 108(c) of
Amendment by section 504(c) of
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Amendment by section 313(a) of
Amendment by section 320(a)(1) of
Effective Date of 1964 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1961 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Section 2 of
Effective Date of 1956 Amendment
Amendment by act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 837, effective Jan. 1, 1957, see section 603(a) of act Aug. 1, 1956.
Section 105(d) of act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) of this section [amending this section] shall apply with respect to remuneration paid after 1956, and the amendment made by subsection (b) of this section [amending
Effective Date of 1954 Amendment
Amendment by section 101(a)(1)–(3) of act Sept. 1, 1954, applicable only with respect to remuneration paid after 1954, see section 101(m) of act Sept. 1, 1954, set out as a note under
Effective Date of 1950 Amendment
Section 104(b) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect January 1, 1951, except that sections 214, 215, and 216 of the Social Security Act [
Effective Date of 1948 Amendment
Section 1(b) of act Apr. 20, 1948, provided in part that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall be applicable with respect to services performed after the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 20, 1948]."
Effective Date of 1946 Amendment
Sections 407(b), 408(b), and 409(b) of act Aug. 10, 1946, each provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) of this section [amending this section] shall be applicable only in cases of applications for benefits under this title [this subchapter] filed after December 31, 1946."
Effective Date of 1945 Amendment
Section 5(a) of act Dec. 29, 1945, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Jan. 1, 1946.
Effective Date of 1939 Amendment
Section 201 of act Aug. 10, 1939, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Jan. 1, 1940.
Repeals: Amendments and Application of Amendments Unaffected
Section 202(b)(2) of
Exclusion From Wages and Compensation of Refunds Required From Employers To Compensate for Duplication of Medicare Benefits by Health Care Benefits Provided by Employers
For purposes of this subchapter, the term "wages" shall not include the amount of any refund required under section 421 of
Nonenforcement of Amendment Made by Section 1151 of Pub. L. 99–514 ; Monies Appropriated for Fiscal Year 1990 Not To Be Used for Enforcement or Implementation of Amendment
No monies appropriated by
Social Security Coverage of Retired Federal Judges on Active Duty
Notwithstanding section 101(d) of
Payments Under State Temporary Disability Law To Be Treated as Remuneration for Service
For purposes of applying this section with respect to the parenthetical matter contained in subsec. (b)(2) of this section, payments under a State temporary disability law to be treated as remuneration for service, see section 3(e) of
Services for Cooperatives Prior to 1951
Section 110 of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that: "In any case in which—
"(1) an individual has been employed at any time prior to 1951 by organizations enumerated in the first sentence of section 101(12) of the Internal Revenue Code [1939].
"(2) the service performed by such individual during the time he was so employed constituted agricultural labor as defined in section 209(l) of the Social Security Act [former subsec. (l) of this section] and section 1426(h) of the Internal Revenue Code [1939], as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act [Aug. 28, 1950], and such service would, but for the provisions of such sections, have constituted employment for the purposes of title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] and subchapter A of
"(3) the taxes imposed by sections 1400 and 1410 of the Internal Revenue Code [1939] have been paid with respect to any part of the remuneration paid to such individual by such organization for such service and the payment of such taxes by such organization has been made in good faith upon the assumption that such service did not constitute agricultural labor as so defined, and
"(4) no refund of such taxes has been obtained,
the amount of such remuneration with respect to which such taxes have been paid shall be deemed to constitute remuneration for employment as defined in section 209(b) of the Social Security Act [former subsec. (b) of this section] as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act [Aug. 28, 1950] (but it shall not constitute wages for purposes of deductions under section 203 of such Act [
Refunds or Credits for Overpayments
Section 3 of act Apr. 20, 1948, provided that: "If any amount paid prior to the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 20, 1948] constitutes an overpayment of tax solely by reason of an amendment made by this Act [amending this section], no refund or credit shall be made or allowed with respect to the amount of such overpayment."
1 So in original. Probably should be designated cls. (i) and (ii), respectively.
2 So in original. The closing parenthesis probably should not appear.
3 See References in Text note below.
§410. Definitions relating to employment
For the purposes of this subchapter—
(a) Employment
The term "employment" means any service performed after 1936 and prior to 1951 which was employment for the purposes of this subchapter under the law applicable to the period in which such service was performed, and any service, of whatever nature, performed after 1950 (A) by an employee for the person employing him, irrespective of the citizenship or residence of either, (i) within the United States, or (ii) on or in connection with an American vessel or American aircraft under a contract of service which is entered into within the United States or during the performance of which and while the employee is employed on the vessel or aircraft it touches at a port in the United States, if the employee is employed on and in connection with such vessel or aircraft when outside the United States, or (B) outside the United States by a citizen or resident of the United States as an employee (i) of an American employer (as defined in subsection (e) of this section), or (ii) of a foreign affiliate (as defined in section 3121(l)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) of an American employer during any period for which there is in effect an agreement, entered into pursuant to section 3121(l) of such Code, with respect to such affiliate, or (C) if it is service, regardless of where or by whom performed, which is designated as employment or recognized as equivalent to employment under an agreement entered into under
(1) Service performed by foreign agricultural workers lawfully admitted to the United States from the Bahamas, Jamaica, and the other British West Indies, or from any other foreign country or possession thereof, on a temporary basis to perform agricultural labor;
(2) Domestic service performed in a local college club, or local chapter of a college fraternity or sorority, by a student who is enrolled and is regularly attending classes at a school, college, or university;
(3)(A) Service performed by a child under the age of 18 in the employ of his father or mother;
(B) Service not in the course of the employer's trade or business, or domestic service in a private home of the employer, performed by an individual under the age of 21 in the employ of his father or mother, or performed by an individual in the employ of his spouse or son or daughter; except that the provisions of this subparagraph shall not be applicable to such domestic service performed by an individual in the employ of his son or daughter if—
(i) the employer is a surviving spouse or a divorced individual and has not remarried, or has a spouse living in the home who has a mental or physical condition which results in such spouse's being incapable of caring for a son, daughter, stepson, or stepdaughter (referred to in clause (ii)) for at least 4 continuous weeks in the calendar quarter in which the service is rendered, and
(ii) a son, daughter, stepson, or stepdaughter of such employer is living in the home, and
(iii) the son, daughter, stepson, or stepdaughter (referred to in clause (ii)) has not attained age 18 or has a mental or physical condition which requires the personal care and supervision of an adult for at least 4 continuous weeks in the calendar quarter in which the service is rendered;
(4) Service performed by an individual on or in connection with a vessel not an American vessel, or on or in connection with an aircraft not an American aircraft, if (A) the individual is employed on and in connection with such vessel or aircraft when outside the United States and (B)(i) such individual is not a citizen of the United States or (ii) the employer is not an American employer;
(5) Service performed in the employ of the United States or any instrumentality of the United States, if such service—
(A) would be excluded from the term "employment" for purposes of this subchapter if the provisions of paragraphs (5) and (6) of this subsection as in effect in January 1983 had remained in effect, and
(B) is performed by an individual who—
(i) has been continuously performing service described in subparagraph (A) since December 31, 1983, and for purposes of this clause—
(I) if an individual performing service described in subparagraph (A) returns to the performance of such service after being separated therefrom for a period of less than 366 consecutive days, regardless of whether the period began before, on, or after December 31, 1983, then such service shall be considered continuous,
(II) if an individual performing service described in subparagraph (A) returns to the performance of such service after being detailed or transferred to an international organization as described under section 3343 of subchapter III of
(III) if an individual performing service described in subparagraph (A) is reemployed or reinstated after being separated from such service for the purpose of accepting employment with the American Institute of Taiwan as provided under
(IV) if an individual performing service described in subparagraph (A) returns to the performance of such service after performing service as a member of a uniformed service (including, for purposes of this clause, service in the National Guard and temporary service in the Coast Guard Reserve) and after exercising restoration or reemployment rights as provided under
(V) if an individual performing service described in subparagraph (A) returns to the performance of such service after employment (by a tribal organization) to which
(ii) is receiving an annuity from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, or benefits (for service as an employee) under another retirement system established by a law of the United States for employees of the Federal Government (other than for members of the uniformed services);
except that this paragraph shall not apply with respect to any such service performed on or after any date on which such individual performs—
(C) service performed as the President or Vice President of the United States,
(D) service performed—
(i) in a position placed in the Executive Schedule under
(ii) as a noncareer appointee in the Senior Executive Service or a noncareer member of the Senior Foreign Service, or
(iii) in a position to which the individual is appointed by the President (or his designee) or the Vice President under section 105(a)(1), 106(a)(1), or 107(a)(1) or (b)(1) of title 3, if the maximum rate of basic pay for such position is at or above the rate for level V of the Executive Schedule,
(E) service performed as the Chief Justice of the United States, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a judge of a United States court of appeals, a judge of a United States district court (including the district court of a territory), a judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims, a judge of the United States Court of International Trade, a judge of the United States Tax Court, a United States magistrate judge, or a referee in bankruptcy or United States bankruptcy judge,
(F) service performed as a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner of or to the Congress,
(G) any other service in the legislative branch of the Federal Government if such service—
(i) is performed by an individual who was not subject to subchapter III of
(ii) is performed by an individual who has, at any time after December 31, 1983, received a lump-sum payment under
(iii) is performed by an individual after such individual has otherwise ceased to be subject to subchapter III of
and for purposes of this subparagraph (G) an individual is subject to such subchapter III or to any such other retirement system at any time only if (a) such individual's pay is subject to deductions, contributions, or similar payments (concurrent with the service being performed at that time) under section 8334(a) of such title 5 or the corresponding provision of the law establishing such other system, or (in a case to which section 8332(k)(1) of such title applies) such individual is making payments of amounts equivalent to such deductions, contributions, or similar payments while on leave without pay, or (b) such individual is receiving an annuity from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, or is receiving benefits (for service as an employee) under another retirement system established by a law of the United States for employees of the Federal Government (other than for members of the uniformed services), or
(H) service performed by an individual—
(i) on or after the effective date of an election by such individual, under section 301 of the Federal Employees' Retirement System Act of 1986,
(ii) on or after the effective date of an election by such individual, under regulations issued under section 860 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 [
(6) Service performed in the employ of the United States or any instrumentality of the United States if such service is performed—
(A) in a penal institution of the United States by an inmate thereof;
(B) by any individual as an employee included under
(C) by any individual as an employee serving on a temporary basis in case of fire, storm, earthquake, flood, or other similar emergency;
(7) Service performed in the employ of a State, or any political subdivision thereof, or any instrumentality of any one or more of the foregoing which is wholly owned thereby, except that this paragraph shall not apply in the case of—
(A) service included under an agreement under
(B) service which, under subsection (k) of this section, constitutes covered transportation service,
(C) service in the employ of the Government of Guam or the Government of American Samoa or any political subdivision thereof, or of any instrumentality of any one or more of the foregoing which is wholly owned thereby, performed by an officer or employee thereof (including a member of the legislature of any such Government or political subdivision), and, for purposes of this subchapter—
(i) any person whose service as such an officer or employee is not covered by a retirement system established by a law of the United States shall not, with respect to such service, be regarded as an officer or employee of the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof, and
(ii) the remuneration for service described in clause (i) (including fees paid to a public official) shall be deemed to have been paid by the Government of Guam or the Government of American Samoa or by a political subdivision thereof or an instrumentality of any one or more of the foregoing which is wholly owned thereby, whichever is appropriate,
(D) service performed in the employ of the District of Columbia or any instrumentality which is wholly owned thereby, if such service is not covered by a retirement system established by a law of the United States (other than the Federal Employees Retirement System provided in
(i) in a hospital or penal institution by a patient or inmate thereof;
(ii) by any individual as an employee included under
(iii) by any individual as an employee serving on a temporary basis in case of fire, storm, snow, earthquake, flood, or other similar emergency; or
(iv) by a member of a board, committee, or council of the District of Columbia, paid on a per diem, meeting, or other fee basis,
(E) service performed in the employ of the Government of Guam (or any instrumentality which is wholly owned by such Government) by an employee properly classified as a temporary or intermittent employee, if such service is not covered by a retirement system established by a law of Guam; except that (i) the provisions of this subparagraph shall not be applicable to services performed by an elected official or a member of the legislature or in a hospital or penal institution by a patient or inmate thereof, and (ii) for purposes of this subparagraph, clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (C) shall apply, or
(F) service in the employ of a State (other than the District of Columbia, Guam, or American Samoa), of any political subdivision thereof, or of any instrumentality of any one or more of the foregoing which is wholly owned thereby, by an individual who is not a member of a retirement system of such State, political subdivision, or instrumentality, except that the provisions of this subparagraph shall not be applicable to service performed—
(i) by an individual who is employed to relieve such individual from unemployment;
(ii) in a hospital, home, or other institution by a patient or inmate thereof;
(iii) by any individual as an employee serving on a temporary basis in case of fire, storm, snow, earthquake, flood, or other similar emergency;
(iv) by an election official or election worker if the remuneration paid in a calendar year for such service is less than $1,000 with respect to service performed during any calendar year commencing on or after January 1, 1995, ending on or before December 31, 1999, and the adjusted amount determined under
(v) by an employee in a position compensated solely on a fee basis which is treated pursuant to
for purposes of this subparagraph, except as provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, the term "retirement system" has the meaning given such term by
(8)(A) Service performed by a duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed minister of a church in the exercise of his ministry or by a member of a religious order in the exercise of duties required by such order, except that this subparagraph shall not apply to service performed by a member of such an order in the exercise of such duties, if an election of coverage under section 3121(r) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is in effect with respect to such order, or with respect to the autonomous subdivision thereof to which such member belongs;
(B) Service performed in the employ of a church or qualified church-controlled organization if such church or organization has in effect an election under section 3121(w) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, other than service in an unrelated trade or business (within the meaning of section 513(a) of such Code);
(9) Service performed by an individual as an employee or employee representative as defined in section 3231 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(10) Service performed in the employ of—
(A) a school, college, or university, or
(B) an organization described in section 509(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 if the organization is organized, and at all times thereafter is operated, exclusively for the benefit of, to perform the functions of, or to carry out the purposes of a school, college, or university and is operated, supervised, or controlled by or in connection with such school, college, or university, unless it is a school, college, or university of a State or a political subdivision thereof and the services in its employ performed by a student referred to in
if such service is performed by a student who is enrolled and regularly attending classes at such school, college, or university;
(11) Service performed in the employ of a foreign government (including service as a consular or other officer or employee or a nondiplomatic representative);
(12) Service performed in the employ of an instrumentality wholly owned by a foreign government—
(A) If the service is of a character similar to that performed in foreign countries by employees of the United States Government or of an instrumentality thereof; and
(B) If the Secretary of State shall certify to the Secretary of the Treasury that the foreign government, with respect to whose instrumentality and employees thereof exemption is claimed, grants an equivalent exemption with respect to similar service performed in the foreign country by employees of the United States Government and of instrumentalities thereof;
(13) Service performed as a student nurse in the employ of a hospital or a nurses' training school by an individual who is enrolled and is regularly attending classes in a nurses' training school chartered or approved pursuant to State law;
(14)(A) Service performed by an individual under the age of eighteen in the delivery or distribution of newspapers or shopping news, not including delivery or distribution to any point for subsequent delivery or distribution;
(B) Service performed by an individual in, and at the time of, the sale of newspapers or magazines to ultimate consumers, under an arrangement under which the newspapers or magazines are to be sold by him at a fixed price, his compensation being based on the retention of the excess of such price over the amount at which the newspapers or magazines are charged to him, whether or not he is guaranteed a minimum amount of compensation for such service, or is entitled to be credited with the unsold newspapers or magazines turned back;
(15) Service performed in the employ of an international organization entitled to enjoy privileges, exemptions, and immunities as an international organization under the International Organizations Immunities Act (
(16) Service performed by an individual under an arrangement with the owner or tenant of land pursuant to which—
(A) such individual undertakes to produce agricultural or horticultural commodities (including livestock, bees, poultry, and fur-bearing animals and wildlife) on such land,
(B) the agricultural or horticultural commodities produced by such individual, or the proceeds therefrom, are to be divided between such individual and such owner or tenant, and
(C) the amount of such individual's share depends on the amount of the agricultural or horticultural commodities produced;
(17) Service in the employ of any organization which is performed (A) in any year during any part of which such organization is registered, or there is in effect a final order of the Subversive Activities Control Board requiring such organization to register, under the Internal Security Act of 1950, as amended [
(18) Service performed in Guam by a resident of the Republic of the Philippines while in Guam on a temporary basis as a nonimmigrant alien admitted to Guam pursuant to
(19) Service which is performed by a nonresident alien individual for the period he is temporarily present in the United States as a nonimmigrant under subparagraph (F), (J), (M), or (Q) of
(20) Service (other than service described in paragraph (3)(A)) performed by an individual on a boat engaged in catching fish or other forms of aquatic animal life under an arrangement with the owner or operator of such boat pursuant to which—
(A) such individual does not receive any additional compensation other than as provided in subparagraph (B) and other than cash remuneration—
(i) which does not exceed $100 per trip;
(ii) which is contingent on a minimum catch; and
(iii) which is paid solely for additional duties (such as mate, engineer, or cook) for which additional cash remuneration is traditional in the industry,
(B) such individual receives a share of the boat's (or the boats' in the case of a fishing operation involving more than one boat) catch of fish or other forms of aquatic animal life or a share of the proceeds from the sale of such catch, and
(C) the amount of such individual's share depends on the amount of the boat's (or boats' in the case of a fishing operation involving more than one boat) catch of fish or other forms of aquatic animal life,
but only if the operating crew of such boat (or each boat from which the individual receives a share in the case of a fishing operation involving more than one boat) is normally made up of fewer than 10 individuals; or
(21) Domestic service in a private home of the employer which—
(A) is performed in any year by an individual under the age of 18 during any portion of such year; and
(B) is not the principal occupation of such employee.
For purposes of paragraph (20), the operating crew of a boat shall be treated as normally made up of fewer than 10 individuals if the average size of the operating crew on trips made during the preceding 4 calendar quarters consisted of fewer than 10 individuals.
(b) Included and excluded service
If the services performed during one-half or more of any pay period by an employee for the person employing him constitute employment, all the services of such employee for such period shall be deemed to be employment; but if the services performed during more than one-half of any such pay period by an employee for the person employing him do not constitute employment, then none of the services of such employee for such period shall be deemed to be employment. As used in this subsection, the term "pay period" means a period (of not more than thirty-one consecutive days) for which a payment of remuneration is ordinarily made to the employee by the person employing him. This subsection shall not be applicable with respect to services performed in a pay period by an employee for the person employing him, where any of such service is excepted by paragraph (9) of subsection (a) of this section.
(c) American vessel
The term "American vessel" means any vessel documented or numbered under the laws of the United States; and includes any vessel which is neither documented or numbered under the laws of the United States nor documented under the laws of any foreign country, if its crew is employed solely by one or more citizens or residents of the United States or corporations organized under the laws of the United States or of any State.
(d) American aircraft
The term "American aircraft" means an aircraft registered under the laws of the United States.
(e) American employer
(1) The term "American employer" means an employer which is (A) the United States or any instrumentality thereof, (B) a State or any political subdivision thereof, or any instrumentality of any one or more of the foregoing, (C) an individual who is a resident of the United States, (D) a partnership, if two-thirds or more of the partners are residents of the United States, (E) a trust, if all of the trustees are residents of the United States, or (F) a corporation organized under the laws of the United States or of any State.
(2)(A) If any employee of a foreign person is performing services in connection with a contract between the United States Government (or any instrumentality thereof) and any member of any domestically controlled group of entities which includes such foreign person, such foreign person shall be treated as an American employer with respect to such services performed by such employee.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph—
(i) The term "domestically controlled group of entities" means a controlled group of entities the common parent of which is a domestic corporation.
(ii) The term "controlled group of entities" means a controlled group of corporations as defined in section 1563(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, except that—
(I) "more than 50 percent" shall be substituted for "at least 80 percent" each place it appears therein, and
(II) the determination shall be made without regard to subsections (a)(4) and (b)(2) of section 1563 of such Code.
A partnership or any other entity (other than a corporation) shall be treated as a member of a controlled group of entities if such entity is controlled (within the meaning of section 954(d)(3) of such Code) by members of such group (including any entity treated as a member of such group by reason of this sentence).
(C) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any services to which paragraph (1) of section 3121(z) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 does not apply by reason of paragraph (4) of such section.
(f) Agricultural labor
The term "agricultural labor" includes all service performed—
(1) On a farm, in the employ of any person, in connection with cultivating the soil, or in connection with raising or harvesting any agricultural or horticultural commodity, including the raising, shearing, feeding, caring for, training, and management of livestock, bees, poultry, and fur-bearing animals and wildlife.
(2) In the employ of the owner or tenant or other operator of a farm, in connection with the operation, management, conservation, improvement, or maintenance of such farm and its tools and equipment, or in salvaging timber or clearing land of brush and other debris left by a hurricane, if the major part of such service is performed on a farm.
(3) In connection with the production or harvesting of any commodity defined as an agricultural commodity in section 1141j(g) 2 of title 12, or in connection with the ginning of cotton, or in connection with the operation or maintenance of ditches, canals, reservoirs, or waterways, not owned or operated for profit, used exclusively for supplying and storing water for farming purposes.
(4)(A) In the employ of the operator of a farm in handling, planting, drying, packing, packaging, processing, freezing, grading, storing, or delivering to storage or to market or to a carrier for transportation to market, in its unmanufactured state, any agricultural or horticultural commodity; but only if such operator produced more than one-half of the commodity with respect to which such service is performed.
(B) In the employ of a group of operators of farms (other than a cooperative organization) in the performance of service described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, but only if such operators produced all of the commodity with respect to which such service is performed. For the purposes of this subparagraph, any unincorporated group of operators shall be deemed a cooperative organization if the number of operators comprising such group is more than twenty at any time during the calendar year in which such service is performed.
(5) On a farm operated for profit if such service is not in the course of the employer's trade or business.
The provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (4) of this subsection shall not be deemed to be applicable with respect to service performed in connection with commercial canning or commercial freezing or in connection with any agricultural or horticultural commodity after its delivery to a terminal market for distribution for consumption.
(g) Farm
The term "farm" includes stock, dairy, poultry, fruit, fur-bearing animal, and truck farms, plantations, ranches, nurseries, ranges, greenhouses or other similar structures used primarily for the raising of agricultural or horticultural commodities, and orchards.
(h) State
The term "State" includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.
(i) United States
The term "United States" when used in a geographical sense means the States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.
(j) Employee
The term "employee" means—
(1) any officer of a corporation; or
(2) any individual who, under the usual common law rules applicable in determining the employer-employee relationship, has the status of an employee; or
(3) any individual (other than an individual who is an employee under paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection) who performs services for remuneration for any person—
(A) as an agent-driver or commission-driver engaged in distributing meat products, vegetable products, fruit products, bakery products, beverages (other than milk), or laundry or dry-cleaning services, for his principal;
(B) as a full-time life insurance salesman;
(C) as a home worker performing work, according to specifications furnished by the person for whom the services are performed, on materials or goods furnished by such person which are required to be returned to such person or a person designated by him; or
(D) as a traveling or city salesman, other than as an agent-driver or commission-driver, engaged upon a full-time basis in the solicitation on behalf of, and the transmission to, his principal (except for side-line sales activities on behalf of some other person) of orders from wholesalers, retailers, contractors, or operators of hotels, restaurants, or other similar establishments for merchandise for resale or supplies for use in their business operations;
if the contract of service contemplates that substantially all of such services are to be performed personally by such individual; except that an individual shall not be included in the term "employee" under the provisions of this paragraph if such individual has a substantial investment in facilities used in connection with the performance of such services (other than in facilities for transportation), or if the services are in the nature of a single transaction not part of a continuing relationship with the person for whom the services are performed.
(k) Covered transportation service
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, all service performed in the employ of a State or political subdivision in connection with its operation of a public transportation system shall constitute covered transportation service if any part of the transportation system was acquired from private ownership after 1936 and prior to 1951.
(2) Service performed in the employ of a State or political subdivision in connection with the operation of its public transportation system shall not constitute covered transportation service if—
(A) any part of the transportation system was acquired from private ownership after 1936 and prior to 1951, and substantially all service in connection with the operation of the transportation system is, on December 31, 1950, covered under a general retirement system providing benefits which, by reason of a provision of the State constitution dealing specifically with retirement systems of the State or political subdivisions thereof, cannot be diminished or impaired; or
(B) no part of the transportation system operated by the State or political subdivision on December 31, 1950, was acquired from private ownership after 1936 and prior to 1951;
except that if such State or political subdivision makes an acquisition after 1950 from private ownership of any part of its transportation system, then, in the case of any employee who—
(C) became an employee of such State or political subdivision in connection with and at the time of its acquisition after 1950 of such part, and
(D) prior to such acquisition rendered service in employment in connection with the operation of such part of the transportation system acquired by the State or political subdivision,
the service of such employee in connection with the operation of the transportation system shall constitute covered transportation service, commencing with the first day of the third calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which the acquisition of such part took place, unless on such first day such service of such employee is covered by a general retirement system which does not, with respect to such employee, contain special provisions applicable only to employees described in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.
(3) All service performed in the employ of a State or political subdivision thereof in connection with its operation of a public transportation system shall constitute covered transportation service if the transportation system was not operated by the State or political subdivision prior to 1951 and, at the time of its first acquisition (after 1950) from private ownership of any part of its transportation system, the State or political subdivision did not have a general retirement system covering substantially all service performed in connection with the operation of the transportation system.
(4) For the purposes of this subsection—
(A) The term "general retirement system" means any pension, annuity, retirement, or similar fund or system established by a State or by a political subdivision thereof for employees of the State, political subdivision, or both; but such term shall not include such a fund or system which covers only service performed in positions connected with the operation of its public transportation system.
(B) A transportation system or a part thereof shall be considered to have been acquired by a State or political subdivision from private ownership if prior to the acquisition service performed by employees in connection with the operation of the system or part thereof acquired constituted employment under this subchapter, and some of such employees became employees of the State or political subdivision in connection with and at the time of such acquisition.
(C) The term "political subdivision" includes an instrumentality of (i) a State, (ii) one or more political subdivisions of a State, or (iii) a State and one or more of its political subdivisions.
(l) Service in uniformed services
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (4), the term "employment" shall, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, include—
(A) service performed after December 1956 by an individual as a member of a uniformed service on active duty, but such term shall not include any such service which is performed while on leave without pay, and
(B) service performed after December 1987 by an individual as a member of a uniformed service on inactive duty training.
(2) The term "active duty" means "active duty" as described in paragraph (21) of
(3) The term "inactive duty training" means "inactive duty training" as described in paragraph (23) of such section 101.
(4)(A) Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply in the case of any service, performed by an individual as a member of a uniformed service, which is creditable under
(B) In any case where benefits under this subchapter are already payable on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income at the time such notification (with respect to such individual) is received by the Commissioner of Social Security, the Commissioner of Social Security shall certify no further benefits for payment under this subchapter on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income, or shall recompute the amount of any further benefits payable on the basis of such wages and self-employment income, as may be required as a consequence of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph. No payment of a benefit to any person on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income, certified by the Commissioner of Social Security prior to the end of the month in which the Commissioner receives such notification from the Railroad Retirement Board, shall be deemed by reason of this subparagraph to have been an erroneous payment or a payment to which such person was not entitled. The Commissioner of Social Security shall, as soon as possible after the receipt of such notification from the Railroad Retirement Board, advise such Board whether or not any such benefit will be reduced or terminated by reason of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, and if any such benefit will be so reduced or terminated, specify the first month with respect to which such reduction or termination will be effective.
(m) Member of a uniformed service
The term "member of a uniformed service" means any person appointed, enlisted, or inducted in a component of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard (including a reserve component as defined in
(1) a retired member of any of those services;
(2) a member of the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps Reserve;
(3) a cadet at the United States Military Academy, a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy, and a cadet at the United States Coast Guard Academy or United States Air Force Academy;
(4) a member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, the Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps, or the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps, when ordered to annual training duty for fourteen days or more, and while performing authorized travel to and from that duty; and
(5) any person while en route to or from, or at, a place for final acceptance or for entry upon active duty in the military, naval, or air service—
(A) who has been provisionally accepted for such duty; or
(B) who, under the Military Selective Service Act [
and has been ordered or directed to proceed to such place.
The term does not include a temporary member of the Coast Guard Reserve.
(n) Crew leader
The term "crew leader" means an individual who furnishes individuals to perform agricultural labor for another person, if such individual pays (either on his own behalf or on behalf of such person) the individuals so furnished by him for the agricultural labor performed by them and if such individual has not entered into a written agreement with such person whereby such individual has been designated as an employee of such person; and such individuals furnished by the crew leader to perform agricultural labor for another person shall be deemed to be the employees of such crew leader. A crew leader shall, with respect to services performed in furnishing individuals to perform agricultural labor for another person and service performed as a member of the crew, be deemed not to be an employee of such other person.
(o) Peace Corps volunteer service
The term "employment" shall, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, include service performed by an individual as a volunteer or volunteer leader within the meaning of the Peace Corps Act [
(p) Medicare qualified government employment
(1) For purposes of
(A) subsection (a)(5) of this section, or
(B) subsection (a)(7) of this section, except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) Service shall not be treated as employment by reason of paragraph (1)(B) if the service is performed—
(A) by an individual who is employed by a State or political subdivision thereof to relieve him from unemployment,
(B) in a hospital, home, or other institution by a patient or inmate thereof as an employee of a State or political subdivision thereof or of the District of Columbia,
(C) by an individual, as an employee of a State or political subdivision thereof or of the District of Columbia, serving on a temporary basis in case of fire, storm, snow, earthquake, flood or other similar emergency,
(D) by any individual as an employee included under
(E) by an election official or election worker if the remuneration paid in a calendar year for such service is less than $1,000 with respect to service performed during any calendar year commencing on or after January 1, 1995, ending on or before December 31, 1999, and the adjusted amount determined under
As used in this paragraph, the terms "State" and "political subdivision" have the meanings given those terms in
(3) Service performed for an employer shall not be treated as employment by reason of paragraph (1)(B) if—
(A) such service would be excluded from the term "employment" for purposes of this section if paragraph (1)(B) did not apply;
(B) such service is performed by an individual—
(i) who was performing substantial and regular service for remuneration for that employer before April 1, 1986,
(ii) who is a bona fide employee of that employer on March 31, 1986, and
(iii) whose employment relationship with that employer was not entered into for purposes of meeting the requirements of this subparagraph; and
(C) the employment relationship with that employer has not been terminated after March 31, 1986.
(4) For purposes of paragraph (3), under regulations (consistent with regulations established under section 3121(u)(2)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986)—
(A) all agencies and instrumentalities of a State (as defined in
(B) all agencies and instrumentalities of a political subdivision of a State (as so defined) shall be treated as a single employer and shall not be treated as described in subparagraph (A).
(q) Treatment of real estate agents and direct sellers
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, the rules of section 3508 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall apply for purposes of this subchapter.
(r) Service in employ of international organizations by certain transferred Federal employees
(1) For purposes of this subchapter, service performed in the employ of an international organization by an individual pursuant to a transfer of such individual to such international organization pursuant to
(A) immediately before such transfer, such individual performed service with a Federal agency which constituted "employment" as defined in subsection (a) of this section, and
(B) such individual would be entitled, upon separation from such international organization and proper application, to reemployment with such Federal agency under such section 3582.
(2) For purposes of this subsection:
(A) The term "Federal agency" means an agency, as defined in
(B) The term "international organization" has the meaning provided such term by
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §210, as added Aug. 10, 1946, ch. 951, title II, §201,
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in text, is classified to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
The Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, referred to in subsec. (a)(5)(B)(ii), (G), is provided for in
Section 301 of the Federal Employees' Retirement System Act of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a)(5)(H)(i), is section 301 of
The Federal Employees' Retirement System Open Enrollment Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (a)(5)(H)(i), is section 642 of
The Foreign Service Act of 1980, referred to in subsec. (a)(5)(H)(ii), is
The International Organizations Immunities Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(15), is act Dec. 29, 1945, ch. 652, title I,
The Internal Security Act of 1950, referred to in subsec. (a)(17), is act Sept. 23, 1950, ch. 1024,
The Military Selective Service Act, referred to in subsec. (m)(5)(B), is act June 24, 1948, ch. 625,
The Peace Corps Act, referred to in subsec. (o), is
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (a)(5)(E).
Subsec. (e).
2006—Subsec. (a)(5)(E).
2004—Subsec. (f)(5).
1998—Subsec. (a)(7)(D).
1997—Subsec. (a)(5)(H)(i).
Subsec. (a)(7)(D).
1996—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(20)(A).
1994—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(5)(B)(i)(V).
Subsec. (a)(7)(F)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(8)(A), (B), (9).
Subsec. (a)(10)(B).
Subsec. (a)(15).
Subsec. (a)(19).
Subsec. (a)(21).
Subsec. (l)(4).
Subsec. (p)(2)(E).
Subsecs. (p)(4), (q).
Subsec. (r).
1993—Subsec. (a)(5)(H)(i).
1992—Subsec. (a)(5)(E).
1990—Subsec. (a)(7)(F).
1989—Subsec. (a).
1988—Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(5)(H).
Subsec. (a)(19).
Subsec. (a)(20).
1987—Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3)(B).
Subsec. (l)(1).
Subsec. (p).
1986—Subsec. (a)(5)(G).
Subsec. (a)(5)(H).
Subsec. (a)(20).
Subsec. (p).
Subsec. (p)(2)(E).
Subsec. (p)(4)(B).
1985—Subsec. (a)(5)(B)(i)(V).
1984—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(5)(B).
Subsec. (a)(5)(C) to (F).
Subsec. (a)(5)(G).
Subsec. (a)(7)(D).
Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (a)(9).
Subsec. (a)(10)(B).
Subsec. (a)(19).
Subsec. (l)(2).
Subsec. (l)(3).
Subsec. (l)(4)(A).
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (m)(5).
Subsec. (m)(5)(B).
1983—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(6).
"(A) Service performed in the employ of the United States or in the employ of any instrumentality of the United States, if such service is covered by a retirement system established by a law of the United States;
"(B) Service performed by an individual in the employ of an instrumentality of the United States if such an instrumentality was exempt from the tax imposed by section 1410 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939, on December 31, 1950, and if such service is covered by a retirement system established by such instrumentality; except that the provisions of this subparagraph shall not be applicable to—
"(i) service performed in the employ of a corporation which is wholly owned by the United States;
"(ii) service performed in the employ of a Federal land bank, a Federal intermediate credit bank, a bank for cooperatives, a Federal land bank association, a production credit association, a Federal Reserve Bank, a Federal Home Loan Bank, or a Federal Credit Union;
"(iii) service performed in the employ of a State, county, or community committee under the Production and Marketing Administration;
"(iv) service performed by a civilian employee, not compensated from funds appropriated by the Congress, in the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Army and Air Force Motion Picture Service, Navy Exchanges, Marine Corps Exchanges, or other activities, conducted by an instrumentality of the United States subject to the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Defense, at installations of the Department of Defense for the comfort, pleasure, contentment, and mental and physical improvement of personnel of such Department; or
"(v) service performed by a civilian employee, not compensated from funds appropriated by the Congress, in the Coast Guard Exchanges or other activities, conducted by an instrumentality of the United States subject to the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Transportation, at installations of the Coast Guard for the comfort, pleasure, contentment, and mental and physical improvement of personnel of the Coast Guard;
"(C) Service performed in the employ of the United States or in the employ of any instrumentality of the United States, if such service is performed—
"(i) as the President or Vice President of the United States or as a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner of or to the Congress;
"(ii) in the legislative branch;
"(iii) in a penal institution of the United States by an inmate thereof;
"(iv) by any individual as an employee included under
"(v) by any individual as an employee serving on a temporary basis in case of fire, storm, earthquake, flood, or other similar emergency; or
"(vi) by any individual to whom subchapter III of
Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (p).
Subsec. (q).
1982—Subsec. (p).
1978—Subsec. (a)(6)(B)(v).
1977—Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsecs. (a)(17)(A), (f)(4)(B).
1976—Subsec. (a)(8)(B).
Subsec. (a)(20).
1974—Subsec. (l)(4)(A).
1972—Subsec. (a)(7)(E).
Subsec. (a)(8)(A).
Subsec. (a)(10)(B).
1968—Subsec. (a)(3)(B).
Subsec. (a)(6)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(6)(C)(vi).
Subsec. (a)(7)(D)(ii).
1965—Subsec. (a)(6)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(7)(D).
Subsec. (a)(13).
1961—Subsec. (a)(19).
Subsec. (o).
1960—Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(18).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
Subsecs. (j) to (o).
1959—Subsec. (a)(6)(B)(ii).
Subsecs. (h), (i).
1958—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(8)(B).
1956—Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §104(a), excluded from coverage service performed by foreign agricultural workers lawfully admitted on a temporary basis from any foreign country or possession thereof.
Subsec. (a)(6)(B)(ii). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §104(b)(1), included service performed in the employ of a Federal Home Loan Bank.
Subsec. (a)(6)(C)(vi). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §104(b)(2), substituted "Civil Service Retirement Act" for "Civil Service Retirement Act of 1930", and inserted "(other than the retirement system of the Tennessee Valley Authority)" after "retirement system".
Subsec. (a)(16), (17). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §§104(c)(1), 121(c), added pars. (16) and (17).
Subsecs. (m), (n). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 837, added subsecs. (m) and (n).
Subsec. (o). Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §105(b), added subsec. (o).
1954—Subsec. (a)(B). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(m), included within definition of "employment" service performed outside the United States by citizens of the United States as employees for foreign subsidiaries of domestic corporations under certain conditions.
Subsec. (a)(1). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(a)(4), removed specific exception from employment of services performed in connection with the ginning of cotton, and added an exception for services performed by West Indian agricultural workers lawfully admitted to the United States on a temporary basis.
Subsec. (a)(3). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(a)(5), redesignated par. (4) as (3) and struck out former par. (3).
Subsec. (a)(4). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(a)(5), (b), redesignated par. (5) as (4), and made the exclusion with respect to services on non-American vessels or aircraft applicable only if the individual is not a United States citizen or the employer is not an American employer. Former par. (4) redesignated (3).
Subsec. (a)(5). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(a)(5), redesignated par. (6) as (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (4).
Subsec. (a)(6)(B). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(a)(5), (c)(1)(A), redesignated par. (7) as (6), and inserted "by an individual" after "Service performed" and "and if such service is covered by a retirement system established by such instrumentality;" after "December 31, 1950."
Subsec. (a)(6)(B)(v). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(a)(5), (c)(1)(A), redesignated par. (7) as (6), and added cl. (v).
Subsec. (a)(6)(C). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(a)(5), (c)(2), redesignated par. (7) as (6), and struck out exception from coverage for services in the following categories; temporary employees in the Post Office Department field service; temporary census-taking employees of the Bureau of the Census; Federal employees paid on a contract or fee basis; Federal employees receiving compensation of $12 a year or less; certain consular agents; individuals employed under Federal unemployment relief programs; and members of State, county, or community committees under the Production and Marketing Administration and similar bodies, unless such bodies are composed exclusively of full-time Federal employee and limited the exclusion of inmates or patients of United States institutions to inmates of penal institutions.
Subsec. (a)(7) to (17). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(a)(5), (e), struck out par. (15) and redesignated pars. (7) to (14), (16), and (17) as (6) to (15), respectively.
Subsec. (k)(3)(C). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(f), struck out requirement that services of homeworkers be subject to State licensing laws in order to constitute covered employment.
1951—Subsec. (a)(1)(C). Act Oct. 31, 1949, §505(a), as added by act July 12, 1951, added subpar. (C).
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, substituted a new section 410 for former section 410.
Change of Name
"United States magistrate judge" substituted for "United States magistrate" in subsec. (a)(5)(E) pursuant to section 321 of
Coast and Geodetic Survey consolidated with National Weather Bureau in 1965 to form Environmental Science Services Administration by Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1965, eff. July 13, 1965, 30 F.R. 8819,
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Section 303(e) of
Amendment by section 319(b)(1), (3) of
Amendment by section 320(b) of
Effective Date of 1992 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by section 1001(d)(2)(E) of
Amendment by section 8015(b)(1) of
Amendment by section 8015(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 8016(a)(4)(B), (C) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by section 9001(a)(1) of
Amendment by section 9004(a) of
Amendment by section 9005(a) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by section 1883(a)(4) of
Amendment by section 1895(b)(18)(B) of
Amendment by section 1895(b)(19) of
Section 13205(d)(2) of
"(A)
"(B)
Effective Date of 1985 Amendment
Section 3(c) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2601(f) of
Section 2603(e) of
Amendment by section 2661(j) of
Amendment by section 2663(a)(7), (j)(3)(A)(i) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by section 101(a) of
Amendment by section 102(a) of
Amendment by section 321(b) of
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Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by
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Amendment by
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Amendment by
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Amendment by
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Section 128(c) of
Section 129(b) of
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Section 123(c) of
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Section 317(g) of
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Section 104(c) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1959 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Section 311(b) of
Section 312(b) of
Effective Date of 1956 Amendments
Amendment by act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 837, effective Jan. 1, 1957, see section 603(a) of act Aug. 1, 1956.
Section 104(i) of act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, as amended by
"(1) The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to service performed after 1956. The amendments made by paragraph (1) of subsection (c) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to service performed after 1954. The amendment made by paragraph (2) of subsection (c) [amending
"(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply only with respect to service performed after June 30, 1957, and only if—
"(i) [Repealed.
"(ii) in the case of the amendment made by paragraph (2) of such subsection [amending this section], the conditions prescribed in subparagraph (C) are met.
"(B) [Repealed.
"(C) The amendment made by paragraph (2) of subsection (b) [amending this section] shall be effective only if—
"(i) the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority submits to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the Secretary approves, before July 1, 1957, a plan, with respect to employees of the Tennessee Valley Authority, for the coordination, on an equitable basis, of the benefits provided by the retirement system applicable to such employees with the benefits provided by title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter]; and
"(ii) such plan specifies, as the effective date of the plan, July 1, 1957, or the first day of a prior calendar quarter beginning not earlier than January 1, 1956. If the plan specifies as the effective date of the plan a day before July 1, 1957, the amendment made by paragraph (2) of subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to service performed on or after such effective date; except that, if such effective date is prior to the day on which the Secretary approves the plan, such amendment shall not apply with respect to service performed, prior to the day on which the Secretary approves the plan, by an individual who is not an employee of the Tennessee Valley Authority on such day.
"(D) The Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall, on or before July 31, 1957, submit a report to the Congress setting forth the details of any plan approved by him under subparagraph (B) or (C)."
Amendment by section 105(b) of act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, applicable with respect to service performed after 1956, see section 105(d) of such act Aug. 1, 1956, set out as a note under
Effective Date of 1954 Amendment
Amendment by section 101(a)(4), (5) of act Sept. 1, 1954, applicable only with respect to services (whether performed after 1954 or prior to 1955) for which the remuneration is paid after 1954, and amendment by section 101(b), (c)(1), (2), (e), and (f) of act Sept. 1, 1954, applicable only with respect to services performed after 1954, see section 101(n) of act Sept. 1, 1954, set out as a note under
Effective Date of 1950 Amendment
Section as added by section 104(a) of act Aug. 28, 1950, effective Jan. 1, 1951, see section 104(b) of act Aug. 28, 1950, set out as a note under
Line Item Veto
Section 642(d)(1) of
Repeals: Amendments and Application of Amendments Unaffected
Section 202(b)(1) of
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§1800–1899A] of
Federal Legislative Branch Employees Who Contribute Reduced Amounts by Reason of the Federal Employees' Retirement Contribution Temporary Adjustment Act of 1983
Section 2601(c) of
Qualification and Requalification of Federal Employees for Benefits
Section 2601(d) of
"(1) Any individual who—
"(A) was subject to subchapter III of
"(B)(i) received a lump-sum payment under section 8342(a) of such title 5, or under the corresponding provision of the law establishing the other retirement system described in subparagraph (A), after December 31, 1983, and prior to June 15, 1984, or received such a payment on or after June 15, 1984, pursuant to an application which was filed in accordance with such section 8342(a) or the corresponding provision of the law establishing such other retirement system prior to that date, or
"(ii) otherwise ceased to be subject to subchapter III of
shall, if such individual again becomes subject to subchapter III of
"(2) An individual meeting the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) who is not in the employ of the United States or an instrumentality thereof on the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984] may requalify for such exemptions in the same manner as under paragraph (1) if such individual again becomes subject to subchapter III of
"(3) If an individual meeting the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) does not again become subject to subchapter III of
"(4) The provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) shall apply only for purposes of reestablishing an exemption from social security coverage and taxes, and do not affect the amount of service to be credited to an individual for purposes of
[Section 1883(a)(5) of
Services Performed for Nonprofit Organizations by Federal Employees
Section 2601(e) of
"(1) For purposes of section 210(a)(5) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(5) of this section] (as in effect in January 1983 and as in effect on and after January 1, 1984) and section 3121(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] [
"(2) For purposes of section 203 of the Federal Employees' Retirement Contribution Temporary Adjustment Act of 1983 [section 203 of
Accrued Federal Retirement Entitlements; Reduction Prohibited
Section 101(e) of
Coverage of Federal Home Loan Bank Employees
Section 125(a) of
"(1) with respect to all service performed in the employ of a Federal home loan bank on and after the first day of the first calendar quarter which begins on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 30, 1972]; and
"(2) in the case of individuals who are in the employ of a Federal home loan bank on such first day, with respect to any service performed in the employ of a Federal home loan bank after the last day of the sixth calendar year preceding the year in which this Act is enacted [1972]; but this paragraph shall be effective only if an amount equal to the taxes imposed by sections 3101 and 3111 of such Code [
Covered Employment Not Counted Under Other Federal Retirement Systems
Section 115 of act Sept. 1, 1954, which prohibited counting employment under other Federal retirement systems in determining eligibility for benefits under this subchapter, was repealed by
Termination of War and Emergencies
Joint Res. July 25, 1947, ch. 327, §3,
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
2 See References in Text note below.
3 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
§410a. Transferred
Codification
Section, act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812, §17, as added June 24, 1937, ch. 382, Pt. I, §1,
§411. Definitions relating to self-employment
For the purposes of this subchapter—
(a) Net earnings from self-employment
The term "net earnings from self-employment" means the gross income, as computed under subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, derived by an individual from any trade or business carried on by such individual, less the deductions allowed under such subtitle which are attributable to such trade or business, plus his distributive share (whether or not distributed) of the ordinary net income or loss, as computed under section 702(a)(8) of such Code, from any trade or business carried on by a partnership of which he is a member; except that in computing such gross income and deductions and such distributive share of partnership ordinary net income or loss—
(1) There shall be excluded rentals from real estate and from personal property leased with the real estate (including such rentals paid in crop shares, and including payments under
(2) There shall be excluded dividends on any share of stock, and interest on any bond, debenture, note, or certificate, or other evidence of indebtedness, issued with interest benefits 1 or in registered form by any corporation (including one issued by a government or political subdivision thereof), unless such dividends and interest are received in the course of a trade or business as a dealer in stocks or securities;
(3) There shall be excluded any gain or loss (A) which is considered under subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as gain or loss from the sale or exchange of a capital asset, (B) from the cutting of timber, or the disposal of timber, coal, or iron ore, if section 631 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 applies to such gain or loss, or (C) from the sale, exchange, involuntary conversion, or other disposition of property if such property is neither (i) stock in trade or other property of a kind which would properly be includible in inventory if on hand at the close of the taxable year, nor (ii) property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of the trade or business;
(4) The deduction for net operating losses provided in section 172 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall not be allowed;
(5)(A) If any of the income derived from a trade or business (other than a trade or business carried on by a partnership) is community income under community property laws applicable to such income, the gross income and deductions attributable to such trade or business shall be treated as the gross income and deductions of the spouse carrying on such trade or business or, if such trade or business is jointly operated, treated as the gross income and deductions of each spouse on the basis of their respective distributive share of the gross income and deductions;
(B) If any portion of a partner's distributive share of the ordinary net income or loss from a trade or business carried on by a partnership is community income or loss under the community property laws applicable to such share, all of such distributive share shall be included in computing the net earnings from self-employment of such partner, and no part of such share shall be taken into account in computing the net earnings from self-employment of the spouse of such partner;
(6) A resident of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall compute his net earnings from self-employment in the same manner as a citizen of the United States but without regard to the provisions of section 933 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(7) An individual who is a duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed minister of a church or a member of a religious order shall compute his net earnings from self-employment derived from the performance of service described in subsection (c)(4) of this section without regard to section 107 (relating to rental value of parsonages), section 119 (relating to meals and lodging furnished for the convenience of the employer), and section 911 (relating to earned income from sources without the United States) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, but shall not include in any such net earnings from self-employment the rental value of any parsonage or any parsonage allowance (whether or not excluded under section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) provided after the individual retires, or any other retirement benefit received by such individual from a church plan (as defined in section 414(e) of such Code) after the individual retires;
(8) The exclusion from gross income provided by section 931 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall not apply;
(9) There shall be excluded amounts received by a partner pursuant to a written plan of the partnership, which meets such requirements as are prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate, and which provides for payments on account of retirement, on a periodic basis, to partners generally or to a class or classes of partners, such payments to continue at least until such partner's death, if—
(A) such partner rendered no services with respect to any trade or business carried on by such partnership (or its successors) during the taxable year of such partnership (or its successors), ending within or with his taxable year, in which such amounts were received, and
(B) no obligation exists (as of the close of the partnership's taxable year referred to in subparagraph (A)) from the other partners to such partner except with respect to retirement payments under such plan, and
(C) such partner's share, if any, of the capital of the partnership has been paid to him in full before the close of the partnership's taxable year referred to in subparagraph (A);
(10) The exclusion from gross income provided by section 911(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall not apply;
(11) In lieu of the deduction provided by section 164(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to deduction for one-half of self-employment taxes), there shall be allowed a deduction equal to the product of—
(A) the taxpayer's net earnings from self-employment for the taxable year (determined without regard to this paragraph), and
(B) one-half of the sum of the rates imposed by subsections (a) and (b) of section 1401 of such Code for such year;
(12) There shall be excluded the distributive share of any item of income or loss of a limited partner, as such, other than guaranteed payments described in section 707(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to that partner for services actually rendered to or on behalf of the partnership to the extent that those payments are established to be in the nature of remuneration for those services;
(13) In the case of church employee income, the special rules of subsection (i)(1) of this section shall apply;
(14) There shall be excluded income excluded from taxation under section 7873 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to income derived by Indians from exercise of fishing rights);
(15) The deduction under section 162(l) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to health insurance costs of self-employed individuals) shall not be allowed; and
(16) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subsection, each spouse's share of income or loss from a qualified joint venture shall be taken into account as provided in section 761(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 in determining net earnings from self-employment of such spouse.
If the taxable year of a partner is different from that of the partnership, the distributive share which he is required to include in computing his net earnings from self-employment shall be based upon the ordinary net income or loss of the partnership for any taxable year of the partnership (even though beginning prior to 1951) ending within or with his taxable year. In the case of any trade or business which is carried on by an individual or by a partnership and in which, if such trade or business were carried on exclusively by employees, the major portion of the services would constitute agricultural labor as defined in
(i) in the case of an individual, if the gross income derived by him from such trade or business is not more than the upper limit, the net earnings from self-employment derived by him from such trade or business may, at his option, be deemed to be 662/3 percent of such gross income; or
(ii) in the case of an individual, if the gross income derived by him from such trade or business is more than the upper limit and the net earnings from self-employment derived by him from such trade or business (computed under this subsection without regard to this sentence) are less than the lower limit, the net earnings from self-employment derived by him from such trade or business may, at his option, be deemed to be the lower limit; and
(iii) in the case of a member of a partnership, if his distributive share of the gross income of the partnership derived from such trade or business (after such gross income has been reduced by the sum of all payments to which section 707(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 applies) is not more than the upper limit, his distributive share of income described in section 702(a)(8) of such Code derived from such trade or business may, at his option, be deemed to be an amount equal to 662/3 percent of his distributive share of such gross income (after such gross income has been so reduced); or
(iv) in the case of a member of a partnership, if his distributive share of the gross income of the partnership derived from such trade or business (after such gross income has been reduced by the sum of all payments to which section 707(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 applies) is more than the upper limit and his distributive share (whether or not distributed) of income described in section 702(a)(8) of such Code derived from such trade or business (computed under this subsection without regard to this sentence) is less than the lower limit, his distributive share of income described in such section 702(a)(8) derived from such trade or business may, at his option, be deemed to be the lower limit.
For purposes of the preceding sentence, gross income means—
(v) in the case of any such trade or business in which the income is computed under a cash receipts and disbursements method, the gross receipts from such trade or business reduced by the cost or other basis of property which was purchased and sold in carrying on such trade or business, adjusted (after such reduction) in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (1) through (6) and paragraph (8) of this subsection; and
(vi) in the case of any such trade or business in which the income is computed under an accrual method, the gross income from such trade or business, adjusted in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (1) through (6) and paragraph (8) of this subsection;
and, for purposes of such sentence, if an individual (including a member of a partnership) derives gross income from more than one such trade or business, such gross income (including his distributive share of the gross income of any partnership derived from any such trade or business) shall be deemed to have been derived from one trade or business.
The preceding sentence and clauses (i) through (iv) of the second preceding sentence shall also apply in the case of any trade or business (other than a trade or business specified in such second preceding sentence) which is carried on by an individual who is self-employed on a regular basis as defined in subsection (g) of this section, or by a partnership of which an individual is a member on a regular basis as defined in subsection (g) of this section, but only if such individual's net earnings from self-employment in the taxable year as determined without regard to this sentence are less than the lower limit and less than 662/3 percent of the sum (in such taxable year) of such individual's gross income derived from all trades or businesses carried on by him and his distributive share of the income or loss from all trades or businesses carried on by all the partnerships of which he is a member; except that this sentence shall not apply to more than 5 taxable years in the case of any individual, and in no case in which an individual elects to determine the amount of his net earnings from self-employment for a taxable year under the provisions of the two preceding sentences with respect to a trade or business to which the second preceding sentence applies and with respect to a trade or business to which this sentence applies shall such net earnings for such year exceed the lower limit.
(b) Self-employment income
The term "self-employment income" means the net earnings from self-employment derived by an individual (other than a nonresident alien individual, except as provided by an agreement under
(1) That part of the net earnings from self-employment which is in excess of—
(A) For any taxable year ending prior to 1955, (i) $3,600, minus (ii) the amount of the wages paid to such individual during the taxable year; and
(B) For any taxable year ending after 1954 and prior to 1959, (i) $4,200, minus (ii) the amount of the wages paid to such individual during the taxable year; and
(C) For any taxable year ending after 1958 and prior to 1966, (i) $4,800, minus (ii) the amount of the wages paid to such individual during the taxable year; and
(D) For any taxable year ending after 1965 and prior to 1968, (i) $6,600, minus (ii) the amount of the wages paid to such individual during the taxable year; and
(E) For any taxable year ending after 1967 and beginning prior to 1972, (i) $7,800, minus (ii) the amount of the wages paid to such individual during the taxable year; and
(F) For any taxable year beginning after 1971 and prior to 1973, (i) $9,000, minus (ii) the amount of the wages paid to such individual during the taxable year; and
(G) For any taxable year beginning after 1972 and prior to 1974, (i) $10,800, minus (ii) the amount of the wages paid to such individual during the taxable year; and
(H) For any taxable year beginning after 1973 and prior to 1975, (i) $13,200, minus (ii) the amount of the wages paid to such individual during the taxable year; and
(I) For any taxable year beginning in any calendar year after 1974, (i) an amount equal to the contribution and benefit base (as determined under
(2) The net earnings from self-employment, if such net earnings for the taxable year are less than $400.
An individual who is not a citizen of the United States but who is a resident of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, or American Samoa shall not, for the purpose of this subsection, be considered to be a nonresident alien individual. In the case of church employee income, the special rules of subsection (i)(2) of this section shall apply for purposes of paragraph (2).
(c) Trade or business
The term "trade or business", when used with reference to self-employment income or net earnings from self-employment, shall have the same meaning as when used in section 162 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, except that such term shall not include—
(1) The performance of the functions of a public office, other than the functions of a public office of a State or a political subdivision thereof with respect to fees received in any period in which the functions are performed in a position compensated solely on a fee basis and in which such functions are not covered under an agreement entered into by such State and the Commissioner of Social Security pursuant to
(2) The performance of service by an individual as an employee, other than—
(A) service described in
(B) service described in
(C) service described in section 410(a) (11), (12), or (15) of this title performed in the United States by a citizen of the United States, except service which constitutes "employment" under
(D) service described in paragraph (4) of this subsection,
(E) service performed by an individual as an employee of a State or a political subdivision thereof in a position compensated solely on a fee basis with respect to fees received in any period in which such service is not covered under an agreement entered into by such State and the Commissioner of Social Security pursuant to
(F) service described in
(G) service described in
(3) The performance of service by an individual as an employee or employee representative as defined in section 3231 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(4) The performance of service by a duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed minister of a church in the exercise of his ministry or by a member of a religious order in the exercise of duties required by such order;
(5) The performance of service by an individual in the exercise of his profession as a Christian Science practitioner; or
(6) The performance of service by an individual during the period for which an exemption under section 1402(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is effective with respect to him.
The provisions of paragraph (4) or (5) shall not apply to service (other than service performed by a member of a religious order who has taken a vow of poverty as a member of such order) performed by an individual unless an exemption under section 1402(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is effective with respect to him.
(d) Partnership and partner
The term "partnership" and the term "partner" shall have the same meaning as when used in subchapter K of
(e) Taxable year
The term "taxable year" shall have the same meaning as when used in subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and the taxable year of any individual shall be a calendar year unless he has a different taxable year for the purposes of subtitle A of such Code, in which case his taxable year for the purposes of this subchapter shall be the same as his taxable year under such subtitle A.
(f) Partner's taxable year ending as result of death
In computing a partner's net earnings from self-employment for his taxable year which ends as a result of his death (but only if such taxable year ends within, and not with, the taxable year of the partnership), there shall be included so much of the deceased partner's distributive share of the partnership's ordinary income or loss for the partnership taxable year as is not attributable to an interest in the partnership during any period beginning on or after the first day of the first calendar month following the month in which such partner died. For purposes of this subsection—
(1) in determining the portion of the distributive share which is attributable to any period specified in the preceding sentence, the ordinary income or loss of the partnership shall be treated as having been realized or sustained ratably over the partnership taxable year; and
(2) the term "deceased partner's distributive share" includes the share of his estate or of any other person succeeding, by reason of his death, to rights with respect to his partnership interest.
(g) Regular basis
An individual shall be deemed to be self-employed on a regular basis in a taxable year, or to be a member of a partnership on a regular basis in such year, if he had net earnings from self-employment, as defined in the first sentence of subsection (a) of this section, of not less than $400 in at least two of the three consecutive taxable years immediately preceding such taxable year from trades or businesses carried on by such individual or such partnership.
(h) Option dealers and commodity dealers
(1) In determining the net earnings from self-employment of any options dealer or commodities dealer—
(A) notwithstanding subsection (a)(3)(A) of this section, there shall not be excluded any gain or loss (in the normal course of the taxpayer's activity of dealing in or trading section 1256 contracts) from section 1256 contracts or property related to such contracts, and
(B) the deduction provided by section 1202 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall not apply.
(2) For purposes of this subsection—
(A) The term "options dealer" has the meaning given such term by section 1256(g)(8) of such Code.
(B) The term "commodities dealer" means a person who is actively engaged in trading section 1256 contracts and is registered with a domestic board of trade which is designated as a contract market by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission.
(C) The term "section 1256 contracts" has the meaning given to such term by section 1256(b) of such Code.
(i) Church employee income
(1) In applying subsection (a) of this section—
(A) church employee income shall not be reduced by any deduction;
(B) church employee income and deductions attributable to such income shall not be taken into account in determining the amount of other net earnings from self-employment.
(2)(A) Subsection (b)(2) of this section shall be applied separately—
(i) to church employee income, and
(ii) to other net earnings from self-employment.
(B) In applying subsection (b)(2) of this section to church employee income, "$100" shall be substituted for "$400".
(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any amount allowable as a deduction under subsection (a)(11) of this section, and paragraph (1) shall be applied before determining the amount so allowable.
(4) For purposes of this section, the term "church employee income" means gross income for services which are described in
(j) Codification of treatment of certain termination payments received by former insurance salesmen
Nothing in subsection (a) of this section shall be construed as including in the net earnings from self-employment of an individual any amount received during the taxable year from an insurance company on account of services performed by such individual as an insurance salesman for such company if—
(1) such amount is received after termination of such individual's agreement to perform such services for such company,
(2) such individual performs no services for such company after such termination and before the close of such taxable year,
(3) such individual enters into a covenant not to compete against such company which applies to at least the 1-year period beginning on the date of such termination, and
(4) the amount of such payment—
(A) depends primarily on policies sold by or credited to the account of such individual during the last year of such agreement or the extent to which such policies remain in force for some period after such termination, or both, and
(B) does not depend to any extent on length of service or overall earnings from services performed for such company (without regard to whether eligibility for payment depends on length of service).
(k) Upper and lower limits
For purposes of subsection (a)—
(1) The lower limit for any taxable year is the sum of the amounts required under
(2) The upper limit for any taxable year is the amount equal to 150 percent of the lower limit for such taxable year.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §211, as added Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title I, §104(a),
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in text, is classified to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Codification
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (k).
2007—Subsec. (a)(16).
2004—Subsec. (a)(5)(A).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(15).
1997—Subsec. (j).
1994—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(13) to (15).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C).
Subsec. (c)(2)(E).
Subsec. (c)(3), (6).
Subsecs. (d), (e), (h)(1)(B).
1990—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(14), (15).
Subsec. (b).
1988—Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(14).
1987—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(8).
1986—Subsec. (a)(13).
"(A) no deduction for trade or business expenses provided under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (other than the deduction under paragraph (11) of this subsection) shall apply;
"(B) the provisions of subsection (b)(2) of this section shall not apply; and
"(C) if the amount of such remuneration from an employer for the taxable year is less than $100, such remuneration from that employer shall not be included in self-employment income."
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(2)(G).
Subsec. (i).
1984—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(13).
Subsec. (b)(1)(D), (G) to (I).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(2)(G).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (h).
1983—Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (a)(11), (12).
Subsec. (b).
1978—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (c)(6).
1977—Subsec. (a)(11).
1976—Subsec. (c)(2)(F).
1974—Subsec. (a)(1).
1973—Subsec. (b)(1)(H).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1)(F).
Subsec. (b)(1)(G) to (I).
Subsec. (g).
1971—Subsec. (b)(1)(E).
Subsec. (b)(1)(F).
1968—Subsec. (a)(9).
Subsec. (b)(1)(D), (E).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(E).
1965—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(1)(D).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(6).
1964—Subsec. (a)(3)(B),
1960—Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(2).
1958—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (f).
1957—Subsec. (a)(7).
1956—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §106(a), amended last two sentences generally, to include those businesses in which the income is computed under an accrual method, and partnerships, to change the method of computation of net earnings for individuals by permitting those whose gross income is not more than $1,800 to deem their net earnings to be 662/3 percent of such gross income, and those whose gross income is more than $1,800 and the net earnings are less than $1,200, to deem the net earnings to be $1,200, and to provide for the computation of net earnings for members of partnerships.
Subsec. (a)(1). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §104(c)(2), struck out from exclusion, income derived by an owner or tenant to land if such income is derived under an arrangement with another individual for the production by such other individual of agricultural or horticultural commodities if such arrangement provides for material participation by the owner or tenant in the production or the management of the production of such commodities, and there is material participation by the owner or tenant with respect to any such commodity.
Subsec. (a)(7)(B). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §104(h), included citizens of the United States who are ministers in foreign countries and have congregations composed predominantly of citizens of the United States.
Subsec. (c)(2). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §104(c)(3), included within term "trade or business" service described in
Subsec. (c)(5). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §104(d), struck out exclusion from coverage in the case of lawyers, dentists, osteopaths, veterinarians, chiropractors, naturopaths, and optometrists.
1954—Subsec. (a)(1). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(g)(2), made it clear that rentals paid in crop shares would be excluded as being rentals from real estate.
Subsec. (a)(2). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(g)(1), redesignated par. (3) as (2), and struck out former par. (2).
Subsec. (a)(3). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(g)(3), redesignated par. (4) as (3), and excluded from "net earnings from self-employment" the gain or loss derived from coal royalties under certain conditions. Former par. (3) redesignated (2).
Subsec. (a)(4) to (6). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(g)(1), redesignated pars. (5) to (7) as (4) to (6), respectively. Former par. (4) redesignated (3).
Subsec. (a)(7). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(d)(3), added par. (7).
Subsec. (a). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(g)(1), inserted two sentences at end.
Subsec. (b)(1). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §104(b), excluded from self-employment income, for taxable years after 1954 any amount in excess of $4,200 minus the amount of the wages paid to an individual during the taxable year.
Subsec. (c). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(d)(2), inserted two sentences at end making provisions of par. (4) inapplicable to service performed during the period for which a certificate filed under
Subsec. (c)(2). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(d)(1), inserted "and other than service described in paragraph (4) of this subsection" after "eighteen".
Subsec. (c)(5). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(g)(4), struck out exclusion from coverage in case of architects, certified public accountants, accountants registered or licensed as accountants under State or municipal law, full-time practicing public accountants, funeral directors, or professional engineers.
1950—Subsec. (a)(7). Act Sept. 23, 1950, made provisions applicable to Puerto Rico and provided the basis for computation of net earnings.
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by section 4115(c)(1)(A)(i), (B)(iii) of
Amendment by section 15301(b) of
Amendment by section 15352(b)(1), (2) of
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Amendment by section 319(b)(2) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 5123(a)(1) of
Amendment by section 5130(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by section 1011B(b)(4) of
Amendment by section 3043(b) of
Amendment by section 8016(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by section 9022(a) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by section 1882(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 1883(a)(6) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 102(c)(2) of
Amendment by section 2603(c)(1), (d)(1) of
Amendment by section 2663(a)(8) of
Effective and Termination Dates of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by section 124(c)(3) of
Amendment by section 322(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 323(b)(2)(A) of
Section 323(b)(2)(B) of
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Section 313(c) of
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Section 10(c) of
Effective Date of 1973 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendments
Section 121(c) of
Section 124(c) of
Section 140(c) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1971 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by section 108(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 115(a) of
Amendment by section 118(b) of
Amendment by section 122(a)(1), (2) of
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Amendment by section 311(a)(1), (2) of
Section 312(c) of
Amendment by section 319(b) of
Amendment by section 320(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1964 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Amendment by section 103(g) of
Amendment by section 103(h) of
Amendment by section 103(j)(3) of
Section 106(c) of
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Section 313(b) of
"(1) with respect to individuals who die after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 28, 1958], and
"(2) with respect to any individual who died after 1955 and on or before the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 28, 1958], but only if the requirements of section 403(b)(2) of this Act [
Effective Date of 1957 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1956 Amendment
Amendment by section 104(c)(2), (d) of act Aug. 1, 1956, applicable with respect to taxable years ending after 1955, see section 104(i) of such act Aug. 1, 1956, set out as a note under
Amendment by section 104(c)(3) of act Aug. 1, 1956, applicable with respect to taxable years ending after 1954, see section 104(i) of act Aug. 1, 1956, set out as a note under
Amendment by section 104(h) of act Aug. 1, 1956, applicable with respect to the same taxable years with respect to which the amendment to
Section 106(b) of act Aug. 1, 1956, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall be effective with respect to taxable years ending on or after December 31, 1956."
Effective Date of 1954 Amendment
Amendments by section 101(d), (g)(1), (2), (4) of act Sept. 1, 1954, applicable only with respect to taxable years ending after 1954, amendment by section 101(g)(3) of act Sept. 1, 1954, applicable only with respect to taxable years beginning after 1950, and, for purposes of
Effective Date of 1950 Amendment
Amendment by act Sept. 23, 1950, applicable with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1950, see section 221(k) of act Sept. 23, 1950.
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§1800–1899A] of
Treaty Obligations
Section 214 of act Sept. 23, 1950, provided that: "No amendment made by this Act [see Tables for classification] shall apply in any case where its application would be contrary to any treaty obligation of the United States."
1 So in original. Probably should be "coupons". See 2008 Amendment note below.
§412. Self-employment income credited to calendar years
(a) Taxable years prior to 1978
For the purposes of determining average monthly wage and quarters of coverage the amount of self-employment income derived during any taxable year which begins before 1978 shall—
(1) in the case of a taxable year which is a calendar year, be credited equally to each quarter of such calendar year; and
(2) in the case of any other taxable year, be credited equally to the calendar quarter in which such taxable year ends and to each of the next three or fewer preceding quarters any part of which is in such taxable year.
(b) Taxable years after 1977
Except as provided in subsection (c), for the purposes of determining average indexed monthly earnings, average monthly wage, and quarters of coverage the amount of self-employment income derived during any taxable year which begins after 1977 shall—
(1) in the case of a taxable year which is a calendar year or which begins with or during a calendar year and ends with or during such year, be credited to such calendar year; and
(2) in the case of any other taxable year, be allocated proportionately to the two calendar years, portions of which are included within such taxable year, on the basis of the number of months in each such calendar year which are included completely within the taxable year.
For purposes of clause (2), the calendar month in which a taxable year ends shall be treated as included completely within that taxable year.
(c) Proportional allocation
For the purpose of determining average indexed monthly earnings, average monthly wage, and quarters of coverage in the case of any individual who elects the option described in clause (ii) or (iv) in the matter following
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §212, as added Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title I, §104(a),
Codification
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
1977—
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by section 15352(b)(3) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Amendment by
§413. Quarter and quarter of coverage
(a) Definitions
For the purposes of this subchapter—
(1) The term "quarter", and the term "calendar quarter", mean a period of three calendar months ending on March 31, June 30, September 30, or December 31.
(2)(A) The term "quarter of coverage" means—
(i) for calendar years before 1978, and subject to the provisions of subparagraph (B), a quarter in which an individual has been paid $50 or more in wages (except wages for agricultural labor paid after 1954) or for which he has been credited (as determined under
(ii) for calendar years after 1977, and subject to the provisions of subparagraph (B), each portion of the total of the wages paid and the self-employment income credited (pursuant to
(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (A)—
(i) no quarter after the quarter in which an individual dies shall be a quarter of coverage, and no quarter any part of which is included in a period of disability (other than the initial quarter and the last quarter of such period) shall be a quarter of coverage;
(ii) if the wages paid to an individual in any calendar year equal $3,000 in the case of a calendar year before 1951, or $3,600 in the case of a calendar year after 1950 and before 1955, or $4,200 in the case of a calendar year after 1954 and before 1959, or $4,800 in the case of a calendar year after 1958 and before 1966, or $6,600 in the case of a calendar year after 1965 and before 1968, or $7,800 in the case of a calendar year after 1967 and before 1972, or $9,000 in the case of the calendar year 1972, or $10,800 in the case of the calendar year 1973, or $13,200 in the case of the calendar year 1974, or an amount equal to the contribution and benefit base (as determined under
(iii) if an individual has self-employment income for a taxable year, and if the sum of such income and the wages paid to him during such year equals $3,600 in the case of a taxable year beginning after 1950 and ending before 1955, or $4,200 in the case of a taxable year ending after 1954 and before 1959, or $4,800 in the case of a taxable year ending after 1958 and before 1966, or $6,600 in the case of a taxable year ending after 1965 and before 1968, or $7,800 in the case of a taxable year ending after 1967 and before 1972, or $9,000 in the case of a taxable year beginning after 1971 and before 1973, or $10,800 in the case of a taxable year beginning after 1972 and before 1974, or $13,200 in the case of a taxable year beginning after 1973 and before 1975, or an amount equal to the contribution and benefit base (as determined under
(iv) if an individual is paid wages for agricultural labor in a calendar year after 1954 and before 1978, then, subject to clauses (i) and (v), (I) the last quarter of such year which can be but is not otherwise a quarter of coverage shall be a quarter of coverage if such wages equal or exceed $100 but are less than $200; (II) the last two quarters of such year which can be but are not otherwise quarters of coverage shall be quarters of coverage if such wages equal or exceed $200 but are less than $300; (III) the last three quarters of such year which can be but are not otherwise quarters of coverage shall be quarters of coverage if such wages equal or exceed $300 but are less than $400; and (IV) each quarter of such year which is not otherwise a quarter of coverage shall be a quarter of coverage if such wages are $400 or more;
(v) no quarter shall be counted as a quarter of coverage prior to the beginning of such quarter;
(vi) not more than one quarter of coverage may be credited to a calendar quarter; and
(vii) no more than four quarters of coverage may be credited to any calendar year after 1977.
If in the case of an individual who has attained age 62 or died or is under a disability and who has been paid wages for agricultural labor in a calendar year after 1954 and before 1978, the requirements for insured status in subsection (a) or (b) of
(b) Crediting of wages paid in 1937
With respect to wages paid to an individual in the six-month periods commencing either January 1, 1937, or July 1, 1937; (A) if wages of not less than $100 were paid in any such period, one-half of the total amount thereof shall be deemed to have been paid in each of the calendar quarters in such period; and (B) if wages of less than $100 were paid in any such period, the total amount thereof shall be deemed to have been paid in the latter quarter of such period, except that if in any such period, the individual attained age sixty-five, all of the wages paid in such period shall be deemed to have been paid before such age was attained.
(c) Alternative method for determining quarters of coverage with respect to wages in period from 1937 to 1950
For purposes of
(d) Amount required for a quarter of coverage
(1) The amount of wages and self-employment income which an individual must have in order to be credited with a quarter of coverage in any year under subsection (a)(2)(A)(ii) of this section shall be $250 in the calendar year 1978 and the amount determined under paragraph (2) of this subsection for years after 1978.
(2) The Commissioner of Social Security shall, on or before November 1 of 1978 and of every year thereafter, determine and publish in the Federal Register the amount of wages and self-employment income which an individual must have in order to be credited with a quarter of coverage in the succeeding calendar year. The amount required for a quarter of coverage shall be the larger of—
(A) the amount in effect in the calendar year in which the determination under this subsection is made, or
(B) the product of the amount prescribed in paragraph (1) which is required for a quarter of coverage in 1978 and the ratio of the national average wage index (as defined in
with such product, if not a multiple of $10, being rounded to the next higher multiple of $10 where such amount is a multiple of $5 but not of $10 and to the nearest multiple of $10 in any other case.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §213, as added Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title I, §104(a),
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B).
1990—Subsec. (c).
"(1) such individual is not a fully insured individual on the basis of the number of quarters of coverage so derived plus the number of quarters of coverage derived from the wages and self-employment income credited to him for periods after 1950, or
"(2) such individual's elapsed years (for purposes of
1989—Subsec. (d)(2)(B).
1984—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii).
1980—Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
1977—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (d).
1973—Subsec. (a)(2)(ii), (iii).
1972—Subsec. (a)(2)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(iii).
1971—Subsec. (a)(2)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(iii).
1968—Subsec. (a)(2)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(iii).
Subsec. (c).
1965—Subsec. (a)(2)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(iii).
1961—Subsec. (a).
1960—Subsec. (a)(2).
1958—Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
1956—Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iv). Act Aug. 1, 1956, substituted "if such wages equal or exceed $100 but are less than $200" for "if such wages are less than $200".
1954—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §106(a)(1), redefined "quarter of coverage," in the case of quarters occurring before 1951, to exclude any quarter any part of which was included in a period of disability, other than the initial quarter of such period, and which provided that any quarter any part of which was included in a period of disability, other than the first quarter of such period, could not be counted as a quarter of coverage in a calendar year in which wages of $3,000 or more were paid.
Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §104(c), provided that for calendar years after 1954 an individual shall be credited with a quarter of coverage for each quarter of the year if his wages for the year equal $4,200 and he shall be credited with a quarter of coverage for each quarter of a taxable year ending after 1954 in which the sum of his wages and self-employment income equal $4,200.
Act Sept. 1, 1954, §108(b), provided for crediting quarters of coverage on basis of annual amounts of wages received for agricultural labor.
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §106(a)(2), redefined "quarter of coverage", for quarters occurring after 1950, to exclude any quarter any part of which was included in a period of disability, other than the first and last quarters of such period.
1952—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Act July 18, 1952, §3(a)(1), redefined "quarter of coverage".
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i). Act July 18, 1952, §3(a)(2), inserted "and no quarter any part of which was included in a period of disability (other than the initial quarter and the last quarter of such period) shall be a quarter of coverage".
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iii). Act July 18, 1952, §3(a)(3), substituted "shall (subject to clause (i) of this subparagraph) be a quarter of coverage" for "shall be a quarter of coverage".
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 5117(c)(3) of
"(A) make application for benefits under section 202 of the Social Security Act [
"(B) are not entitled to benefits under section 227 or 228 of such Act [
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by section 10208(b)(2)(A), (B) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Amendment by section 351(c) of
Section 352(c) of
Effective Date of 1973 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by section 203(a)(3)(A) of
Effective Date of 1971 Amendment
Amendment by section 203(a)(3)(A) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by section 108(a)(3)(A) of
Section 155(b)(2) of
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Amendment by section 320(a)(3)(A) of
Effective Date of 1961 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Section 206(b) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply only in the case of monthly benefits under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], and the lump-sum death payment under section 202 of such Act [
"(A) who becomes entitled to benefits under section 202(a) or 223 of such Act [
"(B) who is (or would, but for the provisions of section 215(f)(6) of the Social Security Act [
"(C) who dies without becoming entitled to benefits under section 202(a) or 223 of the Social Security Act [
"(D) who dies in or after the month in which this Act is enacted [September 1960] and whose survivors are (or would, but for the provisions of section 215(f)(6) of the Social Security Act [
"(E) who dies prior to the month in which this Act is enacted [September 1960] and (i) whose survivors are (or would, but for the provisions of section 215(f)(6) of the Social Security Act, be) entitled to a recomputation of his primary insurance amount under section 215(f)(4)(A) of such Act [
"(F) who files an application for a recomputation under section 102(f)(2)(B) of the Social Security Amendments of 1954 [set out as a note under
"(G) who dies and whose survivors are (or would, but for the fact that such recomputation would not result in a higher primary insurance amount for such individual, be) entitled, on the basis of an application filed in or after the month in which this Act [September 1960] is enacted, to have his primary insurance amount recomputed under section 102(f)(2)(B) of the Social Security Amendments of 1954 [set out as a note under
"(2) The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall also be applicable in the case of applications for disability determination under section 216(i) of the Social Security Act [
"(3) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subsection, in the case of any individual who would not be a fully insured individual under section 214(a) of the Social Security Act [
Section 3 of
Effective Date of 1954 Amendment
Section 106(h) of act Sept. 1, 1954, provided that: "Notwithstanding the provisions of section 215(f)(1) of the Social Security Act [
Effective and Termination Date of 1952 Amendment
Section 3(f) of act July 18, 1952, provided that: "Notwithstanding the provisions of section 215(f)(1) of the Social Security Act [
Section 3(g) of act July 18, 1952, provided that: "Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section and the amendments made thereby [amending this section and
§414. Insured status for purposes of old-age and survivors insurance benefits
For the purposes of this subchapter—
(a) "Fully insured individual" defined
The term "fully insured individual" means any individual who had not less than—
(1) one quarter of coverage (whenever acquired) for each calendar year elapsing after 1950 (or, if later, the year in which he attained age 21) and before the year in which he died or (if earlier) the year in which he attained age 62, except that in no case shall an individual be a fully insured individual unless he has at least 6 quarters of coverage; or
(2) 40 quarters of coverage; or
(3) in the case of an individual who died before 1951, 6 quarters of coverage;
not counting as an elapsed year for purposes of paragraph (1) any year any part of which was included in a period of disability (as defined in
(b) "Currently insured individual" defined
The term "currently insured individual" means any individual who had not less than six quarters of coverage during the thirteen-quarter period ending with (1) the quarter in which he died, (2) the quarter in which he became entitled to old-age insurance benefits, (3) the quarter in which he became entitled to primary insurance benefits under this subchapter as in effect prior to August 28, 1950, or (4) in the case of any individual entitled to disability insurance benefits, the quarter in which he most recently became entitled to disability insurance benefits, not counting as part of such thirteen-quarter period any quarter any part of which was included in a period of disability unless such quarter was a quarter of coverage, and who satisfies the criterion specified in subsection (c) of this section.
(c) Criterion described
For purposes of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the criterion specified in this subsection is that the individual, if not a United States citizen or national—
(1) has been assigned a social security account number that was, at the time of assignment, or at any later time, consistent with the requirements of subclause (I) or (III) of
(2) at the time any such quarters of coverage are earned—
(A) is described in subparagraph (B) or (D) of
(B) is lawfully admitted temporarily to the United States for business (in the case of an individual described in such subparagraph (B)) or the performance as a crewman (in the case of an individual described in such subparagraph (D)), and
(C) the business engaged in or service as a crewman performed is within the scope of the terms of such individual's admission to the United States.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §214, as added Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title I, §104(a),
Codification
Section 211(a) of
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
1972—Subsec. (a)(1).
1961—Subsec. (a).
1960—Subsec. (a).
1958—Subsec. (b).
1956—Subsec. (a)(3). Act Aug. 1, 1956, provided that an individual who had at least six quarters of coverage after 1954 would be fully insured if all but four of the quarters elapsing after 1954 and prior to July 1, 1957, or if later, the quarter in which he attained retirement age or died, whichever first occurred, are quarters of coverage.
1954—Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §106(b)(1), excluded from the elapsed period under subsec. (a)(2)(A) any quarter any part of which was included in a period of disability, unless such quarter was a quarter of coverage.
Subsec. (a)(3), (4). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §108(a), added par. (3) and redesignated former par. (3) as (4).
Subsec. (b). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §106(b)(2), inserted ", not counting as part of such thirteen-quarter period any quarter any part of which was included in a period of disability unless such quarter was a quarter of coverage."
1952—Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Act July 18, 1952, §3(b)(1), inserted "not counting as an elapsed quarter for purposes of subparagraph (A) any quarter any part of which was included in a period of disability (as defined in
Subsec. (b). Act July 18, 1952, §3(b)(2), inserted "not counting as part of such thirteen-quarter period any quarter any part of which was included in a period of disability unless such quarter was a quarter of coverage" after "August 28, 1950".
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 104(j) of
"(1) The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) In the case of a man who attains age 62 prior to 1975, the number of his elapsed years for purposes of section 215(b)(3) of the Social Security Act [
"(3)(A) In the case of a man who attains or will attain age 62 in 1973, the figure '65' in sections 214(a)(1), 223(c)(1)(A), and 216(i)(3)(A) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(1) of this section and
"(B) In the case of a man who attains or will attain age 62 in 1974, the figure '65' in sections 214(a)(1), 223(c)(1)(A), and 216(i)(3)(A) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(1) of this section and
Effective Date of 1961 Amendment
Section 103(b) of
"(1) in the case of monthly benefits under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] for months beginning on or after the effective date of this title [see note set out under
"(2) in the case of lump-sum death payments under such title with respect to deaths on or after the effective date of this title, and
"(3) in the case of an application for a disability determination (with respect to a period of disability, as defined in section 216(i) of such Act [
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Section 204(d)(1) of
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Amendment by section 205(l) of
Effective Date of 1954 Amendment
Amendment by section 106(b) of act Sept. 1, 1954, applicable with respect to monthly benefits under subchapter II of this chapter for months after June 1955, and with respect to lump-sum death payments under such subchapter in the case of deaths occurring after June 1955; but that no recomputation of benefits by reason of such amendments shall be regarded as a recomputation for purposes of
Effective and Termination Date of 1952 Amendment
For effective and termination dates of amendment by act July 18, 1952, see section 3(f), (g) of act July 18, 1952, set out as a note under
Employees of Nonprofit Organizations as Fully Insured Individuals
"(1) If any individual—
"(A) on January 1, 1984, is age 55 or over, and is an employee of an organization described in section 210(a)(8)(B) of the Social Security Act [
"(B) after December 31, 1983, acquires the number of quarters of coverage (within the meaning of section 213 of the Social Security Act [
then such individual shall be deemed to be a fully insured individual (as defined in section 214 of the Social Security Act [this section]) for all of the purposes of title II of such Act [this subchapter].
"(2) The number of quarters of coverage which is required for purposes of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) shall be determined as follows:
Determination of Entitlement to Monthly Benefits for Sept. 1960 and Prior Months and Individual's Closing Date Prior to 1960
Section 204(d)(2) of
§415. Computation of primary insurance amount
For the purposes of this subchapter—
(a) Primary insurance amount
(1)(A) The primary insurance amount of an individual shall (except as otherwise provided in this section) be equal to the sum of—
(i) 90 percent of the individual's average indexed monthly earnings (determined under subsection (b) of this section) to the extent that such earnings do not exceed the amount established for purposes of this clause by subparagraph (B),
(ii) 32 percent of the individual's average indexed monthly earnings to the extent that such earnings exceed the amount established for purposes of clause (i) but do not exceed the amount established for purposes of this clause by subparagraph (B), and
(iii) 15 percent of the individual's average indexed monthly earnings to the extent that such earnings exceed the amount established for purposes of clause (ii),
rounded, if not a multiple of $0.10, to the next lower multiple of $0.10, and thereafter increased as provided in subsection (i) of this section.
(B)(i) For individuals who initially become eligible for old-age or disability insurance benefits, or who die (before becoming eligible for such benefits), in the calendar year 1979, the amount established for purposes of clause (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) shall be $180 and $1,085, respectively.
(ii) For individuals who initially become eligible for old-age or disability insurance benefits, or who die (before becoming eligible for such benefits), in any calendar year after 1979, each of the amounts so established shall equal the product of the corresponding amount established with respect to the calendar year 1979 under clause (i) of this subparagraph and the quotient obtained by dividing—
(I) the national average wage index (as defined in
(II) the national average wage index (as so defined) for 1977.
(iii) Each amount established under clause (ii) for any calendar year shall be rounded to the nearest $1, except that any amount so established which is a multiple of $0.50 but not of $1 shall be rounded to the next higher $1.
(C)(i) No primary insurance amount computed under subparagraph (A) may be less than an amount equal to $11.50 multiplied by the individual's years of coverage in excess of 10, or the increased amount determined for purposes of this clause under subsection (i) of this section.
(ii) For purposes of clause (i), the term "years of coverage" with respect to any individual means the number (not exceeding 30) equal to the sum of (I) the number (not exceeding 14 and disregarding any fraction) determined by dividing (a) the total of the wages credited to such individual (including wages deemed to be paid prior to 1951 to such individual under
(D) In each calendar year the Commissioner of Social Security shall publish in the Federal Register, on or before November 1, the formula for computing benefits under this paragraph and for adjusting wages and self-employment income under subsection (b)(3) of this section in the case of an individual who becomes eligible for an old-age insurance benefit, or (if earlier) becomes eligible for a disability insurance benefit or dies, in the following year, and the national average wage index (as defined in
(2)(A) A year shall not be counted as the year of an individual's death or eligibility for purposes of this subsection or subsection (i) of this section in any case where such individual was entitled to a disability insurance benefit for any of the 12 months immediately preceding the month of such death or eligibility (but there shall be counted instead the year of the individual's eligibility for the disability insurance benefit or benefits to which he was entitled during such 12 months).
(B) In the case of an individual who was entitled to a disability insurance benefit for any of the 12 months before the month in which he became entitled to an old-age insurance benefit, became reentitled to a disability insurance benefit, or died, the primary insurance amount for determining any benefit attributable to that entitlement, reentitlement, or death is the greater of—
(i) the primary insurance amount upon which such disability insurance benefit was based, increased by the amount of each general benefit increase (as defined in subsection (i)(3) of this section), and each increase provided under subsection (i)(2) of this section, that would have applied to such primary insurance amount had the individual remained entitled to such disability insurance benefit until the month in which he became so entitled or reentitled or died, or
(ii) the amount computed under paragraph (1)(C).
(C) In the case of an individual who was entitled to a disability insurance benefit for any month, and with respect to whom a primary insurance amount is required to be computed at any time after the close of the period of the individual's disability (whether because of such individual's subsequent entitlement to old-age insurance benefits or to a disability insurance benefit based upon a subsequent period of disability, or because of such individual's death), the primary insurance amount so computed may in no case be less than the primary insurance amount with respect to which such former disability insurance benefit was most recently determined.
(3)(A) Paragraph (1) applies only to an individual who was not eligible for an old-age insurance benefit prior to January 1979 and who in that or any succeeding month—
(i) becomes eligible for such a benefit,
(ii) becomes eligible for a disability insurance benefit, or
(iii) dies,
and (except for subparagraph (C)(i) thereof) it applies to every such individual except to the extent otherwise provided by paragraph (4).
(B) For purposes of this subchapter, an individual is deemed to be eligible—
(i) for old-age insurance benefits, for months beginning with the month in which he attains age 62, or
(ii) for disability insurance benefits, for months beginning with the month in which his period of disability began as provided under
except as provided in paragraph (2)(A) in cases where fewer than 12 months have elapsed since the termination of a prior period of disability.
(4) Paragraph (1) (except for subparagraph (C)(i) thereof) does not apply to the computation or recomputation of a primary insurance amount for—
(A) an individual who was eligible for a disability insurance benefit for a month prior to January 1979 unless, prior to the month in which occurs the event described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of paragraph (3)(A), there occurs a period of at least 12 consecutive months for which he was not entitled to a disability insurance benefit, or
(B) an individual who had wages or self-employment income credited for one or more years prior to 1979, and who was not eligible for an old-age or disability insurance benefit, and did not die, prior to January 1979, if in the year for which the computation or recomputation would be made the individual's primary insurance amount would be greater if computed or recomputed—
(i) under this subsection as in effect in December 1978, for purposes of old-age insurance benefits in the case of an individual who becomes eligible for such benefits prior to 1984, or
(ii) as provided by subsection (d) of this section, in the case of an individual to whom such section applies.
In determining whether an individual's primary insurance amount would be greater if computed or recomputed as provided in subparagraph (B), (I) the table of benefits in effect in December 1978, as modified by paragraph (6), shall be applied without regard to any increases in that table which may become effective (in accordance with subsection (i)(4) of this section) for years after 1978 (subject to clause (iii) of subsection (i)(2)(A) of this section) and (II) such individual's average monthly wage shall be computed as provided by subsection (b)(4) of this section.
(5)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B), (C), (D) and (E), for purposes of computing the primary insurance amount (after December 1978) of an individual to whom paragraph (1) does not apply (other than an individual described in paragraph (4)(B)), this section as in effect in December 1978 shall remain in effect, except that, effective for January 1979, the dollar amount specified in paragraph (3) of this subsection shall be increased to $11.50.
(B)(i) Subject to clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv), and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the primary insurance amount of any individual described in subparagraph (C) shall be, in lieu of the primary insurance amount as computed pursuant to any of the provisions referred to in subparagraph (D), the primary insurance amount computed under subsection (a) of this section as in effect in December 1978, without regard to subsections (b)(4) and (c) of this section as so in effect.
(ii) The computation of a primary insurance amount under this subparagraph shall be subject to section 104(j)(2) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972 (relating to the number of elapsed years under subsection (b) of this section).
(iii) In computing a primary insurance amount under this subparagraph, the dollar amount specified in paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of this section (as in effect in December 1978) shall be increased to $11.50.
(iv) In the case of an individual to whom subsection (d) of this section applies, the primary insurance amount of such individual shall be the greater of—
(I) the primary insurance amount computed under the preceding clauses of this subparagraph, or
(II) the primary insurance amount computed under subsection (d) of this section.
(C) An individual is described in this subparagraph if—
(i) paragraph (1) does not apply to such individual by reason of such individual's eligibility for an old-age or disability insurance benefit, or the individual's death, prior to 1979, and
(ii) such individual's primary insurance amount computed under this section as in effect immediately before November 5, 1990, would have been computed under the provisions described in subparagraph (D).
(D) The provisions described in this subparagraph are—
(i) the provisions of this subsection as in effect prior to July 30, 1965, if such provisions would preclude the use of wages prior to 1951 in the computation of the primary insurance amount,
(ii) the provisions of
(iii) the provisions of subsection (d) of this section as in effect prior to December 20, 1977.
(E) For purposes of this paragraph, the table for determining primary insurance amounts and maximum family benefits contained in this section in December 1978 shall be revised as provided by subsection (i) of this section for each year after 1978.
(6)(A) In applying the table of benefits in effect in December 1978 under this section for purposes of the last sentence of paragraph (4), such table, revised as provided by subsection (i) of this section, as applicable, shall be extended for average monthly wages of less than $76.00 and primary insurance benefits (as determined under subsection (d) of this section) of less than $16.20.
(B) The Commissioner of Social Security shall determine and promulgate in regulations the methodology for extending the table under subparagraph (A).
(7)(A) In the case of an individual whose primary insurance amount would be computed under paragraph (1) of this subsection, who—
(i) attains age 62 after 1985 (except where he or she became entitled to a disability insurance benefit before 1986 and remained so entitled in any of the 12 months immediately preceding his or her attainment of age 62), or
(ii) would attain age 62 after 1985 and becomes eligible for a disability insurance benefit after 1985,
and who first becomes eligible after 1985 for a monthly periodic payment (including a payment determined under subparagraph (C), but excluding (I) a payment under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 or 1937 [
(B)(i) If paragraph (1) of this subsection would apply to such an individual (except for subparagraph (A) of this paragraph), there shall first be computed an amount equal to the individual's primary insurance amount under paragraph (1) of this subsection, except that for purposes of such computation the percentage of the individual's average indexed monthly earnings established by subparagraph (A)(i) of paragraph (1) shall be the percent specified in clause (ii). There shall then be computed (without regard to this paragraph) a second amount, which shall be equal to the individual's primary insurance amount under paragraph (1) of this subsection, except that such second amount shall be reduced by an amount equal to one-half of the portion of the monthly periodic payment which is attributable to noncovered service performed after 1956 (with such attribution being based on the proportionate number of years of such noncovered service) and to which the individual is entitled (or is deemed to be entitled) for the initial month of his or her concurrent entitlement to such monthly periodic payment and old-age or disability insurance benefits. The individual's primary insurance amount shall be the larger of the two amounts computed under this subparagraph (before the application of subsection (i) of this section) and shall be deemed to be computed under paragraph (1) of this subsection for the purpose of applying other provisions of this subchapter.
(ii) For purposes of clause (i), the percent specified in this clause is—
(I) 80.0 percent with respect to individuals who become eligible (as defined in paragraph (3)(B)) for old-age insurance benefits (or became eligible as so defined for disability insurance benefits before attaining age 62) in 1986;
(II) 70.0 percent with respect to individuals who so become eligible in 1987;
(III) 60.0 percent with respect to individuals who so become eligible in 1988;
(IV) 50.0 percent with respect to individuals who so become eligible in 1989; and
(V) 40.0 percent with respect to individuals who so become eligible in 1990 or thereafter.
(C)(i) Any periodic payment which otherwise meets the requirements of subparagraph (A), but which is paid on other than a monthly basis, shall be allocated on a basis equivalent to a monthly payment (as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security), and such equivalent monthly payment shall constitute a monthly periodic payment for purposes of this paragraph.
(ii) In the case of an individual who has elected to receive a periodic payment that has been reduced so as to provide a survivor's benefit to any other individual, the payment shall be deemed to be increased (for purposes of any computation under this paragraph or subsection (d)(3) of this section) by the amount of such reduction.
(iii) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "periodic payment" includes a payment payable in a lump sum if it is a commutation of, or a substitute for, periodic payments.
(D) This paragraph shall not apply in the case of an individual who has 30 years or more of coverage. In the case of an individual who has more than 20 years of coverage but less than 30 years of coverage (as so defined), the percent specified in the applicable subdivision of subparagraph (B)(ii) shall (if such percent is smaller than the applicable percent specified in the following table) be deemed to be the applicable percent specified in the following table:
For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "year of coverage" shall have the meaning provided in paragraph (1)(C)(ii), except that the reference to "15 percent" therein shall be deemed to be a reference to "25 percent".
(E) This paragraph shall not apply in the case of an individual whose eligibility for old-age or disability insurance benefits is based on an agreement concluded pursuant to
(i) is an employee performing service to which social security coverage is extended on that date solely by reason of the amendments made by section 101 of the Social Security Amendments of 1983; or
(ii) is an employee of a nonprofit organization which (on December 31, 1983) did not have in effect a waiver certificate under section 3121(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and to the employees of which social security coverage is extended on that date solely by reason of the amendments made by section 102 of that Act, unless social security coverage had previously extended to service performed by such individual as an employee of that organization under a waiver certificate which was subsequently (prior to December 31, 1983) terminated.
(b) Average indexed monthly earnings; average monthly wage
(1) An individual's average indexed monthly earnings shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing—
(A) the total (after adjustment under paragraph (3)) of his wages paid in and self-employment income credited to his benefit computation years (determined under paragraph (2)), by
(B) the number of months in those years.
(2)(A) The number of an individual's benefit computation years equals the number of elapsed years reduced—
(i) in the case of an individual who is entitled to old-age insurance benefits (except as provided in the second sentence of this subparagraph), or who has died, by 5 years, and
(ii) in the case of an individual who is entitled to disability insurance benefits, by the number of years equal to one-fifth of such individual's elapsed years (disregarding any resulting fractional part of a year), but not by more than 5 years.
Clause (ii), once applicable with respect to any individual, shall continue to apply for purposes of determining such individual's primary insurance amount for purposes of any subsequent eligibility for disability or old-age insurance benefits unless prior to the month in which such eligibility begins there occurs a period of at least 12 consecutive months for which he was not entitled to a disability or an old-age insurance benefit. If an individual described in clause (ii) is living with a child (of such individual or his or her spouse) under the age of 3 in any calendar year which is included in such individual's computation base years, but which is not disregarded pursuant to clause (ii) or to subparagraph (B) (in determining such individual's benefit computation years) by reason of the reduction in the number of such individual's elapsed years under clause (ii), the number by which such elapsed years are reduced under this subparagraph pursuant to clause (ii) shall be increased by one (up to a combined total not exceeding 3) for each such calendar year; except that (I) no calendar year shall be disregarded by reason of this sentence (in determining such individual's benefit computation years) unless the individual was living with such child substantially throughout the period in which the child was alive and under the age of 3 in such year and the individual had no earnings as described in
(B) For purposes of this subsection with respect to any individual—
(i) the term "benefit computation years" means those computation base years, equal in number to the number determined under subparagraph (A), for which the total of such individual's wages and self-employment income, after adjustment under paragraph (3), is the largest;
(ii) the term "computation base years" means the calendar years after 1950 and before—
(I) in the case of an individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits, the year in which occurred (whether by reason of
(II) in the case of an individual who has died (without having become entitled to old-age insurance benefits), the year succeeding the year of his death;
except that such term excludes any calendar year entirely included in a period of disability; and
(iii) the term "number of elapsed years" means (except as otherwise provided by section 104(j)(2) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972) the number of calendar years after 1950 (or, if later, the year in which the individual attained age 21) and before the year in which the individual died, or, if it occurred earlier (but after 1960), the year in which he attained age 62; except that such term excludes any calendar year any part of which is included in a period of disability.
(3)(A) Except as provided by subparagraph (B), the wages paid in and self-employment income credited to each of an individual's computation base years for purposes of the selection therefrom of benefit computation years under paragraph (2) shall be deemed to be equal to the product of—
(i) the wages and self-employment income paid in or credited to such year (as determined without regard to this subparagraph), and
(ii) the quotient obtained by dividing—
(I) the national average wage index (as defined in
(II) the national average wage index (as so defined) for the computation base year for which the determination is made.
(B) Wages paid in or self-employment income credited to an individual's computation base year which—
(i) occurs after the second calendar year specified in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I), or
(ii) is a year treated under subsection (f)(2)(C) of this section as though it were the last year of the period specified in paragraph (2)(B)(ii),
shall be available for use in determining an individual's benefit computation years, but without applying subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.
(4) For purposes of determining the average monthly wage of an individual whose primary insurance amount is computed (after 1978) under subsection (a) or (d) of this section as in effect (except with respect to the table contained therein) in December 1978, by reason of subsection (a)(4)(B) of this section, this subsection as in effect in December 1978 shall remain in effect, except that paragraph (2)(C) (as then in effect) shall be deemed to provide that "computation base years" include only calendar years in the period after 1950 (or 1936, if applicable) and prior to the year in which occurred the first month for which the individual was eligible (as defined in subsection (a)(3)(B) of this section as in effect in January 1979) for an old-age or disability insurance benefit, or, if earlier, the year in which he died. Any calendar year all of which is included in a period of disability shall not be included as a computation base year for such purposes.
(c) Application of prior provisions in certain cases
Subject to the amendments made by section 5117 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, this subsection as in effect in December 1978 shall remain in effect with respect to an individual to whom subsection (a)(1) of this section does not apply by reason of the individual's eligibility for an old-age or disability insurance benefit, or the individual's death, prior to 1979.
(d) Primary insurance amount under 1939 Act
(1) For purposes of column I of the table appearing in subsection (a) of this section, as that subsection was in effect in December 1977, an individual's primary insurance benefit shall be computed as follows:
(A) The individual's average monthly wage shall be determined as provided in subsection (b) of this section, as in effect in December 1977 (but without regard to paragraph (4) thereof and subject to section 104(j)(2) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972), except that for purposes of paragraphs (2)(C) and (3) of that subsection (as so in effect) 1936 shall be used instead of 1950.
(B) For purposes of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (b)(2) of this section (as so in effect)—
(i) the total wages prior to 1951 (as defined in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph) of an individual—
(I) shall, in the case of an individual who attained age 21 prior to 1950, be divided by the number of years (hereinafter in this subparagraph referred to as the "divisor") elapsing after the year in which the individual attained age 20, or 1936 if later, and prior to the earlier of the year of death or 1951, except that such divisor shall not include any calendar year entirely included in a period of disability, and in no case shall the divisor be less than one, and
(II) shall, in the case of an individual who died before 1950 and before attaining age 21, be divided by the number of years (hereinafter in this subparagraph referred to as the "divisor") elapsing after the second year prior to the year of death, or 1936 if later, and prior to the year of death, and in no case shall the divisor be less than one; and
(ii) the total wages prior to 1951 (as defined in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph) of an individual who either attained age 21 after 1949 or died after 1949 before attaining age 21, shall be divided by the number of years (hereinafter in this subparagraph referred to as the "divisor") elapsing after 1949 and prior to 1951.
The quotient so obtained shall be deemed to be the individual's wages credited to each of the years which were used in computing the amount of the divisor, except that—
(iii) if the quotient exceeds $3,000, only $3,000 shall be deemed to be the individual's wages for each of the years which were used in computing the amount of the divisor, and the remainder of the individual's total wages prior to 1951 (I) if less than $3,000, shall be deemed credited to the computation base year (as defined in subsection (b)(2) of this section as in effect in December 1977) immediately preceding the earliest year used in computing the amount of the divisor, or (II) if $3,000 or more, shall be deemed credited, in $3,000 increments, to the computation base year (as so defined) immediately preceding the earliest year used in computing the amount of the divisor and to each of the computation base years (as so defined) consecutively preceding that year, with any remainder less than $3,000 being credited to the computation base year (as so defined) immediately preceding the earliest year to which a full $3,000 increment was credited; and
(iv) no more than $42,000 may be taken into account, for purposes of this subparagraph, as total wages after 1936 and prior to 1951.
(C) For the purposes of subparagraph (B), "total wages prior to 1951" with respect to an individual means the sum of (i) remuneration credited to such individual prior to 1951 on the records of the Commissioner of Social Security, (ii) wages deemed paid prior to 1951 to such individual under
(D) The individual's primary insurance benefit shall be 40 percent of the first $50 of his average monthly wage as computed under this subsection, plus 10 percent of the next $200 of his average monthly wage, increased by 1 percent for each increment year. The number of increment years is the number, not more than 14 nor less than 4, that is equal to the individual's total wages prior to 1951 divided by $1,650 (disregarding any fraction).
(2) The provisions of this subsection shall be applicable only in the case of an individual—
(A) with respect to whom at least one of the quarters elapsing prior to 1951 is a quarter of coverage;
(B) who attained age 22 after 1950 and with respect to whom less than six of the quarters elapsing after 1950 are quarters of coverage, or who attained such age before 1951; and
(C)(i) who becomes entitled to benefits under
(ii) whose primary insurance amount is required to be recomputed under paragraph (2), (6), or (7) of subsection (f) of this section or under
(3) In the case of an individual whose primary insurance amount is not computed under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this section by reason of paragraph (4)(B)(ii) of that subsection, who—
(A) attains age 62 after 1985 (except where he or she became entitled to a disability insurance benefit before 1986, and remained so entitled in any of the 12 months immediately preceding his or her attainment of age 62), or
(B) would attain age 62 after 1985 and becomes eligible for a disability insurance benefit after 1985,
and who first becomes eligible after 1985 for a monthly periodic payment (including a payment determined under subsection (a)(7)(C) of this section, but excluding (I) a payment under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 or 1937 [
(i) one-half of the primary insurance amount (computed without regard to this paragraph and before the application of subsection (i) of this section), or
(ii) one-half of the portion of the monthly periodic payment (or payment determined under subsection (a)(7)(C) of this section) which is attributable to noncovered service performed after 1956 (with such attribution being based on the proportionate number of years of such noncovered service) and to which that individual is entitled (or is deemed to be entitled) for the initial month of such concurrent entitlement.
This paragraph shall not apply in the case of any individual to whom subsection (a)(7) of this section would not apply by reason of subparagraph (E) or the first sentence of subparagraph (D) thereof.
(e) Certain wages and self-employment income not to be counted
For the purposes of subsections (b) and (d) of this section—
(1) in computing an individual's average indexed monthly earnings or, in the case of an individual whose primary insurance amount is computed under subsection (a) of this section as in effect prior to January 1979, average monthly wage, there shall not be counted the excess over $3,600 in the case of any calendar year after 1950 and before 1955, the excess over $4,200 in the case of any calendar year after 1954 and before 1959, the excess over $4,800 in the case of any calendar year after 1958 and before 1966, the excess over $6,600 in the case of any calendar year after 1965 and before 1968, the excess over $7,800 in the case of any calendar year after 1967 and before 1972, the excess over $9,000 in the case of any calendar year after 1971 and before 1973, the excess over $10,800 in the case of any calendar year after 1972 and before 1974, the excess over $13,200 in the case of any calendar year after 1973 and before 1975, and the excess over an amount equal to the contribution and benefit base (as determined under
(2) if an individual's average indexed monthly earnings or, in the case of an individual whose primary insurance amount is computed under subsection (a) of this section as in effect prior to January 1979, average monthly wage, computed under subsection (b) of this section or for the purposes of subsection (d) of this section is not a multiple of $1, it shall be reduced to the next lower multiple of $1.
(f) Recomputation of benefits
(1) After an individual's primary insurance amount has been determined under this section, there shall be no recomputation of such individual's primary insurance amount except as provided in this subsection or, in the case of a World War II veteran who died prior to July 27, 1954, as provided in
(2)(A) If an individual has wages or self-employment income for a year after 1978 for any part of which he is entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits, the Commissioner of Social Security shall, at such time or times and within such period as the Commissioner may by regulation prescribe, recompute the individual's primary insurance amount for that year.
(B) For the purpose of applying subparagraph (A) of subsection (a)(1) of this section to the average indexed monthly earnings of an individual to whom that subsection applies and who receives a recomputation under this paragraph, there shall be used, in lieu of the amounts established by subsection (a)(1)(B) of this section for purposes of clauses (i) and (ii) of subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section, the amounts so established that were (or, in the case of an individual described in subsection (a)(4)(B) of this section, would have been) used in the computation of such individual's primary insurance amount prior to the application of this subsection.
(C) A recomputation of any individual's primary insurance amount under this paragraph shall be made as provided in subsection (a)(1) of this section as though the year with respect to which it is made is the last year of the period specified in subsection (b)(2)(B)(ii) of this section; and subsection (b)(3)(A) of this section shall apply with respect to any such recomputation as it applied in the computation of such individual's primary insurance amount prior to the application of this subsection.
(D) A recomputation under this paragraph with respect to any year shall be effective—
(i) in the case of an individual who did not die in that year, for monthly benefits beginning with benefits for January of the following year; or
(ii) in the case of an individual who died in that year, for monthly benefits beginning with benefits for the month in which he died.
(3) Repealed.
(4) A recomputation shall be effective under this subsection only if it increases the primary insurance amount by at least $1.
(5) In the case of a man who became entitled to old-age insurance benefits and died before the month in which he attained retirement age (as defined in
(6) Upon the death after 1967 of an individual entitled to benefits under section 402(a) or
(7) This subsection as in effect in December 1978 shall continue to apply to the recomputation of a primary insurance amount computed under subsection (a) or (d) of this section as in effect (without regard to the table in subsection (a) of this section) in that month, and, where appropriate, under subsection (d) as in effect in December 1977, including a primary insurance amount computed under any such subsection whose operation is modified as a result of the amendments made by section 5117 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. For purposes of recomputing a primary insurance amount determined under subsection (a) or (d) of this section (as so in effect) in the case of an individual to whom those subsections apply by reason of subsection (a)(4)(B) of this section as in effect after December 1978, no remuneration shall be taken into account for the year in which the individual initially became eligible for an old-age or disability insurance benefit or died, or for any year thereafter, and (effective January 1982) the recomputation shall be modified by the application of subsection (a)(6) of this section where applicable.
(8) The Commissioner of Social Security shall recompute the primary insurance amounts applicable to beneficiaries whose benefits are based on a primary insurance amount which was computed under subsection (a)(3) of this section effective prior to January 1979, or would have been so computed if the dollar amount specified therein were $11.50. Such recomputation shall be effective January 1979, and shall include the effect of the increase in the dollar amount provided by subsection (a)(1)(C)(i) of this section. Such primary insurance amount shall be deemed to be provided under such section for purposes of subsection (i) of this section.
(9)(A) In the case of an individual who becomes entitled to a periodic payment determined under subsection (a)(7)(A) of this section (including a payment determined under subsection (a)(7)(C) of this section) in a month subsequent to the first month in which he or she becomes entitled to an old-age or disability insurance benefit, and whose primary insurance amount has been computed without regard to either such subsection or subsection (d)(3) of this section, such individual's primary insurance amount shall be recomputed (notwithstanding paragraph (4) of this subsection), in accordance with either such subsection or subsection (d)(3) of this section, as may be applicable, effective with the first month of his or her concurrent entitlement to such benefit and such periodic payment.
(B) If an individual's primary insurance amount has been computed under subsection (a)(7) or (d)(3) of this section, and it becomes necessary to recompute that primary insurance amount under this subsection—
(i) so as to increase the monthly benefit amount payable with respect to such primary insurance amount (except in the case of the individual's death), such increase shall be determined as though the recomputed primary insurance amount were being computed under subsection (a)(7) or (d)(3) of this section, or
(ii) by reason of the individual's death, such primary insurance amount shall be recomputed without regard to (and as though it had never been computed with regard to) subsection (a)(7) or (d)(3) of this section.
(g) Rounding of benefits
The amount of any monthly benefit computed under
(h) Service of certain Public Health Service Officers
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subchapter III of
(2) In the case of a monthly benefit for a month prior to that in which the individual, on whose wages and self-employment income such benefit is based, dies, the waiver must be filed by such individual; and such waiver shall be irrevocable and shall constitute a waiver on behalf of himself, his wife, and his children. If such individual did not file such a waiver before he died, then in the case of a benefit for the month in which he died or any month thereafter, such waiver must be filed by his widow, if any, and by or on behalf of all his children, if any; and such waivers shall be irrevocable. Such a waiver by a child shall be filed by his legal guardian or guardians, or, in the absence thereof, by the person (or persons) who has the child in his care.
(i) Cost-of-living increases in benefits
(1) For purposes of this subsection—
(A) the term "base quarter" means (i) the calendar quarter ending on September 30 in each year after 1982, or (ii) any other calendar quarter in which occurs the effective month of a general benefit increase under this subchapter;
(B) the term "cost-of-living computation quarter" means a base quarter, as defined in subparagraph (A)(i), with respect to which the applicable increase percentage is greater than zero; except that there shall be no cost-of-living computation quarter in any calendar year if in the year prior to such year a law has been enacted providing a general benefit increase under this subchapter or if in such prior year such a general benefit increase becomes effective;
(C) the term "applicable increase percentage" means—
(i) with respect to a base quarter or cost-of-living computation quarter in any calendar year before 1984, or in any calendar year after 1983 and before 1989 for which the OASDI fund ratio is 15.0 percent or more, or in any calendar year after 1988 for which the OASDI fund ratio is 20.0 percent or more, the CPI increase percentage; and
(ii) with respect to a base quarter or cost-of-living computation quarter in any calendar year after 1983 and before 1989 for which the OASDI fund ratio is less than 15.0 percent, or in any calendar year after 1988 for which the OASDI fund ratio is less than 20.0 percent, the CPI increase percentage or the wage increase percentage, whichever (with respect to that quarter) is the lower;
(D) the term "CPI increase percentage", with respect to a base quarter or cost-of-living computation quarter in any calendar year, means the percentage (rounded to the nearest one-tenth of 1 percent) by which the Consumer Price Index for that quarter (as prepared by the Department of Labor) exceeds such index for the most recent prior calendar quarter which was a base quarter under subparagraph (A)(ii) or, if later, the most recent cost-of-living computation quarter under subparagraph (B);
(E) the term "wage increase percentage", with respect to a base quarter or cost-of-living computation quarter in any calendar year, means the percentage (rounded to the nearest one-tenth of 1 percent) by which the national average wage index (as defined in
(F) the term "OASDI fund ratio", with respect to any calendar year, means the ratio of—
(i) the combined balance in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund as of the beginning of such year, including the taxes transferred under
(ii) the total amount which (as estimated by the Commissioner of Social Security) will be paid from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund during such calendar year for all purposes authorized by
(G) the Consumer Price Index for a base quarter, a cost-of-living computation quarter, or any other calendar quarter shall be the arithmetical mean of such index for the 3 months in such quarter.
(2)(A)(i) The Commissioner of Social Security shall determine each year beginning with 1975 (subject to the limitation in paragraph (1)(B)) whether the base quarter (as defined in paragraph (1)(A)(i)) in such year is a cost-of-living computation quarter.
(ii) If the Commissioner of Social Security determines that the base quarter in any year is a cost-of-living computation quarter, the Commissioner shall, effective with the month of December of that year as provided in subparagraph (B), increase—
(I) the benefit amount to which individuals are entitled for that month under
(II) the primary insurance amount of each other individual on which benefit entitlement is based under this subchapter, and
(III) the amount of total monthly benefits based on any primary insurance amount which is permitted under
The increase shall be derived by multiplying each of the amounts described in subdivisions (I), (II), and (III) (including each of those amounts as previously increased under this subparagraph) by the applicable increase percentage; and any amount so increased that is not a multiple of $0.10 shall be decreased to the next lower multiple of $0.10. Any increase under this subsection in a primary insurance amount determined under subparagraph (C)(i) of subsection (a)(1) of this section shall be applied after the initial determination of such primary insurance amount under that subparagraph (with the amount of such increase, in the case of an individual who becomes eligible for old-age or disability insurance benefits or dies in a calendar year after 1979, being determined from the range of possible primary insurance amounts published by the Commissioner of Social Security under the last sentence of subparagraph (D)).
(iii) In the case of an individual who becomes eligible for an old-age or disability insurance benefit, or who dies prior to becoming so eligible, in a year in which there occurs an increase provided under clause (ii), the individual's primary insurance amount (without regard to the time of entitlement to that benefit) shall be increased (unless otherwise so increased under another provision of this subchapter and, with respect to a primary insurance amount determined under subsection (a)(1)(C)(i)(I) of this section in the case of an individual to whom that subsection (as in effect in December 1981) applied, subject to the provisions of subsection (a)(1)(C)(i) of this section and clauses (iv) and (v) of this subparagraph (as then in effect)) by the amount of that increase and subsequent applicable increases, but only with respect to benefits payable for months after November of that year.
(B) The increase provided by subparagraph (A) with respect to a particular cost-of-living computation quarter shall apply in the case of monthly benefits under this subchapter for months after November of the calendar year in which occurred such cost-of-living computation quarter, and in the case of lump-sum death payments with respect to deaths occurring after November of such calendar year.
(C)(i) Whenever the Commissioner of Social Security determines that a base quarter in a calendar year is also a cost-of-living computation quarter, the Commissioner shall notify the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance of such determination within 30 days after the close of such quarter, indicating the amount of the benefit increase to be provided, the Commissioner's estimate of the extent to which the cost of such increase would be met by an increase in the contribution and benefit base under
(ii) The Commissioner of Social Security shall determine and promulgate the OASDI fund ratio for the current calendar year on or before November 1 of the current calendar year, based upon the most recent data then available. The Commissioner of Social Security shall include a statement of the fund ratio and the national average wage index (as defined in
(D) If the Commissioner of Social Security determines that a base quarter in a calendar year is also a cost-of-living computation quarter, the Commissioner shall publish in the Federal Register within 45 days after the close of such quarter a determination that a benefit increase is resultantly required and the percentage thereof. The Commissioner shall also publish in the Federal Register at that time (i) a revision of the range of the primary insurance amounts which are possible after the application of this subsection based on the dollar amount specified in subparagraph (C)(i) of subsection (a)(1) of this section (with such revised primary insurance amounts constituting the increased amounts determined for purposes of such subparagraph (C)(i) under this subsection), or specified in subsection (a)(3) of this section as in effect prior to 1979, and (ii) a revision of the range of maximum family benefits which correspond to such primary insurance amounts (with such maximum benefits being effective notwithstanding
(3) As used in this subsection, the term "general benefit increase under this subchapter" means an increase (other than an increase under this subsection) in all primary insurance amounts on which monthly insurance benefits under this subchapter are based.
(4) This subsection as in effect in December 1978, and as amended by sections 111(a)(6), 111(b)(2), and 112 of the Social Security Amendments of 1983 and by section 9001 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, shall continue to apply to subsections (a) and (d) of this section, as then in effect and as amended by section 5117 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, for purposes of computing the primary insurance amount of an individual to whom subsection (a) of this section, as in effect after December 1978, does not apply (including an individual to whom subsection (a) of this section does not apply in any year by reason of paragraph (4)(B) of that subsection (but the application of this subsection in such cases shall be modified by the application of subdivision (I) in the last sentence of paragraph (4) of that subsection)), except that for this purpose, in applying paragraphs (2)(A)(ii), (2)(D)(iv), and (2)(D)(v) of this subsection as in effect in December 1978, the phrase "increased to the next higher multiple of $0.10" shall be deemed to read "decreased to the next lower multiple of $0.10". For purposes of computing primary insurance amounts and maximum family benefits (other than primary insurance amounts and maximum family benefits for individuals to whom such paragraph (4)(B) applies), the Commissioner of Social Security shall revise the table of benefits contained in subsection (a) of this section, as in effect in December 1978, in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (2)(D) of this subsection as then in effect, except that the requirement in such paragraph (2)(D) that the Commissioner of Social Security publish such revision of the table of benefits in the Federal Register shall not apply.
(5)(A) If—
(i) with respect to any calendar year the "applicable increase percentage" was determined under clause (ii) of paragraph (1)(C) rather than under clause (i) of such paragraph, and the increase becoming effective under paragraph (2) in such year was accordingly determined on the basis of the wage increase percentage rather than the CPI increase percentage (or there was no such increase becoming effective under paragraph (2) in that year because there was no wage increase percentage greater than zero), and
(ii) for any subsequent calendar year in which an increase under paragraph (2) becomes effective the OASDI fund ratio is greater than 32.0 percent,
then each of the amounts described in subdivisions (I), (II), and (III) of paragraph (2)(A)(ii), as increased under paragraph (2) effective with the month of December in such subsequent calendar year, shall be further increased (effective with such month) by an additional percentage, which shall be determined under subparagraph (B) and shall apply as provided in subparagraph (C). Any amount so increased that is not a multiple of $0.10 shall be decreased to the next lower multiple of $0.10.
(B) The applicable additional percentage by which the amounts described in subdivisions (I), (II), and (III) of paragraph (2)(A)(ii) are to be further increased under subparagraph (A) in the subsequent calendar year involved shall be the amount derived by—
(i) subtracting (I) the compounded percentage benefit increases that were actually paid under paragraph (2) and this paragraph from (II) the compounded percentage benefit increases that would have been paid if all increases under paragraph (2) had been made on the basis of the CPI increase percentage,
(ii) dividing the difference by the sum of the compounded percentage in clause (i)(I) and 100 percent, and
(iii) multiplying such quotient by 100 so as to yield such applicable additional percentage (which shall be rounded to the nearest one-tenth of 1 percent),
with the compounded increases referred to in clause (i) being measured—
(iv) in the case of amounts described in subdivision (I) of paragraph (2)(A)(ii), over the period beginning with the calendar year in which monthly benefits described in such subdivision were first increased on the basis of the wage increase percentage and ending with the year before such subsequent calendar year, and
(v) in the case of amounts described in subdivisions (II) and (III) of paragraph (2)(A)(ii), over the period beginning with the calendar year in which the individual whose primary insurance amount is increased under such subdivision (II) became eligible (as defined in subsection (a)(3)(B) of this section) for the old-age or disability insurance benefit that is being increased under this subsection, or died before becoming so eligible, and ending with the year before such subsequent calendar year;
except that if the Commissioner of Social Security determines in any case that the application (in accordance with subparagraph (C)) of the additional percentage as computed under the preceding provisions of this subparagraph would cause the OASDI fund ratio to fall below 32.0 percent in the calendar year immediately following such subsequent year, the Commissioner shall reduce such applicable additional percentage to the extent necessary to ensure that the OASDI fund ratio will remain at or above 32.0 percent through the end of such following year.
(C) Any applicable additional percentage increase in an amount described in subdivision (I), (II), or (III) of paragraph (2)(A)(ii), made under this paragraph in any calendar year, shall thereafter be treated for all the purposes of this chapter as a part of the increase made in such amount under paragraph (2) for that year.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §215, as added Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title I, §104(a),
References in Text
The Railroad Retirement Act of 1937, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1)(C)(ii), (7)(A), and (d)(1)(C), (3), is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812,
The Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1)(C)(ii), (7)(A) and (d)(3), is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812, as amended generally by
Section 104(j)(2) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972, referred to in subsecs. (a)(5)(B)(ii), (b)(2)(B)(iii), and (d)(1)(A), is section 104(j)(2) of
Section 101 of the Social Security Amendments of 1983, referred to in subsec. (a)(7)(E)(i), is section 101 of
Section 3121(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, referred to in subsec. (a)(7)(E)(ii), was classified to
Section 102 of that Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(7)(E)(ii), is section 102 of
Section 5117 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, referred to in subsecs. (c), (f)(7), and (i)(4), is section 5117 of
The 1939 Act, referred to in subsec. (d), probably means act Aug. 10, 1939, ch. 666,
Section 101(a)(3) of the Social Security Disability Amendments of 1980, referred to in subsec. (i)(2)(D), is section 101(a)(3) of
Sections 111(a)(6), 111(b)(2), and 112 of the Social Security Amendments of 1983, referred to in subsec. (i)(4), are sections 111(a)(6), 111(b)(2), and 112 of
Section 9001 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, referred to in subsec. (i)(4), is section 9001 of
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(D).
Subsec. (a)(5)(B)(i).
Subsec. (a)(6)(B).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A).
Subsec. (a)(7)(C)(i).
Subsec. (a)(7)(E).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(ii)(I), (II).
Subsec. (d)(1)(C).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A).
Subsec. (f)(5), (6).
Subsec. (f)(7).
Subsecs. (f)(8), (h)(1).
Subsec. (i)(1)(E).
Subsec. (i)(1)(F)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(1)(G), (H).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(i), (ii), (C)(i).
Subsec. (i)(2)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(2)(D).
Subsec. (i)(4), (5)(B).
1990—Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A), (C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(7)(D).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(1)(A).
Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(i), (ii).
"(i) the total wages prior to 1951 (as defined in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph) of an individual who attained age 21 after 1936 and prior to 1950 shall be divided by the number of years (hereinafter in this subparagraph referred to as the 'divisor') elapsing after the year in which the individual attained age 20 and prior to 1951; and
"(ii) the total wages prior to 1951 (as defined in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph) of an individual who attained age 21 after 1949 shall be divided by the number of years (hereinafter in this subparagraph referred to as the 'divisor') elapsing after 1949 and prior to 1951."
Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C).
"(C)(i) who becomes entitled to benefits under
"(ii) who dies after such date without being entitled to benefits under
"(iii) whose primary insurance amount is required to be recomputed under subsection (f)(2) or (6) of this section or
Subsec. (d)(3) to (5).
"(3) The provisions of this subsection as in effect prior to January 2, 1968, shall be applicable in the case of an individual who had a period of disability which began prior to 1951, but only if the primary insurance amount resulting therefrom is higher than the primary insurance amount resulting from the application of this section (as amended by the Social Security Amendments of 1967) and
"(4) The provisions of this subsection as in effect in December 1977 shall be applicable to individuals who become eligible for old-age or disability insurance benefits or die prior to 1978."
Subsec. (f)(7).
Subsec. (f)(9)(A).
Subsec. (f)(9)(B).
Subsec. (i)(4).
1989—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (i)(1)(G).
1988—Subsec. (a)(7)(A).
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(i).
Subsec. (a)(7)(C)(iii), (iv).
Subsec. (a)(7)(D).
"(i) 80 percent, in the case of an individual who has 29 of such years of coverage;
"(ii) 70 percent, in the case of an individual who has 28 of such years;
"(iii) 60 percent, in the case of an individual who has 27 of such years; and
"(iv) 50 percent, in the case of an individual who has 26 of such years."
Subsec. (d)(5)(ii).
1986—Subsec. (i)(1)(B).
Subsec. (i)(2)(C)(i).
Subsec. (i)(2)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(2)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (i)(4).
Subsec. (i)(5)(A)(i).
Subsec. (i)(5)(B).
1984—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(4)(B).
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (a)(7)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A).
Subsec. (f)(9)(B)(i).
Subsec. (h)(1).
Subsec. (i)(5)(A).
Subsec. (i)(5)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (i)(5)(B)(iv), (v).
1983—Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (d)(5).
Subsec. (f)(5).
Subsec. (f)(9).
Subsec. (i)(1)(A).
Subsec. (i)(1)(B).
Subsec. (i)(1)(C) to (H).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (i)(2)(B).
Subsec. (i)(2)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (i)(4).
Subsec. (i)(5).
1981—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(i).
Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (f)(7).
Subsec. (f)(8).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(v).
Subsec. (i)(2)(D).
Subsec. (i)(4).
1980—Subsec. (a)(4)(B).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (i)(2)(D).
1977—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(1)(A).
Subsec. (d)(1)(B).
Subsec. (d)(1)(D).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (f)(7), (8).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(iii) to (v).
Subsec. (i)(2)(D).
Subsec. (i)(2)(D)(v).
Subsec. (i)(4).
1973—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (i)(1)(A)(i).
Subsec. (i)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(2)(B).
Subsec. (i)(2)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(2)(D).
Subsec. (i)(2)(E).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(1)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(6).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(ii).
1971—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (e)(1).
1969—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c).
1968—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(1).
"(A) In the computation of such benefit, such individual's average monthly wage shall (in lieu of being determined under
"(B) For purposes of such computation, the date he became entitled to old-age insurance benefits shall be deemed to be the date he became entitled to primary insurance benefits.
"(C) The 1 per centum addition provided for in
"(D) The provisions of subsection (e) of this section shall be applicable to such computation."
Subsec. (d)(2)(B), (C).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(5).
Subsec. (h)(1).
1965—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(4).
"(A) a woman who was entitled to a disability insurance benefit for the month before the month in which she died or became entitled to old-age insurance benefits, or
"(B) a man who was entitled to a disability insurance benefit for the month before the month in which he died or attained age 65,".
Subsec. (b)(2)(C).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A) to (C).
Subsec. (b)(4), (5).
"(4) The provisions of this subsection shall be applicable only in the case of an individual with respect to whom not less than six of the quarters elapsing after 1950 are quarters of coverage, and—
"(A) who becomes entitled to benefits after December 1960 under section [section 402(a) or
"(B) who dies after December 1960 without being entitled to benefits under section [section 402(a) or
"(C) who files an application for a recomputation under subsection (f)(2)(A) of this section after December 1960 and is (or would, but for the provisions of subsection (f)(6) of this section, be) entitled to have his primary insurance amount recomputed under subsection (f)(2)(A) of this section; or
"(D) who dies after December 1960 and whose survivors are (or would, but for the provisions of subsection (f)(6) of this section, be) entitled to a recomputation of his primary insurance amount under subsection (f)(4) of this section.
"(5) In the case of any individual—
"(A) to whom the provisions of this subsection are not made applicable by paragraph (4), but
"(B)(i) prior to 1961, met the requirements of this paragraph (including subparagraph (E) thereof) as in effect prior to the enactment of the Social Security Amendments of 1960, or (ii) after 1960, meets the conditions of subparagraph (E) of this paragraph as in effect prior to such enactment,
then the provisions of this subsection as in effect prior to such enactment shall apply to such individual for the purposes of column III of the table appearing in subsection (a) of this section."
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(1)(A).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (f)(5), (6).
Subsec. (f)(7).
1961—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(3).
"(A) in the case of a woman, the year in which she died or (if earlier) the first year after 1960 in which she both was fully insured and had attained age 62,
"(B) in the case of a man who has died, the year in which he died or (if earlier) the first year after 1960 in which he both was fully insured and had attained age 65, or
"(C) in the case of a man who has not died, the first year after 1960 in which he attained (or would attain) age 65 or (if later) the first year in which he was fully insured"
for the following provisions: "For the purposes of paragraph (2), an individual's 'elapsed years' shall be the number of calendar years—
"(A) after (i) December 31, 1950, or (ii) if later, December 31 of the year in which he attained the age of twenty-one, and
"(B) prior to (i) the year in which he died, or (ii) if earlier, the first year after December 31, 1960, in which he both was fully insured and had attained retirement age."
Subsec. (f)(7).
1960—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (d)(1)(A).
Subsec. (d)(1)(C).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B).
Subsec. (f)(3)(A).
Subsec. (f)(3)(B).
Subsec. (f)(3)(C).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (f)(5).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
1958—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (g).
1956—Subsec. (a)(3). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §103(c)(4), added par. (3).
Subsec. (b)(1). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §115(a), excluded from computation of an individual's average wage the months in any year any part of which was included in a period of disability, except the months in any year in which a period of disability began if their inclusion would result in a higher primary insurance amount.
Subsec. (b)(4). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §109(a), substituted "five" for "four", and struck out provisions which required the maximum number of calendar years determined under this clause to be five in the case of any individual who has not less than 20 quarters of coverage.
Subsec. (d)(5). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §115(b), excluded from the computation all quarters in any year prior to 1951 any part of which was included in a period of disability, except the quarters in the year in which a period of disability began if the inclusion of such quarters would result in a higher primary insurance amount.
Subsec. (e)(4). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §115(c), excluded any wages paid to an individual in any year any part of which was included in a period of disability, and any self-employment income credited to such year unless the months of such year are included as elapsed months.
Subsec. (g). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §103(c)(5), inserted references to
1954—Subsec. (a). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §102(a), provided a new benefit formula, for computing primary insurance amount for certain individuals, of 55 percent of the first $110 of average monthly wage plus 20 percent of the next $240 and provided that other individuals have their primary insurance amount computed under subsection (c) of this section.
Subsec. (b). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §102(b), provided standard end-of-the-year starting and beginning-of-the-year closing dates, applicable to both wage earners and self-employed individuals, for computation of the average monthly wage, and provided for the exclusion of up to 5 years in which earnings were lowest (or non-existent) from the average monthly wage computation.
Subsec. (b)(1). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §106(c)(1), inserted "and any month in any quarter any part of which was included in a period of disability (as defined in
Subsec. (c). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §102(c), provided a new conversion table with increased benefits for individuals already on the rolls and computed the primary insurance amount of certain individuals who come on the rolls after the enactment of the act.
Subsec. (d). Act. Sept. 1, 1954, §102(d), inserted provisions for computation of a primary insurance amount for purposes of the conversion table.
Subsec. (d)(5). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §106(c)(2), added subsec. (d)(5). Former subsec. (d)(5), which was added by act July 18, 1952, §3(c)(3), ceased to be in effect at the close of June 30, 1953. See Termination Date of 1952 Amendment note set out under
Subsec. (d)(6). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §102(d)(4), added par. (6).
Subsec. (e). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §104(d), provided that earnings up to $4,200, in any calendar year after 1954, shall be used in the computation of an individual's average monthly wage.
Subsec. (e)(3). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §102(e)(1), added par. (3).
Subsec. (e)(4). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §106(c)(3), added par. (4).
Subsec. (f)(2). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §102(e)(2), substituted a new test for determining eligibility for a recomputation to take into account additional earnings after entitlement.
Subsec. (f)(3)(A), (B). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §102(e)(3)(A), amended provisions generally.
Subsec. (f)(3)(C). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §102(e)(3)(B), added subpar. (C).
Subsec. (f)(4). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §102(e)(4), provided for recomputation of the primary insurance on the death after 1954 of an old-age insurance beneficiary, if any person is entitled to monthly survivors benefits or to a lump-sum death payment on the basis of his wages and self-employment income.
1952—Subsec. (a)(1). Act July 18, 1952, §2(b)(1), provided a new benefit formula for the computation of benefits based entirely on wages paid and self-employment income derived after 1950 of 55 percent of the first $100 of average monthly wage and 15 percent of next $200 and increased the primary insurance amount.
Subsec. (b)(1). Act July 18, 1952, §3(c)(1), inserted "and any month in any quarter any part of which was included in a period of disability (as defined in
Subsec. (b)(4). Act July 18, 1952, §3(c)(2), inserted provisions of subpars. (B) and (C).
Subsec. (c)(1). Act July 18, 1952, §2(a)(1), inserted a new conversion table and increased amounts.
Subsec. (c)(2). Act July 18, 1952, §2(a)(2), provided that individuals, whose primary insurance amounts are governed by regulations, shall have the same increase as is provided for individuals governed by the new conversion table.
Subsec. (c)(4). Act July 18, 1952, §2(a)(3), added par. (4).
Subsec. (d)(5). Act July 18, 1952, §3(c)(3), added par. (5).
Subsec. (f)(2). Act July 18, 1952, §6(a), provided that upon application an individual will have his benefit recomputed by the new formula prescribed in subsec. (a)(1) of this section under certain conditions.
Subsec. (f)(5), (6). Act July 18, 1952, §6(b), added par. (5) and redesignated former par. (5) as (6).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Section 307(c) of
Amendment by section 308(b) of
Section 321(g)(3)(A) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 5117(a) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by section 10208(b)(1), (2)(A), (B), (3), (4) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 8003(b) of
Section 8011(c) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by section 1883(a)(7) of
Section 9001(d) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) The amendments made by paragraphs (1)(A) and (2)(B) of subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to months after September 1986.
"(3) The amendment made by subsection (c) [amending
Section 12115 of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 2661(k) of
Amendment by section 2663(a)(10) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by section 111(a)(1)–(3), (6), (b)(1), (2), (c) of
Section 111(b)(3) of
Section 112(e) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendments
Section 2(j)(2)–(4) of
"(2) Except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4), the amendments made by section 2201 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 [enacting
"(3) Such amendments shall not apply—
"(A) in the case of an old-age insurance benefit, if the individual who is entitled to such benefit first became eligible (as defined in section 215(a)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(3)(B) of this section]) for such benefit before January 1982,
"(B) in the case of a disability insurance benefit, if the individual who is entitled to such benefit first became eligible (as so defined) for such benefit before January 1982, or attained age sixty-two before January 1982,
"(C) in the case of a wife's or husband's insurance benefit, or a child's insurance benefit based on the wages and self-employment income of a living individual, if the individual on whose wages and self-employment income such benefit is based is entitled to an old-age or disability insurance benefit with respect to which such amendments do not apply, or
"(D) in the case of a survivors insurance benefit, if the individual on whose wages and self-employment income such benefit is based died before January 1982, or dies in or after January 1982 and at the time of his death is eligible (as so defined) for an old-age or disability insurance benefit with respect to which such amendments do not apply.
"(4) In the case of an individual who is a member of a religious order (within the meaning of section 3121(r)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] [
Amendment by section 2206(a), (b)(5)–(7) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Section 102(c) of
For effective date of amendment by section 101(b)(3), (4) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Amendment by section 103(d) of
Amendment by section 201 of
Effective Date of 1973 Amendments
Section 1(h)(2) of
Section 2(c) of
Amendment by section 5(a)(4) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendments
Section 101(g) of
Amendment by section 104(b) of
Amendment by section 144(a)(1) of
Section 201(i) of
Section 202(a)(3) of
Amendment by section 203(a)(4) of
Effective Date of 1971 Amendment
Section 201(e) of
Amendment by section 203(a)(4) of
Effective Date of 1969 Amendment
Section 1002(e) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Section 101(e) of
Amendment by section 108(a)(4) of
Section 155(a)(7), (9) of
"(7)(A) The amendments made by paragraphs (4) and (5) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to recomputations made under section 215(f)(2) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f)(2) of this section] after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 2, 1968].
"(B) The amendments made by paragraph (6) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to individuals who die after the date of enactment of this Act [Jan. 2, 1968].
"(9) The amendment made by paragraphs (1) and (2) [amending this section] shall not apply with respect to monthly benefits for any month prior to January 1967."
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Section 301(d) of
Section 302(d)(2) of
Section 302(f)(1)–(5) of
"(1) The amendments made by subsection (c) [amending this section] shall apply only to individuals who become entitled to old-age insurance benefits under section 202(a) of the Social Security Act [
"(2) Any individual who would, upon filing an application prior to January 2, 1966, be entitled to a recomputation of his monthly benefit amount for purposes of title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] shall be deemed to have filed such application on the earliest date on which such application could have been filed, or on the day on which this Act is enacted [July 30, 1965], whichever is the later.
"(3) In the case of an individual who died after 1960 and prior to 1966 and who was entitled to old-age insurance benefits under section 202(a) of the Social Security Act [
"(4) In the case of a man who attains age 65 prior to 1966, or dies before such year, the provisions of section 215(f)(7) of the Social Security Act as in effect before the enactment of this Act [July 30, 1965] shall apply.
"(5) The amendments made by subsection (e) of this section [amending
Section 303(f)(2) of
Amendment by section 304(k) of
Amendment by section 320(a)(4) of
Effective Date of 1961 Amendment
Section 101(b) of
Amendment by section 102(d)(1), (2) of
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Amendment by section 103(j)(2)(C) of
Amendment by section 211(n) of
Section 303(d)(1) of
Section 303(d)(2) of
Section 303(e)(1) of
Section 303(e)(4)(B) of
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Section 101(g) of
Amendment by section 205(m) of
Effective Date of 1956 Amendment
Section 109(b) of act Aug. 1, 1956, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply in the case of monthly benefits under section 202 of the Social Security Act [
"(1) who becomes entitled to benefits under subsection (a) of such section on the basis of an application filed on or after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 1, 1956]; or
"(2) who is (but for the provisions of subsection (f)(6) of section 215 of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f)(6) of this section]) entitled to a recomputation of his primary insurance amount under subsection (f)(2)(A) of such section 215 based on an application filed on or after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 1, 1956]; or
"(3) who dies without becoming entitled to benefits under subsection (a) of such section 202 [
"(4) who dies on or after such date of enactment [Aug. 1, 1956] and whose survivors are (but for the provisions of subsection (f)(6) of such section 215 [subsec. (f)(6) of this section]) entitled to a recomputation of his primary insurance amount under subsection (f)(4)(A) of such section 215; or
"(5) who dies prior to such date of enactment [Aug. 1, 1956] and (A) whose survivors are (but for the provisions of subsection (f)(6) of such section 215 [subsec. (f)(6) of this section]) entitled to a recomputation of his primary insurance amount under subsection (f)(4)(A) of such section 215, and (B) on the basis of whose wages and self-employment income no individual was entitled to survivor's benefits under such section 202 [
Section 115(d) of act Aug. 1, 1956, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply in the case of an individual (1) who becomes entitled (without the application of section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act [
Effective Date of 1954 Amendment
Section 102(f) of act Sept. 1, 1954, as amended by
"(1) The amendments made by the preceding subsections [amending this section and
"(2)(A) The amendment made by subsection (b)(2) [amending this section] shall be applicable only in the case of monthly benefits for months after August 1954, and the lump-sum death payment in the case of death after August 1954, based on the wages and self-employment income of an individual (i) who does not become eligible for benefits under section 202(a) of the Social Security Act [
"(B) [Repealed.
"(3) The amendments made by subsections (b)(1), (e)(1), and (e)(3)(B) [amending this section] shall be applicable only in the case of monthly benefits based on the wages and self-employment income of an individual who does not become entitled to old-age insurance benefits under section 202(a) of the Social Security Act [
"(4) The amendments made by subsection (e)(2) [amending this section] shall be applicable only in the case of applications for recomputation filed after 1954. The amendment to subsec. (f)(4) made by subsection (e)(4) shall be applicable only in the case of deaths after 1954.
"(5) The amendments made by subparagraph (A) of subsection (e)(3) [amending this section] shall be applicable only in the case of applications for recomputation filed, or deaths occurring, after August 1954.
"(6) No increase in any benefit by reason of the amendments made by this section (other than subsection (e)) or by reason of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be regarded as a recomputation for purposes of section 215(f) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f) of this section]."
Amendment by section 106(c) of act Sept. 1, 1954, applicable with respect to monthly benefits under this subchapter for months after June 1955, and with respect to lump-sum death payments under such subchapter in the case of deaths occurring after June 1955; but that no recomputation of benefits by reason of such amendments should be regarded as a recomputation for purposes of subsec. (f) of this section, see section 106(h) of act Sept. 1, 1954, set out as a note under
Effective and Termination Date of 1952 Amendments
For effective and termination dates of amendment by act July 18, 1952, see section 3(f), (g) of act July 18, 1952, set out as a note under
Section 2(c)(1), (3) of act July 18, 1952, provided that:
"(1) The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall, subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection and notwithstanding the provisions of section 215(f)(1) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f)(1) of this section], apply in the case of lump-sum death payments under section 202 of such Act [
"(3) The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section and
Savings Provision
1960—Section 303(i) of
1958—Section 101(i) of
1952—Subsec. (d) of section 2 of act July 18, 1952, provided that:
"(1) Where—
"(A) an individual was entitled (without the application of section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act [
"(B) two or more other persons were entitled (without the application of such section 202(j)(1) [
"(C) the total of the benefits to which all persons are entitled under such title [this subchapter] on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income for any subsequent month for which he is entitled to an old-age insurance benefit under such title, would (but for the provisions of this paragraph) be reduced by reason of the application of section 203(a) of the Social Security Act, as amended by this Act [
then the total of benefits, referred to in clause (C), for such subsequent month shall be reduced to whichever of the following is the larger:
"(D) the amount determined pursuant to section 203(a) of the Social Security Act, as amended by this Act [
"(E) the amount determined pursuant to such section, as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1952], for August 1952 plus the excess of (i) the amount of his old-age insurance benefit for August 1952 computed as if the amendments made by the preceding subsections of this section had been applicable in the case of such benefit for August 1952, over (ii) the amount of his old-age insurance benefit for August 1952.
"(2) No increase in any benefit by reason of the amendments made by this section or by reason of paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of this section shall be regarded as a recomputation for purposes of section 215(f) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f) of this section]."
Transfer of Functions
Functions of Public Health Service, Surgeon General of Public Health Service, and all other officers and employees of Public Health Service, and functions of all agencies of or in Public Health Service transferred to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare by Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1966, 31 F.R. 8855,
Commission on the Social Security "Notch" Issue
Cost-of-Living Increases; Cost-of-Living Computation Quarter Determinations
"That (a) in determining whether the base quarter ending on September 30, 1984, is a cost-of-living computation quarter for the purposes of the cost-of-living increases under sections 215(i) and 1617 of the Social Security Act [subsec. (i) of this section and
"(b) For purposes of section 215(i) of such Act, the provisions of subsection (a) shall not constitute a 'general benefit increase'."
"Base Quarter" in Calendar Year 1983
Section 111(d) of
Combined Balance in Trust Funds Used in Determining OASDI Fund Ratio With Respect to Calendar Year 1984
Section 112(f) of
Recalculation of Primary Insurance Amounts Applicable to Certain Beneficiaries
Section 2201(e) of
Cost-of-Living Increase in Benefits
Section 3(i) of
Increase of Old-Age or Disability Insurance Benefits Following Increase in Primary Insurance Amount or Entitlement to Benefits on a Higher Amount
Section 101(f) of
Table Modification and Extension; Effective Date; Publication in Federal Register
Section 203(f) of
Conversion of Disability Insurance Benefits to Old-Age Insurance Benefits
Section 201(f) of
Section 1002(f) of
Section 101(f) of
Section 301(e) of
Section 101(h) of
Computation of Primary Insurance Amount for Persons Entitled to Benefits After January 2 and Before February 1968
Section 155(a)(8) of
"(A) any person became entitled to a monthly benefit under section 202 or 223 of the Social Security Act [
"(B) the primary insurance amount on which the amount of such benefit is based was determined by applying section 215(d) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d) of this section] as amended by this Act,
such primary insurance amount shall, for purposes of section 215(c) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (c) of this section], as amended by this Act, be deemed to have been computed on the basis of the Social Security Act [this chapter] in effect prior to the enactment of this Act [Jan. 2, 1968]."
Computation of Primary Insurance Amount for Certain Individuals Who Were Fully Insured and Had Attained Retirement Age Prior to 1961
Section 303(g)(1) of
Disregarding of Income of OASDI Recipients and Railroad Retirement Recipients in Determining Need for Public Assistance
Section 1007 of
Disregarding of Retroactive Payment of OASDI Benefit Increase and of Railroad Retirement Benefit Increase
Section 201(g) of
Section 1006 of title X of
Disregarding OASDI Benefit Increases and Child's Insurance Benefit Payments Beyond Age 18 to the Extent Attributable to Retroactive Effective Date of 1965 Amendments
Section 406 of
Computation of Average Monthly Wage for Certain Individuals Entitled to Disability Insurance Benefits Prior to 1961
Section 303(g)(2) of
Average Monthly Wage for Certain Individuals Entitled to Monthly Benefits or to Recomputation of Primary Insurance Amount for Months Prior to January 1961
Section 303(j) of
"(1) who is entitled, by reason of the provisions of section 202(j)(1) or section 223(b) of the Social Security Act [
"(2) who is (or would, but for the fact that such recomputation would not result in a higher primary insurance amount for such individual, be) entitled, by reason of section 215(f) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f) of this section], to have his primary insurance amount recomputed effective for a month prior to January 1961,
his average monthly wage as determined under the provisions of such section 215(b) [subsec. (b) of this section] shall be his average monthly wage for the purposes of determining his primary insurance amount for such prior month."
Lag Recomputation Preserved for Certain Individuals Eligible or Dead Prior to September 1954
Section 102(e)(8) of act Sept. 1, 1954, as amended by
Right to Recomputation Under Law Prior to Enactment of Act September 1, 1954
Section 102(e)(5) of act Sept. 1, 1954, as amended by
"(A) In the case of any individual who, upon filing application therefor before September 1954, would (but for the provisions of section 215(f)(6) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f)(6) of this section]) have been entitled to a recomputation under subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 215(f)(2) of such Act as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act [Sept. 1, 1954], the Secretary shall recompute such individual's primary insurance amount, but only if he files an application therefor or, in case he died before filing such application, an application for monthly benefits or a lump-sum death payment on the basis of his wages and self-employment income is filed. Such recomputation shall be made only as provided in subsection (a)(2) of section 215 of the Social Security Act, as amended by this Act, through the use of a primary insurance amount determined under subsection (d)(6) of such section in the same manner as for an individual to whom subsection (a)(1) of such section, as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act [Sept. 1, 1954], is applicable; and such recomputation shall take into account only such wages and self-employment income as would be taken into account under section 215(b) of the Social Security Act if the month in which the application for recomputation is filed, or if the individual died without filing the application for recomputation, the month in which he died, were deemed to be the month in which he became entitled to old-age insurance benefits. In the case of monthly benefits, such recomputation shall be effective for and after the month in which such application for recomputation is filed or, if the individual has died without filing the application, for and after the month in which the person filing the application for monthly survivor benefits becomes entitled to such benefits.
"(B) In the case of—
"(i) any individual who is entitled to a recomputation under subparagraph (A) of section 215(f)(2) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f)(2)(A) of this section] as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act [Sept. 1, 1954] on the basis of an application filed after August 1954, or who died after such month leaving any survivors entitled to a recomputation under section 215(f)(4) of the Social Security Act as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act on the basis of his wages and self-employment income, and whose sixth quarter of coverage after 1950 was acquired after August 1954 or with respect to whom the twelfth month referred to in such subparagraph (A) occurred after such month, and
"(ii) any individual who is entitled to a recomputation under section 215(f)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f)(2)(B) of this section] as is in effect prior to the enactment of this Act [Sept. 1, 1954] on the basis of an application filed after August 1954, or who died after August 1954 leaving any survivors entitled to a recomputation under section 215(f)(4) of the Social Security Act as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act on the basis of his wages and self-employment income, and whose sixth quarter of coverage after 1950 was acquired after August 1954 or who did not attain the age of seventy-five prior to September 1954, the recomputation of his primary insurance amount shall be made in the manner provided in section 215 of the Social Security Act [this section], as amended by this Act, for computation of such amount, except that his closing date, for purposes of subsection (b) of such section 215, shall be determined as though he became entitled to old-age insurance benefits in the month in which he filed such application for or, if he has died, in the month in which he died. In the case of monthly benefits, such recomputation shall be effective for and after the month in which such application for recomputation is filed or, if the individual has died without filing the application, for and after the month in which the person filing the application for monthly survivors benefits becomes entitled to such benefits.
"(C) An individual or, in case of his death, his survivors entitled to a lump-sum death payment or to monthly benefits under section 202 of the Social Security Act on the basis of his wages and self-employment income shall be entitled to a recomputation of his primary insurance amount under section 215(f)(2) or section 215(f)(4) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f)(2) or (4) of this section] as in effect prior to the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 1, 1954] only if (i) he had not less than six quarters of coverage in the period after 1950 and prior to January 1, 1955, and (ii) either the twelfth month referred to in subparagraph (A) of such section 215(f)(2) occurred prior to January 1, 1955, or he attained the age of 75 prior to 1955, and (iii) he meets the other conditions of entitlement to such a recomputation. No individual shall be entitled to a computation under subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph if his primary insurance amount has previously been recomputed under either of such subparagraphs.
"(D) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), the primary insurance amount of an individual shall not be recomputed under such provisions unless such individual files the application referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) prior to January 1961 or, if he dies without filing such application, his death occurred prior to January 1961."
Recomputation of Primary Insurance Amount in Certain Cases Where Application for Recomputation is Filed on or After September 13, 1960
Section 303(h) of
"(1) such recomputation shall be made as provided in section 215(a) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a) of this section] (as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act) and as though such individual first became entitled to old-age insurance benefits in the month in which he filed his application for such recomputation or died without filing such an application, and his closing date for such purposes shall be as specified in such section 215(f)(3); and
"(2) the provisions of section 215(b)(4) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b)(4) of this section] (as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act) shall apply only if they were applicable to the last previous computation of such individual's primary insurance amount, or would have been applicable to such computation if there had been taken into account—
"(A) his wages and self-employment income in the year in which he became entitled to old-age insurance benefits or filed application for the last previous recomputation of his primary insurance amount, where he is living at the time of the application for recomputation under this subsection, or
"(B) his wages and self-employment income in the year in which he died without becoming entitled to old-age insurance benefits, or (if he was entitled to such benefits) the year in which application was filed for the last previous computation of his primary insurance amount or in which he died, whichever first occurred, where he has died at the time of the application for such recomputation.
If the primary insurance amount of an individual was recomputed under section 215(f)(3) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f)(3) of this section] as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act, and such amount would have been larger if the recomputation had been made under such section as modified by this subsection, then the Secretary shall recompute such primary insurance amount under such section as so modified, but only if an application for such recomputation is filed on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 13, 1960]. A recomputation under the preceding sentence shall be effective for and after the first month for which the last previous recomputation of such individual's primary insurance amount under such section 215 [this section] was effective, but in no event for any month prior to the twenty-fourth month before the month in which the application for a recomputation is filed under the preceding sentence."
Special Starting and Closing Dates for Certain Individuals for Computation of 1957 Benefit Amounts
Section 110 of act Aug. 1, 1956, provided that: "In the case of an individual who died or became (without the application of section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act [
Special Starting and Closing Dates for Certain Individuals for Computation of 1966 Benefit Amounts
Section 102(e)(6) of act Sept. 1, 1954, provided that: "In the case of an individual who died or became (without the application of section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act [
Study of Feasibility of Increasing Benefits
Section 404 of act Sept. 1, 1954, authorized the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to conduct a feasibility study with a view toward increasing the minimum old-age insurance benefit under this subchapter to $55, $60, or $75 per month and required him to report the results of his study to the Congress at the earliest practicable date.
Change of Wage Closing Date of Certain Individuals Dead or Eligible in 1952 to the First Way of the Quarter of Death or Entitlement
Section 6(c) of act July 18, 1952, provided that: "In the case of an individual who died or became (without the application of section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act [
Computation of Increased Benefits to Individuals Entitled Thereto for August 1952
Section 6(e) of act July 18, 1952, provided that: "In case the benefit of any individual for any month after August 1952 is computed under section 2(c)(2)(A) of this Act [set out as a note under this section] through use of a benefit (after the application of sections 203 and 215(g) of the Social Security Act [
Computation of Increased Benefits for Dependents and Survivors on Benefit Rolls for August 1952
Section 2(c)(2) of act July 18, 1952, as amended by act Sept. 1, 1954, §102(g), eff. Sept. 1, 1954, provided that:
"(A) In the case of any individual who is (without the application of section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act) [
"(B) The provisions of subparagraph (A) shall cease to apply to the benefit of any individual under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] for any month after August 1954."
Determination of Primary Insurance Amount of Individuals Who Died After 1939 and Prior to 1951
Section 204(b) of
Benefits in Certain Cases of Deaths Before September 1950
Section 109 of act Sept. 1, 1954, as amended by
Computation of Primary Insurance Amount of Individuals Who Died Prior to 1940
Section 205(c) of
[Section 205(c) of
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by "and".
§416. Additional definitions
For the purposes of this subchapter—
(a) Spouse; surviving spouse
(1) The term "spouse" means a wife as defined in subsection (b) of this section or a husband as defined in subsection (f) of this section.
(2) The term "surviving spouse" means a widow as defined in subsection (c) of this section or a widower as defined in subsection (g) of this section.
(b) Wife
The term "wife" means the wife of an individual, but only if she (1) is the mother of his son or daughter, (2) was married to him for a period of not less than one year immediately preceding the day on which her application is filed, or (3) in the month prior to the month of her marriage to him (A) was entitled to, or on application therefor and attainment of age 62 in such prior month would have been entitled to, benefits under subsection (b), (e), or (h) of
(c) Widow
(1) The term "widow" (except when used in the first sentence of
(2) The requirements of paragraph (1)(E) in connection with the surviving wife of an individual shall be treated as satisfied if—
(A) the individual had been married prior to the individual's marriage to the surviving wife,
(B) the prior wife was institutionalized during the individual's marriage to the prior wife due to mental incompetence or similar incapacity,
(C) during the period of the prior wife's institutionalization, the individual would have divorced the prior wife and married the surviving wife, but the individual did not do so because such divorce would have been unlawful, by reason of the prior wife's institutionalization, under the laws of the State in which the individual was domiciled at the time (as determined based on evidence satisfactory to the Commissioner of Social Security),
(D) the prior wife continued to remain institutionalized up to the time of her death, and
(E) the individual married the surviving wife within 60 days after the prior wife's death.
(d) Divorced spouses; divorce
(1) The term "divorced wife" means a woman divorced from an individual, but only if she had been married to such individual for a period of 10 years immediately before the date the divorce became effective.
(2) The term "surviving divorced wife" means a woman divorced from an individual who has died, but only if she had been married to the individual for a period of 10 years immediately before the date the divorce became effective.
(3) The term "surviving divorced mother" means a woman divorced from an individual who has died, but only if (A) she is the mother of his son or daughter, (B) she legally adopted his son or daughter while she was married to him and while such son or daughter was under the age of 18, (C) he legally adopted her son or daughter while she was married to him and while such son or daughter was under the age of 18, or (D) she was married to him at the time both of them legally adopted a child under the age of 18.
(4) The term "divorced husband" means a man divorced from an individual, but only if he had been married to such individual for a period of 10 years immediately before the date the divorce became effective.
(5) The term "surviving divorced husband" means a man divorced from an individual who has died, but only if he had been married to the individual for a period of 10 years immediately before the divorce became effective.
(6) The term "surviving divorced father" means a man divorced from an individual who has died, but only if (A) he is the father of her son or daughter, (B) he legally adopted her son or daughter while he was married to her and while such son or daughter was under the age of 18, (C) she legally adopted his son or daughter while he was married to her and while such son or daughter was under the age of 18, or (D) he was married to her at the time both of them legally adopted a child under the age of 18.
(7) The term "surviving divorced parent" means a surviving divorced mother as defined in paragraph (3) of this subsection or a surviving divorced father as defined in paragraph (6).
(8) The terms "divorce" and "divorced" refer to a divorce a vinculo matrimonii.
(e) Child
The term "child" means (1) the child or legally adopted child of an individual, (2) a stepchild who has been such stepchild for not less than one year immediately preceding the day on which application for child's insurance benefits is filed or (if the insured individual is deceased) not less than nine months immediately preceding the day on which such individual died, and (3) a person who is the grandchild or stepgrandchild of an individual or his spouse, but only if (A) there was no natural or adoptive parent (other than such a parent who was under a disability, as defined in
(f) Husband
The term "husband" means the husband of an individual, but only if (1) he is the father of her son or daughter, (2) he was married to her for a period of not less than one year immediately preceding the day on which his application is filed, or (3) in the month prior to the month of his marriage to her (A) he was entitled to, or on application therefor and attainment of age 62 in such prior month would have been entitled to, benefits under subsection (c), (f) or (h) of
(g) Widower
(1) The term "widower" (except when used in the first sentence of
(2) The requirements of paragraph (1)(E) in connection with the surviving husband of an individual shall be treated as satisfied if—
(A) the individual had been married prior to the individual's marriage to the surviving husband,
(B) the prior husband was institutionalized during the individual's marriage to the prior husband due to mental incompetence or similar incapacity,
(C) during the period of the prior husband's institutionalization, the individual would have divorced the prior husband and married the surviving husband, but the individual did not do so because such divorce would have been unlawful, by reason of the prior husband's institutionalization, under the laws of the State in which the individual was domiciled at the time (as determined based on evidence satisfactory to the Commissioner of Social Security),
(D) the prior husband continued to remain institutionalized up to the time of his death, and
(E) the individual married the surviving husband within 60 days after the prior husband's death.
(h) Determination of family status
(1)(A)(i) An applicant is the wife, husband, widow, or widower of a fully or currently insured individual for purposes of this subchapter if the courts of the State in which such insured individual is domiciled at the time such applicant files and application, or, if such insured individual is dead, the courts of the State in which he was domiciled at the time of death, or, if such insured individual is or was not so domiciled in any State, the courts of the District of Columbia, would find that such applicant and such insured individual were validly married at the time such applicant files such application or, if such insured individual is dead, at the time he died.
(ii) If such courts would not find that such applicant and such insured individual were validly married at such time, such applicant shall, nevertheless be deemed to be the wife, husband, widow, or widower, as the case may be, of such insured individual if such applicant would, under the laws applied by such courts in determining the devolution of intestate personal property, have the same status with respect to the taking of such property as a wife, husband, widow, or widower of such insured individual.
(B)(i) In any case where under subparagraph (A) an applicant is not (and is not deemed to be) the wife, widow, husband, or widower of a fully or currently insured individual, or where under subsection (b), (c), (d), (f), or (g) of this section such applicant is not the wife, divorced wife, widow, surviving divorced wife, husband, divorced husband, widower, or surviving divorced husband of such individual, but it is established to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security that such applicant in good faith went through a marriage ceremony with such individual resulting in a purported marriage between them which, but for a legal impediment not known to the applicant at the time of such ceremony, would have been a valid marriage, then, for purposes of subparagraph (A) and subsections (b), (c), (d), (f), and (g) of this section, such purported marriage shall be deemed to be a valid marriage. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in the case of any person who would be deemed under the preceding sentence a wife, widow, husband, or widower of the insured individual, such marriage shall not be deemed to be a valid marriage unless the applicant and the insured individual were living in the same household at the time of the death of the insured individual or (if the insured individual is living) at the time the applicant files the application. A marriage that is deemed to be a valid marriage by reason of the preceding sentence shall continue to be deemed a valid marriage if the insured individual and the person entitled to benefits as the wife or husband of the insured individual are no longer living in the same household at the time of the death of such insured individual.
(ii) The provisions of clause (i) shall not apply if the Commissioner of Social Security determines, on the basis of information brought to the Commissioner's attention, that such applicant entered into such purported marriage with such insured individual with knowledge that it would not be a valid marriage.
(iii) The entitlement to a monthly benefit under subsection (b) or (c) of
(iv) For purposes of this subparagraph, a legal impediment to the validity of a purported marriage includes only an impediment (I) resulting from the lack of dissolution of a previous marriage or otherwise arising out of such previous marriage or its dissolution, or (II) resulting from a defect in the procedure followed in connection with such purported marriage.
(2)(A) In determining whether an applicant is the child or parent of a fully or currently insured individual for purposes of this subchapter, the Commissioner of Social Security shall apply such law as would be applied in determining the devolution of intestate personal property by the courts of the State in which such insured individual is domiciled at the time such applicant files application, or, if such insured individual is dead, by the courts of the State in which he was domiciled at the time of his death, or, if such insured individual is or was not so domiciled in any State, by the courts of the District of Columbia. Applicants who according to such law would have the same status relative to taking intestate personal property as a child or parent shall be deemed such.
(B) If an applicant is a son or daughter of a fully or currently insured individual but is not (and is not deemed to be) the child of such insured individual under subparagraph (A), such applicant shall nevertheless be deemed to be the child of such insured individual if such insured individual and the mother or father, as the case may be, of such applicant went through a marriage ceremony resulting in a purported marriage between them which, but for a legal impediment described in the last sentence of paragraph (1)(B), would have been a valid marriage.
(3) An applicant who is the son or daughter of a fully or currently insured individual, but who is not (and is not deemed to be) the child of such insured individual under paragraph (2) of this subsection, shall nevertheless be deemed to be the child of such insured individual if:
(A) in the case of an insured individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits (who was not, in the month preceding such entitlement, entitled to disability insurance benefits)—
(i) such insured individual—
(I) has acknowledged in writing that the applicant is his or her son or daughter,
(II) has been decreed by a court to be the mother or father of the applicant, or
(III) has been ordered by a court to contribute to the support of the applicant because the applicant is his or her son or daughter,
and such acknowledgment, court decree, or court order was made not less than one year before such insured individual became entitled to old-age insurance benefits or attained retirement age (as defined in subsection (l) of this section), whichever is earlier; or
(ii) such insured individual is shown by evidence satisfactory to the Commissioner of Social Security to be the mother or father of the applicant and was living with or contributing to the support of the applicant at the time such applicant's application for benefits was filed;
(B) in the case of an insured individual entitled to disability insurance benefits, or who was entitled to such benefits in the month preceding the first month for which he or she was entitled to old-age insurance benefits—
(i) such insured individual—
(I) has acknowledged in writing that the applicant is his or her son or daughter,
(II) has been decreed by a court to be the mother or father of the applicant, or
(III) has been ordered by a court to contribute to the support of the applicant because the applicant is his or her son or daughter,
and such acknowledgment, court decree, or court order was made before such insured individual's most recent period of disability began; or
(ii) such insured individual is shown by evidence satisfactory to the Commissioner of Social Security to be the mother or father of the applicant and was living with or contributing to the support of that applicant at the time such applicant's application for benefits was filed;
(C) in the case of a deceased individual—
(i) such insured individual—
(I) had acknowledged in writing that the applicant is his or her son or daughter,
(II) had been decreed by a court to be the mother or father of the applicant, or
(III) had been ordered by a court to contribute to the support of the applicant because the applicant was his or her son or daughter,
and such acknowledgment, court decree, or court order was made before the death of such insured individual, or
(ii) such insured individual is shown by evidence satisfactory to the Commissioner of Social Security to have been the mother or father of the applicant, and such insured individual was living with or contributing to the support of the applicant at the time such insured individual died.
For purposes of subparagraphs (A)(i) and (B)(i), an acknowledgement, court decree, or court order shall be deemed to have occurred on the first day of the month in which it actually occurred.
(i) Disability; period of disability
(1) Except for purposes of
(2)(A) The term "period of disability" means a continuous period (beginning and ending as hereinafter provided in this subsection) during which an individual was under a disability (as defined in paragraph (1)), but only if such period is of not less than five full calendar months' duration or such individual was entitled to benefits under
(B) No period of disability shall begin as to any individual unless such individual files an application for a disability determination with respect to such period; and no such period shall begin as to any individual after such individual attains retirement age (as defined in subsection (l) of this section). In the case of a deceased individual, the requirement of an application under the preceding sentence may be satisfied by an application for a disability determination filed with respect to such individual within 3 months after the month in which he died.
(C) A period of disability shall begin—
(i) on the day the disability began, but only if the individual satisfies the requirements of paragraph (3) on such day; or
(ii) if such individual does not satisfy the requirements of paragraph (3) on such day, then on the first day of the first quarter thereafter in which he satisfies such requirements.
(D) A period of disability shall end with the close of whichever of the following months is the earlier: (i) the month preceding the month in which the individual attains retirement age (as defined in subsection (l) of this section), or (ii) the month preceding (I) the termination month (as defined in
(E) Except as is otherwise provided in subparagraph (F), no application for a disability determination which is filed more than 12 months after the month prescribed by subparagraph (D) as the month in which the period of disability ends (determined without regard to subparagraph (B) and this subparagraph) shall be accepted as an application for purposes of this paragraph.
(F) An application for a disability determination which is filed more than 12 months after the month prescribed by subparagraph (D) as the month in which the period of disability ends (determined without regard to subparagraphs (B) and (E)) shall be accepted as an application for purposes of this paragraph if—
(i) in the case of an application filed by or on behalf of an individual with respect to a disability which ends after January 1968, such application is filed not more than 36 months after the month in which such disability ended, such individual is alive at the time the application is filed, and the Commissioner of Social Security finds in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Commissioner that the failure of such individual to file an application for a disability determination within the time specified in subparagraph (E) was attributable to a physical or mental condition of such individual which rendered him incapable of executing such an application, and
(ii) in the case of an application filed by or on behalf of an individual with respect to a period of disability which ends in or before January 1968—
(I) such application is filed not more than 12 months after January 1968,
(II) a previous application for a disability determination has been filed by or on behalf of such individual (1) in or before January 1968, and (2) not more than 36 months after the month in which his disability ended, and
(III) the Commissioner of Social Security finds in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Commissioner, that the failure of such individual to file an application within the then specified time period was attributable to a physical or mental condition of such individual which rendered him incapable of executing such an application.
In making a determination under this subsection, with respect to the disability or period of disability of any individual whose application for a determination thereof is accepted solely by reason of the provisions of this subparagraph (F), the provisions of this subsection (other than the provisions of this subparagraph) shall be applied as such provisions are in effect at the time such determination is made.
(G) An application for a disability determination filed before the first day on which the applicant satisfies the requirements for a period of disability under this subsection shall be deemed a valid application (and shall be deemed to have been filed on such first day) only if the applicant satisfies the requirements for a period of disability before the Commissioner of Social Security makes a final decision on the application and no request under
(3) The requirements referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (2)(C) of this subsection are satisfied by an individual with respect to any quarter only if—
(A) he would have been a fully insured individual (as defined in
(B)(i) he had not less than 20 quarters of coverage during the 40-quarter period which ends with such quarter, or
(ii) if such quarter ends before he attains (or would attain) age 31, not less than one-half (and not less than 6) of the quarters during the period ending with such quarter and beginning after he attained the age of 21 were quarters of coverage, or (if the number of quarters in such period is less than 12) not less than 6 of the quarters in the 12-quarter period ending with such quarter were quarters of coverage, or
(iii) in the case of an individual (not otherwise insured under clause (i)) who, by reason of clause (ii), had a prior period of disability that began during a period before the quarter in which he or she attained age 31, not less than one-half of the quarters beginning after such individual attained age 21 and ending with such quarter are quarters of coverage, or (if the number of quarters in such period is less than 12) not less than 6 of the quarters in the 12-quarter period ending with such quarter are quarters of coverage;
except that the provisions of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph shall not apply in the case of an individual who is blind (within the meaning of "blindness" as defined in paragraph (1)). For purposes of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, when the number of quarters in any period is an odd number, such number shall be reduced by one, and a quarter shall not be counted as part of any period if any part of such quarter was included in a prior period of disability unless such quarter was a quarter of coverage.
(j) Periods of limitation ending on nonwork days
Where this subchapter, any provision of another law of the United States (other than the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) relating to or changing the effect of this subchapter, or any regulation issued by the Commissioner of Social Security pursuant thereto provides for a period within which an act is required to be done which affects eligibility for or the amount of any benefit or payment under this subchapter or is necessary to establish or protect any rights under this subchapter, and such period ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, or on any other day all or part of which is declared to be a nonwork day for Federal employees by statute or Executive order, then such act shall be considered as done within such period if it is done on the first day thereafter which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday or any other day all or part of which is declared to be a nonwork day for Federal employees by statute or Executive order. For purposes of this subsection, the day on which a period ends shall include the day on which an extension of such period, as authorized by law or by the Commissioner of Social Security pursuant to law, ends. The provisions of this subsection shall not extend the period during which benefits under this subchapter may (pursuant to
(k) Waiver of nine-month requirement for widow, stepchild, or widower in case of accidental death or in case of serviceman dying in line of duty, or in case of remarriage to same individual
The requirement in clause (E) of subsection (c)(1) of this section or clause (E) of subsection (g)(1) of this section that the surviving spouse of an individual have been married to such individual for a period of not less than nine months immediately prior to the day on which such individual died in order to qualify as such individual's widow or widower, and the requirement in subsection (e) of this section that the stepchild of a deceased individual have been such stepchild for not less than nine months immediately preceding the day on which such individual died in order to qualify as such individual's child, shall be deemed to be satisfied, where such individual dies within the applicable nine-month period, if—
(1) his death—
(A) is accidental, or
(B) occurs in line of duty while he is a member of a uniformed service serving on active duty (as defined in
unless the Commissioner of Social Security determines that at the time of the marriage involved the individual could not have reasonably been expected to live for nine months, or
(2)(A) the widow or widower of such individual had been previously married to such individual and subsequently divorced and such requirement would have been satisfied at the time of such divorce if such previous marriage had been terminated by the death of such individual at such time instead of by divorce; or
(B) the stepchild of such individual had been the stepchild of such individual during a previous marriage of such stepchild's parent to such individual which ended in divorce and such requirement would have been satisfied at the time of such divorce if such previous marriage had been terminated by the death of such individual at such time instead of by divorce;
except that paragraph (2) of this subsection shall not apply if the Commissioner of Social Security determines that at the time of the marriage involved the individual could not have reasonably been expected to live for nine months. For purposes of paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection, the death of an individual is accidental if he receives bodily injuries solely through violent, external, and accidental means and, as a direct result of the bodily injuries and independently of all other causes, loses his life not later than three months after the day on which he receives such bodily injuries.
(l) Retirement age
(1) The term "retirement age" means—
(A) with respect to an individual who attains early retirement age (as defined in paragraph (2)) before January 1, 2000, 65 years of age;
(B) with respect to an individual who attains early retirement age after December 31, 1999, and before January 1, 2005, 65 years of age plus the number of months in the age increase factor (as determined under paragraph (3)) for the calendar year in which such individual attains early retirement age;
(C) with respect to an individual who attains early retirement age after December 31, 2004, and before January 1, 2017, 66 years of age;
(D) with respect to an individual who attains early retirement age after December 31, 2016, and before January 1, 2022, 66 years of age plus the number of months in the age increase factor (as determined under paragraph (3)) for the calendar year in which such individual attains early retirement age; and
(E) with respect to an individual who attains early retirement age after December 31, 2021, 67 years of age.
(2) The term "early retirement age" means age 62 in the case of an old-age, wife's, or husband's insurance benefit, and age 60 in the case of a widow's or widower's insurance benefit.
(3) The age increase factor for any individual who attains early retirement age in a calendar year within the period to which subparagraph (B) or (D) of paragraph (1) applies shall be determined as follows:
(A) With respect to an individual who attains early retirement age in the 5-year period consisting of the calendar years 2000 through 2004, the age increase factor shall be equal to two-twelfths of the number of months in the period beginning with January 2000 and ending with December of the year in which the individual attains early retirement age.
(B) With respect to an individual who attains early retirement age in the 5-year period consisting of the calendar years 2017 through 2021, the age increase factor shall be equal to two-twelfths of the number of months in the period beginning with January 2017 and ending with December of the year in which the individual attains early retirement age.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §216, as added Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title I, §104(a),
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (j), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (k).
1994—Subsecs. (h), (i).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k).
1990—Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (h)(1)(A).
Subsec. (h)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (h)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(1)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (h)(1)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (i)(1).
1987—Subsec. (i)(2)(D)(ii)(II).
1984—Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (h)(3).
Subsec. (h)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(2)(B).
Subsec. (i)(2)(D).
Subsec. (i)(2)(F)(ii).
1983—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (d)(4), (5).
Subsec. (d)(6).
Subsec. (d)(7).
Subsec. (d)(8).
Subsecs. (f)(3)(A), (g)(6)(A).
Subsec. (h)(3).
Subsec. (h)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (h)(3)(A)(i)(I).
Subsec. (h)(3)(A)(i)(II).
Subsec. (h)(3)(A)(i)(III).
Subsec. (h)(3)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(3)(B).
Subsec. (h)(3)(B)(i)(I).
Subsec. (h)(3)(B)(i)(II).
Subsec. (h)(3)(B)(i)(III).
Subsec. (h)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(3)(C)(i)(I).
Subsec. (h)(3)(C)(i)(II).
Subsec. (h)(3)(C)(i)(III).
Subsec. (h)(3)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(2)(B).
Subsec. (i)(2)(D).
Subsec. (i)(3)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (l).
1981—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h)(3).
1980—Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(2)(D)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(2)(G).
1977—Subsec. (d)(1), (2).
1974—Subsecs. (b), (c), (f), (g).
1972—Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A).
Subsec. (i)(2)(B).
Subsec. (i)(3).
Subsec. (k).
1968—Subsec. (c)(5).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (g)(5).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(2)(E) to (G).
Subsec. (i)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (k).
1965—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i)(1)(A).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A).
Subsec. (i)(2)(B).
Subsec. (i)(2)(C).
Subsec. (i)(2)(D).
Subsec. (i)(2)(E).
Subsec. (i)(2)(F).
Subsec. (i)(3).
1964—Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (i)(3).
Subsec. (i)(4).
1961—Subsec. (a).
Subsecs. (b), (c), (f), (g).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (i)(3)(A).
Subsec. (i)(4).
1960—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (h)(1).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (j).
1958—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h)(3).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (i)(3).
Subsec. (i)(4).
1957—Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i)(4).
1956—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §102(a), reduced the retirement age in the case of a woman from age sixty-five to age sixty-two.
Subsec. (i)(1). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §103(c)(6), inserted "Except for purposes of
Subsec. (i)(2). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §102(d)(12), substituted "the age of sixty-five" for "retirement age" in two places.
1954—Subsec. (i). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §106(d), added subsec. (i). Former subsec. (i), which was added by act July 18, 1952, §3(d), ceased to be in effect at the close of June 30, 1953. See Effective and Termination Date of 1952 Amendment note set out under
1952—Subsec. (i). Act July 18, 1952, added subsec. (i).
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 5103(b)(1) of
Section 5104(b) of
Amendment by section 5119(a), (b) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Amendment by section 2(b) of
Amendment by section 4(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 2661(l) of
Amendment by section 2663(a)(11) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by sections 301(c), 303, 304(c), 306(c), and 309(j), (k) of
Section 332(c) of
Section 333(b) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by section 2202(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 2203(b)(2), (c)(2) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 303(b)(2)(B) of
Amendment by section 306(b) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by section 104(g) of
Amendment by section 113(a) of
Section 115(c) of
Amendment by section 116(d) of
Amendment by section 117(a) of
Section 118(c) of
Section 145(b) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by section 104 of
Section 105(c) of
Section 111(b) of
Section 150(b) of
Section 156(e) of
Amendment by section 158(d) of
Section 172(c) of
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Amendment by section 308(c), (d)(2)(B) of
Amendment by section 334(a)–(d) of
Section 339(c) of
Amendment by section 303(a)(1), (b)(1), (2) of
Amendment by section 304(l) of
Section 328(d) of
Section 344(e) of
Effective Date of 1964 Amendment
Section 1(d) of
"(1) The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (c) [amending this section] shall apply in the case of applications for disability determinations under section 216(i) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (i) of this section] filed after the month following the month in which this Act is enacted [October 1964].
"(2) Except as provided in the succeeding paragraphs, such amendments shall also apply, and as though such amendments had been enacted on July 1, 1962, in the case of applications for disability determinations filed under section 216(i) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (i) of this section] during the period beginning July 1, 1962, and ending with the close of the month following the month in which this Act is enacted [October 1964], by an individual who—
"(A) has been under a disability (as defined in such section 216(i)) continuously since he filed such application and up to (i) the first day of the second month following the month in which this Act is enacted or (ii) if earlier, the first day of the month in which he attained the age of 65, and
"(B) is living on the day specified in subparagraph (A)(i).
"(3) In the case of an individual to whom paragraph (2) applies and who filed an application for disability insurance benefits under section 223 of the Social Security Act [
"(A) if such individual was under a disability (as defined in section 223(c) of such Act) throughout such period and was not entitled to disability insurance benefits under such section 223 for any month in such period (except for the amendments made by this section), such application and any application filed during such period for benefits under section 202 of the Social Security Act [
"(B) if such individual was entitled (without the application of this section) to disability insurance benefits under section 223 [
"(i) the second month following the month in which this Act was enacted [October 1964], or
"(ii) if earlier, the month in which he became entitled to benefits under section 202(a) [
his primary insurance amount shall be recomputed, but only if such amount would be increased solely by reason of the enactment of this section.
"(4) No monthly insurance benefits, and no increase in monthly insurance benefits, may be paid under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] by reason of the enactment of this section for any month before the eleventh month before the month in which this Act is enacted [October 1964].
"(5) In the case of an individual (A) who is entitled under section 202 of the Social Security Act [
"(i) subsection (a)(3) of section 223 of the Social Security Act shall not prevent him from being entitled to such disability insurance benefits;
"(ii) the provisions of subsection (a)(1) of such section 223 terminating entitlement to disability insurance benefits by reason of entitlement to old-age insurance benefits shall not apply with respect to him unless and until he again becomes entitled to such old-age insurance benefits under the provisions of section 202 of such Act;
"(iii) such individual shall, for any month for which he is thereby entitled to both old-age insurance benefits and disability insurance benefits, be entitled only to such disability insurance benefits; and
"(iv) in case the benefits reduced under subsection (q) of section 202 of such Act are old-age insurance benefits (I) such old-age insurance benefits for the months in the period referred to in paragraph (2) of this subsection shall not be recomputed solely by reason of the enactment of this section, and, if otherwise recomputed, the provisions of and amendments made by this section shall not apply to such recomputation; and (II) the months for which he received such old-age insurance benefits before or during the period for which he becomes entitled, by reason of such enactment, to disability insurance benefits under such section 223 and the months for which he received such disability insurance benefits shall be excluded from the 'reduction period' and the 'adjusted reduction period', as defined in paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively, of such subsection (q) for purposes of determining the amount of the old-age insurance benefits to which he may subsequently become entitled.
"(6) The entitlement of any individual to benefits under section 202 of the Social Security Act [
Effective Date of 1961 Amendment
Amendment by section 102(b)(2)(D) of
Section 105 of
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Section 207(d) of
Section 208(f) of
Amendment by section 402(e) of
Amendment by section 403(c) of
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Section 207(a) of
Amendment by section 301(a)(2), (b)(2), (c)(2), (d), (e) of
Section 302(b) of
Amendment by section 305(b) of
Effective Date of 1957 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1956 Amendment
Section 102(b) of act Aug. 1, 1956, provided that:
"(1) The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply in the case of benefits under subsection (e) of section 202 of the Social Security Act [
"(2) Except as provided in paragraphs (1) and (4), the amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply in the case of lump-sum death payments under section 202(i) of the Social Security Act with respect to deaths after October 1956, and in the case of monthly benefits under title II of such Act [this subchapter] for months after October 1956 on the basis of applications filed after the date of enactment of this Act.
"(3) For purposes of section 215(b)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act [
"(A) a woman who attains the age of sixty-two prior to November 1956 and who was not eligible for old-age insurance benefits under section 202 of such Act (as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act) for any month prior to November 1956 shall be deemed to have attained the age of sixty-two in 1956 or, if earlier, the year in which she died;
"(B) a woman shall not, by reason of the amendment made by subsection (a), be deemed to be a fully insured individual before November 1956 or the month in which she died, whichever month is the earlier; and
"(C) the amendment made by subsection (a) shall not be applicable in the case of any woman who was eligible for old-age insurance benefits under such section 202 for any month prior to November 1956.
A woman shall, for purposes of this paragraph, be deemed eligible for old-age insurance benefits under section 202 of the Social Security Act for any month if she was or would have been, upon filing application therefor in such month, entitled to such benefits for such month.
"(4) For purposes of section 209(i) of such Act [
Effective Date of 1954 Amendment
Amendment by section 106(d) of act Sept. 1, 1954, applicable with respect to monthly benefits under subchapter II of this chapter for months after June 1955, and with respect to lump-sum death payments under such subchapter in the case of deaths occurring after June 1955; but that no recomputation of benefits by reason of such amendments shall be regarded as a recomputation for purposes of
Effective and Termination Date of 1952 Amendment
For effective and termination dates of amendment by Act July 18, 1952, see section 3(f), (g) of act July 18, 1952, set out as a note under
Effective Date
Section applicable (1) in case of monthly benefits for months after August 1950, and (2) in the case of lump-sum death payments with respect to deaths after August 1950, see section 104(b) of act Aug. 28, 1950, set out as an Effective Date of 1950 Amendment note under
Retroactive Benefits
For provisions relating to entitlement to retroactive benefits under section 2 of
Promulgation of Regulations
For provisions requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to prescribe regulations necessary to implement amendment to subsec. (i)(2)(D) of this section by section 2(b) of
Study of Effect of Raising Retirement Age on Those Unlikely To Benefit From Improvements in Longevity
Section 201(d) of
Special Insured Status Test in Certain Cases for Disability Purposes
Section 404 of
"(a) In the case of any individual who does not meet the requirements of section 216(i)(3) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (i)(3) of this section] with respect to any quarter, or who is not insured for disability insurance benefits as determined under section 223(c)(1) of such Act [
"(1) he had a total of not less than twenty quarters of coverage (as defined in section 213 of such Act [
"(2) all of the quarters elapsing after 1950 and up to but excluding such quarter were quarters of coverage with respect to him and there were not fewer than six such quarters of coverage.
"(b) Subsection (a) shall apply only in the case of applications for disability insurance benefits under section 223 of the Social Security Act, or for disability determinations under section 216(i) of such Act, filed in or after the month in which this Act is enacted [September 1960], and then only with respect to an individual who, but for such subsection (a), would not meet the requirements for a period of disability under section 216(i) with respect to the quarter in which this Act is enacted or any prior quarter and would not meet the requirements for benefits under section 223 with respect to the month in which this Act is enacted or any prior month. No benefits under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] for the month in which this Act is enacted or any prior month shall be payable or increased by reason of the amendment made by such subsection."
§417. Benefits for veterans
(a) Determination of benefits
(1) For purposes of determining entitlement to and the amount of any monthly benefit for any month after August 1950, or entitlement to and the amount of any lump-sum death payment in case of a death after such month, payable under this subchapter on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of any World War II veteran, and for purposes of
(A) a larger such benefit or payment, as the case may be, would be payable without its application; or
(B) a benefit (other than a benefit payable in a lump sum unless it is a commutation of, or a substitute for, periodic payments) which is based, in whole or in part, upon the active military or naval service of such veteran during World War II is determined by any agency or wholly owned instrumentality of the United States (other than the Department of Veterans Affairs) to be payable by it under any other law of the United States or under a system established by such agency or instrumentality.
The provisions of clause (B) of this paragraph shall not apply in the case of any monthly benefit or lump-sum death payment under this subchapter if its application would reduce by $0.50 or less the primary insurance amount (as computed under
(2) Upon application for benefits or a lump-sum death payment on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of any World War II veteran, the Commissioner of Social Security shall make a decision without regard to clause (B) of paragraph (1) of this subsection unless the Commissioner has been notified by some other agency or instrumentality of the United States that, on the basis of the military or naval service of such veteran during World War II, a benefit described in clause (B) of paragraph (1) of this subsection has been determined by such agency or instrumentality to be payable by it. If the Commissioner has not been so notified, the Commissioner of Social Security shall then ascertain whether some other agency or wholly owned instrumentality of the United States has decided that a benefit described in clause (B) of paragraph (1) of this subsection is payable by it. If any such agency or instrumentality has decided, or thereafter decides, that such a benefit is payable by it, it shall so notify the Commissioner of Social Security, and the Commissioner of Social Security shall certify no further benefits for payment or shall recompute the amount of any further benefits payable, as may be required by paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(3) Any agency or wholly owned instrumentality of the United States which is authorized by any law of the United States to pay benefits, or has a system of benefits which are based, in whole or in part, on military or naval service during World War II shall, at the request of the Commissioner of Social Security, certify to the Commissioner, with respect to any veteran, such information as the Commissioner of Social Security deems necessary to carry out the Commissioner's functions under paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(b) Determination of insurance status
(1) Subject to paragraph (3), any World War II veteran who died during the period of three years immediately following his separation from the active military or naval service of the United States shall be deemed to have died a fully insured individual whose primary insurance amount is the amount determined under
(A) a larger such benefit or payment, as the case may be, would be payable without its application;
(B) any pension or compensation is determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to be payable by him on the basis of the death of such veteran;
(C) the death of the veteran occurred while he was in the active military or naval service of the United States; or
(D) such veteran has been discharged or released from the active military or naval service of the United States subsequent to July 26, 1951.
(2) Upon an application for benefits or a lump-sum death payment on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of any World War II veteran, the Commissioner of Social Security shall make a decision without regard to paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection unless the Commissioner has been notified by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that pension or compensation is determined to be payable by that Secretary by reason of the death of such veteran. The Commissioner of Social Security shall thereupon report such decision to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. If the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in any such case has made an adjudication or thereafter makes an adjudication that any pension or compensation is payable under any law administered by it, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall notify the Commissioner of Social Security, and the Commissioner of Social Security shall certify no further benefits for payment, or shall recompute the amount of any further benefits payable, as may be required by paragraph (1) of this subsection. Any payments theretofore certified by the Commissioner of Social Security on the basis of paragraph (1) of this subsection to any individual, not exceeding the amount of any accrued pension or compensation payable to him by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall (notwithstanding the provisions of
(3)(A) The preceding provisions of this subsection shall apply for purposes of determining the entitlement to benefits under
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply if any person is entitled to benefits under
(c) Filing proof of support
In the case of any World War II veteran to whom subsection (a) of this section is applicable, proof of support required under
(d) Definitions
For the purposes of this section—
(1) The term "World War II" means the period beginning with September 16, 1940, and ending at the close of July 24, 1947.
(2) The term "World War II veteran" means any individual who served in the active military or naval service of the United States at any time during World War II and who, if discharged or released therefrom, was so discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable after active service of ninety days or more or by reason of a disability or injury incurred or aggravated in service in line of duty; but such term shall not include any individual who died while in the active military or naval service of the United States if his death was inflicted (other than by an enemy of the United States) as lawful punishment for a military or naval offense.
(e) Determination based on wages and self-employment
(1) For purposes of determining entitlement to and the amount of any monthly benefit or lump-sum death payment payable under this subchapter on the basis of wages and self-employment income of any veteran (as defined in paragraph (4) of this subsection), and for purposes of
(A) a larger such benefit or payment, as the case may be, would be payable without its application; or
(B) a benefit (other than a benefit payable in a lump sum unless it is a commutation of, or a substitute for, periodic payments) which is based, in whole or in part, upon the active military or naval service of such veteran on or after July 25, 1947, and prior to January 1, 1957, is determined by any agency or wholly owned instrumentality of the United States (other than the Department of Veterans Affairs) to be payable by it under any other law of the United States or under a system established by such agency or instrumentality.
The provisions of clause (B) of this paragraph shall not apply in the case of any monthly benefit or lump-sum death payment under this subchapter if its application would reduce by $0.50 or less the primary insurance amount (as computed under
(2) Upon application for benefits or a lump-sum death payment on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of any veteran, the Commissioner of Social Security shall make a decision without regard to clause (B) of paragraph (1) of this subsection unless the Commissioner has been notified by some other agency or instrumentality of the United States that, on the basis of the military or naval service of such veteran on or after July 25, 1947, and prior to January 1, 1957, a benefit described in clause (B) of paragraph (1) of this subsection has been determined by such agency or instrumentality to be payable by it. If the Commissioner has not been so notified, the Commissioner of Social Security shall then ascertain whether some other agency or wholly owned instrumentality of the United States has decided that a benefit described in clause (B) of paragraph (1) of this subsection is payable by it. If any such agency or instrumentality has decided, or thereafter decides, that such a benefit is payable by it, it shall so notify the Commissioner of Social Security, and the Commissioner of Social Security shall certify no further benefits for payment or shall recompute the amount of any further benefits payable, as may be required by paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(3) Any agency or wholly owned instrumentality of the United States which is authorized by any law of the United States to pay benefits, or has a system of benefits which are based, in whole or in part, on military or naval service on or after July 25, 1947, and prior to January 1, 1957, shall, at the request of the Commissioner of Social Security, certify to the Commissioner, with respect to any veteran, such information as the Commissioner of Social Security deems necessary to carry out the Commissioner's functions under paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(4) For the purposes of this subsection, the term "veteran" means any individual who served in the active military or naval service of the United States at any time on or after July 25, 1947, and prior to January 1, 1957, and who, if discharged or released therefrom, was so discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable after active service of ninety days or more or by reason of a disability or injury incurred or aggravated in service in line of duty; but such term shall not include any individual who died while in the active military or naval service of the United States if his death was inflicted (other than by an enemy of the United States) as lawful punishment for a military or naval offense.
(f) Right to annuity; waiver
(1) In any case where a World War II veteran (as defined in subsection (d)(2) of this section) or a veteran (as defined in subsection (e)(4) of this section) has died or shall hereafter die, and his or her surviving spouse or child is entitled under subchapter III of
(2) Whenever a surviving spouse waives his or her right to receive such annuity such waiver shall constitute a waiver on his or her own behalf; a waiver by a legal guardian or guardians, or, in the absence of a legal guardian, the person (or persons) who has the child in his or her care, of the child's right to receive such annuity shall constitute a waiver on behalf of such child. Such a waiver with respect to an annuity based on a veteran's service shall be valid only if the surviving spouse and all children, or, if there is no surviving spouse, all the children, waive their rights to receive annuities under subchapter III of
(g) Appropriation to trust funds
(1) Within thirty days after April 20, 1983, the Commissioner of Social Security shall determine the amount equal to the excess of—
(A) the actuarial present value as of April 20, 1983, of the past and future benefit payments from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under this subchapter and subchapter XVIII of this chapter, together with associated administrative costs, resulting from the operation of this section (other than this subsection) and
(B) any amounts previously transferred from the general fund of the Treasury to such Trust Funds pursuant to the provisions of this subsection as in effect immediately before April 20, 1983.
Such actuarial present value shall be based on the relevant actuarial assumptions set forth in the report of the Board of Trustees of each such Trust Fund for 1983 under
(2) The Commissioner of Social Security shall revise the amount determined under paragraph (1) with respect to each such Trust Fund in 1985 and each fifth year thereafter, as determined appropriate by the Commissioner of Social Security from data which becomes available to the Commissioner after the date of the determination under paragraph (1) on the basis of the amount of benefits and administrative expenses actually paid from such Trust Fund under this subchapter or subchapter XVIII of this chapter and the relevant actuarial assumptions set forth in the report of the Board of Trustees of such Trust Fund for such year under
(h) Determination of veterans status
(1) For the purposes of this section, any individual who the Commissioner of Social Security finds—
(A) served during World War II (as defined in subsection (d)(1) of this section) in the active military or naval service of a country which was on September 16, 1940, at war with a country with which the United States was at war during World War II;
(B) entered into such active service on or before December 8, 1941;
(C) was a citizen of the United States throughout such period of service or lost his United States citizenship solely because of his entrance into such service;
(D) had resided in the United States for a period or periods aggregating four years during the five-year period ending on the day of, and was domiciled in the United States on the day of, such entrance into such active service; and
(E)(i) was discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable after active service of ninety days or more or by reason of a disability or injury incurred or aggravated in service in line of duty, or
(ii) died while in such service,
shall be considered a World War II veteran (as defined in subsection (d)(2) of this section) and such service shall be considered to have been performed in the active military or naval service of the United States.
(2) In the case of any individual to whom paragraph (1) applies, proof of support required under section 402(f) or (h) of this title may be filed at any time prior to the expiration of two years after the date of such individual's death or August 28, 1958, whichever is the later.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §217, as added Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title I, §105,
References in Text
The Social Security Amendments of 1950, referred to in subsec. (g)(1)(A), probably means act Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809,
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (a)(2), (3).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (e)(2), (3).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h)(1).
1991—Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
1990—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3).
1989—Subsec. (b)(1).
1984—Subsecs. (a)(2), (3), (b)(2).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2), (3).
Subsec. (f)(1).
1983—Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
1981—Subsec. (b)(1).
1977—Subsec. (b)(1).
1976—Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(2)(B), (3), (4).
1968—Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2).
1965—Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (g)(3), (4).
1960—Subsec. (e)(1).
1958—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
1956—Subsec. (e). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §404(a), amended subsec. (e) generally, substituting "January 1, 1957" for "April 1, 1956" in five places, and inserting provisions in par. (1) relating to monthly benefits for months after December 1956 and any lump-sum death payment under this subchapter with respect to a death occurring after December 1956.
Subsecs. (f), (g). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §§404(b), 406, added subsecs. (f) and (g), respectively.
1955—Subsec. (e). Act Aug. 9, 1955, substituted "April 1, 1956" for "July 1, 1955" wherever appearing.
1954—Subsec. (a)(1). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §106(e)(1), (3), inserted "and for purposes of
Subsec. (e)(1). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §106(e)(2), (3), inserted "and for purposes of
1953—Subsec. (e). Act Aug. 14, 1953, substituted "July 1, 1955" for "January 1, 1954" wherever appearing.
1952—Act July 18, 1952, §5(a), struck out reference to World War II veterans in section catchline.
Subsec. (a)(1). Act July 5, 1952, §5(d)(1), inserted provision following cl. (B) that cl. (B) not apply in the case of any monthly benefits or lump-sum death payments under this subchapter.
Subsec. (e). Act July 18, 1952, §5(a), added subsec. (e).
Change of Name
Coast and Geodetic Survey consolidated with Weather Bureau to form a new agency in Department of Commerce to be known as Environmental Science Services Administration, and commissioned officers of Survey transferred to ESSA, by Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1965, eff. July 13, 1965, 30 F.R. 8819,
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by section 308 of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by section 2201(c)(7) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1958 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 314(c)(1) of
Effective Date of 1956 Amendment
Section 404(d) of act Aug. 1, 1956, provided that: "Except for the last sentence of section 217(e)(1) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (e)(1) of this section] as amended by subsection (a) of this section, the amendments made by such subsection (a) [amending this section] shall be effective as though they had been enacted on March 31, 1956. Such last sentence of section 217(e)(1) of the Social Security Act shall become effective January 1, 1957."
Amendment by section 406 of act Aug. 1, 1956, effective Jan. 1, 1957, see section 603(a) of act Aug. 1, 1956.
Effective Date of 1954 Amendment
Amendment by section 106(e) of act Sept. 1, 1954, applicable with respect to monthly benefits under subchapter II of this chapter for months after June 1955, and with respect to lump-sum death payments under such subchapter in the case of deaths occurring after June 1955; but that no recomputation of benefits by reason of such amendments shall be regarded as a recomputation for purposes of
Effective Date of 1952 Amendment
Section 5(c) of act of July 18, 1952, as amended by
"(1) The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and
"(2) In the case of any veteran (as defined in section 217(e)(4) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (e)(4) of this section]) who died prior to September 1952, the requirement in subsections (f) and (h) of section 202 of the Social Security Act that proof of support be filed within two years of the date of such death shall not apply if such proof is filed prior to September 1954."
Section 5(d)(2) of act July 18, 1952, provided that: "The amendment made by paragraph (1) of this subsection [amending this section] shall apply only in the case of applications for benefits under section 202 of the Social Security Act [
Effective Date
Section 105 of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that this section is effective Sept. 1, 1950.
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see
Coast Guard transferred to Department of Transportation, and functions, powers, and duties relating to Coast Guard, of Secretary of the Treasury and of other officers and offices of Department of the Treasury transferred to Secretary of Transportation by
Recomputation of Primary Insurance Amount of Certain Individuals
Section 314(c)(2) of
"(A) who is a World War II veteran (as defined in section 217(d)(2) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(2) of this section]) wholly or partly by reason of service described in section 217(h)(1)(A) of such Act; and
"(B) who (i) became entitled to old-age insurance benefits under section 202(a) of the Social Security Act [
"(C) any part of whose service described in section 217(h)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act was not included in the computation of his primary insurance amount under section 215 of such Act [
the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services] shall, notwithstanding the provisions of section 215(f)(1) of the Social Security Act, recompute the primary insurance amount of such individual upon the filing of an application, after the month in which this Act is enacted [Aug. 1958], by him or (if he has died without filing such an application) by any person entitled to monthly benefits under section 202 of the Social Security Act on the basis of his wages and self-employment income. Such recomputation shall be made only in the manner provided in title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] as in effect at the time of the last previous computation or recomputation of such individual's primary insurance amount, and as though application therefor was filed in the month in which application for such last previous computation or recomputation was filed. No recomputation made under this subsection shall be regarded as a recomputation under section 215(f) of the Social Security Act. Any such recomputation shall be effective for and after the twelfth month before the month in which the application is filed, but in no case for the month in which this Act is enacted or any prior month."
Recomputation of Social Security Benefits of Widows and Children Who Waive Right to Annuity Under Civil Service Retirement Act
Section 404(c) of act Aug. 1, 1956, provided that: "In the case of any deceased individual—
"(1) who is a World War II veteran (as defined in section 217(d)(2) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(2) of this section]) or a veteran (as defined in section 217(e)(4) of such Act); and
"(2) whose widow or child is entitled under the Civil Service Retirement Act of May 29, 1930, as amended [see
"(3) whose widow or child is entitled under section 202 of the Social Security Act [
"(4) whose widow or child is entitled by reason of section 217(f) of the Social Security Act to have such active military or naval service included in the computation of such monthly benefit,
the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services] shall, notwithstanding the provisions of section 215(f)(1) of the Social Security Act [
1 See References in Text note below.
§418. Voluntary agreements for coverage of State and local employees
(a) Purpose of agreement
(1) The Commissioner of Social Security shall, at the request of any State, enter into an agreement with such State for the purpose of extending the insurance system established by this subchapter to services performed by individuals as employees of such State or any political subdivision thereof. Each such agreement shall contain such provisions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this section, as the State may request.
(2) Notwithstanding
(b) Definitions
For the purposes of this section—
(1) The term "State" does not include the District of Columbia, Guam, or American Samoa.
(2) The term "political subdivision" includes an instrumentality of (A) a State, (B) one or more political subdivisions of a State, or (C) a State and one or more of its political subdivisions.
(3) The term "employee" includes an officer of a State or political subdivision.
(4) The term "retirement system" means a pension, annuity, retirement, or similar fund or system established by a State or by a political subdivision thereof.
(5) The term "coverage group" means (A) employees of the State other than those engaged in performing service in connection with a proprietary function; (B) employees of a political subdivision of a State other than those engaged in performing service in connection with a proprietary function; (C) employees of a State engaged in performing service in connection with a single proprietary function; or (D) employees of a political subdivision of a State engaged in performing service in connection with a single proprietary function. If under the preceding sentence an employee would be included in more than one coverage group by reason of the fact that he performs service in connection with two or more proprietary functions or in connection with both a proprietary function and a nonproprietary function, he shall be included in only one such coverage group. The determination of the coverage group in which such employee shall be included shall be made in such manner as may be specified in the agreement. Persons employed under
(c) Services covered
(1) An agreement under this section shall be applicable to any one or more coverage groups designated by the State.
(2) In the case of each coverage group to which the agreement applies, the agreement must include all services (other than services excluded by or pursuant to subsection (d) or paragraph (3), (5), or (6) of this subsection) performed by individuals as members of such group.
(3) Such agreement shall, if the State requests it, exclude (in the case of any coverage group) any one or more of the following:
(A) All services in any class or classes of (i) elective positions, (ii) part-time positions, or (iii) positions the compensation for which is on a fee basis;
(B) All services performed by individuals as members of a coverage group in positions covered by a retirement system on the date such agreement is made applicable to such coverage group, but only in the case of individuals who, on such date (or, if later, the date on which they first occupy such positions), are not eligible to become members of such system and whose services in such positions have not already been included under such agreement pursuant to subsection (d)(3) of this section.
(4) The Commissioner of Social Security shall, at the request of any State, modify the agreement with such State so as to (A) include any coverage group to which the agreement did not previously apply, or (B) include, in the case of any coverage group to which the agreement applies, services previously excluded from the agreement; but the agreement as so modified may not be inconsistent with the provisions of this section applicable in the case of an original agreement with a State. A modification of an agreement pursuant to clause (B) of the preceding sentence may apply to individuals to whom paragraph (3)(B) of this subsection is applicable (whether or not the previous exclusion of the service of such individuals was pursuant to such paragraph), but only if such individuals are, on the effective date specified in such modification, ineligible to be members of any retirement system or if the modification with respect to such individuals is pursuant to subsection (d)(3) of this section.
(5) Such agreement shall, if the State requests it, exclude (in the case of any coverage group) any agricultural labor, or service performed by a student, designated by the State. This paragraph shall apply only with respect to service which is excluded from employment by any provision of
(6) Such agreement shall exclude—
(A) service performed by an individual who is employed to relieve him from unemployment,
(B) service performed in a hospital, home, or other institution by a patient or inmate thereof,
(C) covered transportation service (as determined under
(D) service (other than agricultural labor or service performed by a student) which is excluded from employment by any provision of
(E) service performed by an individual as an employee serving on a temporary basis in case of fire, storm, snow, earthquake, flood, or other similar emergency, and
(F) service described in
(7) No agreement may be made applicable (either in the original agreement or by any modification thereof) to service performed by any individual to whom paragraph (3)(B) of this subsection is applicable unless such agreement provides (in the case of each coverage group involved) either that the service of any individual to whom such paragraph is applicable and who is a member of such coverage group shall continue to be covered by such agreement in case he thereafter becomes eligible to be a member of a retirement system, or that such service shall cease to be so covered when he becomes eligible to be a member of such a system (but only if the agreement is not already applicable to such system pursuant to subsection (d)(3) of this section), whichever may be desired by the State.
(8)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the agreement with any State entered into under this section may at the option of the State be modified at any time to exclude service performed by election officials or election workers if the remuneration paid in a calendar year for such service is less than $1,000 with respect to service performed during any calendar year commencing on or after January 1, 1995, ending on or before December 31, 1999, and the adjusted amount determined under subparagraph (B) for any calendar year commencing on or after January 1, 2000, with respect to service performed during such calendar year. Any modification of an agreement pursuant to this paragraph shall be effective with respect to services performed in and after the calendar year in which the modification is mailed or delivered by other means to the Commissioner of Social Security.
(B) For each year after 1999, the Commissioner of Social Security shall adjust the amount referred to in subparagraph (A) at the same time and in the same manner as is provided under
(i) for purposes of this subparagraph, 1997 shall be substituted for the calendar year referred to in
(ii) such amount as so adjusted, if not a multiple of $100, shall be rounded to the next higher multiple of $100 where such amount is a multiple of $50 and to the nearest multiple of $100 in any other case.
The Commissioner of Social Security shall determine and publish in the Federal Register each adjusted amount determined under this subparagraph not later than November 1 preceding the year for which the adjustment is made.
(d) Positions covered by retirement systems
(1) No agreement with any State may be made applicable (either in the original agreement or by any modification thereof) to any service performed by employees as members of any coverage group in positions covered by a retirement system either (A) on the date such agreement is made applicable to such coverage group, or (B) on September 1, 1954 (except in the case of positions which are, by reason of action by such State or political subdivision thereof, as may be appropriate, taken prior to September 1, 1954, no longer covered by a retirement system on the date referred to in clause (A), and except in the case of positions excluded by paragraph (5)(A) of this subsection). The preceding sentence shall not be applicable to any service performed by an employee as a member of any coverage group in a position (other than a position excluded by paragraph (5)(A) of this subsection) covered by a retirement system on the date an agreement is made applicable to such coverage group if, on such date (or, if later, the date on which such individual first occupies such position), such individual is ineligible to be a member of such system.
(2) It is declared to be the policy of the Congress in enacting the succeeding paragraphs of this subsection that the protection afforded employees in positions covered by a retirement system on the date an agreement under this section is made applicable to service performed in such positions, or receiving periodic benefits under such retirement system at such time, will not be impaired as a result of making the agreement so applicable or as a result of legislative enactment in anticipation thereof.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, an agreement with a State may be made applicable (either in the original agreement or by any modification thereof) to service performed by employees in positions covered by a retirement system (including positions specified in paragraph (4) of this subsection but not including positions excluded by or pursuant to paragraph (5)), if the governor of the State, or an official of the State designated by him for the purpose, certifies to the Commissioner of Social Security that the following conditions have been met:
(A) A referendum by secret written ballot was held on the question of whether service in positions covered by such retirement system should be excluded from or included under an agreement under this section;
(B) An opportunity to vote in such referendum was given (and was limited) to eligible employees;
(C) Not less than ninety days' notice of such referendum was given to all such employees;
(D) Such referendum was conducted under the supervision of the governor or an agency or individual designated by him; and
(E) A majority of the eligible employees voted in favor of including service in such positions under an agreement under this section.
An employee shall be deemed an "eligible employee" for purposes of any referendum with respect to any retirement system if, at the time such referendum was held, he was in a position covered by such retirement system and was a member of such system, and if he was in such a position at the time notice of such referendum was given as required by clause (C) of the preceding sentence; except that he shall not be deemed an "eligible employee" if, at the time the referendum was held, he was in a position to which the State agreement already applied, or if he was in a position excluded by or pursuant to paragraph (5). No referendum with respect to a retirement system shall be valid for purposes of this paragraph unless held within the two-year period which ends on the date of execution of the agreement or modification which extends the insurance system established by this subchapter to such retirement system, nor shall any referendum with respect to a retirement system be valid for purposes of this paragraph if held less than one year after the last previous referendum held with respect to such retirement system.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (c) of this section, the following employees shall be deemed to be a separate coverage group—
(A) all employees in positions which were covered by the same retirement system on the date the agreement was made applicable to such system (other than employees to whose services the agreement already applied on such date);
(B) all employees in positions which became covered by such system at any time after such date; and
(C) all employees in positions which were covered by such system at any time before such date and to whose services the insurance system established by this subchapter has not been extended before such date because the positions were covered by such retirement system (including employees to whose services the agreement was not applicable on such date because such services were excluded pursuant to subsection (c)(3)(B) of this section).
(5)(A) Nothing in paragraph (3) of this subsection shall authorize the extension of the insurance system established by this subchapter to service in any policeman's or fireman's position.
(B) At the request of the State, any class or classes of positions covered by a retirement system which may be excluded from the agreement pursuant to paragraph (3) or (5) of subsection (c) of this section, and to which the agreement does not already apply, may be excluded from the agreement at the time it is made applicable to such retirement system; except that, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (3)(B) of such subsection, such exclusion may not include any services to which such paragraph (3)(B) is applicable. In the case of any such exclusion, each such class so excluded shall, for purposes of this subsection, constitute a separate retirement system in case of any modification of the agreement thereafter agreed to.
(6)(A) If a retirement system covers positions of employees of the State and positions of employees of one or more political subdivisions of the State, or covers positions of employees of two or more political subdivisions of the State, then, for purposes of the preceding paragraphs of this subsection, there shall, if the State so desires, be deemed to be a separate retirement system with respect to any one or more of the political subdivisions concerned and, where the retirement system covers positions of employees of the State, a separate retirement system with respect to the State or with respect to the State and any one or more of the political subdivisions concerned. Where a retirement system covering positions of employees of a State and positions of employees of one or more political subdivisions of the State, or covering positions of employees of two or more political subdivisions of the State, is not divided into separate retirement systems pursuant to the preceding sentence or pursuant to subparagraph (C), then the State may, for purposes of subsection (e) of this section only, deem the system to be a separate retirement system with respect to any one or more of the political subdivisions concerned and, where the retirement system covers positions of employees of the State, a separate retirement system with respect to the State or with respect to the State and any one or more of the political subdivisions concerned.
(B) If a retirement system covers positions of employees of one or more institutions of higher learning, then, for purposes of such preceding paragraphs there shall, if the State so desires, be deemed to be a separate retirement system for the employees of each such institution of higher learning. For the purposes of this subparagraph, the term "institutions of higher learning" includes junior colleges and teachers colleges. If a retirement system covers positions of employees of a hospital which is an integral part of a political subdivision, then, for purposes of the preceding paragraphs there shall, if the State so desires, be deemed to be a separate retirement system for the employees of such hospital.
(C) For the purposes of this subsection, any retirement system established by the State of Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, or Hawaii, or any political subdivision of any such State, which, on, before, or after August 1, 1956, is divided into two divisions or parts, one of which is composed of positions of members of such system who desire coverage under an agreement under this section and the other of which is composed of positions of members of such system who do not desire such coverage, shall, if the State so desires and if it is provided that there shall be included in such division or part composed of members desiring such coverage the positions of individuals who become members of such system after such coverage is extended, be deemed to be a separate retirement system with respect to each such division or part. If, in the case of a separate retirement system which is deemed to exist by reason of subparagraph (A) and which has been divided into two divisions or parts pursuant to the first sentence of this subparagraph, individuals become members of such system by reason of action taken by a political subdivision after coverage under an agreement under this section has been extended to the division or part thereof composed of positions of individuals who desire such coverage, the positions of such individuals who become members of such retirement system by reason of the action so taken shall be included in the division or part of such system composed of positions of members who do not desire such coverage if (i) such individuals, on the day before becoming such members, were in the division or part of another separate retirement system (deemed to exist by reason of subparagraph (A)) composed of positions of members of such system who do not desire coverage under an agreement under this section, and (ii) all of the positions in the separate retirement system of which such individuals so become members and all of the positions in the separate retirement system referred to in clause (i) would have been covered by a single retirement system if the State had not taken action to provide for separate retirement systems under this paragraph.
(D)(i) The position of any individual which is covered by any retirement system to which subparagraph (C) is applicable shall, if such individual is ineligible to become a member of such system on August 1, 1956, or, if later, the day he first occupies such position, be deemed to be covered by the separate retirement system consisting of the positions of members of the division or part who do not desire coverage under the insurance system established under this subchapter.
(ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), the State may, pursuant to subsection (c)(4)(B) of this section and subject to the conditions of continuation or termination of coverage provided for in subsection (c)(7) of this section, modify its agreement under this section to include services performed by all individuals described in clause (i) other than those individuals to whose services the agreement already applies. Such individuals shall be deemed (on and after the effective date of the modification) to be in positions covered by the separate retirement system consisting of the positions of members of the division or part who desire coverage under the insurance system established under this subchapter.
(E) An individual who is in a position covered by a retirement system to which subparagraph (C) is applicable and who is not a member of such system but is eligible to become a member thereof shall, for purposes of this subsection (other than paragraph (8) of this subsection), be regarded as a member of such system; except that, in the case of any retirement system a division or part of which is covered under the agreement (either in the original agreement or by a modification thereof), which coverage is agreed to prior to 1960, the preceding provisions of this subparagraph shall apply only if the State so requests and any such individual referred to in such preceding provisions shall, if the State so requests, be treated, after division of the retirement system pursuant to such subparagraph (C), the same as individuals in positions referred to in subparagraph (F).
(F) In the case of any retirement system divided pursuant to subparagraph (C), the position of any member of the division or part composed of positions of members who do not desire coverage may be transferred to the separate retirement system composed of positions of members who desire such coverage if it is so provided in a modification of such agreement which is mailed, or delivered by other means, to the Commissioner of Social Security prior to 1970 or, if later, the expiration of two years after the date on which such agreement, or the modification thereof making the agreement applicable to such separate retirement system, as the case may be, is agreed to, but only if, prior to such modification or such later modification, as the case may be, the individual occupying such position files with the State a written request for such transfer. Notwithstanding subsection (e)(1) of this section, any such modification or later modification, providing for the transfer of additional positions within a retirement system previously divided pursuant to subparagraph (C) to the separate retirement system composed of positions of members who desire coverage, shall be effective with respect to services performed after the same effective date as that which was specified in the case of such previous division.
(G) For the purposes of this subsection, in the case of any retirement system of the State of Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Washington, or Hawaii which covers positions of employees of such State who are compensated in whole or in part from grants made to such State under subchapter III of this chapter, there shall be deemed to be, if such State so desires, a separate retirement system with respect to any of the following:
(i) the positions of such employees;
(ii) the positions of all employees of such State covered by such retirement system who are employed in the department of such State in which the employees referred to in clause (i) are employed; or
(iii) employees of such State covered by such retirement system who are employed in such department of such State in positions others than those referred to in clause (i).
(7) The certification by the governor (or an official of the State designated by him for the purpose) required under paragraph (3) of this subsection shall be deemed to have been made, in the case of a division or part (created under subparagraph (C) of paragraph (6) of this subsection or the corresponding provision of prior law) consisting of the positions of members of a retirement system who desire coverage under the agreement under this section, if the governor (or the official so designated) certifies to the Commissioner of Social Security that—
(A) an opportunity to vote by written ballot on the question of whether they wish to be covered under an agreement under this section was given to all individuals who were members of such system at the time the vote was held;
(B) not less than ninety days' notice of such vote was given to all individuals who were members of such system on the date the notice was issued;
(C) the vote was conducted under the supervision of the governor or an agency or individual designated by him; and
(D) such system was divided into two parts or divisions in accordance with the provisions of subparagraphs (C) and (D) of paragraph (6) of this subsection or the corresponding provision of prior law.
For purposes of this paragraph, an individual in a position to which the State agreement already applied or in a position excluded by or pursuant to paragraph (5) of this subsection shall not be considered a member of the retirement system.
(8)(A) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, if under the provisions of this subsection an agreement is, after December 31, 1958, made applicable to service performed in positions covered by a retirement system, service performed by an individual in a position covered by such a system may not be excluded from the agreement because such position is also covered under another retirement system.
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to service performed by an individual in a position covered under a retirement system if such individual, on the day the agreement is made applicable to service performed in positions covered by such retirement system, is not a member of such system and is a member of another system.
(C) If an agreement is made applicable, prior to 1959, to service in positions covered by any retirement system, the preceding provisions of this paragraph shall be applicable in the case of such system if the agreement is modified to so provide.
(D) Except in the case of State agreements modified as provided in subsection (l) of this section and agreements with interstate instrumentalities, nothing in this paragraph shall authorize the application of an agreement to service in any policeman's or fireman's position.
(e) Effective date of agreement; retroactive coverage
(1) Any agreement or modification of an agreement under this section shall be effective with respect to services performed after an effective date specified in such agreement or modification; except that such date may not be earlier than the last day of the sixth calendar year preceding the year in which such agreement or modification, as the case may be, is mailed or delivered by other means to the Commissioner of Social Security.
(2) In the case of service performed by members of any coverage group—
(A) to which an agreement under this section is made applicable, and
(B) with respect to which the agreement, or modification thereof making the agreement so applicable, specifies an effective date earlier than the date of execution of such agreement and such modification, respectively,
the agreement shall, if so requested by the State, be applicable to such services (to the extent the agreement was not already applicable) performed before such date of execution and after such effective date by any individual as a member of such coverage group if he is such a member on a date, specified by the State, which is earlier than such date of execution, except that in no case may the date so specified be earlier than the date such agreement or such modification, as the case may be, is mailed, or delivered by other means, to the Commissioner of Social Security.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection, in the case of services performed by individuals as members of any coverage group to which an agreement under this section is made applicable, and with respect to which there were timely paid in good faith to the Secretary of the Treasury amounts equivalent to the sum of the taxes which would have been imposed by sections 3101 and 3111 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 had such services constituted employment for purposes of
(f) Duration of agreement
No agreement under this section may be terminated, either in its entirety or with respect to any coverage group, on or after April 20, 1983.
(g) Instrumentalities of two or more States
(1) The Commissioner of Social Security may, at the request of any instrumentality of two or more States, enter into an agreement with such instrumentality for the purpose of extending the insurance system established by this subchapter to services performed by individuals as employees of such instrumentality. Such agreement, to the extent practicable, shall be governed by the provisions of this section applicable in the case of an agreement with a State.
(2) In the case of any instrumentality of two or more States, if—
(A) employees of such instrumentality are in positions covered by a retirement system of such instrumentality or of any of such States or any of the political subdivisions thereof, and
(B) such retirement system is (on, before, or after August 30, 1957) divided into two divisions or parts, one of which is composed of positions of members of such system who are employees of such instrumentality and who desire coverage under an agreement under this section and the other of which is composed of positions of members of such system who are employees of such instrumentality and who do not desire such coverage, and
(C) it is provided that there shall be included in such division or part composed of the positions of members desiring such coverage the positions of employees of such instrumentality who become members of such system after such coverage is extended,
then such retirement system shall, if such instrumentality so desires, be deemed to be a separate retirement system with respect to each such division or part. An individual who is in a position covered by a retirement system divided pursuant to the preceding sentence and who is not a member of such system but is eligible to become a member thereof shall, for purposes of this subsection, be regarded as a member of such system. Coverage under the agreement of any such individual shall be provided under the same conditions, to the extent practicable, as are applicable in the case of the States to which the provisions of subsection (d)(6)(C) of this section apply. The position of any employee of any such instrumentality which is covered by any retirement system to which the first sentence of this paragraph is applicable shall, if such individual is ineligible to become a member of such system on August 30, 1957, or, if later, the day he first occupies such position, be deemed to be covered by the separate retirement system consisting of the positions of members of the division or part who do not desire coverage under the insurance system established under this subchapter. Services in positions covered by a separate retirement system created pursuant to this subsection (and consisting of the positions of members who desire coverage under an agreement under this section) shall be covered under such agreement on compliance, to the extent practicable, with the same conditions as are applicable to coverage under an agreement under this section of services in positions covered by a separate retirement system created pursuant to subparagraph (C) of subsection (d)(6) of this section or the corresponding provision of prior law (and consisting of the positions of members who desire coverage under such agreement).
(3) Any agreement with any instrumentality of two or more States entered into pursuant to this chapter may, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d)(5)(A) of this section and the references thereto in subsections (d)(1) and (d)(3) of this section, apply to service performed by employees of such instrumentality in any policeman's or fireman's position covered by a retirement system, but only upon compliance, to the extent practicable, with the requirements of subsection (d)(3) of this section. For the purpose of the preceding sentence, a retirement system which covers positions of policemen or firemen or both, and other positions shall, if the instrumentality concerned so desires, be deemed to be a separate retirement system with respect to the positions of such policemen or firemen, or both, as the case may be.
(h) Delegation of functions
The Commissioner of Social Security is authorized, pursuant to agreement with the head of any Federal agency, to delegate any of the Commissioner's functions under this section to any officer or employee of such agency and otherwise to utilize the services and facilities of such agency in carrying out such functions, and payment therefor shall be in advance or by way of reimbursement, as may be provided in such agreement.
(i) Wisconsin Retirement Fund
(1) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of this section, the agreement with the State of Wisconsin may, subject to the provisions of this subsection, be modified so as to apply to service performed by employees in positions covered by the Wisconsin retirement fund or any successor system.
(2) All employees in positions covered by the Wisconsin retirement fund at any time on or after January 1, 1951, shall, for the purposes of subsection (c) only, be deemed to be a separate coverage group; except that there shall be excluded from such separate coverage group all employees in positions to which the agreement applies without regard to this subsection.
(3) The modification pursuant to this subsection shall exclude (in the case of employees in the coverage group established by paragraph (2) of this subsection) service performed by any individual during any period before he is included under the Wisconsin retirement fund.
(4) The modification pursuant to this subsection shall, if the State of Wisconsin requests it, exclude (in the case of employees in the coverage group established by paragraph (2) of this subsection) all service performed in policemen's positions, all service performed in firemen's positions, or both.
(j) Certain positions no longer covered by retirement systems
Notwithstanding subsection (d) of this section, an agreement with any State entered into under this section prior to September 1, 1954 may, prior to January 1, 1958, be modified pursuant to subsection (c)(4) of this section so as to apply to services performed by employees, as members of any coverage group to which such agreement already applies (and to which such agreement applied on September 1, 1954), in positions (1) to which such agreement does not already apply, (2) which were covered by a retirement system on the date such agreement was made applicable to such coverage group, and (3) which, by reason of action by such State or political subdivision thereof, as may be appropriate, taken prior to September 1, 1954, are no longer covered by a retirement system on the date such agreement is made applicable to such services.
(k) Certain employees of State of Utah
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, the agreement with the State of Utah entered into pursuant to this section may be modified pursuant to subsection (c)(4) of this section so as to apply to services performed for any of the following, the employees performing services for each of which shall constitute a separate coverage group: Weber Junior College, Carbon Junior College, Dixie Junior College, Central Utah Vocational School, Salt Lake Area Vocational School, Center for the Adult Blind, Union High School (Roosevelt, Utah), Utah High School Activities Association, State Industrial School, State Training School, State Board of Education, and Utah School Employees Retirement Board. Any modification agreed to prior to January 1, 1955, may be made effective with respect to services performed by employees as members of any of such coverage groups after an effective date specified therein, except that in no case may any such date be earlier than December 31, 1950. Coverage provided for in this subsection shall not be affected by a subsequent change in the name of a group.
(l) Policemen and firemen in certain States
Any agreement with a State entered into pursuant to this section may, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d)(5)(A) of this section and the references thereto in subsections (d)(1) and (d)(3) of this section, be modified pursuant to subsection (c)(4) of this section to apply to service performed by employees of such State or any political subdivision thereof in any policeman's or fireman's position covered by a retirement system in effect on or after August 1, 1956, but only upon compliance with the requirements of subsection (d)(3) of this section. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, a retirement system which covers positions of policemen or firemen, or both, and other positions shall, if the State concerned so desires, be deemed to be a separate retirement system with respect to the positions of such policemen or firemen, or both, as the case may be.
(m) Positions compensated solely on a fee basis
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, an agreement entered into under this section may be made applicable to service performed after 1967 in any class or classes of positions compensated solely on a fee basis to which such agreement did not apply prior to 1968 only if the State specifically requests that its agreement be made applicable to such service in such class or classes of positions.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, an agreement entered into under this section may be modified, at the option of the State, at any time after 1967, so as to exclude services performed in any class or classes of positions compensation for which is solely on a fee basis.
(3) Any modification made under this subsection shall be effective with respect to services performed after the last day of the calendar year in which the modification is mailed or delivered by other means to the Commissioner of Social Security.
(4) If any class or classes of positions have been excluded from coverage under the State agreement by a modification agreed to under this subsection, the Commissioner of Social Security and the State may not thereafter modify such agreement so as to again make the agreement applicable with respect to such class or classes of positions.
(n) Optional medicare coverage of current employees
(1) The Commissioner of Social Security shall, at the request of any State, enter into or modify an agreement with such State under this section for the purpose of extending the provisions of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, and
(2) This subsection shall apply only with respect to employees—
(A) whose services are not treated as employment as that term applies under
(B) who are not otherwise covered under the State's agreement under this section.
(3) For purposes of
(4) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the provisions of this section shall apply with respect to services covered under the agreement pursuant to this subsection.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §218, as added Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title I, §106,
References in Text
Section 6 of the National Guard Technicians Act of 1968, referred to in subsec. (b)(5), is section 6 of
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (e)(3), is classified to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (d)(6)(C).
1994—Subsecs. (a)(1), (c)(4).
Subsec. (c)(6)(F).
Subsec. (c)(8).
Subsec. (d)(3), (6)(F), (7).
Subsec. (d)(8)(D).
Subsec. (e)(1), (2).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsecs. (g)(1), (h).
Subsec. (l).
Subsecs. (m)(3), (4), (n)(1).
1990—Subsec. (c)(6)(F).
1989—Subsec. (c)(5).
1987—Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (v).
Subsec. (v)(3).
1986—Subsec. (d)(6).
Subsec. (d)(8)(D).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l).
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (n) to (p).
Subsec. (q).
Subsec. (r).
Subsec. (s).
Subsec. (t).
Subsec. (u).
Subsec. (u)(3).
Subsec. (v).
Subsec. (w).
1984—Subsecs. (a)(1), (c)(4), (d)(3), (7), (h)(2), (3).
Subsec. (i).
Subsecs. (j), (k)(1), (l), (p)(2).
Subsecs. (q)(4)(B), (6)(B), (r)(1).
1983—Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (o).
1980—Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
1977—Subsec. (c)(8).
Subsec. (d)(6)(C).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (m)(1).
Subsec. (p)(1).
Subsec. (q)(4)(B).
Subsec. (q)(6)(B).
Subsec. (r)(1).
1974—Subsec. (p)(1).
1972—Subsec. (p)(1).
1968—Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (c)(6)(E).
Subsec. (c)(7).
Subsec. (c)(8).
Subsec. (d)(4)(C).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B).
Subsec. (d)(6)(C).
Subsec. (d)(6)(D).
Subsec. (d)(6)(F).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (p).
Subsec. (u).
1965—Subsec. (d)(6)(C).
Subsec. (d)(6)(F).
Subsec. (h)(1).
1964—Subsec. (d)(6)(C).
Subsec. (p).
1962—Subsec. (p).
1961—Subsec. (d)(6)(C).
Subsec. (d)(6)(F).
1960—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(6)(C).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (d)(6).
Subsec. (d)(6)(A).
Subsec. (d)(6)(B).
Subsec. (d)(6)(C).
Subsec. (d)(7).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (p).
Subsecs. (q) to (t).
1959—Subsec. (p).
1958—Subsec. (d)(6).
Subsec. (d)(7).
Subsec. (d)(8).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (k)(2).
Subsec. (k)(3).
Subsec. (p).
1957—Subsec. (d)(6).
Subsec. (d)(7).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (p).
1956—Subsec. (d)(6). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §104(e), authorized the State of Florida, Georgia, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington, Wisconsin, or the Territory of Hawaii, or any political subdivision thereof, to divide their retirement system into two divisions or parts, and provided for a separate retirement system with respect to employees of the States of Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Washington, or the Territory of Hawaii who are compensated in whole or in part from grants under subchapter III of this chapter.
Subsec. (h)(1). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §103(f), required amounts to be deposited in the Trust Funds in the ratio in which amounts are appropriated to such Funds pursuant to
Subsec. (j). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §103(g), substituted "Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare" for "Administrator", and provided for appropriation of amounts in the ratio in which amounts are deposited in the Trust Funds pursuant to subsection (h)(1) of this section.
Subsec. (p). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §104(g), added subsec. (p).
1954—Subsec. (b)(5). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(i)(1), (2), inserted sentence at end relating to civilian employees of State National Guard units and a sentence relating to certain State inspectors of agricultural products.
Subsec. (c)(3). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(h)(3), inserted an additional optional exclusion with respect to all services performed by individuals as members of any coverage group who are in positions covered by a retirement system on the date when the group is brought under the agreement if these individuals are not eligible to become members of the system on that date, or on any later date when they first occupy the positions, and if they have not already been included under the agreement by means of a referendum.
Subsec. (c)(4). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(h)(4), inserted sentence at end.
Subsec. (c)(5). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(a)(5), (6), substituted "paragraph (7)" for "paragraph (8)," and inserted at end "and service the remuneration for which is excluded from wages by paragraph (2) of section 209(h)".
Subsec. (c)(6)(D). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(a)(5), substituted "paragraph (7)" for "paragraph (8)".
Subsec. (c)(7). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(h)(5), added par. (7).
Subsec. (d). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(h)(1)(A), struck out "Exclusion of" in heading, redesignated the subsection as (d)(1), and inserted sentence at end.
Subsec. (d)(1). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(h)(1)(B), inserted provision in first sentence making the prohibition inapplicable to service in positions which though covered by a retirement system on the enactment date, were, by reason of action taken prior to the enactment date by the appropriate governmental unit, no longer covered by a retirement system when the coverage group which included employees in such positions was brought under an agreement.
Subsec. (d)(2) to (6). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(h)(2), added pars. (2) to (6).
Subsec. (f). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(h)(6), permitted agreements or modifications entered into during 1955, 1956, and 1957 to be made retroactive to a date not earlier than December 31, 1954.
Subsec. (m)(1). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(h)(7), substituted "paragraph (1) of subsection (d)" for "subsection (d)".
Subsec. (n). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(h)(8), added subsec. (n).
Subsec. (o). Act Sept. 1, 1954, §101(j), added subsec. (l).
1953—Subsec. (m). Act Aug. 15, 1953, added subsec. (m).
1952—Subsec. (f). Act June 28, 1952, substituted "January 1, 1954" for "January 1, 1953".
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Amendment by section 303(c) of
Section 305(c) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by section 1883(a)(8) of
Section 9002(d) of
Section 12110(c) of
Section 13205(d)(3) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Section 103(b) of
Section 325(b) of
Section 342(b) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Section 503(b) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Section 353(g) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 116(b)(3) of
Section 120(c) of
Effective Date of 1961 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Section 102(b)(2) of
Section 102(c)(3) of
Section 102(f)(3) of
"(A) The amendments made by paragraphs (1) and (2) [amending this section and
"(B) In any case in which the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare has notified a State prior to the beginning of such second calendar year that there is an amount due by such State, that such State's claim for a credit or refund of an overpayment is disallowed, or that such State has been allowed a credit or refund of an overpayment, under an agreement pursuant to section 218 of the Social Security Act [this section], then the Secretary shall be deemed to have made an assessment of such amount due as provided in section 218(q) of such Act or notified the State of such allowance or disallowance, as the case may be, on the first day of such second calendar year. In such a case the 90-day limitation in section 218(s) of such Act shall not be applicable with respect to the assessment so deemed to have been made or the notification of allowance or disallowance so deemed to have been given the State. However, the preceding sentences of this subparagraph shall not apply if the Secretary makes an assessment of such amount due or notifies the State of such allowance or disallowance on or after the first day of the second calendar year following the year in which this Act is enacted [1960] and within the period specified in section 218(q) of the Social Security Act or the period specified in section 218(r) of such Act, as the case may be."
Amendments by section 103(i) of
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Section 315(c)(2) of
Effective Date of 1954 Amendment
Section 101(h)(9) of act Sept. 1, 1954, provided that: "The amendments made by this subsection, other than paragraph (1)(B) [amending this section], shall take effect January 1, 1955."
Section 101(i)(1) of act Sept. 1, 1954, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective as of January 1, 1951.
Section 101(i)(2) of act Sept. 1, 1954, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective January 1, 1955.
Section 101(i)(3) of act Sept. 1, 1954, provided that: "In the case of any coverage group to which the amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] is applicable, any agreement or modification of an agreement agreed to prior to January 1, 1956, may, notwithstanding section 218(f) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f) of this section], be made effective with respect to services performed by employees as members of such coverage group after any effective date specified therein, but in no case may such effective date be earlier than December 31, 1950."
Section 101(j) of act Sept. 1, 1954, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective as of January 1, 1951.
Amendment by section 101(a)(5), (6) of act Sept. 1, 1954, shall be applicable only with respect to services (whether performed after 1954 or prior to 1955) for which the remuneration is paid after 1954, see section 101(n) of act Sept. 1, 1954, set out as a note under
Effective Date of 1953 Amendment
Section 2 of act Aug. 15, 1953, provided that: "For the purposes of section 418(f) of the Social Security Act (relating to effective date of agreements) [subsec. (f) of this section], the amendment made by the first section of this Act [amending this section] shall take effect as of January 1, 1951."
Exemption for Students Employed by State Schools, Colleges, or Universities
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
Treatment of Certain Credits as Amounts Deposited in Social Security Trust Funds Pursuant to Agreement
Section 123(b)(4) of
Modification of Agreement With State of Iowa To Provide Coverage for Certain Policemen and Firemen
Section 9008 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) all services performed in any policemen's or firemen's position to which the modification relates on or after January 1, 1987, and
"(2) all services performed in such a position before January 1, 1987, with respect to which the State of Iowa has paid to the Secretary of the Treasury the sums prescribed pursuant to subsection (e)(1) of such section 218 (as in effect on December 31, 1986, with respect to payments due with respect to wages paid on or before such date) at the time or times established pursuant to such subsection (e)(1), if and to the extent that—
"(A) no refund of the sums so paid has been obtained, or
"(B) a refund of part or all of the sums so paid has been obtained but the State of Iowa repays to the Secretary of the Treasury the amount of such refund within 90 days after the date on which the modification is agreed to by the State and the Secretary of Health and Human Services."
Modification of Agreement With State of Connecticut To Provide Coverage for Connecticut State Police
Section 12114 of
Modification of Agreement With State of Illinois To Provide Coverage for Certain Policemen and Firemen
Section 318 of
Modification of Reporting Procedures in Effect December 1, 1975, Under Federal-State Agreements
Modification of Agreement With State of West Virginia With Respect to Certain Policemen and Firemen
"(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d)(5)(A) of section 218 of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(5)(A) of this section] and the references thereto in subsections (d)(1) and (d)(3) of such section 218, the agreement with the State of West Virginia heretofore entered into pursuant to such section 218 [this section] may, at any time prior to 1977, be modified pursuant to subsection (c)(4) of such section 218 so as to apply to services performed in policemen's or firemen's positions covered by a retirement system on the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 2, 1976] by individuals as employees of any class III or class IV municipal corporation (as defined in or under the laws of the State) if the State of West Virginia has at any time prior to the date of the enactment of this Act paid to the Secretary of the Treasury, with respect to any of the services performed in such positions by individuals as employees of such municipal corporation, the sums prescribed pursuant to subsection (e)(1) of such section 218. For purposes of this subsection, a retirement system which covers positions of policemen or firemen, or both, and other positions, shall, if the State of West Virginia so desires, be deemed to be a separate retirement system with respect to the positions of such policemen or firemen, or both, as the case may be.
"(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (f) of section 218 of the Social Security Act, any modification in the agreement with the State of West Virginia under subsection (a) of this section, to the extent it involves services performed by individuals as employees of any class III or class IV municipal corporation, may be made effective with respect to—
"(1) all services performed by such individual, in any policemen's or firemen's position to which the modification relates, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act; and
"(2) all services performed by such individual in such a position before such date of enactment with respect to which the State of West Virginia has paid to the Secretary of the Treasury the sums prescribed pursuant to subsection (e)(1) of such section 218 at the time or times established pursuant to such subsection (e)(1) if and to the extent that—
"(A) no refund of the sums so paid has been obtained, or
"(B) a refund of part or all of the sums so paid has been obtained but the State of West Virginia repays to the Secretary of the Treasury the amount of such refund within ninety days after the date that the modification is agreed to by the State and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare."
Section 143 of
"(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d)(5)(A) of section 218 of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(5)(A) of this section] and the references thereto in subsections (d)(1) and (d)(3) of such section 218 the agreement with the State of West Virginia heretofore entered into pursuant to such section 218 [this section] may, at any time prior to 1974, be modified pursuant to subsection (c)(4) of such section 218 so as to apply to services performed in policemen's or firemen's positions covered by a retirement system on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 30, 1972] by individuals as employees of any class III or class IV municipal corporation (as defined in or under the laws of the State) if the State of West Virginia has at any time prior to the date of the enactment of this Act paid to the Secretary of the Treasury, with respect to any of the services performed in such positions by individuals as employees of such municipal corporation, the sums prescribed pursuant to subsection (e)(1) of such section 218. For purposes of this subsection, a retirement system which covers positions of policemen or firemen, or both, and other positions, shall, if the State of West Virginia so desires, be deemed to be a separate retirement system with respect to the positions of such policemen or firemen, or both, as the case may be.
"(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (f) of section 218 of the Social Security Act, any modification in the agreement with the State of West Virginia under subsection (a) of this section, to the extent it involves services performed by individuals as employees of any class III or class IV municipal corporation, may be made effective with respect to—
"(1) all services performed by such individual, in any policeman's or fireman's position to which the modification relates, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act; and
"(2) all services performed by such individual in such a position before such date of enactment with respect to which the State of West Virginia has paid to the Secretary of the Treasury the sums prescribed pursuant to subsection (e)(1) of such section 218 at the time or times established pursuant to such subsection (e)(1), if and to the extent that—
"(A) no refund of the sums so paid has been obtained, or
"(B) a refund of part or all of the sums so paid has been obtained but the State of West Virginia repays to the Secretary of the Treasury the amount of such refund within ninety days after the date that the modification is agreed to by the State and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare."
Modification of Existing Agreement With State of New Mexico To Cover Certain Hospital Employees
Section 127 of
Modification of Agreement With State of Louisiana With Respect to Voter Registrars
Section 139 of
"(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 218(g)(1) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (g)(1) of this section], the Secretary may, under such conditions as he deems appropriate, permit the State of Louisiana to modify its agreement entered into under section 218 of such Act [this section] so as to terminate the coverage of all employees who are in positions under the Registrars of Voters Employees' Retirement System, effective after December 1975, but only if such State files with him notice of termination on or before December 31, 1973.
"(b) If the coverage of such employees in positions under such retirement system is terminated pursuant to subsection (a), coverage cannot later be extended to employees in positions under such retirement system."
Modification of Agreements With States With Respect to Certain Students and Part-Time Employees
Section 141 of
"(a) Notwithstanding any provision of section 218 of the Social Security Act [this section], the agreement with any State (or any modification thereof) entered into pursuant to such section may, at the option of such State, be modified at any time prior to January 1, 1974, so as to exclude either or both of the following;
"(1) service in any class or classes of part-time positions; or
"(2) service performed in the employ of a school, college, or university if such service is performed by a student who is enrolled and is regularly attending classes at such school, college, or university.
"(b) Any modification of such agreement pursuant to this section shall be effective with respect to services performed after the end of the calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which such agreement is modified.
"(c) If any such modification terminates coverage with respect to service in any class or classes of part-time positions in any coverage group, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and the State may not thereafter modify such agreement so as to again make the agreement applicable to service in such positions in such coverage group; if such modification terminates coverage with respect to service performed in the employ of a school, college, or university, by a student who is enrolled and regularly attending classes at such school, college, or university, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and the State may not thereafter modify such agreement so as to again make the agreement applicable to such service performed in the employ of such school, college, or university."
Modification of Agreement With State of Massachusetts With Respect to Employees of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority
Section 124 of
"(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 218(g)(1) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (g)(1) of this section] the Secretary may, under such conditions as he deems appropriate, permit the State of Massachusetts to modify its agreement entered into under section 218 of such Act [this section] so as to terminate the coverage of the employees of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority effective at the end of any calendar quarter within the two years next following the date on which such agreement is so modified.
"(b) If the coverage of employees of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority is terminated pursuant to subsection (a), coverage cannot later be extended to the employees of such Authority."
Modification of Agreements With States of North Dakota and Iowa With Respect to Certain Students
Section 338 of
Modification of Agreement With State of Nebraska for Exclusion of Services Performed by Justices of the Peace and Constables
Section 102(i) of
Modification of Existing Agreement With State of California Prior to February 1966
Section 102(k) of
"(1) Notwithstanding any provision of section 218 of the Social Security Act [this section], the agreement with the State of California heretofore entered into pursuant to such section may at the option of such State be modified, at any time prior to 1962, pursuant to subsection (c)(4) of such section 218 [subsec. (c)(4) of this section], so as to apply to services performed by any individual who, on or after January 1, 1957, and on or before December 31, 1959, was employed by such State (or any political subdivision thereof) in any hospital employee's position which, on September 1, 1954, was covered by a retirement system, but which, prior to 1960, was removed from coverage by such retirement system if, prior to July 1, 1960, there have been paid in good faith to the Secretary of the Treasury, with respect to any of the services performed by such individual in any such position, amounts equivalent to the sum of the taxes which would have been imposed by sections 3101 and 3111 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] [
"(2) Such agreement, as modified pursuant to paragraph (1), may at the option of such State be further modified, at any time prior to the seventh month after the month [July 1965] in which this paragraph is enacted, so as to apply to services performed for any hospital affected by such earlier modification by any individual who after December 31, 1959, is or was employed by such State (or any political subdivision thereof) in any position described in paragraph (1). Such modification shall be effective with respect to (A) all services performed by such individual in any such position on or after January 1, 1962, and (B) all such services, performed before such date, with respect to which amounts equivalent to the sum of the taxes which would have been imposed by sections 3101 and 3111 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [
Modification of Existing Agreement With State of Oklahoma Prior to 1962
Section 3 of
Modification of Existing Agreement With State of Maine Prior to July 1, 1967
Section 316 of
Modification of Existing Agreements With States of California, Connecticut, Minnesota, or Rhode Island Prior to 1960
Section 2 of
Modification of Existing Agreements With States of Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, or Hawaii Prior to July 1, 1962
Section 104(f) of act Aug. 1, 1956, as amended by
Modification of Existing Agreement With State of Arizona Prior to January 1, 1956
Section 101(k) of act Sept. 1, 1954, provided that: "If, prior to January 1, 1956, the agreement with the State of Arizona entered into pursuant to section 218 of the Social Security Act [this section] is modified pursuant to subsection (d)(3) of such section so as to apply to service performed by employees in positions covered by the Arizona Teachers' Retirement System the modification may, notwithstanding section 218(f) of the Social Security Act, be made effective with respect to service performed in such positions after an effective date specified in the modification, but in no case may such effective date be earlier than December 31, 1950. For the purposes of any such modification, all employees in positions covered by the Arizona Teachers' Retirement System shall be deemed, notwithstanding the provisions of section 218(d)(6) of such Act, to constitute a separate coverage group."
Extension of Coverage to Service in Firemen's Position
Section 120(b) of
Validation of Coverage for Certain Firemen in the State of Nebraska
Section 119(b) of
"(1) an individual has performed services prior to the enactment of this Act [Jan. 2, 1968] in the employ of a political subdivision of the State of Nebraska in a fireman's position, and
"(2) amounts, equivalent to the sum of the taxes which would have been imposed by sections 3101 and 3111 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] [
"(3) no refunds of such amounts paid in lieu of taxes have been obtained,
the amount of the remuneration for such services with respect to which such amounts have been paid shall be deemed to constitute remuneration for employment as defined in section 209 of the Social Security Act [
Validation of Coverage for Certain Employees of an Integral Unit of a Political Subdivision of Alaska
Section 342 of
Validation of Coverage for District Engineering Aides of Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Oklahoma
Validation of Coverage for Certain Employees of an Integral Unit of a Political Subdivision of Arkansas
Section 1 of
Validation of Coverage for Certain Mississippi Teachers
Section 102(h) of
"(1) any individual who is licensed to serve in the capacity of teacher, librarian, registrar, supervisor, principal, or superintendent and who is principally engaged in the public elementary or secondary school system of the State in any one or more of such capacities;
"(2) any employee in the office of the county superintendent of education or the county school supervisor, or in the office of the principal of any county or municipal public elementary or secondary school in the State; and
"(3) any individual licensed to serve in the capacity of teacher who is engaged in any educational capacity in any day or night school conducted under the supervision of the State department of education as a part of the adult education program provided for under the laws of Mississippi or under the laws of the United States."
Presumption of Work Deductions for Services Performed Prior to 1955 in Case of Certain Retroactive State Agreements; Recomputation
Section 101(l) of act Sept. 1, 1954, provided that:
"(1) In the case of any services performed prior to 1955 to which an agreement under section 218 of the Social Security Act [this section] was made applicable, deductions which—
"(A) were not imposed under section 203 of such Act [
"(B) would have been imposed under such section 203 had such agreement, or modification, as the case may be, been agreed to on the date it became effective,
shall be deemed to have been imposed, but only for purposes of section 215(f)(2)(A) or section 215(f)(4)(A) of such Act [section 415(f)(2)(A) or
"(2) For purposes of a recomputation made by reason of paragraph (1) of this subsection, the primary insurance amount of the individual who performed the services referred to in such paragraph shall be computed under subsection (a)(2) of section 215 of the Social Security Act, as amended by this Act (but, for such purposes, without application of subsection (d)(4) of such section, as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act or as amended by this Act) and as though he became entitled to old-age insurance benefits in whichever of the following months yields the highest primary insurance amount:
"(A) the month following the last month for which deductions are deemed, pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, to have been made; or
"(B) the first month after the month determined under subparagraph (A) (and prior to September 1954) in which his benefits under section 202(a) of the Social Security Act [
"(C) the first month after the last month (and prior to September 1954) in which his benefits under section 202(a) of the Social Security Act were subject to deductions under section 203(b) of such Act; or
"(D) the month in which such individual filed his application for recomputation referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection or, if he died without filing such application and prior to January 1, 1956, the month in which he died, and in any such case (but, if the individual is deceased, only if death occurred after August 1954) the amendments made by subsections (b)(1), (e)(1) and (e)(3)(B) of section 102 of this Act [amending
Such recomputation shall be effective for and after the month in which the application required by paragraph (1) of this subsection is filed. The provisions of this subsection shall not be applicable in the case of any individual if his primary insurance amount has been recomputed under section 215(f)(2) of the Social Security Act on the basis of an application filed prior to September 1954.
"(3) If any recomputation under section 215(f) of the Social Security Act is made by reason of deductions deemed pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection to have been imposed with respect to benefits based on the wages and self-employment income of any individual, the total of the benefits based on such wages and self-employment income for months for which such deductions are so deemed to have been imposed shall be recovered by making, in addition to any other deductions under section 203 of such Act, deductions from any increase in benefits, based on such wages and self-employment income, resulting from such recomputation."
§419. Repealed. Pub. L. 86–778, title I, §103(j)(1), Sept. 13, 1960, 74 Stat. 937
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §219, as added Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title I, §107,
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective Sept. 13, 1960, see section 103(v)(1), (3) of
§420. Disability provisions inapplicable if benefit rights impaired
None of the provisions of this subchapter relating to periods of disability shall apply in any case in which their application would result in the denial of monthly benefits or a lump-sum death payment which would otherwise be payable under this subchapter; nor shall they apply in the case of any monthly benefit or lump-sum death payment under this subchapter if such benefit or payment would be greater without their application.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §220, as added Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1206, title I, §106(g),
Prior Provisions
A prior section 420, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §220, as added July 18, 1952, ch. 945, §3(e),
§421. Disability determinations
(a) State agencies
(1) In the case of any individual, the determination of whether or not he is under a disability (as defined in
(2) The disability determinations described in paragraph (1) made by a State agency shall be made in accordance with the pertinent provisions of this subchapter and the standards and criteria contained in regulations or other written guidelines of the Commissioner of Social Security pertaining to matters such as disability determinations, the class or classes of individuals with respect to which a State may make disability determinations (if it does not wish to do so with respect to all individuals in the State), and the conditions under which it may choose not to make all such determinations. In addition, the Commissioner of Social Security shall promulgate regulations specifying, in such detail as the Commissioner deems appropriate, performance standards and administrative requirements and procedures to be followed in performing the disability determination function in order to assure effective and uniform administration of the disability insurance program throughout the United States. The regulations may, for example, specify matters such as—
(A) the administrative structure and the relationship between various units of the State agency responsible for disability determinations,
(B) the physical location of and relationship among agency staff units, and other individuals or organizations performing tasks for the State agency, and standards for the availability to applicants and beneficiaries of facilities for making disability determinations,
(C) State agency performance criteria, including the rate of accuracy of decisions, the time periods within which determinations must be made, the procedures for and the scope of review by the Commissioner of Social Security, and, as the Commissioner finds appropriate, by the State, of its performance in individual cases and in classes of cases, and rules governing access of appropriate Federal officials to State offices and to State records relating to its administration of the disability determination function,
(D) fiscal control procedures that the State agency may be required to adopt, and
(E) the submission of reports and other data, in such form and at such time as the Commissioner of Social Security may require, concerning the State agency's activities relating to the disability determination.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the Commissioner of Social Security to take any action except pursuant to law or to regulations promulgated pursuant to law.
(b) Determinations by Commissioner
(1) If the Commissioner of Social Security finds, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, that a State agency is substantially failing to make disability determinations in a manner consistent with the Commissioner's regulations and other written guidelines, the Commissioner of Social Security shall, not earlier than 180 days following the Commissioner's finding, and after the Commissioner has complied with the requirements of paragraph (3), make the disability determinations referred to in subsection (a)(1) of this section.
(2) If a State, having notified the Commissioner of Social Security of its intent to make disability determinations under subsection (a)(1) of this section, no longer wishes to make such determinations, it shall notify the Commissioner of Social Security in writing of that fact, and, if an agency of the State is making disability determinations at the time such notice is given, it shall continue to do so for not less than 180 days, or (if later) until the Commissioner of Social Security has complied with the requirements of paragraph (3). Thereafter, the Commissioner of Social Security shall make the disability determinations referred to in subsection (a)(1) of this section.
(3)(A) The Commissioner of Social Security shall develop and initiate all appropriate procedures to implement a plan with respect to any partial or complete assumption by the Commissioner of Social Security of the disability determination function from a State agency, as provided in this section, under which employees of the affected State agency who are capable of performing duties in the disability determination process for the Commissioner of Social Security shall, notwithstanding any other provision of law, have a preference over any other individual in filling an appropriate employment position with the Commissioner of Social Security (subject to any system established by the Commissioner of Social Security for determining hiring priority among such employees of the State agency) unless any such employee is the administrator, the deputy administrator, or assistant administrator (or his equivalent) of the State agency, in which case the Commissioner of Social Security may accord such priority to such employee.
(B) The Commissioner of Social Security shall not make such assumption of the disability determination function until such time as the Secretary of Labor determines that, with respect to employees of such State agency who will be displaced from their employment on account of such assumption by the Commissioner of Social Security and who will not be hired by the Commissioner of Social Security to perform duties in the disability determination process, the State has made fair and equitable arrangements to protect the interests of employees so displaced. Such protective arrangements shall include only those provisions which are provided under all applicable Federal, State and local statutes including, but not limited to, (i) the preservation of rights, privileges, and benefits (including continuation of pension rights and benefits) under existing collective-bargaining agreements; (ii) the continuation of collective-bargaining rights; (iii) the assignment of affected employees to other jobs or to retraining programs; (iv) the protection of individual employees against a worsening of their positions with respect to their employment; (v) the protection of health benefits and other fringe benefits; and (vi) the provision of severance pay, as may be necessary.
(c) Review of determination by Commissioner
(1) The Commissioner of Social Security may on the Commissioner's own motion or as required under paragraphs (2) and (3) review a determination, made by a State agency under this section, that an individual is or is not under a disability (as defined in
(2) The Commissioner of Social Security (in accordance with paragraph (3)) shall review determinations, made by State agencies pursuant to this section, that individuals are under disabilities (as defined in
(3)(A) In carrying out the provisions of paragraph (2) with respect to the review of determinations made by State agencies pursuant to this section that individuals are under disabilities (as defined in
(i) at least 50 percent of all such determinations made by State agencies on applications for benefits under this subchapter, and
(ii) other determinations made by State agencies pursuant to this section to the extent necessary to assure a high level of accuracy in such other determinations.
(B) In conducting reviews pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Commissioner of Social Security shall, to the extent feasible, select for review those determinations which the Commissioner of Social Security identifies as being the most likely to be incorrect.
(C) Not later than April 1, 1992, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Social Security shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a written report setting forth the number of reviews conducted under subparagraph (A)(ii) during the preceding fiscal year and the findings of the Commissioner of Social Security based on such reviews of the accuracy of the determinations made by State agencies pursuant to this section.
(d) Hearings and judicial review
Any individual dissatisfied with any determination under subsection (a), (b), (c), or (g) of this section shall be entitled to a hearing thereon by the Commissioner of Social Security to the same extent as is provided in
(e) State's right to cost from Trust Funds
Each State which is making disability determinations under subsection (a)(1) of this section shall be entitled to receive from the Trust Funds, in advance or by way of reimbursement, as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security, the cost to the State of making disability determinations under subsection (a)(1) of this section. The Commissioner of Social Security shall from time to time certify such amount as is necessary for this purpose to the Managing Trustee, reduced or increased, as the case may be, by any sum (for which adjustment hereunder has not previously been made) by which the amount certified for any prior period was greater or less than the amount which should have been paid to the State under this subsection for such period; and the Managing Trustee, prior to audit or settlement by the Government Accountability Office, shall make payment from the Trust Funds at the time or times fixed by the Commissioner of Social Security, in accordance with such certification. Appropriate adjustments between the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund with respect to the payments made under this subsection shall be made in accordance with paragraph (1) of subsection (g) of
(f) Use of funds
All money paid to a State under this section shall be used solely for the purposes for which it is paid; and any money so paid which is not used for such purposes shall be returned to the Treasury of the United States for deposit in the Trust Funds.
(g) Regulations governing determinations in certain cases
In the case of individuals in a State which does not undertake to perform disability determinations under subsection (a)(1) of this section, or which has been found by the Commissioner of Social Security to have substantially failed to make disability determinations in a manner consistent with the Commissioner's regulations and guidelines, in the case of individuals outside the United States, and in the case of any class or classes of individuals for whom no State undertakes to make disability determinations, the determinations referred to in subsection (a) of this section shall be made by the Commissioner of Social Security in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Commissioner.
(h) Evaluation of mental impairments by qualified medical professionals
An initial determination under subsection (a), (c), (g), or (i) of this section that an individual is not under a disability, in any case where there is evidence which indicates the existence of a mental impairment, shall be made only if the Commissioner of Social Security has made every reasonable effort to ensure that a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist has completed the medical portion of the case review and any applicable residual functional capacity assessment.
(i) Review of disability cases to determine continuing eligibility; permanent disability cases; appropriate number of cases reviewed; reporting requirements
(1) In any case where an individual is or has been determined to be under a disability, the case shall be reviewed by the applicable State agency or the Commissioner of Social Security (as may be appropriate), for purposes of continuing eligibility, at least once every 3 years, subject to paragraph (2); except that where a finding has been made that such disability is permanent, such reviews shall be made at such times as the Commissioner of Social Security determines to be appropriate. Reviews of cases under the preceding sentence shall be in addition to, and shall not be considered as a substitute for, any other reviews which are required or provided for under or in the administration of this subchapter.
(2) The requirement of paragraph (1) that cases be reviewed at least every 3 years shall not apply to the extent that the Commissioner of Social Security determines, on a State-by-State basis, that such requirement should be waived to insure that only the appropriate number of such cases are reviewed. The Commissioner of Social Security shall determine the appropriate number of cases to be reviewed in each State after consultation with the State agency performing such reviews, based upon the backlog of pending reviews, the projected number of new applications for disability insurance benefits, and the current and projected staffing levels of the State agency, but the Commissioner of Social Security shall provide for a waiver of such requirement only in the case of a State which makes a good faith effort to meet proper staffing requirements for the State agency and to process case reviews in a timely fashion. The Commissioner of Social Security shall report annually to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives with respect to the determinations made by the Commissioner of Social Security under the preceding sentence.
(3) The Commissioner of Social Security shall report annually to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives with respect to the number of reviews of continuing disability carried out under paragraph (1), the number of such reviews which result in an initial termination of benefits, the number of requests for reconsideration of such initial termination or for a hearing with respect to such termination under subsection (d) of this section, or both, and the number of such initial terminations which are overturned as the result of a reconsideration or hearing.
(4) In any case in which the Commissioner of Social Security initiates a review under this subsection of the case of an individual who has been determined to be under a disability, the Commissioner of Social Security shall notify such individual of the nature of the review to be carried out, the possibility that such review could result in the termination of benefits, and the right of the individual to provide medical evidence with respect to such review.
(5) For suspension of reviews under this subsection in the case of an individual using a ticket to work and self-sufficiency, see
(j) Rules and regulations; consultative examinations
The Commissioner of Social Security shall prescribe regulations which set forth, in detail—
(1) the standards to be utilized by State disability determination services and Federal personnel in determining when a consultative examination should be obtained in connection with disability determinations;
(2) standards for the type of referral to be made; and
(3) procedures by which the Commissioner of Social Security will monitor both the referral processes used and the product of professionals to whom cases are referred.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to preclude the issuance, in accordance with
(k) Establishment of uniform standards for determination of disability
(1) The Commissioner of Social Security shall establish by regulation uniform standards which shall be applied at all levels of determination, review, and adjudication in determining whether individuals are under disabilities as defined in
(2) Regulations promulgated under paragraph (1) shall be subject to the rulemaking procedures established under
(l) Special notice to blind individuals with respect to hearings and other official actions
(1) In any case where an individual who is applying for or receiving benefits under this subchapter on the basis of disability by reason of blindness is entitled to receive notice from the Commissioner of Social Security of any decision or determination made or other action taken or proposed to be taken with respect to his or her rights under this subchapter, such individual shall at his or her election be entitled either (A) to receive a supplementary notice of such decision, determination, or action, by telephone, within 5 working days after the initial notice is mailed, (B) to receive the initial notice in the form of a certified letter, or (C) to receive notification by some alternative procedure established by the Commissioner of Social Security and agreed to by the individual.
(2) The election under paragraph (1) may be made at any time, but an opportunity to make such an election shall in any event be given, to every individual who is an applicant for benefits under this subchapter on the basis of disability by reason of blindness, at the time of his or her application. Such an election, once made by an individual, shall apply with respect to all notices of decisions, determinations, and actions which such individual may thereafter be entitled to receive under this subchapter until such time as it is revoked or changed.
(m) Work activity as basis for review
(1) In any case where an individual entitled to disability insurance benefits under
(A) no continuing disability review conducted by the Commissioner may be scheduled for the individual solely as a result of the individual's work activity;
(B) no work activity engaged in by the individual may be used as evidence that the individual is no longer disabled; and
(C) no cessation of work activity by the individual may give rise to a presumption that the individual is unable to engage in work.
(2) An individual to which paragraph (1) applies shall continue to be subject to—
(A) continuing disability reviews on a regularly scheduled basis that is not triggered by work; and
(B) termination of benefits under this subchapter in the event that the individual has earnings that exceed the level of earnings established by the Commissioner to represent substantial gainful activity.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §221, as added Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1206, title I, §106(g),
Prior Provisions
A prior section 421, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §221, as added July 18, 1952, ch. 945, §3(e),
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (e).
1999—Subsec. (i)(5).
Subsec. (m).
1994—
1990—Subsec. (c)(3).
"(A) at least 15 percent of all such determinations made by State agencies in the fiscal year 1981,
"(B) at least 35 percent of all such determinations made by State agencies in the fiscal year 1982, and
"(C) at least 65 percent of all such determinations made by State agencies in any fiscal year after the fiscal year 1982."
1989—Subsec. (l).
1988—Subsec. (i)(3).
1986—Subsec. (e).
1984—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i)(4).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k).
1983—Subsec. (i).
1980—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (i).
1968—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
1956—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §103(c)(7), inserted reference to
Subsec. (c). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §103(c)(8), restricted disability to definition of such term contained in
Subsec. (e). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §103(h), substituted "Trust Funds" for "Trust Fund", and provided for adjustments between the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund with respect to payments made under this subsection.
Subsec. (f). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §103(h), substituted "Trust Funds" for "Trust Fund".
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 101(b)(1)(A) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 5128(b) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 10306(a)(3) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 8012(b) of
Effective and Termination Dates of 1984 Amendments
Section 8(c) of
Section 17(b) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Section 3(b) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Section 304(h) of
Section 311(b) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by
Election Under Subsection (l)(1) by Current Recipients
Section 10306(a)(2) of
Moratorium on Mental Impairment Reviews
Section 5 of
"(a) The Secretary of Health and Human Services (hereafter in this section referred to as the 'Secretary') shall revise the criteria embodied under the category 'Mental Disorders' in the 'Listing of Impairments' in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 9, 1984] under appendix 1 to subpart P of part 404 of title 20 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The revised criteria and listings, alone and in combination with assessments of the residual functional capacity of the individuals involved, shall be designed to realistically evaluate the ability of a mentally impaired individual to engage in substantial gainful activity in a competitive workplace environment. Regulations establishing such revised criteria and listings shall be published no later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
"(b)(1) Until such time as revised criteria have been established by regulation in accordance with subsection (a), no continuing eligibility review shall be carried out under section 221(i) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (i) of this section], or under the corresponding requirements established for disability determinations and reviews under title XVI of such Act [subchapter XVI of this chapter], with respect to any individual previously determined to be under a disability by reason of a mental impairment, if—
"(A) no initial decision on such review has been rendered with respect to such individual prior to the date of the enactment of this Act, or
"(B) an initial decision on such review was rendered with respect to such individual prior to the date of the enactment of this Act but a timely appeal from such decision was filed or was pending on or after June 7, 1983.
For purposes of this paragraph and subsection (c)(1) the term 'continuing eligibility review', when used to refer to a review of a previous determination of disability, includes any reconsideration of or hearing on the initial decision rendered in such review as well as such initial decision itself, and any review by the Appeals Council of the hearing decision.
"(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply in any case where the Secretary determines that fraud was involved in the prior determination, or where an individual (other than an individual eligible to receive benefits under section 1619 of the Social Security Act [
"(c)(1) Any initial determination that an individual is not under a disability by reason of a mental impairment and any determination that an individual is not under a disability by reason of a mental impairment in a reconsideration of or hearing on an initial disability determination, made or held under title II or XVI of the Social Security Act [this subchapter or subchapter XVI of this chapter] after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 9, 1984] and prior to the date on which revised criteria are established by regulation in accordance with subsection (a), and any determination that an individual is not under a disability by reason of a mental impairment made under or in accordance with title II or XVI of such Act in a reconsideration of, hearing on, review by the Appeals Council of, or judicial review of a decision rendered in any continuing eligibility review to which subsection (b)(1) applies, shall be redetermined by the Secretary as soon as feasible after the date on which such criteria are so established, applying such revised criteria.
"(2) In the case of a redetermination under paragraph (1) of a prior action which found that an individual was not under a disability, if such individual is found on redetermination to be under a disability, such redetermination shall be applied as though it had been made at the time of such prior action.
"(3) Any individual with a mental impairment who was found to be not disabled pursuant to an initial disability determination or a continuing eligibility review between March 1, 1981, and the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 9, 1984], and who reapplies for benefits under title II or XVI of the Social Security Act, may be determined to be under a disability during the period considered in the most recent prior determination. Any reapplication under this paragraph must be filed within one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and benefits payable as a result of the preceding sentence shall be paid only on the basis of the reapplication."
Institution of Notification System
Section 6(c) of
Demonstration Projects; Opportunity for Personal Appearance Prior to Disability Determinations; Report to Congressional Committees
Promulgation of Regulations
Section 9(a)(2) of
Frequency of Continuing Eligibility Reviews
Section 15 of
Travel Expenses for Medical Examinations, Reconsideration Interviews, and Proceedings Before Administrative Law Judges
Provisions authorizing payment of travel expenses either on an actual cost or commuted basis, to an individual for travel incident to medical examinations, and to parties, their representatives and all reasonably necessary witnesses for travel within the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, to reconsider interviews and to proceedings before administrative law judges under subchapters II, XVI, and XVIII of this chapter were contained in the following appropriation acts:
Oct. 18, 1978,
Sept. 30, 1976,
Jan. 28, 1976,
Dec. 7, 1974,
Dec. 18, 1973,
Aug. 10, 1971,
Jan. 11, 1971,
Mar. 5, 1970,
Oct. 11, 1968,
Nov. 8, 1967,
Nov. 7, 1966,
Aug. 31, 1965,
Sept. 19, 1964,
Oct. 11, 1963,
Aug. 14, 1962,
Sept. 22, 1961,
Sept. 2, 1960,
Aug. 14, 1959,
Aug. 1, 1958,
June 29, 1957,
June 29, 1956, ch. 477, title II,
Aug. 1, 1955, ch. 437, title II,
Review of Decisions Rendered by Administrative Law Judges as Result of Disability Hearings; Report to Congress
Section 304(g) of
Assumption by Secretary of Functions and Operations of State Disability Determination Units
Section 304(i) of
§422. Rehabilitation services
(a), (b) Repealed. Pub. L. 106–170, title I, §101(b)(1)(B), (C), Dec. 17, 1999, 113 Stat. 1873
(c) "Period of trial work" defined
(1) The term "period of trial work", with respect to an individual entitled to benefits under
(2) For purposes of
(3) A period of trial work for any individual shall begin with the month in which he becomes entitled to disability insurance benefits, or, in the case of an individual entitled to benefits under
(4) A period of trial work for any individual shall end with the close of whichever of the following months is the earlier:
(A) the ninth month, in any period of 60 consecutive months, in which the individual renders services (whether or not such nine months are consecutive); or
(B) the month in which his disability (as defined in
(5) Upon conviction by a Federal court that an individual has fraudulently concealed work activity during a period of trial work from the Commissioner of Social Security by—
(A) providing false information to the Commissioner of Social Security as to whether the individual had earnings in or for a particular period, or as to the amount thereof;
(B) receiving disability insurance benefits under this subchapter while engaging in work activity under another identity, including under another social security account number or a number purporting to be a social security account number; or
(C) taking other actions to conceal work activity with an intent fraudulently to secure payment in a greater amount than is due or when no payment is authorized,
no benefit shall be payable to such individual under this subchapter with respect to a period of disability for any month before such conviction during which the individual rendered services during the period of trial work with respect to which the fraudulently concealed work activity occurred, and amounts otherwise due under this subchapter as restitution, penalties, assessments, fines, or other repayments shall in all cases be in addition to any amounts for which such individual is liable as overpayments by reason of such concealment.
(d) Cost of rehabilitation services from trust funds
(1) For purposes of making vocational rehabilitation services more readily available to disabled individuals who are—
(A) entitled to disability insurance benefits under
(B) entitled to child's insurance benefits under
(C) entitled to widow's insurance benefits under
(D) entitled to widower's insurance benefits under
to the end that savings will accrue to the Trust Funds as a result of rehabilitating such individuals, there are authorized to be transferred from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund each fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to enable the Commissioner of Social Security to reimburse the State for the reasonable and necessary costs of vocational rehabilitation services furnished such individuals (including services during their waiting periods), under a State plan for vocational rehabilitation services approved under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [
(2) In the case of any State which is unwilling to participate or does not have a plan which meets the requirements of paragraph (1), the Commissioner of Social Security may provide such services in such State by agreement or contract with other public or private agencies, organizations, institutions, or individuals. The provision of such services shall be subject to the same conditions as otherwise apply under paragraph (1).
(3) Payments under this subsection shall be made in advance or by way of reimbursement, with necessary adjustments for overpayments and underpayments.
(4) Money paid from the Trust Funds under this subsection for the reimbursement of the costs of providing services to individuals who are entitled to benefits under
(A) the total amount to be reimbursed for the cost of services under this subsection, and
(B) subject to the provisions of the preceding sentence, the amount which should be charged to each of the Trust Funds.
(5) For purposes of this subsection the term "vocational rehabilitation services" shall have the meaning assigned to it in title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [
(e) Treatment referrals for individuals with alcoholism or drug addiction condition
In the case of any individual whose benefits under this subchapter are paid to a representative payee pursuant to
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §222, as added Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1206, title I, §106(g)
References in Text
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), (5), is
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (e), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373,
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (c)(5).
1999—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1996—Subsec. (e).
1994—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (d)(5).
1990—Subsec. (c)(4)(A).
Subsec. (c)(5).
1984—Subsecs. (a), (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (d)(1).
1983—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
1981—Subsec. (d).
1980—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(3).
1972—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (d)(1).
1968—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(4)(B).
Subsec. (d)(1).
1965—Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (d).
1960—Subsec. (c).
1958—Subsec. (b).
1956—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 1, 1956, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), authorized referral of disabled individuals who are entitled to child's insurance benefits, and substituted "rehabilitated into productive activity" for "restored to productive activity".
Subsecs. (b), (c). Act Aug. 1, 1956, added subsecs. (b) and (c).
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Section 201(a)(4)(C) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 5112(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Section 11(c) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 2209(b) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by section 104(d)(3), (4) of
Amendment by section 158(c)(5) of
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Amendment by section 308(d)(11) of
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Section 403(e) of
"(1) The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall be effective only with respect to months beginning after the month in which this Act is enacted [September 1960].
"(2) The amendments made by subsections (b) and (d) [amending
"(3) The amendment made by subsection (c) [amending
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Amendment by section 205(n) of
Section 307(h)(3) of
§423. Disability insurance benefit payments
(a) Disability insurance benefits
(1) Every individual who—
(A) is insured for disability insurance benefits (as determined under subsection (c)(1) of this section),
(B) has not attained retirement age (as defined in
(C) if not a United States citizen or national—
(i) has been assigned a social security account number that was, at the time of assignment, or at any later time, consistent with the requirements of subclause (I) or (III) of
(ii) at the time any quarters of coverage are earned—
(I) is described in subparagraph (B) or (D) of
(II) is lawfully admitted temporarily to the United States for business (in the case of an individual described in such subparagraph (B)) or the performance as a crewman (in the case of an individual described in such subparagraph (D)), and
(III) the business engaged in or service as a crewman performed is within the scope of the terms of such individual's admission to the United States.1
(D) has filed application for disability insurance benefits, and
(E) is under a disability (as defined in subsection (d) of this section)
shall be entitled to a disability insurance benefit (i) for each month beginning with the first month after his waiting period (as defined in subsection (c)(2) of this section) in which he becomes so entitled to such insurance benefits, or (ii) for each month beginning with the first month during all of which he is under a disability and in which he becomes so entitled to such insurance benefits, but only if he was entitled to disability insurance benefits which terminated, or had a period of disability (as defined in
(2) Except as provided in
(A) the first month of his waiting period, or
(B) in any case in which clause (ii) of paragraph (1) of this subsection is applicable, the first month for which he becomes entitled to such disability insurance benefits,
and as though he had become entitled to old-age insurance benefits in the month in which the application for disability insurance benefits was filed and he was entitled to an old-age insurance benefit for each month for which (pursuant to subsection (b) of this section) he was entitled to a disability insurance benefit. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, in the case of an individual who attained age 62 in or before the first month referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) of such sentence, as the case may be, the elapsed years referred to in
(b) Filing application
An application for disability insurance benefits filed before the first month in which the applicant satisfies the requirements for such benefits (as prescribed in subsection (a)(1) of this section) shall be deemed a valid application (and shall be deemed to have been filed in such first month) only if the applicant satisfies the requirements for such benefits before the Commissioner of Social Security makes a final decision on the application and no request under
(c) Definitions; insured status; waiting period
For purposes of this section—
(1) An individual shall be insured for disability insurance benefits in any month if—
(A) he would have been a fully insured individual (as defined in
(B)(i) he had not less than 20 quarters of coverage during the 40-quarter period which ends with the quarter in which such month occurred, or
(ii) if such month ends before the quarter in which he attains (or would attain) age 31, not less than one-half (and not less than 6) of the quarters during the period ending with the quarter in which such month occurred and beginning after he attained the age of 21 were quarters of coverage, or (if the number of quarters in such period is less than 12) not less than 6 of the quarters in the 12-quarter period ending with such quarter were quarters of coverage, or
(iii) in the case of an individual (not otherwise insured under clause (i)) who, by reason of
except that the provisions of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph shall not apply in the case of an individual who is blind (within the meaning of "blindness" as defined in
(2) The term "waiting period" means, in the case of any application for disability insurance benefits, the earliest period of five consecutive calendar months—
(A) throughout which the individual with respect to whom such application is filed has been under a disability, and
(B)(i) which begins not earlier than with the first day of the seventeenth month before the month in which such application is filed if such individual is insured for disability insurance benefits in such seventeenth month, or (ii) if he is not so insured in such month, which begins not earlier than with the first day of the first month after such seventeenth month in which he is so insured.
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this paragraph, no waiting period may begin for any individual before January 1, 1957.
(d) "Disability" defined
(1) The term "disability" means—
(A) inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months; or
(B) in the case of an individual who has attained the age of 55 and is blind (within the meaning of "blindness" as defined in
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A)—
(A) An individual shall be determined to be under a disability only if his physical or mental impairment or impairments are of such severity that he is not only unable to do his previous work but cannot, considering his age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy, regardless of whether such work exists in the immediate area in which he lives, or whether a specific job vacancy exists for him, or whether he would be hired if he applied for work. For purposes of the preceding sentence (with respect to any individual), "work which exists in the national economy" means work which exists in significant numbers either in the region where such individual lives or in several regions of the country.
(B) In determining whether an individual's physical or mental impairment or impairments are of a sufficient medical severity that such impairment or impairments could be the basis of eligibility under this section, the Commissioner of Social Security shall consider the combined effect of all of the individual's impairments without regard to whether any such impairment, if considered separately, would be of such severity. If the Commissioner of Social Security does find a medically severe combination of impairments, the combined impact of the impairments shall be considered throughout the disability determination process.
(C) An individual shall not be considered to be disabled for purposes of this subchapter if alcoholism or drug addiction would (but for this subparagraph) be a contributing factor material to the Commissioner's determination that the individual is disabled.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, a "physical or mental impairment" is an impairment that results from anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities which are demonstrable by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques.
(4)(A) The Commissioner of Social Security shall by regulations prescribe the criteria for determining when services performed or earnings derived from services demonstrate an individual's ability to engage in substantial gainful activity. No individual who is blind shall be regarded as having demonstrated an ability to engage in substantial gainful activity on the basis of earnings that do not exceed an amount equal to the exempt amount which would be applicable under
(B) In determining under subparagraph (A) when services performed or earnings derived from services demonstrate an individual's ability to engage in substantial gainful activity, the Commissioner of Social Security shall apply the criteria described in subparagraph (A) with respect to services performed by any individual without regard to the legality of such services.
(5)(A) An individual shall not be considered to be under a disability unless he furnishes such medical and other evidence of the existence thereof as the Commissioner of Social Security may require. An individual's statement as to pain or other symptoms shall not alone be conclusive evidence of disability as defined in this section; there must be medical signs and findings, established by medically acceptable clinical or laboratory diagnostic techniques, which show the existence of a medical impairment that results from anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities which could reasonably be expected to produce the pain or other symptoms alleged and which, when considered with all evidence required to be furnished under this paragraph (including statements of the individual or his physician as to the intensity and persistence of such pain or other symptoms which may reasonably be accepted as consistent with the medical signs and findings), would lead to a conclusion that the individual is under a disability. Objective medical evidence of pain or other symptoms established by medically acceptable clinical or laboratory techniques (for example, deteriorating nerve or muscle tissue) must be considered in reaching a conclusion as to whether the individual is under a disability. Any non-Federal hospital, clinic, laboratory, or other provider of medical services, or physician not in the employ of the Federal Government, which supplies medical evidence required and requested by the Commissioner of Social Security under this paragraph shall be entitled to payment from the Commissioner of Social Security for the reasonable cost of providing such evidence.
(B) In making any determination with respect to whether an individual is under a disability or continues to be under a disability, the Commissioner of Social Security shall consider all evidence available in such individual's case record, and shall develop a complete medical history of at least the preceding twelve months for any case in which a determination is made that the individual is not under a disability. In making any determination the Commissioner of Social Security shall make every reasonable effort to obtain from the individual's treating physician (or other treating health care provider) all medical evidence, including diagnostic tests, necessary in order to properly make such determination, prior to evaluating medical evidence obtained from any other source on a consultative basis.
(6)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, any physical or mental impairment which arises in connection with the commission by an individual (after October 19, 1980) of an offense which constitutes a felony under applicable law and for which such individual is subsequently convicted, or which is aggravated in connection with such an offense (but only to the extent so aggravated), shall not be considered in determining whether an individual is under a disability.
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, any physical or mental impairment which arises in connection with an individual's confinement in a jail, prison, or other penal institution or correctional facility pursuant to such individual's conviction of an offense (committed after October 19, 1980) constituting a felony under applicable law, or which is aggravated in connection with such a confinement (but only to the extent so aggravated), shall not be considered in determining whether such individual is under a disability for purposes of benefits payable for any month during which such individual is so confined.
(e) Engaging in substantial gainful activity
(1) No benefit shall be payable under subsection (d)(1)(B)(ii), (d)(6)(A)(ii), (d)(6)(B), (e)(1)(B)(ii), or (f)(1)(B)(ii) of
(2) No benefit shall be payable under
(f) Standard of review for termination of disability benefits
A recipient of benefits under this subchapter or subchapter XVIII of this chapter based on the disability of any individual may be determined not to be entitled to such benefits on the basis of a finding that the physical or mental impairment on the basis of which such benefits are provided has ceased, does not exist, or is not disabling only if such finding is supported by—
(1) substantial evidence which demonstrates that—
(A) there has been any medical improvement in the individual's impairment or combination of impairments (other than medical improvement which is not related to the individual's ability to work), and
(B) the individual is now able to engage in substantial gainful activity; or
(2) substantial evidence which—
(A) consists of new medical evidence and a new assessment of the individual's residual functional capacity, and demonstrates that—
(i) although the individual has not improved medically, he or she is nonetheless a beneficiary of advances in medical or vocational therapy or technology (related to the individual's ability to work), and
(ii) the individual is now able to engage in substantial gainful activity, or
(B) demonstrates that—
(i) although the individual has not improved medically, he or she has undergone vocational therapy (related to the individual's ability to work), and
(ii) the individual is now able to engage in substantial gainful activity; or
(3) substantial evidence which demonstrates that, as determined on the basis of new or improved diagnostic techniques or evaluations, the individual's impairment or combination of impairments is not as disabling as it was considered to be at the time of the most recent prior decision that he or she was under a disability or continued to be under a disability, and that therefore the individual is able to engage in substantial gainful activity; or
(4) substantial evidence (which may be evidence on the record at the time any prior determination of the entitlement to benefits based on disability was made, or newly obtained evidence which relates to that determination) which demonstrates that a prior determination was in error.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require a determination that a recipient of benefits under this subchapter or subchapter XVIII of this chapter based on an individual's disability is entitled to such benefits if the prior determination was fraudulently obtained or if the individual is engaged in substantial gainful activity, cannot be located, or fails, without good cause, to cooperate in a review of the entitlement to such benefits or to follow prescribed treatment which would be expected to restore his or her ability to engage in substantial gainful activity. In making for purposes of the preceding sentence any determination relating to fraudulent behavior by any individual or failure by any individual without good cause to cooperate or to take any required action, the Commissioner of Social Security shall specifically take into account any physical, mental, educational, or linguistic limitation such individual may have (including any lack of facility with the English language). Any determination under this section shall be made on the basis of all the evidence available in the individual's case file, including new evidence concerning the individual's prior or current condition which is presented by the individual or secured by the Commissioner of Social Security. Any determination made under this section shall be made on the basis of the weight of the evidence and on a neutral basis with regard to the individual's condition, without any initial inference as to the presence or absence of disability being drawn from the fact that the individual has previously been determined to be disabled. For purposes of this subsection, a benefit under this subchapter is based on an individual's disability if it is a disability insurance benefit, a child's, widow's, or widower's insurance benefit based on disability, or a mother's or father's insurance benefit based on the disability of the mother's or father's child who has attained age 16.
(g) Continued payment of disability benefits during appeal
(1) In any case where—
(A) an individual is a recipient of disability insurance benefits, or of child's, widow's, or widower's insurance benefits based on disability,
(B) the physical or mental impairment on the basis of which such benefits are payable is found to have ceased, not to have existed, or to no longer be disabling, and as a consequence such individual is determined not to be entitled to such benefits, and
(C) a timely request for a hearing under
such individual may elect (in such manner and form and within such time as the Commissioner of Social Security shall by regulations prescribe) to have the payment of such benefits, the payment of any other benefits under this subchapter based on such individual's wages and self-employment income, the payment of mother's or father's insurance benefits to such individual's mother or father based on the disability of such individual as a child who has attained age 16, and the payment of benefits under subchapter XVIII of this chapter based on such individual's disability, continued for an additional period beginning with the first month beginning after January 12, 1983, for which (under such determination) such benefits are no longer otherwise payable, and ending with the earlier of (i) the month preceding the month in which a decision is made after such a hearing, or (ii) the month preceding the month in which no such request for a hearing or an administrative review is pending.
(2)(A) If an individual elects to have the payment of his benefits continued for an additional period under paragraph (1), and the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security affirms the determination that he is not entitled to such benefits, any benefits paid under this subchapter pursuant to such election (for months in such additional period) shall be considered overpayments for all purposes of this subchapter, except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (B).
(B) If the Commissioner of Social Security determines that the individual's appeal of his termination of benefits was made in good faith, all of the benefits paid pursuant to such individual's election under paragraph (1) shall be subject to waiver consideration under the provisions of
(h) Interim benefits in cases of delayed final decisions
(1) In any case in which an administrative law judge has determined after a hearing as provided under
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), in determining whether the 110-day period referred to in paragraph (1) has elapsed, any period of time for which the action or inaction of such individual or such individual's representative without good cause results in the delay in the issuance of the Commissioner's final decision shall not be taken into account to the extent that such period of time exceeds 20 calendar days.
(3) Any benefits currently paid under this subchapter pursuant to this subsection (for the months described in paragraph (1)) shall not be considered overpayments for any purpose of this subchapter (unless payment of such benefits was fraudulently obtained), and such benefits shall not be treated as past-due benefits for purposes of
(i) Reinstatement of entitlement
(1)(A) Entitlement to benefits described in subparagraph (B)(i)(I) shall be reinstated in any case where the Commissioner determines that an individual described in subparagraph (B) has filed a request for reinstatement meeting the requirements of paragraph (2)(A) during the period prescribed in subparagraph (C). Reinstatement of such entitlement shall be in accordance with the terms of this subsection.
(B) An individual is described in this subparagraph if—
(i) prior to the month in which the individual files a request for reinstatement—
(I) the individual was entitled to benefits under this section or
(II) such entitlement terminated due to the performance of substantial gainful activity;
(ii) the individual is under a disability and the physical or mental impairment that is the basis for the finding of disability is the same as (or related to) the physical or mental impairment that was the basis for the finding of disability that gave rise to the entitlement described in clause (i); and
(iii) the individual's disability renders the individual unable to perform substantial gainful activity.
(C)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), the period prescribed in this subparagraph with respect to an individual is 60 consecutive months beginning with the month following the most recent month for which the individual was entitled to a benefit described in subparagraph (B)(i)(I) prior to the entitlement termination described in subparagraph (B)(i)(II).
(ii) In the case of an individual who fails to file a reinstatement request within the period prescribed in clause (i), the Commissioner may extend the period if the Commissioner determines that the individual had good cause for the failure to so file.
(2)(A)(i) A request for reinstatement shall be filed in such form, and containing such information, as the Commissioner may prescribe.
(ii) A request for reinstatement shall include express declarations by the individual that the individual meets the requirements specified in clauses (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (1)(B).
(B) A request for reinstatement filed in accordance with subparagraph (A) may constitute an application for benefits in the case of any individual who the Commissioner determines is not entitled to reinstated benefits under this subsection.
(3) In determining whether an individual meets the requirements of paragraph (1)(B)(ii), the provisions of subsection (f) of this section shall apply.
(4)(A)(i) Subject to clause (ii), entitlement to benefits reinstated under this subsection shall commence with the benefit payable for the month in which a request for reinstatement is filed.
(ii) An individual whose entitlement to a benefit for any month would have been reinstated under this subsection had the individual filed a request for reinstatement before the end of such month shall be entitled to such benefit for such month if such request for reinstatement is filed before the end of the twelfth month immediately succeeding such month.
(B)(i) Subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), the amount of the benefit payable for any month pursuant to the reinstatement of entitlement under this subsection shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter.
(ii) For purposes of computing the primary insurance amount of an individual whose entitlement to benefits under this section is reinstated under this subsection, the date of onset of the individual's disability shall be the date of onset used in determining the individual's most recent period of disability arising in connection with such benefits payable on the basis of an application.
(iii) Benefits under this section or
(C) No benefit shall be payable pursuant to an entitlement reinstated under this subsection to an individual for any month in which the individual engages in substantial gainful activity.
(D) The entitlement of any individual that is reinstated under this subsection shall end with the benefits payable for the month preceding whichever of the following months is the earliest:
(i) The month in which the individual dies.
(ii) The month in which the individual attains retirement age.
(iii) The third month following the month in which the individual's disability ceases.
(5) Whenever an individual's entitlement to benefits under this section is reinstated under this subsection, entitlement to benefits payable on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income may be reinstated with respect to any person previously entitled to such benefits on the basis of an application if the Commissioner determines that such person satisfies all the requirements for entitlement to such benefits except requirements related to the filing of an application. The provisions of paragraph (4) shall apply to the reinstated entitlement of any such person to the same extent that they apply to the reinstated entitlement of such individual.
(6) An individual to whom benefits are payable under this section or
(7)(A) An individual described in paragraph (1)(B) who files a request for reinstatement in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (2)(A) shall be entitled to provisional benefits payable in accordance with this paragraph, unless the Commissioner determines that the individual does not meet the requirements of paragraph (1)(B)(i) or that the individual's declaration under paragraph (2)(A)(ii) is false. Any such determination by the Commissioner shall be final and not subject to review under subsection (b) or (g) of
(B) The amount of a provisional benefit for a month shall equal the amount of the last monthly benefit payable to the individual under this subchapter on the basis of an application increased by an amount equal to the amount, if any, by which such last monthly benefit would have been increased as a result of the operation of
(C)(i) Provisional benefits shall begin with the month in which a request for reinstatement is filed in accordance with paragraph (2)(A).
(ii) Provisional benefits shall end with the earliest of—
(I) the month in which the Commissioner makes a determination regarding the individual's entitlement to reinstated benefits;
(II) the fifth month following the month described in clause (i);
(III) the month in which the individual performs substantial gainful activity; or
(IV) the month in which the Commissioner determines that the individual does not meet the requirements of paragraph (1)(B)(i) or that the individual's declaration made in accordance with paragraph (2)(A)(ii) is false.
(D) In any case in which the Commissioner determines that an individual is not entitled to reinstated benefits, any provisional benefits paid to the individual under this paragraph shall not be subject to recovery as an overpayment unless the Commissioner determines that the individual knew or should have known that the individual did not meet the requirements of paragraph (1)(B).
(j) Limitation on payments to prisoners
For provisions relating to limitation on payments to prisoners, see
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §223, as added Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, title I, §103(a),
References in Text
Section 102 of the Senior Citizens' Right to Work Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (d)(4)(A), is section 102 of title I of
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (a)(1)(C) to (E).
1999—Subsecs. (i), (j).
1996—Subsec. (d)(2)(C).
Subsec. (d)(4)(A).
1994—Subsecs. (b), (d)(2)(B).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (d)(5).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B)(ii).
Subsecs. (g), (h).
Subsec. (i).
1990—Subsec. (d)(2)(A).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B), (C).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(1)(B).
"(B)(i) the individual is now able to engage in substantial gainful activity, or
"(ii) if the individual is a widow or surviving divorced wife under
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(ii).
"(ii)(I) the individual is now able to engage in substantial gainful activity, or
"(II) if the individual is a widow or surviving divorced wife under
Subsec. (f)(3).
"(A) the individual is able to engage in substantial gainful activity, or
"(B) if the individual is a widow or surviving divorced wife under
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(3).
"(A) on or after January 12, 1983, or prior to such date but only on the basis of a timely request for a hearing under
"(B) prior to January 1, 1991."
1989—Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g)(1)(iii).
Subsec. (g)(2)(B).
Subsec. (g)(3)(B).
1988—Subsec. (g)(1)(iii).
Subsec. (g)(3)(B).
Subsecs. (h), (i).
1987—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(3)(B).
1986—Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (g)(1).
1984—Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C).
Subsec. (d)(5).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(3)(B).
Subsec. (h).
1983—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (g)(3)(B).
Subsec. (h).
1981—Subsec. (f)(3).
1980—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (d)(5).
Subsec. (d)(6).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
1977—Subsec. (d)(4).
1972—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
1968—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (d).
1965—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
1961—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A).
1960—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
"(A) the first month of his waiting period, or
"(B) in any case in which clause (ii) of paragraph (1) of this subsection is applicable, the first month for which he becomes so entitled to such disability insurance benefits."
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(3).
1958—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by section 102(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 105(a)(1) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Amendment by section 321(f)(1) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 5103(a), (b)(2)–(5) of
Section 5118(b) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by section 10305(c), (d) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 8001(c) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by section 9010(a), (e)(2) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Section 2(d) of
"(1) The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) The amendments made by this section shall apply to—
"(A) determinations made by the Secretary on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 9, 1984];
"(B) determinations with respect to which a final decision of the Secretary has not yet been made as of the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 9, 1984] and with respect to which a request for administrative review is made in conformity with the time limits, exhaustion requirements, and other provisions of section 205 of the Social Security Act [
"(C) determinations with respect to which a request for judicial review was pending on September 19, 1984, and which involve an individual litigant or a member of a class in a class action who is identified by name in such pending action on such date; and
"(D) determinations with respect to which a timely request for judicial review is or has been made by an individual litigant of a final decision of the Secretary made within 60 days prior to the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 9, 1984].
In the case of determinations described in subparagraphs (C) and (D) in actions relating to medical improvement, the court shall remand such cases to the Secretary for review in accordance with the provisions of the Social Security Act as amended by this section.
"(3) In the case of a recipient of benefits under title II, XVI, or XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter or subchapter XVI or XVIII of this chapter]—
"(A) who has been determined not to be entitled to such benefits on the basis of a finding that the physical or mental impairment on the basis of which such benefits were provided has ceased, does not exist, or is not disabling, and
"(B) who was a member of a class certified on or before September 19, 1984, in a class action relating to medical improvement pending on September 19, 1984, but was not identified by name as a member of the class on such date,
the court shall remand such case to the Secretary. The Secretary shall notify such individual by certified mail that he may request a review of the determination described in subparagraph (A) based on the provisions of this section and the provisions of the Social Security Act as amended by this section. Such notification shall specify that the individual must request such review within 120 days after the date on which such notification is received. If such request is made in a timely manner, the Secretary shall make a review of the determination described in subparagraph (A) in accordance with the provisions of this section and the provisions of the Social Security Act as amended by this section. The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to such review, and the determination described in subparagraph (A) (and any redetermination resulting from such review) shall be subject to further administrative and judicial review, only if such request is made in a timely manner.
"(4) The decision by the Secretary on a case remanded by a court pursuant to this subsection shall be regarded as a new decision on the individual's claim for benefits, which supersedes the final decision of the Secretary. The new decision shall be subject to further administrative review and to judicial review only in conformity with the time limits, exhaustion requirements, and other provisions of section 205 of the Social Security Act [
"(5) No class in a class action relating to medical improvement may be certified after September 19, 1984, if the class action seeks judicial review of a decision terminating entitlement (or a period of disability) made by the Secretary of Health and Human Services prior to September 19, 1984.
"(6) For purposes of this subsection, the term 'action relating to medical improvement' means an action raising the issue of whether an individual who has had his entitlement to benefits under title II, XVI, or XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter or subchapter XVI or XVIII of this chapter] based on disability terminated (or period of disability ended) should not have had such entitlement terminated (or period of disability ended) without consideration of whether there has been medical improvement in the condition of such individual (or another individual on whose disability such entitlement is based) since the time of a prior determination that the individual was under a disability."
Section 3(a)(3) of
Section 4(c) of
Section 9(b)(2) of
Amendment by sections 2661(m) and 2662(c)(2), (i) of
Amendment by section 2663(a)(16) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by section 309(o) of
Amendment by section 332(b) of
Amendment by section 339(b) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Amendment by
For effective date of amendment by section 102(b) of
Section 302(c) of
For effective date of amendment by section 303(b)(1)(A), (2)(A) of
Amendment by section 306(c) of
Section 309(b) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by section 104(c), (d) of
Section 116(e) of
"(1) in or after the month in which this Act is enacted [October 1972], or
"(2) before the month in which this Act is enacted, if—
"(A) notice of the final decision of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare has not been given to the applicant before such month, or
"(B) the notice referred to in subparagraph (A) has been so given before such month but a civil action with respect to such final decision is commenced under section 205(g) of the Social Security Act [
except that no monthly benefits under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] shall be payable or increased by reason of the amendments made by this section for any month before January 1973."
Section 117(c) of
"(1) in or after the month in which this Act is enacted, or
"(2) before the month in which this Act is enacted if—
"(A) notice of the final decision of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare has not been given to the applicant before such month; or
"(B) the notice referred to in subparagraph (A) has been so given before such month but a civil action with respect to such final decision is commenced under section 205(g) of the Social Security Act [
except that no monthly benefits under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] shall be payable or increased by reason of the amendments made by this section for months before January 1973."
Amendment by section 118(a) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by section 105(b) of
Section 158(e) of
"(1) in or after the month in which this Act is enacted [January 1968], or
"(2) before the month in which this Act is enacted if the applicant has not died before such month and if—
"(A) notice of the final decision of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare has not been given to the applicant before such month; or
"(B) the notice referred to in subparagraph (A) has been so given before such month but a civil action with respect to such final decision is commenced under section 205(g) of the Social Security Act [
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Amendment by section 302(e) of
Section 303(f)(1) of
"(A) in or after the month in which this Act is enacted [July 1965], or
"(B) before the month in which this Act is enacted, if the applicant has not died before such month and if—
"(i) notice of the final decision of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare has not been given to the applicant before such month; or
"(ii) the notice referred to in subparagraph (i) has been so given before such month but a civil action with respect to such final decision is commenced under section 205(g) of the Social Security Act [
except that no monthly insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] shall be payable or increased by reason of the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and
Amendment by section 304(m), (n) of
Amendment by section 328(c) of
Amendment by section 344(b)–(d) of
Effective Date of 1961 Amendment
Amendment by section 102(b)(2)(B), (C) of
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Section 303(f) of
Section 401(c) of
Section 402(f) of
Amendment by section 403(b) of
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Amendment by section 202 of
For applicability of amendment by section 204(b) of
Effective Date
Section 103(d) of act Aug. 1, 1956, provided that:
"(1) The amendment made by subsection (a) [enacting this section and
"(2) For purposes of determining entitlement to a disability insurance benefit for any month after June 1957 and before December 1957, an application for disability insurance benefits filed by any individual after July 1957 and before January 1958 shall be deemed to have been filed during the first month after June 1957 for which such individual would (without regard to this paragraph) have been entitled to a disability insurance benefit had he filed application before the end of such month."
Election of Payments
Section 2(e) of
"(1) shall be made at least until an initial redetermination is made by the Secretary; and
"(2) shall begin with the payment for the month in which such individual makes such election."
Retroactive Benefits
Section 2(f) of
Promulgation of Regulations
Section 2(g) of
Commission on Evaluation of Pain
Section 3(b) of
"(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall appoint a Commission on the Evaluation of Pain (hereafter in this section referred to as the 'Commission') to conduct a study concerning the evaluation of pain in determining under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act [
"(2) The Commission shall consist of at least twelve experts, including a significant representation from the field of medicine who are involved in the study of pain, and representation from the fields of law, administration of disability insurance programs, and other appropriate fields of expertise.
"(3) The Commission shall be appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (without regard to the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act [
"(4) Members of the Commission shall be appointed without regard to the provisions of
"(5) The Commission may engage such technical assistance from individuals skilled in medical and other aspects of pain as may be necessary to carry out its functions. The Secretary shall make available to the Commission such secretarial, clerical, and other assistance and any pertinent data prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services as the Commission may require to carry out its functions.
"(6) The Secretary shall submit the results of the study under paragraph (1), together with any recommendations, to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate not later than December 31, 1985. The Commission shall terminate at the time such results are submitted."
Study and Report to Congressional Committees on Effect of Continued Payment of Disability Benefits During Appeal on Trust Fund Expenditures and the Rate of Appeals
Section 7(c) of
"(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, as soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 9, 1984], conduct a study concerning the effect which the enactment and continued operation of section 223(g) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (g) of this section] is having on expenditures from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, and the rate of appeals to administrative law judges of unfavorable determinations relating to disability or periods of disability.
"(2) The Secretary shall submit the results of the study under paragraph (1), together with any recommendations, to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate not later than July 1, 1986."
Special $50 Payment Under Tax Reduction Act of 1975
Special payment of $50 as soon as practicable after Mar. 29, 1975, by the Secretary of the Treasury to each individual who, for the month of March, 1975, was entitled to a monthly insurance benefit payable under this subchapter, see section 702 of
Lump-Sum Payment of Disability Insurance Benefits for Period Beginning After 1959 and Ending Prior to 1964; Filing of Application
Section 133 of
"(a) If an individual would (upon the timely filing of an application for a disability determination under section 216(i) of the Social Security Act [
"(1) prior to the date of enactment of this section and after the date of enactment of the Social Security Amendments of 1967 [Jan. 2, 1968] such period was determined (under section 216(i) of the Social Security Act [
"(2) the application giving rise to the determination (under such section 216(i)) that such period is a period of disability as to such individual would not have been accepted as an application for such a determination except for the provisions of section 216(i)(2)(F).
"(b) No payment shall be made to any individual by reason of the provisions of subsection (a) except upon the basis of an application filed after the date of enactment of this section."
Special Insured Status Test in Certain Cases for Disability Purposes
Individuals not insured for disability benefits as determined under subsec. (c)(1) of this section with respect to any month in a quarter deemed to have met such requirements in certain cases, see section 404 of
1 So in original. The period probably should be a comma.
§424. Repealed. Pub. L. 85–840, title II, §206, Aug. 28, 1958, 72 Stat. 1025
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §224, as added Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, title I, §103(a),
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal applicable with respect to monthly benefits under this subchapter for August 1958 and succeeding months, see section 207(a) of
§424a. Reduction of disability benefits
(a) Conditions for reduction; computation
If for any month prior to the month in which an individual attains the age of 65—
(1) such individual is entitled to benefits under
(2) such individual is entitled for such month to—
(A) periodic benefits on account of his or her total or partial disability (whether or not permanent) under a workmen's compensation law or plan of the United States or a State, or
(B) periodic benefits on account of his or her total or partial disability (whether or not permanent) under any other law or plan of the United States, a State, a political subdivision (as that term is used in
the total of his benefits under
(3) such total of benefits under
(4) such periodic benefits payable (and actually paid) for such month to such individual under such laws or plans,
exceeds the higher of—
(5) 80 per centum of his "average current earnings", or
(6) the total of such individual's disability insurance benefits under
In no case shall the reduction in the total of such benefits under
(7) the total of the benefits under
(8) any increase in such benefits with respect to such individual and such persons, before reduction under this section, which is made effective for months after the first month for which reduction under this section is made.
For purposes of clause (5), an individual's average current earnings means the largest of (A) the average monthly wage (determined under
(b) Reduction where benefits payable on other than monthly basis
If any periodic benefit for a total or partial disability under a law or plan described in subsection (a)(2) of this section is payable on other than a monthly basis (excluding a benefit payable as a lump sum except to the extent that it is a commutation of, or a substitute for, periodic payments), the reduction under this section shall be made at such time or times and in such amounts as the Commissioner of Social Security finds will approximate as nearly as practicable the reduction prescribed by subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Reductions and deductions under other provisions
Reduction of benefits under this section shall be made after any reduction under subsection (a) of
(d) Exception
The reduction of benefits required by this section shall not be made if the law or plan described in subsection (a)(2) of this section under which a periodic benefit is payable provides for the reduction thereof when anyone is entitled to benefits under this subchapter on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of an individual entitled to benefits under
(e) Conditions for payment
If it appears to the Commissioner of Social Security that an individual may be eligible for periodic benefits under a law or plan which would give rise to reduction under this section, the Commissioner may require, as a condition of certification for payment of any benefits under
(f) Redetermination of reduction
(1) In the second calendar year after the year in which reduction under this section in the total of an individual's benefits under
(2) In making the redetermination required by paragraph (1), the individual's average current earnings (as defined in subsection (a) of this section) shall be deemed to be the product of—
(A) his average current earnings as initially determined under subsection (a) of this section; and
(B) the ratio of (i) the national average wage index (as defined in
Any amount determined under this paragraph which is not a multiple of $1 shall be reduced to the next lower multiple of $1.
(g) Proportionate reduction; application of excess
Whenever a reduction in the total of benefits for any month based on an individual's wages and self-employment income is made under this section, each benefit, except the disability insurance benefit, shall first be proportionately decreased, and any excess of such reduction over the sum of all such benefits other than the disability insurance benefits shall then be applied to such disability insurance benefit.
(h) Furnishing of information
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the head of any Federal agency shall provide such information within its possession as the Commissioner of Social Security may require for purposes of making a timely determination of the amount of the reduction, if any, required by this section in benefits payable under this subchapter, or verifying other information necessary in carrying out the provisions of this section.
(2) The Commissioner of Social Security is authorized to enter into agreements with States, political subdivisions, and other organizations that administer a law or plan subject to the provisions of this section, in order to obtain such information as the Commissioner may require to carry out the provisions of this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §224, as added
References in Text
Prior Provisions
A prior section 224 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was classified to
Amendments
1994—Subsecs. (a)(2)(B), (b), (e), (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2).
"(B) the ratio of (i) the deemed average total wages (as defined in
"(C) in any case in which the reduction was first computed before 1978, the ratio of (i) the average of the taxable wages reported to the Secretary for the first calendar quarter of 1977 to (ii) the average of the taxable wages reported to the Secretary for the first calendar quarter of the calendar year before the year in which the reduction was first computed (but not counting any reduction made in benefits for a previous period of disability)."
Subsec. (h).
1989—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B)(ii).
1986—Subsec. (a)(2).
"(A) a workmen's compensation law or plan of the United States or a State, or
"(B) any other law or plan of the United States, a State, a political subdivision (as that term is used in
other than benefits payable under title 38, benefits payable under a program of assistance which is based on need, benefits based on service all, or substantially all, of which was included under an agreement entered into by a State and the Secretary under
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
1981—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (h).
1977—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (f)(2).
1976—Subsec. (f)(2).
1972—Subsec. (a).
1968—Subsec. (a).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by section 10208(b)(2)(A), (C) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 12109(b) of
"(1) The amendment made by subsection (a)(1) [amending this section] shall be effective as though it had been included or reflected in the amendment made by section 2208(a)(3) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 [
"(2) The amendment made by subsection (a)(2) [amending this section] shall apply only with respect to monthly benefits payable on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of individuals who become disabled (within the meaning of section 223(d) of the Social Security Act [
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 2208(b) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Amendment by section 205(d) of
Section 353(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 353(c)(2) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 119(c) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendments; Determination of Average Current Earnings Upon Redetermination of Benefits Subject to Reduction
Section 159(b) of
"(1) The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply only with respect to monthly benefits under title II of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] for months after January 1968.
"(2) For purposes of any redetermination which is made under section 224(f) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f) of this section] in the case of benefits subject to reduction under section 224 of such Act, where such reduction as first computed was effective with respect to benefits for the month in which this Act is enacted [January 1968] or a prior month, the amendments made by subsection (a) of this section [amending subsec. (a) of this section] shall also be deemed to have applied in the initial determination of the 'average current earnings' of the individual whose wages and self-employment income are involved."
Effective Date
Section 335 of
1 See References in Text note below.
§425. Additional rules relating to benefits based on disability
(a) Suspension of benefits
If the Commissioner of Social Security, on the basis of information obtained by or submitted to the Commissioner, believes that an individual entitled to benefits under
(b) Continued payments during rehabilitation program
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, payment to an individual of benefits based on disability (as described in the first sentence of subsection (a) of this section) shall not be terminated or suspended because the physical or mental impairment, on which the individual's entitlement to such benefits is based, has or may have ceased, if—
(1) such individual is participating in a program consisting of the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program under
(2) the Commissioner of Social Security determines that the completion of such program, or its continuation for a specified period of time, will increase the likelihood that such individual may (following his participation in such program) be permanently removed from the disability benefit rolls.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §225, as added Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, title I, §103(a),
Amendments
1999—Subsec. (b)(1).
1996—Subsec. (c).
1994—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
1990—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
1983—Subsec. (a).
1980—
1972—
1968—
1965—
1958—
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment; Sunset Provision
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Section 201(a)(3)(C), (E) of
"(C)
"(E)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(iii)
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 5113(c) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Section 301(c) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by section 104(d)(5) of
Amendment by section 158(c)(9) of
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Amendment by section 205(o) of
Effective Date
Section applicable only with respect to monthly benefits under this subchapter for months after June 1957, see section 103(a) of act Aug. 1, 1956, set out as a note under
Report on Referral, Monitoring, Testing and Treatment of Individuals Where Entitlement to or Termination of Benefits Involves Alcoholism or Drug Addiction
Section 201(a)(3)(B) of
Transition Rules for Current Beneficiaries
Section 201(a)(3)(F) of
"(i)
"(ii)
"(I)
"(II)
"(III)
Demonstration Projects Relating to Referral, Monitoring, and Treatment for Alcoholics or Drug Addicts
Section 201(c) of
Payment of Costs of Rehabilitation Services
Amendment of
§426. Entitlement to hospital insurance benefits
(a) Individuals over 65 years
Every individual who—
(1) has attained age 65, and
(2)(A) is entitled to monthly insurance benefits under
(B) is a qualified railroad retirement beneficiary, or
(C)(i) would meet the requirements of subparagraph (A) upon filing application for the monthly insurance benefits involved if medicare qualified government employment (as defined in
shall be entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter for each month for which he meets the condition specified in paragraph (2), beginning with the first month after June 1966 for which he meets the conditions specified in paragraphs (1) and (2).
(b) Individuals under 65 years
Every individual who—
(1) has not attained age 65, and
(2)(A) is entitled to, and has for 24 calendar months been entitled to, (i) disability insurance benefits under
(B) is, and has been for not less than 24 months, a disabled qualified railroad retirement beneficiary, within the meaning of
(C)(i) has filed an application, in conformity with regulations of the Secretary, for hospital insurance benefits under part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter pursuant to this subparagraph, and
(ii) would meet the requirements of subparagraph (A) (as determined under the disability criteria, including reviews, applied under this subchapter), including the requirement that he has been entitled to the specified benefits for 24 months, if—
(I) medicare qualified government employment (as defined in
(II) the filing of the application under clause (i) of this subparagraph were deemed to be the filing of an application for the disability-related benefits referred to in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (A),
shall be entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter for each month beginning with the later of (I) July 1973 or (II) the twenty-fifth month of his entitlement or status as a qualified railroad retirement beneficiary described in paragraph (2), and ending (subject to the last sentence of this subsection) with the month following the month in which notice of termination of such entitlement to benefits or status as a qualified railroad retirement beneficiary described in paragraph (2) is mailed to him, or if earlier, with the month before the month in which he attains age 65. In applying the previous sentence in the case of an individual described in paragraph (2)(C), the "twenty-fifth month of his entitlement" refers to the first month after the twenty-fourth month of entitlement to specified benefits referred to in paragraph (2)(C) and "notice of termination of such entitlement" refers to a notice that the individual would no longer be determined to be entitled to such specified benefits under the conditions described in that paragraph. For purposes of this subsection, an individual who has had a period of trial work which ended as provided in
(c) Conditions
For purposes of subsection (a) of this section—
(1) entitlement of an individual to hospital insurance benefits for a month shall consist of entitlement to have payment made under, and subject to the limitations in, part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter on his behalf for inpatient hospital services, post-hospital extended care services, and home health services (as such terms are defined in part E of subchapter XVIII of this chapter) furnished him in the United States (or outside the United States in the case of inpatient hospital services furnished under the conditions described in
(2) an individual shall be deemed entitled to monthly insurance benefits under section 402 or
(d) "Qualified railroad retirement beneficiary" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "qualified railroad retirement beneficiary" means an individual whose name has been certified to the Secretary by the Railroad Retirement Board under
(e) Benefits for widows and widowers
(1)(A) For purposes of determining entitlement to hospital insurance benefits under subsection (b) of this section in the case of widows and widowers described in paragraph (2)(A)(iii) thereof—
(i) the term "age 60" in
(ii) the phrase "before she attained age 60" in the matter following subparagraph (F) of
(B) For purposes of subsection (b)(2)(A)(iii) of this section, each month in the period commencing with the first month for which an individual is first eligible for supplemental security income benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter, or State supplementary payments of the type referred to in
(2) For purposes of determining entitlement to hospital insurance benefits under subsection (b) of this section in the case of an individual under age 65 who is entitled to benefits under
(3) For purposes of determining entitlement to hospital insurance benefits under subsection (b) of this section, any disabled widow aged 50 or older who is entitled to mother's insurance benefits (and who would have been entitled to widow's insurance benefits by reason of disability if she had filed for such widow's benefits), and any disabled widower aged 50 or older who is entitled to father's insurance benefits (and who would have been entitled to widower's insurance benefits by reason of disability if he had filed for such widower's benefits), shall, upon application for such hospital insurance benefits be deemed to have filed for such widow's or widower's insurance benefits.
(4) For purposes of determining entitlement to hospital insurance benefits under subsection (b) of this section in the case of an individual described in clause (iii) of subsection (b)(2)(A) of this section, the entitlement of such individual to widow's or widower's insurance benefits under section 402(e) or (f) of this title by reason of a disability shall be deemed to be the entitlement to such benefits that would result if such entitlement were determined without regard to the provisions of
(f) Medicare waiting period for recipients of disability benefits
For purposes of subsection (b) of this section (and for purposes of
(1) more than 60 months before the month in which his current disability began in any case where such monthly benefits were of the type specified in clause (A)(i) or (B) of subsection (b)(2) of this section, or
(2) more than 84 months before the month in which his current disability began in any case where such monthly benefits were of the type specified in clause (A)(ii) or (A)(iii) of such subsection,
shall not include any month which occurred during such previous period, unless the physical or mental impairment which is the basis for disability is the same as (or directly related to) the physical or mental impairment which served as the basis for disability in such previous period.
(g) Information regarding eligibility of Federal employees
The Secretary and Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall jointly prescribe and carry out procedures designed to assure that all individuals who perform medicare qualified government employment by virtue of service described in
(h) Waiver of waiting period for individuals with ALS
For purposes of applying this section in the case of an individual medically determined to have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the following special rules apply:
(1) Subsection (b) of this section shall be applied as if there were no requirement for any entitlement to benefits, or status, for a period longer than 1 month.
(2) The entitlement under such subsection shall begin with the first month (rather than twenty-fifth month) of entitlement or status.
(3) Subsection (f) of this section shall not be applied.
(i) Continuing eligibility of certain terminated individuals
For purposes of this section, each person whose monthly insurance benefit for any month is terminated or is otherwise not payable solely by reason of paragraph (1) or (7) of section 425(c) 2 of this title shall be treated as entitled to such benefit for such month.
(j) Certain uninsured individuals
For entitlement to hospital insurance benefits in the case of certain uninsured individuals, see
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §226, as added
References in Text
Parts A and E of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in text, are classified to section 1395c et seq. and 1395x et seq., respectively, of this title.
Section 212 of
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (e)(1)(A)(i).
2003—Subsec. (c)(1).
2000—Subsecs. (h), (j).
1999—Subsec. (b).
1997—Subsec. (c)(1).
1994—Subsec. (i).
1990—Subsec. (e)(1).
1988—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1987—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (f).
1986—Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(i).
Subsec. (b)(2)(C)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (g).
1984—Subsec. (b).
1983—Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e)(3).
1982—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b).
Subsecs. (g), (h).
1981—Subsec. (a)(2).
1980—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsecs. (f), (g).
1978—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsecs. (h), (i).
1977—Subsec. (h)(1)(B).
Subsec. (h)(4).
1974—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
1973—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1), (2).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d).
Subsecs. (e) to (h).
Subsec. (i).
1968—Subsec. (b)(1).
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Section 608(f)(5) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 4033(b), formerly section 4033(a)(2) of
"(1) The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to months beginning after the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987].
"(2) The amendment made by subsection (a) shall not apply so as to include (for the purposes described in section 226(f) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f) of this section]) monthly benefits paid for any month in a previous period (described in that section) that terminated before the end of the 60-day period described in paragraph (1)."
Amendment by section 9010(e)(3) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1983 Amendments
Amendment by section 131(a)(3)(H), (b)(3)(G) of
Amendment by section 309(q)(1) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment; Transitional Provisions
Section 278(c)(2), (d) of
"(c)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) payments made or to be made during such fiscal year from such Trust Fund with respect to individuals who are entitled to benefits under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [
"(B) the additional administrative expenses resulting or expected to result therefrom, and
"(C) any loss in interest to such Trust Fund resulting from the payment of those amounts,
in order to place such Trust Fund in the same position at the end of such fiscal year as it would have been in if this subsection had not been enacted."
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 2203(f)(3) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 2(d) of
Section 103(c) of
Section 104(b) of
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Section 6 of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Amendment by section 332(a)(3) of
Amendment by section 334(d)(4)(B) of
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1973 Amendment
Section 4(a) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 299I of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by
Applicability of Pub. L. 96–473 to Applications for Hospital Insurance Benefits
Section 2(c) of
GAO Report
"(1) examines the effectiveness and cost of the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section];
"(2) examines the necessity and effectiveness of providing continuation of medicare coverage under section 226(b) of the Social Security Act (
"(3) examines the viability of providing the continuation of medicare coverage under such section 226(b) based on a sliding scale premium for individuals whose annual income exceeds such contribution and benefit base;
"(4) examines the viability of providing the continuation of medicare coverage under such section 226(b) based on a premium buy-in by the beneficiary's employer in lieu of coverage under private health insurance;
"(5) examines the interrelation between the use of the continuation of medicare coverage under such section 226(b) and the use of private health insurance coverage by individuals during the extended period; and
"(6) recommends such legislative or administrative changes relating to the continuation of medicare coverage for recipients of social security disability benefits as the Comptroller General determines are appropriate."
Time in Which To Furnish Proof of Disability for Hospital Benefits
Section 309(q)(2) of
Special $50 Payment Under Tax Reduction Act of 1975
Special payment of $50 as soon as practicable after Mar. 29, 1975, by the Secretary of the Treasury to each individual who, for the month of March 1975, was entitled to a monthly insurance benefit payable under this subchapter, see section 702 of
Adopted Child's Reenlistment to Annuity
Section 4(b) of
1 So in original. Probably should be "subchapter III of
2 See References in Text note below.
§426–1. End stage renal disease program
(a) Entitlement to benefits
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in
(1)(A) is fully or currently insured (as such terms are defined in
(B)(i) is entitled to monthly insurance benefits under this subchapter, (ii) is entitled to an annuity under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 [
(C) is the spouse or dependent child (as defined in regulations) of an individual described in subparagraph (A) or (B);
(2) is medically determined to have end stage renal disease; and
(3) has filed an application for benefits under this section;
shall, in accordance with the succeeding provisions of this section, be entitled to benefits under part A and eligible to enroll under part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, subject to the deductible, premium, and coinsurance provisions of that subchapter.
(b) Duration of period of entitlement
Subject to subsection (c) of this section, entitlement of an individual to benefits under part A and eligibility to enroll under part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter by reasons of this section on the basis of end stage renal disease—
(1) shall begin with—
(A) the third month after the month in which a regular course of renal dialysis is initiated, or
(B) the month in which such individual receives a kidney transplant, or (if earlier) the first month in which such individual is admitted as an inpatient to an institution which is a hospital meeting the requirements of
whichever first occurs (but no earlier than one year preceding the month of the filing of an application for benefits under this section); and
(2) shall end, in the case of an individual who receives a kidney transplant, with the thirty-sixth month after the month in which such individual receives such transplant or, in the case of an individual who has not received a kidney transplant and no longer requires a regular course of dialysis, with the twelfth month after the month in which such course of dialysis is terminated.
(c) Individuals participating in self-care dialysis training programs; kidney transplant failures; resumption of previously terminated regular course of dialysis
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section—
(1) in the case of any individual who participates in a self-care dialysis training program prior to the third month after the month in which such individual initiates a regular course of renal dialysis in a renal dialysis facility or provider of services meeting the requirements of
(2) in any case in which a kidney transplant fails (whether during or after the thirty-six-month period specified in subsection (b)(2) of this section) and as a result the individual who received such transplant initiates or resumes a regular course of renal dialysis, entitlement to benefits under part A and eligibility to enroll under part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter shall begin with the month in which such course is initiated or resumed; and
(3) in any case in which a regular course of renal dialysis is resumed subsequent to the termination of an earlier course, entitlement to benefits under part A and eligibility to enroll under part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter shall begin with the month in which such regular course of renal dialysis is resumed.
(c) 1 Continuing eligibility of certain terminated individuals
For purposes of this section, each person whose monthly insurance benefit for any month is terminated or is otherwise not payable solely by reason of paragraph (1) or (7) of section 425(c) 2 of this title shall be treated as entitled to such benefit for such month.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §226A, as added
References in Text
The Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A), (B), is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812, as amended generally by
Parts A and B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in text, are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (c).
1986—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii), (B)(iii).
1983—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(iii).
1982—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(1)(C), (D).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Section 309(c)(2) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective with respect to services, supplies, and equipment furnished after the third calendar month beginning after June 13, 1978, except that provisions for the implementation of an incentive reimbursement system for dialysis services furnished in facilities and providers to become effective with respect to a facility's or provider's first accounting period beginning after the last day of the twelfth month following the month of June 1978, and except that provisions for reimbursement rates for home dialysis to become effective on Apr. 1, 1979, see section 6 of
1 So in original. Probably should be "(d)".
2 See References in Text note below.
§426a. Transitional provision on eligibility of uninsured individuals for hospital insurance benefits
(a) Entitlement to benefits
Anyone who—
(1) has attained the age of 65,
(2)(A) attained such age before 1968, or (B) has not less than 3 quarters of coverage (as defined in this subchapter or
(3) is not, and upon filing application for monthly insurance benefits under
(4) is a resident of the United States (as defined in
(5) has filed an application under this section in such manner and in accordance with such other requirements as may be prescribed in regulations of the Secretary,
shall (subject to the limitations in this section) be deemed, solely for purposes of
(b) Persons ineligible
The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to any individual who—
(1) is, at the beginning of the first month in which he meets the requirements of subsection (a), a member of any organization referred to in
(2) has, prior to the beginning of such first month, been convicted of any offense listed in
(3)(A) at the beginning of such first month is covered by an enrollment in a health benefits plan under
(B) was so covered on February 16, 1965, or
(C) could have been so covered for such first month if he or some other person had availed himself of opportunities to enroll in a health benefits plan under such chapter and to continue such enrollment (but this subparagraph shall not apply unless he or such other person was a Federal employee at any time after February 15, 1965).
Paragraph (3) shall not apply in the case of any individual for the month (or any month thereafter) in which coverage under such a health benefits plan ceases (or would have ceased if he had had such coverage) by reason of his or some other person's separation from Federal service, if he or such other person was not (or would not have been) eligible to continue such coverage after such separation.
(c) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (established by
(1) payments made or to be made during such fiscal year from such Trust Fund under part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter with respect to individuals who are entitled to hospital insurance benefits under
(2) the additional administrative expenses resulting or expected to result therefrom, and
(3) any loss in interest to such Trust Fund resulting from the payment of such amounts,
in order to place such Trust Fund in the same position at the end of such fiscal year in which it would have been if the preceding subsections of this section had not been enacted.
(
References in Text
Part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), is classified to
Codification
Section was not enacted as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Amendments
1968—Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A), (C).
§427. Transitional insured status for purposes of old-age and survivors benefits
(a) Determination of entitlement to benefits under section 402(a) to (c) of this title
In the case of any individual who attains the age of 72 before 1969 but who does not meet the requirements of
(b) Determination of entitlement to surviving spouse's benefits under section 402(e) or (f) of this title
In the case of any individual who has died, who does not meet the requirements of
(1) 3 quarters of coverage if such surviving spouse attains the age of 72 in or before 1966,
(2) 4 quarters of coverage if such surviving spouse attains the age of 72 in 1967, or
(3) 5 quarters of coverage if such surviving spouse attains the age of 72 in 1968.
The amount of the surviving spouse's insurance benefit for each month shall, notwithstanding the provisions of section 402(e) or
(c) Deceased individual entitled to benefits by reason of subsection (a) deemed to meet requirements of subsection (b)
In the case of any individual who becomes, or upon filing application therefor would become, entitled to benefits under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §227, as added
References in Text
Amendments
1983—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
1973—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(1).
1971—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1969—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1968—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1973 Amendment
Section 2(b)(1) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1971 Amendment
Section 202(c) of
Effective Date of 1969 Amendment
Section 1003(c) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Section 102(c) of
Effective Date
Section 309(b) of
Repeal of Amendment of Subsecs. (a) and (b) Prior to Effective Date
Section 202(a)(4) of
1 See References in Text note below.
§428. Benefits at age 72 for certain uninsured individuals
(a) Eligibility
Every individual who—
(1) has attained the age of 72,
(2)(A) attained such age before 1968, or (B)(i) attained such age after 1967 and before 1972, and (ii) has not less than 3 quarters of coverage, whenever acquired, for each calendar year elapsing after 1966 and before the year in which he or she attained such age,
(3) is a resident of the United States (as defined in subsection (e) of this section), and is (A) a citizen of the United States or (B) an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence who has resided in the United States (as defined in
(4) has filed application for benefits under this section,
shall (subject to the limitations in this section) be entitled to a benefit under this section for each month beginning with the first month after September 1966 in which he or she becomes so entitled to such benefits and ending with the month preceding the month in which he or she dies. No application under this section which is filed by an individual more than 3 months before the first month in which he or she meets the requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) shall be accepted as an application for purposes of this section.
(b) Amount of benefits
The benefit amount to which an individual is entitled under this section for any month shall be the larger of $64.40 or the amount most recently established in lieu thereof under
(c) Reduction for government pension system benefits
(1) The benefit amount of any individual under this section for any month shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount of any periodic benefit under a governmental pension system for which he or she is eligible for such month.
(2) In the case of a husband and wife only one of whom is entitled to benefits under this section for any month, the benefit amount, after any reduction under paragraph (1), shall be further reduced (but not below zero) by the excess (if any) of (A) the total amount of any periodic benefits under governmental pension systems for which the spouse who is not entitled to benefits under this section is eligible for such month, over (B) the benefit amount as determined without regard to this subsection.
(3) In the case of a husband or wife both of whom are entitled to benefits under this section for any month, the benefit amount of each spouse, after any reduction under paragraph (1), shall be further reduced (but not below zero) by the excess (if any) of (A) the total amount of any periodic benefits under governmental pension systems for which the other spouse is eligible for such month, over (B) the benefit amount of such other spouse as determined without regard to this subsection.
(4) For purposes of this subsection, in determining whether an individual is eligible for periodic benefits under a governmental pension system—
(A) such individual shall be deemed to have filed application for such benefits,
(B) to the extent that entitlement depends on an application by such individual's spouse, such spouse shall be deemed to have filed application, and
(C) to the extent that entitlement depends on such individual or his or her spouse having retired, such individual and his or her spouse shall be deemed to have retired before the month for which the determination of eligibility is being made.
(5) For purposes of this subsection, if any periodic benefit is payable on any basis other than a calendar month, the Commissioner of Social Security shall allocate the amount of such benefit to the appropriate calendar months.
(6) If, under the foregoing provisions of this section, the amount payable for any month would be less than $1, such amount shall be reduced to zero. In the case of a husband and wife both of whom are entitled to benefits under this section for the month, the preceding sentence shall be applied with respect to the aggregate amount so payable for such month.
(7) If any benefit amount computed under the foregoing provisions of this section is not a multiple of $0.10, it shall be raised to the next higher multiple of $0.10.
(8) Under regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security, benefit payments under this section to an individual (or aggregate benefit payments under this section in the case of a husband and wife) of less than $5 may be accumulated until they equal or exceed $5.
(d) Suspension for months in which cash payments are made under public assistance or in which supplemental security income benefits are payable
The benefit to which any individual is entitled under this section for any month shall not be paid for such month if—
(1) such individual receives aid or assistance in the form of money payments in such month under a State plan approved under subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter, or under a State program funded under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, or
(2) such individual's husband or wife receives such aid or assistance in such month, and under the State plan the needs of such individual were taken into account in determining eligibility for (or amount of) such aid or assistance,
unless the State agency administering or supervising the administration of such plan notifies the Commissioner of Social Security, at such time and in such manner as may be prescribed in accordance with regulations of the Commissioner of Social Security, that such payments to such individual (or such individual's husband or wife) under such plan are being terminated with the payment or payments made in such month and such individual is not an individual with respect to whom supplemental security income benefits are payable pursuant to subchapter XVI of this chapter or section 211 of
(e) Suspension where individual is residing outside United States
The benefit to which any individual is entitled under this section for any month shall not be paid if, during such month, such individual is not a resident of the United States. For purposes of this subsection, the term "United States" means the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
(f) Treatment as monthly insurance benefits
For purposes of subsections (t) and (u) of
(g) Annual reimbursement of Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1969, and for each fiscal year thereafter, such sums as the Commissioner of Social Security deems necessary on account of—
(1) payments made under this section during the second preceding fiscal year and all fiscal years prior thereto to individuals who, as of the beginning of the calendar year in which falls the month for which payment was made, had less than 3 quarters of coverage,
(2) the additional administrative expenses resulting from the payments described in paragraph (1), and
(3) any loss in interest to such Trust Fund resulting from such payments and expenses,
in order to place such Trust Fund in the same position at the end of such fiscal year as it would have been in if such payments had not been made.
(h) Definitions
For purposes of this section—
(1) The term "quarter of coverage" includes a quarter of coverage as defined in
(2) The term "governmental pension system" means the insurance system established by this subchapter or any other system or fund established by the United States, a State, any political subdivision of a State, or any wholly owned instrumentality of any one or more of the foregoing which provides for payment of (A) pensions, (B) retirement or retired pay, or (C) annuities or similar amounts payable on account of personal services performed by any individual (not including any payment under any workmen's compensation law or any payment by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as compensation for service-connected disability or death).
(3) The term "periodic benefit" includes a benefit payable in a lump sum if it is a commutation of, or a substitute for, periodic payments.
(4) The determination of whether an individual is a husband or wife for any month shall be made under subsection (h) of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §228, as added
References in Text
Part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), is classified to
Section 211 of
Amendments
1996—Subsec. (d)(1).
1994—Subsecs. (c)(5), (8), (d), (g).
1991—Subsec. (h)(2).
1990—Subsec. (a)(2).
1984—Subsec. (c)(4)(C).
Subsec. (g).
1983—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(4)(C).
1973—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
1972—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B).
1971—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B).
1969—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B).
1968—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 5114(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 2662(e) of
Amendment by section 2663(j)(3)(A)(iv) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1973 Amendment
Section 2(b)(1) of
Amendment by section 2(b)(1) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1971 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1969 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by section 102(b) of
Repeal of Amendment of Subsecs. (b)(1), (2) and (c)(3)(A), (B) Prior to Effective Date
Section 202(a)(4) of
Application to Northern Mariana Islands
For applicability of this section to the Northern Mariana Islands, see section 502(a)(1) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America and Proc. No. 4534, Oct. 24, 1977, 42 F.R. 56593, set out as notes under
Increases To Take Into Account General Benefit Increases
Section 305(e) of
Special $50 Payment Under Tax Reduction Act of 1975
Special payment of $50 as soon as practicable after Mar. 29, 1975, by Secretary of the Treasury to each individual who, for month of March 1975, was entitled to a monthly insurance benefit payable under this subchapter, see section 702 of
Applications for Transitional Coverage of Uninsured Individuals for Hospital Insurance Benefits
Section 302(b) of
§429. Benefits in case of members of uniformed services
For purposes of determining entitlement to and the amount of any monthly benefit for any month after December 1972, or entitlement to and the amount of any lump-sum death payment in case of a death after such month, payable under this subchapter on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of any individual, and for purposes of
(1) in each calendar quarter occurring after 1956 and before 1978 in which he was paid such wages, additional wages of $300, and
(2) in each calendar year occurring after 1977 and before 2002 in which he was paid such wages, additional wages of $100 for each $300 of such wages, up to a maximum of $1,200 of additional wages for any calendar year.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §229, as added
Amendments
2004—
Par. (2).
1994—Subsec. (b).
1987—Subsec. (a).
1984—Subsec. (b).
1983—Subsec. (b).
1977—Subsec. (a).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Section 151(b)(2) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 120(b) of
Payment of Wages After 2001
Compensatory Payments to Trust Funds
Section 151(b)(3) of
"(A) Within thirty days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 20, 1983], the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall determine the additional amounts which would have been appropriated to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under sections 201 and 1817 of the Social Security Act [
"(B)(i) Within thirty days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 20, 1983], the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to each such Trust Fund, from amounts in the general fund of the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, an amount equal to the amount determined with respect to such Trust Fund under subparagraph (A), less any amount appropriated to such Trust Fund pursuant to the provisions of section 229(b) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b) of this section] prior to the date of the determination made under subparagraph (A) with respect to wages deemed to have been paid for calendar years prior to 1984.
"(ii) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall revise the amount determined under clause (i) with respect to each such Trust Fund within one year after the date of the transfer made to such Trust Fund under clause (i), as determined appropriate by such Secretary from data which becomes available to him after the date of the transfer under clause (i). Within 30 days after any such revision, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to such Trust Fund, from amounts in the general fund of the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, or from such Trust Fund to the general fund of the Treasury, such amounts as the Secretary of Health and Human Services certifies as necessary to take into account such revision."
§430. Adjustment of contribution and benefit base
(a) Determination and publication by Commissioner in Federal Register subsequent to cost-of-living benefit increase; effective date
Whenever the Commissioner of Social Security pursuant to
(b) Determination of amount
The amount of such contribution and benefit base shall (subject to subsection (c) of this section) be the amount of the contribution and benefit base in effect in the year in which the determination is made or, if larger, the product of—
(1) $60,600, and
(2) the ratio of (A) the national average wage index (as defined in
with such product, if not a multiple of $300, being rounded to the next higher multiple of $300 where such product is a multiple of $150 but not of $300 and to the nearest multiple of $300 in any other case.
(c) Amount of base for period prior to initial cost-of-living benefit increase
For purposes of this section, and for purposes of determining wages and self-employment income under
(A) in 1978 shall be $17,700,
(B) in 1979 shall be $22,900,
(C) in 1980 shall be $25,900, and
(D) in 1981 shall be $29,700.
For purposes of determining under subsection (b) of this section the "contribution and benefit base" with respect to remuneration paid (and taxable years beginning) in 1982 and subsequent years, the dollar amounts specified in clause (2) of the preceding sentence shall be considered to have resulted from the application of such subsection (b) of this section and to be the amount determined (with respect to the years involved) under that subsection.
(d) Determinations for calendar years after 1976 for purposes of retirement benefit plans
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the contribution and benefit base determined under this section for any calendar year after 1976 for purposes of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §230, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (c), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
"Subsequent to the law which added this section", referred to in subsec. (c), means subsequent to the enactment of
The enactment of the Social Security Amendments of 1977, referred to in subsec. (d), means the enactment of
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1), (2).
"(1) the contribution and benefit base which is in effect with respect to remuneration paid in (and taxable years beginning in) the calendar year in which the determination under subsection (a) of this section is made, and
"(2) the ratio of (A) the deemed average total wages (as defined in
Subsec. (b)(2)(A), (B).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
1989—Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (d).
1984—Subsec. (c).
1983—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
1981—Subsec. (c).
1977—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
1976—Subsec. (b).
1973—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
1972—Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Section 321(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 321(g)(1)(A), (B) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 10208(c) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) the average of total wages for 1988 shall be deemed to be equal to the amount which would have been determined without regard to this paragraph, plus 2 percent of the amount which has been determined to the average of total wages for 1987,
"(B) the average of total wages for 1989 shall be deemed to be equal to the amount which would have been determined without regard to this paragraph, plus 2 percent of the amount which would have been determined to be the average of total wages for 1988 without regard to subparagraph (A), and
"(C) the average of total wages reported to the Secretary of the Treasury for 1990 shall be deemed to be equal to the product of—
"(i) the SSA average wage index (as defined in section 215(i)(1)(G) of the Social Security Act [
"(ii) the quotient obtained by dividing—
"(I) the average of total wages (as defined in regulations of the Secretary and computed without regard to the limitations of section 209(a)(1) of the Social Security Act [
"(II) the average of total wages (as so defined and computed without regard to the limitations specified in such section 209(a)(1) and by excluding deferred compensation amounts within the meaning of such section 209(k)(2)) reported to the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate for 1989.
"(3)
"(4)
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective and Termination Dates of 1983 Amendments
Amendment by section 211(d) of
Amendment by section 225(a)(4) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Amendment by section 103(a), (b) of
Section 103(c)(2) of
Amendment by section 353(e) of
Effective Date of 1973 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by
Social Security Contribution and Benefit Base
2011—By notice of the Commissioner of Social Security, Oct. 26, 2010, 75 F.R. 65696, as corrected Nov. 30, 2010, 75 F.R. 74123, it was determined and announced that the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 2011 will remain $106,800.
2010—By notice of the Commissioner of Social Security, Oct. 20, 2009, 74 F.R. 55614, it was determined and announced that the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 2010 will remain $106,800.
2009—By notice of the Commissioner of Social Security, Oct. 24, 2008, 73 F.R. 64651, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 2009 is $106,800.
2008—By notice of the Commissioner of Social Security, Oct. 19, 2007, 72 F.R. 60703, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 2008 is $102,000.
2007—By notice of the Commissioner of Social Security, Oct. 19, 2006, 71 F.R. 62636, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 2007 is $97,500.
2006—By notice of the Commissioner of Social Security, Oct. 18, 2005, 70 F.R. 61677, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 2006 is $94,200.
2005—By notice of the Commissioner of Social Security, Oct. 26, 2004, 69 F.R. 62497, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 2005 is $90,000.
2004—By notice of the Commissioner of Social Security, Oct. 16, 2003, 68 F.R. 60437, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 2004 is $87,900.
2003—By notice of the Commissioner of Social Security, Oct. 18, 2002, 67 F.R. 65620, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 2003 is $87,000.
2002—By notice of the Commissioner of Social Security, Oct. 19, 2001, 66 F.R. 54047, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 2002 is $84,900.
2001—By notice of the Commissioner of Social Security, Oct. 18, 2000, 65 F.R. 63663, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 2001 is $80,400.
2000—By notice of the Commissioner of Social Security, Oct. 20, 1999, 64 F.R. 57506, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 2000 is $76,200.
1999—By notice of the Commissioner of Social Security, Oct. 21, 1998, 63 F.R. 58446, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 1999 is $72,600.
1998—By notice of the Commissioner of Social Security, Oct. 22, 1997, 62 F.R. 58762, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 1998 is $68,400.
1997—By notice of the Commissioner of Social Security, Oct. 18, 1996, 61 F.R. 55346, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 1997 is $65,400.
1996—By notice of the Commissioner of Social Security, Oct. 18, 1995, 60 F.R. 54751, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 1996 is $62,700.
1995—By notice of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Oct. 25, 1994, 59 F.R. 54464, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 1995 is $61,200.
1994—By notice of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Oct. 28, 1993, 58 F.R. 58004, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 1994 is $60,600.
1993—By notice of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Oct. 20, 1992, 57 F.R. 48619, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 1993 is $57,600.
1992—By notice of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Oct. 21, 1991, 56 F.R. 55325, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 1992 is $55,500.
1991—By notice of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Oct. 25, 1990, 55 F.R. 45856, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 1991 is $53,400.
1990—By notice of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Oct. 26, 1989, 54 F.R. 45803, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 1990 is $50,400.
1989—By notice of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Oct. 27, 1988, 53 F.R. 43932, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 1989 is $48,000.
1988—By notice of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Oct. 19, 1987, 52 F.R. 41672, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 1988 is $45,000.
1987—By notice of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Oct. 31, 1986, 51 F.R. 40256, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 1987 is $43,800.
1986—By notice of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Oct. 29, 1985, 50 F.R. 45559, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 1986 is $42,000.
1985—By notice of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Oct. 29, 1984, 49 F.R. 43775, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in, and for self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in, 1985 is $39,600.
1983—By notice of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Nov. 4, 1982, 47 F.R. 51003, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base with respect to remuneration paid in, and taxable years beginning in, 1983 is $35,700.
1982—By notice of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Oct. 30, 1981, 46 F.R. 53791, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base with respect to remuneration paid in, and taxable years beginning in, 1982 is $32,400.
1978—By notice of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, Oct. 31, 1977, 42 F.R. 57754, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base with respect to remuneration paid in, and taxable years beginning in, 1978 is $17,700.
1977—By notice of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, Oct. 7, 1976, 41 F.R. 44878, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base with respect to remuneration paid in, and taxable years beginning in, 1977 is $16,500.
1976—By notice of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, Oct. 22, 1975, 40 F.R. 50556, it was determined and announced that, pursuant to authority contained in this section, the contribution and benefit base with respect to remuneration paid in, and taxable years beginning in, 1976 is $15,300.
Cost-of-Living Increase in Benefits
For purposes of subsec. (a) of this section, the increase in benefits provided by section 2 of
§431. Benefits for certain individuals interned by United States during World War II
(a) "Internee" defined
For the purposes of this section the term "internee" means an individual who was interned during any period of time from December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946, at a place within the United States operated by the Government of the United States for the internment of United States citizens of Japanese ancestry.
(b) Applicability in determining entitlement to and amount of monthly benefits and lump-sum death payments, and period of disability; effect of payment of benefits by other agency or instrumentality of United States
(1) For purposes of determining entitlement to and the amount of any monthly benefit for any month after December 1972, or entitlement to and the amount of any lump-sum death payment in the case of a death after such month, payable under this subchapter on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of any individual, and for purposes of
(A) in the case such individual was not employed prior to the beginning of such period, 40 multiplied by the minimum hourly rate or rates in effect at any such time under
(B) in the case such individual who was employed prior to the beginning of such period, 40 multiplied by the greater of (i) the highest hourly rate received during any such employment, or (ii) the minimum hourly rate or rates in effect at any such time under
(2) This subsection shall not be applicable in the case of any monthly benefit or lump-sum death payment if—
(A) a larger such benefit or payment, as the case may be, would be payable without its application; or
(B) a benefit (other than a benefit payable in a lump-sum unless it is a commutation of, or a substitute for, periodic payments) which is based, in whole or in part, upon internment during any period from December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946, at a place within the United States operated by the Government of the United States for the internment of United States citizens of Japanese ancestry, is determined by any agency or wholly owned instrumentality of the United States to be payable by it under any other law of the United States or under a system established by such agency or instrumentality.
The provisions of clause (B) shall not apply in the case of any monthly benefit or lump-sum death payment under this subchapter if its application would reduce by $0.50 or less the primary insurance amount (as computed under
(3) Upon application for benefits, a recalculation of benefits (by reason of this section), or a lump-sum death payment on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of any individual who was an internee, the Commissioner of Social Security shall accept the certification of the Secretary of Defense or his designee concerning any period of time for which an internee is to receive credit under paragraph (1) and shall make a decision without regard to clause (B) of paragraph (2) of this subsection unless the Commissioner has been notified by some other agency or instrumentality of the United States that, on the basis of the period for which such individual was an internee, a benefit described in clause (B) of paragraph (2) has been determined by such agency or instrumentality to be payable by it. If the Commissioner of Social Security has not been so notified, the Commissioner shall then ascertain whether some other agency or wholly owned instrumentality of the United States has decided that a benefit described in clause (B) of paragraph (2) is payable by it. If any such agency or instrumentality has decided, or thereafter decides, that such a benefit is payable by it, it shall so notify the Commissioner of Social Security, and the Commissioner of Social Security shall certify no further benefits for payment or shall recompute the amount of any further benefits payable, as may be required by this section.
(4) Any agency or wholly owned instrumentality of the United States which is authorized by any law of the United States to pay benefits, or has a system of benefits which are based, in whole or in part, on any period for which any individual was an internee shall, at the request of the Commissioner of Social Security, certify to the Commissioner, with respect to any individual who was an internee, such information as the Commissioner of Social Security deems necessary to carry out the Commissioner's functions under paragraph (3) of this subsection.
(c) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Trust Funds and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1978, such sums as the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary jointly determine would place the Trust Funds and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund in the position in which they would have been if the preceding provisions of this section had not been enacted.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §231, as added
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c).
1984—Subsec. (b)(3), (4).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Special $50 Payment Under Tax Reduction Act of 1975
Special payment of $50 as soon as practicable after Mar. 29, 1975, by the Secretary of the Treasury to each individual who, for the month of March 1975, was entitled to a monthly insurance benefit payable under this subchapter, see section 702 of
§432. Processing of tax data
The Secretary of the Treasury shall make available information returns filed pursuant to part III of subchapter A of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §232, as added
References in Text
Part III of subchapter A of
Amendments
1994—
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Effective Date
Section 8(c) of
§433. International agreements
(a) Purpose of agreement
The President is authorized (subject to the succeeding provisions of this section) to enter into agreements establishing totalization arrangements between the social security system established by this subchapter and the social security system of any foreign country, for the purposes of establishing entitlement to and the amount of old-age, survivors, disability, or derivative benefits based on a combination of an individual's periods of coverage under the social security system established by this subchapter and the social security system of such foreign country.
(b) Definitions
For the purposes of this section—
(1) the term "social security system" means, with respect to a foreign country, a social insurance or pension system which is of general application in the country and under which periodic benefits, or the actuarial equivalent thereof, are paid on account of old age, death, or disability; and
(2) the term "period of coverage" means a period of payment of contributions or a period of earnings based on wages for employment or on self-employment income, or any similar period recognized as equivalent thereto under this subchapter or under the social security system of a country which is a party to an agreement entered into under this section.
(c) Crediting periods of coverage; conditions of payment of benefits
(1) Any agreement establishing a totalization arrangement pursuant to this section shall provide—
(A) that in the case of an individual who has at least 6 quarters of coverage as defined in
(B)(i) that employment or self-employment, or any service which is recognized as equivalent to employment or self-employment under this subchapter or the social security system of a foreign country which is a party to such agreement, shall, on or after the effective date of such agreement, result in a period of coverage under the system established under this subchapter or under the system established under the laws of such foreign country, but not under both, and (ii) the methods and conditions for determining under which system employment, self-employment, or other service shall result in a period of coverage; and
(C) that where an individual's periods of coverage are combined, the benefit amount payable under this subchapter shall be based on the proportion of such individual's periods of coverage which was completed under this subchapter.
(2) Any such agreement may provide that an individual who is entitled to cash benefits under this subchapter shall, notwithstanding the provisions of
(3)
(4) Any such agreement may contain other provisions which are not inconsistent with the other provisions of this subchapter and which the President deems appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section.
(d) Regulations
The Commissioner of Social Security shall make rules and regulations and establish procedures which are reasonable and necessary to implement and administer any agreement which has been entered into in accordance with this section.
(e) Reports to Congress; effective date of agreements
(1) Any agreement to establish a totalization arrangement entered into pursuant to this section shall be transmitted by the President to the Congress together with a report on the estimated number of individuals who will be affected by the agreement and the effect of the agreement on the estimated income and expenditures of the programs established by this chapter.
(2) Such an agreement shall become effective on any date, provided in the agreement, which occurs after the expiration of the period (following the date on which the agreement is transmitted in accordance with paragraph (1)) during which at least one House of the Congress has been in session on each of 60 days; except that such agreement shall not become effective if, during such period, either House of the Congress adopts a resolution of disapproval of the agreement.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §233, as added
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (d).
1984—Subsec. (d).
1983—Subsec. (e)(2).
1981—Subsec. (c)(2).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Section 326(b) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
§434. Demonstration project authority
(a) Authority
(1) In general
The Commissioner of Social Security (in this section referred to as the "Commissioner") shall develop and carry out experiments and demonstration projects designed to determine the relative advantages and disadvantages of—
(A) various alternative methods of treating the work activity of individuals entitled to disability insurance benefits under
(B) altering other limitations and conditions applicable to such individuals (including lengthening the trial work period (as defined in
(C) implementing sliding scale benefit offsets using variations in—
(i) the amount of the offset as a proportion of earned income;
(ii) the duration of the offset period; and
(iii) the method of determining the amount of income earned by such individuals,
to the end that savings will accrue to the Trust Funds, or to otherwise promote the objectives or facilitate the administration of this subchapter.
(2) Authority for expansion of scope
The Commissioner may expand the scope of any such experiment or demonstration project to include any group of applicants for benefits under the program established under this subchapter with impairments that reasonably may be presumed to be disabling for purposes of such demonstration project, and may limit any such demonstration project to any such group of applicants, subject to the terms of such demonstration project which shall define the extent of any such presumption.
(b) Requirements
The experiments and demonstration projects developed under subsection (a) of this section shall be of sufficient scope and shall be carried out on a wide enough scale to permit a thorough evaluation of the alternative methods under consideration while giving assurance that the results derived from the experiments and projects will obtain generally in the operation of the disability insurance program under this subchapter without committing such program to the adoption of any particular system either locally or nationally.
(c) Authority to waive compliance with benefits requirements
In the case of any experiment or demonstration project initiated under subsection (a) of this section on or before December 17, 2005, the Commissioner may waive compliance with the benefit requirements of this subchapter and the requirements of
(d) Reports
(1) Interim reports
On or before June 9 of each year, the Commissioner shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Finance of the Senate an annual interim report on the progress of the experiments and demonstration projects carried out under this subsection 1 together with any related data and materials that the Commissioner may consider appropriate.
(2) Termination and final report
The authority to initiate projects under the preceding provisions of this section shall terminate on December 18, 2005. Not later than 90 days after the termination of any experiment or demonstration project carried out under this section, the Commissioner shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Finance of the Senate a final report with respect to that experiment or demonstration project.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, §234, as added
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Demonstration Projects Providing for Reductions in Disability Insurance Benefits Based on Earnings
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A) the effects, if any, of induced entry into the project and reduced exit from the project;
"(B) the extent, if any, to which the project being tested is affected by whether it is in operation in a locality within an area under the administration of the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program established under section 1148 of the Social Security Act [
"(C) the savings that accrue to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and other Federal programs under the project being tested.
The Commissioner shall take into account advice provided by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel pursuant to section 101(f)(2)(B)(ii) of this Act [set out as a note under
"(2)
"(A) the annual cost (including net cost) of the project and the annual cost (including net cost) that would have been incurred in the absence of the project;
"(B) the determinants of return to work, including the characteristics of the beneficiaries who participate in the project; and
"(C) the employment outcomes, including wages, occupations, benefits, and hours worked, of beneficiaries who return to work as a result of participation in the project.
The Commissioner may include within the matters evaluated under the project the merits of trial work periods and periods of extended eligibility.
"(c)
"(d)
"(e)
"(f)
Study by General Accounting Office of the Impact of the Substantial Gainful Activity Limit on Return to Work
Study by the Government Accountability Office of Social Security Administration's Disability Insurance Program Demonstration Authority
1 So in original. Probably should be "section".
SUBCHAPTER III—GRANTS TO STATES FOR UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION ADMINISTRATION
§501. Use of available funds
The amounts made available pursuant to
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title III, §301,
Amendments
1960—
1939—Act Apr. 19, 1939, provided increased appropriation for fiscal year ending June 30, 1939, and for each fiscal year thereafter.
§502. Payments to States; computation of amounts
(a) Certification of amounts
The Secretary of Labor shall from time to time certify to the Secretary of the Treasury for payment to each State which has an unemployment compensation law approved by the Secretary of Labor under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, such amounts as the Secretary of Labor determines to be necessary for the proper and efficient administration of such law during the fiscal year for which such payment is to be made, including 100 percent of so much of the reasonable expenditures of the State as are attributable to the costs of the implementation and operation of the immigration status verification system described in
(b) Payment of amounts
Out of the sums appropriated therefor, the Secretary of the Treasury shall, upon receiving a certification under subsection (a) of this section, pay, through the Fiscal Service of the Department of the Treasury and prior to audit or settlement by the Government Accountability Office, to the State agency charged with the administration of such law the amount so certified.
(c) Mailing costs
No portion of the cost of mailing a statement under section 6050B(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to unemployment compensation) shall be treated as not being a cost for the proper and efficient administration of the State unemployment compensation law by reason of including with such statement information about the earned income credit provided by section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The preceding sentence shall not apply if the inclusion of such information increases the postage required to mail such statement.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title III, §302,
References in Text
The Federal Unemployment Tax Act, referred to in subsec. (a), comprised subchapter C (§§1600 to 1611) of
For provision deeming a reference in other laws to a provision of the 1939 Code as a reference to the corresponding provisions of the 1986 Code, see section 7852(b) of the 1986 Code. For table of comparisons of the 1939 Code to the 1986 Code, see table preceding
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (b).
1992—Subsec. (c).
1986—Subsec. (a).
1984—Subsec. (b).
1939—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 10, 1939, substituted "Federal Unemployment Tax Act" for "
Effective Date of 1992 Amendment
Section 302(b) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 121(c)(2) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of Labor, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of Labor, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 6 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
Functions of Federal Security Administrator with respect to unemployment compensation transferred to Secretary of Labor by Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1949, set out in the Appendix to Title 5.
Section 1 of Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1949, also provided that functions transferred by this section shall be performed by Secretary of Labor, or subject to his direction and control, by such officers, agencies, and employees of Department of Labor as he shall designate.
"Administrator" substituted for "Board" by section 4 of Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1946, set out in the Appendix to Title 5.
Report on Method of Allocating Administrative Funds Among States
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) the use of unemployment insurance workload levels as the primary factor in allocating grants among the States under section 302 of the Social Security Act [this section],
"(2) ways to ensure that each State receive not less than a minimum grant amount for each fiscal year,
"(3) the use of nationally available objective data to determine the unemployment compensation administrative costs of each State, with consideration of legitimate cost differences among the States,
"(4) ways to simplify the method of allocating such grants among the States,
"(5) ways to eliminate the disincentives to productivity and efficiency which exist in the current method of allocating such grants among the States,
"(6) ways to promote innovation and cost-effective practices in the method of allocating such grants among the States, and
"(7) the effect of the proposal set forth in such report on the grant amounts allocated to each State.
"(c)
§503. State laws
(a) Provisions required
The Secretary of Labor shall make no certification for payment to any State unless he finds that the law of such State, approved by the Secretary of Labor under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act [
(1) Such methods of administration (including after January 1, 1940, methods relating to the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards on a merit basis, except that the Secretary of Labor shall exercise no authority with respect to the selection, tenure of office, and compensation of any individual employed in accordance with such methods) as are found by the Secretary of Labor to be reasonably calculated to insure full payment of unemployment compensation when due; and
(2) Payment of unemployment compensation solely through public employment offices or such other agencies as the Secretary of Labor may approve; and
(3) Opportunity for a fair hearing, before an impartial tribunal, for all individuals whose claims for unemployment compensation are denied; and
(4) The payment of all money received in the unemployment fund of such State (except for refunds of sums erroneously paid into such fund and except for refunds paid in accordance with the provisions of section 3305(b) of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act [
(5) Expenditure of all money withdrawn from an unemployment fund of such State, in the payment of unemployment compensation, exclusive of expenses of administration, and for refunds of sums erroneously paid into such fund and refunds paid in accordance with the provisions of section 3305(b) of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act [
(6) The making of such reports, in such form and containing such information, as the Secretary of Labor may from time to time require, and compliance with such provisions as the Secretary of Labor may from time to time find necessary to assure the correctness and verification of such reports; and
(7) Making available upon request to any agency of the United States charged with the administration of public works or assistance through public employment, the name, address, ordinary occupation and employment status of each recipient of unemployment compensation, and a statement of such recipient's rights to further compensation under such law; and
(8) Effective July 1, 1941, the expenditure of all moneys received pursuant to
(9) Effective July 1, 1941, the replacement, within a reasonable time, of any moneys received pursuant to
(10) A requirement that, as a condition of eligibility for regular compensation for any week, any claimant who has been referred to reemployment services pursuant to the profiling system under subsection (j)(1)(B) of this section participate in such services or in similar services unless the State agency charged with the administration of the State law determines—
(A) such claimant has completed such services; or
(B) there is justifiable cause for such claimant's failure to participate in such services.
(b) Failure to comply; payments stopped
Whenever the Secretary of Labor, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing to the State agency charged with the administration of the State law, finds that in the administration of the law there is—
(1) a denial, in a substantial number of cases, of unemployment compensation to individuals entitled thereto under such law; or
(2) a failure to comply substantially with any provision specified in subsection (a) of this section;
the Secretary of Labor shall notify such State agency that further payments will not be made to the State until the Secretary of Labor is satisfied that there is no longer any such denial or failure to comply. Until he is so satisfied he shall make no further certification to the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to such State: Provided, That there shall be no finding under clause (1) until the question of entitlement shall have been decided by the highest judicial authority given jurisdiction under such State law: Provided further, That any costs may be paid with respect to any claimant by a State and included as costs of administration of its law.
(c) Denial of certification; availability of records to Railroad Retirement Board; cooperation with Federal agencies
The Secretary of Labor shall make no certification for payment to any State if he finds, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing to the State agency charged with the administration of the State law—
(1) that such State does not make its records available to the Railroad Retirement Board, and furnish to the Railroad Retirement Board at the expense of the Railroad Retirement Board such copies thereof as the Railroad Retirement Board deems necessary for its purposes;
(2) that such State is failing to afford reasonable cooperation with every agency of the United States charged with the administration of any unemployment insurance law; or
(3) that any interest required to be paid on advances under subchapter XII of this chapter has not been paid by the date on which such interest is required to be paid or has been paid directly or indirectly (by an equivalent reduction in State unemployment taxes or otherwise) by such State from amounts in such State's unemployment fund, until such interest is properly paid.
(d) Disclosure of unemployment compensation information; coordination with supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits agencies; non-compliance of State agency
(1) The State agency charged with the administration of the State law—
(A) shall disclose, upon request and on a reimbursable basis, to officers and employees of the Department of Agriculture and to officers or employees of any State supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits agency any of the following information contained in the records of such State agency—
(i) wage information,
(ii) whether an individual is receiving, has received, or has made application for, unemployment compensation, and the amount of any such compensation being received (or to be received) by such individual,
(iii) the current (or most recent) home address of such individual, and
(iv) whether an individual has refused an offer of employment and, if so, a description of the employment so offered and the terms, conditions, and rate of pay therefor, and
(B) shall establish such safeguards as are necessary (as determined by the Secretary of Labor in regulations) to insure that information disclosed under subparagraph (A) is used only for purposes of determining an individual's eligibility for benefits, or the amount of benefits, under the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 [
(2)(A) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "unemployment compensation" means any unemployment compensation payable under the State law (including amounts payable pursuant to an agreement under a Federal unemployment compensation law).
(B) The State agency charged with the administration of the State law—
(i) may require each new applicant for unemployment compensation to disclose whether the applicant owes an uncollected overissuance (as defined in section 13(c)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 [
(ii) may notify the State supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits agency to which the uncollected overissuance is owed that the applicant has been determined to be eligible for unemployment compensation if the applicant discloses under clause (i) that the applicant owes an uncollected overissuance and the applicant is determined to be so eligible,
(iii) may deduct and withhold from any unemployment compensation otherwise payable to an individual—
(I) the amount specified by the individual to the State agency to be deducted and withheld under this clause,
(II) the amount (if any) determined pursuant to an agreement submitted to the State supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits agency under section 13(c)(3)(A) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 [
(III) any amount otherwise required to be deducted and withheld from the unemployment compensation pursuant to section 13(c)(3)(B) of such Act [
(iv) shall pay any amount deducted and withheld under clause (iii) to the appropriate State supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits agency.
(C) Any amount deducted and withheld under subparagraph (B)(iii) shall for all purposes be treated as if it were paid to the individual as unemployment compensation and paid by the individual to the State supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits agency to which the uncollected overissuance is owed as repayment of the individual's uncollected overissuance.
(D) A State supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits agency to which an uncollected overissuance is owed shall reimburse the State agency charged with the administration of the State unemployment compensation law for the administrative costs incurred by the State agency under this paragraph that are attributable to repayment of uncollected overissuance to the State supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits agency to which the uncollected overissuance is owed.
(3) Whenever the Secretary of Labor, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing to the State agency charged with the administration of the State law, finds that there is a failure to comply substantially with the requirements of paragraph (1), the Secretary of Labor shall notify such State agency that further payments will not be made to the State until he is satisfied that there is no longer any such failure. Until the Secretary of Labor is so satisfied, he shall make no further certification to the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to such State.
(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term "State supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits agency" means any agency described in section 3(t)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 [
(e) Disclosure of wage information; non-compliance of State agency
(1) The State agency charged with the administration of the State law—
(A) shall disclose, upon request and on a reimbursable basis, directly to officers or employees of any State or local child support enforcement agency any wage information contained in the records of such State agency, and
(B) shall establish such safeguards as are necessary (as determined by the Secretary of Labor in regulations) to insure that information disclosed under subparagraph (A) is used only for purposes of establishing and collecting child support obligations from, and locating, individuals owing such obligations.
For purposes of this subsection, the term "child support obligations" only includes obligations which are being enforced pursuant to a plan described in
(2)(A) The State agency charged with the administration of the State law—
(i) shall require each new applicant for unemployment compensation to disclose whether or not such applicant owes child support obligations (as defined in the last sentence of paragraph (1)),
(ii) shall notify the State or local child support enforcement agency enforcing such obligations, if any applicant discloses under clause (i) that he owes child support obligations and he is determined to be eligible for unemployment compensation, that such applicant has been so determined to be eligible,
(iii) shall deduct and withhold from any unemployment compensation otherwise payable to an individual—
(I) the amount specified by the individual to the State agency to be deducted and withheld under this clause,
(II) the amount (if any) determined pursuant to an agreement submitted to the State agency under
(III) any amount otherwise required to be so deducted and withheld from such unemployment compensation through legal process (as defined in section 662(e) 3 of this title), and
(iv) shall pay any amount deducted and withheld under clause (iii) to the appropriate State or local child support enforcement agency.
Any amount deducted and withheld under clause (iii) shall for all purposes be treated as if it were paid to the individual as unemployment compensation and paid by such individual to the State or local child support enforcement agency in satisfaction of his child support obligations.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "unemployment compensation" means any compensation payable under the State law (including amounts payable pursuant to agreements under any Federal unemployment compensation law).
(C) Each State or local child support enforcement agency shall reimburse the State agency charged with the administration of the State unemployment compensation law for the administrative costs incurred by such State agency under this paragraph which are attributable to child support obligations being enforced by the State or local child support enforcement agency.
(3) Whenever the Secretary of Labor, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing to the State agency charged with the administration of the State law, finds that there is a failure to comply substantially with the requirements of paragraph (1) or (2), the Secretary of Labor shall notify such State agency that further payments will not be made to the State until he is satisfied that there is no longer any such failure. Until the Secretary of Labor is so satisfied, he shall make no further certification to the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to such State.
(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term "State or local child support enforcement agency" means any agency of a State or political subdivision thereof operating pursuant to a plan described in the last sentence of paragraph (1).
(5) A State or local child support enforcement agency may disclose to any agent of the agency that is under contract with the agency to carry out the purposes described in paragraph (1)(B) wage information that is disclosed to an officer or employee of the agency under paragraph (1)(A). Any agent of a State or local child support agency that receives wage information under this paragraph shall comply with the safeguards established pursuant to paragraph (1)(B).
(f) Income and eligibility verification system
The State agency charged with the administration of the State law shall provide that information shall be requested and exchanged for purposes of income and eligibility verification in accordance with a State system which meets the requirements of
(g) Recovery of unemployment benefit payments
(1) A State may deduct from unemployment benefits otherwise payable to an individual an amount equal to any overpayment made to such individual under an unemployment benefit program of the United States or of any other State, and not previously recovered. The amount so deducted shall be paid to the jurisdiction under whose program such overpayment was made. Any such deduction shall be made only in accordance with the same procedures relating to notice and opportunity for a hearing as apply to the recovery of overpayments of regular unemployment compensation paid by such State.
(2) Any State may enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Labor under which—
(A) the State agrees to recover from unemployment benefits otherwise payable to an individual by such State any overpayments made under an unemployment benefit program of the United States to such individual and not previously recovered, in accordance with paragraph (1), and to pay such amounts recovered to the United States for credit to the appropriate account, and
(B) the United States agrees to allow the State to recover from unemployment benefits otherwise payable to an individual under an unemployment benefit program of the United States any overpayments made by such State to such individual under a State unemployment benefit program and not previously recovered, in accordance with the same procedures as apply under paragraph (1).
(3) For purposes of this subsection, "unemployment benefits" means unemployment compensation, trade adjustment allowances, and other unemployment assistance.
(h) Disclosure to Secretary of Health and Human Services of wage and unemployment compensation claims information; suspension by Secretary of Labor of payments to State for noncompliance
(1) The State agency charged with the administration of the State law shall, on a reimbursable basis—
(A) disclose quarterly, to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, wage and claim information, as required pursuant to
(B) ensure that information provided pursuant to subparagraph (A) meets such standards relating to correctness and verification as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Labor, may find necessary; and
(C) establish such safeguards as the Secretary of Labor determines are necessary to insure that information disclosed under subparagraph (A) is used only for purposes of subsections (i)(1), (i)(3), and (j) of
(2) Whenever the Secretary of Labor, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing to the State agency charged with the administration of the State law, finds that there is a failure to comply substantially with the requirements of paragraph (1), the Secretary of Labor shall notify such State agency that further payments will not be made to the State until the Secretary of Labor is satisfied that there is no longer any such failure. Until the Secretary of Labor is so satisfied, the Secretary shall make no future certification to the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to the State.
(3) For purposes of this subsection—
(A) the term "wage information" means information regarding wages paid to an individual, the social security account number of such individual, and the name, address, State, and the Federal employer identification number of the employer paying such wages to such individual; and
(B) the term "claim information" means information regarding whether an individual is receiving, has received, or has made application for, unemployment compensation, the amount of any such compensation being received (or to be received by such individual), and the individual's current (or most recent) home address.
(i) Access to State employment records
(1) The State agency charged with the administration of the State law—
(A) shall disclose, upon request and on a reimbursable basis, only to officers and employees of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and to representatives of a public housing agency, any of the following information contained in the records of such State agency with respect to individuals applying for or participating in any housing assistance program administered by the Department who have signed an appropriate consent form approved by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development—
(i) wage information, and
(ii) whether an individual is receiving, has received, or has made application for, unemployment compensation, and the amount of any such compensation being received (or to be received) by such individual, and
(B) shall establish such safeguards as are necessary (as determined by the Secretary of Labor in regulations) to ensure that information disclosed under subparagraph (A) is used only for purposes of determining an individual's eligibility for benefits, or the amount of benefits, under a housing assistance program of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(2) The Secretary of Labor shall prescribe regulations governing how often and in what form information may be disclosed under paragraph (1)(A).
(3) Whenever the Secretary of Labor, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing to the State agency charged with the administration of the State law, finds that there is a failure to comply substantially with the requirements of paragraph (1), the Secretary of Labor shall notify such State agency that further payments will not be made to the State until he or she is satisfied that there is no longer any such failure. Until the Secretary of Labor is so satisfied, he or she shall make no future certification to the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to such State.
(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term "public housing agency" means any agency described in
(j) Worker profiling
(1) The State agency charged with the administration of the State law shall establish and utilize a system of profiling all new claimants for regular compensation that—
(A) identifies which claimants will be likely to exhaust regular compensation and will need job search assistance services to make a successful transition to new employment;
(B) refers claimants identified pursuant to subparagraph (A) to reemployment services, such as job search assistance services, available under any State or Federal law;
(C) collects follow-up information relating to the services received by such claimants and the employment outcomes for such claimants subsequent to receiving such services and utilizes such information in making identifications pursuant to subparagraph (A); and
(D) meets such other requirements as the Secretary of Labor determines are appropriate.
(2) Whenever the Secretary of Labor, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing to the State agency charged with the administration of the State law, finds that there is a failure to comply substantially with the requirements of paragraph (1), the Secretary of Labor shall notify such State agency that further payments will not be made to the State until he is satisfied that there is no longer any such failure. Until the Secretary of Labor is so satisfied, he shall make no further certification to the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to such State.
(k) Transfer of unemployment experience upon transfer of business
(1) For purposes of subsection (a) of this section, the unemployment compensation law of a State must provide—
(A) that if an employer transfers its business to another employer, and both employers are (at the time of transfer) under substantially common ownership, management, or control, then the unemployment experience attributable to the transferred business shall also be transferred to (and combined with the unemployment experience attributable to) the employer to whom such business is so transferred,
(B) that unemployment experience shall not, by virtue of the transfer of a business, be transferred to the person acquiring such business if—
(i) such person is not otherwise an employer at the time of such acquisition, and
(ii) the State agency finds that such person acquired the business solely or primarily for the purpose of obtaining a lower rate of contributions,
(C) that unemployment experience shall (or shall not) be transferred in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary of Labor may prescribe to ensure that higher rates of contributions are not avoided through the transfer or acquisition of a business,
(D) that meaningful civil and criminal penalties are imposed with respect to—
(i) persons that knowingly violate or attempt to violate those provisions of the State law which implement subparagraph (A) or (B) or regulations under subparagraph (C), and
(ii) persons that knowingly advise another person to violate those provisions of the State law which implement subparagraph (A) or (B) or regulations under subparagraph (C), and
(E) for the establishment of procedures to identify the transfer or acquisition of a business for purposes of this subsection.
(2) For purposes of this subsection—
(A) the term "unemployment experience", with respect to any person, refers to such person's experience with respect to unemployment or other factors bearing a direct relation to such person's unemployment risk;
(B) the term "employer" means an employer as defined under the State law;
(C) the term "business" means a trade or business (or a part thereof);
(D) the term "contributions" has the meaning given such term by section 3306(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(E) the term "knowingly" means having actual knowledge of or acting with deliberate ignorance of or reckless disregard for the prohibition involved; and
(F) the term "person" has the meaning given such term by section 7701(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title III, §303,
References in Text
The Federal Unemployment Tax Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, §§3301–3311,
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (d)(1)(B), is
Part D of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (e)(1), is classified to
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (k)(2)(D), (F), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Codification
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (d)(1)(A).
Subsec. (d)(1)(B).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C), (D).
Subsec. (d)(4).
2004—Subsec. (k).
2002—Subsec. (a)(5).
1997—Subsec. (h)(1)(C).
Subsec. (i)(5).
1996—Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (h).
"(1) The State agency charged with the administration of the State law shall take such actions (in such manner as may be provided in the agreement between the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Labor under
"(2) Whenever the Secretary of Labor, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing to the State agency charged with the administration of the State law, finds that there is a failure to comply substantially with the requirement of paragraph (1), the Secretary of Labor shall notify such State agency that further payments will not be made to the State until such Secretary is satisfied that there is no longer any such failure. Until the Secretary of Labor is so satisfied, such Secretary shall make no further certification to the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to such State."
1994—Subsec. (a)(5).
1993—Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (j).
1992—Subsec. (a)(5).
1988—Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
1986—Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (g).
1985—Subsec. (d)(2) to (4).
1984—Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (c)(1), (2).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (f).
1983—Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (c)(3).
1982—Subsec. (e)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A)(iii)(II).
1981—Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(3), (4).
1980—Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
1954—Subsec. (a)(5). Act Aug. 5, 1954, made it clear that the funds credited to the State account may, subject to certain restrictions, be used for administrative expenses of the State in connection with its unemployment compensation law.
1950—Subsec. (b). Act Aug. 28, 1950, inserted provisos.
1946—Subsec. (a)(5). Act Aug. 10, 1946, inserted proviso allowing payment of disability benefits.
1939—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 10, 1939, substituted "Federal Unemployment Tax Act" for "
Subsec. (c)(2). Act June 20, 1939, substituted "unemployment" for "employment".
1938—Subsec. (c). Act June 25, 1938, added subsec. (c).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by sections 4002(b)(1)(A), (B), (D), (2)(V), and 4115(c)(1)(A)(i), (B)(iii), (2)(F) of
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment; Definitions
"(c)
"(d)
"(1) the term 'State' includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands;
"(2) the term 'rate year' means the rate year as defined in the applicable State law; and
"(3) the term 'State law' means the unemployment compensation law of the State, approved by the Secretary of Labor under section 3304 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 542(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
For effective date of amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 4(f) of
"(1) The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and
"(2) The provisions of subsections (c), (d), and (e) [enacting provisions set out as notes below and repealing provisions set out as a note under
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 12401(c) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 2651(d) of
Amendment by section 2663(b)(2)–(5) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by section 523(b) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Section 171(c) of
Section 175(b) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 2335(c) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Section 408(b)(3) of
Section 127(b)(3) of
Transfer of Functions
Functions, powers, and duties of Secretary of Labor under subsec. (a)(1) of this section, insofar as relates to the prescription of personnel standards on a merit basis, transferred to Office of Personnel Management, see
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of Labor, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of Labor, with to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 6 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
Functions of Federal Security Administrator with respect to unemployment compensation transferred to Secretary of Labor by section 1 of Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1949 set out in the Appendix to Title 5.
Section 1 of Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1949 also provided that functions transferred by this section shall be performed by Secretary of Labor, or subject to his direction and control, by such officers, agencies, and employees of Department of Labor as he shall designate.
"Administrator" substituted for "Board" by section 2 of Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1946, set out in the Appendix to Title 5.
Clarifying Provision Relating to Base Periods
Section 5401 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
Profiling System Technical Assistance
Section 4(c) of
Profiling System Report to Congress
1 So in original. Probably should be "Unemployment Trust Fund".
3 See References in Text note below.
§504. Judicial review
(a) Finding by Secretary of Labor; petition for review; filing of record
Whenever the Secretary of Labor—
(1) finds that a State law does not include any provision specified in
(2) makes a finding with respect to a State under subsection (b), (c), (d), (e), (h), (i), or (j) of
such State may, within 60 days after the Governor of the State has been notified of such action, file with the United States court of appeals for the circuit in which such State is located or with the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, a petition for review of such action. A copy of the petition shall be forthwith transmitted by the clerk of the court to the Secretary of Labor. The Secretary of Labor thereupon shall file in the court the record of the proceedings on which he based his action as provided in
(b) Findings of fact by Secretary of Labor; new or modified findings
The findings of fact by the Secretary of Labor, if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive; but the court, for good cause shown, may remand the case to the Secretary of Labor to take further evidence and the Secretary of Labor may thereupon make new or modified findings of fact and may modify his previous action, and shall certify to the court the record of the further proceedings. Such new or modified findings of fact shall likewise be conclusive if supported by substantial evidence.
(c) Affirmance or setting aside of Secretary's action; review by Supreme Court
The court shall have jurisdiction to affirm the action of the Secretary of Labor or to set it aside, in whole or in part. The judgment of the court shall be subject to review by the Supreme Court of the United States upon certiorari or certification as provided in
(d) Stay of Secretary's action
(1) The Secretary of Labor shall not withhold any certification for payment to any State under
(2) The commencement of judicial proceedings under this section shall stay the Secretary's action for a period of 30 days, and the court may thereafter grant interim relief if warranted, including a further stay of the Secretary's action and including such other relief as may be necessary to preserve status or rights.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title III, §304, as added
Amendments
1993—Subsec. (a)(2).
1988—Subsec. (a)(2).
1984—Subsec. (e).
1980—Subsec. (a)(2).
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
SUBCHAPTER IV—GRANTS TO STATES FOR AID AND SERVICES TO NEEDY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND FOR CHILD-WELFARE SERVICES
Amendments
1968—
1962—
Part A—Block Grants to States for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Prior Provisions
A prior part A relating to aid to families with dependent children and consisting of
§601. Purpose
(a) In general
The purpose of this part is to increase the flexibility of States in operating a program designed to—
(1) provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives;
(2) end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage;
(3) prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies; and
(4) encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.
(b) No individual entitlement
This part shall not be interpreted to entitle any individual or family to assistance under any State program funded under this part.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §401, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 601, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §401,
Amendments
1997—
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 116 of title I of
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) July 1, 1997; or
"(B) the date that is 6 months after the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services receives from the State a plan described in section 402(a) of the Social Security Act [
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A)
"(i) on and after the date of such receipt—
"(I) except as provided in clause (ii), this title and the amendments made by this title (other than by section 103(c) of this Act [amending
"(II) the State shall be considered an eligible State for purposes of part A of title IV of the Social Security Act [this part] (as in effect pursuant to the amendments made by such section 103(a)); and
"(ii) during the period that begins on the date of such receipt and ends on the later of June 30, 1997, or the day before the date described in subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section, there shall remain in effect with respect to the State—
"(I) section 403(h) of the Social Security Act [
"(II) all State reporting requirements under parts A and F of title IV of the Social Security Act [this part and part F of this subchapter] (as in effect on September 30, 1995), modified by the Secretary as appropriate, taking into account the State program under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (as in effect pursuant to the amendments made by such section 103(a)).
"(B)
"(i)
"(ii) Under temporary family assistance program.—Notwithstanding section 403(a)(1) of the Social Security Act [
"(I) for fiscal year 1996, shall be an amount equal to—
"(aa) the State family assistance grant; multiplied by
"(bb) 1/366 of the number of days during the period that begins on the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services first receives from the State a plan described in section 402(a) of the Social Security Act [
"(II) for fiscal year 1997, shall be an amount equal to the lesser of—
"(aa) the amount (if any) by which the sum of the State family assistance grant and the amount, if any, that the State would have been eligible to be paid under the Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs established under section 403(b) of the Social Security Act [
"(bb) the sum of the State family assistance grant, multiplied by 1/365 of the number of days during the period that begins on October 1, 1996, or the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services first receives from the State a plan described in section 402(a) of the Social Security Act (as added by the amendment made by section 103(a)(1) of this Act), whichever is later, and ends on September 30, 1997, and the amount, if any, that the State would have been eligible to be paid under the Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs established under section 403(b) of the Social Security Act (as amended by section 103(a)(1) of this Act), during the period beginning on October 1, 1996, and ending on the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services first receives from the State a plan described in section 402(a) of the Social Security Act (as so amended) if, with respect to such State, the effective date of this Act [title] under subsection (a)(1) were August 22, 1996.
"(iii)
"(C)
"(i) the State's acceptance of the grant reductions under subparagraph (B) (including the formula for computing the amount of the reduction); and
"(ii) the termination of any entitlement of any individual or family to benefits or services under the State AFDC program.
"(D)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(iii)
"(2)
"(A) powers, duties, functions, rights, claims, penalties, or obligations applicable to aid, assistance, or services provided before the effective date of this title under the provisions amended; and
"(B) administrative actions and proceedings commenced before such date, or authorized before such date to be commenced, under such provisions.
"(3)
"(A) use the single audit procedure to review and resolve any claims in connection with the close out of programs under such State plans; and
"(B) reimburse States for any payments made for assistance or services provided during a prior fiscal year from funds for fiscal year 1995, rather than from funds authorized by this title.
"(4)
"(A) continue to serve in such position; and
"(B) except as otherwise provided by law—
"(i) continue to perform the functions of the Assistant Secretary for Family Support under section 417 of the Social Security Act [
"(ii) have the powers and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Family Support under section 416 of the Social Security Act [
"(c)
Congressional Findings
Section 101 of
"(1) Marriage is the foundation of a successful society.
"(2) Marriage is an essential institution of a successful society which promotes the interests of children.
"(3) Promotion of responsible fatherhood and motherhood is integral to successful child rearing and the well-being of children.
"(4) In 1992, only 54 percent of single-parent families with children had a child support order established and, of that 54 percent, only about one-half received the full amount due. Of the cases enforced through the public child support enforcement system, only 18 percent of the caseload has a collection.
"(5) The number of individuals receiving aid to families with dependent children (in this section referred to as 'AFDC') has more than tripled since 1965. More than two-thirds of these recipients are children. Eighty-nine percent of children receiving AFDC benefits now live in homes in which no father is present.
"(A)(i) The average monthly number of children receiving AFDC benefits—
"(I) was 3,300,000 in 1965;
"(II) was 6,200,000 in 1970;
"(III) was 7,400,000 in 1980; and
"(IV) was 9,300,000 in 1992.
"(ii) While the number of children receiving AFDC benefits increased nearly threefold between 1965 and 1992, the total number of children in the United States aged 0 to 18 has declined by 5.5 percent.
"(B) The Department of Health and Human Services has estimated that 12,000,000 children will receive AFDC benefits within 10 years.
"(C) The increase in the number of children receiving public assistance is closely related to the increase in births to unmarried women. Between 1970 and 1991, the percentage of live births to unmarried women increased nearly threefold, from 10.7 percent to 29.5 percent.
"(6) The increase of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and births is well documented as follows:
"(A) It is estimated that the rate of nonmarital teen pregnancy rose 23 percent from 54 pregnancies per 1,000 unmarried teenagers in 1976 to 66.7 pregnancies in 1991. The overall rate of nonmarital pregnancy rose 14 percent from 90.8 pregnancies per 1,000 unmarried women in 1980 to 103 in both 1991 and 1992. In contrast, the overall pregnancy rate for married couples decreased 7.3 percent between 1980 and 1991, from 126.9 pregnancies per 1,000 married women in 1980 to 117.6 pregnancies in 1991.
"(B) The total of all out-of-wedlock births between 1970 and 1991 has risen from 10.7 percent to 29.5 percent and if the current trend continues, 50 percent of all births by the year 2015 will be out-of-wedlock.
"(7) An effective strategy to combat teenage pregnancy must address the issue of male responsibility, including statutory rape culpability and prevention. The increase of teenage pregnancies among the youngest girls is particularly severe and is linked to predatory sexual practices by men who are significantly older.
"(A) It is estimated that in the late 1980's, the rate for girls age 14 and under giving birth increased 26 percent.
"(B) Data indicates that at least half of the children born to teenage mothers are fathered by adult men. Available data suggests that almost 70 percent of births to teenage girls are fathered by men over age 20.
"(C) Surveys of teen mothers have revealed that a majority of such mothers have histories of sexual and physical abuse, primarily with older adult men.
"(8) The negative consequences of an out-of-wedlock birth on the mother, the child, the family, and society are well documented as follows:
"(A) Young women 17 and under who give birth outside of marriage are more likely to go on public assistance and to spend more years on welfare once enrolled. These combined effects of 'younger and longer' increase total AFDC costs per household by 25 percent to 30 percent for 17-year-olds.
"(B) Children born out-of-wedlock have a substantially higher risk of being born at a very low or moderately low birth weight.
"(C) Children born out-of-wedlock are more likely to experience low verbal cognitive attainment, as well as more child abuse, and neglect.
"(D) Children born out-of-wedlock were more likely to have lower cognitive scores, lower educational aspirations, and a greater likelihood of becoming teenage parents themselves.
"(E) Being born out-of-wedlock significantly reduces the chances of the child growing up to have an intact marriage.
"(F) Children born out-of-wedlock are 3 times more likely to be on welfare when they grow up.
"(9) Currently 35 percent of children in single-parent homes were born out-of-wedlock, nearly the same percentage as that of children in single-parent homes whose parents are divorced (37 percent). While many parents find themselves, through divorce or tragic circumstances beyond their control, facing the difficult task of raising children alone, nevertheless, the negative consequences of raising children in single-parent homes are well documented as follows:
"(A) Only 9 percent of married-couple families with children under 18 years of age have income below the national poverty level. In contrast, 46 percent of female-headed households with children under 18 years of age are below the national poverty level.
"(B) Among single-parent families, nearly ½ of the mothers who never married received AFDC while only 1/5 of divorced mothers received AFDC.
"(C) Children born into families receiving welfare assistance are 3 times more likely to be on welfare when they reach adulthood than children not born into families receiving welfare.
"(D) Mothers under 20 years of age are at the greatest risk of bearing low birth weight babies.
"(E) The younger the single-parent mother, the less likely she is to finish high school.
"(F) Young women who have children before finishing high school are more likely to receive welfare assistance for a longer period of time.
"(G) Between 1985 and 1990, the public cost of births to teenage mothers under the aid to families with dependent children program, the food stamp program, and the medicaid program has been estimated at $120,000,000,000.
"(H) The absence of a father in the life of a child has a negative effect on school performance and peer adjustment.
"(I) Children of teenage single parents have lower cognitive scores, lower educational aspirations, and a greater likelihood of becoming teenage parents themselves.
"(J) Children of single-parent homes are 3 times more likely to fail and repeat a year in grade school than are children from intact 2-parent families.
"(K) Children from single-parent homes are almost 4 times more likely to be expelled or suspended from school.
"(L) Neighborhoods with larger percentages of youth aged 12 through 20 and areas with higher percentages of single-parent households have higher rates of violent crime.
"(M) Of those youth held for criminal offenses within the State juvenile justice system, only 29.8 percent lived primarily in a home with both parents. In contrast to these incarcerated youth, 73.9 percent of the 62,800,000 children in the Nation's resident population were living with both parents.
"(10) Therefore, in light of this demonstration of the crisis in our Nation, it is the sense of the Congress that prevention of out-of-wedlock pregnancy and reduction in out-of-wedlock birth are very important Government interests and the policy contained in part A of title IV of the Social Security Act [this part] (as amended by section 103(a) of this Act) is intended to address the crisis."
[References to the food stamp program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 considered to refer to the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under that Act, see section 4002(c) of
Appropriation by State Legislatures
Section 901 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) Part A of title IV of the Social Security Act [this part] (relating to block grants for temporary assistance for needy families).
"(2) The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 [
§602. Eligible States; State plan
(a) In general
As used in this part, the term "eligible State" means, with respect to a fiscal year, a State that, during the 27-month period ending with the close of the 1st quarter of the fiscal year, has submitted to the Secretary a plan that the Secretary has found includes the following:
(1) Outline of family assistance program
(A) General provisions
A written document that outlines how the State intends to do the following:
(i) Conduct a program, designed to serve all political subdivisions in the State (not necessarily in a uniform manner), that provides assistance to needy families with (or expecting) children and provides parents with job preparation, work, and support services to enable them to leave the program and become self-sufficient.
(ii) Require a parent or caretaker receiving assistance under the program to engage in work (as defined by the State) once the State determines the parent or caretaker is ready to engage in work, or once the parent or caretaker has received assistance under the program for 24 months (whether or not consecutive), whichever is earlier, consistent with
(iii) Ensure that parents and caretakers receiving assistance under the program engage in work activities in accordance with
(iv) Take such reasonable steps as the State deems necessary to restrict the use and disclosure of information about individuals and families receiving assistance under the program attributable to funds provided by the Federal Government.
(v) Establish goals and take action to prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies, with special emphasis on teenage pregnancies, and establish numerical goals for reducing the illegitimacy ratio of the State (as defined in section 603(a)(2)(C)(iii) 1 of this title) for calendar years 1996 through 2005.
(vi) Conduct a program, designed to reach State and local law enforcement officials, the education system, and relevant counseling services, that provides education and training on the problem of statutory rape so that teenage pregnancy prevention programs may be expanded in scope to include men.
(B) Special provisions
(i) The document shall indicate whether the State intends to treat families moving into the State from another State differently than other families under the program, and if so, how the State intends to treat such families under the program.
(ii) The document shall indicate whether the State intends to provide assistance under the program to individuals who are not citizens of the United States, and if so, shall include an overview of such assistance.
(iii) The document shall set forth objective criteria for the delivery of benefits and the determination of eligibility and for fair and equitable treatment, including an explanation of how the State will provide opportunities for recipients who have been adversely affected to be heard in a State administrative or appeal process.
(iv) Not later than 1 year after August 22, 1996, unless the chief executive officer of the State opts out of this provision by notifying the Secretary, a State shall, consistent with the exception provided in
(v) The document shall indicate whether the State intends to assist individuals to train for, seek, and maintain employment—
(I) providing direct care in a long-term care facility (as such terms are defined under
(II) in other occupations related to elder care determined appropriate by the State for which the State identifies an unmet need for service personnel,
and, if so, shall include an overview of such assistance.
(2) Certification that the State will operate a child support enforcement program
A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that, during the fiscal year, the State will operate a child support enforcement program under the State plan approved under part D of this subchapter.
(3) Certification that the State will operate a foster care and adoption assistance program
A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that, during the fiscal year, the State will operate a foster care and adoption assistance program under the State plan approved under part E of this subchapter, and that the State will take such actions as are necessary to ensure that children receiving assistance under such part are eligible for medical assistance under the State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter.
(4) Certification of the administration of the program
A certification by the chief executive officer of the State specifying which State agency or agencies will administer and supervise the program referred to in paragraph (1) for the fiscal year, which shall include assurances that local governments and private sector organizations—
(A) have been consulted regarding the plan and design of welfare services in the State so that services are provided in a manner appropriate to local populations; and
(B) have had at least 45 days to submit comments on the plan and the design of such services.
(5) Certification that the State will provide Indians with equitable access to assistance
A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that, during the fiscal year, the State will provide each member of an Indian tribe, who is domiciled in the State and is not eligible for assistance under a tribal family assistance plan approved under
(6) Certification of standards and procedures to ensure against program fraud and abuse
A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State has established and is enforcing standards and procedures to ensure against program fraud and abuse, including standards and procedures concerning nepotism, conflicts of interest among individuals responsible for the administration and supervision of the State program, kickbacks, and the use of political patronage.
(7) Optional certification of standards and procedures to ensure that the State will screen for and identify domestic violence
(A) In general
At the option of the State, a certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State has established and is enforcing standards and procedures to—
(i) screen and identify individuals receiving assistance under this part with a history of domestic violence while maintaining the confidentiality of such individuals;
(ii) refer such individuals to counseling and supportive services; and
(iii) waive, pursuant to a determination of good cause, other program requirements such as time limits (for so long as necessary) for individuals receiving assistance, residency requirements, child support cooperation requirements, and family cap provisions, in cases where compliance with such requirements would make it more difficult for individuals receiving assistance under this part to escape domestic violence or unfairly penalize such individuals who are or have been victimized by such violence, or individuals who are at risk of further domestic violence.
(B) "Domestic violence" defined
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "domestic violence" has the same meaning as the term "battered or subjected to extreme cruelty", as defined in
(b) Plan amendments
Within 30 days after a State amends a plan submitted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the State shall notify the Secretary of the amendment.
(c) Public availability of State plan summary
The State shall make available to the public a summary of any plan or plan amendment submitted by the State under this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §402, as added
References in Text
Parts D and E of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), (3), are classified to sections 651 et seq. and 670 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 602, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §402,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(v).
1999—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(iv).
1997—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(v).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 5514(c) of
Section 5518(a) of title V of
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
Demonstration of Family Independence Program
Section 9121 of
Child Support Demonstration Program in New York State
Section 9122 of
Utility Payments Made by Tenants in Assisted Housing
Exclusion From Income
Section 159 of
State Plans To Disregard Earned Income of Individuals in Determination of Need for Aid; Effective Date
Section 202(d) of
1 See References in Text note below.
§603. Grants to States
(a) Grants
(1) Family assistance grant
(A) In general
Each eligible State shall be entitled to receive from the Secretary, for each of fiscal years 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003, a grant in an amount equal to the State family assistance grant.
(B) State family assistance grant
The State family assistance grant payable to a State for a fiscal year shall be the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount specified in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph as the amount required to be paid to the State under this paragraph for fiscal year 2002 (determined without regard to any reduction pursuant to
(C) Appropriation
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated for fiscal year 2003 $16,566,542,000 for grants under this paragraph.
(2) Healthy marriage promotion and responsible fatherhood grants
(A) In general
(i) Use of funds
Subject to subparagraphs (B), (C), and (E), the Secretary may use the funds made available under subparagraph (D) for the purpose of conducting and supporting research and demonstration projects by public or private entities, and providing technical assistance to States, Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and such other entities as the Secretary may specify that are receiving a grant under another provision of this part.
(ii) Limitations
The Secretary may not award funds made available under this paragraph on a noncompetitive basis, and may not provide any such funds to an entity for the purpose of carrying out healthy marriage promotion activities or for the purpose of carrying out activities promoting responsible fatherhood unless the entity has submitted to the Secretary an application (or, in the case of an entity seeking funding to carry out healthy marriage promotion activities and activities promoting responsible fatherhood, a combined application that contains assurances that the entity will carry out such activities under separate programs and shall not combine any funds awarded to carry out either such activities) which—
(I) describes—
(aa) how the programs or activities proposed in the application will address, as appropriate, issues of domestic violence; and
(bb) what the applicant will do, to the extent relevant, to ensure that participation in the programs or activities is voluntary, and to inform potential participants that their participation is voluntary; and
(II) contains a commitment by the entity—
(aa) to not use the funds for any other purpose; and
(bb) to consult with experts in domestic violence or relevant community domestic violence coalitions in developing the programs and activities.
(iii) Healthy marriage promotion activities
In clause (ii), the term "healthy marriage promotion activities" means the following:
(I) Public advertising campaigns on the value of marriage and the skills needed to increase marital stability and health.
(II) Education in high schools on the value of marriage, relationship skills, and budgeting.
(III) Marriage education, marriage skills, and relationship skills programs, that may include parenting skills, financial management, conflict resolution, and job and career advancement.
(IV) Pre-marital education and marriage skills training for engaged couples and for couples or individuals interested in marriage.
(V) Marriage enhancement and marriage skills training programs for married couples.
(VI) Divorce reduction programs that teach relationship skills.
(VII) Marriage mentoring programs which use married couples as role models and mentors in at-risk communities.
(VIII) Programs to reduce the disincentives to marriage in means-tested aid programs, if offered in conjunction with any activity described in this subparagraph.
(B) Limitation on use of funds for demonstration projects for coordination of provision of child welfare and TANF services to tribal families at risk of child abuse or neglect
(i) In general
Of the amounts made available under subparagraph (D) for a fiscal year, the Secretary may not award more than $2,000,000 on a competitive basis to fund demonstration projects designed to test the effectiveness of tribal governments or tribal consortia in coordinating the provision to tribal families at risk of child abuse or neglect of child welfare services and services under tribal programs funded under this part.
(ii) Limitation on use of funds
A grant made pursuant to clause (i) to such a project shall not be used for any purpose other than—
(I) to improve case management for families eligible for assistance from such a tribal program;
(II) for supportive services and assistance to tribal children in out-of-home placements and the tribal families caring for such children, including families who adopt such children; and
(III) for prevention services and assistance to tribal families at risk of child abuse and neglect.
(iii) Reports
The Secretary may require a recipient of funds awarded under this subparagraph to provide the Secretary with such information as the Secretary deems relevant to enable the Secretary to facilitate and oversee the administration of any project for which funds are provided under this subparagraph.
(C) Limitation on use of funds for activities promoting responsible fatherhood
(i) In general
Of the amounts made available under subparagraph (D) for a fiscal year, the Secretary may not award more than $75,000,000 on a competitive basis to States, territories, Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and public and nonprofit community entities, including religious organizations, for activities promoting responsible fatherhood.
(ii) Activities promoting responsible fatherhood
In this paragraph, the term "activities promoting responsible fatherhood" means the following:
(I) Activities to promote marriage or sustain marriage through activities such as counseling, mentoring, disseminating information about the benefits of marriage and 2-parent involvement for children, enhancing relationship skills, education regarding how to control aggressive behavior, disseminating information on the causes of domestic violence and child abuse, marriage preparation programs, premarital counseling, marital inventories, skills-based marriage education, financial planning seminars, including improving a family's ability to effectively manage family business affairs by means such as education, counseling, or mentoring on matters related to family finances, including household management, budgeting, banking, and handling of financial transactions and home maintenance, and divorce education and reduction programs, including mediation and counseling.
(II) Activities to promote responsible parenting through activities such as counseling, mentoring, and mediation, disseminating information about good parenting practices, skills-based parenting education, encouraging child support payments, and other methods.
(III) Activities to foster economic stability by helping fathers improve their economic status by providing activities such as work first services, job search, job training, subsidized employment, job retention, job enhancement, and encouraging education, including career-advancing education, dissemination of employment materials, coordination with existing employment services such as welfare-to-work programs, referrals to local employment training initiatives, and other methods.
(IV) Activities to promote responsible fatherhood that are conducted through a contract with a nationally recognized, nonprofit fatherhood promotion organization, such as the development, promotion, and distribution of a media campaign to encourage the appropriate involvement of parents in the life of any child and specifically the issue of responsible fatherhood, and the development of a national clearinghouse to assist States and communities in efforts to promote and support marriage and responsible fatherhood.
(D) Appropriation
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated for fiscal year 2011 for expenditure in accordance with this paragraph—
(i) $75,000,000 for awarding funds for the purpose of carrying out healthy marriage promotion activities; and
(ii) $75,000,000 for awarding funds for the purpose of carrying out activities promoting responsible fatherhood.
If the Secretary makes an award under subparagraph (B)(i) for fiscal year 2011, the funds for such award shall be taken in equal portion from the amounts appropriated under clauses (i) and (ii).
(E) Preference
In awarding funds under this paragraph for fiscal year 2011, the Secretary shall give preference to entities that were awarded funds under this paragraph for any prior fiscal year and that have demonstrated the ability to successfully carry out the programs funded under this paragraph.
(3) Supplemental grant for population increases in certain States
(A) In general
Each qualifying State shall, subject to subparagraph (F), be entitled to receive from the Secretary—
(i) for fiscal year 1998 a grant in an amount equal to 2.5 percent of the total amount required to be paid to the State under former
(ii) for each of fiscal years 1999, 2000, and 2001, a grant in an amount equal to the sum of—
(I) the amount (if any) required to be paid to the State under this paragraph for the immediately preceding fiscal year; and
(II) 2.5 percent of the sum of—
(aa) the total amount required to be paid to the State under former
(bb) the amount (if any) required to be paid to the State under this paragraph for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the grant is to be made.
(B) Preservation of grant without increases for States failing to remain qualifying States
Each State that is not a qualifying State for a fiscal year specified in subparagraph (A)(ii) but was a qualifying State for a prior fiscal year shall, subject to subparagraph (F), be entitled to receive from the Secretary for the specified fiscal year, a grant in an amount equal to the amount required to be paid to the State under this paragraph for the most recent fiscal year for which the State was a qualifying State.
(C) Qualifying State
(i) In general
For purposes of this paragraph, a State is a qualifying State for a fiscal year if—
(I) the level of welfare spending per poor person by the State for the immediately preceding fiscal year is less than the national average level of State welfare spending per poor person for such preceding fiscal year; and
(II) the population growth rate of the State (as determined by the Bureau of the Census) for the most recent fiscal year for which information is available exceeds the average population growth rate for all States (as so determined) for such most recent fiscal year.
(ii) State must qualify in fiscal year 1998
Notwithstanding clause (i), a State shall not be a qualifying State for any fiscal year after 1998 by reason of clause (i) if the State is not a qualifying State for fiscal year 1998 by reason of clause (i).
(iii) Certain States deemed qualifying States
For purposes of this paragraph, a State is deemed to be a qualifying State for fiscal years 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 if—
(I) the level of welfare spending per poor person by the State for fiscal year 1994 is less than 35 percent of the national average level of State welfare spending per poor person for fiscal year 1994; or
(II) the population of the State increased by more than 10 percent from April 1, 1990 to July 1, 1994, according to the population estimates in publication CB94–204 of the Bureau of the Census.
(D) Definitions
As used in this paragraph:
(i) Level of welfare spending per poor person
The term "level of State welfare spending per poor person" means, with respect to a State and a fiscal year—
(I) the sum of—
(aa) the total amount required to be paid to the State under former
(bb) the amount (if any) paid to the State under this paragraph for the immediately preceding fiscal year; divided by
(II) the number of individuals, according to the 1990 decennial census, who were residents of the State and whose income was below the poverty line.
(ii) National average level of State welfare spending per poor person
The term "national average level of State welfare spending per poor person" means, with respect to a fiscal year, an amount equal to—
(I) the total amount required to be paid to the States under former
(II) the number of individuals, according to the 1990 decennial census, who were residents of any State and whose income was below the poverty line.
(iii) State
The term "State" means each of the 50 States of the United States and the District of Columbia.
(E) Appropriation
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated for fiscal years 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 such sums as are necessary for grants under this paragraph, in a total amount not to exceed $800,000,000.
(F) Grants reduced pro rata if insufficient appropriations
If the amount appropriated pursuant to this paragraph for a fiscal year (or portion of a fiscal year) is less than the total amount of payments otherwise required to be made under this paragraph for the fiscal year (or portion of the fiscal year), then the amount otherwise payable to any State for the fiscal year (or portion of the fiscal year) under this paragraph shall be reduced by a percentage equal to the amount so appropriated divided by such total amount.
(G) Budget scoring
Notwithstanding
(H) Reauthorization
Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph—
(i) any State that was a qualifying State under this paragraph for fiscal year 2001 or any prior fiscal year shall be entitled to receive from the Secretary for each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003 a grant in an amount equal to the amount required to be paid to the State under this paragraph for the most recent fiscal year in which the State was a qualifying State;
(ii) subparagraph (G) shall be applied as if "fiscal year 2011" were substituted for "fiscal year 2001"; 1
(iii) out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated for each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003 such sums as are necessary for grants under this subparagraph.
(4) Bonus to reward high performance States
(A) In general
The Secretary shall make a grant pursuant to this paragraph to each State for each bonus year for which the State is a high performing State.
(B) Amount of grant
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii) of this subparagraph, the Secretary shall determine the amount of the grant payable under this paragraph to a high performing State for a bonus year, which shall be based on the score assigned to the State under subparagraph (D)(i) for the fiscal year that immediately precedes the bonus year.
(ii) Limitation
The amount payable to a State under this paragraph for a bonus year shall not exceed 5 percent of the State family assistance grant.
(C) Formula for measuring State performance
Not later than 1 year after August 22, 1996, the Secretary, in consultation with the National Governors' Association and the American Public Welfare Association, shall develop a formula for measuring State performance in operating the State program funded under this part so as to achieve the goals set forth in
(D) Scoring of State performance; setting of performance thresholds
For each bonus year, the Secretary shall—
(i) use the formula developed under subparagraph (C) to assign a score to each eligible State for the fiscal year that immediately precedes the bonus year; and
(ii) prescribe a performance threshold in such a manner so as to ensure that—
(I) the average annual total amount of grants to be made under this paragraph for each bonus year equals $200,000,000; and
(II) the total amount of grants to be made under this paragraph for all bonus years equals $1,000,000,000.
(E) Definitions
As used in this paragraph:
(i) Bonus year
The term "bonus year" means fiscal years 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003.
(ii) High performing State
The term "high performing State" means, with respect to a bonus year, an eligible State whose score assigned pursuant to subparagraph (D)(i) for the fiscal year immediately preceding the bonus year equals or exceeds the performance threshold prescribed under subparagraph (D)(ii) for such preceding fiscal year.
(F) Appropriation
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated for fiscal years 1999 through 2003 $1,000,000,000 for grants under this paragraph.
(5) Welfare-to-work grants
(A) Formula grants
(i) Entitlement
A State shall be entitled to receive from the Secretary of Labor a grant for each fiscal year specified in subparagraph (H) of this paragraph for which the State is a welfare-to-work State, in an amount that does not exceed the lesser of—
(I) 2 times the total of the expenditures by the State (excluding qualified State expenditures (as defined in
(II) the allotment of the State under clause (iii) of this subparagraph for the fiscal year.
(ii) Welfare-to-work State
A State shall be considered a welfare-to-work State for a fiscal year for purposes of this paragraph if the Secretary of Labor determines that the State meets the following requirements:
(I) The State has submitted to the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in the form of an addendum to the State plan submitted under
(aa) describes how, consistent with this subparagraph, the State will use any funds provided under this subparagraph during the fiscal year;
(bb) specifies the formula to be used pursuant to clause (vi) to distribute funds in the State, and describes the process by which the formula was developed;
(cc) contains evidence that the plan was developed in consultation and coordination with appropriate entitites 2 in sub-State areas;
(dd) contains assurances by the Governor of the State that the private industry council (and any alternate agency designated by the Governor under item (ee)) for a service delivery area in the State will coordinate the expenditure of any funds provided under this subparagraph for the benefit of the service delivery area with the expenditure of the funds provided to the State under paragraph (1);
(ee) if the Governor of the State desires to have an agency other than a private industry council administer the funds provided under this subparagraph for the benefit of 1 or more service delivery areas in the State, contains an application to the Secretary of Labor for a waiver of clause (vii)(I) with respect to the area or areas in order to permit an alternate agency designated by the Governor to so administer the funds; and
(ff) describes how the State will ensure that a private industry council to which information is disclosed pursuant to section 603(a)(5)(K) 3 or 654A(f)(5) of this title has procedures for safeguarding the information and for ensuring that the information is used solely for the purpose described in that section.
(II) The State has provided to the Secretary of Labor an estimate of the amount that the State intends to expend during the period permitted under subparagraph (C)(vii) of this paragraph for the expenditure of funds under the grant (excluding expenditures described in
(III) The State has agreed to negotiate in good faith with the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to the substance and funding of any evaluation under
(IV) The State is an eligible State for the fiscal year.
(V) The State certifies that qualified State expenditures (within the meaning of
(iii) Allotments to welfare-to-work States
(I) In general
Subject to this clause, the allotment of a welfare-to-work State for a fiscal year shall be the available amount for the fiscal year, multiplied by the State percentage for the fiscal year.
(II) Minimum allotment
The allotment of a welfare-to-work State (other than Guam, the Virgin Islands, or American Samoa) for a fiscal year shall not be less than 0.25 percent of the available amount for the fiscal year.
(III) Pro rata reduction
Subject to subclause (II), the Secretary of Labor shall make pro rata reductions in the allotments to States under this clause for a fiscal year as necessary to ensure that the total of the allotments does not exceed the available amount for the fiscal year.
(iv) Available amount
As used in this subparagraph, the term "available amount" means, for a fiscal year, the sum of—
(I) 75 percent of the sum of—
(aa) the amount specified in subparagraph (H) for the fiscal year, minus the total of the amounts reserved pursuant to subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) for the fiscal year; and
(bb) any amount reserved pursuant to subparagraph (E) for the immediately preceding fiscal year that has not been obligated; and
(II) any available amount for the immediately preceding fiscal year that has not been obligated by a State, other than funds reserved by the State for distribution under clause (vi)(III) and funds distributed pursuant to clause (vi)(I) in any State in which the service delivery area is the State.
(v) State percentage
As used in clause (iii), the term "State percentage" means, with respect to a fiscal year, ½ of the sum of—
(I) the percentage represented by the number of individuals in the State whose income is less than the poverty line divided by the number of such individuals in the United States; and
(II) the percentage represented by the number of adults who are recipients of assistance under the State program funded under this part divided by the number of adults in the United States who are recipients of assistance under any State program funded under this part.
(vi) Procedure for distribution of funds within States
(I) Allocation formula
A State to which a grant is made under this subparagraph shall devise a formula for allocating not less than 85 percent of the amount of the grant among the service delivery areas in the State, which—
(aa) determines the amount to be allocated for the benefit of a service delivery area in proportion to the number (if any) by which the population of the area with an income that is less than the poverty line exceeds 7.5 percent of the total population of the area, relative to such number for all such areas in the State with such an excess, and accords a weight of not less than 50 percent to this factor;
(bb) may determine the amount to be allocated for the benefit of such an area in proportion to the number of adults residing in the area who have been recipients of assistance under the State program funded under this part (whether in effect before or after the amendments made by section 103(a) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 first applied to the State) for at least 30 months (whether or not consecutive) relative to the number of such adults residing in the State; and
(cc) may determine the amount to be allocated for the benefit of such an area in proportion to the number of unemployed individuals residing in the area relative to the number of such individuals residing in the State.
(II) Distribution of funds
(aa) In general
If the amount allocated by the formula to a service delivery area is at least $100,000, the State shall distribute the amount to the entity administering the grant in the area.
(bb) Special rule
If the amount allocated by the formula to a service delivery area is less than $100,000, the sum shall be available for distribution in the State under subclause (III) during the fiscal year.
(III) Projects to help long-term recipients of assistance enter unsubsidized jobs
The Governor of a State to which a grant is made under this subparagraph may distribute not more than 15 percent of the grant funds (plus any amount required to be distributed under this subclause by reason of subclause (II)(bb)) to projects that appear likely to help long-term recipients of assistance under the State program funded under this part (whether in effect before or after the amendments made by section 103(a) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 first applied to the State) enter unsubsidized employment.
(vii) Administration
(I) Private industry councils
The private industry council for a service delivery area in a State shall have sole authority, in coordination with the chief elected official (as defined in section 101 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 [
(II) Enforcement of coordination of expenditures with other expenditures under this part
Notwithstanding subclause (I) of this clause, on a determination by the Governor of a State that a private industry council (or an alternate agency described in clause (ii)(I)(dd)) has used funds provided under this subparagraph in a manner inconsistent with the assurances described in clause (ii)(I)(dd)—
(aa) the private industry council (or such alternate agency) shall remit the funds to the Governor; and
(bb) the Governor shall apply to the Secretary of Labor for a waiver of subclause (I) of this clause with respect to the service delivery area or areas involved in order to permit an alternate agency designated by the Governor to administer the funds in accordance with the assurances.
(III) Authority to permit use of alternate administering agency
The Secretary of Labor shall approve an application submitted under clause (ii)(I)(ee) or subclause (II)(bb) of this clause to waive subclause (I) of this clause with respect to 1 or more service delivery areas if the Secretary determines that the alternate agency designated in the application would improve the effectiveness or efficiency of the administration of amounts distributed under clause (vi)(II)(aa) for the benefit of the area or areas.
(viii) Data to be used in determining the number of adult TANF recipients
For purposes of this subparagraph, the number of adult recipients of assistance under a State program funded under this part for a fiscal year shall be determined using data for the most recent 12-month period for which such data is available before the beginning of the fiscal year.
(ix) Reversion of unallotted formula funds
If at the end of any fiscal year any funds available under this subparagraph have not been allotted due to a determination by the Secretary that any State has not met the requirements of clause (ii), such funds shall be transferred to the General Fund of the Treasury of the United States.
(B) Competitive grants
(i) In general
The Secretary of Labor shall award grants in accordance with this subparagraph, in fiscal years 1998 and 1999, for projects proposed by eligible applicants, based on the following:
(I) The effectiveness of the proposal in—
(aa) expanding the base of knowledge about programs aimed at moving recipients of assistance under State programs funded under this part who are least job ready into unsubsidized employment.4
(bb) moving recipients of assistance under State programs funded under this part who are least job ready into unsubsidized employment; and
(cc) moving recipients of assistance under State programs funded under this part who are least job ready into unsubsidized employment, even in labor markets that have a shortage of low-skill jobs.
(II) At the discretion of the Secretary of Labor, any of the following:
(aa) The history of success of the applicant in moving individuals with multiple barriers into work.
(bb) Evidence of the applicant's ability to leverage private, State, and local resources.
(cc) Use by the applicant of State and local resources beyond those required by subparagraph (A).
(dd) Plans of the applicant to coordinate with other organizations at the local and State level.
(ee) Use by the applicant of current or former recipients of assistance under a State program funded under this part as mentors, case managers, or service providers.
(ii) Eligible applicants
As used in clause (i), the term "eligible applicant" means a private industry council for a service delivery area in a State, a political subdivision of a State, or a private entity applying in conjunction with the private industry council for such a service delivery area or with such a political subdivision, that submits a proposal developed in consultation with the Governor of the State.
(iii) Determination of grant amount
In determining the amount of a grant to be made under this subparagraph for a project proposed by an applicant, the Secretary of Labor shall provide the applicant with an amount sufficient to ensure that the project has a reasonable opportunity to be successful, taking into account the number of long-term recipients of assistance under a State program funded under this part, the level of unemployment, the job opportunities and job growth, the poverty rate, and such other factors as the Secretary of Labor deems appropriate, in the area to be served by the project.
(iv) Consideration of needs of rural areas and cities with large concentrations of poverty
In making grants under this subparagraph, the Secretary of Labor shall consider the needs of rural areas and cities with large concentrations of residents with an income that is less than the poverty line.
(v) Funding
For grants under this subparagraph for each fiscal year specified in subparagraph (H), there shall be available to the Secretary of Labor an amount equal to the sum of—
(I) 25 percent of the sum of—
(aa) the amount specified in subparagraph (H) for the fiscal year, minus the total of the amounts reserved pursuant to subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) for the fiscal year; and
(bb) any amount reserved pursuant to subparagraph (E) for the immediately preceding fiscal year that has not been obligated; and
(II) any amount available for grants under this subparagraph for the immediately preceding fiscal year that has not been obligated.
(C) Limitations on use of funds
(i) Allowable activities
An entity to which funds are provided under this paragraph shall use the funds to move individuals into and keep individuals in lasting unsubsidized employment by means of any of the following:
(I) The conduct and administration of community service or work experience programs.
(II) Job creation through public or private sector employment wage subsidies.
(III) On-the-job training.
(IV) Contracts with public or private providers of readiness, placement, and post-employment services, or if the entity is not a private industry council or workforce investment board, the direct provision of such services.
(V) Job vouchers for placement, readiness, and postemployment services.
(VI) Job retention or support services if such services are not otherwise available.
(VII) Not more than 6 months of vocational educational or job training.
Contracts or vouchers for job placement services supported by such funds must require that at least ½ of the payment occur after an eligible individual placed into the workforce has been in the workforce for 6 months.
(ii) General eligibility
An entity that operates a project with funds provided under this paragraph may expend funds provided to the project for the benefit of recipients of assistance under the program funded under this part of the State in which the entity is located who—
(I) has received assistance under the State program funded under this part (whether in effect before or after the amendments made by section 103 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 first apply to the State) for at least 30 months (whether or not consecutive); or
(II) within 12 months, will become ineligible for assistance under the State program funded under this part by reason of a durational limit on such assistance, without regard to any exemption provided pursuant to
(iii) Noncustodial parents
An entity that operates a project with funds provided under this paragraph may use the funds to provide services in a form described in clause (i) to noncustodial parents with respect to whom the requirements of the following subclauses are met:
(I) The noncustodial parent is unemployed, underemployed, or having difficulty in paying child support obligations.
(II) At least 1 of the following applies to a minor child of the noncustodial parent (with preference in the determination of the noncustodial parents to be provided services under this paragraph to be provided by the entity to those noncustodial parents with minor children who meet, or who have custodial parents who meet, the requirements of item (aa)):
(aa) The minor child or the custodial parent of the minor child meets the requirements of subclause (I) or (II) of clause (ii).
(bb) The minor child is eligible for, or is receiving, benefits under the program funded under this part.
(cc) The minor child received benefits under the program funded under this part in the 12-month period preceding the date of the determination but no longer receives such benefits.
(dd) The minor child is eligible for, or is receiving, assistance under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 [
(III) In the case of a noncustodial parent who becomes enrolled in the project on or after November 29, 1999, the noncustodial parent is in compliance with the terms of an oral or written personal responsibility contract entered into among the noncustodial parent, the entity, and (unless the entity demonstrates to the Secretary that the entity is not capable of coordinating with such agency) the agency responsible for administering the State plan under part D of this subchapter, which was developed taking into account the employment and child support status of the noncustodial parent, which was entered into not later than 30 (or, at the option of the entity, not later than 90) days after the noncustodial parent was enrolled in the project, and which, at a minimum, includes the following:
(aa) A commitment by the noncustodial parent to cooperate, at the earliest opportunity, in the establishment of the paternity of the minor child, through voluntary acknowledgement or other procedures, and in the establishment of a child support order.
(bb) A commitment by the noncustodial parent to cooperate in the payment of child support for the minor child, which may include a modification of an existing support order to take into account the ability of the noncustodial parent to pay such support and the participation of such parent in the project.
(cc) A commitment by the noncustodial parent to participate in employment or related activities that will enable the noncustodial parent to make regular child support payments, and if the noncustodial parent has not attained 20 years of age, such related activities may include completion of high school, a general equivalency degree, or other education directly related to employment.
(dd) A description of the services to be provided under this paragraph, and a commitment by the noncustodial parent to participate in such services, that are designed to assist the noncustodial parent obtain and retain employment, increase earnings, and enhance the financial and emotional contributions to the well-being of the minor child.
In order to protect custodial parents and children who may be at risk of domestic violence, the preceding provisions of this subclause shall not be construed to affect any other provision of law requiring a custodial parent to cooperate in establishing the paternity of a child or establishing or enforcing a support order with respect to a child, or entitling a custodial parent to refuse, for good cause, to provide such cooperation as a condition of assistance or benefit under any program, shall not be construed to require such cooperation by the custodial parent as a condition of participation of either parent in the program authorized under this paragraph, and shall not be construed to require a custodial parent to cooperate with or participate in any activity under this clause. The entity operating a project under this clause with funds provided under this paragraph shall consult with domestic violence prevention and intervention organizations in the development of the project.
(iv) Targeting of hard to employ individuals with characteristics associated with long-term welfare dependence
An entity that operates a project with funds provided under this paragraph may expend not more than 30 percent of all funds provided to the project for programs that provide assistance in a form described in clause (i)—
(I) to recipients of assistance under the program funded under this part of the State in which the entity is located who have characteristics associated with long-term welfare dependence (such as school dropout, teen pregnancy, or poor work history), including, at the option of the State, by providing assistance in such form as a condition of receiving assistance under the State program funded under this part;
(II) to children—
(aa) who have attained 18 years of age but not 25 years of age; and
(bb) who, before attaining 18 years of age, were recipients of foster care maintenance payments (as defined in
(III) to recipients of assistance under the State program funded under this part, determined to have significant barriers to self-sufficiency, pursuant to criteria established by the local private industry council; or
(IV) to custodial parents with incomes below 100 percent of the poverty line (as defined in
To the extent that the entity does not expend such funds in accordance with the preceding sentence, the entity shall expend such funds in accordance with clauses (ii) and (iii) and, as appropriate, clause (v).
(v) Authority to provide work-related services to individuals who have reached the 5-year limit
An entity that operates a project with funds provided under this paragraph may use the funds to provide assistance in a form described in clause (i) of this subparagraph to, or for the benefit of, individuals who (but for
(vi) Relationship to other provisions of this part
(I) Rules governing use of funds
The rules of
(II) Rules governing payments to States
The Secretary of Labor shall carry out the functions otherwise assigned by
(III) Administration
(vii) Prohibition against use of grant funds for any other fund matching requirement
An entity to which funds are provided under this paragraph shall not use any part of the funds, nor any part of State expenditures made to match the funds, to fulfill any obligation of any State, political subdivision, or private industry council to contribute funds under subsection (b) of this section or
(viii) Deadline for expenditure
An entity to which funds are provided under this paragraph shall remit to the Secretary of Labor any part of the funds that are not expended within 5 years after the date the funds are so provided.
(ix) Regulations
Within 90 days after August 5, 1997, the Secretary of Labor, after consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to implement this paragraph.
(x) Reporting requirements
The Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, States, and organizations that represent State or local governments, shall establish requirements for the collection and maintenance of financial and participant information and the reporting of such information by entities carrying out activities under this paragraph.
(D) Definitions
(i) Individuals with income less than the poverty line
For purposes of this paragraph, the number of individuals with an income that is less than the poverty line shall be determined for a fiscal year—
(I) based on the methodology used by the Bureau of the Census to produce and publish intercensal poverty data for States and counties (or, in the case of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa, other poverty data selected by the Secretary of Labor); and
(II) using data for the most recent year for which such data is available before the beginning of the fiscal year.
(ii) Private industry council
As used in this paragraph, the term "private industry council" means, with respect to a service delivery area, the private industry council or local workforce investment board established for the service delivery area pursuant to title I of the Workforce Investment Area 5 of 1998 [
(iii) Service delivery area
As used in this paragraph, the term "service delivery area" shall have the meaning given such term for purposes of the Job Training Partnership Act or.6
(E) Funding for Indian tribes
1 percent of the amount specified in subparagraph (H) for fiscal year 1998 and $15,000,000 of the amount so specified for fiscal year 1999 shall be reserved for grants to Indian tribes under
(F) Funding for evaluations of welfare-to-work programs
0.6 percent of the amount specified in subparagraph (H) for fiscal year 1998 and $9,000,000 of the amount so specified for fiscal year 1999 shall be reserved for use by the Secretary to carry out
(G) Funding for evaluation of abstinence education programs
(i) In general
0.2 percent of the amount specified in subparagraph (H) for fiscal year 1998 and $3,000,000 of the amount so specified for fiscal year 1999 shall be reserved for use by the Secretary to evaluate programs under
(ii) Authority to use funds for evaluations of welfare-to-work programs
Any such amount not required for such evaluations shall be available for use by the Secretary to carry out
(iii) Deadline for outlays
Outlays from funds used pursuant to clause (i) for evaluation of programs under
(iv) Interim report
Not later than January 1, 2002, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress an interim report on the evaluations referred to in clause (i).
(H) Appropriations
(i) In general
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated for grants under this paragraph—
(I) $1,500,000,000 for fiscal year 1998; and
(II) $1,400,000,000 for fiscal year 1999.
(ii) Availability
The amounts made available pursuant to clause (i) shall remain available for such period as is necessary to make the grants provided for in this paragraph.
(I) Worker protections
(i) Nondisplacement in work activities
(I) General prohibition
Subject to this clause, an adult in a family receiving assistance attributable to funds provided under this paragraph may fill a vacant employment position in order to engage in a work activity.
(II) Prohibition against violation of contracts
A work activity engaged in under a program operated with funds provided under this paragraph shall not violate an existing contract for services or a collective bargaining agreement, and such a work activity that would violate a collective bargaining agreement shall not be undertaken without the written concurrence of the labor organization and employer concerned.
(III) Other prohibitions
An adult participant in a work activity engaged in under a program operated with funds provided under this paragraph shall not be employed or assigned—
(aa) when any other individual is on layoff from the same or any substantially equivalent job;
(bb) if the employer has terminated the employment of any regular employee or otherwise caused an involuntary reduction in its workforce with the intention of filling the vacancy so created with the participant; or
(cc) if the employer has caused an involuntary reduction to less than full time in hours of any employee in the same or a substantially equivalent job.
(ii) Health and safety
Health and safety standards established under Federal and State law otherwise applicable to working conditions of employees shall be equally applicable to working conditions of other participants engaged in a work activity under a program operated with funds provided under this paragraph.
(iii) Nondiscrimination
In addition to the protections provided under the provisions of law specified in
(iv) Grievance procedure
(I) In general
Each State to which a grant is made under this paragraph shall establish and maintain a procedure for grievances or complaints from employees alleging violations of clause (i) and participants in work activities alleging violations of clause (i), (ii), or (iii).
(II) Hearing
The procedure shall include an opportunity for a hearing.
(III) Remedies
The procedure shall include remedies for violation of clause (i), (ii), or (iii), which may continue during the pendency of the procedure, and which may include—
(aa) suspension or termination of payments from funds provided under this paragraph;
(bb) prohibition of placement of a participant with an employer that has violated clause (i), (ii), or (iii);
(cc) where applicable, reinstatement of an employee, payment of lost wages and benefits, and reestablishment of other relevant terms, conditions and privileges of employment; and
(dd) where appropriate, other equitable relief.
(IV) Appeals
(aa) Filing
Not later than 30 days after a grievant or complainant receives an adverse decision under the procedure established pursuant to subclause (I), the grievant or complainant may appeal the decision to a State agency designated by the State which shall be independent of the State or local agency that is administering the programs operated with funds provided under this paragraph and the State agency administering, or supervising the administration of, the State program funded under this part.
(bb) Final determination
Not later than 120 days after the State agency designated under item (aa) receives a grievance or complaint made under the procedure established by a State pursuant to subclause (I), the State agency shall make a final determination on the appeal.
(v) Rule of interpretation
This subparagraph shall not be construed to affect the authority of a State to provide or require workers' compensation.
(vi) Nonpreemption of State law
The provisions of this subparagraph shall not be construed to preempt any provision of State law that affords greater protections to employees or to other participants engaged in work activities under a program funded under this part than is afforded by such provisions of this subparagraph.
(J) Information disclosure
If a State to which a grant is made under this section establishes safeguards against the use or disclosure of information about applicants or recipients of assistance under the State program funded under this part, the safeguards shall not prevent the State agency administering the program from furnishing to a private industry council the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and identifying case number information in the State program funded under this part, of noncustodial parents residing in the service delivery area of the private industry council, for the purpose of identifying and contacting noncustodial parents regarding participation in the program under this paragraph.
(b) Contingency Fund
(1) Establishment
There is hereby established in the Treasury of the United States a fund which shall be known as the "Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs" (in this section referred to as the "Fund").
(2) Deposits into Fund
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated for fiscal years 2011 and 2012 such sums as are necessary for payment to the Fund in a total amount not to exceed, in the case of fiscal year 2011, such sums as are necessary for amounts obligated on or after October 1, 2010, and before December 8, 2010, and in the case of fiscal year 2012, $612,000,000.
(3) Grants
(A) Provisional payments
If an eligible State submits to the Secretary a request for funds under this paragraph during an eligible month, the Secretary shall, subject to this paragraph, pay to the State, from amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (2), an amount equal to the amount of funds so requested.
(B) Payment priority
The Secretary shall make payments under subparagraph (A) in the order in which the Secretary receives requests for such payments.
(C) Limitations
(i) Monthly payment to a State
The total amount paid to a single State under subparagraph (A) during a month shall not exceed 1/12 of 20 percent of the State family assistance grant.
(ii) Payments to all States
The total amount paid to all States under subparagraph (A) during fiscal year 2011 and 2012, respectively, shall not exceed the total amount appropriated pursuant to paragraph (2) for each such fiscal year.
(4) "Eligible month" defined
As used in paragraph (3)(A), the term "eligible month" means, with respect to a State, a month in the 2-month period that begins with any month for which the State is a needy State.
(5) Needy State
For purposes of paragraph (4), a State is a needy State for a month if—
(A) the average rate of—
(i) total unemployment in such State (seasonally adjusted) for the period consisting of the most recent 3 months for which data for all States are published equals or exceeds 6.5 percent; and
(ii) total unemployment in such State (seasonally adjusted) for the 3-month period equals or exceeds 110 percent of such average rate for either (or both) of the corresponding 3-month periods ending in the 2 preceding calendar years; or
(B) as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture (in the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture), the monthly average number of individuals (as of the last day of each month) participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program in the State in the then most recently concluded 3-month period for which data are available exceeds by not less than 10 percent the lesser of—
(i) the monthly average number of individuals (as of the last day of each month) in the State that would have participated in the supplemental nutrition assistance program in the corresponding 3-month period in fiscal year 1994 if the amendments made by titles IV [
(ii) the monthly average number of individuals (as of the last day of each month) in the State that would have participated in the supplemental nutrition assistance program in the corresponding 3-month period in fiscal year 1995 if the amendments made by titles IV and VIII of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 had been in effect throughout fiscal year 1995.
(6) Annual reconciliation
(A) In general
Notwithstanding paragraph (3), if the Secretary makes a payment to a State under this subsection in a fiscal year, then the State shall remit to the Secretary, within 1 year after the end of the first subsequent period of 3 consecutive months for which the State is not a needy State, an amount equal to the amount (if any) by which—
(i) the total amount paid to the State under paragraph (3) of this subsection in the fiscal year; exceeds
(ii) the product of—
(I) the Federal medical assistance percentage for the State (as defined in
(II) the State's reimbursable expenditures for the fiscal year; and
(III) 1/12 times the number of months during the fiscal year for which the Secretary made a payment to the State under such paragraph (3).
(B) Definitions
As used in subparagraph (A):
(i) Reimbursable expenditures
The term "reimbursable expenditures" means, with respect to a State and a fiscal year, the amount (if any) by which—
(I) countable State expenditures for the fiscal year; exceeds
(II) historic State expenditures (as defined in
(ii) Countable State expenditures
The term "countable expenditures" means, with respect to a State and a fiscal year—
(I) the qualified State expenditures (as defined in
(II) any amount paid to the State under paragraph (3) during the fiscal year that is expended by the State under the State program funded under this part.
(C) Adjustment of State remittances
(i) In general
The amount otherwise required by subparagraph (A) to be remitted by a State for a fiscal year shall be increased by the lesser of—
(I) the total adjustment for the fiscal year, multiplied by the adjustment percentage for the State for the fiscal year; or
(II) the unadjusted net payment to the State for the fiscal year.
(ii) Total adjustment
As used in clause (i), the term "total adjustment" means—
(I) in the case of fiscal year 1998, $2,000,000;
(II) in the case of fiscal year 1999, $9,000,000;
(III) in the case of fiscal year 2000, $16,000,000; and
(IV) in the case of fiscal year 2001, $13,000,000.
(iii) Adjustment percentage
As used in clause (i), the term "adjustment percentage" means, with respect to a State and a fiscal year—
(I) the unadjusted net payment to the State for the fiscal year; divided by
(II) the sum of the unadjusted net payments to all States for the fiscal year.
(iv) Unadjusted net payment
As used in this subparagraph, the term, "unadjusted net payment" means with respect to a State and a fiscal year—
(I) the total amount paid to the State under paragraph (3) in the fiscal year; minus
(II) the amount that, in the absence of this subparagraph, would be required by subparagraph (A) or by
(7) "State" defined
As used in this subsection, the term "State" means each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
(8) Annual reports
The Secretary shall annually report to the Congress on the status of the Fund.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §403, as added
Repeal of Subsection (c)
(9) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Average monthly assistance caseload defined
The term "average monthly assistance caseload" means, with respect to a State and a quarter, the number of families receiving assistance during the quarter under the State program funded under this part or as qualified State expenditures, subject to adjustment under paragraph (4).
(B) Emergency fund base year
(i) In general
The term "emergency fund base year" means, with respect to a State and a category described in clause (ii), whichever of fiscal year 2007 or 2008 is the fiscal year in which the amount described by the category with respect to the State is the lesser.
(ii) Categories described
The categories described in this clause are the following:
(I) The average monthly assistance caseload of the State.
(II) The total expenditures of the State for non-recurrent short term benefits, whether under the State program funded under this part or as qualified State expenditures.
(III) The total expenditures of the State for subsidized employment, whether under the State program funded under this part or as qualified State expenditures.
(C) Qualified State expenditures
The term "qualified State expenditures" has the meaning given the term in
References in Text
Section 103 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (a)(5)(A)(vi)(I)(bb), (III), (C)(ii)(I), is section 103 of
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (a)(5)(C)(iii)(II)(dd), is
Parts D and E of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(5)(C)(iii)(III), (iv)(II)(bb), are classified to sections 651 et seq. and 670 et seq., respectively, of this title.
The Job Training Partnership Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(5)(D)(iii), is
The Workforce Investment Act of 1998, referred to in subsec. (a)(5)(D)(ii), is
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (b)(5)(B), is
Codification
Prior Provisions
A prior section 603, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §403,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iii)(III).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(i).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D), (E).
Subsec. (a)(3)(F).
Subsec. (a)(3)(H)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(ii).
2009—Subsec. (a)(3)(H)(ii).
Subsec. (c).
2008—Subsec. (a)(3)(H)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(5)(C)(iii)(II)(dd).
Subsec. (b)(5)(B).
2006—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3)(H)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(ii).
2005—Subsec. (a)(3)(H)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(ii).
2004—Subsec. (a)(3)(H)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(ii).
2003—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B) to (E).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (a)(3)(H).
Subsec. (a)(3)(H)(i).
Subsec. (a)(3)(H)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(3)(H)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(ii).
2002—Subsec. (a)(3)(H).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(ii).
2000—Subsec. (a)(5)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(5)(A)(iv)(I)(aa).
Subsec. (a)(5)(A)(iv)(I)(bb).
Subsec. (a)(5)(B)(v).
Subsec. (a)(5)(B)(v)(I)(aa).
Subsec. (a)(5)(B)(v)(I)(bb).
Subsec. (a)(5)(C)(viii).
Subsec. (a)(5)(E).
Subsec. (a)(5)(F).
Subsec. (a)(5)(G).
Subsec. (a)(5)(H).
Subsec. (a)(5)(I) to (K).
1999—Subsec. (a)(5)(A)(ii)(I)(ff).
Subsec. (a)(5)(C)(i)(IV).
Subsec. (a)(5)(C)(i)(VII).
Subsec. (a)(5)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(5)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(5)(C)(iv).
"(aa) who are noncustodial parents of minors whose custodial parent is such a recipient; and
"(bb) who have such characteristics."
Subsec. (a)(5)(C)(v) to (ix).
Subsec. (a)(5)(C)(x).
Subsec. (a)(5)(E)(i).
Subsec. (a)(5)(E)(iv)(I)(bb), (vi).
Subsec. (a)(5)(F).
Subsec. (a)(5)(G).
Subsec. (a)(5)(H)(i).
Subsec. (a)(5)(I)(i).
Subsec. (a)(5)(K).
1998—Subsec. (a)(5)(A)(iv)(II).
Subsec. (a)(5)(A)(vii)(I).
Subsec. (a)(5)(A)(ix).
Subsec. (a)(5)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(5)(C)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (a)(5)(C)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (a)(5)(D)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(5)(D)(iii).
1997—
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
"(i)
"(ii)
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(i)(I)(aa).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(i)(I)(bb).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(i)(II).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(aa).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(5)(A)(i)(I), (ii)(II).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(4), (5).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (b)(6)(C).
Subsec. (b)(7).
"(A)
"(B)
1996—Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(i)(II).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(ii)(I).
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment; Savings Provision
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by section 4002(b)(1)(A), (B), (2)(V) of
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
"(1) shall be effective January 1, 2000, with respect to the determination of eligible individuals for purposes of section 403(a)(5)(B) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(5)(B) of this section] (relating to competitive grants);
"(2) shall be effective July 1, 2000, except that expenditures from allotments to the States shall not be made before October 1, 2000—
"(A) with respect to the determination of eligible individuals for purposes of section 403(a)(5)(A) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(5)(A) of this section] (relating to formula grants) in the case of those individuals who may be determined to be so eligible, but would not have been eligible before July 1, 2000; or
"(B) for allowable activities described in section 403(a)(5)(C)(i)(VII) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(5)(C)(i)(VII) of this section] (as added by
Effective Date of 1998 Amendments
Amendment by section 101(f) [title VIII, §405(d)(30)] of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 5502 of
Amendment by section 5514(c) of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Section 1(d) of
Effective Date
Subsec. (a)(1)(C), (D) of this section effective Oct. 1, 1996, and remainder of this section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
Regulations
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by "and".
2 So in original. Probably should be "entities".
3 See References in Text note below.
4 So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.
5 So in original. Probably should be "Act".
§603a. Transferred
Codification
Section,
§604. Use of grants
(a) General rules
Subject to this part, a State to which a grant is made under
(1) in any manner that is reasonably calculated to accomplish the purpose of this part, including to provide low income households with assistance in meeting home heating and cooling costs; or
(2) in any manner that the State was authorized to use amounts received under part A or F of this subchapter, as such parts were in effect on September 30, 1995, or (at the option of the State) August 21, 1996.
(b) Limitation on use of grant for administrative purposes
(1) Limitation
A State to which a grant is made under
(2) Exception
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the use of a grant for information technology and computerization needed for tracking or monitoring required by or under this part.
(c) Authority to treat interstate immigrants under rules of former State
A State operating a program funded under this part may apply to a family the rules (including benefit amounts) of the program funded under this part of another State if the family has moved to the State from the other State and has resided in the State for less than 12 months.
(d) Authority to use portion of grant for other purposes
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), a State may use not more than 30 percent of the amount of any grant made to the State under
(A) Division A 1 of subchapter XX of this chapter.
(B) The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 [
(2) Limitation on amount transferable to division A 1 of subchapter XX programs
(A) In general
A State may use not more than the applicable percent of the amount of any grant made to the State under
(B) Applicable percent
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the applicable percent is 4.25 percent in the case of fiscal year 2001 and each succeeding fiscal year.
(3) Applicable rules
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, any amount paid to a State under this part that is used to carry out a State program pursuant to a provision of law specified in paragraph (1) shall not be subject to the requirements of this part, but shall be subject to the requirements that apply to Federal funds provided directly under the provision of law to carry out the program, and the expenditure of any amount so used shall not be considered to be an expenditure under this part.
(B) Exception relating to division A 1 of subchapter XX programs
All amounts paid to a State under this part that are used to carry out State programs pursuant to division A 1 of subchapter XX of this chapter shall be used only for programs and services to children or their families whose income is less than 200 percent of the income official poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, and revised annually in accordance with
(e) Authority to carry over certain amounts for benefits or services or for future contingencies
A State or tribe may use a grant made to the State or tribe under this part for any fiscal year to provide, without fiscal year limitation, any benefit or service that may be provided under the State or tribal program funded under this part.
(f) Authority to operate employment placement program
A State to which a grant is made under
(g) Implementation of electronic benefit transfer system
A State to which a grant is made under
(h) Use of funds for individual development accounts
(1) In general
A State to which a grant is made under
(2) Individual development accounts
(A) Establishment
Under a State program carried out under paragraph (1), an individual development account may be established by or on behalf of an individual eligible for assistance under the State program operated under this part for the purpose of enabling the individual to accumulate funds for a qualified purpose described in subparagraph (B).
(B) Qualified purpose
A qualified purpose described in this subparagraph is 1 or more of the following, as provided by the qualified entity providing assistance to the individual under this subsection:
(i) Postsecondary educational expenses
Postsecondary educational expenses paid from an individual development account directly to an eligible educational institution.
(ii) First home purchase
Qualified acquisition costs with respect to a qualified principal residence for a qualified first-time homebuyer, if paid from an individual development account directly to the persons to whom the amounts are due.
(iii) Business capitalization
Amounts paid from an individual development account directly to a business capitalization account which is established in a federally insured financial institution and is restricted to use solely for qualified business capitalization expenses.
(C) Contributions to be from earned income
An individual may only contribute to an individual development account such amounts as are derived from earned income, as defined in section 911(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(D) Withdrawal of funds
The Secretary shall establish such regulations as may be necessary to ensure that funds held in an individual development account are not withdrawn except for 1 or more of the qualified purposes described in subparagraph (B).
(3) Requirements
(A) In general
An individual development account established under this subsection shall be a trust created or organized in the United States and funded through periodic contributions by the establishing individual and matched by or through a qualified entity for a qualified purpose (as described in paragraph (2)(B)).
(B) "Qualified entity" defined
As used in this subsection, the term "qualified entity" means—
(i) a not-for-profit organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code; or
(ii) a State or local government agency acting in cooperation with an organization described in clause (i).
(4) No reduction in benefits
Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal law (other than the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) that requires consideration of 1 or more financial circumstances of an individual, for the purpose of determining eligibility to receive, or the amount of, any assistance or benefit authorized by such law to be provided to or for the benefit of such individual, funds (including interest accruing) in an individual development account under this subsection shall be disregarded for such purpose with respect to any period during which such individual maintains or makes contributions into such an account.
(5) Definitions
As used in this subsection—
(A) Eligible educational institution
The term "eligible educational institution" means the following:
(i) An institution described in
(ii) An area vocational education school (as defined in subparagraph (C) or (D) of
(B) Post-secondary educational expenses
The term "post-secondary educational expenses" means—
(i) tuition and fees required for the enrollment or attendance of a student at an eligible educational institution, and
(ii) fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction at an eligible educational institution.
(C) Qualified acquisition costs
The term "qualified acquisition costs" means the costs of acquiring, constructing, or reconstructing a residence. The term includes any usual or reasonable settlement, financing, or other closing costs.
(D) Qualified business
The term "qualified business" means any business that does not contravene any law or public policy (as determined by the Secretary).
(E) Qualified business capitalization expenses
The term "qualified business capitalization expenses" means qualified expenditures for the capitalization of a qualified business pursuant to a qualified plan.
(F) Qualified expenditures
The term "qualified expenditures" means expenditures included in a qualified plan, including capital, plant, equipment, working capital, and inventory expenses.
(G) Qualified first-time homebuyer
(i) In general
The term "qualified first-time homebuyer" means a taxpayer (and, if married, the taxpayer's spouse) who has no present ownership interest in a principal residence during the 3-year period ending on the date of acquisition of the principal residence to which this subsection applies.
(ii) Date of acquisition
The term "date of acquisition" means the date on which a binding contract to acquire, construct, or reconstruct the principal residence to which this subparagraph applies is entered into.
(H) Qualified plan
The term "qualified plan" means a business plan which—
(i) is approved by a financial institution, or by a nonprofit loan fund having demonstrated fiduciary integrity,
(ii) includes a description of services or goods to be sold, a marketing plan, and projected financial statements, and
(iii) may require the eligible individual to obtain the assistance of an experienced entrepreneurial advisor.
(I) Qualified principal residence
The term "qualified principal residence" means a principal residence (within the meaning of section 1034 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), the qualified acquisition costs of which do not exceed 100 percent of the average area purchase price applicable to such residence (determined in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 143(e) of such Code).
(i) Sanction welfare recipients for failing to ensure that minor dependent children attend school
A State to which a grant is made under
(j) Requirement for high school diploma or equivalent
A State to which a grant is made under
(k) Limitations on use of grant for matching under certain Federal transportation program
(1) Use limitations
A State to which a grant is made under
(A) the grant is used for new or expanded transportation services (and not for construction) that benefit individuals described in subparagraph (C), and not to subsidize current operating costs;
(B) the grant is used to supplement and not supplant other State expenditures on transportation;
(C) the preponderance of the benefits derived from such use of the grant accrues to individuals who are—
(i) recipients of assistance under the State program funded under this part;
(ii) former recipients of such assistance;
(iii) noncustodial parents who are described in
(iv) low-income individuals who are at risk of qualifying for such assistance; and
(D) the services provided through such use of the grant promote the ability of such recipients to engage in work activities (as defined in
(2) Amount limitation
From a grant made to a State under
(3) Rule of interpretation
The provision by a State of a transportation benefit under a program conducted under section 3037 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, to an individual who is not otherwise a recipient of assistance under the State program funded under this part, using funds from a grant made under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §404, as added
References in Text
Part F of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), was classified to
Division A of subchapter XX, referred to in subsec. (d)(1)(A), (2), (3)(B), was in the original a reference to subtitle 1 of title XX, which was translated as if referring to subtitle A of title XX of the Social Security Act, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Title XX of the Act, enacting subchapter XX of this chapter, does not contain a subtitle 1.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (d)(1)(B), is subchapter C (§658A et seq.) of
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (h)(2)(C), (3)(B)(i), (4), (5)(I), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Section 3037 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, referred to in subsec. (k)(1), (3), is section 3037 of
Codification
Prior Provisions
A prior section 604, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §404,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (d)(1)(A).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B).
2009—Subsec. (e).
2008—Subsecs. (i), (j).
1999—Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (k)(1)(C)(iii).
1998—Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (k).
1997—
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by sections 4002(b)(1)(A), (B), (2)(V) and 4115(c)(2)(G) of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendments
For effective date of amendment by
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 5002(b) of
Amendment by section 5503 of
Amendment by section 5514(c) of
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
Assets for Independence
"SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.
"This title may be cited as the 'Assets for Independence Act'.
"SEC. 402. FINDINGS.
"Congress makes the following findings:
"(1) Economic well-being does not come solely from income, spending, and consumption, but also requires savings, investment, and accumulation of assets because assets can improve economic independence and stability, connect individuals with a viable and hopeful future, stimulate development of human and other capital, and enhance the welfare of offspring.
"(2) Fully ½ of all Americans have either no, negligible, or negative assets available for investment, just as the price of entry to the economic mainstream, the cost of a house, an adequate education, and starting a business, is increasing. Further, the household savings rate of the United States lags far behind other industrial nations, presenting a barrier to economic growth.
"(3) In the current tight fiscal environment, the United States should invest existing resources in high-yield initiatives. There is reason to believe that the financial returns, including increased income, tax revenue, and decreased welfare cash assistance, resulting from individual development accounts will far exceed the cost of investment in those accounts.
"(4) Traditional public assistance programs concentrating on income and consumption have rarely been successful in promoting and supporting the transition to increased economic self-sufficiency. Income-based domestic policy should be complemented with asset-based policy because, while income-based policies ensure that consumption needs (including food, child care, rent, clothing, and health care) are met, asset-based policies provide the means to achieve greater independence and economic well-being.
"SEC. 403. PURPOSES.
"The purposes of this title are to provide for the establishment of demonstration projects designed to determine—
"(1) the social, civic, psychological, and economic effects of providing to individuals and families with limited means an incentive to accumulate assets by saving a portion of their earned income;
"(2) the extent to which an asset-based policy that promotes saving for postsecondary education, homeownership, and microenterprise development may be used to enable individuals and families with limited means to increase their economic self-sufficiency; and
"(3) the extent to which an asset-based policy stabilizes and improves families and the community in which the families live.
"SEC. 404. DEFINITIONS.
"In this title:
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(A) is a withdrawal of only those funds, or a portion of those funds, deposited by the individual in the individual development account of the individual;
"(B) is permitted by a qualified entity on a case-by-case basis; and
"(C) is made for—
"(i) expenses for medical care or necessary to obtain medical care, for the individual or a spouse or dependent of the individual described in paragraph (8)(D);
"(ii) payments necessary to prevent the eviction of the individual from the residence of the individual, or foreclosure on the mortgage for the principal residence of the individual, as defined in paragraph (8)(B); or
"(iii) payments necessary to enable the individual to meet necessary living expenses following loss of employment.
"(4)
"(5)
"(A)
"(i) No contribution will be accepted unless the contribution is in cash or by check.
"(ii) The trustee is a federally insured financial institution, or a State insured financial institution if no federally insured financial institution is available.
"(iii) The assets of the trust will be invested in accordance with the direction of the eligible individual after consultation with the qualified entity providing deposits for the individual under section 410.
"(iv) The assets of the trust will not be commingled with other property except in a common trust fund or common investment fund.
"(v) Except as provided in clause (vi), any amount in the trust that is attributable to a deposit provided under section 410 may be paid or distributed out of the trust only for the purpose of paying the qualified expenses of the eligible individual.
"(vi) Any balance in the trust on the day after the date on which the individual for whose benefit the trust is established dies shall be distributed within 30 days of that date as directed by that individual to another individual development account established for the benefit of an eligible individual.
"(B)
"(6)
"(7)
"(A)
"(i) one or more not-for-profit organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [
"(ii) a State or local government agency, or a tribal government, submitting an application under section 405 jointly with an organization described in clause (i); or
(iii) an entity that—
(I) is—
(aa) a credit union designated as a low-income credit union by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA); or
(bb) an organization designated as a community development financial institution by the Secretary of the Treasury (or the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund); and
(II) can demonstrate a collaborative relationship with a local community-based organization whose activities are designed to address poverty in the community and the needs of community members for economic independence and stability.
"(B)
"(8)
"(A)
"(i)
"(I)
"(II)
"(ii)
"(I)
"(II)
"(B)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(iii)
"(I)
"(II)
"(C)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(iii)
"(iv)
"(I) is approved by a financial institution, a microenterprise development organization, or a nonprofit loan fund having demonstrated fiduciary integrity;
"(II) includes a description of services or goods to be sold, a marketing plan, and projected financial statements; and
"(III) may require the eligible individual to obtain the assistance of an experienced entrepreneurial adviser.
"(D)
"(i) the individual's spouse; or
"(ii) any dependent of the individual with respect to whom the individual is allowed a deduction under section 151 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [
"(9)
"(10)
"(11)
"SEC. 405. APPLICATIONS.
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
"(d)
"(1) demonstrates the willingness and ability to select individuals described in section 408 who are predominantly from households in which a child (or children) is living with the child's biological or adoptive mother or father, or with the child's legal guardian;
"(2) provides a commitment of non-Federal funds with a proportionately greater amount of such funds committed from private sector sources; and
"(3) targets such individuals residing within one or more relatively well-defined neighborhoods or communities (including rural communities) that experience high rates of poverty or unemployment.
"(e)
"(f)
"(1) such entity demonstrates the ability to carry out such responsibility; and
"(2) the Secretary can demonstrate that such responsibility would not be carried out by the Secretary at a lower cost.
"(g)
"SEC. 406. DEMONSTRATION AUTHORITY; ANNUAL GRANTS.
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) the aggregate amount of funds committed as matching contributions from non-Federal public or private sector sources; or
"(2) $1,000,000.
"SEC. 407. RESERVE FUND.
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A) all funds provided to the qualified entity from any public or private source in connection with the demonstration project; and
"(B) the proceeds from any investment made under subsection (c)(2).
"(2)
"(c)
"(1)
"(A) assist participants in the demonstration project in obtaining the skills (including economic literacy, budgeting, credit, and counseling skills) and information necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency through activities requiring qualified expenses;
"(B) provide deposits in accordance with section 410 for individuals selected by the qualified entity to participate in the demonstration project;
"(C) administer the demonstration project; and
"(D) provide the research organization evaluating the demonstration project under section 414 with such information with respect to the demonstration project as may be required for the evaluation.
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(3)
"(d)
"(1) the amounts in its Reserve Fund at the time of the termination; multiplied by
"(2) a percentage equal to—
"(A) the aggregate amount of grants made to the qualified entity under section 406(b); divided by
"(B) the aggregate amount of all funds provided to the qualified entity from all sources to conduct the project.
"SEC. 408. ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION.
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) the aggregate market value of all assets that are owned in whole or in part by any member of the household; minus
"(ii) the obligations or debts of any member of the household.
"(C)
"(b)
"SEC. 409. SELECTION OF INDIVIDUALS TO PARTICIPATE.
"From among the individuals eligible to participate in a demonstration project conducted under this title, each qualified entity shall select the individuals—
"(1) that the qualified entity determines to be best suited to participate; and
"(2) to whom the qualified entity will provide deposits in accordance with section 410.
"SEC. 410. DEPOSITS BY QUALIFIED ENTITIES.
"(a)
"(1) from the non-Federal funds described in section 405(c)(4), a matching contribution of not less than $0.50 and not more than $4 for every $1 of earned income (as defined in section 911(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [
"(2) from the grant made under section 406(b), an amount equal to the matching contribution made under paragraph (1); and
"(3) any interest that has accrued on amounts deposited under paragraph (1) or (2) on behalf of that individual into the individual development account of the individual or into a parallel account maintained by the qualified entity.
"(b)
"(c)
"(d)
"(e)
"SEC. 411. LOCAL CONTROL OVER DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
"A qualified entity under this title, other than a State or local government agency or a tribal government, shall, subject to the provisions of section 413, have sole authority over the administration of the project. The Secretary may prescribe only such regulations or guidelines with respect to demonstration projects conducted under this title as are necessary to ensure compliance with the approved applications and the requirements of this title.
"SEC. 412. ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORTS.
"(a)
"(1) The number and characteristics of individuals making a deposit into an individual development account.
"(2) The amounts in the Reserve Fund established with respect to the project.
"(3) The amounts deposited in the individual development accounts.
"(4) The amounts withdrawn from the individual development accounts and the purposes for which such amounts were withdrawn.
"(5) The balances remaining in the individual development accounts.
"(6) The savings account characteristics (such as threshold amounts and match rates) required to stimulate participation in the demonstration project, and how such characteristics vary among different populations or communities.
"(7) What service configurations of the qualified entity (such as configurations relating to peer support, structured planning exercises, mentoring, and case management) increased the rate and consistency of participation in the demonstration project and how such configurations varied among different populations or communities.
"(8) Such other information as the Secretary may require to evaluate the demonstration project.
"(b)
"(1) the Secretary; and
"(2) the Treasurer (or equivalent official) of the State in which the project is conducted, if the State or a local government or a tribal government committed funds to the demonstration project.
"(c)
"SEC. 413. SANCTIONS.
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) shall suspend the demonstration project;
"(2) shall take control of the Reserve Fund established pursuant to section 407;
"(3) shall make every effort to identify another qualified entity (or entities) willing and able to conduct the project in accordance with the approved application (or, if modification is necessary to incorporate the recommendations, the application as modified) and the requirements of this title;
"(4) shall, if the Secretary identifies an entity (or entities) described in paragraph (3)—
"(A) authorize the entity (or entities) to conduct the project in accordance with the approved application (or, if modification is necessary to incorporate the recommendations, the application as modified) and the requirements of this title;
"(B) transfer to the entity (or entities) control over the Reserve Fund established pursuant to section 407; and
"(C) consider, for purposes of this title—
"(i) such other entity (or entities) to be the qualified entity (or entities) originally authorized to conduct the demonstration project; and
"(ii) the date of such authorization to be the date of the original authorization; and
"(5) if, by the end of the 1-year period beginning on the date of the termination, the Secretary has not found a qualified entity (or entities) described in paragraph (3), shall—
"(A) terminate the project; and
"(B) from the amount remaining in the Reserve Fund established as part of the project, remit to each source that provided funds under section 405(c)(4) to the entity originally authorized to conduct the project, an amount that bears the same ratio to the amount so remaining as the amount provided from the source under section 405(c)(4) bears to the amount provided from all such sources under that section.
"SEC. 414. EVALUATIONS.
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) The effects of incentives and organizational or institutional support on savings behavior in the demonstration project.
"(2) The savings rates of individuals in the demonstration project based on demographic characteristics including gender, age, family size, race or ethnic background, and income.
"(3) The economic, civic, psychological, and social effects of asset accumulation, and how such effects vary among different populations or communities.
"(4) The effects of individual development accounts on savings rates, homeownership, level of postsecondary education attained, and self-employment, and how such effects vary among different populations or communities.
"(5) The potential financial returns to the Federal Government and to other public sector and private sector investors in individual development accounts over a 5-year and 10-year period of time.
"(6) The lessons to be learned from the demonstration projects conducted under this title and if a permanent program of individual development accounts should be established.
"(7) Such other factors as may be prescribed by the Secretary.
"(c)
"(1) for at least one site, use control groups to compare participants with nonparticipants;
"(2) before, during, and after the project, obtain such quantitative data as are necessary to evaluate the project thoroughly; and
"(3) develop a qualitative assessment, derived from sources such as in-depth interviews, of how asset accumulation affects individuals and families.
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(e)
"SEC. 415. NO REDUCTION IN BENEFITS.
"Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal law (other than the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [
"SEC. 416. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
"There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title, $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003, to remain available until expended."
[
[
1 See References in Text note below.
§604a. Services provided by charitable, religious, or private organizations
(a) In general
(1) State options
A State may—
(A) administer and provide services under the programs described in subparagraphs (A) and (B)(i) of paragraph (2) through contracts with charitable, religious, or private organizations; and
(B) provide beneficiaries of assistance under the programs described in subparagraphs (A) and (B)(ii) of paragraph (2) with certificates, vouchers, or other forms of disbursement which are redeemable with such organizations.
(2) Programs described
The programs described in this paragraph are the following programs:
(A) A State program funded under this part (as amended by section 103(a) of this Act).
(B) Any other program established or modified under title I or II of this Act, that—
(i) permits contracts with organizations; or
(ii) permits certificates, vouchers, or other forms of disbursement to be provided to beneficiaries, as a means of providing assistance.
(b) Religious organizations
The purpose of this section is to allow States to contract with religious organizations, or to allow religious organizations to accept certificates, vouchers, or other forms of disbursement under any program described in subsection (a)(2) of this section, on the same basis as any other nongovernmental provider without impairing the religious character of such organizations, and without diminishing the religious freedom of beneficiaries of assistance funded under such program.
(c) Nondiscrimination against religious organizations
In the event a State exercises its authority under subsection (a) of this section, religious organizations are eligible, on the same basis as any other private organization, as contractors to provide assistance, or to accept certificates, vouchers, or other forms of disbursement, under any program described in subsection (a)(2) of this section so long as the programs are implemented consistent with the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution. Except as provided in subsection (k) of this section, neither the Federal Government nor a State receiving funds under such programs shall discriminate against an organization which is or applies to be a contractor to provide assistance, or which accepts certificates, vouchers, or other forms of disbursement, on the basis that the organization has a religious character.
(d) Religious character and freedom
(1) Religious organizations
A religious organization with a contract described in subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section, or which accepts certificates, vouchers, or other forms of disbursement under subsection (a)(1)(B) of this section, shall retain its independence from Federal, State, and local governments, including such organization's control over the definition, development, practice, and expression of its religious beliefs.
(2) Additional safeguards
Neither the Federal Government nor a State shall require a religious organization to—
(A) alter its form of internal governance; or
(B) remove religious art, icons, scripture, or other symbols;
in order to be eligible to contract to provide assistance, or to accept certificates, vouchers, or other forms of disbursement, funded under a program described in subsection (a)(2) of this section.
(e) Rights of beneficiaries of assistance
(1) In general
If an individual described in paragraph (2) has an objection to the religious character of the organization or institution from which the individual receives, or would receive, assistance funded under any program described in subsection (a)(2) of this section, the State in which the individual resides shall provide such individual (if otherwise eligible for such assistance) within a reasonable period of time after the date of such objection with assistance from an alternative provider that is accessible to the individual and the value of which is not less than the value of the assistance which the individual would have received from such organization.
(2) Individual described
An individual described in this paragraph is an individual who receives, applies for, or requests to apply for, assistance under a program described in subsection (a)(2) of this section.
(f) Employment practices
A religious organization's exemption provided under
(g) Nondiscrimination against beneficiaries
Except as otherwise provided in law, a religious organization shall not discriminate against an individual in regard to rendering assistance funded under any program described in subsection (a)(2) of this section on the basis of religion, a religious belief, or refusal to actively participate in a religious practice.
(h) Fiscal accountability
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), any religious organization contracting to provide assistance funded under any program described in subsection (a)(2) of this section shall be subject to the same regulations as other contractors to account in accord with generally accepted auditing principles for the use of such funds provided under such programs.
(2) Limited audit
If such organization segregates Federal funds provided under such programs into separate accounts, then only the financial assistance provided with such funds shall be subject to audit.
(i) Compliance
Any party which seeks to enforce its rights under this section may assert a civil action for injunctive relief exclusively in an appropriate State court against the entity or agency that allegedly commits such violation.
(j) Limitations on use of funds for certain purposes
No funds provided directly to institutions or organizations to provide services and administer programs under subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section shall be expended for sectarian worship, instruction, or proselytization.
(k) Preemption
Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt any provision of a State constitution or State statute that prohibits or restricts the expenditure of State funds in or by religious organizations.
(
References in Text
Section 103(a) of this Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A), means section 103(a) of
Titles I and II of this Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B), means titles I and II of
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
§605. Administrative provisions
(a) Quarterly
The Secretary shall pay each grant payable to a State under
(b) Notification
Not later than 3 months before the payment of any such quarterly installment to a State, the Secretary shall notify the State of the amount of any reduction determined under
(c) Computation and certification of payments to States
(1) Computation
The Secretary shall estimate the amount to be paid to each eligible State for each quarter under this part, such estimate to be based on a report filed by the State containing an estimate by the State of the total sum to be expended by the State in the quarter under the State program funded under this part and such other information as the Secretary may find necessary.
(2) Certification
The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall certify to the Secretary of the Treasury the amount estimated under paragraph (1) with respect to a State, reduced or increased to the extent of any overpayment or underpayment which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines was made under this part to the State for any prior quarter and with respect to which adjustment has not been made under this paragraph.
(d) Payment method
Upon receipt of a certification under subsection (c)(2) of this section with respect to a State, the Secretary of the Treasury shall, through the Fiscal Service of the Department of the Treasury and before audit or settlement by the Government Accountability Office, pay to the State, at the time or times fixed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the amount so certified.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §405, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 605, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §405,
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (d).
1997—
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
§606. Federal loans for State welfare programs
(a) Loan authority
(1) In general
The Secretary shall make loans to any loan-eligible State, for a period to maturity of not more than 3 years.
(2) Loan-eligible State
As used in paragraph (1), the term "loan-eligible State" means a State against which a penalty has not been imposed under
(b) Rate of interest
The Secretary shall charge and collect interest on any loan made under this section at a rate equal to the current average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States with remaining periods to maturity comparable to the period to maturity of the loan.
(c) Use of loan
A State shall use a loan made to the State under this section only for any purpose for which grant amounts received by the State under
(1) welfare anti-fraud activities; and
(2) the provision of assistance under the State program to Indian families that have moved from the service area of an Indian tribe with a tribal family assistance plan approved under
(d) Limitation on total amount of loans to State
The cumulative dollar amount of all loans made to a State under this section during fiscal years 1997 through 2003 shall not exceed 10 percent of the State family assistance grant.
(e) Limitation on total amount of outstanding loans
The total dollar amount of loans outstanding under this section may not exceed $1,700,000,000.
(f) Appropriation
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the cost of loans under this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §406, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 606, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §406,
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (d).
1997—
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
§607. Mandatory work requirements
(a) Participation rate requirements
(1) All families
A State to which a grant is made under
If the fiscal year is: | The minimum participation rate is: |
---|---|
1997 | 25 |
1998 | 30 |
1999 | 35 |
2000 | 40 |
2001 | 45 |
2002 or thereafter | 50. |
(2) 2-parent families
A State to which a grant is made under
If the fiscal year is: | The minimum participation rate is: |
---|---|
1997 | 75 |
1998 | 75 |
1999 or thereafter | 90. |
(b) Calculation of participation rates
(1) All families
(A) Average monthly rate
For purposes of subsection (a)(1) of this section, the participation rate for all families of a State for a fiscal year is the average of the participation rates for all families of the State for each month in the fiscal year.
(B) Monthly participation rates
The participation rate of a State for all families of the State for a month, expressed as a percentage, is—
(i) the number of families receiving assistance under the State program funded under this part or any other State program funded with qualified State expenditures (as defined in
(ii) the amount by which—
(I) the number of families receiving such assistance during the month that include an adult or a minor child head of household receiving such assistance; exceeds
(II) the number of families receiving such assistance that are subject in such month to a penalty described in subsection (e)(1) of this section but have not been subject to such penalty for more than 3 months within the preceding 12-month period (whether or not consecutive).
(2) 2-parent families
(A) Average monthly rate
For purposes of subsection (a)(2) of this section, the participation rate for 2-parent families of a State for a fiscal year is the average of the participation rates for 2-parent families of the State for each month in the fiscal year.
(B) Monthly participation rates
The participation rate of a State for 2-parent families of the State for a month shall be calculated by use of the formula set forth in paragraph (1)(B), except that in the formula the term "number of 2-parent families" shall be substituted for the term "number of families" each place such latter term appears.
(C) Family with a disabled parent not treated as a 2-parent family
A family that includes a disabled parent shall not be considered a 2-parent family for purposes of subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
(3) Pro rata reduction of participation rate due to caseload reductions not required by Federal law and not resulting from changes in State eligibility criteria
(A) In general
The Secretary shall prescribe regulations for reducing the minimum participation rate otherwise required by this section for a fiscal year by the number of percentage points equal to the number of percentage points (if any) by which—
(i) the average monthly number of families receiving assistance during the immediately preceding fiscal year (or if the immediately preceding fiscal year is fiscal year 2008, 2009, or 2010, then, at State option, during the emergency fund base year of the State with respect to the average monthly assistance caseload of the State (within the meaning of
(ii) the average monthly number of families that received assistance under any State program referred to in clause (i) during fiscal year 2005.
The minimum participation rate shall not be reduced to the extent that the Secretary determines that the reduction in the number of families receiving such assistance is required by Federal law.
(B) Eligibility changes not counted
The regulations required by subparagraph (A) shall not take into account families that are diverted from a State program funded under this part as a result of differences in eligibility criteria under a State program funded under this part and the eligibility criteria in effect during fiscal year 2005. Such regulations shall place the burden on the Secretary to prove that such families were diverted as a direct result of differences in such eligibility criteria.
(4) State option to include individuals receiving assistance under a tribal family assistance plan or tribal work program
For purposes of paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(B), a State may, at its option, include families in the State that are receiving assistance under a tribal family assistance plan approved under
(5) State option for participation requirement exemptions
For any fiscal year, a State may, at its option, not require an individual who is a single custodial parent caring for a child who has not attained 12 months of age to engage in work, and may disregard such an individual in determining the participation rates under subsection (a) of this section for not more than 12 months.
(c) Engaged in work
(1) General rules
(A) All families
For purposes of subsection (b)(1)(B)(i) of this section, a recipient is engaged in work for a month in a fiscal year if the recipient is participating in work activities for at least the minimum average number of hours per week specified in the following table during the month, not fewer than 20 hours per week of which are attributable to an activity described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), or (12) of subsection (d) of this section, subject to this subsection:
(B) 2-parent families
For purposes of subsection (b)(2)(B) of this section, an individual is engaged in work for a month in a fiscal year if—
(i) the individual and the other parent in the family are participating in work activities for a total of at least 35 hours per week during the month, not fewer than 30 hours per week of which are attributable to an activity described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), or (12) of subsection (d) of this section, subject to this subsection; and
(ii) if the family of the individual receives federally-funded child care assistance and an adult in the family is not disabled or caring for a severely disabled child, the individual and the other parent in the family are participating in work activities for a total of at least 55 hours per week during the month, not fewer than 50 hours per week of which are attributable to an activity described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), or (12) of subsection (d) of this section.
(2) Limitations and special rules
(A) Number of weeks for which job search counts as work
(i) Limitation
Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, an individual shall not be considered to be engaged in work by virtue of participation in an activity described in subsection (d)(6) of this section of a State program funded under this part or any other State program funded with qualified State expenditures (as defined in
(ii) Limited authority to count less than full week of participation
For purposes of clause (i) of this subparagraph, on not more than 1 occasion per individual, the State shall consider participation of the individual in an activity described in subsection (d)(6) of this section for 3 or 4 days during a week as a week of participation in the activity by the individual.
(B) Single parent or relative with child under age 6 deemed to be meeting work participation requirements if parent or relative is engaged in work for 20 hours per week
For purposes of determining monthly participation rates under subsection (b)(1)(B)(i) of this section, a recipient who is the only parent or caretaker relative in the family of a child who has not attained 6 years of age is deemed to be engaged in work for a month if the recipient is engaged in work for an average of at least 20 hours per week during the month.
(C) Single teen head of household or married teen who maintains satisfactory school attendance deemed to be meeting work participation requirements
For purposes of determining monthly participation rates under subsection (b)(1)(B)(i) of this section, a recipient who is married or a head of household and has not attained 20 years of age is deemed to be engaged in work for a month in a fiscal year if the recipient—
(i) maintains satisfactory attendance at secondary school or the equivalent during the month; or
(ii) participates in education directly related to employment for an average of at least 20 hours per week during the month.
(D) Limitation on number of persons who may be treated as engaged in work by reason of participation in educational activities
For purposes of determining monthly participation rates under paragraphs (1)(B)(i) and (2)(B) of subsection (b) of this section, not more than 30 percent of the number of individuals in all families and in 2-parent families, respectively, in a State who are treated as engaged in work for a month may consist of individuals who are determined to be engaged in work for the month by reason of participation in vocational educational training, or (if the month is in fiscal year 2000 or thereafter) deemed to be engaged in work for the month by reason of subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.
(d) "Work activities" defined
As used in this section, the term "work activities" means—
(1) unsubsidized employment;
(2) subsidized private sector employment;
(3) subsidized public sector employment;
(4) work experience (including work associated with the refurbishing of publicly assisted housing) if sufficient private sector employment is not available;
(5) on-the-job training;
(6) job search and job readiness assistance;
(7) community service programs;
(8) vocational educational training (not to exceed 12 months with respect to any individual);
(9) job skills training directly related to employment;
(10) education directly related to employment, in the case of a recipient who has not received a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency;
(11) satisfactory attendance at secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence, in the case of a recipient who has not completed secondary school or received such a certificate; and
(12) the provision of child care services to an individual who is participating in a community service program.
(e) Penalties against individuals
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), if an individual in a family receiving assistance under the State program funded under this part or any other State program funded with qualified State expenditures (as defined in
(A) reduce the amount of assistance otherwise payable to the family pro rata (or more, at the option of the State) with respect to any period during a month in which the individual so refuses; or
(B) terminate such assistance,
subject to such good cause and other exceptions as the State may establish.
(2) Exception
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a State may not reduce or terminate assistance under the State program funded under this part or any other State program funded with qualified State expenditures (as defined in
(A) Unavailability of appropriate child care within a reasonable distance from the individual's home or work site.
(B) Unavailability or unsuitability of informal child care by a relative or under other arrangements.
(C) Unavailability of appropriate and affordable formal child care arrangements.
(f) Nondisplacement in work activities
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), an adult in a family receiving assistance under a State program funded under this part attributable to funds provided by the Federal Government may fill a vacant employment position in order to engage in a work activity described in subsection (d) of this section.
(2) No filling of certain vacancies
No adult in a work activity described in subsection (d) of this section which is funded, in whole or in part, by funds provided by the Federal Government shall be employed or assigned—
(A) when any other individual is on layoff from the same or any substantially equivalent job; or
(B) if the employer has terminated the employment of any regular employee or otherwise caused an involuntary reduction of its workforce in order to fill the vacancy so created with an adult described in paragraph (1).
(3) Grievance procedure
A State with a program funded under this part shall establish and maintain a grievance procedure for resolving complaints of alleged violations of paragraph (2).
(4) No preemption
Nothing in this subsection shall preempt or supersede any provision of State or local law that provides greater protection for employees from displacement.
(g) Sense of Congress
It is the sense of the Congress that in complying with this section, each State that operates a program funded under this part is encouraged to assign the highest priority to requiring adults in 2-parent families and adults in single-parent families that include older preschool or school-age children to be engaged in work activities.
(h) Sense of Congress that States should impose certain requirements on noncustodial, nonsupporting minor parents
It is the sense of the Congress that the States should require noncustodial, nonsupporting parents who have not attained 18 years of age to fulfill community work obligations and attend appropriate parenting or money management classes after school.
(i) Verification of work and work-eligible individuals in order to implement reforms
(1) Secretarial direction and oversight
(A) Regulations for determining whether activities may be counted as "work activities", how to count and verify reported hours of work, and determining who is a work-eligible individual
(i) In general
Not later than June 30, 2006, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations to ensure consistent measurement of work participation rates under State programs funded under this part and State programs funded with qualified State expenditures (as defined in
(I) determining whether an activity of a recipient of assistance may be treated as a work activity under subsection (d);
(II) uniform methods for reporting hours of work by a recipient of assistance;
(III) the type of documentation needed to verify reported hours of work by a recipient of assistance; and
(IV) the circumstances under which a parent who resides with a child who is a recipient of assistance should be included in the work participation rates.
(ii) Issuance of regulations on an interim final basis
The regulations referred to in clause (i) may be effective and final immediately on an interim basis as of the date of publication of the regulations. If the Secretary provides for an interim final regulation, the Secretary shall provide for a period of public comment on the regulation after the date of publication. The Secretary may change or revise the regulation after the public comment period.
(B) Oversight of State procedures
The Secretary shall review the State procedures established in accordance with paragraph (2) to ensure that such procedures are consistent with the regulations promulgated under subparagraph (A) and are adequate to ensure an accurate measurement of work participation under the State programs funded under this part and any other State programs funded with qualified State expenditures (as so defined).
(2) Requirement for States to establish and maintain work participation verification procedures
Not later than September 30, 2006, a State to which a grant is made under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §407, as added
Amendment of Subsection (b)(3)(A)(i)
Prior Provisions
A prior section 607, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §407, as added May 8, 1961,
Amendments
2009—Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i).
2006—Subsecs. (a)(1), (2), (b)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
Subsecs. (c)(2)(A)(i), (e)(1), (2).
Subsec. (i).
1997—
Subsec. (b)(2)(C).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(D).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by section 7102(c)(1) of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 5003(b) of
Amendment by section 5504 of
Amendment by section 5514(c) of
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
1 So in original. The second parenthesis probably should not appear.
§608. Prohibitions; requirements
(a) In general
(1) No assistance for families without a minor child
A State to which a grant is made under
(2) Reduction or elimination of assistance for noncooperation in establishing paternity or obtaining child support
If the agency responsible for administering the State plan approved under part D of this subchapter determines that an individual is not cooperating with the State in establishing paternity or in establishing, modifying, or enforcing a support order with respect to a child of the individual, and the individual does not qualify for any good cause or other exception established by the State pursuant to
(A) shall deduct from the assistance that would otherwise be provided to the family of the individual under the State program funded under this part an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the amount of such assistance; and
(B) may deny the family any assistance under the State program.
(3) No assistance for families not assigning certain support rights to the State
A State to which a grant is made under
(4) No assistance for teenage parents who do not attend high school or other equivalent training program
A State to which a grant is made under
(A) educational activities directed toward the attainment of a high school diploma or its equivalent; or
(B) an alternative educational or training program that has been approved by the State.
(5) No assistance for teenage parents not living in adult-supervised settings
(A) In general
(i) Requirement
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a State to which a grant is made under
(ii) Individual described
For purposes of clause (i), an individual described in this clause is an individual who—
(I) has not attained 18 years of age; and
(II) is not married, and has a minor child in his or her care.
(B) Exception
(i) Provision of, or assistance in locating, adult-supervised living arrangement
In the case of an individual who is described in clause (ii), the State agency referred to in
(ii) Individual described
For purposes of clause (i), an individual is described in this clause if the individual is described in subparagraph (A)(ii), and—
(I) the individual has no parent, legal guardian, or other appropriate adult relative described in subclause (II) of his or her own who is living or whose whereabouts are known;
(II) no living parent, legal guardian, or other appropriate adult relative, who would otherwise meet applicable State criteria to act as the individual's legal guardian, of such individual allows the individual to live in the home of such parent, guardian, or relative;
(III) the State agency determines that—
(aa) the individual or the minor child referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii)(II) is being or has been subjected to serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation in the residence of the individual's own parent or legal guardian; or
(bb) substantial evidence exists of an act or failure to act that presents an imminent or serious harm if the individual and the minor child lived in the same residence with the individual's own parent or legal guardian; or
(IV) the State agency otherwise determines that it is in the best interest of the minor child to waive the requirement of subparagraph (A) with respect to the individual or the minor child.
(iii) Second-chance home
For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "second-chance home" means an entity that provides individuals described in clause (ii) with a supportive and supervised living arrangement in which such individuals are required to learn parenting skills, including child development, family budgeting, health and nutrition, and other skills to promote their long-term economic independence and the well-being of their children.
(6) No medical services
(A) In general
A State to which a grant is made under
(B) Exception for prepregnancy family planning services
As used in subparagraph (A), the term "medical services" does not include prepregnancy family planning services.
(7) No assistance for more than 5 years
(A) In general
A State to which a grant is made under
(B) Minor child exception
In determining the number of months for which an individual who is a parent or pregnant has received assistance under the State program funded under this part, the State shall disregard any month for which such assistance was provided with respect to the individual and during which the individual was—
(i) a minor child; and
(ii) not the head of a household or married to the head of a household.
(C) Hardship exception
(i) In general
The State may exempt a family from the application of subparagraph (A) by reason of hardship or if the family includes an individual who has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty.
(ii) Limitation
The average monthly number of families with respect to which an exemption made by a State under clause (i) is in effect for a fiscal year shall not exceed 20 percent of the average monthly number of families to which assistance is provided under the State program funded under this part during the fiscal year or the immediately preceding fiscal year (but not both), as the State may elect.
(iii) Battered or subject to extreme cruelty defined
For purposes of clause (i), an individual has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty if the individual has been subjected to—
(I) physical acts that resulted in, or threatened to result in, physical injury to the individual;
(II) sexual abuse;
(III) sexual activity involving a dependent child;
(IV) being forced as the caretaker relative of a dependent child to engage in nonconsensual sexual acts or activities;
(V) threats of, or attempts at, physical or sexual abuse;
(VI) mental abuse; or
(VII) neglect or deprivation of medical care.
(D) Disregard of months of assistance received by adult while living in Indian country or an Alaskan Native village with 50 percent unemployment
(i) In general
In determining the number of months for which an adult has received assistance under a State or tribal program funded under this part, the State or tribe shall disregard any month during which the adult lived in Indian country or an Alaskan Native village if the most reliable data available with respect to the month (or a period including the month) indicate that at least 50 percent of the adults living in Indian country or in the village were not employed.
(ii) "Indian country" defined
As used in clause (i), the term "Indian country" has the meaning given such term in
(E) Rule of interpretation
Subparagraph (A) shall not be interpreted to require any State to provide assistance to any individual for any period of time under the State program funded under this part.
(F) Rule of interpretation
This part shall not be interpreted to prohibit any State from expending State funds not originating with the Federal Government on benefits for children or families that have become ineligible for assistance under the State program funded under this part by reason of subparagraph (A).
(G) Inapplicability to welfare-to-work grants and assistance
For purposes of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, a grant made under
(8) Denial of assistance for 10 years to a person found to have fraudulently misrepresented residence in order to obtain assistance in 2 or more States
A State to which a grant is made under
(9) Denial of assistance for fugitive felons and probation and parole violators
(A) In general
A State to which a grant is made under
(i) fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, under the laws of the place from which the individual flees, for a crime, or an attempt to commit a crime, which is a felony under the laws of the place from which the individual flees, or which, in the case of the State of New Jersey, is a high misdemeanor under the laws of such State; or
(ii) violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under Federal or State law.
The preceding sentence shall not apply with respect to conduct of an individual, for any month beginning after the President of the United States grants a pardon with respect to the conduct.
(B) Exchange of information with law enforcement agencies
If a State to which a grant is made under
(i) the recipient—
(I) is described in subparagraph (A); or
(II) has information that is necessary for the officer to conduct the official duties of the officer; and
(ii) the location or apprehension of the recipient is within such official duties.
(10) Denial of assistance for minor children who are absent from the home for a significant period
(A) In general
A State to which a grant is made under
(B) State authority to establish good cause exceptions
The State may establish such good cause exceptions to subparagraph (A) as the State considers appropriate if such exceptions are provided for in the State plan submitted pursuant to
(C) Denial of assistance for relative who fails to notify State agency of absence of child
A State to which a grant is made under
(11) Medical assistance required to be provided for certain families having earnings from employment or child support
(A) Earnings from employment
A State to which a grant is made under
(B) Child support
A State to which a grant is made under
(b) Individual responsibility plans
(1) Assessment
The State agency responsible for administering the State program funded under this part shall make an initial assessment of the skills, prior work experience, and employability of each recipient of assistance under the program who—
(A) has attained 18 years of age; or
(B) has not completed high school or obtained a certificate of high school equivalency, and is not attending secondary school.
(2) Contents of plans
(A) In general
On the basis of the assessment made under subsection (a) of this section with respect to an individual, the State agency, in consultation with the individual, may develop an individual responsibility plan for the individual, which—
(i) sets forth an employment goal for the individual and a plan for moving the individual immediately into private sector employment;
(ii) sets forth the obligations of the individual, which may include a requirement that the individual attend school, maintain certain grades and attendance, keep school age children of the individual in school, immunize children, attend parenting and money management classes, or do other things that will help the individual become and remain employed in the private sector;
(iii) to the greatest extent possible is designed to move the individual into whatever private sector employment the individual is capable of handling as quickly as possible, and to increase the responsibility and amount of work the individual is to handle over time;
(iv) describes the services the State will provide the individual so that the individual will be able to obtain and keep employment in the private sector, and describe the job counseling and other services that will be provided by the State; and
(v) may require the individual to undergo appropriate substance abuse treatment.
(B) Timing
The State agency may comply with paragraph (1) with respect to an individual—
(i) within 90 days (or, at the option of the State, 180 days) after the effective date of this part, in the case of an individual who, as of such effective date, is a recipient of aid under the State plan approved under part A of this subchapter (as in effect immediately before such effective date); or
(ii) within 30 days (or, at the option of the State, 90 days) after the individual is determined to be eligible for such assistance, in the case of any other individual.
(3) Penalty for noncompliance by individual
In addition to any other penalties required under the State program funded under this part, the State may reduce, by such amount as the State considers appropriate, the amount of assistance otherwise payable under the State program to a family that includes an individual who fails without good cause to comply with an individual responsibility plan signed by the individual.
(4) State discretion
The exercise of the authority of this subsection shall be within the sole discretion of the State.
(c) Sanctions against recipients not considered wage reductions
A penalty imposed by a State against the family of an individual by reason of the failure of the individual to comply with a requirement under the State program funded under this part shall not be construed to be a reduction in any wage paid to the individual.
(d) Nondiscrimination provisions
The following provisions of law shall apply to any program or activity which receives funds provided under this part:
(1) The Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (
(2)
(3) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (
(4) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (
(e) Special rules relating to treatment of certain aliens
For special rules relating to the treatment of certain aliens, see title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 [
(f) Special rules relating to treatment of non-213A aliens
The following rules shall apply if a State elects to take the income or resources of any sponsor of a non-213A alien into account in determining whether the alien is eligible for assistance under the State program funded under this part, or in determining the amount or types of such assistance to be provided to the alien:
(1) Deeming of sponsor's income and resources
For a period of 3 years after a non-213A alien enters the United States:
(A) Income deeming rule
The income of any sponsor of the alien and of any spouse of the sponsor is deemed to be income of the alien, to the extent that the total amount of the income exceeds the sum of—
(i) the lesser of—
(I) 20 percent of the total of any amounts received by the sponsor or any such spouse in the month as wages or salary or as net earnings from self-employment, plus the full amount of any costs incurred by the sponsor and any such spouse in producing self-employment income in such month; or
(II) $175;
(ii) the cash needs standard established by the State for purposes of determining eligibility for assistance under the State program funded under this part for a family of the same size and composition as the sponsor and any other individuals living in the same household as the sponsor who are claimed by the sponsor as dependents for purposes of determining the sponsor's Federal personal income tax liability but whose needs are not taken into account in determining whether the sponsor's family has met the cash needs standard;
(iii) any amounts paid by the sponsor or any such spouse to individuals not living in the household who are claimed by the sponsor as dependents for purposes of determining the sponsor's Federal personal income tax liability; and
(iv) any payments of alimony or child support with respect to individuals not living in the household.
(B) Resource deeming rule
The resources of a sponsor of the alien and of any spouse of the sponsor are deemed to be resources of the alien to the extent that the aggregate value of the resources exceeds $1,500.
(C) Sponsors of multiple non-213A aliens
If a person is a sponsor of 2 or more non-213A aliens who are living in the same home, the income and resources of the sponsor and any spouse of the sponsor that would be deemed income and resources of any such alien under subparagraph (A) shall be divided into a number of equal shares equal to the number of such aliens, and the State shall deem the income and resources of each such alien to include 1 such share.
(2) Ineligibility of non-213A aliens sponsored by agencies; exception
A non-213A alien whose sponsor is or was a public or private agency shall be ineligible for assistance under a State program funded under this part, during a period of 3 years after the alien enters the United States, unless the State agency administering the program determines that the sponsor either no longer exists or has become unable to meet the alien's needs.
(3) Information provisions
(A) Duties of non-213A aliens
A non-213A alien, as a condition of eligibility for assistance under a State program funded under this part during the period of 3 years after the alien enters the United States, shall be required to provide to the State agency administering the program—
(i) such information and documentation with respect to the alien's sponsor as may be necessary in order for the State agency to make any determination required under this subsection, and to obtain any cooperation from the sponsor necessary for any such determination; and
(ii) such information and documentation as the State agency may request and which the alien or the alien's sponsor provided in support of the alien's immigration application.
(B) Duties of Federal agencies
The Secretary shall enter into agreements with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General under which any information available to them and required in order to make any determination under this subsection will be provided by them to the Secretary (who may, in turn, make the information available, upon request, to a concerned State agency).
(4) "Non-213A alien" defined
An alien is a non-213A alien for purposes of this subsection if the affidavit of support or similar agreement with respect to the alien that was executed by the sponsor of the alien's entry into the United States was executed other than pursuant to section 213A of the Immigration and Nationality Act [
(5) Inapplicability to alien minor sponsored by a parent
This subsection shall not apply to an alien who is a minor child if the sponsor of the alien or any spouse of the sponsor is a parent of the alien.
(6) Inapplicability to certain categories of aliens
This subsection shall not apply to an alien who is—
(A) admitted to the United States as a refugee under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act [
(B) paroled into the United States under section 212(d)(5) of such Act [
(C) granted political asylum by the Attorney General under section 208 of such Act [
(g) State required to provide certain information
Each State to which a grant is made under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §408, as added
References in Text
Part D of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), (11)(B), is classified to
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (a)(8), is
For effective date of this part, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(B)(i), see Effective Date note set out below.
The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), is title III of
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (d)(3), is
The Civil Rights Act of 1964, referred to in subsec. (d)(4), is
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (e), is
Codification
Prior Provisions
A prior section 608, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §408, as added Dec. 19, 1989,
Another prior section 608, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §408, as added May 8, 1961,
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (a)(8).
2006—Subsec. (a)(3).
1997—
Subsec. (a)(1).
"(A) unless the family includes—
"(i) a minor child who resides with a custodial parent or other adult caretaker relative of the child; or
"(ii) a pregnant individual; and
"(B) if the family includes an adult who has received assistance under any State program funded under this part attributable to funds provided by the Federal Government, for 60 months (whether or not consecutive) after the date the State program funded under this part commences (unless an exception described in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (7) applies)."
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
Subsec. (a)(5)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(7)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(7)(D).
"(i) at least 1,000 individuals were living on the reservation or in the village; and
"(ii) at least 50 percent of the adults living on the reservation or in the village were unemployed."
Subsec. (a)(7)(G).
Subsecs. (c), (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f). Pub. B. 105–33, §5505(e), added subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by section 4002(b)(1)(B), (2)(V) of
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 5001(h)(2) of
Amendment by section 5505 of
Amendment by section 5514(c) of
"(a)
"(b)
[
Section 5581(a) of
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
Abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service and Transfer of Functions
For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under
§608a. Fraud under means-tested welfare and public assistance programs
(a) In general
If an individual's benefits under a Federal, State, or local law relating to a means-tested welfare or a public assistance program are reduced because of an act of fraud by the individual under the law or program, the individual may not, for the duration of the reduction, receive an increased benefit under any other means-tested welfare or public assistance program for which Federal funds are appropriated as a result of a decrease in the income of the individual (determined under the applicable program) attributable to such reduction.
(b) Welfare or public assistance programs for which Federal funds are appropriated
For purposes of subsection (a) of this section, the term "means-tested welfare or public assistance program for which Federal funds are appropriated" includes the food stamp program under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (
(
References in Text
The Food Stamp Act of 1977, referred to in subsec. (b), subsequently renamed the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, is
The United States Housing Act of 1937, referred to in subsec. (b), is act Sept. 1, 1937, ch. 896, as revised generally by
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Change of Name
References to the food stamp program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 considered to refer to the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under that Act, see section 4002(c) of
§609. Penalties
(a) In general
Subject to this section:
(1) Use of grant in violation of this part
(A) General penalty
If an audit conducted under
(B) Enhanced penalty for intentional violations
If the State does not prove to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the State did not intend to use the amount in violation of this part, the Secretary shall further reduce the grant payable to the State under
(C) Penalty for misuse of competitive welfare-to-work funds
If the Secretary of Labor finds that an amount paid to an entity under
(2) Failure to submit required report
(A) Quarterly reports
(i) In general
If the Secretary determines that a State has not, within 45 days after the end of a fiscal quarter, submitted the report required by
(ii) Rescission of penalty
The Secretary shall rescind a penalty imposed on a State under clause (i) with respect to a report if the State submits the report before the end of the fiscal quarter that immediately succeeds the fiscal quarter for which the report was required.
(B) Report on engagement in additional work activities and expenditures for other benefits and services
(i) In general
If the Secretary determines that a State has not submitted the report required by
(ii) Rescission of penalty
The Secretary shall rescind a penalty imposed on a State under clause (i) with respect to a report required by
(I) in the case of the report required under
(II) in the case of the report required under
(iii) Penalty based on severity of failure
The Secretary shall impose a reduction under clause (i) with respect to a fiscal year based on the degree of noncompliance.
(3) Failure to satisfy minimum participation rates
(A) In general
If the Secretary determines that a State to which a grant is made under
(B) "Applicable percentage" defined
As used in subparagraph (A), the term "applicable percentage" means, with respect to a State—
(i) if a penalty was not imposed on the State under subparagraph (A) for the immediately preceding fiscal year, 5 percent; or
(ii) if a penalty was imposed on the State under subparagraph (A) for the immediately preceding fiscal year, the lesser of—
(I) the percentage by which the grant payable to the State under
(II) 21 percent.
(C) Penalty based on severity of failure
The Secretary shall impose reductions under subparagraph (A) with respect to a fiscal year based on the degree of noncompliance, and may reduce the penalty if the noncompliance is due to circumstances that caused the State to become a needy State (as defined in
(4) Failure to participate in the income and eligibility verification system
If the Secretary determines that a State program funded under this part is not participating during a fiscal year in the income and eligibility verification system required by
(5) Failure to comply with paternity establishment and child support enforcement requirements under part D
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, if the Secretary determines that the State agency that administers a program funded under this part does not enforce the penalties requested by the agency administering part D of this subchapter against recipients of assistance under the State program who fail to cooperate in establishing paternity or in establishing, modifying, or enforcing a child support order in accordance with such part and who do not qualify for any good cause or other exception established by the State under
(6) Failure to timely repay a Federal Loan Fund for State Welfare Programs
If the Secretary determines that a State has failed to repay any amount borrowed from the Federal Loan Fund for State Welfare Programs established under
(7) Failure of any State to maintain certain level of historic effort
(A) In general
The Secretary shall reduce the grant payable to the State under
(B) Definitions
As used in this paragraph:
(i) Qualified State expenditures
(I) In general
The term "qualified State expenditures" means, with respect to a State and a fiscal year, the total expenditures by the State during the fiscal year, under all State programs, for any of the following with respect to eligible families:
(aa) Cash assistance, including any amount collected by the State as support pursuant to a plan approved under part D of this subchapter, on behalf of a family receiving assistance under the State program funded under this part, that is distributed to the family under
(bb) Child care assistance.
(cc) Educational activities designed to increase self-sufficiency, job training, and work, excluding any expenditure for public education in the State except expenditures which involve the provision of services or assistance to a member of an eligible family which is not generally available to persons who are not members of an eligible family.
(dd) Administrative costs in connection with the matters described in items (aa), (bb), (cc), and (ee), but only to the extent that such costs do not exceed 15 percent of the total amount of qualified State expenditures for the fiscal year.
(ee) Any other use of funds allowable under
(II) Exclusion of transfers from other State and local programs
Such term does not include expenditures under any State or local program during a fiscal year, except to the extent that—
(aa) the expenditures exceed the amount expended under the State or local program in the fiscal year most recently ending before August 22, 1996; or
(bb) the State is entitled to a payment under former
(III) Exclusion of amounts expended to replace penalty grant reductions
Such term does not include any amount expended in order to comply with paragraph (12).
(IV) Eligible families
As used in subclause (I), the term "eligible families" means families eligible for assistance under the State program funded under this part, families that would be eligible for such assistance but for the application of
(V) Counting of spending on certain pro-family activities
The term "qualified State expenditures" includes the total expenditures by the State during the fiscal year under all State programs for a purpose described in paragraph (3) or (4) of
(ii) Applicable percentage
The term "applicable percentage" means for fiscal years 1997 through 2011, 80 percent (or, if the State meets the requirements of
(iii) Historic State expenditures
The term "historic State expenditures" means, with respect to a State, the lesser of—
(I) the expenditures by the State under parts A and F of this subchapter (as in effect during fiscal year 1994) for fiscal year 1994; or
(II) the amount which bears the same ratio to the amount described in subclause (I) as—
(aa) the State family assistance grant, plus the total amount required to be paid to the State under former
(bb) the total amount required to be paid to the State under former
Such term does not include any expenditures under the State plan approved under part A of this subchapter (as so in effect) on behalf of individuals covered by a tribal family assistance plan approved under
(iv) Expenditures by the State
The term "expenditures by the State" does not include—
(I) any expenditure from amounts made available by the Federal Government;
(II) any State funds expended for the medicaid program under subchapter XIX of this chapter;
(III) any State funds which are used to match Federal funds provided under
(IV) any State funds which are expended as a condition of receiving Federal funds other than under this part.
Notwithstanding subclause (IV) of the preceding sentence, such term includes expenditures by a State for child care in a fiscal year to the extent that the total amount of the expenditures does not exceed the amount of State expenditures in fiscal year 1994 or 1995 (whichever is the greater) that equal the non-Federal share for the programs described in
(v) Source of data
In determining expenditures by a State for fiscal years 1994 and 1995, the Secretary shall use information which was reported by the State on ACF Form 231 or (in the case of expenditures under part F of this subchapter) ACF Form 331, available as of the dates specified in clauses (ii) and (iii) of section 603(a)(1)(D) 1 of this title.
(8) Noncompliance of State child support enforcement program with requirements of part D
(A) In general
If the Secretary finds, with respect to a State's program under part D of this subchapter, in a fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 1997—
(i)(I) on the basis of data submitted by a State pursuant to
(II) on the basis of the results of an audit or audits conducted under
(III) on the basis of the results of an audit or audits conducted under
(ii) that, with respect to the succeeding fiscal year—
(I) the State failed to take sufficient corrective action to achieve the appropriate performance levels or compliance as described in subparagraph (A)(i); or
(II) the data submitted by the State pursuant to
the amounts otherwise payable to the State under this part for quarters following the end of such succeeding fiscal year, prior to quarters following the end of the first quarter throughout which the State program has achieved the paternity establishment percentages or other performance measures as described in subparagraph (A)(i)(I), or is in substantial compliance with 1 or more of the requirements of part D of this subchapter as described in subparagraph (A)(i)(III), as appropriate, shall be reduced by the percentage specified in subparagraph (B).
(B) Amount of reductions
The reductions required under subparagraph (A) shall be—
(i) not less than 1 nor more than 2 percent;
(ii) not less than 2 nor more than 3 percent, if the finding is the 2nd consecutive finding made pursuant to subparagraph (A); or
(iii) not less than 3 nor more than 5 percent, if the finding is the 3rd or a subsequent consecutive such finding.
(C) Disregard of noncompliance which is of a technical nature
For purposes of this section and
(i) to have failed to have substantially complied with 1 or more of the requirements of part D of this subchapter shall be determined to have achieved substantial compliance only if the Secretary determines that the extent of the noncompliance is of a technical nature which does not adversely affect the performance of the State's program under part D of this subchapter; or
(ii) to have submitted incomplete or unreliable data pursuant to
(9) Failure to comply with 5-year limit on assistance
If the Secretary determines that a State has not complied with
(10) Failure of State receiving amounts from Contingency Fund to maintain 100 percent of historic effort
If, at the end of any fiscal year during which amounts from the Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs have been paid to a State, the Secretary finds that the qualified State expenditures (as defined in paragraph (7)(B)(i) (other than the expenditures described in subclause (I)(bb) of that paragraph)) under the State program funded under this part for the fiscal year are less than 100 percent of historic State expenditures (as defined in paragraph (7)(B)(iii) of this subsection), excluding any amount expended by the State for child care under subsection (g) or (i) of
(11) Failure to maintain assistance to adult single custodial parent who cannot obtain child care for child under age 6
(A) In general
If the Secretary determines that a State to which a grant is made under
(B) Penalty based on severity of failure
The Secretary shall impose reductions under subparagraph (A) with respect to a fiscal year based on the degree of noncompliance.
(12) Requirement to expend additional State funds to replace grant reductions; penalty for failure to do so
If the grant payable to a State under
(A) not more than 2 percent of the State family assistance grant; and
(B) the amount of the expenditure required by the preceding sentence.
(13) Penalty for failure of State to maintain historic effort during year in which welfare-to-work grant is received
If a grant is made to a State under
(14) Penalty for failure to reduce assistance for recipients refusing without good cause to work
(A) In general
If the Secretary determines that a State to which a grant is made under
(B) Penalty based on severity of failure
The Secretary shall impose reductions under subparagraph (A) with respect to a fiscal year based on the degree of noncompliance.
(15) Penalty for failure to establish or comply with work participation verification procedures
(A) In general
If the Secretary determines that a State to which a grant is made under
(B) Penalty based on severity of failure
The Secretary shall impose reductions under subparagraph (A) with respect to a fiscal year based on the degree of noncompliance.
(b) Reasonable cause exception
(1) In general
The Secretary may not impose a penalty on a State under subsection (a) with respect to a requirement if the Secretary determines that the State has reasonable cause for failing to comply with the requirement.
(2) Exception
Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply to any penalty under paragraph (6), (7), (8), (10), (12), or (13) of subsection (a) and, with respect to the penalty under paragraph (2)(B) of subsection (a), shall only apply to the extent the Secretary determines that the reasonable cause for failure to comply with a requirement of that paragraph is as a result of a one-time, unexpected event, such as a widespread data system failure or a natural or man-made disaster.
(c) Corrective compliance plan
(1) In general
(A) Notification of violation
Before imposing a penalty against a State under subsection (a) of this section with respect to a violation of this part, the Secretary shall notify the State of the violation and allow the State the opportunity to enter into a corrective compliance plan in accordance with this subsection which outlines how the State will correct or discontinue, as appropriate, the violation and how the State will insure continuing compliance with this part.
(B) 60-day period to propose a corrective compliance plan
During the 60-day period that begins on the date the State receives a notice provided under subparagraph (A) with respect to a violation, the State may submit to the Federal Government a corrective compliance plan to correct or discontinue, as appropriate, the violation.
(C) Consultation about modifications
During the 60-day period that begins with the date the Secretary receives a corrective compliance plan submitted by a State in accordance with subparagraph (B), the Secretary may consult with the State on modifications to the plan.
(D) Acceptance of plan
A corrective compliance plan submitted by a State in accordance with subparagraph (B) is deemed to be accepted by the Secretary if the Secretary does not accept or reject the plan during 60-day period that begins on the date the plan is submitted.
(2) Effect of correcting or discontinuing violation
The Secretary may not impose any penalty under subsection (a) of this section with respect to any violation covered by a State corrective compliance plan accepted by the Secretary if the State corrects or discontinues, as appropriate 2 the violation pursuant to the plan.
(3) Effect of failing to correct or discontinue violation
The Secretary shall assess some or all of a penalty imposed on a State under subsection (a) of this section with respect to a violation if the State does not, in a timely manner, correct or discontinue, as appropriate, the violation pursuant to a State corrective compliance plan accepted by the Secretary.
(4) Inapplicability to certain penalties
This subsection shall not apply to the imposition of a penalty against a State under paragraph (2)(B), (6), (7), (8), (10), (12), or (13) of subsection (a) of this section.
(d) Limitation on amount of penalties
(1) In general
In imposing the penalties described in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall not reduce any quarterly payment to a State by more than 25 percent.
(2) Carryforward of unrecovered penalties
To the extent that paragraph (1) of this subsection prevents the Secretary from recovering during a fiscal year the full amount of penalties imposed on a State under subsection (a) of this section for a prior fiscal year, the Secretary shall apply any remaining amount of such penalties to the grant payable to the State under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §409, as added
References in Text
Part D of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(5), (7)(B)(i)(I)(aa), (8), is classified to
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (a)(7)(B)(i)(IV), is
Part F of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(7)(B)(iii)(I), (v), was classified to
Prior Provisions
A prior section 609, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §409, as added Nov. 5, 1990,
Another prior section 609, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §409, as added and amended July 25, 1962,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A).
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c)(4).
2006—Subsec. (a)(7)(A).
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(i)(V).
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(15).
2005—Subsec. (a)(7)(A).
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(ii).
2004—Subsec. (a)(7)(A).
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(ii).
2003—Subsec. (a)(7)(A).
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(ii).
1999—Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(i)(II).
Subsec. (a)(8)(A)(i)(III).
1998—Subsec. (a)(8)(A)(i)(III).
1997—
Subsec. (a)(1)(C).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C).
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(i)(I)(aa).
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(i)(III).
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(i)(IV).
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(iv).
"(I) any expenditures from amounts made available by the Federal Government;
"(II) any State funds expended for the medicaid program under subchapter XIX of this chapter;
"(III) any State funds which are used to match Federal funds; or
"(IV) any State funds which are expended as a condition of receiving Federal funds under Federal programs other than under this part.
Notwithstanding subclause (IV) of the preceding sentence, such term includes expenditures by a State for child care in a fiscal year to the extent that the total amount of such expenditures does not exceed an amount equal to the amount of State expenditures in fiscal year 1994 or 1995 (whichever is greater) that equal the non-Federal share for the programs described in
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(v).
Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (a)(9).
Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (a)(12).
"(A) not more than 2 percent of the State family assistance grant; and
"(B) the amount of the expenditure required by the preceding sentence."
Subsec. (a)(13).
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A), (B).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1999 Amendments
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 5004(b) of
Amendment by section 5506 of
Amendment by section 5514(c) of
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1997, with delayed effective date for subsec. (a)(2)–(5), (8), (10) of this section, and with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
§610. Appeal of adverse decision
(a) In general
Within 5 days after the date the Secretary takes any adverse action under this part with respect to a State, the Secretary shall notify the chief executive officer of the State of the adverse action, including any action with respect to the State plan submitted under
(b) Administrative review
(1) In general
Within 60 days after the date a State receives notice under subsection (a) of this section of an adverse action, the State may appeal the action, in whole or in part, to the Departmental Appeals Board established in the Department of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the "Board") by filing an appeal with the Board.
(2) Procedural rules
The Board shall consider an appeal filed by a State under paragraph (1) on the basis of such documentation as the State may submit and as the Board may require to support the final decision of the Board. In deciding whether to uphold an adverse action or any portion of such an action, the Board shall conduct a thorough review of the issues and take into account all relevant evidence. The Board shall make a final determination with respect to an appeal filed under paragraph (1) not less than 60 days after the date the appeal is filed.
(c) Judicial review of adverse decision
(1) In general
Within 90 days after the date of a final decision by the Board under this section with respect to an adverse action taken against a State, the State may obtain judicial review of the final decision (and the findings incorporated into the final decision) by filing an action in—
(A) the district court of the United States for the judicial district in which the principal or headquarters office of the State agency is located; or
(B) the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
(2) Procedural rules
The district court in which an action is filed under paragraph (1) shall review the final decision of the Board on the record established in the administrative proceeding, in accordance with the standards of review prescribed by subparagraphs (A) through (E) of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §410, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 610, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §410, as added Oct. 21, 1976,
Another prior section 610, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §410, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Amendments
1997—
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
§611. Data collection and reporting
(a) Quarterly reports by States
(1) General reporting requirement
(A) Contents of report
Each eligible State shall collect on a monthly basis, and report to the Secretary on a quarterly basis, the following disaggregated case record information on the families receiving assistance under the State program funded under this part (except for information relating to activities carried out under
(i) The county of residence of the family.
(ii) Whether a child receiving such assistance or an adult in the family is receiving—
(I) Federal disability insurance benefits;
(II) benefits based on Federal disability status;
(III) aid under a State plan approved under subchapter XIV of this chapter (as in effect without regard to the amendment made by section 301 of the Social Security Amendments of 1972)); 1
(IV) aid or assistance under a State plan approved under subchapter XVI of this chapter (as in effect without regard to such amendment) by reason of being permanently and totally disabled; or
(V) supplemental security income benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter (as in effect pursuant to such amendment) by reason of disability.
(iii) The ages of the members of such families.
(iv) The number of individuals in the family, and the relation of each family member to the head of the family.
(v) The employment status and earnings of the employed adult in the family.
(vi) The marital status of the adults in the family, including whether such adults have never married, are widowed, or are divorced.
(vii) The race and educational level of each adult in the family.
(viii) The race and educational level of each child in the family.
(ix) Whether the family received subsidized housing, medical assistance under the State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits, or subsidized child care, and if the latter 2, the amount received.
(x) The number of months that the family has received each type of assistance under the program.
(xi) If the adults participated in, and the number of hours per week of participation in, the following activities:
(I) Education.
(II) Subsidized private sector employment.
(III) Unsubsidized employment.
(IV) Public sector employment, work experience, or community service.
(V) Job search.
(VI) Job skills training or on-the-job training.
(VII) Vocational education.
(xii) Information necessary to calculate participation rates under
(xiii) The type and amount of assistance received under the program, including the amount of and reason for any reduction of assistance (including sanctions).
(xiv) Any amount of unearned income received by any member of the family.
(xv) The citizenship of the members of the family.
(xvi) From a sample of closed cases, whether the family left the program, and if so, whether the family left due to—
(I) employment;
(II) marriage;
(III) the prohibition set forth in
(IV) sanction; or
(V) State policy.
(xvii) With respect to each individual in the family who has not attained 20 years of age, whether the individual is a parent of a child in the family.
(B) Use of samples
(i) Authority
A State may comply with subparagraph (A) by submitting disaggregated case record information on a sample of families selected through the use of scientifically acceptable sampling methods approved by the Secretary.
(ii) Sampling and other methods
The Secretary shall provide the States with such case sampling plans and data collection procedures as the Secretary deems necessary to produce statistically valid estimates of the performance of State programs funded under this part and any other State programs funded with qualified State expenditures (as defined in
(2) Report on use of Federal funds to cover administrative costs and overhead
The report required by paragraph (1) for a fiscal quarter shall include a statement of the percentage of the funds paid to the State under this part for the quarter that are used to cover administrative costs or overhead, with a separate statement of the percentage of such funds that are used to cover administrative costs or overhead incurred for programs operated with funds provided under
(3) Report on State expenditures on programs for needy families
The report required by paragraph (1) for a fiscal quarter shall include a statement of the total amount expended by the State during the quarter on programs for needy families, with a separate statement of the total amount expended by the State during the quarter on programs operated with funds provided under
(4) Report on noncustodial parents participating in work activities
The report required by paragraph (1) for a fiscal quarter shall include the number of noncustodial parents in the State who participated in work activities (as defined in
(5) Report on transitional services
The report required by paragraph (1) for a fiscal quarter shall include the total amount expended by the State during the quarter to provide transitional services to a family that has ceased to receive assistance under this part because of employment, along with a description of such services.
(6) Report on families receiving assistance
The report required by paragraph (1) for a fiscal quarter shall include for each month in the quarter—
(A) the number of families and individuals receiving assistance under the State program funded under this part (including the number of 2-parent and 1-parent families);
(B) the total dollar value of such assistance received by all families; and
(C) with respect to families and individuals participating in a program operated with funds provided under
(i) the total number of such families and individuals; and
(ii) the number of such families and individuals whose participation in such a program was terminated during a month.
(7) Regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to define the data elements with respect to which reports are required by this subsection, and shall consult with the Secretary of Labor in defining the data elements with respect to programs operated with funds provided under
(b) Annual reports to Congress by Secretary
Not later than 6 months after the end of fiscal year 1997, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary shall transmit to the Congress a report describing—
(1) whether the States are meeting—
(A) the participation rates described in
(B) the objectives of—
(i) increasing employment and earnings of needy families, and child support collections; and
(ii) decreasing out-of-wedlock pregnancies and child poverty;
(2) the demographic and financial characteristics of families applying for assistance, families receiving assistance, and families that become ineligible to receive assistance;
(3) the characteristics of each State program funded under this part; and
(4) the trends in employment and earnings of needy families with minor children living at home.
(c) Pre-reauthorization State-by-State reports on engagement in additional work activities and expenditures for other benefits and services
(1) State reporting requirements
(A) Reporting periods and deadlines
Each eligible State shall submit to the Secretary the following reports:
(i) March 2011 report
Not later than May 31, 2011, a report for the period that begins on March 1, 2011, and ends on March 31, 2011, that contains the information specified in subparagraphs (B) and (C).
(ii) April-June, 2011 report
Not later than August 31, 2011, a report for the period that begins on April 1, 2011, and ends on June 30, 2011, that contains with respect to the 3 months that occur during that period—
(I) the average monthly numbers for the information specified in subparagraph (B); and
(II) the information specified in subparagraph (C).
(B) Engagement in additional work activities
(i) With respect to each work-eligible individual in a family receiving assistance during a reporting period specified in subparagraph (A), whether the individual engages in any activities directed toward attaining self-sufficiency during a month occurring in a reporting period, and if so, the specific activities—
(I) that do not qualify as a work activity under
(II) that are of a type that would be counted toward the State participation rates under
(aa) the work-eligible individual did not engage in sufficient hours of the activity;
(bb) the work-eligible individual has reached the maximum time limit allowed for having participation in the activity counted toward the State's work participation rate; or
(cc) the number of work-eligible individuals engaged in such activity exceeds a limitation under such section.
(ii) Any other information that the Secretary determines appropriate with respect to the information required under clause (i), including if the individual has no hours of participation, the principal reason or reasons for such non-participation.
(C) Expenditures on other benefits and services
(i) Detailed, disaggregated information regarding the types of, and amounts of, expenditures made by the State during a reporting period specified in subparagraph (A) using—
(I) Federal funds provided under
(II) State funds expended to meet the requirements of
(ii) Any other information that the Secretary determines appropriate with respect to the information required under clause (i).
(2) Publication of summary and analysis of engagement in additional activities
Concurrent with the submission of each report required under paragraph (1)(A), an eligible State shall publish on an Internet website maintained by the State agency responsible for administering the State program funded under this part (or such State-maintained website as the Secretary may approve)—
(A) a summary of the information submitted in the report:
(B) an analysis statement regarding the extent to which the information changes measures of total engagement in work activities from what was (or will be) reported by the State in the quarterly report submitted under subsection (a) for the comparable period; and
(C) a narrative describing the most common activities contained in the report that are not countable toward the State participation rates under
(3) Application of authority to use sampling
Subparagraph (B) of subsection (a)(1) shall apply to the reports required under paragraph (1) of this subsection in the same manner as subparagraph (B) of subsection (a)(1) applies to reports required under subparagraph (A) of subsection (a)(1).
(4) Secretarial reports to Congress
(A) March 2011 report
Not later than June 30, 2011, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the information submitted by eligible States for the March 2011 reporting period under paragraph (1)(A)(i). The report shall include a State-by-State summary and analysis of such information, identification of any States with missing or incomplete reports, and recommendations for such administrative or legislative changes as the Secretary determines are necessary to require eligible States to report the information on a recurring basis.
(B) April-June, 2011 report
Not later than September 30, 2011, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the information submitted by eligible States for the April-June 2011 reporting period under paragraph (1)(A)(ii). The report shall include a State-by-State summary and analysis of such information, identification of any States with missing or incomplete reports, and recommendations for such administrative or legislative changes as the Secretary determines are necessary to require eligible States to report the information on a recurring basis 2
(5) Authority for expeditious implementation
The requirements of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §411, as added
References in Text
Section 301 of the Social Security Amendments of 1972, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii)(III), is section 301 of
Codification
Prior Provisions
A prior section 611, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §411, as added Dec. 20, 1977,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (c).
2008—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ix).
2006—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(ii).
1999—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(xviii).
1997—
Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(vii), (viii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(xvii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(xviii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (a)(6)(C).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by section 4002(b)(1)(E), (2)(V) of
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 5507 of
Amendment by section 5514(c) of
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
1 So in original. The second parenthesis probably should not appear.
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.
§611a. State required to provide certain information
Each State to which a grant is made under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §411A, as added
Abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service and Transfer of Functions
For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under
§612. Direct funding and administration by Indian tribes
(a) Grants for Indian tribes
(1) Tribal family assistance grant
(A) In general
For each of fiscal years 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003, the Secretary shall pay to each Indian tribe that has an approved tribal family assistance plan a tribal family assistance grant for the fiscal year in an amount equal to the amount determined under subparagraph (B), which shall be reduced for a fiscal year, on a pro rata basis for each quarter, in the case of a tribal family assistance plan approved during a fiscal year for which the plan is to be in effect, and shall reduce the grant payable under
(B) Amount determined
(i) In general
The amount determined under this subparagraph is an amount equal to the total amount of the Federal payments to a State or States under
(ii) Use of State submitted data
(I) In general
The Secretary shall use State submitted data to make each determination under clause (i).
(II) Disagreement with determination
If an Indian tribe or tribal organization disagrees with State submitted data described under subclause (I), the Indian tribe or tribal organization may submit to the Secretary such additional information as may be relevant to making the determination under clause (i) and the Secretary may consider such information before making such determination.
(2) Grants for Indian tribes that received jobs funds
(A) In general
For each of fiscal years 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003, the Secretary shall pay to each eligible Indian tribe that proposes to operate a program described in subparagraph (C) a grant in an amount equal to the amount received by the Indian tribe in fiscal year 1994 under
(B) Eligible Indian tribe
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "eligible Indian tribe" means an Indian tribe or Alaska Native organization that conducted a job opportunities and basic skills training program in fiscal year 1995 under
(C) Use of grant
Each Indian tribe to which a grant is made under this paragraph shall use the grant for the purpose of operating a program to make work activities available to such population and such service area or areas as the tribe specifies.
(D) Appropriation
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated $7,633,287 for each fiscal year specified in subparagraph (A) for grants under subparagraph (A).
(3) Welfare-to-work grants
(A) In general
The Secretary of Labor shall award a grant in accordance with this paragraph to an Indian tribe for each fiscal year specified in
(B) Welfare-to-work tribe
An Indian tribe shall be considered a welfare-to-work tribe for a fiscal year for purposes of this paragraph if the Indian tribe meets the following requirements:
(i) The Indian tribe has submitted to the Secretary of Labor a plan which describes how, consistent with
(ii) The Indian tribe is operating a program under a tribal family assistance plan approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, a program described in paragraph (2)(C), or an employment program funded through other sources under which substantial services are provided to recipients of assistance under a program funded under this part.
(iii) The Indian tribe has provided the Secretary of Labor with an estimate of the amount that the Indian tribe intends to expend during the fiscal year (excluding tribal expenditures described in section 609(a)(7)(B)(iv) (other than subclause (III) thereof) of this title) pursuant to this paragraph.
(iv) The Indian tribe has agreed to negotiate in good faith with the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to the substance and funding of any evaluation under
(C) Limitations on use of funds
(i) In general
(ii) Waiver authority
The Secretary of Labor may waive or modify the application of a provision of section 603(a)(5)(C) (other than clause (viii) thereof) of this title with respect to an Indian tribe to the extent necessary to enable the Indian tribe to operate a more efficient or effective program with the funds provided under this paragraph.
(iii) Regulations
Within 90 days after August 5, 1997, the Secretary of Labor, after consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to implement this paragraph.
(b) 3-year tribal family assistance plan
(1) In general
Any Indian tribe that desires to receive a tribal family assistance grant shall submit to the Secretary a 3-year tribal family assistance plan that—
(A) outlines the Indian tribe's approach to providing welfare-related services for the 3-year period, consistent with this section;
(B) specifies whether the welfare-related services provided under the plan will be provided by the Indian tribe or through agreements, contracts, or compacts with intertribal consortia, States, or other entities;
(C) identifies the population and service area or areas to be served by such plan;
(D) provides that a family receiving assistance under the plan may not receive duplicative assistance from other State or tribal programs funded under this part;
(E) identifies the employment opportunities in or near the service area or areas of the Indian tribe and the manner in which the Indian tribe will cooperate and participate in enhancing such opportunities for recipients of assistance under the plan consistent with any applicable State standards; and
(F) applies the fiscal accountability provisions of section 5(f)(1) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (
(2) Approval
The Secretary shall approve each tribal family assistance plan submitted in accordance with paragraph (1).
(3) Consortium of tribes
Nothing in this section shall preclude the development and submission of a single tribal family assistance plan by the participating Indian tribes of an intertribal consortium.
(c) Minimum work participation requirements and time limits
The Secretary, with the participation of Indian tribes, shall establish for each Indian tribe receiving a grant under this section minimum work participation requirements, appropriate time limits for receipt of welfare-related services under the grant, and penalties against individuals—
(1) consistent with the purposes of this section;
(2) consistent with the economic conditions and resources available to each tribe; and
(3) similar to comparable provisions in
(d) Emergency assistance
Nothing in this section shall preclude an Indian tribe from seeking emergency assistance from any Federal loan program or emergency fund.
(e) Accountability
Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the ability of the Secretary to maintain program funding accountability consistent with—
(1) generally accepted accounting principles; and
(2) the requirements of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (
(f) Eligibility for Federal loans
(g) Penalties
(1) Subsections (a)(1), (a)(6), (b), and (c) of
(2)
(h) Data collection and reporting
(i) Special rule for Indian tribes in Alaska
(1) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, and except as provided in paragraph (2), an Indian tribe in the State of Alaska that receives a tribal family assistance grant under this section shall use the grant to operate a program in accordance with requirements comparable to the requirements applicable to the program of the State of Alaska funded under this part. Comparability of programs shall be established on the basis of program criteria developed by the Secretary in consultation with the State of Alaska and such Indian tribes.
(2) Waiver
An Indian tribe described in paragraph (1) may apply to the appropriate State authority to receive a waiver of the requirement of paragraph (1).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §412, as added
References in Text
Part F of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(B)(i), was classified to
The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(2), is
Prior Provisions
A prior section 612, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §412, as added June 17, 1980,
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (a)(1)(A), (2)(A).
2000—Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
1999—Subsec. (a)(3)(C)(ii).
1997—
Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsecs. (g) to (i).
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
For effective date of amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 5508 of
Amendment by section 5514(c) of
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
§613. Research, evaluations, and national studies
(a) Research
The Secretary, directly or through grants, contracts, or interagency agreements, shall conduct research on the benefits, effects, and costs of operating different State programs funded under this part, including time limits relating to eligibility for assistance. The research shall include studies on the effects of different programs and the operation of such programs on welfare dependency, illegitimacy, teen pregnancy, employment rates, child well-being, and any other area the Secretary deems appropriate. The Secretary shall also conduct research on the costs and benefits of State activities under
(b) Development and evaluation of innovative approaches to reducing welfare dependency and increasing child well-being
(1) In general
The Secretary may assist States in developing, and shall evaluate, innovative approaches for reducing welfare dependency and increasing the well-being of minor children living at home with respect to recipients of assistance under programs funded under this part. The Secretary may provide funds for training and technical assistance to carry out the approaches developed pursuant to this paragraph.
(2) Evaluations
In performing the evaluations under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent feasible, use random assignment as an evaluation methodology.
(c) Dissemination of information
The Secretary shall develop innovative methods of disseminating information on any research, evaluations, and studies conducted under this section, including the facilitation of the sharing of information and best practices among States and localities through the use of computers and other technologies.
(d) Annual ranking of States and review of most and least successful work programs
(1) Annual ranking of States
The Secretary shall rank annually the States to which grants are paid under
(2) Annual review of most and least successful work programs
The Secretary shall review the programs of the 3 States most recently ranked highest under paragraph (1) and the 3 States most recently ranked lowest under paragraph (1) that provide parents with work experience, assistance in finding employment, and other work preparation activities and support services to enable the families of such parents to leave the program and become self-sufficient.
(e) Annual ranking of States and review of issues relating to out-of-wedlock births
(1) In general
The Secretary shall annually rank States to which grants are made under
(A) Absolute out-of-wedlock ratios
The ratio represented by—
(i) the total number of out-of-wedlock births in families receiving assistance under the State program under this part in the State for the most recent year for which information is available; over
(ii) the total number of births in families receiving assistance under the State program under this part in the State for the year.
(B) Net changes in the out-of-wedlock ratio
The difference between the ratio described in subparagraph (A) with respect to a State for the most recent year for which such information is available and the ratio with respect to the State for the immediately preceding year.
(2) Annual review
The Secretary shall review the programs of the 5 States most recently ranked highest under paragraph (1) and the 5 States most recently ranked the lowest under paragraph (1).
(f) State-initiated evaluations
A State shall be eligible to receive funding to evaluate the State program funded under this part if—
(1) the State submits a proposal to the Secretary for the evaluation;
(2) the Secretary determines that the design and approach of the evaluation is rigorous and is likely to yield information that is credible and will be useful to other States; and
(3) unless otherwise waived by the Secretary, the State contributes to the cost of the evaluation, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to at least 10 percent of the cost of the evaluation.
(g) Report on circumstances of certain children and families
(1) In general
Beginning 3 years after August 22, 1996, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall prepare and submit to the Committees on Ways and Means and on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and to the Committees on Finance and on Labor and Resources of the Senate annual reports that examine in detail the matters described in paragraph (2) with respect to each of the following groups for the period after August 22, 1996:
(A) Individuals who were children in families that have become ineligible for assistance under a State program funded under this part by reason of having reached a time limit on the provision of such assistance.
(B) Children born after August 22, 1996, to parents who, at the time of such birth, had not attained 20 years of age.
(C) Individuals who, after August 22, 1996, became parents before attaining 20 years of age.
(2) Matters described
The matters described in this paragraph are the following:
(A) The percentage of each group that has dropped out of secondary school (or the equivalent), and the percentage of each group at each level of educational attainment.
(B) The percentage of each group that is employed.
(C) The percentage of each group that has been convicted of a crime or has been adjudicated as a delinquent.
(D) The rate at which the members of each group are born, or have children, out-of-wedlock, and the percentage of each group that is married.
(E) The percentage of each group that continues to participate in State programs funded under this part.
(F) The percentage of each group that has health insurance provided by a private entity (broken down by whether the insurance is provided through an employer or otherwise), the percentage that has health insurance provided by an agency of government, and the percentage that does not have health insurance.
(G) The average income of the families of the members of each group.
(H) Such other matters as the Secretary deems appropriate.
(h) Funding of studies and demonstrations
(1) In general
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1997 through 2002 for the purpose of paying—
(A) the cost of conducting the research described in subsection (a) of this section;
(B) the cost of developing and evaluating innovative approaches for reducing welfare dependency and increasing the well-being of minor children under subsection (b) of this section;
(C) the Federal share of any State-initiated study approved under subsection (f) of this section; and
(D) an amount determined by the Secretary to be necessary to operate and evaluate demonstration projects, relating to this part, that are in effect or approved under
(2) Allocation
Of the amount appropriated under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year—
(A) 50 percent shall be allocated for the purposes described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1), and
(B) 50 percent shall be allocated for the purposes described in subparagraphs (C) and (D) of paragraph (1).
(3) Demonstrations of innovative strategies
The Secretary may implement and evaluate demonstrations of innovative and promising strategies which—
(A) provide one-time capital funds to establish, expand, or replicate programs;
(B) test performance-based grant-to-loan financing in which programs meeting performance targets receive grants while programs not meeting such targets repay funding on a prorated basis; and
(C) test strategies in multiple States and types of communities.
(i) Child poverty rates
(1) In general
Not later than May 31, 1998, and annually thereafter, the chief executive officer of each State shall submit to the Secretary a statement of the child poverty rate in the State as of August 22, 1996, or the date of the most recent prior statement under this paragraph.
(2) Submission of corrective action plan
Not later than 90 days after the date a State submits a statement under paragraph (1) which indicates that, as a result of the amendments made by section 103 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, the child poverty rate of the State has increased by 5 percent or more since the most recent prior statement under paragraph (1), the State shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a corrective action plan in accordance with paragraph (3).
(3) Contents of plan
A corrective action plan submitted under paragraph (2) shall outline the manner in which the State will reduce the child poverty rate in the State. The plan shall include a description of the actions to be taken by the State under such plan.
(4) Compliance with plan
A State that submits a corrective action plan that the Secretary has found contains the information required by this subsection shall implement the corrective action plan until the State determines that the child poverty rate in the State is less than the lowest child poverty rate on the basis of which the State was required to submit the corrective action plan.
(5) Methodology
The Secretary shall prescribe regulations establishing the methodology by which a State shall determine the child poverty rate in the State. The methodology shall take into account factors including the number of children who receive free or reduced-price lunches, the number of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits households, and, to the extent available, county-by-county estimates of children in poverty as determined by the Census Bureau.
(j) Evaluation of welfare-to-work programs
(1) Evaluation
The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development—
(A) shall develop a plan to evaluate how grants made under
(B) may evaluate the use of such grants by such grantees as the Secretary deems appropriate, in accordance with an agreement entered into with the grantees after good-faith negotiations; and
(C) is urged to include the following outcome measures in the plan developed under subparagraph (A):
(i) Placements in unsubsidized employment, and placements in unsubsidized employment that last for at least 6 months.
(ii) Placements in the private and public sectors.
(iii) Earnings of individuals who obtain employment.
(iv) Average expenditures per placement.
(2) Reports to the Congress
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, shall submit to the Congress reports on the projects funded under section 1 603(a)(5) and 612(a)(3) of this title and on the evaluations of the projects.
(B) Interim report
Not later than January 1, 1999, the Secretary shall submit an interim report on the matter described in subparagraph (A).
(C) Final report
Not later than January 1, 2001,2 (or at a later date, if the Secretary informs the Committees of the Congress with jurisdiction over the subject matter of the report) the Secretary shall submit a final report on the matter described in subparagraph (A).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §413, as added
References in Text
Section 103 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (i)(2), is section 103 of
Codification
Prior Provisions
A prior section 613, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §413, as added June 9, 1980,
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (i)(5).
1999—Subsec. (g)(1).
1998—Subsec. (g)(1).
1997—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (e)(1).
"(A)
"(i)
"(I) the total number of out-of-wedlock births in families receiving assistance under the State program under this part in the State for the most recent fiscal year for which information is available; over
"(II) the total number of births in families receiving assistance under the State program under this part in the State for such year.
"(ii)
Subsec. (h)(1)(D).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(5).
Subsec. (j).
Change of Name
Committee on Education and the Workforce of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Education and Labor of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007.
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by section 4002(b)(1)(D), (2)(V) of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 5509 of
Amendment by section 5514(c) of
Effective Date
Section effective Aug. 22, 1996, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
Coordination of Substance Abuse and Child Protection Services
GAO Study of Effect of Family Violence on Need for Public Assistance
Study on Alternative Outcomes Measures
1 So in original. Probably should be "sections".
§614. Study by Census Bureau
(a) In general
The Bureau of the Census shall continue to collect data on the 1992 and 1993 panels of the Survey of Income and Program Participation as necessary to obtain such information as will enable interested persons to evaluate the impact of the amendments made by title I of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 on a random national sample of recipients of assistance under State programs funded under this part and (as appropriate) other low-income families, and in doing so, shall pay particular attention to the issues of out-of-wedlock birth, welfare dependency, the beginning and end of welfare spells, and the causes of repeat welfare spells, and shall obtain information about the status of children participating in such panels.
(b) Appropriation
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 for payment to the Bureau of the Census to carry out subsection (a) of this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §414, as added
References in Text
Title I of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (a), is title I of
Prior Provisions
A prior section 614, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §414, as added Aug. 13, 1981,
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (b).
1997—
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
§615. Waivers
(a) Continuation of waivers
(1) Waivers in effect on August 22, 1996
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), if any waiver granted to a State under
(B) Financing limitation
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning with fiscal year 1996, a State operating under a waiver described in subparagraph (A) shall be entitled to payment under
(2) Waivers granted subsequently
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), if any waiver granted to a State under
(B) No effect on new work requirements
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a waiver granted under
(b) State option to terminate waiver
(1) In general
A State may terminate a waiver described in subsection (a) of this section before the expiration of the waiver.
(2) Report
A State which terminates a waiver under paragraph (1) shall submit a report to the Secretary summarizing the waiver and any available information concerning the result or effect of the waiver.
(3) Hold harmless provision
(A) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a State that, not later than the date described in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, submits a written request to terminate a waiver described in subsection (a) of this section shall be held harmless for accrued cost neutrality liabilities incurred under the waiver.
(B) Date described
The date described in this subparagraph is 90 days following the adjournment of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after August 22, 1996.
(c) Secretarial encouragement of current waivers
The Secretary shall encourage any State operating a waiver described in subsection (a) of this section to continue the waiver and to evaluate, using random sampling and other characteristics of accepted scientific evaluations, the result or effect of the waiver.
(d) Continuation of individual waivers
A State may elect to continue 1 or more individual waivers described in subsection (a) of this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §415, as added
References in Text
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A), (2)(A), is
Prior Provisions
A prior section 615, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §415, as added Aug. 13, 1981,
Amendments
1997—
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
§616. Administration
The programs under this part and part D of this subchapter shall be administered by an Assistant Secretary for Family Support within the Department of Health and Human Services, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and who shall be in addition to any other Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services provided for by law, and the Secretary shall reduce the Federal workforce within the Department of Health and Human Services by an amount equal to the sum of 75 percent of the full-time equivalent positions at such Department that relate to any direct spending program, or any program funded through discretionary spending, that has been converted into a block grant program under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 and the amendments made by such Act, and by an amount equal to 75 percent of that portion of the total full-time equivalent departmental management positions at such Department that bears the same relationship to the amount appropriated for any direct spending program, or any program funded through discretionary spending, that has been converted into a block grant program under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 and the amendments made by such Act, as such amount relates to the total amount appropriated for use by such Department, and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary, including reductions in force actions, consistent with
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §416, as added
References in Text
Part D of this subchapter, referred to in text, is classified to
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, referred to in text, is
Section 103 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, referred to in text, is section 103 of
Prior Provisions
A prior section 616, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §416, as added Dec. 22, 1987,
Amendments
1999—
1997—
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 5514(c) of
Amendment by section 5514(d) of
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
§617. Limitation on Federal authority
No officer or employee of the Federal Government may regulate the conduct of States under this part or enforce any provision of this part, except to the extent expressly provided in this part.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §417, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 617, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §417, formerly §418, as added Oct. 13, 1988,
Amendments
1997—
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
§618. Funding for child care
(a) General child care entitlement
(1) General entitlement
Subject to the amount appropriated under paragraph (3), each State shall, for the purpose of providing child care assistance, be entitled to payments under a grant under this subsection for a fiscal year in an amount equal to the greater of—
(A) the total amount required to be paid to the State under
(B) the average of the total amounts required to be paid to the State for fiscal years 1992 through 1994 under the subsections referred to in subparagraph (A).
(2) Remainder
(A) Grants
The Secretary shall use any amounts appropriated for a fiscal year under paragraph (3), and remaining after the reservation described in paragraph (4) and after grants are awarded under paragraph (1), to make grants to States under this paragraph.
(B) Allotments to States
The total amount available for payments to States under this paragraph, as determined under subparagraph (A), shall be allotted among the States based on the formula used for determining the amount of Federal payments to each State under
(C) Federal matching of State expenditures exceeding historical expenditures
The Secretary shall pay to each eligible State for a fiscal year an amount equal to the lesser of the State's allotment under subparagraph (B) or the Federal medical assistance percentage for the State for the fiscal year (as defined in
(D) Redistribution
(i) In general
With respect to any fiscal year, if the Secretary determines (in accordance with clause (ii)) that any amounts allotted to a State under this paragraph for such fiscal year will not be used by such State during such fiscal year for carrying out the purpose for which such amounts are allotted, the Secretary shall make such amounts available in the subsequent fiscal year for carrying out such purpose to one or more States which apply for such funds to the extent the Secretary determines that such States will be able to use such additional amounts for carrying out such purpose. Such available amounts shall be redistributed to a State pursuant to
(ii) Time of determination and distribution
The determination of the Secretary under clause (i) for a fiscal year shall be made not later than the end of the first quarter of the subsequent fiscal year. The redistribution of amounts under clause (i) shall be made as close as practicable to the date on which such determination is made. Any amount made available to a State from an appropriation for a fiscal year in accordance with this subparagraph shall, for purposes of this part, be regarded as part of such State's payment (as determined under this subsection) for the fiscal year in which the redistribution is made.
(3) Appropriation
For grants under this section, there are appropriated—
(A) $1,967,000,000 for fiscal year 1997;
(B) $2,067,000,000 for fiscal year 1998;
(C) $2,167,000,000 for fiscal year 1999;
(D) $2,367,000,000 for fiscal year 2000;
(E) $2,567,000,000 for fiscal year 2001;
(F) $2,717,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003; 1
(G) $2,917,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010.
(4) Indian tribes
The Secretary shall reserve not less than 1 percent, and not more than 2 percent, of the aggregate amount appropriated to carry out this section in each fiscal year for payments to Indian tribes and tribal organizations.
(5) Data used to determine State and Federal shares of expenditures
In making the determinations concerning expenditures required under paragraphs (1) and (2)(C), the Secretary shall use information that was reported by the State on ACF Form 231 and available as of the applicable dates specified in clauses (i)(I), (ii), and (iii)(III) of section 603(a)(1)(D) 2 of this title.
(b) Use of funds
(1) In general
Amounts received by a State under this section shall only be used to provide child care assistance. Amounts received by a State under a grant under subsection (a)(1) of this section shall be available for use by the State without fiscal year limitation.
(2) Use for certain populations
A State shall ensure that not less than 70 percent of the total amount of funds received by the State in a fiscal year under this section are used to provide child care assistance to families who are receiving assistance under a State program under this part, families who are attempting through work activities to transition off of such assistance program, and families who are at risk of becoming dependent on such assistance program.
(c) Application of Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, amounts provided to a State under this section shall be transferred to the lead agency under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 [
(d) "State" defined
As used in this section, the term "State" means each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §418, as added
References in Text
The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (c), is subchapter C (§658A et seq.) of
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (a)(3)(G).
2003—Subsec. (a)(3)(F).
1997—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
"(i) 602(g) of this title (as such section was in effect before October 1, 1995); and
"(ii) 602(i) of this title (as so in effect); or".
Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(i).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (d).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 5603 of title V of
"(a)
"(b)
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 615 of
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by "and".
2 See References in Text note below.
§619. Definitions
As used in this part:
(1) Adult
The term "adult" means an individual who is not a minor child.
(2) Minor child
The term "minor child" means an individual who—
(A) has not attained 18 years of age; or
(B) has not attained 19 years of age and is a full-time student in a secondary school (or in the equivalent level of vocational or technical training).
(3) Fiscal year
The term "fiscal year" means any 12-month period ending on September 30 of a calendar year.
(4) Indian, Indian tribe, and tribal organization
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the terms "Indian", "Indian tribe", and "tribal organization" have the meaning given such terms by
(B) Special rule for Indian tribes in Alaska
The term "Indian tribe" means, with respect to the State of Alaska, only the Metlakatla Indian Community of the Annette Islands Reserve and the following Alaska Native regional nonprofit corporations:
(i) Arctic Slope Native Association.
(ii) Kawerak, Inc.
(iii) Maniilaq Association.
(iv) Association of Village Council Presidents.
(v) Tanana Chiefs Conference.
(vi) Cook Inlet Tribal Council.
(vii) Bristol Bay Native Association.
(viii) Aleutian and Pribilof Island Association.
(ix) Chugachmuit.
(x) Tlingit Haida Central Council.
(xi) Kodiak Area Native Association.
(xii) Copper River Native Association.
(5) State
Except as otherwise specifically provided, the term "State" means the 50 States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §419, as added
Effective Date
Par. (4) of this section effective Oct. 1, 1996, with remainder of section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
Part B—Child and Family Services
Amendments
1993—
1968—
subpart 1—stephanie tubbs jones child welfare services program
Amendments
2008—
1993—
§620. Repealed. Pub. L. 109–288, §6(a), Sept. 28, 2006, 120 Stat. 1244
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §420, as added
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective Oct. 1, 2006, and applicable to payments under this part and part E of this subchapter for calendar quarters beginning on or after such date, see section 12(a) of
§621. Purpose
The purpose of this subpart is to promote State flexibility in the development and expansion of a coordinated child and family services program that utilizes community-based agencies and ensures all children are raised in safe, loving families, by—
(1) protecting and promoting the welfare of all children;
(2) preventing the neglect, abuse, or exploitation of children;
(3) supporting at-risk families through services which allow children, where appropriate, to remain safely with their families or return to their families in a timely manner;
(4) promoting the safety, permanence, and well-being of children in foster care and adoptive families; and
(5) providing training, professional development and support to ensure a well-qualified child welfare workforce.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §421, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 621, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §421, as added
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
Effective Date
Findings
"(1) For Federal fiscal year 2004, child protective services (CPS) staff nationwide reported investigating or assessing an estimated 3,000,000 allegations of child maltreatment, and determined that 872,000 children had been abused or neglected by their parents or other caregivers.
"(2) Combined, the Child Welfare Services (CWS) and Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) programs provide States about $700,000,000 per year, the largest source of targeted Federal funding in the child protection system for services to ensure that children are not abused or neglected and, whenever possible, help children remain safely with their families.
"(3) A 2003 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that little research is available on the effectiveness of activities supported by CWS funds—evaluations of services supported by PSSF funds have generally shown little or no effect.
"(4) Further, the Department of Health and Human Services recently completed initial Child and Family Service Reviews (CFSRs) in each State. No State was in full compliance with all measures of the CFSRs. The CFSRs also revealed that States need to work to prevent repeat abuse and neglect of children, improve services provided to families to reduce the risk of future harm (including by better monitoring the participation of families in services), and strengthen upfront services provided to families to prevent unnecessary family break-up and protect children who remain at home.
"(5) Federal policy should encourage States to invest their CWS and PSSF funds in services that promote and protect the welfare of children, support strong, healthy families, and reduce the reliance on out-of-home care, which will help ensure all children are raised in safe, loving families.
"(6) CFSRs also found a strong correlation between frequent caseworker visits with children and positive outcomes for these children, such as timely achievement of permanency and other indicators of child well-being.
"(7) However, a December 2005 report by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General found that only 20 States were able to produce reports to show whether caseworkers actually visited children in foster care on at least a monthly basis, despite the fact that nearly all States had written standards suggesting monthly visits were State policy.
"(8) A 2003 GAO report found that the average tenure for a child welfare caseworker is less than 2 years and this level of turnover negatively affects safety and permanency for children.
"(9) Targeting CWS and PSSF funds to ensure children in foster care are visited on at least a monthly basis will promote better outcomes for vulnerable children, including by preventing further abuse and neglect.
"(10) According to the Office of Applied Studies of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the annual number of new uses of Methamphetamine, also known as 'meth,' has increased 72 percent over the past decade. According to a study conducted by the National Association of Counties which surveyed 500 county law enforcement agencies in 45 states, 88 percent of the agencies surveyed reported increases in meth related arrests starting 5 years ago.
"(11) According to the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 12,000,000 Americans have tried methamphetamine. Meth making operations have been uncovered in all 50 states, but the most wide-spread abuse has been concentrated in the western, southwestern, and Midwestern United States.
"(12) Methamphetamine abuse is on the increase, particularly among women of child-bearing age. This is having an impact on child welfare systems in many States. According to a survey administered by the National Association of Counties ('The Impact of Meth on Children'), conducted in 300 counties in 13 states, meth is a major cause of child abuse and neglect. Forty percent of all the child welfare officials in the survey reported an increase in out-of-home placements because of meth in 2005.
"(13) It is appropriate also to target PSSF funds to address this issue because of the unique strain the meth epidemic puts on child welfare agencies. Outcomes for children affected by meth are enhanced when services provided by law enforcement, child welfare and substance abuse agencies are integrated."
§622. State plans for child welfare services
(a) Joint development
In order to be eligible for payment under this subpart, a State must have a plan for child welfare services which has been developed jointly by the Secretary and the State agency designated pursuant to subsection (b)(1) of this section, and which meets the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Requisite features of State plans
Each plan for child welfare services under this subpart shall—
(1) provide that (A) the individual or agency that administers or supervises the administration of the State's services program under division A 1 of subchapter XX of this chapter will administer or supervise the administration of the plan (except as otherwise provided in section 103(d) of the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980), and (B) to the extent that child welfare services are furnished by the staff of the State agency or local agency administering the plan, a single organizational unit in such State or local agency, as the case may be, will be responsible for furnishing such child welfare services;
(2) provide for coordination between the services provided for children under the plan and the services and assistance provided under division A 1 of subchapter XX of this chapter, under the State program funded under part A of this subchapter, under the State plan approved under subpart 2 of this part, under the State plan approved under the State plan approved 2 under part E of this subchapter, and under other State programs having a relationship to the program under this subpart, with a view to provision of welfare and related services which will best promote the welfare of such children and their families;
(3) include a description of the services and activities which the State will fund under the State program carried out pursuant to this subpart, and how the services and activities will achieve the purpose of this subpart;
(4) contain a description of—
(A) the steps the State will take to provide child welfare services statewide and to expand and strengthen the range of existing services and develop and implement services to improve child outcomes; and
(B) the child welfare services staff development and training plans of the State;
(5) provide, in the development of services for children, for utilization of the facilities and experience of voluntary agencies in accordance with State and local programs and arrangements, as authorized by the State;
(6) provide that the agency administering or supervising the administration of the plan will furnish such reports, containing such information, and participate in such evaluations, as the Secretary may require;
(7) provide for the diligent recruitment of potential foster and adoptive families that reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of children in the State for whom foster and adoptive homes are needed;
(8) provide assurances that the State—
(A) is operating, to the satisfaction of the Secretary—
(i) a statewide information system from which can be readily determined the status, demographic characteristics, location, and goals for the placement of every child who is (or, within the immediately preceding 12 months, has been) in foster care;
(ii) a case review system (as defined in
(iii) a service program designed to help children—
(I) where safe and appropriate, return to families from which they have been removed; or
(II) be placed for adoption, with a legal guardian, or, if adoption or legal guardianship is determined not to be appropriate for a child, in some other planned, permanent living arrangement, which may include a residential educational program; and
(iv) a preplacement preventive services program designed to help children at risk of foster care placement remain safely with their families; and
(B) has in effect policies and administrative and judicial procedures for children abandoned at or shortly after birth (including policies and procedures providing for legal representation of the children) which enable permanent decisions to be made expeditiously with respect to the placement of the children;
(9) contain a description, developed after consultation with tribal organizations (as defined in
(10) contain assurances that the State shall make effective use of cross-jurisdictional resources (including through contracts for the purchase of services), and shall eliminate legal barriers, to facilitate timely adoptive or permanent placements for waiting children;
(11) contain a description of the activities that the State has undertaken for children adopted from other countries, including the provision of adoption and post-adoption services;
(12) provide that the State shall collect and report information on children who are adopted from other countries and who enter into State custody as a result of the disruption of a placement for adoption or the dissolution of an adoption, including the number of children, the agencies who handled the placement or adoption, the plans for the child, and the reasons for the disruption or dissolution;
(13) demonstrate substantial, ongoing, and meaningful collaboration with State courts in the development and implementation of the State plan under this subpart, the State plan approved under subpart 2, and the State plan approved under part E, and in the development and implementation of any program improvement plan required under
(14) not later than October 1, 2007, include assurances that not more than 10 percent of the expenditures of the State with respect to activities funded from amounts provided under this subpart will be for administrative costs;
(15)(A) provides 3 that the State will develop, in coordination and collaboration with the State agency referred to in paragraph (1) and the State agency responsible for administering the State plan approved under subchapter XIX, and in consultation with pediatricians, other experts in health care, and experts in and recipients of child welfare services, a plan for the ongoing oversight and coordination of health care services for any child in a foster care placement, which shall ensure a coordinated strategy to identify and respond to the health care needs of children in foster care placements, including mental health and dental health needs, and shall include an outline of—
(i) a schedule for initial and follow-up health screenings that meet reasonable standards of medical practice;
(ii) how health needs identified through screenings will be monitored and treated;
(iii) how medical information for children in care will be updated and appropriately shared, which may include the development and implementation of an electronic health record;
(iv) steps to ensure continuity of health care services, which may include the establishment of a medical home for every child in care;
(v) the oversight of prescription medicines;
(vi) how the State actively consults with and involves physicians or other appropriate medical or non-medical professionals in assessing the health and well-being of children in foster care and in determining appropriate medical treatment for the children; and
(vii) steps to ensure that the components of the transition plan development process required under
(B) subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to reduce or limit the responsibility of the State agency responsible for administering the State plan approved under subchapter XIX to administer and provide care and services for children with respect to whom services are provided under the State plan developed pursuant to this subpart;
(16) provide that, not later than 1 year after September 28, 2006, the State shall have in place procedures providing for how the State programs assisted under this subpart, subpart 2 of this part, or part E would respond to a disaster, in accordance with criteria established by the Secretary which should include how a State would—
(A) identify, locate, and continue availability of services for children under State care or supervision who are displaced or adversely affected by a disaster;
(B) respond, as appropriate, to new child welfare cases in areas adversely affected by a disaster, and provide services in those cases;
(C) remain in communication with caseworkers and other essential child welfare personnel who are displaced because of a disaster;
(D) preserve essential program records; and
(E) coordinate services and share information with other States; and
(17) not later than October 1, 2007, describe the State standards for the content and frequency of caseworker visits for children who are in foster care under the responsibility of the State, which, at a minimum, ensure that the children are visited on a monthly basis and that the caseworker visits are well-planned and focused on issues pertinent to case planning and service delivery to ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of the children.
(c) Definitions
In this subpart:
(1) Administrative costs
The term "administrative costs" means costs for the following, but only to the extent incurred in administering the State plan developed pursuant to this subpart: procurement, payroll management, personnel functions (other than the portion of the salaries of supervisors attributable to time spent directly supervising the provision of services by caseworkers), management, maintenance and operation of space and property, data processing and computer services, accounting, budgeting, auditing, and travel expenses (except those related to the provision of services by caseworkers or the oversight of programs funded under this subpart).
(2) Other terms
For definitions of other terms used in this part, see
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §422, as added and amended
References in Text
Division A of subchapter XX, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), (2), was in the original a reference to subtitle 1 of title XX, which was translated as if referring to subtitle A of title XX of the Social Security Act, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Title XX of the Act, enacting subchapter XX of this chapter, does not contain a subtitle 1.
Section 103(d) of the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is section 103(d) of
Parts A and E of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), (13), (16), are classified to
The Indian Child Welfare Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(9), probably means the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(1), (2).
Subsec. (b)(15)(A)(vii).
2008—Subsec. (b)(15).
"(A) assessing the health and well-being of children in foster care under the responsibility of the State; and
"(B) determining appropriate medical treatment for the children;".
2006—Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (b)(6).
"(A) covering additional political subdivisions,
"(B) reaching additional children in need of services, and
"(C) expanding and strengthening the range of existing services and developing new types of services,
along with a description of the State's child welfare services staff development and training plans;".
Subsec. (b)(7).
Subsec. (b)(8), (9).
Subsec. (b)(10).
Subsec. (b)(10)(A).
"(i) the appropriateness of, and necessity for, the foster care placement;
"(ii) whether the child could or should be returned to the parents of the child or should be freed for adoption or other permanent placement; and
"(iii) the services necessary to facilitate the return of the child or the placement of the child for adoption or legal guardianship;".
Subsec. (b)(10)(B).
Subsec. (b)(10)(B)(iii)(II).
Subsec. (b)(10)(C).
"(i) has reviewed (or within 12 months after October 31, 1994, will review) State policies and administrative and judicial procedures in effect for children abandoned at or shortly after birth (including policies and procedures providing for legal representation of such children); and
"(ii) is implementing (or within 24 months after October 31, 1994, will implement) such policies and procedures as the State determines, on the basis of the review described in clause (i), to be necessary to enable permanent decisions to be made expeditiously with respect to the placement of such children;".
Subsec. (b)(11).
Subsec. (b)(12).
Subsec. (b)(13).
Subsec. (b)(14).
Subsec. (b)(15).
Subsec. (b)(16).
Subsec. (b)(17).
Subsec. (c).
2000—Subsec. (b)(13), (14).
1998—Subsec. (b)(2).
1997—Subsec. (b)(9).
Subsec. (b)(10).
Subsec. (b)(10)(B).
Subsec. (b)(11).
Subsec. (b)(12).
1996—Subsec. (b)(2).
1994—Subsec. (b)(7).
Subsec. (b)(8).
Subsec. (b)(9).
Subsec. (b)(10).
1993—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
1989—Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
1980—
1975—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(i)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (c).
1968—Subsec. (a)(1).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
"(a)
"(b)
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendments
Section 501 of
"(a)
"(b)
Section 5593 of title V of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 202(e) of
Section 204(b) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13711(c) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 10403(b)(2) of
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Amendment by section 3 of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment; Different State Agencies for Administration of State Plans Under Parts A and B
Section 240(e)(3) of
Findings and Purpose
Section 552 of
"(a)
"(1) nearly 500,000 children are in foster care in the United States;
"(2) tens of thousands of children in foster care are waiting for adoption;
"(3) 2 years and 8 months is the median length of time that children wait to be adopted;
"(4) child welfare agencies should work to eliminate racial, ethnic, and national origin discrimination and bias in adoption and foster care recruitment, selection, and placement procedures; and
"(5) active, creative, and diligent efforts are needed to recruit foster and adoptive parents of every race, ethnicity, and culture in order to facilitate the placement of children in foster and adoptive homes which will best meet each child's needs.
"(b)
"(1) decreasing the length of time that children wait to be adopted;
"(2) preventing discrimination in the placement of children on the basis of race, color, or national origin; and
"(3) facilitating the identification and recruitment of foster and adoptive families that can meet children's needs."
Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
Section 103(c) of
"(1) provide that (A) the State agency designated pursuant to
Administration of State Plan for Child Welfare Services by Non-Designated Agency
Section 103(d) of
Overpayments or Underpayments
Section 240(f)(3) of
1 See References in Text note below.
3 So in original. Probably should be "provide".
§623. Allotments to States
(a) In general
The sum appropriated pursuant to
(b) Determination of State allotment percentages
The "allotment percentage" for any State shall be 100 percent less the State percentage; and the State percentage shall be the percentage which bears the same ratio to 50 percent as the per capita income of such State bears to the per capita income of the United States; except that (1) the allotment percentage shall in no case be less than 30 percent or more than 70 percent, and (2) the allotment percentage shall be 70 percent in the case of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.
(c) Promulgation of State allotment percentages
The allotment percentage for each State shall be promulgated by the Secretary between October 1 and November 30 of each even-numbered year, on the basis of the average per capita income of each State and of the United States for the three most recent calendar years for which satisfactory data are available from the Department of Commerce. Such promulgation shall be conclusive for each of the two fiscal years in the period beginning October 1 next succeeding such promulgation.
(d) United States defined
For purposes of this section, the term "United States" means the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
(e) Reallotment of funds
(1) In general
The amount of any allotment to a State for a fiscal year under the preceding provisions of this section which the State certifies to the Secretary will not be required for carrying out the State plan developed as provided in
(A) need sums in excess of the amounts allotted to such other States under the preceding provisions of this section, in carrying out their State plans so developed; and
(B) will be able to so use such excess sums during the fiscal year.
(2) Considerations
The Secretary shall make the reallotments on the basis of the State plans so developed, after taking into consideration—
(A) the population under 21 years of age;
(B) the per capita income of each of such other States as compared with the population under 21 years of age; and
(C) the per capita income of all such other States with respect to which such a determination by the Secretary has been made.
(3) Amounts reallotted to a State deemed part of State allotment
Any amount so reallotted to a State is deemed part of the allotment of the State under this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §423, formerly §421, as added
Codification
Section was formerly classified to
Prior Provisions
A prior section 623, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §423, as added
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
1987—Subsec. (b).
1980—
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 9135(c) of
§624. Payment to States
(a) Payment schedule
From the sums appropriated therefor and the allotment under this subpart, subject to the conditions set forth in this section, the Secretary shall from time to time pay to each State that has a plan developed in accordance with
(b) Computation and method of payment
The method of computing and making payments under this section shall be as follows:
(1) The Secretary shall, prior to the beginning of each period for which a payment is to be made, estimate the amount to be paid to the State for such period under the provisions of this section.
(2) From the allotment available therefor, the Secretary shall pay the amount so estimated, reduced or increased, as the case may be, by any sum (not previously adjusted under this section) by which he finds that his estimate of the amount to be paid the State for any prior period under this section was greater or less than the amount which should have been paid to the State for such prior period under this section.
(c) Limitation on use of Federal funds for child care, foster care maintenance payments, or adoption assistance payments
The total amount of Federal payments under this subpart for a fiscal year beginning after September 30, 2007, that may be used by a State for expenditures for child care, foster care maintenance payments, or adoption assistance payments shall not exceed the total amount of such payments for fiscal year 2005 that were so used by the State.
(d) Limitation on use by States of non-Federal funds for foster care maintenance payments to match Federal funds
For any fiscal year beginning after September 30, 2007, State expenditures of non-Federal funds for foster care maintenance payments shall not be considered to be expenditures under the State plan developed under this subpart for the fiscal year to the extent that the total of such expenditures for the fiscal year exceeds the total of such expenditures under the State plan developed under this subpart for fiscal year 2005.
(e) 1 Limitation on reimbursement for administrative costs
A payment may not be made to a State under this section with respect to expenditures during a fiscal year for administrative costs, to the extent that the total amount of the expenditures exceeds 10 percent of the total expenditures of the State during the fiscal year for activities funded from amounts provided under this subpart.
(e) 1 Caseworker visitation standard
(1) The Secretary may not make a payment to a State under this subpart for a period in fiscal year 2008, unless the State has provided to the Secretary data which shows, for fiscal year 2007—
(A) the percentage of children in foster care under the responsibility of the State who were visited on a monthly basis by the caseworker handling the case of the child; and
(B) the percentage of the visits that occurred in the residence of the child.
(2)(A) Based on the data provided by a State pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary, in consultation with the State, shall establish, not later than June 30, 2008, an outline of the steps to be taken to ensure, by October 1, 2011, that at least 90 percent of the children in foster care under the responsibility of the State are visited by their caseworkers on a monthly basis, and that the majority of the visits occur in the residence of the child. The outline shall include target percentages to be reached each fiscal year, and should include a description of how the steps will be implemented. The steps may include activities designed to improve caseworker retention, recruitment, training, and ability to access the benefits of technology.
(B) Beginning October 1, 2008, if the Secretary determines that a State has not made the requisite progress in meeting the goal described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, then the percentage that shall apply for purposes of subsection (a) of this section for the period involved shall be the percentage set forth in such subsection (a) reduced by—
(i) 1, if the number of full percentage points by which the State fell short of the target percentage established for the State for the period pursuant to such subparagraph is less than 10;
(ii) 3, if the number of full percentage points by which the State fell short, as described in clause (i), is not less than 10 and less than 20; or
(iii) 5, if the number of full percentage points by which the State fell short, as described in clause (i), is not less than 20.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §424, formerly §423, as added
Codification
Section was formerly classified to
Prior Provisions
A prior section 624, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §424, as added
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (a).
Subsecs. (c), (d).
Subsec. (e).
1994—Subsec. (a).
1993—Subsec. (a).
1980—
1976—Subsec. (c).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by
1 So in original. Two subsecs. (e) have been enacted.
§625. Limitations on authorization of appropriations
To carry out this subpart (other than
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §425, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 625, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §425, as added
Amendments
2008—
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 2006, and applicable to payments under this part and part E of this subchapter for calendar quarters beginning on or after such date, without regard to whether implementing regulations have been promulgated, and with delay permitted if State legislation is required to meet additional requirements, see section 12(a), (b) of
§626. Research, training, or demonstration projects
(a) Authorization of appropriations
There are hereby authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year such sums as the Congress may determine—
(1) for grants by the Secretary—
(A) to public or other nonprofit institutions of higher learning, and to public or other nonprofit agencies and organizations engaged in research or child-welfare activities, for special research or demonstration projects in the field of child welfare which are of regional or national significance and for special projects for the demonstration of new methods or facilities which show promise of substantial contribution to the advancement of child welfare;
(B) to State or local public agencies responsible for administering, or supervising the administration of, the plan under this part, for projects for the demonstration of the utilization of research (including findings resulting therefrom) in the field of child welfare in order to encourage experimental and special types of welfare services; and
(C) to public or other nonprofit institutions of higher learning for special projects for training personnel for work in the field of child welfare, including traineeships described in section 628a 1 of this title with such stipends and allowances as may be permitted by the Secretary; and
(2) for contracts or jointly financed cooperative arrangements with States and public and other organizations and agencies for the conduct of research, special projects, or demonstration projects relating to such matters.
(b) Payments; advances or reimbursements; installments; conditions
Payments of grants or under contracts or cooperative arrangements under this section may be made in advance or by way of reimbursement, and in such installments, as the Secretary may determine; and shall be made on such conditions as the Secretary finds necessary to carry out the purposes of the grants, contracts, or other arrangements.
(c) Child welfare traineeships
The Secretary may approve an application for a grant to a public or nonprofit institution for higher learning to provide traineeships with stipends under subsection (a)(1)(C) only if the application—
(1) provides assurances that each individual who receives a stipend with such traineeship (in this section referred to as a "recipient") will enter into an agreement with the institution under which the recipient agrees—
(A) to participate in training at a public or private nonprofit child welfare agency on a regular basis (as determined by the Secretary) for the period of the traineeship;
(B) to be employed for a period of years equivalent to the period of the traineeship, in a public or private nonprofit child welfare agency in any State, within a period of time (determined by the Secretary in accordance with regulations) after completing the postsecondary education for which the traineeship was awarded;
(C) to furnish to the institution and the Secretary evidence of compliance with subparagraphs (A) and (B); and
(D) if the recipient fails to comply with subparagraph (A) or (B) and does not qualify for any exception to this subparagraph which the Secretary may prescribe in regulations, to repay to the Secretary all (or an appropriately prorated part) of the amount of the stipend, plus interest, and, if applicable, reasonable collection fees (in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary);
(2) provides assurances that the institution will—
(A) enter into agreements with child welfare agencies for onsite training of recipients;
(B) permit an individual who is employed in the field of child welfare services to apply for a traineeship with a stipend if the traineeship furthers the progress of the individual toward the completion of degree requirements; and
(C) develop and implement a system that, for the 3-year period that begins on the date any recipient completes a child welfare services program of study, tracks the employment record of the recipient, for the purpose of determining the percentage of recipients who secure employment in the field of child welfare services and remain employed in the field.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §426, as added
References in Text
Codification
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
1994—Subsec. (a)(1)(C).
1987—Subsecs. (b), (c).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 205(c) of
Appropriations or Grants
Section 240(g) of
1 See References in Text note below.
§627. Family connection grants
(a) In general
The Secretary of Health and Human Services may make matching grants to State, local, or tribal child welfare agencies, and private nonprofit organizations that have experience in working with foster children or children in kinship care arrangements, for the purpose of helping children who are in, or at risk of entering, foster care reconnect with family members through the implementation of—
(1) a kinship navigator program to assist kinship caregivers in learning about, finding, and using programs and services to meet the needs of the children they are raising and their own needs, and to promote effective partnerships among public and private agencies to ensure kinship caregiver families are served, which program—
(A) shall be coordinated with other State or local agencies that promote service coordination or provide information and referral services, including the entities that provide 2–1–1 or 3–1–1 information systems where available, to avoid duplication or fragmentation of services to kinship care families;
(B) shall be planned and operated in consultation with kinship caregivers and organizations representing them, youth raised by kinship caregivers, relevant government agencies, and relevant community-based or faith-based organizations;
(C) shall establish information and referral systems that link (via toll-free access) kinship caregivers, kinship support group facilitators, and kinship service providers to—
(i) each other;
(ii) eligibility and enrollment information for Federal, State, and local benefits;
(iii) relevant training to assist kinship caregivers in caregiving and in obtaining benefits and services; and
(iv) relevant legal assistance and help in obtaining legal services;
(D) shall provide outreach to kinship care families, including by establishing, distributing, and updating a kinship care website, or other relevant guides or outreach materials;
(E) shall promote partnerships between public and private agencies, including schools, community based or faith-based organizations, and relevant government agencies, to increase their knowledge of the needs of kinship care families to promote better services for those families;
(F) may establish and support a kinship care ombudsman with authority to intervene and help kinship caregivers access services; and
(G) may support any other activities designed to assist kinship caregivers in obtaining benefits and services to improve their caregiving;
(2) intensive family-finding efforts that utilize search technology to find biological family members for children in the child welfare system, and once identified, work to reestablish relationships and explore ways to find a permanent family placement for the children;
(3) family group decision-making meetings for children in the child welfare system, that—
(A) enable families to make decisions and develop plans that nurture children and protect them from abuse and neglect, and
(B) when appropriate, shall address domestic violence issues in a safe manner and facilitate connecting children exposed to domestic violence to appropriate services, including reconnection with the abused parent when appropriate; or
(4) residential family treatment programs that—
(A) enable parents and their children to live in a safe environment for a period of not less than 6 months; and
(B) provide, on-site or by referral, substance abuse treatment services, children's early intervention services, family counseling, medical, and mental health services, nursery and pre-school, and other services that are designed to provide comprehensive treatment that supports the family.
(b) Applications
An entity desiring to receive a matching grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including—
(1) a description of how the grant will be used to implement 1 or more of the activities described in subsection (a);
(2) a description of the types of children and families to be served, including how the children and families will be identified and recruited, and an initial projection of the number of children and families to be served;
(3) if the entity is a private organization—
(A) documentation of support from the relevant local or State child welfare agency; or
(B) a description of how the organization plans to coordinate its services and activities with those offered by the relevant local or State child welfare agency; and
(4) an assurance that the entity will cooperate fully with any evaluation provided for by the Secretary under this section.
(c) Limitations
(1) Grant duration
The Secretary may award a grant under this section for a period of not less than 1 year and not more than 3 years.
(2) Number of new grantees per year
The Secretary may not award a grant under this section to more than 30 new grantees each fiscal year.
(d) Federal contribution
The amount of a grant payment to be made to a grantee under this section during each year in the grant period shall be the following percentage of the total expenditures proposed to be made by the grantee in the application approved by the Secretary under this section:
(1) 75 percent, if the payment is for the 1st or 2nd year of the grant period.
(2) 50 percent, if the payment is for the 3rd year of the grant period.
(e) Form of grantee contribution
A grantee under this section may provide not more than 50 percent of the amount which the grantee is required to expend to carry out the activities for which a grant is awarded under this section in kind, fairly evaluated, including plant, equipment, or services.
(f) Use of grant
A grantee under this section shall use the grant in accordance with the approved application for the grant.
(g) Reservations of funds
(1) Kinship navigator programs
The Secretary shall reserve $5,000,000 of the funds made available under subsection (h) for each fiscal year for grants to implement kinship navigator programs described in subsection (a)(1).
(2) Evaluation
The Secretary shall reserve 3 percent of the funds made available under subsection (h) for each fiscal year for the conduct of a rigorous evaluation of the activities funded with grants under this section.
(3) Technical assistance
The Secretary may reserve 2 percent of the funds made available under subsection (h) for each fiscal year to provide technical assistance to recipients of grants under this section.
(h) Appropriation
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated to the Secretary for purposes of making grants under this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §427, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 627, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §427, as added June 17, 1980,
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 7, 2008, and applicable to payments under this part and part E of this subchapter for quarters beginning on or after such date, with delay permitted if State legislation is required to meet additional requirements, see section 601 of
§628. Payments to Indian tribal organizations
(a) Amounts
The Secretary may, in appropriate cases (as determined by the Secretary) make payments under this subpart directly to an Indian tribal organization within any State which has a plan for child welfare services approved under this subpart. Such payments shall be made in such manner and in such amounts as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(b) Inclusion in State allotment
Amounts paid under subsection (a) of this section shall be deemed to be a part of the allotment (as determined under
(c) "Indian tribe" and "tribal organization" defined
For purposes of this section, the terms "Indian tribe" and "tribal organization" shall have the meanings given such terms by subsections (e) and (l) of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §428, as added
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (b).
1996—Subsec. (c).
"(1) the term 'tribal organization' means the recognized governing body of any Indian tribe, or any legally established organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body; and
"(2) the term 'Indian tribe' means any tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community of Indians (including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (
1993—Subsec. (a).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
For effective date of amendment by
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by
§628a. Transferred
Codification
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §429, as added
§628b. National random sample study of child welfare
(a) In general
The Secretary shall conduct (directly, or by grant, contract, or interagency agreement) a national study based on random samples of children who are at risk of child abuse or neglect, or are determined by States to have been abused or neglected.
(b) Requirements
The study required by subsection (a) of this section shall—
(1) have a longitudinal component; and
(2) yield data reliable at the State level for as many States as the Secretary determines is feasible.
(c) Preferred contents
In conducting the study required by subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary should—
(1) carefully consider selecting the sample from cases of confirmed abuse or neglect; and
(2) follow each case for several years while obtaining information on, among other things—
(A) the type of abuse or neglect involved;
(B) the frequency of contact with State or local agencies;
(C) whether the child involved has been separated from the family, and, if so, under what circumstances;
(D) the number, type, and characteristics of out-of-home placements of the child; and
(E) the average duration of each placement.
(d) Reports
(1) In general
From time to time, the Secretary shall prepare reports summarizing the results of the study required by subsection (a) of this section.
(2) Availability
The Secretary shall make available to the public any report prepared under paragraph (1), in writing or in the form of an electronic data tape.
(3) Authority to charge fee
The Secretary may charge and collect a fee for the furnishing of reports under paragraph (2).
(e) Appropriation
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated to the Secretary for each of fiscal years 1996 through 2002 $6,000,000 to carry out this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §429, formerly §429A, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 429 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 426(c) and is classified to
Amendments
1997—
Subsec. (a).
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
subpart 2—promoting safe and stable families
§629. Purpose
The purpose of this program is to enable States to develop and establish, or expand, and to operate coordinated programs of community-based family support services, family preservation services, time-limited family reunification services, and adoption promotion and support services to accomplish the following objectives:
(1) To prevent child maltreatment among families at risk through the provision of supportive family services.
(2) To assure children's safety within the home and preserve intact families in which children have been maltreated, when the family's problems can be addressed effectively.
(3) To address the problems of families whose children have been placed in foster care so that reunification may occur in a safe and stable manner in accordance with the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997.
(4) To support adoptive families by providing support services as necessary so that they can make a lifetime commitment to their children.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §430, as added
References in Text
The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, referred to in par. (3), is
Prior Provisions
A prior section 430 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was classified to
Amendments
2006—
2002—
1997—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(6) to (8).
Subsec. (d).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
"(a)
"(b)
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Subpart effective with respect to calendar quarters beginning on or after Oct. 1, 1993, see section 13711(c) of
§629a. Definitions
(a) In general
As used in this subpart:
(1) Family preservation services
The term "family preservation services" means services for children and families designed to help families (including adoptive and extended families) at risk or in crisis, including—
(A) service programs designed to help children—
(i) where safe and appropriate, return to families from which they have been removed; or
(ii) be placed for adoption, with a legal guardian, or, if adoption or legal guardianship is determined not to be safe and appropriate for a child, in some other planned, permanent living arrangement;
(B) preplacement preventive services programs, such as intensive family preservation programs, designed to help children at risk of foster care placement remain safely with their families;
(C) service programs designed to provide followup care to families to whom a child has been returned after a foster care placement;
(D) respite care of children to provide temporary relief for parents and other caregivers (including foster parents);
(E) services designed to improve parenting skills (by reinforcing parents' confidence in their strengths, and helping them to identify where improvement is needed and to obtain assistance in improving those skills) with respect to matters such as child development, family budgeting, coping with stress, health, and nutrition; and
(F) infant safe haven programs to provide a way for a parent to safely relinquish a newborn infant at a safe haven designated pursuant to a State law.
(2) Family support services
The term "family support services" means community-based services to promote the safety and well-being of children and families designed to increase the strength and stability of families (including adoptive, foster, and extended families), to increase parents' confidence and competence in their parenting abilities, to afford children a safe, stable, and supportive family environment, to strengthen parental relationships and promote healthy marriages, and otherwise to enhance child development.
(3) State agency
The term "State agency" means the State agency responsible for administering the program under subpart 1.
(4) State
The term "State" includes an Indian tribe or tribal organization, in addition to the meaning given such term for purposes of subpart 1.
(5) Tribal organization
The term "tribal organization" means the recognized governing body of any Indian tribe.
(6) Indian tribe
The term "Indian tribe" means any Indian tribe (as defined in
(7) Time-limited family reunification services
(A) In general
The term "time-limited family reunification services" means the services and activities described in subparagraph (B) that are provided to a child that is removed from the child's home and placed in a foster family home or a child care institution and to the parents or primary caregiver of such a child, in order to facilitate the reunification of the child safely and appropriately within a timely fashion, but only during the 15-month period that begins on the date that the child, pursuant to
(B) Services and activities described
The services and activities described in this subparagraph are the following:
(i) Individual, group, and family counseling.
(ii) Inpatient, residential, or outpatient substance abuse treatment services.
(iii) Mental health services.
(iv) Assistance to address domestic violence.
(v) Services designed to provide temporary child care and therapeutic services for families, including crisis nurseries.
(vi) Transportation to or from any of the services and activities described in this subparagraph.
(8) Adoption promotion and support services
The term "adoption promotion and support services" means services and activities designed to encourage more adoptions out of the foster care system, when adoptions promote the best interests of children, including such activities as pre- and post-adoptive services and activities designed to expedite the adoption process and support adoptive families.
(9) Non-Federal funds
The term "non-Federal funds" means State funds, or at the option of a State, State and local funds.
(b) Other terms
For other definitions of other terms used in this subpart, see
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §431, as added
References in Text
Prior Provisions
A prior section 431 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was classified to
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (a)(6).
2002—Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(2).
1999—Subsec. (a)(6).
1997—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(7), (8).
Subsec. (a)(9).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 305(b)(2), (c)(2) of
Section 305(d)(2) of
§629b. State plans
(a) Plan requirements
A State plan meets the requirements of this subsection if the plan—
(1) provides that the State agency shall administer, or supervise the administration of, the State program under this subpart;
(2)(A)(i) sets forth the goals intended to be accomplished under the plan by the end of the 5th fiscal year in which the plan is in operation in the State, and (ii) is updated periodically to set forth the goals intended to be accomplished under the plan by the end of each 5th fiscal year thereafter;
(B) describes the methods to be used in measuring progress toward accomplishment of the goals;
(C) contains assurances that the State—
(i) after the end of each of the 1st 4 fiscal years covered by a set of goals, will perform an interim review of progress toward accomplishment of the goals, and on the basis of the interim review will revise the statement of goals in the plan, if necessary, to reflect changed circumstances; and
(ii) after the end of the last fiscal year covered by a set of goals, will perform a final review of progress toward accomplishment of the goals, and on the basis of the final review (I) will prepare, transmit to the Secretary, and make available to the public a final report on progress toward accomplishment of the goals, and (II) will develop (in consultation with the entities required to be consulted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section) and add to the plan a statement of the goals intended to be accomplished by the end of the 5th succeeding fiscal year;
(3) provides for coordination, to the extent feasible and appropriate, of the provision of services under the plan and the provision of services or benefits under other Federal or federally assisted programs serving the same populations;
(4) contains assurances that not more than 10 percent of expenditures under the plan for any fiscal year with respect to which the State is eligible for payment under
(5) contains assurances that the State will—
(A) annually prepare, furnish to the Secretary, and make available to the public a description (including separate descriptions with respect to family preservation services, community-based family support services, time-limited family reunification services, and adoption promotion and support services) of—
(i) the service programs to be made available under the plan in the immediately succeeding fiscal year;
(ii) the populations which the programs will serve; and
(iii) the geographic areas in the State in which the services will be available; and
(B) perform the activities described in subparagraph (A)—
(i) in the case of the 1st fiscal year under the plan, at the time the State submits its initial plan; and
(ii) in the case of each succeeding fiscal year, by the end of the 3rd quarter of the immediately preceding fiscal year;
(6) provides for such methods of administration as the Secretary finds to be necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the plan;
(7)(A) contains assurances that Federal funds provided to the State under this subpart will not be used to supplant Federal or non-Federal funds for existing services and activities which promote the purposes of this subpart; and
(B) provides that the State will furnish reports to the Secretary, at such times, in such format, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, that demonstrate the State's compliance with the prohibition contained in subparagraph (A);
(8)(A) provides that the State agency will furnish such reports, containing such information, and participate in such evaluations, as the Secretary may require; and
(B) provides that, not later than June 30 of each year, the State will submit to the Secretary—
(i) copies of forms CFS 101–Part I and CFS 101–Part II (or any successor forms) that report on planned child and family services expenditures by the agency for the immediately succeeding fiscal year; and
(ii) copies of forms CFS 101–Part I and CFS 101–Part II (or any successor forms) that provide, with respect to the programs authorized under this subpart and subpart 1 and, at State option, other programs included on such forms, for the most recent preceding fiscal year for which reporting of actual expenditures is complete—
(I) the numbers of families and of children served by the State agency;
(II) the population served by the State agency;
(III) the geographic areas served by the State agency; and
(IV) the actual expenditures of funds provided to the State agency; and
(9) contains assurances that in administering and conducting service programs under the plan, the safety of the children to be served shall be of paramount concern.
(b) Approval of plans
(1) In general
The Secretary shall approve a plan that meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section only if the plan was developed jointly by the Secretary and the State, after consultation by the State agency with appropriate public and nonprofit private agencies and community-based organizations with experience in administering programs of services for children and families (including family preservation, family support, time-limited family reunification, and adoption promotion and support services).
(2) Plans of Indian tribes or tribal consortia
(A) Exemption from inappropriate requirements
The Secretary may exempt a plan submitted by an Indian tribe or tribal consortium from the requirements of subsection (a)(4) of this section to the extent that the Secretary determines those requirements would be inappropriate to apply to the Indian tribe or tribal consortium, taking into account the resources, needs, and other circumstances of the Indian tribe or tribal consortium.
(B) Special rule
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the Secretary may not approve a plan of an Indian tribe or tribal consortium under this subpart to which (but for this subparagraph) an allotment of less than $10,000 would be made under
(c) Annual submission of State reports to Congress
The Secretary shall compile the reports required under subsection (a)(8)(B) and, not later than September 30 of each year, submit such compilation to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §432, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 432 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was classified to
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c).
1998—Subsec. (a)(8).
1997—Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(5)(A).
Subsec. (a)(9).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
§629c. Allotments to States
(a) Indian tribes or tribal consortia
From the amount reserved pursuant to
(b) Territories
From the amount described in
(c) Other States
(1) In general
From the amount described in
(2) "Food stamp 1 percentage" defined
(A) In general
As used in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the term "supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits percentage" means, with respect to a State and a fiscal year, the average monthly number of children receiving supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits benefits 2 in the State for months in the 3 fiscal years referred to in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, as determined from sample surveys made under
(B) Fiscal years used in calculation
For purposes of the calculation pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall use data for the 3 most recent fiscal years, preceding the fiscal year for which the State's allotment is calculated under this subsection, for which such data are available to the Secretary.
(d) Reallotments
The amount of any allotment to a State under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section for any fiscal year that the State certifies to the Secretary will not be required for carrying out the State plan under
(e) Allotment of funds reserved to support monthly caseworker visits
(1) Territories
From the amount reserved pursuant to
(2) Other States
From the amount reserved pursuant to
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §433, as added
Codification
Prior Provisions
A prior section 433 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was classified to
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2).
2006—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
2002—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (d).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by section 4002(b)(1)(B), (D), (2)(V) of
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Amendment by
1 So in original. Probably should be "Supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits".
§629d. Payments to States
(a) Entitlement
Each State that has a plan approved under
(1) the lesser of—
(A) 75 percent of the total expenditures by the State for activities under the plan during the fiscal year or the immediately succeeding fiscal year; or
(B) the allotment of the State under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of
(2) the lesser of—
(A) 75 percent of the total expenditures by the State in accordance with
(B) the allotment of the State under
(b) Prohibitions
(1) No use of other Federal funds for State match
Each State receiving an amount paid under subsection (a) of this section may not expend any Federal funds to meet the costs of services under the State plan under
(2) Availability of funds
A State may not expend any amount paid under subsection (a) of this section for any fiscal year after the end of the immediately succeeding fiscal year.
(c) Direct payments to tribal organizations of Indian tribes or tribal consortia
The Secretary shall pay any amount to which an Indian tribe or tribal consortium is entitled under this section directly to the tribal organization of the Indian tribe or in the case of a payment to a tribal consortium, such tribal organizations of, or entity established by, the Indian tribes that are part of the consortium as the consortium shall designate.
(d) Limitation on reimbursement for administrative costs
The Secretary shall not make a payment to a State under this section with respect to expenditures for administrative costs during a fiscal year, to the extent that the total amount of the expenditures exceeds 10 percent of the total expenditures of the State during the fiscal year under the State plan approved under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §434, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 434 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was classified to
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (a).
"(1) 75 percent of the total expenditures by the State for activities under the plan during the fiscal year or the immediately succeeding fiscal year; or
"(2) the allotment of the State under
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
2002—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Amendment by
§629e. Evaluations; research; technical assistance
(a) Evaluations
(1) In general
The Secretary shall evaluate and report to the Congress biennially on the effectiveness of the programs carried out pursuant to this subpart in accomplishing the purposes of this subpart, and may evaluate any other Federal, State, or local program, regardless of whether federally assisted, that is designed to achieve the same purposes as the program under this subpart, in accordance with criteria established in accordance with paragraph (2).
(2) Criteria to be used
In developing the criteria to be used in evaluations under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with appropriate parties, such as—
(A) State agencies administering programs under this part and part E of this subchapter;
(B) persons administering child and family services programs (including family preservation and family support programs) for private, nonprofit organizations with an interest in child welfare; and
(C) other persons with recognized expertise in the evaluation of child and family services programs (including family preservation and family support programs) or other related programs.
(3) Timing of report
Beginning in 2003, the Secretary shall submit the biennial report required by this subsection not later than April 1 of every other year, and shall include in each such report the funding level, the status of ongoing evaluations, findings to date, and the nature of any technical assistance provided to States under subsection (d) of this section.
(b) Coordination of evaluations
The Secretary shall develop procedures to coordinate evaluations under this section, to the extent feasible, with evaluations by the States of the effectiveness of programs under this subpart.
(c) Evaluation, research, and technical assistance with respect to targeted program resources
Of the amount reserved under
(1) $1,000,000 for evaluations, research, and providing technical assistance with respect to supporting monthly caseworker visits with children who are in foster care under the responsibility of the State, in accordance with
(2) $1,000,000 for evaluations, research, and providing technical assistance with respect to grants under
(d) Technical assistance
To the extent funds are available therefor, the Secretary shall provide technical assistance that helps States and Indian tribes or tribal consortia to—
(1) develop research-based protocols for identifying families at risk of abuse and neglect of use in the field;
(2) develop treatment models that address the needs of families at risk, particularly families with substance abuse issues;
(3) implement programs with well-articulated theories of how the intervention will result in desired changes among families at risk;
(4) establish mechanisms to ensure that service provision matches the treatment model; and
(5) establish mechanisms to ensure that postadoption services meet the needs of the individual families and develop models to reduce the disruption rates of adoption.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §435, as added
References in Text
Part E of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A), is classified to
The enactment of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (c)(4), is the enactment of
Prior Provisions
A prior section 435 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was classified to
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
2002—
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsecs. (c), (d).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Amendment by
§629f. Authorization of appropriations; reservation of certain amounts
(a) Authorization
In addition to any amount otherwise made available to carry out this subpart, there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subpart $345,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2010, and $365,000,000 for fiscal year 2011 1
(b) Reservation of certain amounts
From the amount specified in subsection (a) of this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve amounts as follows:
(1) Evaluation, research, training, and technical assistance
The Secretary shall reserve $6,000,000 for expenditure by the Secretary—
(A) for research, training, and technical assistance costs related to the program under this subpart; and
(B) for evaluation of State programs based on the plans approved under
(2) State court improvements
The Secretary shall reserve $30,000,000 for grants under
(3) Indian tribes or tribal consortia
After applying paragraphs (4) and (5) (but before applying paragraphs (1) or (2)), the Secretary shall reserve 3 percent for allotment to Indian tribes or tribal consortia in accordance with
(4) Support for monthly caseworker visits
(A) Reservation
The Secretary shall reserve for allotment in accordance with
(i) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(ii) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
(iii) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011.
(B) Use of funds
(i) In general
A State to which an amount is paid from amounts reserved under subparagraph (A) shall use the amount to support monthly caseworker visits with children who are in foster care under the responsibility of the State, with a primary emphasis on activities designed to improve caseworker retention, recruitment, training, and ability to access the benefits of technology.
(ii) Nonsupplantation
A State to which an amount is paid from amounts reserved pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall not use the amount to supplant any Federal funds paid to the State under part E that could be used as described in clause (i).
(5) Regional partnership grants
The Secretary shall reserve for awarding grants under
(A) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(B) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(C) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
(D) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §436, as added
References in Text
Part E, referred to in subsec. (b)(4)(B)(ii), is classified to
Prior Provisions
A prior section 436 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(2).
2006—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective Jan. 17, 2002, with delay permitted if State legislation is required, see section 301 of
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.
§629g. Discretionary and targeted grants
(a) Limitations on authorization of appropriations
In addition to any amount appropriated pursuant to
(b) Reservation of certain amounts
From the amount (if any) appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) of this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve amounts as follows:
(1) Evaluation, research, training, and technical assistance
The Secretary shall reserve 3.3 percent for expenditure by the Secretary for the activities described in
(2) State court improvements
The Secretary shall reserve 3.3 percent for grants under
(3) Indian tribes or tribal consortia
The Secretary shall reserve 3 percent for allotment to Indian tribes or tribal consortia in accordance with subsection (c)(1) of this section.
(c) Allotments
(1) Indian tribes or tribal consortia
From the amount (if any) reserved pursuant to subsection (b)(3) of this section for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to each Indian tribe with a plan approved under this subpart an amount that bears the same ratio to such reserved amount as the number of children in the Indian tribe bears to the total number of children in all Indian tribes with State plans so approved, as determined by the Secretary on the basis of the most current and reliable information available to the Secretary. If a consortium of Indian tribes applies and is approved for a grant under this section, the Secretary shall allot to the consortium an amount equal to the sum of the allotments determined for each Indian tribe that is part of the consortium.
(2) Territories
From the amount (if any) appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) of this section for any fiscal year that remains after applying subection 1 (b) of this section for the fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to each of the jurisdictions of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa an amount determined in the same manner as the allotment to each of such jurisdictions is determined under
(3) Other States
From the amount (if any) appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) of this section for any fiscal year that remains after applying subsection (b) of this section and paragraph (2) of this subsection for the fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to each State (other than an Indian tribe) which is not specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection an amount equal to such remaining amount multiplied by the supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits percentage (as defined in
(d) Grants
The Secretary may make a grant to a State which has a plan approved under this subpart in an amount equal to the lesser of—
(1) 75 percent of the total expenditures by the State for activities under the plan during the fiscal year or the immediately succeeding fiscal year; or
(2) the allotment of the State under subsection (c) of this section for the fiscal year.
(e) Applicability of certain rules
The rules of subsections (b) and (c) of
(f) Targeted grants to increase the well-being of, and to improve the permanency outcomes for, children affected by methamphetamine or other substance abuse
(1) Purpose
The purpose of this subsection is to authorize the Secretary to make competitive grants to regional partnerships to provide, through interagency collaboration and integration of programs and services, services and activities that are designed to increase the well-being of, improve permanency outcomes for, and enhance the safety of children who are in an out-of-home placement or are at risk of being placed in an out-of-home placement as a result of a parent's or caretaker's methamphetamine or other substance abuse.
(2) Regional partnership defined
(A) In general
In this subsection, the term "regional partnership" means a collaborative agreement (which may be established on an interstate or intrastate basis) entered into by at least 2 of the following:
(i) The State child welfare agency that is responsible for the administration of the State plan under this part and part E.
(ii) The State agency responsible for administering the substance abuse prevention and treatment block grant provided under subpart II of part B of title XIX of the Public Health Service Act [
(iii) An Indian tribe or tribal consortium.
(iv) Nonprofit child welfare service providers.
(v) For-profit child welfare service providers.
(vi) Community health service providers.
(vii) Community mental health providers.
(viii) Local law enforcement agencies.
(ix) Judges and court personnel.
(x) Juvenile justice officials.
(xi) School personnel.
(xii) Tribal child welfare agencies (or a consortia of such agencies).
(xiii) Any other providers, agencies, personnel, officials, or entities that are related to the provision of child and family services under this subpart.
(B) Requirements
(i) State child welfare agency partner
Subject to clause (ii)(I), a regional partnership entered into for purposes of this subsection shall include the State child welfare agency that is responsible for the administration of the State plan under this part and part E as 1 of the partners.
(ii) Regional partnerships entered into by Indian tribes or tribal consortia
If an Indian tribe or tribal consortium enters into a regional partnership for purposes of this subsection, the Indian tribe or tribal consortium—
(I) may (but is not required to) include such State child welfare agency as a partner in the collaborative agreement; and
(II) may not enter into a collaborative agreement only with tribal child welfare agencies (or a consortium of such agencies).
(iii) No State agency only partnerships
If a State agency described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A) enters into a regional partnership for purposes of this subsection, the State agency may not enter into a collaborative agreement only with the other State agency described in such clause (i) or (ii).
(3) Authority to award grants
(A) In general
In addition to amounts authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, the Secretary shall award grants under this subsection, from the amounts reserved for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011 under
(B) Required minimum period of approval
A grant shall be awarded under this subsection for a period of not less than 2, and not more than 5, fiscal years.
(4) Application requirements
To be eligible for a grant under this subsection, a regional partnership shall submit to the Secretary a written application containing the following:
(A) Recent evidence demonstrating that methamphetamine or other substance abuse has had a substantial impact on the number of out-of-home placements for children, or the number of children who are at risk of being placed in an out-of-home placement, in the partnership region.
(B) A description of the goals and outcomes to be achieved during the funding period for the grant that will—
(i) enhance the well-being of children receiving services or taking part in activities conducted with funds provided under the grant;
(ii) lead to safety and permanence for such children; and
(iii) decrease the number of out-of-home placements for children, or the number of children who are at risk of being placed in an out-of-home placement, in the partnership region.
(C) A description of the joint activities to be funded in whole or in part with the funds provided under the grant, including the sequencing of the activities proposed to be conducted under the funding period for the grant.
(D) A description of the strategies for integrating programs and services determined to be appropriate for the child and where appropriate, the child's family.
(E) A description of the strategies for—
(i) collaborating with the State child welfare agency described in paragraph (2)(A)(i) (unless that agency is the lead applicant for the regional partnership); and
(ii) consulting, as appropriate, with—
(I) the State agency described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii); and
(II) the State law enforcement and judicial agencies.
To the extent the Secretary determines that the requirement of this subparagraph would be inappropriate to apply to a regional partnership that includes an Indian tribe, tribal consortium, or a tribal child welfare agency or a consortium of such agencies, the Secretary may exempt the regional partnership from the requirement.
(F) Such other information as the Secretary may require.
(5) Use of funds
Funds made available under a grant made under this subsection shall only be used for services or activities that are consistent with the purpose of this subsection and may include the following:
(A) Family-based comprehensive long-term substance abuse treatment services.
(B) Early intervention and preventative services.
(C) Children and family counseling.
(D) Mental health services.
(E) Parenting skills training.
(F) Replication of successful models for providing family-based comprehensive long-term substance abuse treatment services.
(6) Matching requirement
(A) Federal share
A grant awarded under this subsection shall be available to pay a percentage share of the costs of services provided or activities conducted under such grant, not to exceed—
(i) 85 percent for the first and second fiscal years for which the grant is awarded to a recipient;
(ii) 80 percent for the third and fourth such fiscal years; and
(iii) 75 percent for the fifth such fiscal year.
(B) Non-Federal share
The non-Federal share of the cost of services provided or activities conducted under a grant awarded under this subsection may be in cash or in kind. In determining the amount of the non-Federal share, the Secretary may attribute fair market value to goods, services, and facilities contributed from non-Federal sources.
(7) Considerations in awarding grants
In awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall—
(A) take into consideration the extent to which applicant regional partnerships—
(i) demonstrate that methamphetamine or other substance abuse by parents or caretakers has had a substantial impact on the number of out-of-home placements for children, or the number of children who are at risk of being placed in an out-of-home placement, in the partnership region;
(ii) have limited resources for addressing the needs of children affected by such abuse;
(iii) have a lack of capacity for, or access to, comprehensive family treatment services; and
(iv) demonstrate a plan for sustaining the services provided by or activities funded under the grant after the conclusion of the grant period; and
(B) after taking such factors into consideration, give greater weight to awarding grants to regional partnerships that propose to address methamphetamine abuse and addiction in the partnership region (alone or in combination with other drug abuse and addiction) and which demonstrate that methamphetamine abuse and addiction (alone or in combination with other drug abuse and addiction) is adversely affecting child welfare in the partnership region.
(8) Performance indicators
(A) In general
Not later than 9 months after September 28, 2006, the Secretary shall establish indicators that will be used to assess periodically the performance of the grant recipients under this subsection in using funds made available under such grants to achieve the purpose of this subsection.
(B) Consultation required
In establishing the performance indicators required by subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consult with the following:
(i) The Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families.
(ii) The Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
(iii) Representatives of States in which a State agency described in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (2)(A) is a member of a regional partnership that is a grant recipient under this subsection.
(iv) Representatives of Indian tribes, tribal consortia, or tribal child welfare agencies that are members of a regional partnership that is a grant recipient under this subsection.
(9) Reports
(A) Grantee reports
(i) Annual report
Not later than September 30 of the first fiscal year in which a recipient of a grant under this subsection is paid funds under the grant, and annually thereafter until September 30 of the last fiscal year in which the recipient is paid funds under the grant, the recipient shall submit to the Secretary a report on the services provided or activities carried out during that fiscal year with such funds. The report shall contain such information as the Secretary determines is necessary to provide an accurate description of the services provided or activities conducted with such funds.
(ii) Incorporation of information related to performance indicators
Each recipient of a grant under this subsection shall incorporate into the first annual report required by clause (i) that is submitted after the establishment of performance indicators under paragraph (8), information required in relation to such indicators.
(B) Reports to Congress
On the basis of the reports submitted under subparagraph (A), the Secretary annually shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report on—
(i) the services provided and activities conducted with funds provided under grants awarded under this subsection;
(ii) the performance indicators established under paragraph (8); and
(iii) the progress that has been made in addressing the needs of families with methamphetamine or other substance abuse problems who come to the attention of the child welfare system and in achieving the goals of child safety, permanence, and family stability.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §437, as added
References in Text
Part E, referred to in subsec. (f)(2)(A)(i), (B)(i), is classified to
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(2)(A)(ii), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373,
Codification
Prior Provisions
A prior section 437 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was classified to
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (c)(3).
2006—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by section 4002(b)(1)(D), (2)(V) of
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective Jan. 17, 2002, with delay permitted if State legislation is required, see section 301 of
1 So in original. Probably should be "subsection".
§629h. Entitlement funding for State courts to assess and improve handling of proceedings relating to foster care and adoption
(a) In general
The Secretary shall make grants, in accordance with this section, to the highest State courts in States participating in the program under part E of this subchapter, for the purpose of enabling such courts—
(1) to conduct assessments, in accordance with such requirements as the Secretary shall publish, of the role, responsibilities, and effectiveness of State courts in carrying out State laws requiring proceedings (conducted by or under the supervision of the courts)—
(A) that implement this part and part E of this subchapter;
(B) that determine the advisability or appropriateness of foster care placement;
(C) that determine whether to terminate parental rights;
(D) that determine whether to approve the adoption or other permanent placement of a child; 1
(E) that determine the best strategy to use to expedite the interstate placement of children, including—
(i) requiring courts in different States to cooperate in the sharing of information;
(ii) authorizing courts to obtain information and testimony from agencies and parties in other States without requiring interstate travel by the agencies and parties; and
(iii) permitting the participation of parents, children, other necessary parties, and attorneys in cases involving interstate placement without requiring their interstate travel; and 2
(2) to implement improvements the highest state 3 courts deem necessary as a result of the assessments, including—
(A) to provide for the safety, well-being, and permanence of children in foster care, as set forth in the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (
(B) to implement a corrective action plan, as necessary, resulting from reviews of child and family service programs under
(3) to ensure that the safety, permanence, and well-being needs of children are met in a timely and complete manner; and
(4) to provide for the training of judges, attorneys and other legal personnel in child welfare cases.
(b) Applications
(1) In general
In order to be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a highest State court shall have in effect a rule requiring State courts to ensure that foster parents, pre-adoptive parents, and relative caregivers of a child in foster care under the responsibility of the State are notified of any proceeding to be held with respect to the child, and shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such form, and including such information and assurances as the Secretary may require, including—
(A) in the case of a grant for the purpose described in subsection (a)(3), a description of how courts and child welfare agencies on the local and State levels will collaborate and jointly plan for the collection and sharing of all relevant data and information to demonstrate how improved case tracking and analysis of child abuse and neglect cases will produce safe and timely permanency decisions;
(B) in the case of a grant for the purpose described in subsection (a)(4), a demonstration that a portion of the grant will be used for cross-training initiatives that are jointly planned and executed with the State agency or any other agency under contract with the State to administer the State program under the State plan under subpart 1, the State plan approved under
(C) in the case of a grant for any purpose described in subsection (a), a demonstration of meaningful and ongoing collaboration among the courts in the State, the State agency or any other agency under contract with the State who is responsible for administering the State program under this part or part E, and, where applicable, Indian tribes.
(2) Separate applications
A highest State court desiring grants under this section for 2 or more purposes shall submit separate applications for the following grants:
(A) A grant for the purposes described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a).
(B) A grant for the purpose described in subsection (a)(3).
(C) A grant for the purpose described in subsection (a)(4).
(c) Allotments
(1) Grants to assess and improve handling of court proceedings relating to foster care and adoption
(A) In general
Each highest State court which has an application approved under subsection (b) of this section for a grant described in subsection (b)(2)(A) of this section, and is conducting assessment and improvement activities in accordance with this section, shall be entitled to payment, for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2011, from the amount reserved pursuant to
(B) Formula
The amount described in this subparagraph for any fiscal year is the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount reserved pursuant to
(2) Grants for improved data collection and training
(A) In general
Each highest State court which has an application approved under subsection (b) of this section for a grant referred to in subparagraph (B) or (C) of subsection (b)(2) shall be entitled to payment, for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011, from the amount made available under whichever of paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (e) applies with respect to the grant, of an amount equal to the sum of $85,000 plus the amount described in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph for the fiscal year with respect to the grant.
(B) Formula
The amount described in this subparagraph for any fiscal year with respect to a grant referred to in subparagraph (B) or (C) of subsection (b)(2) is the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount made available under subsection (e) for such a grant (reduced by the dollar amount specified in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph) as the number of individuals in the State who have not attained 21 years of age bears to the total number of such individuals in all States the highest State courts of which have approved applications under subsection (b) for such a grant.
(d) Federal share
Each highest State court which receives funds paid under this section may use such funds to pay not more than 75 percent of the cost of activities under this section in each of fiscal years 2002 through 2011.
(e) Funding for grants for improved data collection and training
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated to the Secretary, for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010—
(1) $10,000,000 for grants referred to in subsection (b)(2)(B); and
(2) $10,000,000 for grants referred to in subsection (b)(2)(C).
For fiscal year 2011, out of the amount reserved pursuant to
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §438, formerly
References in Text
Part E of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b)(1)(B), (C), is classified to
The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A), is
Subpart 1, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(B), is classified to
Codification
Section was formerly set out as a note under
Prior Provisions
A prior section 438 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e).
2006—Subsec. (a)(1)(E).
Subsec. (a)(3), (4).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
2002—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (c)(1).
"(A) for fiscal year 1995, $75,000 plus the amount described in paragraph (2) for fiscal year 1995; and
"(B) for each of fiscal years 1996 through 2001, $85,000 plus the amount described in paragraph (2) for each of such fiscal years."
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d).
"(1) any or all costs of activities under this section in fiscal year 1995; and
"(2) not more than 75 percent of the cost of activities under this section in each of fiscal years 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001."
1997—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by "and".
2 So in original. The word "and" probably should not appear.
3 So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
§629i. Grants for programs for mentoring children of prisoners
(a) Findings and purposes
(1) Findings
(A) In the period between 1991 and 1999, the number of children with a parent incarcerated in a Federal or State correctional facility increased by more than 100 percent, from approximately 900,000 to approximately 2,000,000. In 1999, 2.1 percent of all children in the United States had a parent in Federal or State prison.
(B) Prior to incarceration, 64 percent of female prisoners and 44 percent of male prisoners in State facilities lived with their children.
(C) Nearly 90 percent of the children of incarcerated fathers live with their mothers, and 79 percent of the children of incarcerated mothers live with a grandparent or other relative.
(D) Parental arrest and confinement lead to stress, trauma, stigmatization, and separation problems for children. These problems are coupled with existing problems that include poverty, violence, parental substance abuse, high-crime environments, intrafamilial abuse, child abuse and neglect, multiple care givers, and/or prior separations. As a result, these children often exhibit a broad variety of behavioral, emotional, health, and educational problems that are often compounded by the pain of separation.
(E) Empirical research demonstrates that mentoring is a potent force for improving children's behavior across all risk behaviors affecting health. Quality, one-on-one relationships that provide young people with caring role models for future success have profound, life-changing potential. Done right, mentoring markedly advances youths' life prospects. A widely cited 1995 study by Public/Private Ventures measured the impact of one Big Brothers Big Sisters program and found significant effects in the lives of youth—cutting first-time drug use by almost half and first-time alcohol use by about a third, reducing school absenteeism by half, cutting assaultive behavior by a third, improving parental and peer relationships, giving youth greater confidence in their school work, and improving academic performance.
(2) Purposes
The purposes of this section are to authorize the Secretary—
(A) to make competitive grants to applicants in areas with substantial numbers of children of incarcerated parents, to support the establishment or expansion and operation of programs using a network of public and private community entities to provide mentoring services for children of prisoners; and
(B) to enter into on a competitive basis a cooperative agreement to conduct a service delivery demonstration project in accordance with the requirements of subsection (g).
(b) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Children of prisoners
The term "children of prisoners" means children one or both of whose parents are incarcerated in a Federal, State, or local correctional facility. The term is deemed to include children who are in an ongoing mentoring relationship in a program under this section at the time of their parents' release from prison, for purposes of continued participation in the program.
(2) Mentoring
The term "mentoring" means a structured, managed program in which children are appropriately matched with screened and trained adult volunteers for one-on-one relationships, involving meetings and activities on a regular basis, intended to meet, in part, the child's need for involvement with a caring and supportive adult who provides a positive role model.
(3) Mentoring services
The term "mentoring services" means those services and activities that support a structured, managed program of mentoring, including the management by trained personnel of outreach to, and screening of, eligible children; outreach to, education and training of, and liaison with sponsoring local organizations; screening and training of adult volunteers; matching of children with suitable adult volunteer mentors; support and oversight of the mentoring relationship; and establishment of goals and evaluation of outcomes for mentored children.
(c) Program authorized
From the amounts appropriated under subsection (i) of this section for a fiscal year that remain after applying subsection (i)(2) of this section, the Secretary shall make grants under this section for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011 to State or local governments, tribal governments or tribal consortia, faith-based organizations, and community-based organizations in areas that have significant numbers of children of prisoners and that submit applications meeting the requirements of this section, in amounts that do not exceed $5,000,000 per grant.
(d) Application requirements
In order to be eligible for a grant under this section, the chief executive officer of the applicant must submit to the Secretary an application containing the following:
(1) Program design
A description of the proposed program, including—
(A) a list of local public and private organizations and entities that will participate in the mentoring network;
(B) the name, description, and qualifications of the entity that will coordinate and oversee the activities of the mentoring network;
(C) the number of mentor-child matches proposed to be established and maintained annually under the program;
(D) such information as the Secretary may require concerning the methods to be used to recruit, screen support, and oversee individuals participating as mentors, (which methods shall include criminal background checks on the individuals), and to evaluate outcomes for participating children, including information necessary to demonstrate compliance with requirements established by the Secretary for the program; and
(E) such other information as the Secretary may require.
(2) Community consultation; coordination with other programs
A demonstration that, in developing and implementing the program, the applicant will, to the extent feasible and appropriate—
(A) consult with public and private community entities, including religious organizations, and including, as appropriate, Indian tribal organizations and urban Indian organizations, and with family members of potential clients;
(B) coordinate the programs and activities under the program with other Federal, State, and local programs serving children and youth; and
(C) consult with appropriate Federal, State, and local corrections, workforce development, and substance abuse and mental health agencies.
(3) Equal access for local service providers
An assurance that public and private entities and community organizations, including religious organizations and Indian organizations, will be eligible to participate on an equal basis.
(4) Records, reports, and audits
An agreement that the applicant will maintain such records, make such reports, and cooperate with such reviews or audits as the Secretary may find necessary for purposes of oversight of project activities and expenditures.
(5) Evaluation
An agreement that the applicant will cooperate fully with the Secretary's ongoing and final evaluation of the program under the plan, by means including providing the Secretary access to the program and program-related records and documents, staff, and grantees receiving funding under the plan.
(e) Federal share
(1) In general
A grant for a program under this section shall be available to pay a percentage share of the costs of the program up to—
(A) 75 percent for the first and second fiscal years for which the grant is awarded; and
(B) 50 percent for the third and each succeeding such fiscal years.
(2) Non-Federal share
The non-Federal share of the cost of projects under this section may be in cash or in kind. In determining the amount of the non-Federal share, the Secretary may attribute fair market value to goods, services, and facilities contributed from non-Federal sources.
(f) Considerations in awarding grants
In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall take into consideration—
(1) the qualifications and capacity of applicants and networks of organizations to effectively carry out a mentoring program under this section;
(2) the comparative severity of need for mentoring services in local areas, taking into consideration data on the numbers of children (and in particular of low-income children) with an incarcerated parents 1 (or parents) in the areas;
(3) evidence of consultation with existing youth and family service programs, as appropriate; and
(4) any other factors the Secretary may deem significant with respect to the need for or the potential success of carrying out a mentoring program under this section.
(g) Service delivery demonstration project
(1) Purpose; authority to enter into cooperative agreement
The Secretary shall enter into a cooperative agreement with an eligible entity that meets the requirements of paragraph (2) for the purpose of requiring the entity to conduct a demonstration project consistent with this subsection under which the entity shall—
(A) identify children of prisoners in need of mentoring services who have not been matched with a mentor by an applicant awarded a grant under this section, with a priority for identifying children who—
(i) reside in an area not served by a recipient of a grant under this section;
(ii) reside in an area that has a substantial number of children of prisoners;
(iii) reside in a rural area; or
(iv) are Indians;
(B) provide the families of the children so identified with—
(i) a voucher for mentoring services that meets the requirements of paragraph (5); and
(ii) a list of the providers of mentoring services in the area in which the family resides that satisfy the requirements of paragraph (6); and
(C) monitor and oversee the delivery of mentoring services by providers that accept the vouchers.
(2) Eligible entity
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), an eligible entity under this subsection is an organization that the Secretary determines, on a competitive basis—
(i) has substantial experience—
(I) in working with organizations that provide mentoring services for children of prisoners; and
(II) in developing quality standards for the identification and assessment of mentoring programs for children of prisoners; and
(ii) submits an application that satisfies the requirements of paragraph (3).
(B) Limitation
An organization that provides mentoring services may not be an eligible entity for purposes of being awarded a cooperative agreement under this subsection.
(3) Application requirements
To be eligible to be awarded a cooperative agreement under this subsection, an entity shall submit to the Secretary an application that includes the following:
(A) Qualifications
Evidence that the entity—
(i) meets the experience requirements of paragraph (2)(A)(i); and
(ii) is able to carry out—
(I) the purposes of this subsection identified in paragraph (1); and
(II) the requirements of the cooperative agreement specified in paragraph (4).
(B) Service delivery plan
(i) Distribution requirements
Subject to clause (iii), a description of the plan of the entity to ensure the distribution of not less than—
(I) 3,000 vouchers for mentoring services in the first year in which the cooperative agreement is in effect with that entity;
(II) 8,000 vouchers for mentoring services in the second year in which the agreement is in effect with that entity; and
(III) 13,000 vouchers for mentoring services in any subsequent year in which the agreement is in effect with that entity.
(ii) Satisfaction of priorities
A description of how the plan will ensure the delivery of mentoring services to children identified in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (1)(A).
(iii) Secretarial authority to modify distribution requirement
The Secretary may modify the number of vouchers specified in subclauses (I) through (III) of clause (i) to take into account the availability of appropriations and the need to ensure that the vouchers distributed by the entity are for amounts that are adequate to ensure the provision of mentoring services for a 12-month period.
(C) Collaboration and cooperation
A description of how the entity will ensure collaboration and cooperation with other interested parties, including courts and prisons, with respect to the delivery of mentoring services under the demonstration project.
(D) Other
Any other information that the Secretary may find necessary to demonstrate the capacity of the entity to satisfy the requirements of this subsection.
(4) Cooperative agreement requirements
A cooperative agreement awarded under this subsection shall require the eligible entity to do the following:
(A) Identify quality standards for providers
To work with the Secretary to identify the quality standards that a provider of mentoring services must meet in order to participate in the demonstration project and which, at a minimum, shall include criminal records checks for individuals who are prospective mentors and shall prohibit approving any individual to be a mentor if the criminal records check of the individual reveals a conviction which would prevent the individual from being approved as a foster or adoptive parent under
(B) Identify eligible providers
To identify and compile a list of those providers of mentoring services in any of the 50 States or the District of Columbia that meet the quality standards identified pursuant to subparagraph (A).
(C) Identify eligible children
To identify children of prisoners who require mentoring services, consistent with the priorities specified in paragraph (1)(A).
(D) Monitor and oversee delivery of mentoring services
To satisfy specific requirements of the Secretary for monitoring and overseeing the delivery of mentoring services under the demonstration project, which shall include a requirement to ensure that providers of mentoring services under the project report data on the children served and the types of mentoring services provided.
(E) Records, reports, and audits
To maintain any records, make any reports, and cooperate with any reviews and audits that the Secretary determines are necessary to oversee the activities of the entity in carrying out the demonstration project under this subsection.
(F) Evaluations
To cooperate fully with any evaluations of the demonstration project, including collecting and monitoring data and providing the Secretary or the Secretary's designee with access to records and staff related to the conduct of the project.
(G) Limitation on administrative expenditures
To ensure that administrative expenditures incurred by the entity in conducting the demonstration project with respect to a fiscal year do not exceed the amount equal to 10 percent of the amount awarded to carry out the project for that year.
(5) Voucher requirements
A voucher for mentoring services provided to the family of a child identified in accordance with paragraph (1)(A) shall meet the following requirements:
(A) Total payment amount; 12-month service period
The voucher shall specify the total amount to be paid a provider of mentoring services for providing the child on whose behalf the voucher is issued with mentoring services for a 12-month period.
(B) Periodic payments as services provided
(i) In general
The voucher shall specify that it may be redeemed with the eligible entity by the provider accepting the voucher in return for agreeing to provide mentoring services for the child on whose behalf the voucher is issued.
(ii) Demonstration of the provision of services
A provider that redeems a voucher issued by the eligible entity shall receive periodic payments from the eligible entity during the 12-month period that the voucher is in effect upon demonstration of the provision of significant services and activities related to the provision of mentoring services to the child on whose behalf the voucher is issued.
(6) Provider requirements
In order to participate in the demonstration project, a provider of mentoring services shall—
(A) meet the quality standards identified by the eligible entity in accordance with paragraph (1);
(B) agree to accept a voucher meeting the requirements of paragraph (5) as payment for the provision of mentoring services to a child on whose behalf the voucher is issued;
(C) demonstrate that the provider has the capacity, and has or will have nonfederal resources, to continue supporting the provision of mentoring services to the child on whose behalf the voucher is issued, as appropriate, after the conclusion of the 12-month period during which the voucher is in effect; and
(D) if the provider is a recipient of a grant under this section, demonstrate that the provider has exhausted its capacity for providing mentoring services under the grant.
(7) 3-year period; option for renewal
(A) In general
A cooperative agreement awarded under this subsection shall be effective for a 3-year period.
(B) Renewal
The cooperative agreement may be renewed for an additional period, not to exceed 2 years and subject to any conditions that the Secretary may specify that are not inconsistent with the requirements of this subsection or subsection (i)(2)(B), if the Secretary determines that the entity has satisfied the requirements of the agreement and evaluations of the service delivery demonstration project demonstrate that the voucher service delivery method is effective in providing mentoring services to children of prisoners.
(8) Independent evaluation and report
(A) In general
The Secretary shall enter into a contract with an independent, private organization to evaluate and prepare a report on the first 2 fiscal years in which the demonstration project is conducted under this subsection.
(B) Deadline for report
Not later than 90 days after the end of the second fiscal year in which the demonstration project is conducted under this subsection, the Secretary shall submit the report required under subparagraph (A) to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate. The report shall include—
(i) the number of children as of the end of such second fiscal year who received vouchers for mentoring services; and
(ii) any conclusions regarding the use of vouchers for the delivery of mentoring services for children of prisoners.
(9) No effect on eligibility for other Federal assistance
A voucher provided to a family under the demonstration project conducted under this subsection shall be disregarded for purposes of determining the eligibility for, or the amount of, any other Federal or federally-supported assistance for the family.
(h) Independent evaluation; reports
(1) Independent evaluation
The Secretary shall conduct by grant, contract, or cooperative agreement an independent evaluation of the programs authorized under this section, including the service delivery demonstration project authorized under subsection (g).
(2) Reports
Not later than 12 months after September 28, 2006, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress that includes the following:
(A) The characteristics of the mentoring programs funded under this section.
(B) The plan for implementation of the service delivery demonstration project authorized under subsection (g).
(C) A description of the outcome-based evaluation of the programs authorized under this section that the Secretary is conducting as of September 28, 2006, and how the evaluation has been expanded to include an evaluation of the demonstration project authorized under subsection (g).
(D) The date on which the Secretary shall submit a final report on the evaluation to the Congress.
(i) Authorization of appropriations; reservations of certain amounts
(1) Limitations on authorization of appropriations
To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2007 through 2011.
(2) Reservations
(A) Research, technical assistance, and evaluation
The Secretary shall reserve 4 percent of the amount appropriated for each fiscal year under paragraph (1) for expenditure by the Secretary for research, technical assistance, and evaluation related to programs under this section.
(B) Service delivery demonstration project
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), for purposes of awarding a cooperative agreement to conduct the service delivery demonstration project authorized under subsection (g), the Secretary shall reserve not more than—
(I) $5,000,000 of the amount appropriated under paragraph (1) for the first fiscal year in which funds are to be awarded for the agreement;
(II) $10,000,000 of the amount appropriated under paragraph (1) for the second fiscal year in which funds are to be awarded for the agreement; and
(III) $15,000,000 of the amount appropriated under paragraph (1) for the third fiscal year in which funds are to be awarded for the agreement.
(ii) Assurance of funding for general program grants
With respect to any fiscal year, no funds may be awarded for a cooperative agreement under subsection (g), unless at least $25,000,000 of the amount appropriated under paragraph (1) for that fiscal year is used by the Secretary for making grants under this section for that fiscal year.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §439, as added
Codification
September 28, 2006, referred to in subsec. (h)(2), was in the original "the date of enactment of this subsection" and "that date of enactment", which were translated as meaning the date of enactment of
Prior Provisions
A prior section 439 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was classified to
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (h)(1).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective Jan. 17, 2002, with delay permitted if State legislation is required, see section 301 of
1 So in original. Probably should be "parent".
Part C—Work Incentive Program for Recipients of Aid Under State Plan Approved Under Part A
§§630 to 632. Repealed. Pub. L. 100–485, title II, §202(a), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2377
Section 630, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §430, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Section 631, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §431, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Section 632, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §432, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective Oct. 1, 1990, with provision for earlier effective dates in case of States making certain changes in their State plans and formally notifying the Secretary of Health and Human Services of their desire to become subject to the amendments by title II of
§632a. Omitted
Codification
Section,
§§633 to 645. Repealed. Pub. L. 100–485, title II, §202(a), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2377
Section 633, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §433, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Section 634, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §434, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Section 635, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §435, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Section 636, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §436, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Section 637, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §437, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Section 638, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §438, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Section 639, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §439, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Section 640, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §440, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Section 641, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §441, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Section 642, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §442, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Section 643, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §443, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Section 644, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §444, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Section 645, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §445, as added Aug. 13, 1981,
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective Oct. 1, 1990, with provision for earlier effective dates in case of States making certain changes in their State plans and formally notifying the Secretary of Health and Human Services of their desire to become subject to the amendments by title II of
Part D—Child Support and Establishment of Paternity
§651. Authorization of appropriations
For the purpose of enforcing the support obligations owed by noncustodial parents to their children and the spouse (or former spouse) with whom such children are living, locating noncustodial parents, establishing paternity, obtaining child and spousal support, and assuring that assistance in obtaining support will be available under this part to all children (whether or not eligible for assistance under a State program funded under part A of this subchapter) for whom such assistance is requested, there is hereby authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year a sum sufficient to carry out the purposes of this part.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §451, as added
References in Text
Part A of this subchapter, referred to in text, is classified to
Amendments
1996—
1984—
1981—
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by section 108(c)(1) of
For effective date of amendment by section 395(d)(1)(A) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 2336 of
"(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided in the preceding sections of this chapter [sections 2331–2335 of
"(b) If a State agency administering a plan approved under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act [this part] demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, that it cannot, by reason of State law, comply with the requirements of an amendment made by this chapter to which the effective date specified in subsection (a) applies, the Secretary may prescribe that, in the case of such State, the amendment will become effective beginning with the first month beginning after the close of the first session of such State's legislature ending on or after October 1, 1981. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term 'session of a State's legislature' includes any regular, special, budget, or other session of a State legislature."
Effective Date
Section 101(f) of
Short Title
This part is popularly known as the "Child Support Enforcement Act".
Study on Effectiveness of Enforcement of Medical Support by State Agencies
Promulgation of National Medical Support Notice
Authorization of Appropriations
§652. Duties of Secretary
(a) Establishment of separate organizational unit; duties
The Secretary shall establish, within the Department of Health and Human Services a separate organizational unit, under the direction of a designee of the Secretary, who shall report directly to the Secretary and who shall—
(1) establish such standards for State programs for locating noncustodial parents, establishing paternity, and obtaining child support and support for the spouse (or former spouse) with whom the noncustodial parent's child is living as he determines to be necessary to assure that such programs will be effective;
(2) establish minimum organizational and staffing requirements for State units engaged in carrying out such programs under plans approved under this part;
(3) review and approve State plans for such programs;
(4)(A) review data and calculations transmitted by State agencies pursuant to
(B) review annual reports submitted pursuant to
(C) conduct audits, in accordance with the Government auditing standards of the Comptroller General of the United States—
(i) at least once every 3 years (or more frequently, in the case of a State which fails to meet the requirements of this part concerning performance standards and reliability of program data) to assess the completeness, reliability, and security of the data and the accuracy of the reporting systems used in calculating performance indicators under subsection (g) of this section and
(ii) of the adequacy of financial management of the State program operated under the State plan approved under this part, including assessments of—
(I) whether Federal and other funds made available to carry out the State program are being appropriately expended, and are properly and fully accounted for; and
(II) whether collections and disbursements of support payments are carried out correctly and are fully accounted for; and
(iii) for such other purposes as the Secretary may find necessary;
(5) assist States in establishing adequate reporting procedures and maintain records of the operations of programs established pursuant to this part in each State, and establish procedures to be followed by States for collecting and reporting information required to be provided under this part, and establish uniform definitions (including those necessary to enable the measurement of State compliance with the requirements of this part relating to expedited processes) to be applied in following such procedures;
(6) maintain records of all amounts collected and disbursed under programs established pursuant to the provisions of this part and of the costs incurred in collecting such amounts;
(7) provide technical assistance to the States to help them establish effective systems for collecting child and spousal support and establishing paternity, and specify the minimum requirements of an affidavit to be used for the voluntary acknowledgment of paternity which shall include the social security number of each parent and, after consultation with the States, other common elements as determined by such designee;
(8) receive applications from States for permission to utilize the courts of the United States to enforce court orders for support against noncustodial parents and, upon a finding that (A) another State has not undertaken to enforce the court order of the originating State against the noncustodial parent within a reasonable time, and (B) that utilization of the Federal courts is the only reasonable method of enforcing such order, approve such applications;
(9) operate the Federal Parent Locator Service established by
(10) not later than three months after the end of each fiscal year, beginning with the year 1977, submit to the Congress a full and complete report on all activities undertaken pursuant to the provisions of this part, which report shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(A) total program costs and collections set forth in sufficient detail to show the cost to the States and the Federal Government, the distribution of collections to families, State and local governmental units, and the Federal Government; and an identification of the financial impact of the provisions of this part, including—
(i) the total amount of child support payments collected as a result of services furnished during the fiscal year to individuals receiving services under this part;
(ii) the cost to the States and to the Federal Government of so furnishing the services; and
(iii) the number of cases involving families—
(I) who became ineligible for assistance under State programs funded under part A of this subchapter during a month in the fiscal year; and
(II) with respect to whom a child support payment was received in the month;
(B) costs and staff associated with the Office of Child Support Enforcement;
(C) the following data, separately stated for cases where the child is receiving assistance under a State program funded under part A of this subchapter (or foster care maintenance payments under part E of this subchapter), or formerly received such assistance or payments and the State is continuing to collect support assigned to it pursuant to
(i) the total number of cases in which a support obligation has been established in the fiscal year for which the report is submitted;
(ii) the total number of cases in which a support obligation has been established;
(iii) the number of cases in which support was collected during the fiscal year;
(iv) the total amount of support collected during such fiscal year and distributed as current support;
(v) the total amount of support collected during such fiscal year and distributed as arrearages;
(vi) the total amount of support due and unpaid for all fiscal years; and
(vii) the number of child support cases filed in each State in such fiscal year, and the amount of the collections made in each State in such fiscal year, on behalf of children residing in another State or against parents residing in another State;
(D) the status of all State plans under this part as of the end of the fiscal year last ending before the report is submitted, together with an explanation of any problems which are delaying or preventing approval of State plans under this part;
(E) data, by State, on the use of the Federal Parent Locator Service, and the number of locate requests submitted without the noncustodial parent's social security account number;
(F) the number of cases, by State, in which an applicant for or recipient of assistance under a State program funded under part A of this subchapter has refused to cooperate in identifying and locating the noncustodial parent and the number of cases in which refusal so to cooperate is based on good cause (as determined by the State);
(G) data, by State, on use of the Internal Revenue Service for collections, the number of court orders on which collections were made, the number of paternity determinations made and the number of parents located, in sufficient detail to show the cost and benefits to the States and to the Federal Government;
(H) the major problems encountered which have delayed or prevented implementation of the provisions of this part during the fiscal year last ending prior to the submission of such report; and
(I) compliance, by State, with the standards established pursuant to subsections (h) and (i) of this section; and
(11) not later than October 1, 1996, after consulting with the State directors of programs under this part, promulgate forms to be used by States in interstate cases for—
(A) collection of child support through income withholding;
(B) imposition of liens; and
(C) administrative subpoenas.
(b) Certification of child support obligations to Secretary of the Treasury for collection
The Secretary shall, upon the request of any State having in effect a State plan approved under this part, certify to the Secretary of the Treasury for collection pursuant to the provisions of section 6305 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 the amount of any child support obligation (including any support obligation with respect to the parent who is living with the child and receiving assistance under the State program funded under part A of this subchapter) which is assigned to such State or is undertaken to be collected by such State pursuant to
(c) Payment of child support collections to States
The Secretary of the Treasury shall from time to time pay to each State for distribution in accordance with the provisions of
(d) Child support management information system
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall not approve the initial and annually updated advance automated data processing planning document, referred to in
(A) provides for the conduct of, and reflects the results of, requirements analysis studies, which include consideration of the program mission, functions, organization, services, constraints, and current support, of, in, or relating to, such system,
(B) contains a description of the proposed management system referred to in
(C) sets forth the security and interface requirements to be employed in such management system,
(D) describes the projected resource requirements for staff and other needs, and the resources available or expected to be available to meet such requirements,
(E) contains an implementation plan and backup procedures to handle possible failures,
(F) contains a summary of proposed improvement of such management system in terms of qualitative and quantitative benefits, and
(G) provides such other information as the Secretary determines under regulation is necessary.
(2)(A) The Secretary shall through the separate organizational unit established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, on a continuing basis, review, assess, and inspect the planning, design, and operation of, management information systems referred to in
(B) If the Secretary finds with respect to any statewide management information system referred to in
(3) The Secretary may waive any requirement of paragraph (1) or any condition specified under
(A) the State demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the State has or can develop an alternative system or systems that enable the State—
(i) for purposes of
(ii) to submit data under
(iii) to substantially comply with the requirements of this part; and
(iv) in the case of a request to waive the single statewide system requirement, to—
(I) meet all functional requirements of
(II) ensure that calculation of distributions meets the requirements of
(III) ensure that there is only one point of contact in the State which provides seamless case processing for all interstate case processing and coordinated, automated intrastate case management;
(IV) ensure that standardized data elements, forms, and definitions are used throughout the State;
(V) complete the alternative system in no more time than it would take to complete a single statewide system that meets such requirement; and
(VI) process child support cases as quickly, efficiently, and effectively as such cases would be processed through a single statewide system that meets such requirement;
(B)(i) the waiver meets the criteria of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of
(ii) the State provides assurances to the Secretary that steps will be taken to otherwise improve the State's child support enforcement program; and
(C) in the case of a request to waive the single statewide system requirement, the State has submitted to the Secretary separate estimates of the total cost of a single statewide system that meets such requirement, and of any such alternative system or systems, which shall include estimates of the cost of developing and completing the system and of operating and maintaining the system for 5 years, and the Secretary has agreed with the estimates.
(e) Technical assistance to States
The Secretary shall provide such technical assistance to States as he determines necessary to assist States to plan, design, develop, or install and provide for the security of, the management information systems referred to in
(f) Regulations
The Secretary shall issue regulations to require that State agencies administering the child support enforcement program under this part enforce medical support included as part of a child support order whenever health care coverage is available to the noncustodial parent at a reasonable cost. A State agency administering the program under this part may enforce medical support against a custodial parent if health care coverage is available to the custodial parent at a reasonable cost, notwithstanding any other provision of this part. Such regulation shall also provide for improved information exchange between such State agencies and the State agencies administering the State medicaid programs under subchapter XIX of this chapter with respect to the availability of health insurance coverage. For purposes of this part, the term "medical support" may include health care coverage, such as coverage under a health insurance plan (including payment of costs of premiums, co-payments, and deductibles) and payment for medical expenses incurred on behalf of a child.
(g) Performance standards for State paternity establishment programs
(1) A State's program under this part shall be found, for purposes of
(A) 90 percent;
(B) for a State with a paternity establishment percentage of not less than 75 percent but less than 90 percent for such fiscal year, the paternity establishment percentage of the State for the immediately preceding fiscal year plus 2 percentage points;
(C) for a State with a paternity establishment percentage of not less than 50 percent but less than 75 percent for such fiscal year, the paternity establishment percentage of the State for the immediately preceding fiscal year plus 3 percentage points;
(D) for a State with a paternity establishment percentage of not less than 45 percent but less than 50 percent for such fiscal year, the paternity establishment percentage of the State for the immediately preceding fiscal year plus 4 percentage points;
(E) for a State with a paternity establishment percentage of not less than 40 percent but less than 45 percent for such fiscal year, the paternity establishment percentage of the State for the immediately preceding fiscal year plus 5 percentage points; or
(F) for a State with a paternity establishment percentage of less than 40 percent for such fiscal year, the paternity establishment percentage of the State for the immediately preceding fiscal year plus 6 percentage points.
In determining compliance under this section, a State may use as its paternity establishment percentage either the State's IV–D paternity establishment percentage (as defined in paragraph (2)(A)) or the State's statewide paternity establishment percentage (as defined in paragraph (2)(B)).
(2) For purposes of this section—
(A) the term "IV–D paternity establishment percentage" means, with respect to a State for a fiscal year, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) that the total number of children—
(i) who have been born out of wedlock,
(ii)(I) except as provided in the last sentence of this paragraph, with respect to whom assistance is being provided under the State program funded under part A of this subchapter in the fiscal year or, at the option of the State, as of the end of such year, or (II) with respect to whom services are being provided under the State's plan approved under this part in the fiscal year or, at the option of the State, as of the end of such year pursuant to an application submitted under
(iii) the paternity of whom has been established or acknowledged,
bears to the total number of children born out of wedlock and (except as provided in such last sentence) with respect to whom assistance was being provided under the State program funded under part A of this subchapter as of the end of the preceding fiscal year or with respect to whom services were being provided under the State's plan approved under this part as of the end of the preceding fiscal year pursuant to an application submitted under
(B) the term "statewide paternity establishment percentage" means, with respect to a State for a fiscal year, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) that the total number of minor children—
(i) who have been born out of wedlock, and
(ii) the paternity of whom has been established or acknowledged during the fiscal year,
bears to the total number of children born out of wedlock during the preceding fiscal year; and
(C) the term "reliable data" means the most recent data available which are found by the Secretary to be reliable for purposes of this section.
For purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (B), the total number of children shall not include any child with respect to whom assistance is being provided under the State program funded under part A of this subchapter by reason of the death of a parent unless paternity is established for such child or any child with respect to whom an applicant or recipient is found by the State to qualify for a good cause or other exception to cooperation pursuant to
(3)(A) The Secretary may modify the requirements of this subsection to take into account such additional variables as the Secretary identifies (including the percentage of children in a State who are born out of wedlock or for whom support has not been established) that affect the ability of a State to meet the requirements of this subsection.
(B) The Secretary shall submit an annual report to the Congress that sets forth the data upon which the paternity establishment percentages for States for a fiscal year are based, lists any additional variables the Secretary has identified under subparagraph (A), and describes State performance in establishing paternity.
(h) Prompt State response to requests for child support assistance
The standards required by subsection (a)(1) of this section shall include standards establishing time limits governing the period or periods within which a State must accept and respond to requests (from States, jurisdictions thereof, or individuals who apply for services furnished by the State agency under this part or with respect to whom an assignment pursuant to
(i) Prompt State distribution of amounts collected as child support
The standards required by subsection (a)(1) of this section shall include standards establishing time limits governing the period or periods within which a State must distribute, in accordance with
(j) Training of Federal and State staff, research and demonstration programs, and special projects of regional or national significance
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there is hereby appropriated to the Secretary for each fiscal year an amount equal to 1 percent of the total amount paid to the Federal Government pursuant to a plan approved under this part during the immediately preceding fiscal year (as determined on the basis of the most recent reliable data available to the Secretary as of the end of the third calendar quarter following the end of such preceding fiscal year) or the amount appropriated under this paragraph 1 for fiscal year 2002, whichever is greater, which shall be available for use by the Secretary, either directly or through grants, contracts, or interagency agreements, for—
(1) information dissemination and technical assistance to States, training of State and Federal staff, staffing studies, and related activities needed to improve programs under this part (including technical assistance concerning State automated systems required by this part); and
(2) research, demonstration, and special projects of regional or national significance relating to the operation of State programs under this part.
The amount appropriated under this subsection shall remain available until expended.
(k) Denial of passports for nonpayment of child support
(1) If the Secretary receives a certification by a State agency in accordance with the requirements of
(2) The Secretary of State shall, upon certification by the Secretary transmitted under paragraph (1), refuse to issue a passport to such individual, and may revoke, restrict, or limit a passport issued previously to such individual.
(3) The Secretary and the Secretary of State shall not be liable to an individual for any action with respect to a certification by a State agency under this section.
(l) 2 Facilitation of agreements between State agencies and financial institutions
The Secretary, through the Federal Parent Locator Service, may aid State agencies providing services under State programs operated pursuant to this part and financial institutions doing business in two or more States in reaching agreements regarding the receipt from such institutions, and the transfer to the State agencies, of information that may be provided pursuant to
(l) 2 Comparisons with insurance information
(1) In general
The Secretary, through the Federal Parent Locator Service, may—
(A) compare information concerning individuals owing past-due support with information maintained by insurers (or their agents) concerning insurance claims, settlements, awards, and payments; and
(B) furnish information resulting from the data matches to the State agencies responsible for collecting child support from the individuals.
(2) Liability
An insurer (including any agent of an insurer) shall not be liable under any Federal or State law to any person for any disclosure provided for under this subsection, or for any other action taken in good faith in accordance with this subsection.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §452, as added
References in Text
Parts A and E of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(10), (b), and (g)(2), are classified to
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k)(1).
Subsec. (l).
1999—Subsec. (a)(7).
1998—Subsec. (a)(10)(H) to (J).
Subsec. (d)(3).
"(A) the State demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the State has an alternative system or systems that enable the State, for purposes of
"(B)(i) the waiver meets the criteria of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of
"(ii) the State provides assurances to the Secretary that steps will be taken to otherwise improve the State's child support enforcement program."
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (l).
1997—Subsec. (d)(3)(A).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (j).
1996—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (a)(9).
Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(i) to (iii).
Subsec. (a)(10)(C).
Subsec. (a)(10)(C)(i), (ii).
Subsec. (a)(10)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(10)(C)(iv) to (vii).
Subsec. (a)(10)(E).
Subsec. (a)(10)(F).
Subsec. (a)(10)(G).
Subsec. (a)(10)(J).
Subsec. (a)(11).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A).
Subsec. (g)(1)(B) to (F).
Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (g)(2)(B), (C).
Subsec. (g)(3)(A).
Subsec. (g)(3)(B), (C).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k).
1995—Subsecs. (d)(1)(B), (2)(A), (B), (e).
1994—Subsec. (g)(2)(A).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A)(iii).
1993—Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A) to (E).
"(A) 50 percent;
"(B) the paternity establishment percentage of the State for the fiscal year 1988, increased by the applicable number of percentage points; or
"(C) the paternity establishment percentage determined with respect to all States for such fiscal year."
Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A).
Subsec. (g)(2)(B).
1989—Subsec. (d)(2)(B).
1988—Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
1987—Subsec. (c).
"(1) There is hereby established in the Treasury a revolving fund which shall be available to the Secretary without fiscal year limitation, to enable him to pay to the States for distribution in accordance with the provisions of
"(2) There is hereby appropriated to the fund, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, amounts equal to the amounts collected under section 6305 the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, reduced by the amounts credited or refunded as overpayments of the amounts so collected. The amounts appropriated by the preceding sentence shall be transferred at least quarterly from the general fund of the Treasury to the fund on the basis of estimates made by the Secretary of the Treasury. Proper adjustments shall be made in the amounts subsequently transferred to the extent prior estimates were in excess of or less than the amounts required to be transferred."
1986—Subsecs. (b), (c).
1984—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(10)(C).
Subsec. (a)(10)(I).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsecs. (d)(1)(B), (2)(A), (B), (e).
Subsec. (f).
1982—Subsec. (b).
1981—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(10)(C).
Subsec. (b).
1980—Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (b).
Subsecs. (d), (e).
1977—Subsec. (a)(10).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by sections 7304, 7306(a) and 7307(a)(2)(A)(i), (b), (c), of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
"(A) October 1, 2001; or
"(B) the effective date of laws enacted by the legislature of such State implementing such amendments,
but in no event later than the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date specified in subparagraph (A). For purposes of the preceding sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature."
[
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 5518(b) of
Amendment by sections 5540, 5541(a), and 5556(c) of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendments
Section 101(e) [title II, §215] of div. A of
Amendment by section 108(c)(2)–(9) of
Section 342(c) of
Section 346(b) of
Section 370(b) of
For provisions relating to effective date of title III of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13721(c) of
"(1) October 1, 1993 or,
"(2) the date of enactment by the legislature of such State of all laws required by such amendments,
but in no event later than the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 1993]. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature."
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 10403(a)(1)(B)(ii) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 111(f)(1) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 9143(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Section 4(c) of
Section 9(c) of
Section 13(c) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Section 402(b) of
Section 405(e) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Section 504(b) of
Regulations
Section 122(b) of
Implementation of Performance Standards for State Paternity Establishment Programs
Section 111(f)(3) of
Requests for Child Support Assistance; Advisory Committee; Promulgation of Regulations
Section 121(b) of
"(1) Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 1988], the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish an advisory committee. The committee shall include representatives of organizations representing State governors, State welfare administrators, and State directors of programs under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act [this part]. The Secretary shall consult with the advisory committee before issuing any regulations with respect to the standards required by the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] (including regulations regarding what constitutes an adequate response on the part of a State to the request of an individual, State, or jurisdiction).
"(2) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking with respect to the standards required by the amendment made by subsection (a), and, after allowing not less than 60 days for public comment, shall issue final regulations not later than the first day of the 10th month beginning after such date of enactment."
Supplemental Report To Be Submitted to Congress Not Later Than June 30, 1977
Section 504(c) of
1 So in original. Probably should be "subsection".
2 So in original. Two subsecs. (l) have been enacted.
§653. Federal Parent Locator Service
(a) Establishment; purpose
(1) The Secretary shall establish and conduct a Federal Parent Locator Service, under the direction of the designee of the Secretary referred to in
(2) For the purpose of establishing parentage or establishing, setting the amount of, modifying, or enforcing child support obligations, the Federal Parent Locator Service shall obtain and transmit to any authorized person specified in subsection (c) of this section—
(A) information on, or facilitating the discovery of, the location of any individual—
(i) who is under an obligation to pay child support;
(ii) against whom such an obligation is sought;
(iii) to whom such an obligation is owed; or
(iv) who has or may have parental rights with respect to a child,
including the individual's social security number (or numbers), most recent address, and the name, address, and employer identification number of the individual's employer;
(B) information on the individual's wages (or other income) from, and benefits of, employment (including rights to or enrollment in group health care coverage); and
(C) information on the type, status, location, and amount of any assets of, or debts owed by or to, any such individual.
(3) For the purpose of enforcing any Federal or State law with respect to the unlawful taking or restraint of a child, or making or enforcing a child custody or visitation determination, as defined in
(b) Disclosure of information to authorized persons
(1) Upon request, filed in accordance with subsection (d) of this section, of any authorized person, as defined in subsection (c) of this section for the information described in subsection (a)(2) of this section, or of any authorized person, as defined in
(A) is contained in any files or records maintained by the Secretary or by the Department of Health and Human Services; or
(B) is not contained in such files or records, but can be obtained by the Secretary, under the authority conferred by subsection (e) of this section, from any other department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or of any State,
and is not prohibited from disclosure under paragraph (2).
(2) No information shall be disclosed to any person if the disclosure of such information would contravene the national policy or security interests of the United States or the confidentiality of census data. The Secretary shall give priority to requests made by any authorized person described in subsection (c)(1) of this section. No information shall be disclosed to any person if the State has notified the Secretary that the State has reasonable evidence of domestic violence or child abuse and the disclosure of such information could be harmful to the custodial parent or the child of such parent, provided that—
(A) in response to a request from an authorized person (as defined in subsection (c) of this section and
(B) information may be disclosed to a court or an agent of a court described in subsection (c)(2) of this section or
(i) upon receipt of information from the Secretary, the court determines whether disclosure to any other person of that information could be harmful to the parent or the child; and
(ii) if the court determines that disclosure of such information to any other person could be harmful, the court and its agents shall not make any such disclosure.
(3) Information received or transmitted pursuant to this section shall be subject to the safeguard provisions contained in
(c) "Authorized person" defined
As used in subsection (a) of this section, the term "authorized person" means—
(1) any agent or attorney of any State having in effect a plan approved under this part, who has the duty or authority under such plans to seek to recover any amounts owed as child and spousal support (including, when authorized under the State plan, any official of a political subdivision);
(2) the court which has authority to issue an order or to serve as the initiating court in an action to seek an order against a noncustodial parent for the support and maintenance of a child, or any agent of such court;
(3) the resident parent, legal guardian, attorney, or agent of a child (other than a child receiving assistance under a State program funded under part A of this subchapter) (as determined by regulations prescribed by the Secretary) without regard to the existence of a court order against a noncustodial parent who has a duty to support and maintain any such child; and
(4) a State agency that is administering a program operated under a State plan under subpart 1 of part B of this subchapter, or a State plan approved under subpart 2 of part B of this subchapter or under part E of this subchapter.
(d) Form and manner of request for information
A request for information under this section shall be filed in such manner and form as the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe and shall be accompanied or supported by such documents as the Secretary may determine to be necessary.
(e) Compliance with request; search of files and records by head of any department, etc., of United States; transmittal of information to Secretary; reimbursement for cost of search; fees
(1) Whenever the Secretary receives a request submitted under subsection (b) of this section which he is reasonably satisfied meets the criteria established by subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section, he shall promptly undertake to provide the information requested from the files and records maintained by any of the departments, agencies, or instrumentalities of the United States or of any State.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever the individual who is the head of any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States receives a request from the Secretary for information authorized to be provided by the Secretary under this section, such individual shall promptly cause a search to be made of the files and records maintained by such department, agency, or instrumentality with a view to determining whether the information requested is contained in any such files or records. If such search discloses the information requested, such individual shall immediately transmit such information to the Secretary, except that if any information is obtained the disclosure of which would contravene national policy or security interests of the United States or the confidentiality of census data, such information shall not be transmitted and such individual shall immediately notify the Secretary. If such search fails to disclose the information requested, such individual shall immediately so notify the Secretary. The costs incurred by any such department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or of any State in providing such information to the Secretary shall be reimbursed by him in an amount which the Secretary determines to be reasonable payment for the information exchange (which amount shall not include payment for the costs of obtaining, compiling, or maintaining the information). Whenever such services are furnished to an individual specified in subsection (c)(3) of this section, a fee shall be charged such individual. The fee so charged shall be used to reimburse the Secretary or his delegate for the expense of providing such services.
(3) The Secretary of Labor shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary to provide prompt access for the Secretary (in accordance with this subsection) to the wage and unemployment compensation claims information and data maintained by or for the Department of Labor or State employment security agencies.
(f) Arrangements and cooperation with State agencies
The Secretary, in carrying out his duties and functions under this section, shall enter into arrangements with State agencies administering State plans approved under this part for such State agencies to accept from resident parents, legal guardians, or agents of a child described in subsection (c)(3) of this section and to transmit to the Secretary requests for information with regard to the whereabouts of noncustodial parents and otherwise to cooperate with the Secretary in carrying out the purposes of this section.
(g) Reimbursement for reports by State agencies
The Secretary may reimburse Federal and State agencies for the costs incurred by such entities in furnishing information requested by the Secretary under this section in an amount which the Secretary determines to be reasonable payment for the information exchange (which amount shall not include payment for the costs of obtaining, compiling, or maintaining the information).
(h) Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders
(1) In general
Not later than October 1, 1998, in order to assist States in administering programs under State plans approved under this part and programs funded under part A of this subchapter, and for the other purposes specified in this section, the Secretary shall establish and maintain in the Federal Parent Locator Service an automated registry (which shall be known as the "Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders"), which shall contain abstracts of support orders and other information described in paragraph (2) with respect to each case and order in each State case registry maintained pursuant to
(2) Case and order information
The information referred to in paragraph (1) with respect to a case or an order shall be such information as the Secretary may specify in regulations (including the names, social security numbers or other uniform identification numbers, and State case identification numbers) to identify the individuals who owe or are owed support (or with respect to or on behalf of whom support obligations are sought to be established), and the State or States which have the case or order. Beginning not later than October 1, 1999, the information referred to in paragraph (1) shall include the names and social security numbers of the children of such individuals.
(3) Administration of Federal tax laws
The Secretary of the Treasury shall have access to the information described in paragraph (2) for the purpose of administering those sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which grant tax benefits based on support or residence of children.
(i) National Directory of New Hires
(1) In general
In order to assist States in administering programs under State plans approved under this part and programs funded under part A of this subchapter, and for the other purposes specified in this section, the Secretary shall, not later than October 1, 1997, establish and maintain in the Federal Parent Locator Service an automated directory to be known as the National Directory of New Hires, which shall contain the information supplied pursuant to
(2) Data entry and deletion requirements
(A) In general
Information provided pursuant to
(B) 12-month limit on access to wage and unemployment compensation information
The Secretary shall not have access for child support enforcement purposes to information in the National Directory of New Hires that is provided pursuant to
(C) Retention of data for research purposes
Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), the Secretary may retain such samples of data entered in the National Directory of New Hires as the Secretary may find necessary to assist in carrying out subsection (j)(5) of this section.
(3) Administration of Federal tax laws
The Secretary of the Treasury shall have access to the information in the National Directory of New Hires for purposes of administering section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the advance payment of the earned income tax credit under section 3507 of such Code, and verifying a claim with respect to employment in a tax return.
(4) List of multistate employers
The Secretary shall maintain within the National Directory of New Hires a list of multistate employers that report information regarding newly hired employees pursuant to
(j) Information comparisons and other disclosures
(1) Verification by Social Security Administration
(A) In general
The Secretary shall transmit information on individuals and employers maintained under this section to the Social Security Administration to the extent necessary for verification in accordance with subparagraph (B).
(B) Verification by SSA
The Social Security Administration shall verify the accuracy of, correct, or supply to the extent possible, and report to the Secretary, the following information supplied by the Secretary pursuant to subparagraph (A):
(i) The name, social security number, and birth date of each such individual.
(ii) The employer identification number of each such employer.
(2) Information comparisons
For the purpose of locating individuals in a paternity establishment case or a case involving the establishment, modification, or enforcement of a support order, the Secretary shall—
(A) compare information in the National Directory of New Hires against information in the support case abstracts in the Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders not less often than every 2 business days; and
(B) within 2 business days after such a comparison reveals a match with respect to an individual, report the information to the State agency responsible for the case.
(3) Information comparisons and disclosures of information in all registries for subchapter IV program purposes
To the extent and with the frequency that the Secretary determines to be effective in assisting States to carry out their responsibilities under programs operated under this part, part B, or part E and programs funded under part A of this subchapter, the Secretary shall—
(A) compare the information in each component of the Federal Parent Locator Service maintained under this section against the information in each other such component (other than the comparison required by paragraph (2)), and report instances in which such a comparison reveals a match with respect to an individual to State agencies operating such programs; and
(B) disclose information in such components to such State agencies.
(4) Provision of new hire information to the Social Security Administration
The National Directory of New Hires shall provide the Commissioner of Social Security with all information in the National Directory.
(5) Research
The Secretary may provide access to data in each component of the Federal Parent Locator Service maintained under this section and to information reported by employers pursuant to
(6) Information comparisons and disclosure for enforcement of obligations on Higher Education Act loans and grants
(A) Furnishing of information by the Secretary of Education
The Secretary of Education shall furnish to the Secretary, on a quarterly basis or at such less frequent intervals as may be determined by the Secretary of Education, information in the custody of the Secretary of Education for comparison with information in the National Directory of New Hires, in order to obtain the information in such directory with respect to individuals who—
(i) are borrowers of loans made under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 [
(ii) owe an obligation to refund an overpayment of a grant awarded under such title.
(B) Requirement to seek minimum information necessary
The Secretary of Education shall seek information pursuant to this section only to the extent essential to improving collection of the debt described in subparagraph (A).
(C) Duties of the Secretary
(i) Information comparison; disclosure to the Secretary of Education
The Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Education, shall compare information in the National Directory of New Hires with information in the custody of the Secretary of Education, and disclose information in that Directory to the Secretary of Education, in accordance with this paragraph, for the purposes specified in this paragraph.
(ii) Condition on disclosure
The Secretary shall make disclosures in accordance with clause (i) only to the extent that the Secretary determines that such disclosures do not interfere with the effective operation of the program under this part. Support collection under
(D) Use of information by the Secretary of Education
The Secretary of Education may use information resulting from a data match pursuant to this paragraph only—
(i) for the purpose of collection of the debt described in subparagraph (A) owed by an individual whose annualized wage level (determined by taking into consideration information from the National Directory of New Hires) exceeds $16,000; and
(ii) after removal of personal identifiers, to conduct analyses of student loan defaults.
(E) Disclosure of information by the Secretary of Education
(i) Disclosures permitted
The Secretary of Education may disclose information resulting from a data match pursuant to this paragraph only to—
(I) a guaranty agency holding a loan made under part B of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 [
(II) a contractor or agent of the guaranty agency described in subclause (I);
(III) a contractor or agent of the Secretary; and
(IV) the Attorney General.
(ii) Purpose of disclosure
The Secretary of Education may make a disclosure under clause (i) only for the purpose of collection of the debts owed on defaulted student loans, or overpayments of grants, made under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 [
(iii) Restriction on redisclosure
An entity to which information is disclosed under clause (i) may use or disclose such information only as needed for the purpose of collecting on defaulted student loans, or overpayments of grants, made under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
(F) Reimbursement of HHS costs
The Secretary of Education shall reimburse the Secretary, in accordance with subsection (k)(3) of this section, for the additional costs incurred by the Secretary in furnishing the information requested under this subparagraph.
(7) Information comparisons for housing assistance programs
(A) Furnishing of information by HUD
Subject to subparagraph (G), the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall furnish to the Secretary, on such periodic basis as determined by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in consultation with the Secretary, information in the custody of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for comparison with information in the National Directory of New Hires, in order to obtain information in such Directory with respect to individuals who are participating in any program under—
(i) the United States Housing Act of 1937 (
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(B) Requirement to seek minimum information
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall seek information pursuant to this section only to the extent necessary to verify the employment and income of individuals described in subparagraph (A).
(C) Duties of the Secretary
(i) Information disclosure
The Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, shall compare information in the National Directory of New Hires with information provided by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development with respect to individuals described in subparagraph (A), and shall disclose information in such Directory regarding such individuals to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in accordance with this paragraph, for the purposes specified in this paragraph.
(ii) Condition on disclosure
The Secretary shall make disclosures in accordance with clause (i) only to the extent that the Secretary determines that such disclosures do not interfere with the effective operation of the program under this part.
(D) Use of information by HUD
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may use information resulting from a data match pursuant to this paragraph only—
(i) for the purpose of verifying the employment and income of individuals described in subparagraph (A); and
(ii) after removal of personal identifiers, to conduct analyses of the employment and income reporting of individuals described in subparagraph (A).
(E) Disclosure of information by HUD
(i) Purpose of disclosure
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may make a disclosure under this subparagraph only for the purpose of verifying the employment and income of individuals described in subparagraph (A).
(ii) Disclosures permitted
Subject to clause (iii), the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may disclose information resulting from a data match pursuant to this paragraph only to a public housing agency, the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Attorney General in connection with the administration of a program described in subparagraph (A). Information obtained by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to this paragraph shall not be made available under
(iii) Conditions on disclosure
Disclosures under this paragraph shall be—
(I) made in accordance with data security and control policies established by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and approved by the Secretary;
(II) subject to audit in a manner satisfactory to the Secretary; and
(III) subject to the sanctions under subsection (l)(2) of this section.
(iv) Additional disclosures
(I) Determination by Secretaries
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary shall determine whether to permit disclosure of information under this paragraph to persons or entities described in subclause (II), based on an evaluation made by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (in consultation with and approved by the Secretary), of the costs and benefits of disclosures made under clause (ii) and the adequacy of measures used to safeguard the security and confidentiality of information so disclosed.
(II) Permitted persons or entities
If the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary determine pursuant to subclause (I) that disclosures to additional persons or entities shall be permitted, information under this paragraph may be disclosed by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to a private owner, a management agent, and a contract administrator in connection with the administration of a program described in subparagraph (A), subject to the conditions in clause (iii) and such additional conditions as agreed to by the Secretaries.
(v) Restrictions on redisclosure
A person or entity to which information is disclosed under this subparagraph may use or disclose such information only as needed for verifying the employment and income of individuals described in subparagraph (A), subject to the conditions in clause (iii) and such additional conditions as agreed to by the Secretaries.
(F) Reimbursement of HHS costs
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall reimburse the Secretary, in accordance with subsection (k)(3) of this section, for the costs incurred by the Secretary in furnishing the information requested under this paragraph.
(G) Consent
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall not seek, use, or disclose information under this paragraph relating to an individual without the prior written consent of such individual (or of a person legally authorized to consent on behalf of such individual).
(8) Information comparisons and disclosure to assist in administration of unemployment compensation programs
(A) In general
If, for purposes of administering an unemployment compensation program under Federal or State law, a State agency responsible for the administration of such program transmits to the Secretary the names and social security account numbers of individuals, the Secretary shall disclose to such State agency information on such individuals and their employers maintained in the National Directory of New Hires, subject to this paragraph.
(B) Condition on disclosure by the Secretary
The Secretary shall make a disclosure under subparagraph (A) only to the extent that the Secretary determines that the disclosure would not interfere with the effective operation of the program under this part.
(C) Use and disclosure of information by State agencies
(i) In general
A State agency may not use or disclose information provided under this paragraph except for purposes of administering a program referred to in subparagraph (A).
(ii) Information security
The State agency shall have in effect data security and control policies that the Secretary finds adequate to ensure the security of information obtained under this paragraph and to ensure that access to such information is restricted to authorized persons for purposes of authorized uses and disclosures.
(iii) Penalty for misuse of information
An officer or employee of the State agency who fails to comply with this subparagraph shall be subject to the sanctions under subsection (l)(2) of this section to the same extent as if such officer or employee was an officer or employee of the United States.
(D) Procedural requirements
State agencies requesting information under this paragraph shall adhere to uniform procedures established by the Secretary governing information requests and data matching under this paragraph.
(E) Reimbursement of costs
The State agency shall reimburse the Secretary, in accordance with subsection (k)(3) of this section, for the costs incurred by the Secretary in furnishing the information requested under this paragraph.
(9) Information comparisons and disclosure to assist in Federal debt collection
(A) Furnishing of information by the Secretary of the Treasury
The Secretary of the Treasury shall furnish to the Secretary, on such periodic basis as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Secretary, information in the custody of the Secretary of the Treasury for comparison with information in the National Directory of New Hires, in order to obtain information in such Directory with respect to persons—
(i) who owe delinquent nontax debt to the United States; and
(ii) whose debt has been referred to the Secretary of the Treasury in accordance with
(B) Requirement to seek minimum information
The Secretary of the Treasury shall seek information pursuant to this section only to the extent necessary to improve collection of the debt described in subparagraph (A).
(C) Duties of the Secretary
(i) Information disclosure
The Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall compare information in the National Directory of New Hires with information provided by the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to persons described in subparagraph (A) and shall disclose information in such Directory regarding such persons to the Secretary of the Treasury in accordance with this paragraph, for the purposes specified in this paragraph. Such comparison of information shall not be considered a matching program as defined in
(ii) Condition on disclosure
The Secretary shall make disclosures in accordance with clause (i) only to the extent that the Secretary determines that such disclosures do not interfere with the effective operation of the program under this part. Support collection under
(D) Use of information by the Secretary of the Treasury
The Secretary of the Treasury may use information provided under this paragraph only for purposes of collecting the debt described in subparagraph (A).
(E) Disclosure of information by the Secretary of the Treasury
(i) Purpose of disclosure
The Secretary of the Treasury may make a disclosure under this subparagraph only for purposes of collecting the debt described in subparagraph (A).
(ii) Disclosures permitted
Subject to clauses (iii) and (iv), the Secretary of the Treasury may disclose information resulting from a data match pursuant to this paragraph only to the Attorney General in connection with collecting the debt described in subparagraph (A).
(iii) Conditions on disclosure
Disclosures under this subparagraph shall be—
(I) made in accordance with data security and control policies established by the Secretary of the Treasury and approved by the Secretary;
(II) subject to audit in a manner satisfactory to the Secretary; and
(III) subject to the sanctions under subsection (l)(2) of this section.
(iv) Additional disclosures
(I) Determination by Secretaries
The Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary shall determine whether to permit disclosure of information under this paragraph to persons or entities described in subclause (II), based on an evaluation made by the Secretary of the Treasury (in consultation with and approved by the Secretary), of the costs and benefits of such disclosures and the adequacy of measures used to safeguard the security and confidentiality of information so disclosed.
(II) Permitted persons or entities
If the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary determine pursuant to subclause (I) that disclosures to additional persons or entities shall be permitted, information under this paragraph may be disclosed by the Secretary of the Treasury, in connection with collecting the debt described in subparagraph (A), to a contractor or agent of either Secretary and to the Federal agency that referred such debt to the Secretary of the Treasury for collection, subject to the conditions in clause (iii) and such additional conditions as agreed to by the Secretaries.
(v) Restrictions on redisclosure
A person or entity to which information is disclosed under this subparagraph may use or disclose such information only as needed for collecting the debt described in subparagraph (A), subject to the conditions in clause (iii) and such additional conditions as agreed to by the Secretaries.
(F) Reimbursement of HHS costs
The Secretary of the Treasury shall reimburse the Secretary, in accordance with subsection (k)(3) of this section, for the costs incurred by the Secretary in furnishing the information requested under this paragraph. Any such costs paid by the Secretary of the Treasury shall be considered costs of implementing
(10) Information comparisons and disclosure to assist in administration of food stamp programs 1
(A) In general
If, for purposes of administering a supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 [
(B) Condition on disclosure by the Secretary
The Secretary shall make a disclosure under subparagraph (A) only to the extent that the Secretary determines that the disclosure would not interfere with the effective operation of the program under this part.
(C) Use and disclosure of information by State agencies
(i) In general
A State agency may not use or disclose information provided under this paragraph except for purposes of administering a program referred to in subparagraph (A).
(ii) Information security
The State agency shall have in effect data security and control policies that the Secretary finds adequate to ensure the security of information obtained under this paragraph and to ensure that access to such information is restricted to authorized persons for purposes of authorized uses and disclosures.
(iii) Penalty for misuse of information
An officer or employee of the State agency who fails to comply with this subparagraph shall be subject to the sanctions under subsection (l)(2) to the same extent as if the officer or employee were an officer or employee of the United States.
(D) Procedural requirements
State agencies requesting information under this paragraph shall adhere to uniform procedures established by the Secretary governing information requests and data matching under this paragraph.
(E) Reimbursement of costs
The State agency shall reimburse the Secretary, in accordance with subsection (k)(3), for the costs incurred by the Secretary in furnishing the information requested under this paragraph.
(11) Information comparisons and disclosures to assist in administration of certain veterans benefits
(A) Furnishing of information by Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall furnish to the Secretary, on such periodic basis as determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in consultation with the Secretary, information in the custody of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for comparison with information in the National Directory of New Hires, in order to obtain information in such Directory with respect to individuals who are applying for or receiving—
(i) needs-based pension benefits provided under
(ii) parents' dependency and indemnity compensation provided under
(iii) health care services furnished under subsections (a)(2)(G), (a)(3), or (b) of
(iv) compensation paid under
(B) Requirement to seek minimum information
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek information pursuant to this paragraph only to the extent necessary to verify the employment and income of individuals described in subparagraph (A).
(C) Duties of the Secretary
(i) Information disclosure
The Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall compare information in the National Directory of New Hires with information provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with respect to individuals described in subparagraph (A), and shall disclose information in such Directory regarding such individuals to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in accordance with this paragraph, for the purposes specified in this paragraph.
(ii) Condition on disclosure
The Secretary shall make disclosures in accordance with clause (i) only to the extent that the Secretary determines that such disclosures do not interfere with the effective operation of the program under this part.
(D) Use of information by Secretary of Veterans Affairs
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may use information resulting from a data match pursuant to this paragraph only—
(i) for the purposes specified in subparagraph (B); and
(ii) after removal of personal identifiers, to conduct analyses of the employment and income reporting of individuals described in subparagraph (A).
(E) Reimbursement of HHS costs
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall reimburse the Secretary, in accordance with subsection (k)(3), for the costs incurred by the Secretary in furnishing the information requested under this paragraph.
(F) Consent
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall not seek, use, or disclose information under this paragraph relating to an individual without the prior written consent of such individual (or of a person legally authorized to consent on behalf of such individual).
(G) Expiration of authority
The authority under this paragraph shall expire on September 30, 2011.
(k) Fees
(1) For SSA verification
The Secretary shall reimburse the Commissioner of Social Security, at a rate negotiated between the Secretary and the Commissioner, for the costs incurred by the Commissioner in performing the verification services described in subsection (j) of this section.
(2) For information from State directories of new hires
The Secretary shall reimburse costs incurred by State directories of new hires in furnishing information as required by
(3) For information furnished to State and Federal agencies
A State or Federal agency that receives information from the Secretary pursuant to this section or section 652(l) 2 of this title shall reimburse the Secretary for costs incurred by the Secretary in furnishing the information, at rates which the Secretary determines to be reasonable (which rates shall include payment for the costs of obtaining, verifying, maintaining, and comparing the information).
(l) Restriction on disclosure and use
(1) In general
Information in the Federal Parent Locator Service, and information resulting from comparisons using such information, shall not be used or disclosed except as expressly provided in this section, subject to section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(2) Penalty for misuse of information in the National Directory of New Hires
The Secretary shall require the imposition of an administrative penalty (up to and including dismissal from employment), and a fine of $1,000, for each act of unauthorized access to, disclosure of, or use of, information in the National Directory of New Hires established under subsection (i) of this section by any officer or employee of the United States or any other person who knowingly and willfully violates this paragraph.
(m) Information integrity and security
The Secretary shall establish and implement safeguards with respect to the entities established under this section designed to—
(1) ensure the accuracy and completeness of information in the Federal Parent Locator Service; and
(2) restrict access to confidential information in the Federal Parent Locator Service to authorized persons, and restrict use of such information to authorized purposes.
(n) Federal Government reporting
Each department, agency, and instrumentality of the United States shall on a quarterly basis report to the Federal Parent Locator Service the name and social security number of each employee and the wages paid to the employee during the previous quarter, except that such a report shall not be filed with respect to an employee of a department, agency, or instrumentality performing intelligence or counterintelligence functions, if the head of such department, agency, or instrumentality has determined that filing such a report could endanger the safety of the employee or compromise an ongoing investigation or intelligence mission.
(o) Use of set-aside funds
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there is hereby appropriated to the Secretary for each fiscal year an amount equal to 2 percent of the total amount paid to the Federal Government pursuant to a plan approved under this part during the immediately preceding fiscal year (as determined on the basis of the most recent reliable data available to the Secretary as of the end of the third calendar quarter following the end of such preceding fiscal year) or the amount appropriated under this paragraph 3 for fiscal year 2002, whichever is greater, which shall be available for use by the Secretary, either directly or through grants, contracts, or interagency agreements, for operation of the Federal Parent Locator Service under this section, to the extent such costs are not recovered through user fees. Amounts appropriated under this subsection shall remain available until expended.
(p) "Support order" defined
As used in this part, the term "support order" means a judgment, decree, or order, whether temporary, final, or subject to modification, issued by a court or an administrative agency of competent jurisdiction, for the support and maintenance of a child, including a child who has attained the age of majority under the law of the issuing State, or of the parent with whom the child is living, which provides for monetary support, health care, arrearages, or reimbursement, and which may include related costs and fees, interest and penalties, income withholding, attorneys' fees, and other relief.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §453, as added
References in Text
Parts A, B, and E of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (c)(3), (4), (h)(1), (i)(1), and (j)(3), (5), are classified to sections 601 et seq., 620 et seq., and 670 et seq., respectively, of this title.
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (h)(3), (i)(3), and (l), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
The Higher Education Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (j)(6)(A), (E), is
The United States Housing Act of 1937, referred to in subsec. (j)(7)(A)(i), is act Sept. 1, 1937, ch. 896, as revised generally by
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (j)(10)(A), is
Codification
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (j)(3).
Subsec. (j)(10)(A).
2007—Subsec. (j)(11).
2006—Subsec. (j)(7), (9).
Subsec. (j)(10).
Subsec. (k)(3).
Subsec. (o).
2004—Subsec. (j)(7).
Subsec. (j)(8).
1999—Subsec. (j)(6).
Subsec. (l)(2).
1998—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (l).
1997—Subsec. (a).
"(1) information on, or facilitating the discovery of, the location of any individual—
"(A) who is under an obligation to pay child support or provide child custody or visitation rights;
"(B) against whom such an obligation is sought;
"(C) to whom such an obligation is owed,
including the individual's social security number (or numbers), most recent address, and the name, address, and employer identification number of the individual's employer;
"(2) information on the individual's wages (or other income) from, and benefits of, employment (including rights to or enrollment in group health care coverage); and
"(3) information on the type, status, location, and amount of any assets of, or debts owed by or to, any such individual."
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (h)(1).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (h)(3).
Subsec. (j)(3)(B).
Subsec. (j)(5).
Subsec. (k)(2).
Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (p).
1996—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsecs. (h) to (n).
Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (p).
1988—Subsec. (e)(3).
1984—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (f).
1981—Subsec. (c)(1).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by section 4002(b)(1)(A), (B), (2)(V) of
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 1090(a)(4) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amounts available under subsec. (o) of this section to be calculated as though amendments made by section 101(e) [title II, §215] of
Amendment by section 108(c)(10) of
For provisions relating to effective date of title III of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 124(c) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and
"(2) The Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Labor shall enter into the agreement required by the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act."
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
Notice of Purposes for Which Wage and Salary Data Are To Be Used
Report on Data Maintained by National Directory of New Hires
Coordination Between Secretaries Relating to Amendments by Pub. L. 105–34
Section 1090(a)(3) of
Requirement for Cooperation
Section 316(h) of title III of
Executive Agencies To Facilitate Payment of Child Support
For provisions requiring Federal agencies to cooperate with Federal Parent Locator Service, see Ex. Ord. No. 12953, §303, Feb. 27, 1995, 60 F.R. 11014, set out as a note under
1 So in original. Probably should be "supplemental nutrition assistance programs".
2 See References in Text note below.
3 So in original. Probably should be "subsection".
§653a. State Directory of New Hires
(a) Establishment
(1) In general
(A) Requirement for States that have no directory
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), not later than October 1, 1997, each State shall establish an automated directory (to be known as the "State Directory of New Hires") which shall contain information supplied in accordance with subsection (b) of this section by employers on each newly hired employee.
(B) States with new hire reporting law in existence
A State which has a new hire reporting law in existence on August 22, 1996, may continue to operate under the State law, but the State must meet the requirements of subsection (g)(2) of this section not later than October 1, 1997, and the requirements of this section (other than subsection (g)(2) of this section) not later than October 1, 1998.
(2) Definitions
As used in this section:
(A) Employee
The term "employee"—
(i) means an individual who is an employee within the meaning of
(ii) does not include an employee of a Federal or State agency performing intelligence or counterintelligence functions, if the head of such agency has determined that reporting pursuant to paragraph (1) with respect to the employee could endanger the safety of the employee or compromise an ongoing investigation or intelligence mission.
(B) Employer
(i) In general
The term "employer" has the meaning given such term in section 3401(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and includes any governmental entity and any labor organization.
(ii) Labor organization
The term "labor organization" shall have the meaning given such term in
(b) Employer information
(1) Reporting requirement
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), each employer shall furnish to the Directory of New Hires of the State in which a newly hired employee works, a report that contains the name, address, and social security number of the employee, and the name and address of, and identifying number assigned under section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to, the employer.
(B) Multistate employers
An employer that has employees who are employed in 2 or more States and that transmits reports magnetically or electronically may comply with subparagraph (A) by designating 1 State in which such employer has employees to which the employer will transmit the report described in subparagraph (A), and transmitting such report to such State. Any employer that transmits reports pursuant to this subparagraph shall notify the Secretary in writing as to which State such employer designates for the purpose of sending reports.
(C) Federal Government employers
Any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States shall comply with subparagraph (A) by transmitting the report described in subparagraph (A) to the National Directory of New Hires established pursuant to
(2) Timing of report
Each State may provide the time within which the report required by paragraph (1) shall be made with respect to an employee, but such report shall be made—
(A) not later than 20 days after the date the employer hires the employee; or
(B) in the case of an employer transmitting reports magnetically or electronically, by 2 monthly transmissions (if necessary) not less than 12 days nor more than 16 days apart.
(c) Reporting format and method
Each report required by subsection (b) of this section shall be made on a W–4 form or, at the option of the employer, an equivalent form, and may be transmitted by 1st class mail, magnetically, or electronically.
(d) Civil money penalties on noncomplying employers
The State shall have the option to set a State civil money penalty which shall not exceed—
(1) $25 per failure to meet the requirements of this section with respect to a newly hired employee; or
(2) $500 if, under State law, the failure is the result of a conspiracy between the employer and the employee to not supply the required report or to supply a false or incomplete report.
(e) Entry of employer information
Information shall be entered into the data base maintained by the State Directory of New Hires within 5 business days of receipt from an employer pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.
(f) Information comparisons
(1) In general
Not later than May 1, 1998, an agency designated by the State shall, directly or by contract, conduct automated comparisons of the social security numbers reported by employers pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and the social security numbers appearing in the records of the State case registry for cases being enforced under the State plan.
(2) Notice of match
When an information comparison conducted under paragraph (1) reveals a match with respect to the social security number of an individual required to provide support under a support order, the State Directory of New Hires shall provide the agency administering the State plan approved under this part of the appropriate State with the name, address, and social security number of the employee to whom the social security number is assigned, and the name and address of, and identifying number assigned under section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to, the employer.
(g) Transmission of information
(1) Transmission of wage withholding notices to employers
Within 2 business days after the date information regarding a newly hired employee is entered into the State Directory of New Hires, the State agency enforcing the employee's child support obligation shall transmit a notice to the employer of the employee directing the employer to withhold from the income of the employee an amount equal to the monthly (or other periodic) child support obligation (including any past due support obligation) of the employee, unless the employee's income is not subject to withholding pursuant to
(2) Transmissions to the National Directory of New Hires
(A) New hire information
Within 3 business days after the date information regarding a newly hired employee is entered into the State Directory of New Hires, the State Directory of New Hires shall furnish the information to the National Directory of New Hires.
(B) Wage and unemployment compensation information
The State Directory of New Hires shall, on a quarterly basis, furnish to the National Directory of New Hires information concerning the wages and unemployment compensation paid to individuals, by such dates, in such format, and containing such information as the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall specify in regulations.
(3) "Business day" defined
As used in this subsection, the term "business day" means a day on which State offices are open for regular business.
(h) Other uses of new hire information
(1) Location of child support obligors
The agency administering the State plan approved under this part shall use information received pursuant to subsection (f)(2) of this section to locate individuals for purposes of establishing paternity and establishing, modifying, and enforcing child support obligations, and may disclose such information to any agent of the agency that is under contract with the agency to carry out such purposes.
(2) Verification of eligibility for certain programs
A State agency responsible for administering a program specified in
(3) Administration of employment security and workers' compensation
State agencies operating employment security and workers' compensation programs shall have access to information reported by employers pursuant to subsection (b) of this section for the purposes of administering such programs.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §453A, as added
Amendment of Subsections (b)(1)(A) and (c)
(1) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by inserting "the date services for remuneration were first performed by the employee," after "of the employee,"; and
(2) in subsection (c), by inserting ", to the extent practicable," after "Each report required by subsection (b) of this section shall".
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2), (b)(1)(A), and (f)(2), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
1997—Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (g)(2)(B).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
For effective date of section, see section 395(a)–(c) of
§654. State plan for child and spousal support
A State plan for child and spousal support must—
(1) provide that it shall be in effect in all political subdivisions of the State;
(2) provide for financial participation by the State;
(3) provide for the establishment or designation of a single and separate organizational unit, which meets such staffing and organizational requirements as the Secretary may by regulation prescribe, within the State to administer the plan;
(4) provide that the State will—
(A) provide services relating to the establishment of paternity or the establishment, modification, or enforcement of child support obligations, as appropriate, under the plan with respect to—
(i) each child for whom (I) assistance is provided under the State program funded under part A of this subchapter, (II) benefits or services for foster care maintenance are provided under the State program funded under part E of this subchapter, (III) medical assistance is provided under the State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, or (IV) cooperation is required pursuant to
(ii) any other child, if an individual applies for such services with respect to the child; and
(B) enforce any support obligation established with respect to—
(i) a child with respect to whom the State provides services under the plan; or
(ii) the custodial parent of such a child;
(5) provide that (A) in any case in which support payments are collected for an individual with respect to whom an assignment pursuant to
(6) provide that—
(A) services under the plan shall be made available to residents of other States on the same terms as to residents of the State submitting the plan;
(B)(i) an application fee for furnishing such services shall be imposed on an individual, other than an individual receiving assistance under a State program funded under part A or E of this subchapter, or under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, or who is required by the State to cooperate with the State agency administering the program under this part pursuant to subsection (l) or (m) of
(ii) in the case of an individual who has never received assistance under a State program funded under part A and for whom the State has collected at least $500 of support, the State shall impose an annual fee of $25 for each case in which services are furnished, which shall be retained by the State from support collected on behalf of the individual (but not from the first $500 so collected), paid by the individual applying for the services, recovered from the absent parent, or paid by the State out of its own funds (the payment of which from State funds shall not be considered as an administrative cost of the State for the operation of the plan, and the fees shall be considered income to the program);
(C) a fee of not more than $25 may be imposed in any case where the State requests the Secretary of the Treasury to withhold past-due support owed to or on behalf of such individual from a tax refund pursuant to
(D) a fee (in accordance with regulations of the Secretary) for performing genetic tests may be imposed on any individual who is not a recipient of assistance under a State program funded under part A of this subchapter; and
(E) any costs in excess of the fees so imposed may be collected—
(i) from the parent who owes the child or spousal support obligation involved; or
(ii) at the option of the State, from the individual to whom such services are made available, but only if such State has in effect a procedure whereby all persons in such State having authority to order child or spousal support are informed that such costs are to be collected from the individual to whom such services were made available;
(7) provide for entering into cooperative arrangements with appropriate courts and law enforcement officials and Indian tribes or tribal organizations (as defined in subsections (e) and (l) of
(8) provide that, for the purpose of establishing parentage, establishing, setting the amount of, modifying, or enforcing child support obligations, or making or enforcing a child custody or visitation determination, as defined in
(A) all sources of information and available records; and
(B) the Federal Parent Locator Service established under
and shall, subject to the privacy safeguards required under paragraph (26), disclose only the information described in
(9) provide that the State will, in accordance with standards prescribed by the Secretary, cooperate with any other State—
(A) in establishing paternity, if necessary;
(B) in locating a noncustodial parent residing in the State (whether or not permanently) against whom any action is being taken under a program established under a plan approved under this part in another State;
(C) in securing compliance by a noncustodial parent residing in such State (whether or not permanently) with an order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction against such parent for the support and maintenance of the child or children or the parent of such child or children with respect to whom aid is being provided under the plan of such other State;
(D) in carrying out other functions required under a plan approved under this part; and
(E) not later than March 1, 1997, in using the forms promulgated pursuant to
(10) provide that the State will maintain a full record of collections and disbursements made under the plan and have an adequate reporting system;
(11)(A) provide that amounts collected as support shall be distributed as provided in
(B) provide that any payment required to be made under
(12) provide for the establishment of procedures to require the State to provide individuals who are applying for or receiving services under the State plan, or who are parties to cases in which services are being provided under the State plan—
(A) with notice of all proceedings in which support obligations might be established or modified; and
(B) with a copy of any order establishing or modifying a child support obligation, or (in the case of a petition for modification) a notice of determination that there should be no change in the amount of the child support award, within 14 days after issuance of such order or determination;
(13) provide that the State will comply with such other requirements and standards as the Secretary determines to be necessary to the establishment of an effective program for locating noncustodial parents, establishing paternity, obtaining support orders, and collecting support payments and provide that information requests by parents who are residents of other States be treated with the same priority as requests by parents who are residents of the State submitting the plan;
(14)(A) comply with such bonding requirements, for employees who receive, disburse, handle, or have access to, cash, as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe;
(B) maintain methods of administration which are designed to assure that persons responsible for handling cash receipts shall not participate in accounting or operating functions which would permit them to conceal in the accounting records the misuse of cash receipts (except that the Secretary shall by regulations provide for exceptions to this requirement in the case of sparsely populated areas where the hiring of unreasonable additional staff would otherwise be necessary);
(15) provide for—
(A) a process for annual reviews of and reports to the Secretary on the State program operated under the State plan approved under this part, including such information as may be necessary to measure State compliance with Federal requirements for expedited procedures, using such standards and procedures as are required by the Secretary, under which the State agency will determine the extent to which the program is operated in compliance with this part; and
(B) a process of extracting from the automated data processing system required by paragraph (16) and transmitting to the Secretary data and calculations concerning the levels of accomplishment (and rates of improvement) with respect to applicable performance indicators (including paternity establishment percentages) to the extent necessary for purposes of
(16) provide for the establishment and operation by the State agency, in accordance with an (initial and annually updated) advance automated data processing planning document approved under
(17) provide that the State will have in effect an agreement with the Secretary entered into pursuant to
(18) provide that the State has in effect procedures necessary to obtain payment of past-due support from overpayments made to the Secretary of the Treasury as set forth in
(19) provide that the agency administering the plan—
(A) shall determine on a periodic basis, from information supplied pursuant to section 508 of the Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1976, whether any individuals receiving compensation under the State's unemployment compensation law (including amounts payable pursuant to any agreement under any Federal unemployment compensation law) owe child support obligations which are being enforced by such agency; and
(B) shall enforce any such child support obligations which are owed by such an individual but are not being met—
(i) through an agreement with such individual to have specified amounts withheld from compensation otherwise payable to such individual and by submitting a copy of any such agreement to the State agency administering the unemployment compensation law; or
(ii) in the absence of such an agreement, by bringing legal process (as defined in
(20) provide, to the extent required by
(21)(A) at the option of the State, impose a late payment fee on all overdue support (as defined in
(B) assure that the fee will be collected in addition to, and only after full payment of, the overdue support, and that the imposition of the late payment fee shall not directly or indirectly result in a decrease in the amount of the support which is paid to the child (or spouse) to whom, or on whose behalf, it is owed;
(22) in order for the State to be eligible to receive any incentive payments under
(23) provide that the State will regularly and frequently publicize, through public service announcements, the availability of child support enforcement services under the plan and otherwise, including information as to any application fees for such services and a telephone number or postal address at which further information may be obtained and will publicize the availability and encourage the use of procedures for voluntary establishment of paternity and child support by means the State deems appropriate;
(24) provide that the State will have in effect an automated data processing and information retrieval system—
(A) by October 1, 1997, which meets all requirements of this part which were enacted on or before October 13, 1988; and
(B) by October 1, 2000, which meets all requirements of this part enacted on or before August 22, 1996, except that such deadline shall be extended by 1 day for each day (if any) by which the Secretary fails to meet the deadline imposed by section 344(a)(3) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996;
(25) provide that if a family with respect to which services are provided under the plan ceases to receive assistance under the State program funded under part A of this subchapter, the State shall provide appropriate notice to the family and continue to provide such services, subject to the same conditions and on the same basis as in the case of other individuals to whom services are furnished under the plan, except that an application or other request to continue services shall not be required of such a family and paragraph (6)(B) shall not apply to the family;
(26) have in effect safeguards, applicable to all confidential information handled by the State agency, that are designed to protect the privacy rights of the parties, including—
(A) safeguards against unauthorized use or disclosure of information relating to proceedings or actions to establish paternity, or to establish, modify, or enforce support, or to make or enforce a child custody determination;
(B) prohibitions against the release of information on the whereabouts of 1 party or the child to another party against whom a protective order with respect to the former party or the child has been entered;
(C) prohibitions against the release of information on the whereabouts of 1 party or the child to another person if the State has reason to believe that the release of the information to that person may result in physical or emotional harm to the party or the child;
(D) in cases in which the prohibitions under subparagraphs (B) and (C) apply, the requirement to notify the Secretary, for purposes of
(E) procedures providing that when the Secretary discloses information about a parent or child to a State court or an agent of a State court described in
(27) provide that, on and after October 1, 1998, the State agency will—
(A) operate a State disbursement unit in accordance with
(B) have sufficient State staff (consisting of State employees) and (at State option) contractors reporting directly to the State agency to—
(i) monitor and enforce support collections through the unit in cases being enforced by the State pursuant to paragraph (4) (including carrying out the automated data processing responsibilities described in
(ii) take the actions described in
(28) provide that, on and after October 1, 1997, the State will operate a State Directory of New Hires in accordance with
(29) provide that the State agency responsible for administering the State plan—
(A) shall make the determination (and redetermination at appropriate intervals) as to whether an individual who has applied for or is receiving assistance under the State program funded under part A of this subchapter, the State program under part E of this subchapter, the State program under subchapter XIX of this chapter, or the supplemental nutrition assistance program, as defined under
(i) in the case of the State program funded under part A of this subchapter, the State program under part E of this subchapter, or the State program under subchapter XIX of this chapter shall, at the option of the State, be defined, taking into account the best interests of the child, and applied in each case, by the State agency administering such program; and
(ii) in the case of the supplemental nutrition assistance program, as defined under
(B) shall require the individual to supply additional necessary information and appear at interviews, hearings, and legal proceedings;
(C) shall require the individual and the child to submit to genetic tests pursuant to judicial or administrative order;
(D) may request that the individual sign a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, after notice of the rights and consequences of such an acknowledgment, but may not require the individual to sign an acknowledgment or otherwise relinquish the right to genetic tests as a condition of cooperation and eligibility for assistance under the State program funded under part A of this subchapter, the State program under part E of this subchapter, the State program under subchapter XIX of this chapter, or the supplemental nutrition assistance program, as defined under
(E) shall promptly notify the individual and the State agency administering the State program funded under part A of this subchapter, the State agency administering the State program under part E of this subchapter, the State agency administering the State program under subchapter XIX of this chapter, or the State agency administering the supplemental nutrition assistance program, as defined under
(30) provide that the State shall use the definitions established under
(31) provide that the State agency will have in effect a procedure for certifying to the Secretary, for purposes of the procedure under
(A) each individual concerned is afforded notice of such determination and the consequences thereof, and an opportunity to contest the determination; and
(B) the certification by the State agency is furnished to the Secretary in such format, and accompanied by such supporting documentation, as the Secretary may require;
(32)(A) provide that any request for services under this part by a foreign reciprocating country or a foreign country with which the State has an arrangement described in
(B) provide, at State option, notwithstanding paragraph (4) or any other provision of this part, for services under the plan for enforcement of a spousal support order not described in paragraph (4)(B) entered by such a country (or subdivision); and
(C) provide that no applications will be required from, and no costs will be assessed for such services against, the foreign reciprocating country or foreign obligee (but costs may at State option be assessed against the obligor);
(33) provide that a State that receives funding pursuant to
(34) include an election by the State to apply
The State may allow the jurisdiction which makes the collection involved to retain any application fee under paragraph (6)(B) or any late payment fee under paragraph (21). Nothing in paragraph (33) shall void any provision of any cooperative agreement entered into before August 22, 1996, nor shall such paragraph deprive any State of jurisdiction over Indian country (as so defined) that is lawfully exercised under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §454, as added
References in Text
Parts A and E of this subchapter, referred to in pars. (4)(A)(i), (6)(B), (D), (25), and (29)(A), (D), (E), are classified to section 601 et seq. and 670 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Section 508 of the Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1976, referred to in par. (19), is section 508 of
Section 344(a)(3) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, referred to in par. (24), is section 344(a)(3) of
Section 7301 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, referred to in par. (34), is section 7301 of
Codification
Amendments
2008—Pars. (4)(A)(i)(IV), (6)(B)(i).
Par. (29)(A), (D), (E).
2006—Par. (6)(B).
Par. (31).
Par. (34).
1999—Par. (6)(E)(i).
Par. (9)(A) to (C).
Par. (19)(A).
Par. (19)(B)(i).
Par. (24)(A).
Par. (24)(B).
1997—Par. (4)(A)(i)(IV).
Par. (6)(B).
Par. (8).
Par. (8)(A).
Par. (8)(B).
Par. (16).
Par. (17).
Par. (19)(B)(ii).
Par. (26).
Par. (26)(A).
Par. (26)(B).
Par. (26)(C).
Par. (26)(D), (E).
Par. (29)(A).
"(i) shall be defined, taking into account the best interests of the child, and
"(ii) shall be applied in each case,
by, at the option of the State, the State agency administering the State program under part A of this subchapter, this part, or subchapter XIX of this chapter;".
Par. (29)(D).
Par. (29)(E).
Par. (32)(A).
Par. (33).
1996—
Par. (4).
"(A) in the case of a child born out of wedlock with respect to whom an assignment under
"(B) in the case of any child with respect to whom such assignment is effective, including an assignment with respect to a child on whose behalf a State agency is making foster care maintenance payments under part E of this subchapter, to secure support for such child from his parent (or from any other person legally liable for such support), and from such parent for his spouse (or former spouse) receiving aid to families with dependent children or medical assistance under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter (but only if a support obligation has been established with respect to such spouse, and only if the support obligation established with respect to the child is being enforced under the plan), utilizing any reciprocal arrangements adopted with other States (unless the agency administering the plan of the State under part A or E of this subchapter determines in accordance with the standards prescribed by the Secretary pursuant to
Par. (5)(A).
Par. (6).
Par. (6)(A).
Par. (6)(B).
Par. (6)(C).
Par. (6)(D).
Par. (6)(E).
Par. (7).
Par. (8).
Par. (8)(B).
Par. (9)(B), (C).
Par. (9)(E).
Par. (11).
Par. (12).
Par. (13).
Par. (14).
Par. (15).
Par. (16).
Par. (21)(A).
Par. (23).
Par. (24).
"(A) will submit to the Secretary by October 1, 1991, for review and approval by the Secretary within 9 months after submittal an advance automated data processing planning document of the type referred to in such paragraph; and
"(B) will have in effect by October 1, 1997, an operational automated data processing and information retrieval system, meeting all the requirements of that paragraph, which has been approved by the Secretary;".
Par. (25).
Par. (26).
Par. (27).
Par. (28).
Par. (29).
Par. (30).
Par. (31).
Par. (32).
Par. (33).
1995—Par. (24)(B).
1988—Par. (5)(A).
Par. (6)(D), (E).
Par. (16).
Par. (24).
1987—Par. (4)(A).
Par. (4)(B).
Par. (5).
1984—Par. (4)(B).
Par. (4)(B).
Par. (5).
Par. (6)(A).
Par. (6)(B).
Par. (6)(C).
Par. (6)(D).
Par. (8)(B).
Par. (9)(C).
Par. (16)(A)(ii).
Par. (16)(D), (E).
Par. (17).
Par. (20).
Par. (21).
Par. (22).
Par. (23).
1982—Par. (5).
Par. (6).
Pars. (18) to (20).
1981—
Par. (4)(B).
Par. (5).
Par. (6)(B).
Par. (6)(C).
Par. (9)(C).
Par. (11).
Par. (16).
Par. (18).
Par. (19).
Par. (20).
1980—Par. (16).
Par. (17).
1977—Pars. (14), (15).
1975—Par. (4)(A).
Par. (4)(B).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by sections 4002(b)(1)(A), (B), (2)(V), and 4115(c)(2)(H) of
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by section 7301(b)(1)(C) of
Amendment by section 7303(b) of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by section 108(c)(11), (12) of
Amendment by section 302(b)(2) of
Section 303(b) of
Section 304(b) of
Amendment by section 312(a) of
Amendment by section 342(a) of
Amendment by section 370(a)(2) of
Section 395(a)–(c) of title III of
"(a)
"(1) the provisions of this title [see Tables for classification] requiring the enactment or amendment of State laws under section 466 of the Social Security Act [
"(2) all other provisions of this title shall become effective upon the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 22, 1996].
"(b)
"(1) the date specified in this title, or
"(2) the effective date of laws enacted by the legislature of such State implementing such provisions,
but in no event later than the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter beginning after the close of the 1st regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 22, 1996]. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
"(c)
"(1) 1 year after the effective date of the necessary State constitutional amendment; or
"(2) 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 22, 1996]."
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 104(b) of
Section 111(f)(2) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 9141(b) of
Section 9142(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Section 3(g) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the amendments made by this section [enacting
"(2) Section 454(21) of the Social Security Act [par. 21 of this section] (as added by subsection (d) of this section), and section 466(e) of such Act [
"(3) In the case of a State with respect to which the Secretary of Health and Human Services has determined that State legislation is required in order to conform the State plan approved under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act [this part] to the requirements imposed by any amendment made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such part solely by reason of its failure to meet the requirements imposed by such amendment prior to the beginning of the fourth month beginning after the end of the first session of the State legislature which ends on or after October 1, 1985. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term 'session' means a regular, special, budget, or other session of a State legislature."
Section 5(c)(1) of
Section 6(c) of
Section 11(e) of
Section 12(c) of
Section 14(b) of
Amendment by section 21(d) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by section 171(a), (b)(1) of
Section 173(b) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendments by sections 2331(b), 2332(d)(2)–(7), and 2333(a), (b) of
Amendment by section 2335(a) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Section 502(b) of
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Section 210 of title II of
Exception to General Effective Date for State Plans Requiring State Law Amendments
State Commissions on Child Support
Section 15 of
"(a) As a condition of the State's eligibility for Federal payments under part A or D of title IV of the Social Security Act [part A of this subchapter or this part] for quarters beginning more than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 16, 1984] and ending prior to October 1, 1985, the Governor of each State, on or before December 1, 1984, shall (subject to subsection (f)) appoint a State Commission on Child Support.
"(b) Each State Commission appointed under subsection (a) shall be composed of members appropriately representing all aspects of the child support system, including custodial and non-custodial parents, the agency or organizational unit administering the State's plan under part D of such title IV [this part], the State judiciary, the executive and legislative branches of the State government, child welfare and social services agencies, and others.
"(c) It shall be the function of each State Commission to examine, investigate, and study the operation of the State's child support system for the primary purpose of determining the extent to which such system has been successful in securing support and parental involvement both for children who are eligible for aid under a State plan approved under part A of title IV of such Act [part A of this subchapter] and for children who are not eligible for such aid, giving particular attention to such specific problems (among others) as visitation, the establishment of appropriate objective standards for support, the enforcement of interstate obligations, the availability, cost, and effectiveness of services both to children who are eligible for such aid and to children who are not, and the need for additional State or Federal legislation to obtain support for all children.
"(d) Each State Commission shall submit to the Governor of the State and make available to the public, no later than October 1, 1985, a full and complete report of its findings and recommendations resulting from the examination, investigation, and study under this section. The Governor shall transmit such report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services along with the Governor's comments thereon.
"(e) None of the costs incurred in the establishment and operation of a State Commission under this section, or incurred by such a Commission in carrying out its functions under subsections (c) and (d), shall be considered as expenditures qualifying for Federal payments under part A or D of title IV of the Social Security Act [part A of this subchapter or this part] or be otherwise payable or reimbursable by the United States or any agency thereof.
"(f) If the Secretary determines, at the request of any State on the basis of information submitted by the State and such other information as may be available to the Secretary, that such State—
"(1) has placed in effect and is implementing objective standards for the determination and enforcement of child support obligations,
"(2) has established within the five years prior to the enactment of this Act [Aug. 16, 1984] a commission or council with substantially the same functions as the State Commissions provided for under this section, or
"(3) is making satisfactory progress toward fully effective child support enforcement and will continue to do so,
then such State shall not be required to establish a State Commission under this section and the preceding provisions of this section shall not apply."
Delayed Effective Date in Cases Requiring State Legislation
Section 176 of
§654a. Automated data processing
(a) In general
In order for a State to meet the requirements of this section, the State agency administering the State program under this part shall have in operation a single statewide automated data processing and information retrieval system which has the capability to perform the tasks specified in this section with the frequency and in the manner required by or under this part.
(b) Program management
The automated system required by this section shall perform such functions as the Secretary may specify relating to management of the State program under this part, including—
(1) controlling and accounting for use of Federal, State, and local funds in carrying out the program; and
(2) maintaining the data necessary to meet Federal reporting requirements under this part on a timely basis.
(c) Calculation of performance indicators
In order to enable the Secretary to determine the incentive payments and penalty adjustments required by
(1) use the automated system—
(A) to maintain the requisite data on State performance with respect to paternity establishment and child support enforcement in the State; and
(B) to calculate the paternity establishment percentage for the State for each fiscal year; and
(2) have in place systems controls to ensure the completeness and reliability of, and ready access to, the data described in paragraph (1)(A), and the accuracy of the calculations described in paragraph (1)(B).
(d) Information integrity and security
The State agency shall have in effect safeguards on the integrity, accuracy, and completeness of, access to, and use of data in the automated system required by this section, which shall include the following (in addition to such other safeguards as the Secretary may specify in regulations):
(1) Policies restricting access
Written policies concerning access to data by State agency personnel, and sharing of data with other persons, which—
(A) permit access to and use of data only to the extent necessary to carry out the State program under this part; and
(B) specify the data which may be used for particular program purposes, and the personnel permitted access to such data.
(2) Systems controls
Systems controls (such as passwords or blocking of fields) to ensure strict adherence to the policies described in paragraph (1).
(3) Monitoring of access
Routine monitoring of access to and use of the automated system, through methods such as audit trails and feedback mechanisms, to guard against and promptly identify unauthorized access or use.
(4) Training and information
Procedures to ensure that all personnel (including State and local agency staff and contractors) who may have access to or be required to use confidential program data are informed of applicable requirements and penalties (including those in section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), and are adequately trained in security procedures.
(5) Penalties
Administrative penalties (up to and including dismissal from employment) for unauthorized access to, or disclosure or use of, confidential data.
(e) State case registry
(1) Contents
The automated system required by this section shall include a registry (which shall be known as the "State case registry") that contains records with respect to—
(A) each case in which services are being provided by the State agency under the State plan approved under this part; and
(B) each support order established or modified in the State on or after October 1, 1998.
(2) Linking of local registries
The State case registry may be established by linking local case registries of support orders through an automated information network, subject to this section.
(3) Use of standardized data elements
Such records shall use standardized data elements for both parents (such as names, social security numbers and other uniform identification numbers, dates of birth, and case identification numbers), and contain such other information (such as on case status) as the Secretary may require.
(4) Payment records
Each case record in the State case registry with respect to which services are being provided under the State plan approved under this part and with respect to which a support order has been established shall include a record of—
(A) the amount of monthly (or other periodic) support owed under the order, and other amounts (including arrearages, interest or late payment penalties, and fees) due or overdue under the order;
(B) any amount described in subparagraph (A) that has been collected;
(C) the distribution of such collected amounts;
(D) the birth date and, beginning not later than October 1, 1999, the social security number, of any child for whom the order requires the provision of support; and
(E) the amount of any lien imposed with respect to the order pursuant to
(5) Updating and monitoring
The State agency operating the automated system required by this section shall promptly establish and update, maintain, and regularly monitor, case records in the State case registry with respect to which services are being provided under the State plan approved under this part, on the basis of—
(A) information on administrative actions and administrative and judicial proceedings and orders relating to paternity and support;
(B) information obtained from comparison with Federal, State, or local sources of information;
(C) information on support collections and distributions; and
(D) any other relevant information.
(f) Information comparisons and other disclosures of information
The State shall use the automated system required by this section to extract information from (at such times, and in such standardized format or formats, as may be required by the Secretary), to share and compare information with, and to receive information from, other data bases and information comparison services, in order to obtain (or provide) information necessary to enable the State agency (or the Secretary or other State or Federal agencies) to carry out this part, subject to section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Such information comparison activities shall include the following:
(1) Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders
Furnishing to the Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders established under
(2) Federal Parent Locator Service
Exchanging information with the Federal Parent Locator Service for the purposes specified in
(3) Temporary family assistance and medicaid agencies
Exchanging information with State agencies (of the State and of other States) administering programs funded under part A of this subchapter, programs operated under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, and other programs designated by the Secretary, as necessary to perform State agency responsibilities under this part and under such programs.
(4) Intrastate and interstate information comparisons
Exchanging information with other agencies of the State, agencies of other States, and interstate information networks, as necessary and appropriate to carry out (or assist other States to carry out) the purposes of this part.
(5) Private industry councils receiving welfare-to-work grants
Disclosing to a private industry council (as defined in
(g) Collection and distribution of support payments
(1) In general
The State shall use the automated system required by this section, to the maximum extent feasible, to assist and facilitate the collection and disbursement of support payments through the State disbursement unit operated under
(A) transmission of orders and notices to employers (and other debtors) for the withholding of income—
(i) within 2 business days after receipt of notice of, and the income source subject to, such withholding from a court, another State, an employer, the Federal Parent Locator Service, or another source recognized by the State; and
(ii) using uniform formats prescribed by the Secretary;
(B) ongoing monitoring to promptly identify failures to make timely payment of support; and
(C) automatic use of enforcement procedures (including procedures authorized pursuant to
(2) "Business day" defined
As used in paragraph (1), the term "business day" means a day on which State offices are open for regular business.
(h) Expedited administrative procedures
The automated system required by this section shall be used, to the maximum extent feasible, to implement the expedited administrative procedures required by
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §454A, as added and amended
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (d)(4) and (f), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Part A of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (f)(3), (5), is classified to
Amendments
1999—Subsec. (f)(5).
1997—Subsec. (e)(4)(D).
1996—Subsecs. (e), (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by section 312(c) of
Effective Date
For provisions relating to effective date of title III of
Regulations
Section 344(a)(3) of
§654b. Collection and disbursement of support payments
(a) State disbursement unit
(1) In general
In order for a State to meet the requirements of this section, the State agency must establish and operate a unit (which shall be known as the "State disbursement unit") for the collection and disbursement of payments under support orders—
(A) in all cases being enforced by the State pursuant to
(B) in all cases not being enforced by the State under this part in which the support order is initially issued in the State on or after January 1, 1994, and in which the income of the noncustodial parent is subject to withholding pursuant to
(2) Operation
The State disbursement unit shall be operated—
(A) directly by the State agency (or 2 or more State agencies under a regional cooperative agreement), or (to the extent appropriate) by a contractor responsible directly to the State agency; and
(B) except in cases described in paragraph (1)(B), in coordination with the automated system established by the State pursuant to
(3) Linking of local disbursement units
The State disbursement unit may be established by linking local disbursement units through an automated information network, subject to this section, if the Secretary agrees that the system will not cost more nor take more time to establish or operate than a centralized system. In addition, employers shall be given 1 location to which income withholding is sent.
(b) Required procedures
The State disbursement unit shall use automated procedures, electronic processes, and computer-driven technology to the maximum extent feasible, efficient, and economical, for the collection and disbursement of support payments, including procedures—
(1) for receipt of payments from parents, employers, and other States, and for disbursements to custodial parents and other obligees, the State agency, and the agencies of other States;
(2) for accurate identification of payments;
(3) to ensure prompt disbursement of the custodial parent's share of any payment; and
(4) to furnish to any parent, upon request, timely information on the current status of support payments under an order requiring payments to be made by or to the parent, except that in cases described in subsection (a)(1)(B) of this section, the State disbursement unit shall not be required to convert and maintain in automated form records of payments kept pursuant to
(c) Timing of disbursements
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the State disbursement unit shall distribute all amounts payable under
(2) Permissive retention of arrearages
The State disbursement unit may delay the distribution of collections toward arrearages until the resolution of any timely appeal with respect to such arrearages.
(d) "Business day" defined
As used in this section, the term "business day" means a day on which State offices are open for regular business.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §454B, as added
References in Text
For effective date of this section, referred to in subsec. (b)(4), see Effective Date note below.
Amendments
1997—Subsec. (c)(1).
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 312(d) of
"(1)
"(2)
For provisions relating to effective date of title III of
§655. Payments to States
(a) Amounts payable each quarter
(1) From the sums appropriated therefor, the Secretary shall pay to each State for each quarter an amount—
(A) equal to the percent specified in paragraph (2) of the total amounts expended by such State during such quarter for the operation of the plan approved under
(B) equal to the percent specified in paragraph (3) of the sums expended during such quarter that are attributable to the planning, design, development, installation or enhancement of an automatic data processing and information retrieval system (including in such sums the full cost of the hardware components of such system); and 1
(C) equal to 66 percent of so much of the sums expended during such quarter as are attributable to laboratory costs incurred in determining paternity, and
(D) equal to 66 percent of the sums expended by the State during the quarter for an alternative statewide system for which a waiver has been granted under
except that no amount shall be paid to any State on account of amounts expended from amounts paid to the State under
(2) The percent applicable to quarters in a fiscal year for purposes of paragraph (1)(A) is—
(A) 70 percent for fiscal years 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987,
(B) 68 percent for fiscal years 1988 and 1989, and
(C) 66 percent for fiscal year 1990 and each fiscal year thereafter.
(3)(A) The Secretary shall pay to each State, for each quarter in fiscal years 1996 and 1997, 90 percent of so much of the State expenditures described in paragraph (1)(B) as the Secretary finds are for a system meeting the requirements specified in
(B)(i) The Secretary shall pay to each State or system described in clause (iii), for each quarter in fiscal years 1996 through 2001, the percentage specified in clause (ii) of so much of the State or system expenditures described in paragraph (1)(B) as the Secretary finds are for a system meeting the requirements of
(ii) The percentage specified in this clause is 80 percent.
(iii) For purposes of clause (i), a system described in this clause is a system that has been approved by the Secretary to receive enhanced funding pursuant to the Family Support Act of 1988 (
(4)(A)(i) If—
(I) the Secretary determines that a State plan under
(II) the State has submitted to the Secretary a corrective compliance plan that describes how, by when, and at what cost the State will achieve such compliance, which has been approved by the Secretary,
then the Secretary shall not disapprove the State plan under
(ii) All failures of a State during a fiscal year to comply with any of the requirements referred to in the same subparagraph of
(B) In this paragraph:
(i) The term "penalty amount" means, with respect to a failure of a State to comply with a subparagraph of
(I) 4 percent of the penalty base, in the case of the first fiscal year in which such a failure by the State occurs (regardless of whether a penalty is imposed under this paragraph with respect to the failure);
(II) 8 percent of the penalty base, in the case of the second such fiscal year;
(III) 16 percent of the penalty base, in the case of the third such fiscal year;
(IV) 25 percent of the penalty base, in the case of the fourth such fiscal year; or
(V) 30 percent of the penalty base, in the case of the fifth or any subsequent such fiscal year.
(ii) The term "penalty base" means, with respect to a failure of a State to comply with a subparagraph of
(C)(i) The Secretary shall waive a penalty under this paragraph for any failure of a State to comply with
(I) on or before August 1, 1998, the State has submitted to the Secretary a request that the Secretary certify the State as having met the requirements of such section;
(II) the Secretary subsequently provides the certification as a result of a timely review conducted pursuant to the request; and
(III) the State has not failed such a review.
(ii) If a State with respect to which a reduction is made under this paragraph for a fiscal year with respect to a failure to comply with a subparagraph of
(iii) The Secretary shall reduce the amount of any reduction that, in the absence of this clause, would be required to be made under this paragraph by reason of the failure of a State to achieve compliance with
(D) The Secretary may not impose a penalty under this paragraph against a State with respect to a failure to comply with
(5)(A)(i) If—
(I) the Secretary determines that a State plan under
(II) the State has submitted to the Secretary, not later than April 1, 2000, a corrective compliance plan that describes how, by when, and at what cost the State will achieve such compliance, which has been approved by the Secretary,
then the Secretary shall not disapprove the State plan under
(ii) All failures of a State during a fiscal year to comply with any of the requirements of
(B) In this paragraph:
(i) The term "penalty amount" means, with respect to a failure of a State to comply with subparagraphs (A) and (B)(i) of
(I) 4 percent of the penalty base, in the case of the 1st fiscal year in which such a failure by the State occurs (regardless of whether a penalty is imposed in that fiscal year under this paragraph with respect to the failure), except as provided in subparagraph (C)(ii) of this paragraph;
(II) 8 percent of the penalty base, in the case of the 2nd such fiscal year;
(III) 16 percent of the penalty base, in the case of the 3rd such fiscal year;
(IV) 25 percent of the penalty base, in the case of the 4th such fiscal year; or
(V) 30 percent of the penalty base, in the case of the 5th or any subsequent such fiscal year.
(ii) The term "penalty base" means, with respect to a failure of a State to comply with subparagraphs (A) and (B)(i) of
(C)(i) The Secretary shall waive all penalties imposed against a State under this paragraph for any failure of the State to comply with subparagraphs (A) and (B)(i) of
(ii) If a State with respect to which a reduction is required to be made under this paragraph with respect to a failure to comply with subparagraphs (A) and (B)(i) of
(D) The Secretary may not impose a penalty under this paragraph against a State for a fiscal year for which the amount otherwise payable to the State under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection is reduced under paragraph (4) of this subsection for failure to comply with
(b) Estimate of amounts payable; installment payments
(1) Prior to the beginning of each quarter, the Secretary shall estimate the amount to which a State will be entitled under subsection (a) of this section for such quarter, such estimates to be based on (A) a report filed by the State containing its estimate of the total sum to be expended in such quarter in accordance with the provisions of such subsection, and stating the amount appropriated or made available by the State and its political subdivisions for such expenditures in such quarter, and if such amount is less than the State's proportionate share of the total sum of such estimated expenditures, the source or sources from which the difference is expected to be derived, and (B) such other investigation as the Secretary may find necessary.
(2) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, the Secretary shall then pay, in such installments as he may determine, to the State the amount so estimated, reduced or increased to the extent of any overpayment or underpayment which the Secretary determines was made under this section to such State for any prior quarter and with respect to which adjustment has not already been made under this subsection.
(3) Upon the making of any estimate by the Secretary under this subsection, any appropriations available for payments under this section shall be deemed obligated.
(c) Repealed. Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §174(b), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 403
(d) State reports
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no amount shall be paid to any State under this section for any quarter, prior to the close of such quarter, unless for the period consisting of all prior quarters for which payment is authorized to be made to such State under subsection (a) of this section, there shall have been submitted by the State to the Secretary, with respect to each quarter in such period (other than the last two quarters in such period), a full and complete report (in such form and manner and containing such information as the Secretary shall prescribe or require) as to the amount of child support collected and disbursed and all expenditures with respect to which payment is authorized under subsection (a) of this section.
(e) Special project grants for interstate enforcement; appropriations
(1) In order to encourage and promote the development and use of more effective methods of enforcing support obligations under this part in cases where either the children on whose behalf the support is sought or their noncustodial parents do not reside in the State where such cases are filed, the Secretary is authorized to make grants, in such amounts and on such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, to States which propose to undertake new or innovative methods of support collection in such cases and which will use the proceeds of such grants to carry out special projects designed to demonstrate and test such methods.
(2) A grant under this subsection shall be made only upon a finding by the Secretary that the project involved is likely to be of significant assistance in carrying out the purpose of this subsection; and with respect to such project the Secretary may waive any of the requirements of this part which would otherwise be applicable, to such extent and for such period as the Secretary determines is necessary or desirable in order to enable the State to carry out the project.
(3) At the time of its application for a grant under this subsection the State shall submit to the Secretary a statement describing in reasonable detail the project for which the proceeds of the grant are to be used, and the State shall from time to time thereafter submit to the Secretary such reports with respect to the project as the Secretary may specify.
(4) Amounts expended by a State in carrying out a special project assisted under this section shall be considered, for purposes of section 658(b) 2 of this title (as amended by section 5(a) of the Child Support Enforcement Amendments of 1984), to have been expended for the operation of the State's plan approved under
(5) There is authorized to be appropriated the sum of $7,000,000 for fiscal year 1985, $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1986, and $15,000,000 for each fiscal year thereafter, to be used by the Secretary in making grants under this subsection.
(f) Direct Federal funding to Indian tribes and tribal organizations
The Secretary may make direct payments under this part to an Indian tribe or tribal organization that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that it has the capacity to operate a child support enforcement program meeting the objectives of this part, including establishment of paternity, establishment, modification, and enforcement of support orders, and location of absent parents. The Secretary shall promulgate regulations establishing the requirements which must be met by an Indian tribe or tribal organization to be eligible for a grant under this subsection.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §455, as added
References in Text
The Family Support Act of 1988, referred to in subsec. (a)(3)(B)(iii), is
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(1)(C).
1999—Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(5).
1998—Subsec. (a)(1)(D).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(4)(C)(iii).
1997—Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (f).
1996—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (e)(1).
1988—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(1)(C).
1984—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (e).
1982—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (c).
1981—Subsec. (a).
1980—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsecs. (c), (d).
1977—Subsec. (a).
1976—Subsec. (a).
1975—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1998 Amendments
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
For effective date of amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 112(b) of
Section 123(c) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 4(a) of
Amendment by section 6(b) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by section 171(b)(2) of
Section 174(d) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Section 404(b) of
Amendment by section 405(a) of
Section 407(d) of
Section 2(b) of
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Amendment by
Temporary Resumption of Prior Child Support Law
Temporary Limitation on Payments Under Special Federal Matching Rate
Section 344(b)(2) of
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(i) the relative size of such State and system caseloads under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act [this part]; and
"(ii) the level of automation needed to meet the automated data processing requirements of such part."
Payments to States for Certain Expenses Incurred During July 1975
Section 206 of
1 So in original. The "; and" probably should be a comma.
2 See References in Text note below.
§655a. Provision for reimbursement of expenses
For purposes of
(1) pursuant to
(2) by a State or local agency charged with the duty of carrying a State plan for child support approved under this part,
shall be considered to constitute expenses incurred in the administration of such State plan.
(
Codification
Section was formerly classified to
Section was not enacted as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Amendments
1998—Par. (1).
1996—
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
§656. Support obligation as obligation to State; amount; discharge in bankruptcy
(a) Collection processes
(1) The support rights assigned to the State pursuant to
(2) The amount of such obligation shall be—
(A) the amount specified in a court order which covers the assigned support rights, or
(B) if there is no court order, an amount determined by the State in accordance with a formula approved by the Secretary.
(3) Any amounts collected from a noncustodial parent under the plan shall reduce, dollar for dollar, the amount of his obligation under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2).
(b) Nondischargeability
A debt (as defined in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §456, as added
Amendments
1997—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
1996—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b).
1984—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
1981—Subsec. (b).
1978—Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 5513(a)(3) of
Amendment by section 5556(d) of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by section 108(c)(13) of
Amendment by section 374(b) of
For provisions relating to effective date of title III of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 2334(c) of
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by
§657. Distribution of collected support
(a) In general
Subject to subsections (d) and (e), the amounts collected on behalf of a family as support by a State pursuant to a plan approved under this part shall be distributed as follows:
(1) Families receiving assistance
In the case of a family receiving assistance from the State, the State shall—
(A) pay to the Federal Government the Federal share of the amount collected, subject to paragraph (3)(A);
(B) retain, or pay to the family, the State share of the amount collected, subject to paragraph (3)(B); and
(C) pay to the family any remaining amount.
(2) Families that formerly received assistance
In the case of a family that formerly received assistance from the State:
(A) Current support
To the extent that the amount collected does not exceed the current support amount, the State shall pay the amount to the family.
(B) Arrearages
Except as otherwise provided in an election made under
(i) shall first pay to the family the excess amount, to the extent necessary to satisfy support arrearages not assigned pursuant to
(ii) if the amount collected exceeds the amount required to be paid to the family under clause (i), shall—
(I) pay to the Federal Government the Federal share of the excess amount described in this clause, subject to paragraph (3)(A); and
(II) retain, or pay to the family, the State share of the excess amount described in this clause, subject to paragraph (3)(B); and
(iii) shall pay to the family any remaining amount.
(3) Limitations
(A) Federal reimbursements
The total of the amounts paid by the State to the Federal Government under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection with respect to a family shall not exceed the Federal share of the amount assigned with respect to the family pursuant to
(B) State reimbursements
The total of the amounts retained by the State under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection with respect to a family shall not exceed the State share of the amount assigned with respect to the family pursuant to
(4) Families that never received assistance
In the case of any other family, the State shall distribute to the family the portion of the amount so collected that remains after withholding any fee pursuant to
(5) Families under certain agreements
Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) through (3), in the case of an amount collected for a family in accordance with a cooperative agreement under
(6) State option to pass through additional support with Federal financial participation
(A) Families that formerly received assistance
Notwithstanding paragraph (2), a State shall not be required to pay to the Federal Government the Federal share of an amount collected on behalf of a family that formerly received assistance from the State to the extent that the State pays the amount to the family.
(B) Families that currently receive assistance
(i) In general
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in the case of a family that receives assistance from the State, a State shall not be required to pay to the Federal Government the Federal share of the excepted portion (as defined in clause (ii)) of any amount collected on behalf of such family during a month to the extent that—
(I) the State pays the excepted portion to the family; and
(II) the excepted portion is disregarded in determining the amount and type of assistance provided to the family under such program.
(ii) Excepted portion defined
For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "excepted portion" means that portion of the amount collected on behalf of a family during a month that does not exceed $100 per month, or in the case of a family that includes 2 or more children, that does not exceed an amount established by the State that is not more than $200 per month.
(b) Continuation of assignments
(1) State option to discontinue pre-1997 support assignments
(A) In general
Any rights to support obligations assigned to a State as a condition of receiving assistance from the State under part A and in effect on September 30, 1997 (or such earlier date on or after August 22, 1996, as the State may choose), may remain assigned after such date.
(B) Distribution of amounts after assignment discontinuation
If a State chooses to discontinue the assignment of a support obligation described in subparagraph (A), the State may treat amounts collected pursuant to the assignment as if the amounts had never been assigned and may distribute the amounts to the family in accordance with subsection (a)(4).
(2) State option to discontinue post-1997 assignments
(A) In general
Any rights to support obligations accruing before the date on which a family first receives assistance under part A that are assigned to a State under that part and in effect before the implementation date of this section may remain assigned after such date.
(B) Distribution of amounts after assignment discontinuation
If a State chooses to discontinue the assignment of a support obligation described in subparagraph (A), the State may treat amounts collected pursuant to the assignment as if the amounts had never been assigned and may distribute the amounts to the family in accordance with subsection (a)(4).
(c) Definitions
As used in subsection (a) of this section:
(1) Assistance
The term "assistance from the State" means—
(A) assistance under the State program funded under part A of this subchapter or under the State plan approved under part A of this subchapter (as in effect on the day before August 22, 1996); and
(B) foster care maintenance payments under the State plan approved under part E of this subchapter.
(2) Federal share
The term "Federal share" means that portion of the amount collected resulting from the application of the Federal medical assistance percentage in effect for the fiscal year in which the amount is distributed.
(3) Federal medical assistance percentage
The term "Federal medical assistance percentage" means—
(A) 75 percent, in the case of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa; or
(B) the Federal medical assistance percentage (as defined in
(4) State share
The term "State share" means 100 percent minus the Federal share.
(5) Current support amount
The term "current support amount" means, with respect to amounts collected as support on behalf of a family, the amount designated as the monthly support obligation of the noncustodial parent in the order requiring the support or calculated by the State based on the order.
(d) Gap payments not subject to distribution under this section
At State option, this section shall not apply to any amount collected on behalf of a family as support by the State (and paid to the family in addition to the amount of assistance otherwise payable to the family) pursuant to a plan approved under this part if such amount would have been paid to the family by the State under
(e) Amounts collected for child for whom foster care maintenance payments are made
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, amounts collected by a State as child support for months in any period on behalf of a child for whom a public agency is making foster care maintenance payments under part E of this subchapter—
(1) shall be retained by the State to the extent necessary to reimburse it for the foster care maintenance payments made with respect to the child during such period (with appropriate reimbursement of the Federal Government to the extent of its participation in the financing);
(2) shall be paid to the public agency responsible for supervising the placement of the child to the extent that the amounts collected exceed the foster care maintenance payments made with respect to the child during such period but not the amounts required by a court or administrative order to be paid as support on behalf of the child during such period; and the responsible agency may use the payments in the manner it determines will serve the best interests of the child, including setting such payments aside for the child's future needs or making all or a part thereof available to the person responsible for meeting the child's day-to-day needs; and
(3) shall be retained by the State, if any portion of the amounts collected remains after making the payments required under paragraphs (1) and (2), to the extent that such portion is necessary to reimburse the State (with appropriate reimbursement to the Federal Government to the extent of its participation in the financing) for any past foster care maintenance payments (or payments of assistance under the State program funded under part A of this subchapter) which were made with respect to the child (and with respect to which past collections have not previously been retained);
and any balance shall be paid to the State agency responsible for supervising the placement of the child, for use by such agency in accordance with paragraph (2).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §457, as added
References in Text
Parts A and E of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (b)(1)(A), (2)(A), (c)(1), and (e), are classified to sections 601 et seq. and 670 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(5).
1999—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i)(I).
Subsec. (a)(5)(C).
Subsecs. (a)(6), (c)(1)(A).
Subsec. (d).
"(1) the State share of amounts collected in the fiscal year which could be retained to reimburse the State for amounts paid to families as assistance by the State is less than the State share of such amounts collected in fiscal year 1995 (determined in accordance with this section as in effect on August 21, 1996); and
"(2)(A) the State has distributed to families that include an adult receiving assistance under the program under part A of this subchapter at least 80 percent of the current support payments collected during the preceding fiscal year on behalf of such families, and the amounts distributed were disregarded in determining the amount or type of assistance provided under the program under part A of this subchapter; or
"(B) the State has distributed to families that formerly received assistance under the program under part A of this subchapter the State share of the amounts collected pursuant to
then the State share otherwise determined for the fiscal year shall be increased by an amount equal to one-half of the amount (if any) by which the State share for fiscal year 1995 exceeds the State share for the fiscal year (determined without regard to this subsection)."
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
1997—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i)(I), (ii)(I).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B).
Subsec. (f).
1996—
1988—Subsec. (b)(1).
1987—Subsec. (c).
1986—Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (c).
1984—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d).
1981—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
1977—Subsec. (c).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by section 7301(b)(1)(A), (2), (c) of
Amendment by section 7310(b) of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 401(j), (k) of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Section 302(c) of
"(1)
"(2)
For provisions relating to effective date of title III of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 102(c) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by section 1883(b)(6) of
Section 1899(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Section 7(b) of
Amendment by section 11(a) of
Section 2646 of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
§658. Repealed. Pub. L. 105–200, title II, §201(f)(1), July 16, 1998, 112 Stat. 657
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §458, as added
§658a. Incentive payments to States
(a) In general
In addition to any other payment under this part, the Secretary shall, subject to subsection (f) of this section, make an incentive payment to each State for each fiscal year in an amount determined under subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Amount of incentive payment
(1) In general
The incentive payment for a State for a fiscal year is equal to the incentive payment pool for the fiscal year, multiplied by the State incentive payment share for the fiscal year.
(2) Incentive payment pool
(A) In general
In paragraph (1), the term "incentive payment pool" means—
(i) $422,000,000 for fiscal year 2000;
(ii) $429,000,000 for fiscal year 2001;
(iii) $450,000,000 for fiscal year 2002;
(iv) $461,000,000 for fiscal year 2003;
(v) $454,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
(vi) $446,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(vii) $458,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(viii) $471,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(ix) $483,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and
(x) for any succeeding fiscal year, the amount of the incentive payment pool for the fiscal year that precedes such succeeding fiscal year, multiplied by the percentage (if any) by which the CPI for such preceding fiscal year exceeds the CPI for the second preceding fiscal year.
(B) CPI
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the CPI for a fiscal year is the average of the Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period ending on September 30 of the fiscal year. As used in the preceding sentence, the term "Consumer Price Index" means the last Consumer Price Index for all-urban consumers published by the Department of Labor.
(3) State incentive payment share
In paragraph (1), the term "State incentive payment share" means, with respect to a fiscal year—
(A) the incentive base amount for the State for the fiscal year; divided by
(B) the sum of the incentive base amounts for all of the States for the fiscal year.
(4) Incentive base amount
In paragraph (3), the term "incentive base amount" means, with respect to a State and a fiscal year, the sum of the applicable percentages (determined in accordance with paragraph (6)) multiplied by the corresponding maximum incentive base amounts for the State for the fiscal year, with respect to each of the following measures of State performance for the fiscal year:
(A) The paternity establishment performance level.
(B) The support order performance level.
(C) The current payment performance level.
(D) The arrearage payment performance level.
(E) The cost-effectiveness performance level.
(5) Maximum incentive base amount
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (4), the maximum incentive base amount for a State for a fiscal year is—
(i) with respect to the performance measures described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (4), the State collections base for the fiscal year; and
(ii) with respect to the performance measures described in subparagraphs (D) and (E) of paragraph (4), 75 percent of the State collections base for the fiscal year.
(B) Data required to be complete and reliable
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the maximum incentive base amount for a State for a fiscal year with respect to a performance measure described in paragraph (4) is zero, unless the Secretary determines, on the basis of an audit performed under
(C) State collections base
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the State collections base for a fiscal year is equal to the sum of—
(i) 2 times the sum of—
(I) the total amount of support collected during the fiscal year under the State plan approved under this part in cases in which the support obligation involved is required to be assigned to the State pursuant to part A or E of this subchapter or subchapter XIX of this chapter; and
(II) the total amount of support collected during the fiscal year under the State plan approved under this part in cases in which the support obligation involved was so assigned but, at the time of collection, is not required to be so assigned; and
(ii) the total amount of support collected during the fiscal year under the State plan approved under this part in all other cases.
(6) Determination of applicable percentages based on performance levels
(A) Paternity establishment
(i) Determination of paternity establishment performance level
The paternity establishment performance level for a State for a fiscal year is, at the option of the State, the IV–D paternity establishment percentage determined under
(ii) Determination of applicable percentage
The applicable percentage with respect to a State's paternity establishment performance level is as follows:
If the paternity establishment performance level is: | The applicable percentage is: | |
---|---|---|
At least: | But less than: | |
80% | 100 | |
79% | 80% | 98 |
78% | 79% | 96 |
77% | 78% | 94 |
76% | 77% | 92 |
75% | 76% | 90 |
74% | 75% | 88 |
73% | 74% | 86 |
72% | 73% | 84 |
71% | 72% | 82 |
70% | 71% | 80 |
69% | 70% | 79 |
68% | 69% | 78 |
67% | 68% | 77 |
66% | 67% | 76 |
65% | 66% | 75 |
64% | 65% | 74 |
63% | 64% | 73 |
62% | 63% | 72 |
61% | 62% | 71 |
60% | 61% | 70 |
59% | 60% | 69 |
58% | 59% | 68 |
57% | 58% | 67 |
56% | 57% | 66 |
55% | 56% | 65 |
54% | 55% | 64 |
53% | 54% | 63 |
52% | 53% | 62 |
51% | 52% | 61 |
50% | 51% | 60 |
0% | 50% | 0. |
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the paternity establishment performance level of a State for a fiscal year is less than 50 percent but exceeds by at least 10 percentage points the paternity establishment performance level of the State for the immediately preceding fiscal year, then the applicable percentage with respect to the State's paternity establishment performance level is 50 percent.
(B) Establishment of child support orders
(i) Determination of support order performance level
The support order performance level for a State for a fiscal year is the percentage of the total number of cases under the State plan approved under this part in which there is a support order during the fiscal year.
(ii) Determination of applicable percentage
The applicable percentage with respect to a State's support order performance level is as follows:
If the support order performance level is: | The applicable percentage is: | |
---|---|---|
At least: | But less than: | |
80% | 100 | |
79% | 80% | 98 |
78% | 79% | 96 |
77% | 78% | 94 |
76% | 77% | 92 |
75% | 76% | 90 |
74% | 75% | 88 |
73% | 74% | 86 |
72% | 73% | 84 |
71% | 72% | 82 |
70% | 71% | 80 |
69% | 70% | 79 |
68% | 69% | 78 |
67% | 68% | 77 |
66% | 67% | 76 |
65% | 66% | 75 |
64% | 65% | 74 |
63% | 64% | 73 |
62% | 63% | 72 |
61% | 62% | 71 |
60% | 61% | 70 |
59% | 60% | 69 |
58% | 59% | 68 |
57% | 58% | 67 |
56% | 57% | 66 |
55% | 56% | 65 |
54% | 55% | 64 |
53% | 54% | 63 |
52% | 53% | 62 |
51% | 52% | 61 |
50% | 51% | 60 |
0% | 50% | 0. |
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the support order performance level of a State for a fiscal year is less than 50 percent but exceeds by at least 5 percentage points the support order performance level of the State for the immediately preceding fiscal year, then the applicable percentage with respect to the State's support order performance level is 50 percent.
(C) Collections on current child support due
(i) Determination of current payment performance level
The current payment performance level for a State for a fiscal year is equal to the total amount of current support collected during the fiscal year under the State plan approved under this part divided by the total amount of current support owed during the fiscal year in all cases under the State plan, expressed as a percentage.
(ii) Determination of applicable percentage
The applicable percentage with respect to a State's current payment performance level is as follows:
If the current payment performance level is: | The applicable percentage is: | |
---|---|---|
At least: | But less than: | |
80% | 100 | |
79% | 80% | 98 |
78% | 79% | 96 |
77% | 78% | 94 |
76% | 77% | 92 |
75% | 76% | 90 |
74% | 75% | 88 |
73% | 74% | 86 |
72% | 73% | 84 |
71% | 72% | 82 |
70% | 71% | 80 |
69% | 70% | 79 |
68% | 69% | 78 |
67% | 68% | 77 |
66% | 67% | 76 |
65% | 66% | 75 |
64% | 65% | 74 |
63% | 64% | 73 |
62% | 63% | 72 |
61% | 62% | 71 |
60% | 61% | 70 |
59% | 60% | 69 |
58% | 59% | 68 |
57% | 58% | 67 |
56% | 57% | 66 |
55% | 56% | 65 |
54% | 55% | 64 |
53% | 54% | 63 |
52% | 53% | 62 |
51% | 52% | 61 |
50% | 51% | 60 |
49% | 50% | 59 |
48% | 49% | 58 |
47% | 48% | 57 |
46% | 47% | 56 |
45% | 46% | 55 |
44% | 45% | 54 |
43% | 44% | 53 |
42% | 43% | 52 |
41% | 42% | 51 |
40% | 41% | 50 |
0% | 40% | 0. |
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the current payment performance level of a State for a fiscal year is less than 40 percent but exceeds by at least 5 percentage points the current payment performance level of the State for the immediately preceding fiscal year, then the applicable percentage with respect to the State's current payment performance level is 50 percent.
(D) Collections on child support arrearages
(i) Determination of arrearage payment performance level
The arrearage payment performance level for a State for a fiscal year is equal to the total number of cases under the State plan approved under this part in which payments of past-due child support were received during the fiscal year and part or all of the payments were distributed to the family to whom the past-due child support was owed (or, if all past-due child support owed to the family was, at the time of receipt, subject to an assignment to the State, part or all of the payments were retained by the State) divided by the total number of cases under the State plan in which there is past-due child support, expressed as a percentage.
(ii) Determination of applicable percentage
The applicable percentage with respect to a State's arrearage payment performance level is as follows:
If the arrearage payment performance level is: | The applicable percentage is: | |
---|---|---|
At least: | But less than: | |
80% | 100 | |
79% | 80% | 98 |
78% | 79% | 96 |
77% | 78% | 94 |
76% | 77% | 92 |
75% | 76% | 90 |
74% | 75% | 88 |
73% | 74% | 86 |
72% | 73% | 84 |
71% | 72% | 82 |
70% | 71% | 80 |
69% | 70% | 79 |
68% | 69% | 78 |
67% | 68% | 77 |
66% | 67% | 76 |
65% | 66% | 75 |
64% | 65% | 74 |
63% | 64% | 73 |
62% | 63% | 72 |
61% | 62% | 71 |
60% | 61% | 70 |
59% | 60% | 69 |
58% | 59% | 68 |
57% | 58% | 67 |
56% | 57% | 66 |
55% | 56% | 65 |
54% | 55% | 64 |
53% | 54% | 63 |
52% | 53% | 62 |
51% | 52% | 61 |
50% | 51% | 60 |
49% | 50% | 59 |
48% | 49% | 58 |
47% | 48% | 57 |
46% | 47% | 56 |
45% | 46% | 55 |
44% | 45% | 54 |
43% | 44% | 53 |
42% | 43% | 52 |
41% | 42% | 51 |
40% | 41% | 50 |
0% | 40% | 0. |
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the arrearage payment performance level of a State for a fiscal year is less than 40 percent but exceeds by at least 5 percentage points the arrearage payment performance level of the State for the immediately preceding fiscal year, then the applicable percentage with respect to the State's arrearage payment performance level is 50 percent.
(E) Cost-effectiveness
(i) Determination of cost-effectiveness performance level
The cost-effectiveness performance level for a State for a fiscal year is equal to the total amount collected during the fiscal year under the State plan approved under this part divided by the total amount expended during the fiscal year under the State plan, expressed as a ratio.
(ii) Determination of applicable percentage
The applicable percentage with respect to a State's cost-effectiveness performance level is as follows:
If the cost-effectiveness performance level is: | The applicable percentage is: | |
---|---|---|
At least: | But less than: | |
5.00 | 100 | |
4.50 | 4.99 | 90 |
4.00 | 4.50 | 80 |
3.50 | 4.00 | 70 |
3.00 | 3.50 | 60 |
2.50 | 3.00 | 50 |
2.00 | 2.50 | 40 |
0.00 | 2.00 | 0. |
(c) Treatment of interstate collections
In computing incentive payments under this section, support which is collected by a State at the request of another State shall be treated as having been collected in full by both States, and any amounts expended by a State in carrying out a special project assisted under
(d) Administrative provisions
The amounts of the incentive payments to be made to the States under this section for a fiscal year shall be estimated by the Secretary at/or before the beginning of the fiscal year on the basis of the best information available. The Secretary shall make the payments for the fiscal year, on a quarterly basis (with each quarterly payment being made no later than the beginning of the quarter involved), in the amounts so estimated, reduced or increased to the extent of any overpayments or underpayments which the Secretary determines were made under this section to the States involved for prior periods and with respect to which adjustment has not already been made under this subsection. Upon the making of any estimate by the Secretary under the preceding sentence, any appropriations available for payments under this section are deemed obligated.
(e) Regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary governing the calculation of incentive payments under this section, including directions for excluding from the calculations certain closed cases and cases over which the States do not have jurisdiction.
(f) Reinvestment
A State to which a payment is made under this section shall expend the full amount of the payment to supplement, and not supplant, other funds used by the State—
(1) to carry out the State plan approved under this part; or
(2) for any activity (including cost-effective contracts with local agencies) approved by the Secretary, whether or not the expenditures for the activity are eligible for reimbursement under this part, which may contribute to improving the effectiveness or efficiency of the State program operated under this part.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §458, formerly §458A, as added and renumbered §458,
References in Text
Parts A and E of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(5)(C)(i)(I), are classified to sections 601 et seq. and 670 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Effective Date
Regulations
Transition Rule
Studies
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(iii)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
§659. Consent by United States to income withholding, garnishment, and similar proceedings for enforcement of child support and alimony obligations
(a) Consent to support enforcement
Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including
(b) Consent to requirements applicable to private person
With respect to notice to withhold income pursuant to subsection (a)(1) or (b) of
(c) Designation of agent; response to notice or process
(1) Designation of agent
The head of each agency subject to this section shall—
(A) designate an agent or agents to receive orders and accept service of process in matters relating to child support or alimony; and
(B) annually publish in the Federal Register the designation of the agent or agents, identified by title or position, mailing address, and telephone number.
(2) Response to notice or process
If an agent designated pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection receives notice pursuant to State procedures in effect pursuant to subsection (a)(1) or (b) of
(A) as soon as possible (but not later than 15 days) thereafter, send written notice of the notice or service (together with a copy of the notice or service) to the individual at the duty station or last-known home address of the individual;
(B) within 30 days (or such longer period as may be prescribed by applicable State law) after receipt of a notice pursuant to such State procedures, comply with all applicable provisions of
(C) within 30 days (or such longer period as may be prescribed by applicable State law) after effective service of any other such order, process, or interrogatory, withhold available sums in response to the order or process, or answer the interrogatory.
(d) Priority of claims
If a governmental entity specified in subsection (a) of this section receives notice or is served with process, as provided in this section, concerning amounts owed by an individual to more than 1 person—
(1) support collection under
(2) allocation of moneys due or payable to an individual among claimants under
(3) such moneys as remain after compliance with paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be available to satisfy any other such processes on a first-come, first-served basis, with any such process being satisfied out of such moneys as remain after the satisfaction of all such processes which have been previously served.
(e) No requirement to vary pay cycles
A governmental entity that is affected by legal process served for the enforcement of an individual's child support or alimony payment obligations shall not be required to vary its normal pay and disbursement cycle in order to comply with the legal process.
(f) Relief from liability
(1) Neither the United States, nor the government of the District of Columbia, nor any disbursing officer shall be liable with respect to any payment made from moneys due or payable from the United States to any individual pursuant to legal process regular on its face, if the payment is made in accordance with this section and the regulations issued to carry out this section.
(2) No Federal employee whose duties include taking actions necessary to comply with the requirements of subsection (a) of this section with regard to any individual shall be subject under any law to any disciplinary action or civil or criminal liability or penalty for, or on account of, any disclosure of information made by the employee in connection with the carrying out of such actions.
(g) Regulations
Authority to promulgate regulations for the implementation of this section shall, insofar as this section applies to moneys due from (or payable by)—
(1) the United States (other than the legislative or judicial branches of the Federal Government) or the government of the District of Columbia, be vested in the President (or the designee of the President);
(2) the legislative branch of the Federal Government, be vested jointly in the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives (or their designees),1 and
(3) the judicial branch of the Federal Government, be vested in the Chief Justice of the United States (or the designee of the Chief Justice).
(h) Moneys subject to process
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), moneys payable to an individual which are considered to be based upon remuneration for employment, for purposes of this section—
(A) consist of—
(i) compensation payable for personal services of the individual, whether the compensation is denominated as wages, salary, commission, bonus, pay, allowances, or otherwise (including severance pay, sick pay, and incentive pay);
(ii) periodic benefits (including a periodic benefit as defined in
(I) under the insurance system established by subchapter II of this chapter;
(II) under any other system or fund established by the United States which provides for the payment of pensions, retirement or retired pay, annuities, dependents' or survivors' benefits, or similar amounts payable on account of personal services performed by the individual or any other individual;
(III) as compensation for death under any Federal program;
(IV) under any Federal program established to provide "black lung" benefits; or
(V) by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as compensation for a service-connected disability paid by the Secretary to a former member of the Armed Forces who is in receipt of retired or retainer pay if the former member has waived a portion of the retired or retainer pay in order to receive such compensation;
(iii) worker's compensation benefits paid or payable under Federal or State law;
(iv) benefits paid or payable under the Railroad Retirement System,1 and
(v) special benefits for certain World War II veterans payable under subchapter VIII of this chapter; but
(B) do not include any payment—
(i) by way of reimbursement or otherwise, to defray expenses incurred by the individual in carrying out duties associated with the employment of the individual;
(ii) as allowances for members of the uniformed services payable pursuant to
(iii) of periodic benefits under title 38, except as provided in subparagraph (A)(ii)(V).
(2) Certain amounts excluded
In determining the amount of any moneys due from, or payable by, the United States to any individual, there shall be excluded amounts which—
(A) are owed by the individual to the United States;
(B) are required by law to be, and are, deducted from the remuneration or other payment involved, including Federal employment taxes, and fines and forfeitures ordered by court-martial;
(C) are properly withheld for Federal, State, or local income tax purposes, if the withholding of the amounts is authorized or required by law and if amounts withheld are not greater than would be the case if the individual claimed all dependents to which he was entitled (the withholding of additional amounts pursuant to section 3402(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 may be permitted only when the individual presents evidence of a tax obligation which supports the additional withholding);
(D) are deducted as health insurance premiums;
(E) are deducted as normal retirement contributions (not including amounts deducted for supplementary coverage); or
(F) are deducted as normal life insurance premiums from salary or other remuneration for employment (not including amounts deducted for supplementary coverage).
(i) Definitions
For purposes of this section—
(1) United States
The term "United States" includes any department, agency, or instrumentality of the legislative, judicial, or executive branch of the Federal Government, the United States Postal Service, the Postal Regulatory Commission, any Federal corporation created by an Act of Congress that is wholly owned by the Federal Government, and the governments of the territories and possessions of the United States.
(2) Child support
The term "child support", when used in reference to the legal obligations of an individual to provide such support, means amounts required to be paid under a judgment, decree, or order, whether temporary, final, or subject to modification, issued by a court or an administrative agency of competent jurisdiction, for the support and maintenance of a child, including a child who has attained the age of majority under the law of the issuing State, or a child and the parent with whom the child is living, which provides for monetary support, health care, arrearages or reimbursement, and which may include other related costs and fees, interest and penalties, income withholding, attorney's fees, and other relief.
(3) Alimony
(A) In general
The term "alimony", when used in reference to the legal obligations of an individual to provide the same, means periodic payments of funds for the support and maintenance of the spouse (or former spouse) of the individual, and (subject to and in accordance with State law) includes separate maintenance, alimony pendente lite, maintenance, and spousal support, and includes attorney's fees, interest, and court costs when and to the extent that the same are expressly made recoverable as such pursuant to a decree, order, or judgment issued in accordance with applicable State law by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(B) Exceptions
Such term does not include—
(i) any child support; or
(ii) any payment or transfer of property or its value by an individual to the spouse or a former spouse of the individual in compliance with any community property settlement, equitable distribution of property, or other division of property between spouses or former spouses.
(4) Private person
The term "private person" means a person who does not have sovereign or other special immunity or privilege which causes the person not to be subject to legal process.
(5) Legal process
The term "legal process" means any writ, order, summons, or other similar process in the nature of garnishment—
(A) which is issued by—
(i) a court or an administrative agency of competent jurisdiction in any State, territory, or possession of the United States;
(ii) a court or an administrative agency of competent jurisdiction in any foreign country with which the United States has entered into an agreement which requires the United States to honor the process; or
(iii) an authorized official pursuant to an order of such a court or an administrative agency of competent jurisdiction or pursuant to State or local law; and
(B) which is directed to, and the purpose of which is to compel, a governmental entity which holds moneys which are otherwise payable to an individual to make a payment from the moneys to another party in order to satisfy a legal obligation of the individual to provide child support or make alimony payments.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §459, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (h)(2)(C), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (i)(1).
1999—Subsec. (h)(1)(A)(v).
1997—Subsec. (c)(2)(C).
Subsec. (h)(1).
Subsec. (h)(1)(A)(i).
Subsec. (h)(1)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (h)(1)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (h)(1)(B)(iii).
1996—
1983—Subsec. (a).
1977—Subsec. (a).
Subsecs. (b) to (f).
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Section 362(d) of
For provisions relating to effective date of title III of
Executive Order No. 11881
Ex. Ord. No. 11881, Oct. 3, 1975, 40 F.R. 46291, which related to the delegation of authority to issue regulations for the implementation of the provisions of this section, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12105, Dec. 19, 1978, 43 F.R. 59465, set out as a note below.
Ex. Ord. No. 12105. Delegation of Authority To Promulgate Regulations
Ex. Ord. No. 12105, Dec. 19, 1978, 43 F.R. 59465, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 12107, Dec. 28, 1978, 44 F.R. 1055, provided:
By virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 461(a)(1) of the Social Security Act, as added by Section 501(c) of the Tax Reduction and Simplification Act of 1977 (
1–1. Delegation of Authority
1–101. The Office of Personnel Management, in consultation with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Defense with respect to members of the armed forces, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia with respect to employees of the Government thereof, is authorized to promulgate regulations for the uniform implementation of Section 459 of the Social Security Act, as amended (
1–102. The regulations promulgated by the Office of Personnel Management pursuant to this Order shall:
(a) Be applicable to the Executive branch of the Government as defined in Section 461(a)(1) of the Act (
(b) Require the appropriate officials of the Executive branch of the Government to take the actions prescribed by Sections 461(b)(1), 461(b)(3)(A) and 461(c) of the Act (
(c) Require the appropriate officials of the Executive branch of the Government to issue such rules, regulations and directives as are necessary to implement the regulations of the Office of Personnel Management.
1–2. Revocations
1–201. Executive Order No. 11881 of October 3, 1975 is revoked.
1–202. All regulations, directives, or actions taken by the Office of Personnel Management pursuant to Executive Order No. 11881 of October 3, 1975 shall remain in effect until modified, superseded or revoked by the Office of Personnel Management pursuant to this Order.
Jimmy Carter.
Ex. Ord. No. 12953. Actions Required of all Executive Agencies To Facilitate Payment of Child Support
Ex. Ord. No. 12953, Feb. 27, 1995, 60 F.R. 11013, provided:
Children need and deserve the emotional and financial support of both their parents.
The Federal Government requires States and, through them, public and private employers to take actions necessary to ensure that monies in payment of child support obligations are withheld and transferred to the child's caretaker in an efficient and expeditious manner.
The Federal Government, through its civilian employees and Uniformed Services members, is the Nation's largest single employer and as such should set an example of leadership and encouragement in ensuring that all children are properly supported.
NOW, THEREFORE, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including
PART I—PURPOSE
(b) Requires all Federal agencies, including the Uniformed Services, to cooperate fully in efforts to establish paternity and child support orders and to enforce the collection of child and medical support in all situations where such actions may be required.
(c) Requires each Federal agency, including the Uniformed Services, to provide information to its employees and members about actions that they should take and services that are available to ensure that their children are provided the support to which they are legally entitled.
PART 2—DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this order:
PART 3—IMMEDIATE ACTIONS TO ENSURE CHILDREN ARE SUPPORTED BY THEIR PARENTS
(b) Beginning no later than July 1, 1995, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) shall publish annually in the Federal Register the list of agents (and their addresses) designated to receive service of withholding notices for Federal employees.
(b) All Federal agencies shall inform current and prospective employees that crossmatches are routinely made between Federal personnel records and State records on individuals who owe child support, and inform employees how to initiate voluntary wage withholding requests.
PART 4—ADDITIONAL ACTIONS
(b) Within 180 days of the date of this order, DOD shall submit to OMB a report based on this review. The report shall recommend additional policy, regulatory and legislative changes that would improve and enhance the Federal Government's commitment to ensuring parental support for all children.
(i) any changes that would be needed to ensure that Federal employees comply with child support orders that require them to provide health insurance coverage for their children;
(ii) changes needed to ensure that more accurate and up-to-date data about civilian and uniformed personnel who are being sought in conjunction with State paternity or child support actions can be obtained from Federal agencies and their payroll and personnel records, to improve efforts to locate noncustodial parents and their income and assets;
(iii) changes needed for selecting Federal agencies to test and evaluate new approaches to the establishment and enforcement of child support obligations;
(iv) proposals to improve service of process for civilian employees and members of the Uniformed Services stationed outside the United States, including the possibility of serving process by certified mail in establishment and enforcement cases or of designating an agent for service of process that would have the same effect and bind employees to the same extent as actual service upon the employees;
(v) strategies to facilitate compliance with Federal and State child support requirements by quasi-governmental agencies, advisory groups, and commissions; and
(vi) analysis of whether compliance with support orders should be a factor used in defining suitability for Federal employment.
(b) The recommendations are due within 180 days of the date of this order. The recommendations are to be submitted in writing to the Office of Management and Budget.
This order is not intended to require any action that would compromise the defense or national security interest of the United States.
William J. Clinton.
1 So in original. The comma probably should be a semicolon.
§659a. International support enforcement
(a) Authority for declarations
(1) Declaration
The Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, is authorized to declare any foreign country (or a political subdivision thereof) to be a foreign reciprocating country if the foreign country has established, or undertakes to establish, procedures for the establishment and enforcement of duties of support owed to obligees who are residents of the United States, and such procedures are substantially in conformity with the standards prescribed under subsection (b) of this section.
(2) Revocation
A declaration with respect to a foreign country made pursuant to paragraph (1) may be revoked if the Secretaries of State and Health and Human Services determine that—
(A) the procedures established by the foreign country regarding the establishment and enforcement of duties of support have been so changed, or the foreign country's implementation of such procedures is so unsatisfactory, that such procedures do not meet the criteria for such a declaration; or
(B) continued operation of the declaration is not consistent with the purposes of this part.
(3) Form of declaration
A declaration under paragraph (1) may be made in the form of an international agreement, in connection with an international agreement or corresponding foreign declaration, or on a unilateral basis.
(b) Standards for foreign support enforcement procedures
(1) Mandatory elements
Support enforcement procedures of a foreign country which may be the subject of a declaration pursuant to subsection (a)(1) of this section shall include the following elements:
(A) The foreign country (or political subdivision thereof) has in effect procedures, available to residents of the United States—
(i) for establishment of paternity, and for establishment of orders of support for children and custodial parents; and
(ii) for enforcement of orders to provide support to children and custodial parents, including procedures for collection and appropriate distribution of support payments under such orders.
(B) The procedures described in subparagraph (A), including legal and administrative assistance, are provided to residents of the United States at no cost.
(C) An agency of the foreign country is designated as a Central Authority responsible for—
(i) facilitating support enforcement in cases involving residents of the foreign country and residents of the United States; and
(ii) ensuring compliance with the standards established pursuant to this subsection.
(2) Additional elements
The Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of State, in consultation with the States, may establish such additional standards as may be considered necessary to further the purposes of this section.
(c) Designation of United States Central Authority
It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to facilitate support enforcement in cases involving residents of the United States and residents of foreign countries that are the subject of a declaration under this section, by activities including—
(1) development of uniform forms and procedures for use in such cases;
(2) notification of foreign reciprocating countries of the State of residence of individuals sought for support enforcement purposes, on the basis of information provided by the Federal Parent Locator Service; and
(3) such other oversight, assistance, and coordination activities as the Secretary may find necessary and appropriate.
(d) Effect on other laws
States may enter into reciprocal arrangements for the establishment and enforcement of support obligations with foreign countries that are not the subject of a declaration pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, to the extent consistent with Federal law.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §459A, as added
Effective Date
For effective date of section, see section 395(a)–(c) of
§660. Civil action to enforce child support obligations; jurisdiction of district courts
The district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction, without regard to any amount in controversy, to hear and determine any civil action certified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §460, as added
Amendments
1984—
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
§§661, 662. Repealed. Pub. L. 104–193, title III, §362(b)(1), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2246
Section 661, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §461, as added May 23, 1977,
Section 662, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §462, as added May 23, 1977,
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective 6 months after Aug. 22, 1996, see section 362(d) of
For provisions relating to effective date of title III of
§663. Use of Federal Parent Locator Service in connection with enforcement or determination of child custody in cases of parental kidnaping of child
(a) Agreements with States for use of Federal Parent Locator Service
The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with every State under which the services of the Federal Parent Locator Service established under
(1) enforcing any State or Federal law with respect to the unlawful taking or restraint of a child; or
(2) making or enforcing a child custody or visitation determination.
(b) Requests from authorized persons for information
An agreement entered into under subsection (a) of this section shall provide that the State agency described in
(1) enforcing any State or Federal law with respect to the unlawful taking or restraint of a child; or
(2) making or enforcing a child custody or visitation determination.
(c) Information which may be disclosed
Information authorized to be provided by the Secretary under subsection (a), (b), (e), or (f) of this section shall be subject to the same conditions with respect to disclosure as information authorized to be provided under
(d) "Custody or visitation determination" and "authorized person" defined
For purposes of this section—
(1) the term "custody or visitation determination" means a judgment, decree, or other order of a court providing for the custody or visitation of a child, and includes permanent and temporary orders, and initial orders and modification;
(2) the term "authorized person" means—
(A) any agent or attorney of any State having an agreement under this section, who has the duty or authority under the law of such State to enforce a child custody or visitation determination;
(B) any court having jurisdiction to make or enforce such a child custody or visitation determination, or any agent of such court; and
(C) any agent or attorney of the United States, or of a State having an agreement under this section, who has the duty or authority to investigate, enforce, or bring a prosecution with respect to the unlawful taking or restraint of a child.
(e) Agreement on use of Federal Parent Locator Service with United States Central Authority under Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction
The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the Central Authority designated by the President in accordance with
(f) Agreement to assist in locating missing children under Federal Parent Locator Service
The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the Attorney General of the United States, under which the services of the Federal Parent Locator Service established under
(1) enforcing any State or Federal law with respect to the unlawful taking or restraint of a child, or
(2) making or enforcing a child custody or visitation determination.
The Federal Parent Locator Service shall charge no fees for services requested pursuant to this subsection.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §463, as added
Amendments
1997—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A), (B).
Subsec. (f)(2).
1996—Subsec. (a).
Subsecs. (b), (c).
Subsecs. (e), (f).
1994—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (f).
1988—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (e).
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
For effective date of amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 214(c) of
Effective Date
Section 9(d) of
§664. Collection of past-due support from Federal tax refunds
(a) Procedures applicable; distribution
(1) Upon receiving notice from a State agency administering a plan approved under this part that a named individual owes past-due support which has been assigned to such State pursuant to section 608(a)(3) or
(2)(A) Upon receiving notice from a State agency administering a plan approved under this part that a named individual owes past-due support which such State has agreed to collect under
(B) This paragraph shall apply only with respect to refunds payable under section 6402 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 after December 31, 1985.
(3)(A) Prior to notifying the Secretary of the Treasury under paragraph (1) or (2) that an individual owes past-due support, the State shall send notice to such individual that a withholding will be made from any refund otherwise payable to such individual. The notice shall also (i) instruct the individual owing the past-due support of the steps which may be taken to contest the State's determination that past-due support is owed or the amount of the past-due support, and (ii) provide information, as may be prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services by regulation in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, with respect to procedures to be followed, in the case of a joint return, to protect the share of the refund which may be payable to another person.
(B) If the Secretary of the Treasury determines that an amount should be withheld under paragraph (1) or (2), and that the refund from which it should be withheld is based upon a joint return, the Secretary of the Treasury shall notify the State that the withholding is being made from a refund based upon a joint return, and shall furnish to the State the names and addresses of each taxpayer filing such joint return. In the case of a withholding under paragraph (2), the State may delay distribution of the amount withheld until the State has been notified by the Secretary of the Treasury that the other person filing the joint return has received his or her proper share of the refund, but such delay may not exceed six months.
(C) If the other person filing the joint return with the named individual owing the past-due support takes appropriate action to secure his or her proper share of a refund from which a withholding was made under paragraph (1) or (2), the Secretary of the Treasury shall pay such share to such other person. The Secretary of the Treasury shall deduct the amount of such payment from amounts subsequently payable to the State agency to which the amount originally withheld from such refund was paid.
(D) In any case in which an amount was withheld under paragraph (1) or (2) and paid to a State, and the State subsequently determines that the amount certified as past-due support was in excess of the amount actually owed at the time the amount withheld is to be distributed to or on behalf of the child, the State shall pay the excess amount withheld to the named individual thought to have owed the past-due support (or, in the case of amounts withheld on the basis of a joint return, jointly to the parties filing such return).
(b) Regulations; contents, etc.
(1) The Secretary of the Treasury shall issue regulations, approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, prescribing the time or times at which States must submit notices of past-due support, the manner in which such notices must be submitted, and the necessary information that must be contained in or accompany the notices. The regulations shall be consistent with the provisions of subsection (a)(3) of this section, shall specify the minimum amount of past-due support to which the offset procedure established by subsection (a) of this section may be applied, and the fee that a State must pay to reimburse the Secretary of the Treasury for the full cost of applying the offset procedure, and shall provide that the Secretary of the Treasury will advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services, not less frequently than annually, of the States which have furnished notices of past-due support under subsection (a) of this section, the number of cases in each State with respect to which such notices have been furnished, the amount of support sought to be collected under this subsection by each State, and the amount of such collections actually made in the case of each State. Any fee paid to the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to this subsection may be used to reimburse appropriations which bore all or part of the cost of applying such procedure.
(2) In the case of withholdings made under subsection (a)(2) of this section, the regulations promulgated pursuant to this subsection shall include the following requirements:
(A) The withholding shall apply only in the case where the State determines that the amount of the past-due support which will be owed at the time the withholding is to be made, based upon the pattern of payment of support and other enforcement actions being pursued to collect the past-due support, is equal to or greater than $500. The State may limit the $500 threshold amount to amounts of past-due support accrued since the time that the State first began to enforce the child support order involved under the State plan, and may limit the application of the withholding to past-due support accrued since such time.
(B) The fee which the Secretary of the Treasury may impose to cover the costs of the withholding and notification may not exceed $25 per case submitted.
(c) "Past-due support" defined
In this part the term "past-due support" means the amount of a delinquency, determined under a court order, or an order of an administrative process established under State law, for support and maintenance of a child (whether or not a minor), or of a child (whether or not a minor) and the parent with whom the child is living.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §464, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (c).
1997—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
1996—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
1990—Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
1986—Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
1984—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 5513(a)(4) of
Amendment by sections 5531(b) and 5532(i)(1) of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
For provisions relating to effective date of title III of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 5011(c) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 11(d) of
Amendment by section 21(a)–(c) of
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1981, except as otherwise specifically provided, see section 2336 of
§665. Allotments from pay for child and spousal support owed by members of uniformed services on active duty
(a) Mandatory allotment; notice upon failure to make; amount of allotment; adjustment or discontinuance; consultation
(1) In any case in which child support payments or child and spousal support payments are owed by a member of one of the uniformed services (as defined in
(2) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subsection, no action shall be taken to require an allotment from the pay and allowances of any member of one of the uniformed services under such provisions (A) until such member has had a consultation with a judge advocate of the service involved (as defined in
(b) "Authorized person" defined
For purposes of this section the term "authorized person" with respect to any member of the uniformed services means—
(1) any agent or attorney of a State having in effect a plan approved under this part who has the duty or authority under such plan to seek to recover any amounts owed by such member as child or child and spousal support (including, when authorized under the State plan, any official of a political subdivision); and
(2) the court which has authority to issue an order against such member for the support and maintenance of a child, or any agent of such court.
(c) Regulations
The Secretary of Defense, in the case of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, and the Secretary concerned (as defined in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §465, as added
References in Text
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (a)(2).
Effective Date
Section 172(b) of
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see
1 So in original. Probably should be "section".
2 See References in Text note below.
§666. Requirement of statutorily prescribed procedures to improve effectiveness of child support enforcement
(a) Types of procedures required
In order to satisfy
(1)(A) Procedures described in subsection (b) of this section for the withholding from income of amounts payable as support in cases subject to enforcement under the State plan.
(B) Procedures under which the income of a person with a support obligation imposed by a support order issued (or modified) in the State before January 1, 1994, if not otherwise subject to withholding under subsection (b) of this section, shall become subject to withholding as provided in subsection (b) of this section if arrearages occur, without the need for a judicial or administrative hearing.
(2) Expedited administrative and judicial procedures (including the procedures specified in subsection (c) of this section) for establishing paternity and for establishing, modifying, and enforcing support obligations. The Secretary may waive the provisions of this paragraph with respect to one or more political subdivisions within the State on the basis of the effectiveness and timeliness of support order issuance and enforcement or paternity establishment within the political subdivision (in accordance with the general rule for exemptions under subsection (d) of this section).
(3) Procedures under which the State child support enforcement agency shall request, and the State shall provide, that for the purpose of enforcing a support order under any State plan approved under this part—
(A) any refund of State income tax which would otherwise be payable to a noncustodial parent will be reduced, after notice has been sent to that noncustodial parent of the proposed reduction and the procedures to be followed to contest it (and after full compliance with all procedural due process requirements of the State), by the amount of any overdue support owed by such noncustodial parent;
(B) the amount by which such refund is reduced shall be distributed in accordance with
(C) notice of the noncustodial parent's social security account number (or numbers, if he has more than one such number) and home address shall be furnished to the State agency requesting the refund offset, and to the State agency enforcing the order.
(4)
(A) liens arise by operation of law against real and personal property for amounts of overdue support owed by a noncustodial parent who resides or owns property in the State; and
(B) the State accords full faith and credit to liens described in subparagraph (A) arising in another State, when the State agency, party, or other entity seeking to enforce such a lien complies with the procedural rules relating to recording or serving liens that arise within the State, except that such rules may not require judicial notice or hearing prior to the enforcement of such a lien.
(5)
(A)
(i) Procedures which permit the establishment of the paternity of a child at any time before the child attains 18 years of age.
(ii) As of August 16, 1984, clause (i) shall also apply to a child for whom paternity has not been established or for whom a paternity action was brought but dismissed because a statute of limitations of less than 18 years was then in effect in the State.
(B)
(i)
(I) alleging paternity, and setting forth facts establishing a reasonable possibility of the requisite sexual contact between the parties; or
(II) denying paternity, and setting forth facts establishing a reasonable possibility of the nonexistence of sexual contact between the parties.
(ii)
(I) to pay costs of such tests, subject to recoupment (if the State so elects) from the alleged father if paternity is established; and
(II) to obtain additional testing in any case if an original test result is contested, upon request and advance payment by the contestant.
(C)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(I)
(II)
(aa)
(bb)
(iv)
(D)
(i)
(I) the father and mother have signed a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity; or
(II) a court or an administrative agency of competent jurisdiction has issued an adjudication of paternity.
Nothing in this clause shall preclude a State agency from obtaining an admission of paternity from the father for submission in a judicial or administrative proceeding, or prohibit the issuance of an order in a judicial or administrative proceeding which bases a legal finding of paternity on an admission of paternity by the father and any other additional showing required by State law.
(ii)
(I) 60 days; or
(II) the date of an administrative or judicial proceeding relating to the child (including a proceeding to establish a support order) in which the signatory is a party.
(iii)
(E)
(F)
(i) requiring the admission into evidence, for purposes of establishing paternity, of the results of any genetic test that is—
(I) of a type generally acknowledged as reliable by accreditation bodies designated by the Secretary; and
(II) performed by a laboratory approved by such an accreditation body;
(ii) requiring an objection to genetic testing results to be made in writing not later than a specified number of days before any hearing at which the results may be introduced into evidence (or, at State option, not later than a specified number of days after receipt of the results); and
(iii) making the test results admissible as evidence of paternity without the need for foundation testimony or other proof of authenticity or accuracy, unless objection is made.
(G)
(H)
(I)
(J)
(K)
(L)
(M)
(6) Procedures which require that a noncustodial parent give security, post a bond, or give some other guarantee to secure payment of overdue support, after notice has been sent to such noncustodial parent of the proposed action and of the procedures to be followed to contest it (and after full compliance with all procedural due process requirements of the State).
(7)
(A)
(B)
(i) only after such parent has been afforded all due process required under State law, including notice and a reasonable opportunity to contest the accuracy of such information; and
(ii) only to an entity that has furnished evidence satisfactory to the State that the entity is a consumer reporting agency (as so defined).
(8)(A) Procedures under which all child support orders not described in subparagraph (B) will include provision for withholding from income, in order to assure that withholding as a means of collecting child support is available if arrearages occur without the necessity of filing application for services under this part.
(B) Procedures under which all child support orders which are initially issued in the State on or after January 1, 1994, and are not being enforced under this part will include the following requirements:
(i) The income of a noncustodial parent shall be subject to withholding, regardless of whether support payments by such parent are in arrears, on the effective date of the order; except that such income shall not be subject to withholding under this clause in any case where (I) one of the parties demonstrates, and the court (or administrative process) finds, that there is good cause not to require immediate income withholding, or (II) a written agreement is reached between both parties which provides for an alternative arrangement.
(ii) The requirements of subsection (b)(1) of this section (which shall apply in the case of each noncustodial parent against whom a support order is or has been issued or modified in the State, without regard to whether the order is being enforced under the State plan).
(iii) The requirements of paragraphs (2), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), and (10) of subsection (b) of this section, where applicable.
(iv) Withholding from income of amounts payable as support must be carried out in full compliance with all procedural due process requirements of the State.
(9) Procedures which require that any payment or installment of support under any child support order, whether ordered through the State judicial system or through the expedited processes required by paragraph (2), is (on and after the date it is due)—
(A) a judgment by operation of law, with the full force, effect, and attributes of a judgment of the State, including the ability to be enforced,
(B) entitled as a judgment to full faith and credit in such State and in any other State, and
(C) not subject to retroactive modification by such State or by any other State;
except that such procedures may permit modification with respect to any period during which there is pending a petition for modification, but only from the date that notice of such petition has been given, either directly or through the appropriate agent, to the obligee or (where the obligee is the petitioner) to the obligor.
(10)
(A) 3-
(i)
(I) review and, if appropriate, adjust the order in accordance with the guidelines established pursuant to
(II) apply a cost-of-living adjustment to the order in accordance with a formula developed by the State; or
(III) use automated methods (including automated comparisons with wage or State income tax data) to identify orders eligible for review, conduct the review, identify orders eligible for adjustment, and apply the appropriate adjustment to the orders eligible for adjustment under any threshold that may be established by the State.
(ii)
(iii)
(B)
(C)
(11) Procedures under which a State must give full faith and credit to a determination of paternity made by any other State, whether established through voluntary acknowledgment or through administrative or judicial processes.
(12)
(13)
(A) any applicant for a professional license, driver's license, occupational license, recreational license, or marriage license be recorded on the application;
(B) any individual who is subject to a divorce decree, support order, or paternity determination or acknowledgment be placed in the records relating to the matter; and
(C) any individual who has died be placed in the records relating to the death and be recorded on the death certificate.
For purposes of subparagraph (A), if a State allows the use of a number other than the social security number to be used on the face of the document while the social security number is kept on file at the agency, the State shall so advise any applicants.
(14)
(A)
(i) the State shall use high-volume automated administrative enforcement, to the same extent as used for intrastate cases, in response to a request made by another State to enforce support orders, and shall promptly report the results of such enforcement procedure to the requesting State;
(ii) the State may, by electronic or other means, transmit to another State a request for assistance in enforcing support orders through high-volume, automated administrative enforcement, which request—
(I) shall include such information as will enable the State to which the request is transmitted to compare the information about the cases to the information in the data bases of the State; and
(II) shall constitute a certification by the requesting State—
(aa) of the amount of support under an order the payment of which is in arrears; and
(bb) that the requesting State has complied with all procedural due process requirements applicable to each case;
(iii) if the State provides assistance to another State pursuant to this paragraph with respect to a case, neither State shall consider the case to be transferred to the caseload of such other State (but the assisting State may establish a corresponding case based on such other State's request for assistance); and
(iv) the State shall maintain records of—
(I) the number of such requests for assistance received by the State;
(II) the number of cases for which the State collected support in response to such a request; and
(III) the amount of such collected support.
(B)
(15)
(A) pay such support in accordance with a plan approved by the court, or, at the option of the State, a plan approved by the State agency administering the State program under this part; or
(B) if the individual is subject to such a plan and is not incapacitated, participate in such work activities (as defined in
(16)
(17)
(A)
(i) to develop and operate, in coordination with such financial institutions, and the Federal Parent Locator Service in the case of financial institutions doing business in two or more States, a data match system, using automated data exchanges to the maximum extent feasible, in which each such financial institution is required to provide for each calendar quarter the name, record address, social security number or other taxpayer identification number, and other identifying information for each noncustodial parent who maintains an account at such institution and who owes past-due support, as identified by the State by name and social security number or other taxpayer identification number; and
(ii) in response to a notice of lien or levy, encumber or surrender, as the case may be, assets held by such institution on behalf of any noncustodial parent who is subject to a child support lien pursuant to paragraph (4).
(B)
(C)
(i) for any disclosure of information to the State agency under subparagraph (A)(i);
(ii) for encumbering or surrendering any assets held by such financial institution in response to a notice of lien or levy issued by the State agency as provided for in subparagraph (A)(ii); or
(iii) for any other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of subparagraph (A).
(D)
(i)
(ii)
(18)
(19)
(A) effective as provided in section 401(c)(3) of the Child Support Performance and Incentive Act of 1998, all child support orders enforced pursuant to this part shall include a provision for medical support for the child to be provided by either or both parents, and shall be enforced, where appropriate, through the use of the National Medical Support Notice promulgated pursuant to section 401(b) of the Child Support Performance and Incentive Act of 1998 (and referred to in section 609(a)(5)(C) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [
(B) unless alternative coverage is allowed for in any order of the court (or other entity issuing the child support order), in any case in which a parent is required under the child support order to provide such health care coverage and the employer of such parent is known to the State agency—
(i) the State agency uses the National Medical Support Notice to transfer notice of the provision for the health care coverage of the child to the employer;
(ii) within 20 business days after the date of the National Medical Support Notice, the employer is required to transfer the Notice, excluding the severable employer withholding notice described in section 401(b)(2)(C) of the Child Support Performance and Incentive Act of 1998, to the appropriate plan providing any such health care coverage for which the child is eligible;
(iii) in any case in which the parent is a newly hired employee entered in the State Directory of New Hires pursuant to
(iv) in any case in which the employment of the parent with any employer who has received a National Medical Support Notice is terminated, such employer is required to notify the State agency of such termination; and
(C) any liability of the obligated parent to such plan for employee contributions which are required under such plan for enrollment of the child is effectively subject to appropriate enforcement, unless the obligated parent contests such enforcement based on a mistake of fact.
Notwithstanding
(b) Withholding from income of amounts payable as support
The procedures referred to in subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section (relating to the withholding from income of amounts payable as support) must provide for the following:
(1) In the case of each noncustodial parent against whom a support order is or has been issued or modified in the State, and is being enforced under the State plan, so much of such parent's income must be withheld, in accordance with the succeeding provisions of this subsection, as is necessary to comply with the order and provide for the payment of any fee to the employer which may be required under paragraph (6)(A), up to the maximum amount permitted under
(2) Such withholding must be provided without the necessity of any application therefor in the case of a child (whether or not eligible for assistance under a State program funded under part A of this subchapter) with respect to whom services are already being provided under the State plan under this part, and must be provided in accordance with this subsection on the basis of an application for services under the State plan in the case of any other child in whose behalf a support order has been issued or modified in the State. In either case such withholding must occur without the need for any amendment to the support order involved or for any further action (other than those actions required under this part) by the court or other entity which issued such order.
(3)(A) The income of a noncustodial parent shall be subject to such withholding, regardless of whether support payments by such parent are in arrears, in the case of a support order being enforced under this part that is issued or modified on or after the first day of the 25th month beginning after October 13, 1988, on the effective date of the order; except that such income shall not be subject to such withholding under this subparagraph in any case where (i) one of the parties demonstrates, and the court (or administrative process) finds, that there is good cause not to require immediate income withholding, or (ii) a written agreement is reached between both parties which provides for an alternative arrangement.
(B) The income of a noncustodial parent shall become subject to such withholding, in the case of income not subject to withholding under subparagraph (A), on the date on which the payments which the noncustodial parent has failed to make under a support order are at least equal to the support payable for one month or, if earlier, and without regard to whether there is an arrearage, the earliest of—
(i) the date as of which the noncustodial parent requests that such withholding begin,
(ii) the date as of which the custodial parent requests that such withholding begin, if the State determines, in accordance with such procedures and standards as it may establish, that the request should be approved, or
(iii) such earlier date as the State may select.
(4)(A) Such withholding must be carried out in full compliance with all procedural due process requirements of the State, and the State must send notice to each noncustodial parent to whom paragraph (1) applies—
(i) that the withholding has commenced; and
(ii) of the procedures to follow if the noncustodial parent desires to contest such withholding on the grounds that the withholding or the amount withheld is improper due to a mistake of fact.
(B) The notice under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall include the information provided to the employer under paragraph (6)(A).
(5) Such withholding must be administered by the State through the State disbursement unit established pursuant to
(6)(A)(i) The employer of any noncustodial parent to whom paragraph (1) applies, upon being given notice as described in clause (ii), must be required to withhold from such noncustodial parent's income the amount specified by such notice (which may include a fee, established by the State, to be paid to the employer unless waived by such employer) and pay such amount (after deducting and retaining any portion thereof which represents the fee so established) to the State disbursement unit within 7 business days after the date the amount would (but for this subsection) have been paid or credited to the employee, for distribution in accordance with this part. The employer shall withhold funds as directed in the notice, except that when an employer receives an income withholding order issued by another State, the employer shall apply the income withholding law of the State of the obligor's principal place of employment in determining—
(I) the employer's fee for processing an income withholding order;
(II) the maximum amount permitted to be withheld from the obligor's income;
(III) the time periods within which the employer must implement the income withholding order and forward the child support payment;
(IV) the priorities for withholding and allocating income withheld for multiple child support obligees; and
(V) any withholding terms or conditions not specified in the order.
An employer who complies with an income withholding notice that is regular on its face shall not be subject to civil liability to any individual or agency for conduct in compliance with the notice.
(ii) The notice given to the employer shall be in a standard format prescribed by the Secretary, and contain only such information as may be necessary for the employer to comply with the withholding order.
(iii) As used in this subparagraph, the term "business day" means a day on which State offices are open for regular business.
(B) Methods must be established by the State to simplify the withholding process for employers to the greatest extent possible, including permitting any employer to combine all withheld amounts into a single payment to each appropriate agency or entity (with the portion thereof which is attributable to each individual employee being separately designated).
(C) The employer must be held liable to the State for any amount which such employer fails to withhold from income due an employee following receipt by such employer of proper notice under subparagraph (A), but such employer shall not be required to vary the normal pay and disbursement cycles in order to comply with this paragraph.
(D) Provision must be made for the imposition of a fine against any employer who—
(i) discharges from employment, refuses to employ, or takes disciplinary action against any noncustodial parent subject to income withholding required by this subsection because of the existence of such withholding and the obligations or additional obligations which it imposes upon the employer; or
(ii) fails to withhold support from income or to pay such amounts to the State disbursement unit in accordance with this subsection.
(7) Support collection under this subsection must be given priority over any other legal process under State law against the same income.
(8) For purposes of subsection (a) of this section and this subsection, the term "income" means any periodic form of payment due to an individual, regardless of source, including wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, worker's compensation, disability, payments pursuant to a pension or retirement program, and interest.
(9) The State must extend its withholding system under this subsection so that such system will include withholding from income derived within such State in cases where the applicable support orders were issued in other States, in order to assure that child support owed by noncustodial parents in such State or any other State will be collected without regard to the residence of the child for whom the support is payable or of such child's custodial parent.
(10) Provision must be made for terminating withholding.
(11) Procedures under which the agency administering the State plan approved under this part may execute a withholding order without advance notice to the obligor, including issuing the withholding order through electronic means.
(c) Expedited procedures
The procedures specified in this subsection are the following:
(1) Administrative action by State agency
Procedures which give the State agency the authority to take the following actions relating to establishment of paternity or to establishment, modification, or enforcement of support orders, without the necessity of obtaining an order from any other judicial or administrative tribunal, and to recognize and enforce the authority of State agencies of other States to take the following actions:
(A) Genetic testing
To order genetic testing for the purpose of paternity establishment as provided in subsection (a)(5) of this section.
(B) Financial or other information
To subpoena any financial or other information needed to establish, modify, or enforce a support order, and to impose penalties for failure to respond to such a subpoena.
(C) Response to State agency request
To require all entities in the State (including for-profit, nonprofit, and governmental employers) to provide promptly, in response to a request by the State agency of that or any other State administering a program under this part, information on the employment, compensation, and benefits of any individual employed by such entity as an employee or contractor, and to sanction failure to respond to any such request.
(D) Access to information contained in certain records
To obtain access, subject to safeguards on privacy and information security, and subject to the nonliability of entities that afford such access under this subparagraph, to information contained in the following records (including automated access, in the case of records maintained in automated data bases):
(i) Records of other State and local government agencies, including—
(I) vital statistics (including records of marriage, birth, and divorce);
(II) State and local tax and revenue records (including information on residence address, employer, income and assets);
(III) records concerning real and titled personal property;
(IV) records of occupational and professional licenses, and records concerning the ownership and control of corporations, partnerships, and other business entities;
(V) employment security records;
(VI) records of agencies administering public assistance programs;
(VII) records of the motor vehicle department; and
(VIII) corrections records.
(ii) Certain records held by private entities with respect to individuals who owe or are owed support (or against or with respect to whom a support obligation is sought), consisting of—
(I) the names and addresses of such individuals and the names and addresses of the employers of such individuals, as appearing in customer records of public utilities and cable television companies, pursuant to an administrative subpoena authorized by subparagraph (B); and
(II) information (including information on assets and liabilities) on such individuals held by financial institutions.
(E) Change in payee
In cases in which support is subject to an assignment in order to comply with a requirement imposed pursuant to part A of this subchapter, part E of this subchapter, or
(F) Income withholding
To order income withholding in accordance with subsections (a)(1)(A) and (b) of this section.
(G) Securing assets
In cases in which there is a support arrearage, to secure assets to satisfy any current support obligation and the arrearage by—
(i) intercepting or seizing periodic or lump-sum payments from—
(I) a State or local agency, including unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, and other benefits; and
(II) judgments, settlements, and lotteries;
(ii) attaching and seizing assets of the obligor held in financial institutions;
(iii) attaching public and private retirement funds; and
(iv) imposing liens in accordance with subsection (a)(4) of this section and, in appropriate cases, to force sale of property and distribution of proceeds.
(H) Increase monthly payments
For the purpose of securing overdue support, to increase the amount of monthly support payments to include amounts for arrearages, subject to such conditions or limitations as the State may provide.
Such procedures shall be subject to due process safeguards, including (as appropriate) requirements for notice, opportunity to contest the action, and opportunity for an appeal on the record to an independent administrative or judicial tribunal.
(2) Substantive and procedural rules
The expedited procedures required under subsection (a)(2) of this section shall include the following rules and authority, applicable with respect to all proceedings to establish paternity or to establish, modify, or enforce support orders:
(A) Locator information; presumptions concerning notice
Procedures under which—
(i) each party to any paternity or child support proceeding is required (subject to privacy safeguards) to file with the State case registry upon entry of an order, and to update as appropriate, information on location and identity of the party, including social security number, residential and mailing addresses, telephone number, driver's license number, and name, address, and telephone number of employer; and
(ii) in any subsequent child support enforcement action between the parties, upon sufficient showing that diligent effort has been made to ascertain the location of such a party, the court or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction shall deem State due process requirements for notice and service of process to be met with respect to the party, upon delivery of written notice to the most recent residential or employer address filed with the State case registry pursuant to clause (i).
(B) Statewide jurisdiction
Procedures under which—
(i) the State agency and any administrative or judicial tribunal with authority to hear child support and paternity cases exerts statewide jurisdiction over the parties; and
(ii) in a State in which orders are issued by courts or administrative tribunals, a case may be transferred between local jurisdictions in the State without need for any additional filing by the petitioner, or service of process upon the respondent, to retain jurisdiction over the parties.
(3) Coordination with ERISA
Notwithstanding subsection (d) of section 514 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [
(d) Exemption of States
If a State demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary, through the presentation to the Secretary of such data pertaining to caseloads, processing times, administrative costs, and average support collections, and such other data or estimates as the Secretary may specify, that the enactment of any law or the use of any procedure or procedures required by or pursuant to this section will not increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the State child support enforcement program, the Secretary may exempt the State, subject to the Secretary's continuing review and to termination of the exemption should circumstances change, from the requirement to enact the law or use the procedure or procedures involved.
(e) "Overdue support" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "overdue support" means the amount of a delinquency pursuant to an obligation determined under a court order, or an order of an administrative process established under State law, for support and maintenance of a minor child which is owed to or on behalf of such child, or for support and maintenance of the noncustodial parent's spouse (or former spouse) with whom the child is living if and to the extent that spousal support (with respect to such spouse or former spouse) would be included for purposes of
(f) Uniform Interstate Family Support Act
In order to satisfy
(g) Laws voiding fraudulent transfers
In order to satisfy
(1)(A) the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act of 1981;
(B) the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act of 1984; or
(C) another law, specifying indicia of fraud which create a prima facie case that a debtor transferred income or property to avoid payment to a child support creditor, which the Secretary finds affords comparable rights to child support creditors; and
(2) procedures under which, in any case in which the State knows of a transfer by a child support debtor with respect to which such a prima facie case is established, the State must—
(A) seek to void such transfer; or
(B) obtain a settlement in the best interests of the child support creditor.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §466, as added
References in Text
Parts A and E of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(10)(A)(i), (15), (18), (b)(2), and (c)(1)(E), are classified to sections 601 et seq. and 670 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Sections 401(b) and 401(c)(3) of the Child Support Performance and Incentive Act of 1998,
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (a)(19)(A), is
Codification
October 13, 1988, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(A), was in the original "the date of enactment of this paragraph", which was translated as meaning the date of enactment of
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(14)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(19)(A).
Subsec. (a)(19)(B).
Subsec. (a)(19)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(19)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(19)(C).
1999—Subsec. (a)(7)(A).
Subsec. (b)(6)(A)(i).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(i).
1998—Subsec. (a)(14)(B).
Subsec. (a)(17)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(19).
1997—Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(3)(B).
Subsec. (a)(5)(C)(i).
Subsec. (a)(13).
Subsec. (a)(13)(A).
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (a)(15).
Subsec. (a)(16).
Subsec. (c)(1)(E).
Subsec. (c)(1)(F).
Subsec. (c)(1)(G).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (f).
1996—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3)(B).
(a)(3)(C).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(8)(A).
Subsec. (a)(8)(B)(i).
Subsec. (a)(8)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (a)(12).
Subsec. (a)(13).
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (a)(15).
Subsec. (a)(16).
Subsec. (a)(17).
Subsec. (a)(18).
Subsec. (a)(19).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(4).
"(A) Such withholding must be carried out in full compliance with all procedural due process requirements of the State, and (subject to subparagraph (B)) the State must send advance notice to each absent parent to whom paragraph (1) applies regarding the proposed withholding and the procedures such absent parent should follow if he or she desires to contest such withholding on the grounds that withholding (including the amount to be withheld) is not proper in the case involved because of mistakes of fact. If the absent parent contests such withholding on those grounds, the State shall determine whether such withholding will actually occur, shall (within no more than 45 days after the provision of such advance notice) inform such parent of whether or not withholding will occur and (if so) of the date on which it is to begin, and shall furnish such parent with the information contained in any notice given to the employer under paragraph (6)(A) with respect to such withholding.
"(B) The requirement of advance notice set forth in the first sentence of subparagraph (A) shall not apply in the case of any State which has a system of income withholding for child support purposes in effect on August 16, 1984, if such system provides on that date, and continues to provide, such procedures as may be necessary to meet the procedural due process requirements of State law."
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (b)(6)(A)(i).
Subsec. (b)(6)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(6)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(6)(C).
Subsec. (b)(6)(D).
Subsec. (b)(7).
Subsec. (b)(8).
Subsec. (b)(9).
Subsec. (b)(11).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
1994—Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(7)(C).
1993—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(5)(C) to (H).
Subsec. (a)(11).
1988—Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(5)(A).
Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (b)(3).
"(A) the date on which the payments which the absent parent has failed to make under such order are at least equal to the support payable for one month,
"(B) the date as of which the absent parent requests that such withholding begin, or
"(C) such earlier date as the State may select."
1986—Subsec. (a)(9).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by sections 7301(g) and 7307(a)(1), (2)(A)(ii) of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Amendment by section 401(c)(1) of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by section 108(c)(14), (15) of
For effective date of amendments by title III of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 212(b) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Section 8105 of
Section 101(d) of
"(1) The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall become effective on the first day of the 25th month beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 1988].
"(2) The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall become effective on January 1, 1994.
"(3) Subsection (c) [set out below] shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this Act."
Section 103(f) of
Amendment by section 111(b) of
Amendment by section 111(e) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 9103(b) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1986].
"(2) In the case of a State with respect to which the Secretary of Health and Human Services has determined that State legislation is required in order to conform the State plan approved under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act [this part] to the requirements imposed by the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section], the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such part solely by reason of its failure to meet the requirements imposed by such amendment prior to the beginning of the fourth month beginning after the end of the first session of the State legislature which ends on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1986]. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term 'session' means a regular, special, budget, or other session of a State legislature."
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1985, except that subsec. (e) effective with respect to support owed for any month beginning after Aug. 16, 1984, see section 3(g) of
Study on Making Immediate Income Withholding Mandatory in All Cases
Section 101(c) of
Study of Impact of Extending Periodic Review Requirements to All Other Cases
Section 103(d) of
Demonstration Projects for Evaluating Model Procedures for Reviewing Child Support Awards
Section 103(e) of
Commission on Interstate Child Support
Section 126 of
§667. State guidelines for child support awards
(a) Establishment of guidelines; method
Each State, as a condition for having its State plan approved under this part, must establish guidelines for child support award amounts within the State. The guidelines may be established by law or by judicial or administrative action, and shall be reviewed at least once every 4 years to ensure that their application results in the determination of appropriate child support award amounts.
(b) Availability of guidelines; rebuttable presumption
(1) The guidelines established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be made available to all judges and other officials who have the power to determine child support awards within such State.
(2) There shall be a rebuttable presumption, in any judicial or administrative proceeding for the award of child support, that the amount of the award which would result from the application of such guidelines is the correct amount of child support to be awarded. A written finding or specific finding on the record that the application of the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate in a particular case, as determined under criteria established by the State, shall be sufficient to rebut the presumption in that case.
(c) Technical assistance to States; State to furnish Secretary with copies
The Secretary shall furnish technical assistance to the States for establishing the guidelines, and each State shall furnish the Secretary with copies of its guidelines.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §467, as added
Amendments
1988—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 18(b) of
Study of Child-Rearing Costs
Section 128 of
§668. Encouragement of States to adopt civil procedure for establishing paternity in contested cases
In the administration of the child support enforcement program under this part, each State is encouraged to establish and implement a civil procedure for establishing paternity in contested cases.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §468, as added
Amendments
1996—
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
For effective date of amendment by
§669. Collection and reporting of child support enforcement data
(a) In general
With respect to each type of service described in subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall collect and maintain up-to-date statistics, by State, and on a fiscal year basis, on—
(1) the number of cases in the caseload of the State agency administering the plan approved under this part in which the service is needed; and
(2) the number of such cases in which the service has actually been provided.
(b) Types of services
The statistics required by subsection (a) of this section shall be separately stated with respect to paternity establishment services and child support obligation establishment services.
(c) Types of service recipients
The statistics required by subsection (a) of this section shall be separately stated with respect to—
(1) recipients of assistance under a State program funded under part A of this subchapter or of payments or services under a State plan approved under part E of this subchapter; and
(2) individuals who are not such recipients.
(d) Rule of interpretation
For purposes of subsection (a)(2) of this section, a service has actually been provided when the task described by the service has been accomplished.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §469, as added
References in Text
Parts A and E of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), are classified to sections 601 et seq. and 670 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Amendments
1998—
1996—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(2), (4).
1988—Subsec. (a).
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by section 108(c)(16) of
For effective date of amendment by section 395(d)(2)(E) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 8105 of
§669a. Nonliability for financial institutions providing financial records to State child support enforcement agencies in child support cases
(a) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal or State law, a financial institution shall not be liable under any Federal or State law to any person for disclosing any financial record of an individual to a State child support enforcement agency attempting to establish, modify, or enforce a child support obligation of such individual, or for disclosing any such record to the Federal Parent Locator Service pursuant to
(b) Prohibition of disclosure of financial record obtained by State child support enforcement agency
A State child support enforcement agency which obtains a financial record of an individual from a financial institution pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may disclose such financial record only for the purpose of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing, modifying, or enforcing a child support obligation of such individual.
(c) Civil damages for unauthorized disclosure
(1) Disclosure by State officer or employee
If any person knowingly, or by reason of negligence, discloses a financial record of an individual in violation of subsection (b) of this section, such individual may bring a civil action for damages against such person in a district court of the United States.
(2) No liability for good faith but erroneous interpretation
No liability shall arise under this subsection with respect to any disclosure which results from a good faith, but erroneous, interpretation of subsection (b) of this section.
(3) Damages
In any action brought under paragraph (1), upon a finding of liability on the part of the defendant, the defendant shall be liable to the plaintiff in an amount equal to the sum of—
(A) the greater of—
(i) $1,000 for each act of unauthorized disclosure of a financial record with respect to which such defendant is found liable; or
(ii) the sum of—
(I) the actual damages sustained by the plaintiff as a result of such unauthorized disclosure; plus
(II) in the case of a willful disclosure or a disclosure which is the result of gross negligence, punitive damages; plus
(B) the costs (including attorney's fees) of the action.
(d) Definitions
For purposes of this section—
(1) Financial institution
The term "financial institution" means—
(A) a depository institution, as defined in
(B) an institution-affiliated party, as defined in
(C) any Federal credit union or State credit union, as defined in
(D) any benefit association, insurance company, safe deposit company, money-market mutual fund, or similar entity authorized to do business in the State.
(2) Financial record
The term "financial record" has the meaning given such term in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §469A, as added
Amendments
1998—Subsec. (a).
Effective Date
For effective date of section, see section 395(a)–(c) of
§669b. Grants to States for access and visitation programs
(a) In general
The Administration for Children and Families shall make grants under this section to enable States to establish and administer programs to support and facilitate noncustodial parents' access to and visitation of their children, by means of activities including mediation (both voluntary and mandatory), counseling, education, development of parenting plans, visitation enforcement (including monitoring, supervision and neutral drop-off and pickup), and development of guidelines for visitation and alternative custody arrangements.
(b) Amount of grant
The amount of the grant to be made to a State under this section for a fiscal year shall be an amount equal to the lesser of—
(1) 90 percent of State expenditures during the fiscal year for activities described in subsection (a) of this section; or
(2) the allotment of the State under subsection (c) of this section for the fiscal year.
(c) Allotments to States
(1) In general
The allotment of a State for a fiscal year is the amount that bears the same ratio to $10,000,000 for grants under this section for the fiscal year as the number of children in the State living with only 1 biological parent bears to the total number of such children in all States.
(2) Minimum allotment
The Administration for Children and Families shall adjust allotments to States under paragraph (1) as necessary to ensure that no State is allotted less than—
(A) $50,000 for fiscal year 1997 or 1998; or
(B) $100,000 for any succeeding fiscal year.
(d) No supplantation of State expenditures for similar activities
A State to which a grant is made under this section may not use the grant to supplant expenditures by the State for activities specified in subsection (a) of this section, but shall use the grant to supplement such expenditures at a level at least equal to the level of such expenditures for fiscal year 1995.
(e) State administration
Each State to which a grant is made under this section—
(1) may administer State programs funded with the grant, directly or through grants to or contracts with courts, local public agencies, or nonprofit private entities;
(2) shall not be required to operate such programs on a statewide basis; and
(3) shall monitor, evaluate, and report on such programs in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §469B, as added
Effective Date
For effective date of section, see section 395(a)–(c) of
Part E—Federal Payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance
§670. Congressional declaration of purpose; authorization of appropriations
For the purpose of enabling each State to provide, in appropriate cases, foster care and transitional independent living programs for children who otherwise would have been eligible for assistance under the State's plan approved under part A of this subchapter (as such plan was in effect on June 1, 1995) and adoption assistance for children with special needs, there are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year (commencing with the fiscal year which begins October 1, 1980) such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this part. The sums made available under this section shall be used for making payments to States which have submitted, and had approved by the Secretary, State plans under this part.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §470, as added
References in Text
Part A of this subchapter, referred to in text, is classified to
Amendments
1996—
1986—
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 1711(d) of
Strengthening Abuse and Neglect Courts
"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
"This Act may be cited as the 'Strengthening Abuse and Neglect Courts Act of 2000'.
"SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
"Congress finds the following:
"(1) Under both Federal and State law, the courts play a crucial and essential role in the Nation's child welfare system and in ensuring safety, stability, and permanence for abused and neglected children under the supervision of that system.
"(2) The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (
"(3) The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 promotes stability and permanence for abused and neglected children by requiring timely decisionmaking in proceedings to determine whether children can safely return to their families or whether they should be moved into safe and stable adoptive homes or other permanent family arrangements outside the foster care system.
"(4) To avoid unnecessary and lengthy stays in the foster care system, the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 specifically requires, among other things, that States move to terminate the parental rights of the parents of those children who have been in foster care for 15 of the last 22 months.
"(5) While essential to protect children and to carry out the general purposes of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, the accelerated timelines for the termination of parental rights and the other requirements imposed under that Act increase the pressure on the Nation's already overburdened abuse and neglect courts.
"(6) The administrative efficiency and effectiveness of the Nation's abuse and neglect courts would be substantially improved by the acquisition and implementation of computerized case-tracking systems to identify and eliminate existing backlogs, to move abuse and neglect caseloads forward in a timely manner, and to move children into safe and stable families. Such systems could also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of such courts in meeting the purposes of the amendments made by, and provisions of, the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997.
"(7) The administrative efficiency and effectiveness of the Nation's abuse and neglect courts would also be improved by the identification and implementation of projects designed to eliminate the backlog of abuse and neglect cases, including the temporary hiring of additional judges, extension of court hours, and other projects designed to reduce existing caseloads.
"(8) The administrative efficiency and effectiveness of the Nation's abuse and neglect courts would be further strengthened by improving the quality and availability of training for judges, court personnel, agency attorneys, guardians ad litem, volunteers who participate in court-appointed special advocate (CASA) programs, and attorneys who represent the children and the parents of children in abuse and neglect proceedings.
"(9) While recognizing that abuse and neglect courts in this country are already committed to the quality administration of justice, the performance of such courts would be even further enhanced by the development of models and educational opportunities that reinforce court projects that have already been developed, including models for case-flow procedures, case management, representation of children, automated interagency interfaces, and 'best practices' standards.
"(10) Judges, magistrates, commissioners, and other judicial officers play a central and vital role in ensuring that proceedings in our Nation's abuse and neglect courts are run efficiently and effectively. The performance of those individuals in such courts can only be further enhanced by training, seminars, and an ongoing opportunity to exchange ideas with their peers.
"(11) Volunteers who participate in court-appointed special advocate (CASA) programs play a vital role as the eyes and ears of abuse and neglect courts in proceedings conducted by, or under the supervision of, such courts and also bring increased public scrutiny of the abuse and neglect court system. The Nation's abuse and neglect courts would benefit from an expansion of this program to currently underserved communities.
"(12) Improved computerized case-tracking systems, comprehensive training, and development of, and education on, model abuse and neglect court systems, particularly with respect to underserved areas, would significantly further the purposes of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 by reducing the average length of an abused and neglected child's stay in foster care, improving the quality of decision-making and court services provided to children and families, and increasing the number of adoptions.
"SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
"In this Act:
"(1)
"(A) that implement part B and part E of title IV of the Social Security Act (
"(B) that determine whether a child was abused or neglected;
"(C) that determine the advisability or appropriateness of placement in a family foster home, group home, or a special residential care facility; or
"(D) that determine any other legal disposition of a child in the abuse and neglect court system.
"(2)
"SEC. 4. GRANTS TO STATE COURTS AND LOCAL COURTS TO AUTOMATE THE DATA COLLECTION AND TRACKING OF PROCEEDINGS IN ABUSE AND NEGLECT COURTS.
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) enabling such courts to develop and implement automated data collection and case-tracking systems for proceedings conducted by, or under the supervision of, an abuse and neglect court;
"(B) encouraging the replication of such systems in abuse and neglect courts in other jurisdictions; and
"(C) requiring the use of such systems to evaluate a court's performance in implementing the requirements of parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act (
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) A description of a proposed plan for the development, implementation, and maintenance of an automated data collection and case-tracking system for proceedings conducted by, or under the supervision of, an abuse and neglect court, including a proposed budget for the plan and a request for a specific funding amount.
"(B) A description of the extent to which such plan and system are able to be replicated in abuse and neglect courts of other jurisdictions that specifies the common case-tracking data elements of the proposed system, including, at a minimum—
"(i) identification of relevant judges, court, and agency personnel;
"(ii) records of all court proceedings with regard to the abuse and neglect case, including all court findings and orders (oral and written); and
"(iii) relevant information about the subject child, including family information and the reason for court supervision.
"(C) In the case of an application submitted by a local court, a description of how the plan to implement the proposed system was developed in consultation with related State courts, particularly with regard to a State court improvement plan funded under section 13712 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (
"(D) In the case of an application that is submitted by a State court, a description of how the proposed system will integrate with a State court improvement plan funded under section 13712 of such Act if there is such a plan in the State.
"(E) After consultation with the State agency responsible for the administration of parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act (
"(i) a description of the coordination of the proposed system with other child welfare data collection systems, including the statewide automated child welfare information system (SACWIS) and the adoption and foster care analysis and reporting system (AFCARS) established pursuant to section 479 of the Social Security Act (
"(ii) an assurance that such coordination will be implemented and maintained.
"(F) Identification of an independent third party that will conduct ongoing evaluations of the feasibility and implementation of the plan and system and a description of the plan for conducting such evaluations.
"(G) A description or identification of a proposed funding source for completion of the plan (if applicable) and maintenance of the system after the conclusion of the period for which the grant is to be awarded.
"(H) An assurance that any contract entered into between the State court or local court and any other entity that is to provide services for the development, implementation, or maintenance of the system under the proposed plan will require the entity to agree to allow for replication of the services provided, the plan, and the system, and to refrain from asserting any proprietary interest in such services for purposes of allowing the plan and system to be replicated in another jurisdiction.
"(I) An assurance that the system established under the plan will provide data that allows for evaluation (at least on an annual basis) of the following information:
"(i) The total number of cases that are filed in the abuse and neglect court.
"(ii) The number of cases assigned to each judge who presides over the abuse and neglect court.
"(iii) The average length of stay of children in foster care.
"(iv) With respect to each child under the jurisdiction of the court—
"(I) the number of episodes of placement in foster care;
"(II) the number of days placed in foster care and the type of placement (foster family home, group home, or special residential care facility);
"(III) the number of days of in-home supervision; and
"(IV) the number of separate foster care placements.
"(v) The number of adoptions, guardianships, or other permanent dispositions finalized.
"(vi) The number of terminations of parental rights.
"(vii) The number of child abuse and neglect proceedings closed that had been pending for 2 or more years.
"(viii) With respect to each proceeding conducted by, or under the supervision of, an abuse and neglect court—
"(I) the timeliness of each stage of the proceeding from initial filing through legal finalization of a permanency plan (for both contested and uncontested hearings);
"(II) the number of adjournments, delays, and continuances occurring during the proceeding, including identification of the party requesting each adjournment, delay, or continuance and the reasons given for the request;
"(III) the number of courts that conduct or supervise the proceeding for the duration of the abuse and neglect case;
"(IV) the number of judges assigned to the proceeding for the duration of the abuse and neglect case; and
"(V) the number of agency attorneys, children's attorneys, parent's attorneys, guardians ad litem, and volunteers participating in a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) program assigned to the proceeding during the duration of the abuse and neglect case.
"(J) A description of how the proposed system will reduce the need for paper files and ensure prompt action so that cases are appropriately listed with national and regional adoption exchanges, and public and private adoption services.
"(K) An assurance that the data collected in accordance with subparagraph (I) will be made available to relevant Federal, State, and local government agencies and to the public.
"(L) An assurance that the proposed system is consistent with other civil and criminal information requirements of the Federal Government.
"(M) An assurance that the proposed system will provide notice of timeframes required under the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (
"(c)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(2)
"(3)
"(A) The extent to which the system proposed in the application may be replicated in other jurisdictions.
"(B) The extent to which the proposed system is consistent with the provisions of, and amendments made by, the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (
"(C) The extent to which the proposed system is feasible and likely to achieve the purposes described in subsection (a)(1).
"(4)
"(d)
"(e)
"(f)
"(1)
"(A) a description of the ongoing results of the independent evaluation of the plan for, and implementation of, the automated data collection and case-tracking system funded under the grant; and
"(B) the information described in subsection (b)(2)(I).
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(g)
"SEC. 5. GRANTS TO REDUCE PENDING BACKLOGS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES TO PROMOTE PERMANENCY FOR ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN.
"(a)
"(1) promoting the permanency goals established in the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (
"(2) enabling such courts to reduce existing backlogs of cases pending in abuse and neglect courts, especially with respect to cases to terminate parental rights and cases in which parental rights to a child have been terminated but an adoption of the child has not yet been finalized.
"(b)
"(1) The barriers to achieving the permanency goals established in the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 that have been identified.
"(2) The size and nature of the backlogs of children awaiting termination of parental rights or finalization of adoption.
"(3) The strategies the State court or local court proposes to use to reduce such backlogs and the plan and timetable for doing so.
"(4) How the grant funds requested will be used to assist the implementation of the strategies described in paragraph (3).
"(c)
"(1) establishing night court sessions for abuse and neglect courts;
"(2) hiring additional judges, magistrates, commissioners, hearing officers, referees, special masters, and other judicial personnel for such courts;
"(3) hiring personnel such as clerks, administrative support staff, case managers, mediators, and attorneys for such courts; or
"(4) extending the operating hours of such courts.
"(d)
"(e)
"(f)
"(1) The barriers to the permanency goals established in the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 that are or have been addressed with grant funds.
"(2) The nature of the backlogs of children that were pursued with grant funds.
"(3) The specific strategies used to reduce such backlogs.
"(4) The progress that has been made in reducing such backlogs, including the number of children in such backlogs—
"(A) whose parental rights have been terminated; and
"(B) whose adoptions have been finalized.
"(5) Any additional information that the Attorney General determines would assist jurisdictions in achieving the permanency goals established in the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997.
"(g)
"SEC. 6. GRANTS TO EXPAND THE COURT-APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE PROGRAM IN UNDERSERVED AREAS.
"(a)
"(1) expanding the recruitment of, and building the capacity of, court-appointed special advocate programs located in the 15 largest urban areas;
"(2) developing regional, multijurisdictional court-appointed special advocate programs serving rural areas; and
"(3) providing training and supervision of volunteers in court-appointed special advocate programs.
"(b)
"(c)
"(d)
Entitlement Funding for State Courts To Assess and Improve Handling of Proceedings Relating to Foster Care and Adoption
Abandoned Infants Assistance
Study of Foster Care and Adoption Assistance Programs; Report to Congress Not Later Than October 1, 1983
Section 101(b) of
§671. State plan for foster care and adoption assistance
(a) Requisite features of State plan
In order for a State to be eligible for payments under this part, it shall have a plan approved by the Secretary which—
(1) provides for foster care maintenance payments in accordance with
(2) provides that the State agency responsible for administering the program authorized by subpart 1 of part B of this subchapter shall administer, or supervise the administration of, the program authorized by this part;
(3) provides that the plan shall be in effect in all political subdivisions of the State, and, if administered by them, be mandatory upon them;
(4) provides that the State shall assure that the programs at the local level assisted under this part will be coordinated with the programs at the State or local level assisted under parts A and B of this subchapter, under division A 1 of subchapter XX of this chapter, and under any other appropriate provision of Federal law;
(5) provides that the State will, in the administration of its programs under this part, use such methods relating to the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards on a merit basis as are found by the Secretary to be necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the programs, except that the Secretary shall exercise no authority with respect to the selection, tenure of office, or compensation of any individual employed in accordance with such methods;
(6) provides that the State agency referred to in paragraph (2) (hereinafter in this part referred to as the "State agency") will make such reports, in such form and containing such information as the Secretary may from time to time require, and comply with such provisions as the Secretary may from time to time find necessary to assure the correctness and verification of such reports;
(7) provides that the State agency will monitor and conduct periodic evaluations of activities carried out under this part;
(8) subject to subsection (c), provides safeguards which restrict the use of or disclosure of information concerning individuals assisted under the State plan to purposes directly connected with (A) the administration of the plan of the State approved under this part, the plan or program of the State under part A, B, or D of this subchapter or under subchapter I, V, X, XIV, XVI (as in effect in Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands), XIX, or XX of this chapter, or the supplemental security income program established by subchapter XVI of this chapter, (B) any investigation, prosecution, or criminal or civil proceeding, conducted in connection with the administration of any such plan or program, (C) the administration of any other Federal or federally assisted program which provides assistance, in cash or in kind, or services, directly to individuals on the basis of need, (D) any audit or similar activity conducted in connection with the administration of any such plan or program by any governmental agency which is authorized by law to conduct such audit or activity, and (E) reporting and providing information pursuant to paragraph (9) to appropriate authorities with respect to known or suspected child abuse or neglect; and the safeguards so provided shall prohibit disclosure, to any committee or legislative body (other than an agency referred to in clause (D) with respect to an activity referred to in such clause), of any information which identifies by name or address any such applicant or recipient; except that nothing contained herein shall preclude a State from providing standards which restrict disclosures to purposes more limited than those specified herein, or which, in the case of adoptions, prevent disclosure entirely;
(9) provides that the State agency will—
(A) report to an appropriate agency or official, known or suspected instances of physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, or negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child receiving aid under part B of this subchapter or this part under circumstances which indicate that the child's health or welfare is threatened thereby; and
(B) provide such information with respect to a situation described in subparagraph (A) as the State agency may have;
(10) provides for the establishment or designation of a State authority or authorities which shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining standards for foster family homes and child care institutions which are reasonably in accord with recommended standards of national organizations concerned with standards for such institutions or homes, including standards related to admission policies, safety, sanitation, and protection of civil rights, provides that the standards so established shall be applied by the State to any foster family home or child care institution receiving funds under this part or part B of this subchapter, and provides that a waiver of any such standard may be made only on a case-by-case basis for non-safety standards (as determined by the State) in relative foster family homes for specific children in care;
(11) provides for periodic review of the standards referred to in the preceding paragraph and amounts paid as foster care maintenance payments and adoption assistance to assure their continuing appropriateness;
(12) provides for granting an opportunity for a fair hearing before the State agency to any individual whose claim for benefits available pursuant to this part is denied or is not acted upon with reasonable promptness;
(13) provides that the State shall arrange for a periodic and independently conducted audit of the programs assisted under this part and part B of this subchapter, which shall be conducted no less frequently than once every three years;
(14) provides (A) specific goals (which shall be established by State law on or before October 1, 1982) for each fiscal year (commencing with the fiscal year which begins on October 1, 1983) as to the maximum number of children (in absolute numbers or as a percentage of all children in foster care with respect to whom assistance under the plan is provided during such year) who, at any time during such year, will remain in foster care after having been in such care for a period in excess of twenty-four months, and (B) a description of the steps which will be taken by the State to achieve such goals;
(15) provides that—
(A) in determining reasonable efforts to be made with respect to a child, as described in this paragraph, and in making such reasonable efforts, the child's health and safety shall be the paramount concern;
(B) except as provided in subparagraph (D), reasonable efforts shall be made to preserve and reunify families—
(i) prior to the placement of a child in foster care, to prevent or eliminate the need for removing the child from the child's home; and
(ii) to make it possible for a child to safely return to the child's home;
(C) if continuation of reasonable efforts of the type described in subparagraph (B) is determined to be inconsistent with the permanency plan for the child, reasonable efforts shall be made to place the child in a timely manner in accordance with the permanency plan (including, if appropriate, through an interstate placement), and to complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize the permanent placement of the child;
(D) reasonable efforts of the type described in subparagraph (B) shall not be required to be made with respect to a parent of a child if a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that—
(i) the parent has subjected the child to aggravated circumstances (as defined in State law, which definition may include but need not be limited to abandonment, torture, chronic abuse, and sexual abuse);
(ii) the parent has—
(I) committed murder (which would have been an offense under
(II) committed voluntary manslaughter (which would have been an offense under
(III) aided or abetted, attempted, conspired, or solicited to commit such a murder or such a voluntary manslaughter; or
(IV) committed a felony assault that results in serious bodily injury to the child or another child of the parent; or
(iii) the parental rights of the parent to a sibling have been terminated involuntarily;
(E) if reasonable efforts of the type described in subparagraph (B) are not made with respect to a child as a result of a determination made by a court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with subparagraph (D)—
(i) a permanency hearing (as described in
(ii) reasonable efforts shall be made to place the child in a timely manner in accordance with the permanency plan, and to complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize the permanent placement of the child; and
(F) reasonable efforts to place a child for adoption or with a legal guardian, including identifying appropriate in-State and out-of-State placements 2 may be made concurrently with reasonable efforts of the type described in subparagraph (B);
(16) provides for the development of a case plan (as defined in
(17) provides that, where appropriate, all steps will be taken, including cooperative efforts with the State agencies administering the program funded under part A of this subchapter and plan approved under part D of this subchapter, to secure an assignment to the State of any rights to support on behalf of each child receiving foster care maintenance payments under this part;
(18) not later than January 1, 1997, provides that neither the State nor any other entity in the State that receives funds from the Federal Government and is involved in adoption or foster care placements may—
(A) deny to any person the opportunity to become an adoptive or a foster parent, on the basis of the race, color, or national origin of the person, or of the child, involved; or
(B) delay or deny the placement of a child for adoption or into foster care, on the basis of the race, color, or national origin of the adoptive or foster parent, or the child, involved;
(19) provides that the State shall consider giving preference to an adult relative over a non-related caregiver when determining a placement for a child, provided that the relative caregiver meets all relevant State child protection standards;
(20)(A) provides procedures for criminal records checks, including fingerprint-based checks of national crime information databases (as defined in section 534(e)(3)(A) 1 of title 28), for any prospective foster or adoptive parent before the foster or adoptive parent may be finally approved for placement of a child regardless of whether foster care maintenance payments or adoption assistance payments are to be made on behalf of the child under the State plan under this part, including procedures requiring that—
(i) in any case involving a child on whose behalf such payments are to be so made in which a record check reveals a felony conviction for child abuse or neglect, for spousal abuse, for a crime against children (including child pornography), or for a crime involving violence, including rape, sexual assault, or homicide, but not including other physical assault or battery, if a State finds that a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that the felony was committed at any time, such final approval shall not be granted; and
(ii) in any case involving a child on whose behalf such payments are to be so made in which a record check reveals a felony conviction for physical assault, battery, or a drug-related offense, if a State finds that a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that the felony was committed within the past 5 years, such final approval shall not be granted; and 3
(B) provides that the State shall—
(i) check any child abuse and neglect registry maintained by the State for information on any prospective foster or adoptive parent and on any other adult living in the home of such a prospective parent, and request any other State in which any such prospective parent or other adult has resided in the preceding 5 years, to enable the State to check any child abuse and neglect registry maintained by such other State for such information, before the prospective foster or adoptive parent may be finally approved for placement of a child, regardless of whether foster care maintenance payments or adoption assistance payments are to be made on behalf of the child under the State plan under this part;
(ii) comply with any request described in clause (i) that is received from another State; and
(iii) have in place safeguards to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of information in any child abuse and neglect registry maintained by the State, and to prevent any such information obtained pursuant to this subparagraph from being used for a purpose other than the conducting of background checks in foster or adoptive placement cases; and
(C) provides procedures for criminal records checks, including fingerprint-based checks of national crime information databases (as defined in section 534(e)(3)(A) 1 of title 28), on any relative guardian, and for checks described in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph on any relative guardian and any other adult living in the home of any relative guardian, before the relative guardian may receive kinship guardianship assistance payments on behalf of the child under the State plan under this part;
(21) provides for health insurance coverage (including, at State option, through the program under the State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter) for any child who has been determined to be a child with special needs, for whom there is in effect an adoption assistance agreement (other than an agreement under this part) between the State and an adoptive parent or parents, and who the State has determined cannot be placed with an adoptive parent or parents without medical assistance because such child has special needs for medical, mental health, or rehabilitative care, and that with respect to the provision of such health insurance coverage—
(A) such coverage may be provided through 1 or more State medical assistance programs;
(B) the State, in providing such coverage, shall ensure that the medical benefits, including mental health benefits, provided are of the same type and kind as those that would be provided for children by the State under subchapter XIX of this chapter;
(C) in the event that the State provides such coverage through a State medical assistance program other than the program under subchapter XIX of this chapter, and the State exceeds its funding for services under such other program, any such child shall be deemed to be receiving aid or assistance under the State plan under this part for purposes of
(D) in determining cost-sharing requirements, the State shall take into consideration the circumstances of the adopting parent or parents and the needs of the child being adopted consistent, to the extent coverage is provided through a State medical assistance program, with the rules under such program;
(22) provides that, not later than January 1, 1999, the State shall develop and implement standards to ensure that children in foster care placements in public or private agencies are provided quality services that protect the safety and health of the children;
(23) provides that the State shall not—
(A) deny or delay the placement of a child for adoption when an approved family is available outside of the jurisdiction with responsibility for handling the case of the child; or
(B) fail to grant an opportunity for a fair hearing, as described in paragraph (12), to an individual whose allegation of a violation of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph is denied by the State or not acted upon by the State with reasonable promptness;
(24) include 4 a certification that, before a child in foster care under the responsibility of the State is placed with prospective foster parents, the prospective foster parents will be prepared adequately with the appropriate knowledge and skills to provide for the needs of the child, and that such preparation will be continued, as necessary, after the placement of the child;
(25) provide 5 that the State shall have in effect procedures for the orderly and timely interstate placement of children; and procedures implemented in accordance with an interstate compact, if incorporating with the procedures prescribed by paragraph (26), shall be considered to satisfy the requirement of this paragraph;
(26) provides that—
(A)(i) within 60 days after the State receives from another State a request to conduct a study of a home environment for purposes of assessing the safety and suitability of placing a child in the home, the State shall, directly or by contract—
(I) conduct and complete the study; and
(II) return to the other State a report on the results of the study, which shall address the extent to which placement in the home would meet the needs of the child; and
(ii) in the case of a home study begun on or before September 30, 2008, if the State fails to comply with clause (i) within the 60-day period as a result of circumstances beyond the control of the State (such as a failure by a Federal agency to provide the results of a background check, or the failure by any entity to provide completed medical forms, requested by the State at least 45 days before the end of the 60-day period), the State shall have 75 days to comply with clause (i) if the State documents the circumstances involved and certifies that completing the home study is in the best interests of the child; except that
(iii) this subparagraph shall not be construed to require the State to have completed, within the applicable period, the parts of the home study involving the education and training of the prospective foster or adoptive parents;
(B) the State shall treat any report described in subparagraph (A) that is received from another State or an Indian tribe (or from a private agency under contract with another State) as meeting any requirements imposed by the State for the completion of a home study before placing a child in the home, unless, within 14 days after receipt of the report, the State determines, based on grounds that are specific to the content of the report, that making a decision in reliance on the report would be contrary to the welfare of the child; and
(C) the State shall not impose any restriction on the ability of a State agency administering, or supervising the administration of, a State program operated under a State plan approved under this part to contract with a private agency for the conduct of a home study described in subparagraph (A);
(27) provides that, with respect to any child in foster care under the responsibility of the State under this part or part B and without regard to whether foster care maintenance payments are made under
(28) at the option of the State, provides for the State to enter into kinship guardianship assistance agreements to provide kinship guardianship assistance payments on behalf of children to grandparents and other relatives who have assumed legal guardianship of the children for whom they have cared as foster parents and for whom they have committed to care on a permanent basis, as provided in
(29) provides that, within 30 days after the removal of a child from the custody of the parent or parents of the child, the State shall exercise due diligence to identify and provide notice to all adult grandparents and other adult relatives of the child (including any other adult relatives suggested by the parents), subject to exceptions due to family or domestic violence, that—
(A) specifies that the child has been or is being removed from the custody of the parent or parents of the child;
(B) explains the options the relative has under Federal, State, and local law to participate in the care and placement of the child, including any options that may be lost by failing to respond to the notice;
(C) describes the requirements under paragraph (10) of this subsection to become a foster family home and the additional services and supports that are available for children placed in such a home; and
(D) if the State has elected the option to make kinship guardianship assistance payments under paragraph (28) of this subsection, describes how the relative guardian of the child may subsequently enter into an agreement with the State under
(30) provides assurances that each child who has attained the minimum age for compulsory school attendance under State law and with respect to whom there is eligibility for a payment under the State plan is a full-time elementary or secondary school student or has completed secondary school, and for purposes of this paragraph, the term "elementary or secondary school student" means, with respect to a child, that the child is—
(A) enrolled (or in the process of enrolling) in an institution which provides elementary or secondary education, as determined under the law of the State or other jurisdiction in which the institution is located;
(B) instructed in elementary or secondary education at home in accordance with a home school law of the State or other jurisdiction in which the home is located;
(C) in an independent study elementary or secondary education program in accordance with the law of the State or other jurisdiction in which the program is located, which is administered by the local school or school district; or
(D) incapable of attending school on a full-time basis due to the medical condition of the child, which incapability is supported by regularly updated information in the case plan of the child;
(31) provides that reasonable efforts shall be made—
(A) to place siblings removed from their home in the same foster care, kinship guardianship, or adoptive placement, unless the State documents that such a joint placement would be contrary to the safety or well-being of any of the siblings; and
(B) in the case of siblings removed from their home who are not so jointly placed, to provide for frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction between the siblings, unless that State documents that frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction would be contrary to the safety or well-being of any of the siblings;
(32) provides that the State will negotiate in good faith with any Indian tribe, tribal organization or tribal consortium in the State that requests to develop an agreement with the State to administer all or part of the program under this part on behalf of Indian children who are under the authority of the tribe, organization, or consortium, including foster care maintenance payments on behalf of children who are placed in State or tribally licensed foster family homes, adoption assistance payments, and, if the State has elected to provide such payments, kinship guardianship assistance payments under
(33) provides that the State will inform any individual who is adopting, or whom the State is made aware is considering adopting, a child who is in foster care under the responsibility of the State of the potential eligibility of the individual for a Federal tax credit under section 23 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(b) Approval of plan by Secretary
The Secretary shall approve any plan which complies with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Use of child welfare records in State court proceedings
Subsection (a)(8) shall not be construed to limit the flexibility of a State in determining State policies relating to public access to court proceedings to determine child abuse and neglect or other court hearings held pursuant to part B or this part, except that such policies shall, at a minimum, ensure the safety and well-being of the child, parents, and family.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §471, as added
References in Text
Parts A, B, and D of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2), (4), (8)–(10), (13), (17), (27) and (c), are classified to sections 601 et seq., 620 et seq., and 651 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Division A of subchapter XX, referred to in subsec. (a)(4), was in the original a reference to subtitle 1 of title XX, which was translated as if referring to subtitle A of title XX of the Social Security Act, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Title XX of the Act, enacting subchapter XX of this chapter, does not contain a subtitle 1.
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a)(33), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Codification
Amendment by section 101(c)(2)(B)(i) of
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(4).
2008—Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (a)(20)(B).
Subsec. (a)(20)(C).
Subsec. (a)(20)(D).
Subsec. (a)(28).
Subsec. (a)(29).
Subsec. (a)(30).
Subsec. (a)(31).
Subsec. (a)(32).
Subsec. (a)(33).
2006—Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (a)(15)(C).
Subsec. (a)(15)(E)(i).
Subsec. (a)(15)(F).
Subsec. (a)(20)(A).
Subsec. (a)(20)(A)(i), (ii).
Subsec. (a)(20)(B).
Subsec. (a)(20)(C).
Subsec. (a)(25).
Subsec. (a)(26).
Subsec. (a)(27).
Subsec. (c).
1999—Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (a)(24).
1998—Subsec. (a)(23).
1997—Subsec. (a)(15).
Subsec. (a)(17).
Subsec. (a)(18).
Subsec. (a)(19).
Subsec. (a)(20).
Subsec. (a)(21).
Subsec. (a)(22).
1996—Subsec. (a)(17).
Subsec. (a)(18).
1994—Subsec. (b).
1993—Subsec. (a)(2).
1990—Subsec. (a)(8)(E).
Subsec. (a)(9).
1988—Subsec. (a)(8)(A).
1986—Subsec. (a)(1), (11).
1984—Subsec. (a)(17).
1982—Subsec. (a)(10).
1981—Subsec. (a)(10).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
"(a)
"(b)
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 401(o) of
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by section 108(d)(2) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 203(c)(2) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 5054(c) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 204 of title II of
"(a)
"(b)
"(B) In the case of any State in which the amendments made by this title become effective (in accordance with subparagraph (A)) with respect to any quarter of a fiscal year beginning before October 1, 1990, the limitation applicable to the State for the fiscal year under section 403(k)(2) of the Social Security Act [
"(2) Section 403(l)(3) of the Social Security Act [
"(3) Subsections (a), (c), and (d) of section 203 of this Act [
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
Regulations
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
Section 203(a) of title II of
Construction of 2008 Amendment
"(1) authorization to terminate funding on behalf of any Indian child receiving foster care maintenance payments or adoption assistance payments on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 7, 2008] and for which the State receives Federal matching payments under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 474(a) of the Social Security Act (
"(2) affecting the responsibility of a State—
"(A) as part of the plan approved under section 471 of the Social Security Act (
"(B) as part of the plan approved under section 477 of such Act (
No Federal Funding to Unlawfully Present Individuals
Preservation of Reasonable Parenting
Section 401 of
Reporting Requirements
Section 402 of
Purchase of American-Made Equipment and Products
Section 406 of
"(a)
"(b)
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
3 So in original. The word "and" probably should not appear.
4 So in original. Probably should be "includes".
5 So in original. Probably should be "provides".
§672. Foster care maintenance payments program
(a) In general
(1) Eligibility
Each State with a plan approved under this part shall make foster care maintenance payments on behalf of each child who has been removed from the home of a relative specified in
(A) the removal and foster care placement met, and the placement continues to meet, the requirements of paragraph (2); and
(B) the child, while in the home, would have met the AFDC eligibility requirement of paragraph (3).
(2) Removal and foster care placement requirements
The removal and foster care placement of a child meet the requirements of this paragraph if—
(A) the removal and foster care placement are in accordance with—
(i) a voluntary placement agreement entered into by a parent or legal guardian of the child who is the relative referred to in paragraph (1); or
(ii) a judicial determination to the effect that continuation in the home from which removed would be contrary to the welfare of the child and that reasonable efforts of the type described in
(B) the child's placement and care are the responsibility of—
(i) the State agency administering the State plan approved under
(ii) any other public agency with which the State agency administering or supervising the administration of the State plan has made an agreement which is in effect; or
(iii) an Indian tribe or a tribal organization (as defined in
(C) the child has been placed in a foster family home or child-care institution.
(3) AFDC eligibility requirement
(A) In general
A child in the home referred to in paragraph (1) would have met the AFDC eligibility requirement of this paragraph if the child—
(i) would have received aid under the State plan approved under
(ii)(I) would have received the aid in the home, in or for the month referred to in clause (i), if application had been made therefor; or
(II) had been living in the home within 6 months before the month in which the agreement was entered into or the proceedings were initiated, and would have received the aid in or for such month, if, in such month, the child had been living in the home with the relative referred to in paragraph (1) and application for the aid had been made.
(B) Resources determination
For purposes of subparagraph (A), in determining whether a child would have received aid under a State plan approved under
(4) Eligibility of certain alien children
Subject to title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 [
(b) Additional qualifications
Foster care maintenance payments may be made under this part only on behalf of a child described in subsection (a) of this section who is—
(1) in the foster family home of an individual, whether the payments therefor are made to such individual or to a public or private child-placement or child-care agency, or
(2) in a child-care institution, whether the payments therefor are made to such institution or to a public or private child-placement or child-care agency, which payments shall be limited so as to include in such payments only those items which are included in the term "foster care maintenance payments" (as defined in
(c) "Foster family home" and "child-care institution" defined
For the purposes of this part, (1) the term "foster family home" means a foster family home for children which is licensed by the State in which it is situated or has been approved, by the agency of such State having responsibility for licensing homes of this type, as meeting the standards established for such licensing; and (2) the term "child-care institution" means a private child-care institution, or a public child-care institution which accommodates no more than twenty-five children, which is licensed by the State in which it is situated or has been approved, by the agency of such State responsible for licensing or approval of institutions of this type, as meeting the standards established for such licensing, except, in the case of a child who has attained 18 years of age, the term shall include a supervised setting in which the individual is living independently, in accordance with such conditions as the Secretary shall establish in regulations, but the term shall not include detention facilities, forestry camps, training schools, or any other facility operated primarily for the detention of children who are determined to be delinquent.
(d) Children removed from their homes pursuant to voluntary placement agreements
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, Federal payments may be made under this part with respect to amounts expended by any State as foster care maintenance payments under this section, in the case of children removed from their homes pursuant to voluntary placement agreements as described in subsection (a) of this section, only if (at the time such amounts were expended) the State has fulfilled all of the requirements of
(e) Placements in best interest of child
No Federal payment may be made under this part with respect to amounts expended by any State as foster care maintenance payments under this section, in the case of any child who was removed from his or her home pursuant to a voluntary placement agreement as described in subsection (a) of this section and has remained in voluntary placement for a period in excess of 180 days, unless there has been a judicial determination by a court of competent jurisdiction (within the first 180 days of such placement) to the effect that such placement is in the best interests of the child.
(f) "Voluntary placement" and "voluntary placement agreement" defined
For the purposes of this part and part B of this subchapter, (1) the term "voluntary placement" means an out-of-home placement of a minor, by or with participation of a State agency, after the parents or guardians of the minor have requested the assistance of the agency and signed a voluntary placement agreement; and (2) the term "voluntary placement agreement" means a written agreement, binding on the parties to the agreement, between the State agency, any other agency acting on its behalf, and the parents or guardians of a minor child which specifies, at a minimum, the legal status of the child and the rights and obligations of the parents or guardians, the child, and the agency while the child is in placement.
(g) Revocation of voluntary placement agreement
In any case where—
(1) the placement of a minor child in foster care occurred pursuant to a voluntary placement agreement entered into by the parents or guardians of such child as provided in subsection (a) of this section, and
(2) such parents or guardians request (in such manner and form as the Secretary may prescribe) that the child be returned to their home or to the home of a relative,
the voluntary placement agreement shall be deemed to be revoked unless the State agency opposes such request and obtains a judicial determination, by a court of competent jurisdiction, that the return of the child to such home would be contrary to the child's best interests.
(h) Aid for dependent children; assistance for minor children in needy families
(1) For purposes of subchapter XIX of this chapter, any child with respect to whom foster care maintenance payments are made under this section is deemed to be a dependent child as defined in
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), a child whose costs in a foster family home or child care institution are covered by the foster care maintenance payments being made with respect to the child's minor parent, as provided in
(i) Administrative costs associated with otherwise eligible children not in licensed foster care settings
Expenditures by a State that would be considered administrative expenditures for purposes of
(1) in the case of a child who has been removed in accordance with subsection (a) of this section from the home of a relative specified in
(A) with respect to a period of not more than the lesser of 12 months or the average length of time it takes for the State to license or approve a home as a foster home, in which the child is in the home of a relative and an application is pending for licensing or approval of the home as a foster family home; or
(B) with respect to a period of not more than 1 calendar month when a child moves from a facility not eligible for payments under this part into a foster family home or child care institution licensed or approved by the State; and
(2) in the case of any other child who is potentially eligible for benefits under a State plan approved under this part and at imminent risk of removal from the home, only if—
(A) reasonable efforts are being made in accordance with
(B) the State agency has made, not less often than every 6 months, a determination (or redetermination) as to whether the child remains at imminent risk of removal from the home.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §472, as added and amended
References in Text
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (a)(4), is
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (f) and (h), are classified to sections 601 et seq. and 620 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Division A of subchapter XX, referred to in subsec. (h)(1), was in the original a reference to subtitle 1 of title XX, which was translated as if referring to subtitle A of title XX of the Social Security Act, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Title XX of the Act, enacting subchapter XX of this chapter, does not contain a subtitle 1.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (h)(1).
2008—Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(2).
2006—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (i).
2005—Subsec. (b).
1999—Subsec. (a).
1997—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (h)(1).
1996—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(4)(A).
Subsec. (a)(4)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (h).
1994—Subsec. (d).
1987—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (h).
1986—Subsec. (a).
1980—Subsec. (a).
Subsecs. (d) to (h).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by section 301(a)(2) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 5513(b)(1), (2) of
Amendment by section 5592(b) of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by section 108(d)(3), (4) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 9133(c) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Section 102(a)(1) of
Section 102(c) of
[Section 9131(b) of
Construction of 2008 Amendment
For construction of amendment by section 301(a)(2) of
Children Voluntarily Removed From Home of Relative
Section 102(d)(1) of
Annual Report to Congress of Number of Children Placed in Foster Care Pursuant to Voluntary Placement Agreements
1 See References in Text note below.
§673. Adoption and guardianship assistance program
(a) Agreements with adoptive parents of children with special needs; State payments; qualifying children; amount of payments; changes in circumstances; placement period prior to adoption; nonrecurring adoption expenses
(1)(A) Each State having a plan approved under this part shall enter into adoption assistance agreements (as defined in
(B) Under any adoption assistance agreement entered into by a State with parents who adopt a child with special needs, the State—
(i) shall make payments of nonrecurring adoption expenses incurred by or on behalf of such parents in connection with the adoption of such child, directly through the State agency or through another public or nonprofit private agency, in amounts determined under paragraph (3), and
(ii) in any case where the child meets the requirements of paragraph (2), may make adoption assistance payments to such parents, directly through the State agency or through another public or nonprofit private agency, in amounts so determined.
(2)(A) For purposes of paragraph (1)(B)(ii), a child meets the requirements of this paragraph if—
(i) in the case of a child who is not an applicable child for the fiscal year (as defined in subsection (e)), the child—
(I)(aa)(AA) was removed from the home of a relative specified in
(BB) met the requirements of
(bb) meets all of the requirements of subchapter XVI with respect to eligibility for supplemental security income benefits; or
(cc) is a child whose costs in a foster family home or child-care institution are covered by the foster care maintenance payments being made with respect to the minor parent of the child as provided in
(II) has been determined by the State, pursuant to subsection (c)(1) of this section, to be a child with special needs; or
(ii) in the case of a child who is an applicable child for the fiscal year (as so defined), the child—
(I)(aa) at the time of initiation of adoption proceedings was in the care of a public or licensed private child placement agency or Indian tribal organization pursuant to—
(AA) an involuntary removal of the child from the home in accordance with a judicial determination to the effect that continuation in the home would be contrary to the welfare of the child; or
(BB) a voluntary placement agreement or voluntary relinquishment;
(bb) meets all medical or disability requirements of subchapter XVI with respect to eligibility for supplemental security income benefits; or
(cc) was residing in a foster family home or child care institution with the child's minor parent, and the child's minor parent was in such foster family home or child care institution pursuant to—
(AA) an involuntary removal of the child from the home in accordance with a judicial determination to the effect that continuation in the home would be contrary to the welfare of the child; or
(BB) a voluntary placement agreement or voluntary relinquishment; and
(II) has been determined by the State, pursuant to subsection (c)(2), to be a child with special needs.
(B)
(C) A child shall be treated as meeting the requirements of this paragraph for the purpose of paragraph (1)(B)(ii) if—
(i) in the case of a child who is not an applicable child for the fiscal year (as defined in subsection (e)), the child—
(I) meets the requirements of subparagraph (A)(i)(II);
(II) was determined eligible for adoption assistance payments under this part with respect to a prior adoption;
(III) is available for adoption because—
(aa) the prior adoption has been dissolved, and the parental rights of the adoptive parents have been terminated; or
(bb) the child's adoptive parents have died; and
(IV) fails to meet the requirements of subparagraph (A)(i) but would meet such requirements if—
(aa) the child were treated as if the child were in the same financial and other circumstances the child was in the last time the child was determined eligible for adoption assistance payments under this part; and
(bb) the prior adoption were treated as never having occurred; or
(ii) in the case of a child who is an applicable child for the fiscal year (as so defined), the child meets the requirements of subparagraph (A)(ii)(II), is determined eligible for adoption assistance payments under this part with respect to a prior adoption (or who would have been determined eligible for such payments had the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 been in effect at the time that such determination would have been made), and is available for adoption because the prior adoption has been dissolved and the parental rights of the adoptive parents have been terminated or because the child's adoptive parents have died.
(D) In determining the eligibility for adoption assistance payments of a child in a legal guardianship arrangement described in
(3) The amount of the payments to be made in any case under clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (1)(B) shall be determined through agreement between the adoptive parents and the State or local agency administering the program under this section, which shall take into consideration the circumstances of the adopting parents and the needs of the child being adopted, and may be readjusted periodically, with the concurrence of the adopting parents (which may be specified in the adoption assistance agreement), depending upon changes in such circumstances. However, in no case may the amount of the adoption assistance payment made under clause (ii) of paragraph (1)(B) exceed the foster care maintenance payment which would have been paid during the period if the child with respect to whom the adoption assistance payment is made had been in a foster family home.
(4)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a payment may not be made pursuant to this section to parents or relative guardians with respect to a child—
(i) who has attained—
(I) 18 years of age, or such greater age as the State may elect under
(II) 21 years of age, if the State determines that the child has a mental or physical handicap which warrants the continuation of assistance;
(ii) who has not attained 18 years of age, if the State determines that the parents or relative guardians, as the case may be, are no longer legally responsible for the support of the child; or
(iii) if the State determines that the child is no longer receiving any support from the parents or relative guardians, as the case may be.
(B) Parents or relative guardians who have been receiving adoption assistance payments or kinship guardianship assistance payments under this section shall keep the State or local agency administering the program under this section informed of circumstances which would, pursuant to this subsection, make them ineligible for the payments, or eligible for the payments in a different amount.
(5) For purposes of this part, individuals with whom a child (who has been determined by the State, pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, to be a child with special needs) is placed for adoption in accordance with applicable State and local law shall be eligible for such payments, during the period of the placement, on the same terms and subject to the same conditions as if such individuals had adopted such child.
(6)(A) For purposes of paragraph (1)(B)(i), the term "nonrecurring adoption expenses" means reasonable and necessary adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, and other expenses which are directly related to the legal adoption of a child with special needs and which are not incurred in violation of State or Federal law.
(B) A State's payment of nonrecurring adoption expenses under an adoption assistance agreement shall be treated as an expenditure made for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan for purposes of
(7)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, no payment may be made to parents with respect to any applicable child for a fiscal year that—
(i) would be considered a child with special needs under subsection (c)(2);
(ii) is not a citizen or resident of the United States; and
(iii) was adopted outside of the United States or was brought into the United States for the purpose of being adopted.
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed as prohibiting payments under this part for an applicable child described in subparagraph (A) that is placed in foster care subsequent to the failure, as determined by the State, of the initial adoption of the child by the parents described in subparagraph (A).
(8) A State shall spend an amount equal to the amount of savings (if any) in State expenditures under this part resulting from the application of paragraph (2)(A)(ii) to all applicable children for a fiscal year to provide to children or families any service (including post-adoption services) that may be provided under this part or part B.
(b) Aid for dependent children; assistance for minor children in needy families
(1) For purposes of subchapter XIX of this chapter, any child who is described in paragraph (3) is deemed to be a dependent child as defined in
(2) For purposes of division A 1 of subchapter XX of this chapter, any child who is described in paragraph (3) is deemed to be a minor child in a needy family under a State program funded under part A of this subchapter and deemed to be a recipient of assistance under such part.
(3) A child described in this paragraph is any child—
(A)(i) who is a child described in subsection (a)(2) of this section, and
(ii) with respect to whom an adoption assistance agreement is in effect under this section (whether or not adoption assistance payments are provided under the agreement or are being made under this section), including any such child who has been placed for adoption in accordance with applicable State and local law (whether or not an interlocutory or other judicial decree of adoption has been issued),
(B) with respect to whom foster care maintenance payments are being made under
(C) with respect to whom kinship guardianship assistance payments are being made pursuant to subsection (d).
(4) For purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), a child whose costs in a foster family home or child-care institution are covered by the foster care maintenance payments being made with respect to the child's minor parent, as provided in
(c) Children with special needs
For purposes of this section—
(1) in the case of a child who is not an applicable child for a fiscal year, the child shall not be considered a child with special needs unless—
(A) the State has determined that the child cannot or should not be returned to the home of his parents; and
(B) the State had first determined (A) that there exists with respect to the child a specific factor or condition (such as his ethnic background, age, or membership in a minority or sibling group, or the presence of factors such as medical conditions or physical, mental, or emotional handicaps) because of which it is reasonable to conclude that such child cannot be placed with adoptive parents without providing adoption assistance under this section or medical assistance under subchapter XIX of this chapter, and (B) that, except where it would be against the best interests of the child because of such factors as the existence of significant emotional ties with prospective adoptive parents while in the care of such parents as a foster child, a reasonable, but unsuccessful, effort has been made to place the child with appropriate adoptive parents without providing adoption assistance under this section or medical assistance under subchapter XIX of this chapter; or
(2) in the case of a child who is an applicable child for a fiscal year, the child shall not be considered a child with special needs unless—
(A) the State has determined, pursuant to a criterion or criteria established by the State, that the child cannot or should not be returned to the home of his parents;
(B)(i) the State has determined that there exists with respect to the child a specific factor or condition (such as ethnic background, age, or membership in a minority or sibling group, or the presence of factors such as medical conditions or physical, mental, or emotional handicaps) because of which it is reasonable to conclude that the child cannot be placed with adoptive parents without providing adoption assistance under this section and medical assistance under subchapter XIX; or
(ii) the child meets all medical or disability requirements of subchapter XVI with respect to eligibility for supplemental security income benefits; and
(C) the State has determined that, except where it would be against the best interests of the child because of such factors as the existence of significant emotional ties with prospective adoptive parents while in the care of the parents as a foster child, a reasonable, but unsuccessful, effort has been made to place the child with appropriate adoptive parents without providing adoption assistance under this section or medical assistance under subchapter XIX.
(d) Kinship guardianship assistance payments for children
(1) Kinship guardianship assistance agreement
(A) In general
In order to receive payments under
(i) negotiate and enter into a written, binding kinship guardianship assistance agreement with the prospective relative guardian of a child who meets the requirements of this paragraph; and
(ii) provide the prospective relative guardian with a copy of the agreement.
(B) Minimum requirements
The agreement shall specify, at a minimum—
(i) the amount of, and manner in which, each kinship guardianship assistance payment will be provided under the agreement, and the manner in which the payment may be adjusted periodically, in consultation with the relative guardian, based on the circumstances of the relative guardian and the needs of the child;
(ii) the additional services and assistance that the child and relative guardian will be eligible for under the agreement;
(iii) the procedure by which the relative guardian may apply for additional services as needed; and
(iv) subject to subparagraph (D), that the State will pay the total cost of nonrecurring expenses associated with obtaining legal guardianship of the child, to the extent the total cost does not exceed $2,000.
(C) Interstate applicability
The agreement shall provide that the agreement shall remain in effect without regard to the State residency of the relative guardian.
(D) No effect on Federal reimbursement
Nothing in subparagraph (B)(iv) shall be construed as affecting the ability of the State to obtain reimbursement from the Federal Government for costs described in that subparagraph.
(2) Limitations on amount of kinship guardianship assistance payment
A kinship guardianship assistance payment on behalf of a child shall not exceed the foster care maintenance payment which would have been paid on behalf of the child if the child had remained in a foster family home.
(3) Child's eligibility for a kinship guardianship assistance payment
(A) In general
A child is eligible for a kinship guardianship assistance payment under this subsection if the State agency determines the following:
(i) The child has been—
(I) removed from his or her home pursuant to a voluntary placement agreement or as a result of a judicial determination to the effect that continuation in the home would be contrary to the welfare of the child; and
(II) eligible for foster care maintenance payments under
(ii) Being returned home or adopted are not appropriate permanency options for the child.
(iii) The child demonstrates a strong attachment to the prospective relative guardian and the relative guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child.
(iv) With respect to a child who has attained 14 years of age, the child has been consulted regarding the kinship guardianship arrangement.
(B) Treatment of siblings
With respect to a child described in subparagraph (A) whose sibling or siblings are not so described—
(i) the child and any sibling of the child may be placed in the same kinship guardianship arrangement, in accordance with
(ii) kinship guardianship assistance payments may be paid on behalf of each sibling so placed.
(e) Applicable child defined
(1) On the basis of age
(A) In general
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), in this section, the term "applicable child" means a child for whom an adoption assistance agreement is entered into under this section during any fiscal year described in subparagraph (B) if the child attained the applicable age for that fiscal year before the end of that fiscal year.
(B) Applicable age
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the applicable age for a fiscal year is as follows:
In the case of fiscal year: | The applicable age is: |
---|---|
2010 | 16 |
2011 | 14 |
2012 | 12 |
2013 | 10 |
2014 | 8 |
2015 | 6 |
2016 | 4 |
2017 | 2 |
2018 or thereafter | any age. |
(2) Exception for duration in care
Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, beginning with fiscal year 2010, such term shall include a child of any age on the date on which an adoption assistance agreement is entered into on behalf of the child under this section if the child—
(A) has been in foster care under the responsibility of the State for at least 60 consecutive months; and
(B) meets the requirements of subsection (a)(2)(A)(ii).
(3) Exception for member of a sibling group
Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, beginning with fiscal year 2010, such term shall include a child of any age on the date on which an adoption assistance agreement is entered into on behalf of the child under this section without regard to whether the child is described in paragraph (2)(A) of this subsection if the child—
(A) is a sibling of a child who is an applicable child for the fiscal year under paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection;
(B) is to be placed in the same adoption placement as an applicable child for the fiscal year who is their sibling; and
(C) meets the requirements of subsection (a)(2)(A)(ii).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §473, as added and amended
References in Text
The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(C)(ii), is
Part B, referred to in subsec. (a)(8), is classified to
Part A of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), (2), is classified to
Division A of subchapter XX, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), was in the original a reference to subtitle 1 of title XX, which was translated as if referring to subtitle A of title XX of the Social Security Act, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Title XX of the Act, enacting subchapter XX of this chapter, does not contain a subtitle 1.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(2).
2008—
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(7), (8).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
2006—Subsec. (a)(2).
1997—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b)(1).
1996—Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (b).
"(1)(A) who is a child described in subsection (a)(2) of this section, and
"(B) with respect to whom an adoption assistance agreement is in effect under this section (whether or not adoption assistance payments are provided under the agreement or are being made under this section), including any such child who has been placed for adoption in accordance with applicable State and local law (whether or not an interlocutory or other judicial decree of adoption has been issued), or
"(2) with respect to whom foster care maintenance payments are being made under
shall be deemed to be a dependent child as defined in
1994—Subsec. (a)(6)(B).
1987—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (b).
1986—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (c)(2).
1980—Subsec. (a)(1).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by section 201(c) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendments
Section 307(b) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 265(d) of
Section 266(b) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by section 9133(b)(3), (4) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 12305(c) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by section 102(a)(3) of
1 See References in Text note below.
§673a. Interstate compacts
The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall take all possible steps to encourage and assist the various States to enter into interstate compacts (which are hereby approved by the Congress) under which the interests of any adopted child with respect to whom an adoption assistance agreement has been entered into by a State under
(
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Change of Name
"Secretary of Health and Human Services" was substituted for "Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare" in text, pursuant to
§673b. Adoption incentive payments
(a) Grant authority
Subject to the availability of such amounts as may be provided in advance in appropriations Acts for this purpose, the Secretary shall make a grant to each State that is an incentive-eligible State for a fiscal year in an amount equal to the adoption incentive payment payable to the State under this section for the fiscal year, which shall be payable in the immediately succeeding fiscal year.
(b) Incentive-eligible State
A State is an incentive-eligible State for a fiscal year if—
(1) the State has a plan approved under this part for the fiscal year;
(2)(A) the number of foster child adoptions in the State during the fiscal year exceeds the base number of foster child adoptions for the State for the fiscal year;
(B) the number of older child adoptions in the State during the fiscal year exceeds the base number of older child adoptions for the State for the fiscal year; or
(C) the State's foster child adoption rate for the fiscal year exceeds the highest ever foster child adoption rate determined for the State;
(3) the State is in compliance with subsection (c) of this section for the fiscal year;
(4) the State provides health insurance coverage to any child with special needs (as determined under
(5) the fiscal year is any of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
(c) Data requirements
(1) In general
A State is in compliance with this subsection for a fiscal year if the State has provided to the Secretary the data described in paragraph (2)—
(A) for fiscal years 1995 through 1997 (or, if the first fiscal year for which the State seeks a grant under this section is after fiscal year 1998, the fiscal year that precedes such first fiscal year); and
(B) for each succeeding fiscal year that precedes the fiscal year.
(2) Determination of numbers of adoptions based on AFCARS data
The Secretary shall determine the numbers of foster child adoptions, of special needs adoptions that are not older child adoptions, and of older child adoptions in a State during a fiscal year, and the foster child adoption rate for the State for the fiscal year, for purposes of this section, on the basis of data meeting the requirements of the system established pursuant to
(3) No waiver of AFCARS requirements
This section shall not be construed to alter or affect any requirement of
(d) Adoption incentive payment
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the adoption incentive payment payable to a State for a fiscal year under this section shall be equal to the sum of—
(A) $4,000, multiplied by the amount (if any) by which the number of foster child adoptions in the State during the fiscal year exceeds the base number of foster child adoptions for the State for the fiscal year;
(B) $4,000, multiplied by the amount (if any) by which the number of special needs adoptions that are not older child adoptions in the State during the fiscal year exceeds the base number of special needs adoptions that are not older child adoptions for the State for the fiscal year; and
(C) $8,000, multiplied by the amount (if any) by which the number of older child adoptions in the State during the fiscal year exceeds the base number of older child adoptions for the State for the fiscal year.
(2) Pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds available
For any fiscal year, if the total amount of adoption incentive payments otherwise payable under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year exceeds the amount appropriated pursuant to subsection (h) for the fiscal year, the amount of the adoption incentive payment payable to each State under paragraph (1) for the fiscal year shall be—
(A) the amount of the adoption incentive payment that would otherwise be payable to the State under paragraph (1) for the fiscal year; multiplied by
(B) the percentage represented by the amount so appropriated for the fiscal year, divided by the total amount of adoption incentive payments otherwise payable under paragraph (1) for the fiscal year.
(3) Increased incentive payment for exceeding the highest ever foster child adoption rate
(A) In general
If—
(i) for fiscal year 2009 or any fiscal year thereafter the total amount of adoption incentive payments payable under paragraph (1) of this subsection are less than the amount appropriated under subsection (h) for the fiscal year; and
(ii) a State's foster child adoption rate for that fiscal year exceeds the highest ever foster child adoption rate determined for the State,
then the adoption incentive payment otherwise determined under paragraph (1) of this subsection for the State shall be increased, subject to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph, by the amount determined for the State under subparagraph (B) of this paragraph.
(B) Amount of increase
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the amount determined under this subparagraph with respect to a State and a fiscal year is the amount equal to the product of—
(i) $1,000; and
(ii) the excess of—
(I) the number of foster child adoptions in the State in the fiscal year; over
(II) the product (rounded to the nearest whole number) of—
(aa) the highest ever foster child adoption rate determined for the State; and
(bb) the number of children in foster care under the supervision of the State on the last day of the preceding fiscal year.
(C) Pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds available
For any fiscal year, if the total amount of increases in adoption incentive payments otherwise payable under this paragraph for a fiscal year exceeds the amount available for such increases for the fiscal year, the amount of the increase payable to each State under this paragraph for the fiscal year shall be—
(i) the amount of the increase that would otherwise be payable to the State under this paragraph for the fiscal year; multiplied by
(ii) the percentage represented by the amount so available for the fiscal year, divided by the total amount of increases otherwise payable under this paragraph for the fiscal year.
(e) 24-month availability of incentive payments
Payments to a State under this section in a fiscal year shall remain available for use by the State for the 24-month period beginning with the month in which the payments are made.
(f) Limitations on use of incentive payments
A State shall not expend an amount paid to the State under this section except to provide to children or families any service (including post-adoption services) that may be provided under part B of this subchapter or this part. Amounts expended by a State in accordance with the preceding sentence shall be disregarded in determining State expenditures for purposes of Federal matching payments under
(g) Definitions
As used in this section:
(1) Foster child adoption
The term "foster child adoption" means the final adoption of a child who, at the time of adoptive placement, was in foster care under the supervision of the State.
(2) Special needs adoption
The term "special needs adoption" means the final adoption of a child for whom an adoption assistance agreement is in effect under
(3) Base number of foster child adoptions
The term "base number of foster child adoptions for a State" means, with respect to any fiscal year, the number of foster child adoptions in the State in fiscal year 2007.
(4) Base number of special needs adoptions that are not older child adoptions
The term "base number of special needs adoptions that are not older child adoptions for a State" means, with respect to any fiscal year, the number of special needs adoptions that are not older child adoptions in the State in fiscal year 2007.
(5) Base number of older child adoptions
The term "base number of older child adoptions for a State" means, with respect to any fiscal year, the number of older child adoptions in the State in fiscal year 2007.
(6) Older child adoptions
The term "older child adoptions" means the final adoption of a child who has attained 9 years of age if—
(A) at the time of the adoptive placement, the child was in foster care under the supervision of the State; or
(B) an adoption assistance agreement was in effect under
(7) Highest ever foster child adoption rate
The term "highest ever foster child adoption rate" means, with respect to any fiscal year, the highest foster child adoption rate determined for any fiscal year in the period that begins with fiscal year 2002 and ends with the preceding fiscal year.
(8) Foster child adoption rate
The term "foster child adoption rate" means, with respect to a State and a fiscal year, the percentage determined by dividing—
(A) the number of foster child adoptions finalized in the State during the fiscal year; by
(B) the number of children in foster care under the supervision of the State on the last day of the preceding fiscal year.
(h) Limitations on authorization of appropriations
(1) In general
For grants under subsection (a) of this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary—
(A) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1999;
(B) $43,000,000 for fiscal year 2000;
(C) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2003; and
(D) $43,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2013.
(2) Availability
Amounts appropriated under paragraph (1), or under any other law for grants under subsection (a) of this section, are authorized to remain available until expended, but not after fiscal year 2013.
(i) Technical assistance
(1) In general
The Secretary may, directly or through grants or contracts, provide technical assistance to assist States and local communities to reach their targets for increased numbers of adoptions and, to the extent that adoption is not possible, alternative permanent placements, for children in foster care.
(2) Description of the character of the technical assistance
The technical assistance provided under paragraph (1) may support the goal of encouraging more adoptions out of the foster care system, when adoptions promote the best interests of children, and may include the following:
(A) The development of best practice guidelines for expediting termination of parental rights.
(B) Models to encourage the use of concurrent planning.
(C) The development of specialized units and expertise in moving children toward adoption as a permanency goal.
(D) The development of risk assessment tools to facilitate early identification of the children who will be at risk of harm if returned home.
(E) Models to encourage the fast tracking of children who have not attained 1 year of age into pre-adoptive placements.
(F) Development of programs that place children into pre-adoptive families without waiting for termination of parental rights.
(3) Targeting of technical assistance to the courts
Not less than 50 percent of any amount appropriated pursuant to paragraph (4) shall be used to provide technical assistance to the courts.
(4) Limitations on authorization of appropriations
To carry out this subsection, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Health and Human Services not to exceed $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2006.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §473A, as added
References in Text
Part B of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (f), is classified to
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (b)(2)(C).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(1)(B).
Subsec. (d)(1)(C).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (g)(3).
"(A) with respect to fiscal year 2003, the number of foster child adoptions in the State in fiscal year 2002; and
"(B) with respect to any subsequent fiscal year, the number of foster child adoptions in the State in the fiscal year for which the number is the greatest in the period that begins with fiscal year 2002 and ends with the fiscal year preceding that subsequent fiscal year."
Subsec. (g)(4).
"(A) with respect to fiscal year 2003, the number of special needs adoptions that are not older child adoptions in the State in fiscal year 2002; and
"(B) with respect to any subsequent fiscal year, the number of special needs adoptions that are not older child adoptions in the State in the fiscal year for which the number is the greatest in the period that begins with fiscal year 2002 and ends with the fiscal year preceding that subsequent fiscal year."
Subsec. (g)(5).
"(A) with respect to fiscal year 2003, the number of older child adoptions in the State in fiscal year 2002; and
"(B) with respect to any subsequent fiscal year, the number of older child adoptions in the State in the fiscal year for which the number is the greatest in the period that begins with fiscal year 2002 and ends with the fiscal year preceding that subsequent fiscal year."
Subsec. (g)(7), (8).
Subsec. (h)(1)(D), (2).
2006—Subsec. (f).
2003—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (c)(2).
"(A)
"(B)
Subsec. (d)(1).
2003—Subsec. (g)(3)(A), (B).
"(A) with respect to fiscal year 1998, the average number of foster child adoptions in the State in fiscal years 1995, 1996, and 1997; and
"(B) with respect to any subsequent fiscal year, the number of foster child adoptions in the State in the fiscal year for which the number is the greatest in the period that begins with fiscal year 1997 and ends with the fiscal year preceding such subsequent fiscal year."
Subsec. (g)(4).
"(A) with respect to fiscal year 1998, the average number of special needs adoptions in the State in fiscal years 1995, 1996, and 1997; and
"(B) with respect to any subsequent fiscal year, the number of special needs adoptions in the State in the fiscal year for which the number is the greatest in the period that begins with fiscal year 1997 and ends with the fiscal year preceding such subsequent fiscal year."
Subsec. (g)(5), (6).
Subsec. (h)(1)(D).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (i)(4).
Subsec. (j).
1999—Subsec. (h)(1).
Subsec. (j).
1998—Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date
Section effective Nov. 19, 1997, except as otherwise provided, with delay permitted if State legislation is required, see section 501 of
Findings
"(1) In 1997, the Congress passed the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 [
"(2) The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 also created the Adoption Incentives program, which authorizes incentive payments to States to promote adoptions, with additional incentives provided for the adoption of foster children with special needs.
"(3) Since 1997, all States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have qualified for incentive payments for their work in promoting adoption of foster children.
"(4) Between 1997 and 2002, adoptions increased by 64 percent, and adoptions of children with special needs increased by 63 percent; however, 542,000 children remain in foster care, and 126,000 are eligible for adoption.
"(5) Although substantial progress has been made to promote adoptions, attention should be focused on promoting adoption of older children. Recent data suggest that half of the children waiting to be adopted are age 9 or older."
§673c. Repealed. Pub. L. 109–239, §4(c), July 3, 2006, 120 Stat. 512
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §473B, as added
Effective Date of Repeal
§674. Payments to States
(a) Amounts
For each quarter beginning after September 30, 1980, each State which has a plan approved under this part shall be entitled to a payment equal to the sum of—
(1) an amount equal to the Federal medical assistance percentage (which shall be as defined in
(2) an amount equal to the Federal medical assistance percentage (which shall be as defined in
(3) subject to
(A) 75 per centum of so much of such expenditures as are for the training (including both short- and long-term training at educational institutions through grants to such institutions or by direct financial assistance to students enrolled in such institutions) of personnel employed or preparing for employment by the State agency or by the local agency administering the plan in the political subdivision,
(B) 75 percent of so much of such expenditures (including travel and per diem expenses) as are for the short-term training of current or prospective foster or adoptive parents or relative guardians, the members of the staff of State-licensed or State-approved child care institutions providing care, or State-licensed or State-approved child welfare agencies providing services, to children receiving assistance under this part, and members of the staff of abuse and neglect courts, agency attorneys, attorneys representing children or parents, guardians ad litem, or other court-appointed special advocates representing children in proceedings of such courts, in ways that increase the ability of such current or prospective parents, guardians, staff members, institutions, attorneys, and advocates to provide support and assistance to foster and adopted children and children living with relative guardians, whether incurred directly by the State or by contract,
(C) 50 percent of so much of such expenditures as are for the planning, design, development, or installation of statewide mechanized data collection and information retrieval systems (including 50 percent of the full amount of expenditures for hardware components for such systems) but only to the extent that such systems—
(i) meet the requirements imposed by regulations promulgated pursuant to
(ii) to the extent practicable, are capable of interfacing with the State data collection system that collects information relating to child abuse and neglect;
(iii) to the extent practicable, have the capability of interfacing with, and retrieving information from, the State data collection system that collects information relating to the eligibility of individuals under part A of this subchapter (for the purposes of facilitating verification of eligibility of foster children); and
(iv) are determined by the Secretary to be likely to provide more efficient, economical, and effective administration of the programs carried out under a State plan approved under part B of this subchapter or this part; and
(D) 50 percent of so much of such expenditures as are for the operation of the statewide mechanized data collection and information retrieval systems referred to in subparagraph (C); and
(E) one-half of the remainder of such expenditures; plus
(4) an amount equal to the amount (if any) by which—
(A) the lesser of—
(i) 80 percent of the amounts expended by the State during the fiscal year in which the quarter occurs to carry out programs in accordance with the State application approved under
(ii) the amount allotted to the State under
(B) the total amount of any penalties assessed against the State under
(5) an amount equal to the percentage by which the expenditures referred to in paragraph (2) of this subsection are reimbursed of the total amount expended during such quarter as kinship guardianship assistance payments under
(b) Quarterly estimates of State's entitlement for next quarter; payments; United States' pro rata share of amounts recovered as overpayment; allowance, disallowance, or deferral of claim
(1) The Secretary shall, prior to the beginning of each quarter, estimate the amount to which a State will be entitled under subsection (a) of this section for such quarter, such estimates to be based on (A) a report filed by the State containing its estimate of the total sum to be expended in such quarter in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, and stating the amount appropriated or made available by the State and its political subdivisions for such expenditures in such quarter, and if such amount is less than the State's proportionate share of the total sum of such estimated expenditures, the source or sources from which the difference is expected to be derived, (B) records showing the number of children in the State receiving assistance under this part, and (C) such other investigation as the Secretary may find necessary.
(2) The Secretary shall then pay to the State, in such installments as he may determine, the amounts so estimated, reduced or increased to the extent of any overpayment or underpayment which the Secretary determines was made under this section to such State for any prior quarter and with respect to which adjustment has not already been made under this subsection.
(3) The pro rata share to which the United States is equitably entitled, as determined by the Secretary, of the net amount recovered during any quarter by the State or any political subdivision thereof with respect to foster care and adoption assistance furnished under the State plan shall be considered an overpayment to be adjusted under this subsection.
(4)(A) Within 60 days after receipt of a State claim for expenditures pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall allow, disallow, or defer such claim.
(B) Within 15 days after a decision to defer such a State claim, the Secretary shall notify the State of the reasons for the deferral and of the additional information necessary to determine the allowability of the claim.
(C) Within 90 days after receiving such necessary information (in readily reviewable form), the Secretary shall—
(i) disallow the claim, if able to complete the review and determine that the claim is not allowable, or
(ii) in any other case, allow the claim, subject to disallowance (as necessary)—
(I) upon completion of the review, if it is determined that the claim is not allowable; or
(II) on the basis of findings of an audit or financial management review.
(c) Automated data collection expenditures
The Secretary shall treat as necessary for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan all expenditures of a State necessary in order for the State to plan, design, develop, install, and operate data collection and information retrieval systems described in subsection (a)(3)(C) of this section, without regard to whether the systems may be used with respect to foster or adoptive children other than those on behalf of whom foster care maintenance payments or adoption assistance payments may be made under this part.
(d) Reduction for violation of plan requirement
(1) If, during any quarter of a fiscal year, a State's program operated under this part is found, as a result of a review conducted under
(A) 2 percent of such otherwise payable amount, in the case of the 1st such finding for the fiscal year with respect to the State;
(B) 3 percent of such otherwise payable amount, in the case of the 2nd such finding for the fiscal year with respect to the State; or
(C) 5 percent of such otherwise payable amount, in the case of the 3rd or subsequent such finding for the fiscal year with respect to the State.
In imposing the penalties described in this paragraph, the Secretary shall not reduce any fiscal year payment to a State by more than 5 percent.
(2) Any other entity which is in a State that receives funds under this part and which violates paragraph (18) or (23) of
(3)(A) Any individual who is aggrieved by a violation of
(B) An action under this paragraph may not be brought more than 2 years after the date the alleged violation occurred.
(4) This subsection shall not be construed to affect the application of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 [
(e) Discretionary grants for educational and training vouchers for youths aging out of foster care
From amounts appropriated pursuant to
(1) 80 percent of the amounts expended by the State during the quarter to carry out programs for the purposes described in
(2) the amount, if any, allotted to the State under
(f) Reduction for failure to submit required data
(1) If the Secretary finds that a State has failed to submit to the Secretary data, as required by regulation, for the data collection system implemented under
(2) If the Secretary finds that the State has failed to submit the data, as so required, by the end of the 6-month period referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection, then, notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section and any regulations promulgated under
(A) 1/6 of 1 percent of the total amount expended by the State for administration of foster care activities under the State plan approved under this part in the quarter so ending, in the case of the 1st 6-month period during which the failure continues; or
(B) ¼ of 1 percent of the total amount so expended, in the case of the 2nd or any subsequent such 6-month period.
(g) Continued services under waiver
For purposes of this part, after the termination of a demonstration project relating to guardianship conducted by a State under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §474, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(3)(C)(iii), (iv), are classified to sections 601 et seq. and 620 et seq., respectively, of this title.
The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (d)(4), is
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (a)(1), (2).
Subsec. (a)(3)(B).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (g).
2006—Subsec. (a)(3).
2003—Subsec. (f).
2002—Subsec. (a)(4).
"(A) 80 percent of the amount (if any) by which—
"(i) the total amount expended by the State during the fiscal year in which the quarter occurs to carry out programs in accordance with the State application approved under
"(ii) the total amount of any penalties assessed against the State under
"(B) the amount allotted to the State under
Subsec. (e).
1999—Subsec. (a)(4).
"(A) so much of the amounts expended by such State to carry out programs under
"(B) the lesser of—
"(i) one-half of any additional amounts expended by such State for such programs; or
"(ii) the maximum additional amount for such State under such
1998—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (d)(1), (2).
Subsec. (e).
"(1) denied or delayed the placement of a child for adoption when an approved family is available outside of the jurisdiction with responsibility for handling the case of the child; or
"(2) failed to grant an opportunity for a fair hearing, as described in
1997—Subsec. (e).
1996—Subsec. (d).
1994—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (e).
1993—Subsec. (a)(3)(B).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C).
Subsec. (a)(3)(D), (E).
Subsec. (e).
1990—Subsec. (a)(3).
1989—Subsec. (a)(3)(B), (C).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B).
Subsec. (b)(5)(A).
Subsec. (c)(1), (2).
Subsec. (c)(4)(B), (C).
1987—Subsec. (b)(1), (2)(A)(iii), (B), (4)(B).
Subsec. (b)(5)(A).
Subsec. (c)(1), (2).
1986—Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B), (4)(B).
Subsec. (b)(5)(A).
Subsec. (c)(1), (2).
1984—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(v).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B).
Subsec. (b)(5)(A).
Subsec. (b)(5)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(1), (2).
Subsec. (d)(1).
1980—Subsec. (d).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by section 301(c)(2) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Amendment by section 301(b), (c) of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 207(c) of
Section 210(b) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13713(a)(3) of
Section 13713(b)(2) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 5071(b) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 8001(b) of
Section 8002(e) of
Section 8006(b) of
Section 10401(b) of
Section 10402(b) of
Section 10403(c)(2) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 9132(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Construction of 2008 Amendment
For construction of amendment by section 301(c)(2) of
Phase-in
"(1) 55 percent, if the expenditure is made in fiscal year 2009;
"(2) 60 percent, if the expenditure is made in fiscal year 2010;
"(3) 65 percent, if the expenditure is made in fiscal year 2011; or
"(4) 70 percent, if the expenditure is made in fiscal year 2012."
§675. Definitions
As used in this part or part B of this subchapter:
(1) The term "case plan" means a written document which includes at least the following:
(A) A description of the type of home or institution in which a child is to be placed, including a discussion of the safety and appropriateness of the placement and how the agency which is responsible for the child plans to carry out the voluntary placement agreement entered into or judicial determination made with respect to the child in accordance with section 672(a)(1) 1 of this title.
(B) A plan for assuring that the child receives safe and proper care and that services are provided to the parents, child, and foster parents in order to improve the conditions in the parents' home, facilitate return of the child to his own safe home or the permanent placement of the child, and address the needs of the child while in foster care, including a discussion of the appropriateness of the services that have been provided to the child under the plan.
(C) The health and education records of the child, including the most recent information available regarding—
(i) the names and addresses of the child's health and educational providers;
(ii) the child's grade level performance;
(iii) the child's school record;
(iv) a record of the child's immunizations;
(v) the child's known medical problems;
(vi) the child's medications; and
(vii) any other relevant health and education information concerning the child determined to be appropriate by the State agency.
(D) Where appropriate, for a child age 16 or over, a written description of the programs and services which will help such child prepare for the transition from foster care to independent living.
(E) In the case of a child with respect to whom the permanency plan is adoption or placement in another permanent home, documentation of the steps the agency is taking to find an adoptive family or other permanent living arrangement for the child, to place the child with an adoptive family, a fit and willing relative, a legal guardian, or in another planned permanent living arrangement, and to finalize the adoption or legal guardianship. At a minimum, such documentation shall include child specific recruitment efforts such as the use of State, regional, and national adoption exchanges including electronic exchange systems to facilitate orderly and timely in-State and interstate placements.
(F) In the case of a child with respect to whom the permanency plan is placement with a relative and receipt of kinship guardianship assistance payments under
(i) the steps that the agency has taken to determine that it is not appropriate for the child to be returned home or adopted;
(ii) the reasons for any separation of siblings during placement;
(iii) the reasons why a permanent placement with a fit and willing relative through a kinship guardianship assistance arrangement is in the child's best interests;
(iv) the ways in which the child meets the eligibility requirements for a kinship guardianship assistance payment;
(v) the efforts the agency has made to discuss adoption by the child's relative foster parent as a more permanent alternative to legal guardianship and, in the case of a relative foster parent who has chosen not to pursue adoption, documentation of the reasons therefor; and
(vi) the efforts made by the State agency to discuss with the child's parent or parents the kinship guardianship assistance arrangement, or the reasons why the efforts were not made.
(G) A plan for ensuring the educational stability of the child while in foster care, including—
(i) assurances that the placement of the child in foster care takes into account the appropriateness of the current educational setting and the proximity to the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement; and
(ii)(I) an assurance that the State agency has coordinated with appropriate local educational agencies (as defined under
(II) if remaining in such school is not in the best interests of the child, assurances by the State agency and the local educational agencies to provide immediate and appropriate enrollment in a new school, with all of the educational records of the child provided to the school.
(2) The term "parents" means biological or adoptive parents or legal guardians, as determined by applicable State law.
(3) The term "adoption assistance agreement" means a written agreement, binding on the parties to the agreement, between the State agency, other relevant agencies, and the prospective adoptive parents of a minor child which at a minimum (A) specifies the nature and amount of any payments, services, and assistance to be provided under such agreement, and (B) stipulates that the agreement shall remain in effect regardless of the State of which the adoptive parents are residents at any given time. The agreement shall contain provisions for the protection (under an interstate compact approved by the Secretary or otherwise) of the interests of the child in cases where the adoptive parents and child move to another State while the agreement is effective.
(4)(A) The term "foster care maintenance payments" means payments to cover the cost of (and the cost of providing) food, clothing, shelter, daily supervision, school supplies, a child's personal incidentals, liability insurance with respect to a child, reasonable travel to the child's home for visitation, and reasonable travel for the child to remain in the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement. In the case of institutional care, such term shall include the reasonable costs of administration and operation of such institution as are necessarily required to provide the items described in the preceding sentence.
(B) In cases where—
(i) a child placed in a foster family home or child-care institution is the parent of a son or daughter who is in the same home or institution, and
(ii) payments described in subparagraph (A) are being made under this part with respect to such child,
the foster care maintenance payments made with respect to such child as otherwise determined under subparagraph (A) shall also include such amounts as may be necessary to cover the cost of the items described in that subparagraph with respect to such son or daughter.
(5) The term "case review system" means a procedure for assuring that—
(A) each child has a case plan designed to achieve placement in a safe setting that is the least restrictive (most family like) and most appropriate setting available and in close proximity to the parents' home, consistent with the best interest and special needs of the child, which—
(i) if the child has been placed in a foster family home or child-care institution a substantial distance from the home of the parents of the child, or in a State different from the State in which such home is located, sets forth the reasons why such placement is in the best interests of the child, and
(ii) if the child has been placed in foster care outside the State in which the home of the parents of the child is located, requires that, periodically, but not less frequently than every 6 months, a caseworker on the staff of the State agency of the State in which the home of the parents of the child is located, of the State in which the child has been placed, or of a private agency under contract with either such State, visit such child in such home or institution and submit a report on such visit to the State agency of the State in which the home of the parents of the child is located,
(B) the status of each child is reviewed periodically but no less frequently than once every six months by either a court or by administrative review (as defined in paragraph (6)) in order to determine the safety of the child, the continuing necessity for and appropriateness of the placement, the extent of compliance with the case plan, and the extent of progress which has been made toward alleviating or mitigating the causes necessitating placement in foster care, and to project a likely date by which the child may be returned to and safely maintained in the home or placed for adoption or legal guardianship,
(C) with respect to each such child, (i) procedural safeguards will be applied, among other things, to assure each child in foster care under the supervision of the State of a permanency hearing to be held, in a family or juvenile court or another court (including a tribal court) of competent jurisdiction, or by an administrative body appointed or approved by the court, no later than 12 months after the date the child is considered to have entered foster care (as determined under subparagraph (F)) (and not less frequently than every 12 months thereafter during the continuation of foster care), which hearing shall determine the permanency plan for the child that includes whether, and if applicable when, the child will be returned to the parent, placed for adoption and the State will file a petition for termination of parental rights, or referred for legal guardianship, or (in cases where the State agency has documented to the State court a compelling reason for determining that it would not be in the best interests of the child to return home, be referred for termination of parental rights, or be placed for adoption, with a fit and willing relative, or with a legal guardian) placed in another planned permanent living arrangement, in the case of a child who will not be returned to the parent, the hearing shall consider in-State and out-of-State placement options, and, in the case of a child described in subparagraph (A)(ii), the hearing shall determine whether the out-of-State placement continues to be appropriate and in the best interests of the child, and, in the case of a child who has attained age 16, the services needed to assist the child to make the transition from foster care to independent living; (ii) procedural safeguards shall be applied with respect to parental rights pertaining to the removal of the child from the home of his parents, to a change in the child's placement, and to any determination affecting visitation privileges of parents; and (iii) procedural safeguards shall be applied to assure that in any permanency hearing held with respect to the child, including any hearing regarding the transition of the child from foster care to independent living, the court or administrative body conducting the hearing consults, in an age-appropriate manner, with the child regarding the proposed permanency or transition plan for the child; 2
(D) a child's health and education record (as described in paragraph (1)(A)) is reviewed and updated, and a copy of the record is supplied to the foster parent or foster care provider with whom the child is placed, at the time of each placement of the child in foster care, and is supplied to the child at no cost at the time the child leaves foster care if the child is leaving foster care by reason of having attained the age of majority under State law; 2
(E) in the case of a child who has been in foster care under the responsibility of the State for 15 of the most recent 22 months, or, if a court of competent jurisdiction has determined a child to be an abandoned infant (as defined under State law) or has made a determination that the parent has committed murder of another child of the parent, committed voluntary manslaughter of another child of the parent, aided or abetted, attempted, conspired, or solicited to commit such a murder or such a voluntary manslaughter, or committed a felony assault that has resulted in serious bodily injury to the child or to another child of the parent, the State shall file a petition to terminate the parental rights of the child's parents (or, if such a petition has been filed by another party, seek to be joined as a party to the petition), and, concurrently, to identify, recruit, process, and approve a qualified family for an adoption, unless—
(i) at the option of the State, the child is being cared for by a relative;
(ii) a State agency has documented in the case plan (which shall be available for court review) a compelling reason for determining that filing such a petition would not be in the best interests of the child; or
(iii) the State has not provided to the family of the child, consistent with the time period in the State case plan, such services as the State deems necessary for the safe return of the child to the child's home, if reasonable efforts of the type described in
(F) a child shall be considered to have entered foster care on the earlier of—
(i) the date of the first judicial finding that the child has been subjected to child abuse or neglect; or
(ii) the date that is 60 days after the date on which the child is removed from the home; 2
(G) the foster parents (if any) of a child and any preadoptive parent or relative providing care for the child are provided with notice of, and a right to be heard in, any proceeding to be held with respect to the child, except that this subparagraph shall not be construed to require that any foster parent, preadoptive parent, or relative providing care for the child be made a party to such a proceeding solely on the basis of such notice and right to be heard; 2 and
(H) during the 90-day period immediately prior to the date on which the child will attain 18 years of age, or such greater age as the State may elect under paragraph (8)(B)(iii), whether during that period foster care maintenance payments are being made on the child's behalf or the child is receiving benefits or services under
(6) The term "administrative review" means a review open to the participation of the parents of the child, conducted by a panel of appropriate persons at least one of whom is not responsible for the case management of, or the delivery of services to, either the child or the parents who are the subject of the review.
(7) The term "legal guardianship" means a judicially created relationship between child and caretaker which is intended to be permanent and self-sustaining as evidenced by the transfer to the caretaker of the following parental rights with respect to the child: protection, education, care and control of the person, custody of the person, and decisionmaking. The term "legal guardian" means the caretaker in such a relationship.
(8)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the term "child" means an individual who has not attained 18 years of age.
(B) At the option of a State, the term shall include an individual—
(i)(I) who is in foster care under the responsibility of the State;
(II) with respect to whom an adoption assistance agreement is in effect under
(III) with respect to whom a kinship guardianship assistance agreement is in effect under
(ii) who has attained 18 years of age;
(iii) who has not attained 19, 20, or 21 years of age, as the State may elect; and
(iv) who is—
(I) completing secondary education or a program leading to an equivalent credential;
(II) enrolled in an institution which provides post-secondary or vocational education;
(III) participating in a program or activity designed to promote, or remove barriers to, employment;
(IV) employed for at least 80 hours per month; or
(V) incapable of doing any of the activities described in subclauses (I) through (IV) due to a medical condition, which incapability is supported by regularly updated information in the case plan of the child.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §475, as added and amended
References in Text
Part B of this subchapter, referred to in text, is classified to
Amendments
2010—Par. (5)(H).
2008—Par. (1)(C)(iv) to (viii).
Par. (1)(F).
Par. (1)(G).
Par. (4)(A).
Par. (5)(H).
Par. (8).
2006—Par. (1)(C).
Par. (1)(E).
Par. (5)(A)(ii).
Par. (5)(C).
Par. (5)(D).
Par. (5)(G).
1997—Par. (1).
Par. (1)(A).
Par. (1)(B).
Par. (1)(D).
Par. (1)(E).
Par. (5)(A).
Par. (5)(B).
Par. (5)(C).
Par. (5)(E).
Par. (5)(F).
Par. (5)(G).
Par. (7).
1994—Par. (5)(A).
Par. (5)(C).
Par. (5)(D).
1989—Par. (1).
Par. (5)(D).
1988—Par. (5)(C).
1987—Par. (4).
1986—Par. (1).
Par. (3).
1980—Par. (1).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by section 201(a) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 206(c) of
Section 209(d) of
Amendment by section 265(c) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 8007(c) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 12305(b)(2) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Section 101(a)(4)(A) of
Amendment by section 102(a)(4) of
Construction
Section 103(d) of
Transition Rules; New and Current Foster Children
Section 103(c) of
"(1)
"(A) if the State comes into compliance with the amendments made by subsection (a) of this section [amending this section] before the child has been in such foster care for 15 of the most recent 22 months, the State shall comply with section 475(5)(E) of the Social Security Act [par. (5)(E) of this section] with respect to the child when the child has been in such foster care for 15 of the most recent 22 months; and
"(B) if the State comes into such compliance after the child has been in such foster care for 15 of the most recent 22 months, the State shall comply with such section 475(5)(E) with respect to the child not later than 3 months after the end of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after such date of enactment.
"(2)
"(A) not later than 6 months after the end of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after such date of enactment, comply with section 475(5)(E) of the Social Security Act with respect to not less than 1/3 of such children as the State shall select, giving priority to children for whom the permanency plan (within the meaning of part E of title IV of the Social Security Act [this part]) is adoption and children who have been in foster care for the greatest length of time;
"(B) not later than 12 months after the end of such first regular session, comply with such section 475(5)(E) with respect to not less than 2/3 of such children as the State shall select; and
"(C) not later than 18 months after the end of such first regular session, comply with such section 475(5)(E) with respect to all of such children.
"(3)
"(4)
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. The semicolon probably should be a comma.
§676. Administration
(a) Technical assistance to States
The Secretary may provide technical assistance to the States to assist them to develop the programs authorized under this part and shall periodically (1) evaluate the programs authorized under this part and part B of this subchapter and (2) collect and publish data pertaining to the incidence and characteristics of foster care and adoptions in this country.
(b) Data collection and evaluation
Each State shall submit statistical reports as the Secretary may require with respect to children for whom payments are made under this part containing information with respect to such children including legal status, demographic characteristics, location, and length of any stay in foster care.
(c) Technical assistance and implementation services for tribal programs
(1) Authority
The Secretary shall provide technical assistance and implementation services that are dedicated to improving services and permanency outcomes for Indian children and their families through the provision of assistance described in paragraph (2).
(2) Assistance provided
(A) In general
The technical assistance and implementation services shall be to—
(i) provide information, advice, educational materials, and technical assistance to Indian tribes and tribal organizations with respect to the types of services, administrative functions, data collection, program management, and reporting that are required under State plans under part B and this part;
(ii) assist and provide technical assistance to—
(I) Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal consortia seeking to operate a program under part B or under this part through direct application to the Secretary under
(II) Indian tribes, tribal organizations, tribal consortia, and States seeking to develop cooperative agreements to provide for payments under this part or satisfy the requirements of
(iii) subject to subparagraph (B), make one-time grants, to tribes, tribal organizations, or tribal consortia that are seeking to develop, and intend, not later than 24 months after receiving such a grant to submit to the Secretary a plan under
(I) not exceed $300,000; and
(II) be used for the cost of developing a plan under
(B) Grant condition
(i) In general
As a condition of being paid a grant under subparagraph (A)(iii), a tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium shall agree to repay the total amount of the grant awarded if the tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium fails to submit to the Secretary a plan under
(ii) Exception
The Secretary shall waive the requirement to repay a grant imposed by clause (i) if the Secretary determines that a tribe's, tribal organization's, or tribal consortium's failure to submit a plan within such period was the result of circumstances beyond the control of the tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium.
(C) Implementation authority
The Secretary may provide the technical assistance and implementation services described in subparagraph (A) either directly or through a grant or contract with public or private organizations knowledgeable and experienced in the field of Indian tribal affairs and child welfare.
(3) Appropriation
There is appropriated to the Secretary, out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and each fiscal year thereafter to carry out this subsection.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §476, as added
References in Text
Part B of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (c)(2)(A)(i), (ii)(I), is classified to
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (c).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by
§677. John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program
(a) Purpose
The purpose of this section is to provide States with flexible funding that will enable programs to be designed and conducted—
(1) to identify children who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age and to help these children make the transition to self-sufficiency by providing services such as assistance in obtaining a high school diploma, career exploration, vocational training, job placement and retention, training in daily living skills, training in budgeting and financial management skills, substance abuse prevention, and preventive health activities (including smoking avoidance, nutrition education, and pregnancy prevention);
(2) to help children who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age receive the education, training, and services necessary to obtain employment;
(3) to help children who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age prepare for and enter postsecondary training and education institutions;
(4) to provide personal and emotional support to children aging out of foster care, through mentors and the promotion of interactions with dedicated adults;
(5) to provide financial, housing, counseling, employment, education, and other appropriate support and services to former foster care recipients between 18 and 21 years of age to complement their own efforts to achieve self-sufficiency and to assure that program participants recognize and accept their personal responsibility for preparing for and then making the transition from adolescence to adulthood;
(6) to make available vouchers for education and training, including postsecondary training and education, to youths who have aged out of foster care; and
(7) to provide the services referred to in this subsection to children who, after attaining 16 years of age, have left foster care for kinship guardianship or adoption.
(b) Applications
(1) In general
A State may apply for funds from its allotment under subsection (c) of this section for a period of five consecutive fiscal years by submitting to the Secretary, in writing, a plan that meets the requirements of paragraph (2) and the certifications required by paragraph (3) with respect to the plan.
(2) State plan
A plan meets the requirements of this paragraph if the plan specifies which State agency or agencies will administer, supervise, or oversee the programs carried out under the plan, and describes how the State intends to do the following:
(A) Design and deliver programs to achieve the purposes of this section.
(B) Ensure that all political subdivisions in the State are served by the program, though not necessarily in a uniform manner.
(C) Ensure that the programs serve children of various ages and at various stages of achieving independence.
(D) Involve the public and private sectors in helping adolescents in foster care achieve independence.
(E) Use objective criteria for determining eligibility for benefits and services under the programs, and for ensuring fair and equitable treatment of benefit recipients.
(F) Cooperate in national evaluations of the effects of the programs in achieving the purposes of this section.
(3) Certifications
The certifications required by this paragraph with respect to a plan are the following:
(A) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State will provide assistance and services to children who have left foster care because they have attained 18 years of age, and who have not attained 21 years of age.
(B) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that not more than 30 percent of the amounts paid to the State from its allotment under subsection (c) of this section for a fiscal year will be expended for room or board for children who have left foster care because they have attained 18 years of age, and who have not attained 21 years of age.
(C) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that none of the amounts paid to the State from its allotment under subsection (c) of this section will be expended for room or board for any child who has not attained 18 years of age.
(D) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State will use training funds provided under the program of Federal payments for foster care and adoption assistance to provide training to help foster parents, adoptive parents, workers in group homes, and case managers understand and address the issues confronting adolescents preparing for independent living, and will, to the extent possible, coordinate such training with the independent living program conducted for adolescents.
(E) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State has consulted widely with public and private organizations in developing the plan and that the State has given all interested members of the public at least 30 days to submit comments on the plan.
(F) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State will make every effort to coordinate the State programs receiving funds provided from an allotment made to the State under subsection (c) of this section with other Federal and State programs for youth (especially transitional living youth projects funded under part B of title III of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 [
(G) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that each Indian tribe in the State has been consulted about the programs to be carried out under the plan; that there have been efforts to coordinate the programs with such tribes; that benefits and services under the programs will be made available to Indian children in the State on the same basis as to other children in the State; and that the State will negotiate in good faith with any Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium in the State that does not receive an allotment under subsection (j)(4) for a fiscal year and that requests to develop an agreement with the State to administer, supervise, or oversee the programs to be carried out under the plan with respect to the Indian children who are eligible for such programs and who are under the authority of the tribe, organization, or consortium and to receive from the State an appropriate portion of the State allotment under subsection (c) for the cost of such administration, supervision, or oversight.
(H) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State will ensure that adolescents participating in the program under this section participate directly in designing their own program activities that prepare them for independent living and that the adolescents accept personal responsibility for living up to their part of the program.
(I) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State has established and will enforce standards and procedures to prevent fraud and abuse in the programs carried out under the plan.
(J) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State educational and training voucher program under this section is in compliance with the conditions specified in subsection (i) of this section, including a statement describing methods the State will use—
(i) to ensure that the total amount of educational assistance to a youth under this section and under other Federal and Federally supported programs does not exceed the limitation specified in subsection (i)(5) of this section; and
(ii) to avoid duplication of benefits under this and any other Federal or Federally assisted benefit program.
(K) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State will ensure that an adolescent participating in the program under this section are 1 provided with education about the importance of designating another individual to make health care treatment decisions on behalf of the adolescent if the adolescent becomes unable to participate in such decisions and the adolescent does not have, or does not want, a relative who would otherwise be authorized under State law to make such decisions, whether a health care power of attorney, health care proxy, or other similar document is recognized under State law, and how to execute such a document if the adolescent wants to do so.
(4) Approval
The Secretary shall approve an application submitted by a State pursuant to paragraph (1) for a period if—
(A) the application is submitted on or before June 30 of the calendar year in which such period begins; and
(B) the Secretary finds that the application contains the material required by paragraph (1).
(5) Authority to implement certain amendments; notification
A State with an application approved under paragraph (4) may implement any amendment to the plan contained in the application if the application, incorporating the amendment, would be approvable under paragraph (4). Within 30 days after a State implements any such amendment, the State shall notify the Secretary of the amendment.
(6) Availability
The State shall make available to the public any application submitted by the State pursuant to paragraph (1), and a brief summary of the plan contained in the application.
(c) Allotments to States
(1) General program allotment
From the amount specified in subsection (h)(1) of this section that remains after applying subsection (g)(2) of this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to each State with an application approved under subsection (b) of this section for the fiscal year the amount which bears the ratio to such remaining amount equal to the State foster care ratio, as adjusted in accordance with paragraph (2).
(2) Hold harmless provision
(A) In general
The Secretary shall allot to each State whose allotment for a fiscal year under paragraph (1) is less than the greater of $500,000 or the amount payable to the State under this section for fiscal year 1998, an additional amount equal to the difference between such allotment and such greater amount.
(B) Ratable reduction of certain allotments
In the case of a State not described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reduce the amount allotted to the State for the fiscal year under paragraph (1) by the amount that bears the same ratio to the sum of the differences determined under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph for the fiscal year as the excess of the amount so allotted over the greater of $500,000 or the amount payable to the State under this section for fiscal year 1998 bears to the sum of such excess amounts determined for all such States.
(3) Voucher program allotment
From the amount, if any, appropriated pursuant to subsection (h)(2) of this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary may allot to each State with an application approved under subsection (b) of this section for the fiscal year an amount equal to the State foster care ratio multiplied by the amount so specified.
(4) State foster care ratio
In this subsection, the term "State foster care ratio" means the ratio of the number of children in foster care under a program of the State in the most recent fiscal year for which the information is available to the total number of children in foster care in all States for the most recent fiscal year.
(d) Use of funds
(1) In general
A State to which an amount is paid from its allotment under subsection (c) of this section may use the amount in any manner that is reasonably calculated to accomplish the purposes of this section.
(2) No supplantation of other funds available for same general purposes
The amounts paid to a State from its allotment under subsection (c) of this section shall be used to supplement and not supplant any other funds which are available for the same general purposes in the State.
(3) Two-year availability of funds
Payments made to a State under this section for a fiscal year shall be expended by the State in the fiscal year or in the succeeding fiscal year.
(4) Reallocation of unused funds
If a State does not apply for funds under this section for a fiscal year within such time as may be provided by the Secretary, the funds to which the State would be entitled for the fiscal year shall be reallocated to 1 or more other States on the basis of their relative need for additional payments under this section, as determined by the Secretary.
(e) Penalties
(1) Use of grant in violation of this part
If the Secretary is made aware, by an audit conducted under
(2) Failure to comply with data reporting requirement
The Secretary shall assess a penalty against a State that fails during a fiscal year to comply with an information collection plan implemented under subsection (f) of this section in an amount equal to not less than 1 percent and not more than 5 percent of the amount allotted to the State for the fiscal year.
(3) Penalties based on degree of noncompliance
The Secretary shall assess penalties under this subsection based on the degree of noncompliance.
(f) Data collection and performance measurement
(1) In general
The Secretary, in consultation with State and local public officials responsible for administering independent living and other child welfare programs, child welfare advocates, Members of Congress, youth service providers, and researchers, shall—
(A) develop outcome measures (including measures of educational attainment, high school diploma, employment, avoidance of dependency, homelessness, nonmarital childbirth, incarceration, and high-risk behaviors) that can be used to assess the performance of States in operating independent living programs;
(B) identify data elements needed to track—
(i) the number and characteristics of children receiving services under this section;
(ii) the type and quantity of services being provided; and
(iii) State performance on the outcome measures; and
(C) develop and implement a plan to collect the needed information beginning with the second fiscal year beginning after December 14, 1999.
(2) Report to the Congress
Within 12 months after December 14, 1999, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report detailing the plans and timetable for collecting from the States the information described in paragraph (1) and a proposal to impose penalties consistent with paragraph (e)(2) on States that do not report data.
(g) Evaluations
(1) In general
The Secretary shall conduct evaluations of such State programs funded under this section as the Secretary deems to be innovative or of potential national significance. The evaluation of any such program shall include information on the effects of the program on education, employment, and personal development. To the maximum extent practicable, the evaluations shall be based on rigorous scientific standards including random assignment to treatment and control groups. The Secretary is encouraged to work directly with State and local governments to design methods for conducting the evaluations, directly or by grant, contract, or cooperative agreement.
(2) Funding of evaluations
The Secretary shall reserve 1.5 percent of the amount specified in subsection (h) of this section for a fiscal year to carry out, during the fiscal year, evaluation, technical assistance, performance measurement, and data collection activities related to this section, directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements with appropriate entities.
(h) Limitations on authorization of appropriations
To carry out this section and for payments to States under
(1) $140,000,000, which shall be available for all purposes under this section; and
(2) an additional $60,000,000, which are authorized to be available for payments to States for education and training vouchers for youths who age out of foster care, to assist the youths to develop skills necessary to lead independent and productive lives.
(i) Educational and training vouchers
The following conditions shall apply to a State educational and training voucher program under this section:
(1) Vouchers under the program may be available to youths otherwise eligible for services under the State program under this section.
(2) For purposes of the voucher program, youths who, after attaining 16 years of age, are adopted from, or enter kinship guardianship from, foster care may be considered to be youths otherwise eligible for services under the State program under this section.
(3) The State may allow youths participating in the voucher program on the date they attain 21 years of age to remain eligible until they attain 23 years of age, as long as they are enrolled in a postsecondary education or training program and are making satisfactory progress toward completion of that program.
(4) The voucher or vouchers provided for an individual under this section—
(A) may be available for the cost of attendance at an institution of higher education, as defined in
(B) shall not exceed the lesser of $5,000 per year or the total cost of attendance, as defined in
(5) The amount of a voucher under this section may be disregarded for purposes of determining the recipient's eligibility for, or the amount of, any other Federal or Federally supported assistance, except that the total amount of educational assistance to a youth under this section and under other Federal and Federally supported programs shall not exceed the total cost of attendance, as defined in
(6) The program is coordinated with other appropriate education and training programs.
(j) Authority for an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium to receive an allotment
(1) In general
An Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium with a plan approved under
(2) Application
A tribe, organization, or consortium desiring an allotment under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary to directly receive such allotment that includes a plan which—
(A) satisfies such requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (b) as the Secretary determines are appropriate;
(B) contains a description of the tribe's, organization's, or consortium's consultation process regarding the programs to be carried out under the plan with each State for which a portion of an allotment under subsection (c) would be redirected to the tribe, organization, or consortium; and
(C) contains an explanation of the results of such consultation, particularly with respect to—
(i) determining the eligibility for benefits and services of Indian children to be served under the programs to be carried out under the plan; and
(ii) the process for consulting with the State in order to ensure the continuity of benefits and services for such children who will transition from receiving benefits and services under programs carried out under a State plan under subsection (b)(2) to receiving benefits and services under programs carried out under a plan under this subsection.
(3) Payments
The Secretary shall pay an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium with an application and plan approved under this subsection from the allotment determined for the tribe, organization, or consortium under paragraph (4) of this subsection in the same manner as is provided in
(4) Allotment
From the amounts allotted to a State under subsection (c) of this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to each Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium with an application and plan approved under this subsection for that fiscal year an amount equal to the tribal foster care ratio determined under paragraph (5) of this subsection for the tribe, organization, or consortium multiplied by the allotment amount of the State within which the tribe, organization, or consortium is located. The allotment determined under this paragraph is deemed to be a part of the allotment determined under subsection (c) for the State in which the Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium is located.
(5) Tribal foster care ratio
For purposes of paragraph (4), the tribal foster care ratio means, with respect to an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium, the ratio of—
(A) the number of children in foster care under the responsibility of the Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium (either directly or under supervision of the State), in the most recent fiscal year for which the information is available; to
(B) the sum of—
(i) the total number of children in foster care under the responsibility of the State within which the Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium is located; and
(ii) the total number of children in foster care under the responsibility of all Indian tribes, tribal organizations, or tribal consortia in the State (either directly or under supervision of the State) that have a plan approved under this subsection.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §477, as added
References in Text
The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(F), is
Codification
December 14, 1999, referred to in subsec. (f), was in the original "the date of the enactment of this section" which was translated as meaning the date of enactment of
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(3)(K).
2008—Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (b)(3)(G).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (j).
2002—Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (b)(3)(J).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(3), (4).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
1999—
1997—Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
1993—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
Subsec. (e)(1)(C)(ii)(II).
1990—Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
1989—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (e)(1).
1988—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(2).
"(A) Not later than July 1, 1988, the Secretary shall submit an interim report on the activities carried out under this section.
"(B) Not later than March 1, 1989,"
for "Not later than July 1, 1988," and substituted "fiscal years 1987 and 1988" for "fiscal year 1987" in subpar. (B).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by section 301(b), (c)(1)(B) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13714(b) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 5073(b) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 8104(g) of
"(1) The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (e) [amending this section and
"(2) The amendments made by subsections (c), (d), and (f) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 10, 1988]."
Regulations
Construction of 2008 Amendment
For construction of amendment by section 301(b), (c)(1)(B) of
Temporary Extension of Availability of Independent Living Funds
Findings
"(1) States are required to make reasonable efforts to find adoptive families for all children, including older children, for whom reunification with their biological family is not in the best interests of the child. However, some older children will continue to live in foster care. These children should be enrolled in an Independent Living program designed and conducted by State and local government to help prepare them for employment, postsecondary education, and successful management of adult responsibilities.
"(2) Older children who continue to be in foster care as adolescents may become eligible for Independent Living programs. These Independent Living programs are not an alternative to adoption for these children. Enrollment in Independent Living programs can occur concurrent with continued efforts to locate and achieve placement in adoptive families for older children in foster care.
"(3) About 20,000 adolescents leave the Nation's foster care system each year because they have reached 18 years of age and are expected to support themselves.
"(4) Congress has received extensive information that adolescents leaving foster care have significant difficulty making a successful transition to adulthood; this information shows that children aging out of foster care show high rates of homelessness, non-marital childbearing, poverty, and delinquent or criminal behavior; they are also frequently the target of crime and physical assaults.
"(5) The Nation's State and local governments, with financial support from the Federal Government, should offer an extensive program of education, training, employment, and financial support for young adults leaving foster care, with participation in such program beginning several years before high school graduation and continuing, as needed, until the young adults emancipated from foster care establish independence or reach 21 years of age."
Study and Report Evaluating Effectiveness of Programs
Section 8002(d) of
"(1)
"(2)
1 So in original. Probably should be "is".
§678. Rule of construction
Nothing in this part shall be construed as precluding State courts from exercising their discretion to protect the health and safety of children in individual cases, including cases other than those described in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §478, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 678, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §478, as added Oct. 22, 1986,
Effective Date
Section effective Nov. 19, 1997, except as otherwise provided, with delay permitted if State legislation is required, see section 501 of
§679. Collection of data relating to adoption and foster care
(a) Advisory Committee on Adoption and Foster Care Information
(1) Not later than 90 days after October 21, 1986, the Secretary shall establish an Advisory Committee on Adoption and Foster Care Information (in this section referred to as the "Advisory Committee") to study the various methods of establishing, administering, and financing a system for the collection of data with respect to adoption and foster care in the United States.
(2) The study required by paragraph (1) shall—
(A) identify the types of data necessary to—
(i) assess (on a continuing basis) the incidence, characteristics, and status of adoption and foster care in the United States, and
(ii) develop appropriate national policies with respect to adoption and foster care;
(B) evaluate the feasibility and appropriateness of collecting data with respect to privately arranged adoptions and adoptions arranged through private agencies without assistance from public child welfare agencies;
(C) assess the validity of various methods of collecting data with respect to adoption and foster care; and
(D) evaluate the financial and administrative impact of implementing each such method.
(3) Not later than October 1, 1987, the Advisory Committee shall submit to the Secretary and the Congress a report setting forth the results of the study required by paragraph (1) and evaluating and making recommendations with respect to the various methods of establishing, administering, and financing a system for the collection of data with respect to adoption and foster care in the United States.
(4)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the membership and organization of the Advisory Committee shall be determined by the Secretary.
(B) The membership of the Advisory Committee shall include representatives of—
(i) private, nonprofit organizations with an interest in child welfare (including organizations that provide foster care and adoption services),
(ii) organizations representing State and local governmental agencies with responsibility for foster care and adoption services,
(iii) organizations representing State and local governmental agencies with responsibility for the collection of health and social statistics,
(iv) organizations representing State and local judicial bodies with jurisdiction over family law,
(v) Federal agencies responsible for the collection of health and social statistics, and
(vi) organizations and agencies involved with privately arranged or international adoptions.
(5) After the date of the submission of the report required by paragraph (3), the Advisory Committee shall cease to exist.
(b) Report to Congress; regulations
(1)(A) Not later than July 1, 1988, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report that—
(i) proposes a method of establishing, administering, and financing a system for the collection of data relating to adoption and foster care in the United States,
(ii) evaluates the feasibility and appropriateness of collecting data with respect to privately arranged adoptions and adoptions arranged through private agencies without assistance from public child welfare agencies, and
(iii) evaluates the impact of the system proposed under clause (i) on the agencies with responsibility for implementing it.
(B) The report required by subparagraph (A) shall—
(i) specify any changes in law that will be necessary to implement the system proposed under subparagraph (A)(i), and
(ii) describe the type of system that will be implemented under paragraph (2) in the absence of such changes.
(2) Not later than December 31, 1988, the Secretary shall promulgate final regulations providing for the implementation of—
(A) the system proposed under paragraph (1)(A)(i), or
(B) if the changes in law specified pursuant to paragraph (1)(B)(i) have not been enacted, the system described in paragraph (1)(B)(ii).
Such regulations shall provide for the full implementation of the system not later than October 1, 1991.
(c) Data collection system
Any data collection system developed and implemented under this section shall—
(1) avoid unnecessary diversion of resources from agencies responsible for adoption and foster care;
(2) assure that any data that is collected is reliable and consistent over time and among jurisdictions through the use of uniform definitions and methodologies;
(3) provide comprehensive national information with respect to—
(A) the demographic characteristics of adoptive and foster children and their biological and adoptive or foster parents,
(B) the status of the foster care population (including the number of children in foster care, length of placement, type of placement, availability for adoption, and goals for ending or continuing foster care),
(C) the number and characteristics of—
(i) children placed in or removed from foster care,
(ii) children adopted or with respect to whom adoptions have been terminated, and
(iii) children placed in foster care outside the State which has placement and care responsibility, and
(D) the extent and nature of assistance provided by Federal, State, and local adoption and foster care programs and the characteristics of the children with respect to whom such assistance is provided; and
(4) utilize appropriate requirements and incentives to ensure that the system functions reliably throughout the United States.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §479, as added
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (c)(3)(C)(iii).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Termination of Advisory Committees
Advisory committees established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a committee established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such committee is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a committee established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. See section 14 of
§679a. National Adoption Information Clearinghouse
The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish, either directly or by grant or contract, a National Adoption Information Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse shall—
(1) collect, compile, and maintain information obtained from available research, studies, and reports by public and private agencies, institutions, or individuals concerning all aspects of infant adoption and adoption of children with special needs;
(2) compile, maintain, and periodically revise directories of information concerning—
(A) crisis pregnancy centers,
(B) shelters and residences for pregnant women,
(C) training programs on adoption,
(D) educational programs on adoption,
(E) licensed adoption agencies,
(F) State laws relating to adoption,
(G) intercountry adoption, and
(H) any other information relating to adoption for pregnant women, infertile couples, adoptive parents, unmarried individuals who want to adopt children, individuals who have been adopted, birth parents who have placed a child for adoption, adoption agencies, social workers, counselors, or other individuals who work in the adoption field;
(3) disseminate the information compiled and maintained pursuant to paragraph (1) and the directories compiled and maintained pursuant to paragraph (2); and
(4) upon the establishment of an adoption and foster care data collection system pursuant to
(
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Medicare and Medicaid Budget Reconciliation Amendments of 1985 and also as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
§679b. Annual report
The Secretary, in consultation with Governors, State legislatures, State and local public officials responsible for administering child welfare programs, and child welfare advocates, shall—
(1) develop a set of outcome measures (including length of stay in foster care, number of foster care placements, and number of adoptions) that can be used to assess the performance of States in operating child protection and child welfare programs pursuant to part B of this subchapter and this part to ensure the safety of children;
(2) to the maximum extent possible, the outcome measures should be developed from data available from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System;
(3) develop a system for rating the performance of States with respect to the outcome measures, and provide to the States an explanation of the rating system and how scores are determined under the rating system;
(4) prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to ensure that States provide to the Secretary the data necessary to determine State performance with respect to each outcome measure, as a condition of the State receiving funds under this part;
(5) on May 1, 1999, and annually thereafter, prepare and submit to the Congress a report on the performance of each State on each outcome measure, which shall examine the reasons for high performance and low performance and, where possible, make recommendations as to how State performance could be improved; and
(6) include in the report submitted pursuant to paragraph (5) for fiscal year 2007 or any succeeding fiscal year, State-by-State data on—
(A) the percentage of children in foster care under the responsibility of the State who were visited on a monthly basis by the caseworker handling the case of the child; and
(B) the percentage of the visits that occurred in the residence of the child.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §479A, as added
References in Text
Part B of this subchapter, referred to in par. (1), is classified to
Amendments
2006—Par. (6).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective Nov. 19, 1997, except as otherwise provided, with delay permitted if State legislation is required, see section 501 of
Development of Performance-Based Incentive System
Section 203(b) of
§679c. Programs operated by Indian tribal organizations
(a) Definitions of Indian tribe; tribal organizations
In this section, the terms "Indian tribe" and "tribal organization" have the meanings given those terms in
(b) Authority
Except as otherwise provided in this section, this part shall apply in the same manner as this part applies to a State to an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium that elects to operate a program under this part and has a plan approved by the Secretary under
(c) Plan requirements
(1) In general
An Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium that elects to operate a program under this part shall include with its plan submitted under
(A) Financial management
Evidence demonstrating that the tribe, organization, or consortium has not had any uncorrected significant or material audit exceptions under Federal grants or contracts that directly relate to the administration of social services for the 3-year period prior to the date on which the plan is submitted.
(B) Service areas and populations
For purposes of complying with
(C) Eligibility
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii) of this subparagraph, an assurance that the plan will provide—
(I) foster care maintenance payments under
(II) adoption assistance payments under
(III) at the option of the tribe, organization, or consortium, kinship guardianship assistance payments in accordance with
(ii) Satisfaction of foster care eligibility requirements
For purposes of determining whether a child whose placement and care are the responsibility of an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium with a plan approved under
(I) Use of affidavits, etc.
Only with respect to the first 12 months for which such plan is in effect, the requirement in paragraph (1) of
(II) AFDC eligibility requirement
The State plan approved under
(D) Option to claim in-kind expenditures from third-party sources for non-Federal share of administrative and training costs during initial implementation period
Only for fiscal year quarters beginning after September 30, 2009, and before October 1, 2014, a list of the in-kind expenditures (which shall be fairly evaluated, and may include plants, equipment, administration, or services) and the third-party sources of such expenditures that the tribe, organization, or consortium may claim as part of the non-Federal share of administrative or training expenditures attributable to such quarters for purposes of receiving payments under
(i) No effect on authority for tribes, organizations, or consortia to claim expenditures or indirect costs to the same extent as States
Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as preventing a tribe, organization, or consortium from claiming any expenditures or indirect costs for purposes of receiving payments under
(ii) Fiscal year 2010 or 2011
(I) Expenditures other than for training
With respect to amounts expended during a fiscal year quarter beginning after September 30, 2009, and before October 1, 2011, for which the tribe, organization, or consortium is eligible for payments under subparagraph (C), (D), or (E) of section 674(a)(3), not more than 25 percent of such amounts may consist of in-kind expenditures from third-party sources specified in the list required under this subparagraph to be submitted with the plan.
(II) Training expenditures
With respect to amounts expended during a fiscal year quarter beginning after September 30, 2009, and before October 1, 2011, for which the tribe, organization, or consortium is eligible for payments under subparagraph (A) or (B) of
(III) Sources described
For purposes of subclause (II), the sources described in this subclause are the following:
(aa) A State or local government.
(bb) An Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium other than the tribe, organization, or consortium submitting the plan.
(cc) A public institution of higher education.
(dd) A Tribal College or University (as defined in
(ee) A private charitable organization.
(iii) Fiscal year 2012, 2013, or 2014
(I) In general
Except as provided in subclause (II) of this clause and clause (v) of this subparagraph, with respect to amounts expended during any fiscal year quarter beginning after September 30, 2011, and before October 1, 2014, for which the tribe, organization, or consortium is eligible for payments under any subparagraph of
(II) Transition period for early approved tribes, organizations, or consortia
Subject to clause (v), if the tribe, organization, or consortium is an early approved tribe, organization, or consortium (as defined in subclause (III) of this clause), the Secretary shall not require the tribe, organization, or consortium to comply with such regulations before October 1, 2013. Until the earlier of the date such tribe, organization, or consortium comes into compliance with such regulations or October 1, 2013, the limitations on the claiming of in-kind expenditures from third-party sources under clause (ii) shall continue to apply to such tribe, organization, or consortium (without regard to fiscal limitation) for purposes of determining the non-Federal share of amounts expended by the tribe, organization, or consortium during any fiscal year quarter that begins after September 30, 2011, and before such date of compliance or October 1, 2013, whichever is earlier.
(III) Definition of early approved tribe, organization, or consortium
For purposes of subclause (II) of this clause, the term "early approved tribe, organization, or consortium" means an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium that had a plan approved under
(iv) Fiscal year 2015 and thereafter
Subject to clause (v) of this subparagraph, with respect to amounts expended during any fiscal year quarter beginning after September 30, 2014, for which the tribe, organization, or consortium is eligible for payments under any subparagraph of
(v) Contingency rule
If, at the time expenditures are made for a fiscal year quarter beginning after September 30, 2011, and before October 1, 2014, for which a tribe, organization, or consortium may receive payments for 1 under
(I) in the case of any quarter of fiscal year 2012, 2013, or 2014, the limitations on claiming in-kind expenditures from third-party sources under clause (ii) of this subparagraph shall apply (without regard to fiscal limitation) for purposes of determining the non-Federal share of such expenditures; and
(II) in the case of any quarter of fiscal year 2015 or any fiscal year thereafter, no tribe, organization, or consortium may claim in-kind expenditures from third-party sources for purposes of determining the non-Federal share of such expenditures if a State with a plan approved under
(2) Clarification of tribal authority to establish standards for tribal foster family homes and tribal child care institutions
For purposes of complying with
(3) Consortium
The participating Indian tribes or tribal organizations of a tribal consortium may develop and submit a single plan under
(d) Determination of Federal medical assistance percentage for foster care maintenance and adoption assistance payments
(1) Per capita income
For purposes of determining the Federal medical assistance percentage applicable to an Indian tribe, a tribal organization, or a tribal consortium under paragraphs (1), (2), and (5) of
(2) Consideration of other information
Before making a calculation under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider any information submitted by an Indian tribe, a tribal organization, or a tribal consortium that the Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium considers relevant to making the calculation of the per capita income of the Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium.
(e) Nonapplication to cooperative agreements and contracts
Any cooperative agreement or contract entered into between an Indian tribe, a tribal organization, or a tribal consortium and a State for the administration or payment of funds under this part that is in effect as of October 7, 2008, shall remain in full force and effect, subject to the right of either party to the agreement or contract to revoke or modify the agreement or contract pursuant to the terms of the agreement or contract. Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the authority for an Indian tribe, a tribal organization, or a tribal consortium and a State to enter into a cooperative agreement or contract for the administration or payment of funds under this part.
(f) John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program
Except as provided in
(g) Rule of construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the application of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §479B, as added
References in Text
Section 301(e)(2) of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(D)(iii)(I), (iv), (v), is section 301(e)(2) of
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 2009, without regard to whether implementing regulations have been promulgated, see section 301(f) of
Enactment of this section effective Oct. 7, 2008, except as otherwise provided, and applicable to payments under this part and part B of this subchapter for quarters beginning on or after effective date of enactment, with delay permitted if State legislation is required to meet additional requirements, see section 601 of
Construction
For construction of section, see section 301(d) of
Part F—Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program
§§681 to 687. Repealed. Pub. L. 104–193, title I, §108(e), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2167
Section 681, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §481, as added Oct. 13, 1988,
Section 682, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §482, as added Oct. 13, 1988,
Section 683, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §483, as added Oct. 13, 1988,
Section 684, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §484, as added Oct. 13, 1988,
Section 685, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §485, as added Oct. 13, 1988,
Section 686, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §486, as added Oct. 13, 1988,
Section 687, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §487, as added Oct. 13, 1988,
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
SUBCHAPTER V—MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES BLOCK GRANT
Amendments
1981—
§701. Authorization of appropriations; purposes; definitions
(a) To improve the health of all mothers and children consistent with the applicable health status goals and national health objectives established by the Secretary under the Public Health Service Act [
(1) for the purpose of enabling each State—
(A) to provide and to assure mothers and children (in particular those with low income or with limited availability of health services) access to quality maternal and child health services;
(B) to reduce infant mortality and the incidence of preventable diseases and handicapping conditions among children, to reduce the need for inpatient and long-term care services, to increase the number of children (especially preschool children) appropriately immunized against disease and the number of low income children receiving health assessments and follow-up diagnostic and treatment services, and otherwise to promote the health of mothers and infants by providing prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care for low income, at-risk pregnant women, and to promote the health of children by providing preventive and primary care services for low income children;
(C) to provide rehabilitation services for blind and disabled individuals under the age of 16 receiving benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter, to the extent medical assistance for such services is not provided under subchapter XIX of this chapter; and
(D) to provide and to promote family-centered, community-based, coordinated care (including care coordination services, as defined in subsection (b)(3) of this section) for children with special health care needs and to facilitate the development of community-based systems of services for such children and their families;
(2) for the purpose of enabling the Secretary (through grants, contracts, or otherwise) to provide for special projects of regional and national significance, research, and training with respect to maternal and child health and children with special health care needs (including early intervention training and services development), for genetic disease testing, counseling, and information development and dissemination programs, for grants (including funding for comprehensive hemophilia diagnostic treatment centers) relating to hemophilia without regard to age, and for the screening of newborns for sickle cell anemia, and other genetic disorders and follow-up services; and
(3) subject to
(A) maternal and infant health home visiting programs in which case management services as defined in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (b)(4) of this section, health education services, and related social support services are provided in the home to pregnant women or families with an infant up to the age one by an appropriate health professional or by a qualified nonprofessional acting under the supervision of a health care professional,
(B) projects designed to increase the participation of obstetricians and pediatricians under the program under this subchapter and under state 1 plans approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter,
(C) integrated maternal and child health service delivery systems (of the type described in section 1320b–6 2 of this title and using, once developed, the model application form developed under section 6506(a) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989),
(D) maternal and child health centers which (i) provide prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care for pregnant women and preventive and primary care services for infants up to age one, and (ii) operate under the direction of a not-for-profit hospital,
(E) maternal and child health projects to serve rural populations, and
(F) outpatient and community based services programs (including day care services) for children with special health care needs whose medical services are provided primarily through inpatient institutional care.
Funds appropriated under this section may only be used in a manner consistent with the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 [
(b) For purposes of this subchapter:
(1) The term "consolidated health programs" means the programs administered under the provisions of—
(A) this subchapter (relating to maternal and child health and services for children with special health care needs),
(B)
(C)
(D) title VI of the Health Services and Centers Amendments of 1978 (
as such provisions were in effect before August 13, 1981.
(2) The term "low income" means, with respect to an individual or family, such an individual or family with an income determined to be below the income official poverty line defined by the Office of Management and Budget and revised annually in accordance with
(3) The term "care coordination services" means services to promote the effective and efficient organization and utilization of resources to assure access to necessary comprehensive services for children with special health care needs and their families.
(4) The term "case management services" means—
(A) with respect to pregnant women, services to assure access to quality prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care; and
(B) with respect to infants up to age one, services to assure access to quality preventive and primary care services.
(c)(1)(A) For the purpose of enabling the Secretary (through grants, contracts, or otherwise) to provide for special projects of regional and national significance for the development and support of family-to-family health information centers described in paragraph (2), there is appropriated to the Secretary, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated—
(i) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(ii) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and
(iii) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.
(B) Funds appropriated or authorized to be appropriated under subparagraph (A) shall—
(i) be in addition to amounts appropriated under subsection (a) and retained under
(ii) remain available until expended.
(2) The family-to-family health information centers described in this paragraph are centers that—
(A) assist families of children with disabilities or special health care needs to make informed choices about health care in order to promote good treatment decisions, cost-effectiveness, and improved health outcomes for such children;
(B) provide information regarding the health care needs of, and resources available for, such children;
(C) identify successful health delivery models for such children;
(D) develop with representatives of health care providers, managed care organizations, health care purchasers, and appropriate State agencies, a model for collaboration between families of such children and health professionals;
(E) provide training and guidance regarding caring for such children;
(F) conduct outreach activities to the families of such children, health professionals, schools, and other appropriate entities and individuals; and
(G) are staffed—
(i) by such families who have expertise in Federal and State public and private health care systems; and
(ii) by health professionals.
(3) The Secretary shall develop family-to-family health information centers described in paragraph (2) in accordance with the following:
(A) With respect to fiscal year 2007, such centers shall be developed in not less than 25 States.
(B) With respect to fiscal year 2008, such centers shall be developed in not less than 40 States.
(C) With respect to fiscal year 2009 and each fiscal year thereafter, such centers shall be developed in all States.
(4) The provisions of this subchapter that are applicable to the funds made available to the Secretary under
(5) For purposes of this subsection, the term "State" means each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §501, as added
References in Text
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373,
The Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (a), is
Section 6506(a) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989, referred to in subsec. (a)(3)(C), is section 6506(a) of
The Health Services and Centers Amendments of 1978, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(D), is
Prior Provisions
A prior section 701, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §501, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Another prior section 701, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §501,
Provisions similar to those comprising former section 701 were contained in section 511 of act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(iii).
2006—Subsec. (c).
2000—Subsec. (a).
1997—Subsec. (a).
1994—Subsec. (a).
1989—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(3), (4).
1987—Subsec. (b)(2).
1986—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
1984—Subsec. (a).
1982—Subsec. (b)(1)(D).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 6510 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) by subsections (b) and (c) of section 6503 [amending
"(2) by section 6504 [amending
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2372(b) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date, Savings, and Transitional Provisions
Section 2194 of
"(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the amendments made by sections 2192 [enacting this subchapter and enacting provisions set out as a note under
"(1) October 1, 1982, or
"(2)(A) in the case of such grants, contracts, or payments under consolidated State programs (as defined in subsection (c)(2)(C)) to a State (or entities in the State), the date the State is first entitled to an allotment under title V of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] (as amended by this subtitle), or
"(B) in the case of grants and contracts under consolidated Federal programs (as defined in subsection (c)(2)(B)), October 1, 1981, or such later date (before October 1, 1982) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
"(b)(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services (hereinafter in this section referred to as the 'Secretary') may not provide for any allotment to a State under title V of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] (as amended by this subtitle) for a calendar quarter in fiscal year 1982 unless the State has notified the Secretary, at least 30 days (or 15 days in the case of the first calendar quarter of the fiscal year) before the beginning of the calendar quarter, that the State requests an allotment for that calendar quarter (and subsequent calendar quarters).
"(2)(A) Any grants or contracts entered into under the authorities of the consolidated State programs (as defined in subsection (c)(2)(C)) after the date of the enactment of this subtitle [Aug. 13, 1981] shall permit the termination of such grant or contract upon three months notice by the State in which the grantee or contractor is located.
"(B) The Secretary shall not make or renew any grants or contracts under the provisions of the consolidated State programs (as defined in subsection (c)(2)(C)) to a State (or an entity in the State) after the date the State becomes entitled to an allotment of funds under title V of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] (as amended by this subtitle).
"(3)(A) In the case of funds appropriated for fiscal year 1982 for consolidated health programs (as defined in subsection (c)(2)(A)), such funds shall (notwithstanding any other provision of law) be available for use under title V of the Social Security Act (as amended by this subtitle) [this subchapter], subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C).
"(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law—
"(i) the amount that may be made available for expenditures for the consolidated Federal programs for fiscal year 1982 and for projects and programs under section 502(a) of the Social Security Act [
"(ii) the amount that may be made available to a State (or entities in the State) for carrying out the consolidated State programs for fiscal year 1982 and for allotments to the State under section 502(b) of the Social Security Act [
"(C) For fiscal year 1982, the Secretary shall reduce the amount which would otherwise be available—
"(i) for expenditures by the Secretary under section 502(a) of the Social Security Act [
"(ii) for allotment to each of the States under section 502(b) of such Act [
"(c) For purposes of this section:
"(1) The term 'State' has the meaning given such term for purposes of title V of the Social Security Act [this subchapter].
"(2)(A) The term 'consolidated health programs' has the meaning given such term in section 501(b) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b) of this section] (as amended by this subtitle).
"(B) The term 'consolidated Federal programs' means the consolidated health programs—
"(i) of special projects grants under sections 503 and 504 [
"(ii) of grants and contracts for genetic disease projects and programs under section 1101 of the Public Health Service Act [
"(iii) of grants or contracts for comprehensive hemophilia diagnostic and treatment centers under section 1131 of the Public Health Service Act [
as such sections are in effect before the date of the enactment of this subtitle [Aug. 13, 1981].
"(C) The term 'consolidated State programs' means the consolidated health programs, other than the consolidated Federal programs.
"(d) The provisions of
Development of Model Applications for Maternal and Child Assistance Programs
Section 6506(a) of
Research on Infant Mortality and Medicaid Services
Section 6507 of
"(1) the infant's birth record,
"(2) any death record for the infant, and
"(3) information on any claims submitted under title XIX of the Social Security Act [subchapter XIX of this chapter] for health care furnished to the infant or with respect to the birth of the infant."
Demonstration Project on Health Insurance for Medically Uninsurable Children
Section 6508 of
Maternal and Child Health Handbook
Section 6509 of
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(b)
[Reference to community health center, migrant health center, public housing health center, or homeless health center considered reference to health center, see section 4(c) of
1 So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
2 See References in Text note below.
§702. Allotment to States and Federal set-aside
(a) Special projects
(1) Of the amounts appropriated under
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1)—
(A) amounts retained by the Secretary for training shall be used to make grants to public or nonprofit private institutions of higher learning for training personnel for health care and related services for mothers and children; and
(B) amounts retained by the Secretary for research shall be used to make grants to, contracts with, or jointly financed cooperative agreements with, public or nonprofit institutions of higher learning and public or nonprofit private agencies and organizations engaged in research or in maternal and child health or programs for children with special health care needs for research projects relating to maternal and child health services or services for children with special health care needs which show promise of substantial contribution to the advancement thereof.
(3) No funds may be made available by the Secretary under this subsection or subsection (b) of this section unless an application therefor has been submitted to, and approved by, the Secretary. Such application shall be in such form, be submitted in such manner, and contain and be accompanied by such information as the Secretary may specify. No such application may be approved unless it contains assurances that the applicant will use the funds provided only for the purposes specified in the approved application and will establish such fiscal control and fund accounting procedures as may be necessary to assure proper disbursement and accounting of Federal funds paid to the applicant under this subchapter.
(b) Excess funds; preference
(1)(A) Of the amounts appropriated under
(B) Any amount appropriated under
(2)(A) Of the amounts retained for the purpose of carrying out activities described in section 701(a)(3)(A), (B), (C), (D) and (E) of this title, the Secretary shall provide preference to qualified applicants which demonstrate that the activities to be carried out with such amounts shall be in areas with a high infant mortality rate (relative to the average infant mortality rate in the United States or in the State in which the area is located).
(B) In carrying out activities described in
(c) Allotments to States
From the remaining amounts appropriated under
(1) The Secretary shall determine, for each State—
(A)(i) the amount provided or allotted by the Secretary to the State and to entities in the State under the provisions of the consolidated health programs (as defined in
(ii) the proportion that such amount for that State bears to the total of such amounts for all the States, and
(B)(i) the number of low income children in the State, and
(ii) the proportion that such number of children for that State bears to the total of such numbers of children for all the States.
(2) Each such State shall be allotted for each fiscal year an amount equal to the sum of—
(A) the amount of the allotment to the State under this subsection in fiscal year 1983, and
(B) the State's proportion (determined under paragraph (1)(B)(ii)) of the amount by which the allotment available under this subsection for all the States for that fiscal year exceeds the amount that was available under this subsection for allotment for all the States for fiscal year 1983.
(d) Re-allotment of unallotted funds
(1) To the extent that all the funds appropriated under this subchapter for a fiscal year are not otherwise allotted to States either because all the States have not qualified for such allotments under
(2) To the extent that all the funds appropriated under this subchapter for a fiscal year are not otherwise allotted to States because some State allotments are offset under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §502, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 702, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §502, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Another prior section 702, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §502,
Amendments
1989—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d)(1).
1986—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b).
"(A) To the extent that all the funds appropriated under this subchapter for a fiscal year are not otherwise allotted to States either because all the States have not qualified for such allotments under
"(B) To the extent that all the funds appropriated under this subchapter for a fiscal year are not otherwise allotted to States because some State allotments are offset under
Subsecs. (c), (d).
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by section 6502(a) of
§703. Payments to States
(a) Statutory provisions applicable
From the sums appropriated therefor and the allotments available under
(b) Unobligated allotments
Any amount payable to a State under this subchapter from allotments for a fiscal year which remains unobligated at the end of such year shall remain available to such State for obligation during the next fiscal year. No payment may be made to a State under this subchapter from allotments for a fiscal year for expenditures made after the following fiscal year.
(c) Reduction of payments; fair market value of supplies or equipment, value of salaries, travel expenses, etc.
The Secretary, at the request of a State, may reduce the amount of payments under subsection (a) of this section by—
(1) the fair market value of any supplies or equipment furnished the State, and
(2) the amount of the pay, allowances, and travel expenses of any officer or employee of the Government when detailed to the State and the amount of any other costs incurred in connection with the detail of such officer or employee,
when the furnishing of supplies or equipment or the detail of an officer or employee is for the convenience of and at the request of the State and for the purpose of conducting activities described in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §503, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 703, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §503, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Another prior section 703, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §503,
Provisions similar to those comprising former section 703 were contained in section 502 of act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V,
Amendments
1989—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
1984—Subsec. (a).
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by section 6502(b) of
§703a. Omitted
Codification
Section,
Nov. 7, 1966,
Aug. 31, 1965,
Sept. 19, 1964,
Oct. 11, 1963,
Aug. 14, 1962,
Sept. 22, 1961,
Sept. 2, 1960,
Aug. 14, 1959,
Aug. 1, 1958,
June 29, 1957,
June 29, 1956, ch. 477, title II,
Aug. 1, 1955, ch. 437, title II,
July 2, 1954, ch. 457, title II,
July 31, 1953, ch. 296, title II,
July 5, 1952, ch. 575, title II,
Aug. 31, 1951, ch. 373, title II,
Sept. 6, 1950, ch. 896, ch. V, title II,
June 29, 1949, ch. 275, title II,
June 16, 1948, ch. 472, title I,
July 8, 1947, ch. 210, title II,
July 26, 1946, title I,
July 3, 1945, ch. 263, title I,
§704. Use of allotment funds
(a) Covered services
Except as otherwise provided under this section, a State may use amounts paid to it under
(b) Restrictions
Amounts described in subsection (a) of this section may not be used for—
(1) inpatient services, other than inpatient services provided to children with special health care needs or to high-risk pregnant women and infants and such other inpatient services as the Secretary may approve;
(2) cash payments to intended recipients of health services;
(3) the purchase or improvement of land, the purchase, construction, or permanent improvement (other than minor remodeling) of any building or other facility, or the purchase of major medical equipment;
(4) satisfying any requirement for the expenditure of non-Federal funds as a condition for the receipt of Federal funds;
(5) providing funds for research or training to any entity other than a public or nonprofit private entity; or
(6) payment for any item or service (other than an emergency item or service) furnished—
(A) by an individual or entity during the period when such individual or entity is excluded under this subchapter or subchapter XVIII, XIX, or XX of this chapter pursuant to
(B) at the medical direction or on the prescription of a physician during the period when the physician is excluded under this subchapter or subchapter XVIII, XIX, or XX of this chapter pursuant to
The Secretary may waive the limitation contained in paragraph (3) upon the request of a State if the Secretary finds that there are extraordinary circumstances to justify the waiver and that granting the waiver will assist in carrying out this subchapter.
(c) Use of portion of funds
A State may use a portion of the amounts described in subsection (a) of this section for the purpose of purchasing technical assistance from public or private entities if the State determines that such assistance is required in developing, implementing, and administering programs funded under this subchapter.
(d) Limitation on use of funds for administrative costs
Of the amounts paid to a State under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §504, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 704, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §504, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Another prior section 704, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §504,
Provisions similar to those comprising former section 704 were contained in section 512 of act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V,
Amendments
1989—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (d).
1988—Subsec. (b)(6).
1987—Subsec. (b)(6).
1986—Subsec. (b)(1).
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by section 6503(a) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Section 608(g) of
"(1) The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (d) [amending this section and
"(2) The amendments made by subsection (c) and subsection (f) (other than paragraph (5)) [amending
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by
§704a. Omitted
Codification
Section,
Jan. 11, 1971,
Mar. 5, 1970,
Oct. 11, 1968,
Nov. 8, 1967,
Nov. 7, 1966,
Aug. 31, 1965,
Sept. 10, 1964,
Oct. 11, 1963,
Aug. 14, 1962,
Sept. 22, 1961,
Sept. 2, 1960,
Aug. 14, 1959,
Aug. 1, 1958,
June 29, 1957,
June 29, 1956, ch. 477, title II,
Aug. 1, 1955, ch. 437, title II,
July 2, 1954, ch. 457, title II,
July 31, 1953, ch. 296, title II,
July 5, 1952, ch. 575, title II,
Aug. 31, 1951, ch. 373, title II,
Sept. 6, 1950, ch. 896, ch. V, title II,
June 29, 1949, ch. 275, title II,
June 16, 1948, ch. 472, title I,
July 8, 1947, ch. 210, title II,
July 26, 1946, ch. 672, title I,
July 3, 1945, ch. 263, title I,
June 28, 1944, ch. 302, title I,
July 12, 1943, ch. 221, title I,
July 2, 1942, ch. 475, title I,
July 1, 1941, ch. 269, title I,
June 26, 1940, ch. 428, title I,
June 29, 1939, ch. 249,
Aug. 9, 1939, ch. 633, title I,
Apr. 27, 1938, ch. 180, title IV,
June 16, 1937, ch. 359, title IV,
May 15, 1936, ch. 405,
§704b. Nonavailability of allotments after close of fiscal year
No allotment for this or any succeeding fiscal year under this subchapter shall be available after the close of such fiscal year except as may be necessary to liquidate obligations incurred during such year.
(July 5, 1952, ch. 575, title II, §201,
Codification
Section is from act July 5, 1952, popularly known as the Federal Security Agency Appropriation Act, 1953, and is not a part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
§705. Application for block grant funds
(a) In order to be entitled to payments for allotments under
(1) contains a statewide needs assessment (to be conducted every 5 years) that shall identify (consistent with the health status goals and national health objectives referred to in
(A) preventive and primary care services for pregnant women, mothers, and infants up to age one;
(B) preventive and primary care services for children; and
(C) services for children with special health care needs (as specified in
(2) includes for each fiscal year—
(A) a plan for meeting the needs identified by the statewide needs assessment under paragraph (1); and
(B) a description of how the funds allotted to the State under
(i) subject to paragraph (3), a statement of the goals and objectives consistent with the health status goals and national health objectives referred to in
(ii) an identification of the areas and localities in the State in which services are to be provided and coordinated;
(iii) an identification of the types of services to be provided and the categories or characteristics of individuals to be served; and
(iv) information the State will collect in order to prepare reports required under
(3) except as provided under subsection (b) of this section, provides that the State will use—
(A) at least 30 percent of such payment amounts for preventive and primary care services for children, and
(B) at least 30 percent of such payment amounts for services for children with special health care needs (as specified in
(4) provides that a State receiving funds for maternal and child health services under this subchapter shall maintain the level of funds being provided solely by such State for maternal and child health programs at a level at least equal to the level that such State provided for such programs in fiscal year 1989; and
(5) provides that—
(A) the State will establish a fair method (as determined by the State) for allocating funds allotted to the State under this subchapter among such individuals, areas, and localities identified under paragraph (1)(A) as needing maternal and child health services, and the State will identify and apply guidelines for the appropriate frequency and content of, and appropriate referral and followup with respect to, health care assessments and services financially assisted by the State under this subchapter and methods for assuring quality assessments and services;
(B) funds allotted to the State under this subchapter will only be used, consistent with
(C) the State will use—
(i) special consideration (where appropriate) for the continuation of the funding of special projects in the State previously funded under this subchapter (as in effect before August 31, 1981), and
(ii) a reasonable proportion (based upon the State's previous use of funds under this subchapter) of such sums to carry out the purposes described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of
(D) if any charges are imposed for the provision of health services assisted by the State under this subchapter, such charges (i) will be pursuant to a public schedule of charges, (ii) will not be imposed with respect to services provided to low income mothers or children, and (iii) will be adjusted to reflect the income, resources, and family size of the individual provided the services;
(E) the State agency (or agencies) administering the State's program under this subchapter will provide for a toll-free telephone number (and other appropriate methods) for the use of parents to access information about health care providers and practitioners who provide health care services under this subchapter and subchapter XIX of this chapter and about other relevant health and health-related providers and practitioners; and
(F) the State agency (or agencies) administering the State's program under this subchapter will—
(i) participate in the coordination of activities between such program and the early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment program under
(ii) participate in the arrangement and carrying out of coordination agreements described in
(iii) participate in the coordination of activities within the State with programs carried out under this subchapter and related Federal grant programs (including supplemental food programs for mothers, infants, and children, related education programs, and other health, developmental disability, and family planning programs), and
(iv) provide, directly and through their providers and institutional contractors, for services to identify pregnant women and infants who are eligible for medical assistance under subparagraph (A) or (B) of
The application shall be developed by, or in consultation with, the State maternal and child health agency and shall be made public within the State in such manner as to facilitate comment from any person (including any Federal or other public agency) during its development and after its transmittal.
(b) The Secretary may waive the requirements under subsection (a)(3) of this section that a State's application for a fiscal year provide for the use of funds for specific activities if for that fiscal year—
(1) the Secretary determines—
(A) on the basis of information provided in the State's most recent annual report submitted under
(B) that the granting of the waiver is justified and will assist in carrying out the purposes of this subchapter; and
(2) the State provides assurances to the Secretary that the State will provide for the use of some amounts paid to it under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §505, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 705, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §505, as added and amended Jan. 2, 1968,
Another prior section 705, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §505,
Provisions similar to those comprising former section 705 were contained in sections 503 and 513 of act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V,
Amendments
1990—Subsec. (b).
1989—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2) to (4).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(5)(A).
Subsec. (a)(5)(C)(i).
Subsec. (a)(5)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(5)(E).
Subsec. (a)(5)(F).
Subsec. (a)(5)(F)(i).
Subsec. (a)(5)(F)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(5)(F)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(5)(F)(iv).
Subsec. (b).
1982—Par. (2)(B).
Subsec. (2)(D).
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by section 6501(b) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by section 137 of
§706. Administrative and fiscal accountability
(a) Annual reporting requirements; form, etc.
(1) Each State shall prepare and submit to the Secretary annual reports on its activities under this subchapter. Each such report shall be prepared by, or in consultation with, the State maternal and child health agency. In order properly to evaluate and to compare the performance of different States assisted under this subchapter and to assure the proper expenditure of funds under this subchapter, such reports shall be in such standardized form and contain such information (including information described in paragraph (2)) as the Secretary determines (after consultation with the States) to be necessary (A) to secure an accurate description of those activities, (B) to secure a complete record of the purposes for which funds were spent, of the recipients of such funds,,1 (C) to describe the extent to which the State has met the goals and objectives it set forth under
(2) Each annual report under paragraph (1) shall include the following information:
(A)(i) The number of individuals served by the State under this subchapter (by class of individuals).
(ii) The proportion of each class of such individuals which has health coverage.
(iii) The types (as defined by the Secretary) of services provided under this subchapter to individuals within each such class.
(iv) The amounts spent under this subchapter on each type of services, by class of individuals served.
(B) Information on the status of maternal and child health in the State, including—
(i) information (by county and by racial and ethnic group) on—
(I) the rate of infant mortality, and
(II) the rate of low-birth-weight births;
(ii) information (on a State-wide basis) on—
(I) the rate of maternal mortality,
(II) the rate of neonatal death,
(III) the rate of perinatal death,
(IV) the number of children with chronic illness and the type of illness,
(V) the proportion of infants born with fetal alcohol syndrome,
(VI) the proportion of infants born with drug dependency,
(VII) the proportion of women who deliver who do not receive prenatal care during the first trimester of pregnancy, and
(VIII) the proportion of children, who at their second birthday, have been vaccinated against each of measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hib meningitis, and hepatitis B; and
(iii) information on such other indicators of maternal, infant, and child health care status as the Secretary may specify.
(C) Information (by racial and ethnic group) on—
(i) the number of deliveries in the State in the year, and
(ii) the number of such deliveries to pregnant women who were provided prenatal, delivery, or postpartum care under this subchapter or were entitled to benefits with respect to such deliveries under the State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter in the year.
(D) Information (by racial and ethnic group) on—
(i) the number of infants under one year of age who were in the State in the year, and
(ii) the number of such infants who were provided services under this subchapter or were entitled to benefits under the State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter or the State plan under subchapter XXI of this chapter at any time during the year.
(E) Information on the number of—
(i) obstetricians,
(ii) family practitioners,
(iii) certified family nurse practitioners,
(iv) certified nurse midwives,
(v) pediatricians, and
(vi) certified pediatric nurse practitioners,
who were licensed in the State in the year.
For purposes of subparagraph (A), each of the following shall be considered to be a separate class of individuals: pregnant women, infants up to age one, children with special health care needs, other children under age 22, and other individuals.
(3) The Secretary shall annually transmit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report that includes—
(A) a description of each project receiving funding under paragraph (2) or (3) of
(B) a summary of the information described in paragraph (2)(A) reported by States;
(C) based on information described in paragraph (2)(B) supplied by the States under paragraph (1), a compilation of the following measures of maternal and child health in the United States and in each State:
(i) Information on—
(I) the rate of infant mortality, and
(II) the rate of low-birth-weight births.
Information under this clause shall also be compiled by racial and ethnic group.
(ii) Information on—
(I) the rate of maternal mortality,
(II) the rate of neonatal death,
(III) the rate of perinatal death,
(IV) the proportion of infants born with fetal alcohol syndrome,
(V) the proportion of infants born with drug dependency,
(VI) the proportion of women who deliver who do not receive prenatal care during the first trimester of pregnancy, and
(VII) the proportion of children, who at their second birthday, have been vaccinated against each of measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hib meningitis, and hepatitis B.
(iii) Information on such other indicators of maternal, infant, and child health care status as the Secretary has specified under paragraph (2)(B)(iii).
(iv) Information (by racial and ethnic group) on—
(I) the number of deliveries in the State in the year, and
(II) the number of such deliveries to pregnant women who were provided prenatal, delivery, or postpartum care under this subchapter or were entitled to benefits with respect to such deliveries under the State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter in the year;
(D) based on information described in subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) of paragraph (2) supplied by the States under paragraph (1), a compilation of the following information in the United States and in each State:
(i) Information on—
(I) the number of deliveries in the year, and
(II) the number of such deliveries to pregnant women who were provided prenatal, delivery, or postpartum care under this subchapter or were entitled to benefits with respect to such deliveries under a State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter in the year.
Information under this clause shall also be compiled by racial and ethnic group.
(ii) Information on—
(I) the number of infants under one year of age in the year, and
(II) the number of such infants who were provided services under this subchapter or were entitled to benefits under a State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter or the State plan under subchapter XXI of this chapter at any time during the year.
Information under this clause shall also be compiled by racial and ethnic group.
(iii) Information on the number of—
(I) obstetricians,
(II) family practitioners,
(III) certified family nurse practitioners,
(IV) certified nurse midwives,
(V) pediatricians, and
(VI) certified pediatric nurse practitioners,
who were licensed in a State in the year; and
(E) an assessment of the progress being made to meet the health status goals and national health objectives referred to in
(b) Audits; implementation, standards, etc.
(1) Each State shall, not less often than once every two years, audit its expenditures from amounts received under this subchapter. Such State audits shall be conducted by an entity independent of the State agency administering a program funded under this subchapter in accordance with the Comptroller General's standards for auditing governmental organizations, programs, activities, and functions and generally accepted auditing standards. Within 30 days following the completion of each audit report, the State shall submit a copy of that audit report to the Secretary.
(2) Each State shall repay to the United States amounts found by the Secretary, after notice and opportunity for a hearing to the State, not to have been expended in accordance with this subchapter and, if such repayment is not made, the Secretary may offset such amounts against the amount of any allotment to which the State is or may become entitled under this subchapter or may otherwise recover such amounts.
(3) The Secretary may, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, withhold payment of funds to any State which is not using its allotment under this subchapter in accordance with this subchapter. The Secretary may withhold such funds until the Secretary finds that the reason for the withholding has been removed and there is reasonable assurance that it will not recur.
(c) Public inspection of reports and audits
The State shall make copies of the reports and audits required by this section available for public inspection within the State.
(d) Access to books, records, etc.; creation of new records
(1) For the purpose of evaluating and reviewing the block grant established under this subchapter, the Secretary and the Comptroller General shall have access to any books, accounts, records, correspondence, or other documents that are related to such block grant, and that are in the possession, custody, or control of States, political subdivisions thereof, or any of their grantees.
(2) In conjunction with an evaluation or review under paragraph (1), no State or political subdivision thereof (or grantee of either) shall be required to create or prepare new records to comply with paragraph (1).
(3) For other provisions relating to deposit, accounting, reports, and auditing with respect to Federal grants to States, see section 6503(b) 2 of title 31.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §506, as added
References in Text
Prior Provisions
A prior section 706, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §506, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Provisions similar to those comprising former section 706 were contained in sections 504 and 514 of act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V,
Amendments
1999—Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(ii), (3)(D)(ii)(II).
1996—Subsec. (a)(1).
1989—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
1984—Subsec. (d)(3).
Change of Name
Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives treated as referring to Committee on Commerce of House of Representatives by section 1(a) of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by section 6503(c)(3), (4) of
Reports to Congress; Activities of States Receiving Allotments and Study of Alternative Formulas for Allotment
Section 2192(b) of
"(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, no later than October 1, 1984, report to the Congress on the activities of States receiving allotments under title V of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] (as amended by this section) and include in such report any recommendations for appropriate changes in legislation.
"(2) The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Comptroller General, shall examine alternative formulas, for the allotment of funds to States under section 502(b) of the Social Security Act [
"(A) the populations of the States,
"(B) the number of live births in the States,
"(C) the number of crippled children in the States,
"(D) the number of low income mothers and children in the States,
"(E) the financial resources of the various States, and
"(F) such other factors as the Secretary deems appropriate, and shall report to the Congress thereon not later than June 30, 1982."
2 See References in Text note below.
§707. Criminal penalty for false statements
(a) Whoever—
(1) knowingly and willfully makes or causes to be made any false statement or representation of a material fact in connection with the furnishing of items or services for which payment may be made by a State from funds allotted to the State under this subchapter, or
(2) having knowledge of the occurrence of any event affecting his initial or continued right to any such payment conceals or fails to disclose such event with an intent fraudulently to secure such payment either in a greater amount than is due or when no such payment is authorized,
shall be fined not more than $25,000 or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both.
(b) For civil monetary penalties for certain submissions of false claims, see
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §507, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 707, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §507, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Provisions similar to those comprising former section 707 were contained in sections 505 and 515 of act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V,
§708. Nondiscrimination provisions
(a) Federally funded activities
(1) For the purpose of applying the prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of age under the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 [
(2) No person shall on the ground of sex or religion be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under, any program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds made available under this subchapter.
(b) Compliance
Whenever the Secretary finds that a State, or an entity that has received a payment from an allotment to a State under
(1) refer the matter to the Attorney General with a recommendation that an appropriate civil action be instituted,
(2) exercise the powers and functions provided by title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [
(3) take such other action as may be provided by law.
(c) Authority of Attorney General; civil actions
When a matter is referred to the Attorney General pursuant to subsection (b)(1) of this section, or whenever he has reason to believe that the entity is engaged in a pattern or practice in violation of a provision of law referred to in subsection (a)(1) of this section or in violation of subsection (a)(2) of this section, the Attorney General may bring a civil action in any appropriate district court of the United States for such relief as may be appropriate, including injunctive relief.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §508, as added
References in Text
The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (b)(2), is title III of
The Education Amendments of 1972, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is
The Civil Rights Act of 1964, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (b)(2), is
Prior Provisions
A prior section 708, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §508, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Provisions similar to those comprising former section 708 were contained in section 531 of act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, as added Oct. 24, 1963,
Amendments
1989—Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
§709. Administration of Federal and State programs
(a) The Secretary shall designate an identifiable administrative unit with expertise in maternal and child health within the Department of Health and Human Services, which unit shall be responsible for—
(1) the Federal program described in
(2) promoting coordination at the Federal level of the activities authorized under this subchapter and under subchapter XIX of this chapter, especially early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment, related activities funded by the Departments of Agriculture and Education, and under health block grants and categorical health programs, such as immunizations, administered by the Secretary;
(3) disseminating information to the States in such areas as preventive health services and advances in the care and treatment of mothers and children;
(4) providing technical assistance, upon request, to the States in such areas as program planning, establishment of goals and objectives, standards of care, and evaluation and in developing consistent and accurate data collection mechanisms in order to report the information required under
(5) in cooperation with the National Center for Health Statistics and in a manner that avoids duplication of data collection, collection, maintenance, and dissemination of information relating to the health status and health service needs of mothers and children in the United States;
(6) assisting in the preparation of reports to the Congress on the activities funded and accomplishments achieved under this subchapter from the information required to be reported by the States under
(7) assisting States in the development of care coordination services (as defined in
(8) developing and making available to the State agency (or agencies) administering the State's program under this subchapter a national directory listing by State the toll-free numbers described in
(b) The State health agency of each State shall be responsible for the administration (or supervision of the administration) of programs carried out with allotments made to the State under this subchapter, except that, in the case of a State which on July 1, 1967, provided for administration (or supervision thereof) of the State plan under this subchapter (as in effect on such date) by a State agency other than the State health agency, that State shall be considered to comply 2 the requirement of this subsection if it would otherwise comply but for the fact that such other State agency administers (or supervises the administration of) any such program providing services for children with special health care needs.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §509, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 709, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §509, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Provisions similar to those comprising former section 709, were contained in section 532 of act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, as added July 30, 1965,
Amendments
1989—Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (a)(7), (8).
1986—Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by section 6503(c)(4) of
Report to Congress; Evaluation of Program
1 So in original. The word "and" probably should not appear.
2 So in original. Probably should be "comply with".
§710. Separate program for abstinence education
(a) In general
For the purpose described in subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall, for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014, allot to each State which has transmitted an application for the fiscal year under
(1) the amount appropriated in subsection (d) of this section for the fiscal year; and
(2) the percentage determined for the State under
(b) Purpose of allotment
(1) The purpose of an allotment under subsection (a) of this section to a State is to enable the State to provide abstinence education, and at the option of the State, where appropriate, mentoring, counseling, and adult supervision to promote abstinence from sexual activity, with a focus on those groups which are most likely to bear children out-of-wedlock.
(2) For purposes of this section, the term "abstinence education" means an educational or motivational program which—
(A) has as its exclusive purpose, teaching the social, psychological, and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual activity;
(B) teaches abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage as the expected standard for all school age children;
(C) teaches that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems;
(D) teaches that a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in context of marriage is the expected standard of human sexual activity;
(E) teaches that sexual activity outside of the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects;
(F) teaches that bearing children out-of-wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences for the child, the child's parents, and society;
(G) teaches young people how to reject sexual advances and how alcohol and drug use increases vulnerability to sexual advances; and
(H) teaches the importance of attaining self-sufficiency before engaging in sexual activity.
(c) Applicability of sections 703, 707, and 708
(1)
(2)
(d) Appropriations
For the purpose of allotments under subsection (a) of this section, there is appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, an additional $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014. The appropriation under the preceding sentence for a fiscal year is made on October 1 of the fiscal year (except that such appropriation shall be made on March 23, 2010, in the case of fiscal year 2010).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §510, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 710, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §510, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (d).
2003—Subsec. (d).
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by
Establishing National Goals To Prevent Teenage Pregnancies
Section 905 of
"(a)
"(1) preventing out-of-wedlock teenage pregnancies, and
"(2) assuring that at least 25 percent of the communities in the United States have teenage pregnancy prevention programs in place.
"(b)
§711. Maternal, infant, and early childhood home visiting programs
(a) Purposes
The purposes of this section are—
(1) to strengthen and improve the programs and activities carried out under this subchapter;
(2) to improve coordination of services for at risk communities; and
(3) to identify and provide comprehensive services to improve outcomes for families who reside in at risk communities.
(b) Requirement for all States to assess statewide needs and identify at risk communities
(1) In general
Not later than 6 months after March 23, 2010, each State shall, as a condition of receiving payments from an allotment for the State under
(A) communities with concentrations of—
(i) premature birth, low-birth weight infants, and infant mortality, including infant death due to neglect, or other indicators of at-risk prenatal, maternal, newborn, or child health;
(ii) poverty;
(iii) crime;
(iv) domestic violence;
(v) high rates of high-school drop-outs;
(vi) substance abuse;
(vii) unemployment; or
(viii) child maltreatment;
(B) the quality and capacity of existing programs or initiatives for early childhood home visitation in the State including—
(i) the number and types of individuals and families who are receiving services under such programs or initiatives;
(ii) the gaps in early childhood home visitation in the State; and
(iii) the extent to which such programs or initiatives are meeting the needs of eligible families described in subsection (k)(2); and
(C) the State's capacity for providing substance abuse treatment and counseling services to individuals and families in need of such treatment or services.
(2) Coordination with other assessments
In conducting the statewide needs assessment required under paragraph (1), the State shall coordinate with, and take into account, other appropriate needs assessments conducted by the State, as determined by the Secretary, including the needs assessment required under
(3) Submission to the Secretary
Each State shall submit to the Secretary, in such form and manner as the Secretary shall require—
(A) the results of the statewide needs assessment required under paragraph (1); and
(B) a description of how the State intends to address needs identified by the assessment, particularly with respect to communities identified under paragraph (1)(A), which may include applying for a grant to conduct an early childhood home visitation program in accordance with the requirements of this section.
(c) Grants for early childhood home visitation programs
(1) Authority to make grants
In addition to any other payments made under this subchapter to a State, the Secretary shall make grants to eligible entities to enable the entities to deliver services under early childhood home visitation programs that satisfy the requirements of subsection (d) to eligible families in order to promote improvements in maternal and prenatal health, infant health, child health and development, parenting related to child development outcomes, school readiness, and the socioeconomic status of such families, and reductions in child abuse, neglect, and injuries.
(2) Authority to use initial grant funds for planning or implementation
An eligible entity that receives a grant under paragraph (1) may use a portion of the funds made available to the entity during the first 6 months of the period for which the grant is made for planning or implementation activities to assist with the establishment of early childhood home visitation programs that satisfy the requirements of subsection (d).
(3) Grant duration
The Secretary shall determine the period of years for which a grant is made to an eligible entity under paragraph (1).
(4) Technical assistance
The Secretary shall provide an eligible entity that receives a grant under paragraph (1) with technical assistance in administering programs or activities conducted in whole or in part with grant funds.
(d) Requirements
The requirements of this subsection for an early childhood home visitation program conducted with a grant made under this section are as follows:
(1) Quantifiable, measurable improvement in benchmark areas
(A) In general
The eligible entity establishes, subject to the approval of the Secretary, quantifiable, measurable 3- and 5-year benchmarks for demonstrating that the program results in improvements for the eligible families participating in the program in each of the following areas:
(i) Improved maternal and newborn health.
(ii) Prevention of child injuries, child abuse, neglect, or maltreatment, and reduction of emergency department visits.
(iii) Improvement in school readiness and achievement.
(iv) Reduction in crime or domestic violence.
(v) Improvements in family economic self-sufficiency.
(vi) Improvements in the coordination and referrals for other community resources and supports.
(B) Demonstration of improvements after 3 years
(i) Report to the Secretary
Not later than 30 days after the end of the 3rd year in which the eligible entity conducts the program, the entity submits to the Secretary a report demonstrating improvement in at least 4 of the areas specified in subparagraph (A).
(ii) Corrective action plan
If the report submitted by the eligible entity under clause (i) fails to demonstrate improvement in at least 4 of the areas specified in subparagraph (A), the entity shall develop and implement a plan to improve outcomes in each of the areas specified in subparagraph (A), subject to approval by the Secretary. The plan shall include provisions for the Secretary to monitor implementation of the plan and conduct continued oversight of the program, including through submission by the entity of regular reports to the Secretary.
(iii) Technical assistance
(I) In general
The Secretary shall provide an eligible entity required to develop and implement an improvement plan under clause (ii) with technical assistance to develop and implement the plan. The Secretary may provide the technical assistance directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements.
(II) Advisory panel
The Secretary shall establish an advisory panel for purposes of obtaining recommendations regarding the technical assistance provided to entities in accordance with subclause (I).
(iv) No improvement or failure to submit report
If the Secretary determines after a period of time specified by the Secretary that an eligible entity implementing an improvement plan under clause (ii) has failed to demonstrate any improvement in the areas specified in subparagraph (A), or if the Secretary determines that an eligible entity has failed to submit the report required under clause (i), the Secretary shall terminate the entity's grant and may include any unexpended grant funds in grants made to nonprofit organizations under subsection (h)(2)(B).
(C) Final report
Not later than December 31, 2015, the eligible entity shall submit a report to the Secretary demonstrating improvements (if any) in each of the areas specified in subparagraph (A).
(2) Improvements in outcomes for individual families
(A) In general
The program is designed, with respect to an eligible family participating in the program, to result in the participant outcomes described in subparagraph (B) that the eligible entity identifies on the basis of an individualized assessment of the family, are relevant for that family.
(B) Participant outcomes
The participant outcomes described in this subparagraph are the following:
(i) Improvements in prenatal, maternal, and newborn health, including improved pregnancy outcomes 1
(ii) Improvements in child health and development, including the prevention of child injuries and maltreatment and improvements in cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical developmental indicators.
(iii) Improvements in parenting skills.
(iv) Improvements in school readiness and child academic achievement.
(v) Reductions in crime or domestic violence.
(vi) Improvements in family economic self-sufficiency.
(vii) Improvements in the coordination of referrals for, and the provision of, other community resources and supports for eligible families, consistent with State child welfare agency training.
(3) Core components
The program includes the following core components:
(A) Service delivery model or models
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), the program is conducted using 1 or more of the service delivery models described in item (aa) or (bb) of subclause (I) or in subclause (II) selected by the eligible entity:
(I) The model conforms to a clear consistent home visitation model that has been in existence for at least 3 years and is research-based, grounded in relevant empirically-based knowledge, linked to program determined outcomes, associated with a national organization or institution of higher education that has comprehensive home visitation program standards that ensure high quality service delivery and continuous program quality improvement, and has demonstrated significant,2 (and in the case of the service delivery model described in item (aa), sustained) positive outcomes, as described in the benchmark areas specified in paragraph (1)(A) and the participant outcomes described in paragraph (2)(B), when evaluated using well-designed and rigorous—
(aa) randomized controlled research designs, and the evaluation results have been published in a peer-reviewed journal; or
(bb) quasi-experimental research designs.
(II) The model conforms to a promising and new approach to achieving the benchmark areas specified in paragraph (1)(A) and the participant outcomes described in paragraph (2)(B), has been developed or identified by a national organization or institution of higher education, and will be evaluated through well-designed and rigorous process.
(ii) Majority of grant funds used for evidence-based models
An eligible entity shall use not more than 25 percent of the amount of the grant paid to the entity for a fiscal year for purposes of conducting a program using the service delivery model described in clause (i)(II).
(iii) Criteria for evidence of effectiveness of models
The Secretary shall establish criteria for evidence of effectiveness of the service delivery models and shall ensure that the process for establishing the criteria is transparent and provides the opportunity for public comment.
(B) Additional requirements
(i) The program adheres to a clear, consistent model that satisfies the requirements of being grounded in empirically-based knowledge related to home visiting and linked to the benchmark areas specified in paragraph (1)(A) and the participant outcomes described in paragraph (2)(B) related to the purposes of the program.
(ii) The program employs well-trained and competent staff, as demonstrated by education or training, such as nurses, social workers, educators, child development specialists, or other well-trained and competent staff, and provides ongoing and specific training on the model being delivered.
(iii) The program maintains high quality supervision to establish home visitor competencies.
(iv) The program demonstrates strong organizational capacity to implement the activities involved.
(v) The program establishes appropriate linkages and referral networks to other community resources and supports for eligible families.
(vi) The program monitors the fidelity of program implementation to ensure that services are delivered pursuant to the specified model.
(4) Priority for serving high-risk populations
The eligible entity gives priority to providing services under the program to the following:
(A) Eligible families who reside in communities in need of such services, as identified in the statewide needs assessment required under subsection (b)(1)(A).
(B) Low-income eligible families.
(C) Eligible families who are pregnant women who have not attained age 21.
(D) Eligible families that have a history of child abuse or neglect or have had interactions with child welfare services.
(E) Eligible families that have a history of substance abuse or need substance abuse treatment.
(F) Eligible families that have users of tobacco products in the home.
(G) Eligible families that are or have children with low student achievement.
(H) Eligible families with children with developmental delays or disabilities.
(I) Eligible families who, or that include individuals who, are serving or formerly served in the Armed Forces, including such families that have members of the Armed Forces who have had multiple deployments outside of the United States.
(e) Application requirements
An eligible entity desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary for approval, in such manner as the Secretary may require, that includes the following:
(1) A description of the populations to be served by the entity, including specific information regarding how the entity will serve high risk populations described in subsection (d)(4).
(2) An assurance that the entity will give priority to serving low-income eligible families and eligible families who reside in at risk communities identified in the statewide needs assessment required under subsection (b)(1)(A).
(3) The service delivery model or models described in subsection (d)(3)(A) that the entity will use under the program and the basis for the selection of the model or models.
(4) A statement identifying how the selection of the populations to be served and the service delivery model or models that the entity will use under the program for such populations is consistent with the results of the statewide needs assessment conducted under subsection (b).
(5) The quantifiable, measurable benchmarks established by the State to demonstrate that the program contributes to improvements in the areas specified in subsection (d)(1)(A).
(6) An assurance that the entity will obtain and submit documentation or other appropriate evidence from the organization or entity that developed the service delivery model or models used under the program to verify that the program is implemented and services are delivered according to the model specifications.
(7) Assurances that the entity will establish procedures to ensure that—
(A) the participation of each eligible family in the program is voluntary; and
(B) services are provided to an eligible family in accordance with the individual assessment for that family.
(8) Assurances that the entity will—
(A) submit annual reports to the Secretary regarding the program and activities carried out under the program that include such information and data as the Secretary shall require; and
(B) participate in, and cooperate with, data and information collection necessary for the evaluation required under subsection (g)(2) and other research and evaluation activities carried out under subsection (h)(3).
(9) A description of other State programs that include home visitation services, including, if applicable to the State, other programs carried out under this subchapter with funds made available from allotments under
(10) Other information as required by the Secretary.
(f) Maintenance of effort
Funds provided to an eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall supplement, and not supplant, funds from other sources for early childhood home visitation programs or initiatives.
(g) Evaluation
(1) Independent, expert advisory panel
The Secretary, in accordance with subsection (h)(1)(A), shall appoint an independent advisory panel consisting of experts in program evaluation and research, education, and early childhood development—
(A) to review, and make recommendations on, the design and plan for the evaluation required under paragraph (2) within 1 year after March 23, 2010;
(B) to maintain and advise the Secretary regarding the progress of the evaluation; and
(C) to comment, if the panel so desires, on the report submitted under paragraph (3).
(2) Authority to conduct evaluation
On the basis of the recommendations of the advisory panel under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, by grant, contract, or interagency agreement, conduct an evaluation of the statewide needs assessments submitted under subsection (b) and the grants made under subsections (c) and (h)(3)(B). The evaluation shall include—
(A) an analysis, on a State-by-State basis, of the results of such assessments, including indicators of maternal and prenatal health and infant health and mortality, and State actions in response to the assessments; and
(B) an assessment of—
(i) the effect of early childhood home visitation programs on child and parent outcomes, including with respect to each of the benchmark areas specified in subsection (d)(1)(A) and the participant outcomes described in subsection (d)(2)(B);
(ii) the effectiveness of such programs on different populations, including the extent to which the ability of programs to improve participant outcomes varies across programs and populations; and
(iii) the potential for the activities conducted under such programs, if scaled broadly, to improve health care practices, eliminate health disparities, and improve health care system quality, efficiencies, and reduce costs.
(3) Report
Not later than March 31, 2015, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the results of the evaluation conducted under paragraph (2) and shall make the report publicly available.
(h) Other provisions
(1) Intra-agency collaboration
The Secretary shall ensure that the Maternal and Child Health Bureau and the Administration for Children and Families collaborate with respect to carrying out this section, including with respect to—
(A) reviewing and analyzing the statewide needs assessments required under subsection (b), the awarding and oversight of grants awarded under this section, the establishment of the advisory panels required under subsections (d)(1)(B)(iii)(II) and (g)(1), and the evaluation and report required under subsection (g); and
(B) consulting with other Federal agencies with responsibility for administering or evaluating programs that serve eligible families to coordinate and collaborate with respect to research related to such programs and families, including the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice, and the Institute of Education Sciences of the Department of Education.
(2) Grants to eligible entities that are not States
(A) Indian tribes, tribal organizations, or Urban Indian Organizations
The Secretary shall specify requirements for eligible entities that are Indian Tribes (or a consortium of Indian Tribes), Tribal Organizations, or Urban Indian Organizations to apply for and conduct an early childhood home visitation program with a grant under this section. Such requirements shall, to the greatest extent practicable, be consistent with the requirements applicable to eligible entities that are States and shall require an Indian Tribe (or consortium), Tribal Organization, or Urban Indian Organization to—
(i) conduct a needs assessment similar to the assessment required for all States under subsection (b); and
(ii) establish quantifiable, measurable 3- and 5-year benchmarks consistent with subsection (d)(1)(A).
(B) Nonprofit organizations
If, as of the beginning of fiscal year 2012, a State has not applied or been approved for a grant under this section, the Secretary may use amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) of subsection (j) that are available for expenditure under paragraph (3) of that subsection to make a grant to an eligible entity that is a nonprofit organization described in subsection (k)(1)(B) to conduct an early childhood home visitation program in the State. The Secretary shall specify the requirements for such an organization to apply for and conduct the program which shall, to the greatest extent practicable, be consistent with the requirements applicable to eligible entities that are States and shall require the organization to—
(i) carry out the program based on the needs assessment conducted by the State under subsection (b); and
(ii) establish quantifiable, measurable 3- and 5-year benchmarks consistent with subsection (d)(1)(A).
(3) Research and other evaluation activities
(A) In general
The Secretary shall carry out a continuous program of research and evaluation activities in order to increase knowledge about the implementation and effectiveness of home visiting programs, using random assignment designs to the maximum extent feasible. The Secretary may carry out such activities directly, or through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts.
(B) Requirements
The Secretary shall ensure that—
(i) evaluation of a specific program or project is conducted by persons or individuals not directly involved in the operation of such program or project; and
(ii) the conduct of research and evaluation activities includes consultation with independent researchers, State officials, and developers and providers of home visiting programs on topics including research design and administrative data matching.
(4) Report and recommendation
Not later than December 31, 2015, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress regarding the programs conducted with grants under this section. The report required under this paragraph shall include—
(A) information regarding the extent to which eligible entities receiving grants under this section demonstrated improvements in each of the areas specified in subsection (d)(1)(A);
(B) information regarding any technical assistance provided under subsection (d)(1)(B)(iii)(I), including the type of any such assistance provided; and
(C) recommendations for such legislative or administrative action as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(i) Application of other provisions of subchapter
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the other provisions of this subchapter shall not apply to a grant made under this section.
(2) Exceptions
The following provisions of this subchapter shall apply to a grant made under this section to the same extent and in the same manner as such provisions apply to allotments made under
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
(G)
(j) Appropriations
(1) In general
Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section—
(A) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(B) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
(C) $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2012;
(D) $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
(E) $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2014.
(2) Reservations
Of the amount appropriated under this subsection for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve—
(A) 3 percent of such amount for purposes of making grants to eligible entities that are Indian Tribes (or a consortium of Indian Tribes), Tribal Organizations, or Urban Indian Organizations; and
(B) 3 percent of such amount for purposes of carrying out subsections (d)(1)(B)(iii), (g), and (h)(3).
(3) Availability
Funds made available to an eligible entity under this section for a fiscal year shall remain available for expenditure by the eligible entity through the end of the second succeeding fiscal year after award. Any funds that are not expended by the eligible entity during the period in which the funds are available under the preceding sentence may be used for grants to nonprofit organizations under subsection (h)(2)(B).
(k) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Eligible entity
(A) In general
The term "eligible entity" means a State, an Indian Tribe, Tribal Organization, or Urban Indian Organization, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
(B) Nonprofit organizations
Only for purposes of awarding grants under subsection (h)(2)(B), such term shall include a nonprofit organization with an established record of providing early childhood home visitation programs or initiatives in a State or several States.
(2) Eligible family
The term "eligible family" means—
(A) a woman who is pregnant, and the father of the child if the father is available; or
(B) a parent or primary caregiver of a child, including grandparents or other relatives of the child, and foster parents, who are serving as the child's primary caregiver from birth to kindergarten entry, and including a noncustodial parent who has an ongoing relationship with, and at times provides physical care for, the child.
(3) Indian Tribe; Tribal Organization
The terms "Indian Tribe" and "Tribal Organization", and "Urban Indian Organization" have the meanings given such terms in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §511, as added
References in Text
The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(9), is
Prior Provisions
A prior section 711, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §511, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Another prior section 711, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §511,
Provisions similar to those comprising former section 711 were contained in section 516 of act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, as added July 30, 1965,
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.
2 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
§712. Services to individuals with a postpartum condition and their families
(a) In general
In addition to any other payments made under this subchapter to a State, the Secretary may make grants to eligible entities for projects for the establishment, operation, and coordination of effective and cost-efficient systems for the delivery of essential services to individuals with or at risk for postpartum conditions and their families.
(b) Certain activities
To the extent practicable and appropriate, the Secretary shall ensure that projects funded under subsection (a) provide education and services with respect to the diagnosis and management of postpartum conditions for individuals with or at risk for postpartum conditions and their families. The Secretary may allow such projects to include the following:
(1) Delivering or enhancing outpatient and home-based health and support services, including case management and comprehensive treatment services.
(2) Delivering or enhancing inpatient care management services that ensure the well-being of the mother and family and the future development of the infant.
(3) Improving the quality, availability, and organization of health care and support services (including transportation services, attendant care, homemaker services, day or respite care, and providing counseling on financial assistance and insurance).
(4) Providing education about postpartum conditions to promote earlier diagnosis and treatment. Such education may include—
(A) providing complete information on postpartum conditions, symptoms, methods of coping with the illness, and treatment resources; and
(B) in the case of a grantee that is a State, hospital, or birthing facility—
(i) providing education to new mothers and fathers, and other family members as appropriate, concerning postpartum conditions before new mothers leave the health facility; and
(ii) ensuring that training programs regarding such education are carried out at the health facility.
(c) Integration with other programs
To the extent practicable and appropriate, the Secretary may integrate the grant program under this section with other grant programs carried out by the Secretary, including the program under
(d) Requirements
The Secretary shall establish requirements for grants made under this section that include a limit on the amount of grants funds that may be used for administration, accounting, reporting, or program oversight functions and a requirement for each eligible entity that receives a grant to submit, for each grant period, a report to the Secretary that describes how grant funds were used during such period.
(e) Technical assistance
The Secretary may provide technical assistance to entities seeking a grant under this section in order to assist such entities in complying with the requirements of this section.
(f) Application of other provisions of subchapter
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the other provisions of this subchapter shall not apply to a grant made under this section.
(2) Exceptions
The following provisions of this subchapter shall apply to a grant made under this section to the same extent and in the same manner as such provisions apply to allotments made under
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
(G)
(g) Definitions
In this section:
(1) The term "eligible entity"—
(A) means a public or nonprofit private entity; and
(B) includes a State or local government, public-private partnership, recipient of a grant under
(2) The term "postpartum condition" means postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §512, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 712, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §512, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Another prior section 712, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §512,
Provisions similar to those comprising former section 712 were contained in section 533, formerly section 532, of act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, as added Oct. 24, 1963,
Support, Education, and Research for Postpartum Depression
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) Basic research concerning the etiology and causes of the conditions.
"(B) Epidemiological studies to address the frequency and natural history of the conditions and the differences among racial and ethnic groups with respect to the conditions.
"(C) The development of improved screening and diagnostic techniques.
"(D) Clinical research for the development and evaluation of new treatments.
"(E) Information and education programs for health care professionals and the public, which may include a coordinated national campaign to increase the awareness and knowledge of postpartum conditions. Activities under such a national campaign may—
"(i) include public service announcements through television, radio, and other means; and
"(ii) focus on—
"(I) raising awareness about screening;
"(II) educating new mothers and their families about postpartum conditions to promote earlier diagnosis and treatment; and
"(III) ensuring that such education includes complete information concerning postpartum conditions, including its symptoms, methods of coping with the illness, and treatment resources.
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
§713. Personal responsibility education
(a) Allotments to States
(1) Amount
(A) In general
For the purpose described in subsection (b), subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014, the Secretary shall allot to each State an amount equal to the product of—
(i) the amount appropriated under subsection (f) for the fiscal year and available for allotments to States after the application of subsection (c); and
(ii) the State youth population percentage determined under paragraph (2).
(B) Minimum allotment
(i) In general
Each State allotment under this paragraph for a fiscal year shall be at least $250,000.
(ii) Pro rata adjustments
The Secretary shall adjust on a pro rata basis the amount of the State allotments determined under this paragraph for a fiscal year to the extent necessary to comply with clause (i).
(C) Application required to access allotments
(i) In general
A State shall not be paid from its allotment for a fiscal year unless the State submits an application to the Secretary for the fiscal year and the Secretary approves the application (or requires changes to the application that the State satisfies) and meets such additional requirements as the Secretary may specify.
(ii) Requirements
The State application shall contain an assurance that the State has complied with the requirements of this section in preparing and submitting the application and shall include the following as well as such additional information as the Secretary may require:
(I) Based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics, the most recent pregnancy rates for the State for youth ages 10 to 14 and youth ages 15 to 19 for which data are available, the most recent birth rates for such youth populations in the State for which data are available, and trends in those rates for the most recently preceding 5-year period for which such data are available.
(II) State-established goals for reducing the pregnancy rates and birth rates for such youth populations.
(III) A description of the State's plan for using the State allotments provided under this section to achieve such goals, especially among youth populations that are the most high-risk or vulnerable for pregnancies or otherwise have special circumstances, including youth in foster care, homeless youth, youth with HIV/AIDS, pregnant youth who are under 21 years of age, mothers who are under 21 years of age, and youth residing in areas with high birth rates for youth.
(2) State youth population percentage
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (1)(A)(ii), the State youth population percentage is, with respect to a State, the proportion (expressed as a percentage) of—
(i) the number of individuals who have attained age 10 but not attained age 20 in the State; to
(ii) the number of such individuals in all States.
(B) Determination of number of youth
The number of individuals described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) in a State shall be determined on the basis of the most recent Bureau of the Census data.
(3) Availability of State allotments
Subject to paragraph (4)(A), amounts allotted to a State pursuant to this subsection for a fiscal year shall remain available for expenditure by the State through the end of the second succeeding fiscal year.
(4) Authority to award grants from State allotments to local organizations and entities in nonparticipating States
(A) Grants from unexpended allotments
If a State does not submit an application under this section for fiscal year 2010 or 2011, the State shall no longer be eligible to submit an application to receive funds from the amounts allotted for the State for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014 and such amounts shall be used by the Secretary to award grants under this paragraph for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2014. The Secretary also shall use any amounts from the allotments of States that submit applications under this section for a fiscal year that remain unexpended as of the end of the period in which the allotments are available for expenditure under paragraph (3) for awarding grants under this paragraph.
(B) 3-year grants
(i) In general
The Secretary shall solicit applications to award 3-year grants in each of fiscal years 2012, 2013, and 2014 to local organizations and entities to conduct, consistent with subsection (b), programs and activities in States that do not submit an application for an allotment under this section for fiscal year 2010 or 2011.
(ii) Faith-based organizations or consortia
The Secretary may solicit and award grants under this paragraph to faith-based organizations or consortia.
(C) Evaluation
An organization or entity awarded a grant under this paragraph shall agree to participate in a rigorous Federal evaluation.
(5) Maintenance of effort
No payment shall be made to a State from the allotment determined for the State under this subsection or to a local organization or entity awarded a grant under paragraph (4), if the expenditure of non-federal funds by the State, organization, or entity for activities, programs, or initiatives for which amounts from allotments and grants under this subsection may be expended is less than the amount expended by the State, organization, or entity for such programs or initiatives for fiscal year 2009.
(6) Data collection and reporting
A State or local organization or entity receiving funds under this section shall cooperate with such requirements relating to the collection of data and information and reporting on outcomes regarding the programs and activities carried out with such funds, as the Secretary shall specify.
(b) Purpose
(1) In general
The purpose of an allotment under subsection (a)(1) to a State is to enable the State (or, in the case of grants made under subsection (a)(4)(B), to enable a local organization or entity) to carry out personal responsibility education programs consistent with this subsection.
(2) Personal responsibility education programs
(A) In general
In this section, the term "personal responsibility education program" means a program that is designed to educate adolescents on—
(i) both abstinence and contraception for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, consistent with the requirements of subparagraph (B); and
(ii) at least 3 of the adulthood preparation subjects described in subparagraph (C).
(B) Requirements
The requirements of this subparagraph are the following:
(i) The program replicates evidence-based effective programs or substantially incorporates elements of effective programs that have been proven on the basis of rigorous scientific research to change behavior, which means delaying sexual activity, increasing condom or contraceptive use for sexually active youth, or reducing pregnancy among youth.
(ii) The program is medically-accurate and complete.
(iii) The program includes activities to educate youth who are sexually active regarding responsible sexual behavior with respect to both abstinence and the use of contraception.
(iv) The program places substantial emphasis on both abstinence and contraception for the prevention of pregnancy among youth and sexually transmitted infections.
(v) The program provides age-appropriate information and activities.
(vi) The information and activities carried out under the program are provided in the cultural context that is most appropriate for individuals in the particular population group to which they are directed.
(C) Adulthood preparation subjects
The adulthood preparation subjects described in this subparagraph are the following:
(i) Healthy relationships, including marriage and family interactions.
(ii) Adolescent development, such as the development of healthy attitudes and values about adolescent growth and development, body image, racial and ethnic diversity, and other related subjects.
(iii) Financial literacy.
(iv) Parent-child communication.
(v) Educational and career success, such as developing skills for employment preparation, job seeking, independent living, financial self-sufficiency, and workplace productivity.
(vi) Healthy life skills, such as goal-setting, decision making, negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills, and stress management.
(c) Reservations of funds
(1) Grants to implement innovative strategies
From the amount appropriated under subsection (f) for the fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve $10,000,000 of such amount for purposes of awarding grants to entities to implement innovative youth pregnancy prevention strategies and target services to high-risk, vulnerable, and culturally under-represented youth populations, including youth in foster care, homeless youth, youth with HIV/AIDS, pregnant women who are under 21 years of age and their partners, mothers who are under 21 years of age and their partners, and youth residing in areas with high birth rates for youth. An entity awarded a grant under this paragraph shall agree to participate in a rigorous Federal evaluation of the activities carried out with grant funds.
(2) Other reservations
From the amount appropriated under subsection (f) for the fiscal year that remains after the application of paragraph (1), the Secretary shall reserve the following amounts:
(A) Grants for Indian tribes or tribal organizations
The Secretary shall reserve 5 percent of such remainder for purposes of awarding grants to Indian tribes and tribal organizations in such manner, and subject to such requirements, as the Secretary, in consultation with Indian tribes and tribal organizations, determines appropriate.
(B) Secretarial responsibilities
(i) Reservation of funds
The Secretary shall reserve 10 percent of such remainder for expenditures by the Secretary for the activities described in clauses (ii) and (iii).
(ii) Program support
The Secretary shall provide, directly or through a competitive grant process, research, training and technical assistance, including dissemination of research and information regarding effective and promising practices, providing consultation and resources on a broad array of teen pregnancy prevention strategies, including abstinence and contraception, and developing resources and materials to support the activities of recipients of grants and other State, tribal, and community organizations working to reduce teen pregnancy. In carrying out such functions, the Secretary shall collaborate with a variety of entities that have expertise in the prevention of teen pregnancy, HIV and sexually transmitted infections, healthy relationships, financial literacy, and other topics addressed through the personal responsibility education programs.
(iii) Evaluation
The Secretary shall evaluate the programs and activities carried out with funds made available through allotments or grants under this section.
(d) Administration
(1) In general
The Secretary shall administer this section through the Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families within the Department of Health and Human Services.
(2) Application of other provisions of subchapter
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the other provisions of this subchapter shall not apply to allotments or grants made under this section.
(B) Exceptions
The following provisions of this subchapter shall apply to allotments and grants made under this section to the same extent and in the same manner as such provisions apply to allotments made under
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(e) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Age-appropriate
The term "age-appropriate", with respect to the information in pregnancy prevention, means topics, messages, and teaching methods suitable to particular ages or age groups of children and adolescents, based on developing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral capacity typical for the age or age group.
(2) Medically accurate and complete
The term "medically accurate and complete" means verified or supported by the weight of research conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods and—
(A) published in peer-reviewed journals, where applicable; or
(B) comprising information that leading professional organizations and agencies with relevant expertise in the field recognize as accurate, objective, and complete.
(3) Indian tribes; Tribal organizations
The terms "Indian tribe" and "Tribal organization" have the meanings given such terms in
(4) Youth
The term "youth" means an individual who has attained age 10 but has not attained age 20.
(f) Appropriation
For the purpose of carrying out this section, there is appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014. Amounts appropriated under this subsection shall remain available until expended.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §513, as added and amended
Prior Provisions
A prior section 713, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §513, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Another prior section 713, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §513,
Provisions similar to those comprising former section 713 were contained in section 541 of act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(2)(C)(i).
§§714 to 716. Omitted
Codification
Sections 714 to 716 were omitted in the general revision of this subchapter by
Section 714, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §514, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Another prior section 714, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §514,
Section 715, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §515, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Another prior section 715, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §515,
Section 716, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §516, as added July 1, 1973,
Another prior section 716, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §516, as added July 30, 1965,
Supplemental Allotments for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1974
Section 4(c) of
§§721 to 728. Repealed. Pub. L. 90–248, title II, §240(e)(1), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 915
Section 721, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §521,
Section 722, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §522, as added Aug. 28, 1958,
Section 723, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §523, as added Aug. 28, 1958,
Section 724, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §524, as added Aug. 28, 1958,
Section 725, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §525, as added Aug. 28, 1958,
Section 726, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §526, as added Sept. 13, 1960,
Section 727, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §527, as added July 25, 1962,
Section 728, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §528, as added July 25, 1962,
§§729 to 729a, 731. Omitted
Codification
Section 729, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §531, as added Oct. 24, 1963,
Section 729–1, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §532, as added July 30, 1965,
Section 729a, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §533, formerly §532, as added Oct. 24, 1963,
Section 731, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, §541,
SUBCHAPTER VI—TEMPORARY STATE FISCAL RELIEF
Prior Provisions
A prior subchapter VI related to grants to States for services to the aged, blind, or disabled and consisted of sections 801 to 805, prior to repeal by
§801. Repealed
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VI, §601, as added
Prior Provisions
Prior sections 801 to 805 were repealed by
Section 801, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VI, §601, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Another prior section 801, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VI, §601,
Section 802, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VI, §602, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Another prior section 802, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VI, §602,
Section 803, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VI, §603, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Another prior section 803, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VI, §603,
Section 804, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VI, §604, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Section 805, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VI, §605, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective Oct. 1, 2004, see section 601(g) of act Aug. 14, 1935, as added by
Renumbering of Repealing Act
Section 611 of act July 1, 1944, which repealed prior sections 801 to 803, was renumbered §711 by act Aug. 13, 1946, ch. 958, §5,
SUBCHAPTER VII—ADMINISTRATION
Amendments
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title III, pt. 6, §361(f),
§901. Social Security Administration
(a) There is hereby established, as an independent agency in the executive branch of the Government, a Social Security Administration (in this subchapter referred to as the "Administration").
(b) It shall be the duty of the Administration to administer the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program under subchapter II of this chapter and the supplemental security income program under subchapter XVI of this chapter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VII, §701,
Amendments
1994—
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, amended section generally to provide for the appointment of a Commissioner of Social Security.
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Transfers to New Social Security Administration
Section 105 of title I of
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(i) the functions of the Department of Health and Human Services, including functions relating to titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act [subchapters XVIII and IX of this chapter] (including adjudications, subject to final decisions by the Secretary of Health and Human Services), that the Social Security Administration in such Department performed as of immediately before the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 15, 1994], and
"(ii) the functions of any other agency for which administrative responsibility was vested in the Social Security Administration in the Department of Health and Human Services as of immediately before the date of the enactment of this Act.
"(B)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A) the personnel employed in connection with the functions transferred by this title and the amendments made thereby; and
"(B) the assets, liabilities, contracts, property, records, and unexpended balance of appropriations, authorizations, allocations, and other funds employed, held, or used in connection with such functions, arising from such functions, or available, or to be made available, in connection with such functions.
"(2)
"(3)
"(A)
"(i) the transfer pursuant to this section of any full-time personnel (except special Government employees) and part-time personnel holding permanent positions shall not cause any such personnel to be separated or reduced in grade or compensation solely as a result of such transfer, and
"(ii) except as provided in subparagraph (B), any such personnel who were not employed in the Social Security Administration in the Department of Health and Human Services immediately before the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 15, 1994] shall not be subject to directed reassignment to a duty station outside their commuting area.
"(B)
"(i) In the case of personnel whose duty station is in the Washington, District of Columbia, commuting area immediately before March 31, 1995, subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not apply with respect to directed reassignment to a duty station in the Baltimore, Maryland, commuting area after September 30, 1995.
"(ii) In the case of personnel whose duty station is in the Baltimore, Maryland, commuting area immediately before March 31, 1995, subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not apply with respect to directed reassignment to a duty station in the Washington, District of Columbia, commuting area after September 30, 1995.
"(4)
"(A) acquire occupiable space in the metropolitan area of Washington, District of Columbia, for housing the Social Security Administration, and
"(B) renovate such space as necessary.
"(c)
[Section 105(a)–(b)(3) of
Transition Rules
Section 106 of title I of
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
"(7)
"(A) the position of Commissioner of Social Security in the Department of Health and Human Services is abolished; and
"(B) [Amended
"(b)
"(1) which have been issued, made, promulgated, granted, or allowed to become effective, in the exercise of functions (A) which were exercised by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (or the Secretary's delegate), and (B) which relate to functions which, by reason of this title, the amendments made thereby, and regulations prescribed thereunder, are vested in the Commissioner of Social Security; and
"(2) which are in effect immediately before March 31, 1995,
shall (to the extent that they relate to functions described in paragraph (1)(B)) continue in effect according to their terms until modified, terminated, suspended, set aside, or repealed by such Commissioner, except that any collective bargaining agreement shall remain in effect until the date of termination specified in such agreement.
"(c)
"(d)
"(1) the provisions of this title shall not affect suits commenced before March 31, 1995; and
"(2) in all such suits proceedings shall be had, appeals taken, and judgments rendered, in the same manner and effect as if this title had not been enacted.
No cause of action, and no suit, action, or other proceeding commenced by or against any officer in such officer's official capacity as an officer of the Department of Health and Human Services, shall abate by reason of the enactment of this title. In any suit, action, or other proceeding pending immediately before March 31, 1995, the court or hearing officer may at any time, on the motion of the court or hearing officer or that of a party, enter an order which will give effect to the provisions of this subsection (including, where appropriate, an order for substitution of parties).
"(e)
"(f)
"(g)
Rules of Construction
Section 109 of title I of
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
§901a. Repealed. Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title IV, §401(b), 64 Stat. 558
Section, act Aug. 10, 1939, ch. 666, title IX, §908,
§902. Commissioner; Deputy Commissioner; other officers
(a) Commissioner of Social Security
(1) There shall be in the Administration a Commissioner of Social Security (in this subchapter referred to as the "Commissioner") who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(2) The Commissioner shall be compensated at the rate provided for level I of the Executive Schedule.
(3) The Commissioner shall be appointed for a term of 6 years, except that the initial term of office for Commissioner shall terminate January 19, 2001. In any case in which a successor does not take office at the end of a Commissioner's term of office, such Commissioner may continue in office until the entry upon office of such a successor. A Commissioner appointed to a term of office after the commencement of such term may serve under such appointment only for the remainder of such term. An individual serving in the office of Commissioner may be removed from office only pursuant to a finding by the President of neglect of duty or malfeasance in office.
(4) The Commissioner shall be responsible for the exercise of all powers and the discharge of all duties of the Administration, and shall have authority and control over all personnel and activities thereof.
(5) The Commissioner may prescribe such rules and regulations as the Commissioner determines necessary or appropriate to carry out the functions of the Administration. The regulations prescribed by the Commissioner shall be subject to the rulemaking procedures established under
(6) The Commissioner may establish, alter, consolidate, or discontinue such organizational units or components within the Administration as the Commissioner considers necessary or appropriate, except that this paragraph shall not apply with respect to any unit, component, or provision provided for by this chapter.
(7) The Commissioner may assign duties, and delegate, or authorize successive redelegations of, authority to act and to render decisions, to such officers and employees of the Administration as the Commissioner may find necessary. Within the limitations of such delegations, redelegations, or assignments, all official acts and decisions of such officers and employees shall have the same force and effect as though performed or rendered by the Commissioner.
(8) The Commissioner and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this subchapter referred to as the "Secretary") shall consult, on an ongoing basis, to ensure—
(A) the coordination of the programs administered by the Commissioner, as described in
(B) that adequate information concerning benefits under such subchapters XVIII and XIX of this chapter is available to the public.
(b) Deputy Commissioner of Social Security
(1) There shall be in the Administration a Deputy Commissioner of Social Security (in this subchapter referred to as the "Deputy Commissioner") who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(2) The Deputy Commissioner shall be appointed for a term of 6 years, except that the initial term of office for the Deputy Commissioner shall terminate January 19, 2001. In any case in which a successor does not take office at the end of a Deputy Commissioner's term of office, such Deputy Commissioner may continue in office until the entry upon office of such a successor. A Deputy Commissioner appointed to a term of office after the commencement of such term may serve under such appointment only for the remainder of such term.
(3) The Deputy Commissioner shall be compensated at the rate provided for level II of the Executive Schedule.
(4) The Deputy Commissioner shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as the Commissioner shall from time to time assign or delegate. The Deputy Commissioner shall be Acting Commissioner of the Administration during the absence or disability of the Commissioner and, unless the President designates another officer of the Government as Acting Commissioner, in the event of a vacancy in the office of the Commissioner.
(c) Chief Actuary
(1) There shall be in the Administration a Chief Actuary, who shall be appointed by, and in direct line of authority to, the Commissioner. The Chief Actuary shall be appointed from individuals who have demonstrated, by their education and experience, superior expertise in the actuarial sciences. The Chief Actuary shall serve as the chief actuarial officer of the Administration, and shall exercise such duties as are appropriate for the office of the Chief Actuary and in accordance with professional standards of actuarial independence. The Chief Actuary may be removed only for cause.
(2) The Chief Actuary shall be compensated at the highest rate of basic pay for the Senior Executive Service under
(d) Chief Financial Officer
There shall be in the Administration a Chief Financial Officer appointed by the Commissioner in accordance with
(e) Inspector General
There shall be in the Administration an Inspector General appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, in accordance with section 3(a) of the Inspector General Act of 1978.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VII, §702,
References in Text
Levels I and II of the Executive Schedule, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2) and (b)(3), are set out in sections 5312 and 5313, respectively, of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
Section 3(a) of the Inspector General Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (e), is section 3(a) of
Amendments
1996—Subsecs. (c) to (e).
1994—
1984—
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, substituted "Administrator" for "Board" and "him" for "it".
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Section 103(e)(2) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Issuance by Commissioner of Social Security of Receipts To Acknowledge Submission of Reports of Changes in Work or Earnings Status of Disabled Beneficiaries
Demonstration Projects Relating to Accountability for Telephone Service Center Communications
Telephone Access to Social Security Administration
Section 302 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) assesses the impact of the requirements established by this section on the Social Security Administration's allocation of resources, workload levels, and service to the public, and
"(2) presents a plan for using new, innovative technologies to enhance access to the Social Security Administration, including access to local offices.
"(d)
"(e)
Report Regarding Notices in Languages Other Than English
Study Concerning Establishment of Social Security Administration as an Independent Agency
Earnings Sharing Implementation Report
Universal Coverage of Social Security Programs; Study and Report to President and Congress Respecting Scope, Alternatives, etc.; Consultation by Secretary
Proposals for Elimination of Dependency and Sex Discrimination Under Social Security Program; Study and Report to Congress
§903. Social Security Advisory Board
(a) Establishment of Board
There shall be established a Social Security Advisory Board (in this section referred to as the "Board").
(b) Functions of Board
On and after the date the Commissioner takes office, the Board shall advise the Commissioner on policies related to the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program under subchapter II of this chapter, the program of special benefits for certain World War II veterans under subchapter VIII of this chapter, and the supplemental security income program under subchapter XVI of this chapter. Specific functions of the Board shall include—
(1) analyzing the Nation's retirement and disability systems and making recommendations with respect to how the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program and the supplemental security income program, supported by other public and private systems, can most effectively assure economic security;
(2) studying and making recommendations relating to the coordination of programs that provide health security with programs described in paragraph (1);
(3) making recommendations to the President and to the Congress with respect to policies that will ensure the solvency of the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program, both in the short-term and the long-term;
(4) making recommendations with respect to the quality of service that the Administration provides to the public;
(5) making recommendations with respect to policies and regulations regarding the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program and the supplemental security income program;
(6) increasing public understanding of the social security system;
(7) making recommendations with respect to a long-range research and program evaluation plan for the Administration;
(8) reviewing and assessing any major studies of social security as may come to the attention of the Board; and
(9) making recommendations with respect to such other matters as the Board determines to be appropriate.
(c) Structure and membership of Board
(1) The Board shall be composed of 7 members who shall be appointed as follows:
(A) 3 members shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Not more than 2 of such members shall be from the same political party.
(B) 2 members (each member from a different political party) shall be appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate with the advice of the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Committee on Finance.
(C) 2 members (each member from a different political party) shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with the advice of the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member of the House Committee on Ways and Means.
(2) The members shall be chosen on the basis of their integrity, impartiality, and good judgment, and shall be individuals who are, by reason of their education, experience, and attainments, exceptionally qualified to perform the duties of members of the Board.
(d) Terms of appointment
Each member of the Board shall serve for a term of 6 years, except that—
(1) a member appointed to a term of office after the commencement of such term may serve under such appointment only for the remainder of such term; and
(2) the terms of service of the members initially appointed under this section shall begin on October 1, 1994, and expire as follows:
(A) The terms of service of the members initially appointed by the President shall expire as designated by the President at the time of nomination, 1 each at the end of—
(i) 2 years;
(ii) 4 years; and
(iii) 6 years.
(B) The terms of service of members initially appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate shall expire as designated by the President pro tempore of the Senate at the time of nomination, 1 each at the end of—
(i) 3 years; and
(ii) 6 years.
(C) The terms of service of members initially appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall expire as designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives at the time of nomination, 1 each at the end of—
(i) 4 years; and
(ii) 5 years.
(e) Chairman
A member of the Board shall be designated by the President to serve as Chairman for a term of 4 years, coincident with the term of the President, or until the designation of a successor.
(f) Compensation, expenses, and per diem
A member of the Board shall, for each day (including traveltime) during which the member is attending meetings or conferences of the Board or otherwise engaged in the business of the Board, be compensated at the daily rate of basic pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule. While serving on business of the Board away from their homes or regular places of business, members may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by
(g) Meetings
(1) The Board shall meet at the call of the Chairman (in consultation with the other members of the Board) not less than 4 times each year to consider a specific agenda of issues, as determined by the Chairman in consultation with the other members of the Board.
(2) Four members of the Board (not more than 3 of whom may be of the same political party) shall constitute a quorum for purposes of conducting business.
(h) Federal Advisory Committee Act
The Board shall be exempt from the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
(i) Personnel
The Board shall, without regard to the provisions of title 5 relating to the competitive service, appoint a Staff Director who shall be paid at a rate equivalent to a rate established for the Senior Executive Service under
(j) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated, out of the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, and the general fund of the Treasury, such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VII, §703,
References In Text
Level IV of the Executive Schedule, referred to in subsec. (f), is set out under
The Federal Advisory Committee Act, referred to in subsec. (h), is
The provisions of title 5 relating to the competitive service, referred to in subsec. (i), are classified generally to
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (f).
1999—Subsec. (b).
1997—Subsec. (i).
1996—Subsec. (i).
1994—
1984—
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, substituted "Administrator" for "Board" and "his" for "its".
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 5528 of title V of
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(d)
"(e)
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
§904. Administrative duties of Commissioner
(a) Personnel
(1) The Commissioner shall appoint such additional officers and employees as the Commissioner considers necessary to carry out the functions of the Administration under this chapter, and attorneys and experts may be appointed without regard to the civil service laws. Except as otherwise provided in the preceding sentence or in any other provision of law, such officers and employees shall be appointed, and their compensation shall be fixed, in accordance with title 5.
(2) The Commissioner may procure the services of experts and consultants in accordance with the provisions of
(3) Notwithstanding any requirements of
(b) Budgetary matters
(1)(A) The Commissioner shall prepare an annual budget for the Administration, which shall be submitted by the President to the Congress without revision, together with the President's annual budget for the Administration.
(B) The Commissioner shall include in the annual budget prepared pursuant to subparagraph (A) an itemization of the amount of funds required by the Social Security Administration for the fiscal year covered by the budget to support efforts to combat fraud committed by applicants and beneficiaries.
(2)(A) Appropriations requests for staffing and personnel of the Administration shall be based upon a comprehensive work force plan, which shall be established and revised from time to time by the Commissioner.
(B) Appropriations for administrative expenses of the Administration are authorized to be provided on a biennial basis.
(c) Employment restriction
The total number of positions in the Administration (other than positions established under
(1) are held by noncareer appointees (within the meaning of
(2) have been determined by the President or the Office of Personnel Management to be of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character and have been excepted from the competitive service thereby,
may not exceed at any time the equivalent of 20 full-time positions.
(d) Seal of office
The Commissioner shall cause a seal of office to be made for the Administration of such design as the Commissioner shall approve. Judicial notice shall be taken of such seal.
(e) Data exchanges
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including subsections (b), (o), (p), (q), (r), and (u) of
(A) the Secretary shall disclose to the Commissioner any record or information requested in writing by the Commissioner for the purpose of administering any program administered by the Commissioner, if records or information of such type were disclosed to the Commissioner of Social Security in the Department of Health and Human Services under applicable rules, regulations, and procedures in effect before August 15, 1994; and
(B) the Commissioner shall disclose to the Secretary or to any State any record or information requested in writing by the Secretary to be so disclosed for the purpose of administering any program administered by the Secretary, if records or information of such type were so disclosed under applicable rules, regulations, and procedures in effect before August 15, 1994.
(2) The Commissioner and the Secretary shall enter into an agreement under which the Commissioner provides the Secretary data concerning the quality of the services and information provided to beneficiaries of the programs under subchapters XVIII and XIX of this chapter and the administrative services provided by the Social Security Administration in support of such programs. Such agreement shall stipulate the type of data to be provided and the terms and conditions under which the data are to be provided.
(3) The Commissioner and the Secretary shall periodically review the need for exchanges of information not referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) and shall enter into such agreements as may be necessary and appropriate to provide information to each other or to States in order to meet the programmatic needs of the requesting agencies.
(4)(A) Any disclosure from a system of records (as defined in
(B) Any computerized comparison of records, including matching programs, between the Commissioner and the Secretary shall be conducted in accordance with subsections (o), (p), (q), (r), and (u) of
(5) The Commissioner and the Secretary shall each ensure that timely action is taken to establish any necessary routine uses for disclosures required under paragraph (1) or agreed to pursuant to paragraph (3).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VII, §704,
Amendments
1999—Subsec. (b)(1).
1994—
1984—
1976—
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, substituted "Administrator" for "Board" in first sentence and added second sentence.
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 104(c) of
"(1)
"(2)
Amendment by section 104(a) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Report on SES Positions Under Comprehensive Work Force Plan
Section 104(b) of
§§905, 905a. Transferred
Codification
Section 905, act July 5, 1952, ch. 575, title II, §201,
Section 905a, act Aug. 10, 1971,
§906. Training grants for public welfare personnel
(a) Authorization of appropriations
In order to assist in increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of administration of public assistance programs by increasing the number of adequately trained public welfare personnel available for work in public assistance programs, there are hereby authorized to be appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1963, the sum of $3,500,000, and for each fiscal year thereafter the sum of $5,000,000.
(b) Allocation for carrying out direct grant programs
Such portion of the sums appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) of this section for any fiscal year as the Secretary may determine, but not in excess of $1,000,000 in the case of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1963, and $2,000,000 in the case of any fiscal year thereafter, shall be available for carrying out subsection (f) of this section. From the remainder of the sums so appropriated for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall make allotments to the States on the basis of (1) population, (2) relative need for trained public welfare personnel, particularly for personnel to provide self-support and self-care services, and (3) financial need.
(c) Payments to States for cost of grant programs to certain agencies and institutions
From each State's allotment under subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall from time to time pay to such State its costs of carrying out the purposes of this section through (1) grants to public or other nonprofit institutions of higher learning for training personnel employed or preparing for employment in public assistance programs, (2) special courses of study or seminars of short duration conducted for such personnel by experts hired on a temporary basis for the purpose, and (3) establishing and maintaining, directly or through grants to such institutions, fellowships or traineeships for such personnel at such institutions, with such stipends and allowances as may be permitted under regulations of the Secretary.
(d) Advance payments to States
Payments pursuant to subsection (c) of this section shall be made in advance on the basis of estimates by the Secretary and adjustments may be made in future payments under this section to take account of overpayments or underpayments in amounts previously paid.
(e) Reallotments
The amount of any allotment to a State under subsection (b) of this section for any fiscal year which the State certifies to the Secretary will not be required for carrying out the purposes of this section in such State shall be available for reallotment from time to time, on such dates as the Secretary may fix, to other States which the Secretary determines have need in carrying out such purposes for sums in excess of those previously allotted to them under this section and will be able to use such excess amounts during such fiscal year; such reallotments to be made on the basis provided in subsection (b) of this section for the initial allotments to the States. Any amount so reallotted to a State shall be deemed part of its allotment under such subsection.
(f) Direct grants to certain agencies and institutions
(1) The portion of the sums appropriated for any fiscal year which is determined by the Secretary under the first sentence of subsection (b) of this section to be available for carrying out this subsection shall be available to enable him to provide (A) directly or through grants to or contracts with public or nonprofit private institutions of higher learning, for training personnel who are employed or preparing for employment in the administration of public assistance programs, (B) directly or through grants to or contracts with public or nonprofit private agencies or institutions, for special courses of study or seminars of short duration (not in excess of one year) for training of such personnel, and (C) directly or through grants to or contracts with public or nonprofit private institutions of higher learning, for establishing and maintaining fellowships or traineeships for such personnel at such institutions, with such stipends and allowances as may be permitted by the Secretary.
(2) Payments under paragraph (1) may be made in advance on the basis of estimates by the Secretary, or may be made by way of reimbursement, and adjustments may be made in future payments under this subsection to take account of overpayments or underpayments in amounts previously paid.
(3) The Secretary may, to the extent he finds such action to be necessary, prescribe requirements to assure that any individual will repay the amount of his fellowship or traineeship received under this subsection to the extent such individual fails to serve, for the period prescribed by the Secretary, with a State or political subdivision thereof, or with the Federal Government, in connection with administration of any State or local public assistance program. The Secretary may relieve any individual of his obligation to so repay, in whole or in part, whenever and to the extent that requirement of such repayment would, in his judgment, be inequitable or would be contrary to the purposes of any of the public welfare programs established by this chapter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VII, §705, as added Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, title III, §332,
Amendments
1962—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (f).
1961—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
Effective Date of 1962 Amendment
Section 202(b) of
Effective Date of 1961 Amendment
Section 3(b) of
§907. Repealed. Pub. L. 103–296, title I, §108(a)(2), Aug. 15, 1994, 108 Stat. 1481
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VII, §706, as added July 30, 1965,
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective Mar. 31, 1995, see section 110(a) of
Applicability of Repeal to 1994 Council
Section 108(a)(2) of
§907a. National Commission on Social Security
(a) Establishment; membership; Chairman and Vice Chairman; quorum; terms of office; vacancies; per diem and expense reimbursement; meetings
(1) There is established a commission to be known as the National Commission on Social Security (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission").
(2)(A) The Commission shall consist of—
(i) five members to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, one of whom shall, at the time of appointment, be designated as Chairman of the Commission;
(ii) two members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
(iii) two members to be appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate.
(B) At no time shall more than three of the members appointed by the President, one of the members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or one of the members appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate be members of the same political party.
(C) The membership of the Commission shall consist of individuals who are of recognized standing and distinction and who possess the demonstrated capacity to discharge the duties imposed on the Commission, and shall include representatives of the private insurance industry and of recipients and potential recipients of benefits under the programs involved as well as individuals whose capacity is based on a special knowledge or expertise in those programs. No individual who is otherwise an officer or full-time employee of the United States shall serve as a member of the Commission.
(D) The Chairman of the Commission shall designate a member of the Commission to act as Vice Chairman of the Commission.
(E) A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may conduct hearings.
(F) Members of the Commission shall be appointed for a term which shall end on April 1, 1981.
(G) A vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as that herein provided for the appointment of the member first appointed to the vacant position.
(3) Members of the Commission shall receive $138 per diem while engaged in the actual performance of the duties vested in the Commission, plus reimbursement for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of such duties.
(4) The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairman, or at the call of a majority of the members of the Commission; but meetings of the Commission shall be held not less frequently than once in each calendar month which begins after a majority of the authorized membership of the Commission has first been appointed.
(b) Continuing study, investigation, and review of social security program; scope of study, etc., and public participation
(1) It shall be the duty and function of the Commission to conduct a continuing study, investigation, and review of—
(A) the Federal old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program established by subchapter II of this chapter; and
(B) the health insurance programs established by subchapter XVIII of this chapter.
(2) Such study, investigation, and review of such programs shall include (but not be limited to)—
(A) the fiscal status of the trust funds established for the financing of such programs and the adequacy of such trust funds to meet the immediate and long-range financing needs of such programs;
(B) the scope of coverage, the adequacy of benefits including the measurement of an adequate retirement income, and the conditions of qualification for benefits provided by such programs including the application of the retirement income test to unearned as well as earned income;
(C) the impact of such programs on, and their relation to, public assistance programs, nongovernmental retirement and annuity programs, medical service delivery systems, and national employment practices;
(D) any inequities (whether attributable to provisions of law relating to the establishment and operation of such programs, to rules and regulations promulgated in connection with the administration of such programs, or to administrative practices and procedures employed in the carrying out of such programs) which affect substantial numbers of individuals who are insured or otherwise eligible for benefits under such programs, including inequities and inequalities arising out of marital status, sex, or similar classifications or categories;
(E) possible alternatives to the current Federal programs or particular aspects thereof, including but not limited to (i) a phasing out of the payroll tax with the financing of such programs being accomplished in some other manner (including general revenue funding and the retirement bond), (ii) the establishment of a system providing for mandatory participation in any or all of the Federal programs, (iii) the integration of such current Federal programs with private retirement programs, and (iv) the establishment of a system permitting covered individuals a choice of public or private programs or both;
(F) the need to develop a special Consumer Price Index for the elderly, including the financial impact that such an index would have on the costs of the programs established under this chapter; and
(G) methods for effectively implementing the recommendations of the Commission.
(3) In order to provide an effective opportunity for the general public to participate fully in the study, investigation, and review under this section, the Commission, in conducting such study, investigation, and review, shall hold public hearings in as many different geographical areas of the country as possible. The residents of each area where such a hearing is to be held shall be given reasonable advance notice of the hearing and an adequate opportunity to appear and express their views on the matters under consideration.
(c) Special, annual, and final reports to President and Congress concerning implementation, etc., of study, investigation, and review responsibilities; termination of Commission
(1) No later than four months after the date on which a majority of the authorized membership of the Commission is initially appointed, the Commission shall submit to the President and the Congress a special report describing the Commission's plans for conducting the study, investigation, and review under subsection (b) of this section, with particular reference to the scope of such study, investigation, and review and the methods proposed to be used in conducting it.
(2) At or before the close of each of the first two years after the date on which a majority of the authorized membership of the Commission is initially appointed, the Commission shall submit to the President and the Congress an annual report on the study, investigation, and review under subsection (b) of this section, together with its recommendations with respect to the programs involved. The second such report shall constitute the final report of the Commission on such study, investigation, and review, and shall include its final recommendations; and the Commission shall cease to exist on April 1, 1981.
(d) Executive Director and additional personnel; appointment and compensation
(1) The Commission shall appoint an Executive Director of the Commission who shall be compensated at a rate fixed by the Commission, but which shall not exceed the rate established for level V of the Executive Schedule by title 5.
(2) In addition to the Executive Director, the Commission shall have the power to appoint and fix the compensation of such personnel as it deems advisable, in accordance with the provisions of title 5 governing appointments to the competitive service, and the provisions of
(e) Administrative procedures
In carrying out its duties under this section, the Commission, or any duly authorized committee thereof, is authorized to hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, and take such testimony, with respect to matters with respect to which it has a responsibility under this section, as the Commission or such committee may deem advisable. The Chairman of the Commission or any member authorized by him may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before the Commission or before any committee thereof.
(f) Data and information from other Federal departments and agencies
The Commission may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States such data and information as may be necessary to enable it to carry out its duties under this section. Upon request of the Chairman of the Commission, any such department or agency shall furnish any such data or information to the Commission.
(g) Administrative support services from General Services Administration; reimbursement
The General Services Administration shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis such administrative support services as the Commission may request.
(h) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
(
References in Text
Level V of the Executive Schedule, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), is set out in
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Social Security Amendments of 1977, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Amendments
1984—Subsec. (i).
1980—Subsec. (a)(2)(F).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2349(c) of
§908. Omitted
Codification
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VII, §707, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
§909. Delivery of benefit checks
(a) Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
If the day regularly designated for the delivery of benefit checks under subchapter II, VIII, or XVI of this chapter falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal public holiday (as defined in
(b) Recovery of overpayments
If more than the correct amount of payment under subchapter II, VIII, or XVI of this chapter is made to any individual as a result of the receipt of a benefit check pursuant to subsection (a) of this section before the end of the month for which such check is issued, no action shall be taken (under
(c) Early delivery
For purposes of computing the "OASDI trust fund ratio" under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VII, §708, as added
Amendments
1999—Subsecs. (a), (b).
1986—Subsec. (c).
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 12111(c) of
Effective Date
Section 333(b) of
Timing of Delivery of October 1, 2000, SSI Benefit Payments
§910. Recommendations by Board of Trustees to remedy inadequate balances in Social Security trust funds
(a) Terms and conditions of recommendations
If the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, or the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund determines at any time that the balance ratio of any such Trust Fund for any calendar year may become less than 20 percent, the Board shall promptly submit to each House of the Congress a report setting forth its recommendations for statutory adjustments affecting the receipts and disbursements of such Trust Fund necessary to maintain the balance ratio of such Trust Fund at not less than 20 percent, with due regard to the economic conditions which created such inadequacy in the balance ratio and the amount of time necessary to alleviate such inadequacy in a prudent manner. The report shall set forth specifically the extent to which benefits would have to be reduced, taxes under section 1401, 3101, or 3111 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 would have to be increased, or a combination thereof, in order to obtain the objectives referred to in the preceding sentence.
(b) "Balance ratio" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "balance ratio" means, with respect to any calendar year in connection with any Trust Fund referred to in subsection (a) of this section, the ratio of—
(1) the balance in such Trust Fund as of the beginning of such year, including the taxes transferred under
(2) the total amount which (for amounts which will be paid from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, as estimated by the Commissioner, and for amounts which will be paid from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, as estimated by the Secretary) will be paid from such Trust Fund during such calendar year for all purposes authorized by
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VII, §709, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (b)(2).
1986—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
§911. Budgetary treatment of trust fund operations
(a) The receipts and disbursements of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund and the taxes imposed under sections 1401 and 3101 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall not be included in the totals of the budget of the United States Government as submitted by the President or of the congressional budget and shall be exempt from any general budget limitation imposed by statute on expenditures and net lending (budget outlays) of the United States Government.
(b) No provision of law enacted after December 12, 1985 (other than a provision of an appropriation Act that appropriated funds authorized under this chapter as in effect on December 12, 1985) may provide for payments from the general fund of the Treasury to any Trust Fund specified in subsection (a) of this section or for payments from any such Trust Fund to the general fund of the Treasury.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VII, §710, as added and amended
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
1997—
1985—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
1983—
Effective and Termination Dates of 1985 Amendment
Section 261(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Section 346(b) of
Effective and Termination Dates
Section 346(a)(2) of
§912. Office of Rural Health Policy
(a) There shall be established in the Department of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the "Department") an Office of Rural Health Policy (in this section referred to as the "Office"). The Office shall be headed by a Director, who shall advise the Secretary on the effects of current policies and proposed statutory, regulatory, administrative, and budgetary changes in the programs established under subchapters XVIII and XIX of this chapter on the financial viability of small rural hospitals, the ability of rural areas (and rural hospitals in particular) to attract and retain physicians and other health professionals, and access to (and the quality of) health care in rural areas.
(b) In addition to advising the Secretary with respect to the matters specified in subsection (a) of this section, the Director, through the Office, shall—
(1) oversee compliance with the requirements of
(2) establish and maintain a clearinghouse for collecting and disseminating information on—
(A) rural health care issues, including rural mental health, rural infant mortality prevention, and rural occupational safety and preventive health promotion,
(B) research findings relating to rural health care, and
(C) innovative approaches to the delivery of health care in rural areas, including programs providing community-based mental health services, pre-natal and infant care services, and rural occupational safety and preventive health education and promotion,
(3) coordinate the activities within the Department that relate to rural health care,
(4) provide information to the Secretary and others in the Department with respect to the activities, of other Federal departments and agencies, that relate to rural health care, including activities relating to rural mental health, rural infant mortality, and rural occupational safety and preventive health promotion, and
(5) administer grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to provide technical assistance and other activities as necessary to support activities related to improving health care in rural areas.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VII, §711, as added
References in Text
Section 4403 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is section 4403 of
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (b)(5).
1989—Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(C).
Subsec. (b)(4).
1988—Subsec. (b)(1).
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
§913. Duties and authority of Secretary
The Secretary shall perform the duties imposed upon the Secretary by this chapter. The Secretary is authorized to appoint and fix the compensation of such officers and employees, and to make such expenditures as may be necessary for carrying out the functions of the Secretary under this chapter. The Secretary may appoint attorneys and experts without regard to the civil service laws.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VII, §712, as added
§914. Office of Women's Health
(a) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish within the Office of the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, an office to be known as the Office of Women's Health. The Office shall be headed by a director who shall be appointed by the Administrator.
(b) Purpose
The Director of the Office shall—
(1) report to the Administrator on the current Administration level of activity regarding women's health across, where appropriate, age, biological, and sociocultural contexts;
(2) establish short-range and long-range goals and objectives within the Health Resources and Services Administration for women's health and, as relevant and appropriate, coordinate with other appropriate offices on activities within the Administration that relate to health care provider training, health service delivery, research, and demonstration projects, for issues of particular concern to women;
(3) identify projects in women's health that should be conducted or supported by the bureaus of the Administration;
(4) consult with health professionals, nongovernmental organizations, consumer organizations, women's health professionals, and other individuals and groups, as appropriate, on Administration policy with regard to women; and
(5) serve as a member of the Department of Health and Human Services Coordinating Committee on Women's Health (established under
(c) Continued administration of existing programs
The Director of the Office shall assume the authority for the development, implementation, administration, and evaluation of any projects carried out through the Health Resources and Services Administration relating to women's health on March 23, 2010.
(d) Definitions
For purposes of this section:
(1) Administration
The term "Administration" means the Health Resources and Services Administration.
(2) Administrator
The term "Administrator" means the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration.
(3) Office
The term "Office" means the Office of Women's Health established under this section in the Administration.
(e) Authorization of appropriations
For the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VII, §713, as added
SUBCHAPTER VIII—SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN WORLD WAR II VETERANS
Prior Provisions
A prior subchapter VIII, relating to taxes with respect to employment and consisting of
§1001. Basic entitlement to benefits
Every individual who is a qualified individual under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VIII, §801, as added
Prior Provisions
Prior sections 1001 to 1011, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VIII, §§801–811,
Omitted sections | I.R.C. 1939 | I.R.C. 1986 |
---|---|---|
1001 | 1400 | 3101. |
1002 | 1402 | 3102. |
1003 | 1401 | 3502. |
1004 | 1410 | 3111. |
1005 | 1411 | 6205(a), 6413(a). |
1006 | 1421 | 6205(b), 6413(b). |
1007 | 1420, 1430 | 3501. |
1008 | 1429 | 7805(a), (c). |
1009 | 1423, 1424 | 6801 et seq. |
1010 | 1425 | 7208(1), 7209. |
1011 (as amended Aug. 10, 1939, ch. 666, title IX, §905(a), |
1426 | 3121, 7701(a)(1). |
Section 1001 related to income tax on employees.
Section 1002 related to deduction of tax from wages.
Section 1003 related to deductibility from income taxes.
Section 1004 related to excise tax on employers.
Section 1005 related to adjustment of employers' tax.
Section 1006 related to refunds and deficiencies.
Section 1007 related to collection and payment of taxes.
Section 1008 related to rules and regulations.
Section 1009 related to sale by postmasters of stamps or other devices for collection or payment of tax.
Section 1010 related to penalties.
Section 1011 related to definitions.
§1002. Qualified individuals
Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, an individual—
(1) who has attained the age of 65 on or before December 14, 1999;
(2) who is a World War II veteran;
(3) who is eligible for a supplemental security income benefit under subchapter XVI of this chapter for—
(A) the month in which this subchapter is enacted; and
(B) the month in which the individual files an application for benefits under this subchapter;
(4) whose total benefit income is less than 75 percent of the Federal benefit rate under subchapter XVI of this chapter;
(5) who has filed an application for benefits under this subchapter; and
(6) who is in compliance with all requirements imposed by the Commissioner of Social Security under this subchapter,
shall be a qualified individual for purposes of this subchapter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VIII, §802, as added
Prior Provisions
For prior provisions, see note set out under
§1003. Residence outside the United States
For purposes of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VIII, §803, as added
Prior Provisions
For prior provisions, see note set out under
§1004. Disqualifications
(a) In general
Notwithstanding
(1) that begins after the month in which the Commissioner of Social Security is notified by the Attorney General that the individual has been removed from the United States pursuant to
(2) during any part of which the individual is fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, under the laws of the United States or the jurisdiction within the United States from which the person has fled, for a crime, or an attempt to commit a crime, that is a felony under the laws of the place from which the individual has fled, or, in jurisdictions that do not define crimes as felonies, is punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year regardless of the actual sentence imposed;
(3) during any part of which the individual violates a condition of probation or parole imposed under Federal or State law; or
(4) during which the individual resides in a foreign country and is not a citizen or national of the United States if payments for such month to individuals residing in such country are withheld by the Treasury Department under
(b) Requirement for Attorney General
For the purpose of carrying out subsection (a)(1) of this section, the Attorney General shall notify the Commissioner of Social Security as soon as practicable after the removal of any individual under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VIII, §804, as added
Prior Provisions
For prior provisions, see note set out under
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (a)(2).
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by
§1005. Benefit amount
The benefit under this subchapter payable to a qualified individual for any month shall be in an amount equal to 75 percent of the Federal benefit rate under subchapter XVI of this chapter for the month, reduced by the amount of the qualified individual's benefit income for the month.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VIII, §805, as added
Prior Provisions
For prior provisions, see note set out under
§1006. Applications and furnishing of information
(a) In general
The Commissioner of Social Security shall, subject to subsection (b) of this section, prescribe such requirements with respect to the filing of applications, the furnishing of information and other material, and the reporting of events and changes in circumstances, as may be necessary for the effective and efficient administration of this subchapter.
(b) Verification requirement
The requirements prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security under subsection (a) of this section shall preclude any determination of entitlement to benefits under this subchapter solely on the basis of declarations by the individual concerning qualifications or other material facts, and shall provide for verification of material information from independent or collateral sources, and the procurement of additional information as necessary in order to ensure that the benefits are provided only to qualified individuals (or their representative payees) in correct amounts.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VIII, §806, as added
Prior Provisions
For prior provisions, see note set out under
§1007. Representative payees
(a) In general
If the Commissioner of Social Security determines that the interest of any qualified individual under this subchapter would be served thereby, payment of the qualified individual's benefit under this subchapter may be made, regardless of the legal competency or incompetency of the qualified individual, either directly to the qualified individual, or for his or her use and benefit, to another person (the meaning of which term, for purposes of this section, includes an organization) with respect to whom the requirements of subsection (b) of this section have been met (in this section referred to as the qualified individual's "representative payee"). If the Commissioner of Social Security determines that a representative payee has misused any benefit paid to the representative payee pursuant to this section, 405(j) of this title, or
(b) Examination of fitness of prospective representative payee
(1) Any determination under subsection (a) of this section to pay the benefits of a qualified individual to a representative payee shall be made on the basis of—
(A) an investigation by the Commissioner of Social Security of the person to serve as representative payee, which shall be conducted in advance of the determination and shall, to the extent practicable, include a face-to-face interview with the person (or, in the case of an organization, a representative of the organization); and
(B) adequate evidence that the arrangement is in the interest of the qualified individual.
(2) As part of the investigation referred to in paragraph (1), the Commissioner of Social Security shall—
(A) require the person being investigated to submit documented proof of the identity of the person;
(B) in the case of a person who has a social security account number issued for purposes of the program under subchapter II of this chapter or an employer identification number issued for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, verify the number;
(C) determine whether the person has been convicted of a violation of
(D) obtain information concerning whether such person has been convicted of any other offense under Federal or State law which resulted in imprisonment for more than 1 year;
(E) obtain information concerning whether such person is a person described in
(F) determine whether payment of benefits to the person in the capacity as representative payee has been revoked or terminated pursuant to this section,
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of
(A) such person is described in
(B) such person has information that is necessary for the officer to conduct the officer's official duties, and
(C) the location or apprehension of such person is within the officer's official duties.
(c) Requirement for maintaining lists of undesirable payees
The Commissioner of Social Security shall establish and maintain lists which shall be updated periodically and which shall be in a form that renders such lists available to the servicing offices of the Social Security Administration. The lists shall consist of—
(1) the names and (if issued) social security account numbers or employer identification numbers of all persons with respect to whom, in the capacity of representative payee, the payment of benefits has been revoked or terminated under this section,
(2) the names and (if issued) social security account numbers or employer identification numbers of all persons who have been convicted of a violation of
(d) Persons ineligible to serve as representative payees
(1) In general
The benefits of a qualified individual may not be paid to any other person pursuant to this section if—
(A) the person has been convicted of a violation of
(B) except as provided in paragraph (2), payment of benefits to the person in the capacity of representative payee has been revoked or terminated under this section,
(C) except as provided in paragraph (2)(B), the person is a creditor of the qualified individual and provides the qualified individual with goods or services for consideration;
(D) such person has previously been convicted as described in subsection (b)(2)(D) of this section, unless the Commissioner determines that such payment would be appropriate notwithstanding such conviction; or
(E) such person is a person described in
(2) Exemptions
(A) The Commissioner of Social Security may prescribe circumstances under which the Commissioner of Social Security may grant an exemption from paragraph (1) to any person on a case-by-case basis if the exemption is in the best interest of the qualified individual whose benefits would be paid to the person pursuant to this section.
(B) Paragraph (1)(C) shall not apply with respect to any person who is a creditor referred to in such paragraph if the creditor is—
(i) a relative of the qualified individual and the relative resides in the same household as the qualified individual;
(ii) a legal guardian or legal representative of the individual;
(iii) a facility that is licensed or certified as a care facility under the law of the political jurisdiction in which the qualified individual resides;
(iv) a person who is an administrator, owner, or employee of a facility referred to in clause (iii), if the qualified individual resides in the facility, and the payment to the facility or the person is made only after the Commissioner of Social Security has made a good faith effort to locate an alternative representative payee to whom payment would serve the best interests of the qualified individual; or
(v) a person who is determined by the Commissioner of Social Security, on the basis of written findings and pursuant to procedures prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security, to be acceptable to serve as a representative payee.
(C) The procedures referred to in subparagraph (B)(v) shall require the person who will serve as representative payee to establish, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security, that—
(i) the person poses no risk to the qualified individual;
(ii) the financial relationship of the person to the qualified individual poses no substantial conflict of interest; and
(iii) no other more suitable representative payee can be found.
(e) Deferral of payment pending appointment of representative payee
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), if the Commissioner of Social Security makes a determination described in the first sentence of subsection (a) of this section with respect to any qualified individual's benefit and determines that direct payment of the benefit to the qualified individual would cause substantial harm to the qualified individual, the Commissioner of Social Security may defer (in the case of initial entitlement) or suspend (in the case of existing entitlement) direct payment of the benefit to the qualified individual, until such time as the selection of a representative payee is made pursuant to this section.
(2) Time limitation
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), any deferral or suspension of direct payment of a benefit pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be for a period of not more than 1 month.
(B) Exception in the case of incompetency
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in any case in which the qualified individual is, as of the date of the Commissioner of Social Security's determination, legally incompetent under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the individual resides.
(3) Payment of retroactive benefits
Payment of any benefits which are deferred or suspended pending the selection of a representative payee shall be made to the qualified individual or the representative payee as a single sum or over such period of time as the Commissioner of Social Security determines is in the best interest of the qualified individual.
(f) Hearing
Any qualified individual who is dissatisfied with a determination by the Commissioner of Social Security to make payment of the qualified individual's benefit to a representative payee under subsection (a) of this section or with the designation of a particular person to serve as representative payee shall be entitled to a hearing by the Commissioner of Social Security to the same extent as is provided in
(g) Notice requirements
(1) In general
In advance, to the extent practicable, of the payment of a qualified individual's benefit to a representative payee under subsection (a) of this section, the Commissioner of Social Security shall provide written notice of the Commissioner's initial determination to so make the payment. The notice shall be provided to the qualified individual, except that, if the qualified individual is legally incompetent, then the notice shall be provided solely to the legal guardian or legal representative of the qualified individual.
(2) Specific requirements
Any notice required by paragraph (1) shall be clearly written in language that is easily understandable to the reader, shall identify the person to be designated as the qualified individual's representative payee, and shall explain to the reader the right under subsection (f) of this section of the qualified individual or of the qualified individual's legal guardian or legal representative—
(A) to appeal a determination that a representative payee is necessary for the qualified individual;
(B) to appeal the designation of a particular person to serve as the representative payee of the qualified individual; and
(C) to review the evidence upon which the designation is based and to submit additional evidence.
(h) Accountability monitoring
(1) In general
In any case where payment under this subchapter is made to a person other than the qualified individual entitled to the payment, the Commissioner of Social Security shall establish a system of accountability monitoring under which the person shall report not less often than annually with respect to the use of the payments. The Commissioner of Social Security shall establish and implement statistically valid procedures for reviewing the reports in order to identify instances in which persons are not properly using the payments.
(2) Special reports
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Commissioner of Social Security may require a report at any time from any person receiving payments on behalf of a qualified individual, if the Commissioner of Social Security has reason to believe that the person receiving the payments is misusing the payments.
(3) Authority to redirect delivery of benefit payments when a representative payee fails to provide required accounting
In any case in which the person described in paragraph (1) or (2) receiving benefit payments on behalf of a qualified individual fails to submit a report required by the Commissioner of Social Security under paragraph (1) or (2), the Commissioner may, after furnishing notice to such person and the qualified individual, require that such person appear in person at a United States Government facility designated by the Social Security Administration as serving the area in which the qualified individual resides in order to receive such benefit payments.
(4) Maintaining lists of payees
The Commissioner of Social Security shall maintain lists which shall be updated periodically of—
(A) the name, address, and (if issued) the social security account number or employer identification number of each representative payee who is receiving benefit payments pursuant to this section,
(B) the name, address, and social security account number of each individual for whom each representative payee is reported to be providing services as representative payee pursuant to this section,
(5) Maintaining lists of agencies
The Commissioner of Social Security shall maintain lists, which shall be updated periodically, of public agencies and community-based nonprofit social service agencies which are qualified to serve as representative payees pursuant to this section and which are located in the jurisdiction in which any qualified individual resides.
(i) Restitution
In any case where the negligent failure of the Commissioner of Social Security to investigate or monitor a representative payee results in misuse of benefits by the representative payee, the Commissioner of Social Security shall make payment to the qualified individual or the individual's alternative representative payee of an amount equal to the misused benefits. In any case in which a representative payee that—
(A) is not an individual; or
(B) is an individual who, for any month during a period when misuse occurs, serves 15 or more individuals who are beneficiaries under this subchapter, subchapter II of this chapter, subchapter XVI of this chapter, or any combination of such subchapters;
misuses all or part of an individual's benefit paid to such representative payee, the Commissioner of Social Security shall pay to the beneficiary or the beneficiary's alternative representative payee an amount equal to the amount of such benefit so misused. The provisions of this paragraph are subject to the limitations of subsection (l)(2) of this section. The Commissioner of Social Security shall make a good faith effort to obtain restitution from the terminated representative payee.
(j) Misuse of benefits
For purposes of this subchapter, misuse of benefits by a representative payee occurs in any case in which the representative payee receives payment under this subchapter for the use and benefit of another person under this subchapter and converts such payment, or any part thereof, to a use other than for the use and benefit of such person. The Commissioner of Social Security may prescribe by regulation the meaning of the term "use and benefit" for purposes of this subsection.
(k) Periodic onsite review
(1) In general
In addition to such other reviews of representative payees as the Commissioner of Social Security may otherwise conduct, the Commissioner may provide for the periodic onsite review of any person or agency that receives the benefits payable under this subchapter (alone or in combination with benefits payable under subchapter II of this chapter or subchapter XVI of this chapter) to another individual pursuant to the appointment of such person or agency as a representative payee under this section,
(A) the representative payee is a person who serves in that capacity with respect to 15 or more such individuals; or
(B) the representative payee is an agency that serves in that capacity with respect to 50 or more such individuals.
(2) Report
Within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Commissioner shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report on the results of periodic onsite reviews conducted during the fiscal year pursuant to paragraph (1) and of any other reviews of representative payees conducted during such fiscal year in connection with benefits under this subchapter. Each such report shall describe in detail all problems identified in such reviews and any corrective action taken or planned to be taken to correct such problems, and shall include—
(A) the number of such reviews;
(B) the results of such reviews;
(C) the number of cases in which the representative payee was changed and why;
(D) the number of cases involving the exercise of expedited, targeted oversight of the representative payee by the Commissioner conducted upon receipt of an allegation of misuse of funds, failure to pay a vendor, or a similar irregularity;
(E) the number of cases discovered in which there was a misuse of funds;
(F) how any such cases of misuse of funds were dealt with by the Commissioner;
(G) the final disposition of such cases of misuse of funds, including any criminal penalties imposed; and
(H) such other information as the Commissioner deems appropriate.
(l) Liability for misused amounts
(1) In general
If the Commissioner of Social Security or a court of competent jurisdiction determines that a representative payee that is not a Federal, State, or local government agency has misused all or part of a qualified individual's benefit that was paid to such representative payee under this section, the representative payee shall be liable for the amount misused, and such amount (to the extent not repaid by the representative payee) shall be treated as an overpayment of benefits under this subchapter to the representative payee for all purposes of this chapter and related laws pertaining to the recovery of such overpayments. Subject to paragraph (2), upon recovering all or any part of such amount, the Commissioner shall make payment of an amount equal to the recovered amount to such qualified individual or such qualified individual's alternative representative payee.
(2) Limitation
The total of the amount paid to such individual or such individual's alternative representative payee under paragraph (1) and the amount paid under subsection (i) of this section may not exceed the total benefit amount misused by the representative payee with respect to such individual.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VIII, §807, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(B), (3), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Prior Provisions
For prior provisions, see note set out under
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(2)(D) to (F).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (d)(1)(D), (E).
Subsec. (h)(3) to (5).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l).
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by section 101(b) of
Amendment by section 103(b) of
Amendment by section 105(b) of
Amendment by section 106(b) of
1 So in original. Probably should be "1383(a)(2)(A)(iii)".
§1008. Overpayments and underpayments
(a) In general
Whenever the Commissioner of Social Security finds that more or less than the correct amount of payment has been made to any person under this subchapter, proper adjustment or recovery shall be made, as follows:
(1) With respect to payment to a person of more than the correct amount, the Commissioner of Social Security shall decrease any payment under this subchapter to which the overpaid person (if a qualified individual) is entitled, or shall require the overpaid person or his or her estate to refund the amount in excess of the correct amount, or, if recovery is not obtained under these two methods, shall seek or pursue recovery by means of reduction in tax refunds based on notice to the Secretary of the Treasury, as authorized under
(2) With respect to payment of less than the correct amount to a qualified individual who, at the time the Commissioner of Social Security is prepared to take action with respect to the underpayment—
(A) is living, the Commissioner of Social Security shall make payment to the qualified individual (or the qualified individual's representative payee designated under
(B) is deceased, the balance of the amount due shall revert to the general fund of the Treasury.
(b) Waiver of recovery of overpayment
In any case in which more than the correct amount of payment has been made, there shall be no adjustment of payments to, or recovery by the United States from, any person who is without fault if the Commissioner of Social Security determines that the adjustment or recovery would defeat the purpose of this subchapter or would be against equity and good conscience.
(c) Limited immunity for disbursing officers
A disbursing officer may not be held liable for any amount paid by the officer if the adjustment or recovery of the amount is waived under subsection (b) of this section, or adjustment under subsection (a) of this section is not completed before the death of the qualified individual against whose benefits deductions are authorized.
(d) Authorized collection practices
(1) In general
With respect to any delinquent amount, the Commissioner of Social Security may use the collection practices described in
(2) Definition
For purposes of paragraph (1), the term "delinquent amount" means an amount—
(A) in excess of the correct amount of the payment under this subchapter; and
(B) determined by the Commissioner of Social Security to be otherwise unrecoverable under this section from a person who is not a qualified individual under this subchapter.
(e) Cross-program recovery of overpayments
For provisions relating to the cross-program recovery of overpayments made under programs administered by the Commissioner of Social Security, see
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VIII, §808, as added
Prior Provisions
For prior provisions, see note set out under
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (b) to (d).
"(1) become qualified for benefits under this subchapter; or
"(2) if such individual is otherwise so qualified, become qualified for increased benefits under this subchapter."
Subsec. (e).
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by
§1009. Hearings and review
(a) Hearings
(1) In general
The Commissioner of Social Security shall make findings of fact and decisions as to the rights of any individual applying for payment under this subchapter. The Commissioner of Social Security shall provide reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing to any individual who is or claims to be a qualified individual and is in disagreement with any determination under this subchapter with respect to entitlement to, or the amount of, benefits under this subchapter, if the individual requests a hearing on the matter in disagreement within 60 days after notice of the determination is received, and, if a hearing is held, shall, on the basis of evidence adduced at the hearing affirm, modify, or reverse the Commissioner of Social Security's findings of fact and the decision. The Commissioner of Social Security may, on the Commissioner of Social Security's own motion, hold such hearings and conduct such investigations and other proceedings as the Commissioner of Social Security deems necessary or proper for the administration of this subchapter. In the course of any hearing, investigation, or other proceeding, the Commissioner may administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses, and receive evidence. Evidence may be received at any hearing before the Commissioner of Social Security even though inadmissible under the rules of evidence applicable to court procedure. The Commissioner of Social Security shall specifically take into account any physical, mental, educational, or linguistic limitation of the individual (including any lack of facility with the English language) in determining, with respect to the entitlement of the individual for benefits under this subchapter, whether the individual acted in good faith or was at fault, and in determining fraud, deception, or intent.
(2) Effect of failure to timely request review
A failure to timely request review of an initial adverse determination with respect to an application for any payment under this subchapter or an adverse determination on reconsideration of such an initial determination shall not serve as a basis for denial of a subsequent application for any payment under this subchapter if the applicant demonstrates that the applicant failed to so request such a review acting in good faith reliance upon incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information, relating to the consequences of reapplying for payments in lieu of seeking review of an adverse determination, provided by any officer or employee of the Social Security Administration.
(3) Notice requirements
In any notice of an adverse determination with respect to which a review may be requested under paragraph (1), the Commissioner of Social Security shall describe in clear and specific language the effect on possible entitlement to benefits under this subchapter of choosing to reapply in lieu of requesting review of the determination.
(b) Judicial review
The final determination of the Commissioner of Social Security after a hearing under subsection (a)(1) of this section shall be subject to judicial review as provided in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VIII, §809, as added
Prior Provisions
For prior provisions, see note set out under
§1010. Other administrative provisions
(a) Regulations and administrative arrangements
The Commissioner of Social Security may prescribe such regulations, and make such administrative and other arrangements, as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out this subchapter.
(b) Payment of benefits
Benefits under this subchapter shall be paid at such time or times and in such installments as the Commissioner of Social Security determines are in the interests of economy and efficiency.
(c) Entitlement redeterminations
An individual's entitlement to benefits under this subchapter, and the amount of the benefits, may be redetermined at such time or times as the Commissioner of Social Security determines to be appropriate.
(d) Suspension and termination of benefits
Regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security under subsection (a) of this section may provide for the suspension and termination of entitlement to benefits under this subchapter as the Commissioner determines is appropriate.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VIII, §810, as added
Prior Provisions
For prior provisions, see note set out under
§1010a. Optional Federal administration of State recognition payments
(a) In general
The Commissioner of Social Security may enter into an agreement with any State (or political subdivision thereof) that provides cash payments on a regular basis to individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter under which the Commissioner of Social Security shall make such payments on behalf of such State (or subdivision).
(b) Agreement terms
(1) In general
Such agreement shall include such terms as the Commissioner of Social Security finds necessary to achieve efficient and effective administration of both this subchapter and the State program.
(2) Financial terms
Such agreement shall provide for the State to pay the Commissioner of Social Security, at such times and in such installments as the parties may specify—
(A) an amount equal to the expenditures made by the Commissioner of Social Security pursuant to such agreement as payments to individuals on behalf of such State; and
(B) an administration fee to reimburse the administrative expenses incurred by the Commissioner of Social Security in making payments to individuals on behalf of the State.
(c) Special disposition of administration fees
Administration fees, upon collection, shall be credited to a special fund established in the Treasury of the United States for State recognition payments for certain World War II veterans. The amounts so credited, to the extent and in the amounts provided in advance in appropriations Acts, shall be available to defray expenses incurred in carrying out this subchapter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VIII, §810A, as added
§1011. Penalties for fraud
(a) In general
Whoever—
(1) knowingly and willfully makes or causes to be made any false statement or representation of a material fact in an application for benefits under this subchapter;
(2) at any time knowingly and willfully makes or causes to be made any false statement or representation of a material fact for use in determining any right to the benefits;
(3) having knowledge of the occurrence of any event affecting—
(A) his or her initial or continued right to the benefits; or
(B) the initial or continued right to the benefits of any other individual in whose behalf he or she has applied for or is receiving the benefit,
conceals or fails to disclose the event with an intent fraudulently to secure the benefit either in a greater amount or quantity than is due or when no such benefit is authorized; or
(4) having made application to receive any such benefit for the use and benefit of another and having received it, knowingly and willfully converts the benefit or any part thereof to a use other than for the use and benefit of the other individual,
shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
(b) Court order for restitution
(1) In general
Any Federal court, when sentencing a defendant convicted of an offense under subsection (a) of this section, may order, in addition to or in lieu of any other penalty authorized by law, that the defendant make restitution to the Commissioner of Social Security, in any case in which such offense results in—
(A) the Commissioner of Social Security making a benefit payment that should not have been made, or
(B) an individual suffering a financial loss due to the defendant's violation of subsection (a) of this section in his or her capacity as the individual's representative payee appointed pursuant to
(2) Related provisions
(3) Stated reasons for not ordering restitution
If the court does not order restitution, or orders only partial restitution, under this subsection, the court shall state on the record the reasons therefor.
(4) Receipt of restitution payments
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), funds paid to the Commissioner of Social Security as restitution pursuant to a court order shall be deposited as miscellaneous receipts in the general fund of the Treasury.
(B) Payment to the individual
In the case of funds paid to the Commissioner of Social Security pursuant to paragraph (1)(B), the Commissioner of Social Security shall certify for payment to the individual described in such paragraph an amount equal to the lesser of the amount of the funds so paid or the individual's outstanding financial loss as described in such paragraph, except that such amount may be reduced by any overpayment of benefits owed under this subchapter, subchapter II of this chapter, or subchapter XVI of this chapter by the individual.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VIII, §811, as added
Prior Provisions
For prior provisions, see note set out under
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by
§1012. Definitions
In this subchapter:
(1) World War II veteran
The term "World War II veteran" means a person who—
(A) served during World War II—
(i) in the active military, naval, or air service of the United States during World War II; or
(ii) in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, while the forces were in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States pursuant to the military order of the President dated July 26, 1941, including among the military forces organized guerrilla forces under commanders appointed, designated, or subsequently recognized by the Commander in Chief, Southwest Pacific Area, or other competent authority in the Army of the United States, in any case in which the service was rendered before December 31, 1946; and
(B) was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable—
(i) after service of 90 days or more; or
(ii) because of a disability or injury incurred or aggravated in the line of active duty.
(2) World War II
The term "World War II" means the period beginning on September 16, 1940, and ending on July 24, 1947.
(3) Supplemental security income benefit under subchapter XVI
The term "supplemental security income benefit under subchapter XVI", except as otherwise provided, includes State supplementary payments which are paid by the Commissioner of Social Security pursuant to an agreement under
(4) Federal benefit rate under subchapter XVI
The term "Federal benefit rate under subchapter XVI of this chapter" means, with respect to any month, the amount of the supplemental security income cash benefit (not including any State supplementary payment which is paid by the Commissioner of Social Security pursuant to an agreement under
(5) United States
The term "United States" means, notwithstanding
(6) Benefit income
The term "benefit income" means any recurring payment received by a qualified individual as an annuity, pension, retirement, or disability benefit (including any veterans' compensation or pension, workmen's compensation payment, old-age, survivors, or disability insurance benefit, railroad retirement annuity or pension, and unemployment insurance benefit), but only if a similar payment was received by the individual from the same (or a related) source during the 12-month period preceding the month in which the individual files an application for benefits under this subchapter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VIII, §812, as added
References in Text
Section 212(b) of
§1013. Appropriations
There are hereby appropriated for fiscal year 2000 and subsequent fiscal years, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary to carry out this subchapter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VIII, §813, as added
SUBCHAPTER IX—EMPLOYMENT SECURITY ADMINISTRATIVE FINANCING
Amendments
1954—Act Aug. 5, 1954, ch. 657, §2,
Prior Law; Tax on Employers of Eight or More
Former subchapter IX, sections 1101–1103, 1105–1110, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §§901–903, 905–910,
Former sections | I.R.C. 1939 | I.R.C. 1986 |
---|---|---|
1101 | 1600 | 3301. |
1102 | 1601(a) | 3302. |
1103 | 1603 | 3304. |
1105 | 1604, 1605, 1610 | 3501, 6011(a), 6065, 6071, 6081(a), 6091(b)(1), (2), 6106, 6152(a)(3), (b), 6161(a)(1), 6313, 6601(a), (f)(1). |
1106 | 1606 | 3305. |
1107 (as amended act June 25, 1938, ch. 680, §13(a), |
1607 | 3306, 7701(a)(1). |
1108 | 1609 | 7805(a), (c). |
1109 | 1601(b), (c) | 3302. |
1110 | 1602 | 3303. |
Repair of 1938 Hurricane Damage
Act Aug. 11, 1939, ch. 719, §1,
Credits Against Social Security Tax
Act Aug. 10, 1939, ch. 666, title IX, §902(a)–(d), (h),
Act May 28, 1938, ch. 289, §810,
§1101. Employment security administration account
(a) Establishment
There is hereby established in the Unemployment Trust Fund an employment security administration account.
(b) Amount credited to Account; transfer of funds; adjustments; repayment of internal revenue refunds
(1) There is hereby appropriated to the Unemployment Trust Fund for credit to the employment security administration account, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1961, and for each fiscal year thereafter, an amount equal to 100 per centum of the tax (including interest, penalties, and additions to the tax) received during the fiscal year under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act [
(2) The amount appropriated by paragraph (1) shall be transferred at least monthly from the general fund of the Treasury to the Unemployment Trust Fund and credited to the employment security administration account. Each such transfer shall be based on estimates made by the Secretary of the Treasury of the amounts received in the Treasury. Proper adjustments shall be made in the amounts subsequently transferred, to the extent prior estimates (including estimates for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1960) were in excess of or were less than the amounts required to be transferred.
(3) The Secretary of the Treasury is directed to pay from time to time from the employment security administration account into the Treasury, as repayments to the account for refunding internal revenue collections, amounts equal to all refunds made after June 30, 1960, of amounts received as tax under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act [
(c) Administrative expenditures; necessary expenses; quarterly transfer of funds; adjustments; limitation; estimate of net receipts
(1) There are hereby authorized to be made available for expenditure out of the employment security administration account for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1971, and for each fiscal year thereafter—
(A) such amounts (not in excess of the applicable limit provided by paragraph (3) and, with respect to clause (ii), not in excess of the limit provided by paragraph (4)) as the Congress may deem appropriate for the purpose of—
(i) assisting the States in the administration of their unemployment compensation laws as provided in subchapter III of this chapter (including administration pursuant to agreements under any Federal unemployment compensation law),
(ii) the establishment and maintenance of systems of public employment offices in accordance with the Act of June 6, 1933, as amended (
(iii) carrying into effect
(B) such amounts (not in excess of the limit provided by paragraph (4) with respect to clause (iii)) as the Congress may deem appropriate for the necessary expenses of the Department of Labor for the performance of its functions under—
(i) this subchapter and subchapters III and XII of this chapter,
(ii) the Federal Unemployment Tax Act [
(iii) the provisions of the Act of June 6, 1933, as amended [
(iv)
(v) any Federal unemployment compensation law.
The term "necessary expenses" as used in this subparagraph (B) shall include the expense of reimbursing a State for salaries and other expenses of employees of such State temporarily assigned or detailed to duty with the Department of Labor and of paying such employees for travel expenses, transportation of household goods, and per diem in lieu of subsistence while away from their regular duty stations in the State, at rates authorized by law for civilian employees of the Federal Government.
(2) The Secretary of the Treasury is directed to pay from the employment security administration account into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts the amount estimated by him which will be expended during a three-month period by the Treasury Department for the performance of its functions under—
(A) this subchapter and subchapters III and XII of this chapter, including the expenses of banks for servicing unemployment benefit payment and clearing accounts which are offset by the maintenance of balances of Treasury funds with such banks,
(B) the Federal Unemployment Tax Act [
(C) any Federal unemployment compensation law with respect to which responsibility for administration is vested in the Secretary of Labor.
If it subsequently appears that the estimates under this paragraph in any particular period were too high or too low, appropriate adjustments shall be made by the Secretary of the Treasury in future payments.
(3)(A) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), the limitation on the amount authorized to be made available for any fiscal year after June 30, 1970, is, except as provided in subparagraph (B) and in the second sentence of subsection (f)(3)(A) of this section, an amount equal to 95 percent of the amount estimated and set forth in the budget of the United States Government for such fiscal year as the amount by which the net receipts during such year under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act [
(B) The limitation established by subparagraph (A) is increased by any unexpended amount retained in the employment security administration account in accordance with subsection (f)(2)(B) of this section.
(C) Each estimate of net receipts under this paragraph shall be based upon a tax rate of 0.6 percent.
(4) For purposes of paragraphs (1)(A)(ii) and (1)(B)(iii) the amount authorized to be made available out of the employment security administration account for any fiscal year after June 30, 1972, shall reflect the proportion of the total cost of administering the system of public employment offices in accordance with the Act of June 6, 1933, as amended [
(5)(A) There are authorized to be appropriated out of the employment security administration account to carry out program integrity activities, in addition to any amounts available under paragraph (1)(A)(i)—
(i) $89,000,000 for fiscal year 1998;
(ii) $91,000,000 for fiscal year 1999;
(iii) $93,000,000 1 fiscal year 2000;
(iv) $96,000,000 for fiscal year 2001; and
(v) $98,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
(B) In any fiscal year in which a State receives funds appropriated pursuant to this paragraph, the State shall expend a proportion of the funds appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1)(A)(i) to carry out program integrity activities that is not less than the proportion of the funds appropriated under such paragraph that was expended by the State to carry out program integrity activities in fiscal year 1997.
(C) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "program integrity activities" means initial claims review activities, eligibility review activities, benefit payments control activities, and employer liability auditing activities.
(d) Additional tax attributable to reduced credits; transfer of funds
(1) The Secretary of the Treasury is directed to transfer from the employment security administration account—
(A) To the Federal unemployment account, an amount equal to the amount by which—
(i) 100 per centum of the additional tax received under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act [
(ii) the amount transferred to the account of such State pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph.
Any amount transferred pursuant to this subparagraph shall be credited against, and shall operate to reduce, that balance of advances, made under
(B) To the account (in the Unemployment Trust Fund) of the State with respect to which employers paid such additional tax, an amount equal to the amount by which such additional tax received and covered into the Treasury exceeds that balance of advances, made under
(2) Transfers under this subsection shall be as of the beginning of the month succeeding the month in which the moneys were credited to the employment security administration account pursuant to subsection (b)(2) of this section.
(e) Revolving fund; appropriations; advances to Account; repayment; interest
(1) There is hereby established in the Treasury a revolving fund which shall be available to make the advances authorized by this subsection. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated, without fiscal year limitation, to such revolving fund such amounts as may be necessary for the purposes of this section.
(2) The Secretary of the Treasury is directed to advance from time to time from the revolving fund to the employment security administration account such amounts as may be necessary for the purposes of this section. If the net balance in the employment security administration account as of the beginning of any fiscal year equals 40 percent of the amount of the total appropriation by the Congress out of the employment security administration account for the preceding fiscal year, no advance may be made under this subsection during such fiscal year.
(3) Advances to the employment security administration account made under this subsection shall bear interest until repaid at a rate equal to the average rate of interest (computed as of the end of the calendar month next preceding the date of such advance) borne by all interest-bearing obligations of the United States then forming a part of the public debt; except that where such average rate is not a multiple of one-eighth of 1 per centum, the rate of interest shall be the multiple of one-eighth of 1 per centum next lower than such average rate.
(4) Advances to the employment security administration account made under this subsection, plus interest accrued thereon, shall be repaid by the transfer from time to time, from the employment security administration account to the revolving fund, of such amounts as the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, determines to be available in the employment security administration account for such repayment. Any amount transferred as a repayment under this paragraph shall be credited against, and shall operate to reduce, any balance of advances (plus accrued interest) repayable under this subsection.
(f) Determination of excess in Account; limitation on amount to be retained; use of balance in Account during certain fiscal years; net balance
(1) The Secretary of the Treasury shall determine as of the close of each fiscal year (beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 1961) the excess in the employment security administration account.
(2) The excess in the employment security administration account as of the close of any fiscal year is the amount by which the net balance in such account as of such time (after the application of
(3)(A) The excess determined as provided in paragraph (2) as of the close of any fiscal year after June 30, 1972, shall be retained (as of the beginning of the succeeding fiscal year) in the employment security administration account until the amount in such account is equal to 40 percent of the amount of the total appropriation by the Congress out of the employment security administration account for the fiscal year for which the excess is determined. Three-eighths of the amount in the employment security administration account as of the beginning of any fiscal year after June 30, 1972, or $150 million, whichever is the lesser, is authorized to be made available for such fiscal year pursuant to subsection (c)(1) of this section for additional costs of administration due to an increase in the rate of insured unemployment for a calendar quarter of at least 15 percent over the rate of insured unemployment for the corresponding calendar quarter in the immediately preceding year.
(B) If the entire amount of the excess determined as provided in paragraph (2) as of the close of any fiscal year after June 30, 1972, is not retained in the employment security administration account, there shall be transferred (as of the beginning of the succeeding fiscal year) to the extended unemployment compensation account the balance of such excess or so much thereof as is required to increase the amount in the extended unemployment compensation account to the limit provided in
(C) If as of the close of any fiscal year after June 30, 1972, the amount in the extended unemployment compensation account exceeds the limit provided in
(4) For the purposes of this section, the net balance in the employment security administration account as of any time is the amount in such account as of such time reduced by the sum of—
(A) the amounts then subject to transfer pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, and
(B) the balance of advances (plus interest accrued thereon) then repayable to the revolving fund established by subsection (e) of this section.
The net balance in the employment security administration account as of the beginning of any fiscal year shall be determined after the disposition of the excess in such account as of the close of the preceding fiscal year.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §901, as added Aug. 5, 1954, ch. 657, §2,
References in Text
The Federal Unemployment Tax Act, referred to in subsecs. (b)(1), (3), (c)(1)(B)(ii), (2)(B), (3)(A), and (d)(1)(A)(i), is act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, §§3301 to 3311,
Act of June 6, 1933, as amended (
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1101, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §901,
Amendments
1997—Subsec. (c)(5).
1992—Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (g).
"(1) With respect to calendar years 1988, 1989, and 1990, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer from the employment security administration account—
"(A) to the Federal unemployment account an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of tax received under section 3301(1) of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act which is attributable to the difference in the tax rates between paragraphs (1) and (2) of such section; and
"(B) to the extended unemployment compensation account an amount equal to 50 percent of such amount of tax received.
"(2) Transfers under this subsection shall be as of the beginning of the month succeeding the month in which the moneys were credited to the employment security administration account pursuant to subsection (b)(2) of this section with respect to wages paid during such calendar years."
1991—Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(iii), (B)(iv).
1987—Subsec. (c)(3)(C).
Subsec. (g).
1984—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (f).
1982—Subsec. (c)(3)(C).
Subsec. (c)(3)(C)(ii).
1976—Subsec. (c)(3)(C).
Subsec. (f)(3)(A).
1970—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A).
Subsec. (f)(3).
1969—Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (f)(2).
1963—Subsec. (c).
1961—Subsec. (c)(1)(B).
1960—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsecs. (c) to (f).
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 9154(d) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by section 271(b)(2)(A) of
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Section 211(d)(3) of
Effective Date of 1970 Amendment
Section 303(a) of
Section 303(c) of
Section 303(d) of
Effective Date of 1969 Amendment
Section 4(b) of
Increase in Administrative Expenditures Limitation for Fiscal Year 1963
Section 4 of
Increase in Administrative Expenditures Limitation for Fiscal Years 1961 and 1962
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by "for".
§1102. Transfers between Federal unemployment account and employment security administration account
(a) Determination of excess; amount transferred
Whenever the Secretary of the Treasury determines pursuant to
(1) $550 million, or
(2) the amount (determined by the Secretary of Labor and certified by him to the Secretary of the Treasury) equal to 0.5 percent of the total wages subject (determined without any limitation on amount) to contributions under all State unemployment compensation laws for the calendar year ending during the fiscal year for which the excess is determined.
(b) Unemployment account excesses
The amount, if any, by which the amount in the Federal unemployment account as of the close of any fiscal year exceeds the greater of the amounts specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of this section shall be transferred to the employment security administration account as of the close of such fiscal year.
(c) Report to Congress
Whenever the Secretary of Labor has reason to believe that in the next fiscal year the employment security administration account will reach the limit provided for such account in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §902, as added Aug. 5, 1954, ch. 657, §2,
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1102, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §902,
Amendments
1997—Subsec. (a)(2).
1992—Subsec. (a)(2).
1987—Subsec. (a)(2).
1970—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
1960—
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 5402(b) of
"(1) shall take effect on October 1, 2001, and
"(2) shall apply to fiscal years beginning on or after that date."
Effective Date of 1992 Amendment
Section 531(e) of
"(1)
"(2)
§1103. Amounts transferred to State accounts
(a) Determination and certification by Secretary of Labor
(1) If as of the close of any fiscal year after the fiscal year ending June 30, 1972, the amount in the extended unemployment compensation account has reached the limit provided in
(2) Each State's share of the funds to be transferred under this subsection as of any October 1—
(A) shall be determined by the Secretary of Labor and certified by such Secretary to the Secretary of the Treasury before such date, and
(B) shall bear the same ratio to the total amount to be so transferred as—
(i) the amount of wages subject to tax under section 3301 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 during the preceding calendar year which are determined by the Secretary of Labor to be attributable to the State, bears to
(ii) the total amount of wages subject to such tax during such year.
(b) Transfer of funds where State is ineligible
(1) If the Secretary of Labor finds that on October 1 of any fiscal year—
(A) a State is not eligible for certification under
(B) the law of a State is not approvable under section 3304 of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act [
then the amount available for transfer to such State's account shall, in lieu of being so transferred, be transferred to the Federal unemployment account as of the beginning of such October 1. If, during the fiscal year beginning on such October 1, the Secretary of Labor finds and certifies to the Secretary of the Treasury that such State is eligible for certification under
(2) The amount which, but for this paragraph, would be transferred to the account of a State under subsection (a) of this section or paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the balance of advances made to the State under
(A) be transferred to or retained in (as the case may be) the Federal unemployment account, and
(B) be credited against, and operate to reduce—
(i) first, any balance of advances made before September 13, 1960, to the State under
(ii) second, any balance of advances made on or after September 13, 1960, to the State under
(c) Use of funds
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), amounts transferred to the account of a State pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall be used only in the payment of cash benefits to individuals with respect to their unemployment, exclusive of expenses of administration.
(2) A State may, pursuant to a specific appropriation made by the legislative body of the State, use money withdrawn from its account in the payment of expenses incurred by it for the administration of its unemployment compensation law and public employment offices if and only if—
(A) the purposes and amounts were specified in the law making the appropriation,
(B) the appropriation law did not authorize the obligation of such money after the close of the two-year period which began on the date of enactment of the appropriation law,
(C) the money is withdrawn and the expenses are incurred after such date of enactment,
(D)(i) the appropriation law limits the total amount which may be obligated under such appropriation at any time to an amount which does not exceed, at any such time, the amount by which—
(I) the aggregate of the amounts transferred to the account of such State pursuant to subsections (a) and (b), exceeds
(II) the aggregate of the amounts used by the State pursuant to this subsection and charged against the amounts transferred to the account of such State, and
(ii) for purposes of clause (i), amounts used by a State for administration shall be chargeable against transferred amounts at the exact time the obligation is entered into, and
(E) the use of the money is accounted for in accordance with standards established by the Secretary of Labor.
(3)(A) If—
(i) amounts transferred to the account of a State pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section were used in payment of unemployment benefits to individuals; and
(ii) the Governor of such State submits a request to the Secretary of Labor that such amounts be restored under this paragraph,
then the amounts described in clause (i) shall be restored to the status of funds transferred under subsections (a) and (b) of this section which have not been used by eliminating any charge against amounts so transferred for the use of such amounts in the payment of unemployment benefits.
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall apply only to the extent that the amounts described in clause (i) of such subparagraph do not exceed the amount then in the State's account.
(C) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply if the State has a balance of advances made to its account under subchapter XII of this chapter.
(D) If the Secretary of Labor determines that the requirements of this paragraph are met with respect to any request, the Secretary shall notify the Governor of the State that such requirements are met with respect to such request and the amount restored under this paragraph. Such restoration shall be as of the first day of the first month following the month in which the notification is made.
(d) Special transfer in fiscal year 2002
(1) The Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer (as of the date determined under paragraph (5)) from the Federal unemployment account to the account of each State in the Unemployment Trust Fund the amount determined with respect to such State under paragraph (2).
(2)(A) The amount to be transferred under this subsection to a State account shall (as determined by the Secretary of Labor and certified by such Secretary to the Secretary of the Treasury) be equal to—
(i) the amount which would have been required to have been transferred under this section to such account at the beginning of fiscal year 2002 if—
(I) section 209(a)(1) of the Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2002 had been enacted before the close of fiscal year 2001, and
(II) section 5402 of
minus
(ii) the amount which was in fact transferred under this section to such account at the beginning of fiscal year 2002.
(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (A)—
(i) the aggregate amount transferred to the States under this subsection may not exceed a total of $8,000,000,000; and
(ii) all amounts determined under subparagraph (A) shall be reduced ratably, if and to the extent necessary in order to comply with the limitation under clause (i).
(3)(A) Except as provided in paragraph (4), amounts transferred to a State account pursuant to this subsection may be used only in the payment of cash benefits—
(i) to individuals with respect to their unemployment, and
(ii) which are allowable under subparagraph (B) or (C).
(B)(i) At the option of the State, cash benefits under this paragraph may include amounts which shall be payable as—
(I) regular compensation, or
(II) additional compensation, upon the exhaustion of any temporary extended unemployment compensation (if such State has entered into an agreement under the Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2002), for individuals eligible for regular compensation under the unemployment compensation law of such State.
(ii) Any additional compensation under clause (i) may not be taken into account for purposes of any determination relating to the amount of any extended compensation for which an individual might be eligible.
(C)(i) At the option of the State, cash benefits under this paragraph may include amounts which shall be payable to 1 or more categories of individuals not otherwise eligible for regular compensation under the unemployment compensation law of such State, including those described in clause (iii).
(ii) The benefits paid under this subparagraph to any individual may not, for any period of unemployment, exceed the maximum amount of regular compensation authorized under the unemployment compensation law of such State for that same period, plus any additional compensation (described in subparagraph (B)(i)) which could have been paid with respect to that amount.
(iii) The categories of individuals described in this clause include the following:
(I) Individuals who are seeking, or available for, only part-time (and not full-time) work.
(II) Individuals who would be eligible for regular compensation under the unemployment compensation law of such State under an alternative base period.
(D) Amounts transferred to a State account under this subsection may be used in the payment of cash benefits to individuals only for weeks of unemployment beginning after March 9, 2002.
(4) Amounts transferred to a State account under this subsection may be used for the administration of its unemployment compensation law and public employment offices (including in connection with benefits described in paragraph (3) and any recipients thereof), subject to the same conditions as set forth in subsection (c)(2) of this section (excluding subparagraph (B) thereof, and deeming the reference to "subsections (a) and (b)" in subparagraph (D) thereof to include this subsection).
(5) Transfers under this subsection shall be made within 10 days after March 9, 2002.
(e) Special transfer in fiscal year 2006
Not later than 10 days after October 20, 2005, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer from the Federal unemployment account—
(1) $15,000,000 to the account of Alabama in the Unemployment Trust Fund;
(2) $400,000,000 to the account of Louisiana in the Unemployment Trust Fund; and
(3) $85,000,000 to the account of Mississippi in the Unemployment Trust Fund.
(f) Special transfers in fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 2011 for modernization
(1)(A) In addition to any other amounts, the Secretary of Labor shall provide for the making of unemployment compensation modernization incentive payments (hereinafter "incentive payments") to the accounts of the States in the Unemployment Trust Fund, by transfer from amounts reserved for that purpose in the Federal unemployment account, in accordance with succeeding provisions of this subsection.
(B) The maximum incentive payment allowable under this subsection with respect to any State shall, as determined by the Secretary of Labor, be equal to the amount obtained by multiplying $7,000,000,000 by the same ratio as would apply under subsection (a)(2)(B) for purposes of determining such State's share of any excess amount (as described in subsection (a)(1)) that would have been subject to transfer to State accounts, as of October 1, 2008, under the provisions of subsection (a).
(C) Of the maximum incentive payment determined under subparagraph (B) with respect to a State—
(i) one-third shall be transferred to the account of such State upon a certification under paragraph (4)(B) that the State law of such State meets the requirements of paragraph (2); and
(ii) the remainder shall be transferred to the account of such State upon a certification under paragraph (4)(B) that the State law of such State meets the requirements of paragraph (3).
(2) The State law of a State meets the requirements of this paragraph if such State law—
(A) uses a base period that includes the most recently completed calendar quarter before the start of the benefit year for purposes of determining eligibility for unemployment compensation; or
(B) provides that, in the case of an individual who would not otherwise be eligible for unemployment compensation under the State law because of the use of a base period that does not include the most recently completed calendar quarter before the start of the benefit year, eligibility shall be determined using a base period that includes such calendar quarter.
(3) The State law of a State meets the requirements of this paragraph if such State law includes provisions to carry out at least 2 of the following subparagraphs:
(A) An individual shall not be denied regular unemployment compensation under any State law provisions relating to availability for work, active search for work, or refusal to accept work, solely because such individual is seeking only part-time work (as defined by the Secretary of Labor), except that the State law provisions carrying out this subparagraph may exclude an individual if a majority of the weeks of work in such individual's base period do not include part-time work (as so defined).
(B) An individual shall not be disqualified from regular unemployment compensation for separating from employment if that separation is for any compelling family reason. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "compelling family reason" means the following:
(i) One or both of the following offenses as selected by the State, but in making such selection, the resulting change in the State law shall not supercede any other provision of law relating to unemployment insurance to the extent that such other provision provides broader access to unemployment benefits for victims of such selected offense or offenses:
(I) Domestic violence, verified by such reasonable and confidential documentation as the State law may require, which causes the individual reasonably to believe that such individual's continued employment would jeopardize the safety of the individual or of any member of the individual's immediate family (as defined by the Secretary of Labor); and
(II) Sexual assault, verified by such reasonable and confidential documentation as the State law may require, which causes the individual reasonably to believe that such individual's continued employment would jeopardize the safety of the individual or of any member of the individual's immediate family (as defined by the Secretary of Labor).
(ii) The illness or disability of a member of the individual's immediate family (as those terms are defined by the Secretary of Labor).
(iii) The need for the individual to accompany such individual's spouse—
(I) to a place from which it is impractical for such individual to commute; and
(II) due to a change in location of the spouse's employment.
(C)(i) Weekly unemployment compensation is payable under this subparagraph to any individual who is unemployed (as determined under the State unemployment compensation law), has exhausted all rights to regular unemployment compensation under the State law, and is enrolled and making satisfactory progress in a State-approved training program or in a job training program authorized under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, except that such compensation is not required to be paid to an individual who is receiving similar stipends or other training allowances for non-training costs.
(ii) Each State-approved training program or job training program referred to in clause (i) shall prepare individuals who have been separated from a declining occupation, or who have been involuntarily and indefinitely separated from employment as a result of a permanent reduction of operations at the individual's place of employment, for entry into a high-demand occupation.
(iii) The amount of unemployment compensation payable under this subparagraph to an individual for a week of unemployment shall be equal to—
(I) the individual's average weekly benefit amount (including dependents' allowances) for the most recent benefit year, less
(II) any deductible income, as determined under State law.
The total amount of unemployment compensation payable under this subparagraph to any individual shall be equal to at least 26 times the individual's average weekly benefit amount (including dependents' allowances) for the most recent benefit year.
(D) Dependents' allowances are provided, in the case of any individual who is entitled to receive regular unemployment compensation and who has any dependents (as defined by State law), in an amount equal to at least $15 per dependent per week, subject to any aggregate limitation on such allowances which the State law may establish (but which aggregate limitation on the total allowance for dependents paid to an individual may not be less than $50 for each week of unemployment or 50 percent of the individual's weekly benefit amount for the benefit year, whichever is less), except that a State law may provide for a reasonable reduction in the amount of any such allowance for a week of less than total unemployment.
(4)(A) Any State seeking an incentive payment under this subsection shall submit an application therefor at such time, in such manner, and complete with such information as the Secretary of Labor may within 60 days after February 17, 2009, prescribe (whether by regulation or otherwise), including information relating to compliance with the requirements of paragraph (2) or (3), as well as how the State intends to use the incentive payment to improve or strengthen the State's unemployment compensation program. The Secretary of Labor shall, within 30 days after receiving a complete application, notify the State agency of the State of the Secretary's findings with respect to the requirements of paragraph (2) or (3) (or both).
(B)(i) If the Secretary of Labor finds that the State law provisions (disregarding any State law provisions which are not then currently in effect as permanent law or which are subject to discontinuation) meet the requirements of paragraph (2) or (3), as the case may be, the Secretary of Labor shall thereupon make a certification to that effect to the Secretary of the Treasury, together with a certification as to the amount of the incentive payment to be transferred to the State account pursuant to that finding. The Secretary of the Treasury shall make the appropriate transfer within 7 days after receiving such certification.
(ii) For purposes of clause (i), State law provisions which are to take effect within 12 months after the date of their certification under this subparagraph shall be considered to be in effect as of the date of such certification.
(C)(i) No certification of compliance with the requirements of paragraph (2) or (3) may be made with respect to any State whose State law is not otherwise eligible for certification under
(ii) No certification of compliance with the requirements of paragraph (3) may be made with respect to any State whose State law is not in compliance with the requirements of paragraph (2).
(iii) No application under subparagraph (A) may be considered if submitted before February 17, 2009, or after the latest date necessary (as specified by the Secretary of Labor) to ensure that all incentive payments under this subsection are made before October 1, 2011.
(5)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), any amount transferred to the account of a State under this subsection may be used by such State only in the payment of cash benefits to individuals with respect to their unemployment (including for dependents' allowances and for unemployment compensation under paragraph (3)(C)), exclusive of expenses of administration.
(B) A State may, subject to the same conditions as set forth in subsection (c)(2) (excluding subparagraph (B) thereof, and deeming the reference to "subsections (a) and (b)" in subparagraph (D) thereof to include this subsection), use any amount transferred to the account of such State under this subsection for the administration of its unemployment compensation law and public employment offices.
(6) Out of any money in the Federal unemployment account not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall reserve $7,000,000,000 for incentive payments under this subsection. Any amount so reserved shall not be taken into account for purposes of any determination under
(7) For purposes of this subsection, the terms "benefit year", "base period", and "week" have the respective meanings given such terms under section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (
(g) Special transfer in fiscal year 2009 for administration
(1) In addition to any other amounts, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer from the employment security administration account to the account of each State in the Unemployment Trust Fund, within 30 days after February 17, 2009, the amount determined with respect to such State under paragraph (2).
(2) The amount to be transferred under this subsection to a State account shall (as determined by the Secretary of Labor and certified by such Secretary to the Secretary of the Treasury) be equal to the amount obtained by multiplying $500,000,000 by the same ratio as determined under subsection (f)(1)(B) with respect to such State.
(3) Any amount transferred to the account of a State as a result of the enactment of this subsection may be used by the State agency of such State only in the payment of expenses incurred by it for—
(A) the administration of the provisions of its State law carrying out the purposes of subsection (f)(2) or any subparagraph of subsection (f)(3);
(B) improved outreach to individuals who might be eligible for regular unemployment compensation by virtue of any provisions of the State law which are described in subparagraph (A);
(C) the improvement of unemployment benefit and unemployment tax operations, including responding to increased demand for unemployment compensation; and
(D) staff-assisted reemployment services for unemployment compensation claimants.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §903, as added Aug. 5, 1954, ch. 657, §2,
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
The Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2002, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(A)(i)(I), (3)(B)(i)(II), is title II of
Section 5402 of
The Workforce Investment Act of 1998, referred to in subsec. (f)(3)(C)(i), is
Section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970, referred to in subsec. (f)(7), is section 205 of
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1103, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §903,
Amendments
2009—Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (g).
2005—Subsec. (e).
2002—Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d).
1997—Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (c)(2).
1990—Subsec. (a)(2).
"(A) shall be determined by the Secretary of Labor and certified by him to the Secretary of the Treasury before that date on the basis of reports furnished by the States to the Secretary of Labor before September 1, and
"(B) shall bear the same ratio to the total amount to be so transferred as the amount of wages subject to contributions under such State's unemployment compensation law during the preceding calendar year which have been reported to the State before August 1 bears to the total of wages subject to contributions under all State unemployment compensation laws during such calendar year which have been reported to the States before August 1."
Subsec. (c)(2).
1987—Subsec. (a)(1).
1982—Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
1976—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
1974—Subsec. (b)(3).
1972—Subsec. (b)(3).
1971—Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (c)(2).
1970—Subsec. (a)(1).
1968—Subsec. (c).
1963—Subsec. (c)(2).
1960—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 5021(c) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 9155(d) of
Regulations
§1104. Unemployment Trust Fund
(a) Establishment
There is hereby established in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the "Unemployment Trust Fund", hereinafter in this subchapter called the "Fund". The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to receive and hold in the Fund all moneys deposited therein by a State agency from a State unemployment fund, or by the Railroad Retirement Board to the credit of the railroad unemployment insurance account or the railroad unemployment insurance administration fund, or otherwise deposited in or credited to the Fund or any account therein. Such deposit may be made directly with the Secretary of the Treasury, with any depositary designated by him for such purpose, or with any Federal Reserve Bank.
(b) Investments
It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to invest such portion of the Fund as is not, in his judgment, required to meet current withdrawals. Such investment may be made only in interest-bearing obligations of the United States or in obligations guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States. For such purpose such obligations may be acquired (1) on original issue at the issue price, or (2) by purchase of outstanding obligations at the market price. The purposes for which obligations of the United States may be issued under
(c) Sale or redemption of obligations
Any obligations acquired by the Fund (except special obligations issued exclusively to the Fund) may be sold at the market price, and such special obligations may be redeemed at par plus accrued interest.
(d) Treatment of interest and proceeds
The interest on, and the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in the Fund shall be credited to and form a part of the Fund.
(e) Separate book accounts
The Fund shall be invested as a single fund, but the Secretary of the Treasury shall maintain a separate book account for each State agency, the employment security administration account, the Federal unemployment account, the railroad unemployment insurance account, and the railroad unemployment insurance administration fund and shall credit quarterly (on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31, of each year) to each account, on the basis of the average daily balance of such account, a proportionate part of the earnings of the Fund for the quarter ending on such date. For the purpose of this subsection, the average daily balance shall be computed—
(1) in the case of any State account, by reducing (but not below zero) the amount in the account by the balance of advances made to the State under
(2) in the case of the Federal unemployment account—
(A) by adding to the amount in the account the aggregate of the reductions under paragraph (1), and
(B) by subtracting from the sum so obtained the balance of advances made under
(f) Payment to State agencies and Railroad Retirement Board
The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to pay out of the Fund to any State agency such amount as it may duly requisition, not exceeding the amount standing to the account of such State agency at the time of such payment. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to make such payments out of the railroad unemployment insurance account for the payment of benefits, and out of the railroad unemployment insurance administration fund for the payment of administrative expenses, as the Railroad Retirement Board may duly certify, not exceeding the amount standing to the credit of such account or such fund, as the case may be, at the time of such payment.
(g) Federal unemployment account; establishment
There is hereby established in the Unemployment Trust Fund a Federal unemployment account.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §904,
Amendments
1992—Subsec. (g).
1984—Subsec. (b).
1960—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (g).
1959—Subsec. (b).
1958—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
1954—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 5, 1954, §5(b), substituted "or otherwise deposited in or credited to the Fund or any account therein" for "or deposited pursuant to appropriations to the Federal unemployment account".
Subsec. (b). Act Aug. 5, 1954, §5(c), inserted provision that advances to the Federal unemployment account pursuant to
Subsec. (e). Act Aug. 5, 1954, §5(d), inserted "For the purposes of this subsection, the average daily balance shall be computed—
"(1) in the case of any State account, by reducing (but not below zero) the amount in the account by the aggregate of the outstanding advances under section 1201 from the Federal unemployment account, and
"(2) in the case of the Federal unemployment account, (A) by adding to the amount in the account the aggregate of the reductions under paragraph (1), and (B) by subtracting from the sum so obtained the aggregate of the outstanding advances from the Treasury to the account pursuant to section 1202(c)."
Subsec. (g). Act Aug. 5, 1954, §5(e), repealed subsec. (g) which authorized Secretary of Treasury to make transfers from Federal unemployment account to account of any State in Unemployment Trust Fund.
Subsec. (h). Act Aug. 5, 1954, §5(f), substituted a new cl. (2) in second sentence and repealed the third sentence: "Any amounts in the Federal unemployment account on April 1952, and any amounts repaid to such account after such date, shall be covered into the general fund of the Treasury."
1950—Subsec. (h). Act Aug. 28, 1950, substituted "prior to July 1, 1951" for "prior to July 1, 1949", "on July 1, 1951, and ending on December 31, 1951" for "on July 1, 1949, and ending on December 31, 1949" in cl. (2) of second sentence, and "April 1, 1952" for "April 1, 1950" in third sentence.
1947—Subsec. (h). Act Aug. 6, 1947, amended subsec. (h) generally, and, among other changes, changed the periods for which excess of tax collections over administrative expenditures could be appropriated to the unemployment account, limited authorized appropriations for the unemployment account to the excess collections for the period ending Dec. 31, 1949, provided for amounts in such account on Apr. 1, 1950, and any repayments to the account after such date be covered into the general fund of the Treasury, and provided for an additional deduction of $18,451,846 from the total amount of taxes collected prior to July 1, 1943.
1944—Subsec. (a). Act Oct. 3, 1944, §401(a), inserted ", or deposited pursuant to appropriations to the Federal unemployment account" after "unemployment insurance account" in second sentence.
Subsec. (e). Act Oct. 3, 1944, §401(b), inserted ", the Federal unemployment account" after "a separate book account for each State agency".
Subsecs. (g), (h). Act Oct. 3, 1944, §401(c), added subsecs. (g) and (h).
1938—Subsec. (a). Act June 25, 1938, §10(e), inserted "or by the Railroad Retirement Board to the credit of the railroad unemployment insurance account".
Subsec. (e). Act June 25, 1938, §10(f), inserted "and the railroad unemployment insurance account".
Subsec. (f). Act June 25, 1938, §10(g), inserted second sentence.
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1950 Amendment
Section 404(c) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that: "The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) of this section [amending this section and
Termination Date
Section 4 of act Aug. 6, 1947, provided: "Section 603 of the War Mobilization and Reconversion Act of 1944 [formerly set out as a note under section 1651 of Appendix to Title 50, War and National Defense] (terminating the provisions of such Act [sections 1651 to 1678 of Appendix to title 50] on June 30, 1947) shall not be applicable in the case of the amendments made by title IV of such Act [amending sections 1666 and 1667 of Appendix to Title 50] to the Social Security Act [this section and
Payments to States
Act Aug. 24, 1937, ch. 755,
§1105. Extended unemployment compensation account
(a) Establishment
There is hereby established in the Unemployment Trust Fund an extended unemployment compensation account. For the purposes provided for in
(b) Transfers to account
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer (as of the close of each month) from the employment security administration account to the extended unemployment compensation account established by subsection (a) of this section, an amount (determined by such Secretary) equal to 20 percent of the amount by which—
(A) the transfers to the employment security administration account pursuant to
(B) the payments during such month from the employment security administration account pursuant to section 1101(b)(3) and (d) of this title.
If for any such month the payments referred to in subparagraph (B) exceed the transfers referred to in subparagraph (A), proper adjustments shall be made in the amounts subsequently transferred.
(2) Whenever the Secretary of the Treasury determines pursuant to
(A) $750,000,000, or
(B) the amount (determined by the Secretary of Labor and certified by him to the Secretary of the Treasury) equal to 0.5 percent of the total wages subject (determined without any limitation on amount) to contributions under all State unemployment compensation laws for the calendar year ending during the fiscal year for which the excess is determined.
(3) The Secretary of the Treasury shall make no transfer pursuant to paragraph (1) as of the close of any month if he determines that the amount in the extended unemployment compensation account is equal to (or in excess of) the limitation provided in paragraph (2).
(c) Transfers to State accounts
Amounts in the extended unemployment compensation account shall be available for transfer to the accounts of the States in the Unemployment Trust Fund as provided in section 204(e) of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970.
(d) Advances to account; repayment
There are hereby authorized to be appropriated, without fiscal year limitation, to the extended unemployment compensation account, as repayable advances, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970. Amounts appropriated as repayable advances shall be repaid by transfers from the extended unemployment compensation account to the general fund of the Treasury, at such times as the amount in the extended unemployment compensation account is determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, to be adequate for such purpose. Repayments under the preceding sentence shall be made whenever the Secretary of the Treasury (after consultation with the Secretary of Labor) determines that the amount then in the account exceeds the amount necessary to meet the anticipated payments from the account during the next 3 months. Any amount transferred as a repayment under this subsection shall be credited against, and shall operate to reduce, any balance of advances repayable under this subsection. Amounts appropriated as repayable advances for purposes of this subsection shall bear interest at a rate equal to the average rate of interest, computed as of the end of the calendar month next preceding the date of such advance, borne by all interest bearing obligations of the United States then forming part of the public debt; except that in cases in which such average rate is not a multiple of one-eighth of 1 percent, the rate of interest shall be the multiple of one-eighth of 1 percent next lower than such average rate.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §905, as added
References in Text
The Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970, referred to in subsecs. (c) and (d), is
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1105, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §905,
Amendments
1993—Subsec. (b)(1).
"(A) 100 percent of the transfers to the employment security administration account pursuant to
"(B) 20 percent of the excess of the transfers to such account pursuant to
If for any such month the payments referred to in subparagraph (B) exceed the transfers referred to in subparagraph (B), proper adjustments shall be made in the amounts subsequently transferred."
1992—Subsec. (b)(1).
"(A) transfers to the employment security administration account pursuant to
"(B) payments during such month from the employment security administration account pursuant to section 1101(b)(3) and (d) of this title.
If for any such month the payments referred to in subparagraph (B) exceed the transfers referred to in subparagraph (A), proper adjustments shall be made in the amounts subsequently transferred."
Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
1987—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (d).
1982—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (d).
1976—Subsec. (b)(1).
1972—Subsec. (b)(1).
1970—
1963—Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 1992 Amendment
Amendment by section 531(a) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by section 9155(a) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by section 271(b)(2)(B) of
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Amendment by
§1106. Unemployment compensation research program
(a) The Secretary of Labor shall—
(1) establish a continuing and comprehensive program of research to evaluate the unemployment compensation system. Such research shall include, but not be limited to, a program of factual studies covering the role of unemployment compensation under varying patterns of unemployment including those in seasonal industries, the relationship between the unemployment compensation and other social insurance programs, the effect of State eligibility and disqualification provisions, the personal characteristics, family situations, employment background and experience of claimants, with the results of such studies to be made public; and
(2) establish a program of research to develop information (which shall be made public) as to the effect and impact of extending coverage to excluded groups with first attention to agricultural labor.
(b) To assist in the establishment and provide for the continuation of the comprehensive research program relating to the unemployment compensation system, there are hereby authorized to be appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1971, and for each fiscal year thereafter, such sums, not to exceed $8,000,000, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section. From the sums authorized to be appropriated by this subsection the Secretary may provide for the conduct of such research through grants or contracts.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §906, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1106, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §906,
§1107. Personnel training
(a) Creation of program
In order to assist in increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of administration of the unemployment compensation program by increasing the number of adequately trained personnel, the Secretary of Labor shall—
(1) provide directly, through State agencies, or through contracts with institutions of higher education or other qualified agencies, organizations, or institutions, programs and courses designed to train individuals to prepare them, or improve their qualifications, for service in the administration of the unemployment compensation program, including claims determinations and adjudication, with such stipends and allowances as may be permitted under regulations of the Secretary;
(2) develop training materials for and provide technical assistance to the State agencies in the operation of their training programs;
(3) under such regulations as he may prescribe, award fellowships and traineeships to persons in the Federal-State employment security agencies, in order to prepare them or improve their qualifications for service in the administration of the unemployment compensation program.
(b) Repayment of costs
The Secretary may, to the extent that he finds such action to be necessary, prescribe requirements to assure that any person receiving a fellowship, traineeship, stipend or allowance shall repay the costs thereof to the extent that such person fails to serve in the Federal-State employment security program for the period prescribed by the Secretary. The Secretary may relieve any individual of his obligation to so repay, in whole or in part, whenever and to the extent that such repayment would, in his judgment, be inequitable or would be contrary to the purposes of any of the programs established by this section.
(c) Detail of Federal and State employees
The Secretary, with the concurrence of the State, may detail Federal employees to State unemployment compensation administration and the Secretary may concur in the detailing of State employees to the United States Department of Labor for temporary periods for training or for purposes of unemployment compensation administration, and the provisions of section 869b 1 of title 20 or any more general program of interchange enacted by a law amending, supplementing, or replacing section 869b 1 of title 20 shall apply to any such assignment.
(d) Authorization of appropriations
There are hereby authorized to be appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1971, and for each fiscal year thereafter such sums, not to exceed $5,000,000, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §907, as added
References in Text
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1107, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §907,
1 See References in Text note below.
§1108. Advisory Council on Unemployment Compensation
(a) Establishment
Not later than February 1, 1992, and every 4th year thereafter, the Secretary of Labor shall establish an advisory council to be known as the Advisory Council on Unemployment Compensation (referred to in this section as the "Council").
(b) Function
It shall be the function of each Council to evaluate the unemployment compensation program, including the purpose, goals, countercyclical effectiveness, coverage, benefit adequacy, trust fund solvency, funding of State administrative costs, administrative efficiency, and any other aspects of the program and to make recommendations for improvement.
(c) Members
(1) In general
Each Council shall consist of 11 members as follows:
(A) 5 members appointed by the President, to include representatives of business, labor, State government, and the public.
(B) 3 members appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate, in consultation with the Chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Finance of the Senate.
(C) 3 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the Chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives.
(2) Qualifications
In appointing members under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1), the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each appoint—
(A) 1 representative of the interests of business,
(B) 1 representative of the interests of labor, and
(C) 1 representative of the interests of State governments.
(3) Vacancies
A vacancy in any Council shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
(4) Chairman
The President shall appoint the Chairman of the Council from among its members.
(d) Staff and other assistance
(1) In general
Each Council may engage any technical assistance (including actuarial services) required by the Council to carry out its functions under this section.
(2) Assistance from Secretary of Labor
The Secretary of Labor shall provide each Council with any staff, office facilities, and other assistance, and any data prepared by the Department of Labor, required by the Council to carry out its functions under this section.
(e) Compensation
Each member of any Council—
(1) shall be entitled to receive compensation at the rate of pay for level V of the Executive Schedule under
(2) while engaged in the performance of such duties away from such member's home or regular place of business, shall be allowed travel expenses (including per diem in lieu of subsistence) as authorized by
(f) Report
(1) In general
Not later than February 1 of the third year following the year in which any Council is required to be established under subsection (a) of this section, the Council shall submit to the President and the Congress a report setting forth the findings and recommendations of the Council as a result of its evaluation of the unemployment compensation program under this section.
(2) Report of first Council
The Council shall include in its report required to be submitted by February 1, 1995, the Council's findings and recommendations with respect to determining eligibility for extended unemployment benefits on the basis of unemployment statistics for regions, States, or subdivisions of States.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §908, as added
Codification
Section 9 of
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1108, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §908,
A prior section 1109, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §909,
A prior section 1110, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §910,
Amendments
1993—Subsec. (f).
1991—
1984—Subsec. (d).
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Termination of Advisory Councils
Advisory councils established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a council established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such council is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a council established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. See sections 3(2) and 14 of
Report on Agricultural Labor Performed by Aliens
§1109. Federal Employees Compensation Account
There is hereby established in the Unemployment Trust Fund a Federal Employees Compensation Account which shall be used for the purposes specified in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §909, as added
§1110. Borrowing between Federal accounts
(a) In general
Whenever the Secretary of the Treasury (after consultation with the Secretary of Labor) determines that—
(1) the amount in the employment security administration account, Federal unemployment account, or extended unemployment compensation account, is insufficient to meet the anticipated payments from the account,
(2) such insufficiency may cause such account to borrow from the general fund of the Treasury, and
(3) the amount in any other such account exceeds the amount necessary to meet the anticipated payments from such other account,
the Secretary shall transfer to the account referred to in paragraph (1) from the account referred to 1 paragraph (3) an amount equal to the insufficiency determined under paragraph (1) (or, if less, the excess determined under paragraph (3)).
(b) Treatment of advance
Any amount transferred under subsection (a) of this section—
(1) shall be treated as a noninterest-bearing repayable advance, and
(2) shall not be considered in computing the amount in any account for purposes of the application of
(c) Repayment
Whenever the Secretary of the Treasury (after consultation with the Secretary of Labor) determines that the amount in the account to which an advance is made under subsection (a) of this section exceeds the amount necessary to meet the anticipated payments from the account, the Secretary shall transfer from the account to the account from which the advance was made an amount equal to the lesser of the amount so advanced or such excess.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IX, §910, as added
1 So in original. Probably should be "to in".
SUBCHAPTER X—GRANTS TO STATES FOR AID TO BLIND
Repeal of Subchapter X of This Chapter; Inapplicability of Repeal to Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands
§1201. Authorization of appropriations
For the purpose of enabling each State to furnish financial assistance, as far as practicable under the conditions in such State, to needy individuals who are blind, there is hereby authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year a sum sufficient to carry out the purposes of this subchapter. The sums made available under this section shall be used for making payments to States which have submitted, and had approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, State plans for aid to the blind.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title X, §1001,
Repeal of Section
Amendments
1981—
1962—
1956—Act Aug. 1, 1956, restated purpose to include assistance to individuals to attain self-support or self-care.
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, substituted "Federal Security Administrator" for "Social Security Board".
Transfer of Functions
Functions of Federal Security Administrator transferred to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and all agencies of Federal Security Agency transferred to Department of Health, Education, and Welfare by section 5 of Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1953, set out as a note under
§1202. State plans for aid to blind
(a) A State plan for aid to the blind must (1) except to the extent permitted by the Secretary with respect to services, provide that it shall be in effect in all political subdivisions of the State, and, if administered by them, be mandatory upon them; (2) provide for financial participation by the State; (3) either provide for the establishment or designation of a single State agency to administer the plan, or provide for the establishment or designation of a single State agency to supervise the administration of the plan; (4) provide (A) for granting an opportunity for a fair hearing before the State agency to any individual whose claim for aid to the blind is denied or is not acted upon with reasonable promptness, and (B) that if the State plan is administered in each of the political subdivisions of the State by a local agency and such local agency provides a hearing at which evidence may be presented prior to a hearing before the State agency, such local agency may put into effect immediately upon issuance its decision upon the matter considered at such hearing; (5) provide (A) such methods of administration (including after January 1, 1940, methods relating to the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards on a merit basis, except that the Secretary shall exercise no authority with respect to the selection, tenure of office, and compensation of any individual employed in accordance with such methods) as are found by the Secretary to be necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the plan, and (B) for the training and effective use of paid subprofessional staff, with particular emphasis on the full-time or part-time employment of recipients and other persons of low-income, as community service aides, in the administration of the plan and for the use of nonpaid or partially paid volunteers in a social service volunteer program in providing services to applicants and recipients and in assisting any advisory committees established by the State agency; (6) provide that the State agency will make such reports, in such form and containing such information, as the Secretary may from time to time require, and comply with such provisions as the Secretary may from time to time find necessary to assure the correctness and verification of such reports; and 1 (7) provide that no aid will be furnished any individual under the plan with respect to any period with respect to which he is receiving old-age assistance under the State plan approved under
(b) The Secretary shall approve any plan which fulfills the conditions specified in subsection (a) of this section, except that he shall not approve any plan which imposes, as a condition of eligibility for aid to the blind under the plan—
(1) Any residence requirement which excludes any resident of the State who has resided therein five years during the nine years immediately preceding the application for aid and has resided therein continuously for one year immediately preceding the application; or
(2) Any citizenship requirement which excludes any citizen of the United States.
At the option of the State, the plan may provide that manuals and other policy issuances will be furnished to persons without charge for the reasonable cost of such materials, but such provision shall not be required by the Secretary as a condition for the approval of such plan under this subchapter. In the case of any State (other than Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) which did not have on January 1, 1949, a State plan for aid to the blind approved under this subchapter, the Secretary shall approve a plan of such State for aid to the blind for purposes of this subchapter, even though it does not meet the requirements of clause (8) of subsection (a) of this section, if it meets all other requirements of this subchapter for an approved plan for aid to the blind; but payments under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title X, §1002,
Repeal of Section
References in Text
Part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(7), is classified to
Amendments
1996—Subsec. (a)(7).
1984—Subsec. (a)(14).
1972—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(9).
Subsec. (a)(13).
Subsec. (b).
1968—Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(8)(C).
1965—Subsec. (a)(8)(C).
1964—Subsec. (a)(8).
1962—Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (b).
1960—Subsec. (a)(8).
1956—Subsec. (a)(13). Act Aug. 1, 1956, added cl. (13).
1950—Subsec. (a)(4). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §341(a), substituted "provide for granting an opportunity for a fair hearing before the State agency to any individual whose claim for aid to the blind is denied or is not acted upon with reasonable promptness" for "provide for granting to any individual, whose claim for aid is denied, an opportunity for a fair hearing before such State agency".
Subsec. (a)(7). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §341(b), inserted "or aid to dependent children under the State plan approved under
Subsec. (a)(8). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §341(c)(2), (d), amended cl. (8) generally, effective July 1, 1952, and struck out "and" preceding cl. (9).
Act Aug. 28, 1950, §341(c)(1), amended cl. (8) generally for period beginning Oct. 1, 1950, and ending June 30, 1952.
Subsec. (a)(9). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §341(d), substituted comma for period at end.
Subsec. (a)(10). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §341(e), amended cl. (10) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (10) read as follows: "provide that, in determining whether an individual is blind, there shall be an examination by a physician skilled in diseases of the eye or by an optometrist;".
Act Aug. 28, 1950, §341(d), added cl. (10).
Subsec. (a)(11), (12). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §341(d), added cls. (11) and (12).
Subsec. (b). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §361(c), (d), substituted "Administrator" for "Board" and "he" for "it".
1939—Subsec. (a)(5). Act Aug. 10, 1939, §701(a), inserted "(including after January 1, 1940, methods relating to the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards on a merit basis, except that the Board shall exercise no authority with respect)" after "methods of administration" and "proper" before "and efficient operation of the plan".
Subsec. (a)(8), (9). Act Aug. 10, 1939, §701(b), added cls. (8) and (9).
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by section 210(a)(3) of
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Section 403(c) of
Effective Date of 1962 Amendment
Amendment by section 106(a)(2) of
Section 154 of
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Section 710(a) of
Section 710(b) of
Effective Date of 1956 Amendment
Amendment by act Aug. 1, 1956, effective July 1, 1957, see section 314 [315] of act Aug. 1, 1956, set out as a note under
Effective and Termination Dates of 1950 Amendment
Section 341(c)(1) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective for the period beginning Oct. 1, 1950, and ending June 30, 1952.
Section 341(c)(2) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective July 1, 1952.
Section 341(e) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective July 1, 1952.
Section 341(f) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that: "The amendments made by subsections (b) and (d) [amending this section] shall take effect October 1, 1950; and the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect July 1, 1951."
Effective Date of 1939 Amendment
Section 701(b) of act Aug. 10, 1939, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective July 1, 1941.
Transfer of Functions
Functions, powers, and duties of Secretary under subsec. (a)(5)(A) of this section, insofar as relates to the prescription of personnel standards on a merit basis, transferred to Office of Personnel Management, see
Functions of Federal Security Administrator transferred to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and agencies of Federal Security Agency transferred to Department of Health, Education, and Welfare by section 5 of Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1953, set out as a note under
Public Access to State Disbursement Records
Public access to State records of disbursements of funds and payments under this subchapter, see note set out under
1 So in original. The word "and" probably should not appear.
§1202a. Repealed. Pub. L. 87–543, title I, §136(b), July 25, 1962, 76 Stat. 197
Section, act Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title III, pt. 4, §344(a),
Effective and Termination Dates
Section 136(b) of
§1203. Payment to States
(a) Authorization of payments
From the sums appropriated therefor, the Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to each State which has an approved plan for aid to the blind, for each quarter, beginning with the quarter commencing October 1, 1958—
(1) Repealed.
(2) in the case of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam, an amount equal to one-half of the total of the sums expended during such quarter as aid to the blind under the State plan, not counting so much of any expenditure with respect to any month as exceeds $37.50 multiplied by the total number of recipients of aid to the blind for such month; and
(3) in the case of any State, an amount equal to 50 percent of the total amounts expended during such quarter as found necessary by the Secretary for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan.
(b) Computation of amounts
The method of computing and paying such amounts shall be as follows:
(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, prior to the beginning of each quarter, estimate the amount to be paid to the State for such quarter under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, such estimate to be based on (A) a report filed by the State containing its estimate of the total sum to be expended in such quarter in accordance with the provisions of such subsection, and stating the amount appropriated or made available by the State and its political subdivisions for such expenditures in such quarter, and if such amount is less than the State's proportionate share of the total sum of such estimated expenditures, the source or sources from which the difference is expected to be derived, (B) records showing the number of blind individuals in the State, and (C) such other investigation as the Secretary may find necessary.
(2) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall then certify to the Secretary of the Treasury the amount so estimated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, (A) reduced or increased, as the case may be, by any sum by which he finds that his estimate for any prior quarter was greater or less than the amount which should have been paid to the State under subsection (a) of this section for such quarter, and (B) reduced by a sum equivalent to the pro rata share to which the United States is equitably entitled, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, of the net amount recovered during a prior quarter by the State or any political subdivision thereof with respect to aid to the blind furnished under the State plan; except that such increases or reductions shall not be made to the extent that such sums have been applied to make the amount certified for any prior quarter greater or less than the amount estimated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for such prior quarter: Provided, That any part of the amount recovered from the estate of a deceased recipient which is not in excess of the amount expended by the State or any political subdivision thereof for the funeral expenses of the deceased shall not be considered as a basis for reduction under clause (B) of this paragraph.
(3) The Secretary of the Treasury shall thereupon, through the Fiscal Service of the Treasury Department, and prior to audit or settlement by the Government Accountability Office, pay to the State, at the time or times fixed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the amount so certified.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title X, §1003,
Repeal of Section
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (b)(3).
1993—Subsec. (a)(3).
"(A) 75 per centum of so much of such expenditures as are for the training (including both short- and long-term training at educational institutions through grants to such institutions or by direct financial assistance to students enrolled in such institutions) of personnel employed or preparing for employment by the State agency or by the local agency administering the plan in the political subdivision; plus
"(B) 100 percent of so much of such expenditures as are for the costs of the implementation and operation of the immigration status verification system described in
"(C) one-half of the remainder of such expenditures."
1986—Subsec. (a)(3)(B), (C).
1981—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (c).
1975—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(3)(A)(iv).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(3)(E).
1968—Subsec. (a)(3)(D).
1965—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
1962—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (c).
1961—Subsec. (a).
1958—Subsec. (a).
1956—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §303, substituted "during such quarter as aid to the blind in the form of money payments under the State plan" for "during such quarter as aid to the blind under the State plan" in cls. (1) and (2), "who received aid to the blind in the form of money payments for such month" for "who received aid to the blind for such month" in par. (a) of cl. (1), and inserted cl. (4).
Act Aug. 1, 1956, §313(c), struck out ", which shall be used exclusively as aid to the blind," after "the Virgin Islands, an amount" in cls. (1) and (2), and substituted "including services which are provided by the staff of the State agency (or of the local agency administering the State plan in the political subdivision) to applicants for and recipients of aid to the blind to help them attain self-support or self-care" for "which amount shall be used for paying the costs of administering the State plan or for aid to the blind, or both, and for no other purpose" in cl. (3).
Act Aug. 1, 1956, §343, substituted "October 1, 1956" for "October 1, 1952", struck out ", which shall be used exclusively as aid to the blind," after "the Virgin Islands, an amount" in cls. (1) and (2), substituted "$60" for "$55," "the product of $30" for "the product of $25", "Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare" for "Secretary", and "including services which are provided by the staff of the State agency (or of the local agency administering the State plan in the political subdivision) to applicants for and recipients of aid to the blind to help them attain self-support or self-care" for "which amount shall be used for paying the costs of administering the State plan or for aid to the blind, or both, and for no other purpose".
1954—Subsec. (b)(1). Act Sept. 1, 1954, substituted "the State's proportionate share" for "one-half".
1952—Subsec. (a). Act July 18, 1952, increased the Federal share of the State's average monthly payment to four-fifths of the first $25 plus one-half of the remainder within individual maximums of $55, and changed formulas for computing the Federal share of public assistance for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
1950—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §342(a), provided a new method of computation of the Federal portion of aid to the blind.
Subsec. (b). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §361(c), (d), substituted "Administrator" for "Board".
1948—Subsec. (a). Act June 14, 1948, substituted "$50" for "$45" and "$20" for "$15".
1946—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 10, 1946, §503(a), temporarily increased the maximum monthly State expenditure to which the Federal government will contribute from $40 to $45 and increased the Federal contribution for aid to the blind from one-half the State's expenditure to two-thirds such expenditure up to $15 monthly per individual plus one-half the State's expenditure over $15. See Effective and Termination Date of 1946 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (b). Act Aug. 10, 1946, §503(b), temporarily substituted "the State's proportionate share" for "one-half" in par. (1). See Effective and Termination Date of 1946 Amendment note below.
1939—Act Aug. 10. 1939, amended section generally.
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by section 2353(e) of
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Amendment by section 3(e)(2) of
Amendment by section 5(c) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by section 301(b) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Amendment by section 401(d) of
Effective Date of 1962 Amendment
Amendment by section 101(a)(3) of
Amendment by section 132(b) of
Effective Date of 1961 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
For effective date of amendment by
Effective and Termination Date of 1956 Amendment
Amendment by section 303 of act Aug. 1, 1956, effective July 1, 1957, see section 305 of act Aug. 1, 1956, set out as a note under
Amendment by section 343 of act Aug. 1, 1956, effective only for period beginning Oct. 1, 1956, and ending with close of June 30, 1959, see section 345 of act Aug. 1, 1956, set out as a note under
Effective and Termination Date of 1952 Amendment
Amendment by act July 18, 1952, effective for the period beginning Oct. 1, 1952, and ending Sept. 30, 1956, see section 8(e) of act July 18, 1952, set out as a note under
Effective Date of 1950 Amendment
Section 342(b) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect October 1, 1950."
Effective Date of 1948 Amendment
Amendment by act June 14, 1948, effective Oct. 1, 1948, see section 3(d) of act June 14, 1948, set out as a note under
Effective and Termination Date of 1946 Amendment
Amendment by section 503 of act Aug. 10, 1946, effective only for period beginning Oct. 1, 1946, and ending with close of June 30, 1950, see section 504 of act Aug. 10, 1946, as amended, set out as a note under
Effective Date of 1939 Amendment
Section 702 of act Aug. 10, 1939, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Jan. 1, 1940.
Transfer of Functions
Functions of Federal Security Administrator transferred to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and all agencies of Federal Security Agency transferred to Department of Health, Education, and Welfare by section 5 of Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1953, set out as a note under
"Fiscal Service" substituted for "Division of Disbursement" in subsec. (b)(3), on authority of section 1(a)(1) of Reorg. Plan No. III of 1940, eff. June 30, 1940, 5 F.R. 2107,
Nonduplication of Payments to States, Prohibition of Payments After December 31, 1969
Prohibition of payments under this subchapter to States with respect to aid or assistance in form of medical or other type of remedial care for any period for which States received payments under subchapter XIX of this chapter or for any period after Dec. 31, 1969, see section 121(b) of
Election of Payments Under Combined State Plan Rather Than Separate Plans
Payments to States under combined State plan under subchapter XVI of this chapter as precluding payment under State plan conforming to this subchapter, see section 141(b) of
§1204. Operation of State plans
In the case of any State plan for aid to the blind which has been approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, if the Secretary, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing to the State agency administering or supervising the administration of such plan, finds—
(1) that the plan has been so changed as to impose any residence or citizenship requirement prohibited by
(2) that in the administration of the plan there is a failure to comply substantially with any provision required by
the Secretary shall notify such State agency that further payments will not be made to the State (or, in his discretion, that payments will be limited to categories under or parts of the State plan not affected by such failure) until the Secretary is satisfied that such prohibited requirement is no longer so imposed, and that there is no longer any such failure to comply. Until he is so satisfied he shall make no further payments to such State (or shall limit payments to categories under or parts of the State plan not affected by such failure).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title X, §1004,
Repeal of Section
Amendments
1968—
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, substituted "Administrator" for "Board" and "his" for "its".
Transfer of Functions
Functions of Federal Security Administrator transferred to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and all agencies of Federal Security Agency transferred to Department of Health, Education, and Welfare by section 5 of Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1953, set out as a note under
§1205. Omitted
Codification
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title X, §1005,
Repeals
§1206. "Aid to the blind" defined
For the purposes of this subchapter, the term "aid to the blind" means money payments to blind individuals who are needy, but does not include any such payments to or care in behalf of any individual who is an inmate of a public institution (except as a patient in a medical institution) or any individual who is a patient in an institution for tuberculosis or mental diseases. Such term also includes payments which are not included within the meaning of such term under the preceding sentence, but which would be so included except that they are made on behalf of such a needy individual to another individual who (as determined in accordance with standards prescribed by the Secretary) is interested in or concerned with the welfare of such needy individual, but only with respect to a State whose State plan approved under
(1) determination by the State agency that such needy individual has, by reason of his physical or mental condition, such inability to manage funds that making payments to him would be contrary to his welfare and, therefore, it is necessary to provide such aid through payments described in this sentence;
(2) making such payments only in cases in which such payments will, under the rules otherwise applicable under the State plan for determining need and the amount of aid to the blind to be paid (and in conjunction with other income and resources), meet all the need 1 of the individuals with respect to whom such payments are made;
(3) undertaking and continuing special efforts to protect the welfare of such individual and to improve, to the extent possible, his capacity for self-care and to manage funds;
(4) periodic review by such State agency of the determination under paragraph (1) of this subsection to ascertain whether conditions justifying such determination still exist, with provision for termination of such payments if they do not and for seeking judicial appointment of a guardian or other legal representative, as described in
(5) opportunity for a fair hearing before the State agency on the determination referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection for any individual with respect to whom it is made.
At the option of a State (if its plan approved under this subchapter so provides), such term (i) need not include money payments to an individual who has been absent from such State for a period in excess of 90 consecutive days (regardless of whether he has maintained his residence in such State during such period) until he has been present in such State for 30 consecutive days in the case of such an individual who has maintained his residence in such State during such period or 90 consecutive days in the case of any other such individual, and (ii) may include rent payments made directly to a public housing agency on behalf of a recipient or a group or groups of recipients of aid under such plan.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title X, §1006,
Repeal of Section
Amendments
1981—
1972—
1965—
1962—
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, redefined "aid to the blind".
1939—Act Aug. 10, 1939, redefined "aid to the blind" to include those individuals who are needy.
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Amendment by section 221(b) of
Amendment by section 402(c) of
Effective Date of 1962 Amendment
Amendment by section 156(c) of
Effective Date of 1950 Amendment
Section 343(b) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect October 1, 1950, except that the exclusion of money payments to needy individuals described in clause (a) or (b) of section 1006 of the Social Security Act [this section] as so amended shall, in the case of any of such individuals who are not patients in a public institution, be effective July 1, 1952."
1 So in original. Probably should be "needs".
SUBCHAPTER XI—GENERAL PROVISIONS, PEER REVIEW, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SIMPLIFICATION
Part A—General Provisions
§1301. Definitions
(a) When used in this chapter—
(1) The term "State", except where otherwise provided, includes the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and when used in subchapters IV, V, VII, XI, XIX, and XXI of this chapter includes the Virgin Islands and Guam. Such term when used in subchapters III, IX, and XII of this chapter also includes the Virgin Islands. Such term when used in subchapter V and in part B of this subchapter of this chapter also includes American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Such term when used in subchapters XIX and XXI of this chapter also includes the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. In the case of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam, subchapters I, X, and XIV, and subchapter XVI of this chapter (as in effect without regard to the amendment made by section 301 of the Social Security Amendments of 1972) shall continue to apply, and the term "State" when used in such subchapters (but not in subchapter XVI of this chapter as in effect pursuant to such amendment after December 31, 1973) includes Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. Such term when used in subchapter XX of this chapter also includes the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Such term when used in subchapter IV of this chapter also includes American Samoa.
(2) The term "United States" when used in a geographical sense means, except where otherwise provided, the States.
(3) The term "person" means an individual, a trust or estate, a partnership, or a corporation.
(4) The term "corporation" includes associations, joint-stock companies, and insurance companies.
(5) The term "shareholder" includes a member in an association, joint-stock company, or insurance company.
(6) The term "Secretary", except when the context otherwise requires, means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(7) The terms "physician" and "medical care" and "hospitalization" include osteopathic practitioners or the services of osteopathic practitioners and hospitals within the scope of their practice as defined by State law.
(8)(A) The "Federal percentage" for any State (other than Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam) shall be 100 per centum less the State percentage; and the State percentage shall be that percentage which bears the same ratio to 50 per centum as the square of the per capita income of such State bears to the square of the per capita income of the United States; except that the Federal percentage shall in no case be less than 50 per centum or more than 65 per centum.
(B) The Federal percentage for each State (other than Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam) shall be promulgated by the Secretary between October 1 and November 30 of each year, on the basis of the average per capita income of each State and of the United States for the three most recent calendar years for which satisfactory data are available from the Department of Commerce. Such promulgation shall be conclusive for each of the four quarters in the period beginning October 1 next succeeding such promulgation: Provided, That the Secretary shall promulgate such percentages as soon as possible after August 28, 1958, which promulgation shall be conclusive for each of the eleven quarters in the period beginning October 1, 1958, and ending with the close of June 30, 1961.
(C) The term "United States" means (but only for purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph) the fifty States and the District of Columbia.
(D) Promulgations made before satisfactory data are available from the Department of Commerce for a full year on the per capita income of Alaska shall prescribe a Federal percentage for Alaska of 50 per centum and, for purposes of such promulgations, Alaska shall not be included as part of the "United States". Promulgations made thereafter but before per capita income data for Alaska for a full three-year period are available from the Department of Commerce shall be based on satisfactory data available therefrom for Alaska for such one full year or, when such data are available for a two-year period, for such two years.
(9) The term "shared health facility" means any arrangement whereby—
(A) two or more health care practitioners practice their professions at a common physical location;
(B) such practitioners share (i) common waiting areas, examining rooms, treatment rooms, or other space, (ii) the services of supporting staff, or (iii) equipment;
(C) such practitioners have a person (who may himself be a practitioner)—
(i) who is in charge of, controls, manages, or supervises substantial aspects of the arrangement or operation for the delivery of health or medical services at such common physical location, other than the direct furnishing of professional health care services by the practitioners to their patients; or
(ii) who makes available to such practitioners the services of supporting staff who are not employees of such practitioners;
and who is compensated in whole or in part, for the use of such common physical location or support services pertaining thereto, on a basis related to amounts charged or collected for the services rendered or ordered at such location or on any basis clearly unrelated to the value of the services provided by the person; and
(D) at least one of such practitioners received payments on a fee-for-service basis under subchapters XVIII and XIX of this chapter in an amount exceeding $5,000 for any one month during the preceding 12 months or in an aggregate amount exceeding $40,000 during the preceding 12 months;
except that such term does not include a provider of services (as defined in
(10) The term "Administration" means the Social Security Administration, except where the context requires otherwise.
(b) The terms "includes" and "including" when used in a definition contained in this chapter shall not be deemed to exclude other things otherwise within the meaning of the term defined.
(c) Whenever under this chapter or any Act of Congress, or under the law of any State, an employer is required or permitted to deduct any amount from the remuneration of an employee and to pay the amount deducted to the United States, a State, or any political subdivision thereof, then for the purposes of this chapter the amount so deducted shall be considered to have been paid to the employee at the time of such deduction.
(d) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as authorizing any Federal official, agent, or representative, in carrying out any of the provisions of this chapter, to take charge of any child over the objection of either of the parents of such child, or of the person standing in loco parentis to such child.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1101,
References in Text
Section 301 of the Social Security Amendments of 1972, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is section 301 of
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a)(9), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
1997—Subsec. (a)(1).
1994—Subsec. (a)(10).
1988—Subsec. (a)(1).
1987—Subsec. (a)(1).
1986—Subsec. (a)(3) to (5).
Subsec. (a)(8)(B).
Subsec. (a)(9).
1984—Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (a)(8), (9).
1982—Subsec. (a)(1).
1981—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(9)(D).
1977—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(9).
1976—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(8)(B).
1973—Subsec. (a)(1).
1972—Subsec. (a)(1).
1965—Subsec. (a)(1).
1962—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
1960—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(8)(A).
Subsec. (a)(8)(B).
Subsec. (a)(8)(C), (D).
1959—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(8).
1958—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(8).
1956—Subsec. (a)(1). Act Aug. 1, 1956, inserted reference to subchapter VII of this chapter.
1950—Subsec. (a)(1). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §403(a)(1), redefined "State".
Subsec. (a)(6). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §403(a)(2), defined "Administrator".
Subsec. (a)(7). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §403(b), added par. (7).
1948—Subsec. (a)(6). Act June 14, 1948, provided for application of usual common-law rules in determining whether a person is an employee.
1946—Subsec. (a)(1). Act Aug. 10, 1946, struck out exception of
1939—Subsec. (a)(1). Act Aug. 10, 1939, redefined "State".
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 601(d) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by section 1883(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 1895(c)(6) of
Section 9528(b), (c) of
"(b)
"(c)
[Section 9102 of
[Section 9421(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Section 136(e) of
Section 160(e) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by section 2352(a) of
For effective date, savings, and transitional provisions relating to amendment by section 2193(c)(2) of
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1973 Amendment
Section 18(z–2)(2) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 272(c) of
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Section 121(c)(1) of
Effective Date of 1960 Amendments
Section 541 of
Amendment by section 30(d) of
Amendment by section 30(a)(1) of
Section 47(b) of
Effective Date of 1959 Amendment
Amendment by section 32(a) of
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
For effective date of amendments by
Effective Date of 1950 Amendment
Section 403(a)(3) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that: "The amendment made by paragraph (1) of this subsection [amending this section] shall take effect October 1, 1950, and the amendment made by paragraph (2) of this subsection [amending this section], insofar as it repeals the definition of 'employee', shall be effective only with respect to services performed after 1950."
Section 403(b) of act Aug. 28, 1950, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Oct. 1, 1950.
Effective Date of 1948 Amendment
Section 2(b) of act June 14, 1948, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall have the same effect as if included in the Social Security Act [this chapter] on August 14, 1935, the date of its enactment, but shall not have the effect of voiding any (1) wage credits reported to the Bureau of Internal Revenue [now Internal Revenue Service] with respect to services performed prior to the enactment of this Act [June 14, 1948] or (2) wage credits with respect to services performed prior to the close of the first calendar quarter which begins after the date of the enactment of this Act in the case of individuals who have attained age sixty-five or who have died, prior to the close of such quarter, and with respect to whom prior to the date of enactment of this Act wage credits were established which would not have been established had the amendment made by subsection (a) been in effect on and after August 14, 1935."
Effective Date of 1946 Amendment
Section 401(a) of act Aug. 10, 1946, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Jan. 1, 1947.
Effective Date of 1939 Amendment
Section 801 of act Aug. 10, 1939, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Jan. 1, 1940.
Repeals
The provisions of subsecs. (a)(1), (3), (6), (c) of this section were incorporated into sections 1426(d) to (f), 1427, 1607(i) to (k), and 1608 of former Title 26, Internal Revenue Code of 1939, by act Feb. 10, 1939, ch. 2,
Provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939 were generally repealed by
Transfer of Functions
Functions of Federal Security Administrator transferred to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and all agencies of Federal Security Agency transferred to Department of Health, Education, and Welfare by section 5 of Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1953, set out as a note under
Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding
Provisions Relating to Federal Security Administrator
Section 2663(l) of
"(1) by substituting 'Secretary' or 'Secretary's' for the term 'Administrator' or 'Administrator's', where the reference is to that term alone;
"(2) by substituting 'Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare' for the term 'Federal Security Administrator', where the reference is to that term, if the provision containing such reference is amended by paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (j) [
"(3) by substituting 'Secretary of Health and Human Services' for the term 'Federal Security Administrator' in any other case where the reference is to that term;
and any reference to the Federal Security Agency which may remain in such provisions is amended by substituting 'Department of Health and Human Services' for the term 'Federal Security Agency'; but nothing in this subsection shall affect the exercise under section 402(a)(5) of such Act [
Definitions of "BIPA" and "Secretary"
"In this Act [see Short Title of 2003 Amendments note set out under
"(1) BIPA.—The term 'BIPA' means the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, as enacted into law by section 1(a)(6) of
"(2)
Definition of "Secretary"
Section 110 of
Section 6 of
Section 201 of
Section 304 of title III of
Section 709 of
Section 702 of
Section 119 of act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, as amended Oct. 17, 1979,
Section 114 of title I of act Sept. 1, 1954, as amended Oct. 17, 1979,
§1301–1. Omitted
Codification
Section, act Aug. 10, 1946, ch. 951, title II, §202,
§1301a. Omitted
Codification
Section, act June 26, 1940, ch. 428, title II,
§1302. Rules and regulations; impact analyses of Medicare and Medicaid rules and regulations on small rural hospitals
(a) The Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, respectively, shall make and publish such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this chapter, as may be necessary to the efficient administration of the functions with which each is charged under this chapter.
(b)(1) Whenever the Secretary publishes a general notice of proposed rulemaking for any rule or regulation proposed under subchapter XVIII of this chapter, subchapter XIX of this chapter, or part B of this subchapter that may have a significant impact on the operations of a substantial number of small rural hospitals, the Secretary shall prepare and make available for public comment an initial regulatory impact analysis. Such analysis shall describe the impact of the proposed rule or regulation on such hospitals and shall set forth, with respect to small rural hospitals, the matters required under
(2) Whenever the Secretary promulgates a final version of a rule or regulation with respect to which an initial regulatory impact analysis is required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall prepare a final regulatory impact analysis with respect to the final version of such rule or regulation. Such analysis shall set forth, with respect to small rural hospitals, the matters required under
(3) If a regulatory flexibility analysis is required by
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1102,
References in Text
Part B of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is classified to
Amendments
1987—
1984—
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, substituted "Federal Security Administrator" for "Social Security Board".
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 4402(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Repeals
The provisions of this section were incorporated into sections 1429 and 1609 of former Title 26, Internal Revenue Code of 1939, by act Feb. 10, 1939, ch. 2,
Abortion Services; Prohibition on Certain Policy Changes
Notice on Social Security Checks
"(a) The Secretary of the Treasury shall take such steps as may be necessary to provide that all checks issued for payment of benefits under title II of the Social Security Act [subchapter II of this chapter], and the envelopes in which such checks are mailed, contain a printed notice that the commission of forgery in conjunction with the cashing or attempted cashing of such checks constitutes a violation of Federal law. Such notice shall also state the maximum penalties for forgery under the applicable provisions of
"(b) Subsection (a) shall apply with respect to checks issued for months after the ninth month after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 12, 1984]."
§1303. Separability
If any provision of this chapter, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter, and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1103,
Separability
§1304. Reservation of right to amend or repeal
The right to alter, amend, or repeal any provision of this chapter is hereby reserved to the Congress.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1104,
§1305. Short title of chapter
This chapter may be cited as the "Social Security Act".
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1105,
Short Title of 2010 Amendment
[Section 1 of
Short Title of 2009 Amendment
Short Title of 2008 Amendment
Short Title of 2007 Amendment
Short Title of 2006 Amendment
Short Title of 2005 Amendments
Short Title of 2004 Amendments
Short Title of 2003 Amendments
Short Title of 2002 Amendments
Short Title of 2001 Amendment
Short Title of 2000 Amendments
Short Title of 1999 Amendments
Short Title of 1998 Amendments
Short Title of 1997 Amendment
Short Title of 1996 Amendments
Short Title of 1994 Amendments
Short Title of 1991 Amendment
Short Title of 1989 Amendments
Short Title of 1988 Amendments
Short Title of 1987 Amendment
Short Title of 1986 Amendments
Short Title of 1984 Amendments
Short Title of 1983 Amendment
Short Title of 1982 Amendment
Short Title of 1981 Amendment
Short Title of 1980 Amendments
Short Title of 1977 Amendments
Short Title of 1976 Amendment
Short Title of 1975 Amendment
Short Title of 1972 Amendment
Short Title of 1969 Amendment
Short Title of 1968 Amendment
Short Title of 1965 Amendment
Short Title of 1963 Amendment
Short Title of 1962 Amendment
Short Title of 1961 Amendment
Short Title of 1960 Amendment
Short Title of 1958 Amendment
Short Title of 1956 Amendment
Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, §1,
Short Title of 1954 Amendment
Act Aug. 5, 1954, ch. 657, §1,
Short Title of 1952 Amendment
Act July 18, 1952, ch. 945, §1,
Short Title of 1950 Amendment
Act Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, §1,
§1306. Disclosure of information in possession of Social Security Administration or Department of Health and Human Services
(a) Disclosure prohibited; exceptions
(1) No disclosure of any return or portion of a return (including information returns and other written statements) filed with the Commissioner of Internal Revenue under title VIII of the Social Security Act or under subchapter E of
(2) For purposes of this subsection and subsection (b) of this section, the term "applicable agency" means—
(A) the Social Security Administration, with respect to matter transmitted to or obtained by such Administration or matter disclosed by such Administration, or
(B) the Department of Health and Human Services, with respect to matter transmitted to or obtained by such Department or matter disclosed by such Department.
(b) Requests for information and services
Requests for information, disclosure of which is authorized by regulations prescribed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, and requests for services, may, subject to such limitations as may be prescribed by the head of the applicable agency to avoid undue interference with his functions under this chapter, be complied with if the agency, person, or organization making the request agrees to pay for the information or services requested in such amount, if any (not exceeding the cost of furnishing the information or services), as may be determined by the head of the applicable agency. Payments for information or services furnished pursuant to this section shall be made in advance or by way of reimbursement, as may be requested by the head of the applicable agency, and shall be deposited in the Treasury as a special deposit to be used to reimburse the appropriations (including authorizations to make expenditures from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund) for the unit or units of the applicable agency which furnished the information or services. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subsection, requests for information made pursuant to the provisions of part D of subchapter IV of this chapter for the purpose of using Federal records for locating parents shall be complied with and the cost incurred in providing such information shall be paid for as provided in such part D of subchapter IV of this chapter.
(c) Cost reimbursement
Notwithstanding
(d) Compliance with requests
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, in any case in which—
(1) information regarding whether an individual is shown on the records of the Commissioner of Social Security as being alive or deceased is requested from the Commissioner for purposes of epidemiological or similar research which the Commissioner in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services finds may reasonably be expected to contribute to a national health interest, and
(2) the requester agrees to reimburse the Commissioner for providing such information and to comply with limitations on safeguarding and rerelease or redisclosure of such information as may be specified by the Commissioner,
the Commissioner shall comply with such request, except to the extent that compliance with such request would constitute a violation of the terms of any contract entered into under
(e) Public inspection
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section the Secretary shall make available to each State agency operating a program under subchapter XIX of this chapter and shall, subject to the limitations contained in subsection (e) 1 of this section, make available for public inspection in readily accessible form and fashion, the following official reports (not including, however, references to any internal tolerance rules and practices that may be contained therein, internal working papers or other informal memoranda) dealing with the operation of the health programs established by subchapters XVIII and XIX of this chapter—
(1) individual contractor performance reviews and other formal evaluations of the performance of carriers, intermediaries, and State agencies, including the reports of follow-up reviews;
(2) comparative evaluations of the performance of such contractors, including comparisons of either overall performance or of any particular aspect of contractor operation; and
(3) program validation survey reports and other formal evaluations of the performance of providers of services, including the reports of follow-up reviews, except that such reports shall not identify individual patients, individual health care practitioners, or other individuals.
(f) Opportunity for review
No report described in subsection (e) of this section shall be made public by the Secretary or the State subchapter XIX agency until the contractor or provider of services whose performance is being evaluated has had a reasonable opportunity (not exceeding 60 days) to review such report and to offer comments pertinent parts of which may be incorporated in the public report; nor shall the Secretary be required to include in any such report information with respect to any deficiency (or improper practice or procedures) which is known by the Secretary to have been fully corrected, within 60 days of the date such deficiency was first brought to the attention of such contractor or provider of services, as the case may be.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1106, as added Aug. 10, 1939, ch. 666, title VIII, §802,
References in Text
Title VIII of the Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), probably refers to former title VIII of the Act, which was classified to subchapter VIII (§1001 et seq.) of this chapter prior to its omission from the Code as superseded by the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Subchapter E of
For provision deeming a reference in other laws to a provision of the 1939 Code as a reference to the corresponding provisions of the 1986 Code, see section 7852(b) of the 1986 Code. For table of comparisons of the 1939 Code to the 1986 Code, see table preceding
Part D of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (b), is classified to
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
1984—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1981—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
1975—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
1972—Subsecs. (d), (e).
1968—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A), (B).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
1965—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
1958—Subsec. (b).
1950—Act Aug. 28, 1950, amended section generally, designating existing provisions as subsec. (a), substituting "under subchapter E of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 108(b)(2)–(5) of
Amendment by section 311(a) of
Section 313(c) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 249C(b) of
1 So in original. Probably should be subsection "(f)".
§1306a. Public access to State disbursement records
No State or any agency or political subdivision thereof shall be deprived of any grant-in-aid or other payment to which it otherwise is or has become entitled pursuant to subchapter I (other than section 303(a)(3) thereof), IV, X, XIV, or XVI (other than section 1383(a)(3) thereof) of this chapter, by reason of the enactment or enforcement by such State of any legislation prescribing any conditions under which public access may be had to records of the disbursement of any such funds or payments within such State, if such legislation prohibits the use of any list or names obtained through such access to such records for commercial or political purposes.
(Oct. 20, 1951, ch. 521, title VI, §618,
References in Text
Section 303(a)(3), referred to in text, was repealed by
Section 1383(a)(3), referred to in text, was in the original a reference to section 1603(a)(3) of the Social Security Act as added July 25, 1962,
Codification
Section was enacted as part of act Oct. 20, 1951, popularly known as the Revenue Act of 1951, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Amendments
1962—
1960—
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Section 603(b) of
§1306b. State data exchanges
Whenever the Commissioner of Social Security requests information from a State for the purpose of ascertaining an individual's eligibility for benefits (or the correct amount of such benefits) under subchapter II or XVI of this chapter, the standards of the Commissioner promulgated pursuant to
(
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
§1307. Penalty for fraud
(a) Whoever, with the intent to defraud any person, shall make or cause to be made any false representation concerning the requirements of this chapter, of
(b) Whoever, with the intent to elicit information as to the social security account number, date of birth, employment, wages, or benefits of any individual (1) falsely represents to the Commissioner of Social Security or the Secretary that he is such individual, or the wife, husband, widow, widower, divorced wife, divorced husband, surviving divorced wife, surviving divorced husband, surviving divorced mother, surviving divorced father, child, or parent of such individual, or the duly authorized agent of such individual, or of the wife, husband, widow, widower, divorced wife, divorced husband, surviving divorced wife, surviving divorced husband, surviving divorced mother, surviving divorced father, child, or parent of such individual, or (2) falsely represents to any person that he is an employee or agent of the United States, shall be deemed guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $10,000 for each occurrence of a violation, or by imprisonment not exceeding 5 years, or both.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1107, as added Aug. 10, 1939, ch. 666, title VIII, §802,
References in Text
Subchapter E of
For provision deeming a reference in other laws to a provision of the 1939 Code as a reference to the corresponding provisions of the 1986 Code, see section 7852(b) of the 1986 Code. For table of comparisons of the 1939 Code to the 1986 Code, see table preceding
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (b).
1986—Subsec. (a).
1984—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1950—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §403(e), substituted "subchapter E of
Subsec. (b). Act Aug. 28, 1950, §403(f), substituted "Administrator" for "Board" and "wife, husband, widow, widower, former wife divorced, child, or parent" for "wife, parent, or child" wherever appearing.
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 108(b)(6) of
Amendment by section 313(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section §2663(e)(2)(B) of
Amendment by section 2663(e)(3), (j)(2)(D)(iii), (l)(1) of
§1308. Additional grants to Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa; limitation on total payments
(a) Limitation on total payments to each territory
(1) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter (except for paragraph (2) of this subsection), the total amount certified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under subchapters I, X, XIV, and XVI of this chapter, under parts A and E of subchapter IV of this chapter, and under subsection (b) of this section, for payment to any territory for a fiscal year shall not exceed the ceiling amount for the territory for the fiscal year.
(2) Certain payments disregarded
Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be applied without regard to any payment made under
(b) Entitlement to matching grant
(1) In general
Each territory shall be entitled to receive from the Secretary for each fiscal year a grant in an amount equal to 75 percent of the amount (if any) by which—
(A) the total expenditures of the territory during the fiscal year under the territory programs funded under parts A and E of subchapter IV of this chapter, including any amount paid to the State under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter that is transferred in accordance with
(B) the sum of—
(i) the amount of the family assistance grant payable to the territory without regard to
(ii) the total amount expended by the territory during fiscal year 1995 pursuant to parts A and F of subchapter IV of this chapter (as so in effect), other than for child care.
(2) Appropriation
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated for fiscal years 1997 through 2003, such sums as are necessary for grants under this paragraph.
(c) Definitions
As used in this section:
(1) Territory
The term "territory" means Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.
(2) Ceiling amount
The term "ceiling amount" means, with respect to a territory and a fiscal year, the mandatory ceiling amount with respect to the territory, reduced for the fiscal year in accordance with subsection (e) 1 of this section, and reduced by the amount of any penalty imposed on the territory under any provision of law specified in subsection (a) of this section during the fiscal year.
(3) Family assistance grant
The term "family assistance grant" has the meaning given such term by
(4) Mandatory ceiling amount
The term "mandatory ceiling amount" means—
(A) $107,255,000 with respect to Puerto Rico;
(B) $4,686,000 with respect to Guam;
(C) $3,554,000 with respect to the Virgin Islands; and
(D) $1,000,000 with respect to American Samoa.
(5) Total amount expended by the territory
The term "total amount expended by the territory"—
(A) does not include expenditures during the fiscal year from amounts made available by the Federal Government; and
(B) when used with respect to fiscal year 1995, also does not include—
(i) expenditures during fiscal year 1995 under subsection (g) or (i) of
(ii) any expenditures during fiscal year 1995 for which the territory (but for this section, as in effect on September 30, 1995) would have received reimbursement from the Federal Government.
(d) Authority to transfer funds to certain programs
A territory to which an amount is paid under subsection (b) of this section may use the amount in accordance with
(e) Repealed. Pub. L. 105–33, title V, §5512(c), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 619
(f) Total amount certified under subchapter XIX
Subject to subsection (g) of this section and
(1) Puerto Rico shall not exceed (A) $116,500,000 for fiscal year 1994 and (B) for each succeeding fiscal year the amount provided in this paragraph for the preceding fiscal year increased by the percentage increase in the medical care component of the consumer price index for all urban consumers (as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics) for the twelve-month period ending in March preceding the beginning of the fiscal year, rounded to the nearest $100,000;
(2) the Virgin Islands shall not exceed (A) $3,837,500 for fiscal year 1994, and (B) for each succeeding fiscal year the amount provided in this paragraph for the preceding fiscal year increased by the percentage increase referred to in paragraph (1)(B), rounded to the nearest $10,000;
(3) Guam shall not exceed (A) $3,685,000 for fiscal year 1994, and (B) for each succeeding fiscal year the amount provided in this paragraph for the preceding fiscal year increased by the percentage increase referred to in paragraph (1)(B), rounded to the nearest $10,000;
(4) Northern Mariana Islands shall not exceed (A) $1,110,000 for fiscal year 1994, and (B) for each succeeding fiscal year the amount provided in this paragraph for the preceding fiscal year increased by the percentage increase referred to in paragraph (1)(B), rounded to the nearest $10,000; and
(5) American Samoa shall not exceed (A) $2,140,000 for fiscal year 1994, and (B) for each succeeding fiscal year the amount provided in this paragraph for the preceding fiscal year increased by the percentage increase referred to in paragraph (1)(B), rounded to the nearest $10,000.
(g) Medicaid payments to territories for fiscal year 1998 and thereafter
(1) Fiscal year 1998
With respect to fiscal year 1998, the amounts otherwise determined for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa under subsection (f) of this section for such fiscal year shall be increased by the following amounts:
(A) For Puerto Rico, $30,000,000.
(B) For the Virgin Islands, $750,000.
(C) For Guam, $750,000.
(D) For the Northern Mariana Islands, $500,000.
(E) For American Samoa, $500,000.
(2) Fiscal year 1999 and thereafter
Notwithstanding subsection (f) of this section and subject to and
(A) Puerto Rico shall not exceed the sum of the amount provided in this subsection for the preceding fiscal year increased by the percentage increase in the medical care component of the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics) for the 12-month period ending in March preceding the beginning of the fiscal year, rounded to the nearest $100,000;
(B) the Virgin Islands shall not exceed the sum of the amount provided in this subsection for the preceding fiscal year increased by the percentage increase referred to in subparagraph (A), rounded to the nearest $10,000;
(C) Guam shall not exceed the sum of the amount provided in this subsection for the preceding fiscal year increased by the percentage increase referred to in subparagraph (A), rounded to the nearest $10,000;
(D) the Northern Mariana Islands shall not exceed the sum of the amount provided in this subsection for the preceding fiscal year increased by the percentage increase referred to in subparagraph (A), rounded to the nearest $10,000; and
(E) American Samoa shall not exceed the sum of the amount provided in this subsection for the preceding fiscal year increased by the percentage increase referred to in subparagraph (A), rounded to the nearest $10,000.
(3) Fiscal years 2006 and 2007 for certain insular areas
The amounts otherwise determined under this subsection for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa for fiscal year 2006 and fiscal year 2007 shall be increased by the following amounts:
(A) For Puerto Rico, $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2006 and $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
(B) For the Virgin Islands, $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2006 and $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
(C) For Guam, $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2006 and $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
(D) For the Northern Mariana Islands, $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2006 and $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
(E) For American Samoa, $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2006 and $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
Such amounts shall not be taken into account in applying paragraph (2) for fiscal year 2007 but shall be taken into account in applying such paragraph for fiscal year 2008 and subsequent fiscal years.
(4) Exclusion of certain expenditures from payment limits
With respect to fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 2009, if Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa qualify for a payment under subparagraph (A)(i), (B), or (F) of
(5) Additional increase
The Secretary shall increase the amounts otherwise determined under this subsection for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa (after the application of subsection (f) and the preceding paragraphs of this subsection) for the period beginning July 1, 2011, and ending on September 30, 2019, by such amounts that the total additional payments under subchapter XIX to such territories equals $6,300,000,000 for such period. The Secretary shall increase such amounts in proportion to the amounts applicable to such territories under this subsection and subsection (f) on March 30, 2010.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1108, as added Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title III, pt. 6, §361(g),
References in Text
Parts A and E of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b)(1), are classified to sections 601 et seq. and 670 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Part F of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(B)(ii), was classified to
Subsection (e) of this section, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), was repealed by
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (g)(4).
Subsec. (g)(4)(B).
Subsec. (g)(5).
2009—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (g)(4).
2006—Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (g)(3).
2003—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (f).
1997—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e).
"(1) the total amount expended by the territory under all programs of the territory operated pursuant to the provisions of law specified in subsection (a) of this section (as such provisions were in effect for fiscal year 1995) for fiscal year 1995; exceeds
"(2) the total amount expended by the territory under all programs of the territory that are funded under the provisions of law specified in subsection (a) of this section for the fiscal year that immediately precedes the fiscal year referred to in the matter preceding paragraph (1)."
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
1996—
Subsecs. (a), (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsecs. (d), (e).
Subsec. (f).
1993—Subsec. (c)(1) to (5).
"(1) Puerto Rico shall not exceed (A) $73,400,000 for fiscal year 1988, (B) $76,200,000 for fiscal year 1989, and (C) $79,000,000 for fiscal year 1990 (and each succeeding fiscal year);
"(2) the Virgin Islands shall not exceed (A) $2,430,000 for fiscal year 1988, (B) $2,515,000 for fiscal year 1989, and (C) $2,600,000 for fiscal year 1990 (and each succeeding fiscal year);
"(3) Guam shall not exceed (A) $2,320,000 for fiscal year 1988, (B) $2,410,000 for fiscal year 1989, and (C) $2,500,000 for fiscal year 1990 (and each succeeding fiscal year);
"(4) the Northern Mariana Islands shall not exceed (A) $636,700 for fiscal year 1988, (B) $693,350 for fiscal year 1989, and (C) $750,000 for fiscal year 1990 (and each succeeding fiscal year); and
"(5) American Samoa shall not exceed (A) $1,330,000 for fiscal year 1988, (B) $1,390,000 for fiscal year 1989, and (C) $1,450,000 for fiscal year 1990 (and each succeeding fiscal year)."
1988—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F), (G).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F), (G).
Subsec. (a)(3)(F), (G).
Subsec. (b).
Subsecs. (d), (e).
1987—Subsec. (c).
"(1) Puerto Rico shall not exceed $63,400,000;
"(2) the Virgin Islands shall not exceed $2,100,000;
"(3) Guam shall not exceed $2,000,000;
"(4) the Northern Mariana Islands shall not exceed $550,000; and
"(5) American Samoa shall not exceed $1,150,000."
1984—Subsec. (c).
1982—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c)(5).
1981—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
1980—Subsec. (a).
1978—Subsec. (a)(1)(E).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F).
Subsec. (a)(3)(E).
Subsec. (a)(3)(F).
1975—Subsec. (a).
1972—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d).
1968—
1965—
1962—
1961—
1960—
1958—
1956—Act Aug. 1, 1956, substituted "$5,312,500" for "$4,250,000", and "$200,000" for "$160,000".
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13641(b) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by section 202(c)(2), (3) of
Amendment by section 601(b), (c)(2) of
Section 602(b) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 4111(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2365(b) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by section 136(b) of
Amendment by section 160(a) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 2162(b)(2) of
For effective date, savings, and transitional provisions relating to amendment by section 2193(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 2353(f) of
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 271(c) of
Amendment by section 272(b) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Section 248(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Amendment by section 208(a)(2)
Section 408(b) of
Effective Date of 1962 Amendment
Section 151 of
Effective and Termination Dates of 1961 Amendments
Section 132(d) of
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
For effective date of amendments made by sections 507 and 508 of
Effective Date of 1956 Amendment
Section 351(d) of act Aug. 1, 1956, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
Repeals: Effective Date
Section 132(d) of
Limitation on Payments: Effective Date
Section 132(d) of
Construction of 2010 Amendment
Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding
1 See References in Text note below.
§1309. Amounts disregarded not to be taken into account in determining eligibility of other individuals
Any amount which is disregarded (or set aside for future needs) in determining the eligibility of and amount of the aid or assistance for any individual under a State plan approved under subchapter I, X, XIV, XVI, or XIX of this chapter,1 shall not be taken into consideration in determining the eligibility of and amount of aid or assistance for any other individual under a State plan approved under any other of such subchapters.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1109, as added July 18, 1952, ch. 945, §7,
Amendments
1996—
1968—
1965—
1962—
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
1 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
§1310. Cooperative research or demonstration projects
(a) In general
(1) There are hereby authorized to be appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1957, $5,000,000 and for each fiscal year thereafter such sums as the Congress may determine for (A) making grants to States and public and other organizations and agencies for paying part of the cost of research or demonstration projects such as those relating to the prevention and reduction of dependency, or which will aid in effecting coordination of planning between private and public welfare agencies or which will help improve the administration and effectiveness of programs carried on or assisted under this chapter and programs related thereto, and (B) making contracts or jointly financed cooperative arrangements with States and public and other organizations and agencies for the conduct of research or demonstration projects relating to such matters.
(2) No contract or jointly financed cooperative arrangement shall be entered into, and no grant shall be made, under paragraph (1), until the Secretary (or the Commissioner, with respect to any jointly financed cooperative agreement or grant concerning subchapters II or XVI of this chapter) obtains the advice and recommendations of specialists who are competent to evaluate the proposed projects as to soundness of their design, the possibilities of securing productive results, the adequacy of resources to conduct the proposed research or demonstrations, and their relationship to other similar research or demonstrations already completed or in process.
(3) Grants and payments under contracts or cooperative arrangements under paragraph (1) may be made either in advance or by way of reimbursement, as may be determined by the Secretary (or the Commissioner, with respect to any jointly financed cooperative agreement or grant concerning subchapter II or XVI of this chapter); and shall be made in such installments and on such conditions as the Secretary (or the Commissioner, as applicable) finds necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection.
(b) Limitations and costs
(1) The Commissioner is authorized to waive any of the requirements, conditions, or limitations of subchapter XVI of this chapter (or to waive them only for specified purposes, or to impose additional requirements, conditions, or limitations) to such extent and for such period as the Commissioner finds necessary to carry out one or more experimental, pilot, or demonstration projects which, in the Commissioner's judgment, are likely to assist in promoting the objectives or facilitate the administration of such subchapter. Any costs for benefits under or administration of any such project (including planning for the project and the review and evaluation of the project and its results), in excess of those that would have been incurred without regard to the project, shall be met by the Commissioner from amounts available to the Commissioner for this purpose from appropriations made to carry out such subchapter. The costs of any such project which is carried out in coordination with one or more related projects under other subchapters of this chapter shall be allocated among the appropriations available for such projects and any Trust Funds involved, in a manner determined by the Commissioner with respect to the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance programs under subchapter II of this chapter and the supplemental security income program under subchapter XVI of this chapter, and by the Secretary with respect to other subchapters of this chapter, taking into consideration the programs (or types of benefit) to which the project (or part of a project) is most closely related or which the project (or part of a project) is intended to benefit. If, in order to carry out a project under this subsection, the Commissioner requests a State to make supplementary payments (or the Commissioner makes them pursuant to an agreement under
(2) With respect to the participation of recipients of supplemental security income benefits in experimental, pilot, or demonstration projects under this subsection—
(A) the Commissioner is not authorized to carry out any project that would result in a substantial reduction in any individual's total income and resources as a result of his or her participation in the project;
(B) the Commissioner may not require any individual to participate in a project; and the Commissioner shall assure (i) that the voluntary participation of individuals in any project is obtained through informed written consent which satisfies the requirements for informed consent established by the Commissioner for use in any experimental, pilot, or demonstration project in which human subjects are at risk, and (ii) that any individual's voluntary agreement to participate in any project may be revoked by such individual at any time;
(C) the Commissioner shall, to the extent feasible and appropriate, include recipients who are under age 18 as well as adult recipients; and
(D) the Commissioner shall include in the projects carried out under this section such experimental, pilot, or demonstration projects as may be necessary to ascertain the feasibility of treating alcoholics and drug addicts to prevent the onset of irreversible medical conditions which may result in permanent disability, including programs in residential care treatment centers.
(c) Survey of use of payments
(1) In addition to the amount otherwise appropriated in any other law to carry out subsection (a) of this section for fiscal year 2004, up to $8,500,000 is authorized and appropriated and shall be used by the Commissioner of Social Security under this subsection for purposes of conducting a statistically valid survey to determine how payments made to individuals, organizations, and State or local government agencies that are representative payees for benefits paid under subchapter II or XVI of this chapter are being managed and used on behalf of the beneficiaries for whom such benefits are paid.
(2) Not later than 18 months after March 2, 2004, the Commissioner of Social Security shall submit a report on the survey conducted in accordance with paragraph (1) to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1110, as added Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, title III, §331,
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (c).
1999—Subsec. (a)(3).
1997—Subsec. (a)(3).
1994—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
1986—Subsec. (b)(3).
1984—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
1980—
1968—Subsec. (a).
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2331(c) of
Vocational Rehabilitation Demonstration Projects
Final Report Covering All Experiments and Demonstration Projects
Section 505(c) of
Authority for Demonstration Projects; Report to Congress
Section 505(a)(1)–(4) of
§1311. Public assistance payments to legal representatives
For purposes of subchapters I, X, XIV, and XVI of this chapter, and part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, payments on behalf of an individual, made to another person who has been judicially appointed, under the law of the State in which such individual resides, as legal representative of such individual for the purpose of receiving and managing such payments (whether or not he is such individual's legal representative for other purposes), shall be regarded as money payments to such individual.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1111, as added
References in Text
Part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in text, is classified to
Amendments
1968—
1962—
Effective Date
Section 511(b) of
§1312. Medical care guides and reports for public assistance and medical assistance
In order to assist the States to extend the scope and content, and improve the quality, of medical care and medical services for which payments are made to or on behalf of needy and low-income individuals under this chapter and in order to promote better public understanding about medical care and medical assistance for needy and low-income individuals, the Secretary shall develop and revise from time to time guides or recommended standards as to the level, content, and quality of medical care and medical services for the use of the States in evaluating and improving their public assistance medical care programs and their programs of medical assistance; shall secure periodic reports from the States on items included in, and the quantity of, medical care and medical services for which expenditures under such programs are made; and shall from time to time publish data secured from these reports and other information necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1112, as added
Amendments
1965—
§1313. Assistance for United States citizens returned from foreign countries
(a) Authorization; reimbursement; utilization of facilities of public or private agencies and organizations
(1) The Secretary is authorized to provide temporary assistance to citizens of the United States and to dependents of citizens of the United States, if they (A) are identified by the Department of State as having returned, or been brought, from a foreign country to the United States because of the destitution of the citizen of the United States or the illness of such citizen or any of his dependents or because of war, threat of war, invasion, or similar crisis, and (B) are without available resources.
(2) Except in such cases or classes of cases as are set forth in regulations of the Secretary, provision shall be made for reimbursement to the United States by the recipients of the temporary assistance to cover the cost thereof.
(3) The Secretary may provide assistance under paragraph (1) directly or through utilization of the services and facilities of appropriate public or private agencies and organizations, in accordance with agreements providing for payment, in advance or by way of reimbursement, as may be determined by the Secretary, of the cost thereof. Such cost shall be determined by such statistical, sampling, or other method as may be provided in the agreement.
(b) Plans and arrangements for assistance; consultations
The Secretary is authorized to develop plans and make arrangements for provision of temporary assistance within the United States to individuals specified in subsection (a)(1) of this section. Such plans shall be developed and such arrangements shall be made after consultation with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Defense. To the extent feasible, assistance provided under subsection (a) of this section shall be provided in accordance with the plans developed pursuant to this subsection, as modified from time to time by the Secretary.
(c) "Temporary assistance" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "temporary assistance" means money payments, medical care, temporary billeting, transportation, and other goods and services necessary for the health or welfare of individuals (including guidance, counseling, and other welfare services) furnished to them within the United States upon their arrival in the United States and for such period after their arrival, not exceeding ninety days, as may be provided in regulations of the Secretary; except that assistance under this section may be furnished beyond such ninety-day period in the case of any citizen or dependent upon a finding by the Secretary that the circumstances involved necessitate or justify the furnishing of assistance beyond such period in that particular case.
(d) Maximum total amount of temporary assistance
The total amount of temporary assistance provided under this section shall not exceed $1,000,000 during any fiscal year beginning after September 30, 2009, except that, in the case of fiscal year 2010, the total amount of such assistance provided during that fiscal year shall not exceed $25,000,000.
(e) Authority of Secretary to accept gifts
(1) The Secretary may accept on behalf of the United States gifts, in cash or in kind, for use in carrying out the program established under this section. Gifts in the form of cash shall be credited to the appropriation account from which this program is funded, in addition to amounts otherwise appropriated, and shall remain available until expended.
(2) Gifts accepted under paragraph (1) shall be available for obligation or other use by the United States only to the extent and in the amounts provided in appropriation Acts.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1113, as added
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (d).
2006—Subsec. (d).
2003—Subsec. (d).
1990—Subsec. (d).
"(1) $8,000,000 during the fiscal years ending June 30, 1975, and June 30, 1976, and the succeeding calendar quarter, or
"(2) $300,000 during any fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 1976."
Subsec. (e).
1975—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
1971—Subsec. (d).
1969—Subsec. (d).
1968—Subsec. (d).
1967—Subsec. (d).
1964—Subsec. (d).
1962—Subsec. (d).
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 5056(b) of
§1314. Public advisory groups
(a) Advisory Council on Public Welfare; appointment and functions of initial Council
The Secretary shall, during 1964, appoint an Advisory Council on Public Welfare for the purpose of reviewing the administration of the public assistance and child welfare services programs for which funds are appropriated pursuant to this chapter and making recommendations for improvement of such administration, and reviewing the status of and making recommendations with respect to the public assistance programs for which funds are so appropriated, especially in relation to the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program, with respect to the fiscal capacities of the States and the Federal Government, and with respect to any other matters bearing on the amount and proportion of the Federal and State shares in the public assistance and child welfare services programs.
(b) Membership and representation of interests on initial Council
The Council shall be appointed by the Secretary without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service and shall consist of twelve persons who shall, to the extent possible, be representatives of employers and employees in equal numbers, representatives of State or Federal agencies concerned with the administration or financing of the public assistance and child welfare services programs, representatives of nonprofit private organizations concerned with social welfare programs, other persons with special knowledge, experience, or qualifications with respect to such programs, and members of the public.
(c) Technical and other assistance for initial Council; availability of data
The Council is authorized to engage such technical assistance as may be required to carry out its functions, and the Secretary shall, in addition, make available to the Council such secretarial, clerical, and other assistance and such pertinent data prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services as it may require to carry out such functions.
(d) Termination of initial Council's existence on submission of report
The Council shall make a report of its findings and recommendations (including recommendations for changes in the provisions of this chapter) to the Secretary, such report to be submitted not later than July 1, 1966, after which date such Council shall cease to exist.
(e) Succeeding Councils; appointment; functions; membership; representation of interests; assistance and data; termination
The Secretary shall also from time to time thereafter appoint an Advisory Council on Public Welfare, with the same functions and constituted in the same manner as prescribed for the Advisory Council in the preceding subsections of this section. Each Council so appointed shall report its findings and recommendations, as prescribed in subsection (d) of this section, not later than July 1 of the second year after the year in which it is appointed, after which date such Council shall cease to exist.
(f) Advisory committees; functions; reports by Secretary
The Secretary may also appoint, without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service, such advisory committees as he may deem advisable to advise and consult with him in carrying out any of his functions under this chapter. The Secretary shall report to the Congress annually on the number of such committees and on the membership and activities of each such committee.
(g) Compensation and travel expenses
Members of the Council or of any advisory committee appointed under this section who are not regular full-time employees of the United States shall, while serving on business of the Council or any such committee, be entitled to receive compensation at rates fixed by the Secretary, but not exceeding $75 per day, including travel time; and while so serving away from their homes or regular places of business, they may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by
(h) Exemption from conflict of interest laws of members of Council or advisory committees; exceptions
(1) Any member of the Council or any advisory committee appointed under this chapter, who is not a regular full-time employee of the United States, is hereby exempted, with respect to such appointment, from the operation of
(2) The exemption granted by paragraph (1) shall not extend—
(A) to the receipt or payment of salary in connection with the appointee's Government service from any source other than the employer of the appointee at the time of his appointment, or
(B) during the period of such appointment, to the prosecution or participation in the prosecution, by any person so appointed, of any claim against the Government involving any matter with which such person, during such period, is or was directly connected by reason of such appointment.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1114, as added
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (i).
2000—Subsec. (i).
1984—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h)(1).
1968—Subsecs. (b), (f).
Subsec. (g).
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
"(1) a review of any national or local coverage determination filed,
"(2) a request to make such a determination made, and
"(3) a national coverage determination made,
on or after October 1, 2001."
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Termination of Advisory Committees
Advisory committees in existence on Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period following Jan. 5, 1973, unless, in the case of a committee established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such committee is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a committee established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. Advisory committees established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a committee established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such committee is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a committee established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. See section 14 of
§1314a. Measurement and reporting of welfare receipt
(a) Congressional policy
The Congress hereby declares that—
(1) it is the policy and responsibility of the Federal Government to reduce the rate at which and the degree to which families depend on income from welfare programs and the duration of welfare receipt, consistent with other essential national goals;
(2) it is the policy of the United States to strengthen families, to ensure that children grow up in families that are economically self-sufficient and that the life prospects of children are improved, and to underscore the responsibility of parents to support their children;
(3) the Federal Government should help welfare recipients as well as individuals at risk of welfare receipt to improve their education and job skills, to obtain child care and other necessary support services, and to take such other steps as may be necessary to assist them to become financially independent; and
(4) it is the purpose of this section to provide the public with generally accepted measures of welfare receipt so that it can track such receipt over time and determine whether progress is being made in reducing the rate at which and, to the extent feasible, the degree to which, families depend on income from welfare programs and the duration of welfare receipt.
(b) Development of welfare indicators and predictors
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the "Secretary") in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture shall—
(1) develop—
(A) indicators of the rate at which and, to the extent feasible, the degree to which, families depend on income from welfare programs and the duration of welfare receipt; and
(B) predictors of welfare receipt;
(2) assess the data needed to report annually on the indicators and predictors, including the ability of existing data collection efforts to provide such data and any additional data collection needs; and
(3) not later than 2 years after October 31, 1994, provide an interim report containing conclusions resulting from the development and assessment described in paragraphs (1) and (2), to—
(A) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives;
(B) the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives;
(C) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives;
(D) the Committee on Commerce of the House of Representatives;
(E) the Committee on Finance of the Senate;
(F) the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate; and
(G) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.
(c) Advisory Board on Welfare Indicators
(1) Establishment
There is established an Advisory Board on Welfare Indicators (in this subsection referred to as the "Board").
(2) Composition
The Board shall be composed of 12 members with equal numbers to be appointed by the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the President. The Board shall be composed of experts in the fields of welfare research and welfare statistical methodology, representatives of State and local welfare agencies, and organizations concerned with welfare issues.
(3) Vacancies
Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the position being vacated. The vacancy shall not affect the power of the remaining members to execute the duties of the Board.
(4) Duties
Duties of the Board shall include—
(A) providing advice and recommendations to the Secretary on the development of indicators of the rate at which and, to the extent feasible, the degree to which, families depend on income from welfare programs and the duration of welfare receipt; and
(B) providing advice on the development and presentation of annual reports required under subsection (d) of this section.
(5) Travel expenses
Members of the Board shall not be compensated, but shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of
(6) Detail of Federal employees
The Secretary shall detail, without reimbursement, any of the personnel of the Department of Health and Human Services to the Board to assist the Board in carrying out its duties. Any detail shall not interrupt or otherwise affect the civil service status or privileges of the Federal employee.
(7) Voluntary service
Notwithstanding
(8) Termination of Board
The Board shall be terminated at such time as the Secretary determines the duties described in paragraph (4) have been completed, but in any case prior to the submission of the first report required under subsection (d) of this section.
(d) Annual welfare indicators report
(1) Preparation
The Secretary shall prepare annual reports on welfare receipt in the United States.
(2) Coverage
The report shall include analysis of families and individuals receiving assistance under means-tested benefit programs, including the program of aid to families with dependent children under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (
(3) Contents
Each report shall set forth for each of the means-tested benefit programs described in paragraph (2)—
(A) indicators of—
(i) the rate at which and, to the extent feasible, the degree to which, families depend on income from welfare programs, and
(ii) the duration of welfare receipt;
(B) trends in indicators;
(C) predictors of welfare receipt;
(D) the causes of welfare receipt;
(E) patterns of multiple program receipt;
(F) such other information as the Secretary deems relevant; and
(G) such recommendations for legislation, which shall not include proposals to reduce eligibility levels or impose barriers to program access, as the Secretary may determine to be necessary or desirable to reduce—
(i) the rate at which and the degree to which families depend on income from welfare programs, and
(ii) the duration of welfare receipt.
(4) Submission
The Secretary shall submit such a report not later than 3 years after October 31, 1994, and annually thereafter, to the committees specified in subsection (b)(3) of this section. Each such report shall be transmitted during the first 60 days of each regular session of Congress.
(e) Short title
This section may be cited as the "Welfare Indicators Act of 1994".
(
References in Text
Part A of subchapter IV of this chapter and subchapter XVI of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (d)(2), are classified to section 601 et seq. and section 1381 et seq., respectively, of this title.
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (d)(2), is
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1994, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (d)(2).
1998—Subsec. (b)(3)(D).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Change of Name
Committee on Commerce of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives, and jurisdiction over matters relating to securities and exchanges and insurance generally transferred to Committee on Financial Services of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Seventh Congress, Jan. 3, 2001.
Committee on Labor and Human Resources of Senate changed to Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of Senate by Senate Resolution No. 20, One Hundred Sixth Congress, Jan. 19, 1999.
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by section 4002(b)(1)(A), (B), (2)(X) of
§1315. Demonstration projects
(a) Waiver of State plan requirements; costs regarded as State plan expenditures; availability of appropriations
In the case of any experimental, pilot, or demonstration project which, in the judgment of the Secretary, is likely to assist in promoting the objectives of subchapter I, X, XIV, XVI, or XIX of this chapter, or part A or D of subchapter IV of this chapter, in a State or States—
(1) the Secretary may waive compliance with any of the requirements of
(2)(A) costs of such project which would not otherwise be included as expenditures under
(B) costs of such project which would not otherwise be a permissible use of funds under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter and which are not included as part of the costs of projects under
In addition, not to exceed $4,000,000 of the aggregate amount appropriated for payments to States under such subchapters for any fiscal year beginning after June 30, 1967, shall be available, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary may establish, for payments to States to cover so much of the cost of such projects as is not covered by payments under such subchapters and is not included as part of the cost of projects for purposes of
(b) Child support enforcement programs
In the case of any experimental, pilot, or demonstration project undertaken under subsection (a) of this section to assist in promoting the objectives of part D of subchapter IV of this chapter, the project—
(1) must be designed to improve the financial well-being of children or otherwise improve the operation of the child support program;
(2) may not permit modifications in the child support program which would have the effect of disadvantaging children in need of support; and
(3) must not result in increased cost to the Federal Government under part A of such subchapter.
(c) Demonstration projects to test alternative definitions of unemployment
(1)(A) The Secretary shall enter into agreements with up to 8 States submitting applications under this subsection for the purpose of conducting demonstration projects in such States to test and evaluate the use, with respect to individuals who received aid under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter in the preceding month (on the basis of the unemployment of the parent who is the principal earner), of a number greater than 100 for the number of hours per month that such individuals may work and still be considered to be unemployed for purposes of
(B) If any State with an agreement under this subsection so requests, the demonstration project conducted pursuant to such agreement may test and evaluate the complete elimination of the 100-hour rule and of any other durational standard that might be applied in defining unemployment for purposes of determining eligibility under
(2) Notwithstanding
(3) An agreement under this subsection shall be entered into between the Secretary and the State agency designated under
(4) A demonstration project under this subsection may be commenced any time after September 30, 1990, and shall be conducted for such period of time as the agreement with the Secretary may provide; except that, in no event may a demonstration project under this section be conducted after September 30, 1995.
(5)(A) Any State with an agreement under this subsection shall evaluate the comparative cost and employment effects of the use of the definition of unemployment in its demonstration project under this section by use of experimental and control groups comprised of a random sample of individuals receiving aid under
(B) The Secretary shall report the results of the demonstration projects conducted under this subsection to the Congress not later than 6 months after all such projects are completed.
(d) Regulations relating to applications for or renewals of demonstration projects
(1) An application or renewal of any experimental, pilot, or demonstration project undertaken under subsection (a) to promote the objectives of subchapter XIX or XXI in a State that would result in an impact on eligibility, enrollment, benefits, cost-sharing, or financing with respect to a State program under subchapter XIX or XXI (in this subsection referred to as a "demonstration project") shall be considered by the Secretary in accordance with the regulations required to be promulgated under paragraph (2).
(2) Not later than 180 days after March 23, 2010, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations relating to applications for, and renewals of, a demonstration project that provide for—
(A) a process for public notice and comment at the State level, including public hearings, sufficient to ensure a meaningful level of public input;
(B) requirements relating to—
(i) the goals of the program to be implemented or renewed under the demonstration project;
(ii) the expected State and Federal costs and coverage projections of the demonstration project; and
(iii) the specific plans of the State to ensure that the demonstration project will be in compliance with subchapter XIX or XXI;
(C) a process for providing public notice and comment after the application is received by the Secretary, that is sufficient to ensure a meaningful level of public input;
(D) a process for the submission to the Secretary of periodic reports by the State concerning the implementation of the demonstration project; and
(E) a process for the periodic evaluation by the Secretary of the demonstration project.
(3) The Secretary shall annually report to Congress concerning actions taken by the Secretary with respect to applications for demonstration projects under this section.
(e) Extensions of State-wide comprehensive demonstration projects for which waivers granted
(1) The provisions of this subsection shall apply to the extension of any State-wide comprehensive demonstration project (in this subsection referred to as "waiver project") for which a waiver of compliance with requirements of subchapter XIX of this chapter is granted under subsection (a) of this section.
(2) During the 6-month period ending 1 year before the date the waiver under subsection (a) of this section with respect to a waiver project would otherwise expire, the chief executive officer of the State which is operating the project may submit to the Secretary a written request for an extension, of up to 3 years (5 years, in the case of a waiver described in
(3) If the Secretary fails to respond to the request within 6 months after the date it is submitted, the request is deemed to have been granted.
(4) If such a request is granted, the deadline for submittal of a final report under the waiver project is deemed to have been extended until the date that is 1 year after the date the waiver project would otherwise have expired.
(5) The Secretary shall release an evaluation of each such project not later than 1 year after the date of receipt of the final report.
(6) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (7), the extension of a waiver project under this subsection shall be on the same terms and conditions (including applicable terms and conditions relating to quality and access of services, budget neutrality, data and reporting requirements, and special population protections) that applied to the project before its extension under this subsection.
(7) If an original condition of approval of a waiver project was that Federal expenditures under the project not exceed the Federal expenditures that would otherwise have been made, the Secretary shall take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that, in the extension of the project under this subsection, such condition continues to be met. In applying the previous sentence, the Secretary shall take into account the Secretary's best estimate of rates of change in expenditures at the time of the extension.
(f) Application for extension of waiver project; submission; approval
An application by the chief executive officer of a State for an extension of a waiver project the State is operating under an extension under subsection (e) of this section (in this subsection referred to as the "waiver project") shall be submitted and approved or disapproved in accordance with the following:
(1) The application for an extension of the waiver project shall be submitted to the Secretary at least 120 days prior to the expiration of the current period of the waiver project.
(2) Not later than 45 days after the date such application is received by the Secretary, the Secretary shall notify the State if the Secretary intends to review the terms and conditions of the waiver project. A failure to provide such notification shall be deemed to be an approval of the application.
(3) Not later than 45 days after the date a notification is made in accordance with paragraph (2), the Secretary shall inform the State of proposed changes in the terms and conditions of the waiver project. A failure to provide such information shall be deemed to be an approval of the application.
(4) During the 30-day period that begins on the date information described in paragraph (3) is provided to a State, the Secretary shall negotiate revised terms and conditions of the waiver project with the State.
(5)(A) Not later than 120 days after the date an application for an extension of the waiver project is submitted to the Secretary (or such later date agreed to by the chief executive officer of the State), the Secretary shall—
(i) approve the application subject to such modifications in the terms and conditions—
(I) as have been agreed to by the Secretary and the State; or
(II) in the absence of such agreement, as are determined by the Secretary to be reasonable, consistent with the overall objectives of the waiver project, and not in violation of applicable law; or
(ii) disapprove the application.
(B) A failure by the Secretary to approve or disapprove an application submitted under this subsection in accordance with the requirements of subparagraph (A) shall be deemed to be an approval of the application subject to such modifications in the terms and conditions as have been agreed to (if any) by the Secretary and the State.
(6) An approval of an application for an extension of a waiver project under this subsection shall be for a period not to exceed 3 years (5 years, in the case of a waiver described in
(7) An extension of a waiver project under this subsection shall be subject to the final reporting and evaluation requirements of paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (e) of this section (taking into account the extension under this subsection with respect to any timing requirements imposed under those paragraphs).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1115, as added
References in Text
Parts A and D of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in text, are classified to sections 601 et seq. and 651 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (f)(6).
2000—Subsec. (f).
1997—Subsec. (e).
1996—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (d).
1988—Subsec. (d).
1986—Subsec. (b)(2)(C).
1984—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (c).
1981—Subsec. (a).
1977—
1975—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1973—
1968—
1967—
1965—
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 4757(b) of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1973 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Section 121(c)(3) of
Family Support Demonstration Projects
Section 501 of
"(a)
"(2) The Secretary shall consider all applications received from States desiring to conduct demonstration projects under this subsection, shall approve up to 10 applications involving projects which appear likely to contribute significantly to the achievement of the purpose of this subsection, and shall make grants to the States whose applications are approved to assist them in carrying out such projects.
"(3) The Secretary shall submit to the Congress with respect to each project undertaken by a State under this subsection, after such project has been carried out for one year and again when such project is completed, a detailed evaluation of the project and of its contribution to the achievement of the purpose of this subsection.
"(4) For grants to States to conduct demonstration projects under this subsection, there are authorized to be appropriated not to exceed $3,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1995 through 1999.
"(b)
"(c)
"(d)
Demonstration Projects To Encourage States To Employ Parents Receiving AFDC as Paid Child Care Providers
Section 502 of
Demonstration Projects To Address Child Access Problems
Section 504 of
Demonstration Projects To Provide Counseling and Services to High-Risk Teenagers
Section 506 of
"(a)
"(A) the incidences of teenage pregnancy, suicide, substance abuse, and school dropout are increasing;
"(B) research to date has established a link between low self-esteem, perceived limited life options and the risk of teenage pregnancy, suicide, substance abuse, and school dropout;
"(C) little data currently exists on how to improve the self-image of and expand the life options available to high-risk teenagers; and
"(D) there currently is no Federal program in place to address the unique and significant problems faced by today's teenagers.
"(2) It is the purpose of the demonstration projects conducted under this section to provide programs in which a range of non-academic services (sports, recreation, the arts) and self-image counseling are provided to high-risk teenagers in order to reduce the rates of pregnancy, suicide, substance abuse, and school dropout among such teenagers.
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) The State shall establish a 'Teen Care Plan' that shall consist of the following:
"(A) A clearing house where high-risk teenagers will be referred to and encouraged to participate in non-academic activities (arts, recreation, sports) which are already in place in the community.
"(B) A survey of the area to be targeted by the project to determine the need to fund and create new non-academic activities in the area.
"(C) Counseling services utilizing qualified, locally licensed psychologists, social psychologists, or other mental health professionals or related experts to provide individual and group counseling to participating high-risk teenagers.
"(D) A program to provide participants in the project (to the extent practicable) with such transportation, child care, and equipment as is necessary to carry out the purposes of the project.
"(2) The State shall designate two geographical areas within the State to be targeted by the project. One area will serve as the 'home base' for the project, where services will be concentrated and in which a local school system will be selected to receive services and provide facilities for resource referral and counseling. The second geographical area will serve as a 'peripheral' participant, receiving assistance and services from the home base.
"(3) A high-risk teenager is any male or female who has reached the age of 10 years and whose age does not exceed 20 years, and who—
"(A) has a history of academic problems;
"(B) has a history of behavioral problems both in and out of school;
"(C) comes from a one-parent household; or
"(D) is pregnant or is a mother of a child.
"(d)
"(A) shall consult with the Consortium on Adolescent Pregnancy;
"(B) shall consider—
"(i) the rate of teenage pregnancy in each State,
"(ii) the teenage school dropout rate in each State,
"(iii) the incidence of teenage substance abuse in each State, and
"(iv) the incidence of teenage suicide in each State; and
"(C) shall give priority to States whose applications—
"(i) demonstrate a current strong State commitment aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy, suicide, drug abuse, and school dropout;
"(ii) contain a 'State support agreement' signed by the Governor, the State School Commissioner, the State Department of Human Services, and the State Department of Education, pledging their commitment to the project;
"(iii) describe facilities and services to be made available by the State to assist in carrying out the project; and
"(iv) indicate a demonstrably high rate of alcoholism among its residents.
"(2) Of the States selected to participate in the demonstration projects conducted under this section—
"(A) one shall be a geographically small State with a population of less than 1,250,000;
"(B) one shall be a State with a population of over 20,000,000; and
"(C) two shall be States with populations of more than 1,000,000 but less than 20,000,000.
"(e)
"(2) Not later than October 1, 1992, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report containing a summary of the evaluations conducted by States pursuant to the plans described in paragraph (1).
"(f)
"(2) Two-fifths of the total amounts appropriated pursuant to this section for any fiscal year for each State conducting a demonstration project shall be expended by such State for the provision of services and facilities within the State's designated peripheral area, and 5 percent of such two-fifths shall be set aside for the conduct of the State's evaluation as provided for in subsection (e).
"(g)
"(h)
Continuation of Federal Financial Participation in Experimental, Pilot, or Demonstration Projects Approved Before October 1, 1973, for Period On-And-After December 31, 1973, Without Denial or Reduction on Account of Subchapter XVI Provisions for Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind and Disabled; Waiver of Subchapter XVI Restrictions for Individuals; Federal Payments of Non-Federal Share as Supplementary Payments
Section 11 of
"(a) If any State (other than the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or Guam) has any experimental, pilot, or demonstration project (referred to in section 1115 of the Social Security Act [this section])—
"(1) which (prior to October 1, 1973) has been approved by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services] (hereinafter in this section referred to as the 'Secretary'), for a period which ends on or after December 31, 1973, as being a project with respect to which the authority conferred upon him by subsection (a) or (b) of such section 1115 [subsec. (a) or (b) of this section] will be exercised, and
"(2) with respect to the costs of which Federal financial participation would (except for the provisions of this section) be denied or reduced on account of the enactment of section 301 of the Social Security Amendments of 1972 [enacting subchapter XVI of this chapter],
then, for any period (after December 31, 1973) with respect to which such project is approved by the Secretary, Federal financial participation in the costs of such project shall be continued in like manner as if—
"(3) such section 301 [enacting subchapter XVI of this chapter] had not been enacted, and
"(4) such State (for the month of January 1974 and any month thereafter) continued to have in effect the State plan (approved under title XVI [subchapter XVI of this chapter]) which was in effect for the month of October 1973, or the State plans (approved under titles I, X, and XIV of the Social Security Act [subchapters I, X, and XIV of this chapter]) which were in effect for such month, as the case may be.
"(b) With respect to individuals—
"(1) who are participants in any project to which the provisions of subsection (a) are applicable, and
"(2) with respect to whom supplemental security income benefits are (or would, except for their participation in such project, be) payable under title XVI of the Social Security Act, or who meet the requirements for aid or assistance under a State plan approved under title I, X, XIV, or XVI of the Social Security Act of the State in which such project is conducted (as such State plan was in effect for July 1973),
the Secretary may waive such requirements of title XVI of such Act (as enacted by section 301 of the Social Security Amendments of 1972) to such extent as he determines to be necessary to the successful operation of such project.
"(c) In the case of any State which has entered into an agreement with the Secretary under section 1616 of the Social Security Act [
"(1) be paid, from time to time, to such State by the Secretary, and
"(2) shall, for purposes of section 1616(d) of the Social Security Act [
§1315a. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation
(a) Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation established
(1) In general
There is created within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (in this section referred to as the "CMI") to carry out the duties described in this section. The purpose of the CMI is to test innovative payment and service delivery models to reduce program expenditures under the applicable subchapters while preserving or enhancing the quality of care furnished to individuals under such subchapters. In selecting such models, the Secretary shall give preference to models that also improve the coordination, quality, and efficiency of health care services furnished to applicable individuals defined in paragraph (4)(A).
(2) Deadline
The Secretary shall ensure that the CMI is carrying out the duties described in this section by not later than January 1, 2011.
(3) Consultation
In carrying out the duties under this section, the CMI shall consult representatives of relevant Federal agencies, and clinical and analytical experts with expertise in medicine and health care management. The CMI shall use open door forums or other mechanisms to seek input from interested parties.
(4) Definitions
In this section:
(A) Applicable individual
The term "applicable individual" means—
(i) an individual who is entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A of subchapter XVIII or enrolled for benefits under part B of such subchapter;
(ii) an individual who is eligible for medical assistance under subchapter XIX, under a State plan or waiver; or
(iii) an individual who meets the criteria of both clauses (i) and (ii).
(B) Applicable subchapter
The term "applicable subchapter" means subchapter XVIII, subchapter XIX, or both.
(5) Testing within certain geographic areas
For purposes of testing payment and service delivery models under this section, the Secretary may elect to limit testing of a model to certain geographic areas.
(b) Testing of models (phase I)
(1) In general
The CMI shall test payment and service delivery models in accordance with selection criteria under paragraph (2) to determine the effect of applying such models under the applicable subchapter (as defined in subsection (a)(4)(B)) on program expenditures under such subchapters and the quality of care received by individuals receiving benefits under such subchapter.
(2) Selection of models to be tested
(A) In general
The Secretary shall select models to be tested from models where the Secretary determines that there is evidence that the model addresses a defined population for which there are deficits in care leading to poor clinical outcomes or potentially avoidable expenditures. The Secretary shall focus on models expected to reduce program costs under the applicable subchapter while preserving or enhancing the quality of care received by individuals receiving benefits under such subchapter. The models selected under this subparagraph may include, but are not limited to, the models described in subparagraph (B).
(B) Opportunities
The models described in this subparagraph are the following models:
(i) Promoting broad payment and practice reform in primary care, including patient-centered medical home models for high-need applicable individuals, medical homes that address women's unique health care needs, and models that transition primary care practices away from fee-for-service based reimbursement and toward comprehensive payment or salary-based payment.
(ii) Contracting directly with groups of providers of services and suppliers to promote innovative care delivery models, such as through risk-based comprehensive payment or salary-based payment.
(iii) Utilizing geriatric assessments and comprehensive care plans to coordinate the care (including through interdisciplinary teams) of applicable individuals with multiple chronic conditions and at least one of the following:
(I) An inability to perform 2 or more activities of daily living.
(II) Cognitive impairment, including dementia.
(iv) Promote 1 care coordination between providers of services and suppliers that transition health care providers away from fee-for-service based reimbursement and toward salary-based payment.
(v) Supporting care coordination for chronically-ill applicable individuals at high risk of hospitalization through a health information technology-enabled provider network that includes care coordinators, a chronic disease registry, and home tele-health technology.
(vi) Varying payment to physicians who order advanced diagnostic imaging services (as defined in
(vii) Utilizing medication therapy management services, such as those described in
(viii) Establishing community-based health teams to support small-practice medical homes by assisting the primary care practitioner in chronic care management, including patient self-management, activities.
(ix) Assisting applicable individuals in making informed health care choices by paying providers of services and suppliers for using patient decision-support tools, including tools that meet the standards developed and identified under
(x) Allowing States to test and evaluate fully integrating care for dual eligible individuals in the State, including the management and oversight of all funds under the applicable subchapters with respect to such individuals.
(xi) Allowing States to test and evaluate systems of all-payer payment reform for the medical care of residents of the State, including dual eligible individuals.
(xii) Aligning nationally recognized, evidence-based guidelines of cancer care with payment incentives under subchapter XVIII in the areas of treatment planning and follow-up care planning for applicable individuals described in clause (i) or (iii) of subsection (a)(4)(A) with cancer, including the identification of gaps in applicable quality measures.
(xiii) Improving post-acute care through continuing care hospitals that offer inpatient rehabilitation, long-term care hospitals, and home health or skilled nursing care during an inpatient stay and the 30 days immediately following discharge.
(xiv) Funding home health providers who offer chronic care management services to applicable individuals in cooperation with interdisciplinary teams.
(xv) Promoting improved quality and reduced cost by developing a collaborative of high-quality, low-cost health care institutions that is responsible for—
(I) developing, documenting, and disseminating best practices and proven care methods;
(II) implementing such best practices and proven care methods within such institutions to demonstrate further improvements in quality and efficiency; and
(III) providing assistance to other health care institutions on how best to employ such best practices and proven care methods to improve health care quality and lower costs.
(xvi) Facilitate inpatient care, including intensive care, of hospitalized applicable individuals at their local hospital through the use of electronic monitoring by specialists, including intensivists and critical care specialists, based at integrated health systems.
(xvii) Promoting greater efficiencies and timely access to outpatient services (such as outpatient physical therapy services) through models that do not require a physician or other health professional to refer the service or be involved in establishing the plan of care for the service, when such service is furnished by a health professional who has the authority to furnish the service under existing State law.
(xviii) Establishing comprehensive payments to Healthcare Innovation Zones, consisting of groups of providers that include a teaching hospital, physicians, and other clinical entities, that, through their structure, operations, and joint-activity deliver a full spectrum of integrated and comprehensive health care services to applicable individuals while also incorporating innovative methods for the clinical training of future health care professionals.
(xix) Utilizing, in particular in entities located in medically underserved areas and facilities of the Indian Health Service (whether operated by such Service or by an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as those terms are defined in
(I) in treating behavioral health issues (such as post-traumatic stress disorder) and stroke; and
(II) to improve the capacity of non-medical providers and non-specialized medical providers to provide health services for patients with chronic complex conditions.
(xx) Utilizing a diverse network of providers of services and suppliers to improve care coordination for applicable individuals described in subsection (a)(4)(A)(i) with 2 or more chronic conditions and a history of prior-year hospitalization through interventions developed under the Medicare Coordinated Care Demonstration Project under section 4016 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (
(C) Additional factors for consideration
In selecting models for testing under subparagraph (A), the CMI may consider the following additional factors:
(i) Whether the model includes a regular process for monitoring and updating patient care plans in a manner that is consistent with the needs and preferences of applicable individuals.
(ii) Whether the model places the applicable individual, including family members and other informal caregivers of the applicable individual, at the center of the care team of the applicable individual.
(iii) Whether the model provides for in-person contact with applicable individuals.
(iv) Whether the model utilizes technology, such as electronic health records and patient-based remote monitoring systems, to coordinate care over time and across settings.
(v) Whether the model provides for the maintenance of a close relationship between care coordinators, primary care practitioners, specialist physicians, community-based organizations, and other providers of services and suppliers.
(vi) Whether the model relies on a team-based approach to interventions, such as comprehensive care assessments, care planning, and self-management coaching.
(vii) Whether, under the model, providers of services and suppliers are able to share information with patients, caregivers, and other providers of services and suppliers on a real time basis.
(viii) Whether the model demonstrates effective linkage with other public sector or private sector payers.
(3) Budget neutrality
(A) Initial period
The Secretary shall not require, as a condition for testing a model under paragraph (1), that the design of such model ensure that such model is budget neutral initially with respect to expenditures under the applicable subchapter.
(B) Termination or modification
The Secretary shall terminate or modify the design and implementation of a model unless the Secretary determines (and the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, with respect to program spending under the applicable subchapter, certifies), after testing has begun, that the model is expected to—
(i) improve the quality of care (as determined by the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) without increasing spending under the applicable subchapter;
(ii) reduce spending under the applicable subchapter without reducing the quality of care; or
(iii) improve the quality of care and reduce spending.
Such termination may occur at any time after such testing has begun and before completion of the testing.
(4) Evaluation
(A) In general
The Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of each model tested under this subsection. Such evaluation shall include an analysis of—
(i) the quality of care furnished under the model, including the measurement of patient-level outcomes and patient-centeredness criteria determined appropriate by the Secretary; and
(ii) the changes in spending under the applicable subchapters by reason of the model.
(B) Information
The Secretary shall make the results of each evaluation under this paragraph available to the public in a timely fashion and may establish requirements for States and other entities participating in the testing of models under this section to collect and report information that the Secretary determines is necessary to monitor and evaluate such models.
(C) Measure selection
To the extent feasible, the Secretary shall select measures under this paragraph that reflect national priorities for quality improvement and patient-centered care consistent with the measures described in 2 1395aaa(b)(7)(B) of this title.
(c) Expansion of models (phase II)
Taking into account the evaluation under subsection (b)(4), the Secretary may, through rulemaking, expand (including implementation on a nationwide basis) the duration and the scope of a model that is being tested under subsection (b) or a demonstration project under
(1) the Secretary determines that such expansion is expected to—
(A) reduce spending under applicable 3 subchapter without reducing the quality of care; or
(B) improve the quality of patient care without increasing spending;
(2) the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services certifies that such expansion would reduce (or would not result in any increase in) net program spending under applicable subchapters; and
(3) the Secretary determines that such expansion would not deny or limit the coverage or provision of benefits under the applicable subchapter for applicable individuals.
In determining which models or demonstration projects to expand under the preceding sentence, the Secretary shall focus on models and demonstration projects that improve the quality of patient care and reduce spending.
(d) Implementation
(1) Waiver authority
The Secretary may waive such requirements of subchapters XI and XVIII and of
(2) Limitations on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(A) the selection of models for testing or expansion under this section;
(B) the selection of organizations, sites, or participants to test those models selected;
(C) the elements, parameters, scope, and duration of such models for testing or dissemination;
(D) determinations regarding budget neutrality under subsection (b)(3);
(E) the termination or modification of the design and implementation of a model under subsection (b)(3)(B); and
(F) determinations about expansion of the duration and scope of a model under subsection (c), including the determination that a model is not expected to meet criteria described in paragraph (1) or (2) of such subsection.
(3) Administration
(e) Application to CHIP
The Center may carry out activities under this section with respect to subchapter XXI in the same manner as provided under this section with respect to the program under the applicable subchapters.
(f) Funding
(1) In general
There are appropriated, from amounts in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated—
(A) $5,000,000 for the design, implementation, and evaluation of models under subsection (b) for fiscal year 2010;
(B) $10,000,000,000 for the activities initiated under this section for the period of fiscal years 2011 through 2019; and
(C) the amount described in subparagraph (B) for the activities initiated under this section for each subsequent 10-year fiscal period (beginning with the 10-year fiscal period beginning with fiscal year 2020).
Amounts appropriated under the preceding sentence shall remain available until expended.
(2) Use of certain funds
Out of amounts appropriated under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1), not less than $25,000,000 shall be made available each such fiscal year to design, implement, and evaluate models under subsection (b).
(g) Report to Congress
Beginning in 2012, and not less than once every other year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on activities under this section. Each such report shall describe the models tested under subsection (b), including the number of individuals described in subsection (a)(4)(A)(i) and of individuals described in subsection (a)(4)(A)(ii) participating in such models and payments made under applicable subchapters for services on behalf of such individuals, any models chosen for expansion under subsection (c), and the results from evaluations under subsection (b)(4). In addition, each such report shall provide such recommendations as the Secretary determines are appropriate for legislative action to facilitate the development and expansion of successful payment models.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1115A, as added and amended
References in Text
Section 4016 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(B)(xx), is section 4016 of
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(xix), (xx).
Subsec. (b)(2)(C)(viii).
Subsec. (b)(4)(C).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Medicaid Global Payment System Demonstration Project
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(e)
"(f)
1 So in original. Probably should be "Promoting".
2 So in original. Probably should be "in section".
3 So in original. Probably should be preceded by "the".
§1315b. Providing Federal coverage and payment coordination for dual eligible beneficiaries
(a) Establishment of Federal Coordinated Health Care Office
(1) In general
Not later than March 1, 2010, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the "Secretary") shall establish a Federal Coordinated Health Care Office.
(2) Establishment and reporting to CMS administrator
The Federal Coordinated Health Care Office—
(A) shall be established within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; and
(B) have as the Office 1 a Director who shall be appointed by, and be in direct line of authority to, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
(b) Purpose
The purpose of the Federal Coordinated Health Care Office is to bring together officers and employees of the Medicare and Medicaid programs at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in order to—
(1) more effectively integrate benefits under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [
(2) improve the coordination between the Federal Government and States for individuals eligible for benefits under both such programs in order to ensure that such individuals get full access to the items and services to which they are entitled under titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act.
(c) Goals
The goals of the Federal Coordinated Health Care Office are as follows:
(1) Providing dual eligible individuals full access to the benefits to which such individuals are entitled under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
(2) Simplifying the processes for dual eligible individuals to access the items and services they are entitled to under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
(3) Improving the quality of health care and long-term services for dual eligible individuals.
(4) Increasing dual eligible individuals' understanding of and satisfaction with coverage under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
(5) Eliminating regulatory conflicts between rules under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
(6) Improving care continuity and ensuring safe and effective care transitions for dual eligible individuals.
(7) Eliminating cost-shifting between the Medicare and Medicaid program and among related health care providers.
(8) Improving the quality of performance of providers of services and suppliers under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
(d) Specific responsibilities
The specific responsibilities of the Federal Coordinated Health Care Office are as follows:
(1) Providing States, specialized MA plans for special needs individuals (as defined in section 1859(b)(6) of the Social Security Act (
(2) Supporting State efforts to coordinate and align acute care and long-term care services for dual eligible individuals with other items and services furnished under the Medicare program.
(3) Providing support for coordination of contracting and oversight by States and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services with respect to the integration of the Medicare and Medicaid programs in a manner that is supportive of the goals described in paragraph (3).2
(4) To consult and coordinate with the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission established under section 1805 of the Social Security Act (
(5) To study the provision of drug coverage for new full-benefit dual eligible individuals (as defined in section 1935(c)(6) of the Social Security Act (
(e) Report
The Secretary shall, as part of the budget transmitted under
(f) Dual eligible individual defined
In this section, the term "dual eligible individual" means an individual who is entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [
(
References in Text
The Social Security Act, referred to in subsecs. (b), (d)(4), and (f), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531,
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
2 So in original. Probably should be "subsection (c)."
3 So in original. Another closing parenthesis probably should precede the comma.
§1316. Administrative and judicial review of public assistance determinations
(a) Determination of conformity with requirements for approval; petition for reconsideration; hearing; time limitations; review by court of appeals
(1) Whenever a State plan is submitted to the Secretary by a State for approval under subchapter I, X, XIV, XVI, or XIX of this chapter, he shall, not later than 90 days after the date the plan is submitted to him, make a determination as to whether it conforms to the requirements for approval under such subchapter. The 90-day period provided herein may be extended by written agreement of the Secretary and the affected State.
(2) Any State dissatisfied with a determination of the Secretary under paragraph (1) of this subsection with respect to any plan may, within 60 days after it has been notified of such determination, file a petition with the Secretary for reconsideration of the issue of whether such plan conforms to the requirements for approval under such subchapter. Within 30 days after receipt of such a petition, the Secretary shall notify the State of the time and place at which a hearing will be held for the purpose of reconsidering such issue. Such hearing shall be held not less than 20 days nor more than 60 days after the date notice of such hearing is furnished to such State, unless the Secretary and such State agree in writing to holding the hearing at another time. The Secretary shall affirm, modify, or reverse his original determination within 60 days of the conclusion of the hearing.
(3) Any State which is dissatisfied with a final determination made by the Secretary on such a reconsideration or a final determination of the Secretary under
(4) The findings of fact by the Secretary, if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive; but the court, for good cause shown, may remand the case to the Secretary to take further evidence, and the Secretary may thereupon make new or modified findings of fact and may modify his previous action, and shall certify to the court the transcript and record of the further proceedings. Such new or modified findings of fact shall likewise be conclusive if supported by substantial evidence.
(5) The court shall have jurisdiction to affirm the action of the Secretary or to set it aside, in whole or in part. The judgment of the court shall be subject to review by the Supreme Court of the United States upon certiorari or certification as provided in
(b) Amendment of plans
For the purposes of subsection (a) of this section, any amendment of a State plan approved under subchapter I, X, XIV, XVI, or XIX of this chapter, may, at the option of the State, be treated as the submission of a new State plan.
(c) Restitution when Secretary reverses his determination
Action pursuant to an initial determination of the Secretary described in subsection (a) of this section shall not be stayed pending reconsideration, but in the event that the Secretary subsequently determines that his initial determination was incorrect he shall certify restitution forthwith in a lump sum of any funds incorrectly withheld or otherwise denied.
(d) Disallowance of items covered under other subchapters
Whenever the Secretary determines that any item or class of items on account of which Federal financial participation is claimed under subchapter I, X, XIV,1 XVI, shall be disallowed for such participation, the State shall be entitled to and upon request shall receive a reconsideration of the disallowance.
(e) Disallowance of items covered under subchapter XIX
(1) Whenever the Secretary determines that any item or class of items on account of which Federal financial participation is claimed under subchapter XIX shall be disallowed for such participation, the State shall be entitled to and upon request shall receive a reconsideration of the disallowance, provided that such request is made during the 60-day period that begins on the date the State receives notice of the disallowance.
(2)(A) A State may appeal a disallowance of a claim for federal 2 financial participation under subchapter XIX by the Secretary, or an unfavorable reconsideration of a disallowance, during the 60-day period that begins on the date the State receives notice of the disallowance or of the unfavorable reconsideration, in whole or in part, to the Departmental Appeals Board, established in the Department of Health and Human Services (in this paragraph referred to as the "Board"), by filing a notice of appeal with the Board.
(B) The Board shall consider a State's appeal of a disallowance of such a claim (or of an unfavorable reconsideration of a disallowance) on the basis of such documentation as the State may submit and as the Board may require to support the final decision of the Board. In deciding whether to uphold a disallowance of such a claim or any portion thereof, the Board shall be bound by all applicable laws and regulations and shall conduct a thorough review of the issues, taking into account all relevant evidence. The Board's decision of an appeal under subparagraph (A) shall be the final decision of the Secretary and shall be subject to reconsideration by the Board only upon motion of either party filed during the 60-day period that begins on the date of the Board's decision or to judicial review in accordance with subparagraph (C).
(C) A State may obtain judicial review of a decision of the Board by filing an action in any United States District Court located within the appealing State (or, if several States jointly appeal the disallowance of claims for Federal financial participation under
(i) if no motion for reconsideration was filed within the 60-day period specified in subparagraph (B), during such 60-day period; or
(ii) if such a motion was filed within such period, during the 60-day period that begins on the date of the Board's decision on such motion.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1116, as added
References in Text
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
1996—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsecs. (b), (d).
1984—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d).
1981—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d).
1975—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d).
1973—Subsec. (a).
Subsecs. (b), (d).
1968—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsecs. (b), (d).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 2354(c)(2) of
Amendment by section 2663(e)(6) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1973 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 404(b) of
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by "or".
2 So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
§1317. Appointment of the Administrator and Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(a) The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(b)(1) There is established in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services the position of Chief Actuary. The Chief Actuary shall be appointed by, and in direct line of authority to, the Administrator of such Centers. The Chief Actuary shall be appointed from among individuals who have demonstrated, by their education and experience, superior expertise in the actuarial sciences. The Chief Actuary shall exercise such duties as are appropriate for the office of the Chief Actuary and in accordance with professional standards of actuarial independence. The Chief Actuary may be removed only for cause.
(2) The Chief Actuary shall be compensated at the highest rate of basic pay for the Senior Executive Service under
(3) In the office of the Chief Actuary there shall be an actuary whose duties relate exclusively to the programs under parts C and D of subchapter XVIII of this chapter and related provisions of such subchapter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1117, as added
References in Text
Parts C and D of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), are classified to sections 1395w–21 et seq. and 1395w–101 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1317, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1117, as added July 30, 1965,
Amendments
2003—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3).
1997—
Effective Date
Section 2332(c) of
§1318. Alternative Federal payment with respect to public assistance expenditures
In the case of any State which has in effect a plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter for any calendar quarter, the total of the payments to which such State is entitled for such quarter, and for each succeeding quarter in the same fiscal year (which for purposes of this section means the 4 calendar quarters ending with September 30), under paragraphs (1) and (2) of sections 303(a),1 1203(a),1 1353(a),1 and 1383(a) 1 of this title shall, at the option of the State, be determined by application of the Federal medical assistance percentage (as defined in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1118, as added
References in Text
Paragraph (1) of
Amendments
1996—
1988—
1980—
1978—
1976—
1968—
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
1 See References in Text note below.
§1319. Federal participation in payments for repairs to home owned by recipient of aid or assistance
In the case of an expenditure for repairing the home owned by an individual who is receiving aid or assistance, other than medical assistance to the aged, under a State plan approved under subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter, if—
(1) the State agency or local agency administering the plan approved under such subchapter has made a finding (prior to making such expenditure) that (A) such home is so defective that continued occupancy is unwarranted, (B) unless repairs are made to such home, rental quarters will be necessary for such individual, and (C) the cost of rental quarters to take care of the needs of such individual (including his spouse living with him in such home and any other individual whose needs were taken into account in determining the need of such individual) would exceed (over such time as the Secretary may specify) the cost of repairs needed to make such home habitable together with other costs attributable to continued occupancy of such home, and
(2) no such expenditures were made for repairing such home pursuant to any prior finding under this section,
the amount paid to any such State for any quarter under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1119, as added
References in Text
Amendments
1996—
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 209(b) of
§1320. Approval of certain projects
No payment shall be made under this chapter with respect to any experimental, pilot, demonstration, or other project all or any part of which is wholly financed with Federal funds made available under this chapter (without any State, local, or other non-Federal financial participation) unless such project shall have been personally approved by the Secretary or Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1120, as added
Amendments
1990—
1984—
1982—
1975—Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment; Continued Service by Incumbents
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
§1320a. Uniform reporting systems for health services facilities and organizations
(a) Establishment; criteria for regulations; requirements for hospitals
For the purposes of reporting the cost of services provided by, of planning, and of measuring and comparing the efficiency of and effective use of services in, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, home health agencies, health maintenance organizations, and other types of health services facilities and organizations to which payment may be made under this chapter, the Secretary shall establish by regulation, for each such type of health services facility or organization, a uniform system for the reporting by a facility or organization of that type of the following information:
(1) The aggregate cost of operation and the aggregate volume of services.
(2) The costs and volume of services for various functional accounts and subaccounts.
(3) Rates, by category of patient and class of purchaser.
(4) Capital assets, as defined by the Secretary, including (as appropriate) capital funds, debt service, lease agreements used in lieu of capital funds, and the value of land, facilities, and equipment.
(5) Discharge and bill data.
The uniform reporting system for a type of health services facility or organization shall provide for appropriate variation in the application of the system to different classes of facilities or organizations within that type and shall be established, to the extent practicable, consistent with the cooperative system for producing comparable and uniform health information and statistics described in
(b) Monitoring, etc., of systems by Secretary
The Secretary shall—
(1) monitor the operation of the systems established under subsection (a) of this section;
(2) assist with and support demonstrations and evaluations of the effectiveness and cost of the operation of such systems and encourage State adoption of such systems; and
(3) periodically revise such systems to improve their effectiveness and diminish their cost.
(c) Availability of information to appropriate agencies and organizations
The Secretary shall provide information obtained through use of the uniform reporting systems described in subsection (a) of this section in a useful manner and format to appropriate agencies and organizations, including health systems agencies (designated under section 300l–4 1 of this title) and State health planning and development agencies (designated under section 300m 1 of this title), as may be necessary to carry out such agencies' and organizations' functions.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1121, as added
References in Text
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320a, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1121, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Section was additionally amended by
Time Periods for Establishment of Uniform Reporting Systems; Consultations With Interested Parties
Section 19(c)(1) of
1 See References in Text note below.
§1320a–1. Limitation on use of Federal funds for capital expenditures
(a) Use of reimbursement for planning activities for health services and facilities
The purpose of this section is to assure that Federal funds appropriated under subchapters XVIII and XIX of this chapter are not used to support unnecessary capital expenditures made by or on behalf of health care facilities which are reimbursed under any of such subchapters and that, to the extent possible, reimbursement under such subchapters shall support planning activities with respect to health services and facilities in the various States.
(b) Agreement between Secretary and State for submission of proposed capital expenditures related to health care facilities and procedures for appeal from recommendations
The Secretary, after consultation with the Governor (or other chief executive officer) and with appropriate local public officials, shall make an agreement with any State which is able and willing to do so under which a designated planning agency (which shall be an agency described in clause (ii) of subsection (d)(1)(B) of this section that has a governing body or advisory board at least half of whose members represent consumer interests) will—
(1) make, and submit to the Secretary together with such supporting materials as he may find necessary, findings and recommendations with respect to capital expenditures proposed by or on behalf of any health care facility in such State within the field of its responsibilities,
(2) receive from other agencies described in clause (ii) of subsection (d)(1)(B) of this section, and submit to the Secretary together with such supporting material as he may find necessary, the findings and recommendations of such other agencies with respect to capital expenditures proposed by or on behalf of health care facilities in such State within the fields of their respective responsibilities, and
(3) establish and maintain procedures pursuant to which a person proposing any such capital expenditure may appeal a recommendation by the designated agency and will be granted an opportunity for a fair hearing by such agency or person other than the designated agency as the Governor (or other chief executive officer) may designate to hold such hearings,
whenever and to the extent that the findings of such designated agency or any such other agency indicate that any such expenditure is not consistent with the standards, criteria, or plans developed pursuant to the Public Health Service Act [
(c) Manner of payment to States for carrying out agreement
The Secretary shall pay any such State from the general fund in the Treasury, in advance or by way of reimbursement as may be provided in the agreement with it (and may make adjustments in such payments on account of overpayments or underpayments previously made), for the reasonable cost of performing the functions specified in subsection (b) of this section.
(d) Determination of amount of exclusions from Federal payments
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), if the Secretary determines that—
(A) neither the planning agency designated in the agreement described in subsection (b) of this section nor an agency described in clause (ii) of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph had been given notice of any proposed capital expenditure (in accordance with such procedure or in such detail as may be required by such agency) at least 60 days prior to obligation for such expenditure; or
(B)(i) the planning agency so designated or an agency so described had received such timely notice of the intention to make such capital expenditure and had, within a reasonable period after receiving such notice and prior to obligation for such expenditure, notified the person proposing such expenditure that the expenditure would not be in conformity with the standards, criteria, or plans developed by such agency or any other agency described in clause (ii) for adequate health care facilities in such State or in the area for which such other agency has responsibility, and
(ii) the planning agency so designated had, prior to submitting to the Secretary the findings referred to in subsection (b) of this section—
(I) consulted with, and taken into consideration the findings and recommendations of, the State planning agencies established pursuant to sections 314(a) and 604(a) of the Public Health Service Act [
(II) granted to the person proposing such capital expenditure an opportunity for a fair hearing with respect to such findings;
then, for such period as he finds necessary in any case to effectuate the purpose of this section, he shall, in determining the Federal payments to be made under subchapters XVIII and XIX of this chapter with respect to services furnished in the health care facility for which such capital expenditure is made, not include any amount which is attributable to depreciation, interest on borrowed funds, a return on equity capital (in the case of proprietary facilities), or other expenses related to such capital expenditure. With respect to any organization which is reimbursed on a per capita or a fixed fee or negotiated rate basis, in determining the Federal payments to be made under subchapters XVIII and XIX of this chapter, the Secretary shall exclude an amount which in his judgment is a reasonable equivalent to the amount which would otherwise be excluded under this subsection if payment were to be made on other than a per capita or a fixed fee or negotiated rate basis.
(2) If the Secretary, after submitting the matters involved to the advisory council established or designated under subsection (i) of this section, determines that an exclusion of expenses related to any capital expenditure of any health care facility would discourage the operation or expansion of such facility which has demonstrated to his satisfaction proof of capability to provide comprehensive health care services (including institutional services) efficiently, effectively, and economically, or would otherwise be inconsistent with the effective organization and delivery of health services or the effective administration of subchapter XVIII or XIX of this chapter, he shall not exclude such expenses pursuant to paragraph (1).
(e) Treatment of lease or comparable arrangement of any facility or equipment for a facility in determining amount of exclusions from Federal payments
Where a person obtains under lease or comparable arrangement any facility or part thereof, or equipment for a facility, which would have been subject to an exclusion under subsection (d) of this section if the person had acquired it by purchase, the Secretary shall (1) in computing such person's rental expense in determining the Federal payments to be made under subchapters XVIII and XIX of this chapter with respect to services furnished in such facility, deduct the amount which in his judgment is a reasonable equivalent of the amount that would have been excluded if the person had acquired such facility or such equipment by purchase, and (2) in computing such person's return on equity capital deduct any amount deposited under the terms of the lease or comparable arrangement.
(f) Reconsideration by Secretary of determinations
Any person dissatisfied with a determination by the Secretary under this section may within six months following notification of such determination request the Secretary to reconsider such determination. A determination by the Secretary under this section shall not be subject to administrative or judicial review.
(g) "Capital expenditure" defined
For the purposes of this section, a "capital expenditure" is an expenditure which, under generally accepted accounting principles, is not properly chargeable as an expense of operation and maintenance and which (1) exceeds $600,000 (or such lesser amount as the State may establish), (2) changes the bed capacity of the facility with respect to which such expenditure is made, or (3) substantially changes the services of the facility with respect to which such expenditure is made. For purposes of clause (1) of the preceding sentence, the cost of the studies, surveys, designs, plans, working drawings, specifications, and other activities essential to the acquisition, improvement, expansion, or replacement of the plant and equipment with respect to which such expenditure is made shall be included in determining whether such expenditure exceeds the dollar amount specified in clause (1).
(h) Applicability to Christian Science sanatoriums
The provisions of this section shall not apply to a religious nonmedical health care institution (as defined in
(i) National advisory council; establishment or designation of existing council; functions; consultations with other appropriate national advisory councils; composition; compensation and travel expenses
(1) The Secretary shall establish a national advisory council, or designate an appropriate existing national advisory council, to advise and assist him in the preparation of general regulations to carry out the purposes of this section and on policy matters arising in the administration of this section, including the coordination of activities under this section with those under other parts of this chapter or under other Federal or federally assisted health programs.
(2) The Secretary shall make appropriate provision for consultation between and coordination of the work of the advisory council established or designated under paragraph (1) and the Federal Hospital Council, the National Advisory Health Council, the Health Insurance Benefits Advisory Council, and other appropriate national advisory councils with respect to matters bearing on the purposes and administration of this section and the coordination of activities under this section with related Federal health programs.
(3) If an advisory council is established by the Secretary under paragraph (1), it shall be composed of members who are not otherwise in the regular full-time employ of the United States, and who shall be appointed by the Secretary without regard to the civil service laws from among leaders in the fields of the fundamental sciences, the medical sciences, and the organization, delivery, and financing of health care, and persons who are State or local officials or are active in community affairs or public or civic affairs or who are representative of minority groups. Members of such advisory council, while attending meetings of the council or otherwise serving on business of the council, shall be entitled to receive compensation at rates fixed by the Secretary, but not exceeding the maximum rate specified at the time of such service for grade GS–18 in
(j) Capital expenditure review exception for eligible organization health care facilities
A capital expenditure made by or on behalf of a health care facility shall not be subject to review pursuant to this section if 75 percent of the patients who can reasonably be expected to use the service with respect to which the capital expenditure is made will be individuals enrolled in an eligible organization as defined in
(1) the facilities do not provide common services at the same site (as usually provided by the organization),
(2) the facilities are not available under a contract of reasonable duration,
(3) full and equal medical staff privileges in the facilities are not available,
(4) arrangements with such facilities are not administratively feasible, or
(5) the purchase of such services is more costly than if the organization provided the services directly.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1122, as added
References in Text
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373,
Amendments
1997—Subsec. (h).
1984—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (i)(3).
1983—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (j).
1982—Subsec. (d)(2).
1981—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (e).
1979—
1978—Subsecs. (a), (b).
Subsec. (d).
1973—Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2354(e) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) The amendments made by paragraphs (1) [amending
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment, Savings, and Transitional Provisions
For effective date, savings, and transitional provisions relating to amendment by
Effective Date
Section 221(b) of
Termination of Advisory Councils
Advisory councils in existence on Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period following Jan. 5, 1973, unless, in the case of a council established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such council is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a council established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. Advisory councils established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a council established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such council is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a council established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. See sections 3(2) and 14 of
References in Other Laws to GS–16, 17, or 18 Pay Rates
References in laws to the rates of pay for GS–16, 17, or 18, or to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I, §101(c)(1)] of
Expenditures or Obligations of Health Care Facilities Providing Health Care Services Prior to December 18, 1970; Limitations on Federal Participation
Section 221(d) of
§1320a–1a. Transferred
Codification
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1123, as added Oct. 31, 1994,
§1320a–2. Effect of failure to carry out State plan
In an action brought to enforce a provision of this chapter, such provision is not to be deemed unenforceable because of its inclusion in a section of this chapter requiring a State plan or specifying the required contents of a State plan. This section is not intended to limit or expand the grounds for determining the availability of private actions to enforce State plan requirements other than by overturning any such grounds applied in Suter v. Artist M., 112 S. Ct. 1360 (1992), but not applied in prior Supreme Court decisions respecting such enforceability; provided, however, that this section is not intended to alter the holding in Suter v. Artist M. that
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1123, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320a–2, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1123, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Another section 1123 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1123A, and is classified to
Effective Date
Section 555(b) of
§1320a–2a. Reviews of child and family services programs, and of foster care and adoption assistance programs, for conformity with State plan requirements
(a) In general
The Secretary, in consultation with the State agencies administering the State programs under parts B and E of subchapter IV of this chapter, shall promulgate regulations for the review of such programs to determine whether such programs are in substantial conformity with—
(1) State plan requirements under such parts B and E,
(2) implementing regulations promulgated by the Secretary, and
(3) the relevant approved State plans.
(b) Elements of review system
The regulations referred to in subsection (a) of this section shall—
(1) specify the timetable for conformity reviews of State programs, including—
(A) an initial review of each State program;
(B) a timely review of a State program following a review in which such program was found not to be in substantial conformity; and
(C) less frequent reviews of State programs which have been found to be in substantial conformity, but such regulations shall permit the Secretary to reinstate more frequent reviews based on information which indicates that a State program may not be in conformity;
(2) specify the requirements subject to review (which shall include determining whether the State program is in conformity with the requirement of
(3) specify the method to be used to determine the amount of any Federal matching funds to be withheld (subject to paragraph (4)) due to the State program's failure to so conform, which ensures that—
(A) such funds will not be withheld with respect to a program, unless it is determined that the program fails substantially to so conform;
(B) such funds will not be withheld for a failure to so conform resulting from the State's reliance upon and correct use of formal written statements of Federal law or policy provided to the State by the Secretary; and
(C) the amount of such funds withheld is related to the extent of the failure to so conform; and
(4) require the Secretary, with respect to any State program found to have failed substantially to so conform—
(A) to afford the State an opportunity to adopt and implement a corrective action plan, approved by the Secretary, designed to end the failure to so conform;
(B) to make technical assistance available to the State to the extent feasible to enable the State to develop and implement such a corrective action plan;
(C) to suspend the withholding of any Federal matching funds under this section while such a corrective action plan is in effect; and
(D) to rescind any such withholding if the failure to so conform is ended by successful completion of such a corrective action plan.
(c) Provisions for administrative and judicial review
The regulations referred to in subsection (a) of this section shall—
(1) require the Secretary, not later than 10 days after a final determination that a program of the State is not in conformity, to notify the State of—
(A) the basis for the determination; and
(B) the amount of the Federal matching funds (if any) to be withheld from the State;
(2) afford the State an opportunity to appeal the determination to the Departmental Appeals Board within 60 days after receipt of the notice described in paragraph (1) (or, if later, after failure to continue or to complete a corrective action plan); and
(3) afford the State an opportunity to obtain judicial review of an adverse decision of the Board, within 60 days after the State receives notice of the decision of the Board, by appeal to the district court of the United States for the judicial district in which the principal or headquarters office of the agency responsible for administering the program is located.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1123A, formerly §1123, as added
References in Text
Parts B and E of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), are classified to sections 620 et seq. and 670 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Codification
Section was formerly classified to
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (b)(2).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 203(c)(1) of
Regulations
Section 203(c)(3) of
§1320a–3. Disclosure of ownership and related information; procedure; definitions; scope of requirements
(a) In general
(1) The Secretary shall by regulation or by contract provision provide that each disclosing entity (as defined in paragraph (2)) shall—
(A) as a condition of the disclosing entity's participation in, or certification or recertification under, any of the programs established by subchapters V, XVIII, and XIX of this chapter, or
(B) as a condition for the approval or renewal of a contract or agreement between the disclosing entity and the Secretary or the appropriate State agency under any of the programs established under subchapters V, XVIII, and XIX of this chapter,
supply the Secretary or the appropriate State agency with full and complete information as to the identity of each person with an ownership or control interest (as defined in paragraph (3)) in the entity or in any subcontractor (as defined by the Secretary in regulations) in which the entity directly or indirectly has a 5 per centum or more ownership interest and supply the Secretary with the 1 both the employer identification number (assigned pursuant to section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) and social security account number (assigned under
(2) As used in this section, the term "disclosing entity" means an entity which is—
(A) a provider of services (as defined in
(B) an entity (other than an individual practitioner or group of practitioners) that furnishes, or arranges for the furnishing of, items or services with respect to which payment may be claimed by the entity under any plan or program established pursuant to subchapter V of this chapter or under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter; or
(C) a carrier or other agency or organization that is acting as a fiscal intermediary or agent with respect to one or more providers of services (for purposes of part A or part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, or both, or for purposes of a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter) pursuant to (i) an agreement under
(3) As used in this section, the term "person with an ownership or control interest" means, with respect to an entity, a person who—
(A)(i) has directly or indirectly (as determined by the Secretary in regulations) an ownership interest of 5 per centum or more in the entity; or
(ii) is the owner of a whole or part interest in any mortgage, deed of trust, note, or other obligation secured (in whole or in part) by the entity or any of the property or assets thereof, which whole or part interest is equal to or exceeds 5 per centum of the total property and assets of the entity; or
(B) is an officer or director of the entity, if the entity is organized as a corporation; or
(C) is a partner in the entity, if the entity is organized as a partnership.
(b) Other disclosing entities
To the extent determined to be feasible under regulations of the Secretary, a disclosing entity shall also include in the information supplied under subsection (a)(1) of this section, with respect to each person with an ownership or control interest in the entity, the name of any other disclosing entity with respect to which the person is a person with an ownership or control interest.
(c) Required disclosure of ownership and additional disclosable parties information
(1) Disclosure
A facility shall have the information described in paragraph (2) available—
(A) during the period beginning on March 23, 2010, and ending on the date such information is made available to the public under section 6101(b) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act for submission to the Secretary, the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, the State in which the facility is located, and the State long-term care ombudsman in the case where the Secretary, the Inspector General, the State, or the State long-term care ombudsman requests such information; and
(B) beginning on the effective date of the final regulations promulgated under paragraph (3)(A), for reporting such information in accordance with such final regulations.
Nothing in subparagraph (A) shall be construed as authorizing a facility to dispose of or delete information described in such subparagraph after the effective date of the final regulations promulgated under paragraph (3)(A).
(2) Information described
(A) In general
The following information is described in this paragraph:
(i) The information described in subsections (a) and (b), subject to subparagraph (C).
(ii) The identity of and information on—
(I) each member of the governing body of the facility, including the name, title, and period of service of each such member;
(II) each person or entity who is an officer, director, member, partner, trustee, or managing employee of the facility, including the name, title, and period of service of each such person or entity; and
(III) each person or entity who is an additional disclosable party of the facility.
(iii) The organizational structure of each additional disclosable party of the facility and a description of the relationship of each such additional disclosable party to the facility and to one another.
(B) Special rule where information is already reported or submitted
To the extent that information reported by a facility to the Internal Revenue Service on Form 990, information submitted by a facility to the Securities and Exchange Commission, or information otherwise submitted to the Secretary or any other Federal agency contains the information described in clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (A), the facility may provide such Form or such information submitted to meet the requirements of paragraph (1).
(C) Special rule
In applying subparagraph (A)(i)—
(i) with respect to subsections (a) and (b), "ownership or control interest" shall include direct or indirect interests, including such interests in intermediate entities; and
(ii) subsection (a)(3)(A)(ii) shall include the owner of a whole or part interest in any mortgage, deed of trust, note, or other obligation secured, in whole or in part, by the entity or any of the property or assets thereof, if the interest is equal to or exceeds 5 percent of the total property or assets of the entirety.
(3) Reporting
(A) In general
Not later than the date that is 2 years after March 23, 2010, the Secretary shall promulgate final regulations requiring, effective on the date that is 90 days after the date on which such final regulations are published in the Federal Register, a facility to report the information described in paragraph (2) to the Secretary in a standardized format, and such other regulations as are necessary to carry out this subsection. Such final regulations shall ensure that the facility certifies, as a condition of participation and payment under the program under subchapter XVIII or XIX, that the information reported by the facility in accordance with such final regulations is, to the best of the facility's knowledge, accurate and current.
(B) Guidance
The Secretary shall provide guidance and technical assistance to States on how to adopt the standardized format under subparagraph (A).
(4) No effect on existing reporting requirements
Nothing in this subsection shall reduce, diminish, or alter any reporting requirement for a facility that is in effect as of March 23, 2010.
(5) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Additional disclosable party
The term "additional disclosable party" means, with respect to a facility, any person or entity who—
(i) exercises operational, financial, or managerial control over the facility or a part thereof, or provides policies or procedures for any of the operations of the facility, or provides financial or cash management services to the facility;
(ii) leases or subleases real property to the facility, or owns a whole or part interest equal to or exceeding 5 percent of the total value of such real property; or
(iii) provides management or administrative services, management or clinical consulting services, or accounting or financial services to the facility.
(B) Facility
The term "facility" means a disclosing entity which is—
(i) a skilled nursing facility (as defined in
(ii) a nursing facility (as defined in
(C) Managing employee
The term "managing employee" means, with respect to a facility, an individual (including a general manager, business manager, administrator, director, or consultant) who directly or indirectly manages, advises, or supervises any element of the practices, finances, or operations of the facility.
(D) Organizational structure
The term "organizational structure" means, in the case of—
(i) a corporation, the officers, directors, and shareholders of the corporation who have an ownership interest in the corporation which is equal to or exceeds 5 percent;
(ii) a limited liability company, the members and managers of the limited liability company (including, as applicable, what percentage each member and manager has of the ownership interest in the limited liability company);
(iii) a general partnership, the partners of the general partnership;
(iv) a limited partnership, the general partners and any limited partners of the limited partnership who have an ownership interest in the limited partnership which is equal to or exceeds 10 percent;
(v) a trust, the trustees of the trust;
(vi) an individual, contact information for the individual; and
(vii) any other person or entity, such information as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1124, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Parts A and B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(C), are classified to
Section 6101(b) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(A), is section 6101(b) of
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (c).
1997—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
1987—Subsec. (a)(3)(A)(ii).
1981—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
1980—Subsec. (a)(3)(A)(ii).
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 4313(e) of
"(1)
"(2)
Amendment by section 4707(c) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 3(e) of
Public Availability of Information
Report on Confidentiality of Social Security Account Numbers
Section 4313(d) of
1 So in original. The word "the" probably should not appear.
§1320a–3a. Disclosure requirements for other providers under part B of Medicare
(a) Disclosure required to receive payment
No payment may be made under part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter for items or services furnished by any disclosing part B provider unless such provider has provided the Secretary with full and complete information—
(1) on the identity of each person with an ownership or control interest in the provider or in any subcontractor (as defined by the Secretary in regulations) in which the provider directly or indirectly has a 5 percent or more ownership interest;
(2) with respect to any person identified under paragraph (1) or any managing employee of the provider—
(A) on the identity of any other entities providing items or services for which payment may be made under subchapter XVIII of this chapter with respect to which such person or managing employee is a person with an ownership or control interest at the time such information is supplied or at any time during the 3-year period ending on the date such information is supplied, and
(B) as to whether any penalties, assessments, or exclusions have been assessed against such person or managing employee under
(3) including the employer identification number (assigned pursuant to section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) and social security account number (assigned under
(b) Updates to information supplied
A disclosing part B provider shall notify the Secretary of any changes or updates to the information supplied under subsection (a) of this section not later than 180 days after such changes or updates take effect.
(c) Verification
(1) Transmittal by HHS
The Secretary shall transmit—
(A) to the Commissioner of Social Security information concerning each social security account number (assigned under
(B) to the Secretary of the Treasury information concerning each employer identification number (assigned pursuant to section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986),
supplied to the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a)(3) of this section or section 1320a–3(c) 1 of this title to the extent necessary for verification of such information in accordance with paragraph (2).
(2) Verification
The Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of the Treasury shall verify the accuracy of, or correct, the information supplied by the Secretary to such official pursuant to paragraph (1), and shall report such verifications or corrections to the Secretary.
(3) Fees for verification
The Secretary shall reimburse the Commissioner and Secretary of the Treasury, at a rate negotiated between the Secretary and such official, for the costs incurred by such official in performing the verification and correction services described in this subsection.
(d) Definitions
For purposes of this section—
(1) the term "disclosing part B provider" means any entity receiving payment on an assignment-related basis (or, for purposes of subsection (a)(3) of this section, any entity receiving payment) for furnishing items or services for which payment may be made under part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, except that such term does not include an entity described in
(2) the term "managing employee" means, with respect to a provider, a person described in
(3) the term "person with an ownership or control interest" means, with respect to a provider—
(A) a person described in
(B) a person who has one of the 5 largest direct or indirect ownership or control interests in the provider.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1124A, as added
References in Text
Part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (d)(1), is classified to
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (a)(3) and (c)(1)(B), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
1997—Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (d).
1994—Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4313(b) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 147(g) of
Effective Date
Section 4164(b)(4) of
"(A) January 1, 1993, in the case of items or services furnished by a provider who, on or before the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 5, 1990], has furnished items or services for which payment may be made under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter]; or
"(B) January 1, 1992, in the case of items or services furnished by any other provider."
Report on Confidentiality of Social Security Account Numbers
Before amendment by
1 See References in Text note below.
§1320a–4. Issuance of subpenas by Comptroller General
(a) Authorization; scope; service and proof of service
For the purpose of any audit, investigation, examination, analysis, review, evaluation, or other function authorized by law with respect to any program authorized under this chapter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall have power to sign and issue subpenas to any person requiring the production of any pertinent books, records, documents, or other information. Subpenas so issued by the Comptroller General shall be served by anyone authorized by him (1) by delivering a copy thereof to the person named therein, or (2) by registered mail or by certified mail addressed to such person at his last dwelling place or principal place of business. A verified return by the person so serving the subpena setting forth the manner of service, or, in the case of service by registered mail or by certified mail, the return post office receipt therefor signed by the person so served, shall be proof of service.
(b) Contumacy or refusal to obey subpena; contempt proceedings
In case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpena issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and duly served upon, any person, any district court of the United States for the judicial district in which such person charged with contumacy or refusal to obey is found or resides or transacts business, upon application by the Comptroller General, shall have jurisdiction to issue an order requiring such person to produce the books, records, documents, or other information sought by the subpena; and any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof. In proceedings brought under this subsection, the Comptroller General shall be represented by attorneys employed in the Government Accountability Office or by counsel whom he may employ without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service, and the provisions of
(c) Nondisclosure of personal medical records by Government Accountability Office
No personal medical record in the possession of the Government Accountability Office shall be subject to subpena or discovery proceedings in a civil action.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1125, as added
Amendments
2004—Subsecs. (b) and (c).
§1320a–5. Disclosure by institutions, organizations, and agencies of owners, officers, etc., convicted of offenses related to programs; notification requirements; "managing employee" defined
(a) As a condition of participation in or certification or recertification under the programs established by subchapters XVIII,1 and XIX of this chapter, any hospital, nursing facility, or other entity (other than an individual practitioner or group of practitioners) shall be required to disclose to the Secretary or to the appropriate State agency the name of any person that is a person described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
(b) For the purposes of this section, the term "managing employee" means, with respect to an entity, an individual, including a general manager, business manager, administrator, and director, who exercises operational or managerial control over the entity, or who directly or indirectly conducts the day-to-day operations of the entity.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1126, as added
Amendments
1987—Subsec. (a).
"(1) has a direct or indirect ownership or control interest of 5 percent or more in such institution, organization, or agency or is an officer, director, agent, or managing employee (as defined in subsection (b) of this section) of such institution, organization, or agency, and
"(2) has been convicted (on or after October 25, 1977, or within such period prior to that date as the Secretary shall specify in regulations) of a criminal offense related to the involvement of such person in any of such programs.",
and in second sentence substituted "entity" for "institution, organization, or agency".
Subsec. (b).
1984—Subsec. (a).
1981—Subsec. (a).
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 8(e) of
1 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
§1320a–6. Adjustments in SSI benefits on account of retroactive benefits under subchapter II
(a) Reduction in benefits
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, in any case where an individual—
(1) is entitled to benefits under subchapter II of this chapter that were not paid in the months in which they were regularly due; and
(2) is an individual or eligible spouse eligible for supplemental security income benefits for one or more months in which the benefits referred to in clause (1) were regularly due,
then any benefits under subchapter II of this chapter that were regularly due in such month or months, or supplemental security income benefits for such month or months, which are due but have not been paid to such individual or eligible spouse shall be reduced by an amount equal to so much of the supplemental security income benefits, whether or not paid retroactively, as would not have been paid or would not be paid with respect to such individual or spouse if he had received such benefits under subchapter II of this chapter in the month or months in which they were regularly due. A benefit under subchapter II of this chapter shall not be reduced pursuant to the preceding sentence to the extent that any amount of such benefit would not otherwise be available for payment in full of the maximum fee which may be recovered from such benefit by an attorney pursuant to subsection (a)(4) or (b) of
(b) "Supplemental security income benefits" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "supplemental security income benefits" means benefits paid or payable by the Commissioner of Social Security under subchapter XVI of this chapter, including State supplementary payments under an agreement pursuant to
(c) Reimbursement of the State
From the amount of the reduction made under subsection (a) of this section, the Commissioner of Social Security shall reimburse the State on behalf of which supplementary payments were made for the amount (if any) by which such State's expenditures on account of such supplementary payments for the month or months involved exceeded the expenditures which the State would have made (for such month or months) if the individual had received the benefits under subchapter II of this chapter at the times they were regularly due. An amount equal to the portion of such reduction remaining after reimbursement of the State under the preceding sentence shall be covered into the general fund of the Treasury.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1127, as added
References in Text
Section 212(b) of
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (a).
Subsecs. (b), (c).
1990—Subsec. (a).
1984—
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 108(b)(8) of
Amendment by section 321(f)(3)(B)(ii) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2615(b) of
Effective Date
Section 501(d) of
§1320a–7. Exclusion of certain individuals and entities from participation in Medicare and State health care programs
(a) Mandatory exclusion
The Secretary shall exclude the following individuals and entities from participation in any Federal health care program (as defined in
(1) Conviction of program-related crimes
Any individual or entity that has been convicted of a criminal offense related to the delivery of an item or service under subchapter XVIII of this chapter or under any State health care program.
(2) Conviction relating to patient abuse
Any individual or entity that has been convicted, under Federal or State law, of a criminal offense relating to neglect or abuse of patients in connection with the delivery of a health care item or service.
(3) Felony conviction relating to health care fraud
Any individual or entity that has been convicted for an offense which occurred after August 21, 1996, under Federal or State law, in connection with the delivery of a health care item or service or with respect to any act or omission in a health care program (other than those specifically described in paragraph (1)) operated by or financed in whole or in part by any Federal, State, or local government agency, of a criminal offense consisting of a felony relating to fraud, theft, embezzlement, breach of fiduciary responsibility, or other financial misconduct.
(4) Felony conviction relating to controlled substance
Any individual or entity that has been convicted for an offense which occurred after August 21, 1996, under Federal or State law, of a criminal offense consisting of a felony relating to the unlawful manufacture, distribution, prescription, or dispensing of a controlled substance.
(b) Permissive exclusion
The Secretary may exclude the following individuals and entities from participation in any Federal health care program (as defined in
(1) Conviction relating to fraud
Any individual or entity that has been convicted for an offense which occurred after August 21, 1996, under Federal or State law—
(A) of a criminal offense consisting of a misdemeanor relating to fraud, theft, embezzlement, breach of fiduciary responsibility, or other financial misconduct—
(i) in connection with the delivery of a health care item or service, or
(ii) with respect to any act or omission in a health care program (other than those specifically described in subsection (a)(1) of this section) operated by or financed in whole or in part by any Federal, State, or local government agency; or
(B) of a criminal offense relating to fraud, theft, embezzlement, breach of fiduciary responsibility, or other financial misconduct with respect to any act or omission in a program (other than a health care program) operated by or financed in whole or in part by any Federal, State, or local government agency.
(2) Conviction relating to obstruction of an investigation or audit
Any individual or entity that has been convicted, under Federal or State law, in connection with the interference with or obstruction of any investigation or audit related to—
(i) any offense described in paragraph (1) or in subsection (a); or
(ii) the use of funds received, directly or indirectly, from any Federal health care program (as defined in
(3) Misdemeanor conviction relating to controlled substance
Any individual or entity that has been convicted, under Federal or State law, of a criminal offense consisting of a misdemeanor relating to the unlawful manufacture, distribution, prescription, or dispensing of a controlled substance.
(4) License revocation or suspension
Any individual or entity—
(A) whose license to provide health care has been revoked or suspended by any State licensing authority, or who otherwise lost such a license or the right to apply for or renew such a license, for reasons bearing on the individual's or entity's professional competence, professional performance, or financial integrity, or
(B) who surrendered such a license while a formal disciplinary proceeding was pending before such an authority and the proceeding concerned the individual's or entity's professional competence, professional performance, or financial integrity.
(5) Exclusion or suspension under Federal or State health care program
Any individual or entity which has been suspended or excluded from participation, or otherwise sanctioned, under—
(A) any Federal program, including programs of the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs, involving the provision of health care, or
(B) a State health care program,
for reasons bearing on the individual's or entity's professional competence, professional performance, or financial integrity.
(6) Claims for excessive charges or unnecessary services and failure of certain organizations to furnish medically necessary services
Any individual or entity that the Secretary determines—
(A) has submitted or caused to be submitted bills or requests for payment (where such bills or requests are based on charges or cost) under subchapter XVIII of this chapter or a State health care program containing charges (or, in applicable cases, requests for payment of costs) for items or services furnished substantially in excess of such individual's or entity's usual charges (or, in applicable cases, substantially in excess of such individual's or entity's costs) for such items or services, unless the Secretary finds there is good cause for such bills or requests containing such charges or costs;
(B) has furnished or caused to be furnished items or services to patients (whether or not eligible for benefits under subchapter XVIII of this chapter or under a State health care program) substantially in excess of the needs of such patients or of a quality which fails to meet professionally recognized standards of health care;
(C) is—
(i) a health maintenance organization (as defined in
(ii) an entity furnishing services under a waiver approved under
and has failed substantially to provide medically necessary items and services that are required (under law or the contract with the State under subchapter XIX of this chapter) to be provided to individuals covered under that plan or waiver, if the failure has adversely affected (or has a substantial likelihood of adversely affecting) these individuals; or
(D) is an entity providing items and services as an eligible organization under a risk-sharing contract under
(7) Fraud, kickbacks, and other prohibited activities
Any individual or entity that the Secretary determines has committed an act which is described in
(8) Entities controlled by a sanctioned individual
Any entity with respect to which the Secretary determines that a person—
(A)(i) who has a direct or indirect ownership or control interest of 5 percent or more in the entity or with an ownership or control interest (as defined in
(ii) who is an officer, director, agent, or managing employee (as defined in
(iii) who was described in clause (i) but is no longer so described because of a transfer of ownership or control interest, in anticipation of (or following) a conviction, assessment, or exclusion described in subparagraph (B) against the person, to an immediate family member (as defined in subsection (j)(1) of this section) or a member of the household of the person (as defined in subsection (j)(2) of this section) who continues to maintain an interest described in such clause—
is a person—
(B)(i) who has been convicted of any offense described in subsection (a) of this section or in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection;
(ii) against whom a civil monetary penalty has been assessed under
(iii) who has been excluded from participation under a program under subchapter XVIII of this chapter or under a State health care program.
(9) Failure to disclose required information
Any entity that did not fully and accurately make any disclosure required by
(10) Failure to supply requested information on subcontractors and suppliers
Any disclosing entity (as defined in
(A) full and complete information as to the ownership of a subcontractor (as defined by the Secretary in regulations) with whom the entity has had, during the previous 12 months, business transactions in an aggregate amount in excess of $25,000, or
(B) full and complete information as to any significant business transactions (as defined by the Secretary in regulations), occurring during the five-year period ending on the date of such request, between the entity and any wholly owned supplier or between the entity and any subcontractor.
(11) Failure to supply payment information
Any individual or entity furnishing, ordering, referring for furnishing, or certifying the need for items or services for which payment may be made under subchapter XVIII of this chapter or a State health care program that fails to provide such information as the Secretary or the appropriate State agency finds necessary to determine whether such payments are or were due and the amounts thereof, or has refused to permit such examination of its records by or on behalf of the Secretary or that agency as may be necessary to verify such information.
(12) Failure to grant immediate access
Any individual or entity that fails to grant immediate access, upon reasonable request (as defined by the Secretary in regulations) to any of the following:
(A) To the Secretary, or to the agency used by the Secretary, for the purpose specified in the first sentence of
(B) To the Secretary or the State agency, to perform the reviews and surveys required under State plans under paragraphs (26), (31), and (33) of
(C) To the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, for the purpose of reviewing records, documents, and other data necessary to the performance of the statutory functions of the Inspector General.
(D) To a State medicaid fraud control unit (as defined in
(13) Failure to take corrective action
Any hospital that fails to comply substantially with a corrective action required under
(14) Default on health education loan or scholarship obligations
Any individual who the Secretary determines is in default on repayments of scholarship obligations or loans in connection with health professions education made or secured, in whole or in part, by the Secretary and with respect to whom the Secretary has taken all reasonable steps available to the Secretary to secure repayment of such obligations or loans, except that (A) the Secretary shall not exclude pursuant to this paragraph a physician who is the sole community physician or sole source of essential specialized services in a community if a State requests that the physician not be excluded, and (B) the Secretary shall take into account, in determining whether to exclude any other physician pursuant to this paragraph, access of beneficiaries to physician services for which payment may be made under subchapter XVIII or XIX of this chapter.
(15) Individuals controlling a sanctioned entity
(A) Any individual—
(i) who has a direct or indirect ownership or control interest in a sanctioned entity and who knows or should know (as defined in section 1320a–7a(i)(6) 1 of this title) of the action constituting the basis for the conviction or exclusion described in subparagraph (B); or
(ii) who is an officer or managing employee (as defined in
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "sanctioned entity" means an entity—
(i) that has been convicted of any offense described in subsection (a) of this section or in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection; or
(ii) that has been excluded from participation under a program under subchapter XVIII of this chapter or under a State health care program.
(16) Making false statements or misrepresentation of material facts
Any individual or entity that knowingly makes or causes to be made any false statement, omission, or misrepresentation of a material fact in any application, agreement, bid, or contract to participate or enroll as a provider of services or supplier under a Federal health care program (as defined in
(c) Notice, effective date, and period of exclusion
(1) An exclusion under this section or under
(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), such an exclusion shall be effective with respect to services furnished to an individual on or after the effective date of the exclusion.
(B) Unless the Secretary determines that the health and safety of individuals receiving services warrants the exclusion taking effect earlier, an exclusion shall not apply to payments made under subchapter XVIII of this chapter or under a State health care program for—
(i) inpatient institutional services furnished to an individual who was admitted to such institution before the date of the exclusion, or
(ii) home health services and hospice care furnished to an individual under a plan of care established before the date of the exclusion,
until the passage of 30 days after the effective date of the exclusion.
(3)(A) The Secretary shall specify, in the notice of exclusion under paragraph (1) and the written notice under
(B) Subject to subparagraph (G), in the case of an exclusion under subsection (a) of this section, the minimum period of exclusion shall be not less than five years, except that, upon the request of the administrator of a Federal health care program (as defined in
(C) In the case of an exclusion of an individual under subsection (b)(12) of this section, the period of the exclusion shall be equal to the sum of—
(i) the length of the period in which the individual failed to grant the immediate access described in that subsection, and
(ii) an additional period, not to exceed 90 days, set by the Secretary.
(D) Subject to subparagraph (G), in the case of an exclusion of an individual or entity under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (b) of this section, the period of the exclusion shall be 3 years, unless the Secretary determines in accordance with published regulations that a shorter period is appropriate because of mitigating circumstances or that a longer period is appropriate because of aggravating circumstances.
(E) In the case of an exclusion of an individual or entity under subsection (b)(4) or (b)(5) of this section, the period of the exclusion shall not be less than the period during which the individual's or entity's license to provide health care is revoked, suspended, or surrendered, or the individual or the entity is excluded or suspended from a Federal or State health care program.
(F) In the case of an exclusion of an individual or entity under subsection (b)(6)(B) of this section, the period of the exclusion shall be not less than 1 year.
(G) In the case of an exclusion of an individual under subsection (a) of this section based on a conviction occurring on or after August 5, 1997, if the individual has (before, on, or after August 5, 1997) been convicted—
(i) on one previous occasion of one or more offenses for which an exclusion may be effected under such subsection, the period of the exclusion shall be not less than 10 years, or
(ii) on 2 or more previous occasions of one or more offenses for which an exclusion may be effected under such subsection, the period of the exclusion shall be permanent.
(d) Notice to State agencies and exclusion under State health care programs
(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary shall exercise the authority under this section and
(2) The Secretary shall promptly notify each appropriate State agency administering or supervising the administration of each State health care program (and, in the case of an exclusion effected pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and to which
(A) of the fact and circumstances of each exclusion effected against an individual or entity under this section or
(B) of the period (described in paragraph (3)) for which the State agency is directed to exclude the individual or entity from participation in the State health care program.
(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the period of the exclusion under a State health care program under paragraph (2) shall be the same as any period of exclusion under subchapter XVIII of this chapter.
(B)(i) The Secretary may waive an individual's or entity's exclusion under a State health care program under paragraph (2) if the Secretary receives and approves a request for the waiver with respect to the individual or entity from the State agency administering or supervising the administration of the program.
(ii) A State health care program may provide for a period of exclusion which is longer than the period of exclusion under subchapter XVIII of this chapter.
(e) Notice to State licensing agencies
The Secretary shall—
(1) promptly notify the appropriate State or local agency or authority having responsibility for the licensing or certification of an individual or entity excluded (or directed to be excluded) from participation under this section or
(2) request that appropriate investigations be made and sanctions invoked in accordance with applicable State law and policy, and
(3) request that the State or local agency or authority keep the Secretary and the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services fully and currently informed with respect to any actions taken in response to the request.
(f) Notice, hearing, and judicial review
(1) Subject to paragraph (2), any individual or entity that is excluded (or directed to be excluded) from participation under this section is entitled to reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing thereon by the Secretary to the same extent as is provided in
(2) Unless the Secretary determines that the health or safety of individuals receiving services warrants the exclusion taking effect earlier, any individual or entity that is the subject of an adverse determination under subsection (b)(7) of this section shall be entitled to a hearing by an administrative law judge (as provided under
(3) The provisions of
(4) The provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of
(g) Application for termination of exclusion
(1) An individual or entity excluded (or directed to be excluded) from participation under this section or
(2) The Secretary may terminate the exclusion if the Secretary determines, on the basis of the conduct of the applicant which occurred after the date of the notice of exclusion or which was unknown to the Secretary at the time of the exclusion, that—
(A) there is no basis under subsection (a) or (b) of this section or
(B) there are reasonable assurances that the types of actions which formed the basis for the original exclusion have not recurred and will not recur.
(3) The Secretary shall promptly notify each appropriate State agency administering or supervising the administration of each State health care program (and, in the case of an exclusion effected pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and to which
(h) "State health care program" defined
For purposes of this section and
(1) a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter,
(2) any program receiving funds under subchapter V of this chapter or from an allotment to a State under such subchapter,
(3) any program receiving funds under division A 2 of subchapter XX of this chapter or from an allotment to a State under such division, or
(4) a State child health plan approved under subchapter XXI of this chapter.
(i) "Convicted" defined
For purposes of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, an individual or entity is considered to have been "convicted" of a criminal offense—
(1) when a judgment of conviction has been entered against the individual or entity by a Federal, State, or local court, regardless of whether there is an appeal pending or whether the judgment of conviction or other record relating to criminal conduct has been expunged;
(2) when there has been a finding of guilt against the individual or entity by a Federal, State, or local court;
(3) when a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the individual or entity has been accepted by a Federal, State, or local court; or
(4) when the individual or entity has entered into participation in a first offender, deferred adjudication, or other arrangement or program where judgment of conviction has been withheld.
(j) Definition of immediate family member and member of household
For purposes of subsection (b)(8)(A)(iii) of this section:
(1) The term "immediate family member" means, with respect to a person—
(A) the husband or wife of the person;
(B) the natural or adoptive parent, child, or sibling of the person;
(C) the stepparent, stepchild, stepbrother, or stepsister of the person;
(D) the father-, mother-, daughter-, son-, brother-, or sister-in-law of the person;
(E) the grandparent or grandchild of the person; and
(F) the spouse of a grandparent or grandchild of the person.
(2) The term "member of the household" means, with respect to any person, any individual sharing a common abode as part of a single family unit with the person, including domestic employees and others who live together as a family unit, but not including a roomer or boarder.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1128, as added
References in Text
Division A of subchapter XX, referred to in subsec. (h)(3), was in the original a reference to subtitle 1 of title XX, which was translated as if referring to subtitle A of title XX of the Social Security Act, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Title XX of the Act, enacting subchapter XX of this chapter, does not contain a subtitle 1.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(11).
Subsec. (b)(16).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (h)(3).
2003—Subsec. (c)(3)(B).
1997—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(8)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B), (D).
Subsec. (c)(3)(G).
Subsec. (h)(4).
Subsec. (j).
1996—Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(15).
Subsec. (c)(3)(D) to (F).
1994—Subsec. (b)(7).
Subsec. (b)(8)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(3).
1991—Subsec. (b)(5)(A).
1990—Subsec. (b)(9).
1989—Subsec. (b)(4)(A).
1988—
Subsec. (d)(3)(B)(ii).
1987—
Subsec. (b)(8)(A)(i).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (i)(4).
1986—Subsec. (f).
1984—Subsecs. (b) to (e).
1981—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsecs. (b) to (d).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 4303(b) of
Amendments by section 4331(c) of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Section 218 of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 108(b)(9) of
Section 206(b)(3) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 6411(d)(4)[(A)] of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 15 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(2) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this Act, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act.
"(3) Subsection (j) of section 1128A of the Social Security Act [
"(d)
"(e)
"(f)
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 9317(d)(3) of
"(A) of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of section 1128(f) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f)(1)–(3) of this section] (as added by the amendment made by subsection (c)) shall apply to judgments entered, findings made, and pleas entered, before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1986], and
"(B) of paragraph (4) of such section [subsec. (f)(4) of this section] shall apply to participation in a program entered into on or after the date of the enactment of this Act."
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2333(c) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by section 2353(k) of
1 So in original. Probably should be section "1320a–7a(i)(7)".
2 See References in Text note below.
§1320a–7a. Civil monetary penalties
(a) Improperly filed claims
Any person (including an organization, agency, or other entity, but excluding a beneficiary, as defined in subsection (i)(5) of this section) that—
(1) knowingly presents or causes to be presented to an officer, employee, or agent of the United States, or of any department or agency thereof, or of any State agency (as defined in subsection (i)(1) of this section), a claim (as defined in subsection (i)(2) of this section) that the Secretary determines—
(A) is for a medical or other item or service that the person knows or should know was not provided as claimed, including any person who engages in a pattern or practice of presenting or causing to be presented a claim for an item or service that is based on a code that the person knows or should know will result in a greater payment to the person than the code the person knows or should know is applicable to the item or service actually provided,
(B) is for a medical or other item or service and the person knows or should know the claim is false or fraudulent,
(C) is presented for a physician's service (or an item or service incident to a physician's service) by a person who knows or should know that the individual who furnished (or supervised the furnishing of) the service—
(i) was not licensed as a physician,
(ii) was licensed as a physician, but such license had been obtained through a misrepresentation of material fact (including cheating on an examination required for licensing), or
(iii) represented to the patient at the time the service was furnished that the physician was certified in a medical specialty by a medical specialty board when the individual was not so certified,
(D) is for a medical or other item or service furnished during a period in which the person was excluded from the Federal health care program (as defined in
(E) is for a pattern of medical or other items or services that a person knows or should know are not medically necessary;
(2) knowingly presents or causes to be presented to any person a request for payment which is in violation of the terms of (A) an assignment under
(3) knowingly gives or causes to be given to any person, with respect to coverage under subchapter XVIII of this chapter of inpatient hospital services subject to the provisions of
(4) in the case of a person who is not an organization, agency, or other entity, is excluded from participating in a program under subchapter XVIII of this chapter or a State health care program in accordance with this subsection or under
(A) retains a direct or indirect ownership or control interest in an entity that is participating in a program under subchapter XVIII of this chapter or a State health care program, and who knows or should know of the action constituting the basis for the exclusion; or
(B) is an officer or managing employee (as defined in
(5) offers to or transfers remuneration to any individual eligible for benefits under subchapter XVIII of this chapter, or under a State health care program (as defined in
(6) arranges or contracts (by employment or otherwise) with an individual or entity that the person knows or should know is excluded from participation in a Federal health care program (as defined in
(7) commits an act described in paragraph (1) or (2) of
(8) 2 knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim for payment for items and services furnished under a Federal health care program; or 3
(9) 4 fails to grant timely access, upon reasonable request (as defined by the Secretary in regulations), to the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, for the purpose of audits, investigations, evaluations, or other statutory functions of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services;
(8) 2 orders or prescribes a medical or other item or service during a period in which the person was excluded from a Federal health care program (as so defined), in the case where the person knows or should know that a claim for such medical or other item or service will be made under such a program;
(9) 4 knowingly makes or causes to be made any false statement, omission, or misrepresentation of a material fact in any application, bid, or contract to participate or enroll as a provider of services or a supplier under a Federal health care program (as so defined), including Medicare Advantage organizations under part C of subchapter XVIII, prescription drug plan sponsors under part D of subchapter XVIII, medicaid managed care organizations under subchapter XIX, and entities that apply to participate as providers of services or suppliers in such managed care organizations and such plans; 5
(10) knows of an overpayment (as defined in paragraph (4) of
shall be subject, in addition to any other penalties that may be prescribed by law, to a civil money penalty of not more than $10,000 for each item or service (or, in cases under paragraph (3), $15,000 for each individual with respect to whom false or misleading information was given; in cases under paragraph (4), $10,000 for each day the prohibited relationship occurs; in cases under paragraph (7), $50,000 for each such act,6 in cases under paragraph (8),7 $50,000 for each false record or statement,6 or 8 in cases under paragraph (9),9 $15,000 for each day of the failure described in such paragraph); 10 or in cases under paragraph (9),11 $50,000 for each false statement or misrepresentation of a material fact). In addition, such a person shall be subject to an assessment of not more than 3 times the amount claimed for each such item or service in lieu of damages sustained by the United States or a State agency because of such claim (or, in cases under paragraph (7), damages of not more than 3 times the total amount of remuneration offered, paid, solicited, or received, without regard to whether a portion of such remuneration was offered, paid, solicited, or received for a lawful purpose; or in cases under paragraph (9), an assessment of not more than 3 times the total amount claimed for each item or service for which payment was made based upon the application containing the false statement or misrepresentation of a material fact). In addition the Secretary may make a determination in the same proceeding to exclude the person from participation in the Federal health care programs (as defined in
(b) Payments to induce reduction or limitation of services
(1) If a hospital or a critical access hospital knowingly makes a payment, directly or indirectly, to a physician as an inducement to reduce or limit services provided with respect to individuals who—
(A) are entitled to benefits under part A or part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter or to medical assistance under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, and
(B) are under the direct care of the physician,
the hospital or a critical access hospital shall be subject, in addition to any other penalties that may be prescribed by law, to a civil money penalty of not more than $2,000 for each such individual with respect to whom the payment is made.
(2) Any physician who knowingly accepts receipt of a payment described in paragraph (1) shall be subject, in addition to any other penalties that may be prescribed by law, to a civil money penalty of not more than $2,000 for each individual described in such paragraph with respect to whom the payment is made.
(3)(A) Any physician who executes a document described in subparagraph (B) with respect to an individual knowing that all of the requirements referred to in such subparagraph are not met with respect to the individual shall be subject to a civil monetary penalty of not more than the greater of—
(i) $5,000, or
(ii) three times the amount of the payments under subchapter XVIII of this chapter for home health services which are made pursuant to such certification.
(B) A document described in this subparagraph is any document that certifies, for purposes of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, that an individual meets the requirements of
(c) Initiation of proceeding; authorization by Attorney General, notice, etc., estoppel, failure to comply with order or procedure
(1) The Secretary may initiate a proceeding to determine whether to impose a civil money penalty, assessment, or exclusion under subsection (a) or (b) of this section only as authorized by the Attorney General pursuant to procedures agreed upon by them. The Secretary may not initiate an action under this section with respect to any claim, request for payment, or other occurrence described in this section later than six years after the date the claim was presented, the request for payment was made, or the occurrence took place. The Secretary may initiate an action under this section by serving notice of the action in any manner authorized by Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
(2) The Secretary shall not make a determination adverse to any person under subsection (a) or (b) of this section until the person has been given written notice and an opportunity for the determination to be made on the record after a hearing at which the person is entitled to be represented by counsel, to present witnesses, and to cross-examine witnesses against the person.
(3) In a proceeding under subsection (a) or (b) of this section which—
(A) is against a person who has been convicted (whether upon a verdict after trial or upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere) of a Federal crime charging fraud or false statements, and
(B) involves the same transaction as in the criminal action,
the person is estopped from denying the essential elements of the criminal offense.
(4) The official conducting a hearing under this section may sanction a person, including any party or attorney, for failing to comply with an order or procedure, failing to defend an action, or other misconduct as would interfere with the speedy, orderly, or fair conduct of the hearing. Such sanction shall reasonably relate to the severity and nature of the failure or misconduct. Such sanction may include—
(A) in the case of refusal to provide or permit discovery, drawing negative factual inferences or treating such refusal as an admission by deeming the matter, or certain facts, to be established,
(B) prohibiting a party from introducing certain evidence or otherwise supporting a particular claim or defense,
(C) striking pleadings, in whole or in part,
(D) staying the proceedings,
(E) dismissal of the action,
(F) entering a default judgment,
(G) ordering the party or attorney to pay attorneys' fees and other costs caused by the failure or misconduct, and
(H) refusing to consider any motion or other action which is not filed in a timely manner.
(d) Amount or scope of penalty, assessment, or exclusion
In determining the amount or scope of any penalty, assessment, or exclusion imposed pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section, the Secretary shall take into account—
(1) the nature of claims and the circumstances under which they were presented,
(2) the degree of culpability, history of prior offenses, and financial condition of the person presenting the claims, and
(3) such other matters as justice may require.
(e) Review by courts of appeals
Any person adversely affected by a determination of the Secretary under this section may obtain a review of such determination in the United States Court of Appeals for the circuit in which the person resides, or in which the claim was presented, by filing in such court (within sixty days following the date the person is notified of the Secretary's determination) a written petition requesting that the determination be modified or set aside. A copy of the petition shall be forthwith transmitted by the clerk of the court to the Secretary, and thereupon the Secretary shall file in the Court 12 the record in the proceeding as provided in
(f) Compromise of penalties and assessments; recovery; use of funds recovered
Civil money penalties and assessments imposed under this section may be compromised by the Secretary and may be recovered in a civil action in the name of the United States brought in United States district court for the district where the claim was presented, or where the claimant resides, as determined by the Secretary. Amounts recovered under this section shall be paid to the Secretary and disposed of as follows:
(1)(A) In the case of amounts recovered arising out of a claim under subchapter XIX of this chapter, there shall be paid to the State agency an amount bearing the same proportion to the total amount recovered as the State's share of the amount paid by the State agency for such claim bears to the total amount paid for such claim.
(B) In the case of amounts recovered arising out of a claim under an allotment to a State under subchapter V of this chapter, there shall be paid to the State agency an amount equal to three-sevenths of the amount recovered.
(2) Such portion of the amounts recovered as is determined to have been paid out of the trust funds under
(3) With respect to amounts recovered arising out of a claim under a Federal health care program (as defined in
(4) The remainder of the amounts recovered shall be deposited as miscellaneous receipts of the Treasury of the United States.
The amount of such penalty or assessment, when finally determined, or the amount agreed upon in compromise, may be deducted from any sum then or later owing by the United States or a State agency to the person against whom the penalty or assessment has been assessed.
(g) Finality of determination respecting penalty, assessment, or exclusion
A determination by the Secretary to impose a penalty, assessment, or exclusion under subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall be final upon the expiration of the sixty-day period referred to in subsection (e) of this section. Matters that were raised or that could have been raised in a hearing before the Secretary or in an appeal pursuant to subsection (e) of this section may not be raised as a defense to a civil action by the United States to collect a penalty, assessment, or exclusion assessed under this section.
(h) Notification of appropriate entities of finality of determination
Whenever the Secretary's determination to impose a penalty, assessment, or exclusion under subsection (a) or (b) of this section becomes final, he shall notify the appropriate State or local medical or professional organization, the appropriate State agency or agencies administering or supervising the administration of State health care programs (as defined in
(i) Definitions
For the purposes of this section:
(1) The term "State agency" means the agency established or designated to administer or supervise the administration of the State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter or designated to administer the State's program under subchapter V of this chapter or division A 13 of subchapter XX of this chapter.
(2) The term "claim" means an application for payments for items and services under a Federal health care program (as defined in
(3) The term "item or service" includes (A) any particular item, device, medical supply, or service claimed to have been provided to a patient and listed in an itemized claim for payment, and (B) in the case of a claim based on costs, any entry in the cost report, books of account or other documents supporting such claim.
(4) The term "agency of the United States" includes any contractor acting as a fiscal intermediary, carrier, or fiscal agent or any other claims processing agent for a Federal health care program (as so defined).
(5) The term "beneficiary" means an individual who is eligible to receive items or services for which payment may be made under a Federal health care program (as so defined) but does not include a provider, supplier, or practitioner.
(6) The term "remuneration" includes the waiver of coinsurance and deductible amounts (or any part thereof), and transfers of items or services for free or for other than fair market value. The term "remuneration" does not include—
(A) the waiver of coinsurance and deductible amounts by a person, if—
(i) the waiver is not offered as part of any advertisement or solicitation;
(ii) the person does not routinely waive coinsurance or deductible amounts; and
(iii) the person—
(I) waives the coinsurance and deductible amounts after determining in good faith that the individual is in financial need; or
(II) fails to collect coinsurance or deductible amounts after making reasonable collection efforts;
(B) subject to subsection (n) of this section, any permissible practice described in any subparagraph of
(C) differentials in coinsurance and deductible amounts as part of a benefit plan design as long as the differentials have been disclosed in writing to all beneficiaries, third party payers, and providers, to whom claims are presented and as long as the differentials meet the standards as defined in regulations promulgated by the Secretary not later than 180 days after August 21, 1996;
(D) incentives given to individuals to promote the delivery of preventive care as determined by the Secretary in regulations so promulgated;
(E) a reduction in the copayment amount for covered OPD services under section 1395l(t)(5)(B) 13 of this title; or 8
(F) any other remuneration which promotes access to care and poses a low risk of harm to patients and Federal health care programs (as defined in
(G) the offer or transfer of items or services for free or less than fair market value by a person, if—
(i) the items or services consist of coupons, rebates, or other rewards from a retailer;
(ii) the items or services are offered or transferred on equal terms available to the general public, regardless of health insurance status; and
(iii) the offer or transfer of the items or services is not tied to the provision of other items or services reimbursed in whole or in part by the program under subchapter XVIII or a State health care program (as defined in
(H) the offer or transfer of items or services for free or less than fair market value by a person, if—
(i) the items or services are not offered as part of any advertisement or solicitation;
(ii) the items or services are not tied to the provision of other services reimbursed in whole or in part by the program under subchapter XVIII or a State health care program (as so defined);
(iii) there is a reasonable connection between the items or services and the medical care of the individual; and
(iv) the person provides the items or services after determining in good faith that the individual is in financial need; or
(I) effective on a date specified by the Secretary (but not earlier than January 1, 2011), the waiver by a PDP sponsor of a prescription drug plan under part D of subchapter XVIII or an MA organization offering an MA–PD plan under part C of such subchapter of any copayment for the first fill of a covered part D drug (as defined in
(7) The term "should know" means that a person, with respect to information—
(A) acts in deliberate ignorance of the truth or falsity of the information; or
(B) acts in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the information,
and no proof of specific intent to defraud is required.
(j) Subpoenas
(1) The provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of
(2) The Secretary may delegate authority granted under this section and under
(k) Injunctions
Whenever the Secretary has reason to believe that any person has engaged, is engaging, or is about to engage in any activity which makes the person subject to a civil monetary penalty under this section, the Secretary may bring an action in an appropriate district court of the United States (or, if applicable, a United States court of any territory) to enjoin such activity, or to enjoin the person from concealing, removing, encumbering, or disposing of assets which may be required in order to pay a civil monetary penalty if any such penalty were to be imposed or to seek other appropriate relief.
(l) Liability of principal for acts of agent
A principal is liable for penalties, assessments, and an exclusion under this section for the actions of the principal's agent acting within the scope of the agency.
(m) Claims within jurisdiction of other departments or agencies
(1) For purposes of this section, with respect to a Federal health care program not contained in this chapter, references to the Secretary in this section shall be deemed to be references to the Secretary or Administrator of the department or agency with jurisdiction over such program and references to the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services in this section shall be deemed to be references to the Inspector General of the applicable department or agency.
(2)(A) The Secretary and Administrator of the departments and agencies referred to in paragraph (1) may include in any action pursuant to this section, claims within the jurisdiction of other Federal departments or agencies as long as the following conditions are satisfied:
(i) The case involves primarily claims submitted to the Federal health care programs of the department or agency initiating the action.
(ii) The Secretary or Administrator of the department or agency initiating the action gives notice and an opportunity to participate in the investigation to the Inspector General of the department or agency with primary jurisdiction over the Federal health care programs to which the claims were submitted.
(B) If the conditions specified in subparagraph (A) are fulfilled, the Inspector General of the department or agency initiating the action is authorized to exercise all powers granted under the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) with respect to the claims submitted to the other departments or agencies to the same manner and extent as provided in that Act with respect to claims submitted to such departments or agencies.
(n) Safe harbor for payment of medigap premiums
(1) Subparagraph (B) of subsection (i)(6) of this section shall not apply to a practice described in paragraph (2) unless—
(A) the Secretary, through the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, promulgates a rule authorizing such a practice as an exception to remuneration; and
(B) the remuneration is offered or transferred by a person under such rule during the 2-year period beginning on the date the rule is first promulgated.
(2) A practice described in this paragraph is a practice under which a health care provider or facility pays, in whole or in part, premiums for medicare supplemental policies for individuals entitled to benefits under part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter pursuant to
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1128A, as added
References in Text
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), are set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (f)(3), is
Division A of subchapter XX, referred to in subsec. (i)(1), was in the original a reference to subtitle 1 of title XX, which was translated as if referring to subtitle A of title XX of the Social Security Act, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Title XX of the Act, enacting subchapter XX of this chapter, does not contain a subtitle 1.
The Inspector General Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (m)(2)(B), is
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1)(D).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (a)(8), (9).
Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(6)(C).
Subsec. (i)(6)(D).
Subsec. (i)(6)(E).
Subsec. (i)(6)(F) to (I).
1998—Subsec. (i)(6)(B).
Subsec. (n).
1997—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (i)(6)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (i)(6)(B).
Subsec. (i)(6)(C).
Subsec. (i)(6)(D).
1996—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(E).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (f)(3), (4).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (i)(4).
Subsec. (i)(5).
Subsec. (i)(6).
Subsec. (i)(7).
Subsec. (m).
1990—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (j).
1989—Subsec. (a)(1)(D), (2)(C), (4).
Subsec. (b)(1).
1988—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(1)(D).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (i)(5).
Subsec. (l).
1987—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
"(A) that the person knows or has reason to know was not provided as claimed, or
"(B) payment for which may not be made under the program under which such claim was made, pursuant to a determination by the Secretary under
Subsec. (a)(1)(D).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (f)(1)(A).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(2).
"(A) a provider of services or other person, agency, or organization that furnishes an item or service under subchapter XVIII of this chapter, or
"(B) a person, agency, or organization that furnishes an item or service for which medical assistance is provided under subchapter XIX of this chapter, or
"(C) a person, agency, or organization that provides an item or service for which payment is made under subchapter V of this chapter or from an allotment to a State under such subchapter,
to the United States or a State agency, or agent thereof, for payment for health care services under subchapter XVIII or XIX of this chapter or for any item or service under subchapter V of this chapter".
Subsec. (i)(5).
Subsecs. (j), (k).
Subsec. (l).
1986—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (d).
Subsecs. (e), (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
1984—Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (g).
1982—Subsec. (a).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by section 6408(a) of
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4201(c)(1) of
Section 4304(c) of
"(1)
"(2)
Amendment by section 4331(e) of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Section 231(i) of
Section 232(b) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 201(c) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 202(c)(2) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendments
Section 4118(e)(14), formerly section 4118(e)(3), of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 9313(c)(2) of
"(A) payments by hospitals occurring more than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1986], and
"(B) payments by eligible organizations or entities occurring on or after April 1, 1991."
Section 9317(d)(1), (2) of
"(1) The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1986], without regard to when the criminal conviction was obtained, but shall only apply to a conviction upon a plea of nolo contendere tendered after the date of the enactment of this Act.
"(2) The amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to failures or misconduct occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act."
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 2354(a)(3) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by
Regulations
GAO Study and Report on Impact of Safe Harbor on Medigap Policies
Repeal of 1988 Expansion of Medicare Part B Benefits
Section 201(a) of
"(1)
"(2)
Study and Report on Incentive Arrangements Offered to Physicians
Section 9313(c)(3) of
1 So in original. Probably should be "law, or".
2 So in original. Two pars. (8) have been enacted.
3 So in original. The word "or" probably should not appear.
4 So in original. Two pars. (9) have been enacted.
5 So in original. Probably should be followed by "or".
6 So in original. The comma probably should be a semicolon.
7 So in original. Probably is a reference to the first paragraph (8).
8 So in original. The word "or" probably should not appear.
9 So in original. Probably is a reference to the first paragraph (9).
10 So in original. Probably should be "paragraph;".
11 So in original. Probably is a reference to the second paragraph (9).
12 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.
13 See References in Text note below.
§1320a–7b. Criminal penalties for acts involving Federal health care programs
(a) Making or causing to be made false statements or representations
Whoever—
(1) knowingly and willfully makes or causes to be made any false statement or representation of a material fact in any application for any benefit or payment under a Federal health care program (as defined in subsection (f) of this section),
(2) at any time knowingly and willfully makes or causes to be made any false statement or representation of a material fact for use in determining rights to such benefit or payment,
(3) having knowledge of the occurrence of any event affecting (A) his initial or continued right to any such benefit or payment, or (B) the initial or continued right to any such benefit or payment of any other individual in whose behalf he has applied for or is receiving such benefit or payment, conceals or fails to disclose such event with an intent fraudulently to secure such benefit or payment either in a greater amount or quantity than is due or when no such benefit or payment is authorized,
(4) having made application to receive any such benefit or payment for the use and benefit of another and having received it, knowingly and willfully converts such benefit or payment or any part thereof to a use other than for the use and benefit of such other person,
(5) presents or causes to be presented a claim for a physician's service for which payment may be made under a Federal health care program and knows that the individual who furnished the service was not licensed as a physician, or
(6) for a fee knowingly and willfully counsels or assists an individual to dispose of assets (including by any transfer in trust) in order for the individual to become eligible for medical assistance under a State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter, if disposing of the assets results in the imposition of a period of ineligibility for such assistance under
shall (i) in the case of such a statement, representation, concealment, failure, or conversion by any person in connection with the furnishing (by that person) of items or services for which payment is or may be made under the program, be guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof fined not more than $25,000 or imprisoned for not more than five years or both, or (ii) in the case of such a statement, representation, concealment, failure, conversion, or provision of counsel or assistance by any other person, be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. In addition, in any case where an individual who is otherwise eligible for assistance under a Federal health care program is convicted of an offense under the preceding provisions of this subsection, the administrator of such program may at its option (notwithstanding any other provision of such program) limit, restrict, or suspend the eligibility of that individual for such period (not exceeding one year) as it deems appropriate; but the imposition of a limitation, restriction, or suspension with respect to the eligibility of any individual under this sentence shall not affect the eligibility of any other person for assistance under the plan, regardless of the relationship between that individual and such other person.
(b) Illegal remunerations
(1) Whoever knowingly and willfully solicits or receives any remuneration (including any kickback, bribe, or rebate) directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind—
(A) in return for referring an individual to a person for the furnishing or arranging for the furnishing of any item or service for which payment may be made in whole or in part under a Federal health care program, or
(B) in return for purchasing, leasing, ordering, or arranging for or recommending purchasing, leasing, or ordering any good, facility, service, or item for which payment may be made in whole or in part under a Federal health care program,
shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $25,000 or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both.
(2) Whoever knowingly and willfully offers or pays any remuneration (including any kickback, bribe, or rebate) directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind to any person to induce such person—
(A) to refer an individual to a person for the furnishing or arranging for the furnishing of any item or service for which payment may be made in whole or in part under a Federal health care program, or
(B) to purchase, lease, order, or arrange for or recommend purchasing, leasing, or ordering any good, facility, service, or item for which payment may be made in whole or in part under a Federal health care program,
shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $25,000 or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both.
(3) Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to—
(A) a discount or other reduction in price obtained by a provider of services or other entity under a Federal health care program if the reduction in price is properly disclosed and appropriately reflected in the costs claimed or charges made by the provider or entity under a Federal health care program;
(B) any amount paid by an employer to an employee (who has a bona fide employment relationship with such employer) for employment in the provision of covered items or services;
(C) any amount paid by a vendor of goods or services to a person authorized to act as a purchasing agent for a group of individuals or entities who are furnishing services reimbursed under a Federal health care program if—
(i) the person has a written contract, with each such individual or entity, which specifies the amount to be paid the person, which amount may be a fixed amount or a fixed percentage of the value of the purchases made by each such individual or entity under the contract, and
(ii) in the case of an entity that is a provider of services (as defined in
(D) a waiver of any coinsurance under part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter by a Federally qualified health care center with respect to an individual who qualifies for subsidized services under a provision of the Public Health Service Act [
(E) any payment practice specified by the Secretary in regulations promulgated pursuant to section 14(a) of the Medicare and Medicaid Patient and Program Protection Act of 1987 or in regulations under section 1395w–104(e)(6) 1 of this title;
(F) any remuneration between an organization and an individual or entity providing items or services, or a combination thereof, pursuant to a written agreement between the organization and the individual or entity if the organization is an eligible organization under
(G) the waiver or reduction by pharmacies (including pharmacies of the Indian Health Service, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations) of any cost-sharing imposed under part D of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, if the conditions described in clauses (i) through (iii) of
(H) any remuneration between a federally qualified health center (or an entity controlled by such a health center) and an MA organization pursuant to a written agreement described in
(I) any remuneration between a health center entity described under clause (i) or (ii) of
(J) a discount in the price of an applicable drug (as defined in paragraph (2) of
(c) False statements or representations with respect to condition or operation of institutions
Whoever knowingly and willfully makes or causes to be made, or induces or seeks to induce the making of, any false statement or representation of a material fact with respect to the conditions or operation of any institution, facility, or entity in order that such institution, facility, or entity may qualify (either upon initial certification or upon recertification) as a hospital, critical access hospital, skilled nursing facility, nursing facility, intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, home health agency, or other entity (including an eligible organization under
(d) Illegal patient admittance and retention practices
Whoever knowingly and willfully—
(1) charges, for any service provided to a patient under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, money or other consideration at a rate in excess of the rates established by the State (or, in the case of services provided to an individual enrolled with a medicaid managed care organization under subchapter XIX of this chapter under a contract under
(2) charges, solicits, accepts, or receives, in addition to any amount otherwise required to be paid under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, any gift, money, donation, or other consideration (other than a charitable, religious, or philanthropic contribution from an organization or from a person unrelated to the patient)—
(A) as a precondition of admitting a patient to a hospital, nursing facility, or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, or
(B) as a requirement for the patient's continued stay in such a facility,
when the cost of the services provided therein to the patient is paid for (in whole or in part) under the State plan,
shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not more than $25,000 or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both.
(e) Violation of assignment terms
Whoever accepts assignments described in
(f) "Federal health care program" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "Federal health care program" means—
(1) any plan or program that provides health benefits, whether directly, through insurance, or otherwise, which is funded directly, in whole or in part, by the United States Government (other than the health insurance program under
(2) any State health care program, as defined in
(g) Liability under subchapter III of chapter 37 of title 31
In addition to the penalties provided for in this section or
(h) Actual knowledge or specific intent not required
With respect to violations of this section, a person need not have actual knowledge of this section or specific intent to commit a violation of this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1128B, formerly title XVIII, §1877(d), and title XIX, §1909, as added and amended
References in Text
Part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(D), is classified to
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(D), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373,
Section 14(a) of the Medicare and Medicaid Patient and Program Protection Act of 1987, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(E), is section 14(a) of
Part D of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(G), is classified to
Codification
Prior to redesignation by
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(3)(G).
Subsec. (b)(3)(H).
Subsec. (b)(3)(I).
Subsec. (b)(3)(J).
Subsecs. (g), (h).
2003—Subsec. (b)(3)(E).
Subsec. (b)(3)(G).
Subsec. (b)(3)(H).
1997—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(1).
1996—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(3)(F).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (f).
1994—Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
1990—Subsec. (b)(3)(D), (E).
Subsec. (c).
1989—Subsec. (c).
1988—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A).
1987—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A), (B), (2)(A), (B).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(1), (2).
Subsec. (e).
1984—Subsec. (e).
1980—Subsec. (b)(1), (2).
1977—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
1972—Subsec. (c).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4201(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 4704(b) of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Section 204(b) of
Section 216(c) of
Amendment by section 217 of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 133(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 4161(a)(4) of
Amendment by section 4164(b)(2) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendments
Amendment by section 4211(h)(7) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Section 4(d) of
Effective Date
Section 242(d) of
Rulemaking for Exception for Health Center Entity Arrangements
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) Whether the arrangement between the health center entity and the other party results in savings of Federal grant funds or increased revenues to the health center entity.
"(ii) Whether the arrangement between the health center entity and the other party restricts or limits an individual's freedom of choice.
"(iii) Whether the arrangement between the health center entity and the other party protects a health care professional's independent medical judgment regarding medically appropriate treatment.
The Secretary may also include other standards and criteria that are consistent with the intent of Congress in enacting the exception established under this section.
"(2)
Negotiated Rulemaking for Risk-Sharing Exception
Section 216(b) of
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) shall consult with the Attorney General and representatives of the hospital, physician, other health practitioner, and health plan communities, and other interested parties; and
"(ii) shall take into account—
"(I) the level of risk appropriate to the size and type of arrangement;
"(II) the frequency of assessment and distribution of incentives;
"(III) the level of capital contribution; and
"(IV) the extent to which the risk-sharing arrangement provides incentives to control the cost and quality of health care services.
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(A) the appointment of a negotiated rulemaking committee under section 565(a) of such title by not later than 30 days after the end of the comment period provided for under section 564(c) of such title (as shortened under paragraph (4)), and
"(B) the nomination of a facilitator under section 566(c) of such title by not later than 10 days after the date of appointment of the committee.
"(6)
"(7)
"(8)
"(9)
Anti-Kickback Regulations
Section 14(a) of
1 See References in Text note below.
§1320a–7c. Fraud and abuse control program
(a) Establishment of program
(1) In general
Not later than January 1, 1997, the Secretary, acting through the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Attorney General shall establish a program—
(A) to coordinate Federal, State, and local law enforcement programs to control fraud and abuse with respect to health plans,
(B) to conduct investigations, audits, evaluations, and inspections relating to the delivery of and payment for health care in the United States,
(C) to facilitate the enforcement of the provisions of
(D) to provide for the modification and establishment of safe harbors and to issue advisory opinions and special fraud alerts pursuant to
(2) Coordination with health plans
In carrying out the program established under paragraph (1), the Secretary and the Attorney General shall consult with, and arrange for the sharing of data with representatives of health plans.
(3) Guidelines
(A) In general
The Secretary and the Attorney General shall issue guidelines to carry out the program under paragraph (1). The provisions of
(B) Information guidelines
(i) In general
Such guidelines shall include guidelines relating to the furnishing of information by health plans, providers, and others to enable the Secretary and the Attorney General to carry out the program (including coordination with health plans under paragraph (2)).
(ii) Confidentiality
Such guidelines shall include procedures to assure that such information is provided and utilized in a manner that appropriately protects the confidentiality of the information and the privacy of individuals receiving health care services and items.
(iii) Qualified immunity for providing information
The provisions of
(4) Ensuring access to documentation
The Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services is authorized to exercise such authority described in paragraphs (3) through (9) of section 6 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) as necessary with respect to the activities under the fraud and abuse control program established under this subsection.
(5) Authority of Inspector General
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to diminish the authority of any Inspector General, including such authority as provided in the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
(b) Additional use of funds by Inspector General
(1) Reimbursements for investigations
The Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services is authorized to receive and retain for current use reimbursement for the costs of conducting investigations and audits and for monitoring compliance plans when such costs are ordered by a court, voluntarily agreed to by the payor, or otherwise.
(2) Crediting
Funds received by the Inspector General under paragraph (1) as reimbursement for costs of conducting investigations shall be deposited to the credit of the appropriation from which initially paid, or to appropriations for similar purposes currently available at the time of deposit, and shall remain available for obligation for 1 year from the date of the deposit of such funds.
(c) "Health plan" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "health plan" means a plan or program that provides health benefits, whether directly, through insurance, or otherwise, and includes—
(1) a policy of health insurance;
(2) a contract of a service benefit organization; and
(3) a membership agreement with a health maintenance organization or other prepaid health plan.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1128C, as added
References in Text
The Inspector General Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (a)(4), (5), is
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(1)(C) to (E).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by
§1320a–7d. Guidance regarding application of health care fraud and abuse sanctions
(a) Solicitation and publication of modifications to existing safe harbors and new safe harbors
(1) In general
(A) Solicitation of proposals for safe harbors
Not later than January 1, 1997, and not less than annually thereafter, the Secretary shall publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting proposals, which will be accepted during a 60-day period, for—
(i) modifications to existing safe harbors issued pursuant to section 14(a) of the Medicare and Medicaid Patient and Program Protection Act of 1987 (
(ii) additional safe harbors specifying payment practices that shall not be treated as a criminal offense under
(iii) advisory opinions to be issued pursuant to subsection (b) of this section; and
(iv) special fraud alerts to be issued pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.
(B) Publication of proposed modifications and proposed additional safe harbors
After considering the proposals described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A), the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall publish in the Federal Register proposed modifications to existing safe harbors and proposed additional safe harbors, if appropriate, with a 60-day comment period. After considering any public comments received during this period, the Secretary shall issue final rules modifying the existing safe harbors and establishing new safe harbors, as appropriate.
(C) Report
The Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the "Inspector General") shall, in an annual report to Congress or as part of the year-end semiannual report required by section 5 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), describe the proposals received under clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) and explain which proposals were included in the publication described in subparagraph (B), which proposals were not included in that publication, and the reasons for the rejection of the proposals that were not included.
(2) Criteria for modifying and establishing safe harbors
In modifying and establishing safe harbors under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary may consider the extent to which providing a safe harbor for the specified payment practice may result in any of the following:
(A) An increase or decrease in access to health care services.
(B) An increase or decrease in the quality of health care services.
(C) An increase or decrease in patient freedom of choice among health care providers.
(D) An increase or decrease in competition among health care providers.
(E) An increase or decrease in the ability of health care facilities to provide services in medically underserved areas or to medically underserved populations.
(F) An increase or decrease in the cost to Federal health care programs (as defined in
(G) An increase or decrease in the potential overutilization of health care services.
(H) The existence or nonexistence of any potential financial benefit to a health care professional or provider which may vary based on their decisions of—
(i) whether to order a health care item or service; or
(ii) whether to arrange for a referral of health care items or services to a particular practitioner or provider.
(I) Any other factors the Secretary deems appropriate in the interest of preventing fraud and abuse in Federal health care programs (as so defined).
(b) Advisory opinions
(1) Issuance of advisory opinions
The Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall issue written advisory opinions as provided in this subsection.
(2) Matters subject to advisory opinions
The Secretary shall issue advisory opinions as to the following matters:
(A) What constitutes prohibited remuneration within the meaning of
(B) Whether an arrangement or proposed arrangement satisfies the criteria set forth in
(C) Whether an arrangement or proposed arrangement satisfies the criteria which the Secretary has established, or shall establish by regulation for activities which do not result in prohibited remuneration.
(D) What constitutes an inducement to reduce or limit services to individuals entitled to benefits under subchapter XVIII of this chapter or subchapter XIX of this chapter within the meaning of
(E) Whether any activity or proposed activity constitutes grounds for the imposition of a sanction under
(3) Matters not subject to advisory opinions
Such advisory opinions shall not address the following matters:
(A) Whether the fair market value shall be, or was paid or received for any goods, services or property.
(B) Whether an individual is a bona fide employee within the requirements of section 3121(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(4) Effect of advisory opinions
(A) Binding as to Secretary and parties involved
Each advisory opinion issued by the Secretary shall be binding as to the Secretary and the party or parties requesting the opinion.
(B) Failure to seek opinion
The failure of a party to seek an advisory opinion may not be introduced into evidence to prove that the party intended to violate the provisions of sections 1 1320a–7, 1320a–7a, or 1320a–7b of this title.
(5) Regulations
(A) In general
Not later than 180 days after August 21, 1996, the Secretary shall issue regulations to carry out this section. Such regulations shall provide for—
(i) the procedure to be followed by a party applying for an advisory opinion;
(ii) the procedure to be followed by the Secretary in responding to a request for an advisory opinion;
(iii) the interval in which the Secretary shall respond;
(iv) the reasonable fee to be charged to the party requesting an advisory opinion; and
(v) the manner in which advisory opinions will be made available to the public.
(B) Specific contents
Under the regulations promulgated pursuant to subparagraph (A)—
(i) the Secretary shall be required to issue to a party requesting an advisory opinion by not later than 60 days after the request is received; and
(ii) the fee charged to the party requesting an advisory opinion shall be equal to the costs incurred by the Secretary in responding to the request.
(6) Application of subsection
This subsection shall apply to requests for advisory opinions made on or after the date which is 6 months after August 21, 1996.
(c) Special fraud alerts
(1) In general
(A) Request for special fraud alerts
Any person may present, at any time, a request to the Inspector General for a notice which informs the public of practices which the Inspector General considers to be suspect or of particular concern under the Medicare program under subchapter XVIII of this chapter or a State health care program, as defined in
(B) Issuance and publication of special fraud alerts
Upon receipt of a request described in subparagraph (A), the Inspector General shall investigate the subject matter of the request to determine whether a special fraud alert should be issued. If appropriate, the Inspector General shall issue a special fraud alert in response to the request. All special fraud alerts issued pursuant to this subparagraph shall be published in the Federal Register.
(2) Criteria for special fraud alerts
In determining whether to issue a special fraud alert upon a request described in paragraph (1), the Inspector General may consider—
(A) whether and to what extent the practices that would be identified in the special fraud alert may result in any of the consequences described in subsection (a)(2) of this section; and
(B) the volume and frequency of the conduct that would be identified in the special fraud alert.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1128D, as added
References in Text
Section 14(a) of the Medicare and Medicaid Patient and Program Protection Act of 1987, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A)(i), is section 14(a) of
Section 5 of the Inspector General Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(C), is section 5 of
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(B), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2000—Subsec. (b)(6).
1998—Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
1997—Subsec. (b)(2)(D).
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
1 So in original. Probably should be "section".
§1320a–7e. Health care fraud and abuse data collection program
(a) In general
The Secretary shall maintain a national health care fraud and abuse data collection program under this section for the reporting of certain final adverse actions (not including settlements in which no findings of liability have been made) against health care providers, suppliers, or practitioners as required by subsection (b), with access as set forth in subsection (d), and shall furnish the information collected under this section to the National Practitioner Data Bank established pursuant to the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 (
(b) Reporting of information
(1) In general
Each Government agency and health plan shall report any final adverse action (not including settlements in which no findings of liability have been made) taken against a health care provider, supplier, or practitioner.
(2) Information to be reported
The information to be reported under paragraph (1) includes:
(A) The name and TIN (as defined in section 7701(a)(41) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) of any health care provider, supplier, or practitioner who is the subject of a final adverse action.
(B) The name (if known) of any health care entity with which a health care provider, supplier, or practitioner, who is the subject of a final adverse action, is affiliated or associated.
(C) The nature of the final adverse action and whether such action is on appeal.
(D) A description of the acts or omissions and injuries upon which the final adverse action was based, and such other information as the Secretary determines by regulation is required for appropriate interpretation of information reported under this section.
(3) Confidentiality
In determining what information is required, the Secretary shall include procedures to assure that the privacy of individuals receiving health care services is appropriately protected.
(4) Timing and form of reporting
The information required to be reported under this subsection shall be reported regularly (but not less often than monthly) and in such form and manner as the Secretary prescribes. Such information shall first be required to be reported on a date specified by the Secretary.
(5) To whom reported
The information required to be reported under this subsection shall be reported to the Secretary.
(6) Sanctions for failure to report
(A) Health plans
Any health plan that fails to report information on an adverse action required to be reported under this subsection shall be subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $25,000 for each such adverse action not reported. Such penalty shall be imposed and collected in the same manner as civil money penalties under subsection (a) of
(B) Governmental agencies
The Secretary shall provide for a publication of a public report that identifies those Government agencies that have failed to report information on adverse actions as required to be reported under this subsection.
(c) Disclosure and correction of information
(1) Disclosure
With respect to the information about final adverse actions (not including settlements in which no findings of liability have been made) reported to the Secretary under this section with respect to a health care provider, supplier, or practitioner, the Secretary shall, by regulation, provide for—
(A) disclosure of the information, upon request, to the health care provider, supplier, or licensed practitioner, and
(B) procedures in the case of disputed accuracy of the information.
(2) Corrections
Each Government agency and health plan shall report corrections of information already reported about any final adverse action taken against a health care provider, supplier, or practitioner, in such form and manner that the Secretary prescribes by regulation.
(d) Access to reported information
(1) Availability
The information collected under this section shall be available from the National Practitioner Data Bank to the agencies, authorities, and officials which are provided under
(2) Fees for disclosure
The Secretary may establish or approve reasonable fees for the disclosure of information under this section. The amount of such a fee may not exceed the costs of processing the requests for disclosure and of providing such information. Such fees shall be available to the Secretary to cover such costs.
(e) Protection from liability for reporting
No person or entity, including the agency designated by the Secretary in subsection (b)(5) of this section shall be held liable in any civil action with respect to any report made as required by this section, without knowledge of the falsity of the information contained in the report.
(f) Appropriate coordination
In implementing this section, the Secretary shall provide for the maximum appropriate coordination with part B of the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 (
(g) Definitions and special rules
For purposes of this section:
(1) Final adverse action
(A) In general
The term "final adverse action" includes:
(i) Civil judgments against a health care provider, supplier, or practitioner in Federal or State court related to the delivery of a health care item or service.
(ii) Federal or State criminal convictions related to the delivery of a health care item or service.
(iii) Actions by Federal agencies responsible for the licensing and certification of health care providers, suppliers, and licensed health care practitioners, including—
(I) formal or official actions, such as revocation or suspension of a license (and the length of any such suspension), reprimand, censure or probation,
(II) any dismissal or closure of the proceedings by reason of the provider, supplier, or practitioner surrendering their license or leaving the State or jurisdiction 1
(III) any other loss of license or the right to apply for, or renew, a license of the provider, supplier, or practitioner, whether by operation of law, voluntary surrender, non-renewability, or otherwise, or
(IV) any other negative action or finding by such Federal agency that is publicly available information.
(iv) Exclusion from participation in a Federal health care program (as defined in
(v) Any other adjudicated actions or decisions that the Secretary shall establish by regulation.
(B) Exception
The term does not include any action with respect to a malpractice claim.
(2) Practitioner
The terms "licensed health care practitioner", "licensed practitioner", and "practitioner" mean, with respect to a State, an individual who is licensed or otherwise authorized by the State to provide health care services (or any individual who, without authority holds himself or herself out to be so licensed or authorized).
(3) Government agency
The term "Government agency" shall include:
(A) The Department of Justice.
(B) The Department of Health and Human Services.
(C) Any other Federal agency that either administers or provides payment for the delivery of health care services, including, but not limited to the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(D) Federal agencies responsible for the licensing and certification of health care providers and licensed health care practitioners.
(4) Health plan
The term "health plan" has the meaning given such term by
(5) Determination of conviction
For purposes of paragraph (1), the existence of a conviction shall be determined under paragraphs (1) through (4) of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1128E, as added
References in Text
The Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (f), is title IV of
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(A), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (d).
"(1)
"(2)
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A)(iii)(II).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A)(iii)(III).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A)(iii)(IV).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (g)(3)(D).
Subsec. (g)(3)(E).
Subsec. (g)(3)(F).
1997—Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (g)(3)(C).
Subsec. (g)(5).
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 4331(f) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
Transition Process; Regulations; Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
"(4)
"(A)
"(B)
"(5)
"(A) the date that is 1 year after such date of enactment; or
"(B) the effective date of the regulations promulgated under paragraph (2).
"(6)
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
§1320a–7f. Coordination of medicare and medicaid surety bond provisions
In the case of a home health agency that is subject to a surety bond requirement under subchapter XVIII of this chapter and subchapter XIX of this chapter, the surety bond provided to satisfy the requirement under one such subchapter shall satisfy the requirement under the other such subchapter so long as the bond applies to guarantee return of overpayments under both such subchapters.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1128F, as added
§1320a–7g. Funds to reduce medicaid fraud and abuse
(1) In general
For purposes of reducing fraud and abuse in the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act [
(A) there is appropriated to the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $25,000,000, for fiscal year 2009; and
(B) there is authorized to be appropriated to such Office $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and each subsequent fiscal year.
Amounts appropriated under this section shall remain available for expenditure until expended and shall be in addition to any other amounts appropriated or made available to such Office for such purposes with respect to the Medicaid program.
(2) Annual report
Not later than September 30 of 2009 and of each subsequent year, the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services shall submit to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Finance and Appropriations of the Senate a report on the activities (and the results of such activities) funded under paragraph (1) to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act [
(
References in Text
The Social Security Act, referred to in text, is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531,
This section, referred to in par. (1), means section 7001 of
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
§1320a–7h. Transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests
(a) Transparency reports
(1) Payments or other transfers of value
(A) In general
On March 31, 2013, and on the 90th day of each calendar year beginning thereafter, any applicable manufacturer that provides a payment or other transfer of value to a covered recipient (or to an entity or individual at the request of or designated on behalf of a covered recipient), shall submit to the Secretary, in such electronic form as the Secretary shall require, the following information with respect to the preceding calendar year:
(i) The name of the covered recipient.
(ii) The business address of the covered recipient and, in the case of a covered recipient who is a physician, the specialty and National Provider Identifier of the covered recipient.
(iii) The amount of the payment or other transfer of value.
(iv) The dates on which the payment or other transfer of value was provided to the covered recipient.
(v) A description of the form of the payment or other transfer of value, indicated (as appropriate for all that apply) as—
(I) cash or a cash equivalent;
(II) in-kind items or services;
(III) stock, a stock option, or any other ownership interest, dividend, profit, or other return on investment; or
(IV) any other form of payment or other transfer of value (as defined by the Secretary).
(vi) A description of the nature of the payment or other transfer of value, indicated (as appropriate for all that apply) as—
(I) consulting fees;
(II) compensation for services other than consulting;
(III) honoraria;
(IV) gift;
(V) entertainment;
(VI) food;
(VII) travel (including the specified destinations);
(VIII) education;
(IX) research;
(X) charitable contribution;
(XI) royalty or license;
(XII) current or prospective ownership or investment interest;
(XIII) direct compensation for serving as faculty or as a speaker for a medical education program;
(XIV) grant; or
(XV) any other nature of the payment or other transfer of value (as defined by the Secretary).
(vii) If the payment or other transfer of value is related to marketing, education, or research specific to a covered drug, device, biological, or medical supply, the name of that covered drug, device, biological, or medical supply.
(viii) Any other categories of information regarding the payment or other transfer of value the Secretary determines appropriate.
(B) Special rule for certain payments or other transfers of value
In the case where an applicable manufacturer provides a payment or other transfer of value to an entity or individual at the request of or designated on behalf of a covered recipient, the applicable manufacturer shall disclose that payment or other transfer of value under the name of the covered recipient.
(2) Physician ownership
In addition to the requirement under paragraph (1)(A), on March 31, 2013, and on the 90th day of each calendar year beginning thereafter, any applicable manufacturer or applicable group purchasing organization shall submit to the Secretary, in such electronic form as the Secretary shall require, the following information regarding any ownership or investment interest (other than an ownership or investment interest in a publicly traded security and mutual fund, as described in
(A) The dollar amount invested by each physician holding such an ownership or investment interest.
(B) The value and terms of each such ownership or investment interest.
(C) Any payment or other transfer of value provided to a physician holding such an ownership or investment interest (or to an entity or individual at the request of or designated on behalf of a physician holding such an ownership or investment interest), including the information described in clauses (i) through (viii) of paragraph (1)(A), except that in applying such clauses, "physician" shall be substituted for "covered recipient" each place it appears.
(D) Any other information regarding the ownership or investment interest the Secretary determines appropriate.
(b) Penalties for noncompliance
(1) Failure to report
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B) except as provided in paragraph (2), any applicable manufacturer or applicable group purchasing organization that fails to submit information required under subsection (a) in a timely manner in accordance with rules or regulations promulgated to carry out such subsection, shall be subject to a civil money penalty of not less than $1,000, but not more than $10,000, for each payment or other transfer of value or ownership or investment interest not reported as required under such subsection. Such penalty shall be imposed and collected in the same manner as civil money penalties under subsection (a) of
(B) Limitation
The total amount of civil money penalties imposed under subparagraph (A) with respect to each annual submission of information under subsection (a) by an applicable manufacturer or applicable group purchasing organization shall not exceed $150,000.
(2) Knowing failure to report
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), any applicable manufacturer or applicable group purchasing organization that knowingly fails to submit information required under subsection (a) in a timely manner in accordance with rules or regulations promulgated to carry out such subsection, shall be subject to a civil money penalty of not less than $10,000, but not more than $100,000, for each payment or other transfer of value or ownership or investment interest not reported as required under such subsection. Such penalty shall be imposed and collected in the same manner as civil money penalties under subsection (a) of
(B) Limitation
The total amount of civil money penalties imposed under subparagraph (A) with respect to each annual submission of information under subsection (a) by an applicable manufacturer or applicable group purchasing organization shall not exceed $1,000,000.
(3) Use of funds
Funds collected by the Secretary as a result of the imposition of a civil money penalty under this subsection shall be used to carry out this section.
(c) Procedures for submission of information and public availability
(1) In general
(A) Establishment
Not later than October 1, 2011, the Secretary shall establish procedures—
(i) for applicable manufacturers and applicable group purchasing organizations to submit information to the Secretary under subsection (a); and
(ii) for the Secretary to make such information submitted available to the public.
(B) Definition of terms
The procedures established under subparagraph (A) shall provide for the definition of terms (other than those terms defined in subsection (e)), as appropriate, for purposes of this section.
(C) Public availability
Except as provided in subparagraph (E), the procedures established under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall ensure that, not later than September 30, 2013, and on June 30 of each calendar year beginning thereafter, the information submitted under subsection (a) with respect to the preceding calendar year is made available through an Internet website that—
(i) is searchable and is in a format that is clear and understandable;
(ii) contains information that is presented by the name of the applicable manufacturer or applicable group purchasing organization, the name of the covered recipient, the business address of the covered recipient, the specialty of the covered recipient, the value of the payment or other transfer of value, the date on which the payment or other transfer of value was provided to the covered recipient, the form of the payment or other transfer of value, indicated (as appropriate) under subsection (a)(1)(A)(v), the nature of the payment or other transfer of value, indicated (as appropriate) under subsection (a)(1)(A)(vi), and the name of the covered drug, device, biological, or medical supply, as applicable;
(iii) contains information that is able to be easily aggregated and downloaded;
(iv) contains a description of any enforcement actions taken to carry out this section, including any penalties imposed under subsection (b), during the preceding year;
(v) contains background information on industry-physician relationships;
(vi) in the case of information submitted with respect to a payment or other transfer of value described in subparagraph (E)(i), lists such information separately from the other information submitted under subsection (a) and designates such separately listed information as funding for clinical research;
(vii) contains any other information the Secretary determines would be helpful to the average consumer;
(viii) does not contain the National Provider Identifier of the covered recipient, and
(ix) subject to subparagraph (D), provides the applicable manufacturer, applicable group purchasing organization, or covered recipient an opportunity to review and submit corrections to the information submitted with respect to the applicable manufacturer, applicable group purchasing organization, or covered recipient, respectively, for a period of not less than 45 days prior to such information being made available to the public.
(D) Clarification of time period for review and corrections
In no case may the 45-day period for review and submission of corrections to information under subparagraph (C)(ix) prevent such information from being made available to the public in accordance with the dates described in the matter preceding clause (i) in subparagraph (C).
(E) Delayed publication for payments made pursuant to product research or development agreements and clinical investigations
(i) In general
In the case of information submitted under subsection (a) with respect to a payment or other transfer of value made to a covered recipient by an applicable manufacturer pursuant to a product research or development agreement for services furnished in connection with research on a potential new medical technology or a new application of an existing medical technology or the development of a new drug, device, biological, or medical supply, or by an applicable manufacturer in connection with a clinical investigation regarding a new drug, device, biological, or medical supply, the procedures established under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall provide that such information is made available to the public on the first date described in the matter preceding clause (i) in subparagraph (C) after the earlier of the following:
(I) The date of the approval or clearance of the covered drug, device, biological, or medical supply by the Food and Drug Administration.
(II) Four calendar years after the date such payment or other transfer of value was made.
(ii) Confidentiality of information prior to publication
Information described in clause (i) shall be considered confidential and shall not be subject to disclosure under
(2) Consultation
In establishing the procedures under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, affected industry, consumers, consumer advocates, and other interested parties in order to ensure that the information made available to the public under such paragraph is presented in the appropriate overall context.
(d) Annual reports and relation to State laws
(1) Annual report to Congress
Not later than April 1 of each year beginning with 2013, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that includes the following:
(A) The information submitted under subsection (a) during the preceding year, aggregated for each applicable manufacturer and applicable group purchasing organization that submitted such information during such year (except, in the case of information submitted with respect to a payment or other transfer of value described in subsection (c)(1)(E)(i), such information shall be included in the first report submitted to Congress after the date on which such information is made available to the public under such subsection).
(B) A description of any enforcement actions taken to carry out this section, including any penalties imposed under subsection (b), during the preceding year.
(2) Annual reports to States
Not later than September 30, 2013 and on June 30 of each calendar year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to States a report that includes a summary of the information submitted under subsection (a) during the preceding year with respect to covered recipients in the State (except, in the case of information submitted with respect to a payment or other transfer of value described in subsection (c)(1)(E)(i), such information shall be included in the first report submitted to States after the date on which such information is made available to the public under such subsection).
(3) Relation to State laws
(A)
(B)
(i) not of the type required to be disclosed or reported under this section;
(ii) described in subsection (e)(10)(B), except in the case of information described in clause (i) of such subsection;
(iii) by any person or entity other than an applicable manufacturer (as so defined) or a covered recipient (as defined in subsection (e)); or
(iv) to a Federal, State, or local governmental agency for public health surveillance, investigation, or other public health purposes or health oversight purposes.
(C) Nothing in subparagraph (A) shall be construed to limit the discovery or admissibility of information described in such subparagraph in a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding.
(4) Consultation
The Secretary shall consult with the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services on the implementation of this section.
(e) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Applicable group purchasing organization
The term "applicable group purchasing organization" means a group purchasing organization (as defined by the Secretary) that purchases, arranges for, or negotiates the purchase of a covered drug, device, biological, or medical supply which is operating in the United States, or in a territory, possession, or commonwealth of the United States.
(2) Applicable manufacturer
The term "applicable manufacturer" means a manufacturer of a covered drug, device, biological, or medical supply which is operating in the United States, or in a territory, possession, or commonwealth of the United States.
(3) Clinical investigation
The term "clinical investigation" means any experiment involving 1 or more human subjects, or materials derived from human subjects, in which a drug or device is administered, dispensed, or used.
(4) Covered device
The term "covered device" means any device for which payment is available under subchapter XVIII or a State plan under subchapter XIX or XXI (or a waiver of such a plan).
(5) Covered drug, device, biological, or medical supply
The term "covered drug, device, biological, or medical supply" means any drug, biological product, device, or medical supply for which payment is available under subchapter XVIII or a State plan under subchapter XIX or XXI (or a waiver of such a plan).
(6) Covered recipient
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term "covered recipient" means the following:
(i) A physician.
(ii) A teaching hospital.
(B) Exclusion
Such term does not include a physician who is an employee of the applicable manufacturer that is required to submit information under subsection (a).
(7) Employee
The term "employee" has the meaning given such term in
(8) Knowingly
The term "knowingly" has the meaning given such term in
(9) Manufacturer of a covered drug, device, biological, or medical supply
The term "manufacturer of a covered drug, device, biological, or medical supply" means any entity which is engaged in the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, or conversion of a covered drug, device, biological, or medical supply (or any entity under common ownership with such entity which provides assistance or support to such entity with respect to the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, conversion, marketing, promotion, sale, or distribution of a covered drug, device, biological, or medical supply).
(10) Payment or other transfer of value
(A) In general
The term "payment or other transfer of value" means a transfer of anything of value. Such term does not include a transfer of anything of value that is made indirectly to a covered recipient through a third party in connection with an activity or service in the case where the applicable manufacturer is unaware of the identity of the covered recipient.
(B) Exclusions
An applicable manufacturer shall not be required to submit information under subsection (a) with respect to the following:
(i) A transfer of anything the value of which is less than $10, unless the aggregate amount transferred to, requested by, or designated on behalf of the covered recipient by the applicable manufacturer during the calendar year exceeds $100. For calendar years after 2012, the dollar amounts specified in the preceding sentence shall be increased by the same percentage as the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; U.S. city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year.
(ii) Product samples that are not intended to be sold and are intended for patient use.
(iii) Educational materials that directly benefit patients or are intended for patient use.
(iv) The loan of a covered device for a short-term trial period, not to exceed 90 days, to permit evaluation of the covered device by the covered recipient.
(v) Items or services provided under a contractual warranty, including the replacement of a covered device, where the terms of the warranty are set forth in the purchase or lease agreement for the covered device.
(vi) A transfer of anything of value to a covered recipient when the covered recipient is a patient and not acting in the professional capacity of a covered recipient.
(vii) Discounts (including rebates).
(viii) In-kind items used for the provision of charity care.
(ix) A dividend or other profit distribution from, or ownership or investment interest in, a publicly traded security and mutual fund (as described in
(x) In the case of an applicable manufacturer who offers a self-insured plan, payments for the provision of health care to employees under the plan.
(xi) In the case of a covered recipient who is a licensed non-medical professional, a transfer of anything of value to the covered recipient if the transfer is payment solely for the non-medical professional services of such licensed non-medical professional.
(xii) In the case of a covered recipient who is a physician, a transfer of anything of value to the covered recipient if the transfer is payment solely for the services of the covered recipient with respect to a civil or criminal action or an administrative proceeding.
(11) Physician
The term "physician" has the meaning given that term in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1128G, as added
§1320a–7i. Reporting of information relating to drug samples
(a) In general
Not later than April 1 of each year (beginning with 2012), each manufacturer and authorized distributor of record of an applicable drug shall submit to the Secretary (in a form and manner specified by the Secretary) the following information with respect to the preceding year:
(1) In the case of a manufacturer or authorized distributor of record which makes distributions by mail or common carrier under subsection (d)(2) of
(A) the name, address, professional designation, and signature of the practitioner making the request under subparagraph (A)(i) of such subsection, or of any individual who makes or signs for the request on behalf of the practitioner; and
(B) any other category of information determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(2) In the case of a manufacturer or authorized distributor of record which makes distributions by means other than mail or common carrier under subsection (d)(3) of such
(A) the name, address, professional designation, and signature of the practitioner making the request under subparagraph (A)(i) of such subsection, or of any individual who makes or signs for the request on behalf of the practitioner; and
(B) any other category of information determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(b) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Applicable drug
The term "applicable drug" means a drug—
(A) which is subject to subsection (b) of such
(B) for which payment is available under subchapter XVIII or a State plan under subchapter XIX or XXI (or a waiver of such a plan).
(2) Authorized distributor of record
The term "authorized distributor of record" has the meaning given that term in subsection (e)(3)(A) of such section.
(3) Manufacturer
The term "manufacturer" has the meaning given that term for purposes of subsection (d) of such section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1128H, as added
§1320a–7j. Accountability requirements for facilities
(a) Definition of facility
In this section, the term "facility" means—
(1) a skilled nursing facility (as defined in
(2) a nursing facility (as defined in
(b) Effective compliance and ethics programs
(1) Requirement
On or after the date that is 36 months after March 23, 2010, a facility shall, with respect to the entity that operates the facility (in this subparagraph 1 referred to as the "operating organization" or "organization"), have in operation a compliance and ethics program that is effective in preventing and detecting criminal, civil, and administrative violations under this chapter and in promoting quality of care consistent with regulations developed under paragraph (2).
(2) Development of regulations
(A) In general
Not later than the date that is 2 years after March 23, 2010, the Secretary, working jointly with the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, shall promulgate regulations for an effective compliance and ethics program for operating organizations, which may include a model compliance program.
(B) Design of regulations
Such regulations with respect to specific elements or formality of a program shall, in the case of an organization that operates 5 or more facilities, vary with the size of the organization, such that larger organizations should have a more formal program and include established written policies defining the standards and procedures to be followed by its employees. Such requirements may specifically apply to the corporate level management of multi unit nursing home chains.
(C) Evaluation
Not later than 3 years after the date of the promulgation of regulations under this paragraph, the Secretary shall complete an evaluation of the compliance and ethics programs required to be established under this subsection. Such evaluation shall determine if such programs led to changes in deficiency citations, changes in quality performance, or changes in other metrics of patient quality of care. The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on such evaluation and shall include in such report such recommendations regarding changes in the requirements for such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(3) Requirements for compliance and ethics programs
In this subsection, the term "compliance and ethics program" means, with respect to a facility, a program of the operating organization that—
(A) has been reasonably designed, implemented, and enforced so that it generally will be effective in preventing and detecting criminal, civil, and administrative violations under this chapter and in promoting quality of care; and
(B) includes at least the required components specified in paragraph (4).
(4) Required components of program
The required components of a compliance and ethics program of an operating organization are the following:
(A) The organization must have established compliance standards and procedures to be followed by its employees and other agents that are reasonably capable of reducing the prospect of criminal, civil, and administrative violations under this chapter.
(B) Specific individuals within high-level personnel of the organization must have been assigned overall responsibility to oversee compliance with such standards and procedures and have sufficient resources and authority to assure such compliance.
(C) The organization must have used due care not to delegate substantial discretionary authority to individuals whom the organization knew, or should have known through the exercise of due diligence, had a propensity to engage in criminal, civil, and administrative violations under this chapter.
(D) The organization must have taken steps to communicate effectively its standards and procedures to all employees and other agents, such as by requiring participation in training programs or by disseminating publications that explain in a practical manner what is required.
(E) The organization must have taken reasonable steps to achieve compliance with its standards, such as by utilizing monitoring and auditing systems reasonably designed to detect criminal, civil, and administrative violations under this chapter by its employees and other agents and by having in place and publicizing a reporting system whereby employees and other agents could report violations by others within the organization without fear of retribution.
(F) The standards must have been consistently enforced through appropriate disciplinary mechanisms, including, as appropriate, discipline of individuals responsible for the failure to detect an offense.
(G) After an offense has been detected, the organization must have taken all reasonable steps to respond appropriately to the offense and to prevent further similar offenses, including any necessary modification to its program to prevent and detect criminal, civil, and administrative violations under this chapter.
(H) The organization must periodically undertake reassessment of its compliance program to identify changes necessary to reflect changes within the organization and its facilities.
(c) Quality assurance and performance improvement program
(1) In general
Not later than December 31, 2011, the Secretary shall establish and implement a quality assurance and performance improvement program (in this subparagraph referred to as the "QAPI program") for facilities, including multi unit chains of facilities. Under the QAPI program, the Secretary shall establish standards relating to quality assurance and performance improvement with respect to facilities and provide technical assistance to facilities on the development of best practices in order to meet such standards. Not later than 1 year after the date on which the regulations are promulgated under paragraph (2), a facility must submit to the Secretary a plan for the facility to meet such standards and implement such best practices, including how to coordinate the implementation of such plan with quality assessment and assurance activities conducted under
(2) Regulations
The Secretary shall promulgate regulations to carry out this subsection.
(f) 2 Standardized complaint form
(1) Development by the Secretary
The Secretary shall develop a standardized complaint form for use by a resident (or a person acting on the resident's behalf) in filing a complaint with a State survey and certification agency and a State long-term care ombudsman program with respect to a facility.
(2) Complaint forms and resolution processes
(A) Complaint forms
The State must make the standardized complaint form developed under paragraph (1) available upon request to—
(i) a resident of a facility; and
(ii) any person acting on the resident's behalf.
(B) Complaint resolution process
The State must establish a complaint resolution process in order to ensure that the legal representative of a resident of a facility or other responsible party is not denied access to such resident or otherwise retaliated against if they have complained about the quality of care provided by the facility or other issues relating to the facility. Such complaint resolution process shall include—
(i) procedures to assure accurate tracking of complaints received, including notification to the complainant that a complaint has been received;
(ii) procedures to determine the likely severity of a complaint and for the investigation of the complaint; and
(iii) deadlines for responding to a complaint and for notifying the complainant of the outcome of the investigation.
(3) Rule of construction
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing a resident of a facility (or a person acting on the resident's behalf) from submitting a complaint in a manner or format other than by using the standardized complaint form developed under paragraph (1) (including submitting a complaint orally).
(g) Submission of staffing information based on payroll data in a uniform format
Beginning not later than 2 years after March 23, 2010, and after consulting with State long-term care ombudsman programs, consumer advocacy groups, provider stakeholder groups, employees and their representatives, and other parties the Secretary deems appropriate, the Secretary shall require a facility to electronically submit to the Secretary direct care staffing information (including information with respect to agency and contract staff) based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data in a uniform format (according to specifications established by the Secretary in consultation with such programs, groups, and parties). Such specifications shall require that the information submitted under the preceding sentence—
(1) specify the category of work a certified employee performs (such as whether the employee is a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, licensed vocational nurse, certified nursing assistant, therapist, or other medical personnel);
(2) include resident census data and information on resident case mix;
(3) include a regular reporting schedule; and
(4) include information on employee turnover and tenure and on the hours of care provided by each category of certified employees referenced in paragraph (1) per resident per day.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing the Secretary from requiring submission of such information with respect to specific categories, such as nursing staff, before other categories of certified employees. Information under this subsection with respect to agency and contract staff shall be kept separate from information on employee staffing.
(h) Notification of facility closure
(1) In general
Any individual who is the administrator of a facility must—
(A) submit to the Secretary, the State long-term care ombudsman, residents of the facility, and the legal representatives of such residents or other responsible parties, written notification of an impending closure—
(i) subject to clause (ii), not later than the date that is 60 days prior to the date of such closure; and
(ii) in the case of a facility where the Secretary terminates the facility's participation under this subchapter, not later than the date that the Secretary determines appropriate;
(B) ensure that the facility does not admit any new residents on or after the date on which such written notification is submitted; and
(C) include in the notice a plan for the transfer and adequate relocation of the residents of the facility by a specified date prior to closure that has been approved by the State, including assurances that the residents will be transferred to the most appropriate facility or other setting in terms of quality, services, and location, taking into consideration the needs, choice, and best interests of each resident.
(2) Relocation
(A) In general
The State shall ensure that, before a facility closes, all residents of the facility have been successfully relocated to another facility or an alternative home and community-based setting.
(B) Continuation of payments until residents relocated
The Secretary may, as the Secretary determines appropriate, continue to make payments under this subchapter with respect to residents of a facility that has submitted a notification under paragraph (1) during the period beginning on the date such notification is submitted and ending on the date on which the resident is successfully relocated.
(3) Sanctions
Any individual who is the administrator of a facility that fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1)—
(A) shall be subject to a civil monetary penalty of up to $100,000;
(B) may be subject to exclusion from participation in any Federal health care program (as defined in
(C) shall be subject to any other penalties that may be prescribed by law.
(4) Procedure
The provisions of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1128I, as added and amended
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
National Independent Monitor Demonstration Project
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) conduct periodic reviews and prepare root-cause quality and deficiency analyses of a chain to assess if facilities of the chain are in compliance with State and Federal laws and regulations applicable to the facilities;
"(2) conduct sustained oversight of the efforts of the chain, whether publicly or privately held, to achieve compliance by facilities of the chain with State and Federal laws and regulations applicable to the facilities;
"(3) analyze the management structure, distribution of expenditures, and nurse staffing levels of facilities of the chain in relation to resident census, staff turnover rates, and tenure;
"(4) report findings and recommendations with respect to such reviews, analyses, and oversight to the chain and facilities of the chain, to the Secretary, and to relevant States; and
"(5) publish the results of such reviews, analyses, and oversight.
"(d)
"(1)
"(A) outlining corrective actions the chain will take to implement the recommendations in such report; or
"(B) indicating that the chain will not implement such recommendations, and why it will not do so.
"(2)
"(e)
"(f)
"(g)
"(h)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(i)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) as to whether the independent monitor program should be established on a permanent basis;
"(B) if the Secretary recommends that such program be so established, on appropriate procedures and mechanisms for such establishment; and
"(C) for such legislation and administrative action as the Secretary determines appropriate."
1 So in original. Probably should be "subsection".
2 So in original. No subsecs. (d) and (e) have been enacted.
§1320a–7k. Medicare and Medicaid program integrity provisions
(a) Data matching
(1) Integrated data repository
(A) Inclusion of certain data
(i) In general
The Integrated Data Repository of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall include, at a minimum, claims and payment data from the following:
(I) The programs under subchapters XVIII and XIX (including parts A, B, C, and D of subchapter XVIII).
(II) The program under subchapter XXI.
(III) Health-related programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(IV) Health-related programs administered by the Secretary of Defense.
(V) The program of old-age, survivors, and disability insurance benefits established under subchapter II.
(VI) The Indian Health Service and the Contract Health Service program.
(ii) Priority for inclusion of certain data
Inclusion of the data described in subclause (I) of such clause 1 in the Integrated Data Repository shall be a priority. Data described in subclauses (II) through (VI) of such clause 1 shall be included in the Integrated Data Repository as appropriate.
(B) Data sharing and matching
(i) In general
The Secretary shall enter into agreements with the individuals described in clause (ii) under which such individuals share and match data in the system of records of the respective agencies of such individuals with data in the system of records of the Department of Health and Human Services for the purpose of identifying potential fraud, waste, and abuse under the programs under subchapters XVIII and XIX.
(ii) Individuals described
The following individuals are described in this clause:
(I) The Commissioner of Social Security.
(II) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(III) The Secretary of Defense.
(IV) The Director of the Indian Health Service.
(iii) Definition of system of records
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "system of records" has the meaning given such term in
(2) Access to claims and payment databases
For purposes of conducting law enforcement and oversight activities and to the extent consistent with applicable information, privacy, security, and disclosure laws, including the regulations promulgated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and
(b) OIG authority to obtain information
(1) In general
Notwithstanding and in addition to any other provision of law, the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services may, for purposes of protecting the integrity of the programs under subchapters XVIII and XIX, obtain information from any individual (including a beneficiary provided all applicable privacy protections are followed) or entity that—
(A) is a provider of medical or other items or services, supplier, grant recipient, contractor, or subcontractor; or
(B) directly or indirectly provides, orders, manufactures, distributes, arranges for, prescribes, supplies, or receives medical or other items or services payable by any Federal health care program (as defined in
(2) Inclusion of certain information
Information which the Inspector General may obtain under paragraph (1) includes any supporting documentation necessary to validate claims for payment or payments under subchapter XVIII or XIX, including a prescribing physician's medical records for an individual who is prescribed an item or service which is covered under part B of subchapter XVIII, a covered part D drug (as defined in
(c) Administrative remedy for knowing participation by beneficiary in health care fraud scheme
(1) In general
In addition to any other applicable remedies, if an applicable individual has knowingly participated in a Federal health care fraud offense or a conspiracy to commit a Federal health care fraud offense, the Secretary shall impose an appropriate administrative penalty commensurate with the offense or conspiracy.
(2) Applicable individual
For purposes of paragraph (1), the term "applicable individual" means an individual—
(A) entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A of subchapter XVIII or enrolled under part B of such subchapter;
(B) eligible for medical assistance under a State plan under subchapter XIX or under a waiver of such plan; or
(C) eligible for child health assistance under a child health plan under subchapter XXI.
(d) Reporting and returning of overpayments
(1) In general
If a person has received an overpayment, the person shall—
(A) report and return the overpayment to the Secretary, the State, an intermediary, a carrier, or a contractor, as appropriate, at the correct address; and
(B) notify the Secretary, State, intermediary, carrier, or contractor to whom the overpayment was returned in writing of the reason for the overpayment.
(2) Deadline for reporting and returning overpayments
An overpayment must be reported and returned under paragraph (1) by the later of—
(A) the date which is 60 days after the date on which the overpayment was identified; or
(B) the date any corresponding cost report is due, if applicable.
(3) Enforcement
Any overpayment retained by a person after the deadline for reporting and returning the overpayment under paragraph (2) is an obligation (as defined in
(4) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Knowing and knowingly
The terms "knowing" and "knowingly" have the meaning given those terms in
(B) Overpayment
The term "overpayment" means any funds that a person receives or retains under subchapter XVIII or XIX to which the person, after applicable reconciliation, is not entitled under such subchapter.
(C) Person
(i) In general
The term "person" means a provider of services, supplier, medicaid managed care organization (as defined in
(ii) Exclusion
Such term does not include a beneficiary.
(e) Inclusion of national provider identifier on all applications and claims
The Secretary shall promulgate a regulation that requires, not later than January 1, 2011, all providers of medical or other items or services and suppliers under the programs under subchapters XVIII and XIX that qualify for a national provider identifier to include their national provider identifier on all applications to enroll in such programs and on all claims for payment submitted under such programs.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1128J, as added
References in Text
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is
1 So in original. Probably should be "clause (i)".
§1320a–7l. Nationwide program for national and State background checks on direct patient access employees of long-term care facilities and providers
(a) In general
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the "Secretary"), shall establish a program to identify efficient, effective, and economical procedures for long term care facilities or providers to conduct background checks on prospective direct patient access employees on a nationwide basis (in this subsection, such program shall be referred to as the "nationwide program"). Except for the following modifications, the Secretary shall carry out the nationwide program under similar terms and conditions as the pilot program under section 307 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (
(1) Agreements
(A) Newly participating States
The Secretary shall enter into agreements with each State—
(i) that the Secretary has not entered into an agreement with under subsection (c)(1) of such section 307;
(ii) that agrees to conduct background checks under the nationwide program on a Statewide basis; and
(iii) that submits an application to the Secretary containing such information and at such time as the Secretary may specify.
(B) Certain previously participating States
The Secretary shall enter into agreements with each State—
(i) that the Secretary has entered into an agreement with under such subsection (c)(1), but only in the case where such agreement did not require the State to conduct background checks under the program established under subsection (a) of such section 307 on a Statewide basis;
(ii) that agrees to conduct background checks under the nationwide program on a Statewide basis; and
(iii) that submits an application to the Secretary containing such information and at such time as the Secretary may specify.
(2) Nonapplication of selection criteria
The selection criteria required under subsection (c)(3)(B) of such section 307 shall not apply.
(3) Required fingerprint check as part of criminal history background check
The procedures established under subsection (b)(1) of such section 307 shall—
(A) require that the long-term care facility or provider (or the designated agent of the long-term care facility or provider) obtain State and national criminal history background checks on the prospective employee through such means as the Secretary determines appropriate, efficient, and effective that utilize a search of State-based abuse and neglect registries and databases, including the abuse and neglect registries of another State in the case where a prospective employee previously resided in that State, State criminal history records, the records of any proceedings in the State that may contain disqualifying information about prospective employees (such as proceedings conducted by State professional licensing and disciplinary boards and State Medicaid Fraud Control Units), and Federal criminal history records, including a fingerprint check using the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System of the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
(B) require States to describe and test methods that reduce duplicative fingerprinting, including providing for the development of "rap back" capability by the State such that, if a direct patient access employee of a long-term care facility or provider is convicted of a crime following the initial criminal history background check conducted with respect to such employee, and the employee's fingerprints match the prints on file with the State law enforcement department, the department will immediately inform the State and the State will immediately inform the long-term care facility or provider which employs the direct patient access employee of such conviction; and
(C) require that criminal history background checks conducted under the nationwide program remain valid for a period of time specified by the Secretary.
(4) State requirements
An agreement entered into under paragraph (1) shall require that a participating State—
(A) be responsible for monitoring compliance with the requirements of the nationwide program;
(B) have procedures in place to—
(i) conduct screening and criminal history background checks under the nationwide program in accordance with the requirements of this section;
(ii) monitor compliance by long-term care facilities and providers with the procedures and requirements of the nationwide program;
(iii) as appropriate, provide for a provisional period of employment by a long-term care facility or provider of a direct patient access employee, not to exceed 60 days, pending completion of the required criminal history background check and, in the case where the employee has appealed the results of such background check, pending completion of the appeals process, during which the employee shall be subject to direct on-site supervision (in accordance with procedures established by the State to ensure that a long-term care facility or provider furnishes such direct on-site supervision);
(iv) provide an independent process by which a provisional employee or an employee may appeal or dispute the accuracy of the information obtained in a background check performed under the nationwide program, including the specification of criteria for appeals for direct patient access employees found to have disqualifying information which shall include consideration of the passage of time, extenuating circumstances, demonstration of rehabilitation, and relevancy of the particular disqualifying information with respect to the current employment of the individual;
(v) provide for the designation of a single State agency as responsible for—
(I) overseeing the coordination of any State and national criminal history background checks requested by a long-term care facility or provider (or the designated agent of the long-term care facility or provider) utilizing a search of State and Federal criminal history records, including a fingerprint check of such records;
(II) overseeing the design of appropriate privacy and security safeguards for use in the review of the results of any State or national criminal history background checks conducted regarding a prospective direct patient access employee to determine whether the employee has any conviction for a relevant crime;
(III) immediately reporting to the long-term care facility or provider that requested the criminal history background check the results of such review; and
(IV) in the case of an employee with a conviction for a relevant crime that is subject to reporting under section 1128E of the Social Security Act (
(vi) determine which individuals are direct patient access employees (as defined in paragraph (6)(B)) for purposes of the nationwide program;
(vii) as appropriate, specify offenses, including convictions for violent crimes, for purposes of the nationwide program; and
(viii) describe and test methods that reduce duplicative fingerprinting, including providing for the development of "rap back" capability such that, if a direct patient access employee of a long-term care facility or provider is convicted of a crime following the initial criminal history background check conducted with respect to such employee, and the employee's fingerprints match the prints on file with the State law enforcement department—
(I) the department will immediately inform the State agency designated under clause (v) and such agency will immediately inform the facility or provider which employs the direct patient access employee of such conviction; and
(II) the State will provide, or will require the facility to provide, to the employee a copy of the results of the criminal history background check conducted with respect to the employee at no charge in the case where the individual requests such a copy.
(5) Payments
(A) Newly participating States
(i) In general
As part of the application submitted by a State under paragraph (1)(A)(iii), the State shall guarantee, with respect to the costs to be incurred by the State in carrying out the nationwide program, that the State will make available (directly or through donations from public or private entities) a particular amount of non-Federal contributions, as a condition of receiving the Federal match under clause (ii).
(ii) Federal match
The payment amount to each State that the Secretary enters into an agreement with under paragraph (1)(A) shall be 3 times the amount that the State guarantees to make available under clause (i), except that in no case may the payment amount exceed $3,000,000.
(B) Previously participating States
(i) In general
As part of the application submitted by a State under paragraph (1)(B)(iii), the State shall guarantee, with respect to the costs to be incurred by the State in carrying out the nationwide program, that the State will make available (directly or through donations from public or private entities) a particular amount of non-Federal contributions, as a condition of receiving the Federal match under clause (ii).
(ii) Federal match
The payment amount to each State that the Secretary enters into an agreement with under paragraph (1)(B) shall be 3 times the amount that the State guarantees to make available under clause (i), except that in no case may the payment amount exceed $1,500,000.
(6) Definitions
Under the nationwide program:
(A) Conviction for a relevant crime
The term "conviction for a relevant crime" means any Federal or State criminal conviction for—
(i) any offense described in section 1128(a) of the Social Security Act (
(ii) such other types of offenses as a participating State may specify for purposes of conducting the program in such State.
(B) Disqualifying information
The term "disqualifying information" means a conviction for a relevant crime or a finding of patient or resident abuse.
(C) Finding of patient or resident abuse
The term "finding of patient or resident abuse" means any substantiated finding by a State agency under section 1819(g)(1)(C) or 1919(g)(1)(C) of the Social Security Act (
(i) an act of patient or resident abuse or neglect or a misappropriation of patient or resident property; or
(ii) such other types of acts as a participating State may specify for purposes of conducting the program in such State.
(D) Direct patient access employee
The term "direct patient access employee" means any individual who has access to a patient or resident of a long-term care facility or provider through employment or through a contract with such facility or provider and has duties that involve (or may involve) one-on-one contact with a patient or resident of the facility or provider, as determined by the State for purposes of the nationwide program. Such term does not include a volunteer unless the volunteer has duties that are equivalent to the duties of a direct patient access employee and those duties involve (or may involve) one-on-one contact with a patient or resident of the long-term care facility or provider.
(E) Long-term care facility or provider
The term "long-term care facility or provider" means the following facilities or providers which receive payment for services under title XVIII or XIX of the Social Security Act [
(i) A skilled nursing facility (as defined in section 1819(a) of the Social Security Act (
(ii) A nursing facility (as defined in section 1919(a) of such Act (
(iii) A home health agency.
(iv) A provider of hospice care (as defined in section 1861(dd)(1) of such Act (
(v) A long-term care hospital (as described in section 1886(d)(1)(B)(iv) of such Act (
(vi) A provider of personal care services.
(vii) A provider of adult day care.
(viii) A residential care provider that arranges for, or directly provides, long-term care services, including an assisted living facility that provides a level of care established by the Secretary.
(ix) An intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded (as defined in section 1905(d) of such Act (
(x) Any other facility or provider of long-term care services under such titles as the participating State determines appropriate.
(7) Evaluation and report
(A) Evaluation
(i) In general
The Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services shall conduct an evaluation of the nationwide program.
(ii) Inclusion of specific topics
The evaluation conducted under clause (i) shall include the following:
(I) A review of the various procedures implemented by participating States for long-term care facilities or providers, including staffing agencies, to conduct background checks of direct patient access employees under the nationwide program and identification of the most appropriate, efficient, and effective procedures for conducting such background checks.
(II) An assessment of the costs of conducting such background checks (including start up and administrative costs).
(III) A determination of the extent to which conducting such background checks leads to any unintended consequences, including a reduction in the available workforce for long-term care facilities or providers.
(IV) An assessment of the impact of the nationwide program on reducing the number of incidents of neglect, abuse, and misappropriation of resident property to the extent practicable.
(V) An evaluation of other aspects of the nationwide program, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(B) Report
Not later than 180 days after the completion of the nationwide program, the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services shall submit a report to Congress containing the results of the evaluation conducted under subparagraph (A).
(b) Funding
(1) Notification
The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall notify the Secretary of the Treasury of the amount necessary to carry out the nationwide program under this section for the period of fiscal years 2010 through 2012, except that in no case shall such amount exceed $160,000,000.
(2) Transfer of funds
(A) In general
Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall provide for the transfer to the Secretary of Health and Human Services of the amount specified as necessary to carry out the nationwide program under paragraph (1). Such amount shall remain available until expended.
(B) Reservation of funds for conduct of evaluation
The Secretary may reserve not more than $3,000,000 of the amount transferred under subparagraph (A) to provide for the conduct of the evaluation under subsection (a)(7)(A).
(
References in Text
Section 307 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, referred to in subsec. (a), is section 307 of
The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(6)(E), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531,
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Pilot Program
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(i) give a prospective direct access patient employee notice that the long-term care facility or provider is required to perform background checks with respect to new employees;
"(ii) require, as a condition of employment, that the employee—
"(I) provide a written statement disclosing any disqualifying information;
"(II) provide a statement signed by the employee authorizing the facility to request national and State criminal history background checks;
"(III) provide the facility with a rolled set of the employee's fingerprints; and
"(IV) provide any other identification information the participating State may require;
"(iii) require the facility or provider to check any available registries that would be likely to contain disqualifying information about a prospective employee of a long-term care facility or provider; and
"(iv) permit the facility or provider to obtain State and national criminal history background checks on the prospective employee through a 10-fingerprint check that utilizes State criminal records and the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
"(B)
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(4)
"(A)
"(B)
"(5)
"(6)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) be responsible for monitoring compliance with the requirements of the pilot program;
"(B) have procedures by which a provisional employee or an employee may appeal or dispute the accuracy of the information obtained in a background check performed under the pilot program; and
"(C) agree to—
"(i) review the results of any State or national criminal history background checks conducted regarding a prospective direct patient access employee to determine whether the employee has any conviction for a relevant crime;
"(ii) immediately report to the entity that requested the criminal history background checks the results of such review; and
"(iii) in the case of an employee with a conviction for a relevant crime that is subject to reporting under section 1128E of the Social Security Act (
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i)
"(I) geographic diversity;
"(II) the inclusion of a variety of long-term care facilities or providers;
"(III) the evaluation of a variety of payment mechanisms for covering the costs of conducting the background checks required under the pilot program; and
"(IV) the evaluation of a variety of penalties (monetary and otherwise) used by participating States to enforce the requirements of the pilot program in such States.
"(ii)
"(I) At least one participating State should permit long-term care facilities or providers to provide for a provisional period of employment pending completion of a background check and at least one such State should not permit such a period of employment.
"(II) At least one participating State should establish procedures under which employment agencies (including temporary employment agencies) may contact the State directly to conduct background checks on prospective direct patient access employees.
"(III) At least one participating State should include patient abuse prevention training (including behavior training and interventions) for managers and employees of long-term care facilities and providers as part of the pilot program conducted in that State.
"(iii)
"(d)
"(1) make payments to participating States for the costs of conducting the pilot program in such States; and
"(2) reserve up to 4 percent of such amounts to conduct the evaluation required under subsection (e).
"(e)
"(1) review the various procedures implemented by participating States for long-term care facilities or providers to conduct background checks of direct patient access employees and identify the most efficient, effective, and economical procedures for conducting such background checks;
"(2) assess the costs of conducting such background checks (including start-up and administrative costs);
"(3) consider the benefits and problems associated with requiring employees or facilities or providers to pay the costs of conducting such background checks;
"(4) consider whether the costs of conducting such background checks should be allocated between the medicare and medicaid programs and if so, identify an equitable methodology for doing so;
"(5) determine the extent to which conducting such background checks leads to any unintended consequences, including a reduction in the available workforce for such facilities or providers;
"(6) review forms used by participating States in order to develop, in consultation with the Attorney General, a model form for such background checks;
"(7) determine the effectiveness of background checks conducted by employment agencies; and
"(8) recommend appropriate procedures and payment mechanisms for implementing a national criminal background check program for such facilities and providers.
"(f)
"(g)
"(1)
"(A) any offense described in section 1128(a) of the Social Security Act (
"(B) such other types of offenses as a participating State may specify for purposes of conducting the pilot program in such State.
"(2)
"(3)
"(A) an act of patient or resident abuse or neglect or a misappropriation of patient or resident property; or
"(B) such other types of acts as a participating State may specify for purposes of conducting the pilot program in such State.
"(4)
"(5)
"(A)
"(i) A skilled nursing facility (as defined in section 1819(a) of the Social Security Act) (
"(ii) A nursing facility (as defined in section 1919(a) in such Act) (
"(iii) A home health agency.
"(iv) A provider of hospice care (as defined in section 1861(dd)(1) of such Act) (
"(v) A long-term care hospital (as described in section 1886(d)(1)(B)(iv) of such Act) (
"(vi) A provider of personal care services.
"(vii) A residential care provider that arranges for, or directly provides, long-term care services.
"(viii) An intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded (as defined in section 1905(d) of such Act) [(]
"(B)
"(C)
"(i) any facility or entity that provides, or is a provider of, services described in subparagraph (A) that are exclusively provided to an individual pursuant to a self-directed arrangement that meets such requirements as the participating State may establish in accordance with guidance from the Secretary; or
"(ii) any such arrangement that is obtained by a patient or resident functioning as an employer.
"(6)
§1320a–7m. Use of predictive modeling and other analytics technologies to identify and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicare fee-for-service program
(a) Use in the Medicare fee-for-service program
The Secretary shall use predictive modeling and other analytics technologies (in this section referred to as "predictive analytics technologies") to identify improper claims for reimbursement and to prevent the payment of such claims under the Medicare fee-for-service program.
(b) Predictive analytics technologies requirements
The predictive analytics technologies used by the Secretary shall—
(1) capture Medicare provider and Medicare beneficiary activities across the Medicare fee-for-service program to provide a comprehensive view across all providers, beneficiaries, and geographies within such program in order to—
(A) identify and analyze Medicare provider networks, provider billing patterns, and beneficiary utilization patterns; and
(B) identify and detect any such patterns and networks that represent a high risk of fraudulent activity;
(2) be integrated into the existing Medicare fee-for-service program claims flow with minimal effort and maximum efficiency;
(3) be able to—
(A) analyze large data sets for unusual or suspicious patterns or anomalies or contain other factors that are linked to the occurrence of waste, fraud, or abuse;
(B) undertake such analysis before payment is made; and
(C) prioritize such identified transactions for additional review before payment is made in terms of the likelihood of potential waste, fraud, and abuse to more efficiently utilize investigative resources;
(4) capture outcome information on adjudicated claims for reimbursement to allow for refinement and enhancement of the predictive analytics technologies on the basis of such outcome information, including post-payment information about the eventual status of a claim; and
(5) prevent the payment of claims for reimbursement that have been identified as potentially wasteful, fraudulent, or abusive until such time as the claims have been verified as valid.
(c) Implementation requirements
(1) Request for proposals
Not later than January 1, 2011, the Secretary shall issue a request for proposals to carry out this section during the first year of implementation. To the extent the Secretary determines appropriate—
(A) the initial request for proposals may include subsequent implementation years; and
(B) the Secretary may issue additional requests for proposals with respect to subsequent implementation years.
(2) First implementation year
The initial request for proposals issued under paragraph (1) shall require the contractors selected to commence using predictive analytics technologies on July 1, 2011, in the 10 States identified by the Secretary as having the highest risk of waste, fraud, or abuse in the Medicare fee-for-service program.
(3) Second implementation year
Based on the results of the report and recommendation required under subsection (e)(1)(B), the Secretary shall expand the use of predictive analytics technologies on October 1, 2012, to apply to an additional 10 States identified by the Secretary as having the highest risk of waste, fraud, or abuse in the Medicare fee-for-service program, after the States identified under paragraph (2).
(4) Third implementation year
Based on the results of the report and recommendation required under subsection (e)(2), the Secretary shall expand the use of predictive analytics technologies on January 1, 2014, to apply to the Medicare fee-for-service program in any State not identified under paragraph (2) or (3) and the commonwealths and territories.
(5) Fourth implementation year
Based on the results of the report and recommendation required under subsection (e)(3), the Secretary shall expand the use of predictive analytics technologies, beginning April 1, 2015, to apply to Medicaid and CHIP. To the extent the Secretary determines appropriate, such expansion may be made on a phased-in basis.
(6) Option for refinement and evaluation
If, with respect to the first, second, or third implementation year, the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services certifies as part of the report required under subsection (e) for that year no or only nominal actual savings to the Medicare fee-for-service program, the Secretary may impose a moratorium, not to exceed 12 months, on the expansion of the use of predictive analytics technologies under this section for the succeeding year in order to refine the use of predictive analytics technologies to achieve more than nominal savings before further expansion. If a moratorium is imposed in accordance with this paragraph, the implementation dates applicable for the succeeding year or years shall be adjusted to reflect the length of the moratorium period.
(d) Contractor selection, qualifications, and data access requirements
(1) Selection
(A) In general
The Secretary shall select contractors to carry out this section using competitive procedures as provided for in the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
(B) Number of contractors
The Secretary shall select at least 2 contractors to carry out this section with respect to any year.
(2) Qualifications
(A) In general
The Secretary shall enter into a contract under this section with an entity only if the entity—
(i) has leadership and staff who—
(I) have the appropriate clinical knowledge of, and experience with, the payment rules and regulations under the Medicare fee-for-service program; and
(II) have direct management experience and proficiency utilizing predictive analytics technologies necessary to carry out the requirements under subsection (b); or
(ii) has a contract, or will enter into a contract, with another entity that has leadership and staff meeting the criteria described in clause (i).
(B) Conflict of interest
The Secretary may only enter into a contract under this section with an entity to the extent that the entity complies with such conflict of interest standards as are generally applicable to Federal acquisition and procurement.
(3) Data access
The Secretary shall provide entities with a contract under this section with appropriate access to data necessary for the entity to use predictive analytics technologies in accordance with the contract.
(e) Reporting requirements
(1) First implementation year report
Not later than 3 months after the completion of the first implementation year under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress and make available to the public a report that includes the following:
(A) A description of the implementation of the use of predictive analytics technologies during the year.
(B) A certification of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services that—
(i) specifies the actual and projected savings to the Medicare fee-for-service program as a result of the use of predictive analytics technologies, including estimates of the amounts of such savings with respect to both improper payments recovered and improper payments avoided;
(ii) the actual and projected savings to the Medicare fee-for-service program as a result of such use of predictive analytics technologies relative to the return on investment for the use of such technologies and in comparison to other strategies or technologies used to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicare fee-for-service program; and
(iii) includes recommendations regarding—
(I) whether the Secretary should continue to use predictive analytics technologies;
(II) whether the use of such technologies should be expanded in accordance with the requirements of subsection (c); and
(III) any modifications or refinements that should be made to increase the amount of actual or projected savings or mitigate any adverse impact on Medicare beneficiaries or providers.
(C) An analysis of the extent to which the use of predictive analytics technologies successfully prevented and detected waste, fraud, or abuse in the Medicare fee-for-service program.
(D) A review of whether the predictive analytics technologies affected access to, or the quality of, items and services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries.
(E) A review of what effect, if any, the use of predictive analytics technologies had on Medicare providers.
(F) Any other items determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(2) Second year implementation report
Not later than 3 months after the completion of the second implementation year under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress and make available to the public a report that includes, with respect to such year, the items required under paragraph (1) as well as any other additional items determined appropriate by the Secretary with respect to the report for such year.
(3) Third year implementation report
Not later than 3 months after the completion of the third implementation year under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress, and make available to the public, a report that includes 1 with respect to such year, the items required under paragraph (1),2 as well as any other additional items determined appropriate by the Secretary with respect to the report for such year, and the following:
(A) An analysis of the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of expanding the use of predictive analytics technologies to Medicaid and CHIP.
(B) An analysis of the effect, if any, the application of predictive analytics technologies to claims under Medicaid and CHIP would have on States and the commonwealths and territories.
(C) Recommendations regarding the extent to which technical assistance may be necessary to expand the application of predictive analytics technologies to claims under Medicaid and CHIP, and the type of any such assistance.
(f) Independent evaluation and report
(1) Evaluation
Upon completion of the first year in which predictive analytics technologies are used with respect to claims under Medicaid and CHIP, the Secretary shall, by grant, contract, or interagency agreement, conduct an independent evaluation of the use of predictive analytics technologies under the Medicare fee-for-service program and Medicaid and CHIP. The evaluation shall include an analysis with respect to each such program of the items required for the third year implementation report under subsection (e)(3).
(2) Report
Not later than 18 months after the evaluation required under paragraph (1) is initiated, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the evaluation that shall include the results of the evaluation, the Secretary's response to such results and, to the extent the Secretary determines appropriate, recommendations for legislation or administrative actions.
(g) Waiver authority
The Secretary may waive such provisions of titles XI, XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social Security Act [
(h) Funding
(1) Appropriation
Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section, $100,000,000 for the period beginning January 1, 2011, to remain available until expended.
(2) Reservations
(A) Independent evaluation
The Secretary shall reserve not more than 5 percent of the funds appropriated under paragraph (1) for purposes of conducting the independent evaluation required under subsection (f).
(B) Application to Medicaid and CHIP
The Secretary shall reserve such portion of the funds appropriated under paragraph (1) as the Secretary determines appropriate for purposes of providing assistance to States for administrative expenses in the event of the expansion of predictive analytics technologies to claims under Medicaid and CHIP.
(i) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Commonwealths and territories
The term "commonwealth and territories" includes the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States in which the Medicare fee-for-service program, Medicaid, or CHIP operates.
(2) CHIP
The term "CHIP" means the Children's Health Insurance Program established under title XXI of the Social Security Act (
(3) Medicaid
The term "Medicaid" means the program to provide grants to States for medical assistance programs established under title XIX of the Social Security Act (
(4) Medicare beneficiary
The term "Medicare beneficiary" means an individual enrolled in the Medicare fee-for-service program.
(5) Medicare fee-for-service program
The term "Medicare fee-for-service program" means the original medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (
(6) Medicare provider
The term "Medicare provider" means a provider of services (as defined in subsection (u) of section 1861 of the Social Security Act (
(7) Secretary
The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
(8) State
The term "State" means each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
(
References in Text
The Social Security Act, referred to in subsecs. (g) and (i)(2), (3), (5), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531,
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
2 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
§1320a–8. Civil monetary penalties and assessments for subchapters II, VIII and XVI
(a) False statements or representations of material fact; proceedings to exclude; wrongful conversions by representative payees
(1) Any person (including an organization, agency, or other entity) who—
(A) makes, or causes to be made, a statement or representation of a material fact, for use in determining any initial or continuing right to or the amount of monthly insurance benefits under subchapter II of this chapter or benefits or payments under subchapter VIII or XVI of this chapter, that the person knows or should know is false or misleading,
(B) makes such a statement or representation for such use with knowing disregard for the truth, or
(C) omits from a statement or representation for such use, or otherwise withholds disclosure of, a fact which the person knows or should know is material to the determination of any initial or continuing right to or the amount of monthly insurance benefits under subchapter II of this chapter or benefits or payments under subchapter VIII or XVI of this chapter, if the person knows, or should know, that the statement or representation with such omission is false or misleading or that the withholding of such disclosure is misleading,
shall be subject to, in addition to any other penalties that may be prescribed by law, a civil money penalty of not more than $5,000 for each such statement or representation or each receipt of such benefits or payments while withholding disclosure of such fact. Such person also shall be subject to an assessment, in lieu of damages sustained by the United States because of such statement or representation or because of such withholding of disclosure of a material fact, of not more than twice the amount of benefits or payments paid as a result of such a statement or representation or such a withholding of disclosure. In addition, the Commissioner of Social Security may make a determination in the same proceeding to recommend that the Secretary exclude, as provided in
(2) For purposes of this section, a material fact is one which the Commissioner of Social Security may consider in evaluating whether an applicant is entitled to benefits under subchapter II of this chapter or subchapter VIII of this chapter, or eligible for benefits or payments under subchapter XVI of this chapter.
(3) Any person (including an organization, agency, or other entity) who, having received, while acting in the capacity of a representative payee pursuant to
(b) Initiation of proceedings; hearing; sanctions
(1) The Commissioner of Social Security may initiate a proceeding to determine whether to impose a civil money penalty or assessment, or whether to recommend exclusion under subsection (a) of this section only as authorized by the Attorney General pursuant to procedures agreed upon by the Commissioner of Social Security and the Attorney General. The Commissioner of Social Security may not initiate an action under this section with respect to any violation described in subsection (a) of this section later than 6 years after the date the violation was committed. The Commissioner of Social Security may initiate an action under this section by serving notice of the action in any manner authorized by Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
(2) The Commissioner of Social Security shall not make a determination adverse to any person under this section until the person has been given written notice and an opportunity for the determination to be made on the record after a hearing at which the person is entitled to be represented by counsel, to present witnesses, and to cross-examine witnesses against the person.
(3) In a proceeding under this section which—
(A) is against a person who has been convicted (whether upon a verdict after trial or upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere) of a Federal or State crime; and
(B) involves the same transaction as in the criminal action;
the person is estopped from denying the essential elements of the criminal offense.
(4) The official conducting a hearing under this section may sanction a person, including any party or attorney, for failing to comply with an order or procedure, for failing to defend an action, or for such other misconduct as would interfere with the speedy, orderly, or fair conduct of the hearing. Such sanction shall reasonably relate to the severity and nature of the failure or misconduct. Such sanction may include—
(A) in the case of refusal to provide or permit discovery, drawing negative factual inference or treating such refusal as an admission by deeming the matter, or certain facts, to be established;
(B) prohibiting a party from introducing certain evidence or otherwise supporting a particular claim or defense;
(C) striking pleadings, in whole or in part;
(D) staying the proceedings;
(E) dismissal of the action;
(F) entering a default judgment;
(G) ordering the party or attorney to pay attorneys' fees and other costs caused by the failure or misconduct; and
(H) refusing to consider any motion or other action which is not filed in a timely manner.
(c) Amount or scope of penalties, assessments, or exclusions
In determining pursuant to subsection (a) of this section the amount or scope of any penalty or assessment, or whether to recommend an exclusion, the Commissioner of Social Security shall take into account—
(1) the nature of the statements, representations, or actions referred to in subsection (a) of this section and the circumstances under which they occurred;
(2) the degree of culpability, history of prior offenses, and financial condition of the person committing the offense; and
(3) such other matters as justice may require.
(d) Judicial review
(1) Any person adversely affected by a determination of the Commissioner of Social Security under this section may obtain a review of such determination in the United States Court of Appeals for the circuit in which the person resides, or in which the statement or representation referred to in subsection (a) of this section was made, by filing in such court (within 60 days following the date the person is notified of the Commissioner's determination) a written petition requesting that the determination be modified or set aside. A copy of the petition shall be forthwith transmitted by the clerk of the court to the Commissioner of Social Security, and thereupon the Commissioner of Social Security shall file in the court the record in the proceeding as provided in
(2) The findings of the Commissioner of Social Security with respect to questions of fact, if supported by substantial evidence on the record considered as a whole, shall be conclusive in the review described in paragraph (1). If any party shall apply to the court for leave to adduce additional evidence and shall show to the satisfaction of the court that such additional evidence is material and that there were reasonable grounds for the failure to adduce such evidence in the hearing before the Commissioner of Social Security, the court may order such additional evidence to be taken before the Commissioner of Social Security and to be made a part of the record. The Commissioner of Social Security may modify such findings as to the facts, or make new findings, by reason of additional evidence so taken and filed, and the Commissioner of Social Security shall file with the court such modified or new findings, which findings with respect to questions of fact, if supported by substantial evidence on the record considered as a whole shall be conclusive, and the Commissioner's recommendations, if any, for the modification or setting aside of the Commissioner's original order.
(3) Upon the filing of the record and the Commissioner's original or modified order with the court, the jurisdiction of the court shall be exclusive and its judgment and decree shall be final, except that the same shall be subject to review by the Supreme Court of the United States, as provided in
(e) Compromise of money penalties and assessments; recovery; use of funds recovered
(1) Civil money penalties and assessments imposed under this section may be compromised by the Commissioner of Social Security and may be recovered—
(A) in a civil action in the name of the United States brought in United States district court for the district where the violation occurred, or where the person resides, as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security;
(B) by means of reduction in tax refunds to which the person is entitled, based on notice to the Secretary of the Treasury as permitted under
(C)(i) by decrease of any payment of monthly insurance benefits under subchapter II of this chapter, notwithstanding
(ii) by decrease of any payment under subchapter VIII of this chapter to which the person is entitled, or
(iii) by decrease of any payment under subchapter XVI of this chapter for which the person is eligible, notwithstanding
(D) by authorities provided under the Debt Collection Act of 1982, as amended, to the extent applicable to debts arising under this chapter;
(E) by deduction of the amount of such penalty or assessment, when finally determined, or the amount agreed upon in compromise, from any sum then or later owing by the United States to the person against whom the penalty or assessment has been assessed; or
(F) by any combination of the foregoing.
(2) Amounts recovered under this section shall be recovered by the Commissioner of Social Security and shall be disposed of as follows:
(A) In the case of amounts recovered arising out of a determination relating to subchapter II of this chapter, the amounts shall be transferred to the Managing Trustee of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund or the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, as determined appropriate by the Commissioner of Social Security, and such amounts shall be deposited by the Managing Trustee into such Trust Fund.
(B) In the case of any other amounts recovered under this section, the amounts shall be deposited by the Commissioner of Social Security into the general fund of the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
(f) Finality of determination respecting penalty, assessment, or exclusion
A determination pursuant to subsection (a) of this section by the Commissioner of Social Security to impose a penalty or assessment, or to recommend an exclusion shall be final upon the expiration of the 60-day period referred to in subsection (d) of this section. Matters that were raised or that could have been raised in a hearing before the Commissioner of Social Security or in an appeal pursuant to subsection (d) of this section may not be raised as a defense to a civil action by the United States to collect a penalty or assessment imposed under this section.
(g) Notification of appropriate entities of finality of determination
Whenever the Commissioner's determination to impose a penalty or assessment under this section with respect to a medical provider or physician becomes final, the Commissioner shall notify the Secretary of the final determination and the reasons therefor, and the Secretary shall then notify the entities described in
(h) Injunction
Whenever the Commissioner of Social Security has reason to believe that any person has engaged, is engaging, or is about to engage in any activity which makes the person subject to a civil monetary penalty under this section, the Commissioner of Social Security may bring an action in an appropriate district court of the United States (or, if applicable, a United States court of any territory) to enjoin such activity, or to enjoin the person from concealing, removing, encumbering, or disposing of assets which may be required in order to pay a civil monetary penalty and assessment if any such penalty were to be imposed or to seek other appropriate relief.
(i) Delegation of authority
(1) The provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of
(2) The Commissioner of Social Security may delegate authority granted under this section to the Inspector General.
(j) "State agency" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "State agency" shall have the same meaning as in
(k) Liability of principal for acts of agents
A principal is liable for penalties and assessments under subsection (a) of this section, and for an exclusion under
(l) Protection of ongoing criminal investigations
As soon as the Inspector General, Social Security Administration, has reason to believe that fraud was involved in the application of an individual for monthly insurance benefits under subchapter II of this chapter or for benefits under subchapter VIII or XVI of this chapter, the Inspector General shall make available to the Commissioner of Social Security information identifying the individual, unless a United States attorney, or equivalent State prosecutor, with jurisdiction over potential or actual related criminal cases, certifies, in writing, that there is a substantial risk that making the information so available in a particular investigation or redetermining the eligibility of the individual for such benefits would jeopardize the criminal prosecution of any person who is a subject of the investigation from which the information is derived.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1129, as added and amended
References in Text
Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
The Debt Collection Act of 1982, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(D), is
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320a–8, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1129, as added Dec. 5, 1980,
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (a)(1).
"(A) monthly insurance benefits under subchapter II of this chapter,
"(B) benefits or payments under subchapter VIII of this chapter, or
"(C) benefits or payments under subchapter XVI of this chapter,
that the person knows or should know is false or misleading or knows or should know omits a material fact or makes such a statement with knowing disregard for the truth shall be subject to, in addition to any other penalties that may be prescribed by law, a civil money penalty of not more than $5,000 for each such statement or representation. Such person also shall be subject to an assessment, in lieu of damages sustained by the United States because of such statement or representation, of not more than twice the amount of benefits or payments paid as a result of such a statement or representation. In addition, the Commissioner of Social Security may make a determination in the same proceeding to recommend that the Secretary exclude, as provided in
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B).
1999—
Subsec. (a)(1)(B), (C).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (e)(1)(C)(ii), (iii).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B).
Subsec. (l).
1994—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsecs. (a)(2), (b)(1), (2), (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsecs. (e), (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsecs. (h), (i).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l).
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 108(b)(10)(A) of
Section 206(e)(2) of
Effective Date
Section applicable to conduct occurring on or after Oct. 1, 1994, see section 206(b)(3) of
Study on Possible Measures to Improve Fraud Prevention and Administrative Processing
"(a)
"(1) prevention of fraud on the part of individuals entitled to disability benefits under section 223 of the Social Security Act [
"(2) timely processing of reported income changes by individuals receiving such benefits.
"(b)
§1320a–8a. Administrative procedure for imposing penalties for false or misleading statements
(a) In general
Any person who—
(1) makes, or causes to be made, a statement or representation of a material fact, for use in determining any initial or continuing right to or the amount of monthly insurance benefits under subchapter II of this chapter or benefits or payments under subchapter XVI of this chapter that the person knows or should know is false or misleading,
(2) makes such a statement or representation for such use with knowing disregard for the truth, or
(3) omits from a statement or representation for such use, or otherwise withholds disclosure of, a fact which the person knows or should know is material to the determination of any initial or continuing right to or the amount of monthly insurance benefits under subchapter II of this chapter or benefits or payments under subchapter XVI of this chapter, if the person knows, or should know, that the statement or representation with such omission is false or misleading or that the withholding of such disclosure is misleading,
shall be subject to, in addition to any other penalties that may be prescribed by law, a penalty described in subsection (b) of this section to be imposed by the Commissioner of Social Security.
(b) Penalty
The penalty described in this subsection is—
(1) nonpayment of benefits under subchapter II of this chapter that would otherwise be payable to the person; and
(2) ineligibility for cash benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter,
for each month that begins during the applicable period described in subsection (c) of this section.
(c) Duration of penalty
The duration of the applicable period, with respect to a determination by the Commissioner under subsection (a) of this section that a person has engaged in conduct described in subsection (a) of this section, shall be—
(1) six consecutive months, in the case of the first such determination with respect to the person;
(2) twelve consecutive months, in the case of the second such determination with respect to the person; and
(3) twenty-four consecutive months, in the case of the third or subsequent such determination with respect to the person.
(d) Effect on other assistance
A person subject to a period of nonpayment of benefits under subchapter II of this chapter or ineligibility for subchapter XVI of this chapter benefits by reason of this section nevertheless shall be considered to be eligible for and receiving such benefits, to the extent that the person would be receiving or eligible for such benefits but for the imposition of the penalty, for purposes of—
(1) determination of the eligibility of the person for benefits under subchapters XVIII and XIX of this chapter; and
(2) determination of the eligibility or amount of benefits payable under subchapter II or XVI of this chapter to another person.
(e) Definition
In this section, the term "benefits under subchapter VIII or XVI of this chapter" includes State supplementary payments made by the Commissioner pursuant to an agreement under
(f) Consultations
The Commissioner of Social Security shall consult with the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration regarding initiating actions under this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1129A, as added
References in Text
Section 212(b) of
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (a).
"(1) monthly insurance benefits under subchapter II of this chapter; or
"(2) benefits or payments under subchapter XVI of this chapter,
that the person knows or should know is false or misleading or knows or should know omits a material fact or who makes such a statement with knowing disregard for the truth shall be subject to, in addition to any other penalties that may be prescribed by law, a penalty described in subsection (b) of this section to be imposed by the Commissioner of Social Security."
2000—Subsec. (e).
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section applicable to statements and representations made on or after Dec. 14, 1999, see section 207(e) of
Regulations
§1320a–8b. Attempts to interfere with administration of this chapter
Whoever corruptly or by force or threats of force (including any threatening letter or communication) attempts to intimidate or impede any officer, employee, or contractor of the Social Security Administration (including any State employee of a disability determination service or any other individual designated by the Commissioner of Social Security) acting in an official capacity to carry out a duty under this chapter, or in any other way corruptly or by force or threats of force (including any threatening letter or communication) obstructs or impedes, or attempts to obstruct or impede, the due administration of this chapter, shall be fined not more than $5,000, imprisoned not more than 3 years, or both, except that if the offense is committed only by threats of force, the person shall be fined not more than $3,000, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both. In this subsection, the term "threats of force" means threats of harm to the officer or employee of the United States or to a contractor of the Social Security Administration, or to a member of the family of such an officer or employee or contractor.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1129B, as added
§1320a–9. Demonstration projects
(a) Authority to approve demonstration projects
(1) In general
The Secretary may authorize States to conduct demonstration projects pursuant to this section which the Secretary finds are likely to promote the objectives of part B or E of subchapter IV of this chapter.
(2) Limitation
The Secretary may authorize not more than 10 demonstration projects under paragraph (1) in each of fiscal years 1998 through 2003.
(3) Certain types of proposals required to be considered
(A) If an appropriate application therefor is submitted, the Secretary shall consider authorizing a demonstration project which is designed to identify and address barriers that result in delays to adoptive placements for children in foster care.
(B) If an appropriate application therefor is submitted, the Secretary shall consider authorizing a demonstration project which is designed to identify and address parental substance abuse problems that endanger children and result in the placement of children in foster care, including through the placement of children with their parents in residential treatment facilities (including residential treatment facilities for post-partum depression) that are specifically designed to serve parents and children together in order to promote family reunification and that can ensure the health and safety of the children in such placements.
(C) If an appropriate application therefor is submitted, the Secretary shall consider authorizing a demonstration project which is designed to address kinship care.
(4) Limitation on eligibility
The Secretary may not authorize a State to conduct a demonstration project under this section if the State fails to provide health insurance coverage to any child with special needs (as determined under
(5) Requirement to consider effect of project on terms and conditions of certain court orders
In considering an application to conduct a demonstration project under this section that has been submitted by a State in which there is in effect a court order determining that the State's child welfare program has failed to comply with the provisions of part B or E of subchapter IV of this chapter, or with the Constitution of the United States, the Secretary shall take into consideration the effect of approving the proposed project on the terms and conditions of the court order related to the failure to comply.
(b) Waiver authority
The Secretary may waive compliance with any requirement of part B or E of subchapter IV of this chapter which (if applied) would prevent a State from carrying out a demonstration project under this section or prevent the State from effectively achieving the purpose of such a project, except that the Secretary may not waive—
(1) any provision of
(2) any provision of such part E, to the extent that the waiver would impair the entitlement of any qualified child or family to benefits under a State plan approved under such part E.
(c) Treatment as program expenditures
For purposes of parts B and E of subchapter IV of this chapter, the Secretary shall consider the expenditures of any State to conduct a demonstration project under this section to be expenditures under subpart 1 or 2 of such part B, or under such part E, as the State may elect.
(d) Duration of demonstration
A demonstration project under this section may be conducted for not more than 5 years, unless in the judgment of the Secretary, the demonstration project should be allowed to continue.
(e) Application
Any State seeking to conduct a demonstration project under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application, in such form as the Secretary may require, which includes—
(1) a description of the proposed project, the geographic area in which the proposed project would be conducted, the children or families who would be served by the proposed project, and the services which would be provided by the proposed project (which shall provide, where appropriate, for random assignment of children and families to groups served under the project and to control groups);
(2) a statement of the period during which the proposed project would be conducted;
(3) a discussion of the benefits that are expected from the proposed project (compared to a continuation of activities under the approved plan or plans of the State);
(4) an estimate of the costs or savings of the proposed project;
(5) a statement of program requirements for which waivers would be needed to permit the proposed project to be conducted;
(6) a description of the proposed evaluation design; and
(7) such additional information as the Secretary may require.
(f) Evaluations; report
Each State authorized to conduct a demonstration project under this section shall—
(1) obtain an evaluation by an independent contractor of the effectiveness of the project, using an evaluation design approved by the Secretary which provides for—
(A) comparison of methods of service delivery under the project, and such methods under a State plan or plans, with respect to efficiency, economy, and any other appropriate measures of program management;
(B) comparison of outcomes for children and families (and groups of children and families) under the project, and such outcomes under a State plan or plans, for purposes of assessing the effectiveness of the project in achieving program goals; and
(C) any other information that the Secretary may require; and
(2) provide interim and final evaluation reports to the Secretary, at such times and in such manner as the Secretary may require.
(g) Cost neutrality
The Secretary may not authorize a State to conduct a demonstration project under this section unless the Secretary determines that the total amount of Federal funds that will be expended under (or by reason of) the project over its approved term (or such portion thereof or other period as the Secretary may find appropriate) will not exceed the amount of such funds that would be expended by the State under the State plans approved under parts B and E of subchapter IV of this chapter if the project were not conducted.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1130, as added
References in Text
Parts B and E of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a) to (c) and (g), are classified to sections 620 et seq. and 670 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1130 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was classified to
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (b)(1).
2003—Subsec. (a)(2).
1997—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (d).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Construction of 1997 Amendment
Section 301(b) of
1 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
§1320a–10. Effect of failure to carry out State plan
In an action brought to enforce a provision of this chapter, such provision is not to be deemed unenforceable because of its inclusion in a section of this chapter requiring a State plan or specifying the required contents of a State plan. This section is not intended to limit or expand the grounds for determining the availability of private actions to enforce State plan requirements other than by overturning any such grounds applied in Suter v. Artist M., 112 S. Ct. 1360 (1992), but not applied in prior Supreme Court decisions respecting such enforceability: Provided, however, That this section is not intended to alter the holding in Suter v. Artist M. that
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1130A, as added
Effective Date
Section 211(b) of
§1320b. Repealed. Pub. L. 93–647, §3(e)(1), Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2349
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1130, as added Oct. 20, 1972,
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective with respect to payments under
Social Services Regulations Postponed
"(a) Subject to subsection (b), no regulation and no modification of any regulation, promulgated by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services] (hereinafter referred to as the 'Secretary') after January 1, 1973, shall be effective for any period which begins prior to October 1, 1975, if (and insofar as) such regulation or modification of a regulation pertains (directly or indirectly) to the provisions of law contained in section 3(a)(4)(A), 402(a)(19)(G), 403(a)(3)(A), 603(a)(1)(A), 1003(a)(3)(A), 1403(a)(3)(A), or 1603(a)(4)(A) of the Social Security Act [
"(b)(1) The provisions of subsection (a) shall not be applicable to any regulation relating to 'scope of programs', if such regulation is identical (except as provided in the succeeding sentence) to the provisions of section 221.0 of the regulations (relating to social services) proposed by the Secretary and published in the Federal Register on May 1, 1973. There shall be deleted from the first sentence of subsection (b) of such section 221.0 the phrase 'meets all the applicable requirements of this part and'.
"(2) The provisions of subsection (a) shall not be applicable to any regulation relating to 'limitations on total amount of Federal funds payable to States for services', if such regulation is identical (except as provided in the succeeding sentence) to the provisions of section 221.55 of the regulations so proposed and published on May 1, 1973. There shall be deleted from subsection (d)(1) of such section 221.55 the phrase '(as defined under day care services for children)'; and, in lieu of the sentence contained in subsection (d)(5) of such section 221.55, there shall be inserted the following: 'Services provided to a child who is under foster care in a foster family home (as defined in section 408 of the Social Security Act [
"(3) The provisions of subsection (a) shall not be applicable to any regulation relating to 'rates and amounts of Federal financial participation for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam', if such regulation is identical to the provisions of section 221.56 of the regulations so proposed and published on May 1, 1973.
"(4) The provisions of subsection (a) shall not be construed to preclude the Secretary from making any modification in any regulation (described in subsection (a)) if such modification is technically necessary to take account of the enactment of section 301 or 302 of the Social Security Amendments of 1972 [enacting subchapters XVI and VI of this chapter].
"(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of
Similar provisions were contained in the following prior act:
Modification of Social Services Regulations
Section 3(g) of
Adjustment of Allotment to State for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1973
§1320b–1. Notification of Social Security claimant with respect to deferred vested benefits
(a) Whenever—
(1) the Commissioner of Social Security makes a finding of fact and a decision as to—
(A) the entitlement of any individual to monthly benefits under
(B) the entitlement of any individual to a lump-sum death payment payable under
(2) the Secretary makes a finding of fact and a decision as to the entitlement under
(3) the Commissioner of Social Security is requested to do so—
(A) by any individual with respect to whom the Commissioner of Social Security holds information obtained under section 6057 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or
(B) in the case of the death of the individual referred to in subparagraph (A), by the individual who would be entitled to payment under
the Commissioner of Social Security shall transmit to the individual referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) or the individual making the request under paragraph (3) any information, as reported by the employer, regarding any deferred vested benefit transmitted to the Commissioner of Social Security pursuant to such section 6057 with respect to the individual referred to in paragraph (1), (2), or (3)(A) or the person on whose wages and self-employment income entitlement (or claim of entitlement) is based.
(b)(1) For purposes of
(2) There are hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund for each fiscal year (commencing with the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974) such sums as the Commissioner of Social Security deems necessary on account of additional administrative expenses resulting from the enactment of the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1131, as added
References in Text
Part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is classified to
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a)(3)(A), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b)(2).
1986—Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
1984—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective Jan. 1, 1978, see section 1034 of
§1320b–2. Period within which certain claims must be filed
(a) Claims
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter (but subject to subsection (b) of this section), any claim by a State for payment with respect to an expenditure made during any calendar quarter by the State—
(1) in carrying out a State plan approved under subchapter I, IV, X, XIV, XVI, XIX, or XX of this chapter, or
(2) under any other provision of this chapter which provides (on an entitlement basis) for Federal financial participation in expenditures made under State plans or programs,
shall be filed (in such form and manner as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe) within the two-year period which begins on the first day of the calendar quarter immediately following such calendar quarter; and payment shall not be made under this chapter on account of any such expenditure if claim therefor is not made within such two-year period; except that this subsection shall not be applied so as to deny payment with respect to any expenditure involving court-ordered retroactive payments or audit exceptions, or adjustments to prior year costs.
(b) Waiver
The Secretary shall waive the requirement imposed under subsection (a) of this section with respect to the filing of any claim if he determines (in accordance with regulations) that there was good cause for the failure by the State to file such claim within the period prescribed under subsection (a) of this section. Any such waiver shall be only for such additional period of time as may be necessary to provide the State with a reasonable opportunity to file such claim. A failure to file a claim within such time period which is attributable to neglect or administrative inadequacies shall be deemed not to be for good cause.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1132, as added
Amendments
1981—Subsec. (a)(1).
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment, Savings, and Transitional Provisions
For effective date, savings, and transitional provisions relating to amendment by
Effective Date
Section 306(b), (c) of
"(b)(1) The amendment made by subsection (a) [enacting this section] shall be effective only in the case of claims filed on account of expenditures made in calendar quarters commencing on or after October 1, 1979.
"(2) In the case of claims filed prior to the date of enactment of this Act [June 17, 1980] on account of expenditures described in section 1132 of the Social Security Act [this section] made in calendar quarters commencing prior to October 1, 1979, there shall be no time limit for the payment of such claims.
"(3) In the case of such expenditures made in calendar quarters commencing prior to October 1, 1979, for which no claim has been filed on or before the date of enactment of this Act, payment shall not be made under this Act on account of any such expenditure unless claim therefor is filed (in such form and manner as the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe) prior to January 1, 1981.
"(4) The provisions of this subsection shall not be applied so as to deny payment with respect to any expenditure involving adjustments to prior year costs or court-ordered retroactive payments or audit exceptions. The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraph (3) in the same manner as under section 1132(b) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b)(3) of this section].
"(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there shall be no time limit for the filing or payment of such claims except as provided in this section, unless such other provision of law, in imposing such a time limitation, specifically exempts such filing or payment from the provisions of this section."
§1320b–3. Applicants or recipients under public assistance programs not to be required to make election respecting certain veterans' benefits
(a) Supplemental Security Income program
Notwithstanding any other provision of law (but subject to subsection (b) of this section), no individual who is an applicant for or recipient of aid or assistance under a State plan approved under subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter, or of benefits under the Supplemental Security Income program established by subchapter XVI of this chapter shall—
(1) be required, as a condition of eligibility for (or of continuing to receive) such aid, assistance, or benefits, to make an election under section 306 of the Veterans' and Survivors' Pension Improvement Act of 1978 with respect to pension paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or
(2) by reason of failure or refusal to make such an election, be denied (or suffer a reduction in the amount of) such aid, assistance, or benefits.
(b) Period of effectiveness
The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be applicable only with respect to an individual, who is an applicant for or recipient of aid, assistance, or benefits described in subsection (a) of this section, during a period with respect to which there is in effect—
(1) in case such individual is an applicant for or recipient of aid or assistance under a State plan referred to in subsection (a) of this section, in the State having such plan, or
(2) in case such individual is an applicant for or recipient of benefits under the Supplemental Security Income program established by subchapter XVI of this chapter, in the State in which the individual applies for or receives such benefits,
a State plan for medical assistance, approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, under which medical assistance is available to such individual only for periods for which such individual is a recipient of aid, assistance, or benefits described in subsection (a) of this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1133, as added
References in Text
Section 306 of the Veterans' and Survivors' Pension Improvement Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is section 306 of
Amendments
1996—Subsec. (a).
1991—Subsec. (a)(1).
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 310(a)(2) of
Continuing Medicaid Eligibility for Certain Recipients of Veterans' Administration Pensions
Section 310(b)(2) of
"(A) The Administrator shall provide to each individual to whom section 1133 of the Social Security Act (as added by subsection (a)(1) of this section) [this section] applies and who is eligible to make or has made an election under section 306 of the Veterans' and Survivors' Pension Improvement Act of 1978 [
"(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law—
"(i) any individual to whom section 1133 of the Social Security Act (as added by subsection (a)(1) of this section) [this section] applies may, within the 90-day period beginning with the day that there is mailed to such individual (at such individual's last known mailing address) a notice referred to in subparagraph (A), disaffirm an election previously made by such individual under section 306 of the Veterans' and Survivors' Pension Improvement Act of 1978 [
"(ii) whenever any such individual files such a disaffirmation with the Administrator, the amount of pension payable to such individual shall be adjusted, beginning with the first calendar month which commences after the receipt by the Administrator of such disaffirmation, to the amount that such pension would have been if such an election by such individual had not been made,
"(iii) any individual who has filed a disaffirmation, pursuant to this subparagraph, of an election made by such individual under such section 306 may again make an election thereunder, but such subsequent election may not be disaffirmed under this subsection, and
"(iv) no indebtedness to the United States, as a result of the disaffirmation by an individual, pursuant to this subparagraph, of an election made by such individual under such section 306 shall be considered to arise from the payment of pension pursuant to such an election.
"(C) The Administrator shall promptly advise the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services], and provide identification of the individuals involved and other pertinent information with respect to (i) disaffirmations of elections made by individuals pursuant to subparagraph (B), (ii) individuals who, by failing to disaffirm within the 90-day period prescribed in subparagraph (B), are deemed to have reaffirmed elections previously made, and (iii) individuals who, after having disaffirmed an election under subparagraph (B), subsequently again make an election under section 306 of the Veterans' and Survivors' Pension Improvement Act of 1978 [
§1320b–4. Nonprofit hospital or critical access hospital philanthropy
For purposes of determining, under subchapters XVIII and XIX of this chapter, the reasonable costs of services provided by nonprofit hospitals or critical access hospitals, the following items shall not be deducted from the operating costs of such hospitals or critical access hospitals:
(1) A grant, gift, or endowment, or income therefrom, which is to or for such a hospital and which has not been designated by the donor for paying any specific operating costs.
(2) A grant or similar payment which is to such a hospital, which was made by a governmental entity, and which is not available under the terms of the grant or payment for use as operating funds.
(3) Those types of donor designated grants and gifts (including grants and similar payments which are made by a governmental entity), and income therefrom, which the Secretary determines, in the best interests of needed health care, should be encouraged.
(4) The proceeds from the sale or mortgage of any real estate or other capital asset of such a hospital, which real estate or asset the hospital acquired through gift or grant, if such proceeds are not available for use as operating funds under the terms of the gift or grant.
Paragraph (4) shall not apply to the recovery of the appropriate share of depreciation when gains or losses are realized from the disposal of depreciable assets.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1134, as added
Amendments
1997—
1989—
1982—Par. (4).
1981—
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment, Savings, and Transitional Provisions
For effective date, savings, and transitional provisions relating to amendment by
Effective Date
Section 901(b) of
§1320b–5. Authority to waive requirements during national emergencies
(a) Purpose
The purpose of this section is to enable the Secretary to ensure to the maximum extent feasible, in any emergency area and during an emergency period (as defined in subsection (g)(1) of this section)—
(1) that sufficient health care items and services are available to meet the needs of individuals in such area enrolled in the programs under subchapters XVIII, XIX, and XXI of this chapter; and
(2) that health care providers (as defined in subsection (g)(2) of this section) that furnish such items and services in good faith, but that are unable to comply with one or more requirements described in subsection (b) of this section, may be reimbursed for such items and services and exempted from sanctions for such noncompliance, absent any determination of fraud or abuse.
(b) Secretarial authority
To the extent necessary to accomplish the purpose specified in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary is authorized, subject to the provisions of this section, to temporarily waive or modify the application of, with respect to health care items and services furnished by a health care provider (or classes of health care providers) in any emergency area (or portion of such an area) during any portion of an emergency period, the requirements of subchapters XVIII, XIX, or XXI of this chapter, or any regulation thereunder (and the requirements of this subchapter other than this section, and regulations thereunder, insofar as they relate to such subchapters), pertaining to—
(1)(A) conditions of participation or other certification requirements for an individual health care provider or types of providers,
(B) program participation and similar requirements for an individual health care provider or types of providers, and
(C) pre-approval requirements;
(2) requirements that physicians and other health care professionals be licensed in the State in which they provide such services, if they have equivalent licensing in another State and are not affirmatively excluded from practice in that State or in any State a part of which is included in the emergency area;
(3) actions under
(A) a transfer of an individual who has not been stabilized in violation of subsection (c) of such section if the transfer is necessitated by the circumstances of the declared emergency in the emergency area during the emergency period; or
(B) the direction or relocation of an individual to receive medical screening in an alternative location—
(i) pursuant to an appropriate State emergency preparedness plan; or
(ii) in the case of a public health emergency described in subsection (g)(1)(B) that involves a pandemic infectious disease, pursuant to a State pandemic preparedness plan or a plan referred to in clause (i), whichever is applicable in the State;
(4) sanctions under
(5) deadlines and timetables for performance of required activities, except that such deadlines and timetables may only be modified, not waived;
(6) limitations on payments under
(7) sanctions and penalties that arise from noncompliance with the following requirements (as promulgated under the authority of section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (
(A) section 164.510 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, relating to—
(i) requirements to obtain a patient's agreement to speak with family members or friends; and
(ii) the requirement to honor a request to opt out of the facility directory;
(B) section 164.520 of such title, relating to the requirement to distribute a notice; or
(C) section 164.522 of such title, relating to—
(i) the patient's right to request privacy restrictions; and
(ii) the patient's right to request confidential communications.
Insofar as the Secretary exercises authority under paragraph (6) with respect to individuals enrolled in a Medicare+Choice plan, to the extent possible given the circumstances, the Secretary shall reconcile payments made on behalf of such enrollees to ensure that the enrollees do not pay more than would be required had they received services from providers within the network of the plan and may reconcile payments to the organization offering the plan to ensure that such organization pays for services for which payment is included in the capitation payment it receives under part C of subchapter XVIII of this chapter. A waiver or modification provided for under paragraph (3) or (7) shall only be in effect if such actions are taken in a manner that does not discriminate among individuals on the basis of their source of payment or of their ability to pay, and, except in the case of a waiver or modification to which the fifth sentence of this subsection applies, shall be limited to a 72-hour period beginning upon implementation of a hospital disaster protocol. A waiver or modification under such paragraph (7) shall be withdrawn after such period and the provider shall comply with the requirements under such paragraph for any patient still under the care of the provider. If a public health emergency described in subsection (g)(1)(B) involves a pandemic infectious disease (such as pandemic influenza), the duration of a waiver or modification under paragraph (3) shall be determined in accordance with subsection (e) as such subsection applies to public health emergencies.
(c) Authority for retroactive waiver
A waiver or modification of requirements pursuant to this section may, at the Secretary's discretion, be made retroactive to the beginning of the emergency period or any subsequent date in such period specified by the Secretary.
(d) Certification to Congress
The Secretary shall provide a certification and advance written notice to the Congress at least two days before exercising the authority under this section with respect to an emergency area. Such a certification and notice shall include—
(1) a description of—
(A) the specific provisions that will be waived or modified;
(B) the health care providers to whom the waiver or modification will apply;
(C) the geographic area in which the waiver or modification will apply; and
(D) the period of time for which the waiver or modification will be in effect; and
(2) a certification that the waiver or modification is necessary to carry out the purpose specified in subsection (a) of this section.
(e) Duration of waiver
(1) In general
A waiver or modification of requirements pursuant to this section terminates upon—
(A) the termination of the applicable declaration of emergency or disaster described in subsection (g)(1)(A) of this section;
(B) the termination of the applicable declaration of public health emergency described in subsection (g)(1)(B) of this section; or
(C) subject to paragraph (2), the termination of a period of 60 days from the date the waiver or modification is first published (or, if applicable, the date of extension of the waiver or modification under paragraph (2)).
(2) Extension of 60-day periods
The Secretary may, by notice, provide for an extension of a 60-day period described in paragraph (1)(C) (or an additional period provided under this paragraph) for additional period or periods (not to exceed, except as subsequently provided under this paragraph, 60 days each), but any such extension shall not affect or prevent the termination of a waiver or modification under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1).
(f) Report to Congress
Within one year after the end of the emergency period in an emergency area in which the Secretary exercised the authority provided under this section, the Secretary shall report to the Congress regarding the approaches used to accomplish the purposes described in subsection (a) of this section, including an evaluation of such approaches and recommendations for improved approaches should the need for such emergency authority arise in the future.
(g) Definitions
For purposes of this section:
(1) Emergency area; emergency period
An "emergency area" is a geographical area in which, and an "emergency period" is the period during which, there exists—
(A) an emergency or disaster declared by the President pursuant to the National Emergencies Act [
(B) a public health emergency declared by the Secretary pursuant to
(2) Health care provider
The term "health care provider" means any entity that furnishes health care items or services, and includes a hospital or other provider of services, a physician or other health care practitioner or professional, a health care facility, or a supplier of health care items or services.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1135, as added
References in Text
Part C of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (b), is classified to
Section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (b)(7), is section 264(c) of
The National Emergencies Act, referred to in subsec. (g)(1)(A), is
The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (g)(1)(A), is
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320b–5, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1135, as added
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
2004—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(7).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective Date
1 So in original. A second closing parenthesis probably should precede the dash.
§1320b–6. Exclusion of representatives and health care providers convicted of violations from participation in social security programs
(a) In general
The Commissioner of Social Security shall exclude from participation in the social security programs any representative or health care provider—
(1) who is convicted of a violation of
(2) who is convicted of any violation under title 18 relating to an initial application for or continuing entitlement to, or amount of, benefits under subchapter II of this chapter, or an initial application for or continuing eligibility for, or amount of, benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter; or
(3) who the Commissioner determines has committed an offense described in
(b) Notice, effective date, and period of exclusion
(1) An exclusion under this section shall be effective at such time, for such period, and upon such reasonable notice to the public and to the individual excluded as may be specified in regulations consistent with paragraph (2).
(2) Such an exclusion shall be effective with respect to services furnished to any individual on or after the effective date of the exclusion. Nothing in this section may be construed to preclude, in determining disability under subchapter II of this chapter or subchapter XVI of this chapter, consideration of any medical evidence derived from services provided by a health care provider before the effective date of the exclusion of the health care provider under this section.
(3)(A) The Commissioner shall specify, in the notice of exclusion under paragraph (1), the period of the exclusion.
(B) Subject to subparagraph (C), in the case of an exclusion under subsection (a) of this section, the minimum period of exclusion shall be 5 years, except that the Commissioner may waive the exclusion in the case of an individual who is the sole source of essential services in a community. The Commissioner's decision whether to waive the exclusion shall not be reviewable.
(C) In the case of an exclusion of an individual under subsection (a) of this section based on a conviction or a determination described in subsection (a)(3) of this section occurring on or after December 14, 1999, if the individual has (before, on, or after December 14, 1999) been convicted, or if such a determination has been made with respect to the individual—
(i) on one previous occasion of one or more offenses for which an exclusion may be effected under such subsection, the period of the exclusion shall be not less than 10 years; or
(ii) on two or more previous occasions of one or more offenses for which an exclusion may be effected under such subsection, the period of the exclusion shall be permanent.
(c) Notice to State agencies
The Commissioner shall promptly notify each appropriate State agency employed for the purpose of making disability determinations under
(1) of the fact and circumstances of each exclusion effected against an individual under this section; and
(2) of the period (described in subsection (b)(3) of this section) for which the State agency is directed to exclude the individual from participation in the activities of the State agency in the course of its employment.
(d) Notice to State licensing agencies
The Commissioner shall—
(1) promptly notify the appropriate State or local agency or authority having responsibility for the licensing or certification of an individual excluded from participation under this section of the fact and circumstances of the exclusion;
(2) request that appropriate investigations be made and sanctions invoked in accordance with applicable State law and policy; and
(3) request that the State or local agency or authority keep the Commissioner and the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration fully and currently informed with respect to any actions taken in response to the request.
(e) Notice, hearing, and judicial review
(1) Any individual who is excluded (or directed to be excluded) from participation under this section is entitled to reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing thereon by the Commissioner to the same extent as is provided in
(2) The provisions of
(f) Application for termination of exclusion
(1) An individual excluded from participation under this section may apply to the Commissioner, in the manner specified by the Commissioner in regulations and at the end of the minimum period of exclusion provided under subsection (b)(3) of this section and at such other times as the Commissioner may provide, for termination of the exclusion effected under this section.
(2) The Commissioner may terminate the exclusion if the Commissioner determines, on the basis of the conduct of the applicant which occurred after the date of the notice of exclusion or which was unknown to the Commissioner at the time of the exclusion, that—
(A) there is no basis under subsection (a) of this section for a continuation of the exclusion; and
(B) there are reasonable assurances that the types of actions which formed the basis for the original exclusion have not recurred and will not recur.
(3) The Commissioner shall promptly notify each State agency employed for the purpose of making disability determinations under
(g) Availability of records of excluded representatives and health care providers
Nothing in this section shall be construed to have the effect of limiting access by any applicant or beneficiary under subchapter II or XVI of this chapter, any State agency acting under
(h) Reporting requirement
Any representative or health care provider participating in, or seeking to participate in, a social security program shall inform the Commissioner, in such form and manner as the Commissioner shall prescribe by regulation, whether such representative or health care provider has been convicted of a violation described in subsection (a) of this section.
(i) Delegation of authority
The Commissioner may delegate authority granted by this section to the Inspector General.
(j) Definitions
For purposes of this section:
(1) Exclude
The term "exclude" from participation means—
(A) in connection with a representative, to prohibit from engaging in representation of an applicant for, or recipient of, benefits, as a representative payee under section 405(j) or
(B) in connection with a health care provider, to prohibit from providing items or services to an applicant for, or recipient of, benefits for the purpose of assisting such applicant or recipient in demonstrating disability.
(2) Social security program
The term "social security programs" means the program providing for monthly insurance benefits under subchapter II of this chapter, and the program providing for monthly supplemental security income benefits to individuals under subchapter XVI of this chapter (including State supplementary payments made by the Commissioner pursuant to an agreement under
(3) Convicted
An individual is considered to have been "convicted" of a violation—
(A) when a judgment of conviction has been entered against the individual by a Federal, State, or local court, except if the judgment of conviction has been set aside or expunged;
(B) when there has been a finding of guilt against the individual by a Federal, State, or local court;
(C) when a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the individual has been accepted by a Federal, State, or local court; or
(D) when the individual has entered into participation in a first offender, deferred adjudication, or other arrangement or program where judgment of conviction has been withheld.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1136, as added
References in Text
Section 212(b) of
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320b–6, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1136, as added
Effective Date
§1320b–7. Income and eligibility verification system
(a) Requirements of State eligibility systems
In order to meet the requirements of this section, a State must have in effect an income and eligibility verification system which meets the requirements of subsection (d) of this section and under which—
(1) the State shall require, as a condition of eligibility for benefits under any program listed in subsection (b) of this section, that each applicant for or recipient of benefits under that program furnish to the State his social security account number (or numbers, if he has more than one such number), and the State shall utilize such account numbers in the administration of that program so as to enable the association of the records pertaining to the applicant or recipient with his account number;
(2) wage information from agencies administering State unemployment compensation laws available pursuant to section 3304(a)(16) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, wage information reported pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection, and wage, income, and other information from the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service available pursuant to section 6103(l)(7) of such Code, shall be requested and utilized to the extent that such information may be useful in verifying eligibility for, and the amount of, benefits available under any program listed in subsection (b) of this section, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (or, in the case of the unemployment compensation program, by the Secretary of Labor, or, in the case of the supplemental nutrition assistance program, by the Secretary of Agriculture);
(3) employers (as defined in
(4) the State agencies administering the programs listed in subsection (b) of this section adhere to standardized formats and procedures established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture) under which—
(A) the agencies will exchange with each other information in their possession which may be of use in establishing or verifying eligibility or benefit amounts under any other such program;
(B) such information shall be made available to assist in the child support program under part D of subchapter IV of this chapter, and to assist the Secretary of Health and Human Services in establishing or verifying eligibility or benefit amounts under subchapters II and XVI of this chapter, but subject to the safeguards and restrictions established by the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to information released pursuant to section 6103(l) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
(C) the use of such information shall be targeted to those uses which are most likely to be productive in identifying and preventing ineligibility and incorrect payments, and no State shall be required to use such information to verify the eligibility of all recipients;
(5) adequate safeguards are in effect so as to assure that—
(A) the information exchanged by the State agencies is made available only to the extent necessary to assist in the valid administrative needs of the program receiving such information, and the information released pursuant to section 6103(l) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is only exchanged with agencies authorized to receive such information under such section 6103(l); and
(B) the information is adequately protected against unauthorized disclosure for other purposes, as provided in regulations established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, or, in the case of the unemployment compensation program, the Secretary of Labor, or, in the case of the supplemental nutrition assistance program, the Secretary of Agriculture, or 1 in the case of information released pursuant to section 6103(l) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Secretary of the Treasury;
(6) all applicants for and recipients of benefits under any such program shall be notified at the time of application, and periodically thereafter, that information available through the system will be requested and utilized; and
(7) accounting systems are utilized which assure that programs providing data receive appropriate reimbursement from the programs utilizing the data for the costs incurred in providing the data.
(b) Applicable programs
The programs which must participate in the income and eligibility verification system are—
(1) any State program funded under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter;
(2) the medicaid program under subchapter XIX of this chapter;
(3) the unemployment compensation program under section 3304 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(4) the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 [
(5) any State program under a plan approved under subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter.
(c) Protection of applicants from improper use of information
(1) In order to protect applicants for and recipients of benefits under the programs identified in subsection (b) of this section, or under the supplemental security income program under subchapter XVI of this chapter, from the improper use of information obtained from the Secretary of the Treasury under section 6103(l)(7)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, no Federal, State, or local agency receiving such information may terminate, deny, suspend, or reduce any benefits of an individual until such agency has taken appropriate steps to independently verify information relating to—
(A) the amount of the asset or income involved,
(B) whether such individual actually has (or had) access to such asset or income for his own use, and
(C) the period or periods when the individual actually had such asset or income.
(2) Such individual shall be informed by the agency of the findings made by the agency on the basis of such verified information, and shall be given an opportunity to contest such findings, in the same manner as applies to other information and findings relating to eligibility factors under the program.
(d) Citizenship or immigration status requirements; documentation; verification by Immigration and Naturalization Service; denial of benefits; hearing
The requirements of this subsection, with respect to an income and eligibility verification system of a State, are as follows:
(1)(A) The State shall require, as a condition of an individual's eligibility for benefits under a program listed in subsection (b) of this section, a declaration in writing, under penalty of perjury—
(i) by the individual,
(ii) in the case in which eligibility for program benefits is determined on a family or household basis, by any adult member of such individual's family or household (as applicable), or
(iii) in the case of an individual born into a family or household receiving benefits under such program, by any adult member of such family or household no later than the next redetermination of eligibility of such family or household following the birth of such individual,
stating whether the individual is a citizen or national of the United States, and, if that individual is not a citizen or national of the United States, that the individual is in a satisfactory immigration status.
(B) In this subsection, in the case of the program described in subsection (b)(4) of this section—
(i) any reference to the State shall be considered a reference to the State agency, and
(ii) any reference to an individual's eligibility for benefits under the program shall be considered a reference to the individual's eligibility to participate in the program as a member of a household, and
(iii) the term "satisfactory immigration status" means an immigration status which does not make the individual ineligible for benefits under the applicable program.
(2) If such an individual is not a citizen or national of the United States, there must be presented either—
(A) alien registration documentation or other proof of immigration registration from the Immigration and Naturalization Service that contains the individual's alien admission number or alien file number (or numbers if the individual has more than one number), or
(B) such other documents as the State determines constitutes reasonable evidence indicating a satisfactory immigration status.
(3) If the documentation described in paragraph (2)(A) is presented, the State shall utilize the individual's alien file or alien admission number to verify with the Immigration and Naturalization Service the individual's immigration status through an automated or other system (designated by the Service for use with States) that—
(A) utilizes the individual's name, file number, admission number, or other means permitting efficient verification, and
(B) protects the individual's privacy to the maximum degree possible.
(4) In the case of such an individual who is not a citizen or national of the United States, if, at the time of application for benefits, the statement described in paragraph (1) is submitted but the documentation required under paragraph (2) is not presented or if the documentation required under paragraph (2)(A) is presented but such documentation is not verified under paragraph (3)—
(A) the State—
(i) shall provide a reasonable opportunity to submit to the State evidence indicating a satisfactory immigration status, and
(ii) may not delay, deny, reduce, or terminate the individual's eligibility for benefits under the program on the basis of the individual's immigration status until such a reasonable opportunity has been provided; and
(B) if there are submitted documents which the State determines constitutes reasonable evidence indicating such status—
(i) the State shall transmit to the Immigration and Naturalization Service either photostatic or other similar copies of such documents, or information from such documents, as specified by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, for official verification,
(ii) pending such verification, the State may not delay, deny, reduce, or terminate the individual's eligibility for benefits under the program on the basis of the individual's immigration status, and
(iii) the State shall not be liable for the consequences of any action, delay, or failure of the Service to conduct such verification.
(5) If the State determines, after complying with the requirements of paragraph (4), that such an individual is not in a satisfactory immigration status under the applicable program—
(A) the State shall deny or terminate the individual's eligibility for benefits under the program, and
(B) the applicable fair hearing process shall be made available with respect to the individual.
(e) Erroneous State citizenship or immigration status determinations; penalties not required
Each Federal agency responsible for administration of a program described in subsection (b) of this section shall not take any compliance, disallowance, penalty, or other regulatory action against a State with respect to any error in the State's determination to make an individual eligible for benefits based on citizenship or immigration status—
(1) if the State has provided such eligibility based on a verification of satisfactory immigration status by the Immigration and Naturalization Service,
(2) because the State, under subsection (d)(4)(A)(ii) of this section, was required to provide a reasonable opportunity to submit documentation,
(3) because the State, under subsection (d)(4)(B)(ii) of this section, was required to wait for the response of the Immigration and Naturalization Service to the State's request for official verification of the immigration status of the individual, or
(4) because of a fair hearing process described in subsection (d)(5)(B) of this section.
(f) Medical assistance to aliens for treatment of emergency conditions
Subsections (a)(1) and (d) of this section shall not apply with respect to aliens seeking medical assistance for the treatment of an emergency medical condition under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1137, as added
References in Text
Parts A and D of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(4)(B) and (b)(1), are classified to sections 601 et seq. and 651 et seq., respectively, of this title.
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2), (3), (4)(B), (5), (b)(3), and (c)(1), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (b)(4), is
Codification
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (a)(2), (5)(B).
Subsec. (b)(4).
1999—Subsec. (a)(3).
1996—Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (d)(1)(B).
Subsec. (d)(4)(B)(i).
1994—Subsec. (d)(1)(A).
1988—Subsec. (f).
1986—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2), (4)(B).
Subsec. (a)(4)(C).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (b).
Subsecs. (b)(3), (c)(1).
Subsecs. (d), (e).
Change of Name
References to the food stamp program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 [see Effective Date of 1986 Amendment note and Effective Date note below] considered to refer to the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under that Act, see section 4002(c) of
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by section 4002(b)(1)(A), (B), (2)(V) of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendments
Amendment by section 401(p) of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by section 108(g)(8) of
For effective date of amendment by section 313(c) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 411(k)(15)(B) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment; Use of Verification System
"(3)
"(4)
"(A)
"(i) the application of the amendments made by subsection (a) to the program is cost-effective and otherwise appropriate, and
"(ii) there should be a waiver of the application of such amendments under subparagraph (B).
The amendments made by subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to a covered program described in subclause (II), (V), (VI), or (VII) of subparagraph (D)(i) until after the date of receipt of such report with respect to the program.
"(B)
"(i) the appropriate Secretary or the administering entity has in effect an alternative system of immigration status verification which—
"(I) is as effective and timely as the system otherwise required under the amendments made by subsection (a) with respect to the program, and
"(II) provides for at least the hearing and appeals rights for beneficiaries that would be provided under the amendments made by subsection (a), or
"(ii) the costs of administration of the system otherwise required under such amendments exceed the estimated savings,
such Secretary may waive the application of such amendments to the covered program to the extent (by State or other geographic area or otherwise) that such determinations apply.
"(C)
"(i) the number of aliens claiming benefits under the covered program in relation to the total number of claimants seeking benefits under the program,
"(ii) any savings in benefit expenditures reasonably expected to result from implementation of the verification program, and
"(iii) the labor and nonlabor costs of administration of the verification system,
the degree to which the Immigration and Naturalization Service is capable of providing timely and accurate information to the administering entity in order to permit a reliable determination of immigration status, and such other factors as such Secretary deems relevant.
"(D)
"(i) The term 'covered program' means each of the following programs:
"(I) The aid to families with dependent children program under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act [part A of subchapter IV of this chapter].
"(II) The medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act [subchapter XIX of this chapter].
"(III) Any State program under a plan approved under title I, X, XIV, or XVI of the Social Security Act [subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter].
"(IV) The unemployment compensation program under section 3304 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 [now 1986;
"(V) The food stamp program under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [now the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008,
"(VI) The programs of financial assistance for housing subject to section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 [
"(VII) The program of grants, loans, and work assistance under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 [
"(ii) The term 'appropriate Secretary' means, with respect to the covered program described in—
"(I) subclauses (I) through (III) of clause (i), the Secretary of Health and Human Services;
"(II) clause (i)(IV), the Secretary of Labor;
"(III) clause (i)(V), the Secretary of Agriculture;
"(IV) clause (i)(VI), the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and
"(V) clause (i)(VII), the Secretary of Education.
"(iii) The term 'administering entity' means, with respect to the covered program described in—
"(I) subclause (I), (II), (III), (IV), or (V) of clause (i), the State agency responsible for the administration of the program in a State;
"(II) clause (i)(VI), the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, a public housing agency, or another entity that determines the eligibility of an individual for financial assistance; and
"(III) clause (i)(VII), an institution of higher education involved."
Effective Date
Section 2651(l) of
"(1) The amendments made by subsections (j) and (k) [amending
"(2) Except as otherwise specifically provided, the amendments made by subsections (a) through (i) [enacting this section, amending
Construction of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
Abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service and Transfer of Functions
For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under
Immigration and Naturalization Service To Establish Verification System by October 1, 1987
Section 121(c)(1) of
General Accounting Office Reports
Section 121(d) of
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
§1320b–8. Hospital protocols for organ procurement and standards for organ procurement agencies
(a)(1) The Secretary shall provide that a hospital or critical access hospital meeting the requirements of subchapter XVIII or XIX of this chapter may participate in the program established under such subchapter only if—
(A) the hospital or critical access hospital establishes written protocols for the identification of potential organ donors that—
(i) assure that families of potential organ donors are made aware of the option of organ or tissue donation and their option to decline,
(ii) encourage discretion and sensitivity with respect to the circumstances, views, and beliefs of such families, and
(iii) require that such hospital's designated organ procurement agency (as defined in paragraph (3)(B)) is notified of potential organ donors;
(B) in the case of a hospital in which organ transplants are performed, the hospital is a member of, and abides by the rules and requirements of, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network established pursuant to
(C) the hospital or critical access hospital has an agreement (as defined in paragraph (3)(A)) only with such hospital's designated organ procurement agency.
(2)(A) The Secretary shall grant a waiver of the requirements under subparagraphs (A)(iii) and (C) of paragraph (1) to a hospital or critical access hospital desiring to enter into an agreement with an organ procurement agency other than such hospital's designated organ procurement agency if the Secretary determines that—
(i) the waiver is expected to increase organ donation; and
(ii) the waiver will assure equitable treatment of patients referred for transplants within the service area served by such hospital's designated organ procurement agency and within the service area served by the organ procurement agency with which the hospital seeks to enter into an agreement under the waiver.
(B) In making a determination under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may consider factors that would include, but not be limited to—
(i) cost effectiveness;
(ii) improvements in quality;
(iii) whether there has been any change in a hospital's designated organ procurement agency due to a change made on or after December 28, 1992, in the definitions for metropolitan statistical areas (as established by the Office of Management and Budget); and
(iv) the length and continuity of a hospital's relationship with an organ procurement agency other than the hospital's designated organ procurement agency;
except that nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to permit the Secretary to grant a waiver that does not meet the requirements of subparagraph (A).
(C) Any hospital or critical access hospital seeking a waiver under subparagraph (A) shall submit an application to the Secretary containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(D) The Secretary shall—
(i) publish a public notice of any waiver application received from a hospital or critical access hospital under this paragraph within 30 days of receiving such application; and
(ii) prior to making a final determination on such application under subparagraph (A), offer interested parties the opportunity to submit written comments to the Secretary during the 60-day period beginning on the date such notice is published.
(3) For purposes of this subsection—
(A) the term "agreement" means an agreement described in
(B) the term "designated organ procurement agency" means, with respect to a hospital or critical access hospital, the organ procurement agency designated pursuant to subsection (b) of this section for the service area in which such hospital is located; and
(C) the term "organ" means a human kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, and any other human organ or tissue specified by the Secretary for purposes of this subsection.
(b)(1) The Secretary shall provide that payment may be made under subchapter XVIII or XIX of this chapter with respect to organ procurement costs attributable to payments made to an organ procurement agency only if the agency—
(A)(i) is a qualified organ procurement organization (as described in
(B) meets the requirements that are applicable under such subchapter for organ procurement agencies;
(C) meets performance-related standards prescribed by the Secretary;
(D) is a member of, and abides by the rules and requirements of, the Network;
(E) allocates organs, within its service area and nationally, in accordance with medical criteria and the policies of the Network; and
(F) is designated by the Secretary as an organ procurement organization payments to which may be treated as organ procurement costs for purposes of reimbursement under such subchapter.
(2) The Secretary may not designate more than one organ procurement organization for each service area (described in section 273(b)(1)(E) 1 of this title) under paragraph (1)(F).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1138, as added
References in Text
Amendments
1997—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(ii).
1994—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(C).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
1989—Subsec. (a)(1).
1988—Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
1987—Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4201(c)(1) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 155(a)(3) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date
Section 9318(b) of
"(1) Section 1138(a) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a) of this section] shall apply to hospitals participating in the programs under titles XVIII and XIX of such Act [subchapters XVIII and XIX of this chapter] as of November 21, 1987."
"(2) Section 1138(b) of such Act [subsec. (b) of this section] shall apply to costs of organs procured on or after March 31, 1988."
[
Existing Agreements With Organ Procurement Agencies
Section 155(a)(2) of
1 See References in Text note below.
§1320b–9. Improved access to, and delivery of, health care for Indians under subchapters XIX and XXI
(a) Agreements with States for Medicaid and CHIP outreach on or near reservations to increase the enrollment of Indians in those programs
(1) In general
In order to improve the access of Indians residing on or near a reservation to obtain benefits under the Medicaid and State children's health insurance programs established under subchapters XIX and XXI, the Secretary shall encourage the State to take steps to provide for enrollment on or near the reservation. Such steps may include outreach efforts such as the outstationing of eligibility workers, entering into agreements with the Indian Health Service, Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and Urban Indian Organizations to provide outreach, education regarding eligibility and benefits, enrollment, and translation services when such services are appropriate.
(2) Construction
Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed as affecting arrangements entered into between States and the Indian Health Service, Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, or Urban Indian Organizations for such Service, Tribes, or Organizations to conduct administrative activities under such subchapters.
(b) Requirement to facilitate cooperation
The Secretary, acting through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, shall take such steps as are necessary to facilitate cooperation with, and agreements between, States and the Indian Health Service, Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, or Urban Indian Organizations with respect to the provision of health care items and services to Indians under the programs established under subchapter XIX or XXI.
(c) Definition of Indian; Indian Tribe; Indian Health Program; Tribal Organization; Urban Indian Organization
For purposes of this section, subchapter XIX, and subchapter XXI, the terms "Indian", "Indian Tribe", "Indian Health Program", "Tribal Organization", and "Urban Indian Organization" have the meanings given those terms in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1139, as added
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (c).
2009—
1994—Subsec. (d).
1990—Subsec. (d).
1989—Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e)(1)(A), (4)(B).
Subsec. (f).
"(1) The Commission shall appoint an Executive Director of the Commission who shall be compensated at a rate fixed by the Commission, but which shall not exceed the rate established for level V of the Executive Schedule under title 5.
"(2) In addition to the Executive Director, the Commission may appoint and fix the compensation of such personnel as it deems advisable, in accordance with the provisions of title 5 governing appointments to the competitive service, and the provisions of
Subsec. (j).
Subsecs. (k), (l).
1988—Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e)(1)(A), (4)(B).
Subsec. (j).
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 264(h) of
Construction of 1990 Amendment
Section 264(d) of
§1320b–9a. Child health quality measures
(a) Development of an initial core set of health care quality measures for children enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP
(1) In general
Not later than January 1, 2010, the Secretary shall identify and publish for general comment an initial, recommended core set of child health quality measures for use by State programs administered under subchapters XIX and XXI, health insurance issuers and managed care entities that enter into contracts with such programs, and providers of items and services under such programs.
(2) Identification of initial core measures
In consultation with the individuals and entities described in subsection (b)(3), the Secretary shall identify existing quality of care measures for children that are in use under public and privately sponsored health care coverage arrangements, or that are part of reporting systems that measure both the presence and duration of health insurance coverage over time.
(3) Recommendations and dissemination
Based on such existing and identified measures, the Secretary shall publish an initial core set of child health quality measures that includes (but is not limited to) the following:
(A) The duration of children's health insurance coverage over a 12-month time period.
(B) The availability and effectiveness of a full range of—
(i) preventive services, treatments, and services for acute conditions, including services to promote healthy birth, prevent and treat premature birth, and detect the presence or risk of physical or mental conditions that could adversely affect growth and development; and
(ii) treatments to correct or ameliorate the effects of physical and mental conditions, including chronic conditions and, with respect to dental care, conditions requiring the restoration of teeth, relief of pain and infection, and maintenance of dental health, in infants, young children, school-age children, and adolescents.
(C) The availability of care in a range of ambulatory and inpatient health care settings in which such care is furnished.
(D) The types of measures that, taken together, can be used to estimate the overall national quality of health care for children, including children with special needs, and to perform comparative analyses of pediatric health care quality and racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in child health and health care for children.
(4) Encourage voluntary and standardized reporting
Not later than 2 years after February 4, 2009, the Secretary, in consultation with States, shall develop a standardized format for reporting information and procedures and approaches that encourage States to use the initial core measurement set to voluntarily report information regarding the quality of pediatric health care under subchapters XIX and XXI.
(5) Adoption of best practices in implementing quality programs
The Secretary shall disseminate information to States regarding best practices among States with respect to measuring and reporting on the quality of health care for children, and shall facilitate the adoption of such best practices. In developing best practices approaches, the Secretary shall give particular attention to State measurement techniques that ensure the timeliness and accuracy of provider reporting, encourage provider reporting compliance, encourage successful quality improvement strategies, and improve efficiency in data collection using health information technology.
(6) Reports to Congress
Not later than January 1, 2011, and every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary shall report to Congress on—
(A) the status of the Secretary's efforts to improve—
(i) quality related to the duration and stability of health insurance coverage for children under subchapters XIX and XXI;
(ii) the quality of children's health care under such subchapters, including preventive health services, dental care, health care for acute conditions, chronic health care, and health services to ameliorate the effects of physical and mental conditions and to aid in growth and development of infants, young children, school-age children, and adolescents with special health care needs; and
(iii) the quality of children's health care under such subchapters across the domains of quality, including clinical quality, health care safety, family experience with health care, health care in the most integrated setting, and elimination of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in health and health care;
(B) the status of voluntary reporting by States under subchapters XIX and XXI, utilizing the initial core quality measurement set; and
(C) any recommendations for legislative changes needed to improve the quality of care provided to children under subchapters XIX and XXI, including recommendations for quality reporting by States.
(7) Technical assistance
The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to States to assist them in adopting and utilizing core child health quality measures in administering the State plans under subchapters XIX and XXI.
(8) Definition of core set
In this section, the term "core set" means a group of valid, reliable, and evidence-based quality measures that, taken together—
(A) provide information regarding the quality of health coverage and health care for children;
(B) address the needs of children throughout the developmental age span; and
(C) allow purchasers, families, and health care providers to understand the quality of care in relation to the preventive needs of children, treatments aimed at managing and resolving acute conditions, and diagnostic and treatment services whose purpose is to correct or ameliorate physical, mental, or developmental conditions that could, if untreated or poorly treated, become chronic.
(b) Advancing and improving pediatric quality measures
(1) Establishment of pediatric quality measures program
Not later than January 1, 2011, the Secretary shall establish a pediatric quality measures program to—
(A) improve and strengthen the initial core child health care quality measures established by the Secretary under subsection (a);
(B) expand on existing pediatric quality measures used by public and private health care purchasers and advance the development of such new and emerging quality measures; and
(C) increase the portfolio of evidence-based, consensus pediatric quality measures available to public and private purchasers of children's health care services, providers, and consumers.
(2) Evidence-based measures
The measures developed under the pediatric quality measures program shall, at a minimum, be—
(A) evidence-based and, where appropriate, risk adjusted;
(B) designed to identify and eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in child health and the provision of health care;
(C) designed to ensure that the data required for such measures is collected and reported in a standard format that permits comparison of quality and data at a State, plan, and provider level;
(D) periodically updated; and
(E) responsive to the child health needs, services, and domains of health care quality described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subsection (a)(6)(A).
(3) Process for pediatric quality measures program
In identifying gaps in existing pediatric quality measures and establishing priorities for development and advancement of such measures, the Secretary shall consult with—
(A) States;
(B) pediatricians, children's hospitals, and other primary and specialized pediatric health care professionals (including members of the allied health professions) who specialize in the care and treatment of children, particularly children with special physical, mental, and developmental health care needs;
(C) dental professionals, including pediatric dental professionals;
(D) health care providers that furnish primary health care to children and families who live in urban and rural medically underserved communities or who are members of distinct population sub-groups at heightened risk for poor health outcomes;
(E) national organizations representing children, including children with disabilities and children with chronic conditions;
(F) national organizations representing consumers and purchasers of children's health care;
(G) national organizations and individuals with expertise in pediatric health quality measurement; and
(H) voluntary consensus standards setting organizations and other organizations involved in the advancement of evidence-based measures of health care.
(4) Developing, validating, and testing a portfolio of pediatric quality measures
As part of the program to advance pediatric quality measures, the Secretary shall—
(A) award grants and contracts for the development, testing, and validation of new, emerging, and innovative evidence-based measures for children's health care services across the domains of quality described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subsection (a)(6)(A); and
(B) award grants and contracts for—
(i) the development of consensus on evidence-based measures for children's health care services;
(ii) the dissemination of such measures to public and private purchasers of health care for children; and
(iii) the updating of such measures as necessary.
(5) Revising, strengthening, and improving initial core measures
Beginning no later than January 1, 2013, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall publish recommended changes to the core measures described in subsection (a) that shall reflect the testing, validation, and consensus process for the development of pediatric quality measures described in subsection 1 paragraphs (1) through (4).
(6) Definition of pediatric quality measure
In this subsection, the term "pediatric quality measure" means a measurement of clinical care that is capable of being examined through the collection and analysis of relevant information, that is developed in order to assess 1 or more aspects of pediatric health care quality in various institutional and ambulatory health care settings, including the structure of the clinical care system, the process of care, the outcome of care, or patient experiences in care.
(7) Construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed as supporting the restriction of coverage, under subchapter XIX or XXI or otherwise, to only those services that are evidence-based.
(c) Annual State reports regarding State-specific quality of care measures applied under Medicaid or CHIP
(1) Annual State reports
Each State with a State plan approved under subchapter XIX or a State child health plan approved under subchapter XXI shall annually report to the Secretary on the—
(A) State-specific child health quality measures applied by the States under such plans, including measures described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(6); and
(B) State-specific information on the quality of health care furnished to children under such plans, including information collected through external quality reviews of managed care organizations under
(2) Publication
Not later than September 30, 2010, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall collect, analyze, and make publicly available the information reported by States under paragraph (1).
(d) Demonstration projects for improving the quality of children's health care and the use of health information technology
(1) In general
During the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2013, the Secretary shall award not more than 10 grants to States and child health providers to conduct demonstration projects to evaluate promising ideas for improving the quality of children's health care provided under subchapter XIX or XXI, including projects to—
(A) experiment with, and evaluate the use of, new measures of the quality of children's health care under such subchapters (including testing the validity and suitability for reporting of such measures);
(B) promote the use of health information technology in care delivery for children under such subchapters;
(C) evaluate provider-based models which improve the delivery of children's health care services under such subchapters, including care management for children with chronic conditions and the use of evidence-based approaches to improve the effectiveness, safety, and efficiency of health care services for children; or
(D) demonstrate the impact of the model electronic health record format for children developed and disseminated under subsection (f) on improving pediatric health, including the effects of chronic childhood health conditions, and pediatric health care quality as well as reducing health care costs.
(2) Requirements
In awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall ensure that—
(A) only 1 demonstration project funded under a grant awarded under this subsection shall be conducted in a State; and
(B) demonstration projects funded under grants awarded under this subsection shall be conducted evenly between States with large urban areas and States with large rural areas.
(3) Authority for multistate projects
A demonstration project conducted with a grant awarded under this subsection may be conducted on a multistate basis, as needed.
(4) Funding
$20,000,000 of the amount appropriated under subsection (i) for a fiscal year shall be used to carry out this subsection.
(e) Childhood obesity demonstration project
(1) Authority to conduct demonstration
The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, shall conduct a demonstration project to develop a comprehensive and systematic model for reducing childhood obesity by awarding grants to eligible entities to carry out such project. Such model shall—
(A) identify, through self-assessment, behavioral risk factors for obesity among children;
(B) identify, through self-assessment, needed clinical preventive and screening benefits among those children identified as target individuals on the basis of such risk factors;
(C) provide ongoing support to such target individuals and their families to reduce risk factors and promote the appropriate use of preventive and screening benefits; and
(D) be designed to improve health outcomes, satisfaction, quality of life, and appropriate use of items and services for which medical assistance is available under subchapter XIX or child health assistance is available under subchapter XXI among such target individuals.
(2) Eligibility entities 2
For purposes of this subsection, an eligible entity is any of the following:
(A) A city, county, or Indian tribe.
(B) A local or tribal educational agency.
(C) An accredited university, college, or community college.
(D) A Federally-qualified health center.
(E) A local health department.
(F) A health care provider.
(G) A community-based organization.
(H) Any other entity determined appropriate by the Secretary, including a consortia 3 or partnership of entities described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (G).
(3) Use of funds
An eligible entity awarded a grant under this subsection shall use the funds made available under the grant to—
(A) carry out community-based activities related to reducing childhood obesity, including by—
(i) forming partnerships with entities, including schools and other facilities providing recreational services, to establish programs for after school and weekend community activities that are designed to reduce childhood obesity;
(ii) forming partnerships with daycare facilities to establish programs that promote healthy eating behaviors and physical activity; and
(iii) developing and evaluating community educational activities targeting good nutrition and promoting healthy eating behaviors;
(B) carry out age-appropriate school-based activities that are designed to reduce childhood obesity, including by—
(i) developing and testing educational curricula and intervention programs designed to promote healthy eating behaviors and habits in youth, which may include—
(I) after hours physical activity programs; and
(II) science-based interventions with multiple components to prevent eating disorders including nutritional content, understanding and responding to hunger and satiety, positive body image development, positive self-esteem development, and learning life skills (such as stress management, communication skills, problemsolving and decisionmaking skills), as well as consideration of cultural and developmental issues, and the role of family, school, and community;
(ii) providing education and training to educational professionals regarding how to promote a healthy lifestyle and a healthy school environment for children;
(iii) planning and implementing a healthy lifestyle curriculum or program with an emphasis on healthy eating behaviors and physical activity; and
(iv) planning and implementing healthy lifestyle classes or programs for parents or guardians, with an emphasis on healthy eating behaviors and physical activity for children;
(C) carry out educational, counseling, promotional, and training activities through the local health care delivery systems including by—
(i) promoting healthy eating behaviors and physical activity services to treat or prevent eating disorders, being overweight, and obesity;
(ii) providing patient education and counseling to increase physical activity and promote healthy eating behaviors;
(iii) training health professionals on how to identify and treat obese and overweight individuals which may include nutrition and physical activity counseling; and
(iv) providing community education by a health professional on good nutrition and physical activity to develop a better understanding of the relationship between diet, physical activity, and eating disorders, obesity, or being overweight; and
(D) provide, through qualified health professionals, training and supervision for community health workers to—
(i) educate families regarding the relationship between nutrition, eating habits, physical activity, and obesity;
(ii) educate families about effective strategies to improve nutrition, establish healthy eating patterns, and establish appropriate levels of physical activity; and
(iii) educate and guide parents regarding the ability to model and communicate positive health behaviors.
(4) Priority
In awarding grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give priority to awarding grants to eligible entities—
(A) that demonstrate that they have previously applied successfully for funds to carry out activities that seek to promote individual and community health and to prevent the incidence of chronic disease and that can cite published and peer-reviewed research demonstrating that the activities that the entities propose to carry out with funds made available under the grant are effective;
(B) that will carry out programs or activities that seek to accomplish a goal or goals set by the State in the Healthy People 2010 plan of the State;
(C) that provide non-Federal contributions, either in cash or in-kind, to the costs of funding activities under the grants;
(D) that develop comprehensive plans that include a strategy for extending program activities developed under grants in the years following the fiscal years for which they receive grants under this subsection;
(E) located in communities that are medically underserved, as determined by the Secretary;
(F) located in areas in which the average poverty rate is at least 150 percent or higher of the average poverty rate in the State involved, as determined by the Secretary; and
(G) that submit plans that exhibit multisectoral, cooperative conduct that includes the involvement of a broad range of stakeholders, including—
(i) community-based organizations;
(ii) local governments;
(iii) local educational agencies;
(iv) the private sector;
(v) State or local departments of health;
(vi) accredited colleges, universities, and community colleges;
(vii) health care providers;
(viii) State and local departments of transportation and city planning; and
(ix) other entities determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(5) Program design
(A) Initial design
Not later than 1 year after February 4, 2009, the Secretary shall design the demonstration project. The demonstration should draw upon promising, innovative models and incentives to reduce behavioral risk factors. The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall consult with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Director of the Office of Minority Health, the heads of other agencies in the Department of Health and Human Services, and such professional organizations, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, on the design, conduct, and evaluation of the demonstration.
(B) Number and project areas
Not later than 2 years after February 4, 2009, the Secretary shall award 1 grant that is specifically designed to determine whether programs similar to programs to be conducted by other grantees under this subsection should be implemented with respect to the general population of children who are eligible for child health assistance under State child health plans under subchapter XXI in order to reduce the incidence of childhood obesity among such population.
(6) Report to Congress
Not later than 3 years after the date the Secretary implements the demonstration project under this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes the project, evaluates the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the project, evaluates the beneficiary satisfaction under the project, and includes any such other information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(7) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Federally-qualified health center
The term "Federally-qualified health center" has the meaning given that term in
(B) Indian tribe
The term "Indian tribe" has the meaning given that term in
(C) Self-assessment
The term "self-assessment" means a form that—
(i) includes questions regarding—
(I) behavioral risk factors;
(II) needed preventive and screening services; and
(III) target individuals' preferences for receiving follow-up information;
(ii) is assessed using such computer generated assessment programs; and
(iii) allows for the provision of such ongoing support to the individual as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(D) Ongoing support
The term "ongoing support" means—
(i) to provide any target individual with information, feedback, health coaching, and recommendations regarding—
(I) the results of a self-assessment given to the individual;
(II) behavior modification based on the self-assessment; and
(III) any need for clinical preventive and screening services or treatment including medical nutrition therapy;
(ii) to provide any target individual with referrals to community resources and programs available to assist the target individual in reducing health risks; and
(iii) to provide the information described in clause (i) to a health care provider, if designated by the target individual to receive such information.
(8) Appropriation
Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated to carry out this subsection, $25,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2010 through 2014.
(f) Development of model electronic health record format for children enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP
(1) In general
Not later than January 1, 2010, the Secretary shall establish a program to encourage the development and dissemination of a model electronic health record format for children enrolled in the State plan under subchapter XIX or the State child health plan under subchapter XXI that is—
(A) subject to State laws, accessible to parents, caregivers, and other consumers for the sole purpose of demonstrating compliance with school or leisure activity requirements, such as appropriate immunizations or physicals;
(B) designed to allow interoperable exchanges that conform with Federal and State privacy and security requirements;
(C) structured in a manner that permits parents and caregivers to view and understand the extent to which the care their children receive is clinically appropriate and of high quality; and
(D) capable of being incorporated into, and otherwise compatible with, other standards developed for electronic health records.
(2) Funding
$5,000,000 of the amount appropriated under subsection (i) for a fiscal year shall be used to carry out this subsection.
(g) Study of pediatric health and health care quality measures
(1) In general
Not later than July 1, 2010, the Institute of Medicine shall study and report to Congress on the extent and quality of efforts to measure child health status and the quality of health care for children across the age span and in relation to preventive care, treatments for acute conditions, and treatments aimed at ameliorating or correcting physical, mental, and developmental conditions in children. In conducting such study and preparing such report, the Institute of Medicine shall—
(A) consider all of the major national population-based reporting systems sponsored by the Federal Government that are currently in place, including reporting requirements under Federal grant programs and national population surveys and estimates conducted directly by the Federal Government;
(B) identify the information regarding child health and health care quality that each system is designed to capture and generate, the study and reporting periods covered by each system, and the extent to which the information so generated is made widely available through publication;
(C) identify gaps in knowledge related to children's health status, health disparities among subgroups of children, the effects of social conditions on children's health status and use and effectiveness of health care, and the relationship between child health status and family income, family stability and preservation, and children's school readiness and educational achievement and attainment; and
(D) make recommendations regarding improving and strengthening the timeliness, quality, and public transparency and accessibility of information about child health and health care quality.
(2) Funding
Up to $1,000,000 of the amount appropriated under subsection (i) for a fiscal year shall be used to carry out this subsection.
(h) Rule of construction
Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, no evidence based quality measure developed, published, or used as a basis of measurement or reporting under this section may be used to establish an irrebuttable presumption regarding either the medical necessity of care or the maximum permissible coverage for any individual child who is eligible for and receiving medical assistance under subchapter XIX or child health assistance under subchapter XXI.
(i) Appropriation
Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013, $45,000,000 for the purpose of carrying out this section (other than subsection (e)). Funds appropriated under this subsection shall remain available until expended.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1139A, as added and amended
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (e)(8).
2009—Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(6)(A)(ii).
Effective Date
Section and amendment by
2 So in original. Probably should be "Eligible entities".
3 So in original. Probably should be "consortium".
§1320b–9b. Adult health quality measures
(a) Development of core set of health care quality measures for adults eligible for benefits under Medicaid
The Secretary shall identify and publish a recommended core set of adult health quality measures for Medicaid eligible adults in the same manner as the Secretary identifies and publishes a core set of child health quality measures under
(b) Deadlines
(1) Recommended measures
Not later than January 1, 2011, the Secretary shall identify and publish for comment a recommended core set of adult health quality measures for Medicaid eligible adults.
(2) Dissemination
Not later than January 1, 2012, the Secretary shall publish an initial core set of adult health quality measures that are applicable to Medicaid eligible adults.
(3) Standardized reporting
Not later than January 1, 2013, the Secretary, in consultation with States, shall develop a standardized format for reporting information based on the initial core set of adult health quality measures and create procedures to encourage States to use such measures to voluntarily report information regarding the quality of health care for Medicaid eligible adults.
(4) Reports to Congress
Not later than January 1, 2014, and every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary shall include in the report to Congress required under
(5) Establishment of Medicaid quality measurement program
(A) In general
Not later than 12 months after the release of the recommended core set of adult health quality measures under paragraph (1)) 1, the Secretary shall establish a Medicaid Quality Measurement Program in the same manner as the Secretary establishes the pediatric quality measures program under
(B) Revising, strengthening, and improving initial core measures
Beginning not later than 24 months after the establishment of the Medicaid Quality Measurement Program, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall publish recommended changes to the initial core set of adult health quality measures that shall reflect the results of the testing, validation, and consensus process for the development of adult health quality measures.
(c) Construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed as supporting the restriction of coverage, under subchapter XIX or XXI or otherwise, to only those services that are evidence-based, or in anyway limiting available services.
(d) Annual State reports regarding State-specific quality of care measures applied under Medicaid
(1) Annual State reports
Each State with a State plan or waiver approved under subchapter XIX shall annually report (separately or as part of the annual report required under
(A) State-specific adult health quality measures applied by the State under the such 3 plan, including measures described in subsection (a)(5); and
(B) State-specific information on the quality of health care furnished to Medicaid eligible adults under such plan, including information collected through external quality reviews of managed care organizations under
(2) Publication
Not later than September 30, 2014, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall collect, analyze, and make publicly available the information reported by States under paragraph (1).
(e) Appropriation
Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014, $60,000,000 for the purpose of carrying out this section. Funds appropriated under this subsection shall remain available until expended.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1139B, as added
1 So in original. The second closing parenthesis probably should not appear.
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.
§1320b–10. Prohibitions relating to references to Social Security or Medicare
(a) Prohibited acts
(1) No person may use, in connection with any item constituting an advertisement, solicitation, circular, book, pamphlet, or other communication, or a play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production, alone or with other words, letters, symbols, or emblems—
(A) the words "Social Security", "Social Security Account", "Social Security System", "Social Security Administration", "Medicare", "Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services", "Department of Health and Human Services", "Health and Human Services", "Supplemental Security Income Program", "Medicaid", "Death Benefits Update", "Federal Benefit Information", "Funeral Expenses", or "Final Supplemental Plan", the letters "SSA", "CMS", "DHHS", "HHS", or "SSI", or any other combination or variation of such words or letters, or
(B) a symbol or emblem of the Social Security Administration, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or Department of Health and Human Services (including the design of, or a reasonable facsimile of the design of, the social security card issued pursuant to
in a manner which such person knows or should know would convey, or in a manner which reasonably could be interpreted or construed as conveying, the false impression that such item is approved, endorsed, or authorized by the Social Security Administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or the Department of Health and Human Services or that such person has some connection with, or authorization from, the Social Security Administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or the Department of Health and Human Services. The preceding provisions of this subsection shall not apply with respect to the use by any agency or instrumentality of a State or political subdivision of a State of any words or letters which identify an agency or instrumentality of such State or of a political subdivision of such State or the use by any such agency or instrumentality of any symbol or emblem of an agency or instrumentality of such State or a political subdivision of such State.
(2)(A) No person may, for a fee, reproduce, reprint, or distribute any item consisting of a form, application, or other publication of the Social Security Administration unless such person has obtained specific, written authorization for such activity in accordance with regulations which the Commissioner of Social Security shall prescribe.
(B) No person may, for a fee, reproduce, reprint, or distribute any item consisting of a form, application, or other publication of the Department of Health and Human Services unless such person has obtained specific, written authorization for such activity in accordance with regulations which the Secretary shall prescribe.
(3) Any determination of whether the use of one or more words, letters, symbols, or emblems (or any combination or variation thereof) in connection with an item described in paragraph (1) or the reproduction, reprinting, or distribution of an item described in paragraph (2) is a violation of this subsection shall be made without regard to any inclusion in such item (or any so reproduced, reprinted, or distributed copy thereof) of a disclaimer of affiliation with the United States Government or any particular agency or instrumentality thereof.
(4)(A) No person shall offer, for a fee, to assist an individual to obtain a product or service that the person knows or should know is provided free of charge by the Social Security Administration unless, at the time the offer is made, the person provides to the individual to whom the offer is tendered a notice that—
(i) explains that the product or service is available free of charge from the Social Security Administration, and
(ii) complies with standards prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security respecting the content of such notice and its placement, visibility, and legibility.
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any offer—
(i) to serve as a claimant representative in connection with a claim arising under subchapter II of this chapter, subchapter VIII of this chapter, or subchapter XVI of this chapter; or
(ii) to prepare, or assist in the preparation of, an individual's plan for achieving self-support under subchapter XVI of this chapter.
(b) Civil penalties
The Commissioner or the Secretary (as applicable) may, pursuant to regulations, impose a civil money penalty not to exceed—
(1) except as provided in paragraph (2), $5,000, or
(2) in the case of a violation consisting of a broadcast or telecast, $25,000,
against any person for each violation by such person of subsection (a) of this section. In the case of any items referred to in subsection (a)(1) of this section consisting of pieces of mail, each such piece of mail which contains one or more words, letters, symbols, or emblems in violation of subsection (a) of this section shall represent a separate violation. In the case of any item referred to in subsection (a)(2) of this section, the reproduction, reprinting, or distribution of such item shall be treated as a separate violation with respect to each copy thereof so reproduced, reprinted, or distributed.
(c) Application of other law; compromise, recovery, and deposit into Treasury of civil money penalties
(1) The provisions of
(2) Penalties imposed against a person under subsection (b) of this section may be compromised by the Commissioner or the Secretary (as applicable) and may be recovered in a civil action in the name of the United States brought in the district court of the United States for the district in which the violation occurred or where the person resides, has its principal office, or may be found, as determined by the Commissioner or the Secretary (as applicable). Amounts recovered under this section shall be paid to the Commissioner or the Secretary (as applicable) and shall be deposited as miscellaneous receipts of the Treasury of the United States, except that (A) to the extent that such amounts are recovered under this section as penalties imposed for misuse of words, letters, symbols, or emblems relating to the Social Security Administration, such amounts shall be deposited into the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, and (B) to the extent that such amounts are recovered under this section as penalties imposed for misuse of words, letters, symbols, or emblems relating to the Department of Health and Human Services, such amounts shall be deposited into the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund or the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, as appropriate. The amount of such penalty when finally determined, or the amount agreed upon in compromise, may be deducted from any sum then or later owing by the United States to the person against whom the penalty has been imposed.
(d) Enforcement
The preceding provisions of this section may be enforced through the Office of the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration or the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (as appropriate).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1140, as added
Amendments
2004—
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(4).
2003—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
1994—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A), (B).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d).
1988—Subsec. (c)(1).
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 108(b)(12) of
Amendment by section 312(a)–(j) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 428(c) of
Reports on Operation of this Section
Section 312(k) of
"(1)
"(A) the number of complaints of violations of such section received by the Social Security Administration or the Department of Health and Human Services during the period,
"(B) the number of cases in which the Social Security Administration or the Department, during the period, sent a notice of violation of such section requesting that an individual cease activities in violation of such section,
"(C) the number of cases in which the Social Security Administration or the Department formally proposed a civil money penalty in a demand letter during the period,
"(D) the total amount of civil money penalties assessed by the Social Security Administration or the Department under this section during the period,
"(E) the number of requests for hearings filed during the period by the Social Security Administration or the Department pursuant to sections 1140(c)(1) [subsec. (c)(1) of this section] and 1128A(c)(2) [
"(F) the disposition during the period of hearings filed pursuant to sections 1140(c)(1) and 1128A(c)(2) of the Social Security Act, and
"(G) the total amount of civil money penalties collected under this section and deposited into the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund or the Health Insurance and Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Funds, as applicable, during the period.
"(2)
Consultation by United States Postal Service Regarding Prevention of Deceptive Mailings
United States Postal Service to consult and coordinate functions of Secretary of Department of Health and Human Services in administration of this section, see section 4 of
§1320b–11. Blood donor locator service
(a) In general
The Commissioner of Social Security shall establish and conduct a Blood Donor Locator Service, which shall be used to obtain and transmit to any authorized person (as defined in subsection (h)(1) of this section) the most recent mailing address of any blood donor who, as indicated by the donated blood or products derived therefrom or by the history of the subsequent use of such blood or blood products, has or may have the virus for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, in order to inform such donor of the possible need for medical care and treatment.
(b) Provision of address information
Whenever the Commissioner of Social Security receives a request, filed by an authorized person (as defined in subsection (h)(1) of this section), for the mailing address of a donor described in subsection (a) of this section and the Commissioner of Social Security is reasonably satisfied that the requirements of this section have been met with respect to such request, the Commissioner of Social Security shall promptly undertake to provide the requested address information from—
(1) the files and records maintained by the Social Security Administration, and
(2) such files and records obtained pursuant to section 6103(m)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as the Commissioner of Social Security considers necessary to comply with such request.
(c) Manner and form of requests
A request for address information under this section shall be filed in such manner and form as the Commissioner of Social Security shall by regulation prescribe, shall include the blood donor's social security account number, and shall be accompanied or supported by such documents as the Commissioner of Social Security may determine to be necessary.
(d) Procedures and safeguards
Any authorized person shall, as a condition for receiving address information from the Blood Donor Locator Service—
(1) establish and maintain, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security, a system for standardizing records with respect to any request, the reason for such request, and the date of such request made by or of it and any disclosure of address information made by or to it,
(2) establish and maintain, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security, a secure area or place in which such address information and all related blood donor records shall be stored,
(3) restrict, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security, access to the address information and related blood donor records only to persons whose duties or responsibilities require access and to whom disclosure may be made under the provisions of this section,
(4) provide such other safeguards which the Commissioner of Social Security determines (and which the Commissioner of Social Security prescribes in regulations) to be necessary or appropriate to protect the confidentiality of the address information and related blood donor records,
(5) furnish a report to the Commissioner of Social Security, at such time and containing such information as the Commissioner of Social Security may prescribe, which describes the procedures established and utilized by the authorized person for ensuring the confidentiality of address information and related blood donor records required under this subsection, and
(6) destroy such address information and related blood donor records, upon completion of their use in providing the notification for which the information was obtained, so as to make such information and records undisclosable.
If the Commissioner of Social Security determines that any authorized person has failed to, or does not, meet the requirements of this subsection, the Commissioner of Social Security may, after any proceedings for review established under subsection (f) of this section, take such actions as are necessary to ensure such requirements are met, including refusing to disclose address information to such authorized person until the Commissioner of Social Security determines that such requirements have been or will be met. In the case of any authorized person who discloses any address information received pursuant to this section or any related blood donor records to any agent, this subsection shall apply to such authorized person and each such agent (except that, in the case of an agent, any report to the Commissioner of Social Security or other action with respect to the Commissioner of Social Security shall be made or taken through such authorized person). The Commissioner of Social Security shall destroy all related blood donor records in the possession of the Social Security Administration upon completion of their use in transmitting mailing addresses as required under subsection (a) of this section, so as to make such records undisclosable.
(e) Arrangements with State agencies and authorized persons
The Commissioner of Social Security, in carrying out the Commissioner's duties and functions under this section, shall enter into arrangements—
(1) with State agencies to accept and to transmit to the Commissioner of Social Security requests for address information under this section and to accept and to transmit such information to authorized persons, and
(2) with State agencies and authorized persons otherwise to cooperate with the Commissioner of Social Security in carrying out the purposes of this section.
(f) Procedures for administrative review
The Commissioner of Social Security shall by regulation prescribe procedures which provide for administrative review of any determination that any authorized person has failed to meet the requirements of this section.
(g) Unauthorized disclosure of information
Paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of section 7213(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall apply with respect to the unauthorized willful disclosure to any person of address information or related blood donor records acquired or maintained by or under the Commissioner of Social Security, or pursuant to this section by any authorized person, or of information derived from any such address information or related blood donor records, in the same manner and to the same extent as such paragraphs apply with respect to unauthorized disclosures of return and return information described in such paragraphs. Paragraph (4) of section 7213(a) of such Code shall apply with respect to the willful offer of any item of material value in exchange for any such address information or related blood donor record in the same manner and to the same extent as such paragraph applies with respect to offers (in exchange for any return or return information) described in such paragraph.
(h) Definitions
For purposes of this section—
(1) Authorized person
The term "authorized person" means—
(A) any agency of a State (or of a political subdivision of a State) which has duties or authority under State law relating to the public health or otherwise has the duty or authority under State law to regulate blood donations, and
(B) any entity engaged in the acceptance of blood donations which is licensed or registered by the Food and Drug Administration in connection with the acceptance of such blood donations, and which, in accordance with such regulations as may be prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security, provides for—
(i) the confidentiality of any address information received pursuant to this section and related blood donor records,
(ii) blood donor notification procedures for individuals with respect to whom such information is requested and a finding has been made that they have or may have the virus for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and
(iii) counseling services for such individuals who have been found to have such virus.
(2) Related blood donor record
The term "related blood donor record" means any record, list, or compilation which indicates, directly or indirectly, the identity of any individual with respect to whom a request for address information has been made pursuant to this section.
(3) State
The term "State" includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1141, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (b)(2) and (g), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b), (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsecs. (f), (g), (h)(1)(B).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding
Time Limit for Establishment of Blood Donor Locator Service
Section 8008(b)(2) of
§1320b–12. Research on outcomes of health care services and procedures
(a) Establishment of program
(1) In general
The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, shall—
(A) conduct and support research with respect to the outcomes, effectiveness, and appropriateness of health care services and procedures in order to identify the manner in which diseases, disorders, and other health conditions can most effectively and appropriately be prevented, diagnosed, treated, and managed clinically; and
(B) assure that the needs and priorities of the program under subchapter XVIII of this chapter are appropriately reflected in the development and periodic review and updating (through the process set forth in section 299b–2 1 of this title) of treatment-specific or condition-specific practice guidelines for clinical treatments and conditions in forms appropriate for use in clinical practice, for use in educational programs, and for use in reviewing quality and appropriateness of medical care.
(2) Evaluations of alternative services and procedures
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall conduct or support evaluations of the comparative effects, on health and functional capacity, of alternative services and procedures utilized in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and clinically managing diseases, disorders, and other health conditions.
(3) Initial guidelines
(A) In carrying out paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection, and section 299b–1(d) 1 of this title, the Secretary shall, by not later than January 1, 1991, assure the development of an initial set of the guidelines specified in paragraph (1)(B) that shall include not less than 3 clinical treatments or conditions that—
(i)(I) account for a significant portion of expenditures under subchapter XVIII of this chapter; and
(II) have a significant variation in the frequency or the type of treatment provided; or
(ii) otherwise meet the needs and priorities of the program under subchapter XVIII of this chapter, as set forth under subsection (b)(3) of this section.
(B)(i) The Secretary shall provide for the use of guidelines developed under subparagrah 2 (A) to improve the quality, effectiveness, and appropriateness of care provided under subchapter XVIII of this chapter. The Secretary shall determine the impact of such use on the quality, appropriateness, effectiveness, and cost of medical care provided under such subchapter and shall report to the Congress on such determination by not later than January 1, 1993.
(ii) For the purpose of carrying out clause (i), the Secretary shall expend, from the amounts specified in clause (iii), $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1990 and $1,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991 and 1992.
(iii) For each fiscal year, for purposes of expenditures required in clause (ii)—
(I) 60 percent of an amount equal to the expenditure involved is appropriated from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (established under
(II) 40 percent of an amount equal to the expenditure involved is appropriated from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund (established under
(b) Priorities
(1) In general
The Secretary shall establish priorities with respect to the diseases, disorders, and other health conditions for which research and evaluations are to be conducted or supported under subsection (a) of this section. In establishing such priorities, the Secretary shall, with respect to a disease, disorder, or other health condition, consider the extent to which—
(A) improved methods of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and clinical management can benefit a significant number of individuals;
(B) there is significant variation among physicians in the particular services and procedures utilized in making diagnoses and providing treatments or there is significant variation in the outcomes of health care services or procedures due to different patterns of diagnosis or treatment;
(C) the services and procedures utilized for diagnosis and treatment result in relatively substantial expenditures; and
(D) the data necessary for such evaluations are readily available or can readily be developed.
(2) Preliminary assessments
For the purpose of establishing priorities under paragraph (1), the Secretary may, with respect to services and procedures utilized in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and clinically managing diseases, disorders, and other health conditions, conduct or support assessments of the extent to which—
(A) rates of utilization vary among similar populations for particular diseases, disorders, and other health conditions;
(B) uncertainties exist on the effect of utilizing a particular service or procedure; or
(C) inappropriate services and procedures are provided.
(3) Relationship with medicare program
In establishing priorities under paragraph (1) for research and evaluation, and under section 299b–3(a) 1 of this title for the agenda under such section, the Secretary shall assure that such priorities appropriately reflect the needs and priorities of the program under subchapter XVIII of this chapter, as set forth by the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
(c) Methodologies and criteria for evaluations
For the purpose of facilitating research under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall—
(1) conduct and support research with respect to the improvement of methodologies and criteria utilized in conducting research with respect to outcomes of health care services and procedures;
(2) conduct and support reviews and evaluations of existing research findings with respect to such treatment or conditions;
(3) conduct and support reviews and evaluations of the existing methodologies that use large data bases in conducting such research and shall develop new research methodologies, including data-based methods of advancing knowledge and methodologies that measure clinical and functional status of patients, with respect to such research;
(4) provide grants and contracts to research centers, and contracts to other entities, to conduct such research on such treatment or conditions, including research on the appropriate use of prescription drugs;
(5) conduct and support research and demonstrations on the use of claims data and data on clinical and functional status of patients in determining the outcomes, effectiveness, and appropriateness of such treatment; and
(6) conduct and support supplementation of existing data bases, including the collection of new information, to enhance data bases for research purposes, and the design and development of new data bases that would be used in outcomes and effectiveness research.
(d) Standards for data bases
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall develop—
(1) uniform definitions of data to be collected and used in describing a patient's clinical and functional status;
(2) common reporting formats and linkages for such data; and
(3) standards to assure the security, confidentiality, accuracy, and appropriate maintenance of such data.
(e) Dissemination of research findings and guidelines
(1) In general
The Secretary shall provide for the dissemination of the findings of research and the guidelines described in subsection (a) of this section, and for the education of providers and others in the application of such research findings and guidelines.
(2) Cooperative educational activities
In disseminating findings and guidelines under paragraph (1), and in providing for education under such paragraph, the Secretary shall work with professional associations, medical specialty and subspecialty organizations, and other relevant groups to identify and implement effective means to educate physicians, other providers, consumers, and others in using such findings and guidelines, including training for physician managers within provider organizations.
(f) Evaluations
The Secretary shall conduct and support evaluations of the activities carried out under this section to determine the extent to which such activities have had an effect on the practices of physicians in providing medical treatment, the delivery of health care, and the outcomes of health care services and procedures.
(g) Research with respect to dissemination
The Secretary may conduct or support research with respect to improving methods of disseminating information on the effectiveness and appropriateness of health care services and procedures.
(h) Omitted
(i) Authorization of appropriations
(1) In general
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—
(A) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1990;
(B) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 1991;
(C) $110,000,000 for fiscal year 1992;
(D) $148,000,000 for fiscal year 1993; and
(E) $185,000,000 for fiscal year 1994.
(2) Specifications
For the purpose of carrying out this section, for each of the fiscal years 1990 through 1992 an amount equal to two-thirds of the amounts authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1), and for each of the fiscal years 1993 and 1994 an amount equal to 70 percent of such amounts, are to be appropriated in the following proportions from the following trust funds:
(A) 60 percent from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (established under
(B) 40 percent from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund (established under
(3) Allocations
(A) For each fiscal year, of the amounts transferred or otherwise appropriated to carry out this section, the Secretary shall reserve appropriate amounts for each of the purposes specified in clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph (B).
(B) The purposes referred to in subparagraph (A) are—
(i) the development of guidelines, standards, performance measures, and review criteria;
(ii) research and evaluation;
(iii) data-base standards and development; and
(iv) education and information dissemination.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1142, as added
References in Text
Codification
Subsec. (h) of this section, which required the Secretary to report biennially to Congress on the progress of the activities under this section during the preceding 2 fiscal years, including the impact of such activities on medical care (particularly medical care for individuals receiving benefits under subchapter XVIII of this chapter), terminated, effective May 15, 2000, pursuant to section 3003 of
Another section 1142 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1143 by
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (b)(3).
1999—Subsec. (a)(1).
AHCPR Study on Effect of Credentialing of Technologists and Sonographers on Quality of Ultrasound
"(1)
"(2)
Report on Linkage of Public and Private Research Related Data
Section 6103(b)(2) of
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. Probably should be "subparagraph".
§1320b–13. Social security account statements
(a) Provision upon request
(1) Beginning not later than October 1, 1990, the Commissioner of Social Security shall provide upon the request of an eligible individual a social security account statement (hereinafter referred to as the "statement").
(2) Each statement shall contain—
(A) the amount of wages paid to and self-employment income derived by the eligible individual as shown by the records of the Commissioner at the date of the request;
(B) an estimate of the aggregate of the employer, employee, and self-employment contributions of the eligible individual for old-age, survivors, and disability insurance as shown by the records of the Commissioner on the date of the request;
(C) a separate estimate of the aggregate of the employer, employee, and self-employment contributions of the eligible individual for hospital insurance as shown by the records of the Commissioner on the date of the request;
(D) an estimate of the potential monthly retirement, disability, survivor, and auxiliary benefits payable on the eligible individual's account together with a description of the benefits payable under the medicare program of subchapter XVIII of this chapter; and
(E) in the case of an eligible individual described in paragraph (3)(C)(ii), an explanation, in language calculated to be understood by the average eligible individual, of the operation of the provisions under
(3) For purposes of this section, the term "eligible individual" means an individual—
(A) who has a social security account number,
(B) who has attained age 25 or over, and
(C)(i) who has wages or net earnings from self-employment, or (ii) with respect to whom the Commissioner has information that the pattern of wages or self-employment income indicate a likelihood of noncovered employment.
(b) Notice to eligible individuals
The Commissioner shall, to the maximum extent practicable, take such steps as are necessary to assure that eligible individuals are informed of the availability of the statement described in subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Mandatory provision of statements
(1) By not later than September 30, 1995, the Commissioner shall provide a statement to each eligible individual who has attained age 60 by October 1, 1994, and who is not receiving benefits under subchapter II of this chapter and for whom a current mailing address can be determined through such methods as the Commissioner determines to be appropriate. In fiscal years 1995 through 1999 the Commissioner shall provide a statement to each eligible individual who attains age 60 in such fiscal years and who is not receiving benefits under subchapter II of this chapter and for whom a current mailing address can be determined through such methods as the Commissioner determines to be appropriate. The Commissioner shall provide with each statement to an eligible individual notice that such statement is updated annually and is available upon request.
(2) Beginning not later than October 1, 1999, the Commissioner shall provide a statement on an annual basis to each eligible individual who is not receiving benefits under subchapter II of this chapter and for whom a mailing address can be determined through such methods as the Commissioner determines to be appropriate. With respect to statements provided to eligible individuals who have not attained age 50, such statements need not include estimates of monthly retirement benefits. However, if such statements provided to eligible individuals who have not attained age 50 do not include estimates of retirement benefit amounts, such statements shall include a description of the benefits (including auxiliary benefits) that are available upon retirement.
(d) Disclosure to governmental employees of effect of noncovered employment
(1) In the case of any individual commencing employment on or after January 1, 2005, in any agency or instrumentality of any State (or political subdivision thereof, as defined in
(2) The written notice provided to an individual pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include a form which, upon completion and signature by the individual, would constitute certification by the individual of receipt of the notice. The agency or instrumentality providing the notice to the individual shall require that the form be completed and signed by the individual and submitted to the agency or instrumentality and to the pension, annuity, retirement, or similar fund or system established by the governmental entity involved responsible for paying the monthly periodic payments or benefits, before commencement of service with the agency or instrumentality.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1143, formerly §1142, as added
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A) to (C).
Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(3)(A), (B).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C).
Subsecs. (b), (c).
Subsec. (d).
1997—Subsec. (a)(2)(B), (C).
1990—Subsec. (c)(2).
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
§1320b–14. Outreach efforts to increase awareness of the availability of medicare cost-sharing and subsidies for low-income individuals under subchapter XVIII
(a) Outreach
(1) In general
The Commissioner of Social Security (in this section referred to as the "Commissioner") shall conduct outreach efforts to—
(A) identify individuals entitled to benefits under the medicare program under subchapter XVIII of this chapter who may be eligible for medical assistance for payment of the cost of medicare cost-sharing under the medicaid program pursuant to
(B) notify such individuals of the availability of such medical assistance, program, and subsidies under such sections.
(2) Content of notice
Any notice furnished under paragraph (1) shall state that eligibility for medicare cost-sharing assistance, the transitional assistance under
(A) the individual providing to the State information about income and resources (in the case of an individual residing in a State that imposes an assets test for eligibility for medicare cost-sharing under the medicaid program); and
(B) meeting the applicable eligibility criteria.
(b) Coordination with States
(1) In general
In conducting the outreach efforts under this section, the Commissioner shall—
(A) furnish the agency of each State responsible for the administration of the medicaid program and any other appropriate State agency with information consisting of the name and address of individuals residing in the State that the Commissioner determines may be eligible for medical assistance for payment of the cost of medicare cost-sharing under the medicaid program pursuant to
(B) update any such information not less frequently than once per year.
(2) Information in periodic updates
The periodic updates described in paragraph (1)(B) shall include information on individuals who are or may be eligible for the medical assistance, program, and subsidies described in paragraph (1)(A) because such individuals have experienced reductions in benefits under subchapter II of this chapter.
(c) Assistance with Medicare Savings Program and low-income subsidy program applications
(1) Distribution of applications and information to individuals who are potentially eligible for low-income subsidy program
For each individual who submits an application for low-income subsidies under
(A) Provide information describing the low-income subsidy program under
(B) Provide an application for enrollment under such low-income subsidy program (if not already received by the Commissioner).
(C) In accordance with paragraph (3), transmit data from such an application for purposes of initiating an application for benefits under the Medicare Savings Program.
(D) Provide information on how the individual may obtain assistance in completing such application and an application under the Medicare Savings Program, including information on how the individual may contact the State health insurance assistance program (SHIP).
(E) Make the application described in subparagraph (B) and the information described in subparagraphs (A) and (D) available at local offices of the Social Security Administration.
(2) Training personnel in explaining benefit programs and assisting in completing LIS application
The Commissioner shall provide training to those employees of the Social Security Administration who are involved in receiving applications for benefits described in paragraph (1)(B) in order that they may promote beneficiary understanding of the low-income subsidy program and the Medicare Savings Program in order to increase participation in these programs. Such employees shall provide assistance in completing an application described in paragraph (1)(B) upon request.
(3) Transmittal of data to States
Beginning on January 1, 2010, with the consent of an individual completing an application for benefits described in paragraph (1)(B), the Commissioner shall electronically transmit to the appropriate State Medicaid agency data from such application, as determined by the Commissioner, which transmittal shall initiate an application of the individual for benefits under the Medicare Savings Program with the State Medicaid agency. In order to ensure that such data transmittal provides effective assistance for purposes of State adjudication of applications for benefits under the Medicare Savings Program, the Commissioner shall consult with the Secretary, after the Secretary has consulted with the States, regarding the content, form, frequency, and manner in which data (on a uniform basis for all States) shall be transmitted under this subparagraph.
(4) Coordination with outreach
The Commissioner shall coordinate outreach activities under this subsection in connection with the low-income subsidy program and the Medicare Savings Program.
(5) Reimbursement of Social Security Administration administrative costs
(A) Initial Medicare Savings Program costs; additional low-income subsidy costs
(i) Initial Medicare Savings Program costs
There are hereby appropriated to the Commissioner to carry out this subsection, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $24,100,000. The amount appropriated under ths 2 clause shall be available on October 1, 2008, and shall remain available until expended.
(ii) Additional amount for low-income subsidy activities
There are hereby appropriated to the Commissioner, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $24,800,000 for fiscal year 2009 to carry out low-income subsidy activities under
(B) Subsequent funding under agreements
(i) In general
Effective for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2010, the Commissioner and the Secretary shall enter into an agreement which shall provide funding (subject to the amount appropriated under clause (ii)) to cover the administrative costs of the Commissioner's activities under this subsection. Such agreement shall—
(I) provide funds to the Commissioner for the full cost of the Social Security Administration's work related to the Medicare Savings Program required under this section;
(II) provide such funding quarterly in advance of the applicable quarter based on estimating methodology agreed to by the Commissioner and the Secretary; and
(III) require an annual accounting and reconciliation of the actual costs incurred and funds provided under this subsection.
(ii) Appropriation
There are hereby appropriated to the Secretary solely for the purpose of providing payments to the Commissioner pursuant to an agreement specified in clause (i) that is in effect, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, not more than $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2011 and each fiscal year thereafter.
(C) Limitation
In no case shall funds from the Social Security Administration's Limitation on Administrative Expenses be used to carry out activities related to the Medicare Savings Program. For fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2010, no such activities shall be undertaken by the Social Security Administration unless the agreement specified in subparagraph (B) is in effect and full funding has been provided to the Commissioner as specified in such subparagraph.
(6) GAO analysis and report
(A) Analysis
The Comptroller General of the United States shall prepare an analysis of the impact of this subsection—
(i) in increasing participation in the Medicare Savings Program, and
(ii) on States and the Social Security Administration.
(B) Report
Not later than January 1, 2012, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress, the Commissioner, and the Secretary a report on the analysis conducted under subparagraph (A).
(7) Medicare Savings Program defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term "Medicare Savings Program" means the program of medical assistance for payment of the cost of medicare cost-sharing under the Medicaid program pursuant to
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1144, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320b–14, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1144, as added
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (c).
2003—
Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date
GAO Report
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
2 So in original. Probably should be "this".
§1320b–15. Protection of social security and medicare trust funds
(a) In general
No officer or employee of the United States shall—
(1) delay the deposit of any amount into (or delay the credit of any amount to) any Federal fund or otherwise vary from the normal terms, procedures, or timing for making such deposits or credits,
(2) refrain from the investment in public debt obligations of amounts in any Federal fund, or
(3) redeem prior to maturity amounts in any Federal fund which are invested in public debt obligations for any purpose other than the payment of benefits or administrative expenses from such Federal fund.
(b) "Public debt obligation" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "public debt obligation" means any obligation subject to the public debt limit established under
(c) "Federal fund" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "Federal fund" means—
(1) the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund;
(2) the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund;
(3) the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund; and
(4) the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1145, as added
Effective Date
Section 107(b) of
§1320b–16. Public disclosure of certain information on hospital financial interest and referral patterns
The Secretary shall make available to the public, in a form and manner specified by the Secretary, information disclosed to the Secretary pursuant to
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1146, as added
Effective Date
Section 4321(d)(2) of
§1320b–17. Cross-program recovery of overpayments from benefits
(a) In general
Subject to subsection (b) of this section, whenever the Commissioner of Social Security determines that more than the correct amount of any payment has been made to a person under a program described in subsection (e) of this section, the Commissioner of Social Security may recover the amount incorrectly paid by decreasing any amount which is payable to such person under any other program specified in that subsection.
(b) Limitation applicable to current benefits
(1) In general
In carrying out subsection (a) of this section, the Commissioner of Social Security may not decrease the monthly amount payable to an individual under a program described in subsection (e) of this section that is paid when regularly due—
(A) in the case of benefits under subchapter II or VIII of this chapter, by more than 10 percent of the amount of the benefit payable to the person for that month under such subchapter; and
(B) in the case of benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter, by an amount greater than the lesser of—
(i) the amount of the benefit payable to the person for that month; or
(ii) an amount equal to 10 percent of the person's income for that month (including such monthly benefit but excluding payments under subchapter II of this chapter when recovery is also made from subchapter II payments and excluding income excluded pursuant to
(2) Exception
Paragraph (1) shall not apply if—
(A) the person or the spouse of the person was involved in willful misrepresentation or concealment of material information in connection with the amount incorrectly paid; or
(B) the person so requests.
(c) No effect on eligibility or benefit amount under subchapter VIII or XVI
In any case in which the Commissioner of Social Security takes action in accordance with subsection (a) of this section to recover an amount incorrectly paid to any person, neither that person, nor (with respect to the program described in subsection (e)(3) of this section) any individual whose eligibility for benefits under such program or whose amount of such benefits, is determined by considering any part of that person's income, shall, as a result of such action—
(1) become eligible for benefits under the program described in paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (e) of this section; or
(2) if such person or individual is otherwise so eligible, become eligible for increased benefits under such program.
(d) Inapplicability of prohibition against assessment and legal process
(e) Programs described
The programs described in this subsection are the following:
(1) The old-age, survivors, and disability insurance benefits program under subchapter II of this chapter.
(2) The special benefits for certain World War II veterans program under subchapter VIII of this chapter.
(3) The supplemental security income benefits program under subchapter XVI of this chapter (including, for purposes of this section, State supplementary payments paid by the Commissioner pursuant to an agreement under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1147, as added
References in Text
Section 212(b) of
Amendments
2004—
1999—
Subsec. (a)(1).
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 28, 1998, and applicable to amounts incorrectly paid which remain outstanding on or after such date, see section 8(c) of
§1320b–18. Repealed. Pub. L. 108–203, title II, §210(b)(3), Mar. 2, 2004, 118 Stat. 517
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1147A, as added
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective Mar. 2, 2004, and effective with respect to overpayments under subchapters II, VIII, and XVI of this chapter that are outstanding on or after such date, see section 210(c) of
§1320b–19. The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program
(a) In general
The Commissioner shall establish a Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program, under which a disabled beneficiary may use a ticket to work and self-sufficiency issued by the Commissioner in accordance with this section to obtain employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, or other support services from an employment network which is of the beneficiary's choice and which is willing to provide such services to such beneficiary.
(b) Ticket system
(1) Distribution of tickets
The Commissioner may issue a ticket to work and self-sufficiency to disabled beneficiaries for participation in the Program.
(2) Assignment of tickets
A disabled beneficiary holding a ticket to work and self-sufficiency may assign the ticket to any employment network of the beneficiary's choice which is serving under the Program and is willing to accept the assignment.
(3) Ticket terms
A ticket issued under paragraph (1) shall consist of a document which evidences the Commissioner's agreement to pay (as provided in paragraph (4)) an employment network, which is serving under the Program and to which such ticket is assigned by the beneficiary, for such employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other support services as the employment network may provide to the beneficiary.
(4) Payments to employment networks
The Commissioner shall pay an employment network under the Program in accordance with the outcome payment system under subsection (h)(2) of this section or under the outcome-milestone payment system under subsection (h)(3) of this section (whichever is elected pursuant to subsection (h)(1) of this section). An employment network may not request or receive compensation for such services from the beneficiary.
(c) State participation
(1) In general
Each State agency administering or supervising the administration of the State plan approved under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (
(2) Effect of participation by State agency
(A) State agencies participating
In any case in which a State agency described in paragraph (1) elects under that paragraph to participate in the Program, the employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other support services which, upon assignment of tickets to work and self-sufficiency, are provided to disabled beneficiaries by the State agency acting as an employment network shall be governed by plans for vocational rehabilitation services approved under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (
(B) State agencies administering maternal and child health services programs
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to any State agency administering a program under subchapter V of this chapter.
(3) Agreements between State agencies and employment networks
State agencies and employment networks shall enter into agreements regarding the conditions under which services will be provided when an individual is referred by an employment network to a State agency for services. The Commissioner shall establish by regulations the timeframe within which such agreements must be entered into and the mechanisms for dispute resolution between State agencies and employment networks with respect to such agreements.
(d) Responsibilities of the Commissioner
(1) Selection and qualifications of program managers
The Commissioner shall enter into agreements with 1 or more organizations in the private or public sector for service as a program manager to assist the Commissioner in administering the Program. Any such program manager shall be selected by means of a competitive bidding process, from among organizations in the private or public sector with available expertise and experience in the field of vocational rehabilitation or employment services.
(2) Tenure, renewal, and early termination
Each agreement entered into under paragraph (1) shall provide for early termination upon failure to meet performance standards which shall be specified in the agreement and which shall be weighted to take into account any performance in prior terms. Such performance standards shall include—
(A) measures for ease of access by beneficiaries to services; and
(B) measures for determining the extent to which failures in obtaining services for beneficiaries fall within acceptable parameters, as determined by the Commissioner.
(3) Preclusion from direct participation in delivery of services in own service area
Agreements under paragraph (1) shall preclude—
(A) direct participation by a program manager in the delivery of employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, or other support services to beneficiaries in the service area covered by the program manager's agreement; and
(B) the holding by a program manager of a financial interest in an employment network or service provider which provides services in a geographic area covered under the program manager's agreement.
(4) Selection of employment networks
(A) In general
The Commissioner shall select and enter into agreements with employment networks for service under the Program. Such employment networks shall be in addition to State agencies serving as employment networks pursuant to elections under subsection (c) of this section.
(B) Alternate participants
In any State where the Program is being implemented, the Commissioner shall enter into an agreement with any alternate participant that is operating under the authority of
(5) Termination of agreements with employment networks
The Commissioner shall terminate agreements with employment networks for inadequate performance, as determined by the Commissioner.
(6) Quality assurance
The Commissioner shall provide for such periodic reviews as are necessary to provide for effective quality assurance in the provision of services by employment networks. The Commissioner shall solicit and consider the views of consumers and the program manager under which the employment networks serve and shall consult with providers of services to develop performance measurements. The Commissioner shall ensure that the results of the periodic reviews are made available to beneficiaries who are prospective service recipients as they select employment networks. The Commissioner shall ensure that the periodic surveys of beneficiaries receiving services under the Program are designed to measure customer service satisfaction.
(7) Dispute resolution
The Commissioner shall provide for a mechanism for resolving disputes between beneficiaries and employment networks, between program managers and employment networks, and between program managers and providers of services. The Commissioner shall afford a party to such a dispute a reasonable opportunity for a full and fair review of the matter in dispute.
(e) Program managers
(1) In general
A program manager shall conduct tasks appropriate to assist the Commissioner in carrying out the Commissioner's duties in administering the Program.
(2) Recruitment of employment networks
A program manager shall recruit, and recommend for selection by the Commissioner, employment networks for service under the Program. The program manager shall carry out such recruitment and provide such recommendations, and shall monitor all employment networks serving in the Program in the geographic area covered under the program manager's agreement, to the extent necessary and appropriate to ensure that adequate choices of services are made available to beneficiaries. Employment networks may serve under the Program only pursuant to an agreement entered into with the Commissioner under the Program incorporating the applicable provisions of this section and regulations thereunder, and the program manager shall provide and maintain assurances to the Commissioner that payment by the Commissioner to employment networks pursuant to this section is warranted based on compliance by such employment networks with the terms of such agreement and this section. The program manager shall not impose numerical limits on the number of employment networks to be recommended pursuant to this paragraph.
(3) Facilitation of access by beneficiaries to employment networks
A program manager shall facilitate access by beneficiaries to employment networks. The program manager shall ensure that each beneficiary is allowed changes in employment networks without being deemed to have rejected services under the Program. When such a change occurs, the program manager shall reassign the ticket based on the choice of the beneficiary. Upon the request of the employment network, the program manager shall make a determination of the allocation of the outcome or milestone-outcome payments based on the services provided by each employment network. The program manager shall establish and maintain lists of employment networks available to beneficiaries and shall make such lists generally available to the public. The program manager shall ensure that all information provided to disabled beneficiaries pursuant to this paragraph is provided in accessible formats.
(4) Ensuring availability of adequate services
The program manager shall ensure that employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other support services are provided to beneficiaries throughout the geographic area covered under the program manager's agreement, including rural areas.
(5) Reasonable access to services
The program manager shall take such measures as are necessary to ensure that sufficient employment networks are available and that each beneficiary receiving services under the Program has reasonable access to employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other support services. Services provided under the Program may include case management, work incentives planning, supported employment, career planning, career plan development, vocational assessment, job training, placement, follow-up services, and such other services as may be specified by the Commissioner under the Program. The program manager shall ensure that such services are available in each service area.
(f) Employment networks
(1) Qualifications for employment networks
(A) In general
Each employment network serving under the Program shall consist of an agency or instrumentality of a State (or a political subdivision thereof) or a private entity, that assumes responsibility for the coordination and delivery of services under the Program to individuals assigning to the employment network tickets to work and self-sufficiency issued under subsection (b) of this section.
(B) One-stop delivery systems
An employment network serving under the Program may consist of a one-stop delivery system established under subtitle B of title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (
(C) Compliance with selection criteria
No employment network may serve under the Program unless it meets and maintains compliance with both general selection criteria (such as professional and educational qualifications, where applicable) and specific selection criteria (such as substantial expertise and experience in providing relevant employment services and supports).
(D) Single or associated providers allowed
An employment network shall consist of either a single provider of such services or of an association of such providers organized so as to combine their resources into a single entity. An employment network may meet the requirements of subsection (e)(4) of this section by providing services directly, or by entering into agreements with other individuals or entities providing appropriate employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, or other support services.
(2) Requirements relating to provision of services
Each employment network serving under the Program shall be required under the terms of its agreement with the Commissioner to—
(A) serve prescribed service areas; and
(B) take such measures as are necessary to ensure that employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other support services provided under the Program by, or under agreements entered into with, the employment network are provided under appropriate individual work plans that meet the requirements of subsection (g) of this section.
(3) Annual financial reporting
Each employment network shall meet financial reporting requirements as prescribed by the Commissioner.
(4) Periodic outcomes reporting
Each employment network shall prepare periodic reports, on at least an annual basis, itemizing for the covered period specific outcomes achieved with respect to specific services provided by the employment network. Such reports shall conform to a national model prescribed under this section. Each employment network shall provide a copy of the latest report issued by the employment network pursuant to this paragraph to each beneficiary upon enrollment under the Program for services to be received through such employment network. Upon issuance of each report to each beneficiary, a copy of the report shall be maintained in the files of the employment network. The program manager shall ensure that copies of all such reports issued under this paragraph are made available to the public under reasonable terms.
(g) Individual work plans
(1) Requirements
Each employment network shall—
(A) take such measures as are necessary to ensure that employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other support services provided under the Program by, or under agreements entered into with, the employment network are provided under appropriate individual work plans that meet the requirements of subparagraph (C);
(B) develop and implement each such individual work plan, in partnership with each beneficiary receiving such services, in a manner that affords such beneficiary the opportunity to exercise informed choice in selecting an employment goal and specific services needed to achieve that employment goal;
(C) ensure that each individual work plan includes at least—
(i) a statement of the vocational goal developed with the beneficiary, including, as appropriate, goals for earnings and job advancement;
(ii) a statement of the services and supports that have been deemed necessary for the beneficiary to accomplish that goal;
(iii) a statement of any terms and conditions related to the provision of such services and supports; and
(iv) a statement of understanding regarding the beneficiary's rights under the Program (such as the right to retrieve the ticket to work and self-sufficiency if the beneficiary is dissatisfied with the services being provided by the employment network) and remedies available to the individual, including information on the availability of advocacy services and assistance in resolving disputes through the State grant program authorized under
(D) provide a beneficiary the opportunity to amend the individual work plan if a change in circumstances necessitates a change in the plan; and
(E) make each beneficiary's individual work plan available to the beneficiary in, as appropriate, an accessible format chosen by the beneficiary.
An individual work plan established pursuant to this subsection shall be treated, for purposes of section 51(d)(6)(B)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as an individualized written plan for employment under a State plan for vocational rehabilitation services approved under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [
(2) Effective upon written approval
A beneficiary's individual work plan shall take effect upon written approval by the beneficiary or a representative of the beneficiary and a representative of the employment network that, in providing such written approval, acknowledges assignment of the beneficiary's ticket to work and self-sufficiency.
(h) Employment network payment systems
(1) Election of payment system by employment networks
(A) In general
The Program shall provide for payment authorized by the Commissioner to employment networks under either an outcome payment system or an outcome-milestone payment system. Each employment network shall elect which payment system will be utilized by the employment network, and, for such period of time as such election remains in effect, the payment system so elected shall be utilized exclusively in connection with such employment network (except as provided in subparagraph (B)).
(B) No change in method of payment for beneficiaries with tickets already assigned to the employment networks
Any election of a payment system by an employment network that would result in a change in the method of payment to the employment network for services provided to a beneficiary who is receiving services from the employment network at the time of the election shall not be effective with respect to payment for services provided to that beneficiary and the method of payment previously selected shall continue to apply with respect to such services.
(2) Outcome payment system
(A) In general
The outcome payment system shall consist of a payment structure governing employment networks electing such system under paragraph (1)(A) which meets the requirements of this paragraph.
(B) Payments made during outcome payment period
The outcome payment system shall provide for a schedule of payments to an employment network, in connection with each individual who is a beneficiary, for each month, during the individual's outcome payment period, for which benefits (described in paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (k) of this section) are not payable to such individual because of work or earnings.
(C) Computation of payments to employment network
The payment schedule of the outcome payment system shall be designed so that—
(i) the payment for each month during the outcome payment period for which benefits (described in paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (k) of this section) are not payable is equal to a fixed percentage of the payment calculation base for the calendar year in which such month occurs; and
(ii) such fixed percentage is set at a percentage which does not exceed 40 percent.
(3) Outcome-milestone payment system
(A) In general
The outcome-milestone payment system shall consist of a payment structure governing employment networks electing such system under paragraph (1)(A) which meets the requirements of this paragraph.
(B) Early payments upon attainment of milestones in advance of outcome payment periods
The outcome-milestone payment system shall provide for 1 or more milestones, with respect to beneficiaries receiving services from an employment network under the Program, that are directed toward the goal of permanent employment. Such milestones shall form a part of a payment structure that provides, in addition to payments made during outcome payment periods, payments made prior to outcome payment periods in amounts based on the attainment of such milestones.
(C) Limitation on total payments to employment network
The payment schedule of the outcome milestone payment system shall be designed so that the total of the payments to the employment network with respect to each beneficiary is less than, on a net present value basis (using an interest rate determined by the Commissioner that appropriately reflects the cost of funds faced by providers), the total amount to which payments to the employment network with respect to the beneficiary would be limited if the employment network were paid under the outcome payment system.
(4) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Payment calculation base
The term "payment calculation base" means, for any calendar year—
(i) in connection with a title II disability beneficiary, the average disability insurance benefit payable under
(ii) in connection with a title XVI disability beneficiary (who is not concurrently a title II disability beneficiary), the average payment of supplemental security income benefits based on disability payable under subchapter XVI of this chapter (excluding State supplementation) for months during the preceding calendar year to all beneficiaries who have attained 18 years of age but have not attained 65 years of age.
(B) Outcome payment period
The term "outcome payment period" means, in connection with any individual who had assigned a ticket to work and self-sufficiency to an employment network under the Program, a period—
(i) beginning with the first month, ending after the date on which such ticket was assigned to the employment network, for which benefits (described in paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (k) of this section) are not payable to such individual by reason of engagement in substantial gainful activity or by reason of earnings from work activity; and
(ii) ending with the 60th month (consecutive or otherwise), ending after such date, for which such benefits are not payable to such individual by reason of engagement in substantial gainful activity or by reason of earnings from work activity.
(5) Periodic review and alterations of prescribed schedules
(A) Percentages and periods
The Commissioner shall periodically review the percentage specified in paragraph (2)(C), the total payments permissible under paragraph (3)(C), and the period of time specified in paragraph (4)(B) to determine whether such percentages, such permissible payments, and such period provide an adequate incentive for employment networks to assist beneficiaries to enter the workforce, while providing for appropriate economies. The Commissioner may alter such percentage, such total permissible payments, or such period of time to the extent that the Commissioner determines, on the basis of the Commissioner's review under this paragraph, that such an alteration would better provide the incentive and economies described in the preceding sentence.
(B) Number and amounts of milestone payments
The Commissioner shall periodically review the number and amounts of milestone payments established by the Commissioner pursuant to this section to determine whether they provide an adequate incentive for employment networks to assist beneficiaries to enter the workforce, taking into account information provided to the Commissioner by program managers, the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel established by section 101(f) of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, and other reliable sources. The Commissioner may from time to time alter the number and amounts of milestone payments initially established by the Commissioner pursuant to this section to the extent that the Commissioner determines that such an alteration would allow an adequate incentive for employment networks to assist beneficiaries to enter the workforce. Such alteration shall be based on information provided to the Commissioner by program managers, the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel established by section 101(f) of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, or other reliable sources.
(C) Report on the adequacy of incentives
The Commissioner shall submit to the Congress not later than 36 months after December 17, 1999, a report with recommendations for a method or methods to adjust payment rates under subparagraphs (A) and (B), that would ensure adequate incentives for the provision of services by employment networks of—
(i) individuals with a need for ongoing support and services;
(ii) individuals with a need for high-cost accommodations;
(iii) individuals who earn a subminimum wage; and
(iv) individuals who work and receive partial cash benefits.
The Commissioner shall consult with the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel established under section 101(f) of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 during the development and evaluation of the study. The Commissioner shall implement the necessary adjusted payment rates prior to full implementation of the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program.
(i) Suspension of disability reviews
During any period for which an individual is using, as defined by the Commissioner, a ticket to work and self-sufficiency issued under this section, the Commissioner (and any applicable State agency) may not initiate a continuing disability review or other review under
(j) Authorizations
(1) Payments to employment networks
(A) Title II disability beneficiaries
There are authorized to be transferred from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund each fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to make payments to employment networks under this section. Money paid from the Trust Funds under this section with respect to title II disability beneficiaries who are entitled to benefits under
(B) Title XVI disability beneficiaries
Amounts authorized to be appropriated to the Social Security Administration under
(2) Administrative expenses
The costs of administering this section (other than payments to employment networks) shall be paid from amounts made available for the administration of subchapter II of this chapter and amounts made available for the administration of subchapter XVI of this chapter, and shall be allocated among such amounts as appropriate.
(k) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Commissioner
The term "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Social Security.
(2) Disabled beneficiary
The term "disabled beneficiary" means a title II disability beneficiary or a title XVI disability beneficiary.
(3) Title II disability beneficiary
The term "title II disability beneficiary" means an individual entitled to disability insurance benefits under
(4) Title XVI disability beneficiary
The term "title XVI disability beneficiary" means an individual eligible for supplemental security income benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter on the basis of blindness (within the meaning of
(5) Supplemental security income benefit
The term "supplemental security income benefit under subchapter XVI of this chapter" means a cash benefit under
(l) Regulations
Not later than 1 year after December 17, 1999, the Commissioner shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1148, as added
References in Text
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, referred to in subsecs. (c)(1), (2)(A) and (g)(1), is
The Workforce Investment Act of 1998, referred to in subsec. (f)(1)(B), is
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (g)(1), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Section 101(f) of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, referred to in subsec. (h)(5)(B), (C), is section 101(f) of
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (g)(1).
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date
Regulations
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) the form and manner in which tickets to work and self-sufficiency may be distributed to beneficiaries pursuant to section 1148(b)(1) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b)(1) of this section];
"(B) the format and wording of such tickets, which shall incorporate by reference any contractual terms governing service by employment networks under the Program;
"(C) the form and manner in which State agencies may elect participation in the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program pursuant to section 1148(c)(1) of such Act and provision for periodic opportunities for exercising such elections;
"(D) the status of State agencies under section 1148(c)(1) of such Act at the time that State agencies exercise elections under that section;
"(E) the terms of agreements to be entered into with program managers pursuant to section 1148(d) of such Act, including—
"(i) the terms by which program managers are precluded from direct participation in the delivery of services pursuant to section 1148(d)(3) of such Act;
"(ii) standards which must be met by quality assurance measures referred to in paragraph (6) of section 1148(d) of such Act and methods of recruitment of employment networks utilized pursuant to paragraph (2) of section 1148(e) of such Act; and
"(iii) the format under which dispute resolution will operate under section 1148(d)(7) of such Act;
"(F) the terms of agreements to be entered into with employment networks pursuant to section 1148(d)(4) of such Act, including—
"(i) the manner in which service areas are specified pursuant to section 1148(f)(2)(A) of such Act;
"(ii) the general selection criteria and the specific selection criteria which are applicable to employment networks under section 1148(f)(1)(C) of such Act in selecting service providers;
"(iii) specific requirements relating to annual financial reporting by employment networks pursuant to section 1148(f)(3) of such Act; and
"(iv) the national model to which periodic outcomes reporting by employment networks must conform under section 1148(f)(4) of such Act;
"(G) standards which must be met by individual work plans pursuant to section 1148(g) of such Act;
"(H) standards which must be met by payment systems required under section 1148(h) of such Act, including—
"(i) the form and manner in which elections by employment networks of payment systems are to be exercised pursuant to section 1148(h)(1)(A) of such Act;
"(ii) the terms which must be met by an outcome payment system under section 1148(h)(2) of such Act;
"(iii) the terms which must be met by an outcome-milestone payment system under section 1148(h)(3) of such Act;
"(iv) any revision of the percentage specified in paragraph (2)(C) of section 1148(h) of such Act or the period of time specified in paragraph (4)(B) of such section 1148(h) of such Act; and
"(v) annual oversight procedures for such systems; and
"(I) procedures for effective oversight of the Program by the Commissioner of Social Security, including periodic reviews and reporting requirements."
GAO Study Regarding the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program
"(a) [sic] GAO
"(1) examines the annual and interim reports issued by States, the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel established under section 101(f) of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 [
"(2) assesses the effectiveness of the activities carried out under such program; and
"(3) recommends such legislative or administrative changes as the Comptroller General determines are appropriate to improve the effectiveness of such program."
Findings and Purposes
"(a)
"(1) It is the policy of the United States to provide assistance to individuals with disabilities to lead productive work lives.
"(2) Health care is important to all Americans.
"(3) Health care is particularly important to individuals with disabilities and special health care needs who often cannot afford the insurance available to them through the private market, are uninsurable by the plans available in the private sector, and are at great risk of incurring very high and economically devastating health care costs.
"(4) Americans with significant disabilities often are unable to obtain health care insurance that provides coverage of the services and supports that enable them to live independently and enter or rejoin the workforce. Personal assistance services (such as attendant services, personal assistance with transportation to and from work, reader services, job coaches, and related assistance) remove many of the barriers between significant disability and work. Coverage for such services, as well as for prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, and basic health care are powerful and proven tools for individuals with significant disabilities to obtain and retain employment.
"(5) For individuals with disabilities, the fear of losing health care and related services is one of the greatest barriers keeping the individuals from maximizing their employment, earning potential, and independence.
"(6) Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries risk losing medicare or medicaid coverage that is linked to their cash benefits, a risk that is an equal, or greater, work disincentive than the loss of cash benefits associated with working.
"(7) Individuals with disabilities have greater opportunities for employment than ever before, aided by important public policy initiatives such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (
"(8) Despite such historic opportunities and the desire of millions of disability recipients to work and support themselves, fewer than one-half of one percent of Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries leave the disability rolls and return to work.
"(9) In addition to the fear of loss of health care coverage, beneficiaries cite financial disincentives to work and earn income and lack of adequate employment training and placement services as barriers to employment.
"(10) Eliminating such barriers to work by creating financial incentives to work and by providing individuals with disabilities real choice in obtaining the services and technology they need to find, enter, and maintain employment can greatly improve their short and long-term financial independence and personal well-being.
"(11) In addition to the enormous advantages such changes promise for individuals with disabilities, redesigning government programs to help individuals with disabilities return to work may result in significant savings and extend the life of the Social Security Disability Insurance Trust Fund.
"(12) If only an additional one-half of one percent of the current Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income recipients were to cease receiving benefits as a result of employment, the savings to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Treasury in cash assistance would total $3,500,000,000 over the worklife of such individuals, far exceeding the cost of providing incentives and services needed to assist them in entering work and achieving financial independence to the best of their abilities.
"(b)
"(1) To provide health care and employment preparation and placement services to individuals with disabilities that will enable those individuals to reduce their dependency on cash benefit programs.
"(2) To encourage States to adopt the option of allowing individuals with disabilities to purchase medicaid coverage that is necessary to enable such individuals to maintain employment.
"(3) To provide individuals with disabilities the option of maintaining medicare coverage while working.
"(4) To establish a return to work ticket program that will allow individuals with disabilities to seek the services necessary to obtain and retain employment and reduce their dependency on cash benefit programs."
Graduated Implementation of Program
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(I) the annual cost (including net cost) of the Program and the annual cost (including net cost) that would have been incurred in the absence of the Program;
"(II) the determinants of return to work, including the characteristics of beneficiaries in receipt of tickets under the Program;
"(III) the types of employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other support services furnished to beneficiaries in receipt of tickets under the Program who return to work and to those who do not return to work;
"(IV) the duration of employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other support services furnished to beneficiaries in receipt of tickets under the Program who return to work and the duration of such services furnished to those who do not return to work and the cost to employment networks of furnishing such services;
"(V) the employment outcomes, including wages, occupations, benefits, and hours worked, of beneficiaries who return to work after receiving tickets under the Program and those who return to work without receiving such tickets;
"(VI) the characteristics of individuals in possession of tickets under the Program who are not accepted for services and, to the extent reasonably determinable, the reasons for which such beneficiaries were not accepted for services;
"(VII) the characteristics of providers whose services are provided within an employment network under the Program;
"(VIII) the extent (if any) to which employment networks display a greater willingness to provide services to beneficiaries with a range of disabilities;
"(IX) the characteristics (including employment outcomes) of those beneficiaries who receive services under the outcome payment system and of those beneficiaries who receive services under the outcome-milestone payment system;
"(X) measures of satisfaction among beneficiaries in receipt of tickets under the Program; and
"(XI) reasons for (including comments solicited from beneficiaries regarding) their choice not to use their tickets or their inability to return to work despite the use of their tickets.
"(D)
"(5)
"(A)
"(i) the requirement under section 222(a) of the Social Security Act (
"(ii) the authority of the Commissioner under section 222(d)(2) of such Act (
shall apply in such State.
"(B)
Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) advise the President, the Congress, and the Commissioner of Social Security on issues related to work incentives programs, planning, and assistance for individuals with disabilities, including work incentive provisions under titles II, XI, XVI, XVIII, and XIX of the Social Security Act (
"(B) with respect to the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program established under section 1148 of such Act [this section]—
"(i) advise the Commissioner of Social Security with respect to establishing phase-in sites for such Program and fully implementing the Program thereafter, the refinement of access of disabled beneficiaries to employment networks, payment systems, and management information systems, and advise the Commissioner whether such measures are being taken to the extent necessary to ensure the success of the Program;
"(ii) advise the Commissioner regarding the most effective designs for research and demonstration projects associated with the Program or conducted pursuant to section 302 of this Act [set out as a note under
"(iii) advise the Commissioner on the development of performance measurements relating to quality assurance under section 1148(d)(6) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(6) of this section]; and
"(iv) furnish progress reports on the Program to the Commissioner and each House of Congress.
"(3)
"(A)
"(i) four members appointed by the President, not more than two of whom may be of the same political party;
"(ii) two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives;
"(iii) two members appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the ranking member of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives;
"(iv) two members appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee on Finance of the Senate; and
"(v) two members appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, in consultation with the ranking member of the Committee on Finance of the Senate.
"(B)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(C)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(I) one-half of such members shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and
"(II) the remaining members shall be appointed for a term of 4 years.
"(iii)
"(D)
"(E)
"(F)
"(G)
"(H)
"(4)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(D)
"(5)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(6)
"(A)
"(B)
"(7)
"(8)
§1320b–20. Work incentives outreach program
(a) Establishment
(1) In general
The Commissioner, in consultation with the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel established under section 101(f) of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, shall establish a community-based work incentives planning and assistance program for the purpose of disseminating accurate information to disabled beneficiaries on work incentives programs and issues related to such programs.
(2) Grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and outreach
Under the program established under this section, the Commissioner shall—
(A) establish a competitive program of grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to provide benefits planning and assistance, including information on the availability of protection and advocacy services, to disabled beneficiaries, including individuals participating in the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program established under
(B) conduct directly, or through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts, ongoing outreach efforts to disabled beneficiaries (and to the families of such beneficiaries) who are potentially eligible to participate in Federal or State work incentive programs that are designed to assist disabled beneficiaries to work, including—
(i) preparing and disseminating information explaining such programs; and
(ii) working in cooperation with other Federal, State, and private agencies and nonprofit organizations that serve disabled beneficiaries, and with agencies and organizations that focus on vocational rehabilitation and work-related training and counseling;
(C) establish a corps of trained, accessible, and responsive work incentives specialists within the Social Security Administration who will specialize in disability work incentives under subchapters II and XVI of this chapter for the purpose of disseminating accurate information with respect to inquiries and issues relating to work incentives to—
(i) disabled beneficiaries;
(ii) benefit applicants under subchapters II and XVI of this chapter; and
(iii) individuals or entities awarded grants under subparagraphs 1 (A) or (B); and
(D) provide—
(i) training for work incentives specialists and individuals providing planning assistance described in subparagraph (C); and
(ii) technical assistance to organizations and entities that are designed to encourage disabled beneficiaries to return to work.
(3) Coordination with other programs
The responsibilities of the Commissioner established under this section shall be coordinated with other public and private programs that provide information and assistance regarding rehabilitation services and independent living supports and benefits planning for disabled beneficiaries including the program under
(b) Conditions
(1) Selection of entities
(A) Application
An entity shall submit an application for a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract to provide benefits planning and assistance to the Commissioner at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Commissioner may determine is necessary to meet the requirements of this section.
(B) Statewideness
The Commissioner shall ensure that the planning, assistance, and information described in paragraph (2) shall be available on a statewide basis.
(C) Eligibility of States and private organizations
(i) In general
The Commissioner may award a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract under this section to a State or a private agency or organization (other than Social Security Administration Field Offices and the State agency administering the State medicaid program under subchapter XIX of this chapter, including any agency or entity described in clause (ii), that the Commissioner determines is qualified to provide the planning, assistance, and information described in paragraph (2)).
(ii) Agencies and entities described
The agencies and entities described in this clause are the following:
(I) Any public or private agency or organization (including Centers for Independent Living established under title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (
(II) The State agency administering the State program funded under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter.
(D) Exclusion for conflict of interest
The Commissioner may not award a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract under this section to any entity that the Commissioner determines would have a conflict of interest if the entity were to receive a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract under this section.
(2) Services provided
A recipient of a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract to provide benefits planning and assistance shall select individuals who will act as planners and provide information, guidance, and planning to disabled beneficiaries on the—
(A) availability and interrelation of any Federal or State work incentives programs designed to assist disabled beneficiaries that the individual may be eligible to participate in;
(B) adequacy of any health benefits coverage that may be offered by an employer of the individual and the extent to which other health benefits coverage may be available to the individual; and
(C) availability of protection and advocacy services for disabled beneficiaries and how to access such services.
(3) Amount of grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts
(A) Based on population of disabled beneficiaries
Subject to subparagraph (B), the Commissioner shall award a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract under this section to an entity based on the percentage of the population of the State where the entity is located who are disabled beneficiaries.
(B) Limitations
(i) Per grant
No entity shall receive a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract under this section for a fiscal year that is less than $50,000 or more than $300,000.
(ii) Total amount for all grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts
The total amount of all grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts awarded under this section for a fiscal year may not exceed $23,000,000.
(4) Funding
(A) Allocation of costs
The costs of carrying out this section shall be paid from amounts made available for the administration of subchapter II of this chapter and amounts made available for the administration of subchapter XVI of this chapter, and shall be allocated among those amounts as appropriate.
(B) Carryover
An amount not in excess of 10 percent of the total amount obligated through a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract awarded under this section for a fiscal year to a State or a private agency or organization shall remain available for obligation to such State or private agency or organization until the end of the succeeding fiscal year. Any such amount remaining available for obligation during such succeeding fiscal year shall be available for providing benefits planning and assistance only for individuals who are within the caseload of the recipient of the grant, agreement, or contract as of immediately before the beginning of such fiscal year.
(c) Annual report
Each entity awarded a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract under this section shall submit an annual report to the Commissioner on the benefits planning and assistance provided to individuals under such grant, agreement, or contract.
(d) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Commissioner
The term "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Social Security.
(2) Disabled beneficiary
The term "disabled beneficiary" means an individual—
(A) who is a disabled beneficiary as defined in
(B) who is receiving a cash payment described in
(C) who, pursuant to
(D) who is entitled to benefits under part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter by reason of the penultimate sentence of
(e) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $23,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2000 through 2011.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1149, as added
References in Text
Section 101(f) of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is section 101(f) of
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(3), is title VI of
The Workforce Investment Act of 1998, referred to in subsec. (a)(3), is
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(C)(ii)(I), is
Part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(C)(ii)(II), is classified to
Section 212 of
Part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(D), is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
2009—Subsec. (d).
2004—Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
1 So in original. Probably should be "subparagraph".
2 See References in Text note below.
§1320b–21. State grants for work incentives assistance to disabled beneficiaries
(a) In general
Subject to subsection (c) of this section, the Commissioner may make payments in each State to the protection and advocacy system established pursuant to part C of title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (
(b) Services provided
Services provided to disabled beneficiaries pursuant to a payment made under this section may include—
(1) information and advice about obtaining vocational rehabilitation and employment services; and
(2) advocacy or other services that a disabled beneficiary may need to secure, maintain, or regain gainful employment.
(c) Application
In order to receive payments under this section, a protection and advocacy system shall submit an application to the Commissioner, at such time, in such form and manner, and accompanied by such information and assurances as the Commissioner may require.
(d) Amount of payments
(1) In general
Subject to the amount appropriated for a fiscal year for making payments under this section, a protection and advocacy system shall not be paid an amount that is less than—
(A) in the case of a protection and advocacy system located in a State (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) other than Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the greater of—
(i) $100,000; or
(ii) 1/3 of 1 percent of the amount available for payments under this section; and
(B) in the case of a protection and advocacy system located in Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, $50,000.
(2) Inflation adjustment
For each fiscal year in which the total amount appropriated to carry out this section exceeds the total amount appropriated to carry out this section in the preceding fiscal year, the Commissioner shall increase each minimum payment under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) by a percentage equal to the percentage increase in the total amount so appropriated to carry out this section.
(e) Annual report
Each protection and advocacy system that receives a payment under this section shall submit an annual report to the Commissioner and the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel established under section 101(f) of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 on the services provided to individuals by the system.
(f) Funding
(1) Allocation of payments
Payments under this section shall be made from amounts made available for the administration of subchapter II of this chapter and amounts made available for the administration of subchapter XVI of this chapter, and shall be allocated among those amounts as appropriate.
(2) Carryover
Any amounts allotted for payment to a protection and advocacy system under this section for a fiscal year shall remain available for payment to or on behalf of the protection and advocacy system until the end of the succeeding fiscal year.
(g) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Commissioner
The term "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Social Security.
(2) Disabled beneficiary
The term "disabled beneficiary" means an individual—
(A) who is a disabled beneficiary as defined in
(B) who is receiving a cash payment described in
(C) who, pursuant to
(D) who is entitled to benefits under part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter by reason of the penultimate sentence of
(3) Protection and advocacy system
The term "protection and advocacy system" means a protection and advocacy system established pursuant to part C of title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (
(h) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $7,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2000 through 2011.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1150, as added
References in Text
The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (g)(3), is title I of
Section 101(f) of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, referred to in subsec. (e), is section 101(f) of
Section 212 of
Part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (g)(2)(D), is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (h).
2009—Subsec. (h).
2004—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (h).
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
1 See References in Text note below.
§1320b–22. Grants to develop and establish State infrastructures to support working individuals with disabilities
(a) Establishment
(1) In general
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the "Secretary") shall award grants described in subsection (b) of this section to States to support the design, establishment, and operation of State infrastructures that provide items and services to support working individuals with disabilities.
(2) Application
In order to be eligible for an award of a grant under this section, a State shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary shall require.
(3) Definition of State
In this section, the term "State" means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
(b) Grants for infrastructure and outreach
(1) In general
Out of the funds appropriated under subsection (e) of this section, the Secretary shall award grants to States to—
(A) support the establishment, implementation, and operation of the State infrastructures described in subsection (a) of this section; and
(B) conduct outreach campaigns regarding the existence of such infrastructures.
(2) Eligibility for grants
(A) In general
No State may receive a grant under this subsection unless the State demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the State makes personal assistance services available under the State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter to the extent necessary to enable individuals with disabilities to remain employed, including individuals described in
(B) Definitions
In this section:
(i) Employed
The term "employed" means—
(I) earning at least the applicable minimum wage requirement under
(II) being engaged in a work effort that meets substantial and reasonable threshold criteria for hours of work, wages, or other measures, as defined and approved by the Secretary.
(ii) Personal assistance services
The term "personal assistance services" means a range of services, provided by 1 or more persons, designed to assist an individual with a disability to perform daily activities on and off the job that the individual would typically perform if the individual did not have a disability. Such services shall be designed to increase the individual's control in life and ability to perform everyday activities on or off the job.
(3) Determination of awards
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall develop a methodology for awarding grants to States under this section for a fiscal year in a manner that—
(i) rewards States for their efforts in encouraging individuals described in paragraph (2)(A) to be employed; and
(ii) does not provide a State that has not elected to provide medical assistance under subchapter XIX of this chapter to individuals described in
(B) Award limits
(i) Minimum awards
(I) In general
Subject to subclause (II), no State with an approved application under this section shall receive a grant for a fiscal year that is less than $500,000.
(II) Pro rata reductions
If the funds appropriated under subsection (e) of this section for a fiscal year are not sufficient to pay each State with an application approved under this section the minimum amount described in subclause (I), the Secretary shall pay each such State an amount equal to the pro rata share of the amount made available.
(ii) Maximum awards
(I) States that elected optional medicaid eligibility
No State that has an application that has been approved under this section and that has elected to provide medical assistance under subchapter XIX of this chapter to individuals described in
(II) Other States
The Secretary shall determine, consistent with the limit described in subclause (I), a maximum award limit for a grant for a fiscal year for a State that has an application that has been approved under this section but that has not elected to provide medical assistance under subchapter XIX of this chapter to individuals described in
(c) Availability of funds
(1) Funds awarded to States
Funds awarded to a State under a grant made under this section for a fiscal year shall remain available until expended.
(2) Funds not awarded to States
Funds not awarded to States in the fiscal year for which they are appropriated shall remain available in succeeding fiscal years for awarding by the Secretary.
(d) Annual report
A State that is awarded a grant under this section shall submit an annual report to the Secretary on the use of funds provided under the grant. Each report shall include the percentage increase in the number of title II disability beneficiaries, as defined in
(e) Appropriation
(1) In general
Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated to make grants under this section—
(A) for fiscal year 2001, $20,000,000;
(B) for fiscal year 2002, $25,000,000;
(C) for fiscal year 2003, $30,000,000;
(D) for fiscal year 2004, $35,000,000;
(E) for fiscal year 2005, $40,000,000; and
(F) for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011, the amount appropriated for the preceding fiscal year increased by the percentage increase (if any) in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (United States city average) for the preceding fiscal year.
(2) Budget authority
This subsection constitutes budget authority in advance of appropriations Acts and represents the obligation of the Federal Government to provide for the payment of the amounts appropriated under paragraph (1).
(f) Recommendation
Not later than October 1, 2010, the Secretary, in consultation with the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel established by section 101(f) of this Act, shall submit a recommendation to the Committee on Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate regarding whether the grant program established under this section should be continued after fiscal year 2011.
(
References in Text
Section 101(f) of this Act, referred to in subsec. (f), is section 101(f) of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999,
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Change of Name
Committee on Commerce of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives, and jurisdiction over matters relating to securities and exchanges and insurance generally transferred to Committee on Financial Services of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Seventh Congress, Jan. 3, 2001.
§1320b–23. Pharmacy benefit managers transparency requirements
(a) Provision of information
A health benefits plan or any entity that provides pharmacy benefits management services on behalf of a health benefits plan (in this section referred to as a "PBM") that manages prescription drug coverage under a contract with—
(1) a PDP sponsor of a prescription drug plan or an MA organization offering an MA–PD plan under part D of subchapter XVIII; or
(2) a qualified health benefits plan offered through an exchange established by a State under
shall provide the information described in subsection (b) to the Secretary and, in the case of a PBM, to the plan with which the PBM is under contract with, at such times, and in such form and manner, as the Secretary shall specify.
(b) Information described
The information described in this subsection is the following with respect to services provided by a health benefits plan or PBM for a contract year:
(1) The percentage of all prescriptions that were provided through retail pharmacies compared to mail order pharmacies, and the percentage of prescriptions for which a generic drug was available and dispensed (generic dispensing rate), by pharmacy type (which includes an independent pharmacy, chain pharmacy, supermarket pharmacy, or mass merchandiser pharmacy that is licensed as a pharmacy by the State and that dispenses medication to the general public), that is paid by the health benefits plan or PBM under the contract.
(2) The aggregate amount, and the type of rebates, discounts, or price concessions (excluding bona fide service fees, which include but are not limited to distribution service fees, inventory management fees, product stocking allowances, and fees associated with administrative services agreements and patient care programs (such as medication compliance programs and patient education programs)) that the PBM negotiates that are attributable to patient utilization under the plan, and the aggregate amount of the rebates, discounts, or price concessions that are passed through to the plan sponsor, and the total number of prescriptions that were dispensed.
(3) The aggregate amount of the difference between the amount the health benefits plan pays the PBM and the amount that the PBM pays retail pharmacies, and mail order pharmacies, and the total number of prescriptions that were dispensed.
(c) Confidentiality
Information disclosed by a health benefits plan or PBM under this section is confidential and shall not be disclosed by the Secretary or by a plan receiving the information, except that the Secretary may disclose the information in a form which does not disclose the identity of a specific PBM, plan, or prices charged for drugs, for the following purposes:
(1) As the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this section or part D of subchapter XVIII.
(2) To permit the Comptroller General to review the information provided.
(3) To permit the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to review the information provided.
(4) To States to carry out
(d) Penalties
The provisions of subsection (b)(3)(C) of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1150A, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior
§1320b–24. Consultation with Tribal Technical Advisory Group
The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall maintain within the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services 1 (CMS) a Tribal Technical Advisory Group (TTAG), which was first established in accordance with requirements of the charter dated September 30, 2003, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall include in such Group a representative of a national urban Indian health organization and a representative of the Indian Health Service. The inclusion of a representative of a national urban Indian health organization in such Group shall not affect the nonapplication of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) to such Group.
(
References in Text
The Federal Advisory Committee Act, referred to in text, is
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
1 So in original. Probably should be "Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services".
§1320b–25. Reporting to law enforcement of crimes occurring in federally funded long-term care facilities
(a) Determination and notification
(1) Determination
The owner or operator of each long-term care facility that receives Federal funds under this chapter shall annually determine whether the facility received at least $10,000 in such Federal funds during the preceding year.
(2) Notification
If the owner or operator determines under paragraph (1) that the facility received at least $10,000 in such Federal funds during the preceding year, such owner or operator shall annually notify each covered individual (as defined in paragraph (3)) of that individual's obligation to comply with the reporting requirements described in subsection (b).
(3) Covered individual defined
In this section, the term "covered individual" means each individual who is an owner, operator, employee, manager, agent, or contractor of a long-term care facility that is the subject of a determination described in paragraph (1).
(b) Reporting requirements
(1) In general
Each covered individual shall report to the Secretary and 1 or more law enforcement entities for the political subdivision in which the facility is located any reasonable suspicion of a crime (as defined by the law of the applicable political subdivision) against any individual who is a resident of, or is receiving care from, the facility.
(2) Timing
If the events that cause the suspicion—
(A) result in serious bodily injury, the individual shall report the suspicion immediately, but not later than 2 hours after forming the suspicion; and
(B) do not result in serious bodily injury, the individual shall report the suspicion not later than 24 hours after forming the suspicion.
(c) Penalties
(1) In general
If a covered individual violates subsection (b)—
(A) the covered individual shall be subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $200,000; and
(B) the Secretary may make a determination in the same proceeding to exclude the covered individual from participation in any Federal health care program (as defined in
(2) Increased harm
If a covered individual violates subsection (b) and the violation exacerbates the harm to the victim of the crime or results in harm to another individual—
(A) the covered individual shall be subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $300,000; and
(B) the Secretary may make a determination in the same proceeding to exclude the covered individual from participation in any Federal health care program (as defined in
(3) Excluded individual
During any period for which a covered individual is classified as an excluded individual under paragraph (1)(B) or (2)(B), a long-term care facility that employs such individual shall be ineligible to receive Federal funds under this chapter.
(4) Extenuating circumstances
(A) In general
The Secretary may take into account the financial burden on providers with underserved populations in determining any penalty to be imposed under this subsection.
(B) Underserved population defined
In this paragraph, the term "underserved population" means the population of an area designated by the Secretary as an area with a shortage of elder justice programs or a population group designated by the Secretary as having a shortage of such programs. Such areas or groups designated by the Secretary may include—
(i) areas or groups that are geographically isolated (such as isolated in a rural area);
(ii) racial and ethnic minority populations; and
(iii) populations underserved because of special needs (such as language barriers, disabilities, alien status, or age).
(d) Additional penalties for retaliation
(1) In general
A long-term care facility may not—
(A) discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass, or deny a promotion or other employment-related benefit to an employee, or in any other manner discriminate against an employee in the terms and conditions of employment because of lawful acts done by the employee; or
(B) file a complaint or a report against a nurse or other employee with the appropriate State professional disciplinary agency because of lawful acts done by the nurse or employee,
for making a report, causing a report to be made, or for taking steps in furtherance of making a report pursuant to subsection (b)(1).
(2) Penalties for retaliation
If a long-term care facility violates subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) the facility shall be subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $200,000 or the Secretary may classify the entity as an excluded entity for a period of 2 years pursuant to
(3) Requirement to post notice
Each long-term care facility shall post conspicuously in an appropriate location a sign (in a form specified by the Secretary) specifying the rights of employees under this section. Such sign shall include a statement that an employee may file a complaint with the Secretary against a long-term care facility that violates the provisions of this subsection and information with respect to the manner of filing such a complaint.
(e) Procedure
The provisions of
(f) Definitions
In this section, the terms "elder justice", "long-term care facility", and "law enforcement" have the meanings given those terms in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1150B, as added
Part B—Peer Review of Utilization and Quality of Health Care Services
§1320c. Purpose
The purpose of this part is to establish the contracting process which the Secretary must follow pursuant to the requirements of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1151, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320c, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1151, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Effective Date
Section 149 of
IOM Study of QIOs
"(1)
"(A) An overview of the program under such part.
"(B) The duties of organizations with contracts with the Secretary under such part.
"(C) The extent to which quality improvement organizations improve the quality of care for medicare beneficiaries.
"(D) The extent to which other entities could perform such quality improvement functions as well as, or better than, quality improvement organizations.
"(E) The effectiveness of reviews and other actions conducted by such organizations in carrying out those duties.
"(F) The source and amount of funding for such organizations.
"(G) The conduct of oversight of such organizations.
"(2)
"(3)
Coordination of PROs and Carriers
"(1)
"(A) the development of common utilization and medical review criteria;
"(B) criteria for the targetting of reviews by peer review organizations and carriers; and
"(C) improved methods for exchange of information among peer review organizations and carriers.
"(2)
Evaluation of Professional Standards Review Organizations
Maintenance of Current Professional Standards Review Organization Agreements
Section 150 of
"(a) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall not terminate or fail to renew any agreement in effect with a professional standards review organization under part B of title XI of the Social Security Act [this part] on the earlier of the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 3, 1982] or September 30, 1982 until such time as he enters into a contract with a utilization and quality control peer review organization under such part, as amended by this subtitle [subtitle C (§§141–150) of title I of
"(b) The provisions of part B of title XI of the Social Security Act [this part] as in effect prior to the amendments made by this subtitle [subtitle C (§§141–150) of title I of
§1320c–1. "Utilization and quality control peer review organization" defined
The term "utilization and quality control peer review organization" means an entity which—
(1)(A) is composed of a substantial number of the licensed doctors of medicine and osteopathy engaged in the practice of medicine or surgery in the area and who are representative of the practicing physicians in the area, designated by the Secretary under
(2) is able, in the judgment of the Secretary, to perform review functions required under
(3) has at least one individual who is a representative of consumers on its governing body.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1152, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320c–1, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1152, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Amendments
1986—Par. (3).
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 9353(b)(2) of
§1320c–2. Contracts with utilization and quality control peer review organizations
(a) Establishment and consolidation of geographic areas
(1) The Secretary shall establish throughout the United States geographic areas with respect to which contracts under this part will be made. In establishing such areas, the Secretary shall use the same areas as established under
(2) As soon as practicable after September 3, 1982, the Secretary shall consolidate such geographic areas, taking into account the following criteria:
(A) Each State shall generally be designated as a geographic area for purposes of paragraph (1).
(B) The Secretary shall establish local or regional areas rather than State areas only where the volume of review activity or other relevant factors (as determined by the Secretary) warrant such an establishment, and the Secretary determines that review activity can be carried out with equal or greater efficiency by establishing such local or regional areas. In applying this subparagraph the Secretary shall take into account the number of hospital admissions within each State for which payment may be made under subchapter XVIII of this chapter or a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, with any State having fewer than 180,000 such admissions annually being established as a single statewide area, and no local or regional area being established which has fewer than 60,000 total hospital admissions (including public and private pay patients) under review annually, unless the Secretary determines that other relevant factors warrant otherwise.
(C) No local or regional area shall be designated which is not a self-contained medical service area, having a full spectrum of services, including medical specialists' services.
(b) Organizations entitled to contract with Secretary
(1) The Secretary shall enter into a contract with a utilization and quality control peer review organization for each area established under subsection (a) of this section if a qualified organization is available in such area and such organization and the Secretary have negotiated a proposed contract which the Secretary determines will be carried out by such organization in a manner consistent with the efficient and effective administration of this part. If more than one such qualified organization meets the requirements of the preceding sentence, priority shall be given to any such organization which is described in
(2)(A) Prior to November 15, 1984, the Secretary shall not enter into a contract under this part with any entity which is, or is affiliated with (through management, ownership, or common control), an entity (other than a self-insured employer) which directly or indirectly makes payments to any practitioner or provider whose health care services are reviewed by such entity or would be reviewed by such entity if it entered into a contract with the Secretary under this part. For purposes of this paragraph, an entity shall not be considered to be affiliated with another entity which makes payments (directly or indirectly) to any practitioner or provider, by reason of management, ownership, or common control, if the management, ownership, or common control consists only of members of the governing board being affiliated (through management, ownership, or common control) with a health maintenance organization or competitive medical plan which is an "eligible organization" as defined in
(B) If, after November 14, 1984, the Secretary determines that there is no other entity available for an area with which the Secretary can enter into a contract under this part, the Secretary may then enter into a contract under this part with an entity described in subparagraph (A) for such area if such entity otherwise meets the requirements of this part.
(3)(A) The Secretary shall not enter into a contract under this part with any entity which is, or is affiliated with (through management, ownership, or common control), a health care facility, or association of such facilities, within the area served by such entity or which would be served by such entity if it entered into a contract with the Secretary under this part.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), an entity shall not be considered to be affiliated with a health care facility or association of facilities by reason of management, ownership, or common control if the management, ownership, or common control consists only of not more than 20 percent of the members of the governing board of the entity being affiliated (through management, ownership, or common control) with one or more of such facilities or associations.
(c) Terms of contract
Each contract with an organization under this section shall provide that—
(1) the organization shall perform the functions set forth in section 1320c–3(a) of this section, or may subcontract for the performance of all or some of such functions (and for purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (b) of this section, a subcontract under this paragraph shall not constitute an affiliation with the subcontractor);
(2) the Secretary shall have the right to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the organization in carrying out the functions specified in the contract;
(3) the contract shall be for an initial term of three years and shall be renewable on a triennial basis thereafter;
(4) if the Secretary intends not to renew a contract, he shall notify the organization of his decision at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the contract term, and shall provide the organization an opportunity to present data, interpretations of data, and other information pertinent to its performance under the contract, which shall be reviewed in a timely manner by the Secretary;
(5) the organization may terminate the contract upon 90 days notice to the Secretary;
(6) the Secretary may terminate the contract prior to the expiration of the contract term upon 90 days notice to the organization if the Secretary determines that—
(A) the organization does not substantially meet the requirements of
(B) the organization has failed substantially to carry out the contract or is carrying out the contract in a manner inconsistent with the efficient and effective administration of this part, but only after such organization has had an opportunity to submit data and have such data reviewed by the panel established under subsection (d) of this section;
(7) the Secretary shall include in the contract negotiated objectives against which the organization's performance will be judged, and negotiated specifications for use of regional norms, or modifications thereof based on national norms, for performing review functions under the contract; and
(8) reimbursement shall be made to the organization on a monthly basis, with payments for any month being made not later than 15 days after the close of such month.
In evaluating the performance of utilization and quality control peer review organizations under contracts under this part, the Secretary shall place emphasis on the performance of such organizations in educating providers and practitioners (particularly those in rural areas) concerning the review process and criteria being applied by the organization.
(d) Review prior to termination of contract; modification and termination; reviewing panel
(1) Prior to making any termination under subsection (c)(6)(B) of this section, the Secretary must provide the organization with an opportunity to provide data, interpretations of data, and other information pertinent to its performance under the contract. Such data and other information shall be reviewed in a timely manner by a panel appointed by the Secretary, and the panel shall submit a report of its findings to the Secretary in a timely manner. The Secretary shall make a copy of the report available to the organization.
(2) The Secretary may accept or not accept the findings of the panel. After the panel has submitted a report with respect to an organization, the Secretary may, with the concurrence of the organization, amend the contract to modify the scope of the functions to be carried out by the organization, or in any other manner. The Secretary may terminate a contract under the authority of subsection (c)(6)(B) of this section upon 90 days notice after the panel has submitted a report, or earlier if the organization so agrees.
(3) A panel appointed by the Secretary under this subsection shall consist of not more than five individuals, each of whom shall be a member of a utilization and quality control peer review organization having a contract with the Secretary under this part. While serving on such panel individuals shall be paid at a per diem rate not to exceed the current per diem equivalent at the time that service on the panel is rendered for grade GS–18 under
(4) During the period after the Secretary has given notice of intent to terminate a contract, and prior to the time that the Secretary enters into a contract with another utilization and quality control peer review organization, the Secretary may transfer review responsibilities of the organization under the contract being terminated to another utilization and quality control peer review organization, or to an intermediary or carrier having an agreement under
(e) Authority of Secretary
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), contracting authority of the Secretary under this section may be carried out without regard to any provision of law relating to the making, performance, amendment, or modification of contracts of the United States as the Secretary may determine to be inconsistent with the purposes of this part. The Secretary may use different contracting methods with respect to different geographical areas.
(2) If a peer review organization with a contract under this section is required to carry out a review function in addition to any function required to be carried out at the time the Secretary entered into or renewed the contract with the organization, the Secretary shall, before requiring such organization to carry out such additional function, negotiate the necessary contractual modifications, including modifications that provide for an appropriate adjustment (in light of the cost of such additional function) to the amount of reimbursement made to the organization.
(f) Termination not subject to judicial review
Any determination by the Secretary to terminate or not to renew a contract under this section shall not be subject to judicial review.
(g) Timely provision of hospital data to peer review organizations
The Secretary shall provide that fiscal intermediaries furnish to peer review organizations, each month on a timely basis, data necessary to initiate the review process under
(h) Publication of new policy or procedure and general criteria and standards for evaluation; performance comparison report
(1) The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register any new policy or procedure adopted by the Secretary that affects substantially the performance of contract obligations under this section not less than 30 days before the date on which such policy or procedure is to take effect. This paragraph shall not apply to the extent it is inconsistent with a statutory deadline.
(2) The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register the general criteria and standards used for evaluating the efficient and effective performance of contract obligations under this section and shall provide opportunity for public comment with respect to such criteria and standards.
(3) The Secretary shall regularly furnish each peer review organization with a contract under this section with a report that documents the performance of the organization in relation to the performance of other such organizations.
(i) Preference in contracting with in-State organizations
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Secretary shall not renew a contract with any organization that is not an in-State organization (as defined in paragraph (3)) unless the Secretary has first complied with the requirements of paragraph (2).
(2)(A) Not later than six months before the date on which a contract period ends with respect to an organization that is not an in-State organization, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register—
(i) the date on which such period ends; and
(ii) the period of time in which an in-State organization may submit a proposal for the contract ending on such date.
(B) If one or more qualified in-State organizations submits a proposal within the period of time specified under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary shall not automatically renew the current contract on a noncompetitive basis, but shall provide for competition for the contract in the same manner as a new contract under subsection (b) of this section.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, an in-State organization is an organization that has its primary place of business in the State in which review will be conducted (or, which is owned by a parent corporation the headquarters of which is located in such State).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1153, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320c–2, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1153, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Amendments
1987—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
1986—Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (c)(8).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (g).
1984—Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(2)(C).
Subsec. (b)(3).
1983—Subsec. (b)(2)(C).
Subsec. (d).
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 4091(a)(2)(B) of
Section 4091(b)(3) of
Section 4092(b) of
Section 4094(d)(2) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Section 9352(c)(1) of
Section 9402(c)(2) of
Section 9404(b) of
Section 9406(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2334(c) of
Section 2347(d) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
References in Other Laws to GS–16, 17, or 18 Pay Rates
References in laws to the rates of pay for GS–16, 17, or 18, or to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I, §101(c)(1)] of
Extensions of Peer Review Contract Period; One-Time Extensions To Permit Staggering of Expiration Dates
Section 4091(a)(1) of
"(A)
"(B)
§1320c–3. Functions of peer review organizations
(a) Review of professional activities; determination of payment; determination of review authority; consultation with professional health care practitioners; standards of health care; other duties
Any utilization and quality control peer review organization entering into a contract with the Secretary under this part must perform the following functions:
(1) The organization shall review some or all of the professional activities in the area, subject to the terms of the contract and subject to the requirements of subsection (d) of this section, of physicians and other health care practitioners and institutional and noninstitutional providers of health care services in the provision of health care services and items for which payment may be made (in whole or in part) under subchapter XVIII of this chapter (including where payment is made for such services to eligible organizations pursuant to contracts under
(A) such services and items are or were reasonable and medically necessary and whether such services and items are not allowable under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(9) of
(B) the quality of such services meets professionally recognized standards of health care; and
(C) in case such services and items are proposed to be provided in a hospital or other health care facility on an inpatient basis, such services and items could, consistent with the provision of appropriate medical care, be effectively provided more economically on an outpatient basis or in an inpatient health care facility of a different type.
If the organization performs such reviews with respect to a type of health care practitioner other than medical doctors, the organization shall establish procedures for the involvement of health care practitioners of that type in such reviews.
(2) The organization shall determine, on the basis of the review carried out under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (1), whether payment shall be made for services under subchapter XVIII of this chapter. Such determination shall constitute the conclusive determination on those issues for purposes of payment under subchapter XVIII of this chapter, except that payment may be made if—
(A) such payment is allowed by reason of
(B) in the case of inpatient hospital services or extended care services, the peer review organization determines that additional time is required in order to arrange for postdischarge care, but payment may be continued under this subparagraph for not more than two days, but only in the case where the provider of such services did not know and could not reasonably have been expected to know (as determined under
(C) such determination is changed as the result of any hearing or review of the determination under
(D) such payment is authorized under
The organization shall identify cases for which payment should not be made by reason of paragraph (1)(B) only through the use of criteria developed pursuant to guidelines established by the Secretary.
(3)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (D), whenever the organization makes a determination that any health care services or items furnished or to be furnished to a patient by any practitioner or provider are disapproved, the organization shall promptly notify such patient and the agency or organization responsible for the payment of claims under subchapter XVIII of this chapter of such determination.
(B) The notification under subparagraph (A) with respect to services or items disapproved by reason of subparagraph (A) or (C) of paragraph (1) shall not occur until 20 days after the date that the organization has—
(i) made a preliminary notification to such practitioner or provider of such proposed determination, and
(ii) provided such practitioner or provider an opportunity for discussion and review of the proposed determination.
(C) The discussion and review conducted under subparagraph (B)(ii) shall not affect the rights of a practitioner or provider to a formal reconsideration of a determination under this part (as provided under
(D) The notification under subparagraph (A) with respect to services or items disapproved by reason of paragraph (1)(B) shall not occur until after—
(i) the organization has notified the practitioner or provider involved of the determination and of the practitioner's or provider's right to a formal reconsideration of the determination under
(ii) if the provider or practitioner requests such a reconsideration, the organization has made such a reconsideration.
If a provider or practitioner is provided a reconsideration, such reconsideration shall be in lieu of any subsequent reconsideration to which the provider or practitioner may be otherwise entitled under
(E)(i) In the case of services and items provided by a physician that were disapproved by reason of paragraph (1)(B), the notice to the patient shall state the following: "In the judgment of the peer review organization, the medical care received was not acceptable under the medicare program. The reasons for the denial have been discussed with your physician."
(ii) In the case of services or items provided by an entity or practitioner other than a physician, the Secretary may substitute the entity or practitioner which provided the services or items for the term "physician" in the notice described in clause (i).
(4)(A) The organization shall, after consultation with the Secretary, determine the types and kinds of cases (whether by type of health care or diagnosis involved, or whether in terms of other relevant criteria relating to the provision of health care services) with respect to which such organization will, in order to most effectively carry out the purposes of this part, exercise review authority under the contract. The organization shall notify the Secretary periodically with respect to such determinations. Each peer review organization shall provide that a reasonable proportion of its activities are involved with reviewing, under paragraph (1)(B), the quality of services and that a reasonable allocation of such activities is made among the different cases and settings (including post-acute-care settings, ambulatory settings, and health maintenance organizations). In establishing such allocation, the organization shall consider (i) whether there is reason to believe that there is a particular need for reviews of particular cases or settings because of previous problems regarding quality of care, (ii) the cost of such reviews and the likely yield of such reviews in terms of number and seriousness of quality of care problems likely to be discovered as a result of such reviews, and (iii) the availability and adequacy of alternative quality review and assurance mechanisms.
(B) The contract of each organization shall provide for the review of services (including both inpatient and outpatient services) provided by eligible organizations pursuant to a risk-sharing contract under
(C) The Secretary may provide, by contract under competitive procurement procedures on a State-by-State basis in up to 25 States, for the review described in subparagraph (B) by an appropriate entity (which may be a peer review organization described in that subparagraph). In selecting among States in which to conduct such competitive procurement procedures, the Secretary may not select States which, as a group, have more than 50 percent of the total number of individuals enrolled with eligible organizations under
(i) the entity must be, or must meet all the requirements under
(ii) the contract must meet the requirement of
(iii) the level of effort expended under the contract shall be, to the extent practicable, not less than the level of effort that would otherwise be required under the third sentence of subparagraph (B) if this subparagraph did not apply.
(5) The organization shall consult with nurses and other professional health care practitioners (other than physicians described in
(6)(A) The organization shall, consistent with the provisions of its contract under this part, apply professionally developed norms of care, diagnosis, and treatment based upon typical patterns of practice within the geographic area served by the organization as principal points of evaluation and review, taking into consideration national norms where appropriate. Such norms with respect to treatment for particular illnesses or health conditions shall include—
(i) the types and extent of the health care services which, taking into account differing, but acceptable, modes of treatment and methods of organizing and delivering care, are considered within the range of appropriate diagnosis and treatment of such illness or health condition, consistent with professionally recognized and accepted patterns of care; and
(ii) the type of health care facility which is considered, consistent with such standards, to be the type in which health care services which are medically appropriate for such illness or condition can most economically be provided.
As a component of the norms described in clause (i) or (ii), the organization shall take into account the special problems associated with delivering care in remote rural areas, the availability of service alternatives to inpatient hospitalization, and other appropriate factors (such as the distance from a patient's residence to the site of care, family support, availability of proximate alternative sites of care, and the patient's ability to carry out necessary or prescribed self-care regimens) that could adversely affect the safety or effectiveness of treatment provided on an outpatient basis.
(B) The organization shall—
(i) offer to provide, several times each year, for a physician representing the organization to meet (at a hospital or at a regional meeting) with medical and administrative staff of each hospital (the services of which are reviewed by the organization) respecting the organization's review of the hospital's services for which payment may be made under subchapter XVIII of this chapter, and
(ii) publish (not less often than annually) and distribute to providers and practitioners whose services are subject to review a report that describes the organization's findings with respect to the types of cases in which the organization has frequently determined that (I) inappropriate or unnecessary care has been provided, (II) services were rendered in an inappropriate setting, or (III) services did not meet professionally recognized standards of health care.
(7) The organization, to the extent necessary and appropriate to the performance of the contract, shall—
(A)(i) make arrangements to utilize the services of persons who are practitioners of, or specialists in, the various areas of medicine (including dentistry, optometry, and podiatry), or other types of health care, which persons shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be individuals engaged in the practice of their profession within the area served by such organization; and
(ii) in the case of psychiatric and physical rehabilitation services, make arrangements to ensure that (to the extent possible) initial review of such services be made by a physician who is trained in psychiatry or physical rehabilitation (as appropriate).2
(B) undertake such professional inquiries either before or after, or both before and after, the provision of services with respect to which such organization has a responsibility for review which in the judgment of such organization will facilitate its activities;
(C) examine the pertinent records of any practitioner or provider of health care services providing services with respect to which such organization has a responsibility for review under paragraph (1); and
(D) inspect the facilities in which care is rendered or services are provided (which are located in such area) of any practitioner or provider of health care services providing services with respect to which such organization has a responsibility for review under paragraph (1).
(8) The organization shall perform such duties and functions and assume such responsibilities and comply with such other requirements as may be required by this part or under regulations of the Secretary promulgated to carry out the provisions of this part or as may be required to carry out
(9)(A) The organization shall collect such information relevant to its functions, and keep and maintain such records, in such form as the Secretary may require to carry out the purposes of this part, and shall permit access to and use of any such information and records as the Secretary may require for such purposes, subject to the provisions of
(B) If the organization finds, after reasonable notice to and opportunity for discussion with the physician or practitioner concerned, that the physician or practitioner has furnished services in violation of
(10) The organization shall coordinate activities, including information exchanges, which are consistent with economical and efficient operation of programs among appropriate public and private agencies or organizations including—
(A) agencies under contract pursuant to
(B) other peer review organizations having contracts under this part; and
(C) other public or private review organizations as may be appropriate.
(11) The organization shall make available its facilities and resources for contracting with private and public entities paying for health care in its area for review, as feasible and appropriate, of services reimbursed by such entities.
(12) Repealed.
(13) Notwithstanding paragraph (4), the organization shall perform the review described in paragraph (1) with respect to early readmission cases to determine if the previous inpatient hospital services and the post-hospital services met professionally recognized standards of health care. Such reviews may be performed on a sample basis if the organization and the Secretary determine it to be appropriate. In this paragraph, an "early readmission case" is a case in which an individual, after discharge from a hospital, is readmitted to a hospital less than 31 days after the date of the most recent previous discharge.
(14) The organization shall conduct an appropriate review of all written complaints about the quality of services (for which payment may otherwise be made under subchapter XVIII of this chapter) not meeting professionally recognized standards of health care, if the complaint is filed with the organization by an individual entitled to benefits for such services under such subchapter (or a person acting on the individual's behalf). The organization shall inform the individual (or representative) of the organization's final disposition of the complaint. Before the organization concludes that the quality of services does not meet professionally recognized standards of health care, the organization must provide the practitioner or person concerned with reasonable notice and opportunity for discussion.
(15) During each year of the contract entered into under
(16) The organization shall provide for a review and report to the Secretary when requested by the Secretary under
(17) The organization shall execute its responsibilities under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) by offering to providers, practitioners, Medicare Advantage organizations offering Medicare Advantage plans under part C,3 and prescription drug sponsors offering prescription drug plans under part D 3 quality improvement assistance pertaining to prescription drug therapy. For purposes of this part and subchapter XVIII of this chapter, the functions described in this paragraph shall be treated as a review function.
(b) Review by physicians; physician's family defined
(1) No physician shall be permitted to review—
(A) health care services provided to a patient if he was directly responsible for providing such services; or
(B) health care services provided in or by an institution, organization, or agency, if he or any member of his family has, directly or indirectly, a significant financial interest in such institution, organization, or agency.
(2) For purposes of this subsection, a physician's family includes only his spouse (other than a spouse who is legally separated from him under a decree of divorce or separate maintenance), children (including legally adopted children), grandchildren, parents, and grandparents.
(c) Utilization of services of physicians to make final determinations of denial decisions with respect to professional conduct of other physicians
No utilization and quality control peer review organization shall utilize the services of any individual who is not a duly licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, optometry, or podiatry to make final determinations of denial decisions in accordance with its duties and functions under this part with respect to the professional conduct of any other duly licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, optometry, or podiatry, or any act performed by any duly licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, optometry, or podiatry in the exercise of his profession.
(d) Review of ambulatory surgical procedures
Each contract under this part shall require that the utilization and quality control peer review organization's review responsibility pursuant to subsection (a)(1) of this section will include review of all ambulatory surgical procedures specified pursuant to
(e) Review of hospital denial notices
(1) If—
(A) a hospital has determined that a patient no longer requires inpatient hospital care, and
(B) the attending physician has agreed with the hospital's determination,
the hospital may provide the patient (or the patient's representative) with a notice (meeting conditions prescribed by the Secretary under
(2) to (4) Repealed.
(f) Identification of methods for identifying cases of substandard care
The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate experts, shall identify methods that would be available to assist peer review organizations (under subsection (a)(4) of this section) in identifying those cases which are more likely than others to be associated with a quality of services which does not meet professionally recognized standards of health care.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1154, as added
References in Text
Parts C and D, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), (17), probably means parts C and D of title XVIII of act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, which are classified to parts C (§1395w–21 et seq.) and D (§1395w–101 et seq.), respectively, of subchapter XVIII of this chapter.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320c–3, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1154, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(17).
Subsec. (e)(5).
2000—Subsec. (e)(2) to (4).
1994—Subsec. (a)(4)(B).
Subsec. (a)(9)(B).
Subsec. (a)(12).
Subsec. (d).
1990—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3)(E).
Subsec. (a)(4)(B).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(9).
Subsec. (a)(16).
Subsec. (c).
1989—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3)(B).
Subsec. (a)(3)(D), (E).
Subsec. (a)(16).
1988—Subsec. (a)(3)(C).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (a)(15).
Subsec. (a)(16).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (e)(3)(B).
1987—Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(4)(B).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A).
Subsec. (a)(15).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(3)(A)(i), (B).
1986—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(4)(A).
Subsec. (a)(4)(B).
Subsec. (a)(4)(C).
Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (a)(12).
Subsec. (a)(13).
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
1983—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 156(a)(3) of
Amendment by section 171(h)(2) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4205(b)(2) of
Section 4205(d)(1)(C) of
Section 4205(g)(1)(B) of
Section 4205(g)(2)(B) of
Section 4207(a)(1)(C), formerly 4027(a)(1)(C), of
Section 4358(c) of
"(1) The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(A) in 15 States (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) and such other States as elect such amendments to apply to them, and
"(B) subject to paragraph (2), during the 6½-year period beginning with 1992.
For purposes of this paragraph, the term 'State' has the meaning given such term by section 210(h) of the Social Security Act (
"(2)(A) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall conduct a study that compares the health care costs, quality of care, and access to services under medicare select policies with that under other medicare supplemental policies. The study shall be based on surveys of appropriate age-adjusted sample populations. The study shall be completed by June 30, 1997.
"(B) Not later than December 31, 1997, the Secretary shall determine, based on the results of the study under subparagraph (A), if any of the following findings are true:
"(i) The amendments made by this section have not resulted in savings of premium costs to those enrolled in medicare select policies (in comparison to their enrollment in medicare supplemental policies that are not medicare select policies and that provide comparable coverage).
"(ii) There have been significant additional expenditures under the medicare program as a result of such amendments.
"(iii) Access to and quality of care has been significantly diminished as a result of such amendments.
"(C) The amendments made by this section shall remain in effect beyond the 6½-year period described in paragraph (1)(B) unless the Secretary determines that any of the findings described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (B) are true.
"(3) The Comptroller General shall conduct a study to determine the extent to which individuals who are continuously covered under a medicare supplemental policy are subject to medical underwriting if they change the policy under which they are covered, and to identify options, if necessary, for modifying the medicare supplemental insurance market to make sure that continuously insured beneficiaries are able to switch plans without medical underwriting. By not later than June 30, 1996, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Congress a report on the study. The report shall include a description of the potential impact on the cost and availability of medicare supplemental policies of each option identified in the study."
[Section 172(b) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendments
Section 6224(a)(2) of
Section 6224(b)(3) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 203(g) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 4093(b) of
Section 4094(c)(1)(B) of
Section 4094(c)(2)(C) of
Section 4096(d) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by section 9343(d) of
Section 9351(b) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to denial notices furnished by hospitals to individuals on or after the first day of the first month that begins more than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1986].
"(2) Section 1154(e)(4) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (e)(4) of this section] (as added by the amendment made by subsection (a)) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1986]."
Section 9352(c)(2) of
Section 9353(a)(6) of
"(A)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), the amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to contracts entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 1987.
"(ii) The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall not be construed as requiring, before January 1, 1989, the review of physicians' services, other than physicians' services furnished in a hospital, other inpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, or rural health clinic.
"(B) The amendments made by paragraphs (2)(B) and (2)(D) [amending this section] shall apply to contracts as of April 1, 1987.
"(C) The amendment made by paragraph (2)(C) [amending this section] shall apply to review activities conducted by organizations on or after January 1, 1988.
"(D) The amendment made by paragraph (3) [amending this section] becomes effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1986]."
Section 9353(c)(2) of
Section 9307(e) of
Section 9401(d) of
Section 9403(c) of
Section 9405(b) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by
State Regulatory Programs
For provisions relating to changes required to conform State regulatory programs to amendments by section 171 of
Review and Analysis of Variations in Utilization of Hospital and Other Health Care Services
Section 9353(a)(4) of
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.
3 See References in Text note below.
§1320c–4. Right to hearing and judicial review
Any beneficiary who is entitled to benefits under subchapter XVIII of this chapter, and, subject to
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1155, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320c–4, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1155, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Amendments
1994—
1989—
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
§1320c–5. Obligations of health care practitioners and providers of health care services; sanctions and penalties; hearings and review
(a) Assurances regarding services and items ordered or provided by practitioner or provider
It shall be the obligation of any health care practitioner and any other person (including a hospital or other health care facility, organization, or agency) who provides health care services for which payment may be made (in whole or in part) under this chapter, to assure, to the extent of his authority that services or items ordered or provided by such practitioner or person to beneficiaries and recipients under this chapter—
(1) will be provided economically and only when, and to the extent, medically necessary;
(2) will be of a quality which meets professionally recognized standards of health care; and
(3) will be supported by evidence of medical necessity and quality in such form and fashion and at such time as may reasonably be required by a reviewing peer review organization in the exercise of its duties and responsibilities.
(b) Sanctions and penalties; hearings and review
(1) If after reasonable notice and opportunity for discussion with the practitioner or person concerned, and, if appropriate, after the practitioner or person has been given a reasonable opportunity to enter into and complete a corrective action plan (which may include remedial education) agreed to by the organization, and has failed successfully to complete such plan, any organization having a contract with the Secretary under this part determines that such practitioner or person has—
(A) failed in a substantial number of cases substantially to comply with any obligation imposed on him under subsection (a) of this section, or
(B) grossly and flagrantly violated any such obligation in one or more instances,
such organization shall submit a report and recommendations to the Secretary. If the Secretary agrees with such determination, the Secretary (in addition to any other sanction provided under law) may exclude (permanently or for such period as the Secretary may prescribe, except that such period may not be less than 1 year) such practitioner or person from eligibility to provide services under this chapter on a reimbursable basis. If the Secretary fails to act upon the recommendations submitted to him by such organization within 120 days after such submission, such practitioner or person shall be excluded from eligibility to provide services on a reimbursable basis until such time as the Secretary determines otherwise.
(2) A determination made by the Secretary under this subsection to exclude a practitioner or person shall be effective on the same date and in the same manner as an exclusion from participation under the programs under this chapter becomes effective under
(3) In lieu of the sanction authorized by paragraph (1), the Secretary may require that (as a condition to the continued eligibility of such practitioner or person to provide such health care services on a reimbursable basis) such practitioner or person pays 1 to the United States, in case such acts or conduct involved the provision or ordering by such practitioner or person of health care services which were medically improper or unnecessary, an amount not in excess of up to $10,000 for each instance of the medically improper or unnecessary services so provided. Such amount may be deducted from any sums owing by the United States (or any instrumentality thereof) to the practitioner or person from whom such amount is claimed.
(4) Any practitioner or person furnishing services described in paragraph (1) who is dissatisfied with a determination made by the Secretary under this subsection shall be entitled to reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing thereon by the Secretary to the same extent as is provided in
(5) Before the Secretary may effect an exclusion under paragraph (2) in the case of a provider or practitioner located in a rural health professional shortage area or in a county with a population of less than 70,000, the provider or practitioner adversely affected by the determination is entitled to a hearing before an administrative law judge (described in
(6) When the Secretary effects an exclusion of a physician under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall notify the State board responsible for the licensing of the physician of the exclusion.
(c) Enlistment of support of other organizations to assure practitioner's or provider's compliance with obligations
It shall be the duty of each utilization and quality control peer review organization to use such authority or influence it may possess as a professional organization, and to enlist the support of any other professional or governmental organization having influence or authority over health care practitioners and any other person (including a hospital or other health care facility, organization, or agency) providing health care services in the area served by such review organization, in assuring that each practitioner or person (referred to in subsection (a) of this section) providing health care services in such area shall comply with all obligations imposed on him under subsection (a) of this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1156, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320c–5, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1156, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Amendments
1996—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
1994—Subsec. (b)(1).
1990—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (b)(6).
1988—Subsec. (b).
1987—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by section 214 of
Amendment by section 231(f) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4205(a)(2) of
Section 4205(d)(2)(B) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendments
Section 4095(b) of
Amendment by
Telecommunications Demonstration Projects
Section 4094(e) of
Preexclusion Hearings; Transition for Current Cases and Redetermination in Certain Cases
Section 4095(c), (d) of
"(c)
"(1) for whom a notice of determination under section 1156(b) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b) of this section] has been provided within 365 days before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987],
"(2) who has not exhausted the administrative remedies available under section 1156(b)(4) of such Act for review of the determination, and
"(3) who requests, within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, a hearing established under this subsection,
the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide for a hearing described in section 1156(b)(5) of the Social Security Act (as amended by subsection (a) of this section).
"(d)
1 So in original. Probably should be "pay".
§1320c–6. Limitation on liability
(a) Providers of information to organizations having a contract with Secretary
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person providing information to any organization having a contract with the Secretary under this part shall be held, by reason of having provided such information, to have violated any criminal law, or to be civilly liable under any law of the United States or of any State (or political subdivision thereof) unless—
(1) such information is unrelated to the performance of the contract of such organization; or
(2) such information is false and the person providing it knew, or had reason to believe, that such information was false.
(b) Employees and fiduciaries of organizations having contracts with Secretary
No organization having a contract with the Secretary under this part and no person who is employed by, or who has a fiduciary relationship with, any such organization or who furnishes professional services to such organization, shall be held by reason of the performance of any duty, function, or activity required or authorized pursuant to this part or to a valid contract entered into under this part, to have violated any criminal law, or to be civilly liable under any law of the United States or of any State (or political subdivision thereof) provided due care was exercised in the performance of such duty, function, or activity.
(c) Physicians and providers
No doctor of medicine or osteopathy and no provider (including directors, trustees, employees, or officials thereof) of health care services shall be civilly liable to any person under any law of the United States or of any State (or political subdivision thereof) on account of any action taken by him in compliance with or reliance upon professionally developed norms of care and treatment applied by an organization under contract pursuant to
(1) he takes such action in the exercise of his profession as a doctor of medicine or osteopathy or in the exercise of his functions as a provider of health care services; and
(2) he exercised due care in all professional conduct taken or directed by him and reasonably related to, and resulting from, the actions taken in compliance with or reliance upon such professionally accepted norms of care and treatment.
(d) Reimbursement by Secretary for expenses incurred in defense of legal proceedings
The Secretary shall make payment to an organization under contract with him pursuant to this part, or to any member or employee thereof, or to any person who furnishes legal counsel or services to such organization, in an amount equal to the reasonable amount of the expenses incurred, as determined by the Secretary, in connection with the defense of any suit, action, or proceeding brought against such organization, member, or employee related to the performance of any duty or function under such contract by such organization, member, or employee.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1157, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320c–6, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1157, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Amendments
1990—Subsec. (b).
§1320c–7. Application of this part to certain State programs receiving Federal financial assistance
(a) State plan provision that functions of peer review organizations may be performed by contract with such organization
A State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter may provide that the functions specified in
(b) Federal share of expenditures
In the event a State enters into a contract in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, the Federal share of the expenditures made to the contracting organization for its costs in the performance of its functions under the State plan shall be 75 percent (as provided in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1158, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320c–7, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1158, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
§1320c–8. Authorization for use of certain funds to administer provisions of this part
Expenses incurred in the administration of the contracts described in
(1) funds in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund; and
(2) funds in the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund,
in such amounts from each of such Trust Funds as the Secretary shall deem to be fair and equitable after taking into consideration the expenses attributable to the administration of this part with respect to each of such programs. The Secretary shall make such transfers of moneys between such Trust Funds as may be appropriate to settle accounts between them in cases where expenses properly payable from one such Trust Fund have been paid from the other such Trust Fund.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1159, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320c–8, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1159, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
§1320c–9. Prohibition against disclosure of information
(a) Freedom of Information Act inapplicable; exceptions to nondisclosure
An organization, in carrying out its functions under a contract entered into under this part, shall not be a Federal agency for purposes of the provisions of
(1) to the extent that may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this part,
(2) in such cases and under such circumstances as the Secretary shall by regulations provide to assure adequate protection of the rights and interests of patients, health care practitioners, or providers of health care, or
(3) in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Disclosure of information permitted
An organization having a contract with the Secretary under this part shall provide in accordance with procedures and safeguards established by the Secretary, data and information—
(1) which may identify specific providers or practitioners as may be necessary—
(A) to assist Federal and State agencies recognized by the Secretary as having responsibility for identifying and investigating cases or patterns of fraud or abuse, which data and information shall be provided by the peer review organization to any such agency at the request of such agency relating to a specific case or pattern;
(B) to assist appropriate Federal and State agencies recognized by the Secretary as having responsibility for identifying cases or patterns involving risks to the public health, which data and information shall be provided by the peer review organization to any such agency—
(i) at the discretion of the peer review organization, at the request of such agency relating to a specific case or pattern with respect to which such agency has made a finding, or has a reasonable belief, that there may be a substantial risk to the public health, or
(ii) upon a finding by, or the reasonable belief of, the peer review organization that there may be a substantial risk to the public health;
(C) to assist appropriate State agencies recognized by the Secretary as having responsibility for licensing or certification of providers or practitioners or to assist national accreditation bodies acting pursuant to
(D) to provide notice in accordance with
(2) to assist the Secretary, and such Federal and State agencies recognized by the Secretary as having health planning or related responsibilities under Federal or State law (including health systems agencies and State health planning and development agencies), in carrying out appropriate health care planning and related activities, which data and information shall be provided in such format and manner as may be prescribed by the Secretary or agreed upon by the responsible Federal and State agencies and such organization, and shall be in the form of aggregate statistical data (without explicitly identifying any individual) on a geographic, institutional, or other basis reflecting the volume and frequency of services furnished, as well as the demographic characteristics of the population subject to review by such organization.
The penalty provided in subsection (c) of this section shall not apply to the disclosure of any information received under this subsection, except that such penalty shall apply to the disclosure (by the agency receiving such information) of any such information described in paragraph (1) unless such disclosure is made in a judicial, administrative, or other formal legal proceeding resulting from an investigation conducted by the agency receiving the information. An organization may require payment of a reasonable fee for providing information under this subsection in response to a request for such information.
(c) Penalties
It shall be unlawful for any person to disclose any such information described in subsection (a) of this section other than for the purposes provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, and any person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $1,000, and imprisoned for not more than 6 months, or both, and shall be required to pay the costs of prosecution.
(d) Subpoena and discovery proceedings regarding patient records
No patient record in the possession of an organization having a contract with the Secretary under this part shall be subject to subpoena or discovery proceedings in a civil action. No document or other information produced by such an organization in connection with its deliberations in making determinations under
(e) Organizations with contracts
For purposes of this section and
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1160, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320c–9, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1160, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (b)(1)(D).
Subsec. (d).
1990—Subsec. (b)(1)(D).
Subsec. (d).
1988—Subsec. (e).
1987—Subsec. (e).
1986—Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 156(b)(6) of
"(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amendments made by this subsection [amending this section,
"(B) The amendments made by paragraph (2) [amending this section and
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 4205(d)(1)(B) of
Section 4205(e)(2) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 9353(d)(2) of
Freedom of Information Act Request
§1320c–10. Annual reports
The Secretary shall submit to the Congress not later than April 1 of each year, a full and complete report on the administration, impact, and cost of the program under this part during the preceding fiscal year, including data and information on—
(1) the number, status, and service areas of all utilization and quality control peer review organizations participating in the program;
(2) the number of health care institutions and practitioners whose services are subject to review by such organizations, and the number of beneficiaries and recipients who received services subject to such review during such year;
(3) the various methods of reimbursement utilized in contracts under this part, and the relative efficiency of each such method of reimbursement;
(4) the imposition of penalties and sanctions under this title for violations of law and for failure to comply with the obligations imposed by this part;
(5) the total costs incurred under subchapters XVIII and XIX of this chapter in the implementation and operation of all procedures required by such subchapters for the review of services to determine their medical necessity, appropriateness of use, and quality; and
(6) descriptions of the criteria upon which decisions are made, and the selection and relative weights of such criteria.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1161, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320c–10, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1161, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Performance of Professional Standards Review Organizations; Report to Congress
§1320c–11. Exemptions for religious nonmedical health care institutions
The provisions of this part shall not apply with respect to a religious nonmedical health care institution (as defined in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1162, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320c–11, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1162, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Amendments
1997—
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
§1320c–12. Medical officers in American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and Trust Territory of Pacific Islands to be included in utilization and quality control peer review program
For purposes of applying this part to American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, individuals licensed to practice medicine in those places shall be considered to be physicians and doctors of medicine.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1163, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1320c–12, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1163, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding
§1320c–13. Repealed. Pub. L. 103–432, title I, §156(a)(1), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4440
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1164, as added Apr. 7, 1986,
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal applicable to services provided on or after Oct. 31, 1994, see section 156(a)(3) of
§§1320c–14 to 1320c–19. Omitted
Codification
Sections 1320c–14 to 1320c–19 were omitted in the general revision of this part by
Section 1320c–14, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1165, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Section 1320c–15, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1166, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Section 1320c–16, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1167, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Section 1320c–17, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1168, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Section 1320c–18, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1169, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
Section 1320c–19, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1170, as added Oct. 30, 1972,
§1320c–20. Repealed. Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, §2113(k), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 795
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1171, as added Oct. 25, 1977,
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal applicable to agreements with Professional Standards Review Organizations entered into on or after Oct. 1, 1981, see section 2113(o) of
§§1320c–21, 1320c–22. Omitted
Codification
Sections 1320c–21 and 1320c–22 were omitted in the general revision of this part by
Section 1320c–21, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1172, as added Oct. 25, 1977,
Section 1320c–22, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1173, as added Oct. 25, 1977,
Part C—Administrative Simplification
§1320d. Definitions
For purposes of this part:
(1) Code set
The term "code set" means any set of codes used for encoding data elements, such as tables of terms, medical concepts, medical diagnostic codes, or medical procedure codes.
(2) Health care clearinghouse
The term "health care clearinghouse" means a public or private entity that processes or facilitates the processing of nonstandard data elements of health information into standard data elements.
(3) Health care provider
The term "health care provider" includes a provider of services (as defined in
(4) Health information
The term "health information" means any information, whether oral or recorded in any form or medium, that—
(A) is created or received by a health care provider, health plan, public health authority, employer, life insurer, school or university, or health care clearinghouse; and
(B) relates to the past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition of an individual, the provision of health care to an individual, or the past, present, or future payment for the provision of health care to an individual.
(5) Health plan
The term "health plan" means an individual or group plan that provides, or pays the cost of, medical care (as such term is defined in
(A) A group health plan (as defined in
(i) has 50 or more participants (as defined in
(ii) is administered by an entity other than the employer who established and maintains the plan.
(B) A health insurance issuer (as defined in
(C) A health maintenance organization (as defined in
(D) Parts 1 A, B, C, or D of the Medicare program under subchapter XVIII of this chapter.
(E) The medicaid program under subchapter XIX of this chapter.
(F) A Medicare supplemental policy (as defined in
(G) A long-term care policy, including a nursing home fixed indemnity policy (unless the Secretary determines that such a policy does not provide sufficiently comprehensive coverage of a benefit so that the policy should be treated as a health plan).
(H) An employee welfare benefit plan or any other arrangement which is established or maintained for the purpose of offering or providing health benefits to the employees of 2 or more employers.
(I) The health care program for active military personnel under title 10.
(J) The veterans health care program under
(K) The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), as defined in
(L) The Indian health service program under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (
(M) The Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan under
(6) Individually identifiable health information
The term "individually identifiable health information" means any information, including demographic information collected from an individual, that—
(A) is created or received by a health care provider, health plan, employer, or health care clearinghouse; and
(B) relates to the past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition of an individual, the provision of health care to an individual, or the past, present, or future payment for the provision of health care to an individual, and—
(i) identifies the individual; or
(ii) with respect to which there is a reasonable basis to believe that the information can be used to identify the individual.
(7) Standard
The term "standard", when used with reference to a data element of health information or a transaction referred to in
(8) Standard setting organization
The term "standard setting organization" means a standard setting organization accredited by the American National Standards Institute, including the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs, that develops standards for information transactions, data elements, or any other standard that is necessary to, or will facilitate, the implementation of this part.
(9) Operating rules
The term "operating rules" means the necessary business rules and guidelines for the electronic exchange of information that are not defined by a standard or its implementation specifications as adopted for purposes of this part.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1171, as added
References in Text
The Indian Health Care Improvement Act, referred to in par. (5)(L), is
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1171 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was classified to
Amendments
2010—Par. (9).
2009—Par. (5)(D).
2001—Par. (5)(D).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Purpose
1 So in original. Probably should be "Part".
§1320d–1. General requirements for adoption of standards
(a) Applicability
Any standard adopted under this part shall apply, in whole or in part, to the following persons:
(1) A health plan.
(2) A health care clearinghouse.
(3) A health care provider who transmits any health information in electronic form in connection with a transaction referred to in
(b) Reduction of costs
Any standard adopted under this part shall be consistent with the objective of reducing the administrative costs of providing and paying for health care.
(c) Role of standard setting organizations
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), any standard adopted under this part shall be a standard that has been developed, adopted, or modified by a standard setting organization.
(2) Special rules
(A) Different standards
The Secretary may adopt a standard that is different from any standard developed, adopted, or modified by a standard setting organization, if—
(i) the different standard will substantially reduce administrative costs to health care providers and health plans compared to the alternatives; and
(ii) the standard is promulgated in accordance with the rulemaking procedures of subchapter III of
(B) No standard by standard setting organization
If no standard setting organization has developed, adopted, or modified any standard relating to a standard that the Secretary is authorized or required to adopt under this part—
(i) paragraph (1) shall not apply; and
(ii) subsection (f) of this section shall apply.
(3) Consultation requirement
(A) In general
A standard may not be adopted under this part unless—
(i) in the case of a standard that has been developed, adopted, or modified by a standard setting organization, the organization consulted with each of the organizations described in subparagraph (B) in the course of such development, adoption, or modification; and
(ii) in the case of any other standard, the Secretary, in complying with the requirements of subsection (f) of this section, consulted with each of the organizations described in subparagraph (B) before adopting the standard.
(B) Organizations described
The organizations referred to in subparagraph (A) are the following:
(i) The National Uniform Billing Committee.
(ii) The National Uniform Claim Committee.
(iii) The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange.
(iv) The American Dental Association.
(d) Implementation specifications
The Secretary shall establish specifications for implementing each of the standards adopted under this part.
(e) Protection of trade secrets
Except as otherwise required by law, a standard adopted under this part shall not require disclosure of trade secrets or confidential commercial information by a person required to comply with this part.
(f) Assistance to Secretary
In complying with the requirements of this part, the Secretary shall rely on the recommendations of the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics established under
(g) Application to modifications of standards
This section shall apply to a modification to a standard (including an addition to a standard) adopted under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1172, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1172 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was classified to
§1320d–2. Standards for information transactions and data elements
(a) Standards to enable electronic exchange
(1) In general
The Secretary shall adopt standards for transactions, and data elements for such transactions, to enable health information to be exchanged electronically, that are appropriate for—
(A) the financial and administrative transactions described in paragraph (2); and
(B) other financial and administrative transactions determined appropriate by the Secretary, consistent with the goals of improving the operation of the health care system and reducing administrative costs, and subject to the requirements under paragraph (5).
(2) Transactions
The transactions referred to in paragraph (1)(A) are transactions with respect to the following:
(A) Health claims or equivalent encounter information.
(B) Health claims attachments.
(C) Enrollment and disenrollment in a health plan.
(D) Eligibility for a health plan.
(E) Health care payment and remittance advice.
(F) Health plan premium payments.
(G) First report of injury.
(H) Health claim status.
(I) Referral certification and authorization.
(J) Electronic funds transfers.
(3) Accommodation of specific providers
The standards adopted by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall accommodate the needs of different types of health care providers.
(4) Requirements for financial and administrative transactions
(A) In general
The standards and associated operating rules adopted by the Secretary shall—
(i) to the extent feasible and appropriate, enable determination of an individual's eligibility and financial responsibility for specific services prior to or at the point of care;
(ii) be comprehensive, requiring minimal augmentation by paper or other communications;
(iii) provide for timely acknowledgment, response, and status reporting that supports a transparent claims and denial management process (including adjudication and appeals); and
(iv) describe all data elements (including reason and remark codes) in unambiguous terms, require that such data elements be required or conditioned upon set values in other fields, and prohibit additional conditions (except where necessary to implement State or Federal law, or to protect against fraud and abuse).
(B) Reduction of clerical burden
In adopting standards and operating rules for the transactions referred to under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall seek to reduce the number and complexity of forms (including paper and electronic forms) and data entry required by patients and providers.
(5) Consideration of standardization of activities and items
(A) In general
For purposes of carrying out paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall solicit, not later than January 1, 2012, and not less than every 3 years thereafter, input from entities described in subparagraph (B) on—
(i) whether there could be greater uniformity in financial and administrative activities and items, as determined appropriate by the Secretary; and
(ii) whether such activities should be considered financial and administrative transactions (as described in paragraph (1)(B)) for which the adoption of standards and operating rules would improve the operation of the health care system and reduce administrative costs.
(B) Solicitation of input
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall seek input from—
(i) the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics, the Health Information Technology Policy Committee, and the Health Information Technology Standards Committee; and
(ii) standard setting organizations and stakeholders, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(b) Unique health identifiers
(1) In general
The Secretary shall adopt standards providing for a standard unique health identifier for each individual, employer, health plan, and health care provider for use in the health care system. In carrying out the preceding sentence for each health plan and health care provider, the Secretary shall take into account multiple uses for identifiers and multiple locations and specialty classifications for health care providers.
(2) Use of identifiers
The standards adopted under paragraph (1) shall specify the purposes for which a unique health identifier may be used.
(c) Code sets
(1) In general
The Secretary shall adopt standards that—
(A) select code sets for appropriate data elements for the transactions referred to in subsection (a)(1) of this section from among the code sets that have been developed by private and public entities; or
(B) establish code sets for such data elements if no code sets for the data elements have been developed.
(2) Distribution
The Secretary shall establish efficient and low-cost procedures for distribution (including electronic distribution) of code sets and modifications made to such code sets under
(d) Security standards for health information
(1) Security standards
The Secretary shall adopt security standards that—
(A) take into account—
(i) the technical capabilities of record systems used to maintain health information;
(ii) the costs of security measures;
(iii) the need for training persons who have access to health information;
(iv) the value of audit trails in computerized record systems; and
(v) the needs and capabilities of small health care providers and rural health care providers (as such providers are defined by the Secretary); and
(B) ensure that a health care clearinghouse, if it is part of a larger organization, has policies and security procedures which isolate the activities of the health care clearinghouse with respect to processing information in a manner that prevents unauthorized access to such information by such larger organization.
(2) Safeguards
Each person described in
(A) to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the information;
(B) to protect against any reasonably anticipated—
(i) threats or hazards to the security or integrity of the information; and
(ii) unauthorized uses or disclosures of the information; and
(C) otherwise to ensure compliance with this part by the officers and employees of such person.
(e) Electronic signature
(1) Standards
The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, shall adopt standards specifying procedures for the electronic transmission and authentication of signatures with respect to the transactions referred to in subsection (a)(1) of this section.
(2) Effect of compliance
Compliance with the standards adopted under paragraph (1) shall be deemed to satisfy Federal and State statutory requirements for written signatures with respect to the transactions referred to in subsection (a)(1) of this section.
(f) Transfer of information among health plans
The Secretary shall adopt standards for transferring among health plans appropriate standard data elements needed for the coordination of benefits, the sequential processing of claims, and other data elements for individuals who have more than one health plan.
(g) Operating rules
(1) In general
The Secretary shall adopt a single set of operating rules for each transaction referred to under subsection (a)(1) with the goal of creating as much uniformity in the implementation of the electronic standards as possible. Such operating rules shall be consensus-based and reflect the necessary business rules affecting health plans and health care providers and the manner in which they operate pursuant to standards issued under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
(2) Operating rules development
In adopting operating rules under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider recommendations for operating rules developed by a qualified nonprofit entity that meets the following requirements:
(A) The entity focuses its mission on administrative simplification.
(B) The entity demonstrates a multi-stakeholder and consensus-based process for development of operating rules, including representation by or participation from health plans, health care providers, vendors, relevant Federal agencies, and other standard development organizations.
(C) The entity has a public set of guiding principles that ensure the operating rules and process are open and transparent, and supports nondiscrimination and conflict of interest policies that demonstrate a commitment to open, fair, and nondiscriminatory practices.
(D) The entity builds on the transaction standards issued under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
(E) The entity allows for public review and updates of the operating rules.
(3) Review and recommendations
The National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics shall—
(A) advise the Secretary as to whether a nonprofit entity meets the requirements under paragraph (2);
(B) review the operating rules developed and recommended by such nonprofit entity;
(C) determine whether such operating rules represent a consensus view of the health care stakeholders and are consistent with and do not conflict with other existing standards;
(D) evaluate whether such operating rules are consistent with electronic standards adopted for health information technology; and
(E) submit to the Secretary a recommendation as to whether the Secretary should adopt such operating rules.
(4) Implementation
(A) In general
The Secretary shall adopt operating rules under this subsection, by regulation in accordance with subparagraph (C), following consideration of the operating rules developed by the non-profit entity described in paragraph (2) and the recommendation submitted by the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics under paragraph (3)(E) and having ensured consultation with providers.
(B) Adoption requirements; effective dates
(i) Eligibility for a health plan and health claim status
The set of operating rules for eligibility for a health plan and health claim status transactions shall be adopted not later than July 1, 2011, in a manner ensuring that such operating rules are effective not later than January 1, 2013, and may allow for the use of a machine readable identification card.
(ii) Electronic funds transfers and health care payment and remittance advice
The set of operating rules for electronic funds transfers and health care payment and remittance advice transactions shall—
(I) allow for automated reconciliation of the electronic payment with the remittance advice; and
(II) be adopted not later than July 1, 2012, in a manner ensuring that such operating rules are effective not later than January 1, 2014.
(iii) Health claims or equivalent encounter information, enrollment and disenrollment in a health plan, health plan premium payments, referral certification and authorization
The set of operating rules for health claims or equivalent encounter information, enrollment and disenrollment in a health plan, health plan premium payments, and referral certification and authorization transactions shall be adopted not later than July 1, 2014, in a manner ensuring that such operating rules are effective not later than January 1, 2016.
(C) Expedited rulemaking
The Secretary shall promulgate an interim final rule applying any standard or operating rule recommended by the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics pursuant to paragraph (3). The Secretary shall accept and consider public comments on any interim final rule published under this subparagraph for 60 days after the date of such publication.
(h) Compliance
(1) Health plan certification
(A) Eligibility for a health plan, health claim status, electronic funds transfers, health care payment and remittance advice
Not later than December 31, 2013, a health plan shall file a statement with the Secretary, in such form as the Secretary may require, certifying that the data and information systems for such plan are in compliance with any applicable standards (as described under paragraph (7) of
(B) Health claims or equivalent encounter information, enrollment and disenrollment in a health plan, health plan premium payments, health claims attachments, referral certification and authorization
Not later than December 31, 2015, a health plan shall file a statement with the Secretary, in such form as the Secretary may require, certifying that the data and information systems for such plan are in compliance with any applicable standards and associated operating rules for health claims or equivalent encounter information, enrollment and disenrollment in a health plan, health plan premium payments, health claims attachments, and referral certification and authorization, respectively. A health plan shall provide the same level of documentation to certify compliance with such transactions as is required to certify compliance with the transactions specified in subparagraph (A).
(2) Documentation of compliance
A health plan shall provide the Secretary, in such form as the Secretary may require, with adequate documentation of compliance with the standards and operating rules described under paragraph (1). A health plan shall not be considered to have provided adequate documentation and shall not be certified as being in compliance with such standards, unless the health plan—
(A) demonstrates to the Secretary that the plan conducts the electronic transactions specified in paragraph (1) in a manner that fully complies with the regulations of the Secretary; and
(B) provides documentation showing that the plan has completed end-to-end testing for such transactions with their partners, such as hospitals and physicians.
(3) Service contracts
A health plan shall be required to ensure that any entities that provide services pursuant to a contract with such health plan shall comply with any applicable certification and compliance requirements (and provide the Secretary with adequate documentation of such compliance) under this subsection.
(4) Certification by outside entity
The Secretary may designate independent, outside entities to certify that a health plan has complied with the requirements under this subsection, provided that the certification standards employed by such entities are in accordance with any standards or operating rules issued by the Secretary.
(5) Compliance with revised standards and operating rules
(A) In general
A health plan (including entities described under paragraph (3)) shall file a statement with the Secretary, in such form as the Secretary may require, certifying that the data and information systems for such plan are in compliance with any applicable revised standards and associated operating rules under this subsection for any interim final rule promulgated by the Secretary under subsection (i) that—
(i) amends any standard or operating rule described under paragraph (1) of this subsection; or
(ii) establishes a standard (as described under subsection (a)(1)(B)) or associated operating rules (as described under subsection (i)(5)) for any other financial and administrative transactions.
(B) Date of compliance
A health plan shall comply with such requirements not later than the effective date of the applicable standard or operating rule.
(6) Audits of health plans
The Secretary shall conduct periodic audits to ensure that health plans (including entities described under paragraph (3)) are in compliance with any standards and operating rules that are described under paragraph (1) or subsection (i)(5).
(i) Review and amendment of standards and operating rules
(1) Establishment
Not later than January 1, 2014, the Secretary shall establish a review committee (as described under paragraph (4)).
(2) Evaluations and reports
(A) Hearings
Not later than April 1, 2014, and not less than biennially thereafter, the Secretary, acting through the review committee, shall conduct hearings to evaluate and review the adopted standards and operating rules established under this section.
(B) Report
Not later than July 1, 2014, and not less than biennially thereafter, the review committee shall provide recommendations for updating and improving such standards and operating rules. The review committee shall recommend a single set of operating rules per transaction standard and maintain the goal of creating as much uniformity as possible in the implementation of the electronic standards.
(3) Interim final rulemaking
(A) In general
Any recommendations to amend adopted standards and operating rules that have been approved by the review committee and reported to the Secretary under paragraph (2)(B) shall be adopted by the Secretary through promulgation of an interim final rule not later than 90 days after receipt of the committee's report.
(B) Public comment
(i) Public comment period
The Secretary shall accept and consider public comments on any interim final rule published under this paragraph for 60 days after the date of such publication.
(ii) Effective date
The effective date of any amendment to existing standards or operating rules that is adopted through an interim final rule published under this paragraph shall be 25 months following the close of such public comment period.
(4) Review committee
(A) Definition
For the purposes of this subsection, the term "review committee' means a committee chartered by or within the Department of Health and Human services that has been designated by the Secretary to carry out this subsection, including—
(i) the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics; or
(ii) any appropriate committee as determined by the Secretary.
(B) Coordination of hit standards
In developing recommendations under this subsection, the review committee shall ensure coordination, as appropriate, with the standards that support the certified electronic health record technology approved by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
(5) Operating rules for other standards adopted by the Secretary
The Secretary shall adopt a single set of operating rules (pursuant to the process described under subsection (g)) for any transaction for which a standard had been adopted pursuant to subsection (a)(1)(B).
(j) Penalties
(1) Penalty fee
(A) In general
Not later than April 1, 2014, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall assess a penalty fee (as determined under subparagraph (B)) against a health plan that has failed to meet the requirements under subsection (h) with respect to certification and documentation of compliance with—
(i) the standards and associated operating rules described under paragraph (1) of such subsection; and
(ii) a standard (as described under subsection (a)(1)(B)) and associated operating rules (as described under subsection (i)(5)) for any other financial and administrative transactions.
(B) Fee amount
Subject to subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E), the Secretary shall assess a penalty fee against a health plan in the amount of $1 per covered life until certification is complete. The penalty shall be assessed per person covered by the plan for which its data systems for major medical policies are not in compliance and shall be imposed against the health plan for each day that the plan is not in compliance with the requirements under subsection (h).
(C) Additional penalty for misrepresentation
A health plan that knowingly provides inaccurate or incomplete information in a statement of certification or documentation of compliance under subsection (h) shall be subject to a penalty fee that is double the amount that would otherwise be imposed under this subsection.
(D) Annual fee increase
The amount of the penalty fee imposed under this subsection shall be increased on an annual basis by the annual percentage increase in total national health care expenditures, as determined by the Secretary.
(E) Penalty limit
A penalty fee assessed against a health plan under this subsection shall not exceed, on an annual basis—
(i) an amount equal to $20 per covered life under such plan; or
(ii) an amount equal to $40 per covered life under the plan if such plan has knowingly provided inaccurate or incomplete information (as described under subparagraph (C)).
(F) Determination of covered individuals
The Secretary shall determine the number of covered lives under a health plan based upon the most recent statements and filings that have been submitted by such plan to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(2) Notice and dispute procedure
The Secretary shall establish a procedure for assessment of penalty fees under this subsection that provides a health plan with reasonable notice and a dispute resolution procedure prior to provision of a notice of assessment by the Secretary of the Treasury (as described under paragraph (4)(B)).
(3) Penalty fee report
Not later than May 1, 2014, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall provide the Secretary of the Treasury with a report identifying those health plans that have been assessed a penalty fee under this subsection.
(4) Collection of penalty fee
(A) In general
The Secretary of the Treasury, acting through the Financial Management Service, shall administer the collection of penalty fees from health plans that have been identified by the Secretary in the penalty fee report provided under paragraph (3).
(B) Notice
Not later than August 1, 2014, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of the Treasury shall provide notice to each health plan that has been assessed a penalty fee by the Secretary under this subsection. Such notice shall include the amount of the penalty fee assessed by the Secretary and the due date for payment of such fee to the Secretary of the Treasury (as described in subparagraph (C)).
(C) Payment due date
Payment by a health plan for a penalty fee assessed under this subsection shall be made to the Secretary of the Treasury not later than November 1, 2014, and annually thereafter.
(D) Unpaid penalty fees
Any amount of a penalty fee assessed against a health plan under this subsection for which payment has not been made by the due date provided under subparagraph (C) shall be—
(i) increased by the interest accrued on such amount, as determined pursuant to the underpayment rate established under section 6621 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
(ii) treated as a past-due, legally enforceable debt owed to a Federal agency for purposes of section 6402(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(E) Administrative fees
Any fee charged or allocated for collection activities conducted by the Financial Management Service will be passed on to a health plan on a pro-rata basis and added to any penalty fee collected from the plan.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1173, as added
References in Text
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (g)(1), (2)(D), is
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (j)(4)(D)(i), (ii), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1173 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(J).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsecs. (g) to (j).
Promulgation of Rules
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
Activities and Items for Initial Consideration; ICD Coding Crosswalks
"(b)
"(1) Whether the application process, including the use of a uniform application form, for enrollment of health care providers by health plans could be made electronic and standardized.
"(2) Whether standards and operating rules described in section 1173 of the Social Security Act should apply to the health care transactions of automobile insurance, worker's compensation, and other programs or persons not described in section 1172(a) of such Act (
"(3) Whether standardized forms could apply to financial audits required by health plans, Federal and State agencies (including State auditors, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), and other relevant entities as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
"(4) Whether there could be greater transparency and consistency of methodologies and processes used to establish claim edits used by health plans (as described in section 1171(5) of the Social Security Act (
"(5) Whether health plans should be required to publish their timeliness of payment rules.
"(c) ICD
"(1) ICD–9
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
Recommendations With Respect to Privacy of Certain Health Information
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) The rights that an individual who is a subject of individually identifiable health information should have.
"(2) The procedures that should be established for the exercise of such rights.
"(3) The uses and disclosures of such information that should be authorized or required.
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(d)
"(1) the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics established under section 306(k) of the Public Health Service Act (
"(2) the Attorney General."
Ex. Ord. No. 13181. To Protect the Privacy of Protected Health Information in Oversight Investigations
Ex. Ord. No. 13181, Dec. 20, 2000, 65 F.R. 81321, provided:
By the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is ordered as follows:
It shall be the policy of the Government of the United States that law enforcement may not use protected health information concerning an individual that is discovered during the course of health oversight activities for unrelated civil, administrative, or criminal investigations of a non-health oversight matter, except when the balance of relevant factors weighs clearly in favor of its use. That is, protected health information may not be so used unless the public interest and the need for disclosure clearly outweigh the potential for injury to the patient, to the physician-patient relationship, and to the treatment services. Protecting the privacy of patients' protected health information promotes trust in the health care system. It improves the quality of health care by fostering an environment in which patients can feel more comfortable in providing health care professionals with accurate and detailed information about their personal health. In order to provide greater protections to patients' privacy, the Department of Health and Human Services is issuing final regulations concerning the confidentiality of individually identifiable health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 [
Under the new HIPAA regulations, health oversight investigators will appropriately have ready access to medical records for oversight purposes. Health oversight investigators generally do not seek access to the medical records of a particular patient, but instead review large numbers of records to determine whether a health care provider or organization is violating the law, such as through fraud against the Medicare system. Access to many health records is often necessary in order to gain enough evidence to detect and bring enforcement actions against fraud in the health care system. Stricter rules apply under the HIPAA regulations, however, when law enforcement officials seek protected health information in order to investigate criminal activity outside of the health oversight realm.
In the course of their efforts to protect the health care system, health oversight investigators may also uncover evidence of wrongdoing unrelated to the health care system, such as evidence of criminal conduct by an individual who has sought health care. For records containing that evidence, the issue thus arises whether the information should be available for law enforcement purposes under the less restrictive oversight rules or the more restrictive rules that apply to non-oversight criminal investigations.
A similar issue has arisen in other circumstances. Under
(a) "Health oversight activities" shall include the oversight activities enumerated in the regulations concerning the confidentiality of individually identifiable health information promulgated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services pursuant to the "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996," as amended [
(b) "Protected health information" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the regulations concerning the confidentiality of individually identifiable health information promulgated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services pursuant to the "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996," as amended.
(c) "Injury to the patient" includes injury to the privacy interests of the patient.
(a) Protected health information concerning an individual patient discovered during the course of health oversight activities shall not be used against that individual patient in an unrelated civil, administrative, or criminal investigation of a non-health oversight matter unless the Deputy Attorney General of the U.S Department of Justice, or insofar as the protected health information involves members of the Armed Forces, the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Defense, has authorized such use.
(b) In assessing whether protected health information should be used under subparagraph (a) of this section, the Deputy Attorney General shall permit such use upon concluding that the balance of relevant factors weighs clearly in favor of its use. That is, the Deputy Attorney General shall permit disclosure if the public interest and the need for disclosure clearly outweigh the potential for injury to the patient, to the physician-patient relationship, and to the treatment services.
(c) Upon the decision to use protected health information under subparagraph (a) of this section, the Deputy Attorney General, in determining the extent to which this information should be used, shall impose appropriate safeguards against unauthorized use.
(d) On an annual basis, the Department of Justice, in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services, shall provide to the President of the United States a report that includes the following information:
(i) the number of requests made to the Deputy Attorney General for authorization to use protected health information discovered during health oversight activities in a non-health oversight, unrelated investigation;
(ii) the number of requests that were granted as applied for, granted as modified, or denied;
(iii) the agencies that made the applications, and the number of requests made by each agency; and
(iv) the uses for which the protected health information was authorized.
(e) The General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Defense will comply with the requirements of subparagraphs (b), (c), and (d), above. The General Counsel also will prepare a report, consistent with the requirements of subparagraphs (d)(i) through (d)(iv), above, and will forward it to the Department of Justice where it will be incorporated into the Department's annual report to the President.
(a) Nothing in this Executive Order shall place a restriction on the derivative use of protected health information that was obtained by a law enforcement agency in a non-health oversight investigation.
(b) Nothing in this Executive Order shall be interpreted to place a restriction on a duty imposed by statute.
(c) Nothing in this Executive Order shall place any additional limitation on the derivative use of health information obtained by the Attorney General pursuant to the provisions of
(d) This order does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by a party against the United States, the officers and employees, or any other person.
William J. Clinton.
§1320d–3. Timetables for adoption of standards
(a) Initial standards
The Secretary shall carry out
(b) Additions and modifications to standards
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall review the standards adopted under
(2) Special rules
(A) First 12-month period
Except with respect to additions and modifications to code sets under subparagraph (B), the Secretary may not adopt any modification to a standard adopted under this part during the 12-month period beginning on the date the standard is initially adopted, unless the Secretary determines that the modification is necessary in order to permit compliance with the standard.
(B) Additions and modifications to code sets
(i) In general
The Secretary shall ensure that procedures exist for the routine maintenance, testing, enhancement, and expansion of code sets.
(ii) Additional rules
If a code set is modified under this subsection, the modified code set shall include instructions on how data elements of health information that were encoded prior to the modification may be converted or translated so as to preserve the informational value of the data elements that existed before the modification. Any modification to a code set under this subsection shall be implemented in a manner that minimizes the disruption and cost of complying with such modification.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1174, as added
§1320d–4. Requirements
(a) Conduct of transactions by plans
(1) In general
If a person desires to conduct a transaction referred to in
(A) the health plan may not refuse to conduct such transaction as a standard transaction;
(B) the insurance plan may not delay such transaction, or otherwise adversely affect, or attempt to adversely affect, the person or the transaction on the ground that the transaction is a standard transaction; and
(C) the information transmitted and received in connection with the transaction shall be in the form of standard data elements of health information.
(2) Satisfaction of requirements
A health plan may satisfy the requirements under paragraph (1) by—
(A) directly transmitting and receiving standard data elements of health information; or
(B) submitting nonstandard data elements to a health care clearinghouse for processing into standard data elements and transmission by the health care clearinghouse, and receiving standard data elements through the health care clearinghouse.
(3) Timetable for compliance
Paragraph (1) shall not be construed to require a health plan to comply with any standard, implementation specification, or modification to a standard or specification adopted or established by the Secretary under
(b) Compliance with standards
(1) Initial compliance
(A) In general
Not later than 24 months after the date on which an initial standard or implementation specification is adopted or established under
(B) Special rule for small health plans
In the case of a small health plan, paragraph (1) shall be applied by substituting "36 months" for "24 months". For purposes of this subsection, the Secretary shall determine the plans that qualify as small health plans.
(2) Compliance with modified standards
If the Secretary adopts a modification to a standard or implementation specification under this part, each person to whom the standard or implementation specification applies shall comply with the modified standard or implementation specification at such time as the Secretary determines appropriate, taking into account the time needed to comply due to the nature and extent of the modification. The time determined appropriate under the preceding sentence may not be earlier than the last day of the 180-day period beginning on the date such modification is adopted. The Secretary may extend the time for compliance for small health plans, if the Secretary determines that such extension is appropriate.
(3) Construction
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit any person from complying with a standard or specification by—
(A) submitting nonstandard data elements to a health care clearinghouse for processing into standard data elements and transmission by the health care clearinghouse; or
(B) receiving standard data elements through a health care clearinghouse.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1175, as added
Extension of Deadline for Covered Entities Submitting Compliance Plans
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) An analysis reflecting the extent to which, and the reasons why, the person is not in compliance.
"(B) A budget, schedule, work plan, and implementation strategy for achieving compliance.
"(C) Whether the person plans to use or might use a contractor or other vendor to assist the person in achieving compliance.
"(D) A timeframe for testing that begins not later than April 16, 2003.
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(A)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(B)
"(C)
"(i) described in section 1172(c)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act (
"(ii) designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 162.910(a) of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations.
"(D)
"(i)
"(I) trade secrets;
"(II) commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential; and
"(III) other information the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
"(ii)
"(6)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(D)
"(i) submits a plan in accordance with paragraph (2); or
"(ii) who is in compliance with the applicable requirements of subparts I through R of part 162 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, on or before October 16, 2002.
"(b)
"(1)
"(A) as modifying the October 16, 2003, deadline for a small health plan to comply with the requirements of subparts I through R of part 162 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations; or
"(B) as modifying—
"(i) the April 14, 2003, deadline for a health care provider, a health plan (other than a small health plan), or a health care clearinghouse to comply with the requirements of subpart E of part 164 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations; or
"(ii) the April 14, 2004, deadline for a small health plan to comply with the requirements of such subpart.
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(i) A health care claims or equivalent encounter information transaction.
"(ii) A health care payment and remittance advice transaction.
"(iii) A coordination of benefits transaction.
"(iv) A health care claim status transaction.
"(v) An enrollment and disenrollment in a health plan transaction.
"(vi) An eligibility for a health plan transaction.
"(vii) A health plan premium payments transaction.
"(viii) A referral certification and authorization transaction.
"(c)
"(1) the terms 'health care provider', 'health plan', and 'health care clearinghouse' have the meaning given those terms in section 1171 of the Social Security Act (
"(2) the terms 'small health plan' and 'transaction' have the meaning given those terms in section 160.103 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations; and
"(3) the terms 'health care claims or equivalent encounter information transaction', 'health care payment and remittance advice transaction', 'coordination of benefits transaction', 'health care claim status transaction', 'enrollment and disenrollment in a health plan transaction', 'eligibility for a health plan transaction', 'health plan premium payments transaction', and 'referral certification and authorization transaction' have the meanings given those terms in sections 162.1101, 162.1601, 162.1801, 162.1401, 162.1501, 162.1201, 162.1701, and 162.1301 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, respectively."
§1320d–5. General penalty for failure to comply with requirements and standards
(a) General penalty
(1) In general
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall impose on any person who violates a provision of this part—
(A) in the case of a violation of such provision in which it is established that the person did not know (and by exercising reasonable diligence would not have known) that such person violated such provision, a penalty for each such violation of an amount that is at least the amount described in paragraph (3)(A) but not to exceed the amount described in paragraph (3)(D);
(B) in the case of a violation of such provision in which it is established that the violation was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, a penalty for each such violation of an amount that is at least the amount described in paragraph (3)(B) but not to exceed the amount described in paragraph (3)(D); and
(C) in the case of a violation of such provision in which it is established that the violation was due to willful neglect—
(i) if the violation is corrected as described in subsection (b)(3)(A),1 a penalty in an amount that is at least the amount described in paragraph (3)(C) but not to exceed the amount described in paragraph (3)(D); and
(ii) if the violation is not corrected as described in such subsection, a penalty in an amount that is at least the amount described in paragraph (3)(D).
In determining the amount of a penalty under this section for a violation, the Secretary shall base such determination on the nature and extent of the violation and the nature and extent of the harm resulting from such violation.
(2) Procedures
The provisions of
(3) Tiers of penalties described
For purposes of paragraph (1), with respect to a violation by a person of a provision of this part—
(A) the amount described in this subparagraph is $100 for each such violation, except that the total amount imposed on the person for all such violations of an identical requirement or prohibition during a calendar year may not exceed $25,000;
(B) the amount described in this subparagraph is $1,000 for each such violation, except that the total amount imposed on the person for all such violations of an identical requirement or prohibition during a calendar year may not exceed $100,000;
(C) the amount described in this subparagraph is $10,000 for each such violation, except that the total amount imposed on the person for all such violations of an identical requirement or prohibition during a calendar year may not exceed $250,000; and
(D) the amount described in this subparagraph is $50,000 for each such violation, except that the total amount imposed on the person for all such violations of an identical requirement or prohibition during a calendar year may not exceed $1,500,000.
(b) Limitations
(1) Offenses otherwise punishable
No penalty may be imposed under subsection (a) and no damages obtained under subsection (d) with respect to an act if a penalty has been imposed under
(2) Failures due to reasonable cause
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B) or subsection (a)(1)(C), no penalty may be imposed under subsection (a) and no damages obtained under subsection (d) if the failure to comply is corrected during the 30-day period beginning on the first date the person liable for the penalty or damages knew, or by exercising reasonable diligence would have known, that the failure to comply occurred.
(B) Extension of period
(i) No penalty
With respect to the imposition of a penalty by the Secretary under subsection (a), the period referred to in subparagraph (A) may be extended as determined appropriate by the Secretary based on the nature and extent of the failure to comply.
(ii) Assistance
If the Secretary determines that a person failed to comply because the person was unable to comply, the Secretary may provide technical assistance to the person during the period described in subparagraph (A). Such assistance shall be provided in any manner determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(3) Reduction
In the case of a failure to comply which is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, any penalty under subsection (a) and any damages under subsection (d) that is 2 not entirely waived under paragraph (3) 3 may be waived to the extent that the payment of such penalty 4 would be excessive relative to the compliance failure involved.
(c) Noncompliance due to willful neglect
(1) In general
A violation of a provision of this part due to willful neglect is a violation for which the Secretary is required to impose a penalty under subsection (a)(1).
(2) Required investigation
For purposes of paragraph (1), the Secretary shall formally investigate any complaint of a violation of a provision of this part if a preliminary investigation of the facts of the complaint indicate such a possible violation due to willful neglect.
(d) Enforcement by State attorneys general
(1) Civil action
Except as provided in subsection (b), in any case in which the attorney general of a State has reason to believe that an interest of one or more of the residents of that State has been or is threatened or adversely affected by any person who violates a provision of this part, the attorney general of the State, as parens patriae, may bring a civil action on behalf of such residents of the State in a district court of the United States of appropriate jurisdiction—
(A) to enjoin further such violation by the defendant; or
(B) to obtain damages on behalf of such residents of the State, in an amount equal to the amount determined under paragraph (2).
(2) Statutory damages
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), the amount determined under this paragraph is the amount calculated by multiplying the number of violations by up to $100. For purposes of the preceding sentence, in the case of a continuing violation, the number of violations shall be determined consistent with the HIPAA privacy regulations (as defined in
(B) Limitation
The total amount of damages imposed on the person for all violations of an identical requirement or prohibition during a calendar year may not exceed $25,000.
(C) Reduction of damages
In assessing damages under subparagraph (A), the court may consider the factors the Secretary may consider in determining the amount of a civil money penalty under subsection (a) under the HIPAA privacy regulations.
(3) Attorney fees
In the case of any successful action under paragraph (1), the court, in its discretion, may award the costs of the action and reasonable attorney fees to the State.
(4) Notice to Secretary
The State shall serve prior written notice of any action under paragraph (1) upon the Secretary and provide the Secretary with a copy of its complaint, except in any case in which such prior notice is not feasible, in which case the State shall serve such notice immediately upon instituting such action. The Secretary shall have the right—
(A) to intervene in the action;
(B) upon so intervening, to be heard on all matters arising therein; and
(C) to file petitions for appeal.
(5) Construction
For purposes of bringing any civil action under paragraph (1), nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent an attorney general of a State from exercising the powers conferred on the attorney general by the laws of that State.
(6) Venue; service of process
(A) Venue
Any action brought under paragraph (1) may be brought in the district court of the United States that meets applicable requirements relating to venue under
(B) Service of process
In an action brought under paragraph (1), process may be served in any district in which the defendant—
(i) is an inhabitant; or
(ii) maintains a physical place of business.
(7) Limitation on State action while Federal action is pending
If the Secretary has instituted an action against a person under subsection (a) with respect to a specific violation of this part, no State attorney general may bring an action under this subsection against the person with respect to such violation during the pendency of that action.
(8) Application of CMP statute of limitation
A civil action may not be instituted with respect to a violation of this part unless an action to impose a civil money penalty may be instituted under subsection (a) with respect to such violation consistent with the second sentence of
(e) Allowing continued use of corrective action
Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services from continuing, in its discretion, to use corrective action without a penalty in cases where the person did not know (and by exercising reasonable diligence would not have known) of the violation involved.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1176, as added
Amendments
2009—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
"(i) the failure to comply was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect; and
"(ii) the failure to comply is corrected".
Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by
Amendment by section 13410(a)(1) of
Amendment by section 13410(d)(1)–(3) of
Amendment by section 13410(e)(1), (2) of
1 So in original. Probably should be "(b)(2)(A),".
2 So in original. Probably should be "are".
3 So in original. Probably should be "(2)".
4 So in original. The words "or damages" probably should appear after "penalty".
§1320d–6. Wrongful disclosure of individually identifiable health information
(a) Offense
A person who knowingly and in violation of this part—
(1) uses or causes to be used a unique health identifier;
(2) obtains individually identifiable health information relating to an individual; or
(3) discloses individually identifiable health information to another person,
shall be punished as provided in subsection (b) of this section. For purposes of the previous sentence, a person (including an employee or other individual) shall be considered to have obtained or disclosed individually identifiable health information in violation of this part if the information is maintained by a covered entity (as defined in the HIPAA privacy regulation described in
(b) Penalties
A person described in subsection (a) of this section shall—
(1) be fined not more than $50,000, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both;
(2) if the offense is committed under false pretenses, be fined not more than $100,000, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both; and
(3) if the offense is committed with intent to sell, transfer, or use individually identifiable health information for commercial advantage, personal gain, or malicious harm, be fined not more than $250,000, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1177, as added
Amendments
2009—Subsec. (a).
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by
§1320d–7. Effect on State law
(a) General effect
(1) General rule
Except as provided in paragraph (2), a provision or requirement under this part, or a standard or implementation specification adopted or established under
(2) Exceptions
A provision or requirement under this part, or a standard or implementation specification adopted or established under
(A) is a provision the Secretary determines—
(i) is necessary—
(I) to prevent fraud and abuse;
(II) to ensure appropriate State regulation of insurance and health plans;
(III) for State reporting on health care delivery or costs; or
(IV) for other purposes; or
(ii) addresses controlled substances; or
(B) subject to section 264(c)(2) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, relates to the privacy of individually identifiable health information.
(b) Public health
Nothing in this part shall be construed to invalidate or limit the authority, power, or procedures established under any law providing for the reporting of disease or injury, child abuse, birth, or death, public health surveillance, or public health investigation or intervention.
(c) State regulatory reporting
Nothing in this part shall limit the ability of a State to require a health plan to report, or to provide access to, information for management audits, financial audits, program monitoring and evaluation, facility licensure or certification, or individual licensure or certification.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1178, as added
References in Text
Section 264(c)(2) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B), is section 264(c)(2) of
§1320d–8. Processing payment transactions by financial institutions
To the extent that an entity is engaged in activities of a financial institution (as defined in
(1) The use or disclosure of information by the entity for authorizing, processing, clearing, settling, billing, transferring, reconciling or collecting, a payment for, or related to, health plan premiums or health care, where such payment is made by any means, including a credit, debit, or other payment card, an account, check, or electronic funds transfer.
(2) The request for, or the use or disclosure of, information by the entity with respect to a payment described in paragraph (1)—
(A) for transferring receivables;
(B) for auditing;
(C) in connection with—
(i) a customer dispute; or
(ii) an inquiry from, or to, a customer;
(D) in a communication to a customer of the entity regarding the customer's transactions, payment card, account, check, or electronic funds transfer;
(E) for reporting to consumer reporting agencies; or
(F) for complying with—
(i) a civil or criminal subpoena; or
(ii) a Federal or State law regulating the entity.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1179, as added
§1320d–9. Application of HIPAA regulations to genetic information
(a) In general
The Secretary shall revise the HIPAA privacy regulation (as defined in subsection (b)) so it is consistent with the following:
(1) Genetic information shall be treated as health information described in
(2) The use or disclosure by a covered entity that is a group health plan, health insurance issuer that issues health insurance coverage, or issuer of a medicare supplemental policy of protected health information that is genetic information about an individual for underwriting purposes under the group health plan, health insurance coverage, or medicare supplemental policy shall not be a permitted use or disclosure.
(b) Definitions
For purposes of this section:
(1) Genetic information; genetic test; family member
The terms "genetic information", "genetic test", and "family member" have the meanings given such terms in
(2) Group health plan; health insurance coverage; medicare supplemental policy
The terms "group health plan" and "health insurance coverage" have the meanings given such terms under
(3) HIPAA privacy regulation
The term "HIPAA privacy regulation" means the regulations promulgated by the Secretary under this part and section 264 of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (
(4) Underwriting purposes
The term "underwriting purposes" means, with respect to a group health plan, health insurance coverage, or a medicare supplemental policy—
(A) rules for, or determination of, eligibility (including enrollment and continued eligibility) for, or determination of, benefits under the plan, coverage, or policy;
(B) the computation of premium or contribution amounts under the plan, coverage, or policy;
(C) the application of any pre-existing condition exclusion under the plan, coverage, or policy; and
(D) other activities related to the creation, renewal, or replacement of a contract of health insurance or health benefits.
(c) Procedure
The revisions under subsection (a) shall be made by notice in the Federal Register published not later than 60 days after May 21, 2008, and shall be effective upon publication, without opportunity for any prior public comment, but may be revised, consistent with this section, after opportunity for public comment.
(d) Enforcement
In addition to any other sanctions or remedies that may be available under law, a covered entity that is a group health plan, health insurance issuer, or issuer of a medicare supplemental policy and that violates the HIPAA privacy regulation (as revised under subsection (a) or otherwise) with respect to the use or disclosure of genetic information shall be subject to the penalties described in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1180, as added
References in Text
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), probably means the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008,
Section 264 of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is section 264 of
Effective Date
Regulations
1 See References in Text note below.
Part D—Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research
§1320e. Comparative clinical effectiveness research
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Board
The term "Board" means the Board of Governors established under subsection (f).
(2) Comparative clinical effectiveness research; research
(A) In general
The terms "comparative clinical effectiveness research" and "research" mean research evaluating and comparing health outcomes and the clinical effectiveness, risks, and benefits of 2 or more medical treatments, services, and items described in subparagraph (B).
(B) Medical treatments, services, and items described
The medical treatments, services, and items described in this subparagraph are health care interventions, protocols for treatment, care management, and delivery, procedures, medical devices, diagnostic tools, pharmaceuticals (including drugs and biologicals), integrative health practices, and any other strategies or items being used in the treatment, management, and diagnosis of, or prevention of illness or injury in, individuals.
(3) Conflict of interest
The term "conflict of interest" means an association, including a financial or personal association, that have 1 the potential to bias or have 1 the appearance of biasing an individual's decisions in matters related to the Institute or the conduct of activities under this section.
(4) Real conflict of interest
The term "real conflict of interest" means any instance where a member of the Board, the methodology committee established under subsection (d)(6), or an advisory panel appointed under subsection (d)(4), or a close relative of such member, has received or could receive either of the following:
(A) A direct financial benefit of any amount deriving from the result or findings of a study conducted under this section.
(B) A financial benefit from individuals or companies that own or manufacture medical treatments, services, or items to be studied under this section that in the aggregate exceeds $10,000 per year. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a financial benefit includes honoraria, fees, stock, or other financial benefit and the current value of the member or close relative's already existing stock holdings, in addition to any direct financial benefit deriving from the results or findings of a study conducted under this section.
(b) Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
(1) Establishment
There is authorized to be established a nonprofit corporation, to be known as the "Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute" (referred to in this section as the "Institute") which is neither an agency nor establishment of the United States Government.
(2) Application of provisions
The Institute shall be subject to the provisions of this section, and, to the extent consistent with this section, to the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act.
(3) Funding of comparative clinical effectiveness research
For fiscal year 2010 and each subsequent fiscal year, amounts in the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (referred to in this section as the "PCORTF") under section 9511 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be available, without further appropriation, to the Institute to carry out this section.
(c) Purpose
The purpose of the Institute is to assist patients, clinicians, purchasers, and policy-makers in making informed health decisions by advancing the quality and relevance of evidence concerning the manner in which diseases, disorders, and other health conditions can effectively and appropriately be prevented, diagnosed, treated, monitored, and managed through research and evidence synthesis that considers variations in patient subpopulations, and the dissemination of research findings with respect to the relative health outcomes, clinical effectiveness, and appropriateness of the medical treatments, services, and items described in subsection (a)(2)(B).
(d) Duties
(1) Identifying research priorities and establishing research project agenda
(A) Identifying research priorities
The Institute shall identify national priorities for research, taking into account factors of disease incidence, prevalence, and burden in the United States (with emphasis on chronic conditions), gaps in evidence in terms of clinical outcomes, practice variations and health disparities in terms of delivery and outcomes of care, the potential for new evidence to improve patient health, well-being, and the quality of care, the effect on national expenditures associated with a health care treatment, strategy, or health conditions, as well as patient needs, outcomes, and preferences, the relevance to patients and clinicians in making informed health decisions, and priorities in the National Strategy for quality care established under section 399H 2 of the Public Health Service Act that are consistent with this section.
(B) Establishing research project agenda
The Institute shall establish and update a research project agenda for research to address the priorities identified under subparagraph (A), taking into consideration the types of research that might address each priority and the relative value (determined based on the cost of conducting research compared to the potential usefulness of the information produced by research) associated with the different types of research, and such other factors as the Institute determines appropriate.
(2) Carrying out research project agenda
(A) Research
The Institute shall carry out the research project agenda established under paragraph (1)(B) in accordance with the methodological standards adopted under paragraph (9) using methods, including the following:
(i) Systematic reviews and assessments of existing and future research and evidence including original research conducted subsequent to March 23, 2010.
(ii) Primary research, such as randomized clinical trials, molecularly informed trials, and observational studies.
(iii) Any other methodologies recommended by the methodology committee established under paragraph (6) that are adopted by the Board under paragraph (9).
(B) Contracts for the management of funding and conduct of research
(i) Contracts
(I) In general
In accordance with the research project agenda established under paragraph (1)(B), the Institute shall enter into contracts for the management of funding and conduct of research in accordance with the following:
(aa) Appropriate agencies and instrumentalities of the Federal Government.
(bb) Appropriate academic research, private sector research, or study-conducting entities.
(II) Preference
In entering into contracts under subclause (I), the Institute shall give preference to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the National Institutes of Health, but only if the research to be conducted or managed under such contract is authorized by the governing statutes of such Agency or Institutes.
(ii) Conditions for contracts
A contract entered into under this subparagraph shall require that the agency, instrumentality, or other entity—
(I) abide by the transparency and conflicts of interest requirements under subsection (h) that apply to the Institute with respect to the research managed or conducted under such contract;
(II) comply with the methodological standards adopted under paragraph (9) with respect to such research;
(III) consult with the expert advisory panels for clinical trials and rare disease appointed under clauses (ii) and (iii), respectively, of paragraph (4)(A);
(IV) subject to clause (iv), permit a researcher who conducts original research, as described in subparagraph (A)(ii), under the contract for the agency, instrumentality, or other entity to have such research published in a peer-reviewed journal or other publication, as long as the researcher enters into a data use agreement with the Institute for use of the data from the original research, as appropriate;
(V) have appropriate processes in place to manage data privacy and meet ethical standards for the research;
(VI) comply with the requirements of the Institute for making the information available to the public under paragraph (8); and
(VII) comply with other terms and conditions determined necessary by the Institute to carry out the research agenda adopted under paragraph (2).
(iii) Coverage of copayments or coinsurance
A contract entered into under this subparagraph may allow for the coverage of copayments or coinsurance, or allow for other appropriate measures, to the extent that such coverage or other measures are necessary to preserve the validity of a research project, such as in the case where the research project must be blinded.
(iv) Subsequent use of the data
The Institute shall not allow the subsequent use of data from original research in work-for-hire contracts with individuals, entities, or instrumentalities that have a financial interest in the results, unless approved under a data use agreement with the Institute.
(C) Review and update of evidence
The Institute shall review and update evidence on a periodic basis as appropriate.
(D) Taking into account potential differences
Research shall be designed, as appropriate, to take into account the potential for differences in the effectiveness of health care treatments, services, and items as used with various subpopulations, such as racial and ethnic minorities, women, age, and groups of individuals with different comorbidities, genetic and molecular sub-types, or quality of life preferences and include members of such subpopulations as subjects in the research as feasible and appropriate.
(E) Differences in treatment modalities
Research shall be designed, as appropriate, to take into account different characteristics of treatment modalities that may affect research outcomes, such as the phase of the treatment modality in the innovation cycle and the impact of the skill of the operator of the treatment modality.
(3) Data collection
(A) In general
The Secretary shall, with appropriate safeguards for privacy, make available to the Institute such data collected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services under the programs under subchapters XVIII, XIX, and XXI, as well as provide access to the data networks developed under section 937(f) of the Public Health Service Act [
(B) Use of data
The Institute shall only use data provided to the Institute under subparagraph (A) in accordance with laws and regulations governing the release and use of such data, including applicable confidentiality and privacy standards.
(4) Appointing expert advisory panels
(A) Appointment
(i) In general
The Institute may appoint permanent or ad hoc expert advisory panels as determined appropriate to assist in identifying research priorities and establishing the research project agenda under paragraph (1) and for other purposes.
(ii) Expert advisory panels for clinical trials
The Institute shall appoint expert advisory panels in carrying out randomized clinical trials under the research project agenda under paragraph (2)(A)(ii). Such expert advisory panels shall advise the Institute and the agency, instrumentality, or entity conducting the research on the research question involved and the research design or protocol, including important patient subgroups and other parameters of the research. Such panels shall be available as a resource for technical questions that may arise during the conduct of such research.
(iii) Expert advisory panel for rare disease
In the case of a research study for rare disease, the Institute shall appoint an expert advisory panel for purposes of assisting in the design of the research study and determining the relative value and feasibility of conducting the research study.
(B) Composition
An expert advisory panel appointed under subparagraph (A) shall include representatives of practicing and research clinicians, patients, and experts in scientific and health services research, health services delivery, and evidence-based medicine who have experience in the relevant topic, and as appropriate, experts in integrative health and primary prevention strategies. The Institute may include a technical expert of each manufacturer or each medical technology that is included under the relevant topic, project, or category for which the panel is established.
(5) Supporting patient and consumer representatives
The Institute shall provide support and resources to help patient and consumer representatives effectively participate on the Board and expert advisory panels appointed by the Institute under paragraph (4).
(6) Establishing methodology committee
(A) In general
The Institute shall establish a standing methodology committee to carry out the functions described in subparagraph (C).
(B) Appointment and composition
The methodology committee established under subparagraph (A) shall be composed of not more than 15 members appointed by the Comptroller General of the United States. Members appointed to the methodology committee shall be experts in their scientific field, such as health services research, clinical research, comparative clinical effectiveness research, biostatistics, genomics, and research methodologies. Stakeholders with such expertise may be appointed to the methodology committee. In addition to the members appointed under the first sentence, the Directors of the National Institutes of Health and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (or their designees) shall each be included as members of the methodology committee.
(C) Functions
Subject to subparagraph (D), the methodology committee shall work to develop and improve the science and methods of comparative clinical effectiveness research by, not later than 18 months after the establishment of the Institute, directly or through subcontract, developing and periodically updating the following:
(i) Methodological standards for research. Such methodological standards shall provide specific criteria for internal validity, generalizability, feasibility, and timeliness of research and for health outcomes measures, risk adjustment, and other relevant aspects of research and assessment with respect to the design of research. Any methodological standards developed and updated under this subclause 3 shall be scientifically based and include methods by which new information, data, or advances in technology are considered and incorporated into ongoing research projects by the Institute, as appropriate. The process for developing and updating such standards shall include input from relevant experts, stakeholders, and decisionmakers, and shall provide opportunities for public comment. Such standards shall also include methods by which patient subpopulations can be accounted for and evaluated in different types of research. As appropriate, such standards shall build on existing work on methodological standards for defined categories of health interventions and for each of the major categories of comparative clinical effectiveness research methods (determined as of March 23, 2010).
(ii) A translation table that is designed to provide guidance and act as a reference for the Board to determine research methods that are most likely to address each specific research question.
(D) Consultation and conduct of examinations
The methodology committee may consult and contract with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies and academic, nonprofit, or other private and governmental entities with relevant expertise to carry out activities described in subparagraph (C) and may consult with relevant stakeholders to carry out such activities.
(E) Reports
The methodology committee shall submit reports to the Board on the committee's performance of the functions described in subparagraph (C). Reports shall contain recommendations for the Institute to adopt methodological standards developed and updated by the methodology committee as well as other actions deemed necessary to comply with such methodological standards.
(7) Providing for a peer-review process for primary research
(A) In general
The Institute shall ensure that there is a process for peer review of primary research described in subparagraph (A)(ii) of paragraph (2) that is conducted under such paragraph. Under such process—
(i) evidence from such primary research shall be reviewed to assess scientific integrity and adherence to methodological standards adopted under paragraph (9); and
(ii) a list of the names of individuals contributing to any peer-review process during the preceding year or years shall be made public and included in annual reports in accordance with paragraph (10)(D).
(B) Composition
Such peer-review process shall be designed in a manner so as to avoid bias and conflicts of interest on the part of the reviewers and shall be composed of experts in the scientific field relevant to the research under review.
(C) Use of existing processes
(i) Processes of another entity
In the case where the Institute enters into a contract or other agreement with another entity for the conduct or management of research under this section, the Institute may utilize the peer-review process of such entity if such process meets the requirements under subparagraphs (A) and (B).
(ii) Processes of appropriate medical journals
The Institute may utilize the peer-review process of appropriate medical journals if such process meets the requirements under subparagraphs (A) and (B).
(8) Release of research findings
(A) In general
The Institute shall, not later than 90 days after the conduct or receipt of research findings under this part, make such research findings available to clinicians, patients, and the general public. The Institute shall ensure that the research findings—
(i) convey the findings of research in a manner that is comprehensible and useful to patients and providers in making health care decisions;
(ii) fully convey findings and discuss considerations specific to certain subpopulations, risk factors, and comorbidities, as appropriate;
(iii) include limitations of the research and what further research may be needed as appropriate;
(iv) do not include practice guidelines, coverage recommendations, payment, or policy recommendations; and
(v) not include any data which would violate the privacy of research participants or any confidentiality agreements made with respect to the use of data under this section.
(B) Definition of research findings
In this paragraph, the term "research findings" means the results of a study or assessment.
(9) Adoption
Subject to subsection (h)(1), the Institute shall adopt the national priorities identified under paragraph (1)(A), the research project agenda established under paragraph (1)(B), the methodological standards developed and updated by the methodology committee under paragraph (6)(C)(i), and any peer-review process provided under paragraph (7) by majority vote. In the case where the Institute does not adopt such processes in accordance with the preceding sentence, the processes shall be referred to the appropriate staff or entity within the Institute (or, in the case of the methodological standards, the methodology committee) for further review.
(10) Annual reports
The Institute shall submit an annual report to Congress and the President, and shall make the annual report available to the public. Such report shall contain—
(A) a description of the activities conducted under this section, research priorities identified under paragraph (1)(A) and methodological standards developed and updated by the methodology committee under paragraph (6)(C)(i) that are adopted under paragraph (9) during the preceding year;
(B) the research project agenda and budget of the Institute for the following year;
(C) any administrative activities conducted by the Institute during the preceding year;
(D) the names of individuals contributing to any peer-review process under paragraph (7), without identifying them with a particular research project; and
(E) any other relevant information (including information on the membership of the Board, expert advisory panels, methodology committee, and the executive staff of the Institute, any conflicts of interest with respect to these individuals, and any bylaws adopted by the Board during the preceding year).
(e) Administration
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), the Board shall carry out the duties of the Institute.
(2) Nondelegable duties
The activities described in subsections (d)(1) and (d)(9) are nondelegable.
(f) Board of Governors
(1) In general
The Institute shall have a Board of Governors, which shall consist of the following members:
(A) The Director of Agency 4 for Healthcare Research and Quality (or the Director's designee).
(B) The Director of the National Institutes of Health (or the Director's designee).
(C) Seventeen 5 members appointed, not later than 6 months after March 23, 2010, by the Comptroller General of the United States as follows:
(i) 3 members representing patients and health care consumers.
(ii) 7 members representing physicians and providers, including 4 members representing physicians (at least 1 of whom is a surgeon), 1 nurse, 1 State-licensed integrative health care practitioner, and 1 representative of a hospital.
(iii) 3 members representing private payers, of whom at least 1 member shall represent health insurance issuers and at least 1 member shall represent employers who self-insure employee benefits.
(iv) 3 members representing pharmaceutical, device, and diagnostic manufacturers or developers.
(v) 1 member representing quality improvement or independent health service researchers.
(vi) 2 members representing the Federal Government or the States, including at least 1 member representing a Federal health program or agency.
(2) Qualifications
The Board shall represent a broad range of perspectives and collectively have scientific expertise in clinical health sciences research, including epidemiology, decisions sciences, health economics, and statistics. In appointing the Board, the Comptroller General of the United States shall consider and disclose any conflicts of interest in accordance with subsection (h)(4)(B). Members of the Board shall be recused from relevant Institute activities in the case where the member (or an immediate family member of such member) has a real conflict of interest directly related to the research project or the matter that could affect or be affected by such participation.
(3) Terms; vacancies
A member of the Board shall be appointed for a term of 6 years, except with respect to the members first appointed, whose terms of appointment shall be staggered evenly over 2-year increments. No individual shall be appointed to the Board for more than 2 terms. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made.
(4) Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
The Comptroller General of the United States shall designate a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Board from among the members of the Board. Such members shall serve as Chairperson or Vice Chairperson for a period of 3 years.
(5) Compensation
Each member of the Board who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be entitled to compensation (equivalent to the rate provided for level IV of the Executive Schedule under
(6) Director and staff; experts and consultants
The Board may employ and fix the compensation of an Executive Director and such other personnel as may be necessary to carry out the duties of the Institute and may seek such assistance and support of, or contract with, experts and consultants that may be necessary for the performance of the duties of the Institute.
(7) Meetings and hearings
The Board shall meet and hold hearings at the call of the Chairperson or a majority of its members. Meetings not solely concerning matters of personnel shall be advertised at least 7 days in advance and open to the public. A majority of the Board members shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may meet and hold hearings.
(g) Financial and governmental oversight
(1) Contract for audit
The Institute shall provide for the conduct of financial audits of the Institute on an annual basis by a private entity with expertise in conducting financial audits.
(2) Review and annual reports
(A) Review
The Comptroller General of the United States shall review the following:
(i) Not less frequently than on an annual basis, the financial audits conducted under paragraph (1).
(ii) Not less frequently than every 5 years, the processes established by the Institute, including the research priorities and the conduct of research projects, in order to determine whether information produced by such research projects is objective and credible, is produced in a manner consistent with the requirements under this section, and is developed through a transparent process.
(iii) Not less frequently than every 5 years, the dissemination and training activities and data networks established under section 937 of the Public Health Service Act [
(iv) Not less frequently than every 5 years, the overall effectiveness of activities conducted under this section and the dissemination, training, and capacity building activities conducted under section 937 of the Public Health Service Act. Such review shall include an analysis of the extent to which research findings are used by health care decision-makers, the effect of the dissemination of such findings on reducing practice variation and disparities in health care, and the effect of the research conducted and disseminated on innovation and the health care economy of the United States.
(v) Not later than 8 years after March 23, 2010, the adequacy and use of the funding for the Institute and the activities conducted under section 937 of the Public Health Service Act, including a determination as to whether, based on the utilization of research findings by public and private payers, funding sources for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund under section 9511 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 are appropriate and whether such sources of funding should be continued or adjusted.
(B) Annual reports
Not later than April 1 of each year, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the review conducted under subparagraph (A) with respect to the preceding year (or years, if applicable), together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.
(h) Ensuring transparency, credibility, and access
The Institute shall establish procedures to ensure that the following requirements for ensuring transparency, credibility, and access are met:
(1) Public comment periods
The Institute shall provide for a public comment period of not less than 45 days and not more than 60 days prior to the adoption under subsection (d)(9) of the national priorities identified under subsection (d)(1)(A), the research project agenda established under subsection (d)(1)(B), the methodological standards developed and updated by the methodology committee under subsection (d)(6)(C)(i), and the peer-review process provided under paragraph (7), and after the release of draft findings with respect to systematic reviews of existing research and evidence.
(2) Additional forums
The Institute shall support forums to increase public awareness and obtain and incorporate public input and feedback through media (such as an Internet website) on research priorities, research findings, and other duties, activities, or processes the Institute determines appropriate.
(3) Public availability
The Institute shall make available to the public and disclose through the official public Internet website of the Institute the following:
(A) Information contained in research findings as specified in subsection (d)(9).
(B) The process and methods for the conduct of research, including the identity of the entity and the investigators conducing 6 such research and any conflicts of interests of such parties, any direct or indirect links the entity has to industry, and research protocols, including measures taken, methods of research and analysis, research results, and such other information the Institute determines appropriate) 7 concurrent with the release of research findings.
(C) Notice of public comment periods under paragraph (1), including deadlines for public comments.
(D) Subsequent comments received during each of the public comment periods.
(E) In accordance with applicable laws and processes and as the Institute determines appropriate, proceedings of the Institute.
(4) Disclosure of conflicts of interest
(A) In general
A conflict of interest shall be disclosed in the following manner:
(i) By the Institute in appointing members to an expert advisory panel under subsection (d)(4), in selecting individuals to contribute to any peer-review process under subsection (d)(7), and for employment as executive staff of the Institute.
(ii) By the Comptroller General in appointing members of the methodology committee under subsection (d)(6);
(iii) By the Institute in the annual report under subsection (d)(10), except that, in the case of individuals contributing to any such peer review process, such description shall be in a manner such that those individuals cannot be identified with a particular research project.
(B) Manner of disclosure
Conflicts of interest shall be disclosed as described in subparagraph (A) as soon as practicable on the Internet web site of the Institute and of the Government Accountability Office. The information disclosed under the preceding sentence shall include the type, nature, and magnitude of the interests of the individual involved, except to the extent that the individual recuses himself or herself from participating in the consideration of or any other activity with respect to the study as to which the potential conflict exists.
(i) Rules
The Institute,8 its Board or staff, shall be prohibited from accepting gifts, bequeaths,9 or donations of services or property. In addition, the Institute shall be prohibited from establishing a corporation or generating revenues from activities other than as provided under this section.
(j) Rules of construction
(1) 10 Coverage
Nothing in this section shall be construed—
(A) to permit the Institute to mandate coverage, reimbursement, or other policies for any public or private payer; or
(B) as preventing the Secretary from covering the routine costs of clinical care received by an individual entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under subchapter XVIII, XIX, or XXI in the case where such individual is participating in a clinical trial and such costs would otherwise be covered under such subchapter with respect to the beneficiary.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1181, as added and amended
References in Text
The District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (b)(3) and (g)(2)(A)(v), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Section 399H of the Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(1)(A), probably means section 399HH of act July 1, 1944, which is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (d)(2)(B)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(8)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (f)(1)(C)(ii).
1 So in original. Probably should be "has".
2 See References in Text note below.
3 So in original. Probably should be "clause".
4 So in original. Probably should be preceded by "the".
5 So in original. Probably should be "Nineteen".
6 So in original. Probably should be "conducting".
8 So in original. Probably should be "Institute or".
9 So in original. Probably should be "bequests".
10 So in original. No par. (2) has been enacted.
§1320e–1. Limitations on certain uses of comparative clinical effectiveness research
(a) The Secretary may only use evidence and findings from research conducted under
(b) Nothing in
(1) superceding or modifying the coverage of items or services under subchapter XVIII that the Secretary determines are reasonable and necessary under
(2) authorizing the Secretary to deny coverage of items or services under such subchapter solely on the basis of comparative clinical effectiveness research.
(c)(1) The Secretary shall not use evidence or findings from comparative clinical effectiveness research conducted under
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not be construed as preventing the Secretary from using evidence or findings from such comparative clinical effectiveness research in determining coverage, reimbursement, or incentive programs under subchapter XVIII based upon a comparison of the difference in the effectiveness of alternative treatments in extending an individual's life due to the individual's age, disability, or terminal illness.
(d)(1) The Secretary shall not use evidence or findings from comparative clinical effectiveness research conducted under
(2)(A) 1 Paragraph (1) shall not be construed to—
(i) limit the application of differential copayments under subchapter XVIII based on factors such as cost or type of service; or
(ii) prevent the Secretary from using evidence or findings from such comparative clinical effectiveness research in determining coverage, reimbursement, or incentive programs under such subchapter based upon a comparison of the difference in the effectiveness of alternative health care treatments in extending an individual's life due to that individual's age, disability, or terminal illness.
(3) Nothing in the provisions of, or amendments made by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, shall be construed to limit comparative clinical effectiveness research or any other research, evaluation, or dissemination of information concerning the likelihood that a health care treatment will result in disability.
(e) The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute established under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1182, as added
References in Text
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(3), is
1 So in original. No subpar. (B) has been enacted.
§1320e–2. Trust Fund transfers to Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund
(a) In general
The Secretary shall provide for the transfer, from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under
(1) For fiscal year 2013, an amount equal to $1 multiplied by the average number of individuals entitled to benefits under part A, or enrolled under part B, of subchapter XVIII during such fiscal year.
(2) For each of fiscal years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, an amount equal to $2 multiplied by the average number of individuals entitled to benefits under part A, or enrolled under part B, of subchapter XVIII during such fiscal year.
(b) Adjustments for increases in health care spending
In the case of any fiscal year beginning after September 30, 2014, the dollar amount in effect under subsection (a)(2) for such fiscal year shall be equal to the sum of such dollar amount for the previous fiscal year (determined after the application of this subsection), plus an amount equal to the product of—
(1) such dollar amount for the previous fiscal year, multiplied by
(2) the percentage increase in the projected per capita amount of National Health Expenditures, as most recently published by the Secretary before the beginning of the fiscal year.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1183, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
SUBCHAPTER XII—ADVANCES TO STATE UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS
§1321. Eligibility requirements for transfer of funds; reimbursement by State; application; certification; limitation
(a)(1) Advances shall be made to the States from the Federal unemployment account in the Unemployment Trust Fund as provided in this section, and shall be repayable, with interest to the extent provided in
(A) the Governor of the State applies therefor no earlier than the first day of the month preceding the first month of such 3-month period, and
(B) he furnishes to the Secretary of Labor his estimate of the amount of an advance which will be required by the State for the payment of compensation in each month of such 3-month period.
(2) In the case of any application for an advance under this section to any State for any 3-month period, the Secretary of Labor shall—
(A) determine the amount (if any) which he finds will be required by such State for the payment of compensation in each month of such 3-month period, and
(B) certify to the Secretary of the Treasury the amount (not greater than the amount estimated by the Governor of the State) determined under subparagraph (A).
The aggregate of the amounts certified by the Secretary of Labor with respect to any 3-month period shall not exceed the amount which the Secretary of the Treasury reports to the Secretary of Labor is available in the Federal unemployment account for advances with respect to each month of such 3-month period.
(3) For purposes of this subsection—
(A) an application for an advance shall be made on such forms, and shall contain such information and data (fiscal and otherwise) concerning the operation and administration of the State unemployment compensation law, as the Secretary of Labor deems necessary or relevant to the performance of his duties under this subchapter,
(B) the amount required by any State for the payment of compensation in any month shall be determined with due allowance for contingencies and taking into account all other amounts that will be available in the State's unemployment fund for the payment of compensation in such month, and
(C) the term "compensation" means cash benefits payable to individuals with respect to their unemployment, exclusive of expenses of administration.
(b) The Secretary of the Treasury shall, prior to audit or settlement by the Government Accountability Office, transfer in monthly installments from the Federal unemployment account to the account of the State in the Unemployment Trust Fund the amount certified under subsection (a) of this section by the Secretary of Labor (but not exceeding that portion of the balance in the Federal unemployment account at the time of the transfer which is not restricted as to use pursuant to
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XII, §1201, as added Oct. 3, 1944, ch. 480, title IV, §402,
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (b).
1981—Subsec. (a)(1).
1976—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b).
1960—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1954—Act Aug. 5, 1954, amended section generally to provide that: (1) the first condition of eligibility for an advance is that the balance in the State unemployment fund at the close of a calendar quarter be less than the total of cash payments made by the State to individuals during the 12-month period which ends with such quarter; (2) the Governor of the State must apply for an advance during the quarter following the quarter specified in paragraph (1) of this section; and (3) the total amount certified for any one application may not exceed the amount paid out by the State for cash benefits in that particular quarter.
1950—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 28, 1950, substituted "January 1, 1952" for "January 1, 1950".
1947—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 6, 1947, substituted "June 30, 1947" for "June 30, 1945" and "January 1, 1950" for "July 1, 1947".
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Section 213(d) of
Effective Date of 1950 Amendment
Amendment by act Aug. 28, 1950, effective Jan. 1, 1950, see section 404(c) of act Aug. 28, 1950, set out as a note under
Termination Date
Section 4 of act Aug. 6, 1947, provided that: "Section 603 of the War Mobilization and Reconversion Act of 1944 [section 1651 note of Appendix to Title 50, War and National Defense] (terminating the provisions of such Act [sections 1651 to 1678 of Appendix to Title 50] on June 30, 1947) shall not be applicable in the case of the amendments made by title IV of such Act [sections 1666 and 1667 of Appendix to Title 50] to the Social Security Act [this section and
Applications for Transfer of Funds Under Former Provisions of Section 1321(a); Limitations
"(1) No amount shall be transferred on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 13, 1960] from the Federal unemployment account to the account of any State in the Unemployment Trust Fund pursuant to any application made under section 1201(a) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a) of this section] as in effect before such date; except that, if—
"(A) some but not all of an amount certified by the Secretary of Labor to the Secretary of the Treasury for transfer to the account of any State was transferred to such account before such date, and
"(B) the Governor of such State, after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 13, 1960], requests the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer all or any part of the remainder to such account,
the Secretary of the Treasury shall, prior to audit or settlement by the General Accounting Office [now Government Accountability Office], transfer from the Federal unemployment account to the account of such State in the Unemployment Trust Fund the amount so requested or (if smaller) the amount available in the Federal unemployment account at the time of the transfer. No such amount shall be transferred under this paragraph after the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 13, 1960].
"(2) For purposes of section 3302(c) of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act [
Advances to Alaska
Act June 1, 1955, ch. 118,
§1322. Repayment by State; certification; transfer; interest on loan; credit of interest on loan
(a) Repayment by State; certification; transfer
The Governor of any State may at any time request that funds be transferred from the account of such State to the Federal unemployment account in repayment of part or all of that balance of advances, made to such State under
(b) Interest on loan
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, each State shall pay interest on any advance made to such State under
(2) No interest shall be required to be paid under paragraph (1) with respect to any advance or advances made during any calendar year if—
(A) such advances are repaid in full before the close of September 30 of the calendar year in which the advances were made,
(B) no other advance was made to such State under
(C) such State meets funding goals, established under regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor, relating to the accounts of the States in the Unemployment Trust Fund.
(3)(A) Interest payable under paragraph (1) which was attributable to periods during any fiscal year shall be paid by the State to the Secretary of the Treasury prior to the first day of the following fiscal year. If interest is payable under paragraph (1) on any advance (hereinafter in this subparagraph referred to as the "first advance") by reason of another advance made to such State after September 30 of the calendar year in which the first advance was made, interest on such first advance attributable to periods before such September 30 shall be paid not later than the day after the date on which the other advance was made.
(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), in the case of any advance made during the last 5 months of any fiscal year, interest on such advance attributable to periods during such fiscal year shall not be required to be paid before the last day of the succeeding taxable year. Any interest the time for payment of which is deferred by the preceding sentence shall bear interest in the same manner as if it were an advance made on the day on which it would have been required to be paid but for this subparagraph.
(C)(i) In the case of any State which meets the requirements of clause (ii) for any calendar year, any interest otherwise required to be paid under this subsection during such calendar year shall be paid as follows—
(I) 25 percent of the amount otherwise required to be paid on or before any day during such calendar year shall be paid on or before such day; and
(II) 25 percent of the amount otherwise required to be paid on or before such day shall be paid on or before the corresponding day in each of the 3 succeeding calendar years.
No interest shall accrue on such deferred interest.
(ii) A State meets the requirements of this clause for any calendar year if the rate of insured unemployment (as determined for purposes of section 203 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970) under the State law of the period consisting of the first 6 months of the preceding calendar year equaled or exceeded 7.5 percent.
(4) The interest rate determined under this paragraph with respect to any calendar year is a percentage (but not in excess of 10 percent) determined by dividing—
(A) the aggregate amount credited under
(B) the aggregate of the average daily balances of the State accounts for such quarter as determined under
(5) Interest required to be paid under paragraph (1) shall not be paid (directly or indirectly) by a State from amounts in its unemployment fund. If the Secretary of Labor determines that any State action results in the paying of such interest directly or indirectly (by an equivalent reduction in State unemployment taxes or otherwise) from such unemployment fund, the Secretary of Labor shall not certify such State's unemployment compensation law under section 3304 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Such noncertification shall be made in accordance with section 3304(c) of such Code.
(6)(A) For purposes of paragraph (2), any voluntary repayment shall be applied against advances made under
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "voluntary repayment" means any repayment made under subsection (a) of this section.
(7) This subsection shall only apply to advances made on or after April 1, 1982.
(8)(A) With respect to interest due under this section on September 30 of 1983, 1984, or 1985 (other than interest previously deferred under paragraph (3)(C)), a State may pay 80 percent of such interest in four annual installments of at least 20 percent beginning with the year after the year in which it is otherwise due, if such State meets the criteria of subparagraph (B). No interest shall accrue on such deferred interest.
(B) To meet the criteria of this subparagraph a State must—
(i) have taken no action since October 1, 1982, which would reduce its net unemployment tax effort or the net solvency of its unemployment system (as determined for purposes of section 3302(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986); and
(ii)(I) have taken an action (as certified by the Secretary of Labor) after March 31, 1982, which would have increased revenue liabilities and decreased benefits under the State's unemployment compensation system (hereinafter referred to as a "solvency effort") by a combined total of the applicable percentage (as compared to such revenues and benefits as would have been in effect without such State action) for the calendar year for which the deferral is requested; or
(II) have had, for taxable year 1982, an average unemployment tax rate which was equal to or greater than 2.0 percent of the total of the wages (as determined without any limitation on amount) attributable to such State subject to contribution under the State unemployment compensation law with respect to such taxable year.
In the case of the first year for which there is a deferral (over a 4-year period) of the interest otherwise payable for such year, the applicable percentage shall be 25 percent. In the case of the second such year, the applicable percentage shall be 35 percent. In the case of the third such year, the applicable percentage shall be 50 percent.
(C)(i) The base year is the first year for which deferral under this provision is requested and subsequently granted. The Secretary of Labor shall estimate the unemployment rate for the base year. To determine whether a State meets the requirements of subparagraph (B)(ii)(I), the Secretary of Labor shall determine the percentage by which the benefits and taxes in the base year with the application of the action referred to in subparagraph (B)(ii)(I) are lower or greater, as the case may be, than such benefits and taxes would have been without the application of such action. In making this determination, the Secretary shall deem the application of the action referred to in subparagraph (B)(ii)(I) to have been effective for the base year to the same extent as such action is effective for the year following the year for which the deferral is sought. Once a deferral is approved under clause (ii)(I) of subparagraph (B) a State must continue to maintain its solvency effort. Failure to do so shall result in the State being required to make immediate payment of all deferred interest.
(ii) Increases in the taxable wage base from $6,000 to $7,000 or increases after 1984 in the maximum tax rate to 5.4 percent shall not be counted for purposes of meeting the requirement of subparagraph (B).
(D) In the case of a State which produces a solvency effort of 50 percent, 80 percent, and 90 percent rather than the 25 percent, 35 percent, and 50 percent required under subparagraph (B), the interest shall be computed at an interest rate which is 1 percentage point less than the otherwise applicable interest rate.
(9) Any interest otherwise due from a State on September 30 of a calendar year after 1982 may be deferred (and no interest shall accrue on such deferred interest) for a grace period of not to exceed 9 months if, for the most recent 12-month period for which data are available before the date such interest is otherwise due, the State had an average total unemployment rate of 13.5 percent or greater.
(10)(A) With respect to the period beginning on February 17, 2009, and ending on December 31, 2010—
(i) any interest payment otherwise due from a State under this subsection during such period shall be deemed to have been made by the State; and
(ii) no interest shall accrue during such period on any advance or advances made under
(B) The provisions of subparagraph (A) shall have no effect on the requirement for interest payments under this subsection after the period described in such subparagraph or on the accrual of interest under this subsection after such period.
(c) Credit of interest on loan
Interest paid by States in accordance with this section shall be credited to the Federal unemployment account established by
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XII, §1202, as added Aug. 5, 1954, ch. 657, §3,
References in Text
Section 203 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(C)(ii), is section 203 of
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b)(5), (8)(B)(i), is classified generally to Title 26.
Amendments
2009—Subsec. (b)(10).
1997—Subsec. (b)(2)(C).
1987—Subsec. (c).
1986—Subsec. (b)(5), (8)(B)(i).
1983—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(i).
Subsec. (b)(7).
Subsec. (b)(8), (9).
1982—Subsec. (b)(3)(C).
1981—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1960—
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 5404(b) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 9156(b) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Section 5(b) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Section 274(b) of
§1323. Repayable advances to Federal unemployment account
There are hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Federal unemployment account, as repayable advances, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter. Amounts appropriated as repayable advances shall be repaid by transfers from the Federal unemployment account to the general fund of the Treasury, at such times as the amount in the Federal unemployment account is determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, to be adequate for such purpose. Any amount transferred as a repayment under this section shall be credited against, and shall operate to reduce, any balance of advances repayable under this section. Whenever, after the application of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XII, §1203, as added Aug. 5, 1954, ch. 657, §3,
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those comprising the first sentence of this section were contained in section 1322(c), act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XII, §1202(c), as added Aug. 5, 1954, ch. 657, §3,
Amendments
1987—
1983—
1970—
1960—
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by
Retransfer of Amounts Transferred From Federal Unemployment Account to Employment Security Administration Account as of September 30, 1983
Section 205(b) of
§1324. "Governor" defined
When used in this subchapter, the term "Governor" includes the Mayor of the District of Columbia.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XII, §1204, as added
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those comprising this section were contained in section 1323, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XII, §1203, as added Aug. 5, 1954, ch. 657, §3,
Transfer of Functions
Except as otherwise provided in Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1967, eff. Nov. 3, 1967 (in part), 32 F.R. 11669,
SUBCHAPTER XIII—RECONVERSION UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR SEAMEN
§§1331 to 1336. Repealed. Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title VI, §2663(f), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1168
Section 1331, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIII, §1301, as added Aug. 10, 1946, ch. 951, title III, §306,
Section 1332, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIII, §1302, as added Aug. 10, 1946, ch. 951, title III, §306,
Section 1333, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIII, §1303, as added Aug. 10, 1946, ch. 951, title III, §306,
Section 1334, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIII, §1304, as added Aug. 10, 1946, ch. 951, title III, §306,
Section 1335, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIII, §1305, as added Aug. 10, 1946, ch. 951, title III, §306,
Section 1336, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIII, §1306, as added Aug. 10, 1946, ch. 951, title III, §306,
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective July 18, 1984, but such repeal shall not be construed as changing or affecting any right, liability, status, or interpretation which existed before that date, see section 2664(b) of
SUBCHAPTER XIV—GRANTS TO STATES FOR AID TO PERMANENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABLED
Repeal of Subchapter; Inapplicability of Repeal to Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands
§1351. Authorization of appropriations
For the purpose of enabling each State to furnish financial assistance, as far as practicable under the conditions in such State, to needy individuals eighteen years of age and older who are permanently and totally disabled, there is hereby authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year a sum sufficient to carry out the purposes of this subchapter. The sums made available under this section shall be used for making payments to States which have submitted, and had approved by the Secretary, State plans for aid to the permanently and totally disabled.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIV, §1401, as added Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title III, pt. 5, §351,
Repeal of Section
Amendments
1981—
1962—
1956—Act Aug. 1, 1956, restated purpose to include assistance to individuals to attain self-support of self-care.
Transfer of Functions
Functions of Federal Security Administrator transferred to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and all agencies of Federal Security Agency transferred to Department of Health, Education, and Welfare by section 5 of Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1953, set out as a note under
§1352. State plans for aid to permanently and totally disabled
(a) A State plan for aid to the permanently and totally disabled must (1) except to the extent permitted by the Secretary with respect to services, provide that it shall be in effect in all political subdivisions of the State, and, if administered by them, be mandatory upon them; (2) provide for financial participation by the State; (3) either provide for the establishment or designation of a single State agency to administer the plan, or provide for the establishment or designation of a single State agency to supervise the administration of the plan; (4) provide (A) for granting an opportunity for a fair hearing before the State agency to any individual whose claim for aid to the permanently and totally disabled is denied or is not acted upon with reasonable promptness, and (B) that if the State plan is administered in each of the political subdivisions of the State by a local agency and such local agency provides a hearing at which evidence may be presented prior to a hearing before the State agency, such local agency may put into effect immediately upon issuance its decision upon the matter considered at such hearing; (5) provide (A) such methods of administration (including methods relating to the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards on a merit basis, except that the Secretary shall exercise no authority with respect to the selection, tenure of office, and compensation of any individual employed in accordance with such methods) as are found by the Secretary to be necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the plan, and (B) for the training and effective use of paid subprofessional staff, with particular emphasis on the full-time or part-time employment of recipients and other persons of low income, as community service aides, in the administration of the plan and for the use of nonpaid or partially paid volunteers in a social service volunteer program in providing services to applicants and recipients and in assisting any advisory committees established by the State agency; (6) provide that the State agency will make such reports, in such form and containing such information, as the Secretary may from time to time require, and comply with such provisions as the Secretary may from time to time find necessary to assure the correctness and verification of such reports; (7) provide that no aid will be furnished any individual under the plan with respect to any period with respect to which he is receiving old-age assistance under the State plan approved under
(b) The Secretary shall approve any plan which fulfills the conditions specified in subsection (a) of this section, except that he shall not approve any plan which imposes, as a condition of eligibility for aid to the permanently and totally disabled under the plan—
(1) Any residence requirement which excludes any resident of the State who has resided therein five years during the nine years immediately preceding the application for aid to the permanently and totally disabled and has resided therein continuously for one year immediately preceding the application;
(2) Any citizenship requirement which excludes any citizen of the United States.
At the option of the State, the plan may provide that manuals and other policy issuances will be furnished to persons without charge for the reasonable cost of such materials, but such provision shall not be required by the Secretary as a condition for the approval of such plan under this subchapter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIV, §1402, as added Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title III, pt. 5, §351,
Repeal of Section
References in Text
Part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(7), is classified to
Amendments
1996—Subsec. (a)(7).
1984—Subsec. (a)(13).
1972—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(9).
Subsec. (a)(12).
Subsec. (b).
1968—Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(8)(A).
1965—Subsec. (a)(8).
1962—Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(8).
1956—Subsec. (a)(12). Act Aug. 1, 1956, added cl. (12).
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by section 210(a)(4) of
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Section 403(d) of
Effective Date of 1962 Amendment
Amendment by section 106(a)(3) of
Effective Date of 1956 Amendment
Amendment by act Aug. 1, 1956, effective July 1, 1957, see section 314 [315] of act Aug. 1, 1956, set out as a note under
Transfer of Functions
Functions, powers, and duties of Secretary under subsec. (a)(5)(A) of this section, insofar as relates to the prescription of personnel standards on a merit basis, transferred to Office of Personnel Management, see
Functions of Federal Security Administrator transferred to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and all agencies of Federal Security Agency transferred to Department of Health, Education, and Welfare by section 5 of Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1953, set out as a note under
Public Access to State Disbursement Records
Public access to State records of disbursements of funds and payments under this subchapter, see note set out under
§1353. Payments to States
(a) From the sums appropriated therefor, the Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to each State which has an approved plan for aid to the permanently and totally disabled, for each quarter, beginning with the quarter commencing October 1, 1958—
(1) Repealed.
(2) in the case of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam, an amount equal to one-half of the total of the sums expended during such quarter as aid to the permanently and totally disabled under the State plan, not counting so much of any expenditure with respect to any month as exceeds $37.50 multiplied by the total number of recipients of aid to the permanently and totally disabled for such month; and
(3) in the case of any State, an amount equal to 50 percent of the total amounts expended during such quarter as found necessary by the Secretary for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan.
(b) The method of computing and paying such amounts shall be as follows:
(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, prior to the beginning of each quarter, estimate the amount to be paid to the State for such quarter under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, such estimate to be based on (A) a report filed by the State containing its estimate of the total sum to be expended in such quarter in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, and stating the amount appropriated or made available by the State and its political subdivisions for such expenditures in such quarter, and if such amount is less than the State's proportionate share of the total sum of such estimated expenditures, the source or sources from which the difference is expected to be derived, (B) records showing the number of permanently and totally disabled individuals in the State, and (C) such other investigation as the Secretary of Health and Human Services may find necessary.
(2) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall then certify to the Secretary of the Treasury the amount so estimated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, (A) reduced or increased, as the case may be, by any sum by which he finds that his estimate for any prior quarter was greater or less than the amount which should have been paid to the State under subsection (a) of this section for such quarter, and (B) reduced by a sum equivalent to the pro rata share to which the United States is equitably entitled, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, of the net amount recovered during a prior quarter by the State or any political subdivision thereof with respect to aid to the permanently and totally disabled furnished under the State plan; except that such increases or reductions shall not be made to the extent that such sums have been applied to make the amount certified for any prior quarter greater or less than the amount estimated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for such prior quarter: Provided, That any part of the amount recovered from the estate of a deceased recipient which is not in excess of the amount expended by the State or any political subdivision thereof for the funeral expenses of the deceased shall not be considered as a basis for reduction under clause (B) of this paragraph.
(3) The Secretary of the Treasury shall thereupon, through the Fiscal Service of the Treasury Department, and prior to audit or settlement by the Government Accountability Office, pay to the State, at the time or times fixed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the amount so certified.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIV, §1403, as added Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title III, pt. 5, §351,
Repeal of Section
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (b)(3).
1993—Subsec. (a)(3).
"(A) 75 per centum of so much of such expenditures as are for the training (including both short- and long-term training at educational institutions through grants to such institutions or by direct financial assistance to students enrolled in such institutions) of personnel employed or preparing for employment by the State agency or by the local agency administering the plan in the political subdivision; plus
"(B) 100 percent of so much of such expenditures as are for the costs of the implementation and operation of the immigration status verification system described in
"(C) one-half of the remainder of such expenditures."
1986—Subsec. (a)(3)(B), (C).
1981—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (c).
1975—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(3)(A)(iv).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(3)(E).
1968—Subsec. (a)(3)(D).
1965—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
1962—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (c).
1961—Subsec. (a).
1958—Subsec. (a).
1956—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 1, 1956, §304, substituted "during such quarter as aid to the permanently and totally disabled in the form of money payments under the State plan" for "during such quarter as aid to the permanently and totally disabled under the State plan" in cls. (1) and (2), "who received aid to the permanently and totally disabled in the form of money payments for each month" for "who received aid to the permanently and totally disabled for such month" in par. (A) of cl. (1), and inserted cl. (4).
Act Aug. 1, 1956, §314(c), struck out ", which shall be used exclusively as aid to the permanently and totally disabled," after "the Virgin Islands, an amount" in cls. (1) and (2), and substituted "including services which are provided by the staff of the State agency (or of the local agency administering the State plan in the political subdivision) to applicants for and recipients of such aid to help them attain self-support or self-care" for "which amount shall be used for paying the costs of administering the State plan or for aid to the permanently and totally disabled or both, and for no other purpose" in cl. (3).
Act Aug. 1, 1956, §344, substituted "October 1, 1956" for "October 1, 1952", struck out ", which shall be used exclusively as aid to the permanently and totally disabled," after "the Virgin Islands, an amount" in cls. (1) and (2), and substituted "$60" for "$55", "the product of $30" for "the product of $25", "Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare" for "Secretary", and "including services which are provided by the staff of the State agency (or of the local agency administering the State plan in the political subdivision) to applicants for and recipients of such aid to help them attain self-support or self-care" for "which amount shall be used for paying the costs of administering the State plan or for aid to the permanently and totally disabled, or both, and for no other purpose".
1952—Subsec. (a). Act July 18, 1952, increased the Federal share of the State's average monthly payment to four-fifths of the first $25 plus one-half of the remainder within individual maximums of $55, and changed formulas for computing the Federal share of public assistance for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by section 2353(l) of
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Amendment by section 3(e)(2) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendments by
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Amendment by section 401(e) of
Effective Date of 1962 Amendment
Amendment by section 101(a)(4) of
Effective Date of 1961 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
For effective date of amendment by
Effective and Termination Date of 1956 Amendment
Amendment by section 304 of act Aug. 1, 1956, effective July 1, 1957, see section 305 of act Aug. 1, 1956, set out as a note under
Amendment by section 344 of act Aug. 1, 1956, effective only for period beginning Oct. 1, 1956, and ending with close of June 30, 1959, see section 345 of such act Aug. 1, 1956, set out as a note under
Effective and Termination Date of 1952 Amendment
Amendment by act July 18, 1952, effective for period beginning Oct. 1, 1952, and ending Sept. 30, 1956, see section 8(e) of act July 18, 1952, set out as a note set out under
Transfer of Functions
Functions of Federal Security Administrator transferred to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and all agencies of Federal Security Agency transferred to Department of Health, Education, and Welfare by section 5 of Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1953, set out as a note under
Nonduplication of Payments to States: Prohibition of Payments After December 31, 1969
Prohibition of payments under this subchapter to States with respect to aid or assistance in form of medical or other type of remedial care for any period for which States received payments under subchapter XIX of this chapter or for any period after Dec. 31, 1969, see section 121(b) of
Election of Payments Under Combined State Plan Rather Than Separate Plans
Payments to States under combined State plan under subchapter XVI or this chapter as precluding payment under State plan conforming to this subchapter, see section 141(b) of
§1354. Operation of State plans
In the case of any State plan for aid to the permanently and totally disabled which has been approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, if the Secretary after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing to the State agency administering or supervising the administration of such plan, finds—
(1) that the plan has been so changed as to impose any residence or citizenship requirement prohibited by
(2) that in the administration of the plan there is a failure to comply substantially with any provision required by
the Secretary shall notify such State agency that further payments will not be made to the State (or, in his discretion, that payments will be limited to categories under or parts of the State plan not affected by such failure) until he is satisfied that such prohibited requirement is no longer so imposed, and that there is no longer any such failure to comply. Until he is so satisfied he shall make no further payments to such State (or shall limit payments to categories under or parts of the State plan not affected by such failure).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIV, §1404, as added Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title III, pt. 5, §351,
Repeal of Section
Amendments
1968—
Transfer of Functions
Functions of Federal Security Administrator transferred to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and all agencies of Federal Security Agency transferred to Department of Health, Education, and Welfare by section 5 of Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1953, set out as a note under
§1355. Definitions
For the purposes of this subchapter, the term "aid to the permanently and totally disabled" means money payments to needy individuals eighteen years of age or older who are permanently and totally disabled, but does not include any such payments to or care in behalf of any individual who is an inmate of a public institution (except as a patient in a medical institution) or any individual who is a patient in an institution for tuberculosis or mental diseases. Such term also includes payments which are not included within the meaning of such term under the preceding sentence, but which would be so included except that they are made on behalf of such a needy individual to another individual who (as determined in accordance with standards prescribed by the Secretary) is interested in or concerned with the welfare of such needy individual, but only with respect to a State whose State plan approved under
(1) determination by the State agency that such needy individual has, by reason of his physical or mental condition, such inability to manage funds that making payments to him would be contrary to his welfare and, therefore, it is necessary to provide such aid through payments described in this sentence;
(2) making such payments only in cases in which such payments will, under the rules otherwise applicable under the State plan for determining need and the amount of aid to the permanently and totally disabled to be paid (and in conjunction with other income and resources), meet all the need 1 of the individuals with respect to whom such payments are made;
(3) undertaking and continuing special efforts to protect the welfare of such individual and to improve, to the extent possible, his capacity for self-care and to manage funds;
(4) periodic review by such State agency of the determination under paragraph (1) to ascertain whether conditions justifying such determination still exist, with provision for termination of such payments if they do not and for seeking judicial appointment of a guardian or other legal representative, as described in
(5) opportunity for a fair hearing before the State agency on the determination referred to in paragraph (1) for any individual with respect to whom it is made.
At the option of a State (if its plan approved under this subchapter so provides), such term (i) need not include money payments to an individual who has been absent from such State for a period in excess of ninety consecutive days (regardless of whether he has maintained his residence in such State during such period) until he has been present in such State for thirty consecutive days in the case of such an individual who has maintained his residence in such State during such period or ninety consecutive days in the case of any other such individual, and (ii) may include rent payments made directly to a public housing agency on behalf of a recipient or a group or groups of recipients of aid under such plan.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIV, §1405, as added Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title III, pt. 5, §351,
Repeal of Section
Amendments
1981—
1972—
1965—
1962—
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Amendment by section 221(c) of
Amendment by section 402(d) of
Effective Date of 1962 Amendment
Amendment by
1 So in original. Probably should be "needs".
SUBCHAPTER XV—UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
§§1361 to 1364. Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 658 , 660, 661
Section 1361, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XV, §1501, as added Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1212, §4(a),
Section 1362, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XV, §1502, as added Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1212, §4(a),
Section 1363, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XV, §1503, as added Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1212, §4(a),
Section 1364, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XV, §1504, as added Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1212, §4(a),
§1365. Repealed. Pub. L. 86–442, §1, Apr. 22, 1960, 74 Stat. 81
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XV, §1505, as added Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1212, §4(a),
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective only with respect to benefit years which began more than thirty days after Apr. 22, 1960, see section 1 of
§§1366 to 1371. Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 658 , 660, 661
Section 1366, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XV, §1506, as added Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1212, §4(a),
Section 1367, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XV, §1507, as added Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1212, §4(a),
Section 1368, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XV, §1508, as added Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1212, §4(a),
Section 1369, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XV, §1509, as added Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1212, §4(a),
Section 1370, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XV, §1510, as added Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1212, §4(a),
Section 1371, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XV, §1511, as added Aug. 28, 1958,
SUBCHAPTER XVI—SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME FOR AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED
§1381. Statement of purpose; authorization of appropriations
For the purpose of establishing a national program to provide supplemental security income to individuals who have attained age 65 or are blind or disabled, there are authorized to be appropriated sums sufficient to carry out this subchapter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1601, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1381, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1601, as added July 25, 1962,
Effective Date
Section 301 of
Continuation of Federal Financial Participation in Experimental, Pilot, or Demonstration Projects Approved Before October 1973, for Period On-and-After December 31, 1973, Without Denial or Reduction On Account Of Subchapter XVI Provisions; Waiver of Subchapter XVI Restrictions for Individuals; Federal Payments of Non-Federal Share as Supplementary Payments
Subchapter provisions without effect on Federal Financial Participation in Experimental, Pilot or Demonstration Projects approved before Oct. 1, 1973, for period on-and-after Dec. 31, 1973, see section 11 of
Application to Northern Mariana Islands
For applicability of this section to the Northern Mariana Islands, see section 502(a)(1) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America and Proc. No. 4534, Oct. 24, 1977, 42 F.R. 6593, set out as notes under
Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands
Enactment of section 1601 of the Social Security Act [this section] by
§1381. Authorization of appropriations
For the purpose of enabling each State, as far as practicable under the conditions in such State, to furnish financial assistance to needy individuals who are 65 years of age or over, are blind, or are 18 years of age or over and permanently and totally disabled, there is hereby authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year a sum sufficient to carry out the purposes of this subchapter. The sums made available under this section shall be used for making payments to States which have submitted, and had approved by the Commissioner of Social Security, State plans for aid to the aged, blind, or disabled.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1601, as added July 25, 1962,
[Amendment by section 107(a)(1) of
Payments Under Chapter Provisions in Effect Before January 1, 1974, for: Activities Carried Out Through December 31, 1973, Under State Plans Approved Under Subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI Provisions; and for Administrative Activities After January 1, 1974, Closing Out Such Activities
§1381a. Basic entitlement to benefits
Every aged, blind, or disabled individual who is determined under part A of this subchapter to be eligible on the basis of his income and resources shall, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this subchapter, be paid benefits by the Commissioner of Social Security.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1602, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1602 of act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, as added July 25, 1962,
Amendments
1994—
1984—
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 301 of
Application to Northern Mariana Islands
For applicability of this section to the Northern Mariana Islands, see section 502(a)(1) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America and Proc. No. 4534, Oct. 24, 1977, 42 F.R. 6593, set out as notes under
Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands
Enactment of provisions of
Part A—Determination of Benefits
§1382. Eligibility for benefits
(a) "Eligible individual" defined
(1) Each aged, blind, or disabled individual who does not have an eligible spouse and—
(A) whose income, other than income excluded pursuant to
(B) whose resources, other than resources excluded pursuant to
shall be an eligible individual for purposes of this subchapter.
(2) Each aged, blind, or disabled individual who has an eligible spouse and—
(A) whose income (together with the income of such spouse), other than income excluded pursuant to
(B) whose resources (together with the resources of such spouse), other than resources excluded pursuant to
shall be an eligible individual for purposes of this subchapter.
(3)(A) The dollar amount referred to in clause (i) of paragraph (1)(B), and in paragraph (2)(B), shall be $2,250 prior to January 1, 1985, and shall be increased to $2,400 on January 1, 1985, to $2,550 on January 1, 1986, to $2,700 on January 1, 1987, to $2,850 on January 1, 1988, and to $3,000 on January 1, 1989.
(B) The dollar amount referred to in clause (ii) of paragraph (1)(B), shall be $1,500 prior to January 1, 1985, and shall be increased to $1,600 on January 1, 1985, to $1,700 on January 1, 1986, to $1,800 on January 1, 1987, to $1,900 on January 1, 1988, and to $2,000 on January 1, 1989.
(b) Amount of benefits
(1) The benefit under this subchapter for an individual who does not have an eligible spouse shall be payable at the rate of $1,752 (or, if greater, the amount determined under
(2) The benefit under this subchapter for an individual who has an eligible spouse shall be payable at the rate of $2,628 (or, if greater, the amount determined under
(c) Period for determination of benefits
(1) An individual's eligibility for a benefit under this subchapter for a month shall be determined on the basis of the individual's (and eligible spouse's, if any) income, resources, and other relevant characteristics in such month, and, except as provided in paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6), the amount of such benefit shall be determined for such month on the basis of income and other characteristics in the first or, if the Commissioner of Social Security so determines, second month preceding such month. Eligibility for and the amount of such benefits shall be redetermined at such time or times as may be provided by the Commissioner of Social Security.
(2) The amount of such benefit for the month in which an application for benefits becomes effective (or, if the Commissioner of Social Security so determines, for such month and the following month) and for any month immediately following a month of ineligibility for such benefits (or, if the Commissioner of Social Security so determines, for such month and the following month) shall—
(A) be determined on the basis of the income of the individual and the eligible spouse, if any, of such individual and other relevant circumstances in such month; and
(B) in the case of the first month following a period of ineligibility in which eligibility is restored after the first day of such month, bear the same ratio to the amount of the benefit which would have been payable to such individual if eligibility had been restored on the first day of such month as the number of days in such month including and following the date of restoration of eligibility bears to the total number of days in such month.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, an increase in the benefit amount payable under subchapter II of this chapter (over the amount payable in the preceding month, or, at the election of the Commissioner of Social Security, the second preceding month) to an individual receiving benefits under this subchapter shall be included in the income used to determine the benefit under this subchapter of such individual for any month which is—
(A) the first month in which the benefit amount payable to such individual under this title is increased pursuant to
(B) at the election of the Commissioner of Social Security, the month immediately following such month.
(4)(A) Notwithstanding paragraph (3), if the Commissioner of Social Security determines that reliable information is currently available with respect to the income and other circumstances of an individual for a month (including information with respect to a class of which such individual is a member and information with respect to scheduled cost-of-living adjustments under other benefit programs), the benefit amount of such individual under this subchapter for such month may be determined on the basis of such information.
(B) The Commissioner of Social Security shall prescribe by regulation the circumstances in which information with respect to an event may be taken into account pursuant to subparagraph (A) in determining benefit amounts under this subchapter.
(5) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), any income which is paid to or on behalf of an individual in any month pursuant to (A) a State program funded under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, (B)
(6) The dollar amount in effect under subsection (b) of this section as a result of any increase in benefits under this subchapter by reason of
(7) For purposes of this subsection, an application of an individual for benefits under this subchapter shall be effective on the later of—
(A) the first day of the month following the date such application is filed, or
(B) the first day of the month following the date such individual becomes eligible for such benefits with respect to such application.
(8) The Commissioner of Social Security may waive the limitations specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (e)(1) of this section on an individual's eligibility and benefit amount for a month (to the extent either such limitation is applicable by reason of such individual's presence throughout such month in a hospital, extended care facility, nursing home, or intermediate care facility) if such waiver would promote the individual's removal from such institution or facility. Upon waiver of such limitations, the Commissioner of Social Security shall apply, to the month preceding the month of removal, or, if the Commissioner of Social Security so determines, the two months preceding the month of removal, the benefit rate that is appropriate to such individual's living arrangement subsequent to his removal from such institution or facility.
(9)(A) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), any nonrecurring income which is paid to an individual in the first month of any period of eligibility shall be taken into account in determining the amount of the benefit under this subchapter of such individual (and his eligible spouse, if any) only for that month, and shall not be taken into account in determining the amount of the benefit for any other month.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), payments to an individual in varying amounts from the same or similar source for the same or similar purpose shall not be considered to be nonrecurring income.
(10) For purposes of this subsection, remuneration for service performed as a member of a uniformed service may be treated as received in the month in which it was earned, if the Commissioner of Social Security determines that such treatment would promote the economical and efficient administration of the program authorized by this subchapter.
(d) Limitation on amount of gross income earned; "gross income" defined
The Commissioner of Social Security may prescribe the circumstances under which, consistently with the purposes of this subchapter, the gross income from a trade or business (including farming) will be considered sufficiently large to make an individual ineligible for benefits under this subchapter. For purposes of this subsection, the term "gross income" has the same meaning as when used in
(e) Limitation on eligibility of certain individuals
(1)(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), (E), and (G), no person shall be an eligible individual or eligible spouse for purposes of this subchapter with respect to any month if throughout such month he is an inmate of a public institution.
(B) In any case where an eligible individual or his eligible spouse (if any) is, throughout any month (subject to subparagraph (G)), in a medical treatment facility receiving payments (with respect to such individual or spouse) under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, or an eligible individual is a child described in
(i) at a rate not in excess of $360 per year (reduced by the amount of any income not excluded pursuant to
(ii) in the case of an individual who has an eligible spouse, if only one of them is in such a facility throughout such month, at a rate not in excess of the sum of—
(I) the rate of $360 per year (reduced by the amount of any income, not excluded pursuant to
(II) the applicable rate specified in subsection (b)(1) of this section (reduced by the amount of any income, not excluded pursuant to
(iii) at a rate not in excess of $720 per year (reduced by the amount of any income not excluded pursuant to
For purposes of this subsection, a medical treatment facility that provides services described in
(C) As used in subparagraph (A), the term "public institution" does not include a publicly operated community residence which serves no more than 16 residents.
(D) A person may be an eligible individual or eligible spouse for purposes of this subchapter with respect to any month throughout which he is a resident of a public emergency shelter for the homeless (as defined in regulations which shall be prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security); except that no person shall be an eligible individual or eligible spouse by reason of this subparagraph more than 6 months in any 9-month period.
(E) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), any individual who—
(i)(I) is an inmate of a public institution, the primary purpose of which is the provision of medical or psychiatric care, throughout any month as described in subparagraph (A), or
(II) is in a medical treatment facility throughout any month as described in subparagraph (B),
(ii) was eligible under section 1382h(a) or (b) of this title for the month preceding such month, and
(iii) under an agreement of the public institution or the medical treatment facility is permitted to retain any benefit payable by reason of this subparagraph,
may be an eligible individual or eligible spouse for purposes of this subchapter (and entitled to a benefit determined on the basis of the rate applicable under subsection (b) of this section) for the month referred to in subclause (I) or (II) of clause (i) and, if such subclause still applies, for the succeeding month.
(F) An individual who is an eligible individual or an eligible spouse for a month by reason of subparagraph (E) shall not be treated as being eligible under section 1382h(a) or (b) of this title for such month for purposes of clause (ii) of such subparagraph.
(G) A person may be an eligible individual or eligible spouse for purposes of this subchapter, and subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall not apply, with respect to any particular month throughout which he or she is an inmate of a public institution the primary purpose of which is the provision of medical or psychiatric care, or is in a medical treatment facility receiving payments (with respect to such individual or spouse) under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter or, in the case of an individual who is a child under the age of 18, under any health insurance policy issued by a private provider of such insurance, if it is determined in accordance with subparagraph (H) or (J) that—
(i) such person's stay in that institution or facility (or in that institution or facility and one or more other such institutions or facilities during a continuous period of institutionalization) is likely (as certified by a physician) not to exceed 3 months, and the particular month involved is one of the first 3 months throughout which such person is in such an institution or facility during a continuous period of institutionalization; and
(ii) such person needs to continue to maintain and provide for the expenses of the home or living arrangement to which he or she may return upon leaving the institution or facility.
The benefit of any person under this subchapter (including State supplementation if any) for each month to which this subparagraph applies shall be payable, without interruption of benefit payments and on the date the benefit involved is regularly due, at the rate that was applicable to such person in the month prior to the first month throughout which he or she is in the institution or facility.
(H) The Commissioner of Social Security shall establish procedures for the determinations required by clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (G), and may enter into agreements for making such determinations (or for providing information or assistance in connection with the making of such determinations) with appropriate State and local public and private agencies and organizations. Such procedures and agreements shall include the provision of appropriate assistance to individuals who, because of their physical or mental condition, are limited in their ability to furnish the information needed in connection with the making of such determinations.
(I)(i) The Commissioner shall enter into an agreement, with any interested State or local institution comprising a jail, prison, penal institution, or correctional facility, or with any other interested State or local institution a purpose of which is to confine individuals as described in
(I) the institution shall provide to the Commissioner, on a monthly basis and in a manner specified by the Commissioner, the names, social security account numbers, dates of birth, confinement commencement dates, and, to the extent available to the institution, such other identifying information concerning the inmates of the institution as the Commissioner may require for the purpose of carrying out this paragraph and the other provisions of this subchapter; and
(II) the Commissioner shall pay to any such institution, with respect to each individual who receives in the month preceding the first month throughout which such individual is an inmate of the jail, prison, penal institution, or correctional facility that furnishes information respecting such individual pursuant to subclause (I), or is confined in the institution (that so furnishes such information) as described in
(ii) The dollar amounts specified in clause (i)(II) shall be reduced by 50 percent if the Commissioner is also required to make a payment to the institution with respect to the same individual under an agreement entered into under
(iii) The Commissioner shall maintain, and shall provide on a reimbursable basis, information obtained pursuant to agreements entered into under clause (i) to any Federal or federally-assisted cash, food, or medical assistance program for eligibility and other administrative purposes under such program.
(iv) Payments to institutions required by clause (i)(II) shall be made from funds otherwise available for the payment of benefits under this subchapter and shall be treated as direct spending for purposes of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 [
(J) For the purpose of carrying out this paragraph, the Commissioner of Social Security shall conduct periodic computer matches with data maintained by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under subchapter XVIII or XIX of this chapter. The Secretary shall furnish to the Commissioner, in such form and manner and under such terms as the Commissioner and the Secretary shall mutually agree, such information as the Commissioner may request for this purpose. Information obtained pursuant to such a match may be substituted for the physician's certification otherwise required under subparagraph (G)(i).
(2) No person shall be an eligible individual or eligible spouse for purposes of this subchapter if, after notice to such person by the Commissioner of Social Security that it is likely that such person is eligible for any payments of the type enumerated in
(3) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the criteria being used by the Commissioner of Social Security in determining when a husband and wife are to be considered two eligible individuals for purposes of this subchapter and when they are to be considered an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, the State agency administering or supervising the administration of a State plan under any other program under this chapter may (in the administration of such plan) treat a husband and wife living in the same medical treatment facility described in paragraph (1)(B) as though they were an eligible individual with his or her eligible spouse for purposes of this subchapter (rather than two eligible individuals), after they have continuously lived in the same such facility for 6 months, if treating such husband and wife as two eligible individuals would prevent either of them from receiving benefits or assistance under such plan or reduce the amount thereof.
(4)(A) No person shall be considered an eligible individual or eligible spouse for purposes of this subchapter with respect to any month if during such month the person is—
(i) fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, under the laws of the place from which the person flees, for a crime, or an attempt to commit a crime, which is a felony under the laws of the place from which the person flees, or, in jurisdictions that do not define crimes as felonies, is punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year regardless of the actual sentence imposed; or
(ii) violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under Federal or State law.
(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Commissioner shall, for good cause shown, treat the person referred to in subparagraph (A) as an eligible individual or eligible spouse if the Commissioner determines that—
(i) a court of competent jurisdiction has found the person not guilty of the criminal offense, dismissed the charges relating to the criminal offense, vacated the warrant for arrest of the person for the criminal offense, or issued any similar exonerating order (or taken similar exonerating action), or
(ii) the person was erroneously implicated in connection with the criminal offense by reason of identity fraud.
(C) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Commissioner may, for good cause shown based on mitigating circumstances, treat the person referred to in subparagraph (A) as an eligible individual or eligible spouse if the Commissioner determines that—
(i) the offense described in subparagraph (A)(i) or underlying the imposition of the probation or parole described in subparagraph (A)(ii) was nonviolent and not drug-related, and
(ii) in the case of a person who is not considered an eligible individual or eligible spouse pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii), the action that resulted in the violation of a condition of probation or parole was nonviolent and not drug-related.
(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of law (other than section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and
(A) the recipient is described in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (4)(A); and
(B) the location or apprehension of the recipient is within the officer's official duties.
(f) Individuals outside United States; determination of status
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, no individual (other than a child described in
(2) For a period of not more than 1 year, the first sentence of paragraph (1) shall not apply to any individual who—
(A) was eligible to receive a benefit under this subchapter for the month immediately preceding the first month during all of which the individual was outside the United States; and
(B) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security that the absence of the individual from the United States will be—
(i) for not more than 1 year; and
(ii) for the purpose of conducting studies as part of an educational program that is—
(I) designed to substantially enhance the ability of the individual to engage in gainful employment;
(II) sponsored by a school, college, or university in the United States; and
(III) not available to the individual in the United States.
(g) Individuals deemed to meet resources test
In the case of any individual or any individual and his spouse (as the case may be) who—
(1) received aid or assistance for December 1973 under a plan of a State approved under subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter,
(2) has, since December 31, 1973, continuously resided in the State under the plan of which he or they received such aid or assistance for December 1973, and
(3) has, since December 31, 1973, continuously been (except for periods not in excess of six consecutive months) an eligible individual or eligible spouse with respect to whom supplemental security income benefits are payable,
the resources of such individual or such individual and his spouse (as the case may be) shall be deemed not to exceed the amount specified in subsections (a)(1)(B) and (a)(2)(B) of this section during any period that the resources of such individual or such individual and his spouse (as the case may be) does not exceed the maximum amount of resources specified in the State plan, as in effect for October 1972, under which he or they received such aid or assistance for December 1973.
(h) Individuals deemed to meet income test
In determining eligibility for, and the amount of, benefits payable under this section in the case of any individual or any individual and his spouse (as the case may be) who—
(1) received aid or assistance for December 1973 under a plan of a State approved under subchapter X or XVI of this chapter,
(2) is blind under the definition of that term in the plan, as in effect for October 1972, under which he or they received such aid or assistance for December 1973,
(3) has, since December 31, 1973, continuously resided in the State under the plan of which he or they received such aid or assistance for December 1973, and
(4) has, since December 31, 1973, continuously been (except for periods not in excess of six consecutive months) an eligible individual or an eligible spouse with respect to whom supplemental security income benefits are payable,
there shall be disregarded an amount equal to the greater of (A) the maximum amount of any earned or unearned income which could have been disregarded under the State plan, as in effect for October 1972, under which he or they received such aid or assistance for December 1973, and (B) the amount which would be required to be disregarded under
(i) Application and review requirements for certain individuals
For application and review requirements affecting the eligibility of certain individuals, see
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1611, as added
References in Text
Part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (c)(5), is classified to
Section 501(a) of
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (d) and (e)(5), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
The Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(I)(iv), is title II of
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1382, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1602, as added July 25, 1962,
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(9).
Subsec. (c)(10).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(5)(A), (B).
"(A) the recipient—
"(i) is described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (4); and
"(ii) has information that is necessary for the officer to conduct the officer's official duties; and
"(B) the location or apprehension of the recipient is within the officer's official duties."
1999—Subsec. (e)(1)(G).
Subsec. (e)(1)(I)(i).
Subsec. (e)(1)(I)(i)(I).
Subsec. (e)(1)(I)(i)(II).
Subsec. (e)(1)(I)(ii).
Subsec. (e)(1)(I)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (e)(1)(I)(iii).
Subsec. (e)(1)(I)(iv).
Subsec. (e)(1)(J).
Subsec. (e)(4).
"(4)(A) No person shall be considered an eligible individual or eligible spouse for purposes of this subchapter during the 10-year period that begins on the date the person is convicted in Federal or State court of having made a fraudulent statement or representation with respect to the place of residence of the person in order to receive assistance simultaneously from 2 or more States under programs that are funded under subchapter IV of this chapter, subchapter XIX of this chapter, or the Food Stamp Act of 1977, or benefits in 2 or more States under the supplemental security income program under this subchapter.
"(B) As soon as practicable after the conviction of a person in a Federal or State court as described in subparagraph (A), an official of such court shall notify the Commissioner of such conviction."
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (e)(6).
1997—Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (e)(1)(E)(i)(II), (iii).
Subsec. (e)(1)(G).
Subsec. (e)(1)(I)(i)(I).
Subsec. (e)(1)(I)(i)(II).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (e)(6).
1996—Subsec. (c)(5)(A).
Subsec. (c)(7)(A), (B).
"(A) the date such application is filed, or
"(B) the date such individual first becomes eligible for such benefits with respect to such application."
Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
Subsec. (e)(1)(I).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (e)(6).
1994—Subsecs. (c), (d), (e)(1)(D), (H), (2).
Subsec. (e)(3)(A).
Subsec. (e)(3)(B).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B).
1993—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(6) to (8).
1989—Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
Subsec. (f).
1988—Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
1987—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(5) to (7).
Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(i) to (iii).
Subsec. (e)(1)(D).
Subsec. (e)(1)(G), (H).
Subsec. (e)(5).
1986—Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (i).
1984—Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (g).
1983—Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e)(1)(D).
1982—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3) to (6).
1981—Subsec. (c).
1980—Subsec. (e)(4).
1976—Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (e)(1)(C).
1974—
1973—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by section 203(b) of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendments
Amendment by section 402(a)(3) of
Amendment by section 207(c) of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendments
Amendment by section 108(j) of
Section 201(b) of
Section 202(c) of
Section 203(a)(2) of
Section 204(d) of
"(1)
"(2)
Section 214(b) of
Section 105(b)(5) of
"(A) The amendments made by paragraphs (1) and (4) [amending this section and
"(B) The amendments made by paragraphs (2) and (3) [enacting
"(i) whose claim for benefits is finally adjudicated on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Mar. 29, 1996], or
"(ii) whose eligibility for benefits is based upon an eligibility redetermination made pursuant to subparagraph (C).
"(C) Within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Mar. 29, 1996], the Commissioner of Social Security shall notify each individual who is eligible for supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] for the month in which this Act is enacted and whose eligibility for such benefits would terminate by reason of the amendments made by this subsection [enacting
"(D) For purposes of this paragraph, an individual's claim, with respect to supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] based on disability, which has been denied in whole before the date of the enactment of this Act [Mar. 29, 1996], may not be considered to be finally adjudicated before such date if, on or after such date—
"(i) there is pending a request for either administrative or judicial review with respect to such claim, or
"(ii) there is pending, with respect to such claim, a readjudication by the Commissioner of Social Security pursuant to relief in a class action or implementation by the Commissioner of a court remand order.
"(E) Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, with respect to any individual for whom the Commissioner does not perform the eligibility redetermination before the date prescribed in subparagraph (C), the Commissioner shall perform such eligibility redetermination in lieu of a continuing disability review whenever the Commissioner determines that the individual's eligibility is subject to redetermination based on the preceding provisions of this paragraph, and the provisions of section 1614(a)(4) of the Social Security Act [
"(F) For purposes of this paragraph, the phrase 'supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act' includes supplementary payments pursuant to an agreement for Federal administration under section 1616(a) of the Social Security Act [
[Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment; Sunset Provision
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Section 201(b)(3)(C), (E), of
"(C)
"(E)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(iii)
Section 204(b) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13735(b) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 8009(c) of
Section 8010(c) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 9106(b) of
Section 9107 of
Section 9113(b) of
"(1) The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall become effective January 1, 1988.
"(2) In the application of section 1611(e)(1)(D) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (e)(1)(D) of this section] on and after the effective date of such amendment, months before January 1988 in which a person was an eligible individual or eligible spouse by reason of such section shall not be taken into account."
Section 9115(c) of
Section 9119(c) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by sections 3(a) and 4(c)(3), (d)(1) of
Section 9(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 2611(a)–(c) of
Amendment by section 2663(g)(1), (2) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Section 403(b) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Section 181(b) of
Section 183(b) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment and Transitional Provisions
Section 2341(c) of
"(1) The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) The Secretary of Health and Human Services may, under conditions determined by him to be necessary and appropriate, make a transitional payment or payments during the first two months for which the amendments made by this section are effective. A transitional payment made under this section shall be deemed to be a payment of supplemental security income benefits."
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Section 505(e) of
Effective Date of 1973 Amendments
Section 4(b) of
Section 210(c) of
Effective Date
Section 301 of
Regulations
Section 215 of title II of
Construction of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
Study of Denial of SSI Benefits for Family Farmers
"(a)
"(b)
Study of Other Potential Improvements in Collection of Information Respecting Public Inmates
Section 203(b) of
"(1)
"(A) establishing a system under which Federal, State, and local courts would furnish to the Commissioner such information respecting court orders by which individuals are confined in jails, prisons, or other public penal, correctional, or medical facilities as the Commissioner may require for the purpose of carrying out section 1611(e)(1) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (e)(1) of this section]; and
"(B) requiring that State and local jails, prisons, and other institutions that enter into agreements with the Commissioner under section 1611(e)(1)(I) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (e)(1)(I) of this section] furnish the information required by such agreements to the Commissioner by means of an electronic or other sophisticated data exchange system.
"(2)
Additional Report to Congress
Section 203(c) of
Study by General Accounting Office
Report to Congress on Referral, Monitoring and Treatment Activities Relating to Alcoholics and Drug Addicts
Section 201(b)(3)(B)(ii) of
Transition Rules for Current Beneficiaries
Section 201(b)(3)(F) of
"(i) the first month of such eligibility beginning after 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act shall be treated as the individual's first month of such eligibility; and
"(ii) the Secretary shall notify the individual of the requirements of the amendments made by this paragraph [amending this section and
Commission on Childhood Disability
Section 202 of
Disability Review Required for SSI Recipients Who Are 18 Years of Age
Section 207 of
Continuing Disability Reviews
Section 208 of
"(a)
"(b)
Notification of Possible Benefit Availability to Potential Supplemental Security Income Recipients
Section 405 of
Assistance Paid Under Certain Housing Acts Not Considered in Determining Eligibility for Benefits Under This Subchapter; Effective Date
Special $50 Payment Under Tax Reduction Act of 1975
Special payment of $50 as soon as practicable after Mar. 29, 1975, by the Secretary of the Treasury to each individual who, for the month of March, 1975, was entitled to a benefit under the supplemental security income benefits program established by this subchapter, see section 702 of
Adjustment of Individual's Monthly Supplemental Security Income Payments; Regulations; Limitations
Medicaid Eligibility for Individuals Receiving Mandatory State Supplementary Payments; Effective Date
Additional requirement for approval of subchapter XIX State plan for medical assistance respecting medicaid eligibility for individuals receiving mandatory State supplementary payments, see section 13(c) of
Federal Program of Supplemental Security Income; Supplemental Security Income Benefits for Essential Persons; Definitions of Qualified Individual and Essential Person
Section 211 of
"(a)(1) In determining (for purposes of title XVI of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], as in effect after December 1973) the eligibility for and the amount of the supplemental security income benefit payable to any qualified individual (as defined in subsection (b)), with respect to any period for which such individual has in his home an essential person (as defined in subsection (c))—
"(A) the dollar amounts specified in subsection (a)(1)(A) and (2)(A), and subsection (b)(1) and (2), of section 1611 of such Act [this section], shall each be increased by $876 for each such essential person, and
"(B) the income and resources of such individual shall (for purposes of such title XVI [this subchapter]) be deemed to include the income and resources of such essential person;
except that the provisions of this subsection shall not, in the case of any individual, be applicable for any period which begins in or after the first month that such individual—
"(C) does not but would (except for the provisions of subparagraph (B)) meet—
"(i) the criteria established with respect to income in section 1611(a) of such Act [subsec. (a) of this section], or
"(ii) the criteria established with respect to resources by such section 1611(a) [subsec. (a) of this section] (or, if applicable, by section 1611(g) of such Act [subsec. (g) of this section]).
"(2) The provisions of section 1611(g) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (g) of this section] (as in effect after December 1973) shall, in the case of any qualified individual (as defined in subsection (b)), be applied so as to include, in the resources of such individual, the resources of any person (described in subsection (b)(2)) whose needs were taken into account in determining the need of such individual for the aid or assistance referred to in subsection (b)(1).
"(b) For purposes of this section, an individual shall be a 'qualified individual' only if—
"(1) for the month of December 1973 such individual was a recipient of aid or assistance under a State plan approved under title I, X, XIV, or XVI of the Social Security Act [subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter], and
"(2) in determining the need of such individual for such aid or assistance for such month under such State plan, there were taken into account the needs of a person (other than such individual) who—
"(A) was living in the home of such individual, and
"(B) was not eligible (in his or her own right) for aid or assistance under such State plan for such month.
"(c) The term 'essential person', when used in connection with any qualified individual, means a person who—
"(1) for the month of December 1973 was a person (described in subsection (b)(2)) whose needs were taken into account in determining the need of such individual for aid or assistance under a State plan referred to in subsection (b)(1) as such State plan was in effect for June 1973,
"(2) lives in the home of such individual,
"(3) is not eligible (in his or her own right) for supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] (as in effect after December 1973), and
"(4) is not the eligible spouse (as that term is used in such title XVI [this subchapter]) of such individual or any other individual.
If for any month after December 1973 any person fails to meet the criteria specified in paragraph (2), (3), or (4) of the preceding sentence, such person shall not, for such month or any month thereafter be considered to be an essential person."
[Amendment of section 211(a)(1)(A) of
Mandatory Minimum State Supplementation of Supplemental Security Income Benefits Program; December 1973 Income; Title XVI Benefit Plus Other Income; Reduction of Amount; Administration Agreement; Payments to Commissioner; State Constitutional Restriction
Section 212 of
"(a)(1) In order for any State (other than the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, or the Virgin Islands) to be eligible for payments pursuant to title XIX [subchapter XIX of this chapter], with respect to expenditures for any quarter beginning after December 1973, such State must have in effect an agreement with the Commissioner of Social Security (hereinafter in this section referred to as the 'Commissioner of Social Security') whereby the State will provide to individuals residing in the State supplementary payments as required under paragraph (2).
"(2) Any agreement entered into by a State pursuant to paragraph (1) shall provide that each individual who—
"(A) is an aged, blind, or disabled individual (within the meaning of section 1614(a) of the Social Security Act [
"(B) for the month of December 1973 was a recipient of (and was eligible to receive) aid or assistance (in the form of money payments) under a State plan of such State (approved under title I, X, XIV, or XVI, of the Social Security Act [subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter])
shall be entitled to receive, from the State, the supplementary payment described in paragraph (3) for each month, beginning with January 1974, and ending with whichever of the following first occurs:
"(C) the month in which such individual dies, or
"(D) the first month in which such individual ceases to meet the condition specified in subparagraph (A);
except that no individual shall be entitled to receive such supplementary payment for any month, if, for such month, such individual was ineligible to receive supplemental income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act [this chapter] by reason of the provisions of section 1611(e)(1)(A), (2), or (3) [subsec. (e)(1)(A), (2), or (3) of this section], 1611(f) [subsec. (f) of this section], or 1615(c) of such Act [
"(3)(A) The supplementary payment referred to in paragraph (2) which shall be paid for any month to any individual who is entitled thereto under an agreement entered into pursuant to this subsection shall (except as provided in subparagraphs (D) and (E)) be an amount equal to (i) the amount by which such individual's 'December 1973 income' (as determined under subparagraph (B)) exceeds the amount of such individual's 'title XVI benefit plus other income' (as determined under subparagraph (C)) for such month, or (ii) if greater, such amount as the State may specify.
"(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), an individual's 'December 1973 income' means an amount equal to the aggregate of—
"(i) the amount of the aid or assistance (in the form of money payments) which such individual would have received (including any part of such amount which is attributable to meeting the needs of any other person whose presence in such individual's home is essential to such individual's well-being) for the month of December 1973 under a plan (approved under title I, X, XIV, or XVI, of the Social Security Act [subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter]) of the State entering into an agreement under this subsection, if the terms and conditions of such plan (relating to eligibility for and amount of such aid or assistance payable thereunder) were, for the month of December 1973, the same as those in effect, under such plan, for the month of June 1973, together with the bonus value of food stamps for January 1972, as defined in section 401(b)(3) of
"(ii) the amount of the income of such individual (other than the aid or assistance described in clause (i)) received by such individual in December 1973, minus any such income which did not result, but which if properly reported would have resulted in a reduction in the amount of such aid or assistance.
"(C) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the amount of an individual's 'title XVI benefit plus other income' for any month means an amount equal to the aggregate of—
"(i) the amount (if any) of the supplemental security income benefit to which such individual is entitled for such month under title XVI of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], and
"(ii) the amount of any income of such individual for such month (other than income in the form of a benefit described in clause (i)).
"(D) If the amount determined under subparagraph (B)(i) includes, in the case of any individual, an amount which was payable to such individual solely because of—
"(i) a special need of such individual (including any special allowance for housing, or the rental value of housing furnished in kind to such individual in lieu of a rental allowance) which existed in December 1973, or
"(ii) any special circumstance (such as the recognition of the needs of a person whose presence in such individual's home, in December 1973, was essential to such individual's well-being),
and, if for any month after December 1973 there is a change with respect to such special need or circumstance which, if such change had existed in December 1973, the amount described in subparagraph (B)(i) with respect to such individual would have been reduced on account of such change, then, for such month and for each month thereafter the amount of the supplementary payment payable under the agreement entered into under this subsection to such individual shall (unless the State, at its option, otherwise specifies) be reduced by an amount equal to the amount by which the amount (described in subparagraph (B)(i)) would have been so reduced.
"(E)(i) In the case of an individual who, for December 1973 lived as a member of a family unit other members of which received aid (in the form of money payments) under a State plan of a State approved under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act [part A of subchapter IV of this chapter], such State at its option, may (subject to clause (ii)) reduce such individual's December 1973 income (as determined under subparagraph (B)) to such extent as may be necessary to cause the supplementary payment (referred to in paragraph (2)) payable to such individual for January 1974 or any month thereafter to be reduced to a level designed to assure that the total income of such individual (and of the members of such family unit) for any month after December 1973 does not exceed the total income of such individual (and of the members of such family unit) for December 1973.
"(ii) The amount of the reduction (under clause (i)) of any individual's December 1973 income shall not be in an amount which would cause the supplementary payment (referred to in paragraph (2)) payable to such individual to be reduced below the amount of such supplementary payment which would be payable to such individual if he had, for the month of December 1973 not lived in a family, members of which were receiving aid under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act [part A of subchapter IV of this chapter], and had had no income for such month other than that received as aid or assistance under a State plan approved under title I, X, XIV, or XVI of the Social Security Act [subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter].
"(4) Any State having an agreement with the Commissioner of Social Security under paragraph (1) may, at its option, include individuals receiving benefits under section 1619 of the Social Security Act [
"(b)(1) Any State having an agreement with the Commissioner of Social Security under subsection (a) may enter into an administration agreement with the Commissioner of Social Security whereby the Commissioner of Social Security will, on behalf of such State, make the supplementary payments required under the agreement entered into under subsection (a).
"(2) Any such administration agreement between the Commissioner of Social Security and a State entered into under this subsection shall provide that the State will (A) certify to the Commissioner of Social Security the names of each individual who, for December 1973, was a recipient of aid or assistance (in the form of money payments) under a plan of such State approved under title I, X, XIV, or XVI of the Social Security Act [subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter], together with the amount of such assistance payable to each such individual and the amount of such individual's December 1973 income (as defined in subsection (a)(3)(B)), and (B) provide the Commissioner of Social Security with such additional data at such times as the Commissioner of Social Security may reasonably require in order properly, economically, and efficiently to carry out such administration agreement.
"(3)(A) Any State which has entered into an administration agreement under this subsection shall, in accordance with subparagraph (E), pay to the Commissioner of Social Security an amount equal to the expenditures made by the Commissioner of Social Security as supplementary payments to individuals entitled thereto under the agreement entered into with such State under subsection (a), plus an administration fee assessed in accordance with subparagraph (B) and any additional services fee charged in accordance with subparagraph (C).
"(B)(i) The Commissioner of Social Security shall assess each State an administration fee in an amount equal to—
"(I) the number of supplementary payments made by the Commissioner of Social Security on behalf of the State under this subsection for any month in a fiscal year; multiplied by
"(II) the applicable rate for the fiscal year.
"(ii) As used in clause (i), the term 'applicable rate' means—
"(I) for fiscal year 1994, $1.67;
"(II) for fiscal year 1995, $3.33;
"(III) for fiscal year 1996, $5.00;
"(IV) for fiscal year 1997, $5.00;
"(V) for fiscal year 1998, $6.20;
"(VI) for fiscal year 1999, $7.60;
"(VII) for fiscal year 2000, $7.80;
"(VIII) for fiscal year 2001, $8.10;
"(IX) for fiscal year 2002, $8.50; and
"(X) for fiscal year 2003 and each succeeding fiscal year—
"(aa) the applicable rate in the preceding fiscal year, increased by the percentage, if any, by which the Consumer Price Index for the month of June of the calendar year of the increase exceeds the Consumer Price Index for the month of June of the calendar year preceding the calendar year of the increase, and rounded to the nearest whole cent; or
"(bb) such different rate as the Commissioner determines is appropriate for the State.
"(iii) Upon making a determination under clause (ii)(X)(bb), the Commissioner of Social Security shall promulgate the determination in regulations, which may take into account the complexity of administering the State's supplementary payment program.
"(iv) All fees assessed pursuant to this subparagraph shall be transferred to the Commissioner of Social Security at the same time that amounts for such supplementary payments are required to be so transferred.
"(C)(i) The Commissioner of Social Security may charge a State an additional services fee if, at the request of the State, the Commissioner of Social Security provides additional services beyond the level customarily provided, in the administration of State supplementary payments pursuant to this subsection.
"(ii) The additional services fee shall be in an amount that the Commissioner of Social Security determines is necessary to cover all costs (including indirect costs) incurred by the Federal Government in furnishing the additional services referred to in clause (i).
"(D)(i) The first $5 of each administration fee assessed pursuant to subparagraph (B), upon collection, shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts.
"(ii) The portion of each administration fee in excess of $5, and 100 percent of each additional services fee charged pursuant to subparagraph (C), upon collection for fiscal year 1998 and each subsequent fiscal year, shall be credited to a special fund established in the Treasury of the United States for State supplementary payment fees. The amounts so credited, to the extent and in the amounts provided in advance in appropriations Acts, shall be available to defray expenses incurred in carrying out this section and title XVI of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] and related laws.
"(E)(i) Any State which has entered into an agreement with the Commissioner of Social Security under this section shall remit the payments and fees required under this paragraph with respect to monthly benefits paid to individuals under title XVI of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] no later than—
"(I) the business day preceding the date that the Commissioner pays such monthly benefits; or
"(II) with respect to such monthly benefits paid for the month that is the last month of the State's fiscal year, the fifth business day following such date.
"(ii) The Cash Management Improvement Act of 1990 [see Short Title of 1990 Amendment note set out under
"(iii) Notwithstanding clause (i), the Commissioner may make supplementary payments on behalf of a State with funds appropriated for payment of supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], and subsequently to be reimbursed for such payments by the State at such times as the Commissioner and State may agree. Such authority may be exercised only if extraordinary circumstances affecting a State's ability to make payment when required by clause (i) are determined by the Commissioner to exist.
"(c)(1) Supplementary payments made pursuant to an agreement entered into under subsection (a) shall be excluded under section 1612(b)(6) of the Social Security Act [
"(2) Supplementary payments made by the Commissioner of Social Security (pursuant to an administration agreement entered into under subsection (b)) shall, for purposes of section 401 of the Social Security Amendments of 1972 [set out as a note under
"(d) For purposes of subsection (a)(1), a State shall be deemed to have entered into an agreement under subsection (a) of this section if such State has entered into an agreement with the Commissioner of Social Security under section 1616 of the Social Security Act [
"(1) individuals, other than individuals described in subsection (a)(2)(A) and (B), are entitled to receive supplementary payments, and
"(2) supplementary benefits are payable, to individuals described in subsection (a)(2)(A) and (B) at a level and under terms and conditions which meet the minimum requirements specified in subsection (a).
"(e) Except as the Commissioner of Social Security may by regulations otherwise provide, the provisions of title XVI of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] (as enacted by section 301 of the Social Security Amendments of 1972), including the provisions of part B of such title [part B of this subchapter], relating to the terms and conditions under which the benefits authorized by such title [this subchapter] are payable shall, where not inconsistent with the purposes of this section, be applicable to the payments made under an agreement under subsection (b) of this section; and the authority conferred upon the Commissioner of Social Security by such title [this subchapter] may, where appropriate, be exercised by him in the administration of this section.
"(f) The provisions of subsection (a)(1) shall not be applicable in the case of any State—
"(1) the Constitution of which contains provisions which make it impossible for such State to enter into and commence carrying out (on January 1, 1974) an agreement referred to in subsection (a), and
"(2) the Attorney General (or other appropriate State official) of which has, prior to July 1, 1973, made a finding that the State Constitution of such State contains limitations which prevent such State from making supplemental payments of the type described in section 1616 of the Social Security Act [
[For effective date of amendment to section 212 of
[For effective date of amendment to section 212 of
[Section 2(b)(1) of
[Amendment of section 212 of
Application to Northern Mariana Islands
For applicability of this section to the Northern Mariana Islands, see section 502(a)(1) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America and Proc. No. 4534, Oct. 24, 1977, 42 F.R. 6593, set out as notes under
Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands
Enactment of section 1602 of the Social Security Act [this section] by
§1382. State plans for aid to aged, blind, or disabled
(a) Contents
A State plan for aid to the aged, blind, or disabled, must—
(1) except to the extent permitted by the Commissioner of Social Security with respect to services, provide that it shall be in effect in all political subdivisions of the State, and, if administered by them, be mandatory upon them;
(2) provide for financial participation by the State;
(3) either provide for the establishment or designation of a single State agency to administer the plan, or provide for the establishment or designation of a single State agency to supervise the administration of the plan;
(4) provide (A) for granting an opportunity for a fair hearing before the State agency to any individual whose claim for aid or assistance under the plan is denied or is not acted upon with reasonable promptness, and (B) that if the State plan is administered in each of the political subdivisions of the State by a local agency and such local agency provides a hearing at which evidence may be presented prior to a hearing before the State agency, such local agency may put into effect immediately upon issuance its decision upon the matter considered at such hearing;
(5) provide (A) such methods of administration (including methods relating to the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards on a merit basis, except that the Commissioner of Social Security shall exercise no authority with respect to the selection, tenure of office, and compensation of any individual employed in accordance with such methods) as are found by the Commissioner of Social Security to be necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the plan, and (B) for the training and effective use of paid subprofessional staff, with particular emphasis on the full-time or part-time employment of recipients and other persons of low income, as community service aides, in the administration of the plan and for the use of nonpaid or partially paid volunteers in a social service volunteer program in providing services to applicants and recipients and in assisting any advisory committees established by the State agency;
(6) provide that the State agency will make such reports, in such form and containing such information, as the Commissioner of Social Security may from time to time require, and comply with such provisions as the Commissioner of Social Security may from time to time find necessary to assure the correctness and verification of such reports;
(7) provide safeguards which permit the use or disclosure of information concerning applicants or recipients only (A) to public officials who require such information in connection with their official duties, or (B) to other persons for purposes directly connected with the administration of the State plan;
(8) provide that all individuals wishing to make application for aid or assistance under the plan shall have opportunity to do so, and that such aid or assistance shall be furnished with reasonable promptness to all eligible individuals;
(9) provide, if the plan includes aid or assistance to or on behalf of individuals in private or public institutions, for the establishment or designation of a State authority or authorities which shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining standards for such institutions;
(10) provide a description of the services (if any) which the State agency makes available (using whatever internal organizational arrangement it finds appropriate for this purpose) to applicants for or recipients of aid or assistance under the plan to help them attain self-support or self-care, including a description of the steps taken to assure, in the provision of such services, maximum utilization of other agencies providing similar or related services;
(11) provide that no aid or assistance will be furnished any individual under the plan with respect to any period with respect to which he is receiving assistance under the State plan approved under subchapter I of this chapter or assistance under a State program funded under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter or under subchapter X or XIV of this chapter;
(12) provide that, in determining whether an individual is blind, there shall be an examination by a physician skilled in the diseases of the eye or by an optometrist, whichever the individual may select;
(13) include reasonable standards, consistent with the objectives of this subchapter, for determining eligibility for and the extent of aid or assistance under the plan;
(14) provide that the State agency shall, in determining need for aid to the aged, blind, or disabled, take into consideration any other income and resources of an individual claiming such aid, as well as any expenses reasonably attributable to the earning of any such income; except that, in making such determination with respect to any individual—
(A) if such individual is blind, the State agency (i) shall disregard the first $85 per month of earned income plus one-half of earned income in excess of $85 per month, and (ii) shall, for a period not in excess of 12 months, and may, for a period not in excess of 36 months, disregard such additional amounts of other income and resources, in the case of any such individual who has a plan for achieving self-support approved by the State agency, as may be necessary for the fulfillment of such plan,
(B) if such individual is not blind but is permanently and totally disabled, (i) of the first $80 per month of earned income, the State agency may disregard not more than the first $20 thereof plus one-half of the remainder, and (ii) the State agency may, for a period not in excess of 36 months, disregard such additional amounts of other income and resources, in the case of any such individual who has a plan for achieving self-support approved by the State agency, as may be necessary for the fulfillment of such plan, but only with respect to the part or parts of such period during substantially all of which he is actually undergoing vocational rehabilitation,
(C) if such individual has attained age 65 and is neither blind nor permanently and totally disabled, of the first $80 per month of earned income the State agency may disregard not more than the first $20 thereof plus one-half of the remainder, and
(D) the State agency may, before disregarding the amounts referred to above in this paragraph (14), disregard not more than $7.50 of any income; and
(15) provide that information is requested and exchanged for purposes of income and eligibility verification in accordance with a State system which meets the requirements of
Notwithstanding paragraph (3), if on January 1, 1962, and on the date on which a State submits its plan for approval under this subchapter, the State agency which administered or supervised the administration of the plan of such State approved under subchapter X of this chapter was different from the State agency which administered or supervised the administration of the plan of such State approved under subchapter I of this chapter and the State agency which administered or supervised the administration of the plan of such State approved under subchapter XIV of this chapter, the State agency which administered or supervised the administration of such plan approved under subchapter X of this chapter may be designated to administer or supervise the administration of the portion of the State plan for aid to the aged, blind, or disabled which relates to blind individuals and a separate State agency may be established or designated to administer or supervise the administration of the rest of such plan; and in such case the part of the plan which each such agency administers, or the administration of which each such agency supervises, shall be regarded as a separate plan for purposes of this subchapter.
(b) Approval by Commissioner
The Commissioner of Social Security shall approve any plan which fulfills the conditions specified in subsection (a) of this section, except that the Commissioner shall not approve any plan which imposes, as a condition of eligibility for aid or assistance under the plan—
(1) an age requirement of more than sixty-five years; or
(2) any residence requirement which excludes any resident of the State who has resided therein five years during the nine years immediately preceding the application for such aid and has resided therein continuously for one year immediately preceding the application; or
(3) any citizenship requirement which excludes any citizen of the United States.
At the option of the State, the plan may provide that manuals and other policy issuances will be furnished to persons without charge for the reasonable cost of such materials, but such provision shall not be required by the Commissioner of Social Security as a condition for the approval of such plan under this subchapter. In the case of any State to which the provisions of section 344 of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1950 were applicable on January 1, 1962, and to which the sentence of
(c) Limitation on number of plans
Subject to the last sentence of subsection (a) of this section, nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to permit a State to have in effect with respect to any period more than one State plan approved under this subchapter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1602, as added July 25, 1962,
[Amendment by
[Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
§1382a. Income; earned and unearned income defined; exclusions from income
(a) For purposes of this subchapter, income means both earned income and unearned income; and—
(1) earned income means only—
(A) wages as determined under
(B) net earnings from self-employment, as defined in
(C) remuneration received for services performed in a sheltered workshop or work activities center; and
(D) any royalty earned by an individual in connection with any publication of the work of the individual, and that portion of any honorarium which is received for services rendered; and
(2) unearned income means all other income, including—
(A) support and maintenance furnished in cash or kind; except that (i) in the case of any individual (and his eligible spouse, if any) living in another person's household and receiving support and maintenance in kind from such person, the dollar amounts otherwise applicable to such individual (and spouse) as specified in subsections (a) and (b) of
(B) any payments received as an annuity, pension, retirement, or disability benefit, including veterans' compensation and pensions, workmen's compensation payments, old-age, survivors, and disability insurance benefits, railroad retirement annuities and pensions, and unemployment insurance benefits;
(C) prizes and awards;
(D) payments to the individual occasioned by the death of another person, to the extent that the total of such payments exceeds the amount expended by such individual for purposes of the deceased person's last illness and burial;
(E) support and alimony payments, and (subject to the provisions of subparagraph (D) excluding certain amounts expended for purposes of a last illness and burial) gifts (cash or otherwise) and inheritances;
(F) rents, dividends, interest, and royalties not described in paragraph (1)(E);
(G) any earnings of, and additions to, the corpus of a trust established by an individual (within the meaning of
(H) payments to or on behalf of a member of a uniformed service for housing of the member (and his or her dependents, if any) on a facility of a uniformed service, including payments provided under
(b) In determining the income of an individual (and his eligible spouse) there shall be excluded—
(1) subject to limitations (as to amount or otherwise) prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security, if such individual is under the age of 22 and is, as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security, a student regularly attending a school, college, or university, or a course of vocational or technical training designed to prepare him for gainful employment, the earned income of such individual;
(2)(A) the first $240 per year (or proportionately smaller amounts for shorter periods) of income (whether earned or unearned) other than income which is paid on the basis of the need of the eligible individual, and
(B) monthly (or other periodic) payments received by any individual, under a program established prior to July 1, 1973 (or any program established prior to such date but subsequently amended so as to conform to State or Federal constitutional standards), if (i) such payments are made by the State of which the individual receiving such payments is a resident, (ii) eligibility of any individual for such payments is not based on need and is based solely on attainment of age 65 or any other age set by the State and residency in such State by such individual, and (iii) on or before September 30, 1985, such individual (I) first becomes an eligible individual or an eligible spouse under this title, and (II) satisfies the twenty-five-year residency requirement of such program as such program was in effect prior to January 1, 1983;
(3) in any calendar quarter, the first—
(A) $60 of unearned income, and
(B) $30 of earned income,
of such individual (and such spouse, if any) which, as determined in accordance with criteria prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security, is received too infrequently or irregularly to be included;
(4)(A) if such individual (or such spouse) is blind (and has not attained age 65, or received benefits under this subchapter (or aid under a State plan approved under
(B) if such individual (or such spouse) is disabled but not blind (and has not attained age 65, or received benefits under this subchapter (or aid under a State plan approved under
(C) if such individual (or such spouse) has attained age 65 and is not included under subparagraph (A) or (B), the first $780 per year (or proportionately smaller amounts for shorter periods) of earned income not excluded by the preceding paragraphs of this subsection, plus one-half of the remainder thereof;
(5) any amount received from any public agency as a return or refund of taxes paid on real property or on food purchased by such individual (or such spouse);
(6) assistance, furnished to or on behalf of such individual (and spouse), which is based on need and furnished by any State or political subdivision of a State;
(7) any portion of any grant, scholarship, fellowship, or gift (or portion of a gift) used to pay the cost of tuition and fees at any educational (including technical or vocational education) institution;
(8) home produce of such individual (or spouse) utilized by the household for its own consumption;
(9) if such individual is a child, one-third of any payment for his support received from an absent parent;
(10) any amounts received for the foster care of a child who is not an eligible individual but who is living in the same home as such individual and was placed in such home by a public or nonprofit private child-placement or child-care agency;
(11) assistance received under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act [
(12) interest income received on assistance funds referred to in paragraph (11) within the 9-month period beginning on the date such funds are received (or such longer periods as the Commissioner of Social Security shall by regulations prescribe in cases where good cause is shown by the individual concerned for extending such period);
(13) any support or maintenance assistance furnished to or on behalf of such individual (and spouse if any) which (as determined under regulations of the Commissioner of Social Security by such State agency as the chief executive officer of the State may designate) is based on need for such support or maintenance, including assistance received to assist in meeting the costs of home energy (including both heating and cooling), and which is (A) assistance furnished in kind by a private nonprofit agency, or (B) assistance furnished by a supplier of home heating oil or gas, by an entity providing home energy whose revenues are primarily derived on a rate-of-return basis regulated by a State or Federal governmental entity, or by a municipal utility providing home energy;
(14) assistance paid, with respect to the dwelling unit occupied by such individual (or such individual and spouse), under the United States Housing Act of 1937 [
(15) the value of any commercial transportation ticket, for travel by such individual (or spouse) among the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands, which is received as a gift by such individual (or such spouse) and is not converted to cash;
(16) interest accrued on the value of an agreement entered into by such individual (or such spouse) representing the purchase of a burial space excluded under
(17) any amount received by such individual (or such spouse) from a fund established by a State to aid victims of crime;
(18) relocation assistance provided by a State or local government to such individual (or such spouse), comparable to assistance provided under title II of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisitions Policies Act of 1970 which is subject to the treatment required by section 216 of such Act [
(19) any refund of Federal income taxes made to such individual (or such spouse) by reason of section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to earned income tax credit), and any payment made to such individual (or such spouse) by an employer under section 3507 of such Code (relating to advance payment of earned income credit);
(20) special pay received pursuant to
(21) the interest or other earnings on any account established and maintained in accordance with
(22) any gift to, or for the benefit of, an individual who has not attained 18 years of age and who has a life-threatening condition, from an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code—
(A) in the case of an in-kind gift, if the gift is not converted to cash; or
(B) in the case of a cash gift, only to the extent that the total amount excluded from the income of the individual pursuant to this paragraph in the calendar year in which the gift is made does not exceed $2,000;
(23) interest or dividend income from resources—
(A) not excluded under
(B) excluded pursuant to Federal law other than
(24) any annuity paid by a State to the individual (or such spouse) on the basis of the individual's being a veteran (as defined in
(25) any benefit (whether cash or in-kind) conferred upon (or paid on behalf of) a participant in an AmeriCorps position approved by the Corporation for National and Community Service under
(26) the first $2,000 received during a calendar year by such individual (or such spouse) as compensation for participation in a clinical trial involving research and testing of treatments for a rare disease or condition (as defined in
(A) has been reviewed and approved by an institutional review board that is established—
(i) to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects participating in scientific research; and
(ii) in accord with the requirements under part 46 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations; and
(B) meets the standards for protection of human subjects as provided under part 46 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1612, as added
Amendment of Section
For repeal of amendment by section 3(e) of
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b)(19), (22), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
The Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2)(A) and (b)(11), is
The United States Housing Act of 1937, referred to in subsec. (b)(14), is act Sept. 1, 1937, ch. 896, as revised generally by
The National Housing Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(14), is act June 27, 1934, ch. 847,
Section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (b)(14), is section 101 of
The Housing Act of 1949, referred to in subsec. (b)(14), is act July 15, 1949, ch. 338,
The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisitions Policies Act of 1970, referred to in subsec. (b)(18), is
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(26).
2008—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(H).
Subsec. (b)(24).
Subsec. (b)(25).
2004—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(7).
Subsec. (b)(23).
2000—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
1999—Subsec. (a)(2)(G).
1998—Subsec. (b)(22).
1996—Subsec. (b)(21).
1994—Subsec. (a)(1)(C) to (E).
Subsec. (b)(1), (3)(A), (4)(A), (B), (12), (13).
Subsec. (b)(17).
1993—Subsec. (b)(20).
1990—Subsec. (a)(1)(E).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(16).
Subsec. (b)(17).
Subsec. (b)(18).
Subsec. (b)(19).
1989—Subsec. (b)(15).
Subsec. (b)(16).
1988—Subsecs. (a)(2)(A), (b)(11).
Subsec. (b)(14).
1987—Subsec. (a)(2)(D), (E).
"(D) the proceeds of any life insurance policy to the extent that they exceed the amount expended by the beneficiary for purposes of the insured individual's last illness and burial or $1,500, whichever is less;
"(E) gifts (cash or otherwise), support and alimony payments, and inheritances; and".
1986—Subsec. (a)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(11) to (13).
1984—Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(9).
Subsec. (b)(13).
1983—Subsec. (b)(13).
1981—Subsec. (b)(3).
1980—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B).
1977—Subsec. (b)(12).
1976—Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (b)(11).
1974—Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Effective and Termination Dates of 2010 Amendment
"(1) the effective date of final regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Social Security to carry out this section and such amendments; or
"(2) 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 2010]."
[Section 3(d) of
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Section 213(d) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendments
Amendment by section 264(a) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13733(c) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 5031(d) of
Section 5033(b) of
Section 5034(b) of
Section 5035(c) of
Section 11115(e) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 8011(b) of
Section 8013(c) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 8103(c) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 9120(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2616(b) of
Section 2639(d) of
[Section 9101 of
Amendment by section 2663(g)(3), (4) of
Effective and Termination Dates of 1983 Amendments
Section 545(c) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Section 202(b) of
Amendment by section 302(b) of
Section 101(b)(1)(B) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Section 8(b) of
Effective Date of 1976 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 2(b) of
Section 4(b) of
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Section 4 of
Effective Date
Section 301 of
Findings
"(1) Advances in medicine depend on clinical trial research conducted at public and private research institutions across the United States.
"(2) The challenges associated with enrolling participants in clinical research studies are especially difficult for studies that evaluate treatments for rare diseases and conditions (defined by the Orphan Drug Act [
"(3) In accordance with ethical standards established by the National Institutes of Health, sponsors of clinical research may provide payments to trial participants for out-of-pocket costs associated with trial enrollment and for the time and commitment demanded by those who participate in a study. When offering compensation, clinical trial sponsors are required to provide such payments to all participants.
"(4) The offer of payment for research participation may pose a barrier to trial enrollment when such payments threaten the eligibility of clinical trial participants for Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid benefits.
"(5) With a small number of potential trial participants and the possible loss of Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid benefits for many who wish to participate, clinical trial research for rare diseases and conditions becomes exceptionally difficult and may hinder research on new treatments and potential cures for these rare diseases and conditions."
[Section 2 of
Application to Northern Mariana Islands
For applicability of this section to Northern Mariana Islands, see section 502(a)(1) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America and Proc. No. 4534, Oct. 24, 1977, 42 F.R. 6593, set out as notes under
Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands
Enactment of provisions of
1 So in original. Probably should be subsection "(a)(15),".
§1382b. Resources
(a) Exclusions from resources
In determining the resources of an individual (and his eligible spouse, if any) there shall be excluded—
(1) the home (including the land that appertains thereto);
(2)(A) household goods, personal effects, and an automobile, to the extent that their total value does not exceed such amount as the Commissioner of Social Security determines to be reasonable; and
(B) the value of any burial space or agreement (including any interest accumulated thereon) representing the purchase of a burial space (subject to such limits as to size or value as the Commissioner of Social Security may by regulation prescribe) held for the purpose of providing a place for the burial of the individual, his spouse, or any other member of his immediate family;
(3) other property which is so essential to the means of self-support of such individual (and such spouse) as to warrant its exclusion, as determined in accordance with and subject to limitations prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security, except that the Commissioner of Social Security shall not establish a limitation on property (including the tools of a tradesperson and the machinery and livestock of a farmer) that is used in a trade or business or by such individual as an employee;
(4) such resources of an individual who is blind or disabled and who has a plan for achieving self-support approved by the Commissioner of Social Security, as may be necessary for the fulfillment of such plan;
(5) in the case of Natives of Alaska, shares of stock held in a Regional or a Village Corporation, during the period of twenty years in which such stock is inalienable, as provided in section 1606(h) and
(6) assistance referred to in
(7) any amount received from the United States which is attributable to underpayments of benefits due for one or more prior months, under this subchapter or subchapter II of this chapter, to such individual (or spouse) or to any other person whose income is deemed to be included in such individual's (or spouse's) income for purposes of this subchapter; but the application of this paragraph in the case of any such individual (and eligible spouse if any), with respect to any amount so received from the United States, shall be limited to the first 9 months following the month in which such amount is received, and written notice of this limitation shall be given to the recipient concurrently with the payment of such amount;
(8) the value of assistance referred to in
(9) for the 9-month period beginning after the month in which received, any amount received by such individual (or such spouse) from a fund established by a State to aid victims of crime, to the extent that such individual (or such spouse) demonstrates that such amount was paid as compensation for expenses incurred or losses suffered as a result of a crime;
(10) for the 9-month period beginning after the month in which received, relocation assistance provided by a State or local government to such individual (or such spouse), comparable to assistance provided under title II of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisitions Policies Act of 1970 which is subject to the treatment required by section 216 of such Act [
(11) for the 9-month period beginning after the month in which received—
(A) notwithstanding section 203 of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, any refund of Federal income taxes made to such individual (or such spouse) under section 24 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to child tax credit) by reason of subsection (d) thereof; and
(B) any refund of Federal income taxes made to such individual (or such spouse) by reason of section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to earned income tax credit), and any payment made to such individual (or such spouse) by an employer under section 3507 of such Code (relating to advance payment of earned income credit);
(12) any account, including accrued interest or other earnings thereon, established and maintained in accordance with
(13) any gift to, or for the benefit of, an individual who has not attained 18 years of age and who has a life-threatening condition, from an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code—
(A) in the case of an in-kind gift, if the gift is not converted to cash; or
(B) in the case of a cash gift, only to the extent that the total amount excluded from the resources of the individual pursuant to this paragraph in the calendar year in which the gift is made does not exceed $2,000;
(14) for the 9-month period beginning after the month in which received, any amount received by such individual (or spouse) or any other person whose income is deemed to be included in such individual's (or spouse's) income for purposes of this subchapter as restitution for benefits under this subchapter, subchapter II of this chapter, or subchapter VIII of this chapter that a representative payee of such individual (or spouse) or such other person under
(15) for the 9-month period beginning after the month in which received, any grant, scholarship, fellowship, or gift (or portion of a gift) used to pay the cost of tuition and fees at any educational (including technical or vocational education) institution;
(16) for the month of receipt and every month thereafter, any annuity paid by a State to the individual (or such spouse) on the basis of the individual's being a veteran (as defined in
(17) any amount received by such individual (or such spouse) which is excluded from income under
In determining the resources of an individual (or eligible spouse) an insurance policy shall be taken into account only to the extent of its cash surrender value; except that if the total face value of all life insurance policies on any person is $1,500 or less, no part of the value of any such policy shall be taken into account.
(b) Disposition of resources; grounds for exemption from disposition requirements
(1) The Commissioner of Social Security shall prescribe the period or periods of time within which, and the manner in which, various kinds of property must be disposed of in order not to be included in determining an individual's eligibility for benefits. Any portion of the individual's benefits paid for any such period shall be conditioned upon such disposal; and any benefits so paid shall (at the time of the disposal) be considered overpayments to the extent they would not have been paid had the disposal occurred at the beginning of the period for which such benefits were paid.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), the Commissioner of Social Security shall not require the disposition of any real property for so long as it cannot be sold because (A) it is jointly owned (and its sale would cause undue hardship, due to loss of housing, for the other owner or owners), (B) its sale is barred by a legal impediment, or (C) as determined under regulations issued by the Commissioner of Social Security, the owner's reasonable efforts to sell it have been unsuccessful.
(c) Disposal of resources for less than fair market value
(1)(A)(i) If an individual or the spouse of an individual disposes of resources for less than fair market value on or after the look-back date described in clause (ii)(I), the individual is ineligible for benefits under this subchapter for months during the period beginning on the date described in clause (iii) and equal to the number of months calculated as provided in clause (iv).
(ii)(I) The look-back date described in this subclause is a date that is 36 months before the date described in subclause (II).
(II) The date described in this subclause is the date on which the individual applies for benefits under this subchapter or, if later, the date on which the individual (or the spouse of the individual) disposes of resources for less than fair market value.
(iii) The date described in this clause is the first day of the first month in or after which resources were disposed of for less than fair market value and which does not occur in any other period of ineligibility under this paragraph.
(iv) The number of months calculated under this clause shall be equal to—
(I) the total, cumulative uncompensated value of all resources so disposed of by the individual (or the spouse of the individual) on or after the look-back date described in clause (ii)(I); divided by
(II) the amount of the maximum monthly benefit payable under
rounded, in the case of any fraction, to the nearest whole number, but shall not in any case exceed 36 months.
(B)(i) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), this subsection shall not apply to a transfer of a resource to a trust if the portion of the trust attributable to the resource is considered a resource available to the individual pursuant to subsection (e)(3) of this section (or would be so considered but for the application of subsection (e)(4) of this section).
(ii) In the case of a trust established by an individual or an individual's spouse (within the meaning of subsection (e) of this section), if from such portion of the trust, if any, that is considered a resource available to the individual pursuant to subsection (e)(3) of this section (or would be so considered but for the application of subsection (e)(4) of this section) or the residue of the portion on the termination of the trust—
(I) there is made a payment other than to or for the benefit of the individual; or
(II) no payment could under any circumstance be made to the individual,
then, for purposes of this subsection, the payment described in clause (I) or the foreclosure of payment described in clause (II) shall be considered a transfer of resources by the individual or the individual's spouse as of the date of the payment or foreclosure, as the case may be.
(C) An individual shall not be ineligible for benefits under this subchapter by reason of the application of this paragraph to a disposal of resources by the individual or the spouse of the individual, to the extent that—
(i) the resources are a home and title to the home was transferred to—
(I) the spouse of the transferor;
(II) a child of the transferor who has not attained 21 years of age, or is blind or disabled;
(III) a sibling of the transferor who has an equity interest in such home and who was residing in the transferor's home for a period of at least 1 year immediately before the date the transferor becomes an institutionalized individual; or
(IV) a son or daughter of the transferor (other than a child described in subclause (II)) who was residing in the transferor's home for a period of at least 2 years immediately before the date the transferor becomes an institutionalized individual, and who provided care to the transferor which permitted the transferor to reside at home rather than in such an institution or facility;
(ii) the resources—
(I) were transferred to the transferor's spouse or to another for the sole benefit of the transferor's spouse;
(II) were transferred from the transferor's spouse to another for the sole benefit of the transferor's spouse;
(III) were transferred to, or to a trust (including a trust described in
(IV) were transferred to a trust (including a trust described in
(iii) a satisfactory showing is made to the Commissioner of Social Security (in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Commissioner) that—
(I) the individual who disposed of the resources intended to dispose of the resources either at fair market value, or for other valuable consideration;
(II) the resources were transferred exclusively for a purpose other than to qualify for benefits under this subchapter; or
(III) all resources transferred for less than fair market value have been returned to the transferor; or
(iv) the Commissioner determines, under procedures established by the Commissioner, that the denial of eligibility would work an undue hardship as determined on the basis of criteria established by the Commissioner.
(D) For purposes of this subsection, in the case of a resource held by an individual in common with another person or persons in a joint tenancy, tenancy in common, or similar arrangement, the resource (or the affected portion of such resource) shall be considered to be disposed of by the individual when any action is taken, either by the individual or by any other person, that reduces or eliminates the individual's ownership or control of such resource.
(E) In the case of a transfer by the spouse of an individual that results in a period of ineligibility for the individual under this subsection, the Commissioner shall apportion the period (or any portion of the period) among the individual and the individual's spouse if the spouse becomes eligible for benefits under this subchapter.
(F) For purposes of this paragraph—
(i) the term "benefits under this subchapter" includes payments of the type described in
(ii) the term "institutionalized individual" has the meaning given such term in section 1396p(e)(3) 1 of this title; and
(iii) the term "trust" has the meaning given such term in subsection (e)(6)(A) of this section.
(2)(A) At the time an individual (and the individual's eligible spouse, if any) applies for benefits under this subchapter, and at the time the eligibility of an individual (and such spouse, if any) for such benefits is redetermined, the Commissioner of Social Security shall—
(i) inform such individual of the provisions of paragraph (1) and
(ii) obtain from such individual information which may be used in determining whether or not a period of ineligibility for such benefits would be required by reason of paragraph (1) or
(B) The Commissioner of Social Security shall make the information obtained under subparagraph (A)(ii) available, on request, to any State agency administering a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter.
(d) Funds set aside for burial expenses
(1) In determining the resources of an individual, there shall be excluded an amount, not in excess of $1,500 each with respect to such individual and his spouse (if any), that is separately identifiable and has been set aside to meet the burial and related expenses of such individual or spouse.
(2) The amount of $1,500, referred to in paragraph (1), with respect to an individual shall be reduced by an amount equal to (A) the total face value of all insurance policies on his life which are owned by him or his spouse and the cash surrender value of which has been excluded in determining the resources of such individual or of such individual and his spouse, and (B) the total of any amounts in an irrevocable trust (or other irrevocable arrangement) available to meet the burial and related expenses of such individual or his spouse.
(3) If the Commissioner of Social Security finds that any part of the amount excluded under paragraph (1) was used for purposes other than those for which it was set aside in cases where the inclusion of any portion of the amount would cause the resources of such individual, or of such individual and spouse, to exceed the limits specified in paragraph (1) or (2) (whichever may be applicable) of
(4) The Commissioner of Social Security may provide by regulations that whenever an amount set aside to meet burial and related expenses is excluded under paragraph (1) in determining the resources of an individual, any interest earned or accrued on such amount (and left to accumulate), and any appreciation in the value of prepaid burial arrangements for which such amount was set aside, shall also be excluded (to such extent and subject to such conditions or limitations as such regulations may prescribe) in determining the resources (and the income) of such individual.
(e) Trusts
(1) In determining the resources of an individual, paragraph (3) shall apply to a trust (other than a trust described in paragraph (5)) established by the individual.
(2)(A) For purposes of this subsection, an individual shall be considered to have established a trust if any assets of the individual (or of the individual's spouse) are transferred to the trust other than by will.
(B) In the case of an irrevocable trust to which are transferred the assets of an individual (or of the individual's spouse) and the assets of any other person, this subsection shall apply to the portion of the trust attributable to the assets of the individual (or of the individual's spouse).
(C) This subsection shall apply to a trust without regard to—
(i) the purposes for which the trust is established;
(ii) whether the trustees have or exercise any discretion under the trust;
(iii) any restrictions on when or whether distributions may be made from the trust; or
(iv) any restrictions on the use of distributions from the trust.
(3)(A) In the case of a revocable trust established by an individual, the corpus of the trust shall be considered a resource available to the individual.
(B) In the case of an irrevocable trust established by an individual, if there are any circumstances under which payment from the trust could be made to or for the benefit of the individual (or of the individual's spouse), the portion of the corpus from which payment to or for the benefit of the individual (or of the individual's spouse) could be made shall be considered a resource available to the individual.
(4) The Commissioner of Social Security may waive the application of this subsection with respect to an individual if the Commissioner determines that such application would work an undue hardship (as determined on the basis of criteria established by the Commissioner) on the individual.
(5) This subsection shall not apply to a trust described in subparagraph (A) or (C) of
(6) For purposes of this subsection—
(A) the term "trust" includes any legal instrument or device that is similar to a trust;
(B) the term "corpus" means, with respect to a trust, all property and other interests held by the trust, including accumulated earnings and any other addition to the trust after its establishment (except that such term does not include any such earnings or addition in the month in which the earnings or addition is credited or otherwise transferred to the trust); and
(C) the term "asset" includes any income or resource of the individual (or of the individual's spouse), including—
(i) any income excluded by
(ii) any resource otherwise excluded by this section; and
(iii) any other payment or property to which the individual (or of the individual's spouse) is entitled but does not receive or have access to because of action by—
(I) the individual or spouse;
(II) a person or entity (including a court) with legal authority to act in place of, or on behalf of, the individual or spouse; or
(III) a person or entity (including a court) acting at the direction of, or on the request of, the individual or spouse.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1613, as added
Amendment of Section
For repeal of amendment by section 3(e) of
References in Text
The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisitions Policies Act of 1970, referred to in subsec. (a)(10), is
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a)(11), (13), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Section 203 of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, referred to in subsec. (a)(11)(A), is section 203 of
Section 212(b) of
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(17).
2008—Subsec. (a)(16).
2004—Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(11).
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (a)(15).
1999—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (e).
1998—Subsec. (a)(13).
1996—Subsec. (a)(12).
1994—Subsec. (a)(2) to (4), (6).
Subsec. (a)(9) to (11).
Subsecs. (b) to (d).
1990—Subsec. (a)(9).
Subsec. (a)(10).
1989—Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(3).
1988—Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (c).
1987—Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(3).
1984—Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (c).
1982—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (d).
1980—Subsec. (c).
1977—Subsec. (a)(6).
1976—Subsec. (a)(1).
Effective and Termination Dates of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by section 101(c)(2) of
Amendment by section 435(b) of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 205(a) of
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by section 213(b) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Section 321(h)(3) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 5031(b) of
Amendment by section 5035(b) of
Amendment by section 11115(b)(2) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by section 8013(b) of
Section 8014(b) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 9103(b) of
Section 9104(b) of
Section 9105(b) of
Section 9114(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 2614 of
Amendment by section 2663(g)(5) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Section 185(c) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Section 5(c) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Section 9(b) of
Effective Date
Section 301 of
Application to Northern Mariana Islands
For applicability of this section to the Northern Mariana Islands, see section 502(a)(1) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America and Proc. No. 4534, Oct. 24, 1977, 42 F.R. 6593, set out as notes under
Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands
Enactment of provisions of
1 See References in Text note below.
§1382c. Definitions
(a)(1) For purposes of this subchapter, the term "aged, blind, or disabled individual" means an individual who—
(A) is 65 years of age or older, is blind (as determined under paragraph (2)), or is disabled (as determined under paragraph (3)), and
(B)(i) is a resident of the United States, and is either (I) a citizen or (II) an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing in the United States under color of law (including any alien who is lawfully present in the United States as a result of the application of the provisions of
(ii) is a child who is a citizen of the United States, and who is living with a parent of the child who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States assigned to permanent duty ashore outside the United States.
(2) An individual shall be considered to be blind for purposes of this subchapter if he has central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens. An eye which is accompanied by a limitation in the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees shall be considered for purposes of the first sentence of this subsection as having a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less. An individual shall also be considered to be blind for purposes of this subchapter if he is blind as defined under a State plan approved under subchapter X or XVI of this chapter as in effect for October 1972 and received aid under such plan (on the basis of blindness) for December 1973, so long as he is continuously blind as so defined.
(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (C), an individual shall be considered to be disabled for purposes of this subchapter if he is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), an individual shall be determined to be under a disability only if his physical or mental impairment or impairments are of such severity that he is not only unable to do his previous work but cannot, considering his age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy, regardless of whether such work exists in the immediate area in which he lives, or whether a specific job vacancy exists for him, or whether he would be hired if he applied for work. For purposes of the preceding sentence (with respect to any individual), "work which exists in the national economy" means work which exists in significant numbers either in the region where such individual lives or in several regions of the country.
(C)(i) An individual under the age of 18 shall be considered disabled for the purposes of this subchapter if that individual has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, which results in marked and severe functional limitations, and which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
(ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), no individual under the age of 18 who engages in substantial gainful activity (determined in accordance with regulations prescribed pursuant to subparagraph (E)) may be considered to be disabled.
(D) For purposes of this paragraph, a physical or mental impairment is an impairment that results from anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities which are demonstrable by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques.
(E) The Commissioner of Social Security shall by regulations prescribe the criteria for determining when services performed or earnings derived from services demonstrate an individual's ability to engage in substantial gainful activity. In determining whether an individual is able to engage in substantial gainful activity by reason of his earnings, where his disability is sufficiently severe to result in a functional limitation requiring assistance in order for him to work, there shall be excluded from such earnings an amount equal to the cost (to such individual) of any attendant care services, medical devices, equipment, prostheses, and similar items and services (not including routine drugs or routine medical services unless such drugs or services are necessary for the control of the disabling condition) which are necessary (as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security in regulations) for that purpose, whether or not such assistance is also needed to enable him to carry out his normal daily functions; except that the amounts to be excluded shall be subject to such reasonable limits as the Commissioner of Social Security may prescribe. Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (B), an individual whose services or earnings meet such criteria shall be found not to be disabled. The Commissioner of Social Security shall make determinations under this subchapter with respect to substantial gainful activity, without regard to the legality of the activity.
(F) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (A) through (E), an individual shall also be considered to be disabled for purposes of this subchapter if he is permanently and totally disabled as defined under a State plan approved under subchapter XIV or XVI of this chapter as in effect for October 1972 and received aid under such plan (on the basis of disability) for December 1973 (and for at least one month prior to July 1973), so long as he is continuously disabled as so defined.
(G) In determining whether an individual's physical or mental impairment or impairments are of a sufficient medical severity that such impairment or impairments could be the basis of eligibility under this section, the Commissioner of Social Security shall consider the combined effect of all of the individual's impairments without regard to whether any such impairment, if considered separately, would be of such severity. If the Commissioner of Social Security does find a medically severe combination of impairments, the combined impact of the impairments shall be considered throughout the disability determination process.
(H)(i) In making determinations with respect to disability under this subchapter, the provisions of
(ii)(I) Not less frequently than once every 3 years, the Commissioner shall review in accordance with paragraph (4) the continued eligibility for benefits under this subchapter of each individual who has not attained 18 years of age and is eligible for such benefits by reason of an impairment (or combination of impairments) which is likely to improve (or, at the option of the Commissioner, which is unlikely to improve).
(II) A representative payee of a recipient whose case is reviewed under this clause shall present, at the time of review, evidence demonstrating that the recipient is, and has been, receiving treatment, to the extent considered medically necessary and available, of the condition which was the basis for providing benefits under this subchapter.
(III) If the representative payee refuses to comply without good cause with the requirements of subclause (II), the Commissioner of Social Security shall, if the Commissioner determines it is in the best interest of the individual, promptly suspend payment of benefits to the representative payee, and provide for payment of benefits to an alternative representative payee of the individual or, if the interest of the individual under this subchapter would be served thereby, to the individual.
(IV) Subclause (II) shall not apply to the representative payee of any individual with respect to whom the Commissioner determines such application would be inappropriate or unnecessary. In making such determination, the Commissioner shall take into consideration the nature of the individual's impairment (or combination of impairments).
(iii) If an individual is eligible for benefits under this subchapter by reason of disability for the month preceding the month in which the individual attains the age of 18 years, the Commissioner shall redetermine such eligibility—
(I) by applying the criteria used in determining initial eligibility for individuals who are age 18 or older; and
(II) either during the 1-year period beginning on the individual's 18th birthday or, in lieu of a continuing disability review, whenever the Commissioner determines that an individual's case is subject to a redetermination under this clause.
With respect to any redetermination under this clause, paragraph (4) shall not apply.
(iv)(I) Except as provided in subclause (VI), not later than 12 months after the birth of an individual, the Commissioner shall review in accordance with paragraph (4) the continuing eligibility for benefits under this subchapter by reason of disability of such individual whose low birth weight is a contributing factor material to the Commissioner's determination that the individual is disabled.
(II) A review under subclause (I) shall be considered a substitute for a review otherwise required under any other provision of this subparagraph during that 12-month period.
(III) A representative payee of a recipient whose case is reviewed under this clause shall present, at the time of review, evidence demonstrating that the recipient is, and has been, receiving treatment, to the extent considered medically necessary and available, of the condition which was the basis for providing benefits under this subchapter.
(IV) If the representative payee refuses to comply without good cause with the requirements of subclause (III), the Commissioner of Social Security shall, if the Commissioner determines it is in the best interest of the individual, promptly suspend payment of benefits to the representative payee, and provide for payment of benefits to an alternative representative payee of the individual or, if the interest of the individual under this subchapter would be served thereby, to the individual.
(V) Subclause (III) shall not apply to the representative payee of any individual with respect to whom the Commissioner determines such application would be inappropriate or unnecessary. In making such determination, the Commissioner shall take into consideration the nature of the individual's impairment (or combination of impairments).
(VI) Subclause (I) shall not apply in the case of an individual described in that subclause who, at the time of the individual's initial disability determination, the Commissioner determines has an impairment that is not expected to improve within 12 months after the birth of that individual, and who the Commissioner schedules for a continuing disability review at a date that is after the individual attains 1 year of age.
(I) In making any determination under this subchapter with respect to the disability of an individual who has not attained the age of 18 years and to whom
(J) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), an individual shall not be considered to be disabled for purposes of this subchapter if alcoholism or drug addiction would (but for this subparagraph) be a contributing factor material to the Commissioner's determination that the individual is disabled.
(4) A recipient of benefits based on disability under this subchapter may be determined not to be entitled to such benefits on the basis of a finding that the physical or mental impairment on the basis of which such benefits are provided has ceased, does not exist, or is not disabling only if such finding is supported by—
(A) in the case of an individual who is age 18 or older—
(i) substantial evidence which demonstrates that—
(I) there has been any medical improvement in the individual's impairment or combination of impairments (other than medical improvement which is not related to the individual's ability to work), and
(II) the individual is now able to engage in substantial gainful activity; or
(ii) substantial evidence (except in the case of an individual eligible to receive benefits under
(I) consists of new medical evidence and a new assessment of the individual's residual functional capacity, and demonstrates that—
(aa) although the individual has not improved medically, he or she is nonetheless a beneficiary of advances in medical or vocational therapy or technology (related to the individual's ability to work), and
(bb) the individual is now able to engage in substantial gainful activity, or
(II) demonstrates that—
(aa) although the individual has not improved medically, he or she has undergone vocational therapy (related to the individual's ability to work), and
(bb) the individual is now able to engage in substantial gainful activity; or
(iii) substantial evidence which demonstrates that, as determined on the basis of new or improved diagnostic techniques or evaluations, the individual's impairment or combination of impairments is not as disabling as it was considered to be at the time of the most recent prior decision that he or she was under a disability or continued to be under a disability, and that therefore the individual is able to engage in substantial gainful activity; or
(B) in the case of an individual who is under the age of 18—
(i) substantial evidence which demonstrates that there has been medical improvement in the individual's impairment or combination of impairments, and that such impairment or combination of impairments no longer results in marked and severe functional limitations; or
(ii) substantial evidence which demonstrates that, as determined on the basis of new or improved diagnostic techniques or evaluations, the individual's impairment or combination of impairments, is not as disabling as it was considered to be at the time of the most recent prior decision that the individual was under a disability or continued to be under a disability, and such impairment or combination of impairments does not result in marked and severe functional limitations; or
(C) in the case of any individual, substantial evidence (which may be evidence on the record at the time any prior determination of the entitlement to benefits based on disability was made, or newly obtained evidence which relates to that determination) which demonstrates that a prior determination was in error.
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require a determination that an individual receiving benefits based on disability under this subchapter is entitled to such benefits if the prior determination was fraudulently obtained or if the individual is engaged in substantial gainful activity, cannot be located, or fails, without good cause, to cooperate in a review of his or her entitlement or to follow prescribed treatment which would be expected (i) to restore his or her ability to engage in substantial gainful activity, or (ii) in the case of an individual under the age of 18, to eliminate or improve the individual's impairment or combination of impairments so that it no longer results in marked and severe functional limitations. Any determination under this paragraph shall be made on the basis of all the evidence available in the individual's case file, including new evidence concerning the individual's prior or current condition which is presented by the individual or secured by the Commissioner of Social Security. Any determination made under this paragraph shall be made on the basis of the weight of the evidence and on a neutral basis with regard to the individual's condition, without any initial inference as to the presence or absence of disability being drawn from the fact that the individual has previously been determined to be disabled.
(b) For purposes of this subchapter, the term "eligible spouse" means an aged, blind, or disabled individual who is the husband or wife of another aged, blind, or disabled individual, and who, in a month, is living with such aged, blind, or disabled individual on the first day of the month or, in any case in which either spouse files an application for benefits, on the first day of the month following the date the application is filed, or, in any case in which either spouse requests restoration of eligibility under this subchapter during the month, at the time the request is filed. If two aged, blind, or disabled individuals are husband and wife as described in the preceding sentence, only one of them may be an "eligible individual" within the meaning of
(c) For purposes of this subchapter, the term "child" means an individual who is neither married nor (as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security) the head of a household, and who is (1) under the age of eighteen, or (2) under the age of twenty-two and (as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security) a student regularly attending a school, college, or university, or a course of vocational or technical training designed to prepare him for gainful employment.
(d) In determining whether two individuals are husband and wife for purposes of this subchapter, appropriate State law shall be applied; except that—
(1) if a man and woman have been determined to be husband and wife under
(2) if a man and woman are found to be holding themselves out to the community in which they reside as husband and wife, they shall be so considered for purposes of this subchapter notwithstanding any other provision of this section.
(e) For purposes of this subchapter, the term "United States", when used in a geographical sense, means the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
(f)(1) For purposes of determining eligibility for and the amount of benefits for any individual who is married and whose spouse is living with him in the same household but is not an eligible spouse, such individual's income and resources shall be deemed to include any income and resources of such spouse, whether or not available to such individual, except to the extent determined by the Commissioner of Social Security to be inequitable under the circumstances.
(2)(A) For purposes of determining eligibility for and the amount of benefits for any individual who is a child under age 18, such individual's income and resources shall be deemed to include any income and resources of a parent of such individual (or the spouse of such a parent) who is living in the same household as such individual, whether or not available to such individual, except to the extent determined by the Commissioner of Social Security to be inequitable under the circumstances.
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in the case of any child who has not attained the age of 18 years who—
(i) is disabled;
(ii) received benefits under this subchapter, pursuant to
(iii) is eligible for medical assistance under a State home care plan approved by the Secretary under the provisions of
(iv) but for this subparagraph, would not be eligible for benefits under this subchapter.
(3) For purposes of determining eligibility for and the amount of benefits for any individual who is an alien, such individual's income and resources shall be deemed to include the income and resources of his sponsor and such sponsor's spouse (if such alien has a sponsor) as provided in
(4) For purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), a spouse or parent (or spouse of such a parent) who is absent from the household in which the individual lives due solely to a duty assignment as a member of the Armed Forces on active duty shall, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, be deemed to be living in the same household as the individual.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1614, as added
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(ii).
1997—Subsec. (a)(3)(H)(iii).
"(I) during the 1-year period beginning on the individual's 18th birthday; and
"(II) by applying the criteria used in determining the initial eligibility for applicants who are age 18 or older.
With respect to a redetermination under this clause, paragraph (4) shall not apply and such redetermination shall be considered a substitute for a review or redetermination otherwise required under any other provision of this subparagraph during that 1-year period."
Subsec. (a)(3)(H)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(4).
1996—Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C).
Subsec. (a)(3)(D), (E).
Subsec. (a)(3)(F).
Subsec. (a)(3)(G).
Subsec. (a)(3)(H).
Subsec. (a)(3)(I).
Subsec. (a)(3)(J).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b).
1994—Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3)(D).
Subsec. (a)(3)(F).
Subsec. (a)(3)(H).
Subsecs. (a)(4), (c), (f)(1), (2)(A).
1993—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(4).
1990—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (a)(3)(H).
1989—Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (f)(2).
1986—Subsec. (a)(3)(D).
Subsec. (a)(3)(F) to (H).
Subsec. (a)(4), (5).
"(A) For purposes of this subchapter, any services rendered during a period of trial work (as defined in subparagraph (B)) by an individual who is an aged, blind, or disabled individual solely by reason of disability (as determined under paragraph (3) of this subsection) shall be deemed not to have been rendered by such individual in determining whether his disability has ceased in a month during such period. As used in this paragraph, the term 'services' means activity which is performed for remuneration or gain or is determined by the Secretary to be of a type normally performed for remuneration or gain.
"(B) The term 'period of trial work', with respect to an individual who is an aged, blind, or disabled individual solely by reason of disability (as determined under paragraph (3) of this subsection), means a period of months beginning and ending as provided in subparagraphs (C) and (D).
"(C) A period of trial work for any individual shall begin with the month in which he becomes eligible for benefits under this subchapter on the basis of his disability; but no such period may begin for an individual who is eligible for benefits under this subchapter on the basis of a disability if he has had a previous period of trial work while eligible for benefits on the basis of the same disability.
"(D) A period of trial work for any individual shall end with the close of whichever of the following months is the earlier:
"(i) the ninth month, beginning on or after the first day of such period, in which the individual renders services (whether or not such nine months are consecutive); or
"(ii) the month in which his disability (as determined under paragraph (3) of this subsection) ceases (as determined after the application of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph)."
1984—Subsec. (a)(3)(E).
Subsec. (a)(3)(G).
Subsec. (a)(3)(H).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (d)(1).
1980—Subsec. (a)(3)(D).
Subsec. (a)(3)(F).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(3).
1973—Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3)(E).
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendments
Amendment by section 204(c)(1) of
Section 211(d) of
"(1)
"(A)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(B)
"(2)
"(A)
"(i) section 1614(a)(4) of the Social Security Act (
"(ii) the Commissioner of Social Security shall apply the eligibility criteria for new applicants for benefits under title XVI of such Act;
"(iii) the Commissioner shall give such redetermination priority over all continuing eligibility reviews and other reviews under such title; and
"(iv) such redetermination shall be counted as a review or redetermination otherwise required to be made under section 208 of the Social Security Independence and Program Improvements Act of 1994 [
"(B)
"(C)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(D)
"(6)
Section 212(d) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 221(b) of
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Section 201(b)(4)(B) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by section 13733(a) of
Section 13734(b) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 5036(b) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by section 8009(b) of
Amendment by section 8010(a) of
Section 8012(b) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Amendment by section 2(c) of
Amendment by section 3(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 4(b) of
Amendment by section 8(b) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Section 203(b) of
Amendment by section 302(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 303(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 504(a) of
Effective Date
Section 301 of
Regulations
For provisions requiring Secretary of Health and Human Services to prescribe regulations necessary to implement amendment to this section [adding subsec. (a)(5)] by section 2(c) of
Retroactive Benefits
For provisions relating to entitlement to retroactive benefits under section 2 of
Application to Northern Mariana Islands
For applicability of this section to the Northern Mariana Islands, see section 502(a)(1) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America and Proc. No. 4534, Oct. 24, 1977, 42 F.R. 6593, set out as notes under
Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands
Enactment of provisions of
§1382d. Rehabilitation services for blind and disabled individuals
(a) Referral by Commissioner of eligible individuals to appropriate State agency
In the case of any blind or disabled individual who—
(1) has not attained age 16; and
(2) with respect to whom benefits are paid under this subchapter,
the Commissioner of Social Security shall make provision for referral of such individual to the appropriate State agency administering the State program under subchapter V of this chapter.
(b) Repealed. Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, §2193(c)(8)(B), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 828
(c) Repealed. Pub. L. 106–170, title I, §101(b)(2)(B), Dec. 17, 1999, 113 Stat. 1874
(d) Reimbursement by Commissioner to State agency of costs of providing services to referred individuals
The Commissioner of Social Security is authorized to reimburse the State agency administering or supervising the administration of a State plan for vocational rehabilitation services approved under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [
(e) Reimbursement for vocational rehabilitation services furnished during certain months of nonpayment of insurance benefits
The Commissioner of Social Security may reimburse the State agency described in subsection (d) of this section for the costs described therein incurred in the provision of rehabilitation services—
(1) for any month for which an individual received—
(A) benefits under
(B) assistance under
(C) a federally administered State supplementary payment under
(2) for any month before the 13th consecutive month for which an individual, for a reason other than cessation of disability or blindness, was ineligible for—
(A) benefits under
(B) assistance under
(C) a federally administered State supplementary payment under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1615, as added
References in Text
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (d), is
Section 212(b) of
Amendments
1999—Subsec. (a).
"(1) has not attained age 65, and
"(2) is receiving benefits (or with respect to whom benefits are paid) under this subchapter,
the Commissioner of Social Security shall make provision for referral of such individual to the appropriate State agency administering the State plan for vocational rehabilitation services approved under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or, in the case of any such individual who has not attained age 16, to the State agency administering the State program under subchapter V of this chapter, and (except for individuals who have not attained age 16 and except in such other cases as the Commissioner may determine) for a review not less often than quarterly of such individual's blindness or disability and his need for and utilization of the services made available to him under such plan."
Subsec. (c).
1997—Subsec. (d).
1994—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
1990—Subsec. (e).
1984—Subsecs. (a), (c).
Subsec. (d).
1981—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(3).
1980—Subsec. (e).
1976—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 5037(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective and Termination Dates of 1981 Amendment
Section 2193(a)(4)(B) of
For effective date, savings, and transitional provisions relating to amendments by section 2193(a)(4)(A) and (c)(8) of
Section 2344 of
Effective Date
Section 301 of
Publication of Criteria
Section 501(b) of
Application to Northern Mariana Islands
For applicability of this section to the Northern Mariana Islands, see section 502(a)(1) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America and Proc. No. 4534, Oct. 24, 1977, 42 F.R. 6593, set out as notes under
Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands
Enactment of provisions of
§1382e. Supplementary assistance by State or subdivision to needy individuals
(a) Exclusion of cash payments in determination of income of individuals for purposes of eligibility for benefits; agreement by Commissioner and State for Commissioner to make supplementary payments on behalf of State or subdivision
Any cash payments which are made by a State (or political subdivision thereof) on a regular basis to individuals who are receiving benefits under this subchapter or who would but for their income be eligible to receive benefits under this subchapter, as assistance based on need in supplementation of such benefits (as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security), shall be excluded under
(b) Agreement between Commissioner and State; contents
Any agreement between the Commissioner of Social Security and a State entered into under subsection (a) of this section shall provide—
(1) that such payments will be made (subject to subsection (c) of this section) to all individuals residing in such State (or subdivision) who are receiving benefits under this subchapter, and
(2) such other rules with respect to eligibility for or amount of the supplementary payments, and such procedural or other general administrative provisions, as the Commissioner of Social Security finds necessary (subject to subsection (c) of this section) to achieve efficient and effective administration of both the program which the Commissioner conducts under this subchapter and the optional State supplementation.
At the option of the State (but subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection), the agreement between the Commissioner of Social Security and such State entered into under subsection (a) of this section shall be modified to provide that the Commissioner of Social Security will make supplementary payments, on and after an effective date to be specified in the agreement as so modified, to individuals receiving benefits determined under
(c) Residence requirement by State or subdivision for supplementary payments; disregarding amounts of certain income by State or subdivision in determining eligibility for supplementary payments
(1) Any State (or political subdivision) making supplementary payments described in subsection (a) of this section may at its option impose as a condition of eligibility for such payments, and include in the State's agreement with the Commissioner of Social Security under such subsection, a residence requirement which excludes individuals who have resided in the State (or political subdivision) for less than a minimum period prior to application for such payments.
(2) Any State (or political subdivision), in determining the eligibility of any individual for supplementary payments described in subsection (a) of this section, may disregard amounts of earned and unearned income in addition to other amounts which it is required or permitted to disregard under this section in determining such eligibility, and shall include a provision specifying the amount of any such income that will be disregarded, if any.
(3) Any State (or political subdivision) making supplementary payments described in subsection (a) of this section shall have the option of making such payments to individuals who receive benefits under this subchapter under the provisions of
(d) Payment to Commissioner by State of amount equal to expenditures by Commissioner as supplementary payments; time and manner of payment by State; fees for Federal administration of State supplementary payments
(1) Any State which has entered into an agreement with the Commissioner of Social Security under this section which provides that the Commissioner of Social Security will, on behalf of the State (or political subdivision), make the supplementary payments to individuals who are receiving benefits under this subchapter (or who would but for their income be eligible to receive such benefits), shall, in accordance with paragraph (5), pay to the Commissioner of Social Security an amount equal to the expenditures made by the Commissioner of Social Security as such supplementary payments, plus an administration fee assessed in accordance with paragraph (2) and any additional services fee charged in accordance with paragraph (3).
(2)(A) The Commissioner of Social Security shall assess each State an administration fee in an amount equal to—
(i) the number of supplementary payments made by the Commissioner of Social Security on behalf of the State under this section for any month in a fiscal year; multiplied by
(ii) the applicable rate for the fiscal year.
(B) As used in subparagraph (A), the term "applicable rate" means—
(i) for fiscal year 1994, $1.67;
(ii) for fiscal year 1995, $3.33;
(iii) for fiscal year 1996, $5.00;
(iv) for fiscal year 1997, $5.00;
(v) for fiscal year 1998, $6.20;
(vi) for fiscal year 1999, $7.60;
(vii) for fiscal year 2000, $7.80;
(viii) for fiscal year 2001, $8.10;
(ix) for fiscal year 2002, $8.50; and
(x) for fiscal year 2003 and each succeeding fiscal year—
(I) the applicable rate in the preceding fiscal year, increased by the percentage, if any, by which the Consumer Price Index for the month of June of the calendar year of the increase exceeds the Consumer Price Index for the month of June of the calendar year preceding the calendar year of the increase, and rounded to the nearest whole cent; or
(II) such different rate as the Commissioner determines is appropriate for the State.
(C) Upon making a determination under subparagraph (B)(x)(II), the Commissioner of Social Security shall promulgate the determination in regulations, which may take into account the complexity of administering the State's supplementary payment program.
(D) All fees assessed pursuant to this paragraph shall be transferred to the Commissioner of Social Security at the same time that amounts for such supplementary payments are required to be so transferred.
(3)(A) The Commissioner of Social Security may charge a State an additional services fee if, at the request of the State, the Commissioner of Social Security provides additional services beyond the level customarily provided, in the administration of State supplementary payments pursuant to this section.
(B) The additional services fee shall be in an amount that the Commissioner of Social Security determines is necessary to cover all costs (including indirect costs) incurred by the Federal Government in furnishing the additional services referred to in subparagraph (A).
(4)(A) The first $5 of each administration fee assessed pursuant to paragraph (2), upon collection, shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts.
(B) That portion of each administration fee in excess of $5, and 100 percent of each additional services fee charged pursuant to paragraph (3), upon collection for fiscal year 1998 and each subsequent fiscal year, shall be credited to a special fund established in the Treasury of the United States for State supplementary payment fees. The amounts so credited, to the extent and in the amounts provided in advance in appropriations Acts, shall be available to defray expenses incurred in carrying out this subchapter and related laws.
(5)(A)(i) Any State which has entered into an agreement with the Commissioner of Social Security under this section shall remit the payments and fees required under this subsection with respect to monthly benefits paid to individuals under this subchapter no later than—
(I) the business day preceding the date that the Commissioner pays such monthly benefits; or
(II) with respect to such monthly benefits paid for the month that is the last month of the State's fiscal year, the fifth business day following such date.
(ii) The Commissioner may charge States a penalty in an amount equal to 5 percent of the payment and the fees due if the remittance is received after the date required by clause (i).
(B) The Cash Management Improvement Act of 1990 shall not apply to any payments or fees required under this subsection that are paid by a State before the date required by subparagraph (A)(i).
(C) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A)(i), the Commissioner may make supplementary payments on behalf of a State with funds appropriated for payment of benefits under this subchapter, and subsequently to be reimbursed for such payments by the State at such times as the Commissioner and State may agree. Such authority may be exercised only if extraordinary circumstances affecting a State's ability to make payment when required by subparagraph (A)(i) are determined by the Commissioner to exist.
(e) State standards; establishment; annual public review; annual certification; payments to individuals
(1) Each State shall establish or designate one or more State or local authorities which shall establish, maintain, and insure the enforcement of standards for any category of institutions, foster homes, or group living arrangements in which (as determined by the State) a significant number of recipients of supplemental security income benefits is residing or is likely to reside. Such standards shall be appropriate to the needs of such recipients and the character of the facilities involved, and shall govern such matters as admission policies, safety, sanitation, and protection of civil rights.
(2) Each State shall annually make available for public review a summary of the standards established pursuant to paragraph (1), and shall make available to any interested individual a copy of such standards, along with the procedures available in the State to insure the enforcement of such standards and a list of any waivers of such standards and any violations of such standards which have come to the attention of the authority responsible for their enforcement.
(3) Each State shall certify annually to the Commissioner of Social Security that it is in compliance with the requirements of this subsection.
(4) Payments made under this subchapter with respect to an individual shall be reduced by an amount equal to the amount of any supplementary payment (as described in subsection (a) of this section) or other payment made by a State (or political subdivision thereof) which is made for or on account of any medical or any other type of remedial care provided by an institution of the type described in paragraph (1) to such individual as a resident or an inpatient of such institution if such institution is not approved as meeting the standards described in such paragraph by the appropriate State or local authorities.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1616, as added
References in Text
The Cash Management Improvement Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (d)(5)(B), is
Amendments
1999—Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(5).
1997—Subsec. (d)(2)(B)(iii) to (x).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C).
Subsec. (d)(4).
"(4)(A) The first $5 of each administration fee assessed pursuant to paragraph (2), upon collection, shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts.
"(B) That portion of each administration fee in excess of $5, and 100 percent of each additional services fee charged pursuant to paragraph (3), upon collection for fiscal year 1998 and each subsequent fiscal year, shall be credited to a special fund established in the Treasury of the United States for State supplementary payment fees. The amounts so credited, to the extent and in the amounts provided in advance in appropriations Acts, shall be available to defray expenses incurred in carrying out this subchapter and related laws. The amounts so credited shall not be scored as receipts under
1994—
1993—Subsec. (d).
1986—Subsec. (b).
1981—Subsec. (e)(2).
1980—Subsec. (c)(3).
1976—Subsec. (e).
1973—Subsec. (e).
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13731(b) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Amendment by section 505(c) of
Section 505(d) of
Effective Date
Section 301 of
Limitations on Authorization of Appropriations
Section 516(b)(2) of
Section 5102(b)(2) of
Period Within Which California May Make Cash Payments in Lieu of Food Stamps to Recipients of Supplemental Security Income Benefits
Eligibility of Supplemental Security Income Recipients for Food Stamps
Section 8(c) of
[Section 1302(b) of
Section 8(d) of
"(1) the Secretary has found (under this subsection or subsection (c), as in effect in December 1980) that such State's supplementary payments in December 1980 were increased to include the bonus value of food stamps; and
"(2) such State continues without interruption to meet the requirements of section 1618 of such Act [
[Section 2 of
[Section 2342(b) of
Adjusted Payment Level; Payment Level Modification
Section 8(e), formerly §8(d) of
Section 8(f), formerly §8(e), of
[Amendment of section 8(e) [now §8(f)] of
[Section 1(c) of
[Section 3 of
[Section 1302(b) of
Commodity Distribution Program: Individual Receiving Supplemental Security Income Benefits as Member of Household for any Purpose of Program
Individual receiving supplemental security income benefits or payments as part of benefits or payments described in subsec. (a) of this section as member of a household for any purpose of the food distribution program, see section 4(c) of
Application to Northern Mariana Islands
For applicability of this section to the Northern Mariana Islands, see section 502(a)(1) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America and Proc. No. 4534, Oct. 24, 1977, 42 F.R. 6593, set out as notes under
Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands
Enactment of provisions of
Limitation on Fiscal Liability of States for Payment to Secretary of Supplementary Payments Made by Secretary Pursuant to Agreement
"(a)(1) The amount payable to the Secretary by a State for any fiscal year, other than fiscal year 1974, pursuant to its agreement or agreements under section 1616 of the Social Security Act [this section] shall not exceed the non-Federal share of expenditures as aid or assistance for quarters in the calendar year 1972 under the plans of the State approved under titles I, X, XIV, and XVI of the Social Security Act [subchapters I, X, XIV, and XVI of this chapter] (as defined in subsection (c) of this section), and the amount payable for fiscal year 1974 pursuant to such agreement or agreements shall not exceed one-half of the non-Federal share of such expenditures.
"(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall only apply with respect to that portion of the supplementary payments made by the Secretary on behalf of the State under such agreements in any fiscal year which does not exceed in the case of any individual the difference between—
"(A) the adjusted payment level under the appropriate approved plan of such State as in effect for January 1972 (as defined in subsection (b) of this section), and
"(B) the benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] (subject to the second sentence of this paragraph), plus income not excluded under section 1612(b) of such Act [
and shall not apply with respect to supplementary payments to any individual who (i) is not required by section 1616 of such Act [this section] to be included in any such agreement administered by the Secretary and (ii) would have been ineligible (for reasons other than income) for payments under the appropriate approved State plan as in effect for January 1972. In determining the difference between the level specified in subparagraph (A) and the benefits and income described in subparagraph (B) there shall be excluded any part of any such benefit which results from (and would not be payable but for) any cost-of-living increase in such benefits under section 1617 of such Act [
"(b)(1) For purposes of subsection (a), the term 'adjusted payment level under the appropriate approved plan of a State as in effect for January 1972' means the amount of the money payment which an individual with no other income would have received under the plan of such State approved under title I, X, XIV, or XVI of the Social Security Act [subchapters I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter], as may be appropriate, and in effect for January 1972; except that the State may, at its option, increase such payment level with respect to any such plan by an amount which does not exceed the sum of—
"(A) a payment level modification (as defined in paragraph (2) of this subsection) with respect to such plan, and
"(B) the bonus value of food stamps [probably should be "benefits"] in such State for January 1972 (as defined in paragraph (3) of this subsection).
"(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term 'payment level modification' with respect to any State plan means that amount by which a State which for January 1972 made money payments under such plan to individuals with no other income which were less than 100 per centum of its standard of need could have increased such money payments without increasing (if it reduced its standard of need under such plan so that such increased money payments equaled 100 per centum of such standard of need) the non-Federal share of expenditures as aid or assistance for quarters in calendar year 1972 under the plans of such State approved under titles I, X, XIV, and XVI of the Social Security Act [subchapters I, X, XIV, and XVI of this chapter].
"(3) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term 'bonus value of benefits in a State for January 1972' (with respect to an individual) means—
"(A) the face value of the benefit allotment which would have been provided to such an individual under the Food Stamp Act of 1964 [now the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008,
"(B) the charge which such an individual would have paid for such benefit allotment,
if the income of such individual, for purposes of determining the charge it would have paid for its benefit allotment, had been equal to the adjusted payment level under the State plan (including any payment level modification with respect to the plan adopted pursuant to paragraph (2) (but not including any amount under this paragraph)). The total face value of benefits and the cost thereof in January 1972 shall be determined in accordance with rules prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture in effect in such month.
"(c) For purposes of this section, the term 'non-Federal share of expenditures as aid or assistance for quarters in the calendar year 1972 under the plans of a State approved under titles I, X, XIV, and XVI of the Social Security Act' [subchapters I, X, XIV, and XVI of this chapter] means the difference between—
"(1) the total expenditures in such quarters under such plans for aid or assistance (excluding expenditures authorized under section 1119 of such Act [
"(2) the total of the amounts determined under sections 3, 1003, 1403, and 1603 of the Social Security Act [
"(d) In addition to the amount which a State must pay to the Secretary for the fiscal year 1983 or the fiscal year 1984, as determined under subsection (a), the State shall also pay, for the fiscal year 1983, 60 percent of the further amount that would be payable but for the limit specified in subsection (a), and, for the fiscal year 1984, 80 percent of such further amount. For each fiscal year thereafter, the limit prescribed in subsection (a) shall be inapplicable and a State shall pay to the Secretary the full amount of any supplementary payments he makes on behalf of such State."
[Amendment of section 401(a)(2) of
[Amendment of section 401(a)(2) of
[Amendment of section 401 of
[Section 184(b) of
Transitional Administration of Programs by State Pursuant to Agreement Between State and Secretary
Section 402 of
Election of Payments Under Combined State Plan Rather Than Separate Plans
Overpayment or Underpayment Adjustments
§1382f. Cost-of-living adjustments in benefits
(a) Increase of dollar amounts
Whenever benefit amounts under subchapter II of this chapter are increased by any percentage effective with any month as a result of a determination made under
(1) each of the dollar amounts in effect for such month under subsections (a)(1)(A), (a)(2)(A), (b)(1), and (b)(2) of
(A) the amount which would have been in effect for such month under such subsection but for the rounding of such amount pursuant to paragraph (2), exceeds
(B) the amount in effect for such month under such subsection; and
(2) the amount obtained under paragraph (1) with respect to each subsection shall be further increased by the same percentage by which benefit amounts under subchapter II of this chapter are increased for such month, or, if greater (in any case where the increase under subchapter II of this chapter was determined on the basis of the wage increase percentage rather than the CPI increase percentage), the percentage by which benefit amounts under subchapter II of this chapter would be increased for such month if the increase had been determined on the basis of the CPI increase percentage, (and rounded, when not a multiple of $12, to the next lower multiple of $12), effective with respect to benefits for months after such month.
(b) Publication in Federal Register of new dollar amounts
The new dollar amounts to be in effect under
(c) Additional increases
Effective July 1, 1983—
(1) each of the dollar amounts in effect under subsections (a)(1)(A) and (b)(1) of
(2) each of the dollar amounts in effect under subsections (a)(2)(A) and (b)(2) of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1617, as added
References in Text
Section 211 of
Amendments
1983—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
1982—
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Section 182(b) of
Cost-of-Living Increases; Cost-of-Living Computation Quarter Determinations
Payment of increased benefits under program covered in subchapter II of this chapter, see section 1 of
Application to Northern Mariana Islands
For applicability of this section to the Northern Mariana Islands, see section 502(a)(1) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America and Proc. No. 4534, Oct. 24, 1977, 42 F.R. 6593, set out as notes under
§1382g. Payments to State for operation of supplementation program
(a) Eligibility; agreement with Commissioner
In order for any State which makes supplementary payments of the type described in
(1) after June 30, 1977, or, if later,
(2) after the calendar quarter in which it first makes such supplementary payments,
such State must have in effect an agreement with the Commissioner of Social Security whereby the State will—
(3) continue to make such supplementary payments, and
(4) maintain such supplementary payments at levels which are not lower than the levels of such payments in effect in December 1976, or, if no such payments were made in that month, the levels for the first subsequent month in which such payments were made.
(b) Levels of supplementary payments
(1) The Commissioner of Social Security shall not find that a State has failed to meet the requirements imposed by paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of this section with respect to the levels of its supplementary payments for a particular month or months if the State's expenditures for such payments in the twelve-month period (within which such month or months fall) beginning on the effective date of any increase in the level of supplemental security income benefits pursuant to
(2) For purposes of determining under paragraph (1) whether a State's expenditures for supplementary payments in the 12-month period beginning on the effective date of any increase in the level of supplemental security income benefits are not less than the State's expenditures for such payments in the preceding 12-month period, the Commissioner of Social Security, in computing the State's expenditures, shall disregard, pursuant to a 1-time election of the State, all expenditures by the State for retroactive supplementary payments that are required to be made in connection with the retroactive supplemental security income benefits referred to in section 5041 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990.
(c) Election to apply subsection (a)(4)
Any State which satisfies the requirements of this section solely by reason of subsection (b) of this section for a particular month or months in any 12-month period (described in such subsection) ending on or after June 30, 1982, may elect, with respect to any month in any subsequent 12-month period (so described), to apply subsection (a)(4) of this section as though the reference to December 1976 in such subsection were a reference to the month of December which occurred in the 12-month period immediately preceding such subsequent period.
(d) Determinations respecting any portion of period July 1, 1980, through June 30, 1981
The Commissioner of Social Security shall not find that a State has failed to meet the requirements imposed by paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of this section with respect to the levels of its supplementary payments for any portion of the period July 1, 1980, through June 30, 1981, if the State's expenditures for such payments in that twelve-month period were not less than its expenditures for such payments for the period July 1, 1976, through June 30, 1977 (or, if the State made no supplementary payments in the period July 1, 1976, through June 30, 1977, the expenditures for the first twelve-month period extending from July 1 through June 30 in which the State made such payments).
(e) Meeting subsection (a)(4) requirements for any month after March 1983
(1) For any particular month after March 1983, a State which is not treated as meeting the requirements imposed by paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of this section by reason of subsection (b) of this section shall be treated as meeting such requirements if and only if—
(A) the combined level of its supplementary payments (to recipients of the type involved) and the amounts payable (to or on behalf of such recipients) under
is not less than—
(B) the combined level of its supplementary payments (to recipients of the type involved) and the amounts payable (to or on behalf of such recipients) under
(2) In determining the amount of any increase in the combined level involved under paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection, any portion of such amount which would otherwise be attributable to the increase under
(f) Passthrough relating to optional State supplementation
The Commissioner of Social Security shall not find that a State has failed to meet the requirements imposed by subsection (a) of this section with respect to the levels of its supplementary payments for the period January 1, 1984, through December 31, 1985, if in the period January 1, 1986, through December 31, 1986, its supplementary payment levels (other than to recipients of benefits determined under
(g) Mandatory pass-through of increased personal needs allowance
In order for any State which makes supplementary payments of the type described in
(1) after October 1, 1987, or, if later
(2) after the calendar quarter in which it first makes such supplementary payments to recipients of benefits so determined,
such State must have in effect an agreement with the Commissioner of Social Security whereby the State will—
(3) continue to make such supplementary payments to recipients of benefits so determined, and
(4) maintain such supplementary payments to recipients of benefits so determined at levels which assure (with respect to any particular month beginning with July 1988) that—
(A) the combined level of such supplementary payments and the amounts payable to or on behalf of such recipients under
is not less than—
(B) the combined level of such supplementary payments and the amounts payable to or on behalf of such recipients under
(i) in a case to which clause (i) of such
(ii) in a case to which clause (iii) of such
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1618, as added
References in Text
Sections 211(a)(1)(A) and 212(a) of
Section 5041 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is section 5041 of
Section 111 of the Social Security Amendments of 1983, referred to in subsec. (e)(2), is section 111 of
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsecs. (d), (f), (g).
1987—Subsec. (g).
1986—Subsec. (f).
1984—Subsec. (d).
1983—Subsecs. (c), (d).
Subsec. (e).
1982—Subsec. (c).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Section 209(b) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 2(c) of
Application to Northern Mariana Islands
For applicability of this section to the Northern Mariana Islands, see section 502(a)(1) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America and Proc. No. 4534, Oct. 24, 1977, 42 F.R. 6593, set out as notes under
§1382h. Benefits for individuals who perform substantial gainful activity despite severe medical impairment
(a) Eligible individuals
(1) Except as provided in
(A) such individual continues to have the disabling physical or mental impairment on the basis of which such individual was found to be under a disability; and
(B) the income of such individual, other than income excluded pursuant to
(2) The Commissioner of Social Security shall make a determination under paragraph (1)(A) with respect to an individual not later than 12 months after the first month for which the individual qualifies for a benefit under this subsection.
(b) Blind or disabled individuals receiving supplemental security income benefits
(1) Except as provided in
(A) such individual continues to be blind or continues to have the disabling physical or mental impairment on the basis of which he was found to be under a disability and, except for his earnings, meets all non-disability-related requirements for eligibility for benefits under this subchapter;
(B) the income of such individual would not, except for his earnings and increases pursuant to
(C) the termination of eligibility for benefits under subchapter XIX of this chapter would seriously inhibit his ability to continue his employment; and
(D) such individual's earnings are not sufficient to allow him to provide for himself a reasonable equivalent of the benefits under this subchapter (including any federally administered State supplementary payments), benefits under subchapter XIX of this chapter, and publicly funded attendant care services (including personal care assistance), which would be available to him in the absence of such earnings.
(2)(A) Determinations made under paragraph (1)(D) shall be based on information and data updated no less frequently than annually.
(B) In determining an individual's earnings for purposes of paragraph (1)(D), there shall be excluded from such earnings an amount equal to the sum of any amounts which are or would be excluded under clauses (ii) and (iv) of
(3) In the case of a State that exercises the option under
(A)(i) qualifies for a benefit under subsection (a) of this section, or
(ii) meets the requirements of paragraph (1); and
(B) was eligible for medical assistance under the State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter in the month immediately preceding the first month in which the individual qualified for a benefit under such subsection or met such requirements,
shall remain eligible for medical assistance under such plan for so long as the individual qualifies for a benefit under such subsection or meets such requirements.
(c) Continuing disability or blindness reviews; limitation
Subsection (a)(2) of this section and
(d) Information and training programs
The Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of Education shall jointly develop and disseminate information, and establish training programs for staff personnel, with respect to the potential availability of benefits and services for disabled individuals under the provisions of this section. The Commissioner of Social Security shall provide such information to individuals who are applicants for and recipients of benefits based on disability under this subchapter and shall conduct such programs for the staffs of the district offices of the Social Security Administration. The Secretary of Education shall conduct such programs for the staffs of the State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies, and in cooperation with such agencies shall also provide such information to other appropriate individuals and to public and private organizations and agencies which are concerned with rehabilitation and social services or which represent the disabled.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1619, as added
Amendments
1994—Subsecs. (a)(1), (2), (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (d).
1990—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsecs. (c), (d).
1986—Subsec. (a).
"(1) such individual continues to have the disabling physical or mental impairment on the basis of which such individual was found to be under a disability, and continues to meet all non-disability-related requirements for eligibility for benefits under this subchapter; and
"(2) the income of such individual, other than income excluded pursuant to
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (b).
"(i) a payment of supplemental security income benefits under
"(ii) a supplementary payment under
"(iii) a payment of monthly benefits under subsection (a) of this section, or
"(iv) a supplementary payment under
shall be considered to be a blind or disabled individual receiving supplemental security income benefits for so long as the Secretary determines under regulations that—".
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
1984—Subsec. (c).
1981—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(1), (4) of
Section 205(b) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 5032(b) of
Section 5039(c) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 201(d) of
[Section 10(a) of
Separate Accounts With Respect to Benefits Payable; Evaluation of Program
Section 201(e) of
§1382i. Medical and social services for certain handicapped persons
(a) Authorization of appropriations for pilot program
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to establish and carry out a 3-year Federal-State pilot program to provide medical and social services for certain handicapped individuals in accordance with this section.
(b) State allotments
(1) The total sum of $18,000,000 shall be allotted to the States for such program by the Commissioner of Social Security, during the period beginning September 1, 1981, and ending September 30, 1984, as follows:
(A) The total sum of $6,000,000 shall be allotted to the States for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1982 (which for purposes of this section shall include the month of September 1981).
(B) The total sum of $6,000,000, plus any amount remaining available (after the application of paragraph (4)) from the allotment made under subparagraph (A), shall be allotted to the States for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1983.
(C) The total sum of $6,000,000, plus any amount remaining available (after the application of paragraph (4)) from the allotments made under subparagraphs (A) and (B), shall be allotted to the States for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1984.
(2) The allotment to each State from the total sum allotted under paragraph (1) for any fiscal year shall bear the same ratio to such total sum as the number of individuals in such State who are over age 17 and under age 65 and are receiving supplemental security income benefits as disabled individuals in such year (as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security on the basis of the most recent data available) bears to the total number of such individuals in all the States. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term "supplemental security income benefits" includes payments made pursuant to an agreement under
(3) At the beginning of each fiscal year in which the pilot program under this section is in effect, each State that does not intend to use the allotment to which it is entitled for such year (or any allotment which was made to it for a prior fiscal year), or that does not intend to use the full amount of any such allotment, shall certify to the Commissioner of Social Security the amount of such allotment which it does not intend to use, and the State's allotment for the fiscal year (or years) involved shall thereupon be reduced by the amount so certified.
(4) The portion of the total amount available for allotment for any particular fiscal year under paragraph (1) which is not allotted to States for that year by reason of paragraph (3) (plus the amount of any reductions made at the beginning of such year in the allotments of States for prior fiscal years under paragraph (3)) shall be reallocated in such manner as the Commissioner of Social Security may determine to be appropriate to States which need, and will use, additional assistance in providing services to severely handicapped individuals in that particular year under their approved plans. Any amount reallocated to a State under this paragraph for use in a particular fiscal year shall be treated for purposes of this section as increasing such State's allotment for that year by an equivalent amount.
(c) Requisite features of State plans
In order to participate in the pilot program and be eligible to receive payments for any period under subsection (d) of this section, a State (during such period) must have a plan, approved by the Commissioner of Social Security as meeting the requirements of this section, which provides medical and social services for severely handicapped individuals whose earnings are above the level which ordinarily demonstrates an ability to engage in substantial gainful activity and who are not receiving benefits under
(1) declares the intent of the State to participate in the pilot program;
(2) designates an appropriate State agency to administer or supervise the administration of the program in the State;
(3) describes the criteria to be applied by the State in determining the eligibility of any individual for assistance under the plan and in any event requires a determination by the State agency to the effect that (A) such individual's ability to continue his employment would be significantly inhibited without such assistance and (B) such individual's earnings are not sufficient to allow him to provide for himself a reasonable equivalent of the cash and other benefits that would be available to him under this subchapter and subchapters XIX and XX of this chapter in the absence of those earnings;
(4) describes the process by which the eligibility of individuals for such assistance is to be determined (and such process may not involve the performance of functions by any State agency or entity which is engaged in making determinations of disability for purposes of disability insurance or supplemental security income benefits except when the use of a different agency or entity to perform those functions would not be feasible);
(5) describes the medical and social services to be provided under the plan;
(6) describes the manner in which the medical and social services involved are to be provided and, if they are not to be provided through the State's medical assistance and social services programs under subchapters XIX and XX of this chapter (with the Federal payments being made under subsection (d) of this section rather than under those subchapters), specifies the particular mechanisms and procedures to be used in providing such services; and
(7) contains such other provisions as the Commissioner of Social Security may find to be necessary or appropriate to meet the requirements of this section or otherwise carry out its purpose.
(d) Payments to States; computation of payments
(1) From its allotment under subsection (b) of this section for any fiscal year (and any amounts remaining available from allotments made to it for prior fiscal years), the Commissioner of Social Security shall from time to time pay to each State which has a plan approved under subsection (c) of this section an amount equal to 75 per centum of the total sum expended under such plan (including the cost of administration of such plan) in providing medical and social services to severely handicapped individuals who are eligible for such services under the plan.
(2) The method of computing and making payments under this section shall be as follows:
(A) The Commissioner of Social Security shall, prior to each period for which a payment is to be made to a State, estimate the amount to be paid to the State for such period under the provisions of this section.
(B) From the allotment available therefor, the Commissioner of Social Security shall pay the amount so estimated, reduced or increased, as the case may be, by any sum (not previously adjusted under this subsection) by which the Commissioner finds that the Commissioner's estimate of the amount to be paid the State for any prior period under this section was greater or less than the amount which should have been paid to the State for such period under this section.
(e) Rules and regulations
Within nine months after June 9, 1980, the Commissioner of Social Security shall prescribe and publish such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the pilot program and otherwise implement this section.
(f) Reports
Each State participating in the pilot program under this section shall from time to time report to the Commissioner of Social Security on the operation and results of such program in that State, with particular emphasis upon the work incentive effects of the program. On or before October 1, 1983, the Commissioner of Social Security shall submit to the Congress a report on the program, incorporating the information contained in the State reports along with the Commissioner's findings and recommendations.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1620, as added
References in Text
Section 212(b) of
Amendments
1994—Subsecs. (b) to (f).
1981—Subsec. (c).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
§1382j. Attribution of sponsor's income and resources to aliens
(a) Attribution as unearned income
For purposes of determining eligibility for and the amount of benefits under this subchapter for an individual who is an alien, the income and resources of any person who (as a sponsor of such individual's entry into the United States) executed an affidavit of support or similar agreement with respect to such individual, and the income and resources of the sponsor's spouse, shall be deemed to be the income and resources of such individual (in accordance with subsections (b) and (c) of this section) for a period of 3 years after the individual's entry into the United States. Any such income deemed to be income of such individual shall be treated as unearned income of such individual.
(b) Determination of amount and resources
(1) The amount of income of a sponsor (and his spouse) which shall be deemed to be the unearned income of an alien for any year shall be determined as follows:
(A) The total yearly rate of earned and unearned income (as determined under
(B) The amount determined under subparagraph (A) shall be reduced by an amount equal to (i) the maximum amount of the Federal benefit under this subchapter for such year which would be payable to an eligible individual who has no other income and who does not have an eligible spouse (as determined under
(C) The amount of income which shall be deemed to be unearned income of such alien shall be at a yearly rate equal to the amount determined under subparagraph (B). The period for determination of such amount shall be the same as the period for determination of benefits under
(2) The amount of resources of a sponsor (and his spouse) which shall be deemed to be the resources of an alien for any year shall be determined as follows:
(A) The total amount of the resources (as determined under
(B) The amount determined under subparagraph (A) shall be reduced by an amount equal to (i) the applicable amount determined under
(C) The resources of such sponsor (and spouse) as determined under subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be deemed to be resources of such alien in addition to any resources of such alien.
(c) Support and maintenance
In determining the amount of income of an alien during the period of 3 years after such alien's entry into the United States, the reduction in dollar amounts otherwise required under
(d) Information and documentation; agreements with Secretary of State and Attorney General
(1) Any individual who is an alien shall, during the period of 3 years after entry into the United States, in order to be an eligible individual or eligible spouse for purposes of this subchapter, be required to provide to the Commissioner of Social Security such information and documentation with respect to his sponsor as may be necessary in order for the Commissioner of Social Security to make any determination required under this section, and to obtain any cooperation from such sponsor necessary for any such determination. Such alien shall also be required to provide to the Commissioner of Social Security such information and documentation as the Commissioner of Social Security may request and which such alien or his sponsor provided in support of such alien's immigration application.
(2) The Commissioner of Social Security shall enter into agreements with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General whereby any information available to such persons and required in order to make any determination under this section will be provided by such persons to the Commissioner of Social Security, and whereby such persons shall inform any sponsor of an alien, at the time such sponsor executes an affidavit of support or similar agreement, of the requirements imposed by this section.
(e) Joint and several liability of alien and sponsor for overpayments
Any sponsor of an alien, and such alien, shall be jointly and severally liable for an amount equal to any overpayment made to such alien during the period of 3 years after such alien's entry into the United States, on account of such sponsor's failure to provide correct information under the provisions of this section, except where such sponsor was without fault, or where good cause for such failure existed. Any such overpayment which is not repaid to the Commissioner of Social Security or recovered in accordance with
(f) Exemptions
(1) The provisions of this section shall not apply with respect to any individual who is an "aged, blind, or disabled individual" for purposes of this subchapter by reason of blindness (as determined under
(2) The provisions of this section shall not apply with respect to any alien who is—
(A) admitted to the United States as a result of the application, prior to April 1, 1980, of the provisions of
(B) admitted to the United States as a result of the application, after March 31, 1980, of the provisions of
(C) paroled into the United States as a refugee under
(D) granted political asylum by the Attorney General.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1621, as added
References in Text
Amendments
1994—Subsecs. (d), (e).
1993—
1984—Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (e).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 7(a)(2) of
Section 7(b)(2) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 2611(d) of
Amendment by section 2663(g)(10) of
Effective Date
Section 504(c) of
Abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service and Transfer of Functions
For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under
§1382k. Repealed. Pub. L. 97–123, §2(h), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1661
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1622, as added Aug. 13, 1981,
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective with respect to benefits for months after December 1981, see section 2(j)(2) of
Part B—Procedural and General Provisions
§1383. Procedure for payment of benefits
(a) Time, manner, form, and duration of payments; representative payees; promulgation of regulations
(1) Benefits under this subchapter shall be paid at such time or times and (subject to paragraph (10)) in such installments as will best effectuate the purposes of this subchapter, as determined under regulations (and may in any case be paid less frequently than monthly where the amount of the monthly benefit would not exceed $10).
(2)(A)(i) Payments of the benefit of any individual may be made to any such individual or to the eligible spouse (if any) of such individual or partly to each.
(ii)(I) Upon a determination by the Commissioner of Social Security that the interest of such individual would be served thereby, such payments shall be made, regardless of the legal competency or incompetency of the individual or eligible spouse, to another individual, or an organization, with respect to whom the requirements of subparagraph (B) have been met (in this paragraph referred to as such individual's "representative payee") for the use and benefit of the individual or eligible spouse.
(II) In the case of an individual eligible for benefits under this subchapter by reason of disability, the payment of such benefits shall be made to a representative payee if the Commissioner of Social Security determines that such payment would serve the interest of the individual because the individual also has an alcoholism or drug addiction condition (as determined by the Commissioner) and the individual is incapable of managing such benefits.
(iii) If the Commissioner of Social Security or a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the representative payee of an individual or eligible spouse has misused any benefits which have been paid to the representative payee pursuant to clause (ii) or
(iv) For purposes of this paragraph, misuse of benefits by a representative payee occurs in any case in which the representative payee receives payment under this subchapter for the use and benefit of another person and converts such payment, or any part thereof, to a use other than for the use and benefit of such other person. The Commissioner of Social Security may prescribe by regulation the meaning of the term "use and benefit" for purposes of this clause.
(B)(i) Any determination made under subparagraph (A) for payment of benefits to the representative payee of an individual or eligible spouse shall be made on the basis of—
(I) an investigation by the Commissioner of Social Security of the person to serve as representative payee, which shall be conducted in advance of such payment, and shall, to the extent practicable, include a face-to-face interview with such person; and
(II) adequate evidence that such payment is in the interest of the individual or eligible spouse (as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security in regulations).
(ii) As part of the investigation referred to in clause (i)(I), the Commissioner of Social Security shall—
(I) require the person being investigated to submit documented proof of the identity of such person, unless information establishing such identity was submitted with an application for benefits under subchapter II of this chapter, subchapter VIII of this chapter, or this subchapter;
(II) verify the social security account number (or employer identification number) of such person;
(III) determine whether such person has been convicted of a violation of
(IV) obtain information concerning whether the person has been convicted of any other offense under Federal or State law which resulted in imprisonment for more than 1 year;
(V) obtain information concerning whether such person is a person described in
(VI) determine whether payment of benefits to such person has been terminated pursuant to subparagraph (A)(iii), whether the designation of such person as a representative payee has been revoked pursuant to
(iii) Benefits of an individual may not be paid to any other person pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii) if—
(I) such person has previously been convicted as described in clause (ii)(III);
(II) except as provided in clause (iv), payment of benefits to such person pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii) has previously been terminated as described in clause (ii)(VI), the designation of such person as a representative payee has been revoked pursuant to
(III) except as provided in clause (v), such person is a creditor of such individual who provides such individual with goods or services for consideration;
(IV) the person has previously been convicted as described in clause (ii)(IV) of this subparagraph, unless the Commissioner determines that the payment would be appropriate notwithstanding the conviction; or
(V) such person is a person described in
(iv) The Commissioner of Social Security shall prescribe regulations under which the Commissioner of Social Security may grant an exemption from clause (iii)(II) to any person on a case-by-case basis if such exemption would be in the best interest of the individual or eligible spouse whose benefits under this subchapter would be paid to such person pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii).
(v) Clause (iii)(III) shall not apply with respect to any person who is a creditor referred to therein if such creditor is—
(I) a relative of such individual if such relative resides in the same household as such individual;
(II) a legal guardian or legal representative of such individual;
(III) a facility that is licensed or certified as a care facility under the law of a State or a political subdivision of a State;
(IV) a person who is an administrator, owner, or employee of a facility referred to in subclause (III) if such individual resides in such facility, and the payment of benefits under this subchapter to such facility or such person is made only after good faith efforts have been made by the local servicing office of the Social Security Administration to locate an alternative representative payee to whom the payment of such benefits would serve the best interests of such individual; or
(V) an individual who is determined by the Commissioner of Social Security, on the basis of written findings and under procedures which the Commissioner of Social Security shall prescribe by regulation, to be acceptable to serve as a representative payee.
(vi) The procedures referred to in clause (v)(V) shall require the individual who will serve as representative payee to establish, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security, that—
(I) such individual poses no risk to the beneficiary;
(II) the financial relationship of such individual to the beneficiary poses no substantial conflict of interest; and
(III) no other more suitable representative payee can be found.
(vii) In the case of an individual described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(II), when selecting such individual's representative payee, preference shall be given to—
(I) a certified community-based nonprofit social service agency (as defined in subparagraph (I));
(II) a Federal, State, or local government agency whose mission is to carry out income maintenance, social service, or health care-related activities;
(III) a State or local government agency with fiduciary responsibilities; or
(IV) a designee of an agency (other than of a Federal agency) referred to in the preceding subclauses of this clause, if the Commissioner of Social Security deems it appropriate,
unless the Commissioner of Social Security determines that selection of a family member would be appropriate.
(viii) Subject to clause (ix), if the Commissioner of Social Security makes a determination described in subparagraph (A)(ii) with respect to any individual's benefit and determines that direct payment of the benefit to the individual would cause substantial harm to the individual, the Commissioner of Social Security may defer (in the case of initial entitlement) or suspend (in the case of existing entitlement) direct payment of such benefit to the individual, until such time as the selection of a representative payee is made pursuant to this subparagraph.
(ix)(I) Except as provided in subclause (II), any deferral or suspension of direct payment of a benefit pursuant to clause (viii) shall be for a period of not more than 1 month.
(II) Subclause (I) shall not apply in any case in which the individual or eligible spouse is, as of the date of the Commissioner's determination, legally incompetent, under the age of 15 years, or described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(II).
(x) Payment pursuant to this subparagraph of any benefits which are deferred or suspended pending the selection of a representative payee shall be made to the individual, or to the representative payee upon such selection, as a single sum or over such period of time as the Commissioner of Social Security determines is in the best interests of the individual entitled to such benefits.
(xi) Any individual who is dissatisfied with a determination by the Commissioner of Social Security to pay such individual's benefits to a representative payee under this subchapter, or with the designation of a particular person to serve as representative payee, shall be entitled to a hearing by the Commissioner of Social Security, and to judicial review of the Commissioner's final decision, to the same extent as is provided in subsection (c) of this section.
(xii) In advance of the first payment of an individual's benefit to a representative payee under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Commissioner of Social Security shall provide written notice of the Commissioner's initial determination to make any such payment. Such notice shall be provided to such individual, except that, if such individual—
(I) is under the age of 15,
(II) is an unemancipated minor under the age of 18, or
(III) is legally incompetent,
then such notice shall be provided solely to the legal guardian or legal representative of such individual.
(xiii) Any notice described in clause (xii) shall be clearly written in language that is easily understandable to the reader, shall identify the person to be designated as such individual's representative payee, and shall explain to the reader the right under clause (xi) of such individual or of such individual's legal guardian or legal representative—
(I) to appeal a determination that a representative payee is necessary for such individual,
(II) to appeal the designation of a particular person to serve as the representative payee of such individual, and
(III) to review the evidence upon which such designation is based and submit additional evidence.
(xiv) Notwithstanding the provisions of
(I) such person is described in
(II) such person has information that is necessary for the officer to conduct the officer's official duties, and
(III) the location or apprehension of such person is within the officer's official duties.
(C)(i) In any case where payment is made under this subchapter to a representative payee of an individual or spouse, the Commissioner of Social Security shall establish a system of accountability monitoring whereby such person shall report not less often than annually with respect to the use of such payments. The Commissioner of Social Security shall establish and implement statistically valid procedures for reviewing such reports in order to identify instances in which such persons are not properly using such payments.
(ii) Clause (i) shall not apply in any case where the representative payee is a State institution. In such cases, the Commissioner of Social Security shall establish a system of accountability monitoring for institutions in each State.
(iii) Clause (i) shall not apply in any case where the individual entitled to such payment is a resident of a Federal institution and the representative payee is the institution.
(iv) Notwithstanding clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), the Commissioner of Social Security may require a report at any time from any representative payee, if the Commissioner of Social Security has reason to believe that the representative payee is misusing such payments.
(v) In any case in which the person described in clause (i) or (iv) receiving payments on behalf of another fails to submit a report required by the Commissioner of Social Security under clause (i) or (iv), the Commissioner may, after furnishing notice to the person and the individual entitled to the payment, require that such person appear in person at a field office of the Social Security Administration serving the area in which the individual resides in order to receive such payments.
(D)(i) Except as provided in the next sentence, a qualified organization may collect from an individual a monthly fee for expenses (including overhead) incurred by such organization in providing services performed as such individual's representative payee pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii) if the fee does not exceed the lesser of—
(I) 10 percent of the monthly benefit involved, or
(II) $25.00 per month ($50.00 per month in any case in which an individual is described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(II)).
A qualified organization may not collect a fee from an individual for any month with respect to which the Commissioner of Social Security or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that the organization misused all or part of the individual's benefit, and any amount so collected by the qualified organization for such month shall be treated as a misused part of the individual's benefit for purposes of subparagraphs (E) and (F). The Commissioner of Social Security shall adjust annually (after 1995) each dollar amount set forth in subclause (II) of this clause under procedures providing for adjustments in the same manner and to the same extent as adjustments are provided for under the procedures used to adjust benefit amounts under
(ii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "qualified organization" means any State or local government agency whose mission is to carry out income maintenance, social service, or health care-related activities, any State or local government agency with fiduciary responsibilities, or any certified community-based nonprofit social service agency (as defined in subparagraph (I)), if the agency, in accordance with any applicable regulations of the Commissioner of Social Security—
(I) regularly provides services as a representative payee pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii) or
(II) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security that such agency is not otherwise a creditor of any such individual.
The Commissioner of Social Security shall prescribe regulations under which the Commissioner of Social Security may grant an exception from subclause (II) for any individual on a case-by-case basis if such exception is in the best interests of such individual.
(iii) Any qualified organization which knowingly charges or collects, directly or indirectly, any fee in excess of the maximum fee prescribed under clause (i) or makes any agreement, directly or indirectly, to charge or collect any fee in excess of such maximum fee, shall be fined in accordance with title 18, or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both.
(iv) In the case of an individual who is no longer eligible for benefits under this subchapter but to whom any amount of past-due benefits under this subchapter has not been paid, for purposes of clause (i), any amount of such past-due benefits payable in any month shall be treated as a monthly benefit referred to in clause (i)(I).
(E)
(i) is not an individual (regardless of whether it is a "qualified organization" within the meaning of subparagraph (D)(ii)); or
(ii) is an individual who, for any month during a period when misuse occurs, serves 15 or more individuals who are beneficiaries under this subchapter, subchapter II of this chapter, subchapter VIII of this chapter, or any combination of such subchapters;
misuses all or part of an individual's benefit paid to such representative payee, the Commissioner of Social Security shall pay to the beneficiary or the beneficiary's alternative representative payee an amount equal to the amount of such benefit so misused. The provisions of this subparagraph are subject to the limitations of subparagraph (H)(ii). The Commissioner of Social Security shall make a good faith effort to obtain restitution from the terminated representative payee.
(F)(i)(I) Each representative payee of an eligible individual under the age of 18 who is eligible for the payment of benefits described in subclause (II) shall establish on behalf of such individual an account in a financial institution into which such benefits shall be paid, and shall thereafter maintain such account for use in accordance with clause (ii).
(II) Benefits described in this subclause are past-due monthly benefits under this subchapter (which, for purposes of this subclause, include State supplementary payments made by the Commissioner pursuant to an agreement under
(aa) 6, and
(bb) the maximum monthly benefit payable under this subchapter to an eligible individual.
(ii)(I) A representative payee shall use funds in the account established under clause (i) to pay for allowable expenses described in subclause (II).
(II) An allowable expense described in this subclause is an expense for—
(aa) education or job skills training;
(bb) personal needs assistance;
(cc) special equipment;
(dd) housing modification;
(ee) medical treatment;
(ff) therapy or rehabilitation; or
(gg) any other item or service that the Commissioner determines to be appropriate;
provided that such expense benefits such individual and, in the case of an expense described in item (bb), (cc), (dd), (ff), or (gg), is related to the impairment (or combination of impairments) of such individual.
(III) The use of funds from an account established under clause (i) in any manner not authorized by this clause—
(aa) by a representative payee shall be considered a misapplication of benefits for all purposes of this paragraph, and any representative payee who knowingly misapplies benefits from such an account shall be liable to the Commissioner in an amount equal to the total amount of such benefits; and
(bb) by an eligible individual who is his or her own payee shall be considered a misapplication of benefits for all purposes of this paragraph and in any case in which the individual knowingly misapplies benefits from such an account, the Commissioner shall reduce future benefits payable to such individual (or to such individual and his spouse) by an amount equal to the total amount of such benefits so misapplied.
(IV) This clause shall continue to apply to funds in the account after the child has reached age 18, regardless of whether benefits are paid directly to the beneficiary or through a representative payee.
(iii) The representative payee may deposit into the account established under clause (i) any other funds representing past due benefits under this subchapter to the eligible individual, provided that the amount of such past due benefits is equal to or exceeds the maximum monthly benefit payable under this subchapter to an eligible individual (including State supplementary payments made by the Commissioner pursuant to an agreement under
(iv) The Commissioner of Social Security shall establish a system for accountability monitoring whereby such representative payee shall report, at such time and in such manner as the Commissioner shall require, on activity respecting funds in the account established pursuant to clause (i).
(G)(i) In addition to such other reviews of representative payees as the Commissioner of Social Security may otherwise conduct, the Commissioner shall provide for the periodic onsite review of any person or agency that receives the benefits payable under this subchapter (alone or in combination with benefits payable under subchapter II of this chapter or subchapter VIII of this chapter) to another individual pursuant to the appointment of the person or agency as a representative payee under this paragraph,
(I) the representative payee is a person who serves in that capacity with respect to 15 or more such individuals;
(II) the representative payee is a certified community-based nonprofit social service agency (as defined in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph or
(III) the representative payee is an agency (other than an agency described in subclause (II)) that serves in that capacity with respect to 50 or more such individuals.
(ii) Within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Commissioner shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report on the results of periodic onsite reviews conducted during the fiscal year pursuant to clause (i) and of any other reviews of representative payees conducted during such fiscal year in connection with benefits under this subchapter. Each such report shall describe in detail all problems identified in the reviews and any corrective action taken or planned to be taken to correct the problems, and shall include—
(I) the number of the reviews;
(II) the results of such reviews;
(III) the number of cases in which the representative payee was changed and why;
(IV) the number of cases involving the exercise of expedited, targeted oversight of the representative payee by the Commissioner conducted upon receipt of an allegation of misuse of funds, failure to pay a vendor, or a similar irregularity;
(V) the number of cases discovered in which there was a misuse of funds;
(VI) how any such cases of misuse of funds were dealt with by the Commissioner;
(VII) the final disposition of such cases of misuse of funds, including any criminal penalties imposed; and
(VIII) such other information as the Commissioner deems appropriate.
(H)(i) If the Commissioner of Social Security or a court of competent jurisdiction determines that a representative payee that is not a Federal, State, or local government agency has misused all or part of an individual's benefit that was paid to the representative payee under this paragraph, the representative payee shall be liable for the amount misused, and the amount (to the extent not repaid by the representative payee) shall be treated as an overpayment of benefits under this subchapter to the representative payee for all purposes of this chapter and related laws pertaining to the recovery of the overpayments. Subject to clause (ii), upon recovering all or any part of the amount, the Commissioner shall make payment of an amount equal to the recovered amount to such individual or such individual's alternative representative payee.
(ii) The total of the amount paid to such individual or such individual's alternative representative payee under clause (i) and the amount paid under subparagraph (E) may not exceed the total benefit amount misused by the representative payee with respect to such individual.
(I) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "certified community-based nonprofit social service agency" means a community-based nonprofit social service agency which is in compliance with requirements, under regulations which shall be prescribed by the Commissioner, for annual certification to the Commissioner that it is bonded in accordance with requirements specified by the Commissioner and that it is licensed in each State in which it serves as a representative payee (if licensing is available in the State) in accordance with requirements specified by the Commissioner. Any such annual certification shall include a copy of any independent audit on the agency which may have been performed since the previous certification.
(3) The Commissioner of Social Security may by regulation establish ranges of incomes within which a single amount of benefits under this subchapter shall apply.
(4) The Commissioner of Social Security—
(A) may make to any individual initially applying for benefits under this subchapter who is presumptively eligible for such benefits for the month following the date the application is filed and who is faced with financial emergency a cash advance against such benefits, including any federally-administered State supplementary payments, in an amount not exceeding the monthly amount that would be payable to an eligible individual with no other income for the first month of such presumptive eligibility, which shall be repaid through proportionate reductions in such benefits over a period of not more than 6 months; and
(B) may pay benefits under this subchapter to an individual applying for such benefits on the basis of disability or blindness for a period not exceeding 6 months prior to the determination of such individual's disability or blindness, if such individual is presumptively disabled or blind and is determined to be otherwise eligible for such benefits, and any benefits so paid prior to such determination shall in no event be considered overpayments for purposes of subsection (b) of this section solely because such individual is determined not to be disabled or blind.
(5) Payment of the benefit of any individual who is an aged, blind, or disabled individual solely by reason of blindness (as determined under
(6) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, payment of the benefit of any individual who is an aged, blind, or disabled individual solely by reason of blindness (as determined under
(A) such individual is participating in a program consisting of the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program under
(B) the Commissioner of Social Security determines that the completion of such program, or its continuation for a specified period of time, will increase the likelihood that such individual may (following his participation in such program) be permanently removed from the blindness and disability benefit rolls.
(7)(A) In any case where—
(i) an individual is a recipient of benefits based on disability or blindness under this subchapter,
(ii) the physical or mental impairment on the basis of which such benefits are payable is found to have ceased, not to have existed, or to no longer be disabling, and as a consequence such individual is determined not to be entitled to such benefits, and
(iii) a timely request for review or for a hearing is pending with respect to the determination that he is not so entitled,
such individual may elect (in such manner and form and within such time as the Commissioner of Social Security shall by regulations prescribe) to have the payment of such benefits continued for an additional period beginning with the first month beginning after October 9, 1984, for which (under such determination) such benefits are no longer otherwise payable, and ending with the earlier of (I) the month preceding the month in which a decision is made after such a hearing, or (II) the month preceding the month in which no such request for review or a hearing is pending.
(B)(i) If an individual elects to have the payment of his benefits continued for an additional period under subparagraph (A), and the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security affirms the determination that he is not entitled to such benefits, any benefits paid under this subchapter pursuant to such election (for months in such additional period) shall be considered overpayments for all purposes of this subchapter, except as otherwise provided in clause (ii).
(ii) If the Commissioner of Social Security determines that the individual's appeal of his termination of benefits was made in good faith, all of the benefits paid pursuant to such individual's election under subparagraph (A) shall be subject to waiver consideration under the provisions of subsection (b)(1) of this section.
(C) The provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall apply with respect to determinations (that individuals are not entitled to benefits) which are made on or after October 9, 1984, or prior to such date but only on the basis of a timely request for review or for a hearing.
(8)(A) In any case in which an administrative law judge has determined after a hearing as provided in subsection (c) of this section that an individual is entitled to benefits based on disability or blindness under this subchapter and the Commissioner of Social Security has not issued the Commissioner's final decision in such case within 110 days after the date of the administrative law judge's determination, such benefits shall be currently paid for the months during the period beginning with the month in which such 110-day period expires and ending with the month in which such final decision is issued.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), in determining whether the 110-day period referred to in subparagraph (A) has elapsed, any period of time for which the action or inaction of such individual or such individual's representative without good cause results in the delay in the issuance of the Commissioner's final decision shall not be taken into account to the extent that such period of time exceeds 20 calendar days.
(C) Any benefits currently paid under this subchapter pursuant to this paragraph (for the months described in subparagraph (A)) shall not be considered overpayments for any purposes of this subchapter, unless payment of such benefits was fraudulently obtained.
(9) Benefits under this subchapter shall not be denied to any individual solely by reason of the refusal of the individual to accept an amount offered as compensation for a crime of which the individual was a victim.
(10)(A) If an individual is eligible for past-due monthly benefits under this subchapter in an amount that (after any withholding for reimbursement to a State for interim assistance under subsection (g) of this section and payment of attorney fees under subsection (d)(2)(B) of this section) equals or exceeds the product of—
(i) 3, and
(ii) the maximum monthly benefit payable under this subchapter to an eligible individual (or, if appropriate, to an eligible individual and eligible spouse),
then the payment of such past-due benefits (after any such reimbursement to a State and payment of attorney fees under subsection (d)(2)(B) of this section) shall be made in installments as provided in subparagraph (B).
(B)(i) The payment of past-due benefits subject to this subparagraph shall be made in not to exceed 3 installments that are made at 6-month intervals.
(ii) Except as provided in clause (iii), the amount of each of the first and second installments may not exceed an amount equal to the product of clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A).
(iii) In the case of an individual who has—
(I) outstanding debt attributable to—
(aa) food,
(bb) clothing,
(cc) shelter, or
(dd) medically necessary services, supplies or equipment, or medicine; or
(II) current expenses or expenses anticipated in the near term attributable to—
(aa) medically necessary services, supplies or equipment, or medicine, or
(bb) the purchase of a home, and
such debt or expenses are not subject to reimbursement by a public assistance program, the Secretary under subchapter XVIII of this chapter, a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, or any private entity legally liable to provide payment pursuant to an insurance policy, pre-paid plan, or other arrangement, the limitation specified in clause (ii) may be exceeded by an amount equal to the total of such debt and expenses.
(C) This paragraph shall not apply to any individual who, at the time of the Commissioner's determination that such individual is eligible for the payment of past-due monthly benefits under this subchapter—
(i) is afflicted with a medically determinable impairment that is expected to result in death within 12 months; or
(ii) is ineligible for benefits under this subchapter and the Commissioner determines that such individual is likely to remain ineligible for the next 12 months.
(D) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "benefits under this subchapter" includes supplementary payments pursuant to an agreement for Federal administration under
(b) Overpayments and underpayments; adjustment, recovery, or payment of amounts by Commissioner
(1)(A) Whenever the Commissioner of Social Security finds that more or less than the correct amount of benefits has been paid with respect to any individual, proper adjustment or recovery shall, subject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection, be made by appropriate adjustments in future payments to such individual or by recovery from such individual or his eligible spouse (or from the estate of either) or by payment to such individual or his eligible spouse, or, if such individual is deceased, by payment—
(i) to any surviving spouse of such individual, whether or not the individual's eligible spouse, if (within the meaning of the first sentence of
(ii) if such individual was a disabled or blind child who was living with his parent or parents at the time of his death or within the 6 months immediately preceding the month of such death, to such parent or parents.
(B) The Commissioner of Social Security (i) shall make such provision as the Commissioner finds appropriate in the case of payment of more than the correct amount of benefits with respect to an individual with a view to avoiding penalizing such individual or his eligible spouse who was without fault in connection with the overpayment, if adjustment or recovery on account of such overpayment in such case would defeat the purposes of this subchapter, or be against equity and good conscience, or (because of the small amount involved) impede efficient or effective administration of this subchapter, and (ii) shall in any event make the adjustment or recovery (in the case of payment of more than the correct amount of benefits), in the case of an individual or eligible spouse receiving monthly benefit payments under this subchapter (including supplementary payments of the type described in
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, when any payment of more than the correct amount is made to or on behalf of an individual who has died, and such payment—
(A) is made by direct deposit to a financial institution;
(B) is credited by the financial institution to a joint account of the deceased individual and another person; and
(C) such other person is the surviving spouse of the deceased individual, and was eligible for a payment under this subchapter (including any State supplementation payment paid by the Commissioner of Social Security) as an eligible spouse (or as either member of an eligible couple) for the month in which the deceased individual died,
the amount of such payment in excess of the correct amount shall be treated as a payment of more than the correct amount to such other person. If any payment of more than the correct amount is made to a representative payee on behalf of an individual after the individual's death, the representative payee shall be liable for the repayment of the overpayment, and the Commissioner of Social Security shall establish an overpayment control record under the social security account number of the representative payee.
(3) If any overpayment with respect to an individual (or an individual and his or her spouse) is attributable solely to the ownership or possession by such individual (and spouse if any) of resources having a value which exceeds the applicable dollar figure specified in paragraph (1)(B) or (2)(B) of
(4)(A) With respect to any delinquent amount, the Commissioner of Social Security may use the collection practices described in
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "delinquent amount" means an amount—
(i) in excess of the correct amount of payment under this subchapter;
(ii) paid to a person after such person has attained 18 years of age; and
(iii) determined by the Commissioner of Social Security, under regulations, to be otherwise unrecoverable under this section after such person ceases to be a beneficiary under this subchapter.
(5) For payments for which adjustments are made by reason of a retroactive payment of benefits under subchapter II of this chapter, see
(6) For provisions relating to the cross-program recovery of overpayments made under programs administered by the Commissioner of Social Security, see
(7)(A) In the case of payment of less than the correct amount of benefits to or on behalf of any individual, no payment shall be made to such individual pursuant to this subsection during any period for which such individual—
(i) is not an eligible individual or eligible spouse under
(ii) is not an eligible individual or eligible spouse under
until such person is no longer considered an ineligible individual or ineligible spouse under
(B) Nothing in subparagraph (A) shall be construed to limit the Commissioner's authority to withhold amounts, make adjustments, or recover amounts due under this subchapter, subchapter II, or subchapter VIII that would be deducted from a payment that would otherwise be payable to such individual but for such subparagraph.
(c) Hearing to determine eligibility or amount of benefits; subsequent application; time within which to request hearing; time for determinations of Commissioner pursuant to hearing; judicial review
(1)(A) The Commissioner of Social Security is directed to make findings of fact, and decisions as to the rights of any individual applying for payment under this subchapter. Any such decision by the Commissioner of Social Security which involves a determination of disability and which is in whole or in part unfavorable to such individual shall contain a statement of the case, in understandable language, setting forth a discussion of the evidence, and stating the Commissioner's determination and the reason or reasons upon which it is based. The Commissioner of Social Security shall provide reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing to any individual who is or claims to be an eligible individual or eligible spouse and is in disagreement with any determination under this subchapter with respect to eligibility of such individual for benefits, or the amount of such individual's benefits, if such individual requests a hearing on the matter in disagreement within sixty days after notice of such determination is received, and, if a hearing is held, shall, on the basis of evidence adduced at the hearing affirm, modify, or reverse the Commissioner's findings of fact and such decision. The Commissioner of Social Security is further authorized, on the Commissioner's own motion, to hold such hearings and to conduct such investigations and other proceedings as the Commissioner may deem necessary or proper for the administration of this subchapter. In the course of any hearing, investigation, or other proceeding, the Commissioner may administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses, and receive evidence. Evidence may be received at any hearing before the Commissioner of Social Security even though inadmissible under the rules of evidence applicable to court procedure. The Commissioner of Social Security shall specifically take into account any physical, mental, educational, or linguistic limitation of such individual (including any lack of facility with the English language) in determining, with respect to the eligibility of such individual for benefits under this subchapter, whether such individual acted in good faith or was at fault, and in determining fraud, deception, or intent.
(B)(i) A failure to timely request review of an initial adverse determination with respect to an application for any payment under this subchapter or an adverse determination on reconsideration of such an initial determination shall not serve as a basis for denial of a subsequent application for any payment under this subchapter if the applicant demonstrates that the applicant, or any other individual referred to in subparagraph (A), failed to so request such a review acting in good faith reliance upon incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information, relating to the consequences of reapplying for payments in lieu of seeking review of an adverse determination, provided by any officer or employee of the Social Security Administration or any State agency acting under
(ii) In any notice of an adverse determination with respect to which a review may be requested under subparagraph (A), the Commissioner of Social Security shall describe in clear and specific language the effect on possible eligibility to receive payments under this subchapter of choosing to reapply in lieu of requesting review of the determination.
(2) Determination on the basis of such hearing, except to the extent that the matter in disagreement involves a disability (within the meaning of
(3) The final determination of the Commissioner of Social Security after a hearing under paragraph (1) shall be subject to judicial review as provided in
(d) Procedures applicable; prohibition on assignment of payments; representation of claimants; maximum fees; penalties for violations
(1) The provisions of
(2)(A) The provisions of
(i) by substituting, in subparagraphs (A)(ii)(I) and (D)(i) of subsection (a)(2) 1 the phrase "(as determined before any applicable reduction under
(ii) by substituting, in subsections (a)(2)(B) and (b)(1)(B)(i), the phrase "paragraph (7)(A) or (8)(A) of
(iii) by substituting, in subsection (a)(2)(C)(i), the phrase "under subchapter II of this chapter" for the phrase "under subchapter XVI of this chapter";
(iv) by substituting, in subsection (b)(1)(A), the phrase "pay the amount of such fee" for the phrase "certify the amount of such fee for payment" and by striking, in subsection (b)(1)(A), the phrase "or certified for payment";
(v) by substituting, in subsection (b)(1)(B)(ii), the phrase "deemed to be such amounts as determined before any applicable reduction under
(vi) by substituting, in subsection (e)(1)—
(I) "subparagraphs (B) and (C) of
(II) "subchapter XVI" for "this subchapter".
(B) Subject to subparagraph (C), if the claimant is determined to be entitled to past-due benefits under this subchapter and the person representing the claimant is an attorney, the Commissioner of Social Security shall pay out of such past-due benefits to such attorney an amount equal to the lesser of—
(i) so much of the maximum fee as does not exceed 25 percent of such past-due benefits (as determined before any applicable reduction under subsection (g) of this section and reduced by the amount of any reduction in benefits under this subchapter or subchapter II of this chapter pursuant to
(ii) the amount of past-due benefits available after any applicable reductions under subsection (g) of this section and
(C)(i) Whenever a fee for services is required to be paid to an attorney from a claimant's past-due benefits pursuant to subparagraph (B), the Commissioner shall impose on the attorney an assessment calculated in accordance with clause (ii).
(ii)(I) The amount of an assessment under clause (i) shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying the amount of the representative's fee that would be required to be paid by subparagraph (B) before the application of this subparagraph, by the percentage specified in subclause (II), except that the maximum amount of the assessment may not exceed $75. In the case of any calendar year beginning after the amendments made by section 302 of the Social Security Protection Act of 2003 3 take effect, the dollar amount specified in the preceding sentence (including a previously adjusted amount) shall be adjusted annually under the procedures used to adjust benefit amounts under
(II) The percentage specified in this subclause is such percentage rate as the Commissioner determines is necessary in order to achieve full recovery of the costs of determining and approving fees to attorneys from the past-due benefits of claimants, but not in excess of 6.3 percent.
(iii) The Commissioner may collect the assessment imposed on an attorney under clause (i) by offset from the amount of the fee otherwise required by subparagraph (B) to be paid to the attorney from a claimant's past-due benefits.
(iv) An attorney subject to an assessment under clause (i) may not, directly or indirectly, request or otherwise obtain reimbursement for such assessment from the claimant whose claim gave rise to the assessment.
(v) Assessments on attorneys collected under this subparagraph shall be deposited as miscellaneous receipts in the general fund of the Treasury.
(vi) The assessments authorized under this subparagraph shall be collected and available for obligation only to the extent and in the amount provided in advance in appropriations Acts. Amounts so appropriated are authorized to remain available until expended, for administrative expenses in carrying out this subchapter and related laws.
(D) The Commissioner of Social Security shall notify each claimant in writing, together with the notice to such claimant of an adverse determination, of the options for obtaining attorneys to represent individuals in presenting their cases before the Commissioner of Social Security. Such notification shall also advise the claimant of the availability to qualifying claimants of legal services organizations which provide legal services free of charge.
(e) Administrative requirements prescribed by Commissioner; criteria; reduction of benefits to individual for noncompliance with requirements; payment to homeless
(1)(A) The Commissioner of Social Security shall, subject to subparagraph (B) and subsection (j) of this section, prescribe such requirements with respect to the filing of applications, the suspension or termination of assistance, the furnishing of other data and material, and the reporting of events and changes in circumstances, as may be necessary for the effective and efficient administration of this subchapter.
(B)(i) The requirements prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall require that eligibility for benefits under this subchapter will not be determined solely on the basis of declarations by the applicant concerning eligibility factors or other relevant facts, and that relevant information will be verified from independent or collateral sources and additional information obtained as necessary in order to assure that such benefits are only provided to eligible individuals (or eligible spouses) and that the amounts of such benefits are correct. For this purpose and for purposes of federally administered supplementary payments of the type described in
(ii)(I) The Commissioner of Social Security may require each applicant for, or recipient of, benefits under this subchapter to provide authorization by the applicant or recipient (or by any other person whose income or resources are material to the determination of the eligibility of the applicant or recipient for such benefits) for the Commissioner to obtain (subject to the cost reimbursement requirements of section 1115(a) of the Right to Financial Privacy Act [
(II) Notwithstanding section 1104(a)(1) of the Right to Financial Privacy Act [
(aa) the rendering of a final adverse decision on the applicant's application for eligibility for benefits under this subchapter;
(bb) the cessation of the recipient's eligibility for benefits under this subchapter; or
(cc) the express revocation by the applicant or recipient (or such other person referred to in subclause (I)) of the authorization, in a written notification to the Commissioner.
(III)(aa) An authorization obtained by the Commissioner of Social Security pursuant to this clause shall be considered to meet the requirements of the Right to Financial Privacy Act [
(bb) The certification requirements of section 1103(b) of the Right to Financial Privacy Act [
(cc) A request by the Commissioner pursuant to an authorization provided under this clause is deemed to meet the requirements of section 1104(a)(3) of the Right to Financial Privacy Act [
(IV) The Commissioner shall inform any person who provides authorization pursuant to this clause of the duration and scope of the authorization.
(V) If an applicant for, or recipient of, benefits under this subchapter (or any such other person referred to in subclause (I)) refuses to provide, or revokes, any authorization made by the applicant or recipient for the Commissioner of Social Security to obtain from any financial institution any financial record, the Commissioner may, on that basis, determine that the applicant or recipient is ineligible for benefits under this subchapter.
(C) For purposes of making determinations under
(2) In case of the failure by any individual to submit a report of events and changes in circumstances relevant to eligibility for or amount of benefits under this subchapter as required by the Commissioner of Social Security under paragraph (1), or delay by any individual in submitting a report as so required, the Commissioner of Social Security (in addition to taking any other action the Commissioner may consider appropriate under paragraph (1)) shall reduce any benefits which may subsequently become payable to such individual under this subchapter by—
(A) $25 in the case of the first such failure or delay,
(B) $50 in the case of the second such failure or delay, and
(C) $100 in the case of the third or a subsequent such failure or delay,
except where the individual was without fault or good cause for such failure or delay existed.
(3) The Commissioner of Social Security shall provide a method of making payments under this subchapter to an eligible individual who does not reside in a permanent dwelling or does not have a fixed home or mailing address.
(4) A translation into English by a third party of a statement made in a foreign language by an applicant for or recipient of benefits under this subchapter shall not be regarded as reliable for any purpose under this subchapter unless the third party, under penalty of perjury—
(A) certifies that the translation is accurate; and
(B) discloses the nature and scope of the relationship between the third party and the applicant or recipient, as the case may be.
(5) In any case in which it is determined to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security that an individual failed as of any date to apply for benefits under this subchapter by reason of misinformation provided to such individual by any officer or employee of the Social Security Administration relating to such individual's eligibility for benefits under this subchapter, such individual shall be deemed to have applied for such benefits on the later of—
(A) the date on which such misinformation was provided to such individual, or
(B) the date on which such individual met all requirements for entitlement to such benefits (other than application therefor).
(6) In any case in which an individual visits a field office of the Social Security Administration and represents during the visit to an officer or employee of the Social Security Administration in the office that the individual's visit is occasioned by—
(A) the receipt of a notice from the Social Security Administration indicating a time limit for response by the individual, or
(B) the theft, loss, or nonreceipt of a benefit payment under this subchapter,
the Commissioner of Social Security shall ensure that the individual is granted a face-to-face interview at the office with an officer or employee of the Social Security Administration before the close of business on the day of the visit.
(7)(A)(i) The Commissioner of Social Security shall immediately redetermine the eligibility of an individual for benefits under this subchapter if there is reason to believe that fraud or similar fault was involved in the application of the individual for such benefits, unless a United States attorney, or equivalent State prosecutor, with jurisdiction over potential or actual related criminal cases, certifies, in writing, that there is a substantial risk that such action by the Commissioner of Social Security with regard to recipients in a particular investigation would jeopardize the criminal prosecution of a person involved in a suspected fraud.
(ii) When redetermining the eligibility, or making an initial determination of eligibility, of an individual for benefits under this subchapter, the Commissioner of Social Security shall disregard any evidence if there is reason to believe that fraud or similar fault was involved in the providing of such evidence.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), similar fault is involved with respect to a determination if—
(i) an incorrect or incomplete statement that is material to the determination is knowingly made; or
(ii) information that is material to the determination is knowingly concealed.
(C) If, after redetermining the eligibility of an individual for benefits under this subchapter, the Commissioner of Social Security determines that there is insufficient evidence to support such eligibility, the Commissioner of Social Security may terminate such eligibility and may treat benefits paid on the basis of such insufficient evidence as overpayments.
(8)(A) The Commissioner of Social Security shall request the Immigration and Naturalization Service or the Centers for Disease Control to provide the Commissioner of Social Security with whatever medical information, identification information, and employment history either such entity has with respect to any alien who has applied for benefits under this subchapter to the extent that the information is relevant to any determination relating to eligibility for such benefits under this subchapter.
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to prevent the Commissioner of Social Security from adjudicating the case before receiving such information.
(9) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commissioner shall, at least 4 times annually and upon request of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (hereafter in this paragraph referred to as the "Service"), furnish the Service with the name and address of, and other identifying information on, any individual who the Commissioner knows is not lawfully present in the United States, and shall ensure that each agreement entered into under
(f) Furnishing of information by Federal agencies
The head of any Federal agency shall provide such information as the Commissioner of Social Security needs for purposes of determining eligibility for or amount of benefits, or verifying other information with respect thereto.
(g) Reimbursement to States for interim assistance payments
(1) Notwithstanding subsection (d)(1) of this section and subsection (b) of this section as it relates to the payment of less than the correct amount of benefits, the Commissioner of Social Security may, upon written authorization by an individual, withhold benefits due with respect to that individual and may pay to a State (or a political subdivision thereof if agreed to by the Commissioner of Social Security and the State) from the benefits withheld an amount sufficient to reimburse the State (or political subdivision) for interim assistance furnished on behalf of the individual by the State (or political subdivision).
(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term "benefits" with respect to any individual means supplemental security income benefits under this subchapter, and any State supplementary payments under
(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term "interim assistance" with respect to any individual means assistance financed from State or local funds and furnished for meeting basic needs (A) during the period, beginning with the month following the month in which the individual filed an application for benefits (as defined in paragraph (2)), for which he was eligible for such benefits, or (B) during the period beginning with the first month for which the individual's benefits (as defined in paragraph (2)) have been terminated or suspended if the individual was subsequently found to have been eligible for such benefits.
(4) In order for a State to receive reimbursement under the provisions of paragraph (1), the State shall have in effect an agreement with the Commissioner of Social Security which shall provide—
(A) that if the Commissioner of Social Security makes payment to the State (or a political subdivision of the State as provided for under the agreement) in reimbursement for interim assistance (as defined in paragraph (3)) for any individual in an amount greater than the reimbursable amount authorized by paragraph (1), the State (or political subdivision) shall pay to the individual the balance of such payment in excess of the reimbursable amount as expeditiously as possible, but in any event within ten working days or a shorter period specified in the agreement; and
(B) that the State will comply with such other rules as the Commissioner of Social Security finds necessary to achieve efficient and effective administration of this subsection and to carry out the purposes of the program established by this subchapter, including protection of hearing rights for any individual aggrieved by action taken by the State (or political subdivision) pursuant to this subsection.
(5) The provisions of subsection (c) of this section shall not be applicable to any disagreement concerning payment by the Commissioner of Social Security to a State pursuant to the preceding provisions of this subsection nor the amount retained by the State (or political subdivision).
(h) Payment of certain travel expenses
The Commissioner of Social Security shall pay travel expenses, either on an actual cost or commuted basis, to individuals for travel incident to medical examinations requested by the Commissioner of Social Security in connection with disability determinations under this subchapter, and to parties, their representatives, and all reasonably necessary witnesses for travel within the United States (as defined in
(i) Unnegotiated checks; notice to Commissioner; payment to States; notice to States; investigation of payees
(1) The Secretary of the Treasury shall, on a monthly basis, notify the Commissioner of Social Security of all benefit checks issued under this subchapter which include amounts representing State supplementary payments as described in paragraph (2) and which have not been presented for payment within one hundred and eighty days after the day on which they were issued.
(2) The Commissioner of Social Security shall from time to time determine the amount representing the total of the State supplementary payments made pursuant to agreements under
(3) The Commissioner of Social Security, upon notice from the Secretary of the Treasury under paragraph (1), shall notify any State having an agreement described in paragraph (2) of all such benefit checks issued under that State's agreement which were not presented for payment within one hundred and eighty days after the day on which they were issued.
(4) The Commissioner of Social Security shall, to the maximum extent feasible, investigate the whereabouts and eligibility of the individuals whose benefit checks were not presented for payment within one hundred and eighty days after the day on which they were issued.
(j) Application and review requirements for certain individuals
(1) Notwithstanding any provision of
(A) was an eligible individual (or eligible spouse) under
(B) who, after such eligibility, is ineligible for benefits under or pursuant to both such sections for a period of 12 consecutive months (or 24 consecutive months, in the case of such an individual whose ineligibility for benefits under or pursuant to both such sections is a result of being called to active duty pursuant to
may not thereafter become eligible for benefits under or pursuant to either such section until the individual has reapplied for benefits under
(2)(A) Notwithstanding any provision of
(i)(I) on the basis of the same impairment on which his or her eligibility under such
(II) has earned income (other than income excluded pursuant to
(ii)(I) on the basis of the same impairment on which his or her eligibility under such
(II) has earned income (other than income excluded pursuant to
shall, upon becoming eligible (as described in clause (i)(I) or (ii)(I)), be subject to a prompt review of the type described in
(B) If the Commissioner of Social Security determines pursuant to a review required by subparagraph (A) that the impairment upon which the eligibility of an individual is based has ceased, does not exist, or is not disabling, such individual may not thereafter become eligible for a benefit under or pursuant to
(k) Notifications to applicants and recipients
The Commissioner of Social Security shall notify an individual receiving benefits under
(1) at the time of the initial award of benefits to the individual under
(2) at the earliest time after an initial award of benefits to an individual under
(l) Special notice to blind individuals with respect to hearings and other official actions
(1) In any case where an individual who is applying for or receiving benefits under this subchapter on the basis of blindness is entitled (under subsection (c) of this section or otherwise) to receive notice from the Commissioner of Social Security of any decision or determination made or other action taken or proposed to be taken with respect to his or her rights under this subchapter, such individual shall at his or her election be entitled either (A) to receive a supplementary notice of such decision, determination, or action, by telephone, within 5 working days after the initial notice is mailed, (B) to receive the initial notice in the form of a certified letter, or (C) to receive notification by some alternative procedure established by the Commissioner of Social Security and agreed to by the individual.
(2) The election under paragraph (1) may be made at any time; but an opportunity to make such an election shall in any event be given (A) to every individual who is an applicant for benefits under this subchapter on the basis of blindness, at the time of his or her application, and (B) to every individual who is a recipient of such benefits on the basis of blindness, at the time of each redetermination of his or her eligibility. Such an election, once made by an individual, shall apply with respect to all notices of decisions, determinations, and actions which such individual may thereafter be entitled to receive under this subchapter until such time as it is revoked or changed.
(m) Pre-release procedures for institutionalized persons
The Commissioner of Social Security shall develop a system under which an individual can apply for supplemental security income benefits under this subchapter prior to the discharge or release of the individual from a public institution.
(n) Concurrent SSI and supplemental nutrition assistance program applications by institutionalized individuals
The Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of Agriculture shall develop a procedure under which an individual who applies for supplemental security income benefits under this subchapter shall also be permitted to apply at the same time for participation in the supplemental nutrition assistance program authorized under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (
(o) Notice requirements
The Commissioner of Social Security shall take such actions as are necessary to ensure that any notice to one or more individuals issued pursuant to this subchapter by the Commissioner of Social Security or by a State agency—
(1) is written in simple and clear language, and
(2) includes the address and telephone number of the local office of the Social Security Administration which serves the recipient.
In the case of any such notice which is not generated by a local servicing office, the requirements of paragraph (2) shall be treated as satisfied if such notice includes the address of the local office of the Social Security Administration which services the recipient of the notice and a telephone number through which such office can be reached.
(p) Reinstatement of eligibility on the basis of blindness or disability
(1)(A) Eligibility for benefits under this subchapter shall be reinstated in any case where the Commissioner determines that an individual described in subparagraph (B) has filed a request for reinstatement meeting the requirements of paragraph (2)(A) during the period prescribed in subparagraph (C). Reinstatement of eligibility shall be in accordance with the terms of this subsection.
(B) An individual is described in this subparagraph if—
(i) prior to the month in which the individual files a request for reinstatement—
(I) the individual was eligible for benefits under this subchapter on the basis of blindness or disability pursuant to an application filed therefor; and
(II) the individual thereafter was ineligible for such benefits due to earned income (or earned and unearned income) for a period of 12 or more consecutive months;
(ii) the individual is blind or disabled and the physical or mental impairment that is the basis for the finding of blindness or disability is the same as (or related to) the physical or mental impairment that was the basis for the finding of blindness or disability that gave rise to the eligibility described in clause (i);
(iii) the individual's blindness or disability renders the individual unable to perform substantial gainful activity; and
(iv) the individual satisfies the nonmedical requirements for eligibility for benefits under this subchapter.
(C)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), the period prescribed in this subparagraph with respect to an individual is 60 consecutive months beginning with the month following the most recent month for which the individual was eligible for a benefit under this subchapter (including
(ii) In the case of an individual who fails to file a reinstatement request within the period prescribed in clause (i), the Commissioner may extend the period if the Commissioner determines that the individual had good cause for the failure to so file.
(2)(A)(i) A request for reinstatement shall be filed in such form, and containing such information, as the Commissioner may prescribe.
(ii) A request for reinstatement shall include express declarations by the individual that the individual meets the requirements specified in clauses (ii) through (iv) of paragraph (1)(B).
(B) A request for reinstatement filed in accordance with subparagraph (A) may constitute an application for benefits in the case of any individual who the Commissioner determines is not eligible for reinstated benefits under this subsection.
(3) In determining whether an individual meets the requirements of paragraph (1)(B)(ii), the provisions of
(4)(A) Eligibility for benefits reinstated under this subsection shall commence with the benefit payable for the month following the month in which a request for reinstatement is filed.
(B)(i) Subject to clause (ii), the amount of the benefit payable for any month pursuant to the reinstatement of eligibility under this subsection shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter.
(ii) The benefit under this subchapter payable for any month pursuant to a request for reinstatement filed in accordance with paragraph (2) shall be reduced by the amount of any provisional benefit paid to such individual for such month under paragraph (7).
(C) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, eligibility for benefits under this subchapter reinstated pursuant to a request filed under paragraph (2) shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as eligibility established pursuant to an application filed therefor.
(5) Whenever an individual's eligibility for benefits under this subchapter is reinstated under this subsection, eligibility for such benefits shall be reinstated with respect to the individual's spouse if such spouse was previously an eligible spouse of the individual under this subchapter and the Commissioner determines that such spouse satisfies all the requirements for eligibility for such benefits except requirements related to the filing of an application. The provisions of paragraph (4) shall apply to the reinstated eligibility of the spouse to the same extent that they apply to the reinstated eligibility of such individual.
(6) An individual to whom benefits are payable under this subchapter pursuant to a reinstatement of eligibility under this subsection for twenty-four months (whether or not consecutive) shall, with respect to benefits so payable after such twenty-fourth month, be deemed for purposes of paragraph (1)(B)(i)(I) to be eligible for such benefits on the basis of an application filed therefor.
(7)(A) An individual described in paragraph (1)(B) who files a request for reinstatement in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (2)(A) shall be eligible for provisional benefits payable in accordance with this paragraph, unless the Commissioner determines that the individual does not meet the requirements of paragraph (1)(B)(i) or that the individual's declaration under paragraph (2)(A)(ii) is false. Any such determination by the Commissioner shall be final and not subject to review under paragraph (1) or (3) of subsection (c) of this section.
(B)(i) Except as otherwise provided in clause (ii), the amount of a provisional benefit for a month shall equal the amount of the monthly benefit that would be payable to an eligible individual under this subchapter with the same kind and amount of income.
(ii) If the individual has a spouse who was previously an eligible spouse of the individual under this subchapter and the Commissioner determines that such spouse satisfies all the requirements of
(C)(i) Provisional benefits shall begin with the month following the month in which a request for reinstatement is filed in accordance with paragraph (2)(A).
(ii) Provisional benefits shall end with the earliest of—
(I) the month in which the Commissioner makes a determination regarding the individual's eligibility for reinstated benefits;
(II) the fifth month following the month for which provisional benefits are first payable under clause (i); or
(III) the month in which the Commissioner determines that the individual does not meet the requirements of paragraph (1)(B)(i) or that the individual's declaration made in accordance with paragraph (2)(A)(ii) is false.
(D) In any case in which the Commissioner determines that an individual is not eligible for reinstated benefits, any provisional benefits paid to the individual under this paragraph shall not be subject to recovery as an overpayment unless the Commissioner determines that the individual knew or should have known that the individual did not meet the requirements of paragraph (1)(B).
(8) For purposes of this subsection other than paragraph (7), the term "benefits under this subchapter" includes State supplementary payments made pursuant to an agreement under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1631, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2)(B)(xiv) and (e)(1)(B)(i), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Section 212 of
Section 302 of the Social Security Protection Act of 2003, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(C)(ii)(I), probably means section 302 of the Social Security Protection Act of 2004,
The Right to Financial Privacy Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(B)(ii)(III)(aa), probably means the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978, title XI of
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (n), is
Codification
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1383, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1603, as added July 25, 1962,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (d)(2)(A)(vi).
2009—Subsec. (b)(7).
2008—Subsec. (n).
2006—Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(i).
Subsec. (j)(1)(B).
2004—Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii)(IV) to (VI).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iii)(II).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iii)(IV), (V).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(vii)(I).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(xiv).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(v).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(i).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(ii).
"(I) is bonded or licensed in each State in which the agency serves as a representative payee; and
"(II) in accordance",
redesignated items (aa) and (bb) as subclauses (I) and (II), respectively, realigned margins, and substituted "subclause (II)" for "subclause (II)(bb)" in concluding provisions.
Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F)(i)(II).
Subsec. (a)(2)(G).
Subsec. (a)(2)(G)(i)(II).
Subsec. (a)(2)(H).
Subsec. (a)(2)(I).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A)(ii) to (v).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B) to (D).
1999—Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iii)(II).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(ii)(II)(aa).
Subsec. (a)(6)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(4) to (6).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
Subsec. (j)(1).
Subsec. (j)(2)(A)(i)(I).
Subsec. (p).
1998—Subsec. (b)(5).
1997—Subsec. (a)(2)(F)(ii)(III)(bb).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F)(iii).
"(I) past-due benefits payable to the eligible individual in an amount less than that specified in clause (i)(II), and
"(II) any other funds representing an underpayment under this subchapter to such individual, provided that the amount of such underpayment is equal to or exceeds the maximum monthly benefit payable under this subchapter to an eligible individual."
Subsec. (e)(9).
1996—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(vii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ix)(II).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(i)(II).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F) to (H).
Subsec. (a)(4)(A).
Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (e)(6) to (8).
Subsec. (e)(9).
Subsec. (g)(3).
1994—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i)(I), (ii), (iv) to (vi).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(vii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(viii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ix).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(x) to (xii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(xiii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(i).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(v).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(i).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(i)(II).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(v).
Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F), (G).
Subsec. (a)(3), (4), (6) to (8).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(3) to (5).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(1)(C).
Subsec. (e)(2), (3).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (e)(6).
Subsec. (e)(7).
Subsecs. (f) to (m).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (o).
1990—Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(i).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(ii) to (iv).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(v).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F).
Subsec. (a)(4)(B).
Subsec. (a)(6)(A).
Subsec. (a)(6)(B).
Subsec. (a)(9).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (j)(2)(A).
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (n).
1989—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (e)(6).
1988—Subsec. (a)(8).
1987—Subsec. (a)(4)(A).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (g)(3).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (l).
Subsec. (m).
1986—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4), (5).
Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (j)(2)(A).
Subsec. (k).
1984—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3), (4).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
1982—Subsec. (i)(2).
1981—Subsec. (i).
1980—Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (h).
1976—Subsec. (a)(4)(B).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (d)(2), (3).
Subsec. (g).
1974—Subsec. (g).
1973—Subsec. (a)(4)(B).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by section 3(b)(1) of
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by section 4002(b)(1)(A), (B), (2)(V) of
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective and Termination Dates of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by section 101(c)(1), (3) of
Amendment by section 102(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 103(c) of
Amendment by section 104(b) of
Amendment by section 105(c) of
Amendment by section 106(c) of
Amendment by section 210(b)(4) of
"The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply with respect to fees for representation of claimants which are first required to be paid under section 1631(d)(2) of the Social Security Act [
Effective Date of 1999 Amendments
Amendment by section 101(b)(2)(C) of
Amendment by section 112(b) of
Amendment by section 201(b) of
Amendment by section 203(a) of
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 5522(b) of
Amendment by section 5564 of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendments
Amendment by section 204(b), (c)(2) of
Amendment by section 213(a) of
Section 221(c) of
"(1)
"(2)
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendments
Amendment by section 264(b) and (e)–(g) of
Section 6(b) of
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Section 201(b)(1)(C) of
Section 201(b)(2)(B)(iii)(I) of
Section 201(b)(2)(C) of
Amendment by section 206(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 206(d)(2) of
Section 206(f)(2) of
Amendment by section 321(f)(2)(B), (3)(A) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 5031(c) of
Section 5038(b) of
Amendment by section 5105(a)(1)(B), (2)(A)(ii) of
Amendment by section 5105(d)(1)(B) of
Amendment by section 5106(a)(2), (c) of
Amendment by section 5107(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 5109(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 5113(b) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 10302(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 10303(b) of
Amendment by section 10305(e) of
Amendment by section 10307(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 10307(b)(2) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 9109(b) of
Section 9110(c) of
Section 9111(c) of
Section 9112(b) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by sections 4(c)(1), (d)(3)(B) and 5 of
Section 8(b) of
Section 11005(c)(1) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Amendment by section 16(b) of
Amendment by sections 2612(a) and 2613 of
Amendment by section 2651(j) of
Amendment by section 2663(g)(11), (12) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Section 187(b) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 2343(b) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by section 301(b) of
Amendment by section 305(b) of
Amendment by section 501(c) of
Effective Date of 1976 Amendments
Section 4(b) of
Amendment by sections 1 and 2 of
Effective Date of 1973 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 301 of
Regulations
Section 222 of title II of
Abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service and Transfer of Functions
For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under
Payment of Travel Expenses
Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation acts:
Deposit of Overpayments in General Fund of Treasury
Opportunity for Individuals Receiving Benefits To Make Election for Type of Notice of Hearing or Other Official Action
Section 9111(a)(2) of
Study of Desirability and Feasibility of Special Notices of Hearings and Other Actions to Other Individuals Unable To Read
Section 9111(b) of
Demonstration Program To Assist Homeless Individuals
Section 9117 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) the creation of cooperative approaches between the Social Security Administration, State and local governments, shelters for the homeless, and other providers of services to the homeless;
"(2) the establishment, where appropriate, of multi-agency SSI Outreach Teams (as described in subsection (c)), to facilitate communication between the agencies and staff involved in taking and processing claims for SSI and other benefits by the homeless who use shelters;
"(3) special efforts to identify homeless individuals who are potentially eligible for SSI or other benefits under the Social Security Act [this chapter];
"(4) the provision of special assistance to the homeless in applying for benefits, including assistance in obtaining and developing evidence of disability and supporting documentation for nondisability-related eligibility requirements;
"(5) the provision of special training and assistance to public and private agency staff, including shelter employees, on disability eligibility procedures and evidentiary requirements;
"(6) the provision of ongoing assistance to formerly homeless individuals to ensure their responding to information requests related to periodic redeterminations of eligibility for SSI and other benefits;
"(7) the provision of assistance in ensuring appropriate use of benefit funds for the purpose of enabling homeless individuals to obtain permanent housing, nutrition, and physical and mental health care, including the use, where appropriate, of the disabled individual's representative payee for case management services; and
"(8) such other procedures and services as the Secretary may approve.
"(c)
"(A) The membership of the Team shall include a social services case worker (or case workers, if necessary); a consultative medical examiner who is qualified to provide consultative examinations for the Disability Determination Service of the State; a disability examiner, from the State Disability Determination Service; and a claims representative from an office of the Social Security Administration.
"(B) The Team shall have designated members responsible for—
"(i) identification of homeless individuals who are potentially eligible for SSI or other benefits under the Social Security Act [this chapter];
"(ii) ensuring that such individuals understand their rights under the programs;
"(iii) assisting such individuals in applying for benefits, including assistance in obtaining and developing evidence and supporting documentation relating to disability- and nondisability-related eligibility requirements;
"(iv) arranging transportation and accompanying applicants to necessary examinations, if needed; and
"(v) providing for the tracking and monitoring of all claims for benefits by individuals under the project.
"(2) If the Secretary determines that an application by a State for an SSI Outreach Team Project under this section which proposes a membership and functions for such Team different from those prescribed in paragraph (1) but which is expected to be as effective, the Secretary may waive the requirements of such paragraph.
[(d) Repealed.
"(e)
"(A) the sum of $1,250,000 for the fiscal year 1988;
"(B) the sum of $2,500,000 for the fiscal year 1989; and
"(C) such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year thereafter."
Notification of Adjustment of Benefits by Secretary
Section 2612(b) of
Payment of Costs of Rehabilitation Services
Amendment to
Hearing Examiners Appointed Prior to January 2, 1976
Section 3 of
Presumptive Disability Benefits; Time Extension
Application to Northern Mariana Islands
For applicability of this section to the Northern Mariana Islands, see section 502(a)(1) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America and Proc. No. 4534, Oct. 24, 1977, 42 F.R. 6593, set out as notes under
Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands
Enactment of section 1603 of the Social Security Act [this section] by
§1383. Payments to States; quarterly expenditures to exceed average of total expenditures for each quarter of fiscal year ending June 30, 1965
(a) From the sums appropriated therefor, the Commissioner of Social Security shall pay to each State which has a plan approved under this subchapter, for each quarter, beginning with the quarter commencing October 1, 1962—
(1) Repealed.
(2) in the case of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam, an amount equal to—
(A) one-half of the total of the sums expended during such quarter as aid to the aged, blind, or disabled under the State plan, not counting so much of any expenditure with respect to any month as exceeds $37.50 multiplied by the total number of recipients of aid to the aged, blind, or disabled for such month; plus
(B) one-half of the amount by which such expenditures exceed the maximum which may be counted under clause (A), not counting so much of any expenditure with respect to any month as exceeds the product of $45 multiplied by the total number of such recipients of aid to the aged, blind, or disabled for such month; and
(3) Repealed.
(4) in the case of any State, an amount equal to 50 percent of the total amounts expended during such quarter as found necessary by the Commissioner of Social Security for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan.
(b)(1) Prior to the beginning of each quarter, the Commissioner of Social Security shall estimate the amount to which a State will be entitled under subsection (a) of this section for such quarter, such estimates to be based on (A) a report filed by the State containing its estimate of the total sum to be expended in such quarter in accordance with the provisions of such subsection, and stating the amount appropriated or made available by the State and its political subdivisions for such expenditures in such quarter, and if such amount is less than the State's proportionate share of the total sum of such estimated expenditures, the source or sources from which the difference is expected to be derived, and (B) such other investigation as the Commissioner of Social Security may find necessary.
(2) The Commissioner of Social Security shall then pay, in such installments as the Commissioner may determine, to the State the amount so estimated, reduced or increased to the extent of any overpayment or underpayment which the Commissioner of Social Security determines was made under this section to such State for any prior quarter and with respect to which adjustment has not already been made under this subsection.
(3) The pro rata share to which the United States is equitably entitled, as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security, of the net amount recovered during any quarter by the State or any political subdivision thereof with respect to aid or assistance furnished under the State plan, but excluding any amount of such aid or assistance recovered from the estate of a deceased recipient which is not in excess of the amount expended by the State or any political subdivision thereof for the funeral expenses of the deceased, shall be considered an overpayment to be adjusted under this subsection.
(4) Upon the making of any estimate by the Commissioner of Social Security under this subsection, any appropriations available for payments under this section shall be deemed obligated.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1603, as added
[Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
[Amendment by
[Amendment by
Reimbursement for Erroneous State Supplementary Payments; Authorization of Appropriations
"(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services] is authorized and directed to pay to each State an amount equal to the amount expended by such State for erroneous supplementary payments to aged, blind, or disabled individuals whenever, and to the extent to which, the Secretary through an audit by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services] which has been reviewed and concurred in by the Inspector General of such department determines that—
"(1) such amount was paid by such State as a supplementary payment during the calendar year 1974 pursuant to an agreement between the State and the Secretary required by section 212 of the Act entitled 'An Act to extend the Renegotiation Act of 1951 for one year, and for other purposes', approved July 9, 1973, [set out as a note under
"(2) the erroneous payments were the result of good faith reliance by such State upon erroneous or incomplete information supplied by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services], through the State data exchange, or good faith reliance upon incorrect supplemental security income benefit payments made by such department, and
"(3) recovery of the erroneous payments by such State would be impossible or unreasonable.
"(b) There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section."
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
2 So in original. Closing parenthesis after "title" probably should not appear.
3 See References in Text note below.
§1383a. Penalties for fraud
(a) In general
Whoever—
(1) knowingly and willfully makes or causes to be made any false statement or representation of a material fact in any application for any benefit under this subchapter,
(2) at any time knowingly and willfully makes or causes to be made any false statement or representation of a material fact for use in determining rights to any such benefit,
(3) having knowledge of the occurrence of any event affecting (A) his initial or continued right to any such benefit, or (B) the initial or continued right to any such benefit of any other individual in whose behalf he has applied for or is receiving such benefit, conceals or fails to disclose such event with an intent fraudulently to secure such benefit either in a greater amount or quantity than is due or when no such benefit is authorized, or
(4) having made application to receive any such benefit for the use and benefit of another and having received it, knowingly and willfully converts such benefit or any part thereof to a use other than for the use and benefit of such other person,
shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
(b) Restitution
(1) Any Federal court, when sentencing a defendant convicted of an offense under subsection (a) of this section, may order, in addition to or in lieu of any other penalty authorized by law, that the defendant make restitution to the Commissioner of Social Security, in any case in which such offense results in—
(A) the Commissioner of Social Security making a benefit payment that should not have been made, or
(B) an individual suffering a financial loss due to the defendant's violation of subsection (a) of this section in his or her capacity as the individual's representative payee appointed pursuant to
(2)
(3) If the court does not order restitution, or orders only partial restitution, under this subsection, the court shall state on the record the reasons therefor.
(4)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), funds paid to the Commissioner of Social Security as restitution pursuant to a court order shall be deposited as miscellaneous receipts in the general fund of the Treasury.
(B) In the case of funds paid to the Commissioner of Social Security pursuant to paragraph (1)(B), the Commissioner of Social Security shall certify for payment to the individual described in such paragraph an amount equal to the lesser of the amount of the funds so paid or the individual's outstanding financial loss as described in such paragraph, except that such amount may be reduced by any overpayment of benefits owed under this subchapter, subchapter II of this chapter, or subchapter VIII of this chapter by the individual.
(c) Prohibition on certification as representative payee
Any person or entity convicted of a violation of subsection (a) of this section or of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1632, as added
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
1994—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
"(b)(1) Any person or other entity who is convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) of this section, if such violation is committed by such person or entity in his role as, or in applying to become, a payee under
"(A) upon his first such conviction, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both; and
"(B) upon his second or any subsequent such conviction, shall be guilty of a felony and shall be fined not more than $25,000 or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both.
"(2) In any case in which the court determines that a violation described in paragraph (1) includes a willful misuse of funds by such person or entity, the court may also require that full or partial restitution of such funds be made to the individual for whom such person or entity was the certified payee.
"(3) Any person or entity convicted of a felony under this section or under
1984—
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 206(c)(3) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 301 of
Application to Northern Mariana Islands
For applicability of this section to the Northern Mariana Islands, see section 502(a)(1) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America and Proc. No. 4534, Oct. 24, 1977, 42 F.R. 6593, set out as notes under
Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands
Enactment of provisions of
§1383b. Administration
(a) Authority of Commissioner
Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the Commissioner of Social Security may make such administrative and other arrangements (including arrangements for the determination of blindness and disability under section 1382c(a)(2) and (3) of this title in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as provided with respect to disability determinations under
(b) Examination to determine blindness
In determining, for purposes of this subchapter, whether an individual is blind, there shall be an examination of such individual by a physician skilled in the diseases of the eye or by an optometrist, whichever the individual may select.
(c) Notification of review
(1) In any case in which the Commissioner of Social Security initiates a review under this subchapter, similar to the continuing disability reviews authorized for purposes of subchapter II of this chapter under
(2) For suspension of continuing disability reviews and other reviews under this subchapter similar to reviews under
(d) Regulations regarding completion of plans for achieving self-support
The Commissioner of Social Security shall establish by regulation criteria for time limits and other criteria related to individuals' plans for achieving self-support, that take into account—
(1) the length of time that the individual will need to achieve the individual's employment goal (within such reasonable period as the Commissioner of Social Security may establish); and
(2) other factors determined by the Commissioner of Social Security to be appropriate.
(e) Review of State agency blindness and disability determinations
(1) The Commissioner of Social Security shall review determinations, made by State agencies pursuant to subsection (a) in connection with applications for benefits under this subchapter on the basis of blindness or disability, that individuals who have attained 18 years of age are blind or disabled as of a specified onset date. The Commissioner of Social Security shall review such a determination before any action is taken to implement the determination.
(2)(A) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Commissioner of Social Security shall review—
(i) at least 20 percent of all determinations referred to in paragraph (1) that are made in fiscal year 2006;
(ii) at least 40 percent of all such determinations that are made in fiscal year 2007; and
(iii) at least 50 percent of all such determinations that are made in fiscal year 2008 or thereafter.
(B) In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Commissioner of Social Security shall, to the extent feasible, select for review the determinations which the Commissioner of Social Security identifies as being the most likely to be incorrect.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1633, as added
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (e).
1999—Subsec. (c).
1994—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
1984—Subsec. (c).
1973—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Section 203(b) of
Effective Date
Section 301 of
Institution of Notification System
For provisions requiring the Secretary to institute the system of notification required by subsec. (c) of this section as soon as practicable after Oct. 9, 1984, see section 6(c) of
Federal Program of Supplemental Security Income; Preference for Present State and Local Employees
Section 213 of
Application to Northern Mariana Islands
For applicability of this section to the Northern Mariana Islands, see section 502(a)(1) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America and Proc. No. 4534, Oct. 24, 1977, 42 F.R. 6593, set out as notes under
Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands
Enactment of provisions of
§1383c. Eligibility for medical assistance of aged, blind, or disabled individuals under State's medical assistance plan
(a) Determination by Commissioner pursuant to agreement between Commissioner and State; costs
The Commissioner of Social Security may enter into an agreement with any State which wishes to do so under which the Commissioner will determine eligibility for medical assistance in the case of aged, blind, or disabled individuals under such State's plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter. Any such agreement shall provide for payments by the State, for use by the Commissioner of Social Security in carrying out the agreement, of an amount equal to one-half of the cost of carrying out the agreement, but in computing such cost with respect to individuals eligible for benefits under this subchapter, the Commissioner of Social Security shall include only those costs which are additional to the costs incurred in carrying out this subchapter.
(b) Preservation of benefit status for certain disabled widows and widowers
(1) An eligible disabled widow or widower (described in paragraph (2)) who is entitled to a widow's or widower's insurance benefit based on a disability for any month under section 402(e) or (f) of this title but is not eligible for benefits under this subchapter in that month, and who applies for the protection of this subsection under paragraph (3), shall be deemed for purposes of subchapter XIX of this chapter to be an individual with respect to whom benefits under this subchapter are paid in that month if he or she—
(A) has been continuously entitled to such widow's or widower's insurance benefits from the first month for which the increase described in paragraph (2)(C) was reflected in such benefits through the month involved, and
(B) would be eligible for benefits under this subchapter in the month involved if the amount of the increase described in paragraph (2)(C) in his or her widow's or widower's insurance benefits, and any subsequent cost-of-living adjustments in such benefits under
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term "eligible disabled widow or widower" means an individual who—
(A) was entitled to a monthly insurance benefit under subchapter II of this chapter for December 1983,
(B) was entitled to a widow's or widower's insurance benefit based on a disability under section 402(e) or (f) of this title for January 1984 and with respect to whom a benefit under this subchapter was paid in that month, and
(C) because of the increase in the amount of his or her widow's or widower's insurance benefits which resulted from the amendments made by section 134 of the Social Security Amendments of 1983 (
(3) This subsection shall only apply to an individual who files a written application for protection under this subsection, in such manner and form as the Commissioner of Social Security may prescribe, no later than July 1, 1988.
(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term "benefits under this subchapter" includes payments of the type described in
(c) Loss of benefits upon entitlement to child's insurance benefits based on disability
If any individual who has attained the age of 18 and is receiving benefits under this subchapter on the basis of blindness or a disability which began before he or she attained the age of 22—
(1) becomes entitled, on or after the effective date of this subsection, to child's insurance benefits which are payable under
(2) ceases to be eligible for benefits under this subchapter because of such child's insurance benefits or because of the increase in such child's insurance benefits,
such individual shall be treated for purposes of subchapter XIX of this chapter as receiving benefits under this subchapter so long as he or she would be eligible for benefits under this subchapter in the absence of such child's insurance benefits or such increase.
(d) Retention of medicaid when SSI benefits are lost upon entitlement to early widow's or widower's insurance benefits
(1) This subsection applies with respect to any person who—
(A) applies for and obtains benefits under subsection (e) or (f) of
(B) is determined to be ineligible (by reason of the receipt of such benefits under
(2) For purposes of subchapter XIX of this chapter, each person with respect to whom this subsection applies—
(A) shall be deemed to be a recipient of supplemental security income benefits under this subchapter if such person received such a benefit for the month before the month in which such person began to receive a benefit described in paragraph (1)(A), and
(B) shall be deemed to be a recipient of State supplementary payments of the type referred to in
for so long as such person (i) would be eligible for such supplemental security income benefits, or such State supplementary payments (or payments of the type described in section 212(a) of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1634, as added
References in Text
Section 134 of the Social Security Amendments of 1983 (
Section 212(a) of
The effective date of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), is July 1, 1987, except as otherwise provided. See section 10(b) of
Part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (d)(2), is classified to
Amendments
1996—Subsec. (e).
1994—Subsecs. (a), (b)(3).
Subsec. (e).
1990—Subsec. (d).
1987—Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (d).
1986—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
Amendment by section 201(b)(3)(D) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 9108 of
Section 9116(e) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 12202(c) of
Effective Date
Section 301 of
Notice of Possible Eligibility for Medicaid Assistance
Section 9116(b) of
State Determinations
Section 9116(c) of
Section 6(b) of
Identification of Potential Beneficiaries Under Subsection (b) of This Section
Section 12202(b) of
"(1) As soon as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 7, 1986], the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide each State with the names of all individuals receiving widow's or widower's insurance benefits under subsection (e) or (f) of section 202 of the Social Security Act [section 402(e) or (f) of this title] based on a disability who might qualify for medical assistance under the plan of that State approved under title XIX of such Act [subchapter XIX of this chapter] by reason of the application of section 1634(b) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b) of this section].
"(2) Each State shall—
"(A) using the information so provided and any other information it may have, promptly notify all individuals who may qualify for medical assistance under its plan by reason of such section 1634(b) of their right to make application for such assistance,
"(B) solicit their applications for such assistance, and
"(C) make the necessary determination of such individuals' eligibility for such assistance under such section and under such title XIX."
Application to Northern Mariana Islands
For applicability of this section to the Northern Mariana Islands, see section 502(a)(1) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America and Proc. No. 4534, Oct. 24, 1977, 42 F.R. 6593, set out as notes under
Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands
Enactment of provisions of
§1383d. Outreach program for children
(a) Establishment
The Commissioner of Social Security shall establish and conduct an ongoing program of outreach to children who are potentially eligible for benefits under this subchapter by reason of disability or blindness.
(b) Requirements
Under this program, the Commissioner of Social Security shall—
(1) aim outreach efforts at populations for whom such efforts would be most effective; and
(2) work in cooperation with other Federal, State, and private agencies, and nonprofit organizations, which serve blind or disabled individuals and have knowledge of potential recipients of supplemental security income benefits, and with agencies and organizations (including school systems and public and private social service agencies) which focus on the needs of children.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1635, as added
Amendments
1994—Subsecs. (a), (b).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 8008(b) of
Application to Northern Mariana Islands
For applicability of this section to the Northern Mariana Islands, see section 502(a)(1) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America and Proc. No. 4534, Oct. 24, 1977, 42 F.R. 6593, set out as notes under
§1383e. Treatment referrals for individuals with alcoholism or drug addiction condition
In the case of any individual whose benefits under this subchapter are paid to a representative payee pursuant to
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1636, as added
References in Text
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in text, is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373,
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1996, with respect to any individual whose claim for benefits is finally adjudicated on or after Mar. 29, 1996, or whose eligibility for benefits is based upon eligibility redetermination made pursuant to section 105(b)(5)(C) of
§1383f. Annual report on program
(a) In general
Not later than May 30 of each year, the Commissioner of Social Security shall prepare and deliver a report annually to the President and the Congress regarding the program under this subchapter, including—
(1) a comprehensive description of the program;
(2) historical and current data on allowances and denials, including number of applications and allowance rates for initial determinations, reconsideration determinations, administrative law judge hearings, appeals council reviews, and Federal court decisions;
(3) historical and current data on characteristics of recipients and program costs, by recipient group (aged, blind, disabled adults, and disabled children);
(4) historical and current data on prior enrollment by recipients in public benefit programs, including State programs funded under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter and State general assistance programs;
(5) projections of future number of recipients and program costs, through at least 25 years;
(6) number of redeterminations and continuing disability reviews, and the outcomes of such redeterminations and reviews;
(7) data on the utilization of work incentives;
(8) detailed information on administrative and other program operation costs;
(9) summaries of relevant research undertaken by the Social Security Administration, or by other researchers;
(10) State supplementation program operations;
(11) a historical summary of statutory changes to this subchapter; and
(12) such other information as the Commissioner deems useful.
(b) Views of individual members of Social Security Advisory Board
Each member of the Social Security Advisory Board shall be permitted to provide an individual report, or a joint report if agreed, of views of the program under this subchapter, to be included in the annual report required under this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1637, as added
References in Text
Part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(4), is classified to
§1384. Omitted
Codification
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1604, as added July 25, 1962,
Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands
Enactment of subchapter XVI of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] by
§1384. Operation of State plans
If the Commissioner of Social Security, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing to the State agency administering or supervising the administration of the State plan approved under this subchapter, finds—
(1) that the plan has been so changed that it no longer complies with the provisions of
(2) that in the administration of the plan there is a failure to comply substantially with any such provision;
the Commissioner of Social Security shall notify such State agency that further payments will not be made to the State (or, in the Commissioner's discretion, that payments will be limited to categories under or parts of the State plan not affected by such failure), until the Commissioner of Social Security is satisfied that there will no longer be any such failure to comply. Until the Commissioner is so satisfied the Commissioner shall make no further payments to such State (or shall limit payments to categories under or parts of the State plan not affected by such failure).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1604, as added July 25, 1962,
[Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
§1385. Omitted
Codification
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1605, as added July 25, 1962,
Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands
Enactment of subchapter XVI of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] by section 301 of
§1385. Definitions
(a) For purposes of this subchapter, the term "aid to the aged, blind, or disabled" means money payments to needy individuals who are 65 years of age or older, are blind, or are 18 years of age or over and permanently and totally disabled, but such term does not include—
(1) any such payments to or care in behalf of any individual who is an inmate of a public institution (except as a patient in a medical institution); or
(2) any such payments to or care in behalf of any individual who has not attained 65 years of age and who is a patient in an institution for tuberculosis or mental diseases.
Such term also includes payments which are not included within the meaning of such term under the preceding sentence, but which would be so included except that they are made on behalf of such a needy individual to another individual who (as determined in accordance with standards prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security) is interested in or concerned with the welfare of such needy individual, but only with respect to a State whose State plan approved under
(A) determination by the State agency that such needy individual has, by reason of his physical or mental condition, such inability to manage funds that making payments to him would be contrary to his welfare and, therefore, it is necessary to provide such aid through payments described in this sentence;
(B) making such payments only in cases in which such payments will, under the rules otherwise applicable under the State plan for determining need and the amount of aid to the aged, blind, or disabled to be paid (and in conjunction with other income and resources), meet all the need [sic] of the individuals with respect to whom such payments are made;
(C) undertaking and continuing special efforts to protect the welfare of such individual and to improve, to the extent possible, his capacity for self-care and to manage funds;
(D) periodic review by such State agency of the determination under clause (A) of this subsection to ascertain whether conditions justifying such determination still exist, with provision for termination of such payments if they do not and for seeking judicial appointment of a guardian or other legal representative, as described in
(E) opportunity for a fair hearing before the State agency on the determination referred to in clause (A) of this subsection for any individual with respect to whom it is made.
At the option of a State (if its plan approved under this subchapter so provides), such term (i) need not include money payments to an individual who has been absent from such State for a period in excess of ninety consecutive days (regardless of whether he has maintained his residence in such State during such period) until he has been present in such State for thirty consecutive days in the case of such an individual who has maintained his residence in such State during such period or ninety consecutive days in the case of any other such individual, and (ii) may include rent payments made directly to a public housing agency on behalf of a recipient or a group or groups of recipients of aid under such plan.
(b) Repealed.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVI, §1605, as added July 25, 1962,
[Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of
SUBCHAPTER XVII—GRANTS FOR PLANNING COMPREHENSIVE ACTION TO COMBAT MENTAL RETARDATION
§1391. Authorization of appropriations
For the purpose of assisting the States (including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa) to plan for and take other steps leading to comprehensive State and community action to combat mental retardation, there is authorized to be appropriated the sum of $2,200,000. There are also authorized to be appropriated, for assisting such States in initiating the implementation and carrying out of planning and other steps to combat mental retardation, $2,750,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1966, and $2,750,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1967.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVII, §1701, as added
Amendments
1965—
Short Title
For short title of
§1392. Availability of funds during certain fiscal years; limitation on amount; utilization of grant
The sums appropriated pursuant to the first sentence of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVII, §1702, as added
Amendments
1965—
§1393. Applications; single State agency designation; essential planning services; plans for expenditure; final activities report and other necessary reports; records; accounting
In order to be eligible for a grant under
(1) designates or establishes a single State agency, which may be an interdepartmental agency, as the sole agency for carrying out the purposes of this subchapter;
(2) indicates the manner in which provision will be made to assure full consideration of all aspects of services essential to planning for comprehensive State and community action to combat mental retardation, including services in the fields of education, employment, rehabilitation, welfare, health, and the law, and services provided through community programs for and institutions for the mentally retarded;
(3) sets forth its plans for expenditure of such grant, which plans provide reasonable assurance of carrying out the purposes of this subchapter;
(4) provides for submission of a final report of the activities of the State agency in carrying out the purposes of this subchapter, and for submission of such other reports, in such form and containing such information, as the Secretary may from time to time find necessary for carrying out the purposes of this subchapter and for keeping such records and affording such access thereto as he may find necessary to assure the correctness and verification of such reports; and
(5) provides for such fiscal control and fund accounting procedures as may be necessary to assure proper disbursement of and accounting for funds paid to the State under this subchapter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVII, §1703, as added
§1394. Payments to States; adjustments; advances or reimbursement; installments; conditions
Payment of grants under this subchapter may be made (after necessary adjustment on account of previously made underpayments or overpayments) in advance or by way of reimbursement, and in such installments and on such conditions, as the Secretary may determine.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVII, §1704, as added
SUBCHAPTER XVIII—HEALTH INSURANCE FOR AGED AND DISABLED
§1395. Prohibition against any Federal interference
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to authorize any Federal officer or employee to exercise any supervision or control over the practice of medicine or the manner in which medical services are provided, or over the selection, tenure, or compensation of any officer or employee of any institution, agency, or person providing health services; or to exercise any supervision or control over the administration or operation of any such institution, agency, or person.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1801, as added
Short Title
For short title of title I of
Protecting and Improving Guaranteed Medicare Benefits
"(a)
"(b)
§1395a. Free choice by patient guaranteed
(a) Basic freedom of choice
Any individual entitled to insurance benefits under this subchapter may obtain health services from any institution, agency, or person qualified to participate under this subchapter if such institution, agency, or person undertakes to provide him such services.
(b) Use of private contracts by medicare beneficiaries
(1) In general
Subject to the provisions of this subsection, nothing in this subchapter shall prohibit a physician or practitioner from entering into a private contract with a medicare beneficiary for any item or service—
(A) for which no claim for payment is to be submitted under this subchapter, and
(B) for which the physician or practitioner receives—
(i) no reimbursement under this subchapter directly or on a capitated basis, and
(ii) receives no amount for such item or service from an organization which receives reimbursement for such item or service under this subchapter directly or on a capitated basis.
(2) Beneficiary protections
(A) In general
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any contract unless—
(i) the contract is in writing and is signed by the medicare beneficiary before any item or service is provided pursuant to the contract;
(ii) the contract contains the items described in subparagraph (B); and
(iii) the contract is not entered into at a time when the medicare beneficiary is facing an emergency or urgent health care situation.
(B) Items required to be included in contract
Any contract to provide items and services to which paragraph (1) applies shall clearly indicate to the medicare beneficiary that by signing such contract the beneficiary—
(i) agrees not to submit a claim (or to request that the physician or practitioner submit a claim) under this subchapter for such items or services even if such items or services are otherwise covered by this subchapter;
(ii) agrees to be responsible, whether through insurance or otherwise, for payment of such items or services and understands that no reimbursement will be provided under this subchapter for such items or services;
(iii) acknowledges that no limits under this subchapter (including the limits under
(iv) acknowledges that Medigap plans under
(v) acknowledges that the medicare beneficiary has the right to have such items or services provided by other physicians or practitioners for whom payment would be made under this subchapter.
Such contract shall also clearly indicate whether the physician or practitioner is excluded from participation under the medicare program under
(3) Physician or practitioner requirements
(A) In general
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any contract entered into by a physician or practitioner unless an affidavit described in subparagraph (B) is in effect during the period any item or service is to be provided pursuant to the contract.
(B) Affidavit
An affidavit is described in this subparagraph if—
(i) the affidavit identifies the physician or practitioner and is in writing and is signed by the physician or practitioner;
(ii) the affidavit provides that the physician or practitioner will not submit any claim under this subchapter for any item or service provided to any medicare beneficiary (and will not receive any reimbursement or amount described in paragraph (1)(B) for any such item or service) during the 2-year period beginning on the date the affidavit is signed; and
(iii) a copy of the affidavit is filed with the Secretary no later than 10 days after the first contract to which such affidavit applies is entered into.
(C) Enforcement
If a physician or practitioner signing an affidavit under subparagraph (B) knowingly and willfully submits a claim under this subchapter for any item or service provided during the 2-year period described in subparagraph (B)(ii) (or receives any reimbursement or amount described in paragraph (1)(B) for any such item or service) with respect to such affidavit—
(i) this subsection shall not apply with respect to any items and services provided by the physician or practitioner pursuant to any contract on and after the date of such submission and before the end of such period; and
(ii) no payment shall be made under this subchapter for any item or service furnished by the physician or practitioner during the period described in clause (i) (and no reimbursement or payment of any amount described in paragraph (1)(B) shall be made for any such item or service).
(4) Limitation on actual charge and claim submission requirement not applicable
(5) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Medicare beneficiary
The term "medicare beneficiary" means an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter.
(B) Physician
The term "physician" has the meaning given such term by paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of
(C) Practitioner
The term "practitioner" has the meaning given such term by
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1802, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(5)(A), are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (b)(5)(B).
1997—
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 4507(c) of
Report to Congress on Effect of Private Contracts
Section 4507(b) of title IV of
"(1) analyses regarding—
"(A) the fiscal impact of such contracts on total Federal expenditures under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] and on out-of-pocket expenditures by medicare beneficiaries for health services under such title; and
"(B) the quality of the health services provided under such contracts; and
"(2) recommendations as to whether medicare beneficiaries should continue to be able to enter private contracts under section 1802(b) of such Act [subsec. (b) of this section] (as added by subsection (a)) and if so, what legislative changes, if any should be made to improve such contracts."
§1395b. Option to individuals to obtain other health insurance protection
Nothing contained in this subchapter shall be construed to preclude any State from providing, or any individual from purchasing or otherwise securing, protection against the cost of any health services.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1803, as added
Impact of Increased Investments in Health Research on Future Medicare Costs
National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare
Exclusion From Wages and Compensation of Refunds Required From Employers To Compensate for Duplication of Medicare Benefits by Health Care Benefits Provided by Employers
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(d)
"(e)
United States Bipartisan Commission on Comprehensive Health Care
Maintenance of Effort Regarding Duplicative Benefits
Task Force on Long-Term Health Care Policies
§1395b–1. Incentives for economy while maintaining or improving quality in provision of health services
(a) Grants and contracts to develop and engage in experiments and demonstration projects
(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services is authorized, either directly or through grants to public or private agencies, institutions, and organizations or contracts with public or private agencies, institutions, and organizations, to develop and engage in experiments and demonstration projects for the following purposes:
(A) to determine whether, and if so which, changes in methods of payment or reimbursement (other than those dealt with in section 222(a) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972) for health care and services under health programs established by this chapter, including a change to methods based on negotiated rates, would have the effect of increasing the efficiency and economy of health services under such programs through the creation of additional incentives to these ends without adversely affecting the quality of such services;
(B) to determine whether payments for services other than those for which payment may be made under such programs (and which are incidental to services for which payment may be made under such programs) would, in the judgment of the Secretary, result in more economical provision and more effective utilization of services for which payment may be made under such program, where such services are furnished by organizations and institutions which have the capability of providing—
(i) comprehensive health care services,
(ii) mental health care services (as defined by section 2691(c) 1 of this title),
(iii) ambulatory health care services (including surgical services provided on an outpatient basis), or
(iv) institutional services which may substitute, at lower cost, for hospital care;
(C) to determine whether the rates of payment or reimbursement for health care services, approved by a State for purposes of the administration of one or more of its laws, when utilized to determine the amount to be paid for services furnished in such State under the health programs established by this chapter, would have the effect of reducing the costs of such programs without adversely affecting the quality of such services;
(D) to determine whether payments under such programs based on a single combined rate of reimbursement or charge for the teaching activities and patient care which residents, interns, and supervising physicians render in connection with a graduate medical education program in a patient facility would result in more equitable and economical patient care arrangements without adversely affecting the quality of such care;
(E) to determine whether coverage of intermediate care facility services and homemaker services would provide suitable alternatives to posthospital benefits presently provided under this subchapter; such experiment and demonstration projects may include:
(i) counting each day of care in an intermediate care facility as one day of care in a skilled nursing facility, if such care was for a condition for which the individual was hospitalized,
(ii) covering the services of homemakers for a maximum of 21 days, if institutional services are not medically appropriate,
(iii) determining whether such coverage would reduce long-range costs by reducing the lengths of stay in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, and
(iv) establishing alternative eligibility requirements and determining the probable cost of applying each alternative, if the project suggests that such extension of coverage would be desirable;
(F) to determine whether, and if so which type of, fixed price or performance incentive contract would have the effect of inducing to the greatest degree effective, efficient, and economical performance of agencies and organizations making payment under agreements or contracts with the Secretary for health care and services under health programs established by this chapter;
(G) to determine under what circumstances payment for services would be appropriate and the most appropriate, equitable, and noninflationary methods and amounts of reimbursement under health care programs established by this chapter for services, which are performed independently by an assistant to a physician, including a nurse practitioner (whether or not performed in the office of or at a place at which such physician is physically present), and—
(i) which such assistant is legally authorized to perform by the State or political subdivision wherein such services are performed, and
(ii) for which such physician assumes full legal and ethical responsibility as to the necessity, propriety, and quality thereof;
(H) to establish an experimental program to provide day-care services, which consist of such personal care, supervision, and services as the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe, for individuals eligible to enroll in the supplemental medical insurance program established under part B of this subchapter and subchapter XIX of this chapter, in day-care centers which meet such standards as the Secretary shall by regulation establish;
(I) to determine whether the services of clinical psychologists may be made more generally available to persons eligible for services under this subchapter and subchapter XIX of this chapter in a manner consistent with quality of care and equitable and efficient administration;
(J) to develop or demonstrate improved methods for the investigation and prosecution of fraud in the provision of care or services under the health programs established by this chapter; and
(K) to determine whether the use of competitive bidding in the awarding of contracts, or the use of other methods of reimbursement, under part B of subchapter XI of this chapter would be efficient and effective methods of furthering the purposes of that part.
For purposes of this subsection, "health programs established by this chapter" means the program established by this subchapter and a program established by a plan of a State approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter.
(2) Grants, payments under contracts, and other expenditures made for experiments and demonstration projects under paragraph (1) shall be made in appropriate part from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (established by
(b) Waiver of certain payment or reimbursement requirements; advice and recommendations of specialists preceding experiments and demonstration projects
In the case of any experiment or demonstration project under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary may waive compliance with the requirements of this subchapter and subchapter XIX of this chapter insofar as such requirements relate to reimbursement or payment on the basis of reasonable cost, or (in the case of physicians) on the basis of reasonable charge, or to reimbursement or payment only for such services or items as may be specified in the experiment; and costs incurred in such experiment or demonstration project in excess of the costs which would otherwise be reimbursed or paid under such subchapters may be reimbursed or paid to the extent that such waiver applies to them (with such excess being borne by the Secretary). No experiment or demonstration project shall be engaged in or developed under subsection (a) of this section until the Secretary obtains the advice and recommendations of specialists who are competent to evaluate the proposed experiment or demonstration project as to the soundness of its objectives, the possibilities of securing productive results, the adequacy of resources to conduct the proposed experiment or demonstration project, and its relationship to other similar experiments and projects already completed or in process.
(
References in Text
Section 222(a) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A), is section 222(a) of
Part B of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(H), is classified to
Part B of subchapter XI of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(K), is classified to
Codification
Section is comprised of subsecs. (a) and (b) of section 402 of
Section was enacted as a part of the Social Security Amendments of 1967, and not as a part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Amendments
1984—Subsec. (a)(1).
1982—Subsec. (a)(1)(K).
1981—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b).
1977—Subsec. (a)(1)(J).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Change of Name
"Secretary of Health and Human Services" substituted for "Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare" in subsec. (a)(1) pursuant to section 509(b)
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment, Savings, and Transitional Provisions
For effective date, savings, and transitional provisions relating to amendment by
Community-Based Care Transitions Program
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A) A subsection (d) hospital (as defined in section 1886(d)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (
"(B) An appropriate community-based organization that provides care transition services under this section across a continuum of care through arrangements with subsection (d) hospitals (as so defined) to furnish the services described in subsection (c)(2)(B)(i) and whose governing body includes sufficient representation of multiple health care stakeholders (including consumers).
"(2)
"(A) Cognitive impairment.
"(B) Depression.
"(C) A history of multiple readmissions.
"(D) Any other chronic disease or risk factor as determined by the Secretary.
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
"(c)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(2)
"(A)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(B)
"(i) Initiating care transition services for a high-risk Medicare beneficiary not later than 24 hours prior to the discharge of the beneficiary from the eligible entity.
"(ii) Arranging timely post-discharge follow-up services to the high-risk Medicare beneficiary to provide the beneficiary (and, as appropriate, the primary caregiver of the beneficiary) with information regarding responding to symptoms that may indicate additional health problems or a deteriorating condition.
"(iii) Providing the high-risk Medicare beneficiary (and, as appropriate, the primary caregiver of the beneficiary) with assistance to ensure productive and timely interactions between patients and post-acute and outpatient providers.
"(iv) Assessing and actively engaging with a high-risk Medicare beneficiary (and, as appropriate, the primary caregiver of the beneficiary) through the provision of self-management support and relevant information that is specific to the beneficiary's condition.
"(v) Conducting comprehensive medication review and management (including, if appropriate, counseling and self-management support).
"(C)
"(3)
"(A) participate in a program administered by the Administration on Aging to provide concurrent care transitions interventions with multiple hospitals and practitioners; or
"(B) provide services to medically underserved populations, small communities, and rural areas.
"(d)
"(e)
"(f)
Pilot Testing Pay-for-Performance Programs for Certain Medicare Providers
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) Psychiatric hospitals (as described in clause (i) of section 1886(d)(1)(B) of such Act (
"(2) Long-term care hospitals (as described in clause (iv) of such section).
"(3) Rehabilitation hospitals (as described in clause (ii) of such section).
"(4) PPS-exempt cancer hospitals (as described in clause (v) of such section).
"(5) Hospice programs (as defined in section 1861(dd)(2) of such Act (
"(c)
"(d)
"(e)
"(1) the Secretary determines that such expansion is expected to—
"(A) reduce spending under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [
"(B) improve the quality of care and reduce spending;
"(2) the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services certifies that such expansion would reduce program spending under such title XVIII; and
"(3) the Secretary determines that such expansion would not deny or limit the coverage or provision of benefits under such title XIII [XVIII] for Medicare beneficiaries."
Medicare Medical Home Demonstration Project
"(a)
"(1) care management fees are paid to persons performing services as personal physicians; and
"(2) incentive payments are paid to physicians participating in practices that provide services as a medical home under subsection (d).
For purposes of this subsection, the term 'high-need population' means individuals with multiple chronic illnesses that require regular medical monitoring, advising, or treatment.
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(A) The expansion of the project is expected to improve the quality of patient care without increasing spending under the Medicare program (not taking into account amounts available under subsection (g)).
"(B) The expansion of the project is expected to reduce spending under the Medicare program (not taking into account amounts available under subsection (g)) without reducing the quality of patient care.
"(c)
"(1)
"(A) meets the requirements described in paragraph (2); and
"(B) performs the services described in paragraph (3).
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as preventing such a physician from being a specialist or subspecialist for an individual requiring ongoing care for a specific chronic condition or multiple chronic conditions (such as severe asthma, complex diabetes, cardiovascular disease, rheumatologic disorder) or for an individual with a prolonged illness.
"(2)
"(A) The physician is a board certified physician who provides first contact and continuous care for individuals under the physician's care.
"(B) The physician has the staff and resources to manage the comprehensive and coordinated health care of each such individual.
"(3)
"(A) Advocates for and provides ongoing support, oversight, and guidance to implement a plan of care that provides an integrated, coherent, cross-discipline plan for ongoing medical care developed in partnership with patients and including all other physicians furnishing care to the patient involved and other appropriate medical personnel or agencies (such as home health agencies).
"(B) Uses evidence-based medicine and clinical decision support tools to guide decision-making at the point-of-care based on patient-specific factors.
"(C) Uses health information technology, that may include remote monitoring and patient registries, to monitor and track the health status of patients and to provide patients with enhanced and convenient access to health care services.
"(D) Encourages patients to engage in the management of their own health through education and support systems.
"(d)
"(1) is in charge of targeting beneficiaries for participation in the project; and
"(2) is responsible for—
"(A) providing safe and secure technology to promote patient access to personal health information;
"(B) developing a health assessment tool for the individuals targeted; and
"(C) providing training programs for personnel involved in the coordination of care.
"(e)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(f)
"(1)
"(2)
"(g)
"(h)
Post-Acute Care Payment Reform Demonstration Program
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(b)
"(c)
"(d)
Medicare Care Management Performance Demonstration
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) promoting continuity of care;
"(B) helping stabilize medical conditions;
"(C) preventing or minimizing acute exacerbations of chronic conditions; and
"(D) reducing adverse health outcomes, such as adverse drug interactions related to polypharmacy.
"(2)
"(A) two shall be in an urban area;
"(B) one shall be in a rural area; and
"(C) one shall be in a State with a medical school with a Department of Geriatrics that manages rural outreach sites and is capable of managing patients with multiple chronic conditions, one of which is dementia.
"(3)
"(4)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A) the use of health information technology to manage the clinical care of eligible beneficiaries consistent with paragraph (3); and
"(B) the electronic reporting of clinical quality and outcomes measures in accordance with requirements established by the Secretary under the demonstration program.
"(2)
"(3)
"(A) to assess each eligible beneficiary for conditions other than chronic conditions, such as impaired cognitive ability and co-morbidities, for the purposes of developing care management requirements;
"(B) to serve as the primary contact of eligible beneficiaries in accessing items and services for which payment may be made under the medicare program;
"(C) to establish and maintain health care information system for such beneficiaries;
"(D) to promote continuity of care across providers and settings;
"(E) to use evidence-based guidelines and meet such clinical quality and outcome measures as the Secretary shall require;
"(F) to promote self-care through the provision of patient education and support for patients or, where appropriate, family caregivers;
"(G) when appropriate, to refer such beneficiaries to community service organizations; and
"(H) to meet such other complex care management requirements as the Secretary may specify.
The guidelines and measures required under subparagraph (E) shall be designed to take into account beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions.
"(c)
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(e)
"(1)
"(2)
"(f)
"(g)
"(h)
"(1)
"(A) is entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled for benefits under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [parts A and B of this subchapter] and is not enrolled in a plan under part C of such title [part C of this subchapter]; and
"(B) has one or more chronic medical conditions specified by the Secretary (one of which may be cognitive impairment).
"(2)
Demonstration Project for Disease Management for Severely Chronically Ill Medicare Beneficiaries
Cancer Prevention and Treatment Demonstration for Ethnic and Racial Minorities
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) improve the quality of items and services provided to target individuals in order to facilitate reduced disparities in early detection and treatment of cancer;
"(B) improve clinical outcomes, satisfaction, quality of life, and appropriate use of medicare-covered services and referral patterns among those target individuals with cancer;
"(C) eliminate disparities in the rate of preventive cancer screening measures, such as pap smears and prostate cancer screenings, among target individuals; and
"(D) promote collaboration with community-based organizations to ensure cultural competency of health care professionals and linguistic access for persons with limited English proficiency.
"(2)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) Two projects for each of the four following major racial and ethnic minority groups:
"(i) American Indians, including Alaska Natives, Eskimos, and Aleuts.
"(ii) Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
"(iii) Blacks.
"(iv) Hispanics.
The two projects must target different ethnic subpopulations.
"(B) One project within the Pacific Islands.
"(C) At least one project each in a rural area and inner-city area.
"(3)
"(A) reduce expenditures under the medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter]; or
"(B) do not increase expenditures under the medicare program and reduce racial and ethnic health disparities in the quality of health care services provided to target individuals and increase satisfaction of beneficiaries and health care providers;
the Secretary shall continue the existing demonstration projects and may expand the number of demonstration projects.
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) A description of the demonstration projects.
"(B) An evaluation of—
"(i) the cost-effectiveness of the demonstration projects;
"(ii) the quality of the health care services provided to target individuals under the demonstration projects; and
"(iii) beneficiary and health care provider satisfaction under the demonstration projects.
"(C) Any other information regarding the demonstration projects that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
"(d)
"(e)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(2)
Lifestyle Modification Program Demonstration
"(a)
"(1) The project shall include no fewer than 1,800 medicare beneficiaries who complete under the project the entire course of treatment under the Lifestyle Modification Program.
"(2) The project shall be conducted over a course of 4 years.
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
Medicare Coordinated Care Demonstration Project
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) improve the quality of items and services provided to target individuals; and
"(B) reduce expenditures under the medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (
"(2)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) 5 projects in urban areas;
"(B) 3 projects in rural areas; and
"(C) 1 project within the District of Columbia which is operated by a nonprofit academic medical center that maintains a National Cancer Institute certified comprehensive cancer center.
"(3)
"(A)
"(i) reduce expenditures under the medicare program; or
"(ii) do not increase expenditures under the medicare program and increase the quality of health care services provided to target individuals and satisfaction of beneficiaries and health care providers;
the Secretary shall continue the existing demonstration projects and may expand the number of demonstration projects.
"(B)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) A description of the demonstration projects conducted under this section.
"(B) An evaluation of—
"(i) the cost-effectiveness of the demonstration projects;
"(ii) the quality of the health care services provided to target individuals under the demonstration projects; and
"(iii) beneficiary and health care provider satisfaction under the demonstration project.
"(C) Any other information regarding the demonstration projects conducted under this section that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
"(d)
"(e)
"(1)
"(A)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(B)
"(2)
Informatics, Telemedicine, and Education Demonstration Project
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(3)
"(4)
"(b)
"(1) Improving patient access to and compliance with appropriate care guidelines for individuals with diabetes mellitus through direct telecommunications link with information networks in order to improve patient quality-of-life and reduce overall health care costs.
"(2) Developing a curriculum to train health professionals (particularly primary care health professionals) in the use of medical informatics and telecommunications.
"(3) Demonstrating the application of advanced technologies, such as video-conferencing from a patient's home, remote monitoring of a patient's medical condition, interventional informatics, and applying individualized, automated care guidelines, to assist primary care providers in assisting patients with diabetes in a home setting.
"(4) Application of medical informatics to residents with limited English language skills.
"(5) Developing standards in the application of telemedicine and medical informatics.
"(6) Developing a model for the cost-effective delivery of primary and related care both in a managed care environment and in a fee-for-service environment.
"(c)
"(1) The consortium is located in an area with a high concentration of medical schools and tertiary care facilities in the United States and has appropriate arrangements (within or outside the consortium) with such schools and facilities, universities, and telecommunications providers, in order to conduct the project.
"(2) The consortium submits to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a description of the use to which the consortium would apply any amounts received under the project.
"(3) The consortium guarantees that it will be responsible for payment for all costs of the project that are not paid under this section and that the maximum amount of payment that may be made to the consortium under this section shall not exceed the amount specified in subsection (d)(3).
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) The acquisition of telemedicine equipment for use in patients' homes or at sites providing health care to patients located in medically underserved areas.
"(ii) Curriculum development and training of health professionals in medical informatics and telemedicine.
"(iii) Payment of telecommunications costs (including salaries and maintenance of equipment), including costs of telecommunications between patients' homes and the eligible network and between the network and other entities under the arrangements described in subsection (c)(1).
"(iv) Payments to practitioners and providers under the medicare programs.
"(C)
"(i) The purchase or installation of transmission equipment (other than such equipment used by health professionals for activities related to the project).
"(ii) The establishment or operation of a telecommunications common carrier network.
"(iii) Construction (except for minor renovations related to the installation of reimbursable equipment) or the acquisition or building of real property.
"(3)
"(4)
"(e)
"(f)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
Clarification of Secretarial Waiver Authority for Rural Hospital Demonstrations
Volunteer Senior Aides Demonstration Projects for Basic Medical Assistance and Support to Families With Disabled or Ill Children
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(c)
"(d)
"(1) $1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1990 and 1991; and
"(2) $2,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1992, 1993, and 1994.
"(e)
Treatment of Certain Nursing Education Programs
"(a)
"(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide for demonstration programs under this subsection in each of 5 hospitals for cost reporting periods beginning on or after July 1, 1989, and before July 1, 1994.
"(2) Under each demonstration project, subject to paragraph (4), the reasonable costs incurred by a hospital pursuant to a written agreement with an educational institution for the activities described in paragraph (3) conducted as part of an approved educational program that—
"(A) involves a substantial clinical component (as determined by the Secretary), and
"(B) leads to a master's or doctoral degree in nursing,
shall be allowable as reasonable costs under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] and reimbursed under such title on the same basis as if they were allowable direct costs of a hospital-operated approved educational program (other than an approved graduate medical education program).
"(3) The activities described in this paragraph are the activities for which the reasonable costs of conducting such activities are allowable under title XVIII of the Social Security Act if conducted under a hospital-operated approved educational program (other than an approved graduate medical education program), but only to the extent such activities are directly related to the operation of the educational program conducted pursuant to the written agreement between the hospital and the educational institution.
"(4) The amount paid under a demonstration program under this subsection to a hospital for a cost reporting period may not exceed $200,000.
"(5) The Secretary shall report to Congress, by not later than January 1, 1995, on the demonstration programs conducted under this subsection and on the supply and characteristics of nurses trained under such programs.
"(b)
Research on Long-Term Care Services for Medicare Beneficiaries
Adjustment of Contracts With Prepaid Health Plans
For requirement that Secretary of Health and Human Services modify contracts with health maintenance organizations under subsec. (a) of this section and section 222(a) of
Case Management Demonstration Projects
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) the project proposed to be conducted by Providence Hospital for case management of the elderly at risk for acute hospitalization as described in Project No. 18–P–99379/5–01;
"(B) the project proposed to be conducted by the Iowa Foundation for Medical Care to study patients with chronic congestive conditions to reduce repeated hospitalizations of such patients as described in Project No. P–99399/4–01; and
"(C) the project proposed to be conducted by Key Care Health Resources, Inc., to examine the effects of case management on 2,500 high cost medicare beneficiaries as described in Project No. 18–P–99396/5.
"(3)
"(4)
Demonstration Projects With Respect to Chronic Ventilator-Dependent Units in Hospitals
Research and Demonstration Projects on Rural and Inner-City Health Issues
"(a)
"(2) Not less than ten percent of the total amounts annually appropriated to, and expended by, the Health Care Financing Administration for the conduct of research and demonstration projects in fiscal years 1988, 1989, and 1990 shall be expended for research and demonstration projects relating exclusively or substantially to issues of providing health care in inner-city areas, including (but not limited to) the impact of the payment methodology under section 1886(d) of the Social Security Act on the financial viability of inner-city hospitals and the impact of medicare policies on access to (and the quality of) health care in inner-city areas.
"(b)
Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Projects
Special Treatment of States Formerly Under Waiver
For treatment of hospitals in States which have had a waiver approved under this section, upon termination of waiver, see section 9202(j) of
Extension of Certain Medicare Municipal Health Services Demonstration Projects
"(a) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall extend through December 31, 1997, approval of four municipal health services demonstration projects (located in Baltimore, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and San Jose) authorized under section 402(a) of the Social Security Amendments of 1967 [subsec. (a) of this section]. The Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the waiver program with respect to the quality of health care, beneficiary costs, costs to the medicaid program and other payers, access to care, outcomes, beneficiary satisfaction, utilization differences among the different populations served by the projects, and such other factors as may be appropriate. Subject to subsection (c), the Secretary may further extend such demonstration projects through December 31, 2006, but only with respect to individuals who received at least one service during the period beginning on January 1, 1996, and ending on the date of the enactment of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 [Aug. 5, 1997].
"(b) The Secretary shall work with each such demonstration project to develop a plan, to be submitted to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate by March 31, 1998, for the orderly transition of demonstration projects and the project participants to a non-demonstration project health care delivery system, such as through integration with a private or public health plan, including a medicaid managed care or Medicare+Choice plan.
"(c) A demonstration project under subsection (a) which does not develop and submit a transition plan under subsection (b) by March 31, 1998, or, if later, 6 months after the date of the enactment of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 [Aug. 5, 1997], shall be discontinued as of December 31, 1998. The Secretary shall provide appropriate technical assistance to assist in the transition so that disruption of medical services to project participants may be minimized."
[References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage, see section 201(b) of
Demonstration Program for Reduction of Disability and Dependency Through Provision of Preventive Health Services Under Medicare
Payment for Costs of Hospital-Based Mobile Intensive Care Units
Section 2320 of
"(a)(1) In the case of a project described in subsection (b), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide, except as provided in paragraph (2), that the amount of payments to hospitals covered under the project during the period described in paragraph (3) shall include payments for their operation of hospital-based mobile intensive care units (as defined by State statute) if the State provides satisfactory assurances that the total amount of payments to such hospitals under titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter and subchapter XIX of this chapter] under the demonstration project (including any such additional amount of payment) would not exceed the total amount of payments which would have been paid under such titles if the demonstration project were not in effect.
"(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply if the State in which the project is located notifies the Secretary, within 30 days after the date of the enactment of this section [July 18, 1984], that the State does not want paragraph (1) to apply to that project.
"(3) The period referred to in paragraph (1) begins on the date of the enactment of this section and continues so long as the Secretary continues the Statewide waiver referred to in subsection (b), but in no case ends earlier than 90 days after the date final regulations to implement section 1886(c) of the Social Security Act [
"(b) The project referred to in subsection (a) is the statewide demonstration project established in the State of New Jersey under section 402 of the Social Security Amendments of 1967, as amended by section 222(b) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972 (
"(c) Payment for services described in this section shall be considered to be payments for services under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [part A of this subchapter]."
Continuation of Secretary's Authority Regarding Experiments and Demonstration Projects
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this title [amending
"(2) The Secretary shall provide that, upon the request of a State which has a demonstration project, for payment of hospitals under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] approved under section 402(a) of the Social Security Amendments of 1967 [subsec. (a) of this section] or section 222(a) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972 [set out as a note below], which (A) is in effect as of March 1, 1983, and (B) was entered into after August 1982 (or upon the request of another party to demonstration project agreement), the terms of the demonstration agreement shall be modified so that the demonstration project is not required to maintain the rate of increase in medicare hospital costs in that State below the national rate of increase in medicare hospital costs."
Alternative Care Demonstration Projects in Hospitals Short of Skilled Nursing Facilities
Continuation of Hospice Demonstration Projects; Report to Congress
Section 122(i), formerly §122(h), of
"(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law which has the effect of restricting the time period of a hospice demonstration project in effect on July 15, 1982, pursuant to section 402(a) of the Social Security Amendments of 1967 [subsec. (a) of this section], the Secretary of Health and Human Services, upon request of the hospice involved, shall permit continuation of the project until November 1, 1983, or, if later, the date on which payments can first be made to any hospice program under the amendments made by this section.
"(2) Prior to September 30, 1983, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the effectiveness of demonstration projects referred to in paragraph (1), including an evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of hospice care, the reasonableness of the 40-percent cap amount for hospice care as provided in section 1814(i) of the Social Security Act [
"(3)(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), the Secretary of Health and Human Services, upon request of the hospice involved, shall permit continuation of a hospice demonstration project described in paragraph (1) until September 30, 1986, if the hospice involved in such demonstration project does not provide hospice care directly but acts as a channeling agency for the provision of hospice care.
"(B) During the period after the date on which a hospice demonstration project described in subparagraph (A) would otherwise have terminated under the provisions of paragraph (1), and prior to September 30, 1986, any such hospice demonstration project shall be subject to the same requirements as are imposed under the hospice program provided for under the amendments made by this section [amending
State Medicare Hospital Reimbursement Demonstration Project Limitation
Study of Need for Dual Participation of Skilled Nursing Facilities
Demonstration Projects for Physician-Directed Clinics in Urban Medically Underserved Areas; Report Submitted No Later Than January 1, 1981
Scope of Grants for Experiments and Demonstration Projects To Determine Methods for Prospective Payments to Hospitals, Skilled Nursing Facilities, and Other Providers of Services
"(1) the applicant for such grant is a State or an agency thereof,
"(2) such participant is an individual practice association which has been in existence for at least 3 years prior to the date of enactment of this section [Dec. 31, 1975] and which has in effect a contract with such State (or an agency thereof), entered into prior to the date on which the grant is approved by the Secretary, under which such association will, for a period which begins before and ends after the date such grant is so approved, provide health care services for individuals entitled to care and services under the State plan of such State which is approved under title XIX of the Social Security Act [subchapter XIX of this chapter],
"(3) the purpose of the inclusion of the project of such association is to test the utility of a particular rate-setting methodology, designed to be employed in prepaid health plans, in an individual practice association operation, and
"(4) the applicant for such grant affirms that the use of moneys from such grant to make such payments to such individual practice association is necessary or useful in assuring that such association will be able to continue in operation and carry out the project described in clause (3)."
Experiments and Demonstration Projects To Determine Methods for Prospective Payments to Hospitals, Skilled Nursing Facilities, and Other Providers of Services for Care and Services Furnished; Scope; Waiver of Payment Requirements; Source and Manner of Payments for Grants, etc.; Reports to Congress
Section 222(a) of
"(1) The Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services], directly or through contracts with, or grants to, public or private agencies or organizations, shall develop and carry out experiments and demonstration projects designed to determine the relative advantages and disadvantages of various alternative methods of making payment on a prospective basis to hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and other providers of services for care and services provided by them under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] and under State plans approved under title XIX of such Act [subchapter XIX of this chapter], including alternative methods for classifying providers, for establishing prospective rates of payment, and for implementing on a gradual, selective, or other basis the establishment of a prospective payment system, in order to stimulate such providers through positive (or negative) financial incentives to use their facilities and personnel more efficiently and thereby to reduce the total costs of the health programs involved without adversely affecting the quality of services by containing or lowering the rate of increase in provider costs that has been and is being experienced under the existing system of retroactive cost reimbursement.
"(2) The experiments and demonstration projects developed under paragraph (1) shall be of sufficient scope and shall be carried out on a wide enough scale to permit a thorough evaluation of the alternative methods of prospective payment under consideration while giving assurance that the results derived from the experiments and projects will obtain generally in the operation of the programs involved (without committing such programs to the adoption of any prospective payment system either locally or nationally).
"(3) In the case of any experiment or demonstration project under paragraph (1), the Secretary may waive compliance with the requirements of titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter and subchapter XIX of this chapter] insofar as such requirements relate to methods of payment for services provided; and costs incurred in such experiment or project in excess of those which would otherwise be reimbursed or paid under such titles [subchapters] may be reimbursed or paid to the extent that such waiver applies to them (with such excess being borne by the Secretary). No experiment or demonstration project shall be developed or carried out under paragraph (1) until the Secretary obtains the advice and recommendations of specialists who are competent to evaluate the proposed experiment or project as to the soundness of its objectives, the possibilities of securing productive results, the adequacy of resources to conduct it, and its relationship to other similar experiments or projects already completed or in process; and no such experiment or project shall be actually placed in operation unless at least 30 days prior thereto a written report, prepared for purposes of notification and information only, containing a full and complete description thereof has been transmitted to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Finance of the Senate.
"(4) Grants, payments under contracts, and other expenditures made for experiments and demonstration projects under this subsection shall be made in appropriate part from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (established by section 1817 of the Social Security Act [
"(5) The Secretary shall submit to the Congress no later than July 1, 1974, a full report on the experiments and demonstration projects carried out under this subsection and on the experience of other programs with respect to prospective reimbursement together with any related data and materials which he may consider appropriate. Such report shall include detailed recommendations with respect to the specific methods which could be used in the full implementation of a system of prospective payment to providers of services under the programs involved."
1 See References in Text note below.
§1395b–2. Notice of medicare benefits; medicare and medigap information
(a) Notice of medicare benefits
The Secretary shall prepare (in consultation with groups representing the elderly and with health insurers) and provide for distribution of a notice containing—
(1) a clear, simple explanation of the benefits available under this subchapter and the major categories of health care for which benefits are not available under this subchapter,
(2) the limitations on payment (including deductibles and coinsurance amounts) that are imposed under this subchapter, and
(3) a description of the limited benefits for long-term care services available under this subchapter and generally available under State plans approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter.
Such notice shall be mailed annually to individuals entitled to benefits under part A or part B of this subchapter and when an individual applies for benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolls under part B of this subchapter.
(b) Medicare and medigap information
The Secretary shall provide information via a toll-free telephone number on the programs under this subchapter. The Secretary shall provide, through the toll-free telephone number 1–800–MEDICARE, for a means by which individuals seeking information about, or assistance with, such programs who phone such toll-free number are transferred (without charge) to appropriate entities for the provision of such information or assistance. Such toll-free number shall be the toll-free number listed for general information and assistance in the annual notice under subsection (a) of this section instead of the listing of numbers of individual contractors.
(c) Contents of notice
The notice provided under subsection (a) of this section shall include—
(1) a statement which indicates that because errors do occur and because medicare fraud, waste, and abuse is a significant problem, beneficiaries should carefully check any explanation of benefits or itemized statement furnished pursuant to
(2) a statement of the beneficiary's right to request an itemized statement for medicare items and services (as provided in
(3) a description of the program to collect information on medicare fraud and abuse established under
(4) a toll-free telephone number maintained by the Inspector General in the Department of Health and Human Services for the receipt of complaints and information about waste, fraud, and abuse in the provision or billing of services under this subchapter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1804, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a), are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (b).
1997—Subsec. (c).
1994—
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 4311(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 223(d)(1) of
Monitoring Accuracy
"(A)
"(B)
State Regulatory Programs
For provisions relating to changes required to conform State regulatory programs to amendments by section 171 of
Demonstration Projects
Section 4361(b) of
Notice of Changes Under Repeal of Medicare Catastrophic Coverage
Benefits Counseling and Assistance Demonstration Project for Certain Medicare and Medicaid Beneficiaries
Section 424 of
§1395b–3. Health insurance advisory service for medicare beneficiaries
(a) In general
The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish a health insurance advisory service program (in this section referred to as the "beneficiary assistance program") to assist medicare-eligible individuals with the receipt of services under the medicare and medicaid programs and other health insurance programs.
(b) Outreach elements
The beneficiary assistance program shall provide assistance—
(1) through operation using local Federal offices that provide information on the medicare program,
(2) using community outreach programs, and
(3) using a toll-free telephone information service.
(c) Assistance provided
The beneficiary assistance program shall provide for information, counseling, and assistance for medicare-eligible individuals with respect to at least the following:
(1) With respect to the medicare program—
(A) eligibility,
(B) benefits (both covered and not covered),
(C) the process of payment for services,
(D) rights and process for appeals of determinations,
(E) other medicare-related entities (such as peer review organizations, fiscal intermediaries, and carriers), and
(F) recent legislative and administrative changes in the medicare program.
(2) With respect to the medicaid program—
(A) eligibility, benefits, and the application process,
(B) linkages between the medicaid and medicare programs, and
(C) referral to appropriate State and local agencies involved in the medicaid program.
(3) With respect to medicare supplemental policies—
(A) the program under
(B) how to make informed decisions on whether to purchase such policies and on what criteria to use in evaluating different policies,
(C) appropriate Federal, State, and private agencies that provide information and assistance in obtaining benefits under such policies, and
(D) other issues deemed appropriate by the Secretary.
The beneficiary assistance program also shall provide such other services as the Secretary deems appropriate to increase beneficiary understanding of, and confidence in, the medicare program and to improve the relationship between beneficiaries and the program.
(d) Educational material
The Secretary, through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, shall develop appropriate educational materials and other appropriate techniques to assist employees in carrying out this section.
(e) Notice to beneficiaries
The Secretary shall take such steps as are necessary to assure that medicare-eligible beneficiaries and the general public are made aware of the beneficiary assistance program.
(f) Report
The Secretary shall include, in an annual report transmitted to the Congress, a report on the beneficiary assistance program and on other health insurance informational and counseling services made available to medicare-eligible individuals. The Secretary shall include in the report recommendations for such changes as may be desirable to improve the relationship between the medicare program and medicare-eligible individuals.
(
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (d).
Medicare Enrollment Assistance
"(a)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) for fiscal year 2009, of $7,500,000; and
"(ii) for the period of fiscal years 2010 through 2012, of $15,000,000.
Amounts appropriated under this subparagraph shall remain available until expended.
"(2)
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
"(4)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) for fiscal year 2009, of $7,500,000; and
"(ii) for the period of fiscal years 2010 through 2012, of $15,000,000.
Amounts appropriated under this subparagraph shall remain available until expended.
"(2)
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
"(c)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) for fiscal year 2009, of $5,000,000; and
"(ii) for the period of fiscal years 2010 through 2012, of $10,000,000.
Amounts appropriated under this subparagraph shall remain available until expended.
"(2)
"(d)
"(1)
"(A) maintain and update web-based decision support tools, and integrated, person-centered systems, designed to inform older individuals (as defined in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (
"(B) utilize cost-effective strategies to find older individuals with the greatest economic need (as defined in such section 102) and inform the individuals of the programs;
"(C) develop and maintain an information clearinghouse on best practices and the most cost-effective methods for finding older individuals with greatest economic need and informing the individuals of the programs; and
"(D) provide, in collaboration with related Federal agency partners administering the Federal programs, training and technical assistance on the most effective outreach, screening, and follow-up strategies for the Federal and State programs.
"(2)
"(i) for fiscal year 2009, of $5,000,000; and
"(ii) for the period of fiscal years 2010 through 2012, of $5,000,000.
Amounts appropriated under this subparagraph shall remain available until expended.
"(e)
"(f)
"(g)
Beneficiary Outreach Demonstration Program
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(c)
"(d)
"(1)
"(A) utilization of, and satisfaction of those individuals referred to in subsection (a) with, the assistance provided under the program; and
"(B) the cost-effectiveness of providing beneficiary assistance through out-stationing medicare specialists at local offices of the Social Security Administration.
"(2)
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Outreach
§1395b–4. Health insurance information, counseling, and assistance grants
(a) Grants
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the "Secretary") shall make grants to States, with approved State regulatory programs under
(b) Grant applications
(1) In submitting an application under this section, a State may consolidate and coordinate an application that consists of parts prepared by more than one agency or department of such State.
(2) As part of an application for a grant under this section, a State shall submit a plan for a State-wide health insurance information, counseling, and assistance program. Such program shall—
(A) establish or improve upon a health insurance information, counseling, and assistance program that provides counseling and assistance to eligible individuals in need of health insurance information, including—
(i) information that may assist individuals in obtaining benefits and filing claims under this subchapter and subchapter XIX of this chapter;
(ii) policy comparison information for medicare supplemental policies (as described in
(iii) information regarding long-term care insurance; and
(iv) information regarding other types of health insurance benefits that the Secretary determines to be appropriate;
(B) in conjunction with the health insurance information, counseling, and assistance program described in subparagraph (A), establish a system of referral to appropriate Federal or State departments or agencies for assistance with problems related to health insurance coverage (including legal problems), as determined by the Secretary;
(C) provide for a sufficient number of staff positions (including volunteer positions) necessary to provide the services of the health insurance information, counseling, and assistance program;
(D) provide assurances that staff members (including volunteer staff members) of the health insurance information, counseling, and assistance program have no conflict of interest in providing the counseling described in subparagraph (A);
(E) provide for the collection and dissemination of timely and accurate health care information to staff members;
(F) provide for training programs for staff members (including volunteer staff members);
(G) provide for the coordination of the exchange of health insurance information between the staff of departments and agencies of the State government and the staff of the health insurance information, counseling, and assistance program;
(H) make recommendations concerning consumer issues and complaints related to the provision of health care to agencies and departments of the State government and the Federal Government responsible for providing or regulating health insurance;
(I) establish an outreach program to provide the health insurance information and counseling described in subparagraph (A) and the referrals described in subparagraph (B) to eligible individuals; and
(J) demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, an ability to provide the counseling and assistance required under this section.
(c) Special grants
(1) A State that is conducting a health insurance information, counseling, and assistance program that is substantially similar to a program described in subsection (b)(2) of this section shall, as a requirement for eligibility for a grant under this section, demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that such State shall maintain the activities of such program at least at the level that such activities were conducted immediately preceding the date of the issuance of any grant during the period of time covered by such grant under this section.
(2) If the Secretary determines that the existing health insurance information, counseling, and assistance program is substantially similar to a program described in subsection (b)(2) of this section, the Secretary may waive some or all of the requirements described in such subsection and issue a grant to the State for the purpose of increasing the number of services offered by the health insurance information, counseling, and assistance program, experimenting with new methods of outreach in conducting such program, or expanding such program to geographic areas of the State not previously served by the program.
(d) Criteria for issuing grants
In issuing a grant under this section, the Secretary shall consider—
(1) the commitment of the State to carrying out the health insurance information, counseling, and assistance program described in subsection (b)(2) of this section, including the level of cooperation demonstrated—
(A) by the office of the chief insurance regulator of the State, or the equivalent State entity;
(B) other officials of the State responsible for overseeing insurance plans issued by nonprofit hospital and medical service associations; and
(C) departments and agencies of such State responsible for—
(i) administering funds under subchapter XIX of this chapter, and
(ii) administering funds appropriated under the Older Americans Act [
(2) the population of eligible individuals in such State as a percentage of the population of such State; and
(3) in order to ensure the needs of rural areas in such State, the relative costs and special problems associated with addressing the special problems of providing health care information, counseling, and assistance eligible 1 individuals residing in rural areas of such State.
(e) Annual State report
A State that receives a grant under this section shall, not later than 180 days after receiving such grant, and annually thereafter during the period of the grant, issue a report to the Secretary that includes information concerning—
(1) the number of individuals served by the health insurance information, counseling and assistance program of such State;
(2) an estimate of the amount of funds saved by the State, and by eligible individuals in the State, in the implementation of such program; and
(3) the problems that eligible individuals in such State encounter in procuring adequate and appropriate health care coverage.
(f) Report to Congress
Beginning with 1992, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall issue a report to the Committee on Finance of the Senate, the Special Committee on Aging of the Senate, the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives that—
(1) summarizes the allocation of funds authorized for grants under this section and the expenditure of such funds;
(2) outlines the problems that eligible individuals encounter in procuring adequate and appropriate health care coverage;
(3) makes recommendations that the Secretary determines to be appropriate to address the problems described in paragraph (3); 2 and
(4) in the case of the report issued 2 years after November 5, 1990, evaluates the effectiveness of counseling programs established under this program, and makes recommendations regarding continued authorization of funds for these purposes.
(g) Authorization of appropriations for grants
There are authorized to be appropriated, in equal parts from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996, to fund the grant programs described in this section.
(
References in Text
The Older Americans Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(1)(C)(ii), probably means the Older Americans Act of 1965, which is
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Amendments
1998—Subsec. (f).
1994—Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(2)(D).
Subsec. (b)(2)(I).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(2) to (5).
Subsec. (g).
Change of Name
Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives treated as referring to Committee on Commerce of House of Representatives by section 1(a) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Demonstration To Improve Care to Previously Uninsured
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(d)
"(1) An analysis of the effectiveness of outreach activities targeting beneficiaries who were previously uninsured, such as revising outreach and enrollment materials (including the potential for use of video information), providing one-on-one counseling, working with community health workers, and amending the Medicare and You handbook.
"(2) The effect of such outreach on beneficiary access to care, utilization of services, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of health care delivery, patient satisfaction, and select health outcomes."
State Regulatory Programs
For provisions relating to changes required to conform State regulatory programs to amendments by section 171 of
1 So in original. Probably should be preceded by "to".
2 So in original. Probably should be paragraph "(2)".
§1395b–5. Beneficiary incentive programs
(a) Repealed. Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, §4311(b)(2), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 386
(b) Program to collect information on fraud and abuse
(1) Establishment of program
Not later than 3 months after August 21, 1996, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall encourage individuals to report to the Secretary information on individuals and entities who are engaging in or who have engaged in acts or omissions which constitute grounds for the imposition of a sanction under
(2) Payment of portion of amounts collected
If an individual reports information to the Secretary under the program established under paragraph (1) which serves as the basis for the collection by the Secretary or the Attorney General of any amount of at least $100 (other than any amount paid as a penalty under
(c) Program to collect information on program efficiency
(1) Establishment of program
Not later than 3 months after August 21, 1996, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall encourage individuals to submit to the Secretary suggestions on methods to improve the efficiency of the Medicare program.
(2) Payment of portion of program savings
If an individual submits a suggestion to the Secretary under the program established under paragraph (1) which is adopted by the Secretary and which results in savings to the program, the Secretary may make a payment to the individual of such amount as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Amendments
1997—Subsec. (a).
§1395b–6. Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
(a) Establishment
There is hereby established as an agency of Congress the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (in this section referred to as the "Commission").
(b) Duties
(1) Review of payment policies and annual reports
The Commission shall—
(A) review payment policies under this subchapter, including the topics described in paragraph (2);
(B) make recommendations to Congress concerning such payment policies;
(C) by not later than March 15,1 submit a report to Congress containing the results of such reviews and its recommendations concerning such policies; and
(D) by not later than June 15 of each year, submit a report to Congress containing an examination of issues affecting the medicare program, including the implications of changes in health care delivery in the United States and in the market for health care services on the medicare program and including a review of the estimate of the conversion factor submitted under
(2) Specific topics to be reviewed
(A) Medicare+Choice program
Specifically, the Commission shall review, with respect to the Medicare+Choice program under part C of this subchapter, the following:
(i) The methodology for making payment to plans under such program, including the making of differential payments and the distribution of differential updates among different payment areas.
(ii) The mechanisms used to adjust payments for risk and the need to adjust such mechanisms to take into account health status of beneficiaries.
(iii) The implications of risk selection both among Medicare+Choice organizations and between the Medicare+Choice option and the original medicare fee-for-service option.
(iv) The development and implementation of mechanisms to assure the quality of care for those enrolled with Medicare+Choice organizations.
(v) The impact of the Medicare+Choice program on access to care for medicare beneficiaries.
(vi) Other major issues in implementation and further development of the Medicare+Choice program.
(B) Original medicare fee-for-service system
Specifically, the Commission shall review payment policies under parts A and B of this subchapter, including—
(i) the factors affecting expenditures for the efficient provision of services in different sectors, including the process for updating hospital, skilled nursing facility, physician, and other fees,
(ii) payment methodologies, and
(iii) their relationship to access and quality of care for medicare beneficiaries.
(C) Interaction of medicare payment policies with health care delivery generally
Specifically, the Commission shall review the effect of payment policies under this subchapter on the delivery of health care services other than under this subchapter and assess the implications of changes in health care delivery in the United States and in the general market for health care services on the medicare program.
(3) Comments on certain secretarial reports
If the Secretary submits to Congress (or a committee of Congress) a report that is required by law and that relates to payment policies under this subchapter, the Secretary shall transmit a copy of the report to the Commission. The Commission shall review the report and, not later than 6 months after the date of submittal of the Secretary's report to Congress, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress written comments on such report. Such comments may include such recommendations as the Commission deems appropriate.
(4) Review and comment on the Independent Payment Advisory Board or Secretarial proposal
If the Independent Payment Advisory Board (as established under subsection (a) of
(5) Agenda and additional reviews
The Commission shall consult periodically with the chairmen and ranking minority members of the appropriate committees of Congress regarding the Commission's agenda and progress towards achieving the agenda. The Commission may conduct additional reviews, and submit additional reports to the appropriate committees of Congress, from time to time on such topics relating to the program under this subchapter as may be requested by such chairmen and members and as the Commission deems appropriate.
(6) Availability of reports
The Commission shall transmit to the Secretary a copy of each report submitted under this subsection and shall make such reports available to the public.
(7) Appropriate committees of Congress
For purposes of this section, the term "appropriate committees of Congress" means the Committees on Ways and Means and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate.
(8) Voting and reporting requirements
With respect to each recommendation contained in a report submitted under paragraph (1), each member of the Commission shall vote on the recommendation, and the Commission shall include, by member, the results of that vote in the report containing the recommendation.
(9) 2 Examination of budget consequences
Before making any recommendations, the Commission shall examine the budget consequences of such recommendations, directly or through consultation with appropriate expert entities.
(9) 2 Review and annual report on Medicaid and commercial trends
The Commission shall review and report on aggregate trends in spending, utilization, and financial performance under the Medicaid program under subchapter XIX and the private market for health care services with respect to providers for which, on an aggregate national basis, a significant portion of revenue or services is associated with the Medicaid program. Where appropriate, the Commission shall conduct such review in consultation with the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission established under
(10) Coordinate and consult with the Federal Coordinated Health Care Office
The Commission shall coordinate and consult with the Federal Coordinated Health Care Office established under section 2081 3 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act before making any recommendations regarding dual eligible individuals.
(11) Interaction of Medicaid and Medicare
The Commission shall consult with MACPAC in carrying out its duties under this section, as appropriate. Responsibility for analysis of and recommendations to change Medicare policy regarding Medicare beneficiaries, including Medicare beneficiaries who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, shall rest with the Commission. Responsibility for analysis of and recommendations to change Medicaid policy regarding Medicaid beneficiaries, including Medicaid beneficiaries who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, shall rest with MACPAC.
(c) Membership
(1) Number and appointment
The Commission shall be composed of 17 members appointed by the Comptroller General.
(2) Qualifications
(A) In general
The membership of the Commission shall include individuals with national recognition for their expertise in health finance and economics, actuarial science, health facility management, health plans and integrated delivery systems, reimbursement of health facilities, allopathic and osteopathic physicians, and other providers of health services, and other related fields, who provide a mix of different professionals, broad geographic representation, and a balance between urban and rural representatives.
(B) Inclusion
The membership of the Commission shall include (but not be limited to) physicians and other health professionals, experts in the area of pharmaco-economics or prescription drug benefit programs, employers, third-party payers, individuals skilled in the conduct and interpretation of biomedical, health services, and health economics research and expertise in outcomes and effectiveness research and technology assessment. Such membership shall also include representatives of consumers and the elderly.
(C) Majority nonproviders
Individuals who are directly involved in the provision, or management of the delivery, of items and services covered under this subchapter shall not constitute a majority of the membership of the Commission.
(D) Ethical disclosure
The Comptroller General shall establish a system for public disclosure by members of the Commission of financial and other potential conflicts of interest relating to such members. Members of the Commission shall be treated as employees of Congress for purposes of applying title I of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (
(3) Terms
(A) In general
The terms of members of the Commission shall be for 3 years except that the Comptroller General shall designate staggered terms for the members first appointed.
(B) Vacancies
Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term. A member may serve after the expiration of that member's term until a successor has taken office. A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
(4) Compensation
While serving on the business of the Commission (including traveltime), a member of the Commission shall be entitled to compensation at the per diem equivalent of the rate provided for level IV of the Executive Schedule under
(5) Chairman; Vice Chairman
The Comptroller General shall designate a member of the Commission, at the time of appointment of the member as Chairman and a member as Vice Chairman for that term of appointment, except that in the case of vacancy of the Chairmanship or Vice Chairmanship, the Comptroller General may designate another member for the remainder of that member's term.
(6) Meetings
The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairman.
(d) Director and staff; experts and consultants
Subject to such review as the Comptroller General deems necessary to assure the efficient administration of the Commission, the Commission may—
(1) employ and fix the compensation of an Executive Director (subject to the approval of the Comptroller General) and such other personnel as may be necessary to carry out its duties (without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service);
(2) seek such assistance and support as may be required in the performance of its duties from appropriate Federal departments and agencies;
(3) enter into contracts or make other arrangements, as may be necessary for the conduct of the work of the Commission (without regard to
(4) make advance, progress, and other payments which relate to the work of the Commission;
(5) provide transportation and subsistence for persons serving without compensation; and
(6) prescribe such rules and regulations as it deems necessary with respect to the internal organization and operation of the Commission.
(e) Powers
(1) Obtaining official data
The Commission may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out this section. Upon request of the Chairman, the head of that department or agency shall furnish that information to the Commission on an agreed upon schedule.
(2) Data collection
In order to carry out its functions, the Commission shall—
(A) utilize existing information, both published and unpublished, where possible, collected and assessed either by its own staff or under other arrangements made in accordance with this section,
(B) carry out, or award grants or contracts for, original research and experimentation, where existing information is inadequate, and
(C) adopt procedures allowing any interested party to submit information for the Commission's use in making reports and recommendations.
(3) Access of GAO to information
The Comptroller General shall have unrestricted access to all deliberations, records, and nonproprietary data of the Commission, immediately upon request.
(4) Periodic audit
The Commission shall be subject to periodic audit by the Comptroller General.
(f) Authorization of appropriations
(1) Request for appropriations
The Commission shall submit requests for appropriations in the same manner as the Comptroller General submits requests for appropriations, but amounts appropriated for the Commission shall be separate from amounts appropriated for the Comptroller General.
(2) Authorization
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. Sixty percent of such appropriation shall be payable from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, and 40 percent of such appropriation shall be payable from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1805, as added
References in Text
Parts A, B, and C of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(A), (B), are classified to sections 1395c et seq., 1395j et seq., and 1395w–21 et seq., respectively, of this title.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(10), is
The Ethics in Government Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(D), is
Codification
In subsec. (d)(3), "
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(1)(D).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(5) to (8).
Subsec. (b)(9).
Subsec. (b)(10), (11).
2007—Subsec. (a).
2003—Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(8).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2)(D).
2000—Subsec. (b)(1)(D).
Subsec. (b)(7).
1999—Subsec. (b)(1)(D).
1998—Subsec. (c)(1).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
"Independent Payment Advisory Board" substituted for "Independent Medicare Advisory Board" in subsec. (b)(4) on authority of section 10320(b) of
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date; Transition; Transfer of Functions
Section 4022(c) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
Appointment of Experts in Prescription Drugs
MedPAC Analysis of Impact of Volume on Per Unit Cost of Rural Hospitals With Psychiatric Units
"(1) in such study an analysis of the impact of volume on the per unit cost of rural hospitals with psychiatric units; and
"(2) in its report under subsection (b) of such section a recommendation on whether special treatment for such hospitals may be warranted."
MedPAC Study on Complexity of Medicare Program and Levels of Burdens Placed on Providers Through Federal Regulations
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) how the Health Care Financing Administration can reduce the regulatory burdens placed on patients and providers; and
"(B) legislation that may be appropriate to reduce the complexity of the medicare program, including improvement of the rules regarding billing, compliance, and fraud and abuse."
MedPAC Report
MedPAC Study of Rural Providers
"(a)
"(b)
Quality Improvement Standards
"(1)
"(A) each type of Medicare+Choice plan described in section 1851(a)(2) of the Social Security Act (
"(B) the original medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B [sic] title XVIII of such Act (
"(2)
"(3)
Initial Terms of Additional Members
"(1)
"(A) One member shall be appointed for one year.
"(B) One member shall be appointed for two years.
"(2)
Information Included in Annual Recommendations
Section 4804(c) of
2 So in original. Two pars. (9) have been enacted.
3 See References in Text note below.
§1395b–7. Explanation of medicare benefits
(a) In general
The Secretary shall furnish to each individual for whom payment has been made under this subchapter (or would be made without regard to any deductible) a statement which—
(1) lists the item or service for which payment has been made and the amount of such payment for each item or service; and
(2) includes a notice of the individual's right to request an itemized statement (as provided in subsection (b) of this section).
(b) Request for itemized statement for medicare items and services
(1) In general
An individual may submit a written request to any physician, provider, supplier, or any other person (including an organization, agency, or other entity) for an itemized statement for any item or service provided to such individual by such person with respect to which payment has been made under this subchapter.
(2) 30-day period to furnish statement
(A) In general
Not later than 30 days after the date on which a request under paragraph (1) has been made, a person described in such paragraph shall furnish an itemized statement describing each item or service provided to the individual requesting the itemized statement.
(B) Penalty
Whoever knowingly fails to furnish an itemized statement in accordance with subparagraph (A) shall be subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $100 for each such failure. Such penalty shall be imposed and collected in the same manner as civil money penalties under subsection (a) of
(3) Review of itemized statement
(A) In general
Not later than 90 days after the receipt of an itemized statement furnished under paragraph (1), an individual may submit a written request for a review of the itemized statement to the Secretary.
(B) Specific allegations
A request for a review of the itemized statement shall identify—
(i) specific items or services that the individual believes were not provided as claimed, or
(ii) any other billing irregularity (including duplicate billing).
(4) Findings of Secretary
The Secretary shall, with respect to each written request submitted under paragraph (3), determine whether the itemized statement identifies specific items or services that were not provided as claimed or any other billing irregularity (including duplicate billing) that has resulted in unnecessary payments under this subchapter.
(5) Recovery of amounts
The Secretary shall take all appropriate measures to recover amounts unnecessarily paid under this subchapter with respect to a statement described in paragraph (4).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1806, as added
Effective Date
Section 4311(b)(3) of
"(A)
"(B)
Inclusion of Additional Information in Notices to Beneficiaries About Skilled Nursing Facility Benefits
"(a)
"(b)
§1395b–8. Chronic care improvement
(a) Implementation of chronic care improvement programs
(1) In general
The Secretary shall provide for the phased-in development, testing, evaluation, and implementation of chronic care improvement programs in accordance with this section. Each such program shall be designed to improve clinical quality and beneficiary satisfaction and achieve spending targets with respect to expenditures under this subchapter for targeted beneficiaries with one or more threshold conditions.
(2) Definitions
For purposes of this section:
(A) Chronic care improvement program
The term "chronic care improvement program" means a program described in paragraph (1) that is offered under an agreement under subsection (b) or (c) of this section.
(B) Chronic care improvement organization
The term "chronic care improvement organization" means an entity that has entered into an agreement under subsection (b) or (c) of this section to provide, directly or through contracts with subcontractors, a chronic care improvement program under this section. Such an entity may be a disease management organization, health insurer, integrated delivery system, physician group practice, a consortium of such entities, or any other legal entity that the Secretary determines appropriate to carry out a chronic care improvement program under this section.
(C) Care management plan
The term "care management plan" means a plan established under subsection (d) of this section for a participant in a chronic care improvement program.
(D) Threshold condition
The term "threshold condition" means a chronic condition, such as congestive heart failure, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other diseases or conditions, as selected by the Secretary as appropriate for the establishment of a chronic care improvement program.
(E) Targeted beneficiary
The term "targeted beneficiary" means, with respect to a chronic care improvement program, an individual who—
(i) is entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and enrolled under part B of this subchapter, but not enrolled in a plan under part C of this subchapter;
(ii) has one or more threshold conditions covered under such program; and
(iii) has been identified under subsection (d)(1) of this section as a potential participant in such program.
(3) Construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed as—
(A) expanding the amount, duration, or scope of benefits under this subchapter;
(B) providing an entitlement to participate in a chronic care improvement program under this section;
(C) providing for any hearing or appeal rights under
(D) providing benefits under a chronic care improvement program for which a claim may be submitted to the Secretary by any provider of services or supplier (as defined in
(b) Developmental phase (Phase I)
(1) In general
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall enter into agreements consistent with subsection (f) of this section with chronic care improvement organizations for the development, testing, and evaluation of chronic care improvement programs using randomized controlled trials. The first such agreement shall be entered into not later than 12 months after December 8, 2003.
(2) Agreement period
The period of an agreement under this subsection shall be for 3 years.
(3) Minimum participation
(A) In general
The Secretary shall enter into agreements under this subsection in a manner so that chronic care improvement programs offered under this section are offered in geographic areas that, in the aggregate, consist of areas in which at least 10 percent of the aggregate number of medicare beneficiaries reside.
(B) Medicare beneficiary defined
In this paragraph, the term "medicare beneficiary" means an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter, enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both, and who resides in the United States.
(4) Site selection
In selecting geographic areas in which agreements are entered into under this subsection, the Secretary shall ensure that each chronic care improvement program is conducted in a geographic area in which at least 10,000 targeted beneficiaries reside among other individuals entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter, enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both to serve as a control population.
(5) Independent evaluations of Phase I programs
The Secretary shall contract for an independent evaluation of the programs conducted under this subsection. Such evaluation shall be done by a contractor with knowledge of chronic care management programs and demonstrated experience in the evaluation of such programs. Each evaluation shall include an assessment of the following factors of the programs:
(A) Quality improvement measures, such as adherence to evidence-based guidelines and rehospitalization rates.
(B) Beneficiary and provider satisfaction.
(C) Health outcomes.
(D) Financial outcomes, including any cost savings to the program under this subchapter.
(c) Expanded implementation phase (Phase II)
(1) In general
With respect to chronic care improvement programs conducted under subsection (b) of this section, if the Secretary finds that the results of the independent evaluation conducted under subsection (b)(6) of this section indicate that the conditions specified in paragraph (2) have been met by a program (or components of such program), the Secretary shall enter into agreements consistent with subsection (f) of this section to expand the implementation of the program (or components) to additional geographic areas not covered under the program as conducted under subsection (b) of this section, which may include the implementation of the program on a national basis. Such expansion shall begin not earlier than 2 years after the program is implemented under subsection (b) of this section and not later than 6 months after the date of completion of such program.
(2) Conditions for expansion of programs
The conditions specified in this paragraph are, with respect to a chronic care improvement program conducted under subsection (b) of this section for a threshold condition, that the program is expected to—
(A) improve the clinical quality of care;
(B) improve beneficiary satisfaction; and
(C) achieve targets for savings to the program under this subchapter specified by the Secretary in the agreement within a range determined to be appropriate by the Secretary, subject to the application of budget neutrality with respect to the program and not taking into account any payments by the organization under the agreement under the program for risk under subsection (f)(3)(B) of this section.
(3) Independent evaluations of Phase II programs
The Secretary shall carry out evaluations of programs expanded under this subsection as the Secretary determines appropriate. Such evaluations shall be carried out in the similar manner as is provided under subsection (b)(5) of this section.
(d) Identification and enrollment of prospective program participants
(1) Identification of prospective program participants
The Secretary shall establish a method for identifying targeted beneficiaries who may benefit from participation in a chronic care improvement program.
(2) Initial contact by Secretary
The Secretary shall communicate with each targeted beneficiary concerning participation in a chronic care improvement program. Such communication may be made by the Secretary and shall include information on the following:
(A) A description of the advantages to the beneficiary in participating in a program.
(B) Notification that the organization offering a program may contact the beneficiary directly concerning such participation.
(C) Notification that participation in a program is voluntary.
(D) A description of the method for the beneficiary to participate or for declining to participate and the method for obtaining additional information concerning such participation.
(3) Voluntary participation
A targeted beneficiary may participate in a chronic care improvement program on a voluntary basis and may terminate participation at any time.
(e) Chronic care improvement programs
(1) In general
Each chronic care improvement program shall—
(A) have a process to screen each targeted beneficiary for conditions other than threshold conditions, such as impaired cognitive ability and co-morbidities, for the purposes of developing an individualized, goal-oriented care management plan under paragraph (2);
(B) provide each targeted beneficiary participating in the program with such plan; and
(C) carry out such plan and other chronic care improvement activities in accordance with paragraph (3).
(2) Elements of care management plans
A care management plan for a targeted beneficiary shall be developed with the beneficiary and shall, to the extent appropriate, include the following:
(A) A designated point of contact responsible for communications with the beneficiary and for facilitating communications with other health care providers under the plan.
(B) Self-care education for the beneficiary (through approaches such as disease management or medical nutrition therapy) and education for primary caregivers and family members.
(C) Education for physicians and other providers and collaboration to enhance communication of relevant clinical information.
(D) The use of monitoring technologies that enable patient guidance through the exchange of pertinent clinical information, such as vital signs, symptomatic information, and health self-assessment.
(E) The provision of information about hospice care, pain and palliative care, and end-of-life care.
(3) Conduct of programs
In carrying out paragraph (1)(C) with respect to a participant, the chronic care improvement organization shall—
(A) guide the participant in managing the participant's health (including all co-morbidities, relevant health care services, and pharmaceutical needs) and in performing activities as specified under the elements of the care management plan of the participant;
(B) use decision-support tools such as evidence-based practice guidelines or other criteria as determined by the Secretary; and
(C) develop a clinical information database to track and monitor each participant across settings and to evaluate outcomes.
(4) Additional responsibilities
(A) Outcomes report
Each chronic care improvement organization offering a chronic care improvement program shall monitor and report to the Secretary, in a manner specified by the Secretary, on health care quality, cost, and outcomes.
(B) Additional requirements
Each such organization and program shall comply with such additional requirements as the Secretary may specify.
(5) Accreditation
The Secretary may provide that chronic care improvement programs and chronic care improvement organizations that are accredited by qualified organizations (as defined by the Secretary) may be deemed to meet such requirements under this section as the Secretary may specify.
(f) Terms of agreements
(1) Terms and conditions
(A) In general
An agreement under this section with a chronic care improvement organization shall contain such terms and conditions as the Secretary may specify consistent with this section.
(B) Clinical, quality improvement, and financial requirements
The Secretary may not enter into an agreement with such an organization under this section for the operation of a chronic care improvement program unless—
(i) the program and organization meet the requirements of subsection (e) of this section and such clinical, quality improvement, financial, and other requirements as the Secretary deems to be appropriate for the targeted beneficiaries to be served; and
(ii) the organization demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the organization is able to assume financial risk for performance under the agreement (as applied under paragraph (3)(B)) with respect to payments made to the organization under such agreement through available reserves, reinsurance, withholds, or such other means as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(2) Manner of payment
Subject to paragraph (3)(B), the payment under an agreement under—
(A) subsection (b) of this section shall be computed on a per-member per-month basis; or
(B) subsection (c) of this section may be on a per-member per-month basis or such other basis as the Secretary and organization may agree.
(3) Application of performance standards
(A) Specification of performance standards
Each agreement under this section with a chronic care improvement organization shall specify performance standards for each of the factors specified in subsection (c)(2) of this section, including clinical quality and spending targets under this subchapter, against which the performance of the chronic care improvement organization under the agreement is measured.
(B) Adjustment of payment based on performance
(i) In general
Each such agreement shall provide for adjustments in payment rates to an organization under the agreement insofar as the Secretary determines that the organization failed to meet the performance standards specified in the agreement under subparagraph (A).
(ii) Financial risk for performance
In the case of an agreement under subsection (b) or (c) of this section, the agreement shall provide for a full recovery for any amount by which the fees paid to the organization under the agreement exceed the estimated savings to the programs under this subchapter attributable to implementation of such agreement.
(4) Budget neutral payment condition
Under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that the aggregate sum of medicare program benefit expenditures for beneficiaries participating in chronic care improvement programs and funds paid to chronic care improvement organizations under this section, shall not exceed the medicare program benefit expenditures that the Secretary estimates would have been made for such targeted beneficiaries in the absence of such programs.
(g) Funding
(1) Subject to paragraph (2), there are appropriated to the Secretary, in appropriate part from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, such sums as may be necessary to provide for agreements with chronic care improvement programs under this section.
(2) In no case shall the funding under this section exceed $100,000,000 in aggregate increased expenditures under this subchapter (after taking into account any savings attributable to the operation of this section) over the 3-fiscal-year period beginning on October 1, 2003.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1807, as added
References in Text
Parts A, B, and C of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2)(E)(i) and (b)(3)(B), (4), are classified to sections 1395c et seq., 1395j et seq., and 1395w–21 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Demonstration Project for Consumer-Directed Chronic Outpatient Services
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(2)
"(c)
"(d)
"(e)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) An analysis of the patient outcomes and costs of furnishing care to the individuals with chronic conditions participating in the projects as compared to such outcomes and costs to other individuals for the same health conditions.
"(B) Evaluation of patient satisfaction under the demonstration projects.
"(C) Such recommendations regarding the extension, expansion, or termination of the projects as the Secretary determines appropriate.
"(f)
"(g)
"(2) There are authorized to be appropriated from such Trust Fund such sums as may be necessary for the Secretary to enter into contracts with appropriate organizations for the deign [sic], implementation, and evaluation of the demonstration project.
"(3) In no case may expenditures under this section exceed the aggregate expenditures that would otherwise have been made for the provision of personal care services."
Reports
"(1) Not later than 2 years after the date of the implementation of such section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an interim report on the scope of implementation of the programs under subsection (b) of such section, the design of the programs, and preliminary cost and quality findings with respect to those programs based on the following measures of the programs:
"(A) Quality improvement measures, such as adherence to evidence-based guidelines and rehospitalization rates.
"(B) Beneficiary and provider satisfaction.
"(C) Health outcomes.
"(D) Financial outcomes.
"(2) Not later than 3 years and 6 months after the date of the implementation of such section the Secretary shall submit to Congress an update to the report required under paragraph (1) on the results of such programs.
"(3) The Secretary shall submit to Congress 2 additional biennial reports on the chronic care improvement programs conducted under such section. The first such report shall be submitted not later than 2 years after the report is submitted under paragraph (2). Each such report shall include information on—
"(A) the scope of implementation (in terms of both regions and chronic conditions) of the chronic care improvement programs;
"(B) the design of the programs; and
"(C) the improvements in health outcomes and financial efficiencies that result from such implementation."
Chronically Ill Medicare Beneficiary Research, Data, Demonstration Strategy
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) integrate existing data sets including, the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS), Minimum Data Set (MDS), Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS), data from Quality Improvement Organizations (QIO), and claims data;
"(2) identify any new data needs and a methodology to address new data needs;
"(3) plan for the collection of such data in a data warehouse; and
"(4) develop a research agenda using such data.
"(c)
"(d)
"(e)
§1395b–9. Provisions relating to administration
(a) Coordinated administration of medicare prescription drug and Medicare Advantage programs
(1) In general
There is within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services a center to carry out the duties described in paragraph (3).
(2) Director
Such center shall be headed by a director who shall report directly to the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
(3) Duties
The duties described in this paragraph are the following:
(A) The administration of parts C and D of this subchapter.
(B) The provision of notice and information under
(C) Such other duties as the Secretary may specify.
(4) Deadline
The Secretary shall ensure that the center is carrying out the duties described in paragraph (3) by not later than January 1, 2008.
(b) Employment of management staff
(1) In general
The Secretary may employ, within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, such individuals as management staff as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. With respect to the administration of parts C and D of this subchapter, such individuals shall include individuals with private sector expertise in negotiations with health benefits plans.
(2) Eligibility
To be eligible for employment under paragraph (1) an individual shall be required to have demonstrated, by their education and experience (either in the public or private sector), superior expertise in at least one of the following areas:
(A) The review, negotiation, and administration of health care contracts.
(B) The design of health care benefit plans.
(C) Actuarial sciences.
(D) Compliance with health plan contracts.
(E) Consumer education and decision making.
(F) Any other area specified by the Secretary that requires specialized management or other expertise.
(3) Rates of payment
(A) Performance-related pay
Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall establish the rate of pay for an individual employed under paragraph (1). Such rate shall take into account expertise, experience, and performance.
(B) Limitation
In no case may the rate of compensation determined under subparagraph (A) exceed the highest rate of basic pay for the Senior Executive Service under
(c) Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman
(1) In general
The Secretary shall appoint within the Department of Health and Human Services a Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman who shall have expertise and experience in the fields of health care and education of (and assistance to) individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter.
(2) Duties
The Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman shall—
(A) receive complaints, grievances, and requests for information submitted by individuals entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both, with respect to any aspect of the medicare program;
(B) provide assistance with respect to complaints, grievances, and requests referred to in subparagraph (A), including—
(i) assistance in collecting relevant information for such individuals, to seek an appeal of a decision or determination made by a fiscal intermediary, carrier, MA organization, or the Secretary;
(ii) assistance to such individuals with any problems arising from disenrollment from an MA plan under part C of this subchapter; and
(iii) assistance to such individuals in presenting information under
(C) submit annual reports to Congress and the Secretary that describe the activities of the Office and that include such recommendations for improvement in the administration of this subchapter as the Ombudsman determines appropriate.
The Ombudsman shall not serve as an advocate for any increases in payments or new coverage of services, but may identify issues and problems in payment or coverage policies.
(3) Working with health insurance counseling programs
To the extent possible, the Ombudsman shall work with health insurance counseling programs (receiving funding under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1808, as added and amended
References in Text
Parts A, B, C, and D of this subchapter, referred to in text, are classified to sections 1395c et seq., 1395j et seq., 1395w–21 et seq., and 1395w–101 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Deadline for Appointment
1 So in original. A closing parenthesis probably should precede the semicolon.
§1395b–10. Addressing health care disparities
(a) Evaluating data collection approaches
The Secretary shall evaluate approaches for the collection of data under this subchapter, to be performed in conjunction with existing quality reporting requirements and programs under this subchapter, that allow for the ongoing, accurate, and timely collection and evaluation of data on disparities in health care services and performance on the basis of race, ethnicity, and gender. In conducting such evaluation, the Secretary shall consider the following objectives:
(1) Protecting patient privacy.
(2) Minimizing the administrative burdens of data collection and reporting on providers and health plans participating under this subchapter.
(3) Improving Medicare program data on race, ethnicity, and gender.
(b) Reports to Congress
(1) Report on evaluation
Not later than 18 months after July 15, 2008, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the evaluation conducted under subsection (a). Such report shall, taking into consideration the results of such evaluation—
(A) identify approaches (including defining methodologies) for identifying and collecting and evaluating data on health care disparities on the basis of race, ethnicity, and gender for the original Medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B, the Medicare Advantage program under part C, and the Medicare prescription drug program under part D; and
(B) include recommendations on the most effective strategies and approaches to reporting HEDIS quality measures as required under
(2) Reports on data analyses
Not later than 4 years after July 15, 2008, and 4 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that includes recommendations for improving the identification of health care disparities for Medicare beneficiaries based on analyses of the data collected under subsection (c).
(c) Implementing effective approaches
Not later than 24 months after July 15, 2008, the Secretary shall implement the approaches identified in the report submitted under subsection (b)(1) for the ongoing, accurate, and timely collection and evaluation of data on health care disparities on the basis of race, ethnicity, and gender.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1809, as added
References in Text
Parts A, B, C, and D, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(A), are classified to sections 1395c et seq., 1395j et seq., 1395w–21 et seq., and 1395w–101 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Part A—Hospital Insurance Benefits for Aged and Disabled
§1395c. Description of program
The insurance program for which entitlement is established by
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1811, as added
Amendments
1989—
1988—
1986—
1982—
1980—
1978—
1972—
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 101(d) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Section 122(h)(1) of
Amendment by section 278(b)(3) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by
Advisory Council To Study Coverage of Disabled Under This Subchapter
Reimbursement of Charges Under Part A for Services to Patients Admitted Prior to 1968 to Certain Hospitals
"(a) Notwithstanding any provision of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] an individual who is entitled to hospital insurance benefits under section 226 of such Act [
"(1) the hospital did not have an agreement in effect under section 1866 of such Act [
"(2) the hospital (A) meets the requirements of paragraphs (5) and (7) of section 1861(e) of such Act [
"(3) the hospital did not meet the requirements that must be met to permit payment to the hospital under part A of title XVIII of such Act [this part]; and
"(4) an application is filed (submitted in such form and manner and by such person, and containing and supported by such information, as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe) for reimbursement before January 1, 1969.
"(b) Payments under this section may not be made for inpatient hospital services (as described in subsection (a)) furnished to an individual—
"(1) prior to July 1, 1966,
"(2) after December 31, 1967, unless furnished with respect to an admission to the hospital prior to January 1, 1968, and
"(3) for more than—
"(A) 90 days in any spell of illness, but only if (i) prior to January 1, 1969, the hospital furnishing such services entered into an agreement under section 1866 of the Social Security Act [
"(B) 20 days in any spell of illness, if the hospital did not meet the conditions of clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A).
"(c)(1) The amounts payable in accordance with subsection (a) with respect to inpatient hospital services shall, subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, be paid from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund in amounts equal to 60 percent of the hospital's reasonable charges for routine services furnished in the accommodations occupied by the individual or in semi-private accommodations (as defined in section 1861(v)(4) of the Social Security Act [
"(2) Before applying paragraph (1), payments made under this section shall be reduced to the extent provided for under section 1813 of the Social Security Act [
"(d) For the purposes of this section—
"(1) the 90-day period, referred to in subsection (b)(3)(A), shall be reduced by the number of days of inpatient hospital services furnished to such individual during the spell of illness, referred to therein, and with respect to which he was entitled to have payment made under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this part];
"(2) the 20-day period, referred to in subsection (b)(3)(B) shall be reduced by the number of days in excess of 70 days of inpatient hospital services furnished during the spell of illness, referred to therein, and with respect to which such individual was entitled to have payment made under such part A [this part];
"(3) the term 'spell of illness' shall have the meaning assigned to it by subsection (a) of section 1861 of such Act [
§1395d. Scope of benefits
(a) Entitlement to payment for inpatient hospital services, post-hospital extended care services, home health services, and hospice care
The benefits provided to an individual by the insurance program under this part shall consist of entitlement to have payment made on his behalf or, in the case of payments referred to in
(1) inpatient hospital services or inpatient critical access hospital services for up to 150 days during any spell of illness minus 1 day for each day of such services in excess of 90 received during any preceding spell of illness (if such individual was entitled to have payment for such services made under this part unless he specifies in accordance with regulations of the Secretary that he does not desire to have such payment made);
(2)(A) post-hospital extended care services for up to 100 days during any spell of illness, and (B) to the extent provided in subsection (f) of this section, extended care services that are not post-hospital extended care services;
(3) in the case of individuals not enrolled in part B of this subchapter, home health services, and in the case of individuals so enrolled, post-institutional home health services furnished during a home health spell of illness for up to 100 visits during such spell of illness;
(4) in lieu of certain other benefits, hospice care with respect to the individual during up to two periods of 90 days each and an unlimited number of subsequent periods of 60 days each with respect to which the individual makes an election under subsection (d)(1) of this section; and
(5) for individuals who are terminally ill, have not made an election under subsection (d)(1) of this section, and have not previously received services under this paragraph, services that are furnished by a physician (as defined in
(A) consist of—
(i) an evaluation of the individual's need for pain and symptom management, including the individual's need for hospice care; and
(ii) counseling the individual with respect to hospice care and other care options; and
(B) may include advising the individual regarding advanced care planning.
(b) Services not covered
Payment under this part for services furnished an individual during a spell of illness may not (subject to subsection (c) of this section) be made for—
(1) inpatient hospital services furnished to him during such spell after such services have been furnished to him for 150 days during such spell minus 1 day for each day of inpatient hospital services in excess of 90 received during any preceding spell of illness (if such individual was entitled to have payment for such services made under this part unless he specifies in accordance with regulations of the Secretary that he does not desire to have such payment made);
(2) post-hospital extended care services furnished to him during such spell after such services have been furnished to him for 100 days during such spell; or
(3) inpatient psychiatric hospital services furnished to him after such services have been furnished to him for a total of 190 days during his lifetime.
Payment under this part for post-institutional home health services furnished an individual during a home health spell of illness may not be made for such services beginning after such services have been furnished for a total of 100 visits during such spell.
(c) Inpatients of psychiatric hospitals
If an individual is an inpatient of a psychiatric hospital on the first day of the first month for which he is entitled to benefits under this part, the days on which he was an inpatient of such a hospital in the 150-day period immediately before such first day shall be included in determining the number of days limit under subsection (b)(1) of this section insofar as such limit applies to (1) inpatient psychiatric hospital services, or (2) inpatient hospital services for an individual who is an inpatient primarily for the diagnosis or treatment of mental illness (but shall not be included in determining such number of days limit insofar as it applies to other inpatient hospital services or in determining the 190-day limit under subsection (b)(3) of this section).
(d) Hospice care; election; waiver of rights; revocation; change of election
(1) Payment under this part may be made for hospice care provided with respect to an individual only during two periods of 90 days each and an unlimited number of subsequent periods of 60 days each during the individual's lifetime and only, with respect to each such period, if the individual makes an election under this paragraph to receive hospice care under this part provided by, or under arrangements made by, a particular hospice program instead of certain other benefits under this subchapter.
(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C) and except in such exceptional and unusual circumstances as the Secretary may provide, if an individual makes such an election for a period with respect to a particular hospice program, the individual shall be deemed to have waived all rights to have payment made under this subchapter with respect to—
(i) hospice care provided by another hospice program (other than under arrangements made by the particular hospice program) during the period, and
(ii) services furnished during the period that are determined (in accordance with guidelines of the Secretary) to be—
(I) related to the treatment of the individual's condition with respect to which a diagnosis of terminal illness has been made or
(II) equivalent to (or duplicative of) hospice care;
except that clause (ii) shall not apply to physicians' services furnished by the individual's attending physician (if not an employee of the hospice program) or to services provided by (or under arrangements made by) the hospice program.
(B) After an individual makes such an election with respect to a 90-day period or a subsequent 60-day period, the individual may revoke the election during the period, in which case—
(i) the revocation shall act as a waiver of the right to have payment made under this part for any hospice care benefits for the remaining time in such period and (for purposes of subsection (a)(4) of this section and subparagraph (A)) the individual shall be deemed to have been provided such benefits during such entire period, and
(ii) the individual may at any time after the revocation execute a new election for a subsequent period, if the individual otherwise is entitled to hospice care benefits with respect to such a period.
(C) An individual may, once in each such period, change the hospice program with respect to which the election is made and such change shall not be considered a revocation of an election under subparagraph (B).
(D) For purposes of this subchapter, an individual's election with respect to a hospice program shall no longer be considered to be in effect with respect to that hospice program after the date the individual's revocation or change of election with respect to that election takes effect.
(e) Services taken into account
For purposes of subsections (b) and (c) of this section, inpatient hospital services, inpatient psychiatric hospital services, and post-hospital extended care services shall be taken into account only if payment is or would be, except for this section or the failure to comply with the request and certification requirements of or under
(f) Coverage of extended care services without regard to three-day prior hospitalization requirement
(1) The Secretary shall provide for coverage, under clause (B) of subsection (a)(2) of this section, of extended care services which are not post-hospital extended care services at such time and for so long as the Secretary determines, and under such terms and conditions (described in paragraph (2)) as the Secretary finds appropriate, that the inclusion of such services will not result in any increase in the total of payments made under this subchapter and will not alter the acute care nature of the benefit described in subsection (a)(2) of this section.
(2) The Secretary may provide—
(A) for such limitations on the scope and extent of services described in subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section and on the categories of individuals who may be eligible to receive such services, and
(B) notwithstanding
as may be necessary to carry out paragraph (1).
(g) "Spell of illness" defined
For definitions of "spell of illness", and for definitions of other terms used in this part, see
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1812, as added
References in Text
Part B of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(3), is classified to
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(5).
1999—Subsec. (b).
1997—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B).
1994—Subsec. (a)(1).
1990—Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B).
1989—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsecs. (b) to (d)(1), (2)(B), (e) to (g).
1988—Subsec. (a).
"(1) inpatient hospital services;
"(2) extended care services for up to 150 days during any calendar year;
"(3) home health services; and
"(4) in lieu of certain other benefits, hospice care with respect to the individual during up to two periods of 90 days each, a subsequent period of 30 days, and a subsequent extension period with respect to which the individual makes an election under subsection (d)(1) of this section."
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
1983—Subsec. (d)(2)(A).
1982—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (d).
Subsecs. (f), (g).
1981—Subsec. (a).
1980—Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
1968—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c).
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4201(c)(1) of
Section 4449 of title IV of
Section 4611(f) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 102(i) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4006(c) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 104(a) of
"(1)
"(A) to the inpatient hospital deductible for 1989 and succeeding years,
"(B) to care and services furnished on or after January 1, 1989,
"(C) to premiums for January 1989 and succeeding months, and
"(D) to blood or blood cells furnished on or after January 1, 1989.
"(2)
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by section 122(b) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 2121(i) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by section 930(b)–(d) of
Section 931(e) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Section 129(d) of
Section 137(c) of
Section 138(b) of
Section 143(d) of
Section 146(b) of
Medicare Hospice Concurrent Care Demonstration Program
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(c)
Protecting Home Health Benefits
Rural Hospice Demonstration Project
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) the hospice program shall comply with otherwise applicable requirements, except that it shall not be required to offer services outside of the home or to meet the requirements of section 1861(dd)(2)(A)(iii) of the Social Security Act [
"(2) payments for hospice care shall be made at the rates otherwise applicable to such care under title XVIII of such Act [this subchapter].
The Secretary may require the program to comply with such additional quality assurance standards for its provision of services in its facility as the Secretary deems appropriate.
"(d)
OIG Report on Notices Relating to Use of Hospital Lifetime Reserve Days
"(1) the extent to which hospitals provide notice to medicare beneficiaries in accordance with applicable requirements before they use the 60 lifetime reserve days described in section 1812(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (
"(2) the appropriateness and feasibility of hospitals providing a notice to such beneficiaries before they completely exhaust such lifetime reserve days."
MedPAC Report on Access to, and Use of, Hospice Benefit
"(a)
"(b)
Transition
Section 4611(e) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) 1998 is 1/6,
"(B) 1999 is 1/3,
"(C) 2000 is ½,
"(D) 2001 is 2/3, and
"(E) 2002 is 5/6.
"(3)
"(A)
"(i) For 1998, 1/7.
"(ii) For 1999, 2/7.
"(iii) For 2000, 3/7.
"(iv) For 2001, 4/7.
"(v) For 2002, 5/7.
"(vi) For 2003, 6/7.
"(B)
Repeal of 1988 Expansion of Medicare Part A Benefits
For provisions repealing amendment by section 101 of
§1395e. Deductibles and coinsurance
(a) Inpatient hospital services; outpatient hospital diagnostic services; blood; post-hospital extended care services
(1) The amount payable for inpatient hospital services or inpatient critical access hospital services furnished an individual during any spell of illness shall be reduced by a deduction equal to the inpatient hospital deductible or, if less, the charges imposed with respect to such individual for such services, except that, if the customary charges for such services are greater than the charges so imposed, such customary charges shall be considered to be the charges so imposed. Such amount shall be further reduced by a coinsurance amount equal to—
(A) one-fourth of the inpatient hospital deductible for each day (before the 91st day) on which such individual is furnished such services during such spell of illness after such services have been furnished to him for 60 days during such spell; and
(B) one-half of the inpatient hospital deductible for each day (before the day following the last day for which such individual is entitled under
except that the reduction under this sentence for any day shall not exceed the charges imposed for that day with respect to such individual for such services (and for this purpose, if the customary charges for such services are greater than the charges so imposed, such customary charges shall be considered to be the charges so imposed).
(2)(A) The amount payable to any provider of services under this part for services furnished an individual shall be further reduced by a deduction equal to the expenses incurred for the first three pints of whole blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as defined under regulations) furnished to the individual during each calendar year, except that such deductible for such blood shall in accordance with regulations be appropriately reduced to the extent that there has been a replacement of such blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined); and for such purposes blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined) furnished such individual shall be deemed replaced when the institution or other person furnishing such blood (or such equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined) is given one pint of blood for each pint of blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined) furnished such individual with respect to which a deduction is made under this sentence.
(B) The deductible under subparagraph (A) for blood or blood cells furnished an individual in a year shall be reduced to the extent that a deductible has been imposed under
(3) The amount payable for post-hospital extended care services furnished an individual during any spell of illness shall be reduced by a coinsurance amount equal to one-eighth of the inpatient hospital deductible for each day (before the 101st day) on which he is furnished such services after such services have been furnished to him for 20 days during such spell.
(4)(A) The amount payable for hospice care shall be reduced—
(i) in the case of drugs and biologicals provided on an outpatient basis by (or under arrangements made by) the hospice program, by a coinsurance amount equal to an amount (not to exceed $5 per prescription) determined in accordance with a drug copayment schedule (established by the hospice program) which is related to, and approximates 5 percent of, the cost of the drug or biological to the program, and
(ii) in the case of respite care provided by (or under arrangements made by) the hospice program, by a coinsurance amount equal to 5 percent of the amount estimated by the hospice program (in accordance with regulations of the Secretary) to be equal to the amount of payment under
except that the total of the coinsurance required under clause (ii) for an individual may not exceed for a hospice coinsurance period the inpatient hospital deductible applicable for the year in which the period began. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "hospice coinsurance period" means, for an individual, a period of consecutive days beginning with the first day for which an election under
(B) During the period of an election by an individual under
(b) Inpatient hospital deductible; application
(1) The inpatient hospital deductible for 1987 shall be $520. The inpatient hospital deductible for any succeeding year shall be an amount equal to the inpatient hospital deductible for the preceding calendar year, changed by the Secretary's best estimate of the payment-weighted average of the applicable percentage increases (as defined in
(2) The Secretary shall promulgate the inpatient hospital deductible and all coinsurance amounts under this section between September 1 and September 15 of the year preceding the year to which they will apply.
(3) The inpatient hospital deductible for a year shall apply to—
(A) the deduction under the first sentence of subsection (a)(1) of this section for the year in which the first day of inpatient hospital services or inpatient critical access hospital services occurs in a spell of illness, and
(B) to the coinsurance amounts under subsection (a) of this section for inpatient hospital services, inpatient critical access hospital services and post-hospital extended care services furnished in that year.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1813, as added
Amendments
1997—
1994—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
1989—Subsecs. (a)(1) to (3), (b)(3).
1988—Subsec. (a)(1) to (3).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3).
1987—Subsec. (b)(1).
1986—Subsec. (b).
"(1) The inpatient hospital deductible which shall be applicable for the purposes of subsection (a) of this section shall be $40 in the case of any spell of illness beginning before 1969.
"(2) The Secretary shall, between July 1 and September 15 of 1968, and of each year thereafter, determine and promulgate the inpatient hospital deductible which shall be applicable for the purposes of subsection (a) of this section in the case of any inpatient hospital services or post-hospital extended care services furnished during the succeeding calendar year. Such inpatient hospital deductible shall be equal to $45 multiplied by the ratio of (A) the current average per diem rate for inpatient hospital services for the calendar year preceding the promulgation, to (B) the current average per diem rate for such services for 1966. Any amount determined under the preceding sentence which is not a multiple of $4 shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $4 (or, if it is midway between two multiplies of $4, to the next higher multiple of $4). The current average per diem rate for any year shall be determined by the Secretary on the basis of the best information available to him (at the time the determination is made) as to the amounts paid under this part on account of inpatient hospital services furnished during such year, by hospitals which have agreements in effect under
Subsec. (b)(2).
1982—Subsec. (a)(4).
1981—Subsec. (b)(2).
1968—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2) to (4).
Subsec. (b)(1), (2).
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by section 102 of
Section 411(b)(1)(H)(iii) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Section 9301(b) of
Section 9125(b) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 2131(b) of
Section 2132(b) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by section 129(c)(3), (4) of
Section 135(d) of
Amendment by section 137(b) of
Repeal of 1988 Expansion of Medicare Part A Benefits
Section 101(a)–(b)(2) of
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A) no day before January 1, 1990, shall be counted in determining the beginning (or period) of a spell of illness;
"(B) with respect to the limitation (other than the limitation under section 1812(c) of such Act [
"(C) the limitation of coverage of extended care services to post-hospital extended care services shall not apply to an individual receiving such services from a skilled nursing facility during a continuous period beginning before (and including) January 1, 1990, until the end of the period of 30 consecutive days in which the individual is not provided inpatient hospital services or extended care services; and
"(D) the inpatient hospital deductible under section 1813(a)(1) of such Act [subsec. (a)(1) of this section] shall not apply—
"(i) in the case of an individual who is receiving inpatient hospital services during a continuous period beginning before (and including) January 1, 1990, with respect to the spell of illness beginning on such date, if such a deductible was imposed on the individual for a period of hospitalization during 1989;
"(ii) for a spell of illness beginning during January 1990, if such a deductible was imposed on the individual for a period of hospitalization that began in December 1989; and
"(iii) in the case of a spell of illness of an individual that began before January 1, 1990.
"(2)
[Section 4008(m)(1) of
Hold Harmless Provisions; Application of Subsection (a)(1) and (2)
Section 104(b) of
"(1)(A) section 1813(a)(1) of such Act [subsec. (a)(1) of this section] (as amended by this subtitle [subtitle A (§§101–104) of title I of
"(B) if that individual begins a period of hospitalization (as defined in such section) during 1989 after the end of that spell of illness, the first period of hospitalization during 1989 that begins after that spell of illness shall be considered to be (for purposes of such section) the first period of hospitalization that begins during that year; and
"(2) the amount of any deductible under section 1813(a)(2) of such Act (as amended by this subtitle) shall be reduced during that spell of illness during 1989 to the extent the deductible under such section was applied during the spell of illness."
Promulgation of New Deductible
Section 9301(c) of
§1395f. Conditions of and limitations on payment for services
(a) Requirement of requests and certifications
Except as provided in subsections (d) and (g) of this section and in
(1) written request, signed by such individual, except in cases in which the Secretary finds it impracticable for the individual to do so, is filed for such payment in such form, in such manner, and by such person or persons as the Secretary may by regulation prescribe, no later than the close of the period ending 1 calendar year after the date of service;
(2) a physician, or, in the case of services described in subparagraph (B), a physician, or a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, or a physician assistant (as those terms are defined in
(A) in the case of inpatient psychiatric hospital services, such services are or were required to be given on an inpatient basis, by or under the supervision of a physician, for the psychiatric treatment of an individual; and (i) such treatment can or could reasonably be expected to improve the condition for which such treatment is or was necessary or (ii) inpatient diagnostic study is or was medically required and such services are or were necessary for such purposes;
(B) in the case of post-hospital extended care services, such services are or were required to be given because the individual needs or needed on a daily basis skilled nursing care (provided directly by or requiring the supervision of skilled nursing personnel) or other skilled rehabilitation services, which as a practical matter can only be provided in a skilled nursing facility on an inpatient basis, for any of the conditions with respect to which he was receiving inpatient hospital services (or services which would constitute inpatient hospital services if the institution met the requirements of paragraphs (6) and (9) of
(C) in the case of home health services, such services are or were required because the individual is or was confined to his home (except when receiving items and services referred to in
(D) in the case of inpatient hospital services in connection with the care, treatment, filling, removal, or replacement of teeth or structures directly supporting teeth, the individual, because of his underlying medical condition and clinical status or because of the severity of the dental procedure, requires hospitalization in connection with the provision of such services;
(3) with respect to inpatient hospital services (other than inpatient psychiatric hospital services) which are furnished over a period of time, a physician certifies that such services are required to be given on an inpatient basis for such individual's medical treatment, or that inpatient diagnostic study is medically required and such services are necessary for such purpose, except that (A) such certification shall be furnished only in such cases, with such frequency, and accompanied by such supporting material, appropriate to the cases involved, as may be provided by regulations, and (B) the first such certification required in accordance with clause (A) shall be furnished no later than the 20th day of such period;
(4) in the case of inpatient psychiatric hospital services, the services are those which the records of the hospital indicate were furnished to the individual during periods when he was receiving (A) intensive treatment services, (B) admission and related services necessary for a diagnostic study, or (C) equivalent services;
(5) with respect to inpatient hospital services furnished such individual after the 20th day of a continuous period of such services, there was not in effect, at the time of admission of such individual to the hospital, a decision under
(6) with respect to inpatient hospital services or post-hospital extended care services furnished such individual during a continuous period, a finding has not been made (by the physician members of the committee or group, as described in
(7) in the case of hospice care provided an individual—
(A)(i) in the first 90-day period—
(I) the individual's attending physician (as defined in
(II) the medical director (or physician member of the interdisciplinary group described in
each certify in writing at the beginning of the period, that the individual is terminally ill (as defined in
(ii) in a subsequent 90- or 60-day period, the medical director or physician described in clause (i)(II) recertifies at the beginning of the period that the individual is terminally ill based on such clinical judgment;
(B) a written plan for providing hospice care with respect to such individual has been established (before such care is provided by, or under arrangements made by, that hospice program) and is periodically reviewed by the individual's attending physician and by the medical director (and the interdisciplinary group described in
(C) such care is being or was provided pursuant to such plan of care; and
(D) on and after January 1, 2011—
(i) a hospice physician or nurse practitioner has a face-to-face encounter with the individual to determine continued eligibility of the individual for hospice care prior to the 180th-day recertification and each subsequent recertification under subparagraph (A)(ii) and attests that such visit took place (in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary); and
(ii) in the case of hospice care provided an individual for more than 180 days by a hospice program for which the number of such cases for such program comprises more than a percent (specified by the Secretary) of the total number of such cases for all programs under this subchapter, the hospice care provided to such individual is medically reviewed (in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary); and
(8) in the case of inpatient critical access hospital services, a physician certifies that the individual may reasonably be expected to be discharged or transferred to a hospital within 96 hours after admission to the critical access hospital.
To the extent provided by regulations, the certification and recertification requirements of paragraph (2) shall be deemed satisfied where, at a later date, a physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant (as the case may be) makes certification of the kind provided in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (2) (whichever would have applied), but only where such certification is accompanied by such medical and other evidence as may be required by such regulations. With respect to the physician certification required by paragraph (2) for home health services furnished to any individual by a home health agency (other than an agency which is a governmental entity) and with respect to the establishment and review of a plan for such services, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations which shall become effective no later than July 1, 1981, and which prohibit a physician who has a significant ownership interest in, or a significant financial or contractual relationship with, such home health agency from performing such certification and from establishing or reviewing such plan, except that such prohibition shall not apply with respect to a home health agency which is a sole community home health agency (as determined by the Secretary). For purposes of the preceding sentence, service by a physician as an uncompensated officer or director of a home health agency shall not constitute having a significant ownership interest in, or a significant financial or contractual relationship with, such agency. For purposes of paragraph (2)(C), an individual shall be considered to be "confined to his home" if the individual has a condition, due to an illness or injury, that restricts the ability of the individual to leave his or her home except with the assistance of another individual or the aid of a supportive device (such as crutches, a cane, a wheelchair, or a walker), or if the individual has a condition such that leaving his or her home is medically contraindicated. While an individual does not have to be bedridden to be considered "confined to his home", the condition of the individual should be such that there exists a normal inability to leave home and that leaving home requires a considerable and taxing effort by the individual. Any absence of an individual from the home attributable to the need to receive health care treatment, including regular absences for the purpose of participating in therapeutic, psychosocial, or medical treatment in an adult day-care program that is licensed or certified by a State, or accredited, to furnish adult day-care services in the State shall not disqualify an individual from being considered to be "confined to his home". Any other absence of an individual from the home shall not so disqualify an individual if the absence is of infrequent or of relatively short duration. For purposes of the preceding sentence, any absence for the purpose of attending a religious service shall be deemed to be an absence of infrequent or short duration. In applying paragraph (1), the Secretary may specify exceptions to the 1 calendar year period specified in such paragraph.
(b) Amount paid to provider of services
The amount paid to any provider of services (other than a hospice program providing hospice care, other than a critical access hospital providing inpatient critical access hospital services, and other than a home health agency with respect to durable medical equipment) with respect to services for which payment may be made under this part shall, subject to the provisions of
(1) except as provided in paragraph (3), the lesser of (A) the reasonable cost of such services, as determined under
(2) if such services are furnished by a public provider of services, or by another provider which demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that a significant portion of its patients are low-income (and requests that payment be made under this paragraph), free of charge or at nominal charges to the public, the amount determined on the basis of those items (specified in regulations prescribed by the Secretary) included in the determination of such reasonable cost which the Secretary finds will provide fair compensation to such provider for such services; or
(3) if some or all of the hospitals in a State have been reimbursed for services (for which payment may be made under this part) pursuant to a reimbursement system approved as a demonstration project under section 402 of the Social Security Amendments of 1967 or section 222 of the Social Security Amendments of 1972, if the rate of increase in such hospitals in their costs per hospital inpatient admission of individuals entitled to benefits under this part over the duration of such project was equal to or less than such rate of increase for admissions of such individuals with respect to all hospitals in the United States during such period, and if either the State has legislative authority to operate such system and the State elects to have reimbursement to such hospitals made in accordance with this paragraph or the system is operated through a voluntary agreement of hospitals and such hospitals elect to have reimbursement to those hospitals made in accordance with this paragraph, then, subject to section 1395ww(d)(3)(B)(ix)(III) 2 of this title, the Secretary may provide for continuation of reimbursement to such hospitals under such system until the Secretary determines that—
(A) a third-party payor reimburses such a hospital on a basis other than under such system, or
(B) the aggregate rate of increase from January 1, 1981, to the most recent date for which annual data are available in such hospitals in costs per hospital inpatient admission of individuals entitled to benefits under this part is greater than such rate of increase for admissions of such individuals with respect to all hospitals in the United States for such period.
In the case of any State which has had such a demonstration project reimbursement system in continuous operation since July 1, 1977, the Secretary shall provide under paragraph (3) for continuation of reimbursement to hospitals in the State under such system until the first day of the 37th month beginning after the date the Secretary determines and notifies the Governor of the State that either of the conditions described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of such paragraph has occurred. If, by the end of such 36-month period, the Secretary determines, based on evidence submitted by the Governor of the State, that neither of the conditions described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (3) continues to apply, the Secretary shall continue without interruption payment to hospitals in the State under the State's system. If, by the end of such 36-month period, the Secretary determines, based on such evidence, that either of the conditions described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of such paragraph continues to apply, the Secretary shall (i) collect any net excess reimbursement to hospitals in the State during such 36-month period (basing such net excess reimbursement on the net difference, if any, in the rate of increase in costs per hospital inpatient admission under the State system compared to the rate of increase in such costs with respect to all hospitals in the United States over the 36-month period, as measured by including the cumulative savings under the State system based on the difference in the rate of increase in costs per hospital inpatient admission under the State system as compared to the rate of increase in such costs with respect to all hospitals in the United States between January 1, 1981, and the date of the Secretary's initial notice), and (ii) provide a reasonable period, not to exceed 2 years, for transition from the State system to the national payment system. For purposes of applying paragraph (3), there shall be taken into account incentive payments, and payment adjustments under subsection (b)(3)(B)(ix) or (n) of
(c) No payments to Federal providers of services
Subject to
(d) Payments for emergency hospital services
(1) Payments shall also be made to any hospital for inpatient hospital services furnished in a calendar year, by the hospital or under arrangements (as defined in
(2) Payment may be made on the basis of an itemized bill to an individual entitled to hospital insurance benefits under
(3) The amounts payable under the preceding paragraph with respect to services described therein shall, subject to the provisions of
(e) Payment for inpatient hospital services prior to notification of noneligibility
Notwithstanding that an individual is not entitled to have payment made under this part for inpatient hospital services furnished by any hospital, payment shall be made to such hospital (unless it elects not to receive such payment or, if payment has already been made by or on behalf of such individual, fails to refund such payment within the time specified by the Secretary) for such services which are furnished to the individual prior to notification to such hospital from the Secretary of his lack of entitlement, if such payments are precluded only by reason of
(f) Payment for certain inpatient hospital services furnished outside United States
(1) Payment shall be made for inpatient hospital services furnished to an individual entitled to hospital insurance benefits under
(A) such individual is a resident of the United States, and
(B) such hospital was closer to, or substantially more accessible from, the residence of such individual than the nearest hospital within the United States which was adequately equipped to deal with, and was available for the treatment of, such individual's illness or injury.
(2) Payment may also be made for emergency inpatient hospital services furnished to an individual entitled to hospital insurance benefits under
(A) such individual was physically present—
(i) in a place within the United States; or
(ii) at a place within Canada while traveling without unreasonable delay by the most direct route (as determined by the Secretary) between Alaska and another State;
at the time the emergency which necessitated such inpatient hospital services occurred, and
(B) such hospital was closer to, or substantially more accessible from, such place than the nearest hospital within the United States which was adequately equipped to deal with, and was available for the treatment of, such individual's illness or injury.
(3) Payment shall be made in the amount provided under subsection (b) of this section to any hospital for the inpatient hospital services described in paragraph (1) or (2) furnished to an individual by the hospital or under arrangements (as defined in
(4) Payment for the inpatient hospital services described in paragraph (1) or (2) furnished to an individual entitled to hospital insurance benefits under
(g) Payments to physicians for services rendered in teaching hospitals
For purposes of services for which the reasonable cost thereof is determined under
(1) such hospital has an agreement with the Secretary under
(2) the Secretary has received written assurances that (A) such payment will be used by such fund solely for the improvement of care of hospital patients or for educational or charitable purposes and (B) the individuals who were furnished such services or any other persons will not be charged for such services (or if charged, provision will be made for return of any moneys incorrectly collected).
(h) Payment for specified hospital services provided in Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals; amount of payment
(1) Payments shall also be made to any hospital operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs for inpatient hospital services furnished in a calendar year by the hospital, or under arrangements (as defined in
(2) Payment for services described in paragraph (1) shall be in an amount equal to the charge imposed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for such services, or (if less) the amount that would be payable for such services under subsection (b) of this section and
(i) Payment for hospice care
(1)(A) Subject to the limitation under paragraph (2) and the provisions of
(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), for hospice care furnished on or after April 1, 1986, the daily rate of payment per day for routine home care shall be $63.17 and the daily rate of payment for other services included in hospice care shall be the daily rate of payment recognized under subparagraph (A) as of July 1, 1985, increased by $10.
(C)(i) With respect to routine home care and other services included in hospice care furnished on or after January 1, 1990, and on or before September 30, 1990, the payment rates for such care and services shall be 120 percent of such rates in effect as of September 30, 1989.
(ii) With respect to routine home care and other services included in hospice care furnished during a subsequent fiscal year (before the first fiscal year in which the payment revisions described in paragraph (6)(D) are implemented), the payment rates for such care and services shall be the payment rates in effect under this subparagraph during the previous fiscal year increased by—
(I) for a fiscal year ending on or before September 30, 1993, the market basket percentage increase (as defined in
(II) for fiscal year 1994, the market basket percentage increase for the fiscal year minus 2.0 percentage points;
(III) for fiscal year 1995, the market basket percentage increase for the fiscal year minus 1.5 percentage points;
(IV) for fiscal year 1996, the market basket percentage increase for the fiscal year minus 1.5 percentage points;
(V) for fiscal year 1997, the market basket percentage increase for the fiscal year minus 0.5 percentage point;
(VI) for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2002, the market basket percentage increase for the fiscal year involved minus 1.0 percentage points, plus, in the case of fiscal year 2001, 5.0 percentage points; and
(VII) for a subsequent fiscal year (before the first fiscal year in which the payment revisions described in paragraph (6)(D) are implemented), subject to clause (iv),,1 the market basket percentage increase for the fiscal year.
(iii) With respect to routine home care and other services included in hospice care furnished during fiscal years subsequent to the first fiscal year in which payment revisions described in paragraph (6)(D) are implemented, the payment rates for such care and services shall be the payment rates in effect under this clause during the preceding fiscal year increased by, subject to clause (iv), the market basket percentage increase (as defined in
(iv) After determining the market basket percentage increase under clause (ii)(VII) or (iii), as applicable, with respect to fiscal year 2013 and each subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary shall reduce such percentage—
(I) for 2013 and each subsequent fiscal year, by the productivity adjustment described in
(II) subject to clause (v), for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2019, by 0.3 percentage point.
The application of this clause may result in the market basket percentage increase under clause (ii)(VII) or (iii), as applicable, being less than 0.0 for a fiscal year, and may result in payment rates under this subsection for a fiscal year being less than such payment rates for the preceding fiscal year.
(v) Clause (iv)(II) shall be applied with respect to any of fiscal years 2014 through 2019 by substituting "0.0 percentage points" for "0.3 percentage point", if for such fiscal year—
(I) the excess (if any) of—
(aa) the total percentage of the non-elderly insured population for the preceding fiscal year (based on the most recent estimates available from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office before a vote in either House on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that, if determined in the affirmative, would clear such Act for enrollment); over
(bb) the total percentage of the non-elderly insured population for such preceding fiscal year (as estimated by the Secretary); exceeds
(II) 5 percentage points.
(2)(A) The amount of payment made under this part for hospice care provided by (or under arrangements made by) a hospice program for an accounting year may not exceed the "cap amount" for the year (computed under subparagraph (B)) multiplied by the number of medicare beneficiaries in the hospice program in that year (determined under subparagraph (C)).
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the "cap amount" for a year is $6,500, increased or decreased, for accounting years that end after October 1, 1984, by the same percentage as the percentage increase or decrease, respectively, in the medical care expenditure category of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (United States city average), published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from March 1984 to the fifth month of the accounting year.
(C) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the "number of medicare beneficiaries" in a hospice program in an accounting year is equal to the number of individuals who have made an election under subsection (d) of this section with respect to the hospice program and have been provided hospice care by (or under arrangements made by) the hospice program under this part in the accounting year, such number reduced to reflect the proportion of hospice care that each such individual was provided in a previous or subsequent accounting year or under a plan of care established by another hospice program.
(D) A hospice program shall submit claims for payment for hospice care furnished in an individual's home under this subchapter only on the basis of the geographic location at which the service is furnished, as determined by the Secretary.
(3) Hospice programs providing hospice care for which payment is made under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary such data with respect to the costs for providing such care for each fiscal year, beginning with fiscal year 1999, as the Secretary determines necessary.
(4) The amount paid to a hospice program with respect to the services under
(5)
(A)
(i)
(ii)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(E)
(6)(A) The Secretary shall collect additional data and information as the Secretary determines appropriate to revise payments for hospice care under this subsection pursuant to subparagraph (D) and for other purposes as determined appropriate by the Secretary. The Secretary shall begin to collect such data by not later than January 1, 2011.
(B) The additional data and information to be collected under subparagraph (A) may include data and information on—
(i) charges and payments;
(ii) the number of days of hospice care which are attributable to individuals who are entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under this part; and
(iii) with respect to each type of service included in hospice care—
(I) the number of days of hospice care attributable to the type of service;
(II) the cost of the type of service; and
(III) the amount of payment for the type of service;
(iv) charitable contributions and other revenue of the hospice program;
(v) the number of hospice visits;
(vi) the type of practitioner providing the visit; and
(vii) the length of the visit and other basic information with respect to the visit.
(C) The Secretary may collect the additional data and information under subparagraph (A) on cost reports, claims, or other mechanisms as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(D)(i) Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs of this subsection, not earlier than October 1, 2013, the Secretary shall, by regulation, implement revisions to the methodology for determining the payment rates for routine home care and other services included in hospice care under this part, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. Such revisions may be based on an analysis of data and information collected under subparagraph (A). Such revisions may include adjustments to per diem payments that reflect changes in resource intensity in providing such care and services during the course of the entire episode of hospice care.
(ii) Revisions in payment implemented pursuant to clause (i) shall result in the same estimated amount of aggregate expenditures under this subchapter for hospice care furnished in the fiscal year in which such revisions in payment are implemented as would have been made under this subchapter for such care in such fiscal year if such revisions had not been implemented.
(E) The Secretary shall consult with hospice programs and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission regarding the additional data and information to be collected under subparagraph (A) and the payment revisions under subparagraph (D).
(7) In the case of hospice care provided by a hospice program under arrangements under
(j) Elimination of lesser-of-cost-or-charges provision
(1) The lesser-of-cost-or-charges provisions (described in paragraph (2)) will not apply in the case of services provided by a class of provider of services if the Secretary determines and certifies to Congress that the failure of such provisions to apply to the services provided by that class of providers will not result in any increase in the amount of payments made for those services under this subchapter. Such change will take effect with respect to services furnished, or cost reporting periods of providers, on or after such date as the Secretary shall provide in the certification. Such change for a class of provider shall be discontinued if the Secretary determines and notifies Congress that such change has resulted in an increase in the amount of payments made under this subchapter for services provided by that class of provider.
(2) The lesser-of-cost-or-charges provisions referred to in paragraph (1) are as follows:
(A) Clause (B) of paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of this section.
(B)
(C) So much of subparagraph (A) of
(D) Subclause (II) of clause (i) and clause (ii) of
(k) Payments to home health agencies for durable medical equipment
The amount paid to any home health agency with respect to durable medical equipment for which payment may be made under this part shall be the amount described in
(l) Payment for inpatient critical access hospital services
(1) Except as provided in the subsequent paragraphs of this subsection, the amount of payment under this part for inpatient critical access hospital services is equal to 101 percent of the reasonable costs of the critical access hospital in providing such services.
(2) In the case of a distinct part psychiatric or rehabilitation unit of a critical access hospital described in
(3)(A) The following rules shall apply in determining payment and reasonable costs under paragraph (1) for costs described in subparagraph (C) for a critical access hospital that would be a meaningful EHR user (as would be determined under paragraph (3) of
(i) The Secretary shall compute reasonable costs by expensing such costs in a single payment year and not depreciating such costs over a period of years (and shall include as costs with respect to cost reporting periods beginning during a payment year costs from previous cost reporting periods to the extent they have not been fully depreciated as of the period involved).
(ii) There shall be substituted for the Medicare share that would otherwise be applied under paragraph (1) a percent (not to exceed 100 percent) equal to the sum of—
(I) the Medicare share (as would be specified under paragraph (2)(D) of
(II) 20 percentage points.
(B) The payment under this paragraph with respect to a critical access hospital shall be paid through a prompt interim payment (subject to reconciliation) after submission and review of such information (as specified by the Secretary) necessary to make such payment, including information necessary to apply this paragraph. In no case may payment under this paragraph be made with respect to a cost reporting period beginning during a payment year after 2015 and in no case may a critical access hospital receive payment under this paragraph with respect to more than 4 consecutive payment years.
(C) The costs described in this subparagraph are costs for the purchase of certified EHR technology to which purchase depreciation (excluding interest) would apply if payment was made under paragraph (1) and not under this paragraph.
(D) For purposes of this paragraph, paragraph (4), and paragraph (5), the terms "certified EHR technology", "eligible hospital", "EHR reporting period", and "payment year" have the meanings given such terms in
(4)(A) Subject to subparagraph (C), for cost reporting periods beginning in fiscal year 2015 or a subsequent fiscal year, in the case of a critical access hospital that is not a meaningful EHR user (as would be determined under paragraph (3) of
(B) The percent described in this subparagraph is—
(i) for fiscal year 2015, 100.66 percent;
(ii) for fiscal year 2016, 100.33 percent; and
(iii) for fiscal year 2017 and each subsequent fiscal year, 100 percent.
(C) The provisions of subclause (II) of
(5) There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(A) the methodology and standards for determining the amount of payment and reasonable cost under paragraph (3) and payment adjustments under paragraph (4), including selection of periods under
(B) the methodology and standards for determining a meaningful EHR user under
(C) the specification of EHR reporting periods under section 1395ww(n)(6)(B) 3 of this title as applied under paragraphs (3) and (4); and
(D) the identification of costs for purposes of paragraph (3)(C).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1814, as added
References in Text
Section 402 of the Social Security Amendments of 1967, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), means section 402 of
Section 222 of the Social Security Amendments of 1972, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), means section 222 of
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to in subsec. (i)(1)(C)(v)(I)(aa), is
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(7)(D).
Subsec. (i)(1)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(1)(C)(ii)(VII).
Subsec. (i)(1)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (i)(1)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (i)(1)(C)(iv)(II).
Subsec. (i)(1)(C)(v).
Subsec. (i)(5).
Subsec. (i)(6).
Subsec. (i)(7).
2009—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (l)(1).
Subsec. (l)(3) to (5).
2003—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(i)(I).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (i)(4).
Subsec. (i)(5).
Subsec. (l).
2000—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(1)(C)(ii)(VI).
1997—Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (i)(1)(C)(ii)(V) to (VII).
Subsec. (i)(2)(D).
Subsec. (i)(3).
Subsec. (l).
"(1) The amount of payment under this part for inpatient rural primary care hospital services—
"(A) in the case of the first 12-month cost reporting period for which the facility operates as such a hospital, is the reasonable costs of the facility in providing inpatient rural primary care hospital services during such period, as such costs are determined on a per diem basis, and
"(B) in the case of a later reporting period, is the per diem payment amount established under this paragraph for the preceding 12-month cost reporting period, increased by the applicable percentage increase under
The payment amounts otherwise determined under this paragraph shall be reduced, to the extent necessary, to avoid duplication of any payment made under
"(2) The Secretary shall develop a prospective payment system for determining payment amounts for inpatient rural primary care hospital services under this part furnished on or after January 1, 1996."
1994—Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (i)(1)(C)(i).
Subsec. (l)(2).
1993—Subsec. (i)(1)(C)(ii).
1991—Subsec. (h).
1990—Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (i)(1)(C)(i).
1989—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B), (6).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (i)(1)(A).
Subsec. (i)(1)(C).
Subsec. (l).
1988—Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(3).
1987—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
Subsec. (j)(2)(B).
Subsec. (k).
"(1) the lesser of—
"(A) the reasonable cost of such equipment, as determined under
"(B) the customary charges with respect to such equipment,
less the amount the home health agency may charge as described in
"(2) if such equipment is furnished by a public home health agency, or by another home health agency which demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that a significant portion of its patients are low-income (and requests that payment be made under this paragraph), free of charge or at nominal charge to the public, 80 percent of the amount which the Secretary finds will provide fair compensation to the home health agency."
1986—Subsec. (i)(1)(B).
Subsec. (i)(1)(C).
1984—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B) to (E).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(5) to (8).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (j)(2)(B) to (D).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (k)(2).
1983—Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A).
Subsec. (i)(2)(B).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (j)(2)(A).
1982—Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (i).
1981—Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F).
1980—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (c).
Subsecs. (h) to (j).
1978—Subsec. (b)(1).
1977—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (j).
1976—Subsec. (c).
1973—Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
Subsec. (a), last sentence.
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
1968—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A) to (E).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F).
Subsec. (a)(3) to (7).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (d)(1) to (3).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by section 512(b) of
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 4201(d) of
Amendment by sections 4441, 4443(b)(2), and 4448 of
Amendment by section 4603(c)(1) of
Section 4615(b) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 106(b)(1)(A) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 4006(b) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendments
Section 6005(c) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 4008(b)(2) of
Section 4024(c) of
Section 4062(e) of
[Section 4152(h) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Section 1(b) of
Section 3(c) of
Section 2321(g) of
Section 2335(g) of
Section 2336(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 2354(b)(1) of
Amendment by section 2354(c)(1)(A) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by section 122(c)(1), (2) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by section 2121(b) of
Section 2122(b) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by section 930(e), (f) of
Amendment by section 931(b) of
Section 936(d) of
Section 941(c) of
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Section 23(c) of
Effective Date of 1973 Amendment
Section 18(z–3)(2) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 211(d) of
Amendment by section 226(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 227(b) of
Section 228(b) of
Section 233(f) of
Amendment by section 234(g)(1) of
Section 238(b) of
Section 247(c) of
Section 256(d) of
Amendment by section 281(e) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Section 126(c) of
Amendment by section 129(c)(5), (6)(A) of
Amendment by section 143(c) of
Revision of Regulations Regarding Access to Home Health Services
Section 2336(c)(2) of
Promulgation of Regulations
Section 122(h)(2) of
"(A) a description of the care included in 'hospice care' and the standards for qualification of a 'hospice program', under section 1861(dd) of the Social Security Act [
"(B) the standards for payment for hospice care under part A of title XVIII of such Act [this part], pursuant to section 1814(i) of such Act [subsec. (i) of this section]."
Application of 2010 Amendment
Study and Report on Effect of 2000 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
Study and Report on Physician Certification Requirement for Hospice Benefits
"(1)
"(2)
Temporary Increase in Payment for Hospice Care
"(a)
"(1) fiscal year 2001, by 0.5 percent, and
"(2) fiscal year 2002, by 0.75 percent.
"(b)
Study and Report to Congress Regarding Modification of Payment Rates for Hospice Care
"(a)
"(b)
Study of Methods To Compensate Hospices for High-Cost Care
Section 6016 of
Continuation of Bad Debt Recognition for Hospital Services
Section 4008(c) of
[Section 6023(b) of
[
Providers of Services To Calculate and Report Lesser-of-Cost-or-Charges Determinations Separately With Respect to Payments Under Parts A and B of This Subchapter; Issuance of Regulations
Section 2308(a) of
Determination of Nominal Charges for Applying Nominality Test
Section 2308(b)(1) of
Study and Report Relating to the Reimbursement Method and Benefit Structure for Hospice Care; Supervision of Report by Comptroller General
Section 122(j), formerly §122(i), of
"(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall conduct a study and, prior to January 1, 1986, report to the Congress on whether or not the reimbursement method and benefit structure (including copayments) for hospice care under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] are fair and equitable and promote the most efficient provision of hospice care. Such report shall include the feasibility and advisability of providing for prospective reimbursement for hospice care, an evaluation of the inclusion of payment for outpatient drugs, an evaluation of the need to alter the method of reimbursement for nutritional, dietary, and bereavement counseling as hospice care, and any recommendations for legislative changes in the hospice care reimbursement or benefit structure.
"(2) The Comptroller General shall monitor and evaluate the study and the preparation of the report under paragraph (1)."
Waiver of Limitations To Allow Pre-Existing Hospices To Participate as a Hospice Program
Section 122(k), formerly §122(j), of
Medicare Payment Basis for Services Provided by Agencies and Providers; Effective Date
Section 16 of
2 So in original. Probably should be "1395ww(b)(3)(B)(ix)(III)".
3 So in original. Probably should be "1395ww(n)(3)(B)".
§1395g. Payments to providers of services
(a) Determination of amount
The Secretary shall periodically determine the amount which should be paid under this part to each provider of services with respect to the services furnished by it, and the provider of services shall be paid, at such time or times as the Secretary believes appropriate (but not less often than monthly) and prior to audit or settlement by the Government Accountability Office, from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, the amounts so determined, with necessary adjustments on account of previously made overpayments or underpayments; except that no such payments shall be made to any provider unless it has furnished such information as the Secretary may request in order to determine the amounts due such provider under this part for the period with respect to which the amounts are being paid or any prior period.
(b) Conditions
No payment shall be made to a provider of services which is a hospital for or with respect to services furnished by it for any period with respect to which it is deemed, under
(c) Payments under assignment or power of attorney
No payment which may be made to a provider of services under this subchapter for any service furnished to an individual shall be made to any other person under an assignment or power of attorney; but nothing in this subsection shall be construed (1) to prevent the making of such a payment in accordance with an assignment from the provider if such assignment is made to a governmental agency or entity or is established by or pursuant to the order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or (2) to preclude an agent of the provider of services from receiving any such payment if (but only if) such agent does so pursuant to an agency agreement under which the compensation to be paid to the agent for his services for or in connection with the billing or collection of payments due such provider under this subchapter is unrelated (directly or indirectly) to the amount of such payments or the billings therefor, and is not dependent upon the actual collection of any such payment.
(d) Accrual of interest on balance of excess or deficit not paid
Whenever a final determination is made that the amount of payment made under this part to a provider of services was in excess of or less than the amount of payment that is due, and payment of such excess or deficit is not made (or effected by offset) within 30 days of the date of the determination, interest shall accrue on the balance of such excess or deficit not paid or offset (to the extent that the balance is owed by or owing to the provider) at a rate determined in accordance with the regulations of the Secretary of the Treasury applicable to charges for late payments.
(e) Periodic interim payments
(1) The Secretary shall provide payment under this part for inpatient hospital services furnished by a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in
(A) Upon the request of a hospital which is paid through an agency or organization with an agreement with the Secretary under
(B) In the case of a hospital that—
(i) has a disproportionate share adjustment percentage (as established in clause (iv) of such section) of at least 5.1 percent (as computed for purposes of establishing the average standardized amounts for discharges occurring during fiscal year 1987), and
(ii) requests payment on such basis,
but only if the hospital was being paid for inpatient hospital services on such a periodic interim payment basis as of June 30, 1987, and continues to meet the requirements (in effect as of October 1, 1986) applicable to payment on such a basis.
(C) In the case of a hospital that—
(i) is located in a rural area,
(ii) has 100 or fewer beds, and
(iii) requests payment on such basis,
but only if the hospital was being paid for inpatient hospital services on such a periodic interim payment basis as of June 30, 1987, and continues to meet the requirements (in effect as of October 1, 1986) applicable to payment on such a basis.
(2) The Secretary shall provide (or continue to provide) for payment on a periodic interim payment basis (under the standards established under section 405.454(j) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on October 1, 1986, in the cases described in subparagraphs (A) through (D)) with respect to—
(A) inpatient hospital services of a hospital that is not a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in
(B) a hospital which is receiving payment under a State hospital reimbursement system under
(C) extended care services;
(D) hospice care; and
(E) inpatient critical access hospital services;
if the provider of such services elects to receive, and qualifies for, such payments.
(3) In the case of a subsection (d) hospital or a subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospital (as defined for purposes of
(4) A hospital created by the merger or consolidation of 2 or more hospitals or hospital campuses shall be eligible to receive periodic interim payment on the basis described in paragraph (1)(B) if—
(A) at least one of the hospitals or campuses received periodic interim payment on such basis prior to the merger or consolidation; and
(B) the merging or consolidating hospitals or campuses would each meet the requirement of paragraph (1)(B)(i) if such hospitals or campuses were treated as independent hospitals for purposes of this subchapter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1815, as added
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (a).
2003—Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(2)(E).
1997—Subsec. (e)(2)(C) to (E).
1989—Subsec. (e)(4).
1986—Subsec. (e).
1982—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d).
1980—Subsec. (c).
1977—Subsec. (c).
1975—
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 6021(b) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 9311(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Section 117(b) of
Amendment by section 148(b) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Section 2(a)(4) of
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Amendment by
Development of Alternative Timing Methods of Periodic Interim Payments
Transition
Section 9311(a)(3) of
"(A) as of June 30, 1987, is receiving payments under part A of title XVIII of such Act [this part] for inpatient hospital services on a periodic interim payment basis,
"(B) requests continuation of payment on such basis, and
"(C) is paid through an agency or organization with an agreement under section 1816 of such Act [
the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall continue payment on such a basis until not earlier than the end of the first period of three consecutive calendar months (beginning no earlier than April 1987) during all of which the agency or organization has met the requirements of section 1816(c)(2) of such Act (relating to prompt payment of claims)."
Delay in Periodic Interim Payments
Section 120 of
"(1) with respect to the last 21 days for which such payments would otherwise be made during fiscal year 1983, such payments shall be deferred until fiscal year 1984; and
"(2) with respect to the last 21 days for which such payments would otherwise be made during fiscal year 1984, such payments shall be deferred until fiscal year 1985."
§1395h. Provisions relating to the administration of part A
(a) In general
The administration of this part shall be conducted through contracts with medicare administrative contractors under
(b) Repealed. Pub. L. 108–173, title IX, §911(b)(3), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2383
(c) Prompt payment of claims
(1) Repealed.
(2)(A) Each contract under
(i) which are clean claims, and
(ii) for which payment is not made on a periodic interim payment basis,
within the applicable number of calendar days after the date on which the claim is received.
(B) In this paragraph:
(i) The term "clean claim" means a claim that has no defect or impropriety (including any lack of any required substantiating documentation) or particular circumstance requiring special treatment that prevents timely payment from being made on the claim under this subchapter.
(ii) The term "applicable number of calendar days" means—
(I) with respect to claims received in the 12-month period beginning October 1, 1986, 30 calendar days,
(II) with respect to claims received in the 12-month period beginning October 1, 1987, 26 calendar days,
(III) with respect to claims received in the 12-month period beginning October 1, 1988, 25 calendar days,
(IV) with respect to claims received in the 12-month period beginning October 1, 1989, and claims received in any succeeding 12-month period ending on or before September 30, 1993, 24 calendar days, and
(V) with respect to claims received in the 12-month period beginning October 1, 1993, and claims received in any succeeding 12-month period, 30 calendar days.
(C) If payment is not issued, mailed, or otherwise transmitted within the applicable number of calendar days (as defined in clause (ii) of subparagraph (B)) after a clean claim (as defined in clause (i) of such subparagraph) is received from a hospital, critical access hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health agency, hospice program, comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility, or rehabilitation agency that is not receiving payments on a periodic interim payment basis with respect to such services, interest shall be paid at the rate used for purposes of
(3)(A) Each contract under
(B) In this paragraph, the term "applicable number of calendar days" means—
(i) with respect to claims submitted electronically as prescribed by the Secretary, 13 days, and
(ii) with respect to claims submitted otherwise, 28 days.
(d) to (i). Repealed. Pub. L. 108–173, title IX, §911(b)(5), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2383
(j) Denial of claim; notification and reconsideration
A contract with a medicare administrative contractor under
(1) furnish the provider and the individual with respect to whom the claim is made with a written explanation of the denial and of the statutory or regulatory basis for the denial; and
(2) in the case of a request for reconsideration of a denial, promptly notify such individual and the provider of the disposition of such reconsideration.
(k) Annual reporting requirement on erroneous payment recovery
A contract with a medicare administrative contractor under
(l) Repealed. Pub. L. 108–173, title IX, §911(b)(7), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2383
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1816, as added
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (c)(3)(B)(ii).
2003—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
Subsecs. (d) to (i).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l).
1997—Subsec. (c)(2)(C).
1996—Subsec. (l).
1994—Subsec. (f)(1)(A).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (k).
1993—Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(ii)(IV), (V).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B).
"(i) with respect to claims received in the 3-month period beginning July 1, 1988, 10 days, and
"(ii) with respect to claims received in the 12-month period beginning October 1, 1988, 14 days."
1990—Subsec. (f).
1989—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C).
Subsec. (k).
1988—Subsec. (j)(2).
Subsec. (k).
1987—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (j).
1986—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
1984—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (f).
1982—Subsec. (e)(5).
1980—Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(4).
1977—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsecs. (e), (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsecs. (h), (i).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by section 911(b) of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 151(b)(4) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13568(c) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendments
Section 6202(d)(3) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by section 203(f) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 4031(a)(3)(A) of
Section 4032(c)(1) of
"(A) The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to claims received on or after January 1, 1988.
"(B) The amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to reconsiderations requested on or after October 1, 1988."
Section 4035(a)(3) of
Section 4085(d)(2) of
"(A) The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to claims received on or after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987].
"(B) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide for such timely amendments to agreements under section 1816 [this section], and regulations, to such extent as may be necessary to implement the amendment made by paragraph (1)."
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 9311(d) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by subsections (b) and (c) [amending this section and
"(2) Sections 1816(c)(2)(C)) [sic] and 1842(c)(2)(C) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (c)(2)(C) of this section and
"(3) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide for such timely amendments to agreements under section 1816 of the Social Security Act [this section] and contracts under section 1842 of such Act [
Amendment by section 9352(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2326(d)(3) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Section 14(c), (d) of
"(c) The amendment made by paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (a) [amending this section] to the extent that they require application of standards, criteria, and procedures developed under section 1816(f) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f) of this section] shall apply to the entering into, renewal, or termination of agreements on and after October 1, 1978.
"(d) Except as provided in subsection (c), the amendment made by subsection (a)(2) [amending this section] shall apply to agreements entered into or renewed on or after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 25, 1977]."
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by
Advisory Committee on Medicare Home Health Claims
Section 427 of
Amendments to Agreements and Contracts Necessary To Implement Section 4031(a) of Pub. L. 100–203
Section 4031(a)(3)(B) of
Prohibition of Policies Other Than as Provided by Section 4031 of Pub. L. 100–203 Intended To Slow Down Medicare Payments; Budget Considerations
Section 4031(b), (c) of
Amendments to Agreements and Contracts Necessary To Implement Section 4032(a), (b) of Pub. L. 100–203
Section 4032(c)(2) provided that: "The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide for such timely amendments to agreements under section 1816 [this section] and contracts under section 1842 of the Social Security Act [
Replacement of Agency, Organization, or Carrier Processing Medicare Claims; Number of Agreements and Contracts Authorized for Fiscal Years 1985 Through 1993
Section 2326(a) of
[Section 159(b) of
[Section 6215(b) of
Audit and Medical Claims Review
Developmental Date for Standards, Criteria, and Procedures Pursuant to Subsec. (f) of This Section
Section 14(b) of
§1395i. Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund
(a) Creation; deposits; transfers from Treasury
There is hereby created on the books of the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the "Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund" (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Trust Fund"). The Trust Fund shall consist of such gifts and bequests as may be made as provided in
(1) the taxes imposed by sections 3101(b) and 3111(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to wages reported to the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate pursuant to subtitle F of such Code after December 31, 1965, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury by applying the applicable rates of tax under such sections to such wages, which wages shall be certified by the Commissioner of Social Security on the basis of records of wages established and maintained by the Commissioner of Social Security in accordance with such reports; and
(2) the taxes imposed by section 1401(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to self-employment income reported to the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate on tax returns under subtitle F of such Code, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury by applying the applicable rate of tax under such section to such self-employment income, which self-employment income shall be certified by the Commissioner of Social Security on the basis of records of self-employment established and maintained by the Commissioner of Social Security in accordance with such returns.
The amounts appropriated by the preceding sentence shall be transferred from time to time from the general fund in the Treasury to the Trust Fund, such amounts to be determined on the basis of estimates by the Secretary of the Treasury of the taxes, specified in the preceding sentence, paid to or deposited into the Treasury; and proper adjustments shall be made in amounts subsequently transferred to the extent prior estimates were in excess of or were less than the taxes specified in such sentence.
(b) Board of Trustees; composition; meetings; duties
With respect to the Trust Fund, there is hereby created a body to be known as the Board of Trustees of the Trust Fund (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Board of Trustees") composed of the Commissioner of Social Security, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, all ex officio, and of two members of the public (both of whom may not be from the same political party), who shall be nominated by the President for a term of four years and subject to confirmation by the Senate. A member of the Board of Trustees serving as a member of the public and nominated and confirmed to fill a vacancy occurring during a term shall be nominated and confirmed only for the remainder of such term. An individual nominated and confirmed as a member of the public may serve in such position after the expiration of such member's term until the earlier of the time at which the member's successor takes office or the time at which a report of the Board is first issued under paragraph (2) after the expiration of the member's term. The Secretary of the Treasury shall be the Managing Trustee of the Board of Trustees (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Managing Trustee"). The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall serve as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall meet not less frequently than once each calendar year. It shall be the duty of the Board of Trustees to—
(1) Hold the Trust Fund;
(2) Report to the Congress not later than the first day of April of each year on the operation and status of the Trust Fund during the preceding fiscal year and on its expected operation and status during the current fiscal year and the next 2 fiscal years; Each report provided under paragraph (2) beginning with the report in 2005 shall include the information specified in section 801(a) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.1
(3) Report immediately to the Congress whenever the Board is of the opinion that the amount of the Trust Fund is unduly small; and
(4) Review the general policies followed in managing the Trust Fund, and recommend changes in such policies, including necessary changes in the provisions of law which govern the way in which the Trust Fund is to be managed.
The report provided for in paragraph (2) shall include a statement of the assets of, and the disbursements made from, the Trust Fund during the preceding fiscal year, an estimate of the expected income to, and disbursements to be made from, the Trust Fund during the current fiscal year and each of the next 2 fiscal years, and a statement of the actuarial status of the Trust Fund. Such report shall also include an actuarial opinion by the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services certifying that the techniques and methodologies used are generally accepted within the actuarial profession and that the assumptions and cost estimates used are reasonable. Such report shall be printed as a House document of the session of the Congress to which the report is made. A person serving on the Board of Trustees shall not be considered to be a fiduciary and shall not be personally liable for actions taken in such capacity with respect to the Trust Fund.
(c) Investment of Trust Fund by Managing Trustee
It shall be the duty of the Managing Trustee to invest such portion of the Trust Fund as is not, in his judgment, required to meet current withdrawals. Such investments may be made only in interest-bearing obligations of the United States or in obligations guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States. For such purpose such obligations may be acquired (1) on original issue at the issue price, or (2) by purchase of outstanding obligations at the market price. The purposes for which obligations of the United States may be issued under
(d) Authority of Managing Trustee to sell obligations
Any obligations acquired by the Trust Fund (except public-debt obligations issued exclusively to the Trust Fund) may be sold by the Managing Trustee at the market price, and such public-debt obligations may be redeemed at par plus accrued interest.
(e) Interest on and proceeds from sale or redemption of obligations
The interest on, and the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in the Trust Fund shall be credited to and form a part of the Trust Fund.
(f) Payment of estimated taxes
(1) The Managing Trustee is directed to pay from time to time from the Trust Fund into the Treasury the amount estimated by him as taxes imposed under section 3101(b) which are subject to refund under section 6413(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to wages paid after December 31, 1965. Such taxes shall be determined on the basis of the records of wages established and maintained by the Commissioner of Social Security in accordance with the wages reported to the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate pursuant to subtitle F of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the Commissioner of Social Security shall furnish the Managing Trustee such information as may be required by the Managing Trustee for such purpose. The payments by the Managing Trustee shall be covered into the Treasury as repayments to the account for refunding internal revenue collections.
(2) Repayments made under paragraph (1) shall not be available for expenditures but shall be carried to the surplus fund of the Treasury. If it subsequently appears that the estimates under such paragraph in any particular period were too high or too low, appropriate adjustments shall be made by the Managing Trustee in future payments.
(g) Transfers from other Funds
There shall be transferred periodically (but not less often than once each fiscal year) to the Trust Fund from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and from the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund amounts equivalent to the amounts not previously so transferred which the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall have certified as overpayments (other than amounts so certified to the Railroad Retirement Board) pursuant to
(h) Payments from Trust Fund amounts certified by Secretary
The Managing Trustee shall also pay from time to time from the Trust Fund such amounts as the Secretary of Health and Human Services certifies are necessary to make the payments provided for by this part, and the payments with respect to administrative expenses in accordance with
(i) Payment of travel expenses for travel within United States; reconsideration interviews and proceedings before administrative law judges
There are authorized to be made available for expenditure out of the Trust Fund such amounts as are required to pay travel expenses, either on an actual cost or commuted basis, to parties, their representatives, and all reasonably necessary witnesses for travel within the United States (as defined in
(j) Loans from other Funds; interest; repayment; report to Congress
(1) If at any time prior to January 1988 the Managing Trustee determines that borrowing authorized under this subsection is appropriate in order to best meet the need for financing the benefit payments from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, the Managing Trustee may, subject to paragraph (5), borrow such amounts as he determines to be appropriate from either the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund or the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund for transfer to and deposit in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.
(2) In any case where a loan has been made to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under paragraph (1), there shall be transferred on the last day of each month after such loan is made, from such Trust Fund to the lending Trust Fund, the total interest accrued to such day with respect to the unrepaid balance of such loan at a rate equal to the rate which the lending Trust Fund would earn on the amount involved if the loan were an investment under subsection (c) of this section (even if such an investment would earn interest at a rate different than the rate earned by investments redeemed by the lending fund in order to make the loan).
(3)(A) If in any month after a loan has been made to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under paragraph (1), the Managing Trustee determines that the assets of such Trust Fund are sufficient to permit repayment of all or part of any loans made to such Fund under paragraph (1), he shall make such repayments as he determines to be appropriate.
(B)(i) If on the last day of any year after a loan has been made under paragraph (1) by the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund or the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, the Managing Trustee determines that the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund ratio exceeds 15 percent, he shall transfer from such Trust Fund to the lending trust fund an amount that—
(I) together with any amounts transferred to another lending trust fund under this paragraph for such year, will reduce the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund ratio to 15 percent; and
(II) does not exceed the outstanding balance of such loan.
(ii) Amounts required to be transferred under clause (i) shall be transferred on the last day of the first month of the year succeeding the year in which the determination described in clause (i) is made.
(iii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "Hospital Insurance Trust Fund ratio" means, with respect to any calendar year, the ratio of—
(I) the balance in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, as of the last day of such calendar year; to
(II) the amount estimated by the Secretary to be the total amount to be paid from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund during the calendar year following such calendar year (other than payments of interest on, and repayments of, loans from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund under paragraph (1)), and reducing the amount of any transfer to the Railroad Retirement Account by the amount of any transfers into such Trust Fund from the Railroad Retirement Account.
(C)(i) The full amount of all loans made under paragraph (1) (whether made before or after January 1, 1983) shall be repaid at the earliest feasible date and in any event no later than December 31, 1989.
(ii) For the period after December 31, 1987 and before January 1, 1990, the Managing Trustee shall transfer each month from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund to any Trust Fund that is owed any amount by the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund on a loan made under paragraph (1), an amount not less than an amount equal to (I) the amount owed to such Trust Fund by the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund at the beginning of such month (plus the interest accrued on the outstanding balance of such loan during such month), divided by (II) the number of months elapsing after the preceding month and before January 1990. The Managing Trustee may, during this period, transfer larger amounts than prescribed by the preceding sentence.
(4) The Board of Trustees shall make a timely report to the Congress of any amounts transferred (including interest payments) under this subsection.
(5)(A) No amounts may be loaned by the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund or the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund under paragraph (1) during any month if the OASDI trust fund ratio for such month is less than 10 percent.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "OASDI trust fund ratio" means, with respect to any month, the ratio of—
(i) the combined balance in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, reduced by the outstanding amount of any loan (including interest thereon) theretofore made to either such Trust Fund from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under
(ii) the amount obtained by multiplying by twelve the total amount which (as estimated by the Secretary) will be paid from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund during the month for which such ratio is to be determined for all purposes authorized by
(k) Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account
(1) Establishment
There is hereby established in the Trust Fund an expenditure account to be known as the "Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account" (in this subsection referred to as the "Account").
(2) Appropriated amounts to Trust Fund
(A) In general
There are hereby appropriated to the Trust Fund—
(i) such gifts and bequests as may be made as provided in subparagraph (B);
(ii) such amounts as may be deposited in the Trust Fund as provided in sections 242(b) and 249(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, and subchapter XI of this chapter; and
(iii) such amounts as are transferred to the Trust Fund under subparagraph (C).
(B) Authorization to accept gifts
The Trust Fund is authorized to accept on behalf of the United States money gifts and bequests made unconditionally to the Trust Fund, for the benefit of the Account or any activity financed through the Account.
(C) Transfer of amounts
The Managing Trustee shall transfer to the Trust Fund, under rules similar to the rules in section 9601 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, an amount equal to the sum of the following:
(i) Criminal fines recovered in cases involving a Federal health care offense (as defined in
(ii) Civil monetary penalties and assessments imposed in health care cases, including amounts recovered under this subchapter and subchapters XI and XIX of this chapter, and
(iii) Amounts resulting from the forfeiture of property by reason of a Federal health care offense.
(iv) Penalties and damages obtained and otherwise creditable to miscellaneous receipts of the general fund of the Treasury obtained under
(D) Application
Nothing in subparagraph (C)(iii) shall be construed to limit the availability of recoveries and forfeitures obtained under title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [
(3) Appropriated amounts to Account for fraud and abuse control program, etc.
(A) Departments of Health and Human Services and Justice
(i) In general
There are hereby appropriated to the Account from the Trust Fund such sums as the Secretary and the Attorney General certify are necessary to carry out the purposes described in subparagraph (C), to be available without further appropriation until expended, in an amount not to exceed—
(I) for fiscal year 1997, $104,000,000;
(II) for each of the fiscal years 1998 through 2003, the limit for the preceding fiscal year, increased by 15 percent;
(III) for each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006, the limit for fiscal year 2003; and
(IV) for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2006, the limit under this clause for the preceding fiscal year, increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) over the previous year.
(ii) Medicare and medicaid activities
For each fiscal year, of the amount appropriated in clause (i), the following amounts shall be available only for the purposes of the activities of the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services with respect to the programs under this subchapter and subchapter XIX of this chapter—
(I) for fiscal year 1997, not less than $60,000,000 and not more than $70,000,000;
(II) for fiscal year 1998, not less than $80,000,000 and not more than $90,000,000;
(III) for fiscal year 1999, not less than $90,000,000 and not more than $100,000,000;
(IV) for fiscal year 2000, not less than $110,000,000 and not more than $120,000,000;
(V) for fiscal year 2001, not less than $120,000,000 and not more than $130,000,000;
(VI) for fiscal year 2002, not less than $140,000,000 and not more than $150,000,000;
(VII) for each of fiscal years 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, not less than $150,000,000 and not more than $160,000,000;
(VIII) for fiscal year 2007, not less than $160,000,000, increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) over the previous year; and
(IX) for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2007, not less than the amount required under this clause for the preceding fiscal year, increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) over the previous year.
(B) Federal Bureau of Investigation
There are hereby appropriated from the general fund of the United States Treasury and hereby appropriated to the Account for transfer to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to carry out the purposes described in subparagraph (C), to be available without further appropriation until expended—
(i) for fiscal year 1997, $47,000,000;
(ii) for fiscal year 1998, $56,000,000;
(iii) for fiscal year 1999, $66,000,000;
(iv) for fiscal year 2000, $76,000,000;
(v) for fiscal year 2001, $88,000,000;
(vi) for fiscal year 2002, $101,000,000;
(vii) for each of fiscal years 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, $114,000,000; and
(viii) for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2006, the amount to be appropriated under this subparagraph for the preceding fiscal year, increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) over the previous year.
(C) Use of funds
The purposes described in this subparagraph are to cover the costs (including equipment, salaries and benefits, and travel and training) of the administration and operation of the health care fraud and abuse control program established under
(i) prosecuting health care matters (through criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings);
(ii) investigations;
(iii) financial and performance audits of health care programs and operations;
(iv) inspections and other evaluations; and
(v) provider and consumer education regarding compliance with the provisions of subchapter XI of this chapter.
(4) Appropriated amounts to Account for Medicare Integrity Program
(A) In general
There are hereby appropriated to the Account from the Trust Fund for each fiscal year such amounts as are necessary for activities described in paragraph (3)(C) and to carry out the Medicare Integrity Program under
(B) Amounts specified
Subject to subparagraph (C), the amount appropriated under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year is as follows:
(i) For fiscal year 1997, such amount shall be not less than $430,000,000 and not more than $440,000,000.
(ii) For fiscal year 1998, such amount shall be not less than $490,000,000 and not more than $500,000,000.
(iii) For fiscal year 1999, such amount shall be not less than $550,000,000 and not more than $560,000,000.
(iv) For fiscal year 2000, such amount shall be not less than $620,000,000 and not more than $630,000,000.
(v) For fiscal year 2001, such amount shall be not less than $670,000,000 and not more than $680,000,000.
(vi) For fiscal year 2002, such amount shall be not less than $690,000,000 and not more than $700,000,000.
(vii) For each fiscal year after fiscal year 2002, such amount shall be not less than $710,000,000 and not more than $720,000,000.
(C) Adjustments
The amount appropriated under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year is increased as follows:
(i) For fiscal year 2006, $100,000,000.
(ii) For each fiscal year after 2010, by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) over the previous year.
(D) Expansion of the Medicare-Medicaid Data Match Program
The amount appropriated under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year is further increased as follows for purposes of carrying out
(i) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.
(ii) $24,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
(iii) $36,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(iv) $48,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
(v) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and each fiscal year thereafter.
(5) Annual report
Not later than January 1, the Secretary and the Attorney General shall submit jointly a report to Congress which identifies—
(A) the amounts appropriated to the Trust Fund for the previous fiscal year under paragraph (2)(A) and the source of such amounts; and
(B) the amounts appropriated from the Trust Fund for such year under paragraph (3) and the justification for the expenditure of such amounts.
(6) GAO report
Not later than June 1, 1998, and January 1 of 2000, 2002, and 2004, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress which—
(A) identifies—
(i) the amounts appropriated to the Trust Fund for the previous two fiscal years under paragraph (2)(A) and the source of such amounts; and
(ii) the amounts appropriated from the Trust Fund for such fiscal years under paragraph (3) and the justification for the expenditure of such amounts;
(B) identifies any expenditures from the Trust Fund with respect to activities not involving the program under this subchapter;
(C) identifies any savings to the Trust Fund, and any other savings, resulting from expenditures from the Trust Fund; and
(D) analyzes such other aspects of the operation of the Trust Fund as the Comptroller General of the United States considers appropriate.
(7) Additional funding
In addition to the funds otherwise appropriated to the Account from the Trust Fund under paragraphs (3) and (4) and for purposes described in paragraphs (3)(C) and (4)(A), there are hereby appropriated an additional $10,000,000 to such Account from such Trust Fund for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2020. The funds appropriated under this paragraph shall be allocated in the same proportion as the total funding appropriated with respect to paragraphs (3)(A) and (4)(A) was allocated with respect to fiscal year 2010, and shall be available without further appropriation until expended.
(8) Additional funding
(A) In general
In addition to the funds otherwise appropriated to the Account from the Trust Fund under paragraphs (3)(C) and (4)(A) and for purposes described in paragraphs (3)(C) and (4)(A), there are hereby appropriated to such Account from such Trust Fund the following additional amounts:
(i) For fiscal year 2011, $95,000,000.
(ii) For fiscal year 2012, $55,000,000.
(iii) For each of fiscal years 2013 and 2014, $30,000,000.
(iv) For each of fiscal years 2015 and 2016, $20,000,000.
(B) Allocation
The funds appropriated under this paragraph shall be allocated in the same proportion as the total funding appropriated with respect to paragraphs (3)(A) and (4)(A) was allocated with respect to fiscal year 2010, and shall be available without further appropriation until expended.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1817, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1), (2), (f)(1), and (k)(2)(C), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. Subtitle F of such Code appears at
Section 801(a) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is section 801(a) of
Sections 242(b) and 249(b) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (k)(2)(A)(ii), are sections 242(b) and 249(b) of
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (k)(2)(D), is
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (k)(3)(A)(i)(III).
Subsec. (k)(3)(A)(i)(IV).
Subsec. (k)(3)(A)(i)(V).
Subsec. (k)(3)(A)(ii)(VIII).
Subsec. (k)(3)(A)(ii)(IX).
Subsec. (k)(3)(A)(ii)(X).
Subsec. (k)(3)(B)(vii).
Subsec. (k)(3)(B)(viii).
Subsec. (k)(3)(B)(ix).
Subsec. (k)(4)(A).
Subsec. (k)(4)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (k)(7).
Subsec. (k)(8).
2006—Subsec. (k)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (k)(3)(A)(ii)(VI) to (X).
Subsec. (k)(3)(B).
Subsec. (k)(4)(A).
Subsec. (k)(4)(B).
Subsec. (k)(4)(C).
Subsec. (k)(4)(D).
2003—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (k)(3)(A)(i)(I).
Subsec. (k)(3)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (k)(6)(B).
1999—Subsec. (k)(2)(C)(i).
1997—Subsec. (k)(6).
1996—Subsec. (k).
1994—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (f)(1).
1990—Subsec. (i).
1989—Subsec. (b).
1988—Subsec. (b).
1986—Subsec. (a)(1), (2).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (f)(1).
1984—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1), (2).
Subsec. (c).
Subsecs. (f)(1), (g), (h).
1983—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (j)(1).
Subsec. (j)(2).
Subsec. (j)(3)(A).
Subsec. (j)(5).
1981—Subsec. (j).
1980—Subsec. (i).
1978—Subsec. (b).
1972—Subsec. (a).
1968—Subsec. (b)(2).
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2337(b) of
Amendment by section 2354(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 2663(j)(2)(F)(i) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by section 141(b) of
Section 142(b)(2)(B) of
Amendment by sections 154(b) and 341(b) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by
Restoration of Medicare Trust Funds
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) issue to the Trust Fund obligations under
"(i) would have been issued to the Trust Fund if the clerical error involved had not occurred; or
"(ii) were issued to the Trust Fund and were redeemed by reason of the clerical error involved; and
"(B) redeem from the Trust Fund obligations that would have been redeemed from the Trust Fund if the clerical error involved had not occurred.
"(c)
"(d)
"(e)
"(1) the Secretary of the Treasury shall take the actions under subsection (b)(1); and
"(2) the appropriation under subsection (c) shall be made."
Inclusion in Annual Report of Medicare Trustees of Information on Status of Medicare Trust Funds
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) the information described in subsection (b); and
"(B) a determination as to whether there is projected to be excess general revenue medicare funding (as defined in subsection (c)) for the fiscal year in which the report is submitted or for any of the succeeding 6 fiscal years.
"(2)
"(3) 7-
"(b)
"(1)
"(A) Each fiscal year within the 7-fiscal-year reporting period.
"(B) Previous fiscal years and as of 10, 50, and 75 years after such year.
"(2)
"(A) The gross domestic product.
"(B) Private health costs.
"(C) National health expenditures.
"(D) Other appropriate measures.
"(3)
"(4)
"(c)
"(1)
"(A) general revenue medicare funding (as defined in paragraph (2)), expressed as a percentage of total medicare outlays (as defined in paragraph (4)) for the fiscal year; exceeds
"(B) 45 percent.
"(2)
"(A) the total medicare outlays (as defined in paragraph (4)) for the year; minus
"(B) the dedicated medicare financing sources (as defined in paragraph (3)) for the year.
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(D)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(iii)
Premiums under clauses (ii) and (iii) shall be determined without regard to any reduction in such premiums attributable to a beneficiary rebate under section 1854(b)(1)(C) of such title [
"(E)
"(4)
"(A) include payments made to plans under part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [part C of this subchapter] that are attributable to any rebates under section 1854(b)(1)(C) of such Act (
"(B) include administrative expenditures made in carrying out title XVIII of such Act [this subchapter] and Federal outlays under section 1935(b) of such Act [
"(C) offset outlays by the amount of fraud and abuse collections insofar as they are applied or deposited into a medicare trust fund.
"(5)
"(A) the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund established under section 1817 of the Social Security Act (
"(B) the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund established under section 1841 of such Act (
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(e)
Criminal Fines Deposited in Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund
Section 242(b) of
Property Forfeited Deposited in Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund
Section 249(c) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) the payment, at the discretion of the Attorney General, of any expenses necessary to seize, detain, inventory, safeguard, maintain, advertise, sell, or dispose of property under seizure, detention, or forfeited, or of any other necessary expenses incident to the seizure, detention, forfeiture, or disposal of such property, including payment for—
"(i) contract services;
"(ii) the employment of outside contractors to operate and manage properties or provide other specialized services necessary to dispose of such properties in an effort to maximize the return from such properties; and
"(iii) reimbursement of any Federal, State, or local agency for any expenditures made to perform the functions described in this subparagraph;
"(B) at the discretion of the Attorney General, the payment of awards for information or assistance leading to a civil or criminal forfeiture involving any Federal agency participating in the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account;
"(C) the compromise and payment of valid liens and mortgages against property that has been forfeited, subject to the discretion of the Attorney General to determine the validity of any such lien or mortgage and the amount of payment to be made, and the employment of attorneys and other personnel skilled in State real estate law as necessary;
"(D) payment authorized in connection with remission or mitigation procedures relating to property forfeited; and
"(E) the payment of State and local property taxes on forfeited real property that accrued between the date of the violation giving rise to the forfeiture and the date of the forfeiture order.
"(3)
Due Date for 1983 Report on Operation and Status of Trust Fund
Notwithstanding subsec. (b)(2) of this section, the annual report of the Board of Trustees of the Trust Fund required for calendar year 1983 under this section may be filed at any time not later than forty-five days after Apr. 20, 1983, see section 154(d) of
1 So in original. See 2003 Amendment note below.
§1395i–1. Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (established by
(1) payments made or to be made during such fiscal year from such Trust Fund under this part with respect to individuals who are qualified railroad retirement beneficiaries (as defined in
(2) the additional administrative expenses resulting or expected to result therefrom, and
(3) any loss of interest to such Trust Fund resulting from the payment of such amounts,
in order to place such Trust Fund in the same position at the end of such fiscal year in which it would have been if the individuals described in paragraph (1) had not been entitled to benefits under this part.
(
References in Text
The Railroad Retirement Act of 1937, referred to in text, is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812,
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Social Security Amendments of 1965 and also as part of the Health Insurance for the Aged Act, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Effective Date
Section 111(e) of
"(1) The amendments made by the preceding provisions of this section [enacting this section and
"(2) The requirement referred to in paragraph (1) shall be deemed to have been met with respect to any calendar year if, as of the October 1 immediately preceding such calendar year, the Railroad Retirement Tax Act [
§1395i–1a. Repealed. Pub. L. 101–234, title I, §102(a), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1980
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1817A, as added July 1, 1988,
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective Jan. 1, 1990, see section 102(d)(1) of
Adjustments for Interest Lost Due to Delay of Transfers to Reserve Fund During 1989
Section 112(b) of
§1395i–2. Hospital insurance benefits for uninsured elderly individuals not otherwise eligible
(a) Individuals eligible to enroll
Every individual who—
(1) has attained the age of 65,
(2) is enrolled under part B of this subchapter,
(3) is a resident of the United States, and is either (A) a citizen or (B) an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence who has resided in the United States continuously during the 5 years immediately preceding the month in which he applies for enrollment under this section, and
(4) is not otherwise entitled to benefits under this part,
shall be eligible to enroll in the insurance program established by this part. Except as otherwise provided, any reference to an individual entitled to benefits under this part includes an individual entitled to benefits under this part pursuant to an enrollment under this section or
(b) Time, manner, and form of enrollment
An individual may enroll under this section only in such manner and form as may be prescribed in regulations, and only during an enrollment period prescribed in or under this section.
(c) Period of enrollment; scope of coverage
The provisions of
(1) individuals who meet the conditions of subsection (a)(1), (3), and (4) of this section on or before the last day of the seventh month after October 1972 may enroll under this part and (if not already so enrolled) may also enroll under part B of this subchapter during an initial general enrollment period which shall begin on the first day of the second month which begins after October 30, 1972, and shall end on the last day of the tenth month after October 1972;
(2) in the case of an individual who first meets the conditions of eligibility under this section on or after the first day of the eighth month after October 1972, the initial enrollment period shall begin on the first day of the third month before the month in which he first becomes eligible and shall end 7 months later;
(3) in the case of an individual who enrolls pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, entitlement to benefits shall begin on—
(A) the first day of the second month after the month in which he enrolls,
(B) July 1, 1973, or
(C) the first day of the first month in which he meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section,
whichever is the latest;
(4) an individual's entitlement under this section shall terminate with the month before the first month in which he becomes eligible for hospital insurance benefits under
(5) termination of coverage for supplementary medical insurance shall result in simultaneous termination of hospital insurance benefits for uninsured individuals who are not otherwise entitled to benefits under this chapter;
(6) any percent increase effected under
(7) an individual who meets the conditions of subsection (a) of this section may enroll under this part during a special enrollment period that includes any month during any part of which the individual is enrolled under
(8) in the case of an individual who enrolls during a special enrollment period under paragraph (7)—
(A) in any month of the special enrollment period in which the individual is at any time enrolled under
(B) in any other month of the special enrollment period, the coverage period shall begin on the first day of the month following the month in which the individual so enrolls; and
(9) in applying the provisions of
(d) Monthly premiums
(1) The Secretary shall, during September of each year (beginning with 1988), estimate the monthly actuarial rate for months in the succeeding year. Such actuarial rate shall be one-twelfth of the amount which the Secretary estimates (on an average, per capita basis) is equal to 100 percent of the benefits and administrative costs which will be payable from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for services performed and related administrative costs incurred in the succeeding year with respect to individuals age 65 and over who will be entitled to benefits under this part during that year.
(2) The Secretary shall, during September of each year 1 determine and promulgate the dollar amount which shall be applicable for premiums for months occurring in the following year. Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), the amount of an individual's monthly premium under this section shall be equal to the monthly actuarial rate determined under paragraph (1) for that following year. Any amount determined under the preceding sentence which is not a multiple of $1 shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $1 (or, if it is a multiple of 50 cents but not a multiple of $1, to the next higher multiple of $1).
(3) Whenever the Secretary promulgates the dollar amount which shall be applicable as the monthly premium under this section, he shall, at the time such promulgation is announced, issue a public statement setting forth the actuarial assumptions and bases employed by him in arriving at the amount of an adequate actuarial rate for individuals 65 and older as provided in paragraph (1).
(4)(A) In the case of an individual described in subparagraph (B), the monthly premium for a month shall be reduced by the applicable reduction percent specified in the following table:
(B) An individual described in this subparagraph with respect to a month is an individual who establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that, as of the last day of the previous month, the individual—
(i) had at least 30 quarters of coverage under subchapter II of this chapter;
(ii) was married (and had been married for the previous 1-year period) to an individual who had at least 30 quarters of coverage under such subchapter;
(iii) had been married to an individual for a period of at least 1 year (at the time of such individual's death) if at such time the individual had at least 30 quarters of coverage under such subchapter; or
(iv) is divorced from an individual and had been married to the individual for a period of at least 10 years (at the time of the divorce) if at such time the individual had at least 30 quarters of coverage under such subchapter.
(5)(A) The amount of the monthly premium shall be zero in the case of an individual who is a person described in subparagraph (B) for a month, if—
(i) the individual's premium under this section for the month is not (and will not be) paid for, in whole or in part, by a State (under subchapter XIX of this chapter or otherwise), a political subdivision of a State, or an agency or instrumentality of one or more States or political subdivisions thereof; and
(ii) in each of 84 months before such month, the individual was enrolled in this part under this section and the payment of the individual's premium under this section for the month was not paid for, in whole or in part, by a State (under subchapter XIX of this chapter or otherwise), a political subdivision of a State, or an agency or instrumentality of one or more States or political subdivisions thereof.
(B) A person described in this subparagraph for a month is a person who establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that, as of the last day of the previous month—
(i)(I) the person was receiving cash benefits under a qualified State or local government retirement system (as defined in subparagraph (C)) on the basis of the person's employment in one or more positions covered under any such system, and (II) the person would have at least 40 quarters of coverage under subchapter II of this chapter if remuneration for medicare qualified government employment (as defined in paragraph (1) of
(ii)(I) the person was married (and had been married for the previous 1-year period) to an individual who is described in clause (i), or (II) the person met the requirement of clause (i)(II) and was married (and had been married for the previous 1-year period) to an individual described in clause (i)(I);
(iii) the person had been married to an individual for a period of at least 1 year (at the time of such individual's death) if (I) the individual was described in clause (i) at the time of the individual's death, or (II) the person met the requirement of clause (i)(II) and the individual was described in clause (i)(I) at the time of the individual's death; or
(iv) the person is divorced from an individual and had been married to the individual for a period of at least 10 years (at the time of the divorce) if (I) the individual was described in clause (i) at the time of the divorce, or (II) the person met the requirement of clause (i)(II) and the individual was described in clause (i)(I) at the time of the divorce.
(C) For purposes of subparagraph (B)(i)(I), the term "qualified State or local government retirement system" means a retirement system that—
(i) is established or maintained by a State or political subdivision thereof, or an agency or instrumentality of one or more States or political subdivisions thereof;
(ii) covers positions of some or all employees of such a State, subdivision, agency, or instrumentality; and
(iii) does not adjust cash retirement benefits based on eligibility for a reduction in premium under this paragraph.
(6)(A) In the case where a State, a political subdivision of a State, or an agency or instrumentality of a State or political subdivision thereof determines to pay, for the life of each individual, the monthly premiums due under paragraph (1) on behalf of each of the individuals in a qualified State or local government retiree group who meets the conditions of subsection (a) of this section, the amount of any increase otherwise applicable under
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "qualified State or local government retiree group" means all of the individuals who retire prior to a specified date that is before January 1, 2002, from employment in one or more occupations or other broad classes of employees of—
(i) the State;
(ii) a political subdivision of the State; or
(iii) an agency or instrumentality of the State or political subdivision of the State.
(e) Contract or other arrangement for payment of monthly premiums
Payment of the monthly premiums on behalf of any individual who meets the conditions of subsection (a) of this section may be made by any public or private agency or organization under a contract or other arrangement entered into between it and the Secretary if the Secretary determines that payment of such premiums under such contract or arrangement is administratively feasible.
(f) Deposit of amounts into Treasury
Amounts paid to the Secretary for coverage under this section shall be deposited in the Treasury to the credit of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.
(g) Buy-in under this part for qualified medicare beneficiaries
(1) The Secretary shall, at the request of a State made after 1989, enter into a modification of an agreement entered into with the State pursuant to
(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the provisions of subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f) of
(B) For purposes of this subsection,
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1818, as added
References in Text
Part B of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2), (c)(1), and (g)(2)(A), is classified to
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (d)(6)(A), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (d)(6)(A).
Subsec. (g)(2)(B).
2000—Subsec. (c)(6).
Subsec. (d)(6).
1997—Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (d)(5).
1993—Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (d)(4).
1990—Subsec. (c)(7) to (9).
Subsec. (g)(2)(B).
1989—
Subsec. (g).
1988—Subsec. (c)(4) to (7).
Subsec. (d).
"(1) The monthly premium of each individual for each month in his coverage period before July 1974 shall be $33.
"(2) The Secretary shall, during the next to last calendar quarter of each year determine and promulgate the dollar amount (whether or not such dollar amount was applicable for premiums for any prior month) which shall be applicable for premiums for months occurring in the following calendar year. Such amount shall be equal to $33, multiplied by the ratio of (A) the inpatient hospital deductible for that following calendar year, as promulgated under
Subsec. (d)(1).
1987—Subsec. (c)(4) to (7).
1986—Subsec. (c)(7).
1984—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2).
1983—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 4453(b) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13508(b) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4008(g)(2) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by section 6012(a)(1) of
Section 6013(c) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 103 of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 9124(b) of
"(1) The amendment made by subsection (a)(3) [amending this section] shall apply to premiums paid for months beginning with July 1986.
"(2) In applying that amendment, months (before, during, or after April 1986) in which an individual was required to pay a premium increased under the section that was so amended shall be taken into account in determining the month in which the premium will no longer be subject to an increase under that section as so amended."
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 2315(e) of
Amendment by section 2354(b)(3), (4) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment; Transitional Rule
Amendment by
Special Enrollment Provisions for Merchant Seamen
"(a) Any individual who—
"(1) was entitled to medical, surgical, and dental treatment and hospitalization under section 322(a) of the Public Health Service Act [
"(2) as of September 30, 1981, was eligible under section 1818(a) or section 1836 of the Social Security Act [this section or
may enroll (if not otherwise enrolled) in the respective program during the period beginning on the first day of the first month beginning at least 20 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 3, 1982] and ending on December 31, 1982.
"(b)(1) The coverage period under the respective program of an individual who enrolls under subsection (a) shall begin—
"(A) on the first day of the month following the month in which the individual enrolls, or
"(B) on October 1, 1981, if the individual files a request for this subparagraph to apply and pays the monthly premiums for the months so covered.
"(2) The coverage period under the respective program of an individual described in subsection (a) who enrolled in the respective program before the enrollment period described in that subsection shall be retroactively extended to October 1, 1981, if the individual files a request before January 1, 1983, for such retroactive extension and pays the monthly premiums for the months so covered.
"(c)(1) For purposes of section 1839(d) of the Social Security Act [
"(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to an individual—
"(A) if the individual has enrolled in the insurance program before March 10, 1981, unless the enrollment was terminated solely because the individual lost eligibility to be so enrolled, or
"(B) unless the individual applies for the benefit of such paragraph before January 1, 1983.
"(d)(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services, beginning as soon as possible but not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 3, 1982], shall provide for the dissemination of information—
"(A) to unions and other associations representing or assisting seamen,
"(B) to offices enrolling individuals under the respective programs, and
"(C) to such other entities and in such a manner as will effectively inform individuals eligible for benefits under this section,
concerning the special benefits provided under this section.
"(2) An individual may establish that the individual was entitled at a date to medical, surgical, and dental treatment and hospitalization under section 322(a) of the Public Health Service Act [
"(A) documentation relating to the status under which the individual was provided care in (or under arrangements with) a Public Health Service facility on that date,
"(B) the individual's seamen's papers covering that date, or
"(C) such other reasonable documentation as the Secretary may require."
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
§1395i–2a. Hospital insurance benefits for disabled individuals who have exhausted other entitlement
(a) Eligibility
Every individual who—
(1) has not attained the age of 65;
(2)(A) has been entitled to benefits under this part under
(B)(i) continues to have the disabling physical or mental impairment on the basis of which the individual was found to be under a disability or to be a disabled qualified railroad retirement beneficiary, or (ii) is blind (within the meaning of
(C) whose entitlement under
(3) is not otherwise entitled to benefits under this part,
shall be eligible to enroll in the insurance program established by this part.
(b) Enrollment
(1) An individual may enroll under this section only in such manner and form as may be prescribed in regulations, and only during an enrollment period prescribed in or under this section.
(2) The individual's initial enrollment period shall begin with the month in which the individual receives notice that the individual's entitlement to benefits under
(3) There shall be a general enrollment period during the period beginning on January 1 and ending on March 31 of each year (beginning with 1990).
(c) Coverage period
(1) The period (in this subsection referred to as a "coverage period") during which an individual is entitled to benefits under the insurance program under this part shall begin on whichever of the following is the latest:
(A) In the case of an individual who enrolls under subsection (b)(2) of this section before the month in which the individual first satisfies subsection (a) of this section, the first day of such month.
(B) In the case of an individual who enrolls under subsection (b)(2) of this section in the month in which the individual first satisfies subsection (a) of this section, the first day of the month following the month in which the individual so enrolls.
(C) In the case of an individual who enrolls under subsection (b)(2) of this section in the month following the month in which the individual first satisfies subsection (a) of this section, the first day of the second month following the month in which the individual so enrolls.
(D) In the case of an individual who enrolls under subsection (b)(2) of this section more than one month following the month in which the individual first satisfies subsection (a) of this section, the first day of the third month following the month in which the individual so enrolls.
(E) In the case of an individual who enrolls under subsection (b)(3) of this section, the July 1 following the month in which the individual so enrolls.
(2) An individual's coverage period under this section shall continue until the individual's enrollment is terminated as follows:
(A) As of the month following the month in which the Secretary provides notice to the individual that the individual no longer meets the condition described in subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section.
(B) As of the month following the month in which the individual files notice that the individual no longer wishes to participate in the insurance program established by this part.
(C) As of the month before the first month in which the individual becomes eligible for hospital insurance benefits under
(D) As of a date, determined under regulations of the Secretary, for nonpayment of premiums.
The regulations under subparagraph (D) may provide a grace period of not longer than 90 days, which may be extended to not to exceed 180 days in any case where the Secretary determines that there was good cause for failure to pay the overdue premiums within such 90-day period. Termination of coverage under this section shall result in simultaneous termination of any coverage affected under any other part of this subchapter.
(3) The provisions of subsections (h) and (i) of
(d) Payment of premiums
(1)(A) Premiums for enrollment under this section shall be paid to the Secretary at such times, and in such manner, as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe, and shall be deposited in the Treasury to the credit of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.
(B)(i) Subject to clause (ii), such premiums shall be payable for the period commencing with the first month of an individual's coverage period and ending with the month in which the individual dies or, if earlier, in which the individual's coverage period terminates.
(ii) Such premiums shall not be payable for any month in which the individual is eligible for benefits under this part pursuant to
(2) The provisions of subsections (d) through (f) of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1818A, as added
Amendments
1990—Subsec. (d)(1)(A).
Subsec. (d)(1)(C).
Effective Date
Section 6012(b) of
§1395i–3. Requirements for, and assuring quality of care in, skilled nursing facilities
(a) "Skilled nursing facility" defined
In this subchapter, the term "skilled nursing facility" means an institution (or a distinct part of an institution) which—
(1) is primarily engaged in providing to residents—
(A) skilled nursing care and related services for residents who require medical or nursing care, or
(B) rehabilitation services for the rehabilitation of injured, disabled, or sick persons,
and is not primarily for the care and treatment of mental diseases;
(2) has in effect a transfer agreement (meeting the requirements of
(3) meets the requirements for a skilled nursing facility described in subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section.
(b) Requirements relating to provision of services
(1) Quality of life
(A) In general
A skilled nursing facility must care for its residents in such a manner and in such an environment as will promote maintenance or enhancement of the quality of life of each resident.
(B) Quality assessment and assurance
A skilled nursing facility must maintain a quality assessment and assurance committee, consisting of the director of nursing services, a physician designated by the facility, and at least 3 other members of the facility's staff, which (i) meets at least quarterly to identify issues with respect to which quality assessment and assurance activities are necessary and (ii) develops and implements appropriate plans of action to correct identified quality deficiencies. A State or the Secretary may not require disclosure of the records of such committee except insofar as such disclosure is related to the compliance of such committee with the requirements of this subparagraph.
(2) Scope of services and activities under plan of care
A skilled nursing facility must provide services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident, in accordance with a written plan of care which—
(A) describes the medical, nursing, and psychosocial needs of the resident and how such needs will be met;
(B) is initially prepared, with the participation to the extent practicable of the resident or the resident's family or legal representative, by a team which includes the resident's attending physician and a registered professional nurse with responsibility for the resident; and
(C) is periodically reviewed and revised by such team after each assessment under paragraph (3).
(3) Residents' assessment
(A) Requirement
A skilled nursing facility must conduct a comprehensive, accurate, standardized, reproducible assessment of each resident's functional capacity, which assessment—
(i) describes the resident's capability to perform daily life functions and significant impairments in functional capacity;
(ii) is based on a uniform minimum data set specified by the Secretary under subsection (f)(6)(A) of this section;
(iii) uses an instrument which is specified by the State under subsection (e)(5) of this section; and
(iv) includes the identification of medical problems.
(B) Certification
(i) In general
Each such assessment must be conducted or coordinated (with the appropriate participation of health professionals) by a registered professional nurse who signs and certifies the completion of the assessment. Each individual who completes a portion of such an assessment shall sign and certify as to the accuracy of that portion of the assessment.
(ii) Penalty for falsification
(I) An individual who willfully and knowingly certifies under clause (i) a material and false statement in a resident assessment is subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $1,000 with respect to each assessment.
(II) An individual who willfully and knowingly causes another individual to certify under clause (i) a material and false statement in a resident assessment is subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $5,000 with respect to each assessment.
(III) The provisions of
(iii) Use of independent assessors
If a State determines, under a survey under subsection (g) of this section or otherwise, that there has been a knowing and willful certification of false assessments under this paragraph, the State may require (for a period specified by the State) that resident assessments under this paragraph be conducted and certified by individuals who are independent of the facility and who are approved by the State.
(C) Frequency
(i) In general
Subject to the timeframes prescribed by the Secretary under
(I) promptly upon (but no later than 14 days after the date of) admission for each individual admitted on or after October 1, 1990, and by not later than January 1, 1991, for each resident of the facility on that date;
(II) promptly after a significant change in the resident's physical or mental condition; and
(III) in no case less often than once every 12 months.
(ii) Resident review
The skilled nursing facility must examine each resident no less frequently than once every 3 months and, as appropriate, revise the resident's assessment to assure the continuing accuracy of the assessment.
(D) Use
The results of such an assessment shall be used in developing, reviewing, and revising the resident's plan of care under paragraph (2).
(E) Coordination
Such assessments shall be coordinated with any State-required preadmission screening program to the maximum extent practicable in order to avoid duplicative testing and effort.
(4) Provision of services and activities
(A) In general
To the extent needed to fulfill all plans of care described in paragraph (2), a skilled nursing facility must provide, directly or under arrangements (or, with respect to dental services, under agreements) with others for the provision of—
(i) nursing services and specialized rehabilitative services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident;
(ii) medically-related social services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident;
(iii) pharmaceutical services (including procedures that assure the accurate acquiring, receiving, dispensing, and administering of all drugs and biologicals) to meet the needs of each resident;
(iv) dietary services that assure that the meals meet the daily nutritional and special dietary needs of each resident;
(v) an on-going program, directed by a qualified professional, of activities designed to meet the interests and the physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident;
(vi) routine and emergency dental services to meet the needs of each resident; and
(vii) treatment and services required by mentally ill and mentally retarded residents not otherwise provided or arranged for (or required to be provided or arranged for) by the State.
The services provided or arranged by the facility must meet professional standards of quality. Nothing in clause (vi) shall be construed as requiring a facility to provide or arrange for dental services described in that clause without additional charge.
(B) Qualified persons providing services
Services described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and (vi) of subparagraph (A) must be provided by qualified persons in accordance with each resident's written plan of care.
(C) Required nursing care
(i) In general
Except as provided in clause (ii), a skilled nursing facility must provide 24-hour licensed nursing service which is sufficient to meet nursing needs of its residents and must use the services of a registered professional nurse at least 8 consecutive hours a day, 7 days a week.
(ii) Exception
To the extent that clause (i) may be deemed to require that a skilled nursing facility engage the services of a registered professional nurse for more than 40 hours a week, the Secretary is authorized to waive such requirement if the Secretary finds that—
(I) the facility is located in a rural area and the supply of skilled nursing facility services in such area is not sufficient to meet the needs of individuals residing therein,
(II) the facility has one full-time registered professional nurse who is regularly on duty at such facility 40 hours a week,
(III) the facility either has only patients whose physicians have indicated (through physicians' orders or admission notes) that each such patient does not require the services of a registered nurse or a physician for a 48-hour period, or has made arrangements for a registered professional nurse or a physician to spend such time at such facility as may be indicated as necessary by the physician to provide necessary skilled nursing services on days when the regular full-time registered professional nurse is not on duty,
(IV) the Secretary provides notice of the waiver to the State long-term care ombudsman (established under section 307(a)(12) 1 of the Older Americans Act of 1965) and the protection and advocacy system in the State for the mentally ill and the mentally retarded, and
(V) the facility that is granted such a waiver notifies residents of the facility (or, where appropriate, the guardians or legal representatives of such residents) and members of their immediate families of the waiver.
A waiver under this subparagraph shall be subject to annual renewal.
(5) Required training of nurse aides
(A) In general
(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), a skilled nursing facility must not use on a full-time basis any individual as a nurse aide in the facility on or after October 1, 1990 for more than 4 months unless the individual—
(I) has completed a training and competency evaluation program, or a competency evaluation program, approved by the State under subsection (e)(1)(A) of this section, and
(II) is competent to provide nursing or nursing-related services.
(ii) A skilled nursing facility must not use on a temporary, per diem, leased, or on any basis other than as a permanent employee any individual as a nurse aide in the facility on or after January 1, 1991, unless the individual meets the requirements described in clause (i).
(B) Offering competency evaluation programs for current employees
A skilled nursing facility must provide, for individuals used as a nurse aide 2 by the facility as of January 1, 1990, for a competency evaluation program approved by the State under subsection (e)(1) of this section and such preparation as may be necessary for the individual to complete such a program by October 1, 1990.
(C) Competency
The skilled nursing facility must not permit an individual, other than in a training and competency evaluation program approved by the State, to serve as a nurse aide or provide services of a type for which the individual has not demonstrated competency and must not use such an individual as a nurse aide unless the facility has inquired of any State registry established under subsection (e)(2)(A) of this section that the facility believes will include information concerning the individual.
(D) Re-training required
For purposes of subparagraph (A), if, since an individual's most recent completion of a training and competency evaluation program, there has been a continuous period of 24 consecutive months during none of which the individual performed nursing or nursing-related services for monetary compensation, such individual shall complete a new training and competency evaluation program or a new competency evaluation program.
(E) Regular in-service education
The skilled nursing facility must provide such regular performance review and regular in-service education as assures that individuals used as nurse aides are competent to perform services as nurse aides, including training for individuals providing nursing and nursing-related services to residents with cognitive impairments.
(F) "Nurse aide" defined
In this paragraph, the term "nurse aide" means any individual providing nursing or nursing-related services to residents in a skilled nursing facility, but does not include an individual—
(i) who is a licensed health professional (as defined in subparagraph (G)) or a registered dietician, or
(ii) who volunteers to provide such services without monetary compensation.
Such term includes an individual who provides such services through an agency or under a contract with the facility.
(G) "Licensed health professional" defined
In this paragraph, the term "licensed health professional" means a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, physical, speech, or occupational therapist, physical or occupational therapy assistant, registered professional nurse, licensed practical nurse, licensed or certified social worker, registered respiratory therapist, or certified respiratory therapy technician.
(6) Physician supervision and clinical records
A skilled nursing facility must—
(A) require that the medical care of every resident be provided under the supervision of a physician;
(B) provide for having a physician available to furnish necessary medical care in case of emergency; and
(C) maintain clinical records on all residents, which records include the plans of care (described in paragraph (2)) and the residents' assessments (described in paragraph (3)).
(7) Required social services
In the case of a skilled nursing facility with more than 120 beds, the facility must have at least one social worker (with at least a bachelor's degree in social work or similar professional qualifications) employed full-time to provide or assure the provision of social services.
(8) Information on nurse staffing
(A) In general
A skilled nursing facility shall post daily for each shift the current number of licensed and unlicensed nursing staff directly responsible for resident care in the facility. The information shall be displayed in a uniform manner (as specified by the Secretary) and in a clearly visible place.
(B) Publication of data
A skilled nursing facility shall, upon request, make available to the public the nursing staff data described in subparagraph (A).
(c) Requirements relating to residents' rights
(1) General rights
(A) Specified rights
A skilled nursing facility must protect and promote the rights of each resident, including each of the following rights:
(i) Free choice
The right to choose a personal attending physician, to be fully informed in advance about care and treatment, to be fully informed in advance of any changes in care or treatment that may affect the resident's well-being, and (except with respect to a resident adjudged incompetent) to participate in planning care and treatment or changes in care and treatment.
(ii) Free from restraints
The right to be free from physical or mental abuse, corporal punishment, involuntary seclusion, and any physical or chemical restraints imposed for purposes of discipline or convenience and not required to treat the resident's medical symptoms. Restraints may only be imposed—
(I) to ensure the physical safety of the resident or other residents, and
(II) only upon the written order of a physician that specifies the duration and circumstances under which the restraints are to be used (except in emergency circumstances specified by the Secretary until such an order could reasonably be obtained).
(iii) Privacy
The right to privacy with regard to accommodations, medical treatment, written and telephonic communications, visits, and meetings of family and of resident groups.
(iv) Confidentiality
The right to confidentiality of personal and clinical records and to access to current clinical records of the resident upon request by the resident or the resident's legal representative, within 24 hours (excluding hours occurring during a weekend or holiday) after making such a request.
(v) Accommodation of needs
The right—
(I) to reside and receive services with reasonable accommodation of individual needs and preferences, except where the health or safety of the individual or other residents would be endangered, and
(II) to receive notice before the room or roommate of the resident in the facility is changed.
(vi) Grievances
The right to voice grievances with respect to treatment or care that is (or fails to be) furnished, without discrimination or reprisal for voicing the grievances and the right to prompt efforts by the facility to resolve grievances the resident may have, including those with respect to the behavior of other residents.
(vii) Participation in resident and family groups
The right of the resident to organize and participate in resident groups in the facility and the right of the resident's family to meet in the facility with the families of other residents in the facility.
(viii) Participation in other activities
The right of the resident to participate in social, religious, and community activities that do not interfere with the rights of other residents in the facility.
(ix) Examination of survey results
The right to examine, upon reasonable request, the results of the most recent survey of the facility conducted by the Secretary or a State with respect to the facility and any plan of correction in effect with respect to the facility.
(x) Refusal of certain transfers
The right to refuse a transfer to another room within the facility, if a purpose of the transfer is to relocate the resident from a portion of the facility that is a skilled nursing facility (for purposes of this subchapter) to a portion of the facility that is not such a skilled nursing facility.
(xi) Other rights
Any other right established by the Secretary.
Clause (iii) shall not be construed as requiring the provision of a private room. A resident's exercise of a right to refuse transfer under clause (x) shall not affect the resident's eligibility or entitlement to benefits under this subchapter or to medical assistance under subchapter XIX of this chapter.
(B) Notice of rights and services
A skilled nursing facility must—
(i) inform each resident, orally and in writing at the time of admission to the facility, of the resident's legal rights during the stay at the facility;
(ii) make available to each resident, upon reasonable request, a written statement of such rights (which statement is updated upon changes in such rights) including the notice (if any) of the State developed under
(iii) inform each other resident, in writing before or at the time of admission and periodically during the resident's stay, of services available in the facility and of related charges for such services, including any charges for services not covered under this subchapter or by the facility's basic per diem charge.
The written description of legal rights under this subparagraph shall include a description of the protection of personal funds under paragraph (6) and a statement that a resident may file a complaint with a State survey and certification agency respecting resident abuse and neglect and misappropriation of resident property in the facility.
(C) Rights of incompetent residents
In the case of a resident adjudged incompetent under the laws of a State, the rights of the resident under this subchapter shall devolve upon, and, to the extent judged necessary by a court of competent jurisdiction, be exercised by, the person appointed under State law to act on the resident's behalf.
(D) Use of psychopharmacologic drugs
Psychopharmacologic drugs may be administered only on the orders of a physician and only as part of a plan (included in the written plan of care described in paragraph (2)) designed to eliminate or modify the symptoms for which the drugs are prescribed and only if, at least annually, an independent, external consultant reviews the appropriateness of the drug plan of each resident receiving such drugs. In determining whether such a consultant is qualified to conduct reviews under the preceding sentence, the Secretary shall take into account the needs of nursing facilities under this subchapter to have access to the services of such a consultant on a timely basis.
(E) Information respecting advance directives
A skilled nursing facility must comply with the requirement of
(2) Transfer and discharge rights
(A) In general
A skilled nursing facility must permit each resident to remain in the facility and must not transfer or discharge the resident from the facility unless—
(i) the transfer or discharge is necessary to meet the resident's welfare and the resident's welfare cannot be met in the facility;
(ii) the transfer or discharge is appropriate because the resident's health has improved sufficiently so the resident no longer needs the services provided by the facility;
(iii) the safety of individuals in the facility is endangered;
(iv) the health of individuals in the facility would otherwise be endangered;
(v) the resident has failed, after reasonable and appropriate notice, to pay (or to have paid under this subchapter or subchapter XIX of this chapter on the resident's behalf) for a stay at the facility; or
(vi) the facility ceases to operate.
In each of the cases described in clauses (i) through (v), the basis for the transfer or discharge must be documented in the resident's clinical record. In the cases described in clauses (i) and (ii), the documentation must be made by the resident's physician, and in the cases described in clauses (iii) and (iv) the documentation must be made by a physician.
(B) Pre-transfer and pre-discharge notice
(i) In general
Before effecting a transfer or discharge of a resident, a skilled nursing facility must—
(I) notify the resident (and, if known, a family member of the resident or legal representative) of the transfer or discharge and the reasons therefor,
(II) record the reasons in the resident's clinical record (including any documentation required under subparagraph (A)), and
(III) include in the notice the items described in clause (iii).
(ii) Timing of notice
The notice under clause (i)(I) must be made at least 30 days in advance of the resident's transfer or discharge except—
(I) in a case described in clause (iii) or (iv) of subparagraph (A);
(II) in a case described in clause (ii) of subparagraph (A), where the resident's health improves sufficiently to allow a more immediate transfer or discharge;
(III) in a case described in clause (i) of subparagraph (A), where a more immediate transfer or discharge is necessitated by the resident's urgent medical needs; or
(IV) in a case where a resident has not resided in the facility for 30 days.
In the case of such exceptions, notice must be given as many days before the date of the transfer or discharge as is practicable.
(iii) Items included in notice
Each notice under clause (i) must include—
(I) for transfers or discharges effected on or after October 1, 1990, notice of the resident's right to appeal the transfer or discharge under the State process established under subsection (e)(3) of this section; and
(II) the name, mailing address, and telephone number of the State long-term care ombudsman (established under title III or VII of the Older Americans Act of 1965 [
(C) Orientation
A skilled nursing facility must provide sufficient preparation and orientation to residents to ensure safe and orderly transfer or discharge from the facility.
(3) Access and visitation rights
A skilled nursing facility must—
(A) permit immediate access to any resident by any representative of the Secretary, by any representative of the State, by an ombudsman described in paragraph (2)(B)(iii)(II), or by the resident's individual physician;
(B) permit immediate access to a resident, subject to the resident's right to deny or withdraw consent at any time, by immediate family or other relatives of the resident;
(C) permit immediate access to a resident, subject to reasonable restrictions and the resident's right to deny or withdraw consent at any time, by others who are visiting with the consent of the resident;
(D) permit reasonable access to a resident by any entity or individual that provides health, social, legal, or other services to the resident, subject to the resident's right to deny or withdraw consent at any time; and
(E) permit representatives of the State ombudsman (described in paragraph (2)(B)(iii)(II)), with the permission of the resident (or the resident's legal representative) and consistent with State law, to examine a resident's clinical records.
(4) Equal access to quality care
A skilled nursing facility must establish and maintain identical policies and practices regarding transfer, discharge, and covered services under this subchapter for all individuals regardless of source of payment.
(5) Admissions policy
(A) Admissions
With respect to admissions practices, a skilled nursing facility must—
(i)(I) not require individuals applying to reside or residing in the facility to waive their rights to benefits under this subchapter or under a State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter, (II) not require oral or written assurance that such individuals are not eligible for, or will not apply for, benefits under this subchapter or such a State plan, and (III) prominently display in the facility and provide to such individuals written information about how to apply for and use such benefits and how to receive refunds for previous payments covered by such benefits; and
(ii) not require a third party guarantee of payment to the facility as a condition of admission (or expedited admission) to, or continued stay in, the facility.
(B) Construction
(i) No preemption of stricter standards
Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed as preventing States or political subdivisions therein from prohibiting, under State or local law, the discrimination against individuals who are entitled to medical assistance under this subchapter with respect to admissions practices of skilled nursing facilities.
(ii) Contracts with legal representatives
Subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not be construed as preventing a facility from requiring an individual, who has legal access to a resident's income or resources available to pay for care in the facility, to sign a contract (without incurring personal financial liability) to provide payment from the resident's income or resources for such care.
(6) Protection of resident funds
(A) In general
The skilled nursing facility—
(i) may not require residents to deposit their personal funds with the facility, and
(ii) upon the written authorization of the resident, must hold, safeguard, and account for such personal funds under a system established and maintained by the facility in accordance with this paragraph.
(B) Management of personal funds
Upon written authorization of a resident under subparagraph (A)(ii), the facility must manage and account for the personal funds of the resident deposited with the facility as follows:
(i) Deposit
The facility must deposit any amount of personal funds in excess of $100 with respect to a resident in an interest bearing account (or accounts) that is separate from any of the facility's operating accounts and credits 3 all interest earned on such separate account to such account. With respect to any other personal funds, the facility must maintain such funds in a non-interest bearing account or petty cash fund.
(ii) Accounting and records
The facility must assure a full and complete separate accounting of each such resident's personal funds, maintain a written record of all financial transactions involving the personal funds of a resident deposited with the facility, and afford the resident (or a legal representative of the resident) reasonable access to such record.
(iii) Conveyance upon death
Upon the death of a resident with such an account, the facility must convey promptly the resident's personal funds (and a final accounting of such funds) to the individual administering the resident's estate.
(C) Assurance of financial security
The facility must purchase a surety bond, or otherwise provide assurance satisfactory to the Secretary, to assure the security of all personal funds of residents deposited with the facility.
(D) Limitation on charges to personal funds
The facility may not impose a charge against the personal funds of a resident for any item or service for which payment is made under this subchapter or subchapter XIX of this chapter.
(d) Requirements relating to administration and other matters
(1) Administration
(A) In general
A skilled nursing facility must be administered in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident (consistent with requirements established under subsection (f)(5) of this section).
(B) Required notices
If a change occurs in—
(i) the persons with an ownership or control interest (as defined in
(ii) the persons who are officers, directors, agents, or managing employees (as defined in
(iii) the corporation, association, or other company responsible for the management of the facility, or
(iv) the individual who is the administrator or director of nursing of the facility,
the skilled nursing facility must provide notice to the State agency responsible for the licensing of the facility, at the time of the change, of the change and of the identity of each new person, company, or individual described in the respective clause.
(C) Skilled nursing facility administrator
The administrator of a skilled nursing facility must meet standards established by the Secretary under subsection (f)(4) of this section.
(2) Licensing and Life Safety Code
(A) Licensing
A skilled nursing facility must be licensed under applicable State and local law.
(B) Life Safety Code
A skilled nursing facility must meet such provisions of such edition (as specified by the Secretary in regulation) of the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association as are applicable to nursing homes; except that—
(i) the Secretary may waive, for such periods as he deems appropriate, specific provisions of such Code which if rigidly applied would result in unreasonable hardship upon a facility, but only if such waiver would not adversely affect the health and safety of residents or personnel, and
(ii) the provisions of such Code shall not apply in any State if the Secretary finds that in such State there is in effect a fire and safety code, imposed by State law, which adequately protects residents of and personnel in skilled nursing facilities.
(3) Sanitary and infection control and physical environment
A skilled nursing facility must—
(A) establish and maintain an infection control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment in which residents reside and to help prevent the development and transmission of disease and infection, and
(B) be designed, constructed, equipped, and maintained in a manner to protect the health and safety of residents, personnel, and the general public.
(4) Miscellaneous
(A) Compliance with Federal, State, and local laws and professional standards
A skilled nursing facility must operate and provide services in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations (including the requirements of
(B) Other
A skilled nursing facility must meet such other requirements relating to the health, safety, and well-being of residents or relating to the physical facilities thereof as the Secretary may find necessary.
(e) State requirements relating to skilled nursing facility requirements
The requirements, referred to in
(1) Specification and review of nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs and of nurse aide competency evaluation programs
The State must—
(A) by not later than January 1, 1989, specify those training and competency evaluation programs, and those competency evaluation programs, that the State approves for purposes of subsection (b)(5) of this section and that meet the requirements established under subsection (f)(2) of this section, and
(B) by not later than January 1, 1990, provide for the review and reapproval of such programs, at a frequency and using a methodology consistent with the requirements established under subsection (f)(2)(A)(iii) of this section.
The failure of the Secretary to establish requirements under subsection (f)(2) of this section shall not relieve any State of its responsibility under this paragraph.
(2) Nurse aide registry
(A) In general
By not later than January 1, 1989, the State shall establish and maintain a registry of all individuals who have satisfactorily completed a nurse aide training and competency evaluation program, or a nurse aide competency evaluation program, approved under paragraph (1) in the State, or any individual described in subsection (f)(2)(B)(ii) of this section or in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of section 6901(b)(4) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989.
(B) Information in registry
The registry under subparagraph (A) shall provide (in accordance with regulations of the Secretary) for the inclusion of specific documented findings by a State under subsection (g)(1)(C) of this section of resident neglect or abuse or misappropriation of resident property involving an individual listed in the registry, as well as any brief statement of the individual disputing the findings, but shall not include any allegations of resident abuse or neglect or misappropriation of resident property that are not specifically documented by the State under such subsection. The State shall make available to the public information in the registry. In the case of inquiries to the registry concerning an individual listed in the registry, any information disclosed concerning such a finding shall also include disclosure of any such statement in the registry relating to the finding or a clear and accurate summary of such a statement.
(C) Prohibition against charges
A State may not impose any charges on a nurse aide relating to the registry established and maintained under subparagraph (A).
(3) State appeals process for transfers and discharges
The State, for transfers and discharges from skilled nursing facilities effected on or after October 1, 1989, must provide for a fair mechanism for hearing appeals on transfers and discharges of residents of such facilities. Such mechanism must meet the guidelines established by the Secretary under subsection (f)(3) of this section; but the failure of the Secretary to establish such guidelines shall not relieve any State of its responsibility to provide for such a fair mechanism.
(4) Skilled nursing facility administrator standards
By not later than January 1, 1990, the State must have implemented and enforced the skilled nursing facility administrator standards developed under subsection (f)(4) of this section respecting the qualification of administrators of skilled nursing facilities.
(5) Specification of resident assessment instrument
Effective July 1, 1990, the State shall specify the instrument to be used by nursing facilities in the State in complying with the requirement of subsection (b)(3)(A)(iii) of this section. Such instrument shall be—
(A) one of the instruments designated under subsection (f)(6)(B) of this section, or
(B) an instrument which the Secretary has approved as being consistent with the minimum data set of core elements, common definitions, and utilization guidelines specified by the Secretary under subsection (f)(6)(A) of this section.
(f) Responsibilities of Secretary relating to skilled nursing facility requirements
(1) General responsibility
It is the duty and responsibility of the Secretary to assure that requirements which govern the provision of care in skilled nursing facilities under this subchapter, and the enforcement of such requirements, are adequate to protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of residents and to promote the effective and efficient use of public moneys.
(2) Requirements for nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs and for nurse aide competency evaluation programs
(A) In general
For purposes of subsections (b)(5) and (e)(1)(A) of this section, the Secretary shall establish, by not later than September 1, 1988—
(i) requirements for the approval of nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs, including requirements relating to (I) the areas to be covered in such a program (including at least basic nursing skills, personal care skills, recognition of mental health and social service needs, care of cognitively impaired residents, basic restorative services, and residents' rights) and content of the curriculum (including, in the case of initial training and, if the Secretary determines appropriate, in the case of ongoing training, dementia management training, and patient abuse prevention training,4 (II) minimum hours of initial and ongoing training and retraining (including not less than 75 hours in the case of initial training), (III) qualifications of instructors, and (IV) procedures for determination of competency;
(ii) requirements for the approval of nurse aide competency evaluation programs, including requirement relating to the areas to be covered in such a program, including at least basic nursing skills, personal care skills, recognition of mental health and social service needs, care of cognitively impaired residents, basic restorative services, residents' rights, and procedures for determination of competency;
(iii) requirements respecting the minimum frequency and methodology to be used by a State in reviewing such programs' compliance with the requirements for such programs; and
(iv) requirements, under both such programs, that—
(I) provide procedures for determining competency that permit a nurse aide, at the nurse aide's option, to establish competency through procedures or methods other than the passing of a written examination and to have the competency evaluation conducted at the nursing facility at which the aide is (or will be) employed (unless the facility is described in subparagraph (B)(iii)(I)),
(II) prohibit the imposition on a nurse aide who is employed by (or who has received an offer of employment from) a facility on the date on which the aide begins either such program of any charges (including any charges for textbooks and other required course materials and any charges for the competency evaluation) for either such program, and
(III) in the case of a nurse aide not described in subclause (II) who is employed by (or who has received an offer of employment from) a facility not later than 12 months after completing either such program, the State shall provide for the reimbursement of costs incurred in completing such program on a prorata 5 basis during the period in which the nurse aide is so employed.
(B) Approval of certain programs
Such requirements—
(i) may permit approval of programs offered by or in facilities (subject to clause (iii)), as well as outside facilities (including employee organizations), and of programs in effect on December 22, 1987;
(ii) shall permit a State to find that an individual who has completed (before July 1, 1989) a nurse aide training and competency evaluation program shall be deemed to have completed such a program approved under subsection (b)(5) of this section if the State determines that, at the time the program was offered, the program met the requirements for approval under such paragraph; and
(iii) subject to subparagraphs (C) and (D), shall prohibit approval of such a program—
(I) offered by or in a skilled nursing facility which, within the previous 2 years—
(a) has operated under a waiver under subsection (b)(4)(C)(ii)(II) of this section;
(b) has been subject to an extended (or partial extended) survey under subsection (g)(2)(B)(i) of this section or
(c) has been assessed a civil money penalty described in subsection (h)(2)(B)(ii) of this section or
(II) offered by or in a skilled nursing facility unless the State makes the determination, upon an individual's completion of the program, that the individual is competent to provide nursing and nursing-related services in skilled nursing facilities.
A State may not delegate (through subcontract or otherwise) its responsibility under clause (iii)(II) to the skilled nursing facility.
(C) Waiver authorized
Clause (iii)(I) of subparagraph (B) shall not apply to a program offered in (but not by) a nursing facility (or skilled nursing facility for purposes of this subchapter) in a State if the State—
(i) determines that there is no other such program offered within a reasonable distance of the facility,
(ii) assures, through an oversight effort, that an adequate environment exists for operating the program in the facility, and
(iii) provides notice of such determination and assurances to the State long-term care ombudsman.
(D) Waiver of disapproval of nurse-aide training programs
Upon application of a nursing facility, the Secretary may waive the application of subparagraph (B)(iii)(I)(c) if the imposition of the civil monetary penalty was not related to the quality of care provided to residents of the facility. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as eliminating any requirement upon a facility to pay a civil monetary penalty described in the preceding sentence.
(3) Federal guidelines for State appeals process for transfers and discharges
For purposes of subsections (c)(2)(B)(iii)(I) and (e)(3) of this section, by not later than October 1, 1988, the Secretary shall establish guidelines for minimum standards which State appeals processes under subsection (e)(3) of this section must meet to provide a fair mechanism for hearing appeals on transfers and discharges of residents from skilled nursing facilities.
(4) Secretarial standards for qualification of administrators
For purposes of subsections (d)(1)(C) and (e)(4) of this section, the Secretary shall develop, by not later than March 1, 1989, standards to be applied in assuring the qualifications of administrators of skilled nursing facilities.
(5) Criteria for administration
The Secretary shall establish criteria for assessing a skilled nursing facility's compliance with the requirement of subsection (d)(1) of this section with respect to—
(A) its governing body and management,
(B) agreements with hospitals regarding transfers of residents to and from the hospitals and to and from other skilled nursing facilities,
(C) disaster preparedness,
(D) direction of medical care by a physician,
(E) laboratory and radiological services,
(F) clinical records, and
(G) resident and advocate participation.
(6) Specification of resident assessment data set and instruments
The Secretary shall—
(A) not later than January 1, 1989, specify a minimum data set of core elements and common definitions for use by nursing facilities in conducting the assessments required under subsection (b)(3) of this section, and establish guidelines for utilization of the data set; and
(B) by not later than April 1, 1990, designate one or more instruments which are consistent with the specification made under subparagraph (A) and which a State may specify under subsection (e)(5)(A) of this section for use by nursing facilities in complying with the requirements of subsection (b)(3)(A)(iii) of this section.
(7) List of items and services furnished in skilled nursing facilities not chargeable to the personal funds of a resident
(A) Regulations required
Pursuant to the requirement of section 21(b) of the Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud and Abuse Amendments of 1977, the Secretary shall issue regulations, on or before the first day of the seventh month to begin after December 22, 1987, that define those costs which may be charged to the personal funds of residents in skilled nursing facilities who are individuals receiving benefits under this part and those costs which are to be included in the reasonable cost (or other payment amount) under this subchapter for extended care services.
(B) Rule if failure to publish regulations
If the Secretary does not issue the regulations under subparagraph (A) on or before the date required in such subparagraph, in the case of a resident of a skilled nursing facility who is eligible to receive benefits under this part, the costs which may not be charged to the personal funds of such resident (and for which payment is considered to be made under this subchapter) shall include, at a minimum, the costs for routine personal hygiene items and services furnished by the facility.
(8) Special focus facility program
(A) In general
The Secretary shall conduct a special focus facility program for enforcement of requirements for skilled nursing facilities that the Secretary has identified as having substantially failed to meet applicable requirement of this chapter.
(B) Periodic surveys
Under such program the Secretary shall conduct surveys of each facility in the program not less than once every 6 months.
(g) Survey and certification process
(1) State and Federal responsibility
(A) In general
Pursuant to an agreement under
(B) Educational program
Each State shall conduct periodic educational programs for the staff and residents (and their representatives) of skilled nursing facilities in order to present current regulations, procedures, and policies under this section.
(C) Investigation of allegations of resident neglect and abuse and misappropriation of resident property
The State shall provide, through the agency responsible for surveys and certification of nursing facilities under this subsection, for a process for the receipt and timely review and investigation of allegations of neglect and abuse and misappropriation of resident property by a nurse aide of a resident in a nursing facility or by another individual used by the facility in providing services to such a resident. The State shall, after providing the individual involved with a written notice of the allegations (including a statement of the availability of a hearing for the individual to rebut the allegations) and the opportunity for a hearing on the record, make a written finding as to the accuracy of the allegations. If the State finds that a nurse aide has neglected or abused a resident or misappropriated resident property in a facility, the State shall notify the nurse aide and the registry of such finding. If the State finds that any other individual used by the facility has neglected or abused a resident or misappropriated resident property in a facility, the State shall notify the appropriate licensure authority. A State shall not make a finding that an individual has neglected a resident if the individual demonstrates that such neglect was caused by factors beyond the control of the individual.
(D) Removal of name from nurse aide registry
(i) In general
In the case of a finding of neglect under subparagraph (C), the State shall establish a procedure to permit a nurse aide to petition the State to have his or her name removed from the registry upon a determination by the State that—
(I) the employment and personal history of the nurse aide does not reflect a pattern of abusive behavior or neglect; and
(II) the neglect involved in the original finding was a singular occurrence.
(ii) Timing of determination
In no case shall a determination on a petition submitted under clause (i) be made prior to the expiration of the 1-year period beginning on the date on which the name of the petitioner was added to the registry under subparagraph (C).
(E) Construction
The failure of the Secretary to issue regulations to carry out this subsection shall not relieve a State of its responsibility under this subsection.
(2) Surveys
(A) Standard survey
(i) In general
Each skilled nursing facility shall be subject to a standard survey, to be conducted without any prior notice to the facility. Any individual who notifies (or causes to be notified) a skilled nursing facility of the time or date on which such a survey is scheduled to be conducted is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $2,000. The provisions of
(ii) Contents
Each standard survey shall include, for a case-mix stratified sample of residents—
(I) a survey of the quality of care furnished, as measured by indicators of medical, nursing, and rehabilitative care, dietary and nutrition services, activities and social participation, and sanitation, infection control, and the physical environment,
(II) written plans of care provided under subsection (b)(2) of this section and an audit of the residents' assessments under subsection (b)(3) of this section to determine the accuracy of such assessments and the adequacy of such plans of care, and
(III) a review of compliance with residents' rights under subsection (c) of this section.
(iii) Frequency
(I) In general
Each skilled nursing facility shall be subject to a standard survey not later than 15 months after the date of the previous standard survey conducted under this subparagraph. The Statewide average interval between standard surveys of skilled nursing facilities under this subsection shall not exceed 12 months.
(II) Special surveys
If not otherwise conducted under subclause (I), a standard survey (or an abbreviated standard survey) may be conducted within 2 months of any change of ownership, administration, management of a skilled nursing facility, or the director of nursing in order to determine whether the change has resulted in any decline in the quality of care furnished in the facility.
(B) Extended surveys
(i) In general
Each skilled nursing facility which is found, under a standard survey, to have provided substandard quality of care shall be subject to an extended survey. Any other facility may, at the Secretary's or State's discretion, be subject to such an extended survey (or a partial extended survey).
(ii) Timing
The extended survey shall be conducted immediately after the standard survey (or, if not practicable, not later than 2 weeks after the date of completion of the standard survey).
(iii) Contents
In such an extended survey, the survey team shall review and identify the policies and procedures which produced such substandard quality of care and shall determine whether the facility has complied with all the requirements described in subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section. Such review shall include an expansion of the size of the sample of residents' assessments reviewed and a review of the staffing, of in-service training, and, if appropriate, of contracts with consultants.
(iv) Construction
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring an extended or partial extended survey as a prerequisite to imposing a sanction against a facility under subsection (h) of this section on the basis of findings in a standard survey.
(C) Survey protocol
Standard and extended surveys shall be conducted—
(i) based upon a protocol which the Secretary has developed, tested, and validated by not later than January 1, 1990, and
(ii) by individuals, of a survey team, who meet such minimum qualifications as the Secretary establishes by not later than such date.
The failure of the Secretary to develop, test, or validate such protocols or to establish such minimum qualifications shall not relieve any State of its responsibility (or the Secretary of the Secretary's responsibility) to conduct surveys under this subsection.
(D) Consistency of surveys
Each State and the Secretary shall implement programs to measure and reduce inconsistency in the application of survey results among surveyors.
(E) Survey teams
(i) In general
Surveys under this subsection shall be conducted by a multidisciplinary team of professionals (including a registered professional nurse).
(ii) Prohibition of conflicts of interest
A State may not use as a member of a survey team under this subsection an individual who is serving (or has served within the previous 2 years) as a member of the staff of, or as a consultant to, the facility surveyed respecting compliance with the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, or who has a personal or familial financial interest in the facility being surveyed.
(iii) Training
The Secretary shall provide for the comprehensive training of State and Federal surveyors in the conduct of standard and extended surveys under this subsection, including the auditing of resident assessments and plans of care. No individual shall serve as a member of a survey team unless the individual has successfully completed a training and testing program in survey and certification techniques that has been approved by the Secretary.
(3) Validation surveys
(A) In general
The Secretary shall conduct onsite surveys of a representative sample of skilled nursing facilities in each State, within 2 months of the date of surveys conducted under paragraph (2) by the State, in a sufficient number to allow inferences about the adequacies of each State's surveys conducted under paragraph (2). In conducting such surveys, the Secretary shall use the same survey protocols as the State is required to use under paragraph (2). If the State has determined that an individual skilled nursing facility meets the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, but the Secretary determines that the facility does not meet such requirements, the Secretary's determination as to the facility's noncompliance with such requirements is binding and supersedes that of the State survey.
(B) Scope
With respect to each State, the Secretary shall conduct surveys under subparagraph (A) each year with respect to at least 5 percent of the number of skilled nursing facilities surveyed by the State in the year, but in no case less than 5 skilled nursing facilities in the State.
(C) Remedies for substandard performance
If the Secretary finds, on the basis of such surveys, that a State has failed to perform surveys as required under paragraph (2) or that a State's survey and certification performance otherwise is not adequate, the Secretary shall provide for an appropriate remedy, which may include the training of survey teams in the State.
(D) Special surveys of compliance
Where the Secretary has reason to question the compliance of a skilled nursing facility with any of the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, the Secretary may conduct a survey of the facility and, on the basis of that survey, make independent and binding determinations concerning the extent to which the skilled nursing facility meets such requirements.
(4) Investigation of complaints and monitoring compliance
Each State shall maintain procedures and adequate staff to—
(A) investigate complaints of violations of requirements by skilled nursing facilities, and
(B) monitor, on-site, on a regular, as needed basis, a skilled nursing facility's compliance with the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, if—
(i) the facility has been found not to be in compliance with such requirements and is in the process of correcting deficiencies to achieve such compliance;
(ii) the facility was previously found not to be in compliance with such requirements, has corrected deficiencies to achieve such compliance, and verification of continued compliance is indicated; or
(iii) the State has reason to question the compliance of the facility with such requirements.
A State may maintain and utilize a specialized team (including an attorney, an auditor, and appropriate health care professionals) for the purpose of identifying, surveying, gathering and preserving evidence, and carrying out appropriate enforcement actions against substandard skilled nursing facilities.
(5) Disclosure of results of inspections and activities
(A) Public information
Each State, and the Secretary, shall make available to the public—
(i) information respecting all surveys and certifications made respecting skilled nursing facilities, including statements of deficiencies, within 14 calendar days after such information is made available to those facilities, and approved plans of correction,
(ii) copies of cost reports of such facilities filed under this subchapter or subchapter XIX of this chapter,
(iii) copies of statements of ownership under
(iv) information disclosed under
(B) Notice to ombudsman
Each State shall notify the State long-term care ombudsman (established under title III or VII of the Older Americans Act of 1965 [
(C) Notice to physicians and skilled nursing facility administrator licensing board
If a State finds that a skilled nursing facility has provided substandard quality of care, the State shall notify—
(i) the attending physician of each resident with respect to which such finding is made, and
(ii) the State board responsible for the licensing of the skilled nursing facility administrator at the facility.
(D) Access to fraud control units
Each State shall provide its State medicaid fraud and abuse control unit (established under
(E) Submission of survey and certification information to the Secretary
In order to improve the timeliness of information made available to the public under subparagraph (A) and provided on the Nursing Home Compare Medicare website under subsection (i), each State shall submit information respecting any survey or certification made respecting a skilled nursing facility (including any enforcement actions taken by the State) to the Secretary not later than the date on which the State sends such information to the facility. The Secretary shall use the information submitted under the preceding sentence to update the information provided on the Nursing Home Compare Medicare website as expeditiously as practicable but not less frequently than quarterly.
(h) Enforcement process
(1) In general
If a State finds, on the basis of a standard, extended, or partial extended survey under subsection (g)(2) of this section or otherwise, that a skilled nursing facility no longer meets a requirement of subsection (b), (c), or (d) of this section, and further finds that the facility's deficiencies—
(A) immediately jeopardize the health or safety of its residents, the State shall recommend to the Secretary that the Secretary take such action as described in paragraph (2)(A)(i); or
(B) do not immediately jeopardize the health or safety of its residents, the State may recommend to the Secretary that the Secretary take such action as described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii).
If a State finds that a skilled nursing facility meets the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, but, as of a previous period, did not meet such requirements, the State may recommend a civil money penalty under paragraph (2)(B)(ii) for the days in which it finds that the facility was not in compliance with such requirements.
(2) Secretarial authority
(A) In general
With respect to any skilled nursing facility in a State, if the Secretary finds, or pursuant to a recommendation of the State under paragraph (1) finds, that a skilled nursing facility no longer meets a requirement of subsection (b), (c), (d), or (e) of this section, and further finds that the facility's deficiencies—
(i) immediately jeopardize the health or safety of its residents, the Secretary shall take immediate action to remove the jeopardy and correct the deficiencies through the remedy specified in subparagraph (B)(iii), or terminate the facility's participation under this subchapter and may provide, in addition, for one or more of the other remedies described in subparagraph (B); or
(ii) do not immediately jeopardize the health or safety of its residents, the Secretary may impose any of the remedies described in subparagraph (B).
Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as restricting the remedies available to the Secretary to remedy a skilled nursing facility's deficiencies. If the Secretary finds, or pursuant to the recommendation of the State under paragraph (1) finds, that a skilled nursing facility meets such requirements but, as of a previous period, did not meet such requirements, the Secretary may provide for a civil money penalty under subparagraph (B)(ii) for the days on which he finds that the facility was not in compliance with such requirements.
(B) Specified remedies
The Secretary may take the following actions with respect to a finding that a facility has not met an applicable requirement:
(i) Denial of payment
The Secretary may deny any further payments under this subchapter with respect to all individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter in the facility or with respect to such individuals admitted to the facility after the effective date of the finding.
(ii) Authority with respect to civil money penalties
(I) In general
Subject to subclause (II), the Secretary may impose a civil money penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for each day of noncompliance. The provisions of
(II) Reduction of civil money penalties in certain circumstances
Subject to subclause (III), in the case where a facility self-reports and promptly corrects a deficiency for which a penalty was imposed under this clause not later than 10 calendar days after the date of such imposition, the Secretary may reduce the amount of the penalty imposed by not more than 50 percent.
(III) Prohibitions on reduction for certain deficiencies
(aa) Repeat deficiencies
The Secretary may not reduce the amount of a penalty under subclause (II) if the Secretary had reduced a penalty imposed on the facility in the preceding year under such subclause with respect to a repeat deficiency.
(bb) Certain other deficiencies
The Secretary may not reduce the amount of a penalty under subclause (II) if the penalty is imposed on the facility for a deficiency that is found to result in a pattern of harm or widespread harm, immediately jeopardizes the health or safety of a resident or residents of the facility, or results in the death of a resident of the facility.
(IV) Collection of civil money penalties
In the case of a civil money penalty imposed under this clause, the Secretary shall issue regulations that—
(aa) subject to item (cc), not later than 30 days after the imposition of the penalty, provide for the facility to have the opportunity to participate in an independent informal dispute resolution process which generates a written record prior to the collection of such penalty;
(bb) in the case where the penalty is imposed for each day of noncompliance, provide that a penalty may not be imposed for any day during the period beginning on the initial day of the imposition of the penalty and ending on the day on which the informal dispute resolution process under item (aa) is completed;
(cc) may provide for the collection of such civil money penalty and the placement of such amounts collected in an escrow account under the direction of the Secretary on the earlier of the date on which the informal dispute resolution process under item (aa) is completed or the date that is 90 days after the date of the imposition of the penalty;
(dd) may provide that such amounts collected are kept in such account pending the resolution of any subsequent appeals;
(ee) in the case where the facility successfully appeals the penalty, may provide for the return of such amounts collected (plus interest) to the facility; and
(ff) in the case where all such appeals are unsuccessful, may provide that some portion of such amounts collected may be used to support activities that benefit residents, including assistance to support and protect residents of a facility that closes (voluntarily or involuntarily) or is decertified (including offsetting costs of relocating residents to home and community-based settings or another facility), projects that support resident and family councils and other consumer involvement in assuring quality care in facilities, and facility improvement initiatives approved by the Secretary (including joint training of facility staff and surveyors, technical assistance for facilities implementing quality assurance programs, the appointment of temporary management firms, and other activities approved by the Secretary).
(iii) Appointment of temporary management
In consultation with the State, the Secretary may appoint temporary management to oversee the operation of the facility and to assure the health and safety of the facility's residents, where there is a need for temporary management while—
(I) there is an orderly closure of the facility, or
(II) improvements are made in order to bring the facility into compliance with all the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section.
The temporary management under this clause shall not be terminated under subclause (II) until the Secretary has determined that the facility has the management capability to ensure continued compliance with all the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section.
The Secretary shall specify criteria, as to when and how each of such remedies is to be applied, the amounts of any fines, and the severity of each of these remedies, to be used in the imposition of such remedies. Such criteria shall be designed so as to minimize the time between the identification of violations and final imposition of the remedies and shall provide for the imposition of incrementally more severe fines for repeated or uncorrected deficiencies. In addition, the Secretary may provide for other specified remedies, such as directed plans of correction.
(C) Continuation of payments pending remediation
The Secretary may continue payments, over a period of not longer than 6 months after the effective date of the findings, under this subchapter with respect to a skilled nursing facility not in compliance with a requirement of subsection (b), (c), or (d) of this section, if—
(i) the State survey agency finds that it is more appropriate to take alternative action to assure compliance of the facility with the requirements than to terminate the certification of the facility,
(ii) the State has submitted a plan and timetable for corrective action to the Secretary for approval and the Secretary approves the plan of corrective action, and
(iii) the facility agrees to repay to the Federal Government payments received under this subparagraph if the corrective action is not taken in accordance with the approved plan and timetable.
The Secretary shall establish guidelines for approval of corrective actions requested by States under this subparagraph.
(D) Assuring prompt compliance
If a skilled nursing facility has not complied with any of the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, within 3 months after the date the facility is found to be out of compliance with such requirements, the Secretary shall impose the remedy described in subparagraph (B)(i) for all individuals who are admitted to the facility after such date.
(E) Repeated noncompliance
In the case of a skilled nursing facility which, on 3 consecutive standard surveys conducted under subsection (g)(2) of this section, has been found to have provided substandard quality of care, the Secretary shall (regardless of what other remedies are provided)—
(i) impose the remedy described in subparagraph (B)(i), and
(ii) monitor the facility under subsection (g)(4)(B) of this section,
until the facility has demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that it is in compliance with the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, and that it will remain in compliance with such requirements.
(3) Effective period of denial of payment
A finding to deny payment under this subsection shall terminate when the Secretary finds that the facility is in substantial compliance with all the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section.
(4) Immediate termination of participation for facility where Secretary finds noncompliance and immediate jeopardy
If the Secretary finds that a skilled nursing facility has not met a requirement of subsection (b), (c), or (d) of this section, and finds that the failure immediately jeopardizes the health or safety of its residents, the Secretary shall take immediate action to remove the jeopardy and correct the deficiencies through the remedy specified in paragraph (2)(B)(iii), or the Secretary, subject to
(5) Construction
The remedies provided under this subsection are in addition to those otherwise available under State or Federal law and shall not be construed as limiting such other remedies, including any remedy available to an individual at common law. The remedies described in clauses (i), (ii)(IV), and (iii) of paragraph (2)(B) may be imposed during the pendency of any hearing.
(6) Sharing of information
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all information concerning skilled nursing facilities required by this section to be filed with the Secretary or a State agency shall be made available by such facilities to Federal or State employees for purposes consistent with the effective administration of programs established under this subchapter and subchapter XIX of this chapter, including investigations by State medicaid fraud control units.
(i) Nursing Home Compare website
(1) Inclusion of additional information
(A) In general
The Secretary shall ensure that the Department of Health and Human Services includes, as part of the information provided for comparison of nursing homes on the official Internet website of the Federal Government for Medicare beneficiaries (commonly referred to as the "Nursing Home Compare" Medicare website) (or a successor website), the following information in a manner that is prominent, updated on a timely basis, easily accessible, readily understandable to consumers of long-term care services, and searchable:
(i) Staffing data for each facility (including resident census data and data on the hours of care provided per resident per day) based on data submitted under
(I) concise explanations of how to interpret the data (such as a plain English explanation of data reflecting "nursing home staff hours per resident day");
(II) differences in types of staff (such as training associated with different categories of staff);
(III) the relationship between nurse staffing levels and quality of care; and
(IV) an explanation that appropriate staffing levels vary based on patient case mix.
(ii) Links to State Internet websites with information regarding State survey and certification programs, links to Form 2567 State inspection reports (or a successor form) on such websites, information to guide consumers in how to interpret and understand such reports, and the facility plan of correction or other response to such report. Any such links shall be posted on a timely basis.
(iii) The standardized complaint form developed under
(iv) Summary information on the number, type, severity, and outcome of substantiated complaints.
(v) The number of adjudicated instances of criminal violations by a facility or the employees of a facility—
(I) that were committed inside the facility;
(II) with respect to such instances of violations or crimes committed inside of the facility that were the violations or crimes of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, criminal sexual abuse, or other violations or crimes that resulted in serious bodily injury; and
(III) 6 the number of civil monetary penalties levied against the facility, employees, contractors, and other agents.
(B) Deadline for provision of information
(i) In general
Except as provided in clause (ii), the Secretary shall ensure that the information described in subparagraph (A) is included on such website (or a successor website) not later than 1 year after March 23, 2010.
(ii) Exception
The Secretary shall ensure that the information described in subparagraph (A)(i) is included on such website (or a successor website) not later than the date on which the requirements under
(2) Review and modification of website
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish a process—
(i) to review the accuracy, clarity of presentation, timeliness, and comprehensiveness of information reported on such website as of the day before March 23, 2010; and
(ii) not later than 1 year after March 23, 2010, to modify or revamp such website in accordance with the review conducted under clause (i).
(B) Consultation
In conducting the review under subparagraph (A)(i), the Secretary shall consult with—
(i) State long-term care ombudsman programs;
(ii) consumer advocacy groups;
(iii) provider stakeholder groups; and
(iv) any other representatives of programs or groups the Secretary determines appropriate.
(j) Construction
Where requirements or obligations under this section are identical to those provided under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1819, as added and amended
Amendment of Subsection (d)(1)
(C) Availability of survey, certification, and complaint investigation reports
A skilled nursing facility must—
(i) have reports with respect to any surveys, certifications, and complaint investigations made respecting the facility during the 3 preceding years available for any individual to review upon request; and
(ii) post notice of the availability of such reports in areas of the facility that are prominent and accessible to the public.
The facility shall not make available under clause (i) identifying information about complainants or residents.
References in Text
The Older Americans Act of 1965, referred to in subsecs. (b)(4)(C)(ii)(IV), (c)(2)(B)(iii)(II), and (g)(5)(B), is
Subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) of section 6901(b)(4) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 [
Section 21(b) of the Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud and Abuse Amendments of 1977, referred to in subsec. (f)(7)(A), probably means section 21(b) of the Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud and Abuse Amendments,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(5)(F).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(i)(I).
Subsec. (f)(8).
Subsec. (g)(5)(E).
Subsec. (h)(2)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(4).
Subsec. (h)(5).
Subsecs. (i), (j).
2003—Subsec. (b)(4)(C)(i).
Subsec. (d)(1)(A).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (f)(2)(D).
2000–Subsec. (b)(8).
1997—Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(i).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (f)(2)(C).
Subsec. (g)(1)(D), (E).
1994—Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(i)(I).
Subsec. (b)(5)(D).
Subsec. (b)(5)(G).
Subsec. (c)(1)(D).
Subsec. (c)(6)(B)(i).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B)(iii)(I)(b).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B)(iii)(I)(c).
Subsec. (g)(1)(C).
Subsec. (g)(5)(B).
1992—Subsecs. (c)(2)(B)(iii)(II), (g)(5)(B).
1990—Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(i)(I).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(vii).
Subsec. (b)(4)(C)(ii)(IV), (V).
Subsec. (b)(5)(A).
Subsec. (b)(5)(C).
Subsec. (b)(5)(D).
Subsec. (b)(5)(F)(i).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(x), (xi).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(1)(E).
Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2)(C).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B)(iii)(I).
Subsec. (g)(1)(C).
Subsec. (g)(5)(A)(i).
Subsec. (g)(5)(B).
1989—Subsec. (b)(5)(A).
Subsec. (b)(5)(B).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(v)(I).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(i)(I).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (h)(2)(C).
1988—Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(i)(I).
Subsec. (b)(4)(C)(i).
Subsec. (b)(5)(A).
Subsec. (b)(5)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(5)(G).
Subsec. (c)(1)(D).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(v).
Subsec. (c)(6).
Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(i)(I).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(6)(A).
Subsec. (f)(6)(B).
Subsec. (f)(7)(A).
Subsec. (f)(7)(B).
Subsec. (g)(1)(C).
Subsec. (g)(1)(D).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (g)(2)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (g)(2)(C)(i).
Subsec. (g)(3)(D).
Subsec. (g)(4).
Subsec. (h)(2)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(5).
Subsec. (h)(6).
1987—Subsecs. (g) to (i).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by section 6113(b) of
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 4432(d) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 106(c)(1)(B) of
Section 106(c)(2)(B) of
Section 106(c)(3)(B) of
Section 106(c)(4)(C) of
Section 106(d)(7) of
Effective Date of 1992 Amendment
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4008(h)(1)(F)(ii) of
"(I) The amendments made by clause (i) [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 [
"(aa) had its participation terminated under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] or under the State plan under title XIX of such Act [subchapter XIX of this chapter];
"(bb) was subject to a denial of payment under either such title;
"(cc) was assessed a civil money penalty not less than $5,000 for deficiencies in skilled nursing facility standards;
"(dd) operated under a temporary management appointed to oversee the operation of the facility and to ensure the health and safety of the facility's residents; or
"(ee) pursuant to State action, was closed or had its residents transferred.
"(II) Notwithstanding subclause (I) and subject to section 1819(f)(2)(B)(iii)(I) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f)(2)(B)(iii)(I) of this section] (as amended by clause (i)), a State may approve a training and competency evaluation program or a competency evaluation program offered by or in a skilled nursing facility described in subclause (I) if, during the previous 2 years, item (aa), (bb), (cc), (dd), or (ee) of subclause (I) did not apply to the facility."
Section 4008(h)(1)(H) of
Section 4008(h)(2)(P) of
Section 4206(e)(1) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 6901(b)(6) of
"(A)
"(B)
Section 6901(d)(6) of
"(A)
"(B)
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date
Section 4204 of title IV of
"(a)
"(b)
"(2) In applying the amendments made by section 4203 of this Act for services furnished by a skilled nursing facility before October 1, 1990, any reference to a requirement of subsection (b), (c), or (d), of section 1819 of the Social Security Act is deemed a reference to the provisions of section 1861(j) of such Act [
"(c)
Guidance to States on Form 2567 State Inspection Reports and Complaint Investigation Reports
"(1)
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
Development of Consumer Rights Information Page on Nursing Home Compare Website
"(1) The documentation on nursing facilities that is available to the public.
"(2) General information and tips on choosing a nursing facility that meets the needs of the individual.
"(3) General information on consumer rights with respect to nursing facilities.
"(4) The nursing facility survey process (on a national and State-specific basis).
"(5) On a State-specific basis, the services available through the State long-term care ombudsman for such State."
National Demonstration Projects on Culture Change and Use of Information Technology in Nursing Homes
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(e)
"(f)
Review and Report on Current Standards of Practice for Pharmacy Services Provided to Patients in Nursing Facilities
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) assess the current standards of practice, clinical services, and other service requirements generally used for pharmacy services in long-term care settings; and
"(ii) evaluate the impact of those standards with respect to patient safety, reduction of medication errors and quality of care.
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) a description of the plans of the Secretary to implement the provisions of this Act [see Tables for classification] in a manner consistent with applicable State and Federal laws designed to protect the safety and quality of care of nursing facility patients; and
"(ii) recommendations regarding necessary actions and appropriate reimbursement to ensure the provision of prescription drugs to medicare beneficiaries residing in nursing facilities in a manner consistent with existing patient safety and quality of care standards under applicable State and Federal laws."
Study and Report Regarding State Licensure and Certification Standards and Respiratory Therapy Competency Examinations
"(a)
"(1) identifies variations in State licensure and certification standards for health care providers (including nursing and allied health professionals) and other individuals providing respiratory therapy in skilled nursing facilities;
"(2) examines State requirements relating to respiratory therapy competency examinations for such providers and individuals; and
"(3) determines whether regular respiratory therapy competency examinations or certifications should be required under the medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (
"(b)
Retroactive Review
Section 4755(c) of
Study and Report on Deeming for Nursing Facilities and Renal Dialysis Facilities
"(1)
"(A) a study concerning the effectiveness and appropriateness of the current mechanisms for surveying and certifying skilled nursing facilities for compliance with the conditions and requirements of sections 1819 and 1861(j) of the Social Security Act [this section and
"(B) a study concerning the effectiveness and appropriateness of the current mechanisms for surveying and certifying renal dialysis facilities for compliance with the conditions and requirements of section 1881(b) of the Social Security Act [
"(2)
Maintaining Regulatory Standards for Certain Services
Section 4008(h)(2)(O) of
Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs; Publication of Proposed Regulations
Section 6901(b)(2) of
Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation; Satisfaction of Requirements; Waiver
Section 6901(b)(4)(B)–(D) of
"(B) A nurse aide shall be considered to satisfy the requirement of sections 1819(b)(5)(A) and 1919(b)(5)(A) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b)(5)(A) of this section and
"(C) A nurse aide shall be considered to satisfy the requirement of sections 1819(b)(5)(A) and 1919(b)(5)(A) of the Social Security Act (of having completed a training and competency evaluation program approved by a State under section 1819(e)(1)(A) or 1919(e)(1)(A) of such Act), if such aide was found competent (whether or not by the State), before July 1, 1989, after the completion of a course of nurse aide training of at least 100 hours duration.
"(D) With respect to the nurse aide competency evaluation requirements described in sections 1819(b)(5)(A) and 1919(b)(5)(A) of the Social Security Act, a State may waive such requirements with respect to an individual who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the State that such individual has served as a nurse aide at one or more facilities of the same employer in the State for at least 24 consecutive months before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 1989]."
Evaluation and Report on Implementation of Resident Assessment Process
Section 4201(c) of
Annual Report on Statutory Compliance and Enforcement Actions
Section 4205 of
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. Probably should be "as nurse aides".
3 So in original. Probably should be "credit".
4 So in original. A closing parenthesis probably should appear before the comma.
5 So in original. Probably should be "pro rata".
6 So in original. Probably should be cl. (vi).
§1395i–3a. Protecting residents of long-term care facilities
(1) National Training Institute for surveyors
(A) In general
The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall enter into a contract with an entity for the purpose of establishing and operating a National Training Institute for Federal and State surveyors. Such Institute shall provide and improve the training of surveyors with respect to investigating allegations of abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of property in programs and long-term care facilities that receive payments under title XVIII or XIX of the Social Security Act [
(B) Activities carried out by the Institute
The contract entered into under subparagraph (A) shall require the Institute established and operated under such contract to carry out the following activities:
(i) Assess the extent to which State agencies use specialized surveyors for the investigation of reported allegations of abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of property in such programs and long-term care facilities.
(ii) Evaluate how the competencies of surveyors may be improved to more effectively investigate reported allegations of such abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of property, and provide feedback to Federal and State agencies on the evaluations conducted.
(iii) Provide a national program of training, tools, and technical assistance to Federal and State surveyors on investigating reports of such abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of property.
(iv) Develop and disseminate information on best practices for the investigation of such abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of property.
(v) Assess the performance of State complaint intake systems, in order to ensure that the intake of complaints occurs 24 hours per day, 7 days a week (including holidays).
(vi) To the extent approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, provide a national 24 hours per day, 7 days a week (including holidays), back-up system to State complaint intake systems in order to ensure optimum national responsiveness to complaints of such abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of property.
(vii) Analyze and report annually on the following:
(I) The total number and sources of complaints of such abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of property.
(II) The extent to which such complaints are referred to law enforcement agencies.
(III) General results of Federal and State investigations of such complaints.
(viii) Conduct a national study of the cost to State agencies of conducting complaint investigations of skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities under sections 1819 and 1919, respectively, of the Social Security Act (
(C) Authorization
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph, for the period of fiscal years 2011 through 2014, $12,000,000.
(2) Grants to State survey agencies
(A) In general
The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall make grants to State agencies that perform surveys of skilled nursing facilities or nursing facilities under sections 1819 or 1919, respectively, of the Social Security Act (
(B) Use of funds
A grant awarded under subparagraph (A) shall be used for the purpose of designing and implementing complaint investigations systems that—
(i) promptly prioritize complaints in order to ensure a rapid response to the most serious and urgent complaints;
(ii) respond to complaints with optimum effectiveness and timeliness; and
(iii) optimize the collaboration between local authorities, consumers, and providers, including—
(I) such State agency;
(II) the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman;
(III) local law enforcement agencies;
(IV) advocacy and consumer organizations;
(V) State aging units;
(VI) Area Agencies on Aging; and
(VII) other appropriate entities.
(C) Authorization
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph, for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2014, $5,000,000.
(
References in Text
The Social Security Act, referred to in par. (1)(A), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531,
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Elder Justice Act of 2009 and also as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Definitions
§1395i–4. Medicare rural hospital flexibility program
(a) Establishment
Any State that submits an application in accordance with subsection (b) of this section may establish a medicare rural hospital flexibility program described in subsection (c) of this section.
(b) Application
A State may establish a medicare rural hospital flexibility program described in subsection (c) of this section if the State submits to the Secretary at such time and in such form as the Secretary may require an application containing—
(1) assurances that the State—
(A) has developed, or is in the process of developing, a State rural health care plan that—
(i) provides for the creation of 1 or more rural health networks (as defined in subsection (d) of this section) in the State;
(ii) promotes regionalization of rural health services in the State; and
(iii) improves access to hospital and other health services for rural residents of the State; and
(B) has developed the rural health care plan described in subparagraph (A) in consultation with the hospital association of the State, rural hospitals located in the State, and the State Office of Rural Health (or, in the case of a State in the process of developing such plan, that assures the Secretary that the State will consult with its State hospital association, rural hospitals located in the State, and the State Office of Rural Health in developing such plan);
(2) assurances that the State has designated (consistent with the rural health care plan described in paragraph (1)(A)), or is in the process of so designating, rural nonprofit or public hospitals or facilities located in the State as critical access hospitals; and
(3) such other information and assurances as the Secretary may require.
(c) Medicare rural hospital flexibility program described
(1) In general
A State that has submitted an application in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, may establish a medicare rural hospital flexibility program that provides that—
(A) the State shall develop at least 1 rural health network (as defined in subsection (d) of this section) in the State; and
(B) at least 1 facility in the State shall be designated as a critical access hospital in accordance with paragraph (2).
(2) State designation of facilities
(A) In general
A State may designate 1 or more facilities as a critical access hospital in accordance with subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D).
(B) Criteria for designation as critical access hospital
A State may designate a facility as a critical access hospital if the facility—
(i) is a hospital that is located in a county (or equivalent unit of local government) in a rural area (as defined in
(I) is located more than a 35-mile drive (or, in the case of mountainous terrain or in areas with only secondary roads available, a 15-mile drive) from a hospital, or another facility described in this subsection; or
(II) is certified before January 1, 2006, by the State as being a necessary provider of health care services to residents in the area;
(ii) makes available 24-hour emergency care services that a State determines are necessary for ensuring access to emergency care services in each area served by a critical access hospital;
(iii) provides not more than 25 acute care inpatient beds (meeting such standards as the Secretary may establish) for providing inpatient care for a period that does not exceed, as determined on an annual, average basis, 96 hours per patient;
(iv) meets such staffing requirements as would apply under
(I) the facility need not meet hospital standards relating to the number of hours during a day, or days during a week, in which the facility must be open and fully staffed, except insofar as the facility is required to make available emergency care services as determined under clause (ii) and must have nursing services available on a 24-hour basis, but need not otherwise staff the facility except when an inpatient is present;
(II) the facility may provide any services otherwise required to be provided by a full-time, on site dietitian, pharmacist, laboratory technician, medical technologist, and radiological technologist on a part-time, off site basis under arrangements as defined in
(III) the inpatient care described in clause (iii) may be provided by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist subject to the oversight of a physician who need not be present in the facility; and
(v) meets the requirements of
(C) Recently closed facilities
A State may designate a facility as a critical access hospital if the facility—
(i) was a hospital that ceased operations on or after the date that is 10 years before November 29, 1999; and
(ii) as of the effective date of such designation, meets the criteria for designation under subparagraph (B).
(D) Downsized facilities
A State may designate a health clinic or a health center (as defined by the State) as a critical access hospital if such clinic or center—
(i) is licensed by the State as a health clinic or a health center;
(ii) was a hospital that was downsized to a health clinic or health center; and
(iii) as of the effective date of such designation, meets the criteria for designation under subparagraph (B).
(E) Authority to establish psychiatric and rehabilitation distinct part units
(i) In general
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this subparagraph, a critical access hospital may establish—
(I) a psychiatric unit of the hospital that is a distinct part of the hospital; and
(II) a rehabilitation unit of the hospital that is a distinct part of the hospital,
if the distinct part meets the requirements (including conditions of participation) that would otherwise apply to the distinct part if the distinct part were established by a subsection (d) hospital in accordance with the matter following clause (v) of
(ii) Limitation on number of beds
The total number of beds that may be established under clause (i) for a distinct part unit may not exceed 10.
(iii) Exclusion of beds from bed count
In determining the number of beds of a critical access hospital for purposes of applying the bed limitations referred to in subparagraph (B)(iii) and subsection (f) of this section, the Secretary shall not take into account any bed established under clause (i).
(iv) Effect of failure to meet requirements
If a psychiatric or rehabilitation unit established under clause (i) does not meet the requirements described in such clause with respect to a cost reporting period, no payment may be made under this subchapter to the hospital for services furnished in such unit during such period. Payment to the hospital for services furnished in the unit may resume only after the hospital has demonstrated to the Secretary that the unit meets such requirements.
(d) "Rural health network" defined
(1) In general
In this section, the term "rural health network" means, with respect to a State, an organization consisting of—
(A) at least 1 facility that the State has designated or plans to designate as a critical access hospital; and
(B) at least 1 hospital that furnishes acute care services.
(2) Agreements
(A) In general
Each critical access hospital that is a member of a rural health network shall have an agreement with respect to each item described in subparagraph (B) with at least 1 hospital that is a member of the network.
(B) Items described
The items described in this subparagraph are the following:
(i) Patient referral and transfer.
(ii) The development and use of communications systems including (where feasible)—
(I) telemetry systems; and
(II) systems for electronic sharing of patient data.
(iii) The provision of emergency and non-emergency transportation among the facility and the hospital.
(C) Credentialing and quality assurance
Each critical access hospital that is a member of a rural health network shall have an agreement with respect to credentialing and quality assurance with at least—
(i) 1 hospital that is a member of the network;
(ii) 1 peer review organization or equivalent entity; or
(iii) 1 other appropriate and qualified entity identified in the State rural health care plan.
(e) Certification by Secretary
The Secretary shall certify a facility as a critical access hospital if the facility—
(1) is located in a State that has established a medicare rural hospital flexibility program in accordance with subsection (c) of this section;
(2) is designated as a critical access hospital by the State in which it is located; and
(3) meets such other criteria as the Secretary may require.
(f) Permitting maintenance of swing beds
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a State from designating or the Secretary from certifying a facility as a critical access hospital solely because, at the time the facility applies to the State for designation as a critical access hospital, there is in effect an agreement between the facility and the Secretary under
(g) Grants
(1) Medicare rural hospital flexibility program
The Secretary may award grants to States that have submitted applications in accordance with subsection (b) of this section for—
(A) engaging in activities relating to planning and implementing a rural health care plan;
(B) engaging in activities relating to planning and implementing rural health networks;
(C) designating facilities as critical access hospitals; and
(D) providing support for critical access hospitals for quality improvement, quality reporting, performance improvements, and benchmarking.
(2) Rural emergency medical services
(A) In general
The Secretary may award grants to States that have submitted applications in accordance with subparagraph (B) for the establishment or expansion of a program for the provision of rural emergency medical services.
(B) Application
An application is in accordance with this subparagraph if the State submits to the Secretary at such time and in such form as the Secretary may require an application containing the assurances described in subparagraphs (A)(ii), (A)(iii), and (B) of subsection (b)(1) of this section and paragraph (3) of that subsection.
(3) Upgrading data systems
(A) Grants to hospitals
The Secretary may award grants to hospitals that have submitted applications in accordance with subparagraph (C) to assist eligible small rural hospitals in meeting the costs of implementing data systems required to meet requirements established under the medicare program pursuant to amendments made by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and to assist such hospitals in participating in delivery system reforms under the provisions of and amendments made by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, such as value-based purchasing programs, accountable care organizations under
(B) Eligible small rural hospital defined
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "eligible small rural hospital" means a non-Federal, short-term general acute care hospital that—
(i) is located in a rural area (as defined for purposes of
(ii) has less than 50 beds.
(C) Application
A hospital seeking a grant under this paragraph shall submit an application to the Secretary on or before such date and in such form and manner as the Secretary specifies.
(D) Amount of grant
A grant to a hospital under this paragraph may not exceed $50,000.
(E) Use of funds
A hospital receiving a grant under this paragraph may use the funds for the purchase of computer software and hardware, the education and training of hospital staff on computer information systems, to offset costs related to the implementation of prospective payment systems and to participate in delivery system reforms under the provisions of and amendments made by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, such as value-based purchasing programs, accountable care organizations under
(F) Reports
(i) Information
A hospital receiving a grant under this section shall furnish the Secretary with such information as the Secretary may require to evaluate the project for which the grant is made and to ensure that the grant is expended for the purposes for which it is made.
(ii) Timing of submission
(I) Interim reports
The Secretary shall report to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate at least annually on the grant program established under this section, including in such report information on the number of grants made, the nature of the projects involved, the geographic distribution of grant recipients, and such other matters as the Secretary deems appropriate.
(II) Final report
The Secretary shall submit a final report to such committees not later than 180 days after the completion of all of the projects for which a grant is made under this section.
(4) Additional requirements with respect to FLEX grants
With respect to grants awarded under paragraph (1) or (2) from funds appropriated for fiscal year 2005 and subsequent fiscal years—
(A) Consultation with the state hospital association and rural hospitals on the most appropriate ways to use grants
A State shall consult with the hospital association of such State and rural hospitals located in such State on the most appropriate ways to use the funds under such grant.
(B) Limitation on use of grant funds for administrative expenses
A State may not expend more than the lesser of—
(i) 15 percent of the amount of the grant for administrative expenses; or
(ii) the State's federally negotiated indirect rate for administering the grant.
(5) Use of funds for Federal administrative expenses
Of the total amount appropriated for grants under paragraphs (1) and (2) for a fiscal year (for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2008) and, of the total amount appropriated for grants under paragraphs (1), (2), and (6) for a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2009), up to 5 percent of such amount shall be available to the Health Resources and Services Administration for purposes of administering such grants.
(6) Providing mental health services and other health services to veterans and other residents of rural areas
(A) Grants to States
The Secretary may award grants to States that have submitted applications in accordance with subparagraph (B) for increasing the delivery of mental health services or other health care services deemed necessary to meet the needs of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom living in rural areas (as defined for purposes of
(B) Application
(i) In general
An application is in accordance with this subparagraph if the State submits to the Secretary at such time and in such form as the Secretary may require an application containing the assurances described in subparagraphs (A)(ii) and (A)(iii) of subsection (b)(1).
(ii) Consideration of regional approaches, networks, or technology
The Secretary may, as appropriate in awarding grants to States under subparagraph (A), consider whether the application submitted by a State under this subparagraph includes 1 or more proposals that utilize regional approaches, networks, health information technology, telehealth, or telemedicine to deliver services described in subparagraph (A) to individuals described in that subparagraph. For purposes of this clause, a network may, as the Secretary determines appropriate, include Federally qualified health centers (as defined in
(iii) Coordination at local level
The Secretary shall require, as appropriate, a State to demonstrate consultation with the hospital association of such State, rural hospitals located in such State, providers of mental health services, or other appropriate stakeholders for the provision of services under a grant awarded under this paragraph.
(iv) Special consideration of certain applications
In awarding grants to States under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall give special consideration to applications submitted by States in which veterans make up a high percentage (as determined by the Secretary) of the total population of the State. Such consideration shall be given without regard to the number of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom living in the areas in which mental health services and other health care services would be delivered under the application.
(C) Coordination with VA
The Secretary shall, as appropriate, consult with the Director of the Office of Rural Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs in awarding and administering grants to States under subparagraph (A).
(D) Use of funds
A State awarded a grant under this paragraph may, as appropriate, use the funds to reimburse providers of services described in subparagraph (A) to individuals described in that subparagraph.
(E) Limitation on use of grant funds for administrative expenses
A State awarded a grant under this paragraph may not expend more than 15 percent of the amount of the grant for administrative expenses.
(F) Independent evaluation and final report
The Secretary shall provide for an independent evaluation of the grants awarded under subparagraph (A). Not later than 1 year after the date on which the last grant is awarded to a State under such subparagraph, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on such evaluation. Such report shall include an assessment of the impact of such grants on increasing the delivery of mental health services and other health services to veterans of the United States Armed Forces living in rural areas (as so defined and including such areas that are rural census tracks), with particular emphasis on the impact of such grants on the delivery of such services to veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and to other individuals living in such rural areas.
(7) Critical access hospitals transitioning to skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities
(A) Grants
The Secretary may award grants to eligible critical access hospitals that have submitted applications in accordance with subparagraph (B) for assisting such hospitals in the transition to skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities.
(B) Application
An applicable critical access hospital seeking a grant under this paragraph shall submit an application to the Secretary on or before such date and in such form and manner as the Secretary specifies.
(C) Additional requirements
The Secretary may not award a grant under this paragraph to an eligible critical access hospital unless—
(i) local organizations or the State in which the hospital is located provides matching funds; and
(ii) the hospital provides assurances that it will surrender critical access hospital status under this subchapter within 180 days of receiving the grant.
(D) Amount of grant
A grant to an eligible critical access hospital under this paragraph may not exceed $1,000,000.
(E) Funding
There are appropriated from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under
(F) Eligible critical access hospital defined
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "eligible critical access hospital" means a critical access hospital that has an average daily acute census of less than 0.5 and an average daily swing bed census of greater than 10.0.
(h) Grandfathering provisions
(1) In general
Any medical assistance facility operating in Montana and any rural primary care hospital designated by the Secretary under this section prior to August 5, 1997, shall be deemed to have been certified by the Secretary under subsection (e) of this section as a critical access hospital if such facility or hospital is otherwise eligible to be designated by the State as a critical access hospital under subsection (c) of this section.
(2) Continuation of medical assistance facility and rural primary care hospital terms
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, with respect to any medical assistance facility or rural primary care hospital described in paragraph (1), any reference in this subchapter to a "critical access hospital" shall be deemed to be a reference to a "medical assistance facility" or "rural primary care hospital".
(3) State authority to waive 35-mile rule
In the case of a facility that was designated as a critical access hospital before January 1, 2006, and was certified by the State as being a necessary provider of health care services to residents in the area under subsection (c)(2)(B)(i)(II) of this section, as in effect before such date, the authority under such subsection with respect to any redesignation of such facility shall continue to apply notwithstanding the amendment made by section 405(h)(1) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.
(i) Waiver of conflicting part A provisions
The Secretary is authorized to waive such provisions of this part and part E of this subchapter as are necessary to conduct the program established under this section.
(j) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for making grants to all States under subsection (g) of this section, $25,000,000 in each of the fiscal years 1998 through 2002, for making grants to all States under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (g) of this section, $35,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2005 through 2008, for making grants to all States under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (g), $55,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010, for making grants to all States under paragraph (6) of subsection (g), $50,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010, to remain available until expended and for making grants to all States under subsection (g), such sums as may be necessary in each of fiscal years 2011 and 2012, to remain available until expended.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1820, as added
References in Text
The Balanced Budget Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (g)(3)(A), is
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to in subsec. (g)(3)(A), (E), is
Section 405(h)(1) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, referred to in subsec. (h)(3), is section 405(h)(1) of
Part E of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (i), is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (g)(3)(A).
Subsec. (g)(3)(E).
Subsec. (j).
2008—Subsec. (g)(1)(D).
Subsec. (g)(5).
Subsec. (g)(6).
Subsec. (g)(7).
Subsec. (j).
2003—Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(i)(II).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(E).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g)(4), (5).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (h)(3).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j).
1999—Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C), (D).
Subsec. (g)(3).
1997—
Subsec. (j).
1994—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2) to (6).
Subsec. (f)(1)(F).
Subsec. (f)(1)(H).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (i)(1)(A).
Subsec. (i)(1)(B).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l).
1990—Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (f)(1)(A).
Subsec. (f)(1)(B).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(2)(C).
Subsec. (j).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by section 405(g)(1) of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title III, §321(a)] of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4201(a) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4008(d)(4) of
Demonstration Project on Community Health Integration Models in Certain Rural Counties
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) explore ways to increase access to, and improve the adequacy of, payments for acute care, extended care, and other essential health care services provided under the Medicare and Medicaid programs in eligible counties; and
"(2) evaluate regulatory challenges facing such providers and the communities they serve.
"(c)
"(1) Health care providers in eligible counties selected to participate in the demonstration project under subsection (d)(3) shall (when determined appropriate by the Secretary), instead of the payment rates otherwise applicable under the Medicare program, be reimbursed at a rate that covers at least the reasonable costs of the provider in furnishing acute care, extended care, and other essential health care services to Medicare beneficiaries.
"(2) Methods to coordinate the survey and certification process under the Medicare program and the Medicaid program across all health service categories included in the demonstration project shall be tested with the goal of assuring quality and safety while reducing administrative burdens, as appropriate, related to completing such survey and certification process.
"(3) Health care providers in eligible counties selected to participate in the demonstration project under subsection (d)(3) and the Secretary shall work with the State to explore ways to revise reimbursement policies under the Medicaid program to improve access to the range of health care services available in such eligible counties.
"(4) The Secretary shall identify regulatory requirements that may be revised appropriately to improve access to care in eligible counties.
"(5) Other essential health care services necessary to ensure access to the range of health care services in eligible counties selected to participate in the demonstration project under subsection (d)(3) shall be identified. Ways to ensure adequate funding for such services shall also be explored.
"(d)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) is a Rural Hospital Flexibility Program grantee under section 1820(g) of the Social Security Act (
"(ii) is located in a State in which at least 65 percent of the counties in the State are counties that have 6 or less residents per square mile.
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(3)
"(4)
"(A) The county has 6 or less residents per square mile.
"(B) As of the date of the enactment of this Act [July 15, 2008], a facility designated as a critical access hospital which meets the following requirements was located in the county:
"(i) As of the date of the enactment of this Act, the critical access hospital furnished 1 or more of the following:
"(I) Home health services.
"(II) Hospice care.
"(ii) As of the date of the enactment of this Act, the critical access hospital has an average daily inpatient census of 5 or less.
"(C) As of the date of the enactment of this Act, skilled nursing facility services were available in the county in—
"(i) a critical access hospital using swing beds; or
"(ii) a local nursing home.
"(e)
"(1)
"(2) HRSA
"(A) award grants to the eligible entities selected to participate in the demonstration project; and
"(B) work with such entities to provide technical assistance related to the requirements under the project.
"(3) CMS
"(f)
"(1)
"(2)
"(g)
"(1) CMS.—
"(A)
"(B)
"(2) HRSA.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Office of Rural Health Policy of the Health Resources and Services Administration $800,000 for each of fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2012 for the purpose of carrying out the duties of such Office under the demonstration project under this section, to remain available for the duration of the demonstration project.
"(h)
"(1)
"(2)
"(i)
"(j)
"(1)
"(A) Home health services.
"(B) Covered skilled nursing facility services.
"(C) Hospice care.
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
"(7)
"(8)
"(A) Ambulance services (as described in section 1861(s)(7) of the Social Security Act (
"(B) Physicians' services (as defined in section 1861(q) of the Social Security Act (
"(C) Public health services (as defined by the Secretary).
"(D) Other health care services determined appropriate by the Secretary.
"(9)
[
GAO Study on Certain Eligibility Requirements for Critical Access Hospitals
"(a)
"(1) the feasibility of having a distinct part unit as part of a critical access hospital for purposes of the medicare program under title XVIII of such Act [this subchapter]; and
"(2) the effect of seasonal variations in patient admissions on critical access hospital eligibility requirements with respect to limitations on average annual length of stay and number of beds.
"(b)
"(1) whether distinct part units should be permitted as part of a critical access hospital under the medicare program;
"(2) if so permitted, the payment methodologies that should apply with respect to services provided by such units;
"(3) whether, and to what extent, such units should be included in or excluded from the bed limits applicable to critical access hospitals under the medicare program; and
"(4) any adjustments to such eligibility requirements to account for seasonal variations in patient admissions."
Transition for MAF
Section 4201(c)(6) of
"(A)
"(B)
"(i)
"(ii)
GAO Reports
Section 102(a)(4) of
§1395i–5. Conditions for coverage of religious nonmedical health care institutional services
(a) In general
Subject to subsections (c) and (d) of this section, payment under this part may be made for inpatient hospital services or post-hospital extended care services furnished an individual in a religious nonmedical health care institution and for home health services furnished an individual by a religious nonmedical health care institution only if—
(1) the individual has an election in effect for such benefits under subsection (b) of this section; and
(2) the individual has a condition such that the individual would qualify for benefits under this part for inpatient hospital services, extended care services, or home health services, respectively, if the individual were an inpatient or resident in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, or receiving services from a home health agency, that was not such an institution.
(b) Election
(1) In general
An individual may make an election under this subsection in a form and manner specified by the Secretary consistent with this subsection. Unless otherwise provided, such an election shall take effect immediately upon its execution. Such an election, once made, shall continue in effect until revoked.
(2) Form
The election form under this subsection shall include the following:
(A) A written statement, signed by the individual (or such individual's legal representative), that—
(i) the individual is conscientiously opposed to acceptance of nonexcepted medical treatment; and
(ii) the individual's acceptance of nonexcepted medical treatment would be inconsistent with the individual's sincere religious beliefs.
(B) A statement that the receipt of nonexcepted medical services shall constitute a revocation of the election and may limit further receipt of services described in subsection (a) of this section.
(3) Revocation
An election under this subsection by an individual may be revoked by voluntarily notifying the Secretary in writing of such revocation and shall be deemed to be revoked if the individual receives nonexcepted medical treatment for which reimbursement is made under this subchapter.
(4) Limitation on subsequent elections
Once an individual's election under this subsection has been made and revoked twice—
(A) the next election may not become effective until the date that is 1 year after the date of most recent previous revocation, and
(B) any succeeding election may not become effective until the date that is 5 years after the date of the most recent previous revocation.
(5) Excepted medical treatment
For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Excepted medical treatment
The term "excepted medical treatment" means medical care or treatment (including medical and other health services)—
(i) received involuntarily, or
(ii) required under Federal or State law or law of a political subdivision of a State.
(B) Nonexcepted medical treatment
The term "nonexcepted medical treatment" means medical care or treatment (including medical and other health services) other than excepted medical treatment.
(c) Monitoring and safeguard against excessive expenditures
(1) Estimate of expenditures
Before the beginning of each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2000), the Secretary shall estimate the level of expenditures under this part for services described in subsection (a) of this section for that fiscal year.
(2) Adjustment in payments
(A) Proportional adjustment
If the Secretary determines that the level estimated under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year will exceed the trigger level (as defined in subparagraph (C)) for that fiscal year, the Secretary shall, subject to subparagraph (B), provide for such a proportional reduction in payment amounts under this part for services described in subsection (a) of this section for the fiscal year involved as will assure that such level (taking into account any adjustment under subparagraph (B)) does not exceed the trigger level for that fiscal year.
(B) Alternative adjustments
The Secretary may, instead of making some or all of the reduction described in subparagraph (A), impose such other conditions or limitations with respect to the coverage of covered services (including limitations on new elections of coverage and new facilities) as may be appropriate to reduce the level of expenditures described in paragraph (1) to the trigger level.
(C) Trigger level
For purposes of this subsection—
(i) In general
Subject to adjustment under paragraph (3)(B), the "trigger level" for a year is the unadjusted trigger level described in clause (ii).
(ii) Unadjusted trigger level
The "unadjusted trigger level" for—
(I) fiscal year 1998, is $20,000,000, or
(II) a succeeding fiscal year is the amount specified under this clause for the previous fiscal year increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with July preceding the beginning of the fiscal year.
(D) Prohibition of administrative and judicial review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(E) Effect on billing
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, in the case of a reduction in payment provided under this subsection for services of a religious nonmedical health care institution provided to an individual, the amount that the institution is otherwise permitted to charge the individual for such services is increased by the amount of such reduction.
(3) Monitoring expenditure level
(A) In general
The Secretary shall monitor the expenditure level described in paragraph (2)(A) for each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1999).
(B) Adjustment in trigger level
(i) In general
If the Secretary determines that such level for a fiscal year exceeded, or was less than, the trigger level for that fiscal year, then, subject to clause (ii), the trigger level for the succeeding fiscal year shall be reduced, or increased, respectively, by the amount of such excess or deficit.
(ii) Limitation on carryforward
In no case may the increase effected under clause (i) for a fiscal year exceed $50,000,000.
(d) Sunset
If the Secretary determines that the level of expenditures described in subsection (c)(1) of this section for 3 consecutive fiscal years (with the first such year being not earlier than fiscal year 2002) exceeds the trigger level for such expenditures for such years (as determined under subsection (c)(2) of this section), benefits shall be paid under this part for services described in subsection (a) of this section and furnished on or after the first January 1 that occurs after such 3 consecutive years only with respect to an individual who has an election in effect under subsection (b) of this section as of such January 1 and only during the duration of such election.
(e) Annual report
At the beginning of each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1999), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate an annual report on coverage and expenditures for services described in subsection (a) of this section under this part and under State plans under subchapter XIX of this chapter. Such report shall include—
(1) level of expenditures described in subsection (c)(1) of this section for the previous fiscal year and estimated for the fiscal year involved;
(2) trends in such level; and
(3) facts and circumstances of any significant change in such level from the level in previous fiscal years.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1821, as added
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Effective Date
Section 4454(d) of
Part B—Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for Aged and Disabled
§1395j. Establishment of supplementary medical insurance program for aged and disabled
There is hereby established a voluntary insurance program to provide medical insurance benefits in accordance with the provisions of this part for aged and disabled individuals who elect to enroll under such program, to be financed from premium payments by enrollees together with contributions from funds appropriated by the Federal Government.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1831, as added
Amendments
1972—
Study Regarding Coverage Under Part B of Medicare for Nonreimbursable Services Provided by Optometrists for Prosthetic Lenses for Patients With Aphakia
Study To Determine Feasibility of Inclusion of Certain Additional Services Under Part B
§1395k. Scope of benefits; definitions
(a) Scope of benefits
The benefits provided to an individual by the insurance program established by this part shall consist of—
(1) entitlement to have payment made to him or on his behalf (subject to the provisions of this part) for medical and other health services, except those described in subparagraphs (B) and (D) of paragraph (2) and subparagraphs (E) and (F) of
(2) entitlement to have payment made on his behalf (subject to the provisions of this part) for—
(A) home health services (other than items described in subparagraph (G) or subparagraph (I));
(B) medical and other health services (other than items described in subparagraph (G) or subparagraph (I)) furnished by a provider of services or by others under arrangement with them made by a provider of services, excluding—
(i) physician services except where furnished by—
(I) a resident or intern of a hospital, or
(II) a physician to a patient in a hospital which has a teaching program approved as specified in paragraph (6) of
(ii) services for which payment may be made pursuant to
(iii) services described by
(iv) services of a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist but only if no facility or other provider charges or is paid any amounts with respect to the furnishing of such services; and 2
(C) outpatient physical therapy services (other than services to which the second sentence of
(D)(i) rural health clinic services and (ii) Federally qualified health center services;
(E) comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility services;
(F) facility services furnished in connection with surgical procedures specified by the Secretary—
(i) pursuant to
(ii) pursuant to
(I) a quality control and peer review organization (having a contract with the Secretary under part B of subchapter XI of this chapter) is willing, able, and has agreed to carry out a review (on a sample or other reasonable basis) of the physician's performing such procedures in the physician's office,
(II) the particular physician involved has agreed to make available to such organization such records as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out the review, and
(III) the physician is authorized to perform the procedure in a hospital located in the area in which the office is located,
and if the physician agrees to accept the standard overhead amount determined under
(G) covered items (described in
(H) outpatient critical access hospital services (as defined in
(I) prosthetic devices and orthotics and prosthetics (described in
(J) partial hospitalization services provided by a community mental health center (as described in
(b) Definitions
For definitions of "spell of illness", "medical and other health services", and other terms used in this part, see
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1832, as added
References in Text
Part B of subchapter XI of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(F)(ii)(I), is classified to
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
2000—Subsecs. (b), (c).
1999—Subsecs. (b), (c).
1997—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(2)(H).
1990—Subsec. (a)(2)(A), (B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (a)(2)(I).
Subsec. (a)(2)(J).
1989—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2)(H).
Subsec. (b).
1988—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F)(i).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F)(ii).
Subsec. (b).
1987—Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F)(i).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(G).
1986—Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F).
1984—Subsec. (a)(2)(F)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F)(ii)(II).
1982—Subsec. (a)(2)(F)(ii)(I).
1980—Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i)(II).
Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F).
1977—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
1972—Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
1968—Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4201(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 4432(b)(5)(B) of
Section 4511(e) of
Amendment by section 4603(c)(2)(B)(ii) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4153(a)(3) of
Section 4155(e) of
Section 4157(d) of
Section 4161(a)(8) of
"(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), the amendments made by this section [probably means this subsection, which amended this section and
"(B) In the case of a Federally qualified health care center that has elected, as of January 1, 1990, under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this part], to have the amount of payments for services under such part determined on a reasonable-charge basis, the amendment made by paragraph (3)(A) [amending this section] shall only apply on and after such date (not earlier than October 1, 1991) as the center may elect.
"(C) The amendment made by paragraph (6) [amending
Section 4162(c) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by section 101(a) of
Amendment by section 201(a) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by section 104(d)(3) of
Amendment by section 203(a) of
Section 205(f) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by section 4062(d)(2) of
Section 4073(e) of
Section 4077(b)(5), formerly §4077(b)(6), of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 9320(i) of
Section 9337(e) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2341(d) of
Amendment by section 2354(b)(6) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by section 930(g) of
Section 933(h) of
Amendment by section 948(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Section 1(j) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by section 227(e)(1) of
Amendment by section 251(a)(4) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by section 129(c)(6)(B) of
Section 133(g) of
Construction of 2008 Amendment
Construction of 1986 Amendment
Section 9320(j) of
Report on Immunosuppressive Drug Benefit
Quality and Utilization of In-Home Care for Chronically Dependent Individuals
Section 205(e)(2) of
Study of Alternative Out-of-Home Services
Section 205(g) of
Continuation of Cost Pass-Through for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
Section 9320(k) of
"(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(A) as of January 1, 1988, the hospital employed or contracted with a certified registered nurse anesthetist (but not more than one full-time equivalent certified registered nurse anesthetist),
"(B) in 1987 the hospital had a volume of surgical procedures (including inpatient and outpatient procedures) requiring anesthesia services that did not exceed 500 (or such higher number as the Secretary determines to be appropriate), and
"(C) each certified registered nurse anesthetist employed by, or under contract with, the hospital has agreed not to bill under part B of title XVIII of such Act [this part] for professional services furnished by the anesthetist at the hospital.
"(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply in a year (after 1989) to a hospital unless the hospital establishes, before the beginning of the year, that the hospital has had a volume of surgical procedures (including inpatient and outpatient procedures) requiring anesthesia services in the previous year that did not exceed 500 (or such higher number as the Secretary determines to be appropriate)."
[Section 6132(b) of
Payment for Services of Physicians Rendered in a Teaching Hospital for Accounting Periods Beginning After June 30, 1975, and Prior to October 1, 1978; Studies, Reports, etc.; Effective Dates
1 So in original. The semicolon probably should be a comma.
2 So in original. The word "and" probably should not appear.
§1395l. Payment of benefits
(a) Amounts
Except as provided in
(1) in the case of services described in
(2) in the case of services described in
(A) with respect to home health services (other than a covered osteoporosis drug) (as defined in
(B) with respect to other items and services (except those described in subparagraph (C), (D), or (E) of this paragraph and except as may be provided in
(i) furnished before January 1, 1999, the lesser of—
(I) the reasonable cost of such services, as determined under
(II) the customary charges with respect to such services,
less the amount a provider may charge as described in clause (ii) of
(ii) if such services are furnished before January 1, 1999, by a public provider of services, or by another provider which demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that a significant portion of its patients are low-income (and requests that payment be made under this clause), free of charge or at nominal charges to the public, 80 percent of the amount determined in accordance with
(iii) if such services are furnished on or after January 1, 1999, the amount determined under subsection (t) of this section, or
(iv) if (and for so long as) the conditions described in
(C) with respect to services described in the second sentence of
(D) with respect to clinical diagnostic laboratory tests for which payment is made under this part (i) on the basis of a fee schedule determined under subsection (h)(1) of this section or
(E) with respect to—
(i) outpatient hospital radiology services (including diagnostic and therapeutic radiology, nuclear medicine and CAT scan procedures, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound and other imaging services, but excluding screening mammography and, for services furnished on or after January 1, 2005, diagnostic mammography), and
(ii) effective for procedures performed on or after October 1, 1989, diagnostic procedures (as defined by the Secretary) described in
the amount determined under subsection (n) of this section or, for services or procedures performed on or after January 1, 1999, subsection (t) of this section;
(F) with respect to a covered osteoporosis drug (as defined in
(G) with respect to items and services described in
(i) the reasonable cost of such services, as determined under
(ii) the customary charges with respect to such services; and
(H) with respect to personalized prevention plan services (as defined in
or, if such services are furnished by a public provider of services, or by another provider which demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that a significant portion of its patients are low-income (and requests that payment be made under this provision), free of charge or at nominal charges to the public, the amount determined in accordance with
(3) in the case of services described in
(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), the costs which are reasonable and related to the cost of furnishing such services or which are based on such other tests of reasonableness as the Secretary may prescribe in regulations, including those authorized under
(B) with respect to the services described in clause (ii) of
(i) the amount of payment that would have otherwise been provided (I) under subparagraph (A) (calculated as if "100 percent" were substituted for "80 percent" in such subparagraph) for such services if the individual had not been so enrolled, or (II) in the case of such services furnished on or after the implementation date of the prospective payment system under
(ii) the amount of the payments received under such written agreement for such services (not including any financial incentives provided for in such agreement such as risk pool payments, bonuses, or withholds),
less the amount the federally qualified health center may charge as described in
(4) in the case of facility services described in
(5) in the case of covered items (described in
(6) in the case of outpatient critical access hospital services, the amounts described in
(7) in the case of prosthetic devices and orthotics and prosthetics (as described in
(8) in the case of—
(A) outpatient physical therapy services, outpatient speech-language pathology services, and outpatient occupational therapy services furnished—
(i) by a rehabilitation agency, public health agency, clinic, comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility, or skilled nursing facility,
(ii) by a home health agency to an individual who is not homebound, or
(iii) by another entity under an arrangement with an entity described in clause (i) or (ii); and
(B) outpatient physical therapy services, outpatient speech-language pathology services, and outpatient occupational therapy services furnished—
(i) by a hospital to an outpatient or to a hospital inpatient who is entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter but has exhausted benefits for inpatient hospital services during a spell of illness or is not so entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter, or
(ii) by another entity under an arrangement with a hospital described in clause (i),
the amounts described in
(9) in the case of services described in
Paragraph (3)(A) shall not apply to Federally qualified health center services furnished on or after the implementation date of the prospective payment system under section 1395m(0) 3 of this title.
(b) Deductible provision
Before applying subsection (a) of this section with respect to expenses incurred by an individual during any calendar year, the total amount of the expenses incurred by such individual during such year (which would, except for this subsection, constitute incurred expenses from which benefits payable under subsection (a) of this section are determinable) shall be reduced by a deductible of $75 for calendar years before 1991, $100 for 1991 through 2004, $110 for 2005, and for a subsequent year the amount of such deductible for the previous year increased by the annual percentage increase in the monthly actuarial rate under
(c) Mental disorders
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, with respect to expenses incurred in a calendar year in connection with the treatment of mental, psychoneurotic, and personality disorders of an individual who is not an inpatient of a hospital at the time such expenses are incurred, there shall be considered as incurred expenses for purposes of subsections (a) and (b)—
(A) for expenses incurred in years prior to 2010, only 62½ percent of such expenses;
(B) for expenses incurred in 2010 or 2011, only 68¾ percent of such expenses;
(C) for expenses incurred in 2012, only 75 percent of such expenses;
(D) for expenses incurred in 2013, only 81¼ percent of such expenses; and
(E) for expenses incurred in 2014 or any subsequent calendar year, 100 percent of such expenses.
(2) For purposes of subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (1), the term "treatment" does not include brief office visits (as defined by the Secretary) for the sole purpose of monitoring or changing drug prescriptions used in the treatment of such disorders or partial hospitalization services that are not directly provided by a physician.
(d) Nonduplication of payments
No payment may be made under this part with respect to any services furnished an individual to the extent that such individual is entitled (or would be entitled except for
(e) Information for determination of amounts due
No payment shall be made to any provider of services or other person under this part unless there has been furnished such information as may be necessary in order to determine the amounts due such provider or other person under this part for the period with respect to which the amounts are being paid or for any prior period.
(f) Maximum rate of payment per visit for independent rural health clinics
In establishing limits under subsection (a) of this section on payment for rural health clinic services provided by rural health clinics (other than such clinics in hospitals with less than 50 beds), the Secretary shall establish such limit, for services provided—
(1) in 1988, after March 31, at $46 per visit, and
(2) in a subsequent year, at the limit established under this subsection for the previous year increased by the percentage increase in the MEI (as defined in
(g) Physical therapy services
(1) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), in the case of physical therapy services of the type described in
(2) The amount specified in this paragraph—
(A) for 1999, 2000, and 2001, is $1,500, and
(B) for a subsequent year is the amount specified in this paragraph for the preceding year increased by the percentage increase in the MEI (as defined in
except that if an increase under subparagraph (B) for a year is not a multiple of $10, it shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10.
(3) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), in the case of occupational therapy services (of the type that are described in
(4) This subsection shall not apply to expenses incurred with respect to services furnished during 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005.
(5) With respect to expenses incurred during the period beginning on January 1, 2006, and ending on December 31, 2011, for services, the Secretary shall implement a process under which an individual enrolled under this part may, upon request of the individual or a person on behalf of the individual, obtain an exception from the uniform dollar limitation specified in paragraph (2), for services described in paragraphs (1) and (3) if the provision of such services is determined to be medically necessary. Under such process, if the Secretary does not make a decision on such a request for an exception within 10 business days of the date of the Secretary's receipt of the request, the Secretary shall be deemed to have found the services to be medically necessary.
(h) Fee schedules for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests; percentage of prevailing charge level; nominal fee for samples; adjustments; recipients of payments; negotiated payment rate
(1)(A) Subject to
(B) In the case of clinical diagnostic laboratory tests performed by a physician or by a laboratory (other than tests performed by a qualified hospital laboratory (as defined in subparagraph (D)) for outpatients of such hospital), the fee schedules established under subparagraph (A) shall be established on a regional, statewide, or carrier service area basis (as the Secretary may determine to be appropriate) for tests furnished on or after July 1, 1984.
(C) In the case of clinical diagnostic laboratory tests performed by a qualified hospital laboratory (as defined in subparagraph (D)) for outpatients of such hospital, the fee schedules established under subparagraph (A) shall be established on a regional, statewide, or carrier service area basis (as the Secretary may determine to be appropriate) for tests furnished on or after July 1, 1984.
(D) In this subsection, the term "qualified hospital laboratory" means a hospital laboratory, in a sole community hospital (as defined in
(2)(A)(i) Except as provided in paragraph (4), the Secretary shall set the fee schedules at 60 percent (or, in the case of a test performed by a qualified hospital laboratory (as defined in paragraph (1)(D)) for outpatients of such hospital, 62 percent) of the prevailing charge level determined pursuant to the third and fourth sentences of
(ii) Notwithstanding clause (i)—
(I) any change in the fee schedules which would have become effective under this subsection for tests furnished on or after January 1, 1988, shall not be effective for tests furnished during the 3-month period beginning on January 1, 1988,
(II) the Secretary shall not adjust the fee schedules under clause (i) to take into account any increase in the consumer price index for 1988,
(III) the annual adjustment in the fee schedules determined under clause (i) for each of the years 1991, 1992, and 1993 shall be 2 percent, and
(IV) the annual adjustment in the fee schedules determined under clause (i) for each of the years 1994 and 1995, 1998 through 2002, and 2004 through 2008 shall be 0 percent.
(iii) In establishing fee schedules under clause (i) with respect to automated tests and tests (other than cytopathology tests) which before July 1, 1984, the Secretary made subject to a limit based on lowest charge levels under the sixth sentence of
(iv) After determining the adjustment to the fee schedules under clause (i), the Secretary shall reduce such adjustment—
(I) for 2011 and each subsequent year, by the productivity adjustment described in
(II) for each of 2011 through 2015, by 1.75 percentage points.
Subclause (I) shall not apply in a year where the adjustment to the fee schedules determined under clause (i) is 0.0 or a percentage decrease for a year. The application of the productivity adjustment under subclause (I) shall not result in an adjustment to the fee schedules under clause (i) being less than 0.0 for a year. The application of subclause (II) may result in an adjustment to the fee schedules under clause (i) being less than 0.0 for a year, and may result in payment rates for a year being less than such payment rates for the preceding year.
(B) The Secretary may make further adjustments or exceptions to the fee schedules to assure adequate reimbursement of (i) emergency laboratory tests needed for the provision of bona fide emergency services, and (ii) certain low volume high-cost tests where highly sophisticated equipment or extremely skilled personnel are necessary to assure quality.
(3) In addition to the amounts provided under the fee schedules, the Secretary shall provide for and establish (A) a nominal fee to cover the appropriate costs in collecting the sample on which a clinical diagnostic laboratory test was performed and for which payment is made under this part, except that not more than one such fee may be provided under this paragraph with respect to samples collected in the same encounter, and (B) a fee to cover the transportation and personnel expenses for trained personnel to travel to the location of an individual to collect the sample, except that such a fee may be provided only with respect to an individual who is homebound or an inpatient in an inpatient facility (other than a hospital). In establishing a fee to cover the transportation and personnel expenses for trained personnel to travel to the location of an individual to collect a sample, the Secretary shall provide a method for computing the fee based on the number of miles traveled and the personnel costs associated with the collection of each individual sample, but the Secretary shall only be required to apply such method in the case of tests furnished during the period beginning on April 1, 1989, and ending on December 31, 1990, by a laboratory that establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary (based on data for the 12-month period ending June 30, 1988) that (i) the laboratory is dependent upon payments under this subchapter for at least 80 percent of its collected revenues for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests, (ii) at least 85 percent of its gross revenues for such tests are attributable to tests performed with respect to individuals who are homebound or who are residents in a nursing facility, and (iii) the laboratory provided such tests for residents in nursing facilities representing at least 20 percent of the number of such facilities in the State in which the laboratory is located.
(4)(A) In establishing any fee schedule under this subsection, the Secretary may provide for an adjustment to take into account, with respect to the portion of the expenses of clinical diagnostic laboratory tests attributable to wages, the relative difference between a region's or local area's wage rates and the wage rate presumed in the data on which the schedule is based.
(B) For purposes of subsections (a)(1)(D)(i) and (a)(2)(D)(i) of this section, the limitation amount for a clinical diagnostic laboratory test performed—
(i) on or after July 1, 1986, and before April 1, 1988, is equal to 115 percent of the median of all the fee schedules established for that test for that laboratory setting under paragraph (1),
(ii) after March 31, 1988, and before January 1, 1990, is equal to the median of all the fee schedules established for that test for that laboratory setting under paragraph (1),
(iii) after December 31, 1989, and before January 1, 1991, is equal to 93 percent of the median of all the fee schedules established for that test for that laboratory setting under paragraph (1),
(iv) after December 31, 1990, and before January 1, 1994, is equal to 88 percent of such median,
(v) after December 31, 1993, and before January 1, 1995, is equal to 84 percent of such median,
(vi) after December 31, 1994, and before January 1, 1996, is equal to 80 percent of such median,
(vii) after December 31, 1995, and before January 1, 1998, is equal to 76 percent of such median, and
(viii) after December 31, 1997, is equal to 74 percent of such median (or 100 percent of such median in the case of a clinical diagnostic laboratory test performed on or after January 1, 2001, that the Secretary determines is a new test for which no limitation amount has previously been established under this subparagraph).
(5)(A) In the case of a bill or request for payment for a clinical diagnostic laboratory test for which payment may otherwise be made under this part on an assignment-related basis or under a provider agreement under
(i) if a physician performed or supervised the performance of such test, payment may be made to another physician with whom he shares his practice,
(ii) in the case of a test performed at the request of a laboratory by another laboratory, payment may be made to the referring laboratory but only if—
(I) the referring laboratory is located in, or is part of, a rural hospital,
(II) the referring laboratory is wholly owned by the entity performing such test, the referring laboratory wholly owns the entity performing such test, or both the referring laboratory and the entity performing such test are wholly-owned by a third entity, or
(III) not more than 30 percent of the clinical diagnostic laboratory tests for which such referring laboratory (but not including a laboratory described in subclause (II)),4 receives requests for testing during the year in which the test is performed 4 are performed by another laboratory, and
(iii) in the case of a clinical diagnostic laboratory test provided under an arrangement (as defined in
(B) In the case of such a bill or request for payment for a clinical diagnostic laboratory test for which payment may otherwise be made under this part, and which is not described in subparagraph (A), payment may be made to the beneficiary only on the basis of the itemized bill of the person or entity which performed or supervised the performance of the test.
(C) Payment for a clinical diagnostic laboratory test, including a test performed in a physician's office but excluding a test performed by a rural health clinic may only be made on an assignment-related basis or to a provider of services with an agreement in effect under
(D) A person may not bill for a clinical diagnostic laboratory test, including a test performed in a physician's office but excluding a test performed by a rural health clinic, other than on an assignment-related basis. If a person knowingly and willfully and on a repeated basis bills for a clinical diagnostic laboratory test in violation of the previous sentence, the Secretary may apply sanctions against the person in the same manner as the Secretary may apply sanctions against a physician in accordance with paragraph (2) of
(6) In the case of any diagnostic laboratory test payment for which is not made on the basis of a fee schedule under paragraph (1), the Secretary may establish a payment rate which is acceptable to the person or entity performing the test and which would be considered the full charge for such tests. Such negotiated rate shall be limited to an amount not in excess of the total payment that would have been made for the services in the absence of such rate.
(7) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (4), the Secretary shall establish a national minimum payment amount under this subsection for a diagnostic or screening pap smear laboratory test (including all cervical cancer screening technologies that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a primary screening method for detection of cervical cancer) equal to $14.60 for tests furnished in 2000. For such tests furnished in subsequent years, such national minimum payment amount shall be adjusted annually as provided in paragraph (2).
(8)(A) The Secretary shall establish by regulation procedures for determining the basis for, and amount of, payment under this subsection for any clinical diagnostic laboratory test with respect to which a new or substantially revised HCPCS code is assigned on or after January 1, 2005 (in this paragraph referred to as "new tests").
(B) Determinations under subparagraph (A) shall be made only after the Secretary—
(i) makes available to the public (through an Internet website and other appropriate mechanisms) a list that includes any such test for which establishment of a payment amount under this subsection is being considered for a year;
(ii) on the same day such list is made available, causes to have published in the Federal Register notice of a meeting to receive comments and recommendations (and data on which recommendations are based) from the public on the appropriate basis under this subsection for establishing payment amounts for the tests on such list;
(iii) not less than 30 days after publication of such notice convenes a meeting, that includes representatives of officials of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services involved in determining payment amounts, to receive such comments and recommendations (and data on which the recommendations are based);
(iv) taking into account the comments and recommendations (and accompanying data) received at such meeting, develops and makes available to the public (through an Internet website and other appropriate mechanisms) a list of proposed determinations with respect to the appropriate basis for establishing a payment amount under this subsection for each such code, together with an explanation of the reasons for each such determination, the data on which the determinations are based, and a request for public written comments on the proposed determination; and
(v) taking into account the comments received during the public comment period, develops and makes available to the public (through an Internet website and other appropriate mechanisms) a list of final determinations of the payment amounts for such tests under this subsection, together with the rationale for each such determination, the data on which the determinations are based, and responses to comments and suggestions received from the public.
(C) Under the procedures established pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall—
(i) set forth the criteria for making determinations under subparagraph (A); and
(ii) make available to the public the data (other than proprietary data) considered in making such determinations.
(D) The Secretary may convene such further public meetings to receive public comments on payment amounts for new tests under this subsection as the Secretary deems appropriate.
(E) For purposes of this paragraph:
(i) The term "HCPCS" refers to the Health Care Procedure Coding System.
(ii) A code shall be considered to be "substantially revised" if there is a substantive change to the definition of the test or procedure to which the code applies (such as a new analyte or a new methodology for measuring an existing analyte-specific test).
(9) Notwithstanding any other provision in this part, in the case of any diagnostic laboratory test for HbA1c that is labeled by the Food and Drug Administration for home use and is furnished on or after April 1, 2008, the payment rate for such test shall be the payment rate established under this part for a glycated hemoglobin test (identified as of October 1, 2007, by HCPCS code 83036 (and any succeeding codes)).
(i) Outpatient surgery
(1) The Secretary shall, in consultation with appropriate medical organizations—
(A) specify those surgical procedures which are appropriately (when considered in terms of the proper utilization of hospital inpatient facilities) performed on an inpatient basis in a hospital but which also can be performed safely on an ambulatory basis in an ambulatory surgical center (meeting the standards specified under
(B) specify those surgical procedures which are appropriately (when considered in terms of the proper utilization of hospital inpatient facilities) performed on an inpatient basis in a hospital but which also can be performed safely on an ambulatory basis in a physician's office.
The lists of procedures established under subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be reviewed and updated not less often than every 2 years, in consultation with appropriate trade and professional organizations.
(2)(A) For services furnished prior to the implementation of the system described in subparagraph (D), subject to subparagraph (E), the amount of payment to be made for facility services furnished in connection with a surgical procedure specified pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) and furnished to an individual in an ambulatory surgical center described in such paragraph shall be equal to 80 percent of a standard overhead amount established by the Secretary (with respect to each such procedure) on the basis of the Secretary's estimate of a fair fee which—
(i) takes into account the costs incurred by such centers, or classes of centers, generally in providing services furnished in connection with the performance of such procedure, as determined in accordance with a survey (based upon a representative sample of procedures and facilities) of the actual audited costs incurred by such centers in providing such services,
(ii) takes such costs into account in such a manner as will assure that the performance of the procedure in such a center will result in substantially less amounts paid under this subchapter than would have been paid if the procedure had been performed on an inpatient basis in a hospital, and
(iii) in the case of insertion of an intraocular lens during or subsequent to cataract surgery includes payment which is reasonable and related to the cost of acquiring the class of lens involved.
Each amount so established shall be reviewed and updated not later than July 1, 1987, and annually thereafter to take account of varying conditions in different areas.
(B) The amount of payment to be made under this part for facility services furnished, in connection with a surgical procedure specified pursuant to paragraph (1)(B), in a physician's office shall be equal to 80 percent of a standard overhead amount established by the Secretary (with respect to each such procedure) on the basis of the Secretary's estimate of a fair fee which—
(i) takes into account additional costs, not usually included in the professional fee, incurred by physicians in securing, maintaining, and staffing the facilities and ancillary services appropriate for the performance of such procedure in the physician's office, and
(ii) takes such items into account in such a manner which will assure that the performance of such procedure in the physician's office will result in substantially less amounts paid under this subchapter than would have been paid if the services had been furnished on an inpatient basis in a hospital.
Each amount so established shall be reviewed and updated not later than July 1, 1987, and annually thereafter to take account of varying conditions in different areas.
(C)(i) Notwithstanding the second sentence of each of subparagraphs (A) and (B), except as otherwise specified in clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv), if the Secretary has not updated amounts established under such subparagraphs or under subparagraph (D), with respect to facility services furnished during a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1986 or a calendar year (beginning with 2006)), such amounts shall be increased by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) as estimated by the Secretary for the 12-month period ending with the midpoint of the year involved.
(ii) In each of the fiscal years 1998 through 2002, the increase under this subparagraph shall be reduced (but not below zero) by 2.0 percentage points.
(iii) In fiscal year 2004, beginning with April 1, 2004, the increase under this subparagraph shall be the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) as estimated by the Secretary for the 12-month period ending with March 31, 2003, minus 3.0 percentage points.
(iv) In fiscal year 2005, the last quarter of calendar year 2005, and each of calendar years 2006 through 2009, the increase under this subparagraph shall be 0 percent.
(D)(i) Taking into account the recommendations in the report under section 626(d) of Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, the Secretary shall implement a revised payment system for payment of surgical services furnished in ambulatory surgical centers.
(ii) In the year the system described in clause (i) is implemented, such system shall be designed to result in the same aggregate amount of expenditures for such services as would be made if this subparagraph did not apply, as estimated by the Secretary and taking into account reduced expenditures that would apply if subparagraph (E) were to continue to apply, as estimated by the Secretary.
(iii) The Secretary shall implement the system described in clause (i) for periods in a manner so that it is first effective beginning on or after January 1, 2006, and not later than January 1, 2008.
(iv) The Secretary may implement such system in a manner so as to provide for a reduction in any annual update for failure to report on quality measures in accordance with paragraph (7).
(v) In implementing the system described in clause (i) for 2011 and each subsequent year, any annual update under such system for the year, after application of clause (iv), shall be reduced by the productivity adjustment described in
(vi) There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(E) With respect to surgical procedures furnished on or after January 1, 2007, and before the effective date of the implementation of a revised payment system under subparagraph (D), if—
(i) the standard overhead amount under subparagraph (A) for a facility service for such procedure, without the application of any geographic adjustment, exceeds
(ii) the Medicare OPD fee schedule amount established under the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services under paragraph (3)(D) of subsection (t) for such service for such year, determined without regard to geographic adjustment under paragraph (2)(D) of such subsection,
the Secretary shall substitute under subparagraph (A) the amount described in clause (ii) for the standard overhead amount for such service referred to in clause (i).
(3)(A) The aggregate amount of the payments to be made under this part for outpatient hospital facility services or critical access hospital services furnished before January 1, 1999, in connection with surgical procedures specified under paragraph (1)(A) shall be equal to the lesser of—
(i) the amount determined with respect to such services under subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section; or
(ii) the blend amount (described in subparagraph (B)).
(B)(i) The blend amount for a cost reporting period is the sum of—
(I) the cost proportion (as defined in clause (ii)(I)) of the amount described in subparagraph (A)(i), and
(II) the ASC proportion (as defined in clause (ii)(II)) of the standard overhead amount payable with respect to the same surgical procedure as if it were provided in an ambulatory surgical center in the same area, as determined under paragraph (2)(A), less the amount a provider may charge as described in clause (ii) of
(ii) Subject to paragraph (4), in this paragraph:
(I) The term "cost proportion" means 75 percent for cost reporting periods beginning in fiscal year 1988, 50 percent for portions of cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1988, and ending on or before December 31, 1990, and 42 percent for portions of cost reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 1991.
(II) The term "ASC proportion" means 25 percent for cost reporting periods beginning in fiscal year 1988, 50 percent for portions of cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1988, and ending on or before December 31, 1990, and 58 percent for portions of cost reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 1991.
(4)(A) In the case of a hospital that—
(i) makes application to the Secretary and demonstrates that it specializes in eye services or eye and ear services (as determined by the Secretary),
(ii) receives more than 30 percent of its total revenues from outpatient services, and
(iii) on October 1, 1987—
(I) was an eye specialty hospital or an eye and ear specialty hospital, or
(II) was operated as an eye or eye and ear unit (as defined in subparagraph (B)) of a general acute care hospital which, on the date of the application described in clause (i), operates less than 20 percent of the beds that the hospital operated on October 1, 1987, and has sold or otherwise disposed of a substantial portion of the hospital's other acute care operations,
the cost proportion and ASC proportion in effect under subclauses (I) and (II) of paragraph (3)(B)(ii) for cost reporting periods beginning in fiscal year 1988 shall remain in effect for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1988, and before January 1, 1995.
(B) For purposes of this 6 subparagraph (A)(iii)(II), the term "eye or eye and ear unit" means a physically separate or distinct unit containing separate surgical suites devoted solely to eye or eye and ear services.
(5)(A) The Secretary is authorized to provide by regulations that in the case of a surgical procedure, specified by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1)(A), performed in an ambulatory surgical center described in such paragraph, there shall be paid (in lieu of any amounts otherwise payable under this part) with respect to the facility services furnished by such center and with respect to all related services (including physicians' services, laboratory, X-ray, and diagnostic services) a single all-inclusive fee established pursuant to subparagraph (B), if all parties furnishing all such services agree to accept such fee (to be divided among the parties involved in such manner as they shall have previously agreed upon) as full payment for the services furnished.
(B) In implementing this paragraph, the Secretary shall establish with respect to each surgical procedure specified pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) the amount of the all-inclusive fee for such procedure, taking into account such factors as may be appropriate. The amount so established with respect to any surgical procedure shall be reviewed periodically and may be adjusted by the Secretary, when appropriate, to take account of varying conditions in different areas.
(6) Any person, including a facility having an agreement under
(7)(A) For purposes of paragraph (2)(D)(iv), the Secretary may provide, in the case of an ambulatory surgical center that does not submit, to the Secretary in accordance with this paragraph, data required to be submitted on measures selected under this paragraph with respect to a year, any annual increase provided under the system established under paragraph (2)(D) for such year shall be reduced by 2.0 percentage points. A reduction under this subparagraph shall apply only with respect to the year involved and the Secretary shall not take into account such reduction in computing any annual increase factor for a subsequent year.
(B) Except as the Secretary may otherwise provide, the provisions of subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), and (E) of paragraph (17) of subsection (t) shall apply with respect to services of ambulatory surgical centers under this paragraph in a similar manner to the manner in which they apply under such paragraph and, for purposes of this subparagraph, any reference to a hospital, outpatient setting, or outpatient hospital services is deemed a reference to an ambulatory surgical center, the setting of such a center, or services of such a center, respectively.
(j) Accrual of interest on balance of excess or deficit not paid
Whenever a final determination is made that the amount of payment made under this part either to a provider of services or to another person pursuant to an assignment under
(k) Hepatitis B vaccine
With respect to services described in
(l) Fee schedule for services of certified registered nurse anesthetists
(1)(A) The Secretary shall establish a fee schedule for services of certified registered nurse anesthetists under
(B) In establishing the fee schedule under this paragraph the Secretary may utilize a system of time units, a system of base and time units, or any appropriate methodology.
(C) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to certain services furnished in certain hospitals in rural areas under the provisions of section 9320(k) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, as amended by section 6132 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), the fee schedule established under paragraph (1) shall be initially based on audited data from cost reporting periods ending in fiscal year 1985 and such other data as the Secretary determines necessary.
(3)(A) In establishing the initial fee schedule for those services, the Secretary shall adjust the fee schedule to the extent necessary to ensure that the estimated total amount which will be paid under this subchapter for those services plus applicable coinsurance in 1989 will equal the estimated total amount which would be paid under this subchapter for those services in 1989 if the services were included as inpatient hospital services and payment for such services was made under part A of this subchapter in the same manner as payment was made in fiscal year 1987, adjusted to take into account changes in prices and technology relating to the administration of anesthesia.
(B) The Secretary shall also reduce the prevailing charge of physicians for medical direction of a certified registered nurse anesthetist, or the fee schedule for services of certified registered nurse anesthetists, or both, to the extent necessary to ensure that the estimated total amount which will be paid under this subchapter plus applicable coinsurance for such medical direction and such services in 1989 and 1990 will not exceed the estimated total amount which would have been paid plus applicable coinsurance but for the enactment of the amendments made by section 9320 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986. A reduced prevailing charge under this subparagraph shall become the prevailing charge but for subsequent years for purposes of applying the economic index under the fourth sentence of
(4)(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (C) and (D), in determining the amount paid under the fee schedule under this subsection for services furnished on or after January 1, 1991, by a certified registered nurse anesthetist who is not medically directed—
(i) the conversion factor shall be—
(I) for services furnished in 1991, $15.50,
(II) for services furnished in 1992, $15.75,
(III) for services furnished in 1993, $16.00,
(IV) for services furnished in 1994, $16.25,
(V) for services furnished in 1995, $16.50,
(VI) for services furnished in 1996, $16.75, and
(VII) for services furnished in calendar years after 1996, the previous year's conversion factor increased by the update determined under
(ii) the payment areas to be used shall be the fee schedule areas used under
(iii) the geographic adjustment factors to be applied to the conversion factor under clause (i) for services in a fee schedule area or locality is— 7
(I) in the case of services furnished in 1991, the geographic work index value and the geographic practice cost index value specified in
(II) in the case of services furnished after 1991, the geographic work index value, the geographic practice cost index value, and the geographic malpractice index value used for determining payments for physicians' services that are anesthesia services under
with 70 percent of the conversion factor treated as attributable to work and 30 percent as attributable to overhead for services furnished in 1991 (and the portions attributable to work, practice expenses, and malpractice expenses in 1992 and thereafter being the same as is applied under
(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii) and subparagraph (D), in determining the amount paid under the fee schedule under this subsection for services furnished on or after January 1, 1991, and before January 1, 1994, by a certified registered nurse anesthetist who is medically directed, the Secretary shall apply the same methodology specified in subparagraph (A).
(ii) The conversion factor used under clause (i) shall be—
(I) for services furnished in 1991, $10.50,
(II) for services furnished in 1992, $10.75, and
(III) for services furnished in 1993, $11.00.
(iii) In the case of services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist who is medically directed or medically supervised by a physician which are furnished on or after January 1, 1994, the fee schedule amount shall be one-half of the amount described in
(C) Notwithstanding subclauses (I) through (V) of subparagraph (A)(i)—
(i) in the case of a 1990 conversion factor that is greater than $16.50, the conversion factor for a calendar year after 1990 and before 1996 shall be the 1990 conversion factor reduced by the product of the last digit of the calendar year and one-fifth of the amount by which the 1990 conversion factor exceeds $16.50; and
(ii) in the case of a 1990 conversion factor that is greater than $15.49 but less than $16.51, the conversion factor for a calendar year after 1990 and before 1996 shall be the greater of—
(I) the 1990 conversion factor, or
(II) the conversion factor specified in subparagraph (A)(i) for the year involved.
(D) Notwithstanding subparagraph (C), in no case may the conversion factor used to determine payment for services in a fee schedule area or locality under this subsection, as adjusted by the adjustment factors specified in subparagraphs 8 (A)(iii), exceed the conversion factor used to determine the amount paid for physicians' services that are anesthesia services in the area or locality.
(5)(A) Payment for the services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist (for which payment may otherwise be made under this part) may be made on the basis of a claim or request for payment presented by the certified registered nurse anesthetist furnishing such services, or by a hospital, critical access hospital, physician, group practice, or ambulatory surgical center with which the certified registered nurse anesthetist furnishing such services has an employment or contractual relationship that provides for payment to be made under this part for such services to such hospital, critical access hospital, physician, group practice, or ambulatory surgical center.
(B) No hospital or critical access hospital that presents a claim or request for payment for services of a certified nurse anesthetist under this part may treat any uncollected coinsurance amount imposed under this part with respect to such services as a bad debt of such hospital or critical access hospital for purposes of this subchapter.
(6) If an adjustment under paragraph (3)(B) results in a reduction in the reasonable charge for a physicians' service and a nonparticipating physician furnishes the service to an individual entitled to benefits under this part after the effective date of the reduction, the physician's actual charge is subject to a limit under
(m) Incentive payments for physicians' services furnished in underserved areas
(1) In the case of physicians' services furnished in a year to an individual, who is covered under the insurance program established by this part and who incurs expenses for such services, in an area that is designated (under
(2) For each health professional shortage area identified in paragraph (1) that consists of an entire county, the Secretary shall provide for the additional payment under paragraph (1) without any requirement on the physician to identify the health professional shortage area involved. The Secretary may implement the previous sentence using the method specified in subsection (u)(4)(C) of this section.
(3) The Secretary shall post on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services a list of the health professional shortage areas identified in paragraph (1) that consist of a partial county to facilitate the additional payment under paragraph (1) in such areas.
(4) There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(A) the identification of a county or area;
(B) the assignment of a specialty of any physician under this paragraph;
(C) the assignment of a physician to a county under this subsection; or
(D) the assignment of a postal ZIP Code to a county or other area under this subsection.
(n) Payments to hospital outpatient departments for radiology; amount; definitions
(1)(A) 9 The aggregate amount of the payments to be made for all or part of a cost reporting period for services described in subsection (a)(2)(E)(i) of this section furnished under this part on or after October 1, 1988, and before January 1, 1999, and for services described in subsection (a)(2)(E)(ii) of this section furnished under this part on or after October 1, 1989, and before January 1, 1999, shall be equal to the lesser of—
(i) the amount determined with respect to such services under subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section, or
(ii) the blend amount for radiology services and diagnostic procedures determined in accordance with subparagraph (B).
(B)(i) The blend amount for radiology services and diagnostic procedures for a cost reporting period is the sum of—
(I) the cost proportion (as defined in clause (ii)) of the amount described in subparagraph (A)(i); and
(II) the charge proportion (as defined in clause (ii)(II)) of 62 percent (for services described in subsection (a)(2)(E)(i) of this section), or (for procedures described in subsection (a)(2)(E)(ii) of this section), 42 percent or such other percent established by the Secretary (or carriers acting pursuant to guidelines issued by the Secretary) based on prevailing charges established with actual charge data, of the prevailing charge or (for services described in subsection (a)(2)(E)(i) of this section furnished on or after April 1, 1989 and for services described in subsection (a)(2)(E)(ii) of this section furnished on or after January 1, 1992) the fee schedule amount established for participating physicians for the same services as if they were furnished in a physician's office in the same locality as determined under
(ii) In this subparagraph:
(I) The term "cost proportion" means 50 percent, except that such term means 65 percent in the case of outpatient radiology services for portions of cost reporting periods which occur in fiscal year 1989 and in the case of diagnostic procedures described in subsection (a)(2)(E)(ii) of this section for portions of cost reporting periods which occur in fiscal year 1990, and such term means 42 percent in the case of outpatient radiology services for portions of cost reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 1991.
(II) The term "charge proportion" means 100 percent minus the cost proportion.
(o) Limitation on benefit for payment for therapeutic shoes for individuals with severe diabetic foot disease
(1) In the case of shoes described in
(A) no payment may be made under this part, with respect to any individual for any year, for the furnishing of—
(i) more than one pair of custom molded shoes (including inserts provided with such shoes) and 2 additional pairs of inserts for such shoes, or
(ii) more than one pair of extra-depth shoes (not including inserts provided with such shoes) and 3 pairs of inserts for such shoes, and
(B) with respect to expenses incurred in any calendar year, no more than the amount of payment applicable under paragraph (2) shall be considered as incurred expenses for purposes of subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
Payment for shoes (or inserts) under this part shall be considered to include payment for any expenses for the fitting of such shoes (or inserts).
(2)(A) Except as provided by the Secretary under subparagraphs (B) and (C), the amount of payment under this paragraph for custom molded shoes, extra-depth shoes, and inserts shall be the amount determined for such items by the Secretary under
(B) The Secretary may establish payment amounts for shoes and inserts that are lower than the amount established under
(C) In accordance with procedures established by the Secretary, an individual entitled to benefits with respect to shoes described in
(3) In this subchapter, the term "shoes" includes, except for purposes of subparagraphs (A)(ii) and (B) of paragraph (2), inserts for extra-depth shoes.
(p) Repealed. Pub. L. 103–432, title I, §123(b)(2)(A)(ii), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4411
(q) Requests for payment to include information on referring physician
(1) Each request for payment, or bill submitted, for an item or service furnished by an entity for which payment may be made under this part and for which the entity knows or has reason to believe there has been a referral by a referring physician (within the meaning of
(2)(A) In the case of a request for payment for an item or service furnished by an entity under this part on an assignment-related basis and for which information is required to be provided under paragraph (1) but not included, payment may be denied under this part.
(B) In the case of a request for payment for an item or service furnished by an entity under this part not submitted on an assignment-related basis and for which information is required to be provided under paragraph (1) but not included—
(i) if the entity knowingly and willfully fails to provide such information promptly upon request of the Secretary or a carrier, the entity may be subject to a civil money penalty in an amount not to exceed $2,000, and
(ii) if the entity knowingly, willfully, and in repeated cases fails, after being notified by the Secretary of the obligations and requirements of this subsection to provide the information required under paragraph (1), the entity may be subject to exclusion from participation in the programs under this chapter for a period not to exceed 5 years, in accordance with the procedures of subsections (c), (f), and (g) of
The provisions of
(r) Cap on prevailing charge; billing on assignment-related basis
(1) With respect to services described in
(2) No hospital or critical access hospital that presents a claim or request for payment under this part for services described in
(s) Other prepaid organizations
The Secretary may not provide for payment under subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section with respect to an organization unless the organization provides assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the organization meets the requirement of
(t) Prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services
(1) Amount of payment
(A) In general
With respect to covered OPD services (as defined in subparagraph (B)) furnished during a year beginning with 1999, the amount of payment under this part shall be determined under a prospective payment system established by the Secretary in accordance with this subsection.
(B) Definition of covered OPD services
For purposes of this subsection, the term "covered OPD services"—
(i) means hospital outpatient services designated by the Secretary;
(ii) subject to clause (iv), includes inpatient hospital services designated by the Secretary that are covered under this part and furnished to a hospital inpatient who (I) is entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter but has exhausted benefits for inpatient hospital services during a spell of illness, or (II) is not so entitled;
(iii) includes implantable items described in paragraph (3), (6), or (8) of
(iv) does not include any therapy services described in subsection (a)(8) of this section or ambulance services, for which payment is made under a fee schedule described in
(2) System requirements
Under the payment system—
(A) the Secretary shall develop a classification system for covered OPD services;
(B) the Secretary may establish groups of covered OPD services, within the classification system described in subparagraph (A), so that services classified within each group are comparable clinically and with respect to the use of resources and so that an implantable item is classified to the group that includes the service to which the item relates;
(C) the Secretary shall, using data on claims from 1996 and using data from the most recent available cost reports, establish relative payment weights for covered OPD services (and any groups of such services described in subparagraph (B)) based on median (or, at the election of the Secretary, mean) hospital costs and shall determine projections of the frequency of utilization of each such service (or group of services) in 1999;
(D) subject to paragraph (19), the Secretary shall determine a wage adjustment factor to adjust the portion of payment and coinsurance attributable to labor-related costs for relative differences in labor and labor-related costs across geographic regions in a budget neutral manner;
(E) the Secretary shall establish, in a budget neutral manner, outlier adjustments under paragraph (5) and transitional pass-through payments under paragraph (6) and other adjustments as determined to be necessary to ensure equitable payments, such as adjustments for certain classes of hospitals;
(F) the Secretary shall develop a method for controlling unnecessary increases in the volume of covered OPD services;
(G) the Secretary shall create additional groups of covered OPD services that classify separately those procedures that utilize contrast agents from those that do not; and
(H) with respect to devices of brachytherapy consisting of a seed or seeds (or radioactive source), the Secretary shall create additional groups of covered OPD services that classify such devices separately from the other services (or group of services) paid for under this subsection in a manner reflecting the number, isotope, and radioactive intensity of such devices furnished, including separate groups for palladium-103 and iodine-125 devices and for stranded and non-stranded devices furnished on or after July 1, 2007.
For purposes of subparagraph (B), items and services within a group shall not be treated as "comparable with respect to the use of resources" if the highest median cost (or mean cost, if elected by the Secretary under subparagraph (C)) for an item or service within the group is more than 2 times greater than the lowest median cost (or mean cost, if so elected) for an item or service within the group; except that the Secretary may make exceptions in unusual cases, such as low volume items and services, but may not make such an exception in the case of a drug or biological that has been designated as an orphan drug under
(3) Calculation of base amounts
(A) Aggregate amounts that would be payable if deductibles were disregarded
The Secretary shall estimate the sum of—
(i) the total amounts that would be payable from the Trust Fund under this part for covered OPD services in 1999, determined without regard to this subsection, as though the deductible under subsection (b) of this section did not apply, and
(ii) the total amounts of copayments estimated to be paid under this subsection by beneficiaries to hospitals for covered OPD services in 1999, as though the deductible under subsection (b) of this section did not apply.
(B) Unadjusted copayment amount
(i) In general
For purposes of this subsection, subject to clause (ii), the "unadjusted copayment amount" applicable to a covered OPD service (or group of such services) is 20 percent of the national median of the charges for the service (or services within the group) furnished during 1996, updated to 1999 using the Secretary's estimate of charge growth during the period.
(ii) Adjusted to be 20 percent when fully phased in
If the pre-deductible payment percentage for a covered OPD service (or group of such services) furnished in a year would be equal to or exceed 80 percent, then the unadjusted copayment amount shall be 20 percent of amount determined under subparagraph (D).
(iii) Rules for new services
The Secretary shall establish rules for establishment of an unadjusted copayment amount for a covered OPD service not furnished during 1996, based upon its classification within a group of such services.
(C) Calculation of conversion factors
(i) For 1999
(I) In general
The Secretary shall establish a 1999 conversion factor for determining the medicare OPD fee schedule amounts for each covered OPD service (or group of such services) furnished in 1999. Such conversion factor shall be established on the basis of the weights and frequencies described in paragraph (2)(C) and in such a manner that the sum for all services and groups of the products (described in subclause (II) for each such service or group) equals the total projected amount described in subparagraph (A).
(II) Product described
The Secretary shall determine for each service or group the product of the medicare OPD fee schedule amounts (taking into account appropriate adjustments described in paragraphs (2)(D) and (2)(E)) and the estimated frequencies for such service or group.
(ii) Subsequent years
Subject to paragraph (8)(B), the Secretary shall establish a conversion factor for covered OPD services furnished in subsequent years in an amount equal to the conversion factor established under this subparagraph and applicable to such services furnished in the previous year increased by the OPD fee schedule increase factor specified under clause (iv) for the year involved.
(iii) Adjustment for service mix changes
Insofar as the Secretary determines that the adjustments for service mix under paragraph (2) for a previous year (or estimates that such adjustments for a future year) did (or are likely to) result in a change in aggregate payments under this subsection during the year that are a result of changes in the coding or classification of covered OPD services that do not reflect real changes in service mix, the Secretary may adjust the conversion factor computed under this subparagraph for subsequent years so as to eliminate the effect of such coding or classification changes.
(iv) OPD fee schedule increase factor
For purposes of this subparagraph, subject to paragraph (17) and subparagraph (F) of this paragraph, the "OPD fee schedule increase factor" for services furnished in a year is equal to the market basket percentage increase applicable under
(D) Calculation of medicare OPD fee schedule amounts
The Secretary shall compute a medicare OPD fee schedule amount for each covered OPD service (or group of such services) furnished in a year, in an amount equal to the product of—
(i) the conversion factor computed under subparagraph (C) for the year, and
(ii) the relative payment weight (determined under paragraph (2)(C)) for the service or group.
(E) Pre-deductible payment percentage
The pre-deductible payment percentage for a covered OPD service (or group of such services) furnished in a year is equal to the ratio of—
(i) the medicare OPD fee schedule amount established under subparagraph (D) for the year, minus the unadjusted copayment amount determined under subparagraph (B) for the service or group, to
(ii) the medicare OPD fee schedule amount determined under subparagraph (D) for the year for such service or group.
(F) Productivity and other adjustment
After determining the OPD fee schedule increase factor under subparagraph (C)(iv), the Secretary shall reduce such increase factor—
(i) for 2012 and subsequent years, by the productivity adjustment described in
(ii) for each of 2010 through 2019, by the adjustment described in subparagraph (G).
The application of this subparagraph may result in the increase factor under subparagraph (C)(iv) being less than 0.0 for a year, and may result in payment rates under the payment system under this subsection for a year being less than such payment rates for the preceding year.
(G) Other adjustment
For purposes of subparagraph (F)(ii), the adjustment described in this subparagraph is—
(i) for each of 2010 and 2011, 0.25 percentage point;
(ii) for each of 2012 and 2013, 0.1 percentage point;
(iii) for 2014, 0.3 percentage point;
(iv) for each of 2015 and 2016, 0.2 percentage point; and
(v) for each of 2017, 2018, and 2019, 0.75 percentage point.
(4) Medicare payment amount
The amount of payment made from the Trust Fund under this part for a covered OPD service (and such services classified within a group) furnished in a year is determined, subject to paragraph (7), as follows:
(A) Fee schedule adjustments
The medicare OPD fee schedule amount (computed under paragraph (3)(D)) for the service or group and year is adjusted for relative differences in the cost of labor and other factors determined by the Secretary, as computed under paragraphs (2)(D) and (2)(E).
(B) Subtract applicable deductible
Reduce the adjusted amount determined under subparagraph (A) by the amount of the deductible under subsection (b) of this section, to the extent applicable.
(C) Apply payment proportion to remainder
The amount of payment is the amount so determined under subparagraph (B) multiplied by the pre-deductible payment percentage (as determined under paragraph (3)(E)) for the service or group and year involved, plus the amount of any reduction in the copayment amount attributable to paragraph (8)(C).
(5) Outlier adjustment
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (D), the Secretary shall provide for an additional payment for each covered OPD service (or group of services) for which a hospital's charges, adjusted to cost, exceed—
(i) a fixed multiple of the sum of—
(I) the applicable medicare OPD fee schedule amount determined under paragraph (3)(D), as adjusted under paragraph (4)(A) (other than for adjustments under this paragraph or paragraph (6)); and
(II) any transitional pass-through payment under paragraph (6); and
(ii) at the option of the Secretary, such fixed dollar amount as the Secretary may establish.
(B) Amount of adjustment
The amount of the additional payment under subparagraph (A) shall be determined by the Secretary and shall approximate the marginal cost of care beyond the applicable cutoff point under such subparagraph.
(C) Limit on aggregate outlier adjustments
(i) In general
The total of the additional payments made under this paragraph for covered OPD services furnished in a year (as estimated by the Secretary before the beginning of the year) may not exceed the applicable percentage (specified in clause (ii)) of the total program payments estimated to be made under this subsection for all covered OPD services furnished in that year. If this paragraph is first applied to less than a full year, the previous sentence shall apply only to the portion of such year.
(ii) Applicable percentage
For purposes of clause (i), the term "applicable percentage" means a percentage specified by the Secretary up to (but not to exceed)—
(I) for a year (or portion of a year) before 2004, 2.5 percent; and
(II) for 2004 and thereafter, 3.0 percent.
(D) Transitional authority
In applying subparagraph (A) for covered OPD services furnished before January 1, 2002, the Secretary may—
(i) apply such subparagraph to a bill for such services related to an outpatient encounter (rather than for a specific service or group of services) using OPD fee schedule amounts and transitional pass-through payments covered under the bill; and
(ii) use an appropriate cost-to-charge ratio for the hospital involved (as determined by the Secretary), rather than for specific departments within the hospital.
(E) Exclusion of separate drug and biological APCS from outlier payments
No additional payment shall be made under subparagraph (A) in the case of ambulatory payment classification groups established separately for drugs or biologicals.
(6) Transitional pass-through for additional costs of innovative medical devices, drugs, and biologicals
(A) In general
The Secretary shall provide for an additional payment under this paragraph for any of the following that are provided as part of a covered OPD service (or group of services):
(i) Current orphan drugs
A drug or biological that is used for a rare disease or condition with respect to which the drug or biological has been designated as an orphan drug under
(ii) Current cancer therapy drugs and biologicals and brachytherapy
A drug or biological that is used in cancer therapy, including (but not limited to) a chemotherapeutic agent, an antiemetic, a hematopoietic growth factor, a colony stimulating factor, a biological response modifier, a bisphosphonate, and a device of brachytherapy or temperature monitored cryoablation, if payment for such drug, biological, or device as an outpatient hospital service under this part was being made on such first date.
(iii) Current radiopharmaceutical drugs and biological products
A radiopharmaceutical drug or biological product used in diagnostic, monitoring, and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures if payment for the drug or biological as an outpatient hospital service under this part was being made on such first date.
(iv) New medical devices, drugs, and biologicals
A medical device, drug, or biological not described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) if—
(I) payment for the device, drug, or biological as an outpatient hospital service under this part was not being made as of December 31, 1996; and
(II) the cost of the drug or biological or the average cost of the category of devices is not insignificant in relation to the OPD fee schedule amount (as calculated under paragraph (3)(D)) payable for the service (or group of services) involved.
(B) Use of categories in determining eligibility of a device for pass-through payments
The following provisions apply for purposes of determining whether a medical device qualifies for additional payments under clause (ii) or (iv) of subparagraph (A):
(i) Establishment of initial categories
(I) In general
The Secretary shall initially establish under this clause categories of medical devices based on type of device by April 1, 2001. Such categories shall be established in a manner such that each medical device that meets the requirements of clause (ii) or (iv) of subparagraph (A) as of January 1, 2001, is included in such a category and no such device is included in more than one category. For purposes of the preceding sentence, whether a medical device meets such requirements as of such date shall be determined on the basis of the program memoranda issued before such date.
(II) Authorization of implementation other than through regulations
The categories may be established under this clause by program memorandum or otherwise, after consultation with groups representing hospitals, manufacturers of medical devices, and other affected parties.
(ii) Establishing criteria for additional categories
(I) In general
The Secretary shall establish criteria that will be used for creation of additional categories (other than those established under clause (i)) through rulemaking (which may include use of an interim final rule with comment period).
(II) Standard
Such categories shall be established under this clause in a manner such that no medical device is described by more than one category. Such criteria shall include a test of whether the average cost of devices that would be included in a category and are in use at the time the category is established is not insignificant, as described in subparagraph (A)(iv)(II).
(III) Deadline
Criteria shall first be established under this clause by July 1, 2001. The Secretary may establish in compelling circumstances categories under this clause before the date such criteria are established.
(IV) Adding categories
The Secretary shall promptly establish a new category of medical devices under this clause for any medical device that meets the requirements of subparagraph (A)(iv) and for which none of the categories in effect (or that were previously in effect) is appropriate.
(iii) Period for which category is in effect
A category of medical devices established under clause (i) or (ii) shall be in effect for a period of at least 2 years, but not more than 3 years, that begins—
(I) in the case of a category established under clause (i), on the first date on which payment was made under this paragraph for any device described by such category (including payments made during the period before April 1, 2001); and
(II) in the case of any other category, on the first date on which payment is made under this paragraph for any medical device that is described by such category.
(iv) Requirements treated as met
A medical device shall be treated as meeting the requirements of subparagraph (A)(iv), regardless of whether the device meets the requirement of subclause (I) of such subparagraph, if—
(I) the device is described by a category established and in effect under clause (i); or
(II) the device is described by a category established and in effect under clause (ii) and an application under
Nothing in this clause shall be construed as requiring an application or prior approval (other than that described in subclause (II)) in order for a covered device described by a category to qualify for payment under this paragraph.
(C) Limited period of payment
(i) Drugs and biologicals
The payment under this paragraph with respect to a drug or biological shall only apply during a period of at least 2 years, but not more than 3 years, that begins—
(I) on the first date this subsection is implemented in the case of a drug or biological described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (A) and in the case of a drug or biological described in subparagraph (A)(iv) and for which payment under this part is made as an outpatient hospital service before such first date; or
(II) in the case of a drug or biological described in subparagraph (A)(iv) not described in subclause (I), on the first date on which payment is made under this part for the drug or biological as an outpatient hospital service.
(ii) Medical devices
Payment shall be made under this paragraph with respect to a medical device only if such device—
(I) is described by a category of medical devices established and in effect under subparagraph (B); and
(II) is provided as part of a service (or group of services) paid for under this subsection and provided during the period for which such category is in effect under such subparagraph.
(D) Amount of additional payment
Subject to subparagraph (E)(iii), the amount of the payment under this paragraph with respect to a device, drug, or biological provided as part of a covered OPD service is—
(i) in the case of a drug or biological, the amount by which the amount determined under
(ii) in the case of a medical device, the amount by which the hospital's charges for the device, adjusted to cost, exceeds the portion of the otherwise applicable medicare OPD fee schedule that the Secretary determines is associated with the device.
(E) Limit on aggregate annual adjustment
(i) In general
The total of the additional payments made under this paragraph for covered OPD services furnished in a year (as estimated by the Secretary before the beginning of the year) may not exceed the applicable percentage (specified in clause (ii)) of the total program payments estimated to be made under this subsection for all covered OPD services furnished in that year. If this paragraph is first applied to less than a full year, the previous sentence shall apply only to the portion of such year.
(ii) Applicable percentage
For purposes of clause (i), the term "applicable percentage" means—
(I) for a year (or portion of a year) before 2004, 2.5 percent; and
(II) for 2004 and thereafter, a percentage specified by the Secretary up to (but not to exceed) 2.0 percent.
(iii) Uniform prospective reduction if aggregate limit projected to be exceeded
If the Secretary estimates before the beginning of a year that the amount of the additional payments under this paragraph for the year (or portion thereof) as determined under clause (i) without regard to this clause will exceed the limit established under such clause, the Secretary shall reduce pro rata the amount of each of the additional payments under this paragraph for that year (or portion thereof) in order to ensure that the aggregate additional payments under this paragraph (as so estimated) do not exceed such limit.
(F) Limitation of application of functional equivalence standard
(i) In general
The Secretary may not publish regulations that apply a functional equivalence standard to a drug or biological under this paragraph.
(ii) Application
Clause (i) shall apply to the application of a functional equivalence standard to a drug or biological on or after December 8, 2003, unless—
(I) such application was being made to such drug or biological prior to December 8, 2003; and
(II) the Secretary applies such standard to such drug or biological only for the purpose of determining eligibility of such drug or biological for additional payments under this paragraph and not for the purpose of any other payments under this subchapter.
(iii) Rule of construction
Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to effect the Secretary's authority to deem a particular drug to be identical to another drug if the 2 products are pharmaceutically equivalent and bioequivalent, as determined by the Commissioner of Food and Drugs.
(7) Transitional adjustment to limit decline in payment
(A) Before 2002
Subject to subparagraph (D), for covered OPD services furnished before January 1, 2002, for which the PPS amount (as defined in subparagraph (E)) is—
(i) at least 90 percent, but less than 100 percent, of the pre-BBA amount (as defined in subparagraph (F)), the amount of payment under this subsection shall be increased by 80 percent of the amount of such difference;
(ii) at least 80 percent, but less than 90 percent, of the pre-BBA amount, the amount of payment under this subsection shall be increased by the amount by which (I) the product of 0.71 and the pre-BBA amount, exceeds (II) the product of 0.70 and the PPS amount;
(iii) at least 70 percent, but less than 80 percent, of the pre-BBA amount, the amount of payment under this subsection shall be increased by the amount by which (I) the product of 0.63 and the pre-BBA amount, exceeds (II) the product of 0.60 and the PPS amount; or
(iv) less than 70 percent of the pre-BBA amount, the amount of payment under this subsection shall be increased by 21 percent of the pre-BBA amount.
(B) 2002
Subject to subparagraph (D), for covered OPD services furnished during 2002, for which the PPS amount is—
(i) at least 90 percent, but less than 100 percent, of the pre-BBA amount, the amount of payment under this subsection shall be increased by 70 percent of the amount of such difference;
(ii) at least 80 percent, but less than 90 percent, of the pre-BBA amount, the amount of payment under this subsection shall be increased by the amount by which (I) the product of 0.61 and the pre-BBA amount, exceeds (II) the product of 0.60 and the PPS amount; or
(iii) less than 80 percent of the pre-BBA amount, the amount of payment under this subsection shall be increased by 13 percent of the pre-BBA amount.
(C) 2003
Subject to subparagraph (D), for covered OPD services furnished during 2003, for which the PPS amount is—
(i) at least 90 percent, but less than 100 percent, of the pre-BBA amount, the amount of payment under this subsection shall be increased by 60 percent of the amount of such difference; or
(ii) less than 90 percent of the pre-BBA amount, the amount of payment under this subsection shall be increased by 6 percent of the pre-BBA amount.
(D) Hold harmless provisions
(i) Temporary treatment for certain rural hospitals
(I) In the case of a hospital located in a rural area and that has not more than 100 beds or a sole community hospital (as defined in
(II) In the case of a hospital located in a rural area and that has not more than 100 beds and that is not a sole community hospital (as defined in
(III) In the case of a sole community hospital (as defined in
(ii) Permanent treatment for cancer hospitals and children's hospitals
In the case of a hospital described in clause (iii) or (v) of
(E) PPS amount defined
In this paragraph, the term "PPS amount" means, with respect to covered OPD services, the amount payable under this subchapter for such services (determined without regard to this paragraph), including amounts payable as copayment under paragraph (8), coinsurance under
(F) Pre-BBA amount defined
(i) In general
In this paragraph, the "pre-BBA amount" means, with respect to covered OPD services furnished by a hospital in a year, an amount equal to the product of the reasonable cost of the hospital for such services for the portions of the hospital's cost reporting period (or periods) occurring in the year and the base OPD payment-to-cost ratio for the hospital (as defined in clause (ii)).
(ii) Base payment-to-cost ratio defined
For purposes of this subparagraph, the "base payment-to-cost ratio" for a hospital means the ratio of—
(I) the hospital's reimbursement under this part for covered OPD services furnished during the cost reporting period ending in 1996 (or in the case of a hospital that did not submit a cost report for such period, during the first subsequent cost reporting period ending before 2001 for which the hospital submitted a cost report), including any reimbursement for such services through cost-sharing described in subparagraph (E), to
(II) the reasonable cost of such services for such period.
The Secretary shall determine such ratios as if the amendments made by section 4521 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 were in effect in 1996.
(G) Interim payments
The Secretary shall make payments under this paragraph to hospitals on an interim basis, subject to retrospective adjustments based on settled cost reports.
(H) No effect on copayments
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to affect the unadjusted copayment amount described in paragraph (3)(B) or the copayment amount under paragraph (8).
(I) Application without regard to budget neutrality
The additional payments made under this paragraph—
(i) shall not be considered an adjustment under paragraph (2)(E); and
(ii) shall not be implemented in a budget neutral manner.
(8) Copayment amount
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the copayment amount under this subsection is the amount by which the amount described in paragraph (4)(B) exceeds the amount of payment determined under paragraph (4)(C).
(B) Election to offer reduced copayment amount
The Secretary shall establish a procedure under which a hospital, before the beginning of a year (beginning with 1999), may elect to reduce the copayment amount otherwise established under subparagraph (A) for some or all covered OPD services to an amount that is not less than 20 percent of the medicare OPD fee schedule amount (computed under paragraph (3)(D)) for the service involved. Under such procedures, such reduced copayment amount may not be further reduced or increased during the year involved and the hospital may disseminate information on the reduction of copayment amount effected under this subparagraph.
(C) Limitation on copayment amount
(i) To inpatient hospital deductible amount
In no case shall the copayment amount for a procedure performed in a year exceed the amount of the inpatient hospital deductible established under
(ii) To specified percentage
The Secretary shall reduce the national unadjusted copayment amount for a covered OPD service (or group of such services) furnished in a year in a manner so that the effective copayment rate (determined on a national unadjusted basis) for that service in the year does not exceed the following percentage:
(I) For procedures performed in 2001, on or after April 1, 2001, 57 percent.
(II) For procedures performed in 2002 or 2003, 55 percent.
(III) For procedures performed in 2004, 50 percent.
(IV) For procedures performed in 2005, 45 percent.
(V) For procedures performed in 2006 and thereafter, 40 percent.
(D) No impact on deductibles
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as affecting a hospital's authority to waive the charging of a deductible under subsection (b) of this section.
(E) Computation ignoring outlier and pass-through adjustments
The copayment amount shall be computed under subparagraph (A) as if the adjustments under paragraphs (5) and (6) (and any adjustment made under paragraph (2)(E) in relation to such adjustments) had not occurred.
(9) Periodic review and adjustments components of prospective payment system
(A) Periodic review
The Secretary shall review not less often than annually and revise the groups, the relative payment weights, and the wage and other adjustments described in paragraph (2) to take into account changes in medical practice, changes in technology, the addition of new services, new cost data, and other relevant information and factors. The Secretary shall consult with an expert outside advisory panel composed of an appropriate selection of representatives of providers to review (and advise the Secretary concerning) the clinical integrity of the groups and weights. Such panel may use data collected or developed by entities and organizations (other than the Department of Health and Human Services) in conducting such review.
(B) Budget neutrality adjustment
If the Secretary makes adjustments under subparagraph (A), then the adjustments for a year may not cause the estimated amount of expenditures under this part for the year to increase or decrease from the estimated amount of expenditures under this part that would have been made if the adjustments had not been made. In determining adjustments under the preceding sentence for 2004 and 2005, the Secretary shall not take into account under this subparagraph or paragraph (2)(E) any expenditures that would not have been made but for the application of paragraph (14).
(C) Update factor
If the Secretary determines under methodologies described in paragraph (2)(F) that the volume of services paid for under this subsection increased beyond amounts established through those methodologies, the Secretary may appropriately adjust the update to the conversion factor otherwise applicable in a subsequent year.
(10) Special rule for ambulance services
The Secretary shall pay for hospital outpatient services that are ambulance services on the basis described in
(11) Special rules for certain hospitals
In the case of hospitals described in clause (iii) or (v) of
(A) the system under this subsection shall not apply to covered OPD services furnished before January 1, 2000; and
(B) the Secretary may establish a separate conversion factor for such services in a manner that specifically takes into account the unique costs incurred by such hospitals by virtue of their patient population and service intensity.
(12) Limitation on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(A) the development of the classification system under paragraph (2), including the establishment of groups and relative payment weights for covered OPD services, of wage adjustment factors, other adjustments, and methods described in paragraph (2)(F);
(B) the calculation of base amounts under paragraph (3);
(C) periodic adjustments made under paragraph (6);
(D) the establishment of a separate conversion factor under paragraph (8)(B); and
(E) the determination of the fixed multiple, or a fixed dollar cutoff amount, the marginal cost of care, or applicable percentage under paragraph (5) or the determination of insignificance of cost, the duration of the additional payments, the determination and deletion of initial and new categories (consistent with subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (6)), the portion of the medicare OPD fee schedule amount associated with particular devices, drugs, or biologicals, and the application of any pro rata reduction under paragraph (6).
(13) Authorization of adjustment for rural hospitals
(A) Study
The Secretary shall conduct a study to determine if, under the system under this subsection, costs incurred by hospitals located in rural areas by ambulatory payment classification groups (APCs) exceed those costs incurred by hospitals located in urban areas.
(B) Authorization of adjustment
Insofar as the Secretary determines under subparagraph (A) that costs incurred by hospitals located in rural areas exceed those costs incurred by hospitals located in urban areas, the Secretary shall provide for an appropriate adjustment under paragraph (2)(E) to reflect those higher costs by January 1, 2006.
(14) Drug APC payment rates
(A) In general
The amount of payment under this subsection for a specified covered outpatient drug (defined in subparagraph (B)) that is furnished as part of a covered OPD service (or group of services)—
(i) in 2004, in the case of—
(I) a sole source drug shall in no case be less than 88 percent, or exceed 95 percent, of the reference average wholesale price for the drug;
(II) an innovator multiple source drug shall in no case exceed 68 percent of the reference average wholesale price for the drug; or
(III) a noninnovator multiple source drug shall in no case exceed 46 percent of the reference average wholesale price for the drug;
(ii) in 2005, in the case of—
(I) a sole source drug shall in no case be less than 83 percent, or exceed 95 percent, of the reference average wholesale price for the drug;
(II) an innovator multiple source drug shall in no case exceed 68 percent of the reference average wholesale price for the drug; or
(III) a noninnovator multiple source drug shall in no case exceed 46 percent of the reference average wholesale price for the drug; or
(iii) in a subsequent year, shall be equal, subject to subparagraph (E)—
(I) to the average acquisition cost for the drug for that year (which, at the option of the Secretary, may vary by hospital group (as defined by the Secretary based on volume of covered OPD services or other relevant characteristics)), as determined by the Secretary taking into account the hospital acquisition cost survey data under subparagraph (D); or
(II) if hospital acquisition cost data are not available, the average price for the drug in the year established under
(B) Specified covered outpatient drug defined
(i) In general
In this paragraph, the term "specified covered outpatient drug" means, subject to clause (ii), a covered outpatient drug (as defined in
(I) a radiopharmaceutical; or
(II) a drug or biological for which payment was made under paragraph (6) (relating to pass-through payments) on or before December 31, 2002.
(ii) Exception
Such term does not include—
(I) a drug or biological for which payment is first made on or after January 1, 2003, under paragraph (6);
(II) a drug or biological for which a temporary HCPCS code has not been assigned; or
(III) during 2004 and 2005, an orphan drug (as designated by the Secretary).
(C) Payment for designated orphan drugs during 2004 and 2005
The amount of payment under this subsection for an orphan drug designated by the Secretary under subparagraph (B)(ii)(III) that is furnished as part of a covered OPD service (or group of services) during 2004 and 2005 shall equal such amount as the Secretary may specify.
(D) Acquisition cost survey for hospital outpatient drugs
(i) Annual GAO surveys in 2004 and 2005
(I) In general
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a survey in each of 2004 and 2005 to determine the hospital acquisition cost for each specified covered outpatient drug. Not later than April 1, 2005, the Comptroller General shall furnish data from such surveys to the Secretary for use in setting the payment rates under subparagraph (A) for 2006.
(II) Recommendations
Upon the completion of such surveys, the Comptroller General shall recommend to the Secretary the frequency and methodology of subsequent surveys to be conducted by the Secretary under clause (ii).
(ii) Subsequent secretarial surveys
The Secretary, taking into account such recommendations, shall conduct periodic subsequent surveys to determine the hospital acquisition cost for each specified covered outpatient drug for use in setting the payment rates under subparagraph (A).
(iii) Survey requirements
The surveys conducted under clauses (i) and (ii) shall have a large sample of hospitals that is sufficient to generate a statistically significant estimate of the average hospital acquisition cost for each specified covered outpatient drug. With respect to the surveys conducted under clause (i), the Comptroller General shall report to Congress on the justification for the size of the sample used in order to assure the validity of such estimates.
(iv) Differentiation in cost
In conducting surveys under clause (i), the Comptroller General shall determine and report to Congress if there is (and the extent of any) variation in hospital acquisition costs for drugs among hospitals based on the volume of covered OPD services performed by such hospitals or other relevant characteristics of such hospitals (as defined by the Comptroller General).
(v) Comment on proposed rates
Not later than 30 days after the date the Secretary promulgated proposed rules setting forth the payment rates under subparagraph (A) for 2006, the Comptroller General shall evaluate such proposed rates and submit to Congress a report regarding the appropriateness of such rates based on the surveys the Comptroller General has conducted under clause (i).
(E) Adjustment in payment rates for overhead costs
(i) MedPAC report on drug APC design
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission shall submit to the Secretary, not later than July 1, 2005, a report on adjustment of payment for ambulatory payment classifications for specified covered outpatient drugs to take into account overhead and related expenses, such as pharmacy services and handling costs. Such report shall include—
(I) a description and analysis of the data available with regard to such expenses;
(II) a recommendation as to whether such a payment adjustment should be made; and
(III) if such adjustment should be made, a recommendation regarding the methodology for making such an adjustment.
(ii) Adjustment authorized
The Secretary may adjust the weights for ambulatory payment classifications for specified covered outpatient drugs to take into account the recommendations contained in the report submitted under clause (i).
(F) Classes of drugs
For purposes of this paragraph:
(i) Sole source drugs
The term "sole source drug" means—
(I) a biological product (as defined under
(II) a single source drug (as defined in
(ii) Innovator multiple source drugs
The term "innovator multiple source drug" has the meaning given such term in
(iii) Noninnovator multiple source drugs
The term "noninnovator multiple source drug" has the meaning given such term in
(G) Reference average wholesale price
The term "reference average wholesale price" means, with respect to a specified covered outpatient drug, the average wholesale price for the drug as determined under
(H) Inapplicability of expenditures in determining conversion, weighting, and other adjustment factors
Additional expenditures resulting from this paragraph shall not be taken into account in establishing the conversion, weighting, and other adjustment factors for 2004 and 2005 under paragraph (9), but shall be taken into account for subsequent years.
(15) Payment for new drugs and biologicals until HCPCS code assigned
With respect to payment under this part for an outpatient drug or biological that is covered under this part and is furnished as part of covered OPD services for which a HCPCS code has not been assigned, the amount provided for payment for such drug or biological under this part shall be equal to 95 percent of the average wholesale price for the drug or biological.
(16) Miscellaneous provisions
(A) Application of reclassification of certain hospitals
If a hospital is being treated as being located in a rural area under
(B) Threshold for establishment of separate APCS for drugs
The Secretary shall reduce the threshold for the establishment of separate ambulatory payment classification groups (APCs) with respect to drugs or biologicals to $50 per administration for drugs and biologicals furnished in 2005 and 2006.
(C) Payment for devices of brachytherapy and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals at charges adjusted to cost
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subsection, for a device of brachytherapy consisting of a seed or seeds (or radioactive source) furnished on or after January 1, 2004, and before January 1, 2010, and for therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals furnished on or after January 1, 2008, and before January 1, 2010, the payment basis for the device or therapeutic radiopharmaceutical under this subsection shall be equal to the hospital's charges for each device or therapeutic radiopharmaceutical furnished, adjusted to cost. Charges for such devices or therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals shall not be included in determining any outlier payment under this subsection.
(17) Quality reporting
(A) Reduction in update for failure to report
(i) In general
For purposes of paragraph (3)(C)(iv) for 2009 and each subsequent year, in the case of a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in
(ii) Non-cumulative application
A reduction under this subparagraph shall apply only with respect to the year involved and the Secretary shall not take into account such reduction in computing the OPD fee schedule increase factor for a subsequent year.
(B) Form and manner of submission
Each subsection (d) hospital shall submit data on measures selected under this paragraph to the Secretary in a form and manner, and at a time, specified by the Secretary for purposes of this paragraph.
(C) Development of outpatient measures
(i) In general
The Secretary shall develop measures that the Secretary determines to be appropriate for the measurement of the quality of care (including medication errors) furnished by hospitals in outpatient settings and that reflect consensus among affected parties and, to the extent feasible and practicable, shall include measures set forth by one or more national consensus building entities.
(ii) Construction
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as preventing the Secretary from selecting measures that are the same as (or a subset of) the measures for which data are required to be submitted under
(D) Replacement of measures
For purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary may replace any measures or indicators in appropriate cases, such as where all hospitals are effectively in compliance or the measures or indicators have been subsequently shown not to represent the best clinical practice.
(E) Availability of data
The Secretary shall establish procedures for making data submitted under this paragraph available to the public. Such procedures shall ensure that a hospital has the opportunity to review the data that are to be made public with respect to the hospital prior to such data being made public. The Secretary shall report quality measures of process, structure, outcome, patients' perspectives on care, efficiency, and costs of care that relate to services furnished in outpatient settings in hospitals on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
(18) Authorization of adjustment for cancer hospitals
(A) Study
The Secretary shall conduct a study to determine if, under the system under this subsection, costs incurred by hospitals described in
(B) Authorization of adjustment
Insofar as the Secretary determines under subparagraph (A) that costs incurred by hospitals described in
(19) Floor on area wage adjustment factor for hospital outpatient department services in frontier States
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), with respect to covered OPD services furnished on or after January 1, 2011, the area wage adjustment factor applicable under the payment system established under this subsection to any hospital outpatient department which is located in a frontier State (as defined in
(B) Limitation
This paragraph shall not apply to any hospital outpatient department located in a State that receives a non-labor related share adjustment under
(u) Incentive payments for physician scarcity areas
(1) In general
In the case of physicians' services furnished on or after January 1, 2005, and before July 1, 2008—
(A) by a primary care physician in a primary care scarcity county (identified under paragraph (4)); or
(B) by a physician who is not a primary care physician in a specialist care scarcity county (as so identified),
in addition to the amount of payment that would otherwise be made for such services under this part, there also shall be paid an amount equal to 5 percent of the payment amount for the service under this part.
(2) Determination of ratios of physicians to medicare beneficiaries in area
Based upon available data, the Secretary shall establish for each county or equivalent area in the United States, the following:
(A) Number of physicians practicing in the area
The number of physicians who furnish physicians' services in the active practice of medicine or osteopathy in that county or area, other than physicians whose practice is exclusively for the Federal Government, physicians who are retired, or physicians who only provide administrative services. Of such number, the number of such physicians who are—
(i) primary care physicians; or
(ii) physicians who are not primary care physicians.
(B) Number of medicare beneficiaries residing in the area
The number of individuals who are residing in the county and are entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under this part, or both (in this subsection referred to as "individuals").
(C) Determination of ratios
(i) Primary care ratio
The ratio (in this paragraph referred to as the "primary care ratio") of the number of primary care physicians (determined under subparagraph (A)(i)), to the number of individuals determined under subparagraph (B).
(ii) Specialist care ratio
The ratio (in this paragraph referred to as the "specialist care ratio") of the number of other physicians (determined under subparagraph (A)(ii)), to the number of individuals determined under subparagraph (B).
(3) Ranking of counties
The Secretary shall rank each such county or area based separately on its primary care ratio and its specialist care ratio.
(4) Identification of counties
(A) In general
The Secretary shall identify—
(i) those counties and areas (in this paragraph referred to as "primary care scarcity counties") with the lowest primary care ratios that represent, if each such county or area were weighted by the number of individuals determined under paragraph (2)(B), an aggregate total of 20 percent of the total of the individuals determined under such paragraph; and
(ii) those counties and areas (in this subsection referred to as "specialist care scarcity counties") with the lowest specialist care ratios that represent, if each such county or area were weighted by the number of individuals determined under paragraph (2)(B), an aggregate total of 20 percent of the total of the individuals determined under such paragraph.
(B) Periodic revisions
The Secretary shall periodically revise the counties or areas identified in subparagraph (A) (but not less often than once every three years) unless the Secretary determines that there is no new data available on the number of physicians practicing in the county or area or the number of individuals residing in the county or area, as identified in paragraph (2).
(C) Identification of counties where service is furnished
For purposes of paying the additional amount specified in paragraph (1), if the Secretary uses the 5-digit postal ZIP Code where the service is furnished, the dominant county of the postal ZIP Code (as determined by the United States Postal Service, or otherwise) shall be used to determine whether the postal ZIP Code is in a scarcity county identified in subparagraph (A) or revised in subparagraph (B).
(D) Special rule
With respect to physicians' services furnished on or after January 1, 2008, and before July 1, 2008, for purposes of this subsection, the Secretary shall use the primary care scarcity counties and the specialty care scarcity counties (as identified under the preceding provisions of this paragraph) that the Secretary was using under this subsection with respect to physicians' services furnished on December 31, 2007.
(E) Judicial review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(i) the identification of a county or area;
(ii) the assignment of a specialty of any physician under this paragraph;
(iii) the assignment of a physician to a county under paragraph (2); or
(iv) the assignment of a postal ZIP Code to a county or other area under this subsection.
(5) Rural census tracts
To the extent feasible, the Secretary shall treat a rural census tract of a metropolitan statistical area (as determined under the most recent modification of the Goldsmith Modification, originally published in the Federal Register on February 27, 1992 (57 Fed. Reg. 6725)), as an equivalent area for purposes of qualifying as a primary care scarcity county or specialist care scarcity county under this subsection.
(6) Physician defined
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "physician" means a physician described in
(7) Publication of list of counties; posting on website
With respect to a year for which a county or area is identified or revised under paragraph (4), the Secretary shall identify such counties or areas as part of the proposed and final rule to implement the physician fee schedule under
(v) Increase of FQHC payment limits
In the case of services furnished by Federally qualified health centers (as defined in
(1) in 2010, at the limits otherwise established under this part for such year increased by $5; and
(2) in a subsequent year, at the limits established under this subsection for the previous year increased by the percentage increase in the MEI (as defined in
(w) Methods of payment
The Secretary may develop alternative methods of payment for items and services provided under clinical trials and comparative effectiveness studies sponsored or supported by an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, as determined by the Secretary, to those that would otherwise apply under this section, to the extent such alternative methods are necessary to preserve the scientific validity of such trials or studies, such as in the case where masking the identity of interventions from patients and investigators is necessary to comply with the particular trial or study design.
(x) Incentive payments for primary care services
(1) In general
In the case of primary care services furnished on or after January 1, 2011, and before January 1, 2016, by a primary care practitioner, in addition to the amount of payment that would otherwise be made for such services under this part, there also shall be paid (on a monthly or quarterly basis) an amount equal to 10 percent of the payment amount for the service under this part.
(2) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Primary care practitioner
The term "primary care practitioner" means an individual—
(i) who—
(I) is a physician (as described in
(II) is a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant (as those terms are defined in
(ii) for whom primary care services accounted for at least 60 percent of the allowed charges under this part for such physician or practitioner in a prior period as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(B) Primary care services
The term "primary care services" means services identified, as of January 1, 2009, by the following HCPCS codes (and as subsequently modified by the Secretary):
(i) 99201 through 99215.
(ii) 99304 through 99340.
(iii) 99341 through 99350.
(3) Coordination with other payments
The amount of the additional payment for a service under this subsection and subsection (m) shall be determined without regard to any additional payment for the service under subsection (m) and this subsection, respectively.
(4) Limitation on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(y) Incentive payments for major surgical procedures furnished in health professional shortage areas
(1) In general
In the case of major surgical procedures furnished on or after January 1, 2011, and before January 1, 2016, by a general surgeon in an area that is designated (under
(2) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) General surgeon
In this subsection, the term "general surgeon" means a physician (as described in
(B) Major surgical procedures
The term "major surgical procedures" means physicians' services which are surgical procedures for which a 10-day or 90-day global period is used for payment under the fee schedule under
(3) Coordination with other payments
The amount of the additional payment for a service under this subsection and subsection (m) shall be determined without regard to any additional payment for the service under subsection (m) and this subsection, respectively.
(4) Application
The provisions of paragraph 10 (2) and (4) of subsection (m) shall apply to the determination of additional payments under this subsection in the same manner as such provisions apply to the determination of additional payments under subsection (m).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1833, as added
References in Text
Part C of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(3)(B), is classified to
Part A of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(8)(B)(i), (d), (l)(3)(A), (t)(1)(B)(ii)(I), and (u)(2)(B), is classified to
Section 626(d) of Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, referred to in subsec. (i)(2)(D)(i), is section 626(d) of
Section 9320(k) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, as amended by section 6132 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989, referred to in subsec. (l)(1)(C), is section 9320(k) of
The amendments made by section 9320 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, referred to in subsec. (l)(3)(B), are amendments made by section 9320 of
Section 4521 of The Balanced Budget Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (t)(7)(F), is section 4521 of
Codification
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1)(K).
Subsec. (a)(1)(N).
Subsec. (a)(1)(T).
Subsec. (a)(1)(W).
Subsec. (a)(1)(X).
Subsec. (a)(1)(Y).
Subsec. (a)(1)(Z).
Subsec. (a)(2)(H).
Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(10).
Subsec. (g)(5).
Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (i)(2)(D)(v), (vi).
Subsec. (t)(1)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (t)(2)(D).
Subsec. (t)(3)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (t)(3)(F).
Subsec. (t)(3)(G).
Subsec. (t)(3)(G)(i)(I).
Subsec. (t)(3)(G)(i)(II).
Subsec. (t)(3)(G)(i)(III).
Subsec. (t)(3)(G)(i)(IV), (V).
Subsec. (t)(3)(G)(ii).
"(I) the excess (if any) of—
"(aa) the total percentage of the non-elderly insured population for the preceding year (based on the most recent estimates available from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office before a vote in either House on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that, if determined in the affirmative, would clear such Act for enrollment); over
"(bb) the total percentage of the non-elderly insured population for such preceding year (as estimated by the Secretary); exceeds
"(II) 5 percentage points."
Subsec. (t)(7)(D)(i)(II).
Subsec. (t)(7)(D)(i)(III).
Subsec. (t)(18), (19).
Subsecs. (x), (y).
2008—Subsec. (a)(1)(D)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(W).
Subsec. (a)(8)(A), (B).
Subsec. (b)(9).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(5).
Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (t)(7)(D)(i)(II).
Subsec. (t)(7)(D)(i)(III).
Subsec. (t)(16)(C).
Subsec. (v).
Subsec. (w).
2007—Subsec. (g)(5).
Subsec. (h)(9).
Subsec. (t)(16)(C).
Subsec. (u)(1).
Subsec. (u)(4)(D), (E).
2006—Subsec. (b)(7).
Subsec. (b)(8).
Subsec. (g)(1), (3).
Subsec. (g)(5).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A).
Subsec. (i)(2)(D)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(2)(D)(iv), (v).
Subsec. (i)(2)(E).
Subsec. (i)(7).
Subsec. (t)(2)(H).
Subsec. (t)(3)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (t)(7)(D)(i).
Subsec. (t)(16)(C).
Subsec. (t)(17).
2003—Subsec. (a)(1)(D)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(G).
Subsec. (a)(1)(S).
Subsec. (a)(1)(V).
Subsec. (a)(2)(E)(i).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (g)(4).
Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (h)(5)(D).
Subsec. (h)(8).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (i)(2)(C).
Subsec. (i)(2)(D).
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (o)(1)(B).
Subsec. (o)(2).
Subsec. (t)(1)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (t)(2)(H).
Subsec. (t)(3)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (t)(5)(E).
Subsec. (t)(6)(D)(i).
Subsec. (t)(6)(F).
Subsec. (t)(7)(D)(i).
Subsec. (t)(9)(B).
Subsec. (t)(13).
Subsec. (t)(14), (15).
Subsec. (t)(16).
Subsec. (t)(16)(B).
Subsec. (t)(16)(C).
Subsec. (u).
2000—Subsec. (a)(1)(D)(i).
Subsec. (a)(1)(R).
Subsec. (a)(1)(T).
Subsec. (a)(1)(U).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(i).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g)(4).
Subsec. (h)(4)(B)(viii).
Subsec. (t)(2)(G).
Subsec. (t)(3)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (t)(3)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (t)(6)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (t)(6)(A)(iv)(II).
Subsec. (t)(6)(B).
"(i) on the first date this subsection is implemented in the case of a drug, biological, or device described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (A) and in the case of a device, drug, or biological described in subparagraph (A)(iv) and for which payment under this part is made as an outpatient hospital service before such first date; or
"(ii) in the case of a device, drug, or biological described in subparagraph (A)(iv) not described in clause (i), on the first date on which payment is made under this part for the device, drug, or biological as an outpatient hospital service."
Subsec. (t)(6)(C).
Subsec. (t)(6)(D).
Subsec. (t)(6)(E).
Subsec. (t)(7)(D)(ii).
Subsec. (t)(7)(F)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (t)(8)(C).
Subsec. (t)(11).
Subsec. (t)(12)(E).
1999—Subsec. (a)(1)(D)(i).
Subsec. (a)(1)(O).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(i).
Subsec. (g)(1), (3).
Subsec. (g)(4).
Subsec. (h)(5)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (h)(7).
Subsec. (l)(4)(A)(i)(VII).
Subsec. (t)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (t)(1)(B)(iii), (iv).
Subsec. (t)(2).
Subsec. (t)(2)(B).
Subsec. (t)(2)(C).
Subsec. (t)(2)(E).
Subsec. (t)(4).
Subsec. (t)(4)(C).
Subsec. (t)(5).
Subsec. (t)(6).
Subsec. (t)(7).
Subsec. (t)(7)(D).
Subsec. (t)(8).
Subsec. (t)(8)(A).
Subsec. (t)(8)(C) to (E).
Subsec. (t)(9).
Subsec. (t)(10).
Subsec. (t)(11).
Subsec. (t)(11)(E).
Subsec. (t)(12).
Subsec. (t)(13).
1997—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(D).
Subsec. (a)(1)(O).
Subsec. (a)(1)(Q).
Subsec. (a)(1)(R).
Subsec. (a)(1)(S).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
"(i) the reasonable cost of such services, as determined under
"(ii) the customary charges with respect to such services,
or, if such services are furnished by a public provider of services, or by another provider which demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that a significant portion of its patients are low-income (and requests that payment be made under this provision), free of charge or at nominal charges to the public, the amount determined in accordance with
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
Subsec. (a)(2)(G).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (a)(8), (9).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h)(1)(A).
Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (h)(4)(B)(vii).
Subsec. (h)(4)(B)(viii).
Subsec. (h)(5)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (i)(1)(A).
Subsec. (i)(2)(C).
Subsec. (i)(3)(A).
Subsec. (i)(3)(B)(i)(II).
Subsec. (l)(5).
Subsec. (n)(1)(A).
Subsec. (n)(1)(B)(i)(II).
Subsec. (r)(1).
Subsec. (r)(2).
"(2)(A) For purposes of subsection (a)(1)(O) of this section, the prevailing charge for services described in
"(B) In subparagraph (A), the term 'applicable percentage' means—
"(i) 75 percent in the case of services performed in a hospital, and
"(ii) 85 percent in the case of other services."
Subsec. (r)(3).
Subsec. (t).
1994—Subsec. (a)(1)(D)(i).
Subsec. (a)(1)(G).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(i).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(4), (5).
Subsec. (h)(5)(D).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (i)(2)(B).
Subsec. (i)(2)(C).
Subsec. (i)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (l)(5)(B), (C).
"(B)(i) Payment for the services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist under this part may be made only on an assignment-related basis, and any such assignment agreed to by a certified registered nurse anesthetist shall be binding upon any other person presenting a claim or request for payment for such services.
"(ii) Except for deductible and coinsurance amounts applicable under this section, any person who knowingly and willfully presents, or causes to be presented, to an individual enrolled under this part a bill or request for payment for services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist for which payment may be made under this part only on an assignment-related basis is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $2,000 for each such bill or request. The provisions of
Subsec. (n)(1)(B)(i)(II).
Subsec. (p).
Subsec. (q)(1).
Subsec. (r).
Subsec. (r)(1).
Subsec. (r)(2)(A).
Subsec. (r)(3), (4).
"(3)(A) Payment under this part for services described in
"(B) Except for deductible and coinsurance amounts applicable under this section, any person who knowingly and willfully presents, or causes to be presented, to an individual enrolled under this part a bill or request for payment for services described in
Subsec. (s).
1993—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (h)(4)(B)(iv) to (vii).
Subsec. (i)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(4).
Subsec. (l)(4)(B)(i).
Subsec. (l)(4)(B)(ii).
"(IV) for services furnished in 1994, $11.25,
"(V) for services furnished in 1995, $11.50,
"(VI) for services furnished in 1996, $11.70, and
"(VII) for services furnished in calendar years after 1997, the previous year's conversion factor increased by the update determined under
Subsec. (l)(4)(B)(iii).
1990—Subsec. (a)(1)(H).
Subsec. (a)(1)(J).
Subsec. (a)(1)(K).
Subsec. (a)(1)(L).
Subsec. (a)(1)(M).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(E)(i).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (h)(4)(B).
Subsec. (h)(5)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (h)(5)(A)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (h)(5)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (h)(5)(C).
Subsec. (h)(5)(D).
Subsec. (i)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(3)(B)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (i)(3)(B)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (l)(1).
Subsec. (l)(2).
Subsec. (l)(4).
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (n)(1)(B)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (r).
1989—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(1)(H).
Subsec. (a)(1)(J).
Subsec. (a)(1)(K).
Subsec. (a)(1)(M).
Subsec. (a)(1)(N).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (d)(1).
"(A) $1375.00, or
"(B) 62½ percent of such expenses."
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h)(1)(B), (C).
Subsec. (h)(1)(D).
Subsec. (h)(4)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(4)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (h)(5)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(5)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (i)(1)(A).
Subsec. (i)(3)(A).
Subsec. (l)(5)(A).
Subsec. (l)(5)(C).
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (o)(1).
Subsec. (o)(1)(A).
Subsec. (o)(1)(B), (2)(A).
Subsec. (o)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (o)(2)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (o)(2)(D).
Subsec. (p).
Subsec. (q).
1988—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1)(D)(i).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(1)(G).
Subsec. (a)(1)(H).
Subsec. (a)(1)(J).
Subsec. (a)(1)(K).
Subsec. (a)(1)(L).
Subsec. (a)(1)(M).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(i).
Subsec. (a)(2)(E)(i).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3) to (5).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h)(1)(D).
Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (h)(2)(B).
Subsec. (h)(3).
Subsec. (h)(4)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(5)(A).
Subsec. (h)(5)(C).
Subsec. (h)(5)(D).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (i)(4).
Subsec. (i)(6).
Subsec. (l)(2).
Subsec. (l)(3)(B).
Subsec. (l)(5)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (n)(1)(A).
Subsec. (n)(1)(B)(i)(II).
Subsec. (n)(1)(B)(ii).
"(I) The term 'cost proportion' means 65 percent for all or any part of cost reporting periods which occur in fiscal year 1989 and 50 percent for other cost reporting periods.
"(II) The term 'charge proportion' means 35 percent for all or any parts of cost reporting periods which occur in fiscal year 1989 and 50 percent for other cost reporting periods."
Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (p).
1987—Subsec. (a)(1)(D)(i).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(1)(G).
Subsec. (a)(1)(H).
Subsec. (a)(1)(I).
Subsec. (a)(1)(J).
Subsec. (a)(1)(K).
Subsec. (a)(1)(L).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(i).
Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (h)(1)(C).
Subsec. (h)(1)(D).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (h)(2)(B).
Subsec. (h)(4)(B)(i).
Subsec. (h)(4)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(5)(A).
Subsec. (h)(5)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (h)(5)(C).
Subsec. (h)(5)(D).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (i)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(4).
Subsec. (i)(6).
Subsec. (l)(2).
Subsec. (l)(5)(A).
Subsec. (l)(5)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (l)(6).
"(B) In subparagraph (A), the term 'limiting charge' means, with respect to a service, 125 percent of the prevailing charge for the service after the reduction referred to in subparagraph (A).
"(C) If a physician knowingly and willfully imposes charges in violation of subparagraph (A), the Secretary may apply sanctions against such physician in accordance with subsection (j)(2) of this section.
"(D) This paragraph shall not apply to services furnished after the earlier of (i) December 31, 1990, or (ii) one-year after the date the Secretary reports to Congress, under
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (p).
1986—Subsec. (a)(1)(D).
Subsec. (a)(1)(D)(i).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(1)(G).
Subsec. (a)(1)(H).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(i).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h)(1)(B).
Subsec. (h)(1)(C).
Subsec. (h)(1)(D).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (h)(3).
Subsec. (h)(4).
Subsec. (h)(5)(C).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (i)(3) to (5).
Subsec. (l).
1984—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(1)(D).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F), (G).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (h)(5)(C).
Subsec. (i)(3).
Subsec. (k).
1982—Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(1)(H).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (j).
1981—Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b).
1980—Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(1)(D).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(1)(G).
Subsec. (a)(1)(H).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4), (5).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
1978—Subsec. (a)(1)(E).
Subsec. (a)(2).
1977—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(3), (4).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
1968—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (f).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by section 143(b)(2), (3), of
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by section 237(a) of
"(1) in the case of screening mammography, to services furnished on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 8, 2003]; and
"(2) in the case of diagnostic mammography, to services furnished on or after January 1, 2005."
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
"(1) by subsection (a) [amending
"(2) by subsection (b)(1) [amending this section] shall apply as if included in the enactment of section 403(e)(1) of BBRA (
"(3) by subsection (b)(2) [amending provisions set out as a note under
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title III, §321(g)(2), (k)(2)] of
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title IV, §401(b)(1)] of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 4002(j)(1)(B) of
Section 4101(d) of
Section 4102(e) of
Section 4103(e) of
Section 4104(e) of
Amendment by section 4201(c)(1) of
Section 4205(a)(1)(B) of
Section 4315(c) of
Amendment by section 4432(b)(5)(C) of
Amendment by section 4511(b) of
Section 4512(d) of
Section 4521(c) of
Section 4523(d)(1)(A)(ii) of
Section 4531(b)(3) of
Section 4541(e) of
"(1) The amendments made by subsections (a)(1), (a)(2), and (b) [amending this section and
"(2) The amendments made by subsections (a)(3) and (c) [amending this section and
"(3) The amendments made by subsection (d)(1) [amending this section] apply to expenses incurred on or after January 1, 1999."
Section 4556(d) of
Amendment by section 4603(c)(2)(A) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 123(f)(1), (2) of
"(1)
"(2)
Section 141(c)(2) of
Amendment by section 147(a), (e)(2), (3), (f)(6)(C), (D) of
Section 147(d)(1), (2) of
Amendment by section 156(a)(2)(B) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13532(b) of
Section 13544(b)(3) of
Section 13555(b) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4104(d) of
Amendment by section 4153(a)(2)(B), (C) of
Section 4154(b)(2) of
Section 4154(c)(2) of
Section 4154(e)(5) of
Amendment by section 4155(b)(2), (3) of
Amendment by section 4161(a)(3)(B) of
Section 4163(e) of
Section 4206(e)(2) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendments
Section 6102(c)(2) of
Section 6102(f)(3) of
Section 6102(g) of
Section 6111(b)(2) of
Section 6113(e) of
Section 6131(c) of
"(1) The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) In applying the amendments made by this section, the increase under subparagraph (C) of section 1833(o)(2) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (o)(2)(C) of this section] shall apply to the dollar amounts specified under subparagraph (A) of such section (as amended by this section) in the same manner as the increase would have applied to the dollar amounts specified under subparagraph (A) of such section (as in effect before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 1989])."
Section 6133(b) of
Amendment by section 6204(b) of
Amendment by section 201(a) of
Amendment by section 202(a) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Section 8422(b) of
Amendment by
Amendment by section 202(b)(1)–(3) of
Amendment by section 203(c)(1)(A)–(E) of
Amendment by section 204(d)(1) of
Amendment by section 205(c) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 4043(c) of
Amendment by section 4045(c)(2)(A) of
Amendment by section 4049(a)(1) of
Section 4055(b), formerly §4054(b), of
Amendment by section 4062(d)(3) of
Section 4063(c) of
Section 4064(b)(3) of
Section 4064(c)(2) of
Section 4066(c) of
Section 4067(c) of
Section 4068(c) of
Section 4070(c)(1) of
For effective date of amendment by section 4072(b) of
Amendment by section 4073(b) of
Amendment by section 4077(b)(2), (3) of
Section 4084(b) of
Section 4084(c)(3) of
Section 4085(b)(2) of
Section 4085(i)(21) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by section 9320(e)(1), (2) of
Amendment by section 9337(b) of
Section 9339(a)(2) of
Section 9339(c)(2) of
Section 9343(h) of
"(1) The amendments made by subsection (a)(1) [amending this section] shall apply to cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1987.
"(2) The amendments made by subsections (b)(1) and (c) [amending this section and
"(3) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall first provide, under the amendment made by subsection (b)(2) [amending this section], for the review and update of procedure lists within 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1986].
"(4) The amendments made by subsection (d) [amending
Section 9303(a)(2) of
Section 9303(b)(5)(A), (B) of
"(A) The amendments made by paragraphs (1) and (2) [amending this section] shall apply to clinical diagnostic laboratory tests performed on or after July 1, 1986.
"(B) The amendment made by paragraph (3) [amending this section] shall apply to clinical diagnostic laboratory tests performed on or after January 1, 1987."
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 2303(j) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) The amendments made by subsection (g)(2) [amending
"(3) The amendments made by this section shall not apply to clinical diagnostic laboratory tests furnished to inpatients of a provider operating under a waiver granted pursuant to section 602(k) of the Social Security Amendments of 1983 [section 602(k) of
Section 2305(e) of
Amendment by section 2321(b), (d)(4)(A) of
Section 2323(d) of
Amendment by section 2354(b)(5), (7) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Section 112(c) of
Amendment by section 117(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 148(d) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 2106(c) of
Section 2133(b) of
Section 2134(b) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Section 2 of
Amendment by section 930(h) of
Section 935(b) of
Section 943(b) of
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1977 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 16(b) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 204(c) of
Amendment by section 211(c)(4) of
Amendment by section 226(c)(2) of
Amendment by section 233(b) of
Amendment by section 251(a)(2), (3) of
Section 299K(b) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by section 129(c)(7), (8) of
Section 131(c) of
Section 132(c) of
Amendment by section 135(c) of
Construction of 2008 Amendment
Construction Regarding Limiting Increases in Cost-Sharing
Treatment of Certain Complex Diagnostic Laboratory Tests
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) that is an analysis of gene protein expression, topographic genotyping, or a cancer chemotherapy sensitivity assay;
"(B) that is determined by the Secretary to be a laboratory test for which there is not an alternative test having equivalent performance characteristics;
"(C) which is billed using a Health Care Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code other than a not otherwise classified code under such Coding System;
"(D) which is approved or cleared by the Food and Drug Administration or is covered under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [
"(E) is described in section 1861(s)(3) of the Social Security Act (
"(3)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) be made from the Federal Supplemental [probably should be "Supplementary"] Medical Insurance Trust Fund under section 1841 of the Social Security Act (
"(2) may not exceed $100,000,000.
"(d)
"(1) an assessment of the impact of the demonstration project on access to care, quality of care, health outcomes, and expenditures under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [
"(2) such recommendations as the Secretary determines appropriate.
"(e)
Treatment of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
"(1) is consistent with the adjustments made by the special rule for teaching anesthesiologists under section 1848(a)(6) of the Social Security Act [
"(2) maintains the existing payment differences between teaching anesthesiologists and teaching certified registered nurse anesthetists."
Implementation of 2006 Amendment
Implementation of Clinically Appropriate Code Edits In Order To Identify and Eliminate Improper Payments for Therapy Services
Application of 2003 Amendment to Physician Specialties
Amendment by section 303 of
Notwithstanding section 303(j) of
GAO Study of Medicare Payment for Inhalation Therapy
"(1)
"(2)
Treatment of Certain Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Tests Furnished to Hospital Outpatients in Certain Rural Areas
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
[
GAO Report on Payments for Brachytherapy Devices
Moratorium on Physical Therapy Services Caps in 2003
Prompt Submission of Overdue Reports on Payment and Utilization of Outpatient Therapy Services
GAO Study of Ambulatory Surgical Center Payments
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) The appropriateness of using the groups of covered services and relative weights established under the outpatient prospective payment system as the basis of payment for ambulatory surgical centers.
"(ii) If the relative weights under such hospital outpatient prospective payment system are appropriate for such purpose—
"(I) whether the payment rates for ambulatory surgical centers should be based on a uniform percentage of the payment rates or weights under such outpatient system; or
"(II) whether the payment rates for ambulatory surgical centers should vary, or the weights should be revised, based on specific procedures or types of services (such as ophthalmology and pain management services).
"(iii) Whether a geographic adjustment should be used for payment of services furnished in ambulatory surgical centers, and if so, the labor and nonlabor shares of such payment."
Demonstration Project for Coverage of Certain Prescription Drugs and Biologicals
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(d)
"(1) coverage for more than 50,000 patients; and
"(2) more than $500,000,000 in funding.
"(e)
Payment for Pancreatic Islet Cell Investigational Transplants for Medicare Beneficiaries in Clinical Trials
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) The term 'routine costs' means reasonable and necessary routine patient care costs (as defined in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Coverage Issues Manual, section 30–1), including immunosuppressive drugs and other followup care.
"(2) The term 'transplantation and appropriate related items and services' means items and services related to the acquisition and delivery of the pancreatic islet cell transplantation, notwithstanding any national noncoverage determination contained in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Coverage Issues Manual.
"(3) The term 'medicare beneficiary' means an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [part A of this subchapter], or enrolled under part B of such title [this part], or both.
"(d)
"(1) to permit payment for partial pancreatic tissue or islet cell transplantation under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] other than payment as described in subsection (b); or
"(2) as authorizing or requiring coverage or payment conveying—
"(A) benefits under part A of such title [part A of this subchapter] to a beneficiary not entitled to such part A; or
"(B) benefits under part B of such title [this part] to a beneficiary not enrolled in such part B."
GAO Study of Reduction in Medigap Premium Levels Resulting From Reductions in Coinsurance
MedPAC Study on Low-Volume, Isolated Rural Health Care Providers
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) whether low-volume, isolated rural health care providers are having, or may have, significantly decreased medicare margins or other financial difficulties resulting from any of the payment methodologies described in subsection (c);
"(2) whether the status as a low-volume, isolated rural health care provider should be designated under the medicare program and any criteria that should be used to qualify for such a status; and
"(3) any changes in the payment methodologies described in subsection (c) that are necessary to provide appropriate reimbursement under the medicare program to low-volume, isolated rural health care providers (as designated pursuant to paragraph (2)).
"(c)
"(1) The prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services under section 1833(t) of the Social Security Act (
"(2) The fee schedule for ambulance services under section 1834(l) of such Act (
"(3) The prospective payment system for inpatient hospital services under section 1886 of such Act (
"(4) The prospective payment system for routine service costs of skilled nursing facilities under section 1888(e) of such Act (
"(5) The prospective payment system for home health services under section 1895 of such Act (
Special Rule for Payment for 2001
"(1) for services furnished on or after January 1, 2001, and before April 1, 2001, shall be the medicare OPD fee schedule amount for 2001 as determined under the provisions of law in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2000]; and
"(2) for services furnished on or after April 1, 2001, and before January 1, 2002, shall be the fee schedule amount (as determined taking into account the amendment made by subsection (a)), increased by a transitional percentage allowance equal to 0.32 percent (to account for the timing of implementation of the full market basket update)."
Transition Provisions Applicable to Subsection (t)(6)(B)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) with respect to which an application was submitted (pursuant to such process) on or before such date; and
"(B) that meets the requirements of clause (ii) or (iv) of subparagraph (A) of such paragraph (as determined pursuant to such process),
shall be treated as a device with respect to which an initial category is required to be established under subparagraph (B)(i) of such paragraph (as amended by subsection (a)(2))."
Study on Standards for Supervision of Physical Therapist Assistants
"(1)
"(A) of eliminating the 'in the room' supervision requirement for medicare payment for services of physical therapy assistants who are supervised by physical therapists; and
"(B) of such requirement on the cap imposed under section 1833(g) of the Social Security Act (
"(2)
Delay in Implementation of Prospective Payment System for Ambulatory Surgical Centers
MedPAC Study and Report on Medicare Reimbursement for Services Provided by Certain Providers
"(a)
"(1) certified nurse-midwife (as defined in subsection (gg)(2) of section 1861 of such Act (
"(2) physician assistant (as defined in subsection (aa)(5)(A) of such section);
"(3) nurse practitioner (as defined in such subsection); and
"(4) clinical nurse specialist (as defined in subsection (aa)(5)(B) of such section).
The study shall separately examine the appropriateness of such payment rates for orthopedic physician assistants, taking into consideration the requirements for accreditation, training, and education.
"(b)
MedPAC Study on Access to Outpatient Pain Management Services
"(a)
"(1) the specific barriers imposed under the medicare program on the provision of pain management procedures in hospital outpatient departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and physicians' offices; and
"(2) the consistency of medicare payment policies for pain management procedures in those different settings.
"(b)
Establishment of Coding and Payment Procedures for New Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Tests and Other Items on a Fee Schedule
Report on Procedures Used for Advanced, Improved Technologies
Congressional Intention Regarding Base Amounts in Applying HOPD PPS
Study and Report to Congress Regarding Special Treatment of Rural and Cancer Hospitals in Prospective Payment System for Hospital Outpatient Department Services
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) A medicare-dependent, small rural hospital (as defined in section 1886(d)(5)(G)(iv) of the Social Security Act (
"(B) A sole community hospital (as defined in section 1886(d)(5)(D)(iii) of such Act (
"(C) Rural health clinics (as defined in section 1861(aa)(2) of such Act (
"(D) Rural referral centers (as so classified under section 1886(d)(5)(C) of such Act (
"(E) Any other rural hospital with not more than 100 beds.
"(F) Any other rural hospital that the Secretary determines appropriate.
"(G) A hospital described in section 1886(d)(1)(B)(v) of such Act (
"(b)
"(c)
GAO Study on Resources Required To Provide Safe and Effective Outpatient Cancer Therapy
"(a)
"(1) determine the adequacy of practice expense relative value units associated with the utilization of those clinical resources;
"(2) determine the adequacy of work units in the practice expense formula; and
"(3) assess various standards to assure the provision of safe outpatient cancer therapy services.
"(b)
Focused Medical Reviews of Claims During Moratorium Period
Study and Report on Utilization
"(1)
"(A)
"(i) utilization patterns (including nationwide patterns, and patterns by region, types of settings, and diagnosis or condition) of outpatient physical therapy services, outpatient occupational therapy services, and speech-language pathology services that are covered under the medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (
"(ii) such patterns for such services that were provided in 1998 and 1999.
"(B)
"(2)
Phase-in of PPS for Ambulatory Surgical Centers
"(1) in the first year of its implementation, only a proportion (specified by the Secretary and not to exceed one-fourth) of the payment for such services shall be made in accordance with such system and the remainder shall be made in accordance with current regulations; and
"(2) in each of the following 2 years a proportion (specified by the Secretary and not to exceed one-half and three-fourths, respectively) of the payment for such services shall be made under such system and the remainder shall be made in accordance with current regulations.
By not later than January 1, 2003, the Secretary shall incorporate data from a 1999 medicare cost survey or a subsequent cost survey for purposes of implementing or revising such system."
MedPAC Study on Postsurgical Recovery Care Center Services
"(1)
"(2)
Medicare Reimbursement for Telehealth Services
Section 4206 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) The payment shall [be] shared between the referring physician or practitioner and the consulting physician or practitioner. The amount of such payment shall not be greater than the current fee schedule of the consulting physician or practitioner for the health care services provided.
"(2) The payment shall not include any reimbursement for any telephone line charges or any facility fees, and a beneficiary may not be billed for any such charges or fees.
"(3) The payment shall be made subject to the coinsurance and deductible requirements under subsections (a)(1) and (b) of section 1833 of the Social Security Act (
"(4) The payment differential of section 1848(a)(3) of such Act (
"(c)
"(1) how telemedicine and telehealth systems are expanding access to health care services;
"(2) the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of telemedicine and telehealth applications;
"(3) the quality of telemedicine and telehealth services delivered; and
"(4) the reasonable cost of telecommunications charges incurred in practicing telemedicine and telehealth in rural, frontier, and underserved areas.
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
Report on Coverage of Outpatient Occupational Therapy Services
"(A) the establishment of a mechanism for assuring appropriate utilization of outpatient physical therapy services, outpatient occupational therapy services, and speech-language pathology services that are covered under the medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (
"(B) the establishment of an alternative payment policy for such services based on classification of individuals by diagnostic category, functional status, prior use of services (in both inpatient and outpatient settings), and such other criteria as the Secretary determines appropriate, in place of the uniform dollar limitations specified in section 1833(g) of such Act [subsec. (g) of this section], as amended by paragraph (1).
The recommendations shall include how such a mechanism or policy might be implemented in a budget-neutral manner."
[
Study and Report on Clinical Laboratory Tests
Section 4553(c) of
"(1)
"(2)
Adjustments to Payment Amounts for New Technology Intraocular Lenses
Section 141(b) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
Study of Medicare Coverage of Patient Care Costs Associated With Clinical Trials of New Cancer Therapies
Section 142 of
Study of Annual Cap on Amount of Medicare Payment for Outpatient Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Services
Section 143 of
Ambulatory Surgical Center Services; Inflation Update
Section 13531 of
Freeze in Allowance for Intraocular Lenses
Section 13533 of
Section 4151(c)(3) of
[Section 141(d) of
Reduction in Payments Under Part B During Final Two Months of 1990
Section 4158 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
Effect on State Law
Conscientious objections of health care provider under State law unaffected by enactment of subsecs. (a)(1)(Q) and (f) of this section, see section 4206(c) of
Development of Criteria Regarding Consultation With a Physician
Section 6113(c) of
[Section 147(b) of
Study of Reimbursement for Ambulance Services
Section 6136 of
PROPAC Study of Payments for Services in Hospital Outpatient Departments
Section 6137 of
Budget Neutrality
Section 8421(b) of
Adjustment of Contracts With Prepaid Health Plans
For requirement that Secretary of Health and Human Services modify contracts under subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section to take into account amendments made by
Study and Report to Congress Respecting Incentive Payments for Physicians' Services Furnished in Underserved Areas
Section 4043(b) of
Fee Schedules for Physician Pathology Services
Section 4050 of
Applying Copayment and Deductible to Certain Outpatient Physicians' Services
Section 4054 of
Other Physician Payment Studies
Section 4056(c), formerly §4055(c), of
Study of Payment for Chemotherapy in Physicians' Offices
Section 4056(d), formerly §4055(d), of
Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Tests; Limitation on Changes in Fee Schedules
Section 4064(a) of
GAO Study of Fee Schedules
Section 4064(b)(4) of
Amounts Paid for Independent Rural Health Clinic Services
Section 4067(b) of
Report on Establishment of National Fee Schedules for Payment of Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Tests
Section 9339(b)(3) of
State Standards for Directors of Clinical Laboratories
Section 9339(d) of
"(1)
"(2)
Transitional Provisions for Payment of Fees for Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Tests
Section 9303(a)(3) of
"(A) shall take effect on January 1, 1987,
"(B) shall apply for the 12-month period beginning on that date, and
"(C) shall take into account the percentage increase or decrease in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (United States city average) occurring over an 18-month period, rather than over a 12-month period."
Extension of Medicare Physician Payment Provisions
Amount of payment under this part for physicians' services furnished between Oct. 1, 1985, and Mar. 14, 1986, to be determined on the same basis as the amount of such services furnished on Sept. 30, 1985, see section 5(b) of
Fee Schedules for Diagnostic Laboratory Tests and Feasibility of Direct Payments to Physicians; Report to Congress
Section 2303(i) of
"(1) The Comptroller General shall report to the Congress on—
"(A) the appropriateness of the fee schedules under section 1833(h) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (h) of this section] and their impact on the volume and quality of clinical diagnostic laboratory tests;
"(B) the potential impact of the adoption of a national fee schedule; and
"(C) the potential impact of applying a national fee schedule to clinical diagnostic laboratory tests provided by hospitals to their outpatients.
"(2) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall report to the Congress with respect to the advisability and feasibility of a system of direct payment to any physician for all clinical diagnostic laboratory tests ordered by such physician.
"(3) The reports required by paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be submitted not later than January 1, 1987."
Pacemaker Reimbursement Review and Reform
Section 2304(a) of
"(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue revisions to the current guidelines for the payment under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this part] for the transtelephonic monitoring of cardiac pacemakers. Such revised guidelines shall include provisions regarding the specifications for and frequency of transtelephonic monitoring procedures which will be found to be reasonable and necessary.
"(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), if the guidelines required by paragraph (1) have not been issued and put into effect by October 1, 1984, and until such guidelines have been issued and put into effect, payment may not be made under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act for transtelephonic monitoring procedures, with respect to a single-chamber cardiac pacemaker powered by lithium batteries, conducted more frequently than—
"(i) weekly during the first month after implantation,
"(ii) once every two months during the period representing 80 percent of the estimated life of the implanted device, and
"(iii) monthly thereafter.
"(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in cases where the Secretary determines that special medical factors (including possible evidence of pacemaker or lead malfunction) justify more frequent transtelephonic monitoring procedures."
Payment for Preadmission Diagnostic Testing Performed in Physician's Office
Section 2305(f) of
Providers of Services To Calculate and Report Lesser-of-Cost-or-Charges Determinations Separately With Respect to Payments Under Parts A and B of This Subchapter; Issuance of Regulations
For provision directing the Secretary to issue regulations requiring providers of services to calculate and report the lesser-of-cost-or-charges determinations separately with respect to payments for services under parts A and B of this subchapter other than diagnostic tests under subsec. (h) of this section, see section 2308(a) of
Determination of Nominal Charges for Applying Nominality Test
For provision directing the Secretary to provide, in addition to other rules deemed appropriate, that charges representing 60 percent or less of costs be considered nominal for purposes of applying the nominality test under subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii) of this section, see section 2308(b)(1) of
Study of Medicare Part B Payments; Compilation of Centralized Charge Data Base; Report to Congress
Section 2309 of
Monitoring Provision of Hepatitis B Vaccine; Review of Changes in Medical Technology
Section 2323(e) of
Report on Preadmission Diagnostic Testing Expenses
Section 932(b) of
Study of Feasibility and Desirability of Imposing Copayment Requirement on Rural Health Clinic Visits; Report Not Later Than December 13, 1978
Section 1(c) of
Prohibition Against Payments in Cases of Nonentitlement to Monthly Benefits Under Subchapter II or Suspension of Benefits of Aliens Outside the United States
Section 104(b)(1) of
2 So in original. The word "and" probably should not appear.
3 So in original. Probably should be "1395m(o)".
4 So in original. The comma after "subclause (II))" probably should follow "is performed".
5 So in original. Probably should be "such paragraph applies".
6 So in original. The word "this" probably should not appear.
7 So in original. Probably should be "are—".
8 So in original. Probably should be "subparagraph".
9 So in original. No par. (2) has been enacted.
10 So in original. Probably should be "paragraphs".
§1395m. Special payment rules for particular items and services
(a) Payment for durable medical equipment
(1) General rule for payment
(A) In general
With respect to a covered item (as defined in paragraph (13)) for which payment is determined under this subsection, payment shall be made in the frequency specified in paragraphs (2) through (7) and in an amount equal to 80 percent of the payment basis described in subparagraph (B).
(B) Payment basis
Subject to subparagraph (F)(i), the payment basis described in this subparagraph is the lesser of—
(i) the actual charge for the item, or
(ii) the payment amount recognized under paragraphs (2) through (7) of this subsection for the item;
except that clause (i) shall not apply if the covered item is furnished by a public home health agency (or by another home health agency which demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that a significant portion of its patients are low income) free of charge or at nominal charges to the public.
(C) Exclusive payment rule
Subject to subparagraph (F)(ii), this subsection shall constitute the exclusive provision of this subchapter for payment for covered items under this part or under part A of this subchapter to a home health agency.
(D) Reduction in fee schedules for certain items
With respect to a seat-lift chair or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator furnished on or after April 1, 1990, the Secretary shall reduce the payment amount applied under subparagraph (B)(ii) for such an item by 15 percent, and, in the case of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator furnished on or after January 1, 1991, the Secretary shall further reduce such payment amount (as previously reduced) by 45 percent.
(E) Clinical conditions for coverage
(i) In general
The Secretary shall establish standards for clinical conditions for payment for covered items under this subsection.
(ii) Requirements
The standards established under clause (i) shall include the specification of types or classes of covered items that require, as a condition of payment under this subsection, a face-to-face examination of the individual by a physician (as defined in
(iii) Priority of establishment of standards
In establishing the standards under this subparagraph, the Secretary shall first establish standards for those covered items for which the Secretary determines there has been a proliferation of use, consistent findings of charges for covered items that are not delivered, or consistent findings of falsification of documentation to provide for payment of such covered items under this part.
(iv) Standards for power wheelchairs
Effective on December 8, 2003, in the case of a covered item consisting of a motorized or power wheelchair for an individual, payment may not be made for such covered item unless a physician (as defined in
(v) Limitation on payment for covered items
Payment may not be made for a covered item under this subsection unless the item meets any standards established under this subparagraph for clinical condition of coverage.
(F) Application of competitive acquisition; limitation of inherent reasonableness authority
In the case of covered items furnished on or after January 1, 2011, subject to subparagraph (G), that are included in a competitive acquisition program in a competitive acquisition area under
(i) the payment basis under this subsection for such items and services furnished in such area shall be the payment basis determined under such competitive acquisition program;
(ii) the Secretary may (and, in the case of covered items furnished on or after January 1, 2016, subject to clause (iii), shall) use information on the payment determined under such competitive acquisition programs to adjust the payment amount otherwise recognized under subparagraph (B)(ii) for an area that is not a competitive acquisition area under
(iii) in the case of covered items furnished on or after January 1, 2016, the Secretary shall continue to make such adjustments described in clause (ii) as, under such competitive acquisition programs, additional covered items are phased in or information is updated as contracts under
(G) Use of information on competitive bid rates
The Secretary shall specify by regulation the methodology to be used in applying the provisions of subparagraph (F)(ii) and subsection (h)(1)(H)(ii). In promulgating such regulation, the Secretary shall consider the costs of items and services in areas in which such provisions would be applied compared to the payment rates for such items and services in competitive acquisition areas.
(2) Payment for inexpensive and other routinely purchased durable medical equipment
(A) In general
Payment for an item of durable medical equipment (as defined in paragraph (13))—
(i) the purchase price of which does not exceed $150,
(ii) which the Secretary determines is acquired at least 75 percent of the time by purchase, or
(iii) which is an accessory used in conjunction with a nebulizer, aspirator, or a ventilator excluded under paragraph (3)(A),
shall be made on a rental basis or in a lump-sum amount for the purchase of the item. The payment amount recognized for purchase or rental of such equipment is the amount specified in subparagraph (B) for purchase or rental, except that the total amount of payments with respect to an item may not exceed the payment amount specified in subparagraph (B) with respect to the purchase of the item.
(B) Payment amount
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the amount specified in this subparagraph, with respect to the purchase or rental of an item furnished in a carrier service area—
(i) in 1989 and in 1990 is the average reasonable charge in the area for the purchase or rental, respectively, of the item for the 12-month period ending on June 30, 1987, increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) for the 6-month period ending with December 1987;
(ii) in 1991 is the sum of (I) 67 percent of the local payment amount for the item or device computed under subparagraph (C)(i)(I) for 1991, and (II) 33 percent of the national limited payment amount for the item or device computed under subparagraph (C)(ii) for 1991;
(iii) in 1992 is the sum of (I) 33 percent of the local payment amount for the item or device computed under subparagraph (C)(i)(II) for 1992, and (II) 67 percent of the national limited payment amount for the item or device computed under subparagraph (C)(ii) for 1992; and
(iv) in 1993 and each subsequent year is the national limited payment amount for the item or device computed under subparagraph (C)(ii) for that year (reduced by 10 percent, in the case of a blood glucose testing strip furnished after 1997 for an individual with diabetes).
(C) Computation of local payment amount and national limited payment amount
For purposes of subparagraph (B)—
(i) the local payment amount for an item or device for a year is equal to—
(I) for 1991, the amount specified in subparagraph (B)(i) for 1990 increased by the covered item update for 1991, and
(II) for 1992, 1993, and 1994, the amount determined under this clause for the preceding year increased by the covered item update for the year; and
(ii) the national limited payment amount for an item or device for a year is equal to—
(I) for 1991, the local payment amount determined under clause (i) for such item or device for that year, except that the national limited payment amount may not exceed 100 percent of the weighted average of all local payment amounts determined under such clause for such item for that year and may not be less than 85 percent of the weighted average of all local payment amounts determined under such clause for such item,
(II) for 1992 and 1993, the amount determined under this clause for the preceding year increased by the covered item update for such subsequent year,
(III) for 1994, the local payment amount determined under clause (i) for such item or device for that year, except that the national limited payment amount may not exceed 100 percent of the median of all local payment amounts determined under such clause for such item for that year and may not be less than 85 percent of the median of all local payment amounts determined under such clause for such item or device for that year, and
(IV) for each subsequent year, the amount determined under this clause for the preceding year increased by the covered item update for such subsequent year.
(3) Payment for items requiring frequent and substantial servicing
(A) In general
Payment for a covered item (such as IPPB machines and ventilators, excluding ventilators that are either continuous airway pressure devices or intermittent assist devices with continuous airway pressure devices) for which there must be frequent and substantial servicing in order to avoid risk to the patient's health shall be made on a monthly basis for the rental of the item and the amount recognized is the amount specified in subparagraph (B).
(B) Payment amount
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the amount specified in this subparagraph, with respect to an item or device furnished in a carrier service area—
(i) in 1989 and in 1990 is the average reasonable charge in the area for the rental of the item or device for the 12-month period ending with June 1987, increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) for the 6-month period ending with December 1987;
(ii) in 1991 is the sum of (I) 67 percent of the local payment amount for the item or device computed under subparagraph (C)(i)(I) for 1991, and (II) 33 percent of the national limited payment amount for the item or device computed under subparagraph (C)(ii) for 1991;
(iii) in 1992 is the sum of (I) 33 percent of the local payment amount for the item or device computed under subparagraph (C)(i)(II) for 1992, and (II) 67 percent of the national limited payment amount for the item or device computed under subparagraph (C)(ii) for 1992; and
(iv) in 1993 and each subsequent year is the national limited payment amount for the item or device computed under subparagraph (C)(ii) for that year.
(C) Computation of local payment amount and national limited payment amount
For purposes of subparagraph (B)—
(i) the local payment amount for an item or device for a year is equal to—
(I) for 1991, the amount specified in subparagraph (B)(i) for 1990 increased by the covered item update for 1991, and
(II) for 1992, 1993, and 1994, the amount determined under this clause for the preceding year increased by the covered item update for the year; and
(ii) the national limited payment amount for an item or device for a year is equal to—
(I) for 1991, the local payment amount determined under clause (i) for such item or device for that year, except that the national limited payment amount may not exceed 100 percent of the weighted average of all local payment amounts determined under such clause for such item for that year and may not be less than 85 percent of the weighted average of all local payment amounts determined under such clause for such item,
(II) for 1992 and 1993, the amount determined under this clause for the preceding year increased by the covered item update for such subsequent year,
(III) for 1994, the local payment amount determined under clause (i) for such item or device for that year, except that the national limited payment amount may not exceed 100 percent of the median of all local payment amounts determined under such clause for such item for that year and may not be less than 85 percent of the median of all local payment amounts determined under such clause for such item or device for that year, and
(IV) for each subsequent year, the amount determined under this clause for the preceding year increased by the covered item update for such subsequent year.
(4) Payment for certain customized items
Payment with respect to a covered item that is uniquely constructed or substantially modified to meet the specific needs of an individual patient, and for that reason cannot be grouped with similar items for purposes of payment under this subchapter, shall be made in a lump-sum amount (A) for the purchase of the item in a payment amount based upon the carrier's individual consideration for that item, and (B) for the reasonable and necessary maintenance and servicing for parts and labor not covered by the supplier's or manufacturer's warranty, when necessary during the period of medical need, and the amount recognized for such maintenance and servicing shall be paid on a lump-sum, as needed basis based upon the carrier's individual consideration for that item.
(5) Payment for oxygen and oxygen equipment
(A) In general
Payment for oxygen and oxygen equipment shall be made on a monthly basis in the monthly payment amount recognized under paragraph (9) for oxygen and oxygen equipment (other than portable oxygen equipment), subject to subparagraphs (B), (C), (E), and (F).
(B) Add-on for portable oxygen equipment
When portable oxygen equipment is used, but subject to subparagraph (D), the payment amount recognized under subparagraph (A) shall be increased by the monthly payment amount recognized under paragraph (9) for portable oxygen equipment.
(C) Volume adjustment
When the attending physician prescribes an oxygen flow rate—
(i) exceeding 4 liters per minute, the payment amount recognized under subparagraph (A), subject to subparagraph (D), shall be increased by 50 percent, or
(ii) of less than 1 liter per minute, the payment amount recognized under subparagraph (A) shall be decreased by 50 percent.
(D) Limit on adjustment
When portable oxygen equipment is used and the attending physician prescribes an oxygen flow rate exceeding 4 liters per minute, there shall only be an increase under either subparagraph (B) or (C), whichever increase is larger, and not under both such subparagraphs.
(E) Recertification for patients receiving home oxygen therapy
In the case of a patient receiving home oxygen therapy services who, at the time such services are initiated, has an initial arterial blood gas value at or above a partial pressure of 56 or an arterial oxygen saturation at or above 89 percent (or such other values, pressures, or criteria as the Secretary may specify) no payment may be made under this part for such services after the expiration of the 90-day period that begins on the date the patient first receives such services unless the patient's attending physician certifies that, on the basis of a follow-up test of the patient's arterial blood gas value or arterial oxygen saturation conducted during the final 30 days of such 90-day period, there is a medical need for the patient to continue to receive such services.
(F) Rental cap
(i) In general
Payment for oxygen equipment (including portable oxygen equipment) under this paragraph may not extend over a period of continuous use (as determined by the Secretary) of longer than 36 months.
(ii) Payments and rules after rental cap
After the 36th continuous month during which payment is made for the equipment under this paragraph—
(I) the supplier furnishing such equipment under this subsection shall continue to furnish the equipment during any period of medical need for the remainder of the reasonable useful lifetime of the equipment, as determined by the Secretary;
(II) payments for oxygen shall continue to be made in the amount recognized for oxygen under paragraph (9) for the period of medical need; and
(III) maintenance and servicing payments shall, if the Secretary determines such payments are reasonable and necessary, be made (for parts and labor not covered by the supplier's or manufacturer's warranty, as determined by the Secretary to be appropriate for the equipment), and such payments shall be in an amount determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
(6) Payment for other covered items (other than durable medical equipment)
Payment for other covered items (other than durable medical equipment and other covered items described in paragraph (3), (4), or (5)) shall be made in a lump-sum amount for the purchase of the item in the amount of the purchase price recognized under paragraph (8).
(7) Payment for other items of durable medical equipment
(A) Payment
In the case of an item of durable medical equipment not described in paragraphs (2) through (6), the following rules shall apply:
(i) Rental
(I) In general
Except as provided in clause (iii), payment for the item shall be made on a monthly basis for the rental of the item during the period of medical need (but payments under this clause may not extend over a period of continuous use (as determined by the Secretary) of longer than 13 months).
(II) Payment amount
Subject to subclause (III) and subparagraph (B), the amount recognized for the item, for each of the first 3 months of such period, is 10 percent of the purchase price recognized under paragraph (8) with respect to the item, and, for each of the remaining months of such period, is 7.5 percent of such purchase price.
(III) Special rule for power-driven wheelchairs
For purposes of payment for power-driven wheelchairs, subclause (II) shall be applied by substituting "15 percent" and "6 percent" for "10 percent" and "7.5 percent", respectively.
(ii) Ownership after rental
On the first day that begins after the 13th continuous month during which payment is made for the rental of an item under clause (i), the supplier of the item shall transfer title to the item to the individual.
(iii) Purchase agreement option for complex, rehabilitative power-driven wheelchairs
In the case of a complex, rehabilitative power-driven wheelchair, at the time the supplier furnishes the item, the supplier shall offer the individual the option to purchase the item, and payment for such item shall be made on a lump-sum basis if the individual exercises such option.
(iv) Maintenance and servicing
After the supplier transfers title to the item under clause (ii) or in the case of a power-driven wheelchair for which a purchase agreement has been entered into under clause (iii), maintenance and servicing payments shall, if the Secretary determines such payments are reasonable and necessary, be made (for parts and labor not covered by the supplier's or manufacturer's warranty, as determined by the Secretary to be appropriate for the particular type of durable medical equipment), and such payments shall be in an amount determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
(B) Range for rental amounts
(i) For 1989
For items furnished during 1989, the payment amount recognized under subparagraph (A)(i) shall not be more than 115 percent, and shall not be less than 85 percent, of the prevailing charge established for rental of the item in January 1987, increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) for the 6-month period ending with December 1987.
(ii) For 1990
For items furnished during 1990, clause (i) shall apply in the same manner as it applies to items furnished during 1989.
(C) Replacement of items
(i) Establishment of reasonable useful lifetime
In accordance with clause (iii), the Secretary shall determine and establish a reasonable useful lifetime for items of durable medical equipment for which payment may be made under this paragraph.
(ii) Payment for replacement items
If the reasonable lifetime of such an item, as so established, has been reached during a continuous period of medical need, or the carrier determines that the item is lost or irreparably damaged, the patient may elect to have payment for an item serving as a replacement for such item made—
(I) on a monthly basis for the rental of the replacement item in accordance with subparagraph (A); or
(II) in the case of an item for which a purchase agreement has been entered into under subparagraph (A)(iii), in a lump-sum amount for the purchase of the item.
(iii) Length of reasonable useful lifetime
The reasonable useful lifetime of an item of durable medical equipment under this subparagraph shall be equal to 5 years, except that, if the Secretary determines that, on the basis of prior experience in making payments for such an item under this subchapter, a reasonable useful lifetime of 5 years is not appropriate with respect to a particular item, the Secretary shall establish an alternative reasonable lifetime for such item.
(8) Purchase price recognized for miscellaneous devices and items
For purposes of paragraphs (6) and (7), the amount that is recognized under this paragraph as the purchase price for a covered item is the amount described in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph, determined as follows:
(A) Computation of local purchase price
Each carrier under
(i) The carrier shall compute a base local purchase price, for each item described—
(I) in paragraph (6) equal to the average reasonable charge in the locality for the purchase of the item for the 12-month period ending with June 1987, or
(II) in paragraph (7) equal to the average of the purchase prices on the claims submitted on an assignment-related basis for the unused item supplied during the 6-month period ending with December 1986.
(ii) The carrier shall compute a local purchase price, with respect to the furnishing of each particular item—
(I) in 1989 and 1990, equal to the base local purchase price computed under clause (i) increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) for the 6-month period ending with December 1987,
(II) in 1991, equal to the local purchase price computed under this clause for the previous year, increased by the covered item update for 1991, and decreased by the percentage by which the average of the reasonable charges for claims paid for all items described in paragraph (7) is lower than the average of the purchase prices submitted for such items during the final 9 months of 1988; 1 or
(III) in 1992, 1993, and 1994, equal to the local purchase price computed under this clause for the previous year increased by the covered item update for the year.
(B) Computation of national limited purchase price
With respect to the furnishing of a particular item in a year, the Secretary shall compute a national limited purchase price—
(i) for 1991, equal to the local purchase price computed under subparagraph (A)(ii) for the item for the year, except that such national limited purchase price may not exceed 100 percent of the weighted average of all local purchase prices for the item computed under such subparagraph for the year, and may not be less than 85 percent of the weighted average of all local purchase prices for the item computed under such subparagraph for the year;
(ii) for 1992 and 1993, the amount determined under this subparagraph for the preceding year increased by the covered item update for such subsequent year;
(iii) for 1994, the local purchase price computed under subparagraph (A)(ii) for the item for the year, except that such national limited purchase price may not exceed 100 percent of the median of all local purchase prices computed for the item under such subparagraph for the year and may not be less than 85 percent of the median of all local purchase prices computed under such subparagraph for the item for the year; and
(iv) for each subsequent year, equal to the amount determined under this subparagraph for the preceding year increased by the covered item update for such subsequent year.
(C) Purchase price recognized
For purposes of paragraphs (6) and (7), the amount that is recognized under this paragraph as the purchase price for each item furnished—
(i) in 1989 or 1990, is 100 percent of the local purchase price computed under subparagraph (A)(ii)(I);
(ii) in 1991, is the sum of (I) 67 percent of the local purchase price computed under subparagraph (A)(ii)(II) for 1991, and (II) 33 percent of the national limited purchase price computed under subparagraph (B) for 1991;
(iii) in 1992, is the sum of (I) 33 percent of the local purchase price computed under subparagraph (A)(ii)(III) for 1992, and (II) 67 percent of the national limited purchase price computed under subparagraph (B) for 1992; and
(iv) in 1993 or a subsequent year, is the national limited purchase price computed under subparagraph (B) for that year.
(9) Monthly payment amount recognized with respect to oxygen and oxygen equipment
For purposes of paragraph (5), the amount that is recognized under this paragraph for payment for oxygen and oxygen equipment is the monthly payment amount described in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph. Such amount shall be computed separately (i) for all items of oxygen and oxygen equipment (other than portable oxygen equipment) and (ii) for portable oxygen equipment (each such group referred to in this paragraph as an "item").
(A) Computation of local monthly payment rate
Each carrier under this section shall compute a base local payment rate for each item as follows:
(i) The carrier shall compute a base local average monthly payment rate per beneficiary as an amount equal to (I) the total reasonable charges for the item during the 12-month period ending with December 1986, divided by (II) the total number of months for all beneficiaries receiving the item in the area during the 12-month period for which the carrier made payment for the item under this subchapter.
(ii) The carrier shall compute a local average monthly payment rate for the item applicable—
(I) to 1989 and 1990, equal to 95 percent of the base local average monthly payment rate computed under clause (i) for the item increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) for the 6-month period ending with December 1987, or
(II) to 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994, equal to the local average monthly payment rate computed under this clause for the item for the previous year increased by the covered item increase for the year.
(B) Computation of national limited monthly payment rate
With respect to the furnishing of an item in a year, the Secretary shall compute a national limited monthly payment rate equal to—
(i) for 1991, the local monthly payment rate computed under subparagraph (A)(ii)(II) for the item for the year, except that such national limited monthly payment rate may not exceed 100 percent of the weighted average of all local monthly payment rates computed for the item under such subparagraph for the year, and may not be less than 85 percent of the weighted average of all local monthly payment rates computed for the item under such subparagraph for the year;
(ii) for 1992 and 1993, the amount determined under this subparagraph for the preceding year increased by the covered item update for such subsequent year;
(iii) for 1994, the local monthly payment rate computed under subparagraph (A)(ii) for the item for the year, except that such national limited monthly payment rate may not exceed 100 percent of the median of all local monthly payment rates computed for the item under such subparagraph for the year and may not be less than 85 percent of the median of all local monthly payment rates computed for the item under such subparagraph for the year;
(iv) for 1995, 1996, and 1997, equal to the amount determined under this subparagraph for the preceding year increased by the covered item update for such subsequent year;
(v) for 1998, 75 percent of the amount determined under this subparagraph for 1997; and
(vi) for 1999 and each subsequent year, 70 percent of the amount determined under this subparagraph for 1997.
(C) Monthly payment amount recognized
For purposes of paragraph (5), the amount that is recognized under this paragraph as the base monthly payment amount for each item furnished—
(i) in 1989 and in 1990, is 100 percent of the local average monthly payment rate computed under subparagraph (A)(ii) for the item;
(ii) in 1991, is the sum of (I) 67 percent of the local average monthly payment rate computed under subparagraph (A)(ii)(II) for the item for 1991, and (II) 33 percent of the national limited monthly payment rate computed under subparagraph (B)(i) for the item for 1991;
(iii) in 1992, is the sum of (I) 33 percent of the local average monthly payment rate computed under subparagraph (A)(ii)(II) for the item for 1992, and (II) 67 percent of the national limited monthly payment rate computed under subparagraph (B)(ii) for the item for 1992; and
(iv) in a subsequent year, is the national limited monthly payment rate computed under subparagraph (B) for the item for that year.
(D) Authority to create classes
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), the Secretary may establish separate classes for any item of oxygen and oxygen equipment and separate national limited monthly payment rates for each of such classes.
(ii) Budget neutrality
The Secretary may take actions under clause (i) only to the extent such actions do not result in expenditures for any year to be more or less than the expenditures which would have been made if such actions had not been taken.
(10) Exceptions and adjustments
(A) Areas outside continental United States
Exceptions to the amounts recognized under the previous provisions of this subsection shall be made to take into account the unique circumstances of covered items furnished in Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico.
(B) Adjustment for inherent reasonableness
The Secretary is authorized to apply the provisions of paragraphs (8) and (9) of
(C) Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS)
In order to permit an attending physician time to determine whether the purchase of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator is medically appropriate for a particular patient, the Secretary may determine an appropriate payment amount for the initial rental of such item for a period of not more than 2 months. If such item is subsequently purchased, the payment amount with respect to such purchase is the payment amount determined under paragraph (2).
(11) Improper billing and requirement of physician order
(A) Improper billing for certain rental items
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, a supplier of a covered item for which payment is made under this subsection and which is furnished on a rental basis shall continue to supply the item without charge (other than a charge provided under this subsection for the maintenance and servicing of the item) after rental payments may no longer be made under this subsection. If a supplier knowingly and willfully violates the previous sentence, the Secretary may apply sanctions against the supplier under
(B) Requirement of physician order
(i) In general
The Secretary is authorized to require, for specified covered items, that payment may be made under this subsection with respect to the item only if a physician enrolled under
(ii) Requirement for face to face encounter
The Secretary shall require that such an order be written pursuant to the physician documenting that a physician, a physician assistant, a nurse practitioner, or a clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in
(12) Regional carriers
The Secretary may designate, by regulation under
(13) "Covered item" defined
In this subsection, the term "covered item" means durable medical equipment (as defined in
(14) Covered item update
In this subsection, the term "covered item update" means, with respect to a year—
(A) for 1991 and 1992, the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year reduced by 1 percentage point;
(B) for 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997, the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year;
(C) for each of the years 1998 through 2000, 0 percentage points;
(D) for 2001, the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) for the 12-month period ending with June 2000;
(E) for 2002, 0 percentage points;
(F) for 2003, the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. urban average) for the 12-month period ending with June of 2002;
(G) for 2004 through 2006—
(i) subject to clause (ii), in the case of class III medical devices described in
(ii) in the case of covered items not described in clause (i), 0 percentage points;
(H) for 2007—
(i) subject to clause (ii), in the case of class III medical devices described in
(ii) in the case of covered items not described in clause (i), 0 percentage points;
(I) for 2008—
(i) subject to clause (ii), in the case of class III medical devices described in
(ii) in the case of covered items not described in clause (i), 0 percentage points;
(J) for 2009—
(i) in the case of items and services furnished in any geographic area, if such items or services were selected for competitive acquisition in any area under the competitive acquisition program under
(ii) in the case of other items and services, the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. urban average) for the 12-month period ending with June 2008;
(K) for 2010, the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. urban average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year; and
(L) for 2011 and each subsequent year—
(i) the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year, reduced by—
(ii) the productivity adjustment described in
The application of subparagraph (L)(ii) may result in the covered item update under this paragraph being less than 0.0 for a year, and may result in payment rates under this subsection for a year being less than such payment rates for the preceding year.
(15) Advance determinations of coverage for certain items
(A) Development of lists of items by Secretary
The Secretary may develop and periodically update a list of items for which payment may be made under this subsection that the Secretary determines, on the basis of prior payment experience, are frequently subject to unnecessary utilization throughout a carrier's entire service area or a portion of such area.
(B) Development of lists of suppliers by Secretary
The Secretary may develop and periodically update a list of suppliers of items for which payment may be made under this subsection with respect to whom—
(i) the Secretary has found that a substantial number of claims for payment under this part for items furnished by the supplier have been denied on the basis of the application of
(ii) the Secretary has identified a pattern of overutilization resulting from the business practice of the supplier.
(C) Determinations of coverage in advance
A carrier shall determine in advance of delivery of an item whether payment for the item may not be made because the item is not covered or because of the application of
(i) the item is included on the list developed by the Secretary under subparagraph (A);
(ii) the item is furnished by a supplier included on the list developed by the Secretary under subparagraph (B); or
(iii) the item is a customized item (other than inexpensive items specified by the Secretary) and the patient to whom the item is to be furnished or the supplier requests that such advance determination be made.
(16) Disclosure of information and surety bond
The Secretary shall not provide for the issuance (or renewal) of a provider number for a supplier of durable medical equipment, for purposes of payment under this part for durable medical equipment furnished by the supplier, unless the supplier provides the Secretary on a continuing basis—
(A) with—
(i) full and complete information as to the identity of each person with an ownership or control interest (as defined in
(ii) to the extent determined to be feasible under regulations of the Secretary, the name of any disclosing entity (as defined in
(B) with a surety bond in a form specified by the Secretary and in an amount that is not less than $50,000 that the Secretary determines is commensurate with the volume of the billing of the supplier.
The Secretary may waive the requirement of a bond under subparagraph (B) in the case of a supplier that provides a comparable surety bond under State law. The Secretary, at the Secretary's discretion, may impose the requirements of the first sentence with respect to some or all providers of items or services under part A of this subchapter or some or all suppliers or other persons (other than physicians or other practitioners, as defined in
(17) Prohibition against unsolicited telephone contacts by suppliers
(A) In general
A supplier of a covered item under this subsection may not contact an individual enrolled under this part by telephone regarding the furnishing of a covered item to the individual unless 1 of the following applies:
(i) The individual has given written permission to the supplier to make contact by telephone regarding the furnishing of a covered item.
(ii) The supplier has furnished a covered item to the individual and the supplier is contacting the individual only regarding the furnishing of such covered item.
(iii) If the contact is regarding the furnishing of a covered item other than a covered item already furnished to the individual, the supplier has furnished at least 1 covered item to the individual during the 15-month period preceding the date on which the supplier makes such contact.
(B) Prohibiting payment for items furnished subsequent to unsolicited contacts
If a supplier knowingly contacts an individual in violation of subparagraph (A), no payment may be made under this part for any item subsequently furnished to the individual by the supplier.
(C) Exclusion from program for suppliers engaging in pattern of unsolicited contacts
If a supplier knowingly contacts individuals in violation of subparagraph (A) to such an extent that the supplier's conduct establishes a pattern of contacts in violation of such subparagraph, the Secretary shall exclude the supplier from participation in the programs under this chapter, in accordance with the procedures set forth in subsections (c), (f), and (g) of
(18) Refund of amounts collected for certain disallowed items
(A) In general
If a nonparticipating supplier furnishes to an individual enrolled under this part a covered item for which no payment may be made under this part by reason of paragraph (17)(B), the supplier shall refund on a timely basis to the patient (and shall be liable to the patient for) any amounts collected from the patient for the item, unless—
(i) the supplier establishes that the supplier did not know and could not reasonably have been expected to know that payment may not be made for the item by reason of paragraph (17)(B), or
(ii) before the item was furnished, the patient was informed that payment under this part may not be made for that item and the patient has agreed to pay for that item.
(B) Sanctions
If a supplier knowingly and willfully fails to make refunds in violation of subparagraph (A), the Secretary may apply sanctions against the supplier in accordance with
(C) Notice
Each carrier with a contract in effect under this part with respect to suppliers of covered items shall send any notice of denial of payment for covered items by reason of paragraph (17)(B) and for which payment is not requested on an assignment-related basis to the supplier and the patient involved.
(D) Timely basis defined
A refund under subparagraph (A) is considered to be on a timely basis only if—
(i) in the case of a supplier who does not request reconsideration or seek appeal on a timely basis, the refund is made within 30 days after the date the supplier receives a denial notice under subparagraph (C), or
(ii) in the case in which such a reconsideration or appeal is taken, the refund is made within 15 days after the date the supplier receives notice of an adverse determination on reconsideration or appeal.
(19) Certain upgraded items
(A) Individual's right to choose upgraded item
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, the Secretary may issue regulations under which an individual may purchase or rent from a supplier an item of upgraded durable medical equipment for which payment would be made under this subsection if the item were a standard item.
(B) Payments to supplier
In the case of the purchase or rental of an upgraded item under subparagraph (A)—
(i) the supplier shall receive payment under this subsection with respect to such item as if such item were a standard item; and
(ii) the individual purchasing or renting the item shall pay the supplier an amount equal to the difference between the supplier's charge and the amount under clause (i).
In no event may the supplier's charge for an upgraded item exceed the applicable fee schedule amount (if any) for such item.
(C) Consumer protection safeguards
Any regulations under subparagraph (A) shall provide for consumer protection standards with respect to the furnishing of upgraded equipment under subparagraph (A). Such regulations shall provide for—
(i) determination of fair market prices with respect to an upgraded item;
(ii) full disclosure of the availability and price of standard items and proof of receipt of such disclosure information by the beneficiary before the furnishing of the upgraded item;
(iii) conditions of participation for suppliers in the billing arrangement;
(iv) sanctions of suppliers who are determined to engage in coercive or abusive practices, including exclusion; and
(v) such other safeguards as the Secretary determines are necessary.
(20) Identification of quality standards
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall establish and implement quality standards for suppliers of items and services described in subparagraph (D) to be applied by recognized independent accreditation organizations (as designated under subparagraph (B)) and with which such suppliers shall be required to comply in order to—
(i) furnish any such item or service for which payment is made under this part; and
(ii) receive or retain a provider or supplier number used to submit claims for reimbursement for any such item or service for which payment may be made under this subchapter.
(B) Designation of independent accreditation organizations
Not later than the date that is 1 year after the date on which the Secretary implements the quality standards under subparagraph (A), notwithstanding
(C) Quality standards
The quality standards described in subparagraph (A) may not be less stringent than the quality standards that would otherwise apply if this paragraph did not apply and shall include consumer services standards.
(D) Items and services described
The items and services described in this subparagraph are the following items and services, as the Secretary determines appropriate:
(i) Covered items (as defined in paragraph (13)) for which payment may otherwise be made under this subsection.
(ii) Prosthetic devices and orthotics and prosthetics described in subsection (h)(4) of this section.
(iii) Items and services described in
(E) Implementation
The Secretary may establish by program instruction or otherwise the quality standards under this paragraph, including subparagraph (F), after consultation with representatives of relevant parties. Such standards shall be applied prospectively and shall be published on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
(F) Application of accreditation requirement
In implementing quality standards under this paragraph—
(i) subject to clause (ii) and subparagraph (G), the Secretary shall require suppliers furnishing items and services described in subparagraph (D) on or after October 1, 2009, directly or as a subcontractor for another entity, to have submitted to the Secretary evidence of accreditation by an accreditation organization designated under subparagraph (B) as meeting applicable quality standards, except that the Secretary shall not require under this clause pharmacies to obtain such accreditation before January 1, 2010, except that the Secretary shall not require a pharmacy to have submitted to the Secretary such evidence of accreditation prior to January 1, 2011; and
(ii) in applying such standards and the accreditation requirement of clause (i) with respect to eligible professionals (as defined in
(I) such standards and accreditation requirement shall not apply to such professionals and persons unless the Secretary determines that the standards being applied are designed specifically to be applied to such professionals and persons; and
(II) the Secretary may exempt such professionals and persons from such standards and requirement if the Secretary determines that licensing, accreditation, or other mandatory quality requirements apply to such professionals and persons with respect to the furnishing of such items and services.
(G) Application of accreditation requirement to certain pharmacies
(i) In general
With respect to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2011, in implementing quality standards under this paragraph—
(I) subject to subclause (II), in applying such standards and the accreditation requirement of subparagraph (F)(i) with respect to pharmacies described in clause (ii) furnishing such items and services, such standards and accreditation requirement shall not apply to such pharmacies; and
(II) the Secretary may apply to such pharmacies an alternative accreditation requirement established by the Secretary if the Secretary determines such alternative accreditation requirement is more appropriate for such pharmacies.
(ii) Pharmacies described
A pharmacy described in this clause is a pharmacy that meets each of the following criteria:
(I) The total billings by the pharmacy for such items and services under this subchapter are less than 5 percent of total pharmacy sales, as determined based on the average total pharmacy sales for the previous 3 calendar years, 3 fiscal years, or other yearly period specified by the Secretary.
(II) The pharmacy has been enrolled under
(III) The pharmacy submits to the Secretary an attestation, in a form and manner, and at a time, specified by the Secretary, that the pharmacy meets the criteria described in subclauses (I) and (II). Such attestation shall be subject to
(IV) The pharmacy agrees to submit materials as requested by the Secretary, or during the course of an audit conducted on a random sample of pharmacies selected annually, to verify that the pharmacy meets the criteria described in subclauses (I) and (II). Materials submitted under the preceding sentence shall include a certification by an accountant on behalf of the pharmacy or the submission of tax returns filed by the pharmacy during the relevant periods, as requested by the Secretary.
(21) Special payment rule for specified items and supplies
(A) In general
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subsection, for specified items and supplies (described in subparagraph (B)) furnished during 2005, the payment amount otherwise determined under this subsection for such specified items and supplies shall be reduced by the percentage difference between—
(i) the amount of payment otherwise determined for the specified item or supply under this subsection for 2002, and
(ii) the amount of payment for the specified item or supply under
(B) Specified item or supply described
For purposes of subparagraph (A), a specified item or supply means oxygen and oxygen equipment, standard wheelchairs (including standard power wheelchairs), nebulizers, diabetic supplies consisting of lancets and testing strips, hospital beds, and air mattresses, but only if the HCPCS code for the item or supply is identified in a table referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii).
(C) Application of update to special payment amount
The covered item update under paragraph (14) for specified items and supplies for 2006 and each subsequent year shall be applied to the payment amount under subparagraph (A) unless payment is made for such items and supplies under
(b) Fee schedules for radiologist services
(1) Development
The Secretary shall develop—
(A) a relative value scale to serve as the basis for the payment for radiologist services under this part, and
(B) using such scale and appropriate conversion factors and subject to subsection (c)(1)(A) of this section, fee schedules (on a regional, statewide, locality, or carrier service area basis) for payment for radiologist services under this part, to be implemented for such services furnished during 1989.
(2) Consultation
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall regularly consult closely with the Physician Payment Review Commission, the American College of Radiology, and other organizations representing physicians or suppliers who furnish radiologist services and shall share with them the data and data analysis being used to make the determinations under paragraph (1), including data on variations in current medicare payments by geographic area, and by service and physician specialty.
(3) Considerations
In developing the relative value scale and fee schedules under paragraph (1), the Secretary—
(A) shall take into consideration variations in the cost of furnishing such services among geographic areas and among different sites where services are furnished, and
(B) may also take into consideration such other factors respecting the manner in which physicians in different specialties furnish such services as may be appropriate to assure that payment amounts are equitable and designed to promote effective and efficient provision of radiologist services by physicians in the different specialties.
(4) Savings
(A) Budget neutral fee schedules
The Secretary shall develop preliminary fee schedules for 1989, which are designed to result in the same amount of aggregate payments (net of any coinsurance and deductibles under
(B) Initial savings
The fee schedules established for payment purposes under this subsection for services furnished in 1989 shall be 97 percent of the amounts permitted under the preliminary fee schedules developed under subparagraph (A).
(C) 1990 fee schedules
For radiologist services (other than portable X-ray services) furnished under this part during 1990, after March 31 of such year, the conversion factors used under this subsection shall be 96 percent of the conversion factors that applied under this subsection as of December 31, 1989.
(D) 1991 fee schedules
For radiologist services (other than portable X-ray services) furnished under this part during 1991, the conversion factors used in a locality under this subsection shall, subject to clause (vii), be reduced to the adjusted conversion factor for the locality determined as follows:
(i) National weighted average conversion factor
The Secretary shall estimate the national weighted average of the conversion factors used under this subsection for services furnished during 1990 beginning on April 1, using the best available data.
(ii) Reduced national weighted average
The national weighted average estimated under clause (i) shall be reduced by 13 percent.
(iii) Computation of 1990 locality index relative to national average
The Secretary shall establish an index which reflects, for each locality, the ratio of the conversion factor used in the locality under this subsection to the national weighted average estimated under clause (i).
(iv) Adjusted conversion factor
The adjusted conversion factor for the professional or technical component of a service in a locality is the sum of ½ of the locally-adjusted amount determined under clause (v) and ½ of the GPCI-adjusted amount determined under clause (vi).
(v) Locally-adjusted amount
For purposes of clause (iv), the locally adjusted amount determined under this clause is the product of (I) the national weighted average conversion factor computed under clause (ii), and (II) the index value established under clause (iii) for the locality.
(vi) GPCI-adjusted amount
For purposes of clause (iv), the GPCI-adjusted amount determined under this clause is the sum of—
(I) the product of (a) the portion of the reduced national weighted average conversion factor computed under clause (ii) which is attributable to physician work and (b) the geographic work index value for the locality (specified in Addendum C to the Model Fee Schedule for Physician Services (published on September 4, 1990, 55 Federal Register pp. 36238–36243)); and
(II) the product of (a) the remaining portion of the reduced national weighted average conversion factor computed under clause (ii), and (b) the geographic practice cost index value specified in
In applying this clause with respect to the professional component of a service, 80 percent of the conversion factor shall be considered to be attributable to physician work and with respect to the technical component of the service, 0 percent shall be considered to be attributable to physician work.
(vii) Limits on conversion factor
The conversion factor to be applied to a locality to the professional or technical component of a service shall not be reduced under this subparagraph by more than 9.5 percent below the conversion factor applied in the locality under subparagraph (C) to such component, but in no case shall the conversion factor be less than 60 percent of the national weighted average of the conversion factors (computed under clause (i)).
(E) Rule for certain scanning services
In the case of the technical components of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) services and computer assisted tomography (CAT) services furnished after December 31, 1990, the amount otherwise payable shall be reduced by 10 percent.
(F) Subsequent updating
For radiologist services furnished in subsequent years, the fee schedules shall be the schedules for the previous year updated by the percentage increase in the MEI (as defined in
(G) Nonparticipating physicians and suppliers
Each fee schedule so established shall provide that the payment rate recognized for nonparticipating physicians and suppliers is equal to the appropriate percent (as defined in
(5) Limiting charges of nonparticipating physicians and suppliers
(A) In general
In the case of radiologist services furnished after January 1, 1989, for which payment is made under a fee schedule under this subsection, if a nonparticipating physician or supplier furnishes the service to an individual entitled to benefits under this part, the physician or supplier may not charge the individual more than the limiting charge (as defined in subparagraph (B)).
(B) "Limiting charge" defined
In subparagraph (A), the term "limiting charge" means, with respect to a service furnished—
(i) in 1989, 125 percent of the amount specified for the service in the appropriate fee schedule established under paragraph (1),
(ii) in 1990, 120 percent of the amount specified for the service in the appropriate fee schedule established under paragraph (1), and
(iii) after 1990, 115 percent of the amount specified for the service in the appropriate fee schedule established under paragraph (1).
(C) Enforcement
If a physician or supplier knowingly and willfully bills in violation of subparagraph (A), the Secretary may apply sanctions against such physician or supplier in accordance with
(6) "Radiologist services" defined
For the purposes of this subsection and
(A) who is certified, or eligible to be certified, by the American Board of Radiology, or
(B) for whom radiology services account for at least 50 percent of the total amount of charges made under this part.
(c) Payment and standards for screening mammography
(1) In general
With respect to expenses incurred for screening mammography (as defined in
(A) for screening mammography conducted consistent with the frequency permitted under paragraph (2); and
(B) if the screening mammography is conducted by a facility that has a certificate (or provisional certificate) issued under
(2) Frequency covered
(A) In general
Subject to revision by the Secretary under subparagraph (B)—
(i) no payment may be made under this part for screening mammography performed on a woman under 35 years of age;
(ii) payment may be made under this part for only one screening mammography performed on a woman over 34 years of age, but under 40 years of age; and
(iii) in the case of a woman over 39 years of age, payment may not be made under this part for screening mammography performed within 11 months following the month in which a previous screening mammography was performed.
(B) Revision of frequency
(i) Review
The Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the National Cancer Institute, shall review periodically the appropriate frequency for performing screening mammography, based on age and such other factors as the Secretary believes to be pertinent.
(ii) Revision of frequency
The Secretary, taking into consideration the review made under clause (i), may revise from time to time the frequency with which screening mammography may be paid for under this subsection.
(d) Frequency limits and payment for colorectal cancer screening tests
(1) Screening fecal-occult blood tests
(A) Payment amount
The payment amount for colorectal cancer screening tests consisting of screening fecal-occult blood tests is equal to the payment amount established for diagnostic fecal-occult blood tests under
(B) Frequency limit
No payment may be made under this part for a colorectal cancer screening test consisting of a screening fecal-occult blood test—
(i) if the individual is under 50 years of age; or
(ii) if the test is performed within the 11 months after a previous screening fecal-occult blood test.
(2) Screening flexible sigmoidoscopies
(A) Fee schedule
With respect to colorectal cancer screening tests consisting of screening flexible sigmoidoscopies, payment under
(B) Payment limit
In the case of screening flexible sigmoidoscopy services, payment under this part shall not exceed such amount as the Secretary specifies, based upon the rates recognized for diagnostic flexible sigmoidoscopy services.
(C) Facility payment limit
(i) In general
Notwithstanding subsections (i)(2)(A) and (t) of
(I) in accordance with regulations, may be performed in an ambulatory surgical center and for which the Secretary permits ambulatory surgical center payments under this part, and
(II) are performed in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department,
payment under this part shall be based on the lesser of the amount under the fee schedule that would apply to such services if they were performed in a hospital outpatient department in an area or the amount under the fee schedule that would apply to such services if they were performed in an ambulatory surgical center in the same area.
(ii) Limitation on coinsurance
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, in the case of a beneficiary who receives the services described in clause (i)—
(I) in computing the amount of any applicable copayment, the computation of such coinsurance shall be based upon the fee schedule under which payment is made for the services, and
(II) the amount of such coinsurance is equal to 25 percent of the payment amount under the fee schedule described in subclause (I).
(D) Special rule for detected lesions
If during the course of such screening flexible sigmoidoscopy, a lesion or growth is detected which results in a biopsy or removal of the lesion or growth, payment under this part shall not be made for the screening flexible sigmoidoscopy but shall be made for the procedure classified as a flexible sigmoidoscopy with such biopsy or removal.
(E) Frequency limit
No payment may be made under this part for a colorectal cancer screening test consisting of a screening flexible sigmoidoscopy—
(i) if the individual is under 50 years of age; or
(ii) if the procedure is performed within the 47 months after a previous screening flexible sigmoidoscopy or, in the case of an individual who is not at high risk for colorectal cancer, if the procedure is performed within the 119 months after a previous screening colonoscopy.
(3) Screening colonoscopy
(A) Fee schedule
With respect to colorectal cancer screening test consisting of a screening colonoscopy, payment under
(B) Payment limit
In the case of screening colonoscopy services, payment under this part shall not exceed such amount as the Secretary specifies, based upon the rates recognized for diagnostic colonoscopy services.
(C) Facility payment limit
(i) In general
Notwithstanding subsections (i)(2)(A) and (t) of
(ii) Limitation on coinsurance
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, in the case of a beneficiary who receives the services described in clause (i)—
(I) in computing the amount of any applicable coinsurance, the computation of such coinsurance shall be based upon the fee schedule under which payment is made for the services, and
(II) the amount of such coinsurance is equal to 25 percent of the payment amount under the fee schedule described in subclause (I).
(D) Special rule for detected lesions
If during the course of such screening colonoscopy, a lesion or growth is detected which results in a biopsy or removal of the lesion or growth, payment under this part shall not be made for the screening colonoscopy but shall be made for the procedure classified as a colonoscopy with such biopsy or removal.
(E) Frequency limit
No payment may be made under this part for a colorectal cancer screening test consisting of a screening colonoscopy for individuals at high risk for colorectal cancer if the procedure is performed within the 23 months after a previous screening colonoscopy or for other individuals if the procedure is performed within the 119 months after a previous screening colonoscopy or within 47 months after a previous screening flexible sigmoidoscopy.
(e) Accreditation requirement for advanced diagnostic imaging services
(1) In general
(A) In general
Beginning with January 1, 2012, with respect to the technical component of advanced diagnostic imaging services for which payment is made under the fee schedule established under
(B) Advanced diagnostic imaging services defined
In this subsection, the term "advanced diagnostic imaging services" includes—
(i) diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and nuclear medicine (including positron emission tomography); and
(ii) such other diagnostic imaging services, including services described in
(C) Supplier defined
In this subsection, the term "supplier" has the meaning given such term in
(2) Accreditation organizations
(A) Factors for designation of accreditation organizations
The Secretary shall consider the following factors in designating accreditation organizations under subparagraph (B)(i) 2 and in reviewing and modifying the list of accreditation organizations designated pursuant to subparagraph (C):
(i) The ability of the organization to conduct timely reviews of accreditation applications.
(ii) Whether the organization has established a process for the timely integration of new advanced diagnostic imaging services into the organization's accreditation program.
(iii) Whether the organization uses random site visits, site audits, or other strategies for ensuring accredited suppliers maintain adherence to the criteria described in paragraph (3).
(iv) The ability of the organization to take into account the capacities of suppliers located in a rural area (as defined in
(v) Whether the organization has established reasonable fees to be charged to suppliers applying for accreditation.
(vi) Such other factors as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(B) Designation
Not later than January 1, 2010, the Secretary shall designate organizations to accredit suppliers furnishing the technical component of advanced diagnostic imaging services. The list of accreditation organizations so designated may be modified pursuant to subparagraph (C).
(C) Review and modification of list of accreditation organizations
(i) In general
The Secretary shall review the list of accreditation organizations designated under subparagraph (B) taking into account the factors under subparagraph (A). Taking into account the results of such review, the Secretary may, by regulation, modify the list of accreditation organizations designated under subparagraph (B).
(ii) Special rule for accreditations done prior to removal from list of designated accreditation organizations
In the case where the Secretary removes an organization from the list of accreditation organizations designated under subparagraph (B), any supplier that is accredited by the organization during the period beginning on the date on which the organization is designated as an accreditation organization under subparagraph (B) and ending on the date on which the organization is removed from such list shall be considered to have been accredited by an organization designated by the Secretary under subparagraph (B) for the remaining period such accreditation is in effect.
(3) Criteria for accreditation
The Secretary shall establish procedures to ensure that the criteria used by an accreditation organization designated under paragraph (2)(B) to evaluate a supplier that furnishes the technical component of advanced diagnostic imaging services for the purpose of accreditation of such supplier is specific to each imaging modality. Such criteria shall include—
(A) standards for qualifications of medical personnel who are not physicians and who furnish the technical component of advanced diagnostic imaging services;
(B) standards for qualifications and responsibilities of medical directors and supervising physicians, including standards that recognize the considerations described in paragraph (4);
(C) procedures to ensure that equipment used in furnishing the technical component of advanced diagnostic imaging services meets performance specifications;
(D) standards that require the supplier have procedures in place to ensure the safety of persons who furnish the technical component of advanced diagnostic imaging services and individuals to whom such services are furnished;
(E) standards that require the establishment and maintenance of a quality assurance and quality control program by the supplier that is adequate and appropriate to ensure the reliability, clarity, and accuracy of the technical quality of diagnostic images produced by such supplier; and
(F) any other standards or procedures the Secretary determines appropriate.
(4) Recognition in standards for the evaluation of medical directors and supervising physicians
The standards described in paragraph (3)(B) shall recognize whether a medical director or supervising physician—
(A) in a particular specialty receives training in advanced diagnostic imaging services in a residency program;
(B) has attained, through experience, the necessary expertise to be a medical director or a supervising physician;
(C) has completed any continuing medical education courses relating to such services; or
(D) has met such other standards as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(5) Rule for accreditations made prior to designation
In the case of a supplier that is accredited before January 1, 2010, by an accreditation organization designated by the Secretary under paragraph (2)(B) as of January 1, 2010, such supplier shall be considered to have been accredited by an organization designated by the Secretary under such paragraph as of January 1, 2012, for the remaining period such accreditation is in effect.
(f) Reduction in payments for physician pathology services during 1991
(1) In general
For physician pathology services furnished under this part during 1991, the prevailing charges used in a locality under this part shall be 7 percent below the prevailing charges used in the locality under this part in 1990 after March 31.
(2) Limitation
The prevailing charge for the technical and professional components of an 3 physician pathology service furnished by a physician through an independent laboratory shall not be reduced pursuant to paragraph (1) to the extent that such reduction would reduce such prevailing charge below 115 percent of the prevailing charge for the professional component of such service when furnished by a hospital-based physician in the same locality. For purposes of the preceding sentence, an independent laboratory is a laboratory that is independent of a hospital and separate from the attending or consulting physicians' office.
(g) Payment for outpatient critical access hospital services
(1) In general
The amount of payment for outpatient critical access hospital services of a critical access hospital is equal to 101 percent of the reasonable costs of the hospital in providing such services, unless the hospital makes the election under paragraph (2).
(2) Election of cost-based hospital outpatient service payment plus fee schedule for professional services
A critical access hospital may elect to be paid for outpatient critical access hospital services amounts equal to the sum of the following, less the amount that such hospital may charge as described in
(A) Facility fee
With respect to facility services, not including any services for which payment may be made under subparagraph (B), 101 percent of the reasonable costs of the critical access hospital in providing such services.
(B) Fee schedule for professional services
With respect to professional services otherwise included within outpatient critical access hospital services, 115 percent of such amounts as would otherwise be paid under this part if such services were not included in outpatient critical access hospital services. Subsections (x) and (y) of
The Secretary may not require, as a condition for applying subparagraph (B) with respect to a critical access hospital, that each physician or other practitioner providing professional services in the hospital must assign billing rights with respect to such services, except that such subparagraph shall not apply to those physicians and practitioners who have not assigned such billing rights.
(3) Disregarding charges
The payment amounts under this subsection shall be determined without regard to the amount of the customary or other charge.
(4) Treatment of clinical diagnostic laboratory services
No coinsurance, deductible, copayment, or other cost-sharing otherwise applicable under this part shall apply with respect to clinical diagnostic laboratory services furnished as an outpatient critical access hospital service. Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as providing for payment for clinical diagnostic laboratory services furnished as part of outpatient critical access hospital services, other than on the basis described in this subsection. For purposes of the preceding sentence and
(5) Coverage of costs for certain emergency room on-call providers
In determining the reasonable costs of outpatient critical access hospital services under paragraphs (1) and (2)(A), the Secretary shall recognize as allowable costs, amounts (as defined by the Secretary) for reasonable compensation and related costs for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists who are on-call (as defined by the Secretary) to provide emergency services but who are not present on the premises of the critical access hospital involved, and are not otherwise furnishing services covered under this subchapter and are not on-call at any other provider or facility.
(h) Payment for prosthetic devices and orthotics and prosthetics
(1) General rule for payment
(A) In general
Payment under this subsection for prosthetic devices and orthotics and prosthetics shall be made in a lump-sum amount for the purchase of the item in an amount equal to 80 percent of the payment basis described in subparagraph (B).
(B) Payment basis
Except as provided in subparagraphs (C), (E), and (H)(i), the payment basis described in this subparagraph is the lesser of—
(i) the actual charge for the item; or
(ii) the amount recognized under paragraph (2) as the purchase price for the item.
(C) Exception for certain public home health agencies
Subparagraph (B)(i) shall not apply to an item furnished by a public home health agency (or by another home health agency which demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that a significant portion of its patients are low income) free of charge or at nominal charges to the public.
(D) Exclusive payment rule
Subject to subparagraph (H)(ii), this subsection shall constitute the exclusive provision of this subchapter for payment for prosthetic devices, orthotics, and prosthetics under this part or under part A of this subchapter to a home health agency.
(E) Exception for certain items
Payment for ostomy supplies, tracheostomy supplies, and urologicals shall be made in accordance with subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (a)(2) of this section.
(F) Special payment rules for certain prosthetics and custom-fabricated orthotics
(i) In general
No payment shall be made under this subsection for an item of custom-fabricated orthotics described in clause (ii) or for an item of prosthetics unless such item is—
(I) furnished by a qualified practitioner; and
(II) fabricated by a qualified practitioner or a qualified supplier at a facility that meets such criteria as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(ii) Description of custom-fabricated item
(I) In general
An item described in this clause is an item of custom-fabricated orthotics that requires education, training, and experience to custom-fabricate and that is included in a list established by the Secretary in subclause (II). Such an item does not include shoes and shoe inserts.
(II) List of items
The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate experts in orthotics (including national organizations representing manufacturers of orthotics), shall establish and update as appropriate a list of items to which this subparagraph applies. No item may be included in such list unless the item is individually fabricated for the patient over a positive model of the patient.
(iii) Qualified practitioner defined
In this subparagraph, the term "qualified practitioner" means a physician or other individual who—
(I) is a qualified physical therapist or a qualified occupational therapist;
(II) in the case of a State that provides for the licensing of orthotics and prosthetics, is licensed in orthotics or prosthetics by the State in which the item is supplied; or
(III) in the case of a State that does not provide for the licensing of orthotics and prosthetics, is specifically trained and educated to provide or manage the provision of prosthetics and custom-designed or -fabricated orthotics, and is certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc. or by the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification, or is credentialed and approved by a program that the Secretary determines, in consultation with appropriate experts in orthotics and prosthetics, has training and education standards that are necessary to provide such prosthetics and orthotics.
(iv) Qualified supplier defined
In this subparagraph, the term "qualified supplier" means any entity that is accredited by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc. or by the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification, or accredited and approved by a program that the Secretary determines has accreditation and approval standards that are essentially equivalent to those of such Board.
(G) Replacement of prosthetic devices and parts
(i) In general
Payment shall be made for the replacement of prosthetic devices which are artificial limbs, or for the replacement of any part of such devices, without regard to continuous use or useful lifetime restrictions if an ordering physician determines that the provision of a replacement device, or a replacement part of such a device, is necessary because of any of the following:
(I) A change in the physiological condition of the patient.
(II) An irreparable change in the condition of the device, or in a part of the device.
(III) The condition of the device, or the part of the device, requires repairs and the cost of such repairs would be more than 60 percent of the cost of a replacement device, or, as the case may be, of the part being replaced.
(ii) Confirmation may be required if device or part being replaced is less than 3 years old
If a physician determines that a replacement device, or a replacement part, is necessary pursuant to clause (i)—
(I) such determination shall be controlling; and
(II) such replacement device or part shall be deemed to be reasonable and necessary for purposes of
except that if the device, or part, being replaced is less than 3 years old (calculated from the date on which the beneficiary began to use the device or part), the Secretary may also require confirmation of necessity of the replacement device or replacement part, as the case may be.
(H) Application of competitive acquisition to orthotics; limitation of inherent reasonableness authority
In the case of orthotics described in paragraph (2)(C) of
(i) the payment basis under this subsection for such orthotics furnished in such area shall be the payment basis determined under such competitive acquisition program; and
(ii) the Secretary may use information on the payment determined under such competitive acquisition programs to adjust the payment amount otherwise recognized under subparagraph (B)(ii) for an area that is not a competitive acquisition area under
(2) Purchase price recognized
For purposes of paragraph (1), the amount that is recognized under this paragraph as the purchase price for prosthetic devices, orthotics, and prosthetics is the amount described in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph, determined as follows:
(A) Computation of local purchase price
Each carrier under
(i) The carrier shall compute a base local purchase price for each item equal to the average reasonable charge in the locality for the purchase of the item for the 12-month period ending with June 1987.
(ii) The carrier shall compute a local purchase price, with respect to the furnishing of each particular item—
(I) in 1989 and 1990, equal to the base local purchase price computed under clause (i) increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (United States city average) for the 6-month period ending with December 1987, or
(II) in 1991, 1992 or 1993, equal to the local purchase price computed under this clause for the previous year increased by the applicable percentage increase for the year.
(B) Computation of regional purchase price
With respect to the furnishing of a particular item in each region (as defined by the Secretary), the Secretary shall compute a regional purchase price—
(i) for 1992, equal to the average (weighted by relative volume of all claims among carriers) of the local purchase prices for the carriers in the region computed under subparagraph (A)(ii)(II) for the year, and
(ii) for each subsequent year, equal to the regional purchase price computed under this subparagraph for the previous year increased by the applicable percentage increase for the year.
(C) Purchase price recognized
For purposes of paragraph (1) and subject to subparagraph (D), the amount that is recognized under this paragraph as the purchase price for each item furnished—
(i) in 1989, 1990, or 1991, is 100 percent of the local purchase price computed under subparagraph (A)(ii);
(ii) in 1992, is the sum of (I) 75 percent of the local purchase price computed under subparagraph (A)(ii)(II) for 1992, and (II) 25 percent of the regional purchase price computed under subparagraph (B) for 1992;
(iii) in 1993, is the sum of (I) 50 percent of the local purchase price computed under subparagraph (A)(ii)(II) for 1993, and (II) 50 percent of the regional purchase price computed under subparagraph (B) for 1993; and
(iv) in 1994 or a subsequent year, is the regional purchase price computed under subparagraph (B) for that year.
(D) Range on amount recognized
The amount that is recognized under subparagraph (C) as the purchase price for an item furnished—
(i) in 1992, may not exceed 125 percent, and may not be lower than 85 percent, of the average of the purchase prices recognized under such subparagraph for all the carrier service areas in the United States in that year; and
(ii) in a subsequent year, may not exceed 120 percent, and may not be lower than 90 percent, of the average of the purchase prices recognized under such subparagraph for all the carrier service areas in the United States in that year.
(3) Applicability of certain provisions relating to durable medical equipment
Paragraphs (12), (15), and (17) and subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (10) and paragraph (11) of subsection (a) of this section shall apply to prosthetic devices, orthotics, and prosthetics in the same manner as such provisions apply to covered items under such subsection.
(4) Definitions
In this subsection—
(A) the term "applicable percentage increase" means—
(i) for 1991, 0 percent;
(ii) for 1992 and 1993, the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year;
(iii) for 1994 and 1995, 0 percent;
(iv) for 1996 and 1997, the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year;
(v) for each of the years 1998 through 2000, 1 percent;
(vi) for 2001, the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) for the 12-month period ending with June 2000;
(vii) for 2002, 1 percent;
(viii) for 2003, the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year;
(ix) for 2004, 2005, and 2006, 0 percent;
(x) for for 4 each of 2007 through 2010, the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year; and
(xi) for 2011 and each subsequent year—
(I) the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year, reduced by—
(II) the productivity adjustment described in
The application of subparagraph (A)(xi)(II) may result in the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (A) being less than 0.0 for a year, and may result in payment rates under this subsection for a year being less than such payment rates for the preceding year.
(B) the term "prosthetic devices" has the meaning given such term in
(C) the term "orthotics and prosthetics" has the meaning given such term in
(i) Payment for surgical dressings
(1) In general
Payment under this subsection for surgical dressings (described in
(A) the actual charge for the item; or
(B) a payment amount determined in accordance with the methodology described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (a)(2) of this section (except that in applying such methodology, the national limited payment amount referred to in such subparagraphs shall be initially computed based on local payment amounts using average reasonable charges for the 12-month period ending December 31, 1992, increased by the covered item updates described in such subsection for 1993 and 1994).
(2) Exceptions
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to surgical dressings that are—
(A) furnished as an incident to a physician's professional service; or
(B) furnished by a home health agency.
(j) Requirements for suppliers of medical equipment and supplies
(1) Issuance and renewal of supplier number
(A) Payment
Except as provided in subparagraph (C), no payment may be made under this part after October 31, 1994, for items furnished by a supplier of medical equipment and supplies unless such supplier obtains (and renews at such intervals as the Secretary may require) a supplier number.
(B) Standards for possessing a supplier number
A supplier may not obtain a supplier number unless—
(i) for medical equipment and supplies furnished on or after October 31, 1994, and before January 1, 1996, the supplier meets standards prescribed by the Secretary in regulations issued on June 18, 1992; and
(ii) for medical equipment and supplies furnished on or after January 1, 1996, the supplier meets revised standards prescribed by the Secretary (in consultation with representatives of suppliers of medical equipment and supplies, carriers, and consumers) that shall include requirements that the supplier—
(I) comply with all applicable State and Federal licensure and regulatory requirements;
(II) maintain a physical facility on an appropriate site;
(III) have proof of appropriate liability insurance; and
(IV) meet such other requirements as the Secretary may specify.
(C) Exception for items furnished as incident to a physician's service
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to medical equipment and supplies furnished incident to a physician's service.
(D) Prohibition against multiple supplier numbers
The Secretary may not issue more than one supplier number to any supplier of medical equipment and supplies unless the issuance of more than one number is appropriate to identify subsidiary or regional entities under the supplier's ownership or control.
(E) Prohibition against delegation of supplier determinations
The Secretary may not delegate (other than by contract under
(2) Certificates of medical necessity
(A) Limitation on information provided by suppliers on certificates of medical necessity
(i) In general
Effective 60 days after October 31, 1994, a supplier of medical equipment and supplies may distribute to physicians, or to individuals entitled to benefits under this part, a certificate of medical necessity for commercial purposes which contains no more than the following information completed by the supplier:
(I) An identification of the supplier and the beneficiary to whom such medical equipment and supplies are furnished.
(II) A description of such medical equipment and supplies.
(III) Any product code identifying such medical equipment and supplies.
(IV) Any other administrative information (other than information relating to the beneficiary's medical condition) identified by the Secretary.
(ii) Information on payment amount and charges
If a supplier distributes a certificate of medical necessity containing any of the information permitted to be supplied under clause (i), the supplier shall also list on the certificate of medical necessity the fee schedule amount and the supplier's charge for the medical equipment or supplies being furnished prior to distribution of such certificate to the physician.
(iii) Penalty
Any supplier of medical equipment and supplies who knowingly and willfully distributes a certificate of medical necessity in violation of clause (i) or fails to provide the information required under clause (ii) is subject to a civil money penalty in an amount not to exceed $1,000 for each such certificate of medical necessity so distributed. The provisions of
(B) "Certificate of medical necessity" defined
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "certificate of medical necessity" means a form or other document containing information required by the carrier to be submitted to show that an item is reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member.
(3) Coverage and review criteria
The Secretary shall annually review the coverage and utilization of items of medical equipment and supplies to determine whether such items should be made subject to coverage and utilization review criteria, and if appropriate, shall develop and apply such criteria to such items.
(4) Limitation on patient liability
If a supplier of medical equipment and supplies (as defined in paragraph (5))—
(A) furnishes an item or service to a beneficiary for which no payment may be made by reason of paragraph (1);
(B) furnishes an item or service to a beneficiary for which payment is denied in advance under subsection (a)(15) of this section; or
(C) furnishes an item or service to a beneficiary for which payment is denied under
any expenses incurred for items and services furnished to an individual by such a supplier not on an assigned basis shall be the responsibility of such supplier. The individual shall have no financial responsibility for such expenses and the supplier shall refund on a timely basis to the individual (and shall be liable to the individual for) any amounts collected from the individual for such items or services. The provisions of subsection (a)(18) of this section shall apply to refunds required under the previous sentence in the same manner as such provisions apply to refunds under such subsection.
(5) "Medical equipment and supplies" defined
The term "medical equipment and supplies" means—
(A) durable medical equipment (as defined in
(B) prosthetic devices (as described in
(C) orthotics and prosthetics (as described in
(D) surgical dressings (as described in
(E) such other items as the Secretary may determine; and
(F) for purposes of paragraphs (1) and (3)—
(i) home dialysis supplies and equipment (as described in
(ii) immunosuppressive drugs (as described in
(iii) therapeutic shoes for diabetics (as described in
(iv) oral drugs prescribed for use as an anticancer therapeutic agent (as described in
(v) self-administered erythropoetin (as described in
(k) Payment for outpatient therapy services and comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation services
(1) In general
With respect to services described in
(A) for services furnished during 1998, the amount determined under paragraph (2); or
(B) for services furnished during a subsequent year, 80 percent of the lesser of—
(i) the actual charge for the services, or
(ii) the applicable fee schedule amount (as defined in paragraph (3)) for the services.
(2) Payment in 1998 based upon adjusted reasonable costs
The amount under this paragraph for services is the lesser of—
(A) the charges imposed for the services, or
(B) the adjusted reasonable costs (as defined in paragraph (4)) for the services,
less 20 percent of the amount of the charges imposed for such services.
(3) Applicable fee schedule amount
In this subsection, the term "applicable fee schedule amount" means, with respect to services furnished in a year, the amount determined under the fee schedule established under
(4) Adjusted reasonable costs
In paragraph (2), the term "adjusted reasonable costs" means, with respect to any services, reasonable costs determined for such services, reduced by 10 percent. The 10-percent reduction shall not apply to services described in
(5) Uniform coding
For claims for services submitted on or after April 1, 1998, for which the amount of payment is determined under this subsection, the claim shall include a code (or codes) under a uniform coding system specified by the Secretary that identifies the services furnished.
(6) Restraint on billing
The provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
(l) Establishment of fee schedule for ambulance services
(1) In general
The Secretary shall establish a fee schedule for payment for ambulance services whether provided directly by a supplier or provider or under arrangement with a provider under this part through a negotiated rulemaking process described in title 5 and in accordance with the requirements of this subsection.
(2) Considerations
In establishing such fee schedule, the Secretary shall—
(A) establish mechanisms to control increases in expenditures for ambulance services under this part;
(B) establish definitions for ambulance services which link payments to the type of services provided;
(C) consider appropriate regional and operational differences;
(D) consider adjustments to payment rates to account for inflation and other relevant factors; and
(E) phase in the application of the payment rates under the fee schedule in an efficient and fair manner consistent with paragraph (11), except that such phase-in shall provide for full payment of any national mileage rate for ambulance services provided by suppliers that are paid by carriers in any of the 50 States where payment by a carrier for such services for all such suppliers in such State did not, prior to the implementation of the fee schedule, include a separate amount for all mileage within the county from which the beneficiary is transported.
(3) Savings
In establishing such fee schedule, the Secretary shall—
(A) ensure that the aggregate amount of payments made for ambulance services under this part during 2000 does not exceed the aggregate amount of payments which would have been made for such services under this part during such year if the amendments made by section 4531(a) of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 continued in effect, except that in making such determination the Secretary shall assume an update in such payments for 2002 equal to percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year reduced in the case of 2002 by 1.0 percentage points;
(B) set the payment amounts provided under the fee schedule for services furnished in 2001 and each subsequent year at amounts equal to the payment amounts under the fee schedule for services furnished during the previous year, increased, subject to subparagraph (C) and the succeeding sentence of this paragraph, by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year reduced in the case of 2002 by 1.0 percentage points; and
(C) for 2011 and each subsequent year, after determining the percentage increase under subparagraph (B) for the year, reduce such percentage increase by the productivity adjustment described in
The application of subparagraph (C) may result in the percentage increase under subparagraph (B) being less than 0.0 for a year, and may result in payment rates under the fee schedule under this subsection for a year being less than such payment rates for the preceding year.
(4) Consultation
In establishing the fee schedule for ambulance services under this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with various national organizations representing individuals and entities who furnish and regulate ambulance services and share with such organizations relevant data in establishing such schedule.
(5) Limitation on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(6) Restraint on billing
The provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
(7) Coding system
The Secretary may require the claim for any services for which the amount of payment is determined under this subsection to include a code (or codes) under a uniform coding system specified by the Secretary that identifies the services furnished.
(8) Services furnished by critical access hospitals
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the Secretary shall pay 101 percent of the reasonable costs incurred in furnishing ambulance services if such services are furnished—
(A) by a critical access hospital (as defined in
(B) by an entity that is owned and operated by a critical access hospital,
but only if the critical access hospital or entity is the only provider or supplier of ambulance services that is located within a 35-mile drive of such critical access hospital.
(9) Transitional assistance for rural providers
In the case of ground ambulance services furnished on or after July 1, 2001, and before January 1, 2004, for which the transportation originates in a rural area (as defined in
(10) Phase-in providing floor using blend of fee schedule and regional fee schedules
In carrying out the phase-in under paragraph (2)(E) for each level of ground service furnished in a year, the portion of the payment amount that is based on the fee schedule shall be the greater of the amount determined under such fee schedule (without regard to this paragraph) or the following blended rate of the fee schedule under paragraph (1) and of a regional fee schedule for the region involved:
(A) For 2004 (for services furnished on or after July 1, 2004), the blended rate shall be based 20 percent on the fee schedule under paragraph (1) and 80 percent on the regional fee schedule.
(B) For 2005, the blended rate shall be based 40 percent on the fee schedule under paragraph (1) and 60 percent on the regional fee schedule.
(C) For 2006, the blended rate shall be based 60 percent on the fee schedule under paragraph (1) and 40 percent on the regional fee schedule.
(D) For 2007, 2008, and 2009, the blended rate shall be based 80 percent on the fee schedule under paragraph (1) and 20 percent on the regional fee schedule.
(E) For 2010 and each succeeding year, the blended rate shall be based 100 percent on the fee schedule under paragraph (1).
For purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary shall establish a regional fee schedule for each of the nine census divisions (referred to in
(11) Adjustment in payment for certain long trips
In the case of ground ambulance services furnished on or after July 1, 2004, and before January 1, 2009, regardless of where the transportation originates, the fee schedule established under this subsection shall provide that, with respect to the payment rate for mileage for a trip above 50 miles the per mile rate otherwise established shall be increased by ¼ of the payment per mile otherwise applicable to miles in excess of 50 miles in such trip.
(12) Assistance for rural providers furnishing services in low population density areas
(A) In general
In the case of ground ambulance services furnished on or after July 1, 2004, and before January 1, 2012, for which the transportation originates in a qualified rural area (identified under subparagraph (B)(iii)), the Secretary shall provide for a percent increase in the base rate of the fee schedule for a trip established under this subsection. In establishing such percent increase, the Secretary shall estimate the average cost per trip for such services (not taking into account mileage) in the lowest quartile as compared to the average cost per trip for such services (not taking into account mileage) in the highest quartile of all rural county populations.
(B) Identification of qualified rural areas
(i) Determination of population density in area
Based upon data from the United States decennial census for the year 2000, the Secretary shall determine, for each rural area, the population density for that area.
(ii) Ranking of areas
The Secretary shall rank each such area based on such population density.
(iii) Identification of qualified rural areas
The Secretary shall identify those areas (in subparagraph (A) referred to as "qualified rural areas") with the lowest population densities that represent, if each such area were weighted by the population of such area (as used in computing such population densities), an aggregate total of 25 percent of the total of the population of all such areas.
(iv) Rural area
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "rural area" has the meaning given such term in
(v) Judicial review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(13) Temporary increase for ground ambulance services
(A) In general
After computing the rates with respect to ground ambulance services under the other applicable provisions of this subsection, in the case of such services furnished on or after July 1, 2004, and before January 1, 2007, and for such services furnished on or after July 1, 2008, and before January 1, 2012,,4 for which the transportation originates in—
(i) a rural area described in paragraph (9) or in a rural census tract described in such paragraph, the fee schedule established under this section shall provide that the rate for the service otherwise established, after the application of any increase under paragraphs (11) and (12), shall be increased by 2 percent (or 3 percent if such service is furnished on or after July 1, 2008, and before January 1, 2012); and
(ii) an area not described in clause (i), the fee schedule established under this subsection shall provide that the rate for the service otherwise established, after the application of any increase under paragraph (11), shall be increased by 1 percent (or 2 percent if such service is furnished on or after July 1, 2008, and before January 1, 2012).
(B) Application of increased payments after applicable period
The increased payments under subparagraph (A) shall not be taken into account in calculating payments for services furnished after the applicable period specified in such subparagraph.
(14) Providing appropriate coverage of rural air ambulance services
(A) In general
The regulations described in
(i) is reasonable and necessary based on the health condition of the individual being transported at or immediately prior to the time of the transport; and
(ii) complies with equipment and crew requirements established by the Secretary.
(B) Satisfaction of requirement of medically necessary
The requirement of subparagraph (A)(i) is deemed to be met for a rural air ambulance service if—
(i) subject to subparagraph (D), such service is requested by a physician or other qualified medical personnel (as specified by the Secretary) who certifies or reasonably determines that the individual's condition is such that the time needed to transport the individual by land or the instability of transportation by land poses a threat to the individual's survival or seriously endangers the individual's health; or
(ii) such service is furnished pursuant to a protocol that is established by a State or regional emergency medical service (EMS) agency and recognized or approved by the Secretary under which the use of an air ambulance is recommended, if such agency does not have an ownership interest in the entity furnishing such service.
(C) Rural air ambulance service defined
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "rural air ambulance service" means fixed wing and rotary wing air ambulance service in which the point of pick up of the individual occurs in a rural area (as defined in
(D) Limitation
(i) In general
Subparagraph (B)(i) shall not apply if there is a financial or employment relationship between the person requesting the rural air ambulance service and the entity furnishing the ambulance service, or an entity under common ownership with the entity furnishing the air ambulance service, or a financial relationship between an immediate family member of such requester and such an entity.
(ii) Exception
Where a hospital and the entity furnishing rural air ambulance services are under common ownership, clause (i) shall not apply to remuneration (through employment or other relationship) by the hospital of the requester or immediate family member if the remuneration is for provider-based physician services furnished in a hospital (as described in
(m) Payment for telehealth services
(1) In general
The Secretary shall pay for telehealth services that are furnished via a telecommunications system by a physician (as defined in
(2) Payment amount
(A) Distant site
The Secretary shall pay to a physician or practitioner located at a distant site that furnishes a telehealth service to an eligible telehealth individual an amount equal to the amount that such physician or practitioner would have been paid under this subchapter had such service been furnished without the use of a telecommunications system.
(B) Facility fee for originating site
With respect to a telehealth service, subject to
(i) for the period beginning on October 1, 2001, and ending on December 31, 2001, and for 2002, $20; and
(ii) for a subsequent year, the facility fee specified in clause (i) or this clause for the preceding year increased by the percentage increase in the MEI (as defined in
(C) Telepresenter not required
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as requiring an eligible telehealth individual to be presented by a physician or practitioner at the originating site for the furnishing of a service via a telecommunications system, unless it is medically necessary (as determined by the physician or practitioner at the distant site).
(3) Limitation on beneficiary charges
(A) Physician and practitioner
The provisions of
(B) Originating site
The provisions of
(4) Definitions
For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Distant site
The term "distant site" means the site at which the physician or practitioner is located at the time the service is provided via a telecommunications system.
(B) Eligible telehealth individual
The term "eligible telehealth individual" means an individual enrolled under this part who receives a telehealth service furnished at an originating site.
(C) Originating site
(i) In general
The term "originating site" means only those sites described in clause (ii) at which the eligible telehealth individual is located at the time the service is furnished via a telecommunications system and only if such site is located—
(I) in an area that is designated as a rural health professional shortage area under
(II) in a county that is not included in a Metropolitan Statistical Area; or
(III) from an entity that participates in a Federal telemedicine demonstration project that has been approved by (or receives funding from) the Secretary of Health and Human Services as of December 31, 2000.
(ii) Sites described
The sites referred to in clause (i) are the following sites:
(I) The office of a physician or practitioner.
(II) A critical access hospital (as defined in
(III) A rural health clinic (as defined in
(IV) A Federally qualified health center (as defined in
(V) A hospital (as defined in
(VI) A hospital-based or critical access hospital-based renal dialysis center (including satellites).
(VII) A skilled nursing facility (as defined in
(VIII) A community mental health center (as defined in
(D) Physician
The term "physician" has the meaning given that term in
(E) Practitioner
The term "practitioner" has the meaning given that term in
(F) Telehealth service
(i) In general
The term "telehealth service" means professional consultations, office visits, and office psychiatry services (identified as of July 1, 2000, by HCPCS codes 99241–99275, 99201–99215, 90804–90809, and 90862 (and as subsequently modified by the Secretary)), and any additional service specified by the Secretary.
(ii) Yearly update
The Secretary shall establish a process that provides, on an annual basis, for the addition or deletion of services (and HCPCS codes), as appropriate, to those specified in clause (i) for authorized payment under paragraph (1).
(n) Authority to modify or eliminate coverage of certain preventive services
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, effective beginning on January 1, 2010, if the Secretary determines appropriate, the Secretary may—
(1) modify—
(A) the coverage of any preventive service described in subparagraph (A) of
(B) the services included in the initial preventive physical examination described in subparagraph (B) of such section; and
(2) provide that no payment shall be made under this subchapter for a preventive service described in subparagraph (A) of such section that has not received a grade of A, B, C, or I by such Task Force.
(o) Development and implementation of prospective payment system
(1) Development
(A) In general
The Secretary shall develop a prospective payment system for payment for Federally qualified health center services furnished by Federally qualified health centers under this subchapter. Such system shall include a process for appropriately describing the services furnished by Federally qualified health centers and shall establish payment rates for specific payment codes based on such appropriate descriptions of services. Such system shall be established to take into account the type, intensity, and duration of services furnished by Federally qualified health centers. Such system may include adjustments, including geographic adjustments, determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(B) Collection of data and evaluation
By not later than January 1, 2011, the Secretary shall require Federally qualified health centers to submit to the Secretary such information as the Secretary may require in order to develop and implement the prospective payment system under this subsection, including the reporting of services using HCPCS codes.
(2) Implementation
(A) In general
Notwithstanding
(B) Payments
(i) Initial payments
The Secretary shall implement such prospective payment system so that the estimated aggregate amount of prospective payment rates (determined prior to the application of
(ii) Payments in subsequent years
Payment rates in years after the year of implementation of such system shall be the payment rates in the previous year increased—
(I) in the first year after implementation of such system, by the percentage increase in the MEI (as defined in
(II) in subsequent years, by the percentage increase in a market basket of Federally qualified health center goods and services as promulgated through regulations, or if such an index is not available, by the percentage increase in the MEI (as defined in
(C) Preparation for PPS implementation
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may establish and implement by program instruction or otherwise the payment codes to be used under the prospective payment system under this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1834, as added and amended
References in Text
Part A of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1)(C), (16), (h)(1)(D), and (l)(14)(D)(ii), is classified to
Section 302(c)(1)(B) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, referred to in subsec. (a)(14)(H)(i), is section 302(c)(1)(B) of
Section 4531(a) of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (l)(3)(A), is section 4531(a) of
Codification
Amendment of subsec. (a)(4) by
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1395m, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1834, as added July 30, 1965,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(1)(F)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(i)(II).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(i)(III).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(7)(C)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (a)(11)(B).
Subsec. (a)(11)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (a)(14)(K).
Subsec. (a)(14)(L), (M).
"(L) for 2014—
"(i) in the case of items and services described in subparagraph (J)(i) for which a payment adjustment has not been made under subsection (a)(1)(F)(ii) in any previous year, the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. urban average) for the 12-month period ending with June 2013, plus 2.0 percentage points; or
"(ii) in the case of other items and services, the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. urban average) for the 12-month period ending with June 2013; and
"(M) for a subsequent year, the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. urban average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year."
Subsec. (a)(16)(B).
Subsec. (a)(20)(F)(i).
Subsec. (a)(20)(G).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A).
Subsec. (g)(2)(B).
Subsec. (h)(4)(A).
Subsec. (h)(4)(A)(x).
Subsec. (h)(4)(A)(xi).
Subsec. (l)(3).
Subsec. (l)(3)(B).
Subsec. (l)(3)(C).
Subsec. (l)(8).
Subsec. (l)(12)(A).
Subsec. (l)(13)(A).
Subsec. (l)(13)(A)(i), (ii).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (o).
2009—Subsec. (a)(20)(F)(i).
2008—Subsec. (a)(1)(E)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(1)(G).
Subsec. (a)(5)(F).
Subsec. (a)(14)(J) to (M).
Subsec. (a)(20)(B).
Subsec. (a)(20)(E).
Subsec. (a)(20)(F).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (g)(4).
Subsec. (h)(1)(H).
Subsec. (l)(13)(A).
Subsec. (l)(13)(B).
Subsec. (l)(14)(B)(i).
Subsec. (m)(4)(C)(ii)(VI) to (VIII).
2006—Subsec. (a)(5)(A).
Subsec. (a)(5)(F).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(3)(C)(ii).
2003—Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(1)(C).
Subsec. (a)(1)(E).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(10)(B).
Subsec. (a)(14)(F).
Subsec. (a)(14)(G) to (J).
Subsec. (a)(17), (19).
Subsec. (a)(20).
Subsec. (a)(21).
Subsec. (b)(4)(D)(iv).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (g)(5).
Subsec. (h)(1)(B).
Subsec. (h)(1)(D).
Subsec. (h)(1)(H).
Subsec. (h)(4)(A)(viii).
Subsec. (h)(4)(A)(ix), (x).
Subsec. (h)(4)(C).
Subsec. (l)(2)(E).
Subsec. (l)(8), (9).
Subsec. (l)(10).
Subsec. (l)(11).
Subsec. (l)(12).
Subsec. (l)(13).
Subsec. (l)(14).
Subsec. (m)(4)(C)(ii)(III).
2000—Subsec. (a)(14)(C).
Subsec. (a)(14)(D) to (F).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(2)(E)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A).
Subsec. (d)(3)(E).
Subsec. (g)(2)(B).
Subsec. (g)(4).
Subsec. (g)(5).
Subsec. (h)(1)(F).
Subsec. (h)(1)(G).
Subsec. (h)(4)(A)(v).
Subsec. (h)(4)(A)(vi) to (viii).
Subsec. (l)(2)(E).
Subsec. (l)(3)(A), (B).
Subsec. (l)(8).
Subsec. (m).
1999—Subsec. (a)(13).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h)(4)(A)(i).
Subsec. (h)(4)(A)(v).
Subsec. (h)(4)(B).
1997—Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(9)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(9)(B)(v), (vi).
Subsec. (a)(9)(D).
Subsec. (a)(10)(B).
Subsec. (a)(14)(B).
Subsec. (a)(14)(C), (D).
Subsec. (a)(16).
Subsec. (a)(17).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(iii).
"(I) is at a high risk of developing breast cancer (as determined pursuant to factors identified by the Secretary), payment may not be made under this part for a screening mammography performed within the 11 months following the month in which a previous screening mammography was performed, or
"(II) is not at a high risk of developing breast cancer, payment may not be made under this part for a screening mammography performed within the 23 months following the month in which a previous screening mammography was performed."
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(iv), (v).
"(iv) In the case of a woman over 49 years of age, but under 65 years of age, payment may not be made under this part for screening mammography performed within 11 months following the month in which a previous screening mammography was performed.
"(v) In the case of a woman over 64 years of age, payment may not be made for screening mammography performed within 23 months following the month in which a previous screening mammography was performed."
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h)(4)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (h)(4)(A)(v), (vi).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l).
1994—Subsec. (a)(3)(D).
Subsec. (a)(5)(E).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(iii)(II).
Subsec. (a)(7)(C)(i).
Subsec. (a)(10)(B).
Subsec. (a)(14)(A).
Subsec. (a)(15).
"(A)
"(B)
Subsec. (a)(16).
"(A)
"(B)
Subsec. (a)(17), (18).
Subsec. (b)(4)(D).
Subsec. (b)(4)(D)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(4)(D)(vii).
Subsec. (b)(4)(E).
Subsec. (b)(4)(F), (G).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(3) to (5).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(1)(B).
Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (h)(3).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (j)(4), (5).
1993—Subsec. (a)(1)(D).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C).
Subsec. (a)(8)(A)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (a)(8)(B)(ii) to (iv).
Subsec. (a)(9)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (a)(9)(B)(ii) to (iv).
Subsec. (h)(1)(B).
Subsec. (h)(1)(E).
Subsec. (h)(4)(A).
Subsec. (i).
1990—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1)(D).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(3)(B).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C).
Subsec. (a)(3)(D).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(5)(A).
Subsec. (a)(5)(E).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(ii), (iii).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(v).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(vi).
Subsec. (a)(7)(C).
Subsec. (a)(8)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(8)(B).
"(i) for 1991 and for 1992, equal to the average (weighted by relative volume of all claims among carriers) of the local purchase prices for the carriers in the region computed under subparagraph (A)(ii)(II) for the year, and
"(ii) for each subsequent year, equal to the regional purchase price computed under this subparagraph for the previous year increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year."
Subsec. (a)(8)(C).
Subsec. (a)(8)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(8)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(8)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(8)(D).
"(i) in 1991, may not exceed 125 percent, and may not be lower than 85 percent, of the average of the purchase prices recognized under such subparagraph for all the carrier service areas in the United States in that year; and
"(ii) in a subsequent year, may not exceed 120 percent, and may not be lower than 90 percent, of the average of the purchase prices recognized under such subparagraph for all the carrier service areas in the United States in that year."
Subsec. (a)(9)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (a)(9)(B).
"(i) for 1991 and 1992, equal to the average (weighted by relative volume of all claims among carriers) of the local monthly payment rates for the carriers in the region computed under subparagraph (A)(ii)(II) for the year, and
"(ii) for each subsequent year, equal to the regional monthly payment rates computed under this subparagraph for the previous year increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year."
Subsec. (a)(9)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(9)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(9)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(9)(D).
"(i) in 1991, may not exceed 125 percent, and may not be lower than 85 percent, of the average of the base monthly payment amounts recognized under such subparagraph for all the carrier service areas in the United States in that year; and
"(ii) in a subsequent year, may not exceed 120 percent, and may not be lower than 90 percent, of the average of the base monthly payment amounts recognized under such subparagraph for all the carrier service areas in the United States in that year."
Subsec. (a)(12).
Subsec. (a)(13).
"(A) durable medical equipment (as defined in
"(B) prosthetic devices (described in
"(C) orthotics and prosthetics (described in
but does not include intraocular lenses or medical supplies (including catheters, catheter supplies, ostomy bags, and supplies related to ostomy care) furnished by a home health agency under
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (a)(15).
Subsec. (a)(16).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(4)(D).
Subsec. (b)(4)(E).
Subsec. (b)(4)(F).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (h).
1989—Subsec. (a)(1)(D).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i), (3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(i).
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(8)(A)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (a)(8)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (a)(8)(D)(i).
Subsec. (a)(8)(D)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(9)(A)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (a)(9)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (a)(9)(D)(i).
Subsec. (a)(9)(D)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(13).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A).
Subsec. (b)(4)(C) to (E).
Subsecs. (c) to (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
1988—
Subsec. (a)(1)(C).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(i).
Subsec. (a)(8)(A)(i)(I).
Subsec. (a)(8)(B).
Subsec. (a)(9)(A)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (a)(9)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (a)(9)(B).
Subsec. (a)(9)(C)(i).
Subsec. (a)(10)(B).
Subsec. (a)(11)(A).
Subsec. (a)(12).
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(4)(C).
Subsec. (b)(4)(D), (5).
Subsec. (b)(5)(C).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (b)(6)(B).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
1987—Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
Amendment by section 6405(a) of
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by section 125(b)(5) of
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
"(A)
"(B)
Amendment by section 5113(b) of
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by section 405(a)(1) of
"(A)
"(B)
Amendment by section 627(b)(1) of
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title II, §201(a)] of
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title II, §205(a)] of
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title II, §223(b)] of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title II, §201(e)(2)] of
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title III, §321(k)(3)] of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4101(a), (c) of
Amendment by section 4104(b)(1) of
Section 4105(d) of
"(1)
"(2)
Amendment by section 4201(c)(5) of
Section 4312(f)(1) of
Section 4312(f)(3) of
Section 4316(c) of
Amendment by section 4531(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 4541(a)(2) of
Section 4551(c)(2) of
Section 4552(e) of
"(1)
"(2)
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 126(i) of
Section 131(a)(2) of
Section 132(c) of
Section 133(c) of
Section 134(a)(2) of
Section 135(a)(2) of
Section 135(b)(1) of
Section 135(b)(3) of
Section 135(d)(2) of
Section 135(e)(8) of
Section 145(d) of
Amendment by section 156(a)(2)(C) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13542(b) of
Section 13543(c) of
Section 13544(a)(3) of
Amendment by section 13544(b)(1) of
Section 13545(b) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4102(i) of
"(1) Except as otherwise provided, the amendments made by this section [amending this section,
"(2) The amendment made by subsection (f) [amending this section] shall be effective as if included in the enactment of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 [
Amendment by section 4104(a) of
Section 4152(a)(3) of
Section 4152(c)(4)(B)(ii) of
Section 4152(f)(2) of
Section 4152(g)(2) of
Section 4152(i) of
Amendment by section 4153(a)(1), (2)(D) of
Amendment by section 4163(b) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendments
Amendment by section 6102(f)(1) of
Section 6112(e)(4) of
Amendment by section 201(a) of
Section 301(b)(1), (c)(1) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 202(b)(4) of
Amendment by section 203(c)(1)(F) of
Section 204(e) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 4049(b)(2) of
[Section 4118(h) of
Effective Date
Subsection (a) of this section applicable to covered items (other than oxygen and oxygen equipment) furnished on or after Jan. 1, 1989, and to oxygen and oxygen equipment furnished on or after June 1, 1989, see section 4062(e) of
Regulations
Construction of 2010 Amendment
Construction of 2009 Amendment
Construction of 2008 Amendment
Transfer of Functions
Physician Payment Review Commission (PPRC) was terminated and its assets and staff transferred to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) by section 4022(c)(2), (3) of
Implementation of 2010 Amendment
Demonstration Project To Assess the Appropriate Use of Imaging Services
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(2)
"(A)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(B)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(I) represent a wide range of geographic areas, demographic characteristics (such as urban, rural, and suburban), and practice settings (such as private and academic practices); and
"(II) have the capability to submit data to the Secretary (or an entity under a subcontract with the Secretary) in an electronic format in accordance with standards established by the Secretary.
"(C)
"(i) reimburse physicians for reasonable administrative costs incurred in participating in the demonstration project under this subsection; and
"(ii) provide reasonable incentives to physicians to encourage participation in the demonstration project under this subsection.
"(D)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(I) be developed or endorsed by a medical specialty society; and
"(II) be developed in adherence to appropriateness principles developed by a consensus organization, such as the AQA alliance.
"(E)
"(i) A model described in subparagraph (F).
"(ii) A model described in subparagraph (G).
"(iii) Any other model that the Secretary determines to be useful in evaluating the use of appropriateness criteria for advanced diagnostic imaging services.
"(F)
"(i) uses an electronic or paper intake form that—
"(I) contains a certification by the physician furnishing the imaging service that the data on the intake form was confirmed with the Medicare beneficiary before the service was furnished;
"(II) contains standardized data elements for diagnosis, service ordered, service furnished, and such other information determined by the Secretary, in consultation with medical specialty societies and other stakeholders, to be germane to evaluating the effectiveness of the use of appropriateness criteria selected under subparagraph (D); and
"(III) is accessible to physicians participating in the demonstration project under this subsection in a format that allows for the electronic submission of such form; and
"(ii) provides for feedback reports in accordance with paragraph (3)(B).
"(G)
"(i) uses a computerized order-entry system that requires the transmittal of relevant supporting information at the time of referral for advanced diagnostic imaging services and provides automated decision-support feedback to the referring physician regarding the appropriateness of furnishing such imaging services; and
"(ii) provides for feedback reports in accordance with paragraph (3)(B).
"(H)
"(i) as a model for collecting data regarding physician compliance with appropriateness criteria selected under subparagraph (D) under the demonstration project under this subsection; or
"(ii) under any model used for collecting such data under the demonstration project.
"(I)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(I) the satisfaction of Medicare beneficiaries who are furnished advanced diagnostic imaging services by a physician participating in the demonstration project;
"(II) the satisfaction of physicians participating in the demonstration project;
"(III) if applicable, timelines for the provision of feedback reports under paragraph (3)(B); and
"(IV) any other areas determined appropriate by the Secretary.
"(3)
"(A)
"(i) the appropriateness criteria selected under paragraph (2)(D); and
"(ii) to the extent feasible, the utilization of such services by physicians not participating in the demonstration project.
"(B)
"(i) a profile of the rate of compliance by the physician with appropriateness criteria selected under paragraph (2)(D), including a comparison of—
"(I) the rate of compliance by the physician with such criteria; and
"(II) the rate of compliance by the physician's peers (as defined by the Secretary) with such criteria; and
"(ii) to the extent feasible, a comparison of—
"(I) the rate of utilization of advanced diagnostic imaging services by the physician; and
"(II) the rate of utilization of such services by the physician's peers (as defined by the Secretary) who are not participating in the demonstration project.
"(4)
"(A)
"(B)
"(5)
"(A)
"(i) assess the timeliness and efficacy of the demonstration project;
"(ii) assess the performance of entities under a contract entered into under paragraph (2)(I)(i);
"(iii) analyze data—
"(I) on the rates of appropriate, uncertain, and inappropriate advanced diagnostic imaging services furnished by physicians participating in the demonstration project;
"(II) on patterns and trends in the appropriateness and inappropriateness of such services furnished by such physicians;
"(III) on patterns and trends in national and regional variations of care with respect to the furnishing of such services; and
"(IV) on the correlation between the appropriateness of the services furnished and image results; and
"(iv) address—
"(I) the thresholds used under the demonstration project to identify acceptable and outlier levels of performance with respect to the appropriateness of advanced diagnostic imaging services furnished;
"(II) whether prospective use of appropriateness criteria could have an effect on the volume of such services furnished;
"(III) whether expansion of the use of appropriateness criteria with respect to such services to a broader population of Medicare beneficiaries would be advisable;
"(IV) whether, under such an expansion, physicians who demonstrate consistent compliance with such appropriateness criteria should be exempted from certain requirements;
"(V) the use of incident-specific versus practice-specific outlier information in formulating future recommendations with respect to the use of appropriateness criteria for such services under the Medicare program; and
"(VI) the potential for using methods (including financial incentives), in addition to those used under the models under the demonstration project, to ensure compliance with such criteria.
"(B)
"(6)
Air Ambulance Payment Improvements
Evaluation of Certain Code
GAO Report on Class III Medical Devices
Use of Data
Implementation of 2003 Amendment
GAO Report on Costs and Access
Report on Demonstration Project Permitting Skilled Nursing Facilities To Be Originating Telehealth Sites; Authority To Implement
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
Payment for New Technologies
"(1)
"(A)
"(i) In the case of a technology which directly takes a digital image (without involving film), in an amount equal to 150 percent of the amount of payment under section 1848 of such Act (
"(ii) In the case of a technology which allows conversion of a standard film mammogram into a digital image and subsequently analyzes such resulting image with software to identify possible problem areas, in an amount equal to the limit that would otherwise be applied under section 1834(c)(3) of such Act (
"(B)
"(C)
"(D)
"(2)
"(3)
"(A) A significant increase or decrease in the resources used in the test or in the manufacture of the equipment.
"(B) A significant improvement in the performance of the test or equipment.
"(C) A significant advance in medical technology that is expected to significantly improve the treatment of medicare beneficiaries.
"(4)
MedPAC Study and Report on Medicare Coverage of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Therapy Services
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) qualifying diagnoses required for coverage of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation therapy services;
"(B) level of physician direct involvement and supervision in furnishing such services; and
"(C) level of reimbursement for such services.
"(b)
GAO Studies on Costs of Ambulance Services Furnished in Rural Areas
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) The cost of efficiently providing ambulance services for trips originating in rural areas, with special emphasis on collection of cost data from rural providers.
"(B) The means by which rural areas with low population densities can be identified for the purpose of designating areas in which the cost of providing ambulance services would be expected to be higher than similar services provided in more heavily populated areas because of low usage. Such study shall also include an analysis of the additional costs of providing ambulance services in areas designated under the previous sentence.
"(3)
Adjustment in Rural Rates
Study and Report on Additional Coverage for Telehealth Services
"(1)
"(A) settings and sites for the provision of telehealth services that are in addition to those permitted under section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (m) of this section], as added by subsection (b);
"(B) practitioners that may be reimbursed under such section for furnishing telehealth services that are in addition to the practitioners that may be reimbursed for such services under such section; and
"(C) geographic areas in which telehealth services may be reimbursed that are in addition to the geographic areas where such services may be reimbursed under such section.
"(2)
Special Rules for Payments for 2001
"(A) for services furnished on or after January 1, 2001, and before July 1, 2001, shall be the percentage increase for 2001 as determined under the provisions of law in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2000]; and
"(B) for services furnished on or after July 1, 2001, and before January 1, 2002, shall be equal to 4.7 percent."
"(1) for items furnished on or after January 1, 2001, and before July 1, 2001, shall be the payment basis for 2001 as determined under the provisions of law in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2000] (including the application of section 228(a)(1) of BBRA [
"(2) for items furnished on or after July 1, 2001, and before January 1, 2002, shall be the payment basis that is determined under such section 1834(a) if such section 228(a)(1) did not apply and taking into account the amendment made by subsection (a), increased by a transitional percentage allowance equal to 3.28 percent (to account for the timing of implementation of the CPI update)."
"(1) for items furnished on or after January 1, 2001, and before July 1, 2001, shall be the payment basis for 2001 as determined under the provisions of law in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2000]; and
"(2) for items furnished on or after July 1, 2001, and before January 1, 2002, shall be the payment basis that is determined under such section taking into account the amendments made by subsection (a), increased by a transitional percentage allowance equal to 2.6 percent (to account for the timing of implementation of the CPI update)."
Preemption of Rule
GAO Study and Report on Costs of Emergency and Medical Transportation Services
"(a)
"(b)
Treatment of Temporary Payment Increases After Calendar Year 2001
"(1) Section 401(c)(2) [set out as a note under
"(2) Section 422(e)(2) [set out as a note under
"(3) Section 423(a)(2)(B) [set out above] (relating to ambulance services).
"(4) Section 425(b)(2) [set out above] (relating to durable medical equipment).
"(5) Section 426(b)(2) [set out above] (relating to prosthetic devices and orthotics and prosthetics)."
Study of Delivery of Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) Outside Hospitals and Physicians' Offices
Temporary Increase in Payment Rates for Durable Medical Equipment and Oxygen
"(a)
"(1) 2001 by 0.3 percent, and
"(2) 2002 by 0.6 percent.
"(b)
"(1) under subsection (a)(1) shall not apply after 2001 and shall not be taken into account in calculating the payment amounts applicable for covered items furnished after such year; and
"(2) under subsection (a)(2) shall not apply after 2002 and shall not be taken into account in calculating the payment amounts applicable for covered items furnished after such year."
Demonstration of Coverage of Ambulance Services Under Medicare Through Contracts With Units of Local Government
"(a)
"(1) the unit of local government furnishes (or arranges for the furnishing of) ambulance services for which payment may be made under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this part] for individuals residing in the unit of local government who are enrolled under such part, except that the unit of local government may not enter into the contract unless the contract covers at least 80 percent of the individuals residing in the unit of local government who are enrolled under such part but not in a Medicare+Choice plan;
"(2) any individual or entity furnishing ambulance services under the contract meets the requirements otherwise applicable to individuals and entities furnishing such services under such part; and
"(3) for each month during which the contract is in effect, the Secretary makes a capitated payment to the unit of local government in accordance with subsection (b).
The projects may extend over a period of not to exceed 3 years each. Not later than July 1, 2000, the Secretary shall publish a request for proposals for such projects.
"(b)
"(1)
"(A) the Secretary's estimate of the number of individuals covered under the contract for the month; and
"(B) 1/12 of the capitated payment rate for the year established under paragraph (2).
"(2)
"(A) in its first year, a rate established for the project by the Secretary, using the most current available data, in a manner that ensures that aggregate payments under the project will not exceed the aggregate payment that would have been made for ambulance services under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this part] in the local area of government's jurisdiction; and
"(B) in a subsequent year, the capitated payment rate established for the previous year increased by an appropriate inflation adjustment factor.
"(c)
"(1) covering individuals residing in additional units of local government (under arrangements entered into between such units and the unit of local government involved);
"(2) permitting the unit of local government to transport individuals to non-hospital providers if such providers are able to furnish quality services at a lower cost than hospital providers; or
"(3) implementing such other innovations as the unit of local government may propose to improve the quality of ambulance services and control the costs of such services.
"(d)
"(e)
"(1)
"(2)
[References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage, see section 201(b) of
[
Payment Freeze for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrients, Supplies, and Equipment
Section 4551(b) of
Service Standards for Providers of Oxygen and Oxygen Equipment
Section 4552(c) of
Access to Home Oxygen Equipment
Section 4552(d) of
"(1)
"(2)
Use of Covered Items by Disabled Beneficiaries
Section 131(b) of
"(1)
"(2)
Criteria for Treatment of Items as Prosthetic Devices or Orthotics and Prosthetics
Section 131(c) of
Adjustment Required for Certain Items
Section 134(b) of
"(1)
"(2)
Limitation on Prevailing Charge for Physicians' Radiology Services Furnished During 1991; Exceptions
Section 4102(c) of
"(1)
"(2)
Limitation on Carrier Adjustments for Radiologist Services Furnished During 1991
Section 4102(e) of
"(1) a carrier may not make any adjustment, under section 1842(b)(3)(B) of such Act [
"(2) no payment adjustment may be made under section 1842(b)(8) of such Act, and
"(3) section 1842(b)(9) of such Act shall not apply."
Study of Payments for Prosthetic Devices, Orthotics, and Prosthetics
Section 4153(c) of
Special Rule for Nuclear Medicine Physicians
Section 6105(b) of
Special Rule for Interventional Radiologists; "Split Billing"
Section 6105(c) of
Rental Payments for Enteral and Parenteral Pumps
Section 6112(b) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) monthly rental payments shall not be made under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act for more than 15 months during such period, and
"(B) after monthly rental payments have been made for 15 months during such period, payment under such part shall be made for maintenance and servicing of the pump in such amounts as the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines to be reasonable and necessary to ensure the proper operation of the pump."
Treatment of Power-Driven Wheelchairs as Customized Items
Section 6112(d)(2) of
Study of Payment for Portable X-Ray Services
Section 6134 of
GAO Study of Standards for Use of and Payment for Items of Durable Medical Equipment
Section 6139 of
Reports on Medicare Beneficiary Drug Expenses
Section 202(i) of
Additional Studies by Secretary or Comptroller General
Section 202(k) of
Development of Standard Medicare Claims Forms
Section 202(l) of
Studies and Reports on Screening Mammography
Section 204(f) of
Deadline for Establishment of Fee Schedules for Radiologist Services; Report to Congress
Section 4049(b)(1) of
Study and Evaluation
Section 4062(c) of
"(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall monitor the impact of the amendments made by this section [enacting this section, amending
"(2) Before January 1, 1991, the Secretary may not conduct any demonstration project respecting alternative methods of payment for covered items under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter].
"(3) In this subsection, the term 'covered item' has the meaning given such term in section 1834(a)(13) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(13) of this section] (as amended by subsection (b) of this section).
"(4) The Secretary shall, upon written request and payment of a reasonable copying fee which the Secretary may establish, provide the data and information used in determining the payment amounts for covered items under section 1834(a) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a) of this section], but only in a form which does not permit identification of individual suppliers.
"(5) The Comptroller General shall conduct a study on the appropriateness of the level of payments allowed for covered items under the medicare program, and shall report to Congress on the results of such study (including recommendations on the transition to regional or national rates) by not later than January 1, 1991. Entities furnishing such items which fail to provide the Comptroller General with reasonable access to necessary records to carry out the study under this paragraph are subject to exclusion from the medicare program under section 1128(a) of the Social Security Act [
1 So in original. The semicolon probably should be a comma.
2 So in original. Subpar. (B) of par. (2) does not contain clauses.
3 So in original. Probably should be "a".
§1395n. Procedure for payment of claims of providers of services
(a) Conditions for payment for services described in section 1395k(a)(2) of this title
Except as provided in subsections (b), (c), and (e) of this section, payment for services described in
(1) written request, signed by such individual, except in cases in which the Secretary finds it impracticable for the individual to do so, is filed for such payment in such form, in such manner and by such person or persons as the Secretary may by regulation prescribe, no later than the close of the period ending 1 calendar year after the date of service; and
(2) a physician, or, in the case of services described in subparagraph (A), a physician enrolled under
(A) in the case of home health services (i) such services are or were required because the individual is or was confined to his home (except when receiving items and services referred to in
(B) in the case of medical and other health services, except services described in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) of
(C) in the case of outpatient physical therapy services or outpatient occupational therapy services, (i) such services are or were required because the individual needed physical therapy services or occupational therapy services, respectively, (ii) a plan for furnishing such services has been established by a physician or by the qualified physical therapist or qualified occupational therapist, respectively, providing such services and is periodically reviewed by a physician, and (iii) such services are or were furnished while the individual is or was under the care of a physician;
(D) in the case of outpatient speech pathology services, (i) such services are or were required because the individual needed speech pathology services, (ii) a plan for furnishing such services has been established by a physician or by the speech pathologist providing such services and is periodically reviewed by a physician, and (iii) such services are or were furnished while the individual is or was under the care of a physician;
(E) in the case of comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility services, (i) such services are or were required because the individual needed skilled rehabilitation services, (ii) a plan for furnishing such services has been established and is periodically reviewed by a physician, and (iii) such services are or were furnished while the individual is or was under the care of a physician; and
(F) in the case of partial hospitalization services, (i) the individual would require inpatient psychiatric care in the absence of such services, (ii) an individualized, written plan for furnishing such services has been established by a physician and is reviewed periodically by a physician, and (iii) such services are or were furnished while the individual is or was under the care of a physician.
For purposes of this section, the term "provider of services" shall include a clinic, rehabilitation agency, or public health agency if, in the case of a clinic or rehabilitation agency, such clinic or agency meets the requirements of
To the extent provided by regulations, the certification and recertification requirements of paragraph (2) shall be deemed satisfied where, at a later date, a physician makes a certification of the kind provided in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (2) (whichever would have applied), but only where such certification is accompanied by such medical and other evidence as may be required by such regulations. With respect to the physician certification required by paragraph (2) for home health services furnished to any individual by a home health agency (other than an agency which is a governmental entity) and with respect to the establishment and review of a plan for such services, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations which shall become effective no later than July 1, 1981, and which prohibit a physician who has a significant ownership interest in, or a significant financial or contractual relationship with, such home health agency from performing such certification and from establishing or reviewing such plan, except that such prohibition shall not apply with respect to a home health agency which is a sole community home health agency (as determined by the Secretary). For purposes of the preceding sentence, service by a physician as an uncompensated officer or director of a home health agency shall not constitute having a significant ownership interest in, or a significant financial or contractual relationship with, such agency. For purposes of paragraph (2)(A), an individual shall be considered to be "confined to his home" if the individual has a condition, due to an illness or injury, that restricts the ability of the individual to leave his or her home except with the assistance of another individual or the aid of a supportive device (such as crutches, a cane, a wheelchair, or a walker), or if the individual has a condition such that leaving his or her home is medically contraindicated. While an individual does not have to be bedridden to be considered "confined to his home", the condition of the individual should be such that there exists a normal inability to leave home and that leaving home requires a considerable and taxing effort by the individual. Any absence of an individual from the home attributable to the need to receive health care treatment, including regular absences for the purpose of participating in therapeutic, psychosocial, or medical treatment in an adult day-care program that is licensed or certified by a State, or accredited, to furnish adult day-care services in the State shall not disqualify an individual from being considered to be "confined to his home". Any other absence of an individual from the home shall not so disqualify an individual if the absence is of infrequent or of relatively short duration. For purposes of the preceding sentence, any absence for the purpose of attending a religious service shall be deemed to be an absence of infrequent or short duration. In applying paragraph (1), the Secretary may specify exceptions to the 1 calendar year period specified in such paragraph.
(b) Conditions for payment for services described in section 1395x(s) of this title
(1) Payment may also be made to any hospital for services described in
(2) Payment may also be made on the basis of an itemized bill to an individual for services described in paragraph (1) of this subsection if (A) payment cannot be made under such paragraph (1) solely because the hospital does not elect, in accordance with
(c) Collection of charges from individuals for services specified in section 1395x(s) of this title
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section and
(d) Payment to Federal provider of services or other Federal agencies prohibited
Subject to
(e) Payment to fund designated by medical staff or faculty of medical school
For purposes of services (1) which are inpatient hospital services by reason of paragraph (7) of
(A) such hospital has an agreement with the Secretary under
(B) the Secretary has received written assurances that (i) such payment will be used by such fund solely for the improvement of care to patients in such hospital or for educational or charitable purposes and (ii) the individuals who were furnished such services or any other persons will not be charged for such services (or if charged provision will be made for return of any moneys incorrectly collected).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1835, as added
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iv).
2008—Subsec. (a).
2003—Subsec. (a).
2000—Subsec. (a).
1997—Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (c).
1990—Subsec. (c).
1989—Subsec. (a)(2)(G), (H).
Subsec. (c).
1988—Subsec. (a)(2)(G).
Subsec. (a)(2)(H).
1987—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(i).
Subsec. (a)(2)(F).
1986—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
1984—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B), (C).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (e)(2).
1983—Subsec. (e).
1981—Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
1980—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
1976—Subsec. (d).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (e).
1968—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by section 6404(a)(2)(B) of
Amendment by section 6405(b)(2) of
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4201(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 4615(a) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by section 203(d)(1) of
Amendment by section 205(d) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by section 4024(b) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 2336(a) of
Section 2342(c) of
Amendment by section 2354(b)(1), (8), (9) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by section 2122(a)(1) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by section 930(e), (j) of
Amendment by section 933(b) of
Section 944(b) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by section 204(b) of
Amendment by section 227(e)(2) of
Amendment by section 251(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 281(f) of
Section 283(c) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by section 126(b) of
Amendment by section 129(c)(9)(A), (B) of
Section 130(c) of
Amendment by section 133(e) of
Regulations
Secretary of Health and Human Services required to provide, not later than 90 days after July 18, 1984, for revision of regulations as may be required to reflect amendment to subsec. (a) by section 2336(b) of
MedPAC Study on Direct Access to Physical Therapy Services
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) without regard to any requirement that—
"(A) an individual be under the care of (or referred by) a physician; or
"(B) services be provided under the supervision of a physician; and
"(2) by allowing a physician or a qualified physical therapist to satisfy any requirement for—
"(A) certification and recertification; and
"(B) establishment and periodic review of a plan of care."
Home Health Prospective Payment Demonstration Project
Section 4027 of
§1395o. Eligible individuals
Every individual who—
(1) is entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of this subchapter, or
(2) has attained age 65 and is a resident of the United States, and is either (A) a citizen or (B) an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence who has resided in the United States continuously during the 5 years immediately preceding the month in which he applies for enrollment under this part,
is eligible to enroll in the insurance program established by this part.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1836, as added
References in Text
Part A of this subchapter, referred to in par. (1), is classified to
Amendments
1972—
Persons Convicted of Subversive Activities
Section 104(b)(2) of
§1395p. Enrollment periods
(a) Generally; regulations
An individual may enroll in the insurance program established by this part only in such manner and form as may be prescribed by regulations, and only during an enrollment period prescribed in or under this section.
(b) Repealed. Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, §945(a), Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2642
(c) Initial general enrollment period; eligible individuals before March 1, 1966
In the case of individuals who first satisfy paragraph (1) or (2) of
(d) Eligible individuals on or after March 1, 1966
In the case of an individual who first satisfies paragraph (1) or (2) of
(e) General enrollment period
There shall be a general enrollment period during the period beginning on January 1 and ending on March 31 of each year.
(f) Individuals deemed enrolled in medical insurance program
Any individual—
(1) who is eligible under
(2) whose initial enrollment period under subsection (d) of this section begins after March 31, 1973, and
(3) who is residing in the United States, exclusive of Puerto Rico,
shall be deemed to have enrolled in the medical insurance program established by this part.
(g) Commencement of enrollment period
All of the provisions of this section shall apply to individuals satisfying subsection (f) of this section, except that—
(1) in the case of an individual who satisfies subsection (f) of this section by reason of entitlement to disability insurance benefits described in
(2)(A) in the case of an individual who is entitled to monthly benefits under
(B) in the case of an individual who is not entitled to benefits under
(3) in the case of an individual who would otherwise satisfy subsection (f) of this section but does not establish his entitlement to hospital insurance benefits until after the last day of his initial enrollment period (as defined in subsection (d) of this section), his enrollment shall be deemed to have occurred on the first day of the earlier of the then current or immediately succeeding general enrollment period (as defined in subsection (e) of this section).
(h) Waiver of enrollment period requirements where individual's rights were prejudiced by administrative error or inaction
In any case where the Secretary finds that an individual's enrollment or nonenrollment in the insurance program established by this part or part A pursuant to
(i) Special enrollment periods
(1) In the case of an individual who—
(A) at the time the individual first satisfies paragraph (1) or (2) of
(B) has elected not to enroll (or to be deemed enrolled) under this section during the individual's initial enrollment period,
there shall be a special enrollment period described in paragraph (3). In the case of an individual not described in the previous sentence who has not attained the age of 65, at the time the individual first satisfies paragraph (1) of
(2) In the case of an individual who—
(A)(i) has enrolled (or has been deemed to have enrolled) in the medical insurance program established under this part during the individual's initial enrollment period, or (ii) is an individual described in paragraph (1)(A);
(B) has enrolled in such program during any subsequent special enrollment period under this subsection during which the individual was not enrolled in a group health plan described in
(C) has not terminated enrollment under this section at any time at which the individual is not enrolled in such a group health plan by reason of the individual's (or individual's spouse's) current employment status,
there shall be a special enrollment period described in paragraph (3). In the case of an individual not described in the previous sentence who has not attained the age of 65, has enrolled (or has been deemed to have enrolled) in the medical insurance program established under this part during the individual's initial enrollment period, or is an individual described in the second sentence of paragraph (1), has enrolled in such program during any subsequent special enrollment period under this subsection during which the individual was not enrolled in a large group health plan (as that term is defined in
(3)(A) The special enrollment period referred to in the first sentences of paragraphs (1) and (2) is the period including each month during any part of which the individual is enrolled in a group health plan described in
(B) The special enrollment period referred to in the second sentences of paragraphs (1) and (2) is the period including each month during any part of which the individual is enrolled in a large group health plan (as that term is defined in
(4)(A) In the case of an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A pursuant to
(i) who at the time the individual first satisfies paragraph (1) of
(I) is enrolled in a group health plan described in
(II) has elected not to enroll (or to be deemed enrolled) under this section during the individual's initial enrollment period; and
(ii) whose continuous enrollment under such group health plan is involuntarily terminated at a time when the enrollment under the plan is not by reason of the individual's current employment or by reason of the current employment of a member of the individual's family,
there shall be a special enrollment period described in subparagraph (B).
(B) The special enrollment period referred to in subparagraph (A) is the 6-month period beginning on the first day of the month which includes the date of the enrollment termination described in subparagraph (A)(ii).
(j) Special rules for individuals with ALS
In applying this section in the case of an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A pursuant to the operation of
(1) The initial enrollment period under subsection (d) of this section shall begin on the first day of the first month in which the individual satisfies the requirement of
(2) In applying subsection (g)(1) of this section, the initial enrollment period shall begin on the first day of the first month of entitlement to disability insurance benefits referred to in such subsection.
(k) Special enrollment period for certain volunteers serving outside United States
(1) In the case of an individual who—
(A) at the time the individual first satisfies paragraph (1) or (2) of
(B) has terminated enrollment under this section during a month in which the individual is described in paragraph (3),
there shall be a special enrollment period described in paragraph (2).
(2) The special enrollment period described in this paragraph is the 6-month period beginning on the first day of the month which includes the date that the individual is no longer described in paragraph (3).
(3) For purposes of paragraph (1), an individual described in this paragraph is an individual who—
(A) is serving as a volunteer outside of the United States through a program—
(i) that covers at least a 12-month period; and
(ii) that is sponsored by an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code; and
(B) demonstrates health insurance coverage while serving in the program.
(l) Special enrollment period for disabled TRICARE beneficiaries
(1) In the case of any individual who is a covered beneficiary (as defined in
(2) The special enrollment period described in this paragraph, with respect to an individual, is the 12-month period beginning on the day after the last day of the initial enrollment period of the individual or, if later, the 12-month period beginning with the month the individual is notified of enrollment under this section.
(3) In the case of an individual who enrolls during the special enrollment period provided under paragraph (1), the coverage period under this part shall begin on the first day of the month in which the individual enrolls, or, at the option of the individual, the first month after the end of the individual's initial enrollment period.
(4) An individual may only enroll during the special enrollment period provided under paragraph (1) one time during the individual's lifetime.
(5) The Secretary shall ensure that the materials relating to coverage under this part that are provided to an individual described in paragraph (1) prior to the individual's initial enrollment period contain information concerning the impact of not enrolling under this part, including the impact on health care benefits under the TRICARE program under
(6) The Secretary of Defense shall collaborate with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Commissioner of Social Security to provide for the accurate identification of individuals described in paragraph (1). The Secretary of Defense shall provide such individuals with notification with respect to this subsection. The Secretary of Defense shall collaborate with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Commissioner of Social Security to ensure appropriate follow up pursuant to any notification provided under the preceding sentence.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1837, as added
References in Text
Part A, referred to in subsecs. (c), (h), (i)(4)(A), (j), and (l)(1), is classified to
Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (k)(3)(A)(ii), is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (l).
2006—Subsec. (k).
2000—Subsec. (j).
1997—Subsec. (i)(1) to (3).
Subsec. (i)(4).
1994—Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(1)(A).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (i)(2)(B), (C).
Subsec. (i)(3)(A).
Subsec. (i)(3)(B).
1989—Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (i)(3).
1986—Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(1)(A).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A).
Subsec. (i)(2)(B).
Subsec. (i)(2)(C), (D).
Subsec. (i)(3).
1984—Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (i).
1981—Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (g)(3).
1980—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(3).
1972—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsecs. (f), (g).
Subsec. (h).
1968—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
1966—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
[
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 4581(c) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 147(f)(1)(C) of
Section 151(c)(2) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by section 6202(b)(4)(C) of
Section 6202(c)(3) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Section 9201(d)(2) of
Section 9219(a)(3)(B) of
"(i) The amendments made by paragraph (2) [amending this section] shall apply to enrollments in months beginning with the first effective month (as defined in clause (ii)), except that in the case of any individual who would have a special enrollment period under section 1837(i) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (i) of this section] that would have begun after November 1984 and before the first effective month, the period shall be deemed to begin with the first day of the first effective month.
"(ii) For purposes of clause (i), the term 'first effective month' means the first month that begins more than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 7, 1986]."
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2338(d)(2) of
"(A) The amendments made by subsections (b) and (c) [amending this section and
"(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term 'first effective month' means the first month which begins more than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984]."
Amendment by section 2354(b)(10) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 2151(b) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Section 945(d) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 259(b) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Section 136(b) of
Section 145(e) of
Medicare Part B Special Enrollment Period
"(1)
"(2)
Extension Through March 31, 1968 of 1967 General Enrollment Period
Enrollment Before Oct. 1, 1966, of Eligible Individuals Failing for Good Cause To Enroll Before June 1, 1966; Commencement of Coverage Period
Section 102(b) of
"(1) an individual was eligible to enroll under section 1837(c) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (c) of this section] before June 1, 1966, but failed to enroll before such date, and
"(2) it is shown to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services] that there was good cause for such failure to enroll before June 1, 1966,
such individual may enroll pursuant to this subsection at any time before October 1, 1966. The determination of what constitutes good cause for purposes of the preceding sentence shall be made in accordance with regulations of the Secretary. In the case of any individual who enrolls pursuant to this subsection, the coverage period (within the meaning of section 1838 of the Social Security Act [
§1395q. Coverage period
(a) Commencement
The period during which an individual is entitled to benefits under the insurance program established by this part (hereinafter referred to as his "coverage period") shall begin on whichever of the following is the latest:
(1) July 1, 1966, or (in the case of a disabled individual who has not attained age 65) July 1, 1973; or
(2)(A) in the case of an individual who enrolls pursuant to subsection (d) of
(B) in the case of an individual who enrolls pursuant to such subsection (d) in the month in which he first satisfies such paragraph, the first day of the month following the month in which he so enrolls, or
(C) in the case of an individual who enrolls pursuant to such subsection (d) in the month following the month in which he first satisfies such paragraph, the first day of the second month following the month in which he so enrolls, or
(D) in the case of an individual who enrolls pursuant to such subsection (d) more than one month following the month in which he satisfies such paragraph, the first day of the third month following the month in which he so enrolls, or
(E) in the case of an individual who enrolls pursuant to subsection (e) of
(3)(A) in the case of an individual who is deemed to have enrolled on or before the last day of the third month of his initial enrollment period, the first day of the month in which he first meets the applicable requirements of
(B) in the case of an individual who is deemed to have enrolled on or after the first day of the fourth month of his initial enrollment period, as prescribed under subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), and (E) of paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(b) Continuation
An individual's coverage period shall continue until his enrollment has been terminated—
(1) by the filing of notice that the individual no longer wishes to participate in the insurance program established by this part, or
(2) for nonpayment of premiums.
The termination of a coverage period under paragraph (1) shall (except as otherwise provided in
Where an individual who is deemed to have enrolled for medical insurance pursuant to
(c) Termination
In the case of an individual satisfying paragraph (1) of
(d) Payment of expenses incurred during coverage period
No payments may be made under this part with respect to the expenses of an individual unless such expenses were incurred by such individual during a period which, with respect to him, is a coverage period.
(e) Commencement of coverage for special enrollment periods
Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, in the case of an individual who enrolls during a special enrollment period pursuant to
(1) in any month of the special enrollment period in which the individual is at any time enrolled in a plan (specified in subparagraph (A) or (B), as applicable, of
(2) in any other month of the special enrollment period, the coverage period shall begin on the first day of the month following the month in which the individual so enrolls.
(f) Commencement of coverage for certain volunteers serving outside United States
Notwithstanding subsection (a), in the case of an individual who enrolls during a special enrollment period pursuant to
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1838, as added
References in Text
Part A of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (c), is classified to
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (f).
2003—Subsec. (a)(1).
1997—Subsec. (e).
1994—Subsec. (e).
"(1) in the first month of the special enrollment period, the coverage period shall begin on the first day of that month, or
"(2) in a month after the first month of the special enrollment period, the coverage period shall begin on the first day of the month following the month in which the individual so enrolls."
1986—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (e).
"(1) subparagraph (A) of
"(A) before the month in which he attains the age of 70, the coverage period shall begin on the first day of the month in which he has attained the age of 70, or
"(B) in or after the month in which he attains the age of 70, the coverage period shall begin on the first day of the month following the month in which he so enrolls; or
"(2) subparagraph (B) of
"(A) in the first month of the special enrollment period, the coverage period shall begin on the first day of such month, or
"(B) in a month after the first month of the special enrollment period, the coverage period shall begin on the first day of the month following the month in which he so enrolls."
1984—Subsec. (e).
1981—Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
Subsec. (b).
1980—Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
Subsec. (b).
1972—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b).
Subsecs. (c), (d).
1968—Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Section 9344(b)(2) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
For effective date of amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by section 2106(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 2151(a)(3) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by section 945(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 947(b) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 257(b) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by
Coverage Period; Termination Dates
"(1) shall terminate at the close of December 31, 1967, if he filed his notice of termination before January 1, 1968, or
"(2) shall terminate at the close of March 31, 1968, if he filed his notice of termination after December 31, 1967, and before April 1, 1968.
An individual whose coverage period terminated pursuant to paragraph (1) at the close of December 31, 1967, may, notwithstanding section 1837(b)(2) of such Act [
Extension of 1967 General Enrollment Period Through March 31, 1968
Extension of the general enrollment period under
Coverage Period for Individuals Becoming Eligible in March 1966 Who Enroll in May 1966
Commencement of Coverage Period of Certain Enrollees
Commencement of coverage period upon enrollment before Oct. 1, 1966 of eligible individuals failing for good cause to enroll before June 1, 1966, see section 102(b) of
§1395r. Amount of premiums for individuals enrolled under this part
(a) Determination of monthly actuarial rates and premiums
(1) The Secretary shall, during September of 1983 and of each year thereafter, determine the monthly actuarial rate for enrollees age 65 and over which shall be applicable for the succeeding calendar year. Such actuarial rate shall be the amount the Secretary estimates to be necessary so that the aggregate amount for such calendar year with respect to those enrollees age 65 and older will equal one-half of the total of the benefits and administrative costs which he estimates will be payable from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund for services performed and related administrative costs incurred in such calendar year with respect to such enrollees. In calculating the monthly actuarial rate, the Secretary shall include an appropriate amount for a contingency margin. In applying this paragraph there shall not be taken into account additional payments under
(2) The monthly premium of each individual enrolled under this part for each month after December 1983 shall be the amount determined under paragraph (3), adjusted as required in accordance with subsections (b), (c), (f), and (i) of this section, and to reflect any credit provided under
(3) The Secretary, during September of each year, shall determine and promulgate a monthly premium rate for the succeeding calendar year that (except as provided in subsection (g) of this section) is equal to 50 percent of the monthly actuarial rate for enrollees age 65 and over, determined according to paragraph (1), for that succeeding calendar year. Whenever the Secretary promulgates the dollar amount which shall be applicable as the monthly premium rate for any period, he shall, at the time such promulgation is announced, issue a public statement setting forth the actuarial assumptions and bases employed by him in arriving at the amount of an adequate actuarial rate for enrollees age 65 and older as provided in paragraph (1).
(4) The Secretary shall also, during September of 1983 and of each year thereafter, determine the monthly actuarial rate for disabled enrollees under age 65 which shall be applicable for the succeeding calendar year. Such actuarial rate shall be the amount the Secretary estimates to be necessary so that the aggregate amount for such calendar year with respect to disabled enrollees under age 65 will equal one-half of the total of the benefits and administrative costs which he estimates will be payable from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund for services performed and related administrative costs incurred in such calendar year with respect to such enrollees. In calculating the monthly actuarial rate under this paragraph, the Secretary shall include an appropriate amount for a contingency margin.
(b) Increase in monthly premium
In the case of an individual whose coverage period began pursuant to an enrollment after his initial enrollment period (determined pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) of
(c) Premiums rounded to nearest multiple of ten cents
If any monthly premium determined under the foregoing provisions of this section is not a multiple of 10 cents, such premium shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of 10 cents.
(d) "Continuous period of eligibility" defined
For purposes of subsection (b) of this section (and
(e) State payment of part B late enrollment premium increases
(1) Upon the request of a State (or any appropriate State or local governmental entity specified by the Secretary), the Secretary may enter into an agreement with the State (or such entity) under which the State (or such entity) agrees to pay on a quarterly or other periodic basis to the Secretary (to be deposited in the Treasury to the credit of the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund) an amount equal to the amount of the part B late enrollment premium increases with respect to the premiums for eligible individuals (as defined in paragraph (3)(A)).
(2) No part B late enrollment premium increase shall apply to an eligible individual for premiums for months for which the amount of such an increase is payable under an agreement under paragraph (1).
(3) In this subsection:
(A) The term "eligible individual" means an individual who is enrolled under this part B and who is within a class of individuals specified in the agreement under paragraph (1).
(B) The term "part B late enrollment premium increase" means any increase in a premium as a result of the application of subsection (b) of this section.
(f) Limitation on increase in monthly premium
For any calendar year after 1988, if an individual is entitled to monthly benefits under
(g) Exclusions from estimate of benefits and administrative costs
In estimating the benefits and administrative costs which will be payable from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund for a year for purposes of determining the monthly premium rate under subsection (a)(3) of this section, the Secretary shall exclude an estimate of any benefits and administrative costs attributable to—
(1) the application of
(2) the medicare prescription drug discount card and transitional assistance program under
(h) Potential application of comparative cost adjustment in CCA areas
(1) In general
Certain individuals who are residing in a CCA area under section 1395w–29 1 of this title who are not enrolled in an MA plan under part C of this subchapter may be subject to a premium adjustment under subsection (f) of such section for months in which the CCA program under such section is in effect in such area.
(2) No effect on late enrollment penalty or income-related adjustment in subsidies
Nothing in this subsection or section 1395w–29(f) 1 of this title shall be construed as affecting the amount of any premium adjustment under subsection (b) or (i) of this section. Subsection (f) of this section shall be applied without regard to any premium adjustment referred to in paragraph (1).
(3) Implementation
In order to carry out a premium adjustment under this subsection and section 1395w–29(f) 1 of this title (insofar as it is effected through the manner of collection of premiums under
(A) at the beginning of each year, the name, social security account number, and the amount of the premium adjustment (if any) for each individual enrolled under this part for each month during the year; and
(B) periodically throughout the year, information to update the information previously transmitted under this paragraph for the year.
(i) Reduction in premium subsidy based on income
(1) In general
In the case of an individual whose modified adjusted gross income exceeds the threshold amount under paragraph (2), the monthly amount of the premium subsidy applicable to the premium under this section for a month after December 2006 shall be reduced (and the monthly premium shall be increased) by the monthly adjustment amount specified in paragraph (3).
(2) Threshold amount
For purposes of this subsection, subject to paragraph (6), the threshold amount is—
(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), $80,000, and
(B) in the case of a joint return, twice the amount applicable under subparagraph (A) for the calendar year.
(3) Monthly adjustment amount
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the monthly adjustment amount specified in this paragraph for an individual for a month in a year is equal to the product of the following:
(i) Sliding scale percentage
Subject to paragraph (6), the applicable percentage specified in the table in subparagraph (C) for the individual minus 25 percentage points.
(ii) Unsubsidized part B premium amount
200 percent of the monthly actuarial rate for enrollees age 65 and over (as determined under subsection (a)(1) of this section for the year).
(B) 3-year phase in
The monthly adjustment amount specified in this paragraph for an individual for a month in a year before 2009 is equal to the following percentage of the monthly adjustment amount specified in subparagraph (A):
(i) For 2007, 33 percent.
(ii) For 2008, 67 percent.
(C) Applicable percentage
(i) In general
(ii) Joint returns
In the case of a joint return, clause (i) shall be applied by substituting dollar amounts which are twice the dollar amounts otherwise applicable under clause (i) for the calendar year.
(iii) Married individuals filing separate returns
In the case of an individual who—
(I) is married as of the close of the taxable year (within the meaning of section 7703 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) but does not file a joint return for such year, and
(II) does not live apart from such individual's spouse at all times during the taxable year,
clause (i) shall be applied by reducing each of the dollar amounts otherwise applicable under such clause for the calendar year by the threshold amount for such year applicable to an unmarried individual.
(4) Modified adjusted gross income
(A) In general
For purposes of this subsection, the term "modified adjusted gross income" means adjusted gross income (as defined in section 62 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986)—
(i) determined without regard to sections 135, 911, 931, and 933 of such Code; and
(ii) increased by the amount of interest received or accrued during the taxable year which is exempt from tax under such Code.
In the case of an individual filing a joint return, any reference in this subsection to the modified adjusted gross income of such individual shall be to such return's modified adjusted gross income.
(B) Taxable year to be used in determining modified adjusted gross income
(i) In general
In applying this subsection for an individual's premiums in a month in a year, subject to clause (ii) and subparagraph (C), the individual's modified adjusted gross income shall be such income determined for the individual's last taxable year beginning in the second calendar year preceding the year involved.
(ii) Temporary use of other data
If, as of October 15 before a calendar year, the Secretary of the Treasury does not have adequate data for an individual in appropriate electronic form for the taxable year referred to in clause (i), the individual's modified adjusted gross income shall be determined using the data in such form from the previous taxable year. Except as provided in regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security in consultation with the Secretary, the preceding sentence shall cease to apply when adequate data in appropriate electronic form are available for the individual for the taxable year referred to in clause (i), and proper adjustments shall be made to the extent that the premium adjustments determined under the preceding sentence were inconsistent with those determined using such taxable year.
(iii) Non-filers
In the case of individuals with respect to whom the Secretary of the Treasury does not have adequate data in appropriate electronic form for either taxable year referred to in clause (i) or clause (ii), the Commissioner of Social Security, in consultation with the Secretary, shall prescribe regulations which provide for the treatment of the premium adjustment with respect to such individual under this subsection, including regulations which provide for—
(I) the application of the highest applicable percentage under paragraph (3)(C) to such individual if the Commissioner has information which indicates that such individual's modified adjusted gross income might exceed the threshold amount for the taxable year referred to in clause (i), and
(II) proper adjustments in the case of the application of an applicable percentage under subclause (I) to such individual which is inconsistent with such individual's modified adjusted gross income for such taxable year.
(C) Use of more recent taxable year
(i) In general
The Commissioner of Social Security in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury shall establish a procedures under which an individual's modified adjusted gross income shall, at the request of such individual, be determined under this subsection—
(I) for a more recent taxable year than the taxable year otherwise used under subparagraph (B), or
(II) by such methodology as the Commissioner, in consultation with such Secretary, determines to be appropriate, which may include a methodology for aggregating or disaggregating information from tax returns in the case of marriage or divorce.
(ii) Standard for granting requests
A request under clause (i)(I) to use a more recent taxable year may be granted only if—
(I) the individual furnishes to such Commissioner with respect to such year such documentation, such as a copy of a filed Federal income tax return or an equivalent document, as the Commissioner specifies for purposes of determining the premium adjustment (if any) under this subsection; and
(II) the individual's modified adjusted gross income for such year is significantly less than such income for the taxable year determined under subparagraph (B) by reason of the death of such individual's spouse, the marriage or divorce of such individual, or other major life changing events specified in regulations prescribed by the Commissioner in consultation with the Secretary.
(5) Inflation adjustment
(A) In general
In the case of any calendar year beginning after 2007, each dollar amount in paragraph (2) or (3) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by
(ii) the percentage (if any) by which the average of the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with August of the preceding calendar year exceeds such average for the 12-month period ending with August 2006.
(B) Rounding
If any dollar amount after being increased under subparagraph (A) is not a multiple of $1,000, such dollar amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $1,000.
(6) Temporary adjustment to income thresholds
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, during the period beginning on January 1, 2011, and ending on December 31, 2019—
(A) the threshold amount otherwise applicable under paragraph (2) shall be equal to such amount for 2010; and
(B) the dollar amounts otherwise applicable under paragraph (3)(C)(i) shall be equal to such dollar amounts for 2010.
(7) Joint return defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term "joint return" has the meaning given to such term by section 7701(a)(38) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1839, as added
References in Text
The Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (f), is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812, as amended generally by
Part C of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (h)(1), is classified to
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (i)(3)(C)(iii)(I), (4)(A), (7), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (i)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (i)(6), (7).
2009—Subsec. (a)(1).
2006—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (i)(3)(B).
Subsec. (i)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (i)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (i)(3)(B)(iii), (iv).
"(iii) For 2009, 60 percent.
"(iv) for 2010, 80 percent."
2003—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
2000—Subsec. (a)(2).
1998—Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (g).
1997—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
"(A) the monthly actuarial rate for enrollees age 65 and over, determined according to paragraph (1) of this subsection, for that calendar year, or
"(B) the monthly premium rate most recently promulgated by the Secretary under this paragraph, increased by a percentage determined as follows: The Secretary shall ascertain the primary insurance amount computed under
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (e).
"(1)(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the monthly premium for each individual enrolled under this part for each month after after December 1995 and prior to January 1999 shall be an amount equal to 50 percent of the monthly actuarial rate for enrollees age 65 and over, as determined under subsection (a)(1) of this section and applicable to such month.
"(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the monthly premium for each individual enrolled under this part for each month in—
"(i) 1991 shall be $29.90,
"(ii) 1992 shall be $31.80,
"(iii) 1993 shall be $36.60,
"(iv) 1994 shall be $41.10, and
"(v) 1995 shall be $46.10.
"(2) Any increases in premium amounts taking effect prior to January 1998 by reason of paragraph (1) shall be taken into account for purposes of determining increases thereafter under subsection (a)(3) of this section."
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (g).
1994—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (g).
1993—Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2).
1990—Subsec. (e)(1).
1989—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (g).
1988—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (g)(1)(B)(iii)(I).
Subsec. (g)(1)(B)(iii)(II).
Subsec. (g)(7)(A)(ii).
1987—Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2).
1986—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A).
1984—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A).
1983—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsecs. (f), (g).
1982—Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (g).
1981—Subsec. (d).
1980—Subsec. (d).
1977—Subsec. (c)(3)(B).
1975—Subsec. (c)(3).
1972—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
1968—Subsec. (b)(2).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by section 5115(a)(1) of
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by section 222(l)(2)(A) of
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4581(a) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 151(c)(3) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendments
Amendment by section 6202(b)(4)(C) of
Amendment by section 6202(c)(2) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 211(d) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by section 9001(c) of
Amendment by section 9319(c)(4) of
Section 9219(a)(3)(A) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 2302(c) of
Section 2338(d)(1) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendments; Transitional Rule
Section 606(c) of
"(1) the monthly premiums under part A and under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [parts A and B of this subchapter] for individuals enrolled under each respective part shall be the monthly premium under that part for the month of June 1983, and
"(2) the amount of the Government contributions under section 1844(a)(1) of such Act [
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Section 104(b) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by
No Change in Medicare's Defined Benefit Package
Determination of Premium Amounts by Secretary
"(1) the dollar amount applicable for premiums under part B of title XVIII of such Act [this part] for each month before April 1968 shall be $3, and
"(2) the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may determine and promulgate such dollar amount for months after March 1968 and before January 1970 at any time on or before December 31, 1967."
Persons Enrolling Before April 1, 1968, Who Did Not Enroll During Their Initial Enrollment Period
1 See References in Text note below.
§1395s. Payment of premiums
(a) Deductions from section 402 or 423 monthly benefits
(1) In the case of an individual who is entitled to monthly benefits under
(2) The Secretary of the Treasury shall, from time to time, transfer from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund or the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund the aggregate amount deducted under paragraph (1) for the period to which such transfer relates from benefits under
(b) Deductions from railroad retirement annuities or pensions
(1) In the case of an individual who is entitled to receive for a month an annuity under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 [
(2) The Secretary of the Treasury shall, from time to time, transfer from the Railroad Retirement Account to the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund the aggregate amount deducted under paragraph (1) for the period to which such transfer relates. Such transfers shall be made on the basis of a certification by the Railroad Retirement Board and shall be appropriately adjusted to the extent that prior transfers were too great or too small.
(c) Portion of monthly premium in excess of deducted amount
If an individual to whom subsection (a) or (b) of this section applies estimates that the amount which will be available for deduction under such subsection for any premium payment period will be less than the amount of the monthly premiums for such period, he may (under regulations) pay to the Secretary such portion of the monthly premiums for such period as he desires.
(d) Deductions from civil service retirement annuities
(1) In the case of an individual receiving an annuity under subchapter III of
(2) The Secretary of the Treasury shall, from time to time, but not less often than quarterly, transfer from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, or the account (if any) applicable in the case of such other law administered by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, to the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund the aggregate amount deducted under paragraph (1) for the period to which such transfer relates. Such transfer shall be made on the basis of a certification by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management and shall be appropriately adjusted to the extent that prior transfers were too great or too small.
(e) Manner and time of payment prescribed by Secretary
In the case of an individual who participates in the insurance program established by this part but with respect to whom none of the preceding provisions of this section applies, or with respect to whom subsection (c) of this section applies, the premiums shall be paid to the Secretary at such times, and in such manner, as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe.
(f) Deposit of amounts in Treasury
Amounts paid to the Secretary under subsection (c) or (e) of this section shall be deposited in the Treasury to the credit of the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund.
(g) Premium payability period
In the case of an individual who participates in the insurance program established by this part, premiums shall be payable for the period commencing with the first month of his coverage period and ending with the month in which he dies or, if earlier, in which his coverage under such program terminates.
(h) Exempted monthly benefits
In the case of an individual who is enrolled under the program established by this part as a member of a coverage group to which an agreement with a State entered into pursuant to
(i) Adjustments for individuals enrolled in Medicare+Choice plans
In the case of an individual enrolled in a Medicare+Choice plan, the Secretary shall provide for necessary adjustments of the monthly beneficiary premium to reflect 80 percent of any reduction elected under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1840, as added
References in Text
The Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812, as amended generally by
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (i).
2000—Subsec. (i).
1994—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
1989—Subsec. (i).
1988—Subsec. (i).
1985—Subsec. (d)(1).
1984—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2).
1974—Subsec. (b)(1).
1972—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsecs. (h), (i).
1968—Subsec. (e).
1966—Subsec. (i).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 2354(b)(11) of
Amendment by section 2663(j)(2)(F)(ii) of
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 263(f) of
1 See References in Text note below.
§1395t. Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund
(a) Creation; deposits; fund transfers
There is hereby created on the books of the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the "Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund" (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Trust Fund"). The Trust Fund shall consist of such gifts and bequests as may be made as provided in
(b) Board of Trustees; composition; meetings; duties
With respect to the Trust Fund, there is hereby created a body to be known as the Board of Trustees of the Trust Fund (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Board of Trustees") composed of the Commissioner of Social Security, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, all ex officio, and of two members of the public (both of whom may not be from the same political party), who shall be nominated by the President for a term of four years and subject to confirmation by the Senate. A member of the Board of Trustees serving as a member of the public and nominated and confirmed to fill a vacancy occurring during a term shall be nominated and confirmed only for the remainder of such term. An individual nominated and confirmed as a member of the public may serve in such position after the expiration of such member's term until the earlier of the time at which the member's successor takes office or the time at which a report of the Board is first issued under paragraph (2) after the expiration of the member's term. The Secretary of the Treasury shall be the Managing Trustee of the Board of Trustees (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Managing Trustee"). The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall serve as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall meet not less frequently than once each calendar year. It shall be the duty of the Board of Trustees to—
(1) Hold the Trust Fund;
(2) Report to the Congress not later than the first day of April of each year on the operation and status of the Trust Fund during the preceding fiscal year and on its expected operation and status during the current fiscal year and the next 2 fiscal years; Each report provided under paragraph (2) beginning with the report in 2005 shall include the information specified in section 801(a) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.2
(3) Report immediately to the Congress whenever the Board is of the opinion that the amount of the Trust Fund is unduly small; and
(4) Review the general policies followed in managing the Trust Fund, and recommend changes in such policies, including necessary changes in the provisions of law which govern the way in which the Trust Fund is to be managed.
The report provided for in paragraph (2) shall include a statement of the assets of, and the disbursements made from, the Trust Fund during the preceding fiscal year, an estimate of the expected income to, and disbursements to be made from, the Trust Fund during the current fiscal year and each of the next 2 fiscal years, and a statement of the actuarial status of the Trust Fund. Such report shall also include an actuarial opinion by the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services certifying that the techniques and methodologies used are generally accepted within the actuarial profession and that the assumptions and cost estimates used are reasonable. Such report shall be printed as a House document of the session of the Congress to which the report is made. A person serving on the Board of Trustees shall not be considered to be a fiduciary and shall not be personally liable for actions taken in such capacity with respect to the Trust Fund.
(c) Investment of Trust Fund by Managing Trustee
It shall be the duty of the Managing Trustee to invest such portion of the Trust Fund as is not, in his judgment, required to meet current withdrawals. Such investments may be made only in interest-bearing obligations of the United States or in obligations guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States. For such purpose such obligations may be acquired (1) on original issue at the issue price, or (2) by purchase of outstanding obligations at the market price. The purposes for which obligations of the United States may be issued under
(d) Authority of Managing Trustee to sell obligations
Any obligations acquired by the Trust Fund (except public-debt obligations issued exclusively to the Trust Fund) may be sold by the Managing Trustee at the market price, and such public-debt obligations may be redeemed at par plus accrued interest.
(e) Interest on or proceeds from sale or redemption of obligations
The interest on, and the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in the Trust Fund shall be credited to and form a part of the Trust Fund.
(f) Transfers to other Funds
There shall be transferred periodically (but not less often than once each fiscal year) to the Trust Fund from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and from the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund amounts equivalent to the amounts not previously so transferred which the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall have certified as overpayments (other than amounts so certified to the Railroad Retirement Board) pursuant to
(g) Payments from Trust Fund of amounts provided for by this part or with respect to administrative expenses
The Managing Trustee shall pay from time to time from the Trust Fund such amounts as the Secretary of Health and Human Services certifies are necessary to make the payments provided for by this part, and the payments with respect to administrative expenses in accordance with
(h) Payments from Trust Fund of costs incurred by Director of Office of Personnel Management
The Managing Trustee shall pay from time to time from the Trust Fund such amounts as the Secretary of Health and Human Services certifies are necessary to pay the costs incurred by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management in making deductions pursuant to
(i) Payments from Trust Fund of costs incurred by Railroad Retirement Board
The Managing Trustee shall pay from time to time from the Trust Fund such amounts as the Secretary of Health and Human Services certifies are necessary to pay the costs incurred by the Railroad Retirement Board for services performed pursuant to section 1395s(b)(1) and
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1841, as added
References in Text
Section 9008(c) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009, referred to in subsec. (a), probably means section 9008(c) of
Section 801(a) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is section 801(a) of
Part D of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (g), is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a).
2003—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
1994—Subsec. (b).
1989—Subsecs. (a), (b).
1988—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1986—Subsec. (b).
1984—Subsec. (c).
Subsecs. (f), (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
1983—Subsec. (b).
1978—Subsec. (b).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
1968—Subsec. (b)(2).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 2354(b)(2), (11), (12) of
Amendment by section 2663(j)(2)(F)(iii) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by sections 154(c) and 341(c) of
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by section 132(e) of
Amendment by section 263(d)(4), (e) of
Disposal of Funds in Federal Hospital Insurance Catastrophic Coverage Reserve Fund
Section 102(c) of
Due Date for 1983 Report on Operation and Status of Trust Fund
Notwithstanding subsec. (b)(2) of this section, the annual report of the Board of Trustees of the Trust Fund required for calendar year 1983 under this section may be filed at any time not later than forty-five days after Apr. 20, 1983, see section 154(d) of
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. See 2003 Amendment note below.
§§1395t–1, 1395t–2. Repealed. Pub. L. 101–234, title II, §202(a), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1981
Section 1395t–1, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1841A, as added July 1, 1988,
Section 1395t–2, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1841B, as added July 1, 1988,
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective Jan. 1, 1990, see section 202(b) of
§1395u. Provisions relating to the administration of part B
(a) In general
The administration of this part shall be conducted through contracts with medicare administrative contractors under
(b) Determination of reasonable charges
(1) Repealed.
(2)(A), (B) Repealed.
(C) In the case of residents of nursing facilities who receive services described in clause (i) or (ii) of
(3) The Secretary—
(A) shall take such action as may be necessary to assure that, where payment under this part for a service is on a cost basis, the cost is reasonable cost (as determined under
(B) shall take such action as may be necessary to assure that, where payment under this part for a service is on a charge basis, such charge will be reasonable and not higher than the charge applicable, for a comparable service and under comparable circumstances, to the policyholders and subscribers of the medicare administrative contractor, and such payment will (except as otherwise provided in
(i) on the basis of an itemized bill; or
(ii) on the basis of an assignment under the terms of which (I) the reasonable charge is the full charge for the service, (II) the physician or other person furnishing such service agrees not to charge (and to refund amounts already collected) for services for which payment under this subchapter is denied under
but (in the case of bills submitted, or requests for payment made, after March 1968) only if the bill is submitted, or a written request for payment is made in such other form as may be permitted under regulations, no later than the period ending 1 calendar year after the date of service;
(C) to (E) Repealed.
(F) shall take such action as may be necessary to assure that where payment under this part for a service rendered is on a charge basis, such payment shall be determined on the basis of the charge that is determined in accordance with this section on the basis of customary and prevailing charge levels in effect at the time the service was rendered or, in the case of services rendered more than 12 months before the year in which the bill is submitted or request for payment is made, on the basis of such levels in effect for the 12-month period preceding such year;
(G) shall, for a service that is furnished with respect to an individual enrolled under this part, that is not paid on an assignment-related basis, and that is subject to a limiting charge under
(i) determine, prior to making payment, whether the amount billed for such service exceeds the limiting charge applicable under
(ii) notify the physician, supplier, or other person periodically (but not less often than once every 30 days) of determinations that amounts billed exceeded such applicable limiting charges; and
(iii) provide for prompt response to inquiries of physicians, suppliers, and other persons concerning the accuracy of such limiting charges for their services;
(H) shall implement—
(i) programs to recruit and retain physicians as participating physicians in the area served by the medicare administrative contractor, including educational and outreach activities and the use of professional relations personnel to handle billing and other problems relating to payment of claims of participating physicians; and
(ii) programs to familiarize beneficiaries with the participating physician program and to assist such beneficiaries in locating participating physicians; 1
(I) Repealed.
(J), (K) Repealed.
(L) shall monitor and profile physicians' billing patterns within each area or locality and provide comparative data to physicians whose utilization patterns vary significantly from other physicians in the same payment area or locality.
In determining the reasonable charge for services for purposes of this paragraph, there shall be taken into consideration the customary charges for similar services generally made by the physician or other person furnishing such services, as well as the prevailing charges in the locality for similar services. No charge may be determined to be reasonable in the case of bills submitted or requests for payment made under this part after December 31, 1970, if it exceeds the higher of (i) the prevailing charge recognized by the carrier and found acceptable by the Secretary for similar services in the same locality in administering this part on December 31, 1970, or (ii) the prevailing charge level that, on the basis of statistical data and methodology acceptable to the Secretary, would cover 75 percent of the customary charges made for similar services in the same locality during the 12-month period ending on the June 30 last preceding the start of the calendar year in which the service is rendered. In the case of physicians' services the prevailing charge level determined for purposes of clause (ii) of the preceding sentence for any twelve-month period (beginning after June 30, 1973) specified in clause (ii) of such sentence may not exceed (in the aggregate) the level determined under such clause for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1973, or (with respect to physicians' services furnished in a year after 1987) the level determined under this sentence (or under any other provision of law affecting the prevailing charge level) for the previous year except to the extent that the Secretary finds, on the basis of appropriate economic index data, that such higher level is justified by year-to-year economic changes. With respect to power-operated wheelchairs for which payment may be made in accordance with
(4)(A)(i) In determining the prevailing charge levels under the third and fourth sentences of paragraph (3) for physicians' services furnished during the 15-month period beginning July 1, 1984, the Secretary shall not set any level higher than the same level as was set for the 12-month period beginning July 1, 1983.
(ii)(I) In determining the prevailing charge levels under the third and fourth sentences of paragraph (3) for physicians' services furnished during the 8-month period beginning May 1, 1986, by a physician who is not a participating physician (as defined in subsection (h)(1) of this section) at the time of furnishing the services, the Secretary shall not set any level higher than the same level as was set for the 12-month period beginning July 1, 1983.
(II) In determining the prevailing charge levels under the fourth sentence of paragraph (3) for physicians' services furnished during the 8-month period beginning May 1, 1986, by a physician who is a participating physician (as defined in subsection (h)(1) of this section) at the time of furnishing the services, the Secretary shall permit an additional one percentage point increase in the increase otherwise permitted under that sentence.
(iii) In determining the maximum allowable prevailing charges which may be recognized consistent with the index described in the fourth sentence of paragraph (3) for physicians' services furnished on or after January 1, 1987, by participating physicians, the Secretary shall treat the maximum allowable prevailing charges recognized as of December 31, 1986, under such sentence with respect to participating physicians as having been justified by economic changes.
(iv) The reasonable charge for physicians' services furnished on or after January 1, 1987, and before January 1, 1992, by a nonparticipating physician shall be no greater than the applicable percent of the prevailing charge levels established under the third and fourth sentences of paragraph (3) (or under any other applicable provision of law affecting the prevailing charge level). In the previous sentence, the term "applicable percent" means for services furnished (I) on or after January 1, 1987, and before April 1, 1988, 96 percent, (II) on or after April 1, 1988, and before January 1, 1989, 95.5 percent, and (III) on or after January 1, 1989, 95 percent.
(v) In determining the prevailing charge levels under the third and fourth sentences of paragraph (3) for physicians' services furnished during the 3-month period beginning January 1, 1988, the Secretary shall not set any level higher than the same level as was set for the 12-month period beginning January 1, 1987.
(vi) Before each year (beginning with 1989), the Secretary shall establish a prevailing charge floor for primary care services (as defined in subsection (i)(4) of this section) equal to 60 percent of the estimated average prevailing charge levels based on the best available data (determined, under the third and fourth sentences of paragraph (3) and under paragraph (4), without regard to this clause and without regard to physician specialty) for such service for all localities in the United States (weighted by the relative frequency of the service in each locality) for the year.
(vii) Beginning with 1987, the percentage increase in the MEI (as defined in subsection (i)(3) of this section) for each year shall be the same for nonparticipating physicians as for participating physicians.
(B)(i) In determining the reasonable charge under paragraph (3) for physicians' services furnished during the 15-month period beginning July 1, 1984, the customary charges shall be the same customary charges as were recognized under this section for the 12-month period beginning July 1, 1983.
(ii) In determining the reasonable charge under paragraph (3) for physicians' services furnished during the 8-month period beginning May 1, 1986, by a physician who is not a participating physician (as defined in subsection (h)(1) of this section) at the time of furnishing the services—
(I) if the physician was not a participating physician at any time during the 12-month period beginning on October 1, 1984, the customary charges shall be the same customary charges as were recognized under this section for the 12-month period beginning July 1, 1983, and
(II) if the physician was a participating physician at any time during the 12-month period beginning on October 1, 1984, the physician's customary charges shall be determined based upon the physician's actual charges billed during the 12-month period ending on March 31, 1985.
(iii) In determining the reasonable charge under paragraph (3) for physicians' services furnished during the 3-month period beginning January 1, 1988, the customary charges shall be the same customary charges as were recognized under this section for the 12-month period beginning January 1, 1987.
(iv) In determining the reasonable charge under paragraph (3) for physicians' services (other than primary care services, as defined in subsection (i)(4) of this section) furnished during 1991, the customary charges shall be the same customary charges as were recognized under this section for the 9-month period beginning April 1, 1990. In a case in which subparagraph (F) applies (relating to new physicians) so as to limit the customary charges of a physician during 1990 to a percent of prevailing charges, the previous sentence shall not prevent such limit on customary charges under such subparagraph from increasing in 1991 to a higher percent of such prevailing charges.
(C) In determining the prevailing charge levels under the third and fourth sentences of paragraph (3) for physicians' services furnished during periods beginning after September 30, 1985, the Secretary shall treat the level as set under subparagraph (A)(i) as having fully provided for the economic changes which would have been taken into account but for the limitations contained in subparagraph (A)(i).
(D)(i) In determining the customary charges for physicians' services furnished during the 8-month period beginning May 1, 1986, or the 12-month period beginning January 1, 1987, by a physician who was not a participating physician (as defined in subsection (h)(1) of this section) on September 30, 1985, the Secretary shall not recognize increases in actual charges for services furnished during the 15-month period beginning on July 1, 1984, above the level of the physician's actual charges billed in the 3-month period ending on June 30, 1984.
(ii) In determining the customary charges for physicians' services furnished during the 12-month period beginning January 1, 1987, by a physician who is not a participating physician (as defined in subsection (h)(1) of this section) on April 30, 1986, the Secretary shall not recognize increases in actual charges for services furnished during the 7-month period beginning on October 1, 1985, above the level of the physician's actual charges billed during the 3-month period ending on June 30, 1984.
(iii) In determining the customary charges for physicians' services furnished during the 12-month period beginning January 1, 1987, or January 1, 1988, by a physician who is not a participating physician (as defined in subsection (h)(1) of this section) on December 31, 1986, the Secretary shall not recognize increases in actual charges for services furnished during the 8-month period beginning on May 1, 1986, above the level of the physician's actual charges billed during the 3-month period ending on June 30, 1984.
(iv) In determining the customary charges for a physicians' service furnished on or after January 1, 1988, if a physician was a nonparticipating physician in a previous year (beginning with 1987), the Secretary shall not recognize any amount of such actual charges (for that service furnished during such previous year) that exceeds the maximum allowable actual charge for such service established under subsection (j)(1)(C) of this section.
(E)(i) For purposes of this part for physicians' services furnished in 1987, the percentage increase in the MEI is 3.2 percent.
(ii) For purposes of this part for physicians' services furnished in 1988, on or after April 1, the percentage increase in the MEI is—
(I) 3.6 percent for primary care services (as defined in subsection (i)(4) of this section), and
(II) 1 percent for other physicians' services.
(iii) For purposes of this part for physicians' services furnished in 1989, the percentage increase in the MEI is—
(I) 3.0 percent for primary care services, and
(II) 1 percent for other physicians' services.
(iv) For purposes of this part for items and services furnished in 1990, after March 31, 1990, the percentage increase in the MEI is—
(I) 0 percent for radiology services, for anesthesia services, and for other services specified in the list referred to in paragraph (14)(C)(i),
(II) 2 percent for other services (other than primary care services), and
(III) such percentage increase in the MEI (as defined in subsection (i)(3) of this section) as would be otherwise determined for primary care services (as defined in subsection (i)(4) of this section).
(v) For purposes of this part for items and services furnished in 1991, the percentage increase in the MEI is—
(I) 0 percent for services (other than primary care services), and
(II) 2 percent for primary care services (as defined in subsection (i)(4) of this section).
(5) Repealed.
(6) No payment under this part for a service provided to any individual shall (except as provided in
(7)(A) In the case of physicians' services furnished to a patient in a hospital with a teaching program approved as specified in
(i) unless—
(I) the physician renders sufficient personal and identifiable physicians' services to the patient to exercise full, personal control over the management of the portion of the case for which the payment is sought,
(II) the services are of the same character as the services the physician furnishes to patients not entitled to benefits under this subchapter, and
(III) at least 25 percent of the hospital's patients (during a representative past period, as determined by the Secretary) who were not entitled to benefits under this subchapter and who were furnished services described in subclauses (I) and (II) paid all or a substantial part of charges (other than nominal charges) imposed for such services; and
(ii) to the extent that the payment is based upon a reasonable charge for the services in excess of the customary charge as determined in accordance with subparagraph (B).
(B) The customary charge for such services in a hospital shall be determined in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary and taking into account the following factors:
(i) In the case of a physician who is not a teaching physician (as defined by the Secretary), the Secretary shall take into account the amounts the physician charges for similar services in the physician's practice outside the teaching setting.
(ii) In the case of a teaching physician, if the hospital, its physicians, or other appropriate billing entity has established one or more schedules of charges which are collected for medical and surgical services, the Secretary shall base payment under this subchapter on the greatest of—
(I) the charges (other than nominal charges) which are most frequently collected in full or substantial part with respect to patients who were not entitled to benefits under this subchapter and who were furnished services described in subclauses (I) and (II) of subparagraph (A)(i),
(II) the mean of the charges (other than nominal charges) which were collected in full or substantial part with respect to such patients, or
(III) 85 percent of the prevailing charges paid for similar services in the same locality.
(iii) If all the teaching physicians in a hospital agree to have payment made for all of their physicians' services under this part furnished to patients in such hospital on an assignment-related basis, the customary charge for such services shall be equal to 90 percent of the prevailing charges paid for similar services in the same locality.
(C) In the case of physicians' services furnished to a patient in a hospital with a teaching program approved as specified in
(D)(i) In the case of physicians' services furnished to a patient in a hospital with a teaching program approved as specified in
(I) are required due to exceptional medical circumstances,
(II) are performed by team physicians needed to perform complex medical procedures, or
(III) constitute concurrent medical care relating to a medical condition which requires the presence of, and active care by, a physician of another specialty during surgery,
and under such other circumstances as the Secretary determines by regulation to be appropriate.
(ii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "assistant at surgery" means a physician who actively assists the physician in charge of a case in performing a surgical procedure.
(iii) The Secretary shall determine appropriate methods of reimbursement of assistants at surgery where such services are reimbursable under this part.
(8)(A)(i) The Secretary shall by regulation—
(I) describe the factors to be used in determining the cases (of particular items or services) in which the application of this subchapter to payment under this part (other than to physicians' services paid under
(II) provide in those cases for the factors to be considered in determining an amount that is realistic and equitable.
(ii) Notwithstanding the determination made in clause (i), the Secretary may not apply factors that would increase or decrease the payment under this part during any year for any particular item or service by more than 15 percent from such payment during the preceding year except as provided in subparagraph (B).
(B) The Secretary may make a determination under this subparagraph that would result in an increase or decrease under subparagraph (A) of more than 15 percent of the payment amount for a year, but only if—
(i) the Secretary's determination takes into account the factors described in subparagraph (C) and any additional factors the Secretary determines appropriate,
(ii) the Secretary's determination takes into account the potential impacts described in subparagraph (D), and
(iii) the Secretary complies with the procedural requirements of paragraph (9).
(C) The factors described in this subparagraph are as follows:
(i) The programs established under this subchapter and subchapter XIX of this chapter are the sole or primary sources of payment for an item or service.
(ii) The payment amount does not reflect changing technology, increased facility with that technology, or reductions in acquisition or production costs.
(iii) The payment amount for an item or service under this part is substantially higher or lower than the payment made for the item or service by other purchasers.
(D) The potential impacts of a determination under subparagraph (B) on quality, access, and beneficiary liability, including the likely effects on assignment rates and participation rates.
(9)(A) The Secretary shall consult with representatives of suppliers or other individuals who furnish an item or service before making a determination under paragraph (8)(B) with regard to that item or service.
(B) The Secretary shall publish notice of a proposed determination under paragraph (8)(B) in the Federal Register—
(i) specifying the payment amount proposed to be established with respect to an item or service,
(ii) explaining the factors and data that the Secretary took into account in determining the payment amount so specified, and
(iii) explaining the potential impacts described in paragraph (8)(D).
(C) After publication of the notice required by subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall allow not less than 60 days for public comment on the proposed determination.
(D)(i) Taking into consideration the comments made by the public, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a final determination under paragraph (8)(B) with respect to the payment amount to be established with respect to the item or service.
(ii) A final determination published pursuant to clause (i) shall explain the factors and data that the Secretary took into consideration in making the final determination.
(10)(A)(i) In determining the reasonable charge for procedures described in subparagraph (B) and performed during the 9-month period beginning on April 1, 1988, the prevailing charge for such procedure shall be the prevailing charge otherwise recognized for such procedure for 1987—
(I) subject to clause (iii), reduced by 2.0 percent, and
(II) further reduced by the applicable percentage specified in clause (ii).
(ii) For purposes of clause (i), the applicable percentage specified in this clause is—
(I) 15 percent, in the case of a prevailing charge otherwise recognized (without regard to this paragraph and determined without regard to physician specialty) that is at least 150 percent of the weighted national average (as determined by the Secretary) of such prevailing charges for such procedure for all localities in the United States for 1987;
(II) 0 percent, in the case of a prevailing charge that does not exceed 85 percent of such weighted national average; and
(III) in the case of any other prevailing charge, a percent determined on the basis of a straight-line sliding scale, equal to 3/13 of a percentage point for each percent by which the prevailing charge exceeds 85 percent of such weighted national average.
(iii) In no case shall the reduction under clause (i) for a procedure result in a prevailing charge in a locality for 1988 which is less than 85 percent of the Secretary's estimate of the weighted national average of such prevailing charges for such procedure for all localities in the United States for 1987 (based upon the best available data and determined without regard to physician specialty) after making the reduction described in clause (i)(I).
(B) The procedures described in this subparagraph are as follows: bronchoscopy, carpal tunnel repair, cataract surgery (including subsequent insertion of an intraocular lens), coronary artery bypass surgery, diagnostic and/or therapeutic dilation and curettage, knee arthroscopy, knee arthroplasty, pacemaker implantation surgery, total hip replacement, suprapubic prostatectomy, transurethral resection of the prostate, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
(C) In the case of a reduction in the reasonable charge for a physicians' service under subparagraph (A), if a nonparticipating physician furnishes the service to an individual entitled to benefits under this part, after the effective date of such reduction, the physician's actual charge is subject to a limit under subsection (j)(1)(D) of this section.
(D) There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(11)(A) In providing payment for cataract eyeglasses and cataract contact lenses, and professional services relating to them, under this part, each carrier shall—
(i) provide for separate determinations of the payment amount for the eyeglasses and lenses and of the payment amount for the professional services of a physician (as defined in
(ii) not recognize as reasonable for such eyeglasses and lenses more than such amount as the Secretary establishes in guidelines relating to the inherent reasonableness of charges for such eyeglasses and lenses.
(B)(i) In determining the reasonable charge under paragraph (3) for a cataract surgical procedure, subject to clause (ii), the prevailing charge for such procedure otherwise recognized for participating and nonparticipating physicians shall be reduced by 10 percent with respect to procedures performed in 1987.
(ii) In no case shall the reduction under clause (i) for a surgical procedure result in a prevailing charge in a locality for a year which is less than 75 percent of the weighted national average of such prevailing charges for such procedure for all the localities in the United States for 1986.
(C)(i) The prevailing charge level determined with respect to A-mode ophthalmic ultrasound procedures may not exceed 5 percent of the prevailing charge level established with respect to extracapsular cataract removal with lens insertion.
(ii) The reasonable charge for an intraocular lens inserted during or subsequent to cataract surgery in a physician's office may not exceed the actual acquisition cost for the lens (taking into account any discount) plus a handling fee (not to exceed 5 percent of such actual acquisition cost).
(D) In the case of a reduction in the reasonable charge for a physicians' service or item under subparagraph (B) or (C), if a nonparticipating physician furnishes the service or item to an individual entitled to benefits under this part after the effective date of such reduction, the physician's actual charge is subject to a limit under subsection (j)(1)(D) of this section.
(12) Repealed.
(13)(A) In determining payments under
(B) The Secretary shall require claims for physicians' services for medical direction of nurse anesthetists during the periods in which the provisions of subparagraph (A) apply to indicate the number of such anesthetists being medically directed concurrently at any time during the procedure, the name of each nurse anesthetist being directed, and the type of procedure for which the services are provided.
(14)(A)(i) In determining the reasonable charge for a physicians' service specified in subparagraph (C)(i) and furnished during the 9-month period beginning on April 1, 1990, the prevailing charge for such service shall be the prevailing charge otherwise recognized for such service for 1989 reduced by 15 percent or, if less, 1/3 of the percent (if any) by which the prevailing charge otherwise applied in the locality in 1989 exceeds the locally-adjusted reduced prevailing amount (as determined under subparagraph (B)(i)) for the service.
(ii) In determining the reasonable charge for a physicians' service specified in subparagraph (C)(i) and furnished during 1991, the prevailing charge for such service shall be the prevailing charge otherwise recognized for such service for the period during 1990 beginning on April 1, reduced by the same amount as the amount of the reduction effected under this paragraph (as amended by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) for such service during such period.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph:
(i) The "locally-adjusted reduced prevailing amount" for a locality for a physicians' service is equal to the product of—
(I) the reduced national weighted average prevailing charge for the service (specified under clause (ii)), and
(II) the adjustment factor (specified under clause (iii)) for the locality.
(ii) The "reduced national weighted average prevailing charge" for a physicians' service is equal to the national weighted average prevailing charge for the service (specified in subparagraph (C)(ii)) reduced by the percentage change (specified in subparagraph (C)(iii)) for the service.
(iii) The "adjustment factor", for a physicians' service for a locality, is the sum of—
(I) the practice expense component (percent), divided by 100, specified in appendix A (pages 187 through 194) of the Report of the Medicare and Medicaid Health Budget Reconciliation Amendments of 1989, prepared by the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives, (Committee Print 101–M, 101st Congress, 1st Session) for the service, multiplied by the geographic practice cost index value (specified in subparagraph (C)(iv)) for the locality, and
(II) 1 minus the practice expense component (percent), divided by 100.
(C) For purposes of this paragraph:
(i) The physicians' services specified in this clause are the procedures specified (by code and description) in the Overvalued Procedures List for Finance Committee, Revised September 20, 1989, prepared by the Physician Payment Review Commission which specification is of physicians' services that have been identified as overvalued by at least 10 percent based on a comparison of payments for such services under a resource-based relative value scale and of the national average prevailing charges under this part.
(ii) The "national weighted average prevailing charge" specified in this clause, for a physicians' service specified in clause (i), is the national weighted average prevailing charge for the service in 1989 as determined by the Secretary using the best data available.
(iii) The "percentage change" specified in this clause, for a physicians' service specified in clause (i), is the percent difference (but expressed as a positive number) specified for the service in the list referred to in clause (i).
(iv) The geographic practice cost index value specified in this clause for a locality is the Geographic Overhead Costs Index specified for the locality in table 1 of the September 1989 Supplement to the Geographic Medicare Economic Index: Alternative Approaches (prepared by the Urban Institute and the Center for Health Economics Research).
(D) In the case of a reduction in the prevailing charge for a physicians' service under subparagraph (A), if a nonparticipating physician furnishes the service to an individual entitled to benefits under this part, after the effective date of such reduction, the physician's actual charge is subject to a limit under subsection (j)(1)(D) of this section.
(15)(A) In determining the reasonable charge for surgery, radiology, and diagnostic physicians' services which the Secretary shall designate (based on their high volume of expenditures under this part) and for which the prevailing charge (but for this paragraph) differs by physician specialty, the prevailing charge for such a service may not exceed the prevailing charge or fee schedule amount for that specialty of physicians that furnish the service most frequently nationally.
(B) In the case of a reduction in the prevailing charge for a physician's service under subparagraph (A), if a nonparticipating physician furnishes the service to an individual entitled to benefits under this part, after the effective date of the reduction, the physician's actual charge is subject to a limit under subsection (j)(1)(D) of this section.
(16)(A) In determining the reasonable charge for all physicians' services other than physicians' services specified in subparagraph (B) furnished during 1991, the prevailing charge for a locality shall be 6.5 percent below the prevailing charges used in the locality under this part in 1990 after March 31.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the physicians' services specified in this subparagraph are as follows:
(i) Radiology, anesthesia and physician pathology services, the technical components of diagnostic tests specified in paragraph (17) and physicians' services specified in paragraph (14)(C)(i).
(ii) Primary care services specified in subsection (i)(4) of this section, hospital inpatient medical services, consultations, other visits, preventive medicine visits, psychiatric services, emergency care facility services, and critical care services.
(iii) Partial mastectomy; tendon sheath injections and small joint arthrocentesis; femoral fracture and trochanteric fracture treatments; endotracheal intubation; thoracentesis; thoracostomy; aneurysm repair; cystourethroscopy; transurethral fulguration and resection; tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy; and ophthalmoscopy.
(17) With respect to payment under this part for the technical (as distinct from professional) component of diagnostic tests (other than clinical diagnostic laboratory tests, tests specified in paragraph (14)(C)(i), and radiology services, including portable x-ray services) which the Secretary shall designate (based on their high volume of expenditures under this part), the reasonable charge for such technical component (including the applicable portion of a global service) may not exceed the national median of such charges for all localities, as estimated by the Secretary using the best available data.
(18)(A) Payment for any service furnished by a practitioner described in subparagraph (C) and for which payment may be made under this part on a reasonable charge or fee schedule basis may only be made under this part on an assignment-related basis.
(B) A practitioner described in subparagraph (C) or other person may not bill (or collect any amount from) the individual or another person for any service described in subparagraph (A), except for deductible and coinsurance amounts applicable under this part. No person is liable for payment of any amounts billed for such a service in violation of the previous sentence. If a practitioner or other person knowingly and willfully bills (or collects an amount) for such a service in violation of such sentence, the Secretary may apply sanctions against the practitioner or other person in the same manner as the Secretary may apply sanctions against a physician in accordance with subsection (j)(2) of this section in the same manner as such section applies with respect to a physician. Paragraph (4) of subsection (j) of this section shall apply in this subparagraph in the same manner as such paragraph applies to such section.
(C) A practitioner described in this subparagraph is any of the following:
(i) A physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as defined in
(ii) A certified registered nurse anesthetist (as defined in
(iii) A certified nurse-midwife (as defined in
(iv) A clinical social worker (as defined in
(v) A clinical psychologist (as defined by the Secretary for purposes of
(vi) A registered dietitian or nutrition professional.
(D) For purposes of this paragraph, a service furnished by a practitioner described in subparagraph (C) includes any services and supplies furnished as incident to the service as would otherwise be covered under this part if furnished by a physician or as incident to a physician's service.
(19) For purposes of
(c) Prompt payment of claims
(1) Repealed.
(2)(A) Each contract under
(i) which are clean claims, and
(ii) for which payment is not made on a periodic interim payment basis,
within the applicable number of calendar days after the date on which the claim is received.
(B) In this paragraph:
(i) The term "clean claim" means a claim that has no defect or impropriety (including any lack of any required substantiating documentation) or particular circumstance requiring special treatment that prevents timely payment from being made on the claim under this part.
(ii) The term "applicable number of calendar days" means—
(I) with respect to claims received in the 12-month period beginning October 1, 1986, 30 calendar days,
(II) with respect to claims received in the 12-month period beginning October 1, 1987, 26 calendar days (or 19 calendar days with respect to claims submitted by participating physicians),
(III) with respect to claims received in the 12-month period beginning October 1, 1988, 25 calendar days (or 18 calendar days with respect to claims submitted by participating physicians),
(IV) with respect to claims received in the 12-month period beginning October 1, 1989, and claims received in any succeeding 12-month period ending on or before September 30, 1993, 24 calendar days (or 17 calendar days with respect to claims submitted by participating physicians), and
(V) with respect to claims received in the 12-month period beginning October 1, 1993, and claims received in any succeeding 12-month period, 30 calendar days.
(C) If payment is not issued, mailed, or otherwise transmitted within the applicable number of calendar days (as defined in clause (ii) of subparagraph (B)) after a clean claim (as defined in clause (i) of such subparagraph) is received, interest shall be paid at the rate used for purposes of
(3)(A) Each contract under this section which provides for the disbursement of funds, as described in
(B) In this paragraph, the term "applicable number of calendar days" means—
(i) with respect to claims submitted electronically as prescribed by the Secretary, 13 days, and
(ii) with respect to claims submitted otherwise, 28 days.
(4) Neither a medicare administrative contractor nor the Secretary may impose a fee under this subchapter—
(A) for the filing of claims related to physicians' services,
(B) for an error in filing a claim relating to physicians' services or for such a claim which is denied,
(C) for any appeal under this subchapter with respect to physicians' services,
(D) for applying for (or obtaining) a unique identifier under subsection (r) of this section, or
(E) for responding to inquiries respecting physicians' services or for providing information with respect to medical review of such services.
(d) to (f). Repealed. Pub. L. 108–173, title IX, §911(c)(5), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2384
(g) Authority of Railroad Retirement Board to enter into contracts with medicare administrative contractors
The Railroad Retirement Board shall, in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, contract with a medicare administrative contractor or contractors to perform the functions set out in this section with respect to individuals entitled to benefits as qualified railroad retirement beneficiaries pursuant to
(h) Participating physician or supplier; agreement with Secretary; publication of directories; availability; inclusion of program in explanation of benefits; payment of claims on assignment-related basis
(1) Any physician or supplier may voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Secretary to become a participating physician or supplier. For purposes of this section, the term "participating physician or supplier" means a physician or supplier (excluding any provider of services) who, before the beginning of any year beginning with 1984, enters into an agreement with the Secretary which provides that such physician or supplier will accept payment under this part on an assignment-related basis for all items and services furnished to individuals enrolled under this part during such year. In the case of a newly licensed physician or a physician who begins a practice in a new area, or in the case of a new supplier who begins a new business, or in such similar cases as the Secretary may specify, such physician or supplier may enter into such an agreement after the beginning of a year, for items and services furnished during the remainder of the year.
(2) The Secretary shall maintain a toll-free telephone number or numbers at which individuals enrolled under this part may obtain the names, addresses, specialty, and telephone numbers of participating physicians and suppliers and may request a copy of an appropriate directory published under paragraph (4). The Secretary shall, without charge, mail a copy of such directory upon such a request.
(3)(A) In any case in which 2 medicare administrative contractor having a contract under
(B) The Secretary shall establish a procedure whereby an individual enrolled under this part may assign, in an appropriate manner on the form claiming a benefit under this part for an item or service furnished by a participating physician or supplier, the individual's rights of payment under a medicare supplemental policy (described in
(4) At the beginning of each year the Secretary shall publish directories (for appropriate local geographic areas) containing the name, address, and specialty of all participating physicians and suppliers (as defined in paragraph (1)) for that area for that year. Each directory shall be organized to make the most useful presentation of the information (as determined by the Secretary) for individuals enrolled under this part. Each participating physician directory for an area shall provide an alphabetical listing of all participating physicians practicing in the area and an alphabetical listing by locality and specialty of such physicians.
(5)(A) The Secretary shall promptly notify individuals enrolled under this part through an annual mailing of the participation program under this subsection and the publication and availability of the directories and shall make the appropriate area directory or directories available in each district and branch office of the Social Security Administration, in the offices of medicare administrative contractors, and to senior citizen organizations.
(B) The annual notice provided under subparagraph (A) shall include—
(i) a description of the participation program,
(ii) an explanation of the advantages to beneficiaries of obtaining covered services through a participating physician or supplier,
(iii) an explanation of the assistance offered by medicare administrative contractors in obtaining the names of participating physicians and suppliers, and
(iv) the toll-free telephone number under paragraph (2)(A) for inquiries concerning the program and for requests for free copies of appropriate directories.
(6) The Secretary shall provide that the directories shall be available for purchase by the public. The Secretary shall provide that each appropriate area directory is sent to each participating physician located in that area and that an appropriate number of copies of each such directory is sent to hospitals located in the area. Such copies shall be sent free of charge.
(7) The Secretary shall provide that each explanation of benefits provided under this part for services furnished in the United States, in conjunction with the payment of claims under
(A) a prominent reminder of the participating physician and supplier program established under this subsection (including the limitation on charges that may be imposed by such physicians and suppliers and a clear statement of any amounts charged for the particular items or services on the claim involved above the amount recognized under this part),
(B) the toll-free telephone number or numbers, maintained under paragraph (2), at which an individual enrolled under this part may obtain information on participating physicians and suppliers,
(C)(i) an offer of assistance to such an individual in obtaining the names of participating physicians of appropriate specialty and (ii) an offer to provide a free copy of the appropriate participating physician directory, and
(D) in the case of services for which the billed amount exceeds the limiting charge imposed under
(8) The Secretary may refuse to enter into an agreement with a physician or supplier under this subsection, or may terminate or refuse to renew such agreement, in the event that such physician or supplier has been convicted of a felony under Federal or State law for an offense which the Secretary determines is detrimental to the best interests of the program or program beneficiaries.
(9) The Secretary may revoke enrollment, for a period of not more than one year for each act, for a physician or supplier under
(i) Definitions
For purposes of this subchapter:
(1) A claim is considered to be paid on an "assignment-related basis" if the claim is paid on the basis of an assignment described in subsection (b)(3)(B)(ii) of this section, in accordance with subsection (b)(6)(B) of this section, or under the procedure described in
(2) The term "participating physician" refers, with respect to the furnishing of services, to a physician who at the time of furnishing the services is a participating physician (under subsection (h)(1) of this section); the term "nonparticipating physician" refers, with respect to the furnishing of services, to a physician who at the time of furnishing the services is not a participating physician; and the term "nonparticipating supplier or other person" means a supplier or other person (excluding a provider of services) that is not a participating physician or supplier (as defined in subsection (h)(1) of this section).
(3) The term "percentage increase in the MEI" means, with respect to physicians' services furnished in a year, the percentage increase in the medicare economic index (referred to in the fourth sentence of subsection (b)(3) of this section) applicable to such services furnished as of the first day of that year.
(4) The term "primary care services" means physicians' services which constitute office medical services, emergency department services, home medical services, skilled nursing, intermediate care, and long-term care medical services, or nursing home, boarding home, domiciliary, or custodial care medical services.
(j) Monitoring of charges of nonparticipating physicians; sanctions; restitution
(1)(A) In the case of a physician who is not a participating physician for items and services furnished during a portion of the 30-month period beginning July 1, 1984, the Secretary shall monitor the physician's actual charges to individuals enrolled under this part for physicians' services during that portion of that period. If such physician knowingly and willfully bills individuals enrolled under this part for actual charges in excess of such physician's actual charges for the calendar quarter beginning on April 1, 1984, the Secretary may apply sanctions against such physician in accordance with paragraph (2).
(B)(i) During any period (on or after January 1, 1987, and before the date specified in clause (ii)), during which a physician is a nonparticipating physician, the Secretary shall monitor the actual charges of each such physician for physicians' services furnished to individuals enrolled under this part. If such physician knowingly and willfully bills on a repeated basis for such a service an actual charge in excess of the maximum allowable actual charge determined under subparagraph (C) for that service, the Secretary may apply sanctions against such physician in accordance with paragraph (2).
(ii) Clause (i) shall not apply to services furnished after December 31, 1990.
(C)(i) For a particular physicians' service furnished by a nonparticipating physician to individuals enrolled under this part during a year, for purposes of subparagraph (B), the maximum allowable actual charge is determined as follows: If the physician's maximum allowable actual charge for that service in the previous year was—
(I) less than 115 percent of the applicable percent (as defined in subsection (b)(4)(A)(iv) of this section) of the prevailing charge for the year and service involved, the maximum allowable actual charge for the year involved is the greater of the maximum allowable actual charge described in subclause (II) or the charge described in clause (ii), or
(II) equal to, or greater than, 115 percent of the applicable percent (as defined in subsection (b)(4)(A)(iv) of this section) of the prevailing charge for the year and service involved, the maximum allowable actual charge is 101 percent of the physician's maximum allowable actual charge for the service for the previous year.
(ii) For purposes of clause (i)(I), the charge described in this clause for a particular physicians' service furnished in a year is the maximum allowable actual charge for the service of the physician for the previous year plus the product of (I) the applicable fraction (as defined in clause (iii)) and (II) the amount by which 115 percent of the prevailing charge for the year involved for such service furnished by nonparticipating physicians, exceeds the physician's maximum allowable actual charge for the service for the previous year.
(iii) In clause (ii), the "applicable fraction" is—
(I) for 1987, ¼,
(II) for 1988, 1/3,
(III) for 1989, ½, and
(IV) for any subsequent year, 1.
(iv) For purposes of determining the maximum allowable actual charge under clauses (i) and (ii) for 1987, in the case of a physicians' service for which the physician has actual charges for the calendar quarter beginning on April 1, 1984, the "maximum allowable actual charge" for 1986 is the physician's actual charge for such service furnished during such quarter.
(v) For purposes of determining the maximum allowable actual charge under clauses (i) and (ii) for a year after 1986, in the case of a physicians' service for which the physician has no actual charges for the calendar quarter beginning on April 1, 1984, and for which a maximum allowable actual charge has not been previously established under this clause, the "maximum allowable actual charge" for the previous year shall be the 50th percentile of the customary charges for the service (weighted by frequency of the service) performed by nonparticipating physicians in the locality during the 12-month period ending June 30 of that previous year.
(vi) For purposes of this subparagraph, a "physician's actual charge" for a physicians' service furnished in a year or other period is the weighted average (or, at the option of the Secretary for a service furnished in the calendar quarter beginning April 1, 1984, the median) of the physician's charges for such service furnished in the year or other period.
(vii) In the case of a nonparticipating physician who was a participating physician during a previous period, for the purpose of computing the physician's maximum allowable actual charge during the physician's period of nonparticipation, the physician shall be deemed to have had a maximum allowable actual charge during the period of participation, and such deemed maximum allowable actual charge shall be determined according to clauses (i) through (vi).
(viii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subparagraph, the maximum allowable actual charge for a particular physician's service furnished by a nonparticipating physician to individuals enrolled under this part during the 3-month period beginning on January 1, 1988, shall be the amount determined under this subparagraph for 1987. The maximum allowable actual charge for any such service otherwise determined under this subparagraph for 1988 shall take effect on April 1, 1988.
(ix) If there is a reduction under subsection (b)(13) of this section in the reasonable charge for medical direction furnished by a nonparticipating physician, the maximum allowable actual charge otherwise permitted under this subsection for such services shall be reduced in the same manner and in the same percentage as the reduction in such reasonable charge.
(D)(i) If an action described in clause (ii) results in a reduction in a reasonable charge for a physicians' service or item and a nonparticipating physician furnishes the service or item to an individual entitled to benefits under this part after the effective date of such action, the physician may not charge the individual more than 125 percent of the reduced payment allowance (as defined in clause (iii)) plus (for services or items furnished during the 12-month period (or 9-month period in the case of an action described in clause (ii)(II)) beginning on the effective date of the action) ½ of the amount by which the physician's maximum allowable actual charge for the service or item for the previous 12-month period exceeds such 125 percent level.
(ii) The first sentence of clause (i) shall apply to—
(I) an adjustment under subsection (b)(8)(B) of this section (relating to inherent reasonableness),
(II) a reduction under subsection (b)(10)(A) or (b)(14)(A) of this section (relating to certain overpriced procedures),
(III) a reduction under subsection (b)(11)(B) of this section (relating to certain cataract procedures),
(IV) a prevailing charge limit established under subsection (b)(11)(C)(i) or (b)(15)(A) of this section,
(V) a reasonable charge limit established under subsection (b)(11)(C)(ii) of this section, and
(VI) an adjustment under
(iii) In clause (i), the term "reduced payment allowance" means, with respect to an action—
(I) under subsection (b)(8)(B) of this section, the inherently reasonable charge established under subsection (b)(8) of this section;
(II) under subsection (b)(10)(A), (b)(11)(B), (b)(11)(C)(i), (b)(14)(A), or (b)(15)(A) of this section or under
(III) under subsection (b)(11)(C)(ii) of this section, the payment allowance established under such subsection.
(iv) If a physician knowingly and willfully bills in violation of clause (i) (whether or not such charge violates subparagraph (B)), the Secretary may apply sanctions against such physician in accordance with paragraph (2).
(v) Clause (i) shall not apply to items and services furnished after December 31, 1990.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the sanctions which the Secretary may apply under this paragraph are—
(A) excluding a physician from participation in the programs under this chapter for a period not to exceed 5 years, in accordance with the procedures of subsections (c), (f), and (g) of
(B) civil monetary penalties and assessments, in the same manner as such penalties and assessments are authorized under
or both. The provisions of
(3)(A) The Secretary may not exclude a physician pursuant to paragraph (2)(A) if such physician is a sole community physician or sole source of essential specialized services in a community.
(B) The Secretary shall take into account access of beneficiaries to physicians' services for which payment may be made under this part in determining whether to bar a physician from participation under paragraph (2)(A).
(4) The Secretary may, out of any civil monetary penalty or assessment collected from a physician pursuant to this subsection, make a payment to a beneficiary enrolled under this part in the nature of restitution for amounts paid by such beneficiary to such physician which was determined to be an excess charge under paragraph (1).
(k) Sanctions for billing for services of assistant at cataract operations
(1) If a physician knowingly and willfully presents or causes to be presented a claim or bills an individual enrolled under this part for charges for services as an assistant at surgery for which payment may not be made by reason of
(2) If a physician knowingly and willfully presents or causes to be presented a claim or bills an individual enrolled under this part for charges that includes a charge for an assistant at surgery for which payment may not be made by reason of
(l) Prohibition of unassigned billing of services determined to be medically unnecessary by carrier
(1)(A) Subject to subparagraph (C), if—
(i) a nonparticipating physician furnishes services to an individual enrolled for benefits under this part,
(ii) payment for such services is not accepted on an assignment-related basis,
(iii)(I) a medicare administrative contractor determines under this part or a peer review organization determines under part B of subchapter XI of this chapter that payment may not be made by reason of
(iv) the physician has collected any amounts for such services,
the physician shall refund on a timely basis to the individual (and shall be liable to the individual for) any amounts so collected.
(B) A refund under subparagraph (A) is considered to be on a timely basis only if—
(i) in the case of a physician who does not request reconsideration or seek appeal on a timely basis, the refund is made within 30 days after the date the physician receives a denial notice under paragraph (2), or
(ii) in the case in which such a reconsideration or appeal is taken, the refund is made within 15 days after the date the physician receives notice of an adverse determination on reconsideration or appeal.
(C) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to the furnishing of a service by a physician to an individual in the case described in subparagraph (A)(iii)(I) if—
(i) the physician establishes that the physician did not know and could not reasonably have been expected to know that payment may not be made for the service by reason of
(ii) before the service was provided, the individual was informed that payment under this part may not be made for the specific service and the individual has agreed to pay for that service.
(2) Each medicare administrative contractor with a contract in effect under this section with respect to physicians and each peer review organization with a contract under part B of subchapter XI of this chapter shall send any notice of denial of payment for physicians' services based on
(3) If a physician knowingly and willfully fails to make refunds in violation of paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary may apply sanctions against such physician in accordance with subsection (j)(2) of this section.
(m) Disclosure of information of unassigned claims for certain physicians' services
(1) In the case of a nonparticipating physician who—
(A) performs an elective surgical procedure for an individual enrolled for benefits under this part and for which the physician's actual charge is at least $500, and
(B) does not accept payment for such procedure on an assignment-related basis,
the physician must disclose to the individual, in writing and in a form approved by the Secretary, the physician's estimated actual charge for the procedure, the estimated approved charge under this part for the procedure, the excess of the physician's actual charge over the approved charge, and the coinsurance amount applicable to the procedure. The written estimate may not be used as the basis for, or evidence in, a civil suit.
(2) A physician who fails to make a disclosure required under paragraph (1) with respect to a procedure shall refund on a timely basis to the individual (and shall be liable to the individual for) any amounts collected for the procedure in excess of the charges recognized and approved under this part.
(3) If a physician knowingly and willfully fails to comply with paragraph (2), the Secretary may apply sanctions against such physician in accordance with subsection (j)(2) of this section.
(4) The Secretary shall provide for such monitoring of requests for payment for physicians' services to which paragraph (1) applies as is necessary to assure compliance with paragraph (2).
(n) Elimination of markup for certain purchased services
(1) If a physician's bill or a request for payment for services billed by a physician includes a charge for a diagnostic test described in
(A) If the bill or request for payment indicates that the test was performed by a supplier, identifies the supplier, and indicates the amount the supplier charged the billing physician, payment for the test (less the applicable deductible and coinsurance amounts) shall be the actual acquisition costs (net of any discounts) or, if lower, the supplier's reasonable charge (or other applicable limit) for the test.
(B) If the bill or request for payment (i) does not indicate who performed the test, or (ii) indicates that the test was performed by a supplier but does not identify the supplier or include the amount charged by the supplier, no payment shall be made under this part.
(2) A physician may not bill an individual enrolled under this part—
(A) any amount other than the payment amount specified in paragraph (1)(A) and any applicable deductible and coinsurance for a diagnostic test for which payment is made pursuant to paragraph (1)(A), or
(B) any amount for a diagnostic test for which payment may not be made pursuant to paragraph (1)(B).
(3) If a physician knowingly and willfully in repeated cases bills one or more individuals in violation of paragraph (2), the Secretary may apply sanctions against such physician in accordance with subsection (j)(2) of this section.
(o) Reimbursement for drugs and biologicals
(1) If a physician's, supplier's, or any other person's bill or request for payment for services includes a charge for a drug or biological for which payment may be made under this part and the drug or biological is not paid on a cost or prospective payment basis as otherwise provided in this part, the amount payable for the drug or biological is equal to the following:
(A) In the case of any of the following drugs or biologicals, 95 percent of the average wholesale price:
(i) A drug or biological furnished before January 1, 2004.
(ii) Blood clotting factors furnished during 2004.
(iii) A drug or biological furnished during 2004 that was not available for payment under this part as of April 1, 2003.
(iv) A vaccine described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of
(v) A drug or biological furnished during 2004 in connection with the furnishing of renal dialysis services if separately billed by renal dialysis facilities.
(B) In the case of a drug or biological furnished during 2004 that is not described in—
(i) clause (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v) of subparagraph (A),
(ii) subparagraph (D)(i), or
(iii) subparagraph (F),
the amount determined under paragraph (4).
(C) In the case of a drug or biological that is not described in subparagraph (A)(iv), (D)(i), or (F) furnished on or after January 1, 2005, the amount provided under
(D)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), in the case of infusion drugs furnished through an item of durable medical equipment covered under
(ii) In the case of such infusion drugs furnished in a competitive acquisition area under
(E) In the case of a drug or biological, consisting of intravenous immune globulin, furnished—
(i) in 2004, the amount of payment provided under paragraph (4); and
(ii) in 2005 and subsequent years, the amount of payment provided under
(F) In the case of blood and blood products (other than blood clotting factors), the amount of payment shall be determined in the same manner as such amount of payment was determined on October 1, 2003.
(G) In the case of inhalation drugs or biologicals furnished through durable medical equipment covered under
(i) in 2004, the amount provided under paragraph (4) for the drug or biological; and
(ii) in 2005 and subsequent years, the amount provided under
(2) If payment for a drug or biological is made to a licensed pharmacy approved to dispense drugs or biologicals under this part, the Secretary may pay a dispensing fee (less the applicable deductible and coinsurance amounts) to the pharmacy. This paragraph shall not apply in the case of payment under paragraph (1)(C).
(3)(A) Payment for a charge for any drug or biological for which payment may be made under this part may be made only on an assignment-related basis.
(B) The provisions of subsection (b)(18)(B) of this section shall apply to charges for such drugs or biologicals in the same manner as they apply to services furnished by a practitioner described in subsection (b)(18)(C) of this section.
(4)(A) Subject to the succeeding provisions of this paragraph, the amount of payment for a drug or biological under this paragraph furnished in 2004 is equal to 85 percent of the average wholesale price (determined as of April 1, 2003) for the drug or biological.
(B) The Secretary shall substitute for the percentage under subparagraph (A) for a drug or biological the percentage that would apply to the drug or biological under the column entitled "Average of GAO and OIG data (percent)" in the table entitled "Table 3.—Medicare Part B Drugs in the Most Recent GAO and OIG Studies" published on August 20, 2003, in the Federal Register (68 Fed. Reg. 50445).
(C)(i) The Secretary may substitute for the percentage under subparagraph (A) a percentage that is based on data and information submitted by the manufacturer of the drug or biological by October 15, 2003.
(ii) The Secretary may substitute for the percentage under subparagraph (A) with respect to drugs and biologicals furnished during 2004 on or after April 1, 2004, a percentage that is based on data and information submitted by the manufacturer of the drug or biological after October 15, 2003, and before January 1, 2004.
(D) In no case may the percentage substituted under subparagraph (B) or (C) be less than 80 percent.
(5)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), in the case of clotting factors furnished on or after January 1, 2005, the Secretary shall, after reviewing the January 2003 report to Congress by the Comptroller General of the United States entitled "Payment for Blood Clotting Factor Exceeds Providers Acquisition Cost", provide for a separate payment, to the entity which furnishes to the patient blood clotting factors, for items and services related to the furnishing of such factors in an amount that the Secretary determines to be appropriate. Such payment amount may take into account any or all of the following:
(i) The mixing (if appropriate) and delivery of factors to an individual, including special inventory management and storage requirements.
(ii) Ancillary supplies and patient training necessary for the self-administration of such factors.
(B) In determining the separate payment amount under subparagraph (A) for blood clotting factors furnished in 2005, the Secretary shall ensure that the total amount of payments under this part (as estimated by the Secretary) for such factors under paragraph (1)(C) and such separate payments for such factors does not exceed the total amount of payments that would have been made for such factors under this part (as estimated by the Secretary) if the amendments made by section 303 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 had not been enacted.
(C) The separate payment amount under this subparagraph for blood clotting factors furnished in 2006 or a subsequent year shall be equal to the separate payment amount determined under this paragraph for the previous year increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for medical care for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year.
(6) In the case of an immunosuppressive drug described in subparagraph (J) of
(7) There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(p) Requiring submission of diagnostic information
(1) Each request for payment, or bill submitted, for an item or service furnished by a physician or practitioner specified in subsection (b)(18)(C) of this section for which payment may be made under this part shall include the appropriate diagnosis code (or codes) as established by the Secretary for such item or service.
(2) In the case of a request for payment for an item or service furnished by a physician or practitioner specified in subsection (b)(18)(C) of this section on an assignment-related basis which does not include the code (or codes) required under paragraph (1), payment may be denied under this part.
(3) In the case of a request for payment for an item or service furnished by a physician not submitted on an assignment-related basis and which does not include the code (or codes) required under paragraph (1)—
(A) if the physician knowingly and willfully fails to provide the code (or codes) promptly upon request of the Secretary or a medicare administrative contractor, the physician may be subject to a civil money penalty in an amount not to exceed $2,000, and
(B) if the physician knowingly, willfully, and in repeated cases fails, after being notified by the Secretary of the obligations and requirements of this subsection, to include the code (or codes) required under paragraph (1), the physician may be subject to the sanction described in subsection (j)(2)(A) of this section.
The provisions of
(4) In the case of an item or service defined in paragraph (3), (6), (8), or (9) of sub
(q) Anesthesia services; counting actual time units
(1)(A) The Secretary, in consultation with groups representing physicians who furnish anesthesia services, shall establish by regulation a relative value guide for use in all localities in making payment for physician anesthesia services furnished under this part. Such guide shall be designed so as to result in expenditures under this subchapter for such services in an amount that would not exceed the amount of such expenditures which would otherwise occur.
(B) For physician anesthesia services furnished under this part during 1991, the prevailing charge conversion factor used in a locality under this subsection shall, subject to clause (iv), be reduced to the adjusted prevailing charge conversion factor for the locality determined as follows:
(i) The Secretary shall estimate the national weighted average of the prevailing charge conversion factors used under this subsection for services furnished during 1990 after March 31, using the best available data.
(ii) The national weighted average estimated under clause (i) shall be reduced by 7 percent.
(iii) The adjusted prevailing charge conversion factor for a locality is the sum of—
(I) the product of (a) the portion of the reduced national weighted average prevailing charge conversion factor computed under clause (ii) which is attributable to physician work and (b) the geographic work index value for the locality (specified in Addendum C to the Model Fee Schedule for Physician Services (published on September 4, 1990, 55 Federal Register pp. 36238–36243)); and
(II) the product of (a) the remaining portion of the reduced national weighted average prevailing charge conversion factor computed under clause (ii) and (b) the geographic practice cost index value specified in subsection (b)(14)(C)(iv) of this section for the locality.
In applying this clause, 70 percent of the prevailing charge conversion factor shall be considered to be attributable to physician work.
(iv) The prevailing charge conversion factor to be applied to a locality under this subparagraph shall not be reduced by more than 15 percent below the prevailing charge conversion factor applied in the locality for the period during 1990 after March 31, but in no case shall the prevailing charge conversion factor be less than 60 percent of the national weighted average of the prevailing charge conversion factors (computed under clause (i)).
(2) For purposes of payment for anesthesia services (whether furnished by physicians or by certified registered nurse anesthetists) under this part, the time units shall be counted based on actual time rather than rounded to full time units.
(r) Establishment of physician identification system
The Secretary shall establish a system which provides for a unique identifier for each physician who furnishes services for which payment may be made under this subchapter. Under such system, the Secretary may impose appropriate fees on such physicians to cover the costs of investigation and recertification activities with respect to the issuance of the identifiers.
(s) Application of fee schedule
(1)(A) Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary may implement a statewide or other areawide fee schedule to be used for payment of any item or service described in paragraph (2) which is paid on a reasonable charge basis.
(B) Any fee schedule established under this paragraph for such item or service shall be updated—
(i) for years before 2011—
(I) subject to subclause (II), by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the preceding year; and
(II) for items and services described in paragraph (2)(D) for 2009,
(ii) for 2011 and subsequent years—
(I) the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year, reduced by—
(II) the productivity adjustment described in
The application of subparagraph (B)(ii)(II) may result in the update under this paragraph being less than 0.0 for a year, and may result in payment rates under any fee schedule established under this paragraph for a year being less than such payment rates for the preceding year.
(2) The items and services described in this paragraph are as follows:
(A) Medical supplies.
(B) Home dialysis supplies and equipment (as defined in
(C) Repealed.
(D) Parenteral and enteral nutrients, equipment, and supplies.
(E) Electromyogram devices.
(F) Salivation devices.
(G) Blood products.
(H) Transfusion medicine.
(3) In the case of items and services described in paragraph (2)(D) that are included in a competitive acquisition program in a competitive acquisition area under
(A) the payment basis under this subsection for such items and services furnished in such area shall be the payment basis determined under such competitive acquisition program; and
(B) the Secretary may use information on the payment determined under such competitive acquisition programs to adjust the payment amount otherwise applicable under paragraph (1) for an area that is not a competitive acquisition area under
(t) Facility provider number required on claims
Each request for payment, or bill submitted, for an item or service furnished to an individual who is a resident of a skilled nursing facility for which payment may be made under this part shall include the facility's medicare provider number.
(u) Reporting of anemia quality indicators for cancer anti-anemia drugs
Each request for payment, or bill submitted, for a drug furnished to an individual for the treatment of anemia in connection with the treatment of cancer shall include (in a form and manner specified by the Secretary) information on the hemoglobin or hematocrit levels for the individual.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1842, as added
References in Text
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (b)(14)(A)(ii), is
Part B of subchapter XI of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (l)(1)(A)(iii), (2), is classified to
Section 303 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, referred to in subsec. (o)(5)(B), is section 303 of
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
Subsec. (h)(9).
Subsec. (s)(1).
"(A) for 2009
"(B) for 2014, if subparagraph (A) is applied to the items and services and there has not been a payment adjustment under paragraph (3)(B) for the items and services for any previous year, the percentage increase computed under
2008—Subsec. (b)(6)(D)(iii).
Subsec. (s)(1).
2007—Subsec. (b)(6)(D)(iii).
2006—Subsec. (b)(6)(H).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (u).
2003—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A), (B).
Subsec. (b)(2)(C).
Subsec. (b)(2)(D), (E).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C) to (E).
Subsec. (b)(3)(F).
Subsec. (b)(3)(G).
Subsec. (b)(3)(H).
Subsec. (b)(3)(H)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(I).
Subsec. (b)(3)(L).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (b)(6)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(6)(D)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(7).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (c)(5), (6).
Subsec. (d) to (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (h)(3)(A).
Subsec. (h)(3)(B).
Subsec. (h)(5)(A), (B)(iii).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (l)(1)(A)(iii), (2).
Subsec. (o)(1).
Subsec. (o)(1)(G).
Subsec. (o)(2).
Subsec. (o)(4).
Subsec. (o)(5), (6).
Subsec. (o)(7).
Subsec. (p)(3)(A).
Subsec. (q)(1)(A).
Subsec. (s)(1).
Subsec. (s)(2)(C).
Subsec. (s)(3).
2000—Subsec. (b)(6)(C).
Subsec. (b)(6)(E).
Subsec. (b)(6)(G).
Subsec. (b)(18)(C)(vi).
Subsec. (o)(3).
Subsec. (t).
1999—Subsec. (b)(6)(F).
Subsec. (b)(8)(A)(i)(I).
Subsec. (s)(2)(E).
1997—Subsec. (b)(2)(E).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (b)(6)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(6)(C).
Subsec. (b)(6)(E).
Subsec. (b)(6)(F).
Subsec. (b)(8), (9).
Subsec. (b)(12).
"(12)(A) With respect to services described in clauses (i), (ii), or (iv) of
"(i) payment under this part may only be made on an assignment-related basis; and
"(ii) the prevailing charges determined under paragraph (3) shall not exceed—
"(I) in the case of services performed as an assistant at surgery, 65 percent of the amount that would otherwise be recognized if performed by a physician who is serving as an assistant at surgery, or
"(II) in other cases, the applicable percentage (as defined in subparagraph (B)) of the prevailing charge rate determined for such services (or, for services furnished on or after January 1, 1992, the fee schedule amount specified in
"(B) In subparagraph (A)(ii)(II), the term 'applicable percentage' means—
"(i) 75 percent in the case of services performed (other than as an assistant at surgery) in a hospital, and
"(ii) 85 percent in the case of other services."
Subsec. (b)(19).
Subsec. (h)(8).
Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (p)(1), (2).
Subsec. (p)(4).
Subsec. (s).
Subsec. (t).
1996—Subsec. (c)(6).
Subsec. (r).
1994—Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(D).
Subsec. (b)(3)(G).
Subsec. (b)(3)(H).
Subsec. (b)(3)(I).
Subsec. (b)(6)(D).
Subsec. (b)(12)(C).
Subsec. (b)(16)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(17).
Subsec. (b)(18).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (c)(5).
Subsec. (h)(7)(C).
Subsec. (h)(7)(D).
Subsec. (q)(1).
Subsec. (q)(1)(B).
Subsec. (q)(1)(B)(iii).
1993—Subsec. (b)(4)(F).
Subsec. (b)(13)(A).
"(i) 10 percent, in the case of medical direction of 2 nurse anesthetists concurrently,
"(ii) 25 percent, in the case of medical direction of 3 nurse anesthetists concurrently, and
"(iii) 40 percent, in the case of medical direction of 4 nurse anesthetists concurrently."
Subsec. (b)(13)(B), (C).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B).
"(i) with respect to claims received in the 3-month period beginning July 1, 1988, 10 days, and
"(ii) with respect to claims received in the 12-month period beginning October 1, 1988, 14 days."
Subsec. (i)(2).
1990—Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3)(G).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(vi).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(4)(E)(iv)(I).
Subsec. (b)(4)(E)(v).
Subsec. (b)(4)(F).
Subsec. (b)(4)(F)(i).
Subsec. (b)(4)(F)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (b)(6)(C).
Subsec. (b)(6)(D).
Subsec. (b)(12)(A).
Subsec. (b)(12)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (b)(12)(C).
Subsec. (b)(13)(A), (B).
Subsec. (b)(14)(A).
Subsec. (b)(14)(B)(iii)(I).
Subsec. (b)(14)(B)(iii)(II).
Subsec. (b)(14)(C)(i).
Subsec. (b)(14)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(14)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(16).
Subsec. (b)(18).
Subsec. (q)(1).
Subsec. (r).
1989—Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(C).
Subsec. (b)(3)(G).
Subsec. (b)(3)(I) to (K).
Subsec. (b)(3)(L).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(4)(E)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(4)(F).
Subsec. (b)(6)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(6)(C).
Subsec. (b)(12)(A).
Subsec. (b)(12)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (b)(14).
Subsec. (b)(15).
Subsecs. (c)(1)(A), (2)(A), (3)(A), (4), (f)(3), (h)(1), (2), (4).
Subsec. (j)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (j)(1)(C)(vii).
Subsec. (j)(1)(D)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (j)(1)(D)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (j)(1)(D)(iii)(II).
Subsec. (j)(1)(D)(v).
Subsec. (j)(2).
Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (q).
1988—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(I).
Subsec. (b)(3)(J).
Subsec. (b)(3)(K).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(iv)(II).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(vi).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(vii).
Subsec. (b)(4)(E).
Subsec. (b)(4)(F).
Subsec. (b)(4)(F)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (b)(4)(F)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(4)(G).
Subsec. (b)(7)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(10)(A)(i).
Subsec. (b)(10)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(10)(B).
Subsec. (b)(10)(D).
Subsec. (b)(11)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(11)(C)(i).
Subsec. (b)(11)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(12)(C).
Subsec. (b)(13), (14).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A), (3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (h)(1).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (h)(3)(B).
Subsec. (h)(4).
Subsec. (h)(5).
Subsec. (h)(7).
Subsec. (h)(8).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (i)(2), (3).
Subsec. (i)(3).
Subsec. (i)(4).
Subsec. (j)(1)(C)(i).
Subsec. (j)(1)(C)(viii).
Subsec. (j)(1)(C)(ix).
Subsec. (j)(1)(D)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (j)(1)(D)(ii)(V).
Subsec. (j)(1)(D)(iii).
Subsec. (j)(1)(D)(iv).
Subsec. (j)(2).
Subsec. (l)(1)(C)(i).
Subsec. (n)(1).
Subsec. (n)(1)(A).
Subsec. (n)(2)(A).
Subsec. (n)(3).
Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (o)(1)(A)(i).
Subsec. (o)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (p).
1987—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(v).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(vi).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(vii).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(4)(E).
Subsec. (b)(4)(F).
Subsec. (b)(4)(G).
Subsec. (b)(7)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(10).
Subsec. (b)(11)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(11)(C).
"(ii) In clause (i), the term 'limiting charge' means, with respect to a service, 125 percent of the prevailing charge for the service after the reduction referred to in clause (i).
"(iii) If a physician knowingly and willfully imposes charges in violation of clause (i), the Secretary may apply sanctions against such physician in accordance with subsection (j)(2) of this section.
"(iv) This subparagraph shall not apply to services furnished after the earlier of (I) December 31, 1990, or (II) one-year after the date the Secretary reports to Congress, under
Subsec. (b)(11)(D).
Subsec. (b)(12)(C).
Subsec. (b)(14).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (h)(3).
Subsec. (h)(5).
Subsec. (h)(7).
Subsec. (h)(8).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (i)(2), (3).
Subsec. (i)(4).
Subsec. (j)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (j)(1)(C)(i).
Subsec. (j)(1)(C)(v).
Subsec. (j)(1)(C)(vi).
Subsec. (j)(1)(C)(vii).
Subsec. (j)(1)(C)(viii).
Subsec. (j)(1)(C)(ix).
Subsec. (j)(1)(D).
Subsec. (j)(1)(D)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (j)(1)(D)(ii)(V), (VI).
Subsec. (j)(1)(D)(iii).
Subsec. (j)(2).
Subsec. (j)(3)(A).
Subsec. (k)(1), (2).
Subsec. (l)(1)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (l)(1)(C).
Subsec. (l)(1)(C)(i).
Subsec. (n).
1986—Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C).
Subsec. (b)(3)(F).
Subsec. (b)(3)(G).
Subsec. (b)(3)(H).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(i), (ii).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(iv), (v).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B).
Subsec. (b)(4)(C).
Subsec. (b)(4)(D)(i) to (iii).
Subsec. (b)(4)(D)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(4)(E).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (b)(7)(B)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (b)(7)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(8).
Subsec. (b)(9).
Subsec. (b)(10).
Subsec. (b)(11).
Subsec. (b)(12).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (h)(1).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (h)(4).
Subsec. (h)(5).
Subsec. (h)(6).
Subsec. (h)(7), (8).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (i)(3).
Subsec. (i)(4).
Subsec. (j)(1).
Subsec. (j)(2).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l).
Subsec. (m).
1984—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (b)(3)(F).
Subsec. (b)(4), (5).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (b)(7).
Subsec. (b)(7)(A).
Subsec. (b)(7)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(7)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(7)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(7)(B)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (b)(7)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (h).
Subsecs. (i), (j).
1982—Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(6)(D).
1981—Subsec. (b)(3).
1980—Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(3)(F).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (h).
1977—Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(5).
1976—Subsec. (b)(3).
1975—Subsec. (b)(3).
1974—Subsec. (g).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (g).
1968—Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
Change of Name
Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives treated as referring to Committee on Commerce of House of Representatives by section 1(a) of
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by section 6404(a)(2)(A) of
Amendment by section 6406(a) of
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by section 154(a)(2)(B) of
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by section 5202(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by section 627(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 911(c) of
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title I, §105(d)] of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title III, §321(k)(4)] of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4201(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 4205(d)(3)(B) of
Section 4302(c) of
Amendment by section 4315(a) of
Amendment by section 4316(a) of
Section 4317(c) of
Amendment by section 4432(b)(2), (4) of
Amendment by section 4512(b)(2), (c) of
Amendment by section 4556(a) of
Amendment by section 4603(c)(2)(B)(i) of
Amendment by section 4611(d) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 123(b)(1), (2)(B) of
Section 123(f)(3), (4) of
"(3)
"(4)
Section 125(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 126(a)(1), (c), (e), (g)(9) of
Section 126(h)(2) of
Section 135(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 151(b)(1)(B), (2)(B) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13515(d) of
Amendment by section 13568(a), (b) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4105(b)(3) of
Section 4106(d) of
"(1) The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section and provisions set out below] apply to services furnished after 1990, except that—
"(A) the provisions concerning the third and fourth years of practice apply only to physicians' services furnished after 1990 and 1991, respectively, and
"(B) the provisions concerning the second, third, and fourth years of practice apply only to services of a health care practitioner furnished after 1991, 1992, and 1993, respectively.
"(2) The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section and
Section 4108(b) of
Section 4110(b) of
Section 4118(a)(3) of
Section 4118(f)(2)(A) of
Section 4118(f)(2)(B) of
Amendment by section 4155(c) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendments
Section 6102(e)(3) of
Section 6106(b) of
Section 6108(a)(2) of
"(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] apply to services furnished in 1990 or 1991 which were subject to the first sentence of section 1842(b)(4)(F) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b)(4)(F) of this section] in 1989 or 1990.
"(B) The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall not apply to services furnished in 1990 before April 1, 1990. With respect to physicians' services furnished during 1990 on and after April 1, such amendments shall be applied as though any reference, in the matter inserted by such amendments, to the 'first calendar year during which the preceding sentence no longer applies' were deemed a reference to the remainder of 1990."
Section 6108(b)(3) of
Section 6114(f) of
Amendment by section 6202(d)(2) of
Amendment by section 201(a) of
Section 301(e) of
"(1) the repeal of section 421 of MCCA [
"(2) the amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section and
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 202(m) of
"(1) [Repealed. Prior to repeal by
"(2) [Repealed. Prior to repeal by
"(3) [Repealed. Prior to repeal by
"(4)
"(5) [Repealed. Prior to repeal by
[Amendment of section 202(m) of
Section 223(d)(2), (3) of
"(2) The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to annual notices beginning with 1989.
"(3) The amendments made by subsection (c) [amending this section] shall first apply to explanations of benefits provided for items and services furnished on or after January 1, 1989."
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendments
Amendment by section 4031(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 4035(a)(2) of
Section 4044(b) of
Section 4045(d) of
Section 4046(b) of
Section 4047(b) of
Section 4051(c) of
"(1) The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to diagnostic tests performed on or after April 1, 1988.
"(2) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall complete the review and make an appropriate adjustment of prevailing charge levels under subsection (b) [set out below] for items and services furnished no later than January 1, 1989."
Section 4053(b), formerly §4052(b), of
Section 4054(c), formerly §4053(c), of
Amendment by section 4063(a) of
Section 4081(c)(1) of
Section 4082(e)(3) of
Section 4085(g)(2) of
Section 4085(i)(7) of
Amendment by section 4096(a)(1) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Section 1895(b)(16)(B) of
Amendment by section 1895(b)(14)(A), (15) of
Section 9307(c)(2) of
Amendment by section 9311(c) of
Amendment by section 9320(e)(3) of
Section 9331(a)(4) of
Section 9331(b)(4) of
Section 9331(c)(3)(B) of
Section 9332(a)(4)(A) of
Section 9332(b)(3) of
Section 9332(c)(2) of
Section 9332(d)(2) of
Section 9333(d) of
Section 9334(c) of
Amendment by section 9338(b), (c) of
Amendment by section 9341(a)(2) of
Section 9219(b)(1)(D) of
Section 9219(b)(2)(B) of
Section 9301(b)(4) of
Section 9301(c)(5) of
Section 9301(d)(4) of
Section 9306(b) of
Amendment by section 9307(c) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 2303(e) of
Section 2306(b)(2) of
Section 2307(a)(3) of
Amendment by section 2326(d)(2) of
Amendment by section 2354(b)(13), (14) of
Amendment by section 2663(j)(2)(F)(iv) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Section 104(b) of
Section 113(b)(1) of
Amendment by section 128(d)(1) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Section 918(a)(2) of
Section 946(c) of
Section 948(c)(2) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Section 4 of
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by section 211(c)(3) of
Amendment by section 227(e)(3) of
Section 236(c) of
Section 258(b) of
Section 262(b) of
Amendment by section 263(d)(5) of
Amendment by section 281(d) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Section 125(b) of
Transfer of Functions
Physician Payment Review Commission (PPRC) was terminated and its assets and staff transferred to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) by section 4022(c)(2), (3) of
Linkage of Revised Drug Payments and Increases for Drug Administration
Continuation of Payment Methodology for Radiopharmaceuticals
Implementation of 2003 Amendment
Application of 2003 Amendment to Physician Specialties
Issuance of Temporary National Codes
Revised Part B Payment for Drugs and Biologicals and Related Services
"(a)
"(1)
"(A)
"(i) identify the average prices at which such drugs and biologicals are acquired by physicians and other suppliers;
"(ii) quantify the difference between such average prices and the reimbursement amount under such section; and
"(iii) determine the extent to which (if any) payment under such part is adequate to compensate physicians, providers of services, or other suppliers of such drugs and biologicals for costs incurred in the administration, handling, or storage of such drugs or biologicals.
"(B)
"(2)
"(3)
"(A)
"(i) proposals to make adjustments under subsection (c) of section 1848 of the Social Security Act (
"(ii) proposals for new payments to providers of services or suppliers for such costs, if appropriate.
"(B)
"(C)
"(i) the method and amount of reimbursement for similar drugs and biologicals made by large group health plans;
"(ii) as a result of any revised payment methodology, the potential for patients to receive inpatient or outpatient hospital services in lieu of services in a physician's office; and
"(iii) the effect of any revised payment methodology on the delivery of drug therapies by hospital outpatient departments.
"(D)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(c)
Implementation of Inherent Reasonableness (IR) Authority
"(a)
"(1) the Comptroller General of the United States releases a report pursuant to the request for such a report made on March 1, 1999, regarding the impact of the Secretary's, fiscal intermediaries', and carriers' use of such authority; and
"(2) the Secretary has published a notice of final rulemaking in the Federal Register that relates to such authority and that responds to such report and to comments received in response to the Secretary's interim final regulation relating to such authority that was published in the Federal Register on January 7, 1998.
"(b)
"(1) reevaluate the appropriateness of the criteria included in such interim final regulation for identifying payments which are excessive or deficient; and
"(2) take appropriate steps to ensure the use of valid and reliable data when exercising such authority."
Initial Budget Neutrality
Section 4315(d) of
Improvements in Administration of Laboratory Tests Benefit
Section 4554 of
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) divide the United States into no more than 5 regions, and
"(B) designate a single carrier for each such region, for the purpose of payment of claims under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this part] with respect to clinical diagnostic laboratory tests furnished on or after such date (not later than July 1, 1999) as the Secretary specifies.
"(2)
"(A) a carrier's timeliness, quality, and experience in claims processing, and
"(B) a carrier's capacity to conduct electronic data interchange with laboratories and data matches with other carriers.
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) Beneficiary information required to be submitted with each claim or order for laboratory tests.
"(B) The medical conditions for which a laboratory test is reasonable and necessary (within the meaning of section 1862(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act [
"(C) The appropriate use of procedure codes in billing for a laboratory test, including the unbundling of laboratory services.
"(D) The medical documentation that is required by a medicare contractor at the time a claim is submitted for a laboratory test in accordance with section 1833(e) of the Social Security Act [
"(E) Recordkeeping requirements in addition to any information required to be submitted with a claim, including physicians' obligations regarding such requirements.
"(F) Procedures for filing claims and for providing remittances by electronic media.
"(G) Limitation on frequency of coverage for the same tests performed on the same individual.
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
"(7)
"(c)
Wholesale Price Study and Report
Budget Neutrality Adjustment
Section 13515(b) of
"(1) The relative values established under section 1848(c) of such Act [
"(2) The amounts determined under section 1848(a)(2)(B)(ii)(I) of such Act.
"(3) The prevailing charges or fee schedule amounts to be applied under such part for services of a health care practitioner (as defined in section 1842(b)(4)(F)(ii)(I) of such Act [subsec. (b)(4)(F)(ii)(I) of this section], as in effect before the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 1993])."
Procedure Codes
Section 4101(b)(2) of
"(A) The codes for the procedures specified in clause (ii) are as follows: Hospital inpatient medical services (HCPCS codes 90200 through 90292), consultations (HCPCS codes 90600 through 90654), other visits (HCPCS code 90699), preventive medicine visits (HCPCS codes 90750 through 90764), psychiatric services (HCPCS codes 90801 through 90862), emergency care facility services (HCPCS codes 99062 through 99065), and critical care services (HCPCS codes 99160 through 99174).
"(B) The codes for the procedures specified in clause (iii) are as follows: Partial mastectomy (HCPCS code 19160); tendon sheath injections and small joint arthrocentesis (HCPCS codes 20550, 20600, 20605, and 20610); femoral fracture and trochanteric fracture treatments (HCPCS codes 27230, 27232, 27234, 27238, 27240, 27242, 27246, and 27248); endotracheal intubation (HCPCS code 31500); thoracentesis (HCPCS code 32000); thoracostomy (HCPCS codes 32020, 32035, and 32036); aneurysm repair (HCPCS codes 35111); cystourethroscopy (HCPCS code 52340); transurethral fulguration and resection (HCPCS codes 52606 and 52620); tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy (HCPCS code 69645); and ophthalmoscopy (HCPCS codes 92250 and 92260)."
Study of Release of Prepayment Medical Review Screen Parameters
Section 4111 of
Freeze in Charges for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrients, Supplies, and Equipment
Section 13541 of
Section 4152(d) of
Prohibition on Regulations Changing Coverage of Conventional Eyewear
Section 4153(b)(1) of
"(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law (except as provided in subparagraph (B)) the Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this subsection as the 'Secretary') may not issue any regulation that changes the coverage of conventional eyewear furnished to individuals (enrolled under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this part]) following cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular lens.
"(B) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any regulation issued for the sole purpose of implementing the amendments made by paragraph (2)."
Directory of Unique Physician Identifier Numbers
Section 4164(c) of
Treatment of Certain Eye Examination Visits as Primary Care Services
Section 6102(e)(10) of
Delay in Update Until April 1, 1990, and Reduction in Percentage Increase in Medicare Economic Index
Section 6107(a) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(A) subject to the last sentence of this paragraph, each participation agreement in effect on December 31, 1989, under section 1842(h)(1) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (h)(1) of this section] shall remain in effect for the 3-month period beginning on January 1, 1990;
"(B) the effective period for such agreements under such section entered into for 1990 shall be the 9-month period beginning on April 1, 1990, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide an opportunity for physicians and suppliers to enroll as participating physicians and suppliers before April 1, 1990;
"(C) instead of publishing, under section 1842(h)(4) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (h)(4) of this section], at the beginning of 1990, directories of participating physicians and suppliers for 1990, the Secretary shall provide for such publication, at the beginning of the 9-month period beginning on April 1, 1990, of such directories of participating physicians and suppliers for such period; and
"(D) instead of providing to nonparticipating physicians under section 1842(b)(3)(G) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b)(3)(G) of this section] at the beginning of 1990, a list of maximum allowable actual charges for 1990, the Secretary shall provide, at the beginning of the 9-month period beginning on April 1, 1990, such physicians such a list for such 9-month period.
An agreement with a participating physician or supplier described in subparagraph (A) in effect on December 31, 1989, under section 1842(h)(1) of the Social Security Act shall not remain in effect for the period described in subparagraph (A) if the participating physician or supplier requests on or before December 31, 1989, that the agreement be terminated."
State Demonstration Projects on Application of Limitation on Visits Per Month Per Resident on Aggregate Basis for a Team
Section 6114(e) of
Application of Different Performance Standards for Electronic System for Covered Outpatient Drugs
Section 202(e)(3)(B) of
Delay in Application of Coordination of Benefits With Private Health Insurance
Section 202(e)(4)(B) of
Extension of Physician Participation Agreements and Related Provisions
Section 4041(a)(2) of
"(A) subject to the last sentence of this paragraph, each agreement with a participating physician in effect on December 31, 1987, under section 1842(h)(1) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (h)(1) of this section] shall remain in effect for the 3-month period beginning on January 1, 1988;
"(B) the effective period for agreements under such section entered into for 1988 shall be the nine-month period beginning on April 1, 1988, and the Secretary shall provide an opportunity for physicians to enroll as participating physicians prior to April 1, 1988;
"(C) instead of publishing, under section 1842(h)(4) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (h)(4) of this section] at the beginning of 1988, directories of participating physicians for 1988, the Secretary shall provide for such publication, at the beginning of the 9-month period beginning on April 1, 1988, of such directories of participating physicians for such period; and
"(D) instead of providing to nonparticipating physicians, under section 1842(b)(3)(G) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b)(3)(G) of this section] at the beginning of 1988, a list of maximum allowable actual charges for 1988, the Secretary shall provide, at the beginning of the 9-month period beginning on April 1, 1988, to such physicians such a list for such 9-month period.
An agreement with a participating physician in effect on December 31, 1987, under section 1842(h)(1) of the Social Security Act shall not remain in effect for the period described in subparagraph (A) if the participating physician requests on or before December 31, 1987, that the agreement be terminated."
Development of Uniform Relative Value Guide
Section 4048(b) of
[Section 4118(h) of
Study of Prevailing Charges for Anesthesia Services
Section 4048(c) of
GAO Studies
Section 4048(d) of
"(1) The Comptroller General shall conduct a study—
"(A) to determine the average anesthesia times reported for medicare reimbursement purposes,
"(B) to verify those times from patient medical records,
"(C) to compare anesthesia times to average surgical times, and
"(D) to determine whether the current payments for physician supervision of nurse anesthetists are excessive.
The Comptroller General shall report to Congress, by not later than January 1, 1989, on such study and in the report include recommendations regarding the appropriateness of the anesthesia times recognized by medicare for reimbursement purposes and recommendations regarding adjustments of payments for physician supervision of nurse anesthetists.
"(2) The Comptroller General shall conduct a study on the impact of the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section], and shall report to Congress on the results of such study by April 1, 1990."
Adjustment in Medicare Prevailing Charges
Section 4051(b) of
"(1)
"(2)
Adjustment for Maximum Allowable Actual Charge
Section 4054(b), formerly §4053(b), of
Physician Payment Studies; Definitions of Medical and Surgical Procedures
Section 4056(a), formerly §4055(a), of
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) ancillary services commonly performed in conjunction with a major procedure would be included with the major procedure;
"(B) pre- and post-procedure services would be included in the procedure; and
"(C) similar procedures would be listed together if the procedures are similar in resource requirements."
Payments for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetic Devices, Orthotics, and Prosthetics; 1-Year Freeze on Charge Limitations
Section 4062(a) of
"(1)
"(2)
Special Rule With Respect to Payment for Intraocular Lenses
Section 4063(d) of
Study on Cost Effectiveness of Hearing Prior to Hearing by Administrative Law Judge on Carrier Determinations; Report to Congress
Section 4082(d) of
Capacity To Set Geographic Payment Limits
Section 4085(e) of
Utilization Screens for Physician Services Provided to Patients in Rehabilitation Hospitals
Section 4114 of
Section 4085(h) of
"(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish (in consultation with appropriate physician groups, including those representing rehabilitative medicine) a separate utilization screen for physician visits to patients in rehabilitation hospitals and rehabilitative units (and patients in long-term care hospitals receiving rehabilitation services) to be used by carriers under section 1842 of the Social Security Act [this section] in performing functions under subsection (a) of such section related to the utilization practices of physicians in such hospitals and units.
"(2) Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987], the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall take appropriate steps to implement the utilization screen established under paragraph (1)."
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§1800–1899A] of
Amendments in Contracts and Regulations
The Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for such timely amendments to contracts under this section, and regulations, to such extent as may be necessary to implement
Medicare Economic Index
Section 9331(c)(1), (2), (4)–(6) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
Development and Use of HCFA Common Procedure Coding System
Section 9331(d) of
"(1) Not later than July 1, 1989, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this subsection referred to as the 'Secretary'), after public notice and opportunity for public comment and after consulation [consultation] with appropriate medical and other experts, shall group the procedure codes contained in any HCFA Common Procedure Coding System for payment purposes to minimize inappropriate increases in the intensity or volume of services provided as a result of coding distinctions which do not reflect substantial differences in the services rendered.
"(2) Not later than January 1, 1990, each carrier with which the Secretary has entered into a contract under section 1842 of the Social Security Act [this section] shall make payments under part B of title XVIII of such Act [this part] based on the grouping of procedure codes effected under paragraph (1)."
Measuring Carrier Performance; Carrier Bonuses for Good Performance
Section 9332(a)(2), (3) of
Section 9332(a)(4)(B), (C) of
"(B)
"(C)
Review of Procedures
Section 9333(c) of
Ratification of Regulations
Section 9334(b) of
"(1)
"(2)
Payment for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Supplies and Equipment
Section 9340 of
"(1) for enteral nutrition nutrients, supplies, and equipment and parenteral nutrition supplies and equipment furnished on or after January 1, 1987, and
"(2) for parenteral nutrition nutrients furnished on or after October 1, 1987."
Reporting of OPD Services Using HCPCS
Section 9343(g) of
Period for Entering Into Participation Agreements
Section 9301(b)(3) of
Transitional Provisions for Medicare Part B Payments
Section 9301(d)(5) of
Computation of Customary Charges for Certain Former Hospital-Compensated Physicians
Section 9304(b) of
"(1) In applying section 1842(b) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b) of this section] to payment for physicians' services performed during the 8-month period beginning May 1, 1986, in the case of a physician who at anytime during the period beginning on October 31, 1982, and ending on January 31, 1985, was a hospital-compensated physician (as defined in paragraph (3)) but who, as of February 1, 1985, was no longer a hospital-compensated physician, the physician's customary charges shall—
"(A) be based upon the physician's actual charges billed during the 12-month period ending on March 31, 1985, and
"(B) in the case of a physician who was not a participating physician (as defined in section 1842(h)(1) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (h)(1) of this section]) on September 30, 1985, and who is not such a physician on May 1, 1986, be deflated (to take into account the legislative freeze on actual charges for nonparticipating physicians' services) by multiplying the physician's customary charges by .85.
"(2) In applying section 1842(b) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b) of this section] to payment for physicians' services performed during the 8-month period beginning May 1, 1986, in the case of a physician who during the period beginning on February 1, 1985, and ending on December 31, 1986, changes from being a hospital-compensated physician to not being a hospital-compensated physician, the physician's customary charges shall be determined in the same manner as if the physician were considered to be a new physician.
"(3) In this subsection, the term 'hospital-compensated physician' means, with respect to services furnished to patients of a hospital, a physician who is compensated by the hospital for the furnishing of physicians' services for which payment may be made under this part."
Extension of Medicare Physician Payment Provisions
Period of 15 months referred to in subsec. (j)(1) of this section for monitoring the charges of nonparticipating physicians to be deemed to include the period Oct. 1, 1985, to Mar. 14, 1986, see section 5(b) of
Simplification of Procedures With Respect to Claims and Payments for Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Tests
Section 2303(h) of
Study of Amounts Billed for Physician Services and Paid by Carriers Under Subsection (b)(7) of This Section; Report to Congress
Section 2307(c) of
Replacement of Agency, Organization, or Carrier Processing Medicare Claims; Number of Agreements and Contracts Authorized for Fiscal Years 1985 Through 1993
For provision authorizing two agreements under
Rules and Regulations
Section 113(b)(2) of
Report on Reimbursement of Clinical Laboratories
Section 918(a)(3) of
Prevailing Charge Levels for Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 1975
Section 101(b) of
Report by Health Insurance Benefits Advisory Council on Methods of Reimbursement of Physicians for Their Services
Section 224(b) of
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by "and".
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by "a".
§1395v. Agreements with States
(a) Duty of Secretary; enrollment of eligible individuals
The Secretary shall, at the request of a State made before January 1, 1970, or during 1981 or after 1988, enter into an agreement with such State pursuant to which all eligible individuals in either of the coverage groups described in subsection (b) of this section (as specified in the agreement) will be enrolled under the program established by this part.
(b) Coverage of groups to which applicable
An agreement entered into with any State pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may be applicable to either of the following coverage groups:
(1) individuals receiving money payments under the plan of such State approved under subchapter I of this chapter or subchapter XVI of this chapter; or
(2) individuals receiving money payments under all of the plans of such State approved under subchapters I, X, XIV, and XVI of this chapter, and part A of subchapter IV of this chapter.
Except as provided in subsection (g) of this section, there shall be excluded from any coverage group any individual who is entitled to monthly insurance benefits under subchapter II of this chapter or who is entitled to receive an annuity under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 [
(c) Eligible individuals
For purposes of this section, an individual shall be treated as an eligible individual only if he is an eligible individual (within the meaning of
(d) Monthly premiums; coverage periods
In the case of any individual enrolled pursuant to this section—
(1) the monthly premium to be paid by the State shall be determined under
(2) his coverage period shall begin on whichever of the following is the latest:
(A) July 1, 1966;
(B) the first day of the third month following the month in which the State agreement is entered into;
(C) the first day of the first month in which he is both an eligible individual and a member of a coverage group specified in the agreement under this section; or
(D) such date as may be specified in the agreement; and
(3) his coverage period attributable to the agreement with the State under this section shall end on the last day of whichever of the following first occurs:
(A) the month in which he is determined by the State agency to have become ineligible both for money payments of a kind specified in the agreement and (if there is in effect a modification entered into under subsection (h) of this section) for medical assistance, or
(B) the month preceding the first month for which he becomes entitled to monthly benefits under subchapter II of this chapter or to an annuity or pension under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 [
(e) Subsection (d)(3) terminations deemed resulting in section 1395p enrollment
Any individual whose coverage period attributable to the State agreement is terminated pursuant to subsection (d)(3) of this section shall be deemed for purposes of this part (including the continuation of his coverage period under this part) to have enrolled under
(f) "Carrier" as including State agency; provisions facilitating deductions, coinsurance, etc., and leading to economy and efficiency of operation
With respect to eligible individuals receiving money payments under the plan of a State approved under subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter, or part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, or eligible to receive medical assistance under the plan of such State approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, if the agreement entered into under this section so provides, the term "carrier" as defined in section 1395u(f) 1 of this title also includes the State agency, specified in such agreement, which administers or supervises the administration of the plan of such State approved under subchapter I, XVI, or XIX of this chapter. The agreement shall also contain such provisions as will facilitate the financial transactions of the State and the carrier with respect to deductions, coinsurance, and otherwise, and as will lead to economy and efficiency of operation, with respect to individuals receiving money payments under plans of the State approved under subchapters I, X, XIV, and XVI of this chapter, and part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, and individuals eligible to receive medical assistance under the plan of the State approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter.
(g) Subsection (b) exclusions from coverage groups
(1) The Secretary shall, at the request of a State made before January 1, 1970, or during 1981 or after 1988, enter into a modification of an agreement entered into with such State pursuant to subsection (a) of this section under which the second sentence of subsection (b) of this section shall not apply with respect to such agreement.
(2) In the case of any individual who would (but for this subsection) be excluded from the applicable coverage group described in subsection (b) of this section by the second sentence of such subsection—
(A) subsections (c) and (d)(2) of this section shall be applied as if such subsections referred to the modification under this subsection (in lieu of the agreement under subsection (a) of this section), and
(B) subsection (d)(3)(B) of this section shall not apply so long as there is in effect a modification entered into by the State under this subsection.
(h) Modifications respecting subsection (b) coverage groups
(1) The Secretary shall, at the request of a State made before January 1, 1970, or during 1981 or after 1988, enter into a modification of an agreement entered into with such State pursuant to subsection (a) of this section under which the coverage group described in subsection (b) of this section and specified in such agreement is broadened to include (A) individuals who are eligible to receive medical assistance under the plan of such State approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, or (B) qualified medicare beneficiaries (as defined in
(2) For purposes of this section, an individual shall be treated as eligible to receive medical assistance under the plan of the State approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter if, for the month in which the modification is entered into under this subsection or for any month thereafter, he has been determined to be eligible to receive medical assistance under such plan. In the case of any individual who would (but for this subsection) be excluded from the agreement, subsections (c) and (d)(2) of this section shall be applied as if they referred to the modification under this subsection (in lieu of the agreement under subsection (a) of this section), and subsection (d)(2)(C) of this section shall be applied (except in the case of qualified medicare beneficiaries, as defined in
(3) In this subsection, the term "qualified medicare beneficiary" also includes an individual described in
(i) Enrollment of qualified medicare beneficiaries
For provisions relating to enrollment of qualified medicare beneficiaries under part A of this subchapter, see
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1843, as added
References in Text
Part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (b)(2) and (f), is classified to
The Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (d)(3)(B), is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812, as amended generally by
Part A of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (i), is classified to
Amendments
1990—Subsec. (h)(3).
1989—Subsec. (i).
1988—Subsecs. (a), (g)(1).
Subsec. (h)(1).
Subsec. (h)(2).
1984—Subsec. (d)(3)(B).
1983—Subsec. (d)(1).
1980—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(2)(C).
Subsec. (h)(1).
1974—Subsec. (b).
1973—Subsec. (b).
1968—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(2)(D).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (h).
1966—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (g).
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 301(e)(3) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment; Transitional Rule
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Section 947(d) of
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1973 Amendment
Amendment by
Termination Period for Certain Individuals Covered Pursuant to State Agreements
Section 947(e) of
District of Columbia; Agreement of Commissioner With Secretary for Supplementary Medical Insurance
1 See References in Text note below.
§1395w. Appropriations to cover Government contributions and contingency reserve
(a) In general
There are authorized to be appropriated from time to time, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund—
(1)(A) a Government contribution equal to the aggregate premiums payable for a month for enrollees age 65 and over under this part and deposited in the Trust Fund, multiplied by the ratio of—
(i) twice the dollar amount of the actuarially adequate rate per enrollee age 65 and over as determined under
(ii) the dollar amount of the premium per enrollee for such month, plus
(B) a Government contribution equal to the aggregate premiums payable for a month for enrollees under age 65 under this part and deposited in the Trust Fund, multiplied by the ratio of—
(i) twice the dollar amount of the actuarially adequate rate per enrollee under age 65 as determined under
(ii) the dollar amount of the premium per enrollee for such month; minus
(C) the aggregate amount of additional premium payments attributable to the application of
(2) such sums as the Secretary deems necessary to place the Trust Fund, at the end of any fiscal year occurring after June 30, 1967, in the same position in which it would have been at the end of such fiscal year if (A) a Government contribution representing the excess of the premiums deposited in the Trust Fund during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1967, over the Government contribution actually appropriated to the Trust Fund during such fiscal year had been appropriated to it on June 30, 1967, and (B) the Government contribution for premiums deposited in the Trust Fund after June 30, 1967, had been appropriated to it when such premiums were deposited; plus
(3) a Government contribution equal to the amount of payment incentives payable under
(b) Contingency reserve
In order to assure prompt payment of benefits provided under this part and the administrative expenses thereunder during the early months of the program established by this part, and to provide a contingency reserve, there is also authorized to be appropriated, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to remain available through the calendar year 1969 for repayable advances (without interest) to the Trust Fund, an amount equal to $18 multiplied by the number of individuals (as estimated by the Secretary) who could be covered in July 1966 by the insurance program established by this part if they had theretofore enrolled under this part.
(c) Election under section 1395w–24
The Secretary shall determine the Government contribution under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(1) of this section without regard to any premium reduction resulting from an election under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1844, as added
References in Text
Amendments
2009—Subsec. (a)(2), (3).
2003—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(C).
Subsec. (c).
2000—Subsec. (c).
1997—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(i), (B)(i).
1989—Subsec. (a).
1988—Subsec. (a).
1984—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(ii).
1983—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(i).
1982—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(i), (B)(i).
1972—Subsec. (a)(1).
1968—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by section 222(l)(2)(C) of
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment; Transitional Rule
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 203(e) of
1 See References in Text note below.
§1395w–1. Repealed. Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, §4022(b)(2)(A), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 354
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1845, as added and amended Apr. 7, 1986,
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective Nov. 1, 1997, the date of termination of the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission and the Physician Payment Review Commission, see section 4022(c)(2) of
§1395w–2. Intermediate sanctions for providers or suppliers of clinical diagnostic laboratory tests
(a) If the Secretary determines that any provider or clinical laboratory approved for participation under this subchapter no longer substantially meets the conditions of participation or for coverage specified under this subchapter with respect to the provision of clinical diagnostic laboratory tests under this part, the Secretary may (for a period not to exceed one year) impose intermediate sanctions developed pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, in lieu of terminating immediately the provider agreement or cancelling immediately approval of the clinical laboratory.
(b)(1) The Secretary shall develop and implement—
(A) a range of intermediate sanctions to apply to providers or clinical laboratories under the conditions described in subsection (a), and
(B) appropriate procedures for appealing determinations relating to the imposition of such sanctions.
(2)(A) The intermediate sanctions developed under paragraph (1) shall include—
(i) directed plans of correction,
(ii) civil money penalties in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for each day of substantial noncompliance,
(iii) payment for the costs of onsite monitoring by an agency responsible for conducting surveys, and
(iv) suspension of all or part of the payments to which a provider or clinical laboratory would otherwise be entitled under this subchapter with respect to clinical diagnostic laboratory tests furnished on or after the date on which the Secretary determines that intermediate sanctions should be imposed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
The provisions of
(B) The sanctions specified in subparagraph (A) are in addition to sanctions otherwise available under State or Federal law.
(3) The Secretary shall develop and implement specific procedures with respect to when and how each of the intermediate sanctions developed under paragraph (1) is to be applied, the amounts of any penalties, and the severity of each of these penalties. Such procedures shall be designed so as to minimize the time between identification of violations and imposition of these sanctions and shall provide for the imposition of incrementally more severe penalties for repeated or uncorrected deficiencies.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1846, as added
Amendments
1990—
1989—
1988—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 203(e)(4) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date
Section 4064(d)(2) of
§1395w–3. Competitive acquisition of certain items and services
(a) Establishment of competitive acquisition programs
(1) Implementation of programs
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish and implement programs under which competitive acquisition areas are established throughout the United States for contract award purposes for the furnishing under this part of competitively priced items and services (described in paragraph (2)) for which payment is made under this part. Such areas may differ for different items and services.
(B) Phased-in implementation
The programs—
(i) shall be phased in among competitive acquisition areas in a manner consistent with subparagraph (D) so that the competition under the programs occurs in—
(I) 10 of the largest metropolitan statistical areas in 2007;
(II) an additional 91 of the largest metropolitan statistical areas in 2011; and
(III) additional areas after 2011 (or, in the case of national mail order for items and services, after 2010); and
(ii) may be phased in first among the highest cost and highest volume items and services or those items and services that the Secretary determines have the largest savings potential.
(C) Waiver of certain provisions
In carrying out the programs, the Secretary may waive such provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation as are necessary for the efficient implementation of this section, other than provisions relating to confidentiality of information and such other provisions as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(D) Changes in competitive acquisition programs
(i) Round 1 of competitive acquisition program
Notwithstanding subparagraph (B)(i)(I) and in implementing the first round of the competitive acquisition programs under this section—
(I) the contracts awarded under this section before July 15, 2008, are terminated, no payment shall be made under this subchapter on or after July 15, 2008, based on such a contract, and, to the extent that any damages may be applicable as a result of the termination of such contracts, such damages shall be payable from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund under
(II) the Secretary shall conduct the competition for such round in a manner so that it occurs in 2009 with respect to the same items and services and the same areas, except as provided in subclauses (III) and (IV);
(III) the Secretary shall exclude Puerto Rico so that such round of competition covers 9, instead of 10, of the largest metropolitan statistical areas; and
(IV) there shall be excluded negative pressure wound therapy items and services.
Nothing in subclause (I) shall be construed to provide an independent cause of action or right to administrative or judicial review with regard to the termination provided under such subclause.
(ii) Round 2 of competitive acquisition program
In implementing the second round of the competitive acquisition programs under this section described in subparagraph (B)(i)(II)—
(I) the metropolitan statistical areas to be included shall be those metropolitan statistical areas selected by the Secretary for such round as of June 1, 2008;
(II) the Secretary shall include the next 21 largest metropolitan statistical areas by total population (after those selected under subclause (I)) for such round; and
(III) the Secretary may subdivide metropolitan statistical areas with populations (based upon the most recent data from the Census Bureau) of at least 8,000,000 into separate areas for competitive acquisition purposes.
(iii) Exclusion of certain areas in subsequent rounds of competitive acquisition programs
In implementing subsequent rounds of the competitive acquisition programs under this section, including under subparagraph (B)(i)(III), for competitions occurring before 2015, the Secretary shall exempt from the competitive acquisition program (other than national mail order) the following:
(I) Rural areas.
(II) Metropolitan statistical areas not selected under round 1 or round 2 with a population of less than 250,000.
(III) Areas with a low population density within a metropolitan statistical area that is otherwise selected, as determined for purposes of paragraph (3)(A).
(E) Verification by OIG
The Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services shall, through post-award audit, survey, or otherwise, assess the process used by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to conduct competitive bidding and subsequent pricing determinations under this section that are the basis for pivotal bid amounts and single payment amounts for items and services in competitive bidding areas under rounds 1 and 2 of the competitive acquisition programs under this section and may continue to verify such calculations for subsequent rounds of such programs.
(F) Supplier feedback on missing financial documentation
(i) In general
In the case of a bid where one or more covered documents in connection with such bid have been submitted not later than the covered document review date specified in clause (ii), the Secretary—
(I) shall provide, by not later than 45 days (in the case of the first round of the competitive acquisition programs as described in subparagraph (B)(i)(I)) or 90 days (in the case of a subsequent round of such programs) after the covered document review date, for notice to the bidder of all such documents that are missing as of the covered document review date; and
(II) may not reject the bid on the basis that any covered document is missing or has not been submitted on a timely basis, if all such missing documents identified in the notice provided to the bidder under subclause (I) are submitted to the Secretary not later than 10 business days after the date of such notice.
(ii) Covered document review date
The covered document review date specified in this clause with respect to a competitive acquisition program is the later of—
(I) the date that is 30 days before the final date specified by the Secretary for submission of bids under such program; or
(II) the date that is 30 days after the first date specified by the Secretary for submission of bids under such program.
(iii) Limitations of process
The process provided under this subparagraph—
(I) applies only to the timely submission of covered documents;
(II) does not apply to any determination as to the accuracy or completeness of covered documents submitted or whether such documents meet applicable requirements;
(III) shall not prevent the Secretary from rejecting a bid based on any basis not described in clause (i)(II); and
(IV) shall not be construed as permitting a bidder to change bidding amounts or to make other changes in a bid submission.
(iv) Covered document defined
In this subparagraph, the term "covered document" means a financial, tax, or other document required to be submitted by a bidder as part of an original bid submission under a competitive acquisition program in order to meet required financial standards. Such term does not include other documents, such as the bid itself or accreditation documentation.
(2) Items and services described
The items and services referred to in paragraph (1) are the following:
(A) Durable medical equipment and medical supplies
Covered items (as defined in
(B) Other equipment and supplies
Items and services described in
(C) Off-the-shelf orthotics
Orthotics described in
(3) Exception authority
In carrying out the programs under this section, the Secretary may exempt—
(A) rural areas and areas with low population density within urban areas that are not competitive, unless there is a significant national market through mail order for a particular item or service; and
(B) items and services for which the application of competitive acquisition is not likely to result in significant savings.
(4) Special rule for certain rented items of durable medical equipment and oxygen
In the case of a covered item for which payment is made on a rental basis under
(5) Physician authorization
(A) In general
With respect to items or services included within a particular HCPCS code, the Secretary may establish a process for certain items and services under which a physician may prescribe a particular brand or mode of delivery of an item or service within such code if the physician determines that use of the particular item or service would avoid an adverse medical outcome on the individual, as determined by the Secretary.
(B) No effect on payment amount
A prescription under subparagraph (A) shall not affect the amount of payment otherwise applicable for the item or service under the code involved.
(6) Application
For each competitive acquisition area in which the program is implemented under this subsection with respect to items and services, the payment basis determined under the competition conducted under subsection (b) of this section shall be substituted for the payment basis otherwise applied under
(7) Exemption from competitive acquisition
The programs under this section shall not apply to the following:
(A) Certain off-the-shelf orthotics
Items and services described in paragraph (2)(C) if furnished—
(i) by a physician or other practitioner (as defined by the Secretary) to the physician's or practitioner's own patients as part of the physician's or practitioner's professional service; or
(ii) by a hospital to the hospital's own patients during an admission or on the date of discharge.
(B) Certain durable medical equipment
Those items and services described in paragraph (2)(A)—
(i) that are furnished by a hospital to the hospital's own patients during an admission or on the date of discharge; and
(ii) to which such programs would not apply, as specified by the Secretary, if furnished by a physician to the physician's own patients as part of the physician's professional service.
(b) Program requirements
(1) In general
The Secretary shall conduct a competition among entities supplying items and services described in subsection (a)(2) of this section for each competitive acquisition area in which the program is implemented under subsection (a) of this section with respect to such items and services.
(2) Conditions for awarding contract
(A) In general
The Secretary may not award a contract to any entity under the competition conducted in an 1 competitive acquisition area pursuant to paragraph (1) to furnish such items or services unless the Secretary finds all of the following:
(i) The entity meets applicable quality standards specified by the Secretary under
(ii) The entity meets applicable financial standards specified by the Secretary, taking into account the needs of small providers.
(iii) The total amounts to be paid to contractors in a competitive acquisition area are expected to be less than the total amounts that would otherwise be paid.
(iv) Access of individuals to a choice of multiple suppliers in the area is maintained.
(B) Timely implementation of program
Any delay in the implementation of quality standards under
(3) Contents of contract
(A) In general
A contract entered into with an entity under the competition conducted pursuant to paragraph (1) is subject to terms and conditions that the Secretary may specify.
(B) Term of contracts
The Secretary shall recompete contracts under this section not less often than once every 3 years.
(C) Disclosure of subcontractors
(i) Initial disclosure
Not later than 10 days after the date a supplier enters into a contract with the Secretary under this section, such supplier shall disclose to the Secretary, in a form and manner specified by the Secretary, the information on—
(I) each subcontracting relationship that such supplier has in furnishing items and services under the contract; and
(II) whether each such subcontractor meets the requirement of
(ii) Subsequent disclosure
Not later than 10 days after such a supplier subsequently enters into a subcontracting relationship described in clause (i)(II), such supplier shall disclose to the Secretary, in such form and manner, the information described in subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (i).
(4) Limit on number of contractors
(A) In general
The Secretary may limit the number of contractors in a competitive acquisition area to the number needed to meet projected demand for items and services covered under the contracts. In awarding contracts, the Secretary shall take into account the ability of bidding entities to furnish items or services in sufficient quantities to meet the anticipated needs of individuals for such items or services in the geographic area covered under the contract on a timely basis.
(B) Multiple winners
The Secretary shall award contracts to multiple entities submitting bids in each area for an item or service.
(5) Payment
(A) In general
Payment under this part for competitively priced items and services described in subsection (a)(2) of this section shall be based on bids submitted and accepted under this section for such items and services. Based on such bids the Secretary shall determine a single payment amount for each item or service in each competitive acquisition area.
(B) Reduced beneficiary cost-sharing
(i) Application of coinsurance
Payment under this section for items and services shall be in an amount equal to 80 percent of the payment basis described in subparagraph (A).
(ii) Application of deductible
Before applying clause (i), the individual shall be required to meet the deductible described in
(C) Payment on assignment-related basis
Payment for any item or service furnished by the entity may only be made under this section on an assignment-related basis.
(D) Construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed as precluding the use of an advanced beneficiary notice with respect to a competitively priced item and service.
(6) Participating contractors
(A) In general
Except as provided in subsection (a)(4) of this section, payment shall not be made for items and services described in subsection (a)(2) of this section furnished by a contractor and for which competition is conducted under this section unless—
(i) the contractor has submitted a bid for such items and services under this section; and
(ii) the Secretary has awarded a contract to the contractor for such items and services under this section.
(B) Bid defined
In this section, the term "bid" means an offer to furnish an item or service for a particular price and time period that includes, where appropriate, any services that are attendant to the furnishing of the item or service.
(C) Rules for mergers and acquisitions
In applying subparagraph (A) to a contractor, the contractor shall include a successor entity in the case of a merger or acquisition, if the successor entity assumes such contract along with any liabilities that may have occurred thereunder.
(D) Protection of small suppliers
In developing procedures relating to bids and the awarding of contracts under this section, the Secretary shall take appropriate steps to ensure that small suppliers of items and services have an opportunity to be considered for participation in the program under this section.
(7) Consideration in determining categories for bids
The Secretary may consider the clinical efficiency and value of specific items within codes, including whether some items have a greater therapeutic advantage to individuals.
(8) Authority to contract for education, monitoring, outreach, and complaint services
The Secretary may enter into contracts with appropriate entities to address complaints from individuals who receive items and services from an entity with a contract under this section and to conduct appropriate education of and outreach to such individuals and monitoring quality of services with respect to the program.
(9) Authority to contract for implementation
The Secretary may contract with appropriate entities to implement the competitive bidding program under this section.
(10) Special rule in case of competition for diabetic testing strips
(A) In general
With respect to the competitive acquisition program for diabetic testing strips conducted after the first round of the competitive acquisition programs, if an entity does not demonstrate to the Secretary that its bid covers types of diabetic testing strip products that, in the aggregate and taking into account volume for the different products, cover 50 percent (or such higher percentage as the Secretary may specify) of all such types of products, the Secretary shall reject such bid. The volume for such types of products may be determined in accordance with such data (which may be market based data) as the Secretary recognizes.
(B) Study of types of testing strip products
Before 2011, the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services shall conduct a study to determine the types of diabetic testing strip products by volume that could be used to make determinations pursuant to subparagraph (A) for the first competition under the competitive acquisition program described in such subparagraph and submit to the Secretary a report on the results of the study. The Inspector General shall also conduct such a study and submit such a report before the Secretary conducts a subsequent competitive acquistion 2 program described in subparagraph (A).
(11) No administrative or judicial review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(A) the establishment of payment amounts under paragraph (5);
(B) the awarding of contracts under this section;
(C) the designation of competitive acquisition areas under subsection (a)(1)(A) and the identification of areas under subsection (a)(1)(D)(iii);
(D) the phased-in implementation under subsection (a)(1)(B) and implementation of subsection (a)(1)(D);
(E) the selection of items and services for competitive acquisition under subsection (a)(2) of this section;
(F) the bidding structure and number of contractors selected under this section; or
(G) the implementation of the special rule described in paragraph (10).
(c) Program Advisory and Oversight Committee
(1) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a Program Advisory and Oversight Committee (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Committee").
(2) Membership; terms
The Committee shall consist of such members as the Secretary may appoint who shall serve for such term as the Secretary may specify.
(3) Duties
(A) Advice
The Committee shall provide advice to the Secretary with respect to the following functions:
(i) The implementation of the program under this section.
(ii) The establishment of financial standards for purposes of subsection (b)(2)(A)(ii) of this section.
(iii) The establishment of requirements for collection of data for the efficient management of the program.
(iv) The development of proposals for efficient interaction among manufacturers, providers of services, suppliers (as defined in
(v) The establishment of quality standards under
(B) Additional duties
The Committee shall perform such additional functions to assist the Secretary in carrying out this section as the Secretary may specify.
(4) Inapplicability of FACA
The provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply.
(5) Termination
The Committee shall terminate on December 31, 2011.
(d) Report
Not later than July 1, 2011, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the programs under this section. The report shall include information on savings, reductions in cost-sharing, access to and quality of items and services, and satisfaction of individuals.
(e) Repealed. Pub. L. 110–275, title I, §145(a)(1), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2547
(f) Competitive acquisition ombudsman
The Secretary shall provide for a competitive acquisition ombudsman within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in order to respond to complaints and inquiries made by suppliers and individuals relating to the application of the competitive acquisition program under this section. The ombudsman may be within the office of the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman appointed under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1847, as added
References in Text
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A), is act June 25, 1938, ch. 675,
The Federal Advisory Committee Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(4), is
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1395w–3, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1847, as added July 1, 1988,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(i)(II).
Subsec. (a)(1)(D)(ii)(II), (III).
2008—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(i)(II).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(i)(III).
Subsec. (a)(1)(D) to (F).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C).
Subsec. (b)(10).
Subsec. (b)(11).
Subsec. (b)(11)(C).
Subsec. (b)(11)(D).
Subsec. (b)(11)(G).
Subsec. (c)(5).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
2003—
1999—Subsec. (b)(2).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by section 154 of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
GAO Report on Impact of Competitive Acquisition on Suppliers
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(i) Beneficiary access to items and services under the program, including the impact on such access of awarding contracts to bidders that—
"(I) did not have a physical presence in an area where they received a contract; or
"(II) had no previous experience providing the product category they were contracted to provide.
"(ii) Beneficiary satisfaction with the program and cost savings to beneficiaries under the program.
"(iii) Costs to suppliers of participating in the program and recommendations about ways to reduce those costs without compromising quality standards or savings to the Medicare program.
"(iv) Impact of the program on small business suppliers.
"(v) Analysis of the impact on utilization of different items and services paid within the same Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code.
"(vi) Costs to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, including payments made to contractors, for administering the program compared with administration of a fee schedule, in comparison with the relative savings of the program.
"(vii) Impact on access, Medicare spending, and beneficiary spending of any difference in treatment for diabetic testing supplies depending on how such supplies are furnished.
"(viii) Such other topics as the Comptroller General determines to be appropriate."
Report on Activities of Suppliers
Study by GAO
Section 4319(c) of
1 So in original. Probably should be "a".
2 So in original. Probably should be "acquisition".
§1395w–3a. Use of average sales price payment methodology
(a) Application
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), this section shall apply to payment for drugs and biologicals that are described in
(2) Election
This section shall not apply in the case of a physician who elects under subsection (a)(1)(A)(ii) of
(b) Payment amount
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (7) and subsections (d)(3)(C) and (e) of this section, the amount of payment determined under this section for the billing and payment code for a drug or biological (based on a minimum dosage unit) is, subject to applicable deductible and coinsurance—
(A) in the case of a multiple source drug (as defined in subsection (c)(6)(C) of this section), 106 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (3) for a multiple source drug furnished before April 1, 2008, or 106 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (6) for a multiple source drug furnished on or after April 1, 2008;
(B) in the case of a single source drug or biological (as defined in subsection (c)(6)(D) of this section), 106 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (4); or
(C) in the case of a biosimilar biological product (as defined in subsection (c)(6)(H)), the amount determined under paragraph (8).
(2) Specification of unit
(A) Specification by manufacturer
The manufacturer of a drug or biological shall specify the unit associated with each National Drug Code (including package size) as part of the submission of data under
(B) Unit defined
In this section, the term "unit" means, with respect to each National Drug Code (including package size) associated with a drug or biological, the lowest identifiable quantity (such as a capsule or tablet, milligram of molecules, or grams) of the drug or biological that is dispensed, exclusive of any diluent without reference to volume measures pertaining to liquids. For years after 2004, the Secretary may establish the unit for a manufacturer to report and methods for counting units as the Secretary determines appropriate to implement this section.
(3) Multiple source drug
For all drug products included within the same multiple source drug billing and payment code, the amount specified in this paragraph is the volume-weighted average of the average sales prices reported under
(A) computing the sum of the products (for each National Drug Code assigned to such drug products) of—
(i) the manufacturer's average sales price (as defined in subsection (c) of this section); and
(ii) the total number of units specified under paragraph (2) sold; and
(B) dividing the sum determined under subparagraph (A) by the sum of the total number of units under subparagraph (A)(ii) for all National Drug Codes assigned to such drug products.
(4) Single source drug or biological
The amount specified in this paragraph for a single source drug or biological is the lesser of the following:
(A) Average sales price
The average sales price as determined using the methodology applied under paragraph (3) for single source drugs and biologicals furnished before April 1, 2008, and using the methodology applied under paragraph (6) for single source drugs and biologicals furnished on or after April 1, 2008, for all National Drug Codes assigned to such drug or biological product.
(B) Wholesale acquisition cost (WAC)
The wholesale acquisition cost (as defined in subsection (c)(6)(B) of this section) using the methodology applied under paragraph (3) for single source drugs and biologicals furnished before April 1, 2008, and using the methodology applied under paragraph (6) for single source drugs and biologicals furnished on or after April 1, 2008, for all National Drug Codes assigned to such drug or biological product.
(5) Basis for payment amount
The payment amount shall be determined under this subsection based on information reported under subsection (f) of this section and without regard to any special packaging, labeling, or identifiers on the dosage form or product or package.
(6) Use of volume-weighted average sales prices in calculation of average sales price
(A) In general
For all drug products included within the same multiple source drug billing and payment code, the amount specified in this paragraph is the volume-weighted average of the average sales prices reported under
(i) computing the sum of the products (for each National Drug Code assigned to such drug products) of—
(I) the manufacturer's average sales price (as defined in subsection (c)), determined by the Secretary without dividing such price by the total number of billing units for the National Drug Code for the billing and payment code; and
(II) the total number of units specified under paragraph (2) sold; and
(ii) dividing the sum determined under clause (i) by the sum of the products (for each National Drug Code assigned to such drug products) of—
(I) the total number of units specified under paragraph (2) sold; and
(II) the total number of billing units for the National Drug Code for the billing and payment code.
(B) Billing unit defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term "billing unit" means the identifiable quantity associated with a billing and payment code, as established by the Secretary.
(7) Special rule
Beginning with April 1, 2008, the payment amount for—
(A) each single source drug or biological described in
(i) the payment amount that would be determined for such drug or biological applying such subsection; or
(ii) the payment amount that would have been determined for such drug or biological if such subsection were not applied; and
(B) a multiple source drug described in
(i) the payment amount that would be determined for such drug or biological taking into account the application of such subsection; or
(ii) the payment amount that would have been determined for such drug or biological if such subsection were not applied.
(8) Biosimilar biological product
The amount specified in this paragraph for a biosimilar biological product described in paragraph (1)(C) is the sum of—
(A) the average sales price as determined using the methodology described under paragraph (6) applied to a biosimilar biological product for all National Drug Codes assigned to such product in the same manner as such paragraph is applied to drugs described in such paragraph; and
(B) 6 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (4) for the reference biological product (as defined in subsection (c)(6)(I)).
(c) Manufacturer's average sales price
(1) In general
For purposes of this section, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the manufacturer's "average sales price" means, of a drug or biological for a National Drug Code for a calendar quarter for a manufacturer for a unit—
(A) the manufacturer's sales to all purchasers (excluding sales exempted in paragraph (2)) in the United States for such drug or biological in the calendar quarter; divided by
(B) the total number of such units of such drug or biological sold by the manufacturer in such quarter.
(2) Certain sales exempted from computation
In calculating the manufacturer's average sales price under this subsection, the following sales shall be excluded:
(A) Sales exempt from best price
Sales exempt from the inclusion in the determination of "best price" under
(B) Sales at nominal charge
Such other sales as the Secretary identifies as sales to an entity that are merely nominal in amount (as applied for purposes of
(3) Sale price net of discounts
In calculating the manufacturer's average sales price under this subsection, such price shall include volume discounts, prompt pay discounts, cash discounts, free goods that are contingent on any purchase requirement, chargebacks, and rebates (other than rebates under
(4) Payment methodology in cases where average sales price during first quarter of sales is unavailable
In the case of a drug or biological during an initial period (not to exceed a full calendar quarter) in which data on the prices for sales for the drug or biological is not sufficiently available from the manufacturer to compute an average sales price for the drug or biological, the Secretary may determine the amount payable under this section for the drug or biological based on—
(A) the wholesale acquisition cost; or
(B) the methodologies in effect under this part on November 1, 2003, to determine payment amounts for drugs or biologicals.
(5) Frequency of determinations
(A) In general on a quarterly basis
The manufacturer's average sales price, for a drug or biological of a manufacturer, shall be calculated by such manufacturer under this subsection on a quarterly basis. In making such calculation insofar as there is a lag in the reporting of the information on rebates and chargebacks under paragraph (3) so that adequate data are not available on a timely basis, the manufacturer shall apply a methodology based on a 12-month rolling average for the manufacturer to estimate costs attributable to rebates and chargebacks. For years after 2004, the Secretary may establish a uniform methodology under this subparagraph to estimate and apply such costs.
(B) Updates in payment amounts
The payment amounts under subsection (b) of this section shall be updated by the Secretary on a quarterly basis and shall be applied based upon the manufacturer's average sales price calculated for the most recent calendar quarter for which data is available.
(C) Use of contractors; implementation
The Secretary may contract with appropriate entities to calculate the payment amount under subsection (b) of this section. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may implement, by program instruction or otherwise, any of the provisions of this section.
(6) Definitions and other rules
In this section:
(A) Manufacturer
The term "manufacturer" means, with respect to a drug or biological, the manufacturer (as defined in
(B) Wholesale acquisition cost
The term "wholesale acquisition cost" means, with respect to a drug or biological, the manufacturer's list price for the drug or biological to wholesalers or direct purchasers in the United States, not including prompt pay or other discounts, rebates or reductions in price, for the most recent month for which the information is available, as reported in wholesale price guides or other publications of drug or biological pricing data.
(C) Multiple source drug
(i) In general
The term "multiple source drug" means, for a calendar quarter, a drug for which there are 2 or more drug products which—
(I) are rated as therapeutically equivalent (under the Food and Drug Administration's most recent publication of "Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations"),
(II) except as provided in subparagraph (E), are pharmaceutically equivalent and bioequivalent, as determined under subparagraph (F) and as determined by the Food and Drug Administration, and
(III) are sold or marketed in the United States during the quarter.
(ii) Exception
With respect to single source drugs or biologicals that are within the same billing and payment code as of October 1, 2003, the Secretary shall treat such single source drugs or biologicals as if the single source drugs or biologicals were multiple source drugs.
(D) Single source drug or biological
The term "single source drug or biological" means—
(i) a biological; or
(ii) a drug which is not a multiple source drug and which is produced or distributed under a new drug application approved by the Food and Drug Administration, including a drug product marketed by any cross-licensed producers or distributors operating under the new drug application.
(E) Exception from pharmaceutical equivalence and bioequivalence requirement
Subparagraph (C)(ii) shall not apply if the Food and Drug Administration changes by regulation the requirement that, for purposes of the publication described in subparagraph (C)(i), in order for drug products to be rated as therapeutically equivalent, they must be pharmaceutically equivalent and bioequivalent, as defined in subparagraph (F).
(F) Determination of pharmaceutical equivalence and bioequivalence
For purposes of this paragraph—
(i) drug products are pharmaceutically equivalent if the products contain identical amounts of the same active drug ingredient in the same dosage form and meet compendial or other applicable standards of strength, quality, purity, and identity; and
(ii) drugs are bioequivalent if they do not present a known or potential bioequivalence problem, or, if they do present such a problem, they are shown to meet an appropriate standard of bioequivalence.
(G) Inclusion of vaccines
In applying provisions of
(H) Biosimilar biological product
The term "biosimilar biological product" means a biological product approved under an abbreviated application for a license of a biological product that relies in part on data or information in an application for another biological product licensed under
(I) Reference biological product
The term "reference biological product" means the biological product licensed under such
(d) Monitoring of market prices
(1) In general
The Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services shall conduct studies, which may include surveys, to determine the widely available market prices of drugs and biologicals to which this section applies, as the Inspector General, in consultation with the Secretary, determines to be appropriate.
(2) Comparison of prices
Based upon such studies and other data for drugs and biologicals, the Inspector General shall compare the average sales price under this section for drugs and biologicals with—
(A) the widely available market price for such drugs and biologicals (if any); and
(B) the average manufacturer price (as determined under
(3) Limitation on average sales price
(A) In general
The Secretary may disregard the average sales price for a drug or biological that exceeds the widely available market price or the average manufacturer price for such drug or biological by the applicable threshold percentage (as defined in subparagraph (B)).
(B) Applicable threshold percentage defined
In this paragraph, the term "applicable threshold percentage" means—
(i) in 2005, in the case of an average sales price for a drug or biological that exceeds widely available market price or the average manufacturer price, 5 percent; and
(ii) in 2006 and subsequent years, the percentage applied under this subparagraph subject to such adjustment as the Secretary may specify for the widely available market price or the average manufacturer price, or both.
(C) Authority to adjust average sales price
If the Inspector General finds that the average sales price for a drug or biological exceeds such widely available market price or average manufacturer price for such drug or biological by the applicable threshold percentage, the Inspector General shall inform the Secretary (at such times as the Secretary may specify to carry out this subparagraph) and the Secretary shall, effective as of the next quarter, substitute for the amount of payment otherwise determined under this section for such drug or biological the lesser of—
(i) the widely available market price for the drug or biological (if any); or
(ii) 103 percent of the average manufacturer price (as determined under
(4) Civil money penalty
(A) In general
If the Secretary determines that a manufacturer has made a misrepresentation in the reporting of the manufacturer's average sales price for a drug or biological, the Secretary may apply a civil money penalty in an amount of up to $10,000 for each such price misrepresentation and for each day in which such price misrepresentation was applied.
(B) Procedures
The provisions of
(5) Widely available market price
(A) In general
In this subsection, the term "widely available market price" means the price that a prudent physician or supplier would pay for the drug or biological. In determining such price, the Inspector General shall take into account the discounts, rebates, and other price concessions routinely made available to such prudent physicians or suppliers for such drugs or biologicals.
(B) Considerations
In determining the price under subparagraph (A), the Inspector General shall consider information from one or more of the following sources:
(i) Manufacturers.
(ii) Wholesalers.
(iii) Distributors.
(iv) Physician supply houses.
(v) Specialty pharmacies.
(vi) Group purchasing arrangements.
(vii) Surveys of physicians.
(viii) Surveys of suppliers.
(ix) Information on such market prices from insurers.
(x) Information on such market prices from private health plans.
(e) Authority to use alternative payment in response to public health emergency
In the case of a public health emergency under
(f) Quarterly report on average sales price
For requirements for reporting the manufacturer's average sales price (and, if required to make payment, the manufacturer's wholesale acquisition cost) for the drug or biological under this section, see
(g) Judicial review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(1) determinations of payment amounts under this section, including the assignment of National Drug Codes to billing and payment codes;
(2) the identification of units (and package size) under subsection (b)(2) of this section;
(3) the method to allocate rebates, chargebacks, and other price concessions to a quarter if specified by the Secretary;
(4) the manufacturer's average sales price when it is used for the determination of a payment amount under this section; and
(5) the disclosure of the average manufacturer price by reason of an adjustment under subsection (d)(3)(C) or (e) of this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1847A, as added
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(8).
Subsec. (c)(6)(H), (I).
2007—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A), (B).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (b)(7).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Report on Sales to Pharmacy Benefit Managers
"(A)
"(B)
Inspector General Report on Adequacy of Reimbursement Rate Under Average Sales Price Methodology
"(A)
"(B)
Application of 2003 Amendment to Physician Specialties
Amendment by section 303 of
Notwithstanding section 303(j) of
1 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
§1395w–3b. Competitive acquisition of outpatient drugs and biologicals
(a) Implementation of competitive acquisition
(1) Implementation of program
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish and implement a competitive acquisition program under which—
(i) competitive acquisition areas are established for contract award purposes for acquisition of and payment for categories of competitively biddable drugs and biologicals (as defined in paragraph (2)) under this part;
(ii) each physician is given the opportunity annually to elect to obtain drugs and biologicals under the program, rather than under
(iii) each physician who elects to obtain drugs and biologicals under the program makes an annual selection under paragraph (5) of the contractor through which drugs and biologicals within a category of drugs and biologicals will be acquired and delivered to the physician under this part.
This section shall not apply in the case of a physician who elects
(B) Implementation
For purposes of implementing the program, the Secretary shall establish categories of competitively biddable drugs and biologicals. The Secretary shall phase in the program with respect to those categories beginning in 2006 in such manner as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(C) Waiver of certain provisions
In order to promote competition, in carrying out the program the Secretary may waive such provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation as are necessary for the efficient implementation of this section, other than provisions relating to confidentiality of information and such other provisions as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(D) Exclusion authority
The Secretary may exclude competitively biddable drugs and biologicals (including a class of such drugs and biologicals) from the competitive bidding system under this section if the application of competitive bidding to such drugs or biologicals—
(i) is not likely to result in significant savings; or
(ii) is likely to have an adverse impact on access to such drugs or biologicals.
(2) Competitively biddable drugs and biologicals and program defined
For purposes of this section—
(A) Competitively biddable drugs and biologicals defined
The term "competitively biddable drugs and biologicals" means a drug or biological described in
(B) Program
The term "program" means the competitive acquisition program under this section.
(C) Competitive acquisition area; area
The terms "competitive acquisition area" and "area" mean an appropriate geographic region established by the Secretary under the program.
(D) Contractor
The term "contractor" means an entity that has entered into a contract with the Secretary under this section.
(3) Application of program payment methodology
(A) In general
With respect to competitively biddable drugs and biologicals which are supplied under the program in an area and which are prescribed by a physician who has elected this section to apply—
(i) the claim for such drugs and biologicals shall be submitted by the contractor that supplied the drugs and biologicals;
(ii) collection of amounts of any deductible and coinsurance applicable with respect to such drugs and biologicals shall be the responsibility of such contractor and shall not be collected unless the drug or biological is administered to the individual involved; and
(iii) the payment under this section (and related amounts of any applicable deductible and coinsurance) for such drugs and biologicals shall be made only to such contractor upon receipt of a claim for a drug or biological supplied by the contractor for administration to a beneficiary.
(B) Process for adjustments
The Secretary shall provide a process for adjustments to payments in the case in which payment is made for drugs and biologicals which were billed at the time of dispensing but which were not actually administered.
(C) Information for purposes of cost-sharing
The Secretary shall provide a process by which physicians submit information to contractors for purposes of the collection of any applicable deductible or coinsurance amounts under subparagraph (A)(ii).
(D) Post-payment review process
The Secretary shall establish (by program instruction or otherwise) a post-payment review process (which may include the use of statistical sampling) to assure that payment is made for a drug or biological under this section only if the drug or biological has been administered to a beneficiary. The Secretary shall recoup, offset, or collect any overpayments determined by the Secretary under such process.
(4) Contract required
Payment may not be made under this part for competitively biddable drugs and biologicals prescribed by a physician who has elected this section to apply within a category and a competitive acquisition area with respect to which the program applies unless—
(A) the drugs or biologicals are supplied by a contractor with a contract under this section for such category of drugs and biologicals and area; and
(B) the physician has elected such contractor under paragraph (5) for such category and area.
(5) Contractor selection process
(A) Annual selection
(i) In general
The Secretary shall provide a process for the selection of a contractor, on an annual basis and in such exigent circumstances as the Secretary may provide and with respect to each category of competitively biddable drugs and biologicals for an area by selecting physicians.
(ii) Timing of selection
The selection of a contractor under clause (i) shall be made at the time of the election described in
(B) Information on contractors
The Secretary shall make available to physicians on an ongoing basis, through a directory posted on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services or otherwise and upon request, a list of the contractors under this section in the different competitive acquisition areas.
(C) Selecting physician defined
For purposes of this section, the term "selecting physician" means, with respect to a contractor and category and competitive acquisition area, a physician who has elected this section to apply and has selected to apply under this section such contractor for such category and area.
(b) Program requirements
(1) Contract for competitively biddable drugs and biologicals
The Secretary shall conduct a competition among entities for the acquisition of competitively biddable drugs and biologicals. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, in the case of a multiple source drug, the Secretary shall conduct such competition among entities for the acquisition of at least one competitively biddable drug and biological within each billing and payment code within each category for each competitive acquisition area.
(2) Conditions for awarding contract
(A) In general
The Secretary may not award a contract to any entity under the competition conducted in a competitive acquisition area pursuant to paragraph (1) with respect to the acquisition of competitively biddable drugs and biologicals within a category unless the Secretary finds that the entity meets all of the following with respect to the contract period involved:
(i) Capacity to supply competitively biddable drug or biological within category
(I) In general
The entity has sufficient arrangements to acquire and to deliver competitively biddable drugs and biologicals within such category in the area specified in the contract.
(II) Shipment methodology
The entity has arrangements in effect for the shipment at least 5 days each week of competitively biddable drugs and biologicals under the contract and for the timely delivery (including for emergency situations) of such drugs and biologicals in the area under the contract.
(ii) Quality, service, financial performance and solvency standards
The entity meets quality, service, financial performance, and solvency standards specified by the Secretary, including—
(I) the establishment of procedures for the prompt response and resolution of complaints of physicians and individuals and of inquiries regarding the shipment of competitively biddable drugs and biologicals; and
(II) a grievance and appeals process for the resolution of disputes.
(B) Additional considerations
The Secretary may refuse to award a contract under this section, and may terminate such a contract, with an entity based upon—
(i) the suspension or revocation, by the Federal Government or a State government, of the entity's license for the distribution of drugs or biologicals (including controlled substances); or
(ii) the exclusion of the entity under
(C) Application of Medicare Provider Ombudsman
For provision providing for a program-wide Medicare Provider Ombudsman to review complaints, see
(3) Awarding multiple contracts for a category and area
The Secretary may limit (but not below 2) the number of qualified entities that are awarded such contracts for any category and area. The Secretary shall select among qualified entities based on the following:
(A) The bid prices for competitively biddable drugs and biologicals within the category and area.
(B) Bid price for distribution of such drugs and biologicals.
(C) Ability to ensure product integrity.
(D) Customer service.
(E) Past experience in the distribution of drugs and biologicals, including controlled substances.
(F) Such other factors as the Secretary may specify.
(4) Terms of contracts
(A) In general
A contract entered into with an entity under the competition conducted pursuant to paragraph (1) is subject to terms and conditions that the Secretary may specify consistent with this section.
(B) Period of contracts
A contract under this section shall be for a term of 3 years, but may be terminated by the Secretary or the entity with appropriate, advance notice.
(C) Integrity of drug and biological distribution system
A contractor (as defined in subsection (a)(2)(D) of this section) shall—
(i) acquire all drug and biological products it distributes directly from the manufacturer or from a distributor that has acquired the products directly from the manufacturer; and
(ii) comply with any product integrity safeguards as may be determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to relieve or exempt any contractor from the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [
(D) Compliance with code of conduct and fraud and abuse rules
Under the contract—
(i) the contractor shall comply with a code of conduct, specified or recognized by the Secretary, that includes standards relating to conflicts of interest; and
(ii) the contractor shall comply with all applicable provisions relating to prevention of fraud and abuse, including compliance with applicable guidelines of the Department of Justice and the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services.
(E) Direct delivery of drugs and biologicals to physicians
Under the contract the contractor shall only supply competitively biddable drugs and biologicals directly to the selecting physicians and not directly to individuals, except under circumstances and settings where an individual currently receives a drug or biological in the individual's home or other non-physician office setting as the Secretary may provide. The contractor shall not deliver drugs and biologicals to a selecting physician except upon receipt of a prescription for such drugs and biologicals, and such necessary data as may be required by the Secretary to carry out this section. This section does not—
(i) require a physician to submit a prescription for each individual treatment; or
(ii) change a physician's flexibility in terms of writing a prescription for drugs or biologicals for a single treatment or a course of treatment.
(5) Permitting access to drugs and biologicals
The Secretary shall establish rules under this section under which drugs and biologicals which are acquired through a contractor under this section may be used to resupply inventories of such drugs and biologicals which are administered consistent with safe drug practices and with adequate safeguards against fraud and abuse. The previous sentence shall apply if the physicians can demonstrate to the Secretary all of the following:
(A) The drugs or biologicals are required immediately.
(B) The physician could not have reasonably anticipated the immediate requirement for the drugs or biologicals.
(C) The contractor could not deliver to the physician the drugs or biologicals in a timely manner.
(D) The drugs or biologicals were administered in an emergency situation.
(6) Construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed as waiving applicable State requirements relating to licensing of pharmacies.
(c) Bidding process
(1) In general
In awarding a contract for a category of drugs and biologicals in an area under the program, the Secretary shall consider with respect to each entity seeking to be awarded a contract the bid price and the other factors referred to in subsection (b)(3) of this section.
(2) Bid defined
In this section, the term "bid" means an offer to furnish a competitively biddable drug or biological for a particular price and time period.
(3) Bidding on a national or regional basis
Nothing in this section shall be construed as precluding a bidder from bidding for contracts in all areas of the United States or as requiring a bidder to submit a bid for all areas of the United States.
(4) Uniformity of bids within area
The amount of the bid submitted under a contract offer for any competitively biddable drug or biological for an area shall be the same for that drug or biological for all portions of that area.
(5) Confidentiality of bids
The provisions of subparagraph (D) of
(A) in that subparagraph to a "manufacturer or wholesaler" is deemed a reference to a "bidder" under this section;
(B) in that section to "prices charged for drugs" is deemed a reference to a "bid" submitted under this section; and
(C) in clause (i) of that section to "this section", is deemed a reference to "part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter".
(6) Inclusion of costs
The bid price submitted in a contract offer for a competitively biddable drug or biological shall—
(A) include all costs related to the delivery of the drug or biological to the selecting physician (or other point of delivery); and
(B) include the costs of dispensing (including shipping) of such drug or biological and management fees, but shall not include any costs related to the administration of the drug or biological, or wastage, spillage, or spoilage.
(7) Price adjustments during contract period; disclosure of costs
Each contract awarded shall provide for—
(A) disclosure to the Secretary the contractor's reasonable, net acquisition costs for periods specified by the Secretary, not more often than quarterly, of the contract; and
(B) appropriate price adjustments over the period of the contract to reflect significant increases or decreases in a contractor's reasonable, net acquisition costs, as so disclosed.
(d) Computation of payment amounts
(1) In general
Payment under this section for competitively biddable drugs or biologicals shall be based on bids submitted and accepted under this section for such drugs or biologicals in an area. Based on such bids the Secretary shall determine a single payment amount for each competitively biddable drug or biological in the area.
(2) Special rules
The Secretary shall establish rules regarding the use under this section of the alternative payment amount provided under
(A) New drugs and biologicals
A competitively biddable drug or biological for which a payment and billing code has not been established.
(B) Other cases
Such other exceptional cases as the Secretary may specify in regulations.
(e) Cost-sharing
(1) Application of coinsurance
Payment under this section for competitively biddable drugs and biologicals shall be in an amount equal to 80 percent of the payment basis described in subsection (d)(1) of this section.
(2) Deductible
Before applying paragraph (1), the individual shall be required to meet the deductible described in
(3) Collection
Such coinsurance and deductible shall be collected by the contractor that supplies the drug or biological involved. Subject to subsection (a)(3)(B) of this section, such coinsurance and deductible may be collected in a manner similar to the manner in which the coinsurance and deductible are collected for durable medical equipment under this part.
(f) Special payment rules
(1) Use in exclusion cases
If the Secretary excludes a drug or biological (or class of drugs or biologicals) under subsection (a)(1)(D) of this section, the Secretary may provide for payment to be made under this part for such drugs and biologicals (or class) using the payment methodology under
(2) Application of requirement for assignment
For provision requiring assignment of claims for competitively biddable drugs and biologicals, see
(3) Protection for beneficiary in case of medical necessity denial
For protection of individuals against liability in the case of medical necessity determinations, see
(g) Judicial review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(1) the establishment of payment amounts under subsection (d)(1) of this section;
(2) the awarding of contracts under this section;
(3) the establishment of competitive acquisition areas under subsection (a)(2)(C) of this section;
(4) the phased-in implementation under subsection (a)(1)(B) of this section;
(5) the selection of categories of competitively biddable drugs and biologicals for competitive acquisition under such subsection or the selection of a drug in the case of multiple source drugs; or
(6) the bidding structure and number of contractors selected under this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1847B, as added
References in Text
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, referred to in subsec. subsec. (b)(4)(C), is act June 25, 1938, ch. 675,
Part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (c)(5)(C), is classified to
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (a)(3)(A)(iii).
"(I) shall be made only to such contractor; and
"(II) shall be conditioned upon the administration of such drugs and biologicals."
Subsec. (a)(3)(D).
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
"(1) on or after April 1, 2007; and
"(2) on or after July 1, 2006, and before April 1, 2007, for claims that are unpaid as of April 1, 2007."
Construction of 2006 Amendment
"(1) requiring the conduct of any additional competition under subsection (b)(1) of section 1847B of the Social Security Act (
"(2) requiring any additional process for elections by physicians under subsection (a)(1)(A)(ii) of such section or additional selection by a selecting physician of a contractor under subsection (a)(5) of such section."
Report
Application of 2003 Amendment to Physician Specialties
Amendment by section 303 of
Notwithstanding section 303(j) of
1 See References in Text note below.
§1395w–4. Payment for physicians' services
(a) Payment based on fee schedule
(1) In general
Effective for all physicians' services (as defined in subsection (j)(3) of this section) furnished under this part during a year (beginning with 1992) for which payment is otherwise made on the basis of a reasonable charge or on the basis of a fee schedule under
(A) the actual charge for the service, or
(B) subject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection, the amount determined under the fee schedule established under subsection (b) of this section for services furnished during that year (in this subsection referred to as the "fee schedule amount").
(2) Transition to full fee schedule
(A) Limiting reductions and increases to 15 percent in 1992
(i) Limit on increase
In the case of a service in a fee schedule area (as defined in subsection (j)(2) of this section) for which the adjusted historical payment basis (as defined in subparagraph (D)) is less than 85 percent of the fee schedule amount for services furnished in 1992, there shall be substituted for the fee schedule amount an amount equal to the adjusted historical payment basis plus 15 percent of the fee schedule amount otherwise established (without regard to this paragraph).
(ii) Limit in reduction
In the case of a service in a fee schedule area for which the adjusted historical payment basis exceeds 115 percent of the fee schedule amount for services furnished in 1992, there shall be substituted for the fee schedule amount an amount equal to the adjusted historical payment basis minus 15 percent of the fee schedule amount otherwise established (without regard to this paragraph).
(B) Special rule for 1993, 1994, and 1995
If a physicians' service in a fee schedule area is subject to the provisions of subparagraph (A) in 1992, for physicians' services furnished in the area—
(i) during 1993, there shall be substituted for the fee schedule amount an amount equal to the sum of—
(I) 75 percent of the fee schedule amount determined under subparagraph (A), adjusted by the update established under subsection (d)(3) of this section for 1993, and
(II) 25 percent of the fee schedule amount determined under paragraph (1) for 1993 without regard to this paragraph;
(ii) during 1994, there shall be substituted for the fee schedule amount an amount equal to the sum of—
(I) 67 percent of the fee schedule amount determined under clause (i), adjusted by the update established under subsection (d)(3) of this section for 1994 and as adjusted under subsection (c)(2)(F)(ii) of this section and under section 13515(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, and
(II) 33 percent of the fee schedule amount determined under paragraph (1) for 1994 without regard to this paragraph; and
(iii) during 1995, there shall be substituted for the fee schedule amount an amount equal to the sum of—
(I) 50 percent of the fee schedule amount determined under clause (ii) adjusted by the update established under subsection (d)(3) of this section for 1995, and
(II) 50 percent of the fee schedule amount determined under paragraph (1) for 1995 without regard to this paragraph.
(C) Special rule for anesthesia and radiology services
With respect to physicians' services which are anesthesia services, the Secretary shall provide for a transition in the same manner as a transition is provided for other services under subparagraph (B). With respect to radiology services, "109 percent" and "9 percent" shall be substituted for "115 percent" and "15 percent", respectively, in subparagraph (A)(ii).
(D) "Adjusted historical payment basis" defined
(i) In general
In this paragraph, the term "adjusted historical payment basis" means, with respect to a physicians' service furnished in a fee schedule area, the weighted average prevailing charge applied in the area for the service in 1991 (as determined by the Secretary without regard to physician specialty and as adjusted to reflect payments for services with customary charges below the prevailing charge or other payment limitations imposed by law or regulation) adjusted by the update established under subsection (d)(3) of this section for 1992.
(ii) Application to radiology services
In applying clause (i) in the case of physicians' services which are radiology services (including radiologist services, as defined in
(iii) Nuclear medicine services
In applying clause (i) in the case of physicians' services which are nuclear medicine services, there shall be substituted for the weighted average prevailing charge the amount provided under section 6105(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989.
(3) Incentives for participating physicians and suppliers
In applying paragraph (1)(B) in the case of a nonparticipating physician or a nonparticipating supplier or other person, the fee schedule amount shall be 95 percent of such amount otherwise applied under this subsection (without regard to this paragraph). In the case of physicians' services (including services which the Secretary excludes pursuant to subsection (j)(3) of this section) of a nonparticipating physician, supplier, or other person for which payment is made under this part on a basis other than the fee schedule amount, the payment shall be based on 95 percent of the payment basis for such services furnished by a participating physician, supplier, or other person.
(4) Special rule for medical direction
(A) In general
With respect to physicians' services furnished on or after January 1, 1994, and consisting of medical direction of two, three, or four concurrent anesthesia cases, except as provided in paragraph (5), the fee schedule amount to be applied shall be equal to one-half of the amount described in subparagraph (B).
(B) Amount
The amount described in this subparagraph, for a physician's medical direction of the performance of anesthesia services, is the following percentage of the fee schedule amount otherwise applicable under this section if the anesthesia services were personally performed by the physician alone:
(i) For services furnished during 1994, 120 percent.
(ii) For services furnished during 1995, 115 percent.
(iii) For services furnished during 1996, 110 percent.
(iv) For services furnished during 1997, 105 percent.
(v) For services furnished after 1997, 100 percent.
(5) Incentives for electronic prescribing
(A) Adjustment
(i) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B) and subsection (m)(2)(B), with respect to covered professional services furnished by an eligible professional during 2012, 2013 or 2014, if the eligible professional is not a successful electronic prescriber for the reporting period for the year (as determined under subsection (m)(3)(B)), the fee schedule amount for such services furnished by such professional during the year (including the fee schedule amount for purposes of determining a payment based on such amount) shall be equal to the applicable percent of the fee schedule amount that would otherwise apply to such services under this subsection (determined after application of paragraph (3) but without regard to this paragraph).
(ii) Applicable percent
For purposes of clause (i), the term "applicable percent" means—
(I) for 2012, 99 percent;
(II) for 2013, 98.5 percent; and
(III) for 2014, 98 percent.
(B) Significant hardship exception
The Secretary may, on a case-by-case basis, exempt an eligible professional from the application of the payment adjustment under subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines, subject to annual renewal, that compliance with the requirement for being a successful electronic prescriber would result in a significant hardship, such as in the case of an eligible professional who practices in a rural area without sufficient Internet access.
(C) Application
(i) Physician reporting system rules
Paragraphs (5), (6), and (8) of subsection (k) shall apply for purposes of this paragraph in the same manner as they apply for purposes of such subsection.
(ii) Incentive payment validation rules
Clauses (ii) and (iii) of subsection (m)(5)(D) shall apply for purposes of this paragraph in a similar manner as they apply for purposes of such subsection.
(D) Definitions
For purposes of this paragraph:
(i) Eligible professional; covered professional services
The terms "eligible professional" and "covered professional services" have the meanings given such terms in subsection (k)(3).
(ii) Physician reporting system
The term "physician reporting system" means the system established under subsection (k).
(iii) Reporting period
The term "reporting period" means, with respect to a year, a period specified by the Secretary.
(6) Special rule for teaching anesthesiologists
With respect to physicians' services furnished on or after January 1, 2010, in the case of teaching anesthesiologists involved in the training of physician residents in a single anesthesia case or two concurrent anesthesia cases, the fee schedule amount to be applied shall be 100 percent of the fee schedule amount otherwise applicable under this section if the anesthesia services were personally performed by the teaching anesthesiologist alone and paragraph (4) shall not apply if—
(A) the teaching anesthesiologist is present during all critical or key portions of the anesthesia service or procedure involved; and
(B) the teaching anesthesiologist (or another anesthesiologist with whom the teaching anesthesiologist has entered into an arrangement) is immediately available to furnish anesthesia services during the entire procedure.
(7) Incentives for meaningful use of certified EHR technology
(A) Adjustment
(i) In general
Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (D), with respect to covered professional services furnished by an eligible professional during 2015 or any subsequent payment year, if the eligible professional is not a meaningful EHR user (as determined under subsection (o)(2)) for an EHR reporting period for the year, the fee schedule amount for such services furnished by such professional during the year (including the fee schedule amount for purposes of determining a payment based on such amount) shall be equal to the applicable percent of the fee schedule amount that would otherwise apply to such services under this subsection (determined after application of paragraph (3) but without regard to this paragraph).
(ii) Applicable percent
Subject to clause (iii), for purposes of clause (i), the term "applicable percent" means—
(I) for 2015, 99 percent (or, in the case of an eligible professional who was subject to the application of the payment adjustment under subsection (a)(5) for 2014, 98 percent);
(II) for 2016, 98 percent; and
(III) for 2017 and each subsequent year, 97 percent.
(iii) Authority to decrease applicable percentage for 2018 and subsequent years
For 2018 and each subsequent year, if the Secretary finds that the proportion of eligible professionals who are meaningful EHR users (as determined under subsection (o)(2)) is less than 75 percent, the applicable percent shall be decreased by 1 percentage point from the applicable percent in the preceding year, but in no case shall the applicable percent be less than 95 percent.
(B) Significant hardship exception
The Secretary may, on a case-by-case basis, exempt an eligible professional from the application of the payment adjustment under subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines, subject to annual renewal, that compliance with the requirement for being a meaningful EHR user would result in a significant hardship, such as in the case of an eligible professional who practices in a rural area without sufficient Internet access. In no case may an eligible professional be granted an exemption under this subparagraph for more than 5 years.
(C) Application of physician reporting system rules
Paragraphs (5), (6), and (8) of subsection (k) shall apply for purposes of this paragraph in the same manner as they apply for purposes of such subsection.
(D) Non-application to hospital-based eligible professionals
No payment adjustment may be made under subparagraph (A) in the case of hospital-based eligible professionals (as defined in subsection (o)(1)(C)(ii)).
(E) Definitions
For purposes of this paragraph:
(i) Covered professional services
The term "covered professional services" has the meaning given such term in subsection (k)(3).
(ii) EHR reporting period
The term "EHR reporting period" means, with respect to a year, a period (or periods) specified by the Secretary.
(iii) Eligible professional
The term "eligible professional" means a physician, as defined in
(8) Incentives for quality reporting
(A) Adjustment
(i) In general
With respect to covered professional services furnished by an eligible professional during 2015 or any subsequent year, if the eligible professional does not satisfactorily submit data on quality measures for covered professional services for the quality reporting period for the year (as determined under subsection (m)(3)(A)), the fee schedule amount for such services furnished by such professional during the year (including the fee schedule amount for purposes of determining a payment based on such amount) shall be equal to the applicable percent of the fee schedule amount that would otherwise apply to such services under this subsection (determined after application of paragraphs (3), (5), and (7), but without regard to this paragraph).
(ii) Applicable percent
For purposes of clause (i), the term "applicable percent" means—
(I) for 2015, 98.5 percent; and
(II) for 2016 and each subsequent year, 98 percent.
(B) Application
(i) Physician reporting system rules
Paragraphs (5), (6), and (8) of subsection (k) shall apply for purposes of this paragraph in the same manner as they apply for purposes of such subsection.
(ii) Incentive payment validation rules
Clauses (ii) and (iii) of subsection (m)(5)(D) shall apply for purposes of this paragraph in a similar manner as they apply for purposes of such subsection.
(C) Definitions
For purposes of this paragraph:
(i) Eligible professional; covered professional services
The terms "eligible professional" and "covered professional services" have the meanings given such terms in subsection (k)(3).
(ii) Physician reporting system
The term "physician reporting system" means the system established under subsection (k).
(iii) Quality reporting period
The term "quality reporting period" means, with respect to a year, a period specified by the Secretary.
(b) Establishment of fee schedules
(1) In general
Before November 1 of the preceding year, for each year beginning with 1998, subject to subsection (p), the Secretary shall establish, by regulation, fee schedules that establish payment amounts for all physicians' services furnished in all fee schedule areas (as defined in subsection (j)(2) of this section) for the year. Except as provided in paragraph (2), each such payment amount for a service shall be equal to the product of—
(A) the relative value for the service (as determined in subsection (c)(2) of this section),
(B) the conversion factor (established under subsection (d) of this section) for the year, and
(C) the geographic adjustment factor (established under subsection (e)(2) of this section) for the service for the fee schedule area.
(2) Treatment of radiology services and anesthesia services
(A) Radiology services
With respect to radiology services (including radiologist services, as defined in
(B) Anesthesia services
In establishing the fee schedule for anesthesia services for which a relative value guide has been established under section 4048(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, the Secretary shall use, to the extent practicable, such relative value guide, with appropriate adjustment of the conversion factor, in a manner to assure that the fee schedule amounts for anesthesia services are consistent with the fee schedule amounts for other services determined by the Secretary to be of comparable value. In applying the previous sentence, the Secretary shall adjust the conversion factor by geographic adjustment factors in the same manner as such adjustment is made under paragraph (1)(C).
(C) Consultation
The Secretary shall consult with the Physician Payment Review Commission and organizations representing physicians or suppliers who furnish radiology services and anesthesia services in applying subparagraphs (A) and (B).
(3) Treatment of interpretation of electrocardiograms
The Secretary—
(A) shall make separate payment under this section for the interpretation of electrocardiograms performed or ordered to be performed as part of or in conjunction with a visit to or a consultation with a physician, and
(B) shall adjust the relative values established for visits and consultations under subsection (c) of this section so as not to include relative value units for interpretations of electrocardiograms in the relative value for visits and consultations.
(4) Special rule for imaging services
(A) In general
In the case of imaging services described in subparagraph (B) furnished on or after January 1, 2007, if—
(i) the technical component (including the technical component portion of a global fee) of the service established for a year under the fee schedule described in paragraph (1) without application of the geographic adjustment factor described in paragraph (1)(C), exceeds
(ii) the Medicare OPD fee schedule amount established under the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services under paragraph (3)(D) of
the Secretary shall substitute the amount described in clause (ii), adjusted by the geographic adjustment factor described in paragraph (1)(C), for the fee schedule amount for such technical component for such year.
(B) Imaging services described
For purposes of subparagraph (A), imaging services described in this subparagraph are imaging and computer-assisted imaging services, including X-ray, ultrasound (including echocardiography), nuclear medicine (including positron emission tomography), magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and fluoroscopy, but excluding diagnostic and screening mammography, and for 2010 and 2011, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry services (as described in paragraph (6)).
(C) Adjustment in imaging utilization rate
With respect to fee schedules established for 2011 and subsequent years, in the methodology for determining practice expense relative value units for expensive diagnostic imaging equipment under the final rule published by the Secretary in the Federal Register on November 25, 2009 (42 CFR 410 et al.), the Secretary shall use a 75 percent assumption instead of the utilization rates otherwise established in such final rule.
(D) Adjustment in technical component discount on single-session imaging involving consecutive body parts
For services furnished on or after July 1, 2010, the Secretary shall increase the reduction in payments attributable to the multiple procedure payment reduction applicable to the technical component for imaging under the final rule published by the Secretary in the Federal Register on November 21, 2005 (part 405 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations) from 25 percent to 50 percent.
(5) Treatment of intensive cardiac rehabilitation program
(A) In general
In the case of an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program described in
(B) Definition of session
Each of the services described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of
(C) Multiple sessions per day
Payment may be made for up to 6 sessions per day of the series of 72 one-hour sessions of intensive cardiac rehabilitation services described in
(6) Treatment of bone mass scans
For dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry services (identified in 2006 by HCPCS codes 76075 and 76077 (and any succeeding codes)) furnished during 2010 and 2011, instead of the payment amount that would otherwise be determined under this section for such years, the payment amount shall be equal to 70 percent of the product of—
(A) the relative value for the service (as determined in subsection (c)(2)) for 2006;
(B) the conversion factor (established under subsection (d)) for 2006; and
(C) the geographic adjustment factor (established under subsection (e)(2)) for the service for the fee schedule area for 2010 and 2011, respectively.
(7) Adjustment in discount for certain multiple therapy services
In the case of therapy services furnished on or after January 1, 2011, and for which payment is made under fee schedules established under this section, instead of the 25 percent multiple procedure payment reduction specified in the final rule published by the Secretary in the Federal Register on November 29, 2010, the reduction percentage shall be 20 percent.
(c) Determination of relative values for physicians' services
(1) Division of physicians' services into components
In this section, with respect to a physicians' service:
(A) "Work component" defined
The term "work component" means the portion of the resources used in furnishing the service that reflects physician time and intensity in furnishing the service. Such portion shall—
(i) include activities before and after direct patient contact, and
(ii) be defined, with respect to surgical procedures, to reflect a global definition including pre-operative and post-operative physicians' services.
(B) "Practice expense component" defined
The term "practice expense component" means the portion of the resources used in furnishing the service that reflects the general categories of expenses (such as office rent and wages of personnel, but excluding malpractice expenses) comprising practice expenses.
(C) "Malpractice component" defined
The term "malpractice component" means the portion of the resources used in furnishing the service that reflects malpractice expenses in furnishing the service.
(2) Determination of relative values
(A) In general
(i) Combination of units for components
The Secretary shall develop a methodology for combining the work, practice expense, and malpractice relative value units, determined under subparagraph (C), for each service in a manner to produce a single relative value for that service. Such relative values are subject to adjustment under subparagraph (F)(i) and section 13515(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993.
(ii) Extrapolation
The Secretary may use extrapolation and other techniques to determine the number of relative value units for physicians' services for which specific data are not available and shall take into account recommendations of the Physician Payment Review Commission and the results of consultations with organizations representing physicians who provide such services.
(B) Periodic review and adjustments in relative values
(i) Periodic review
The Secretary, not less often than every 5 years, shall review the relative values established under this paragraph for all physicians' services.
(ii) Adjustments
(I) In general
The Secretary shall, to the extent the Secretary determines to be necessary and subject to subclause (II), adjust the number of such units to take into account changes in medical practice, coding changes, new data on relative value components, or the addition of new procedures. The Secretary shall publish an explanation of the basis for such adjustments.
(II) Limitation on annual adjustments
Subject to clauses (iv) and (v), the adjustments under subclause (I) for a year may not cause the amount of expenditures under this part for the year to differ by more than $20,000,000 from the amount of expenditures under this part that would have been made if such adjustments had not been made.
(iii) Consultation
The Secretary, in making adjustments under clause (ii), shall consult with the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission and organizations representing physicians.
(iv) Exemption of certain additional expenditures from budget neutrality
The additional expenditures attributable to—
(I) subparagraph (H) shall not be taken into account in applying clause (ii)(II) for 2004;
(II) subparagraph (I) insofar as it relates to a physician fee schedule for 2005 or 2006 shall not be taken into account in applying clause (ii)(II) for drug administration services under the fee schedule for such year for a specialty described in subparagraph (I)(ii)(II);
(III) subparagraph (J) insofar as it relates to a physician fee schedule for 2005 or 2006 shall not be taken into account in applying clause (ii)(II) for drug administration services under the fee schedule for such year; and
(IV) subsection (b)(6) shall not be taken into account in applying clause (ii)(II) for 2010 or 2011.
(v) Exemption of certain reduced expenditures from budget-neutrality calculation
The following reduced expenditures, as estimated by the Secretary, shall not be taken into account in applying clause (ii)(II):
(I) Reduced payment for multiple imaging procedures
Effective for fee schedules established beginning with 2007, reduced expenditures attributable to the multiple procedure payment reduction for imaging under the final rule published by the Secretary in the Federal Register on November 21, 2005 (42 CFR 405, et al.) insofar as it relates to the physician fee schedules for 2006 and 2007.
(II) OPD payment cap for imaging services
Effective for fee schedules established beginning with 2007, reduced expenditures attributable to subsection (b)(4).
(III) Change in utilization rate for certain imaging services
Effective for fee schedules established beginning with 2011, reduced expenditures attributable to the change in the utilization rate applicable to 2011, as described in subsection (b)(4)(C).
(IV), (V) Repealed. Pub. L. 111–152, title I, §1107(2), Mar. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 1050
(VI) Additional reduced payment for multiple imaging procedures
Effective for fee schedules established beginning with 2010 (but not applied for services furnished prior to July 1, 2010), reduced expenditures attributable to the increase in the multiple procedure payment reduction from 25 to 50 percent (as described in subsection (b)(4)(D)).
(VII) Reduced expenditures for multiple therapy services
Effective for fee schedules established beginning with 2011, reduced expenditures attributable to the multiple procedure payment reduction for therapy services (as described in subsection (b)(7)).
(vi) Alternative application of budget-neutrality adjustment
Notwithstanding subsection (d)(9)(A), effective for fee schedules established beginning with 2009, with respect to the 5-year review of work relative value units used in fee schedules for 2007 and 2008, in lieu of continuing to apply budget-neutrality adjustments required under clause (ii) for 2007 and 2008 to work relative value units, the Secretary shall apply such budget-neutrality adjustments to the conversion factor otherwise determined for years beginning with 2009.
(C) Computation of relative value units for components
For purposes of this section for each physicians' service—
(i) Work relative value units
The Secretary shall determine a number of work relative value units for the service based on the relative resources incorporating physician time and intensity required in furnishing the service.
(ii) Practice expense relative value units
The Secretary shall determine a number of practice expense relative value units for the service for years before 1999 equal to the product of—
(I) the base allowed charges (as defined in subparagraph (D)) for the service, and
(II) the practice expense percentage for the service (as determined under paragraph (3)(C)(ii)),
and for years beginning with 1999 based on the relative practice expense resources involved in furnishing the service. For 1999, such number of units shall be determined based 75 percent on such product and based 25 percent on the relative practice expense resources involved in furnishing the service. For 2000, such number of units shall be determined based 50 percent on such product and based 50 percent on such relative practice expense resources. For 2001, such number of units shall be determined based 25 percent on such product and based 75 percent on such relative practice expense resources. For a subsequent year, such number of units shall be determined based entirely on such relative practice expense resources.
(iii) Malpractice relative value units
The Secretary shall determine a number of malpractice relative value units for the service for years before 2000 equal to the product of—
(I) the base allowed charges (as defined in subparagraph (D)) for the service, and
(II) the malpractice percentage for the service (as determined under paragraph (3)(C)(iii)),
and for years beginning with 2000 based on the malpractice expense resources involved in furnishing the service.
(D) "Base allowed charges" defined
In this paragraph, the term "base allowed charges" means, with respect to a physician's service, the national average allowed charges for the service under this part for services furnished during 1991, as estimated by the Secretary using the most recent data available.
(E) Reduction in practice expense relative value units for certain services
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), the Secretary shall reduce the practice expense relative value units applied to services described in clause (iii) furnished in—
(I) 1994, by 25 percent of the number by which the number of practice expense relative value units (determined for 1994 without regard to this subparagraph) exceeds the number of work relative value units determined for 1994,
(II) 1995, by an additional 25 percent of such excess, and
(III) 1996, by an additional 25 percent of such excess.
(ii) Floor on reductions
The practice expense relative value units for a physician's service shall not be reduced under this subparagraph to a number less than 128 percent of the number of work relative value units.
(iii) Services covered
For purposes of clause (i), the services described in this clause are physicians' services that are not described in clause (iv) and for which—
(I) there are work relative value units, and
(II) the number of practice expense relative value units (determined for 1994) exceeds 128 percent of the number of work relative value units (determined for such year).
(iv) Excluded services
For purposes of clause (iii), the services described in this clause are services which the Secretary determines at least 75 percent of which are provided under this subchapter in an office setting.
(F) Budget neutrality adjustments
The Secretary—
(i) shall reduce the relative values for all services (other than anesthesia services) established under this paragraph (and, in the case of anesthesia services, the conversion factor established by the Secretary for such services) by such percentage as the Secretary determines to be necessary so that, beginning in 1996, the amendment made by section 13514(a) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 would not result in expenditures under this section that exceed the amount of such expenditures that would have been made if such amendment had not been made, and
(ii) shall reduce the amounts determined under subsection (a)(2)(B)(ii)(I) of this section by such percentage as the Secretary determines to be required to assure that, taking into account the reductions made under clause (i), the amendment made by section 13514(a) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 would not result in expenditures under this section in 1994 that exceed the amount of such expenditures that would have been made if such amendment had not been made.
(G) Adjustments in relative value units for 1998
(i) In general
The Secretary shall—
(I) subject to clauses (iv) and (v), reduce the practice expense relative value units applied to any services described in clause (ii) furnished in 1998 to a number equal to 110 percent of the number of work relative value units, and
(II) increase the practice expense relative value units for office visit procedure codes during 1998 by a uniform percentage which the Secretary estimates will result in an aggregate increase in payments for such services equal to the aggregate decrease in payments by reason of subclause (I).
(ii) Services covered
For purposes of clause (i), the services described in this clause are physicians' services that are not described in clause (iii) and for which—
(I) there are work relative value units, and
(II) the number of practice expense relative value units (determined for 1998) exceeds 110 percent of the number of work relative value units (determined for such year).
(iii) Excluded services
For purposes of clause (ii), the services described in this clause are services which the Secretary determines at least 75 percent of which are provided under this subchapter in an office setting.
(iv) Limitation on aggregate reallocation
If the application of clause (i)(I) would result in an aggregate amount of reductions under such clause in excess of $390,000,000, such clause shall be applied by substituting for 110 percent such greater percentage as the Secretary estimates will result in the aggregate amount of such reductions equaling $390,000,000.
(v) No reduction for certain services
Practice expense relative value units for a procedure performed in an office or in a setting out of an office shall not be reduced under clause (i) if the in-office or out-of-office practice expense relative value, respectively, for the procedure would increase under the proposed rule on resource-based practice expenses issued by the Secretary on June 18, 1997 (62 Federal Register 33158 et seq.).
(H) Adjustments in practice expense relative value units for certain drug administration services beginning in 2004
(i) Use of survey data
In establishing the physician fee schedule under subsection (b) of this section with respect to payments for services furnished on or after January 1, 2004, the Secretary shall, in determining practice expense relative value units under this subsection, utilize a survey submitted to the Secretary as of January 1, 2003, by a physician specialty organization pursuant to section 212 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 if the survey—
(I) covers practice expenses for oncology drug administration services; and
(II) meets criteria established by the Secretary for acceptance of such surveys.
(ii) Pricing of clinical oncology nurses in practice expense methodology
If the survey described in clause (i) includes data on wages, salaries, and compensation of clinical oncology nurses, the Secretary shall utilize such data in the methodology for determining practice expense relative value units under subsection (c) of this section.
(iii) Work relative value units for certain drug administration services
In establishing the relative value units under this paragraph for drug administration services described in clause (iv) furnished on or after January 1, 2004, the Secretary shall establish work relative value units equal to the work relative value units for a level 1 office medical visit for an established patient.
(iv) Drug administration services described
The drug administration services described in this clause are physicians' services—
(I) which are classified as of October 1, 2003, within any of the following groups of procedures: therapeutic or diagnostic infusions (excluding chemotherapy); chemotherapy administration services; and therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injections;
(II) for which there are no work relative value units assigned under this subsection as of such date; and
(III) for which national relative value units have been assigned under this subsection as of such date.
(I) Adjustments in practice expense relative value units for certain drug administration services beginning with 2005
(i) In general
In establishing the physician fee schedule under subsection (b) of this section with respect to payments for services furnished on or after January 1, 2005 or 2006, the Secretary shall adjust the practice expense relative value units for such year consistent with clause (ii).
(ii) Use of supplemental survey data
(I) In general
Subject to subclause (II), if a specialty submits to the Secretary by not later than March 1, 2004, for 2005, or March 1, 2005, for 2006, data that includes expenses for the administration of drugs and biologicals for which the payment amount is determined pursuant to
(II) Limitation on specialty
Subclause (I) shall apply to a specialty only insofar as not less than 40 percent of payments for the specialty under this subchapter in 2002 are attributable to the administration of drugs and biologicals, as determined by the Secretary.
(III) Application
This clause shall not apply with respect to a survey to which subparagraph (H)(i) applies.
(J) Provisions for appropriate reporting and billing for physicians' services associated with the administration of covered outpatient drugs and biologicals
(i) Evaluation of codes
The Secretary shall promptly evaluate existing drug administration codes for physicians' services to ensure accurate reporting and billing for such services, taking into account levels of complexity of the administration and resource consumption.
(ii) Use of existing processes
In carrying out clause (i), the Secretary shall use existing processes for the consideration of coding changes and, to the extent coding changes are made, shall use such processes in establishing relative values for such services.
(iii) Implementation
In carrying out clause (i), the Secretary shall consult with representatives of physician specialties affected by the implementation of
(iv) Subsequent, budget neutral adjustments permitted
Nothing in subparagraph (H) or (I) or this subparagraph shall be construed as preventing the Secretary from providing for adjustments in practice expense relative value units under (and consistent with) subparagraph (B) for years after 2004, 2005, or 2006, respectively.
(K) Potentially misvalued codes
(i) In general
The Secretary shall—
(I) periodically identify services as being potentially misvalued using criteria specified in clause (ii); and
(II) review and make appropriate adjustments to the relative values established under this paragraph for services identified as being potentially misvalued under subclause (I).
(ii) Identification of potentially misvalued codes
For purposes of identifying potentially misvalued services pursuant to clause (i)(I), the Secretary shall examine (as the Secretary determines to be appropriate) codes (and families of codes as appropriate) for which there has been the fastest growth; codes (and families of codes as appropriate) that have experienced substantial changes in practice expenses; codes for new technologies or services within an appropriate period (such as 3 years) after the relative values are initially established for such codes; multiple codes that are frequently billed in conjunction with furnishing a single service; codes with low relative values, particularly those that are often billed multiple times for a single treatment; codes which have not been subject to review since the implementation of the RBRVS (the so-called "Harvard-valued codes"); and such other codes determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
(iii) Review and adjustments
(I) The Secretary may use existing processes to receive recommendations on the review and appropriate adjustment of potentially misvalued services described in clause (i)(II).
(II) The Secretary may conduct surveys, other data collection activities, studies, or other analyses as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to facilitate the review and appropriate adjustment described in clause (i)(II).
(III) The Secretary may use analytic contractors to identify and analyze services identified under clause (i)(I), conduct surveys or collect data, and make recommendations on the review and appropriate adjustment of services described in clause (i)(II).
(IV) The Secretary may coordinate the review and appropriate adjustment described in clause (i)(II) with the periodic review described in subparagraph (B).
(V) As part of the review and adjustment described in clause (i)(II), including with respect to codes with low relative values described in clause (ii), the Secretary may make appropriate coding revisions (including using existing processes for consideration of coding changes) which may include consolidation of individual services into bundled codes for payment under the fee schedule under subsection (b).
(VI) The provisions of subparagraph (B)(ii)(II) shall apply to adjustments to relative value units made pursuant to this subparagraph in the same manner as such provisions apply to adjustments under subparagraph (B)(ii)(II).
(L) Validating relative value units
(i) In general
The Secretary shall establish a process to validate relative value units under the fee schedule under subsection (b).
(ii) Components and elements of work
The process described in clause (i) may include validation of work elements (such as time, mental effort and professional judgment, technical skill and physical effort, and stress due to risk) involved with furnishing a service and may include validation of the pre-, post-, and intra-service components of work.
(iii) Scope of codes
The validation of work relative value units shall include a sampling of codes for services that is the same as the codes listed under subparagraph (K)(ii).
(iv) Methods
The Secretary may conduct the validation under this subparagraph using methods described in subclauses (I) through (V) of subparagraph (K)(iii) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(v) Adjustments
The Secretary shall make appropriate adjustments to the work relative value units under the fee schedule under subsection (b). The provisions of subparagraph (B)(ii)(II) shall apply to adjustments to relative value units made pursuant to this subparagraph in the same manner as such provisions apply to adjustments under subparagraph (B)(ii)(II).
(3) Component percentages
For purposes of paragraph (2), the Secretary shall determine a work percentage, a practice expense percentage, and a malpractice percentage for each physician's service as follows:
(A) Division of services by specialty
For each physician's service or class of physicians' services, the Secretary shall determine the average percentage of each such service or class of services that is performed, nationwide, under this part by physicians in each of the different physician specialties (as identified by the Secretary).
(B) Division of specialty by component
The Secretary shall determine the average percentage division of resources, among the work component, the practice expense component, and the malpractice component, used by physicians in each of such specialties in furnishing physicians' services. Such percentages shall be based on national data that describe the elements of physician practice costs and revenues, by physician specialty. The Secretary may use extrapolation and other techniques to determine practice costs and revenues for specialties for which adequate data are not available.
(C) Determination of component percentages
(i) Work percentage
The work percentage for a service (or class of services) is equal to the sum (for all physician specialties) of—
(I) the average percentage division for the work component for each physician specialty (determined under subparagraph (B)), multiplied by
(II) the proportion (determined under subparagraph (A)) of such service (or services) performed by physicians in that specialty.
(ii) Practice expense percentage
For years before 2002, the practice expense percentage for a service (or class of services) is equal to the sum (for all physician specialties) of—
(I) the average percentage division for the practice expense component for each physician specialty (determined under subparagraph (B)), multiplied by
(II) the proportion (determined under subparagraph (A)) of such service (or services) performed by physicians in that specialty.
(iii) Malpractice percentage
For years before 1999, the malpractice percentage for a service (or class of services) is equal to the sum (for all physician specialties) of—
(I) the average percentage division for the malpractice component for each physician specialty (determined under subparagraph (B)), multiplied by
(II) the proportion (determined under subparagraph (A)) of such service (or services) performed by physicians in that specialty.
(D) Periodic recomputation
The Secretary may, from time to time, provide for the recomputation of work percentages, practice expense percentages, and malpractice percentages determined under this paragraph.
(4) Ancillary policies
The Secretary may establish ancillary policies (with respect to the use of modifiers, local codes, and other matters) as may be necessary to implement this section.
(5) Coding
The Secretary shall establish a uniform procedure coding system for the coding of all physicians' services. The Secretary shall provide for an appropriate coding structure for visits and consultations. The Secretary may incorporate the use of time in the coding for visits and consultations. The Secretary, in establishing such coding system, shall consult with the Physician Payment Review Commission and other organizations representing physicians.
(6) No variation for specialists
The Secretary may not vary the conversion factor or the number of relative value units for a physicians' service based on whether the physician furnishing the service is a specialist or based on the type of specialty of the physician.
(d) Conversion factors
(1) Establishment
(A) In general
The conversion factor for each year shall be the conversion factor established under this subsection for the previous year (or, in the case of 1992, specified in subparagraph (B)) adjusted by the update (established under paragraph (3)) for the year involved (for years before 2001) and, for years beginning with 2001, multiplied by the update (established under paragraph (4)) for the year involved.
(B) Special provision for 1992
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the conversion factor specified in this subparagraph is a conversion factor (determined by the Secretary) which, if this section were to apply during 1991 using such conversion factor, would result in the same aggregate amount of payments under this part for physicians' services as the estimated aggregate amount of the payments under this part for such services in 1991.
(C) Special rules for 1998
Except as provided in subparagraph (D), the single conversion factor for 1998 under this subsection shall be the conversion factor for primary care services for 1997, increased by the Secretary's estimate of the weighted average of the three separate updates that would otherwise occur were it not for the enactment of
(D) Special rules for anesthesia services
The separate conversion factor for anesthesia services for a year shall be equal to 46 percent of the single conversion factor established for other physicians' services, except as adjusted for changes in work, practice expense, or malpractice relative value units.
(E) Publication and dissemination of information
The Secretary shall—
(i) cause to have published in the Federal Register not later than November 1 of each year (beginning with 2000) the conversion factor which will apply to physicians' services for the succeeding year, the update determined under paragraph (4) for such succeeding year, and the allowed expenditures under such paragraph for such succeeding year; and
(ii) make available to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission and the public by March 1 of each year (beginning with 2000) an estimate of the sustainable growth rate and of the conversion factor which will apply to physicians' services for the succeeding year and data used in making such estimate.
(2) Repealed. Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, §4502(b), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 433
(3) Update for 1999 and 2000
(A) In general
Unless otherwise provided by law, subject to subparagraph (D) and the budget-neutrality factor determined by the Secretary under subsection (c)(2)(B)(ii) of this section, the update to the single conversion factor established in paragraph (1)(C) for 1999 and 2000 is equal to the product of—
(i) 1 plus the Secretary's estimate of the percentage increase in the MEI (as defined in
(ii) 1 plus the Secretary's estimate of the update adjustment factor for the year (divided by 100),
minus 1 and multiplied by 100.
(B) Update adjustment factor
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), the "update adjustment factor" for a year is equal (as estimated by the Secretary) to—
(i) the difference between (I) the sum of the allowed expenditures for physicians' services (as determined under subparagraph (C)) for the period beginning April 1, 1997, and ending on March 31 of the year involved, and (II) the amount of actual expenditures for physicians' services furnished during the period beginning April 1, 1997, and ending on March 31 of the preceding year; divided by
(ii) the actual expenditures for physicians' services for the 12-month period ending on March 31 of the preceding year, increased by the sustainable growth rate under subsection (f) of this section for the fiscal year which begins during such 12-month period.
(C) Determination of allowed expenditures
For purposes of this paragraph and paragraph (4), the allowed expenditures for physicians' services for the 12-month period ending with March 31 of—
(i) 1997 is equal to the actual expenditures for physicians' services furnished during such 12-month period, as estimated by the Secretary; or
(ii) a subsequent year is equal to the allowed expenditures for physicians' services for the previous year, increased by the sustainable growth rate under subsection (f) of this section for the fiscal year which begins during such 12-month period.
(D) Restriction on variation from medicare economic index
Notwithstanding the amount of the update adjustment factor determined under subparagraph (B) for a year, the update in the conversion factor under this paragraph for the year may not be—
(i) greater than 100 times the following amount: (1.03 + (MEI percentage/100)) ^1; or
(ii) less than 100 times the following amount: (0.93 + (MEI percentage/100)) ^1,
where "MEI percentage" means the Secretary's estimate of the percentage increase in the MEI (as defined in
(4) Update for years beginning with 2001
(A) In general
Unless otherwise provided by law, subject to the budget-neutrality factor determined by the Secretary under subsection (c)(2)(B)(ii) of this section and subject to adjustment under subparagraph (F), the update to the single conversion factor established in paragraph (1)(C) for a year beginning with 2001 is equal to the product of—
(i) 1 plus the Secretary's estimate of the percentage increase in the MEI (as defined in
(ii) 1 plus the Secretary's estimate of the update adjustment factor under subparagraph (B) for the year.
(B) Update adjustment factor
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), subject to subparagraph (D) and the succeeding paragraphs of this subsection, the "update adjustment factor" for a year is equal (as estimated by the Secretary) to the sum of the following:
(i) Prior year adjustment component
An amount determined by—
(I) computing the difference (which may be positive or negative) between the amount of the allowed expenditures for physicians' services for the prior year (as determined under subparagraph (C)) and the amount of the actual expenditures for such services for that year;
(II) dividing that difference by the amount of the actual expenditures for such services for that year; and
(III) multiplying that quotient by 0.75.
(ii) Cumulative adjustment component
An amount determined by—
(I) computing the difference (which may be positive or negative) between the amount of the allowed expenditures for physicians' services (as determined under subparagraph (C)) from April 1, 1996, through the end of the prior year and the amount of the actual expenditures for such services during that period;
(II) dividing that difference by actual expenditures for such services for the prior year as increased by the sustainable growth rate under subsection (f) of this section for the year for which the update adjustment factor is to be determined; and
(III) multiplying that quotient by 0.33.
(C) Determination of allowed expenditures
For purposes of this paragraph:
(i) Period up to April 1, 1999
The allowed expenditures for physicians' services for a period before April 1, 1999, shall be the amount of the allowed expenditures for such period as determined under paragraph (3)(C).
(ii) Transition to calendar year allowed expenditures
Subject to subparagraph (E), the allowed expenditures for—
(I) the 9-month period beginning April 1, 1999, shall be the Secretary's estimate of the amount of the allowed expenditures that would be permitted under paragraph (3)(C) for such period; and
(II) the year of 1999, shall be the Secretary's estimate of the amount of the allowed expenditures that would be permitted under paragraph (3)(C) for such year.
(iii) Years beginning with 2000
The allowed expenditures for a year (beginning with 2000) is equal to the allowed expenditures for physicians' services for the previous year, increased by the sustainable growth rate under subsection (f) of this section for the year involved.
(D) Restriction on update adjustment factor
The update adjustment factor determined under subparagraph (B) for a year may not be less than ^0.07 or greater than 0.03.
(E) Recalculation of allowed expenditures for updates beginning with 2001
For purposes of determining the update adjustment factor for a year beginning with 2001, the Secretary shall recompute the allowed expenditures for previous periods beginning on or after April 1, 1999, consistent with subsection (f)(3) of this section.
(F) Transitional adjustment designed to provide for budget neutrality
Under this subparagraph the Secretary shall provide for an adjustment to the update under subparagraph (A)—
(i) for each of 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004, of ^0.2 percent; and
(ii) for 2005 of +0.8 percent.
(5) Update for 2004 and 2005
The update to the single conversion factor established in paragraph (1)(C) for each of 2004 and 2005 shall be not less than 1.5 percent.
(6) Update for 2006
The update to the single conversion factor established in paragraph (1)(C) for 2006 shall be 0 percent.
(7) Conversion factor for 2007
(A) In general
The conversion factor that would otherwise be applicable under this subsection for 2007 shall be the amount of such conversion factor divided by the product of—
(i) 1 plus the Secretary's estimate of the percentage increase in the MEI (as defined in
(ii) 1 plus the Secretary's estimate of the update adjustment factor under paragraph (4)(B) for 2007.
(B) No effect on computation of conversion factor for 2008
The conversion factor under this subsection shall be computed under paragraph (1)(A) for 2008 as if subparagraph (A) had never applied.
(8) Update for 2008
(A) In general
Subject to paragraph (7)(B), in lieu of the update to the single conversion factor established in paragraph (1)(C) that would otherwise apply for 2008, the update to the single conversion factor shall be 0.5 percent.
(B) No effect on computation of conversion factor for 2009
The conversion factor under this subsection shall be computed under paragraph (1)(A) for 2009 and subsequent years as if subparagraph (A) had never applied.
(9) Update for 2009
(A) In general
Subject to paragraphs (7)(B) and (8)(B), in lieu of the update to the single conversion factor established in paragraph (1)(C) that would otherwise apply for 2009, the update to the single conversion factor shall be 1.1 percent.
(B) No effect on computation of conversion factor for 2010 and subsequent years
The conversion factor under this subsection shall be computed under paragraph (1)(A) for 2010 and subsequent years as if subparagraph (A) had never applied.
(10) Update for January through May of 2010
(A) In general
Subject to paragraphs (7)(B), (8)(B), and (9)(B), in lieu of the update to the single conversion factor established in paragraph (1)(C) that would otherwise apply for 2010 for the period beginning on January 1, 2010, and ending on May 31, 2010, the update to the single conversion factor shall be 0 percent for 2010.
(B) No effect on computation of conversion factor for remaining portion of 2010 and subsequent years
The conversion factor under this subsection shall be computed under paragraph (1)(A) for the period beginning on June 1, 2010, and ending on December 31, 2010, and for 2011 and subsequent years as if subparagraph (A) had never applied.
(11) Update for June through December of 2010
(A) In general
Subject to paragraphs (7)(B), (8)(B), (9)(B), and (10)(B), in lieu of the update to the single conversion factor established in paragraph (1)(C) that would otherwise apply for 2010 for the period beginning on June 1, 2010, and ending on December 31, 2010, the update to the single conversion factor shall be 2.2 percent.
(B) No effect on computation of conversion factor for 2011 and subsequent years
The conversion factor under this subsection shall be computed under paragraph (1)(A) for 2011 and subsequent years as if subparagraph (A) had never applied.
(12) Update for 2011
(A) In general
Subject to paragraphs (7)(B), (8)(B), (9)(B), (10)(B), and (11)(B), in lieu of the update to the single conversion factor established in paragraph (1)(C) that would otherwise apply for 2011, the update to the single conversion factor shall be 0 percent.
(B) No effect on computation of conversion factor for 2012 and subsequent years
The conversion factor under this subsection shall be computed under paragraph (1)(A) for 2012 and subsequent years as if subparagraph (A) had never applied.
(e) Geographic adjustment factors
(1) Establishment of geographic indices
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraphs (B), (C), (E), (G), (H), and (I), the Secretary shall establish—
(i) an index which reflects the relative costs of the mix of goods and services comprising practice expenses (other than malpractice expenses) in the different fee schedule areas compared to the national average of such costs,
(ii) an index which reflects the relative costs of malpractice expenses in the different fee schedule areas compared to the national average of such costs, and
(iii) an index which reflects ¼ of the difference between the relative value of physicians' work effort in each of the different fee schedule areas and the national average of such work effort.
(B) Class-specific geographic cost-of-practice indices
The Secretary may establish more than one index under subparagraph (A)(i) in the case of classes of physicians' services, if, because of differences in the mix of goods and services comprising practice expenses for the different classes of services, the application of a single index under such clause to different classes of such services would be substantially inequitable.
(C) Periodic review and adjustments in geographic adjustment factors
The Secretary, not less often than every 3 years, shall, in consultation with appropriate representatives of physicians, review the indices established under subparagraph (A) and the geographic index values applied under this subsection for all fee schedule areas. Based on such review, the Secretary may revise such index and adjust such index values, except that, if more than 1 year has elasped 1 since the date of the last previous adjustment, the adjustment to be applied in the first year of the next adjustment shall be ½ of the adjustment that otherwise would be made.
(D) Use of recent data
In establishing indices and index values under this paragraph, the Secretary shall use the most recent data available relating to practice expenses, malpractice expenses, and physician work effort in different fee schedule areas.
(E) Floor at 1.0 on work geographic index
After calculating the work geographic index in subparagraph (A)(iii), for purposes of payment for services furnished on or after January 1, 2004, and before January 1, 2012, the Secretary shall increase the work geographic index to 1.00 for any locality for which such work geographic index is less than 1.00.
(G) 2 Floor for practice expense, malpractice, and work geographic indices for services furnished in Alaska
For purposes of payment for services furnished in Alaska on or after January 1, 2004, and before January 1, 2006, after calculating the practice expense, malpractice, and work geographic indices in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph (A) and in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall increase any such index to 1.67 if such index would otherwise be less than 1.67. For purposes of payment for services furnished in the State described in the preceding sentence on or after January 1, 2009, after calculating the work geographic index in subparagraph (A)(iii), the Secretary shall increase the work geographic index to 1.5 if such index would otherwise be less than 1.5 3
(H) Practice expense geographic adjustment for 2010 and subsequent years
(i) For 2010
Subject to clause (iii), for services furnished during 2010, the employee wage and rent portions of the practice expense geographic index described in subparagraph (A)(i) shall reflect ½ of the difference between the relative costs of employee wages and rents in each of the different fee schedule areas and the national average of such employee wages and rents.
(ii) For 2011
Subject to clause (iii), for services furnished during 2011, the employee wage and rent portions of the practice expense geographic index described in subparagraph (A)(i) shall reflect ½ of the difference between the relative costs of employee wages and rents in each of the different fee schedule areas and the national average of such employee wages and rents.
(iii) Hold harmless
The practice expense portion of the geographic adjustment factor applied in a fee schedule area for services furnished in 2010 or 2011 shall not, as a result of the application of clause (i) or (ii), be reduced below the practice expense portion of the geographic adjustment factor under subparagraph (A)(i) (as calculated prior to the application of such clause (i) or (ii), respectively) for such area for such year.
(iv) Analysis
The Secretary shall analyze current methods of establishing practice expense geographic adjustments under subparagraph (A)(i) and evaluate data that fairly and reliably establishes distinctions in the costs of operating a medical practice in the different fee schedule areas. Such analysis shall include an evaluation of the following:
(I) The feasibility of using actual data or reliable survey data developed by medical organizations on the costs of operating a medical practice, including office rents and non-physician staff wages, in different fee schedule areas.
(II) The office expense portion of the practice expense geographic adjustment described in subparagraph (A)(i), including the extent to which types of office expenses are determined in local markets instead of national markets.
(III) The weights assigned to each of the categories within the practice expense geographic adjustment described in subparagraph (A)(i).
(v) Revision for 2012 and subsequent years
As a result of the analysis described in clause (iv), the Secretary shall, not later than January 1, 2012, make appropriate adjustments to the practice expense geographic adjustment described in subparagraph (A)(i) to ensure accurate geographic adjustments across fee schedule areas, including—
(I) basing the office rents component and its weight on office expenses that vary among fee schedule areas; and
(II) considering a representative range of professional and non-professional personnel employed in a medical office based on the use of the American Community Survey data or other reliable data for wage adjustments.
Such adjustments shall be made without regard to adjustments made pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) and shall be made in a budget neutral manner.
(I) Floor for practice expense index for services furnished in frontier States
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), for purposes of payment for services furnished in a frontier State (as defined in
(ii) Limitation
This subparagraph shall not apply to services furnished in a State that receives a non-labor related share adjustment under
(2) Computation of geographic adjustment factor
For purposes of subsection (b)(1)(C) of this section, for all physicians' services for each fee schedule area the Secretary shall establish a geographic adjustment factor equal to the sum of the geographic cost-of-practice adjustment factor (specified in paragraph (3)), the geographic malpractice adjustment factor (specified in paragraph (4)), and the geographic physician work adjustment factor (specified in paragraph (5)) for the service and the area.
(3) Geographic cost-of-practice adjustment factor
For purposes of paragraph (2), the "geographic cost-of-practice adjustment factor", for a service for a fee schedule area, is the product of—
(A) the proportion of the total relative value for the service that reflects the relative value units for the practice expense component, and
(B) the geographic cost-of-practice index value for the area for the service, based on the index established under paragraph (1)(A)(i) or (1)(B) (as the case may be).
(4) Geographic malpractice adjustment factor
For purposes of paragraph (2), the "geographic malpractice adjustment factor", for a service for a fee schedule area, is the product of—
(A) the proportion of the total relative value for the service that reflects the relative value units for the malpractice component, and
(B) the geographic malpractice index value for the area, based on the index established under paragraph (1)(A)(ii).
(5) Geographic physician work adjustment factor
For purposes of paragraph (2), the "geographic physician work adjustment factor", for a service for a fee schedule area, is the product of—
(A) the proportion of the total relative value for the service that reflects the relative value units for the work component, and
(B) the geographic physician work index value for the area, based on the index established under paragraph (1)(A)(iii).
(f) Sustainable growth rate
(1) Publication
The Secretary shall cause to have published in the Federal Register not later than—
(A) November 1, 2000, the sustainable growth rate for 2000 and 2001; and
(B) November 1 of each succeeding year the sustainable growth rate for such succeeding year and each of the preceding 2 years.
(2) Specification of growth rate
The sustainable growth rate for all physicians' services for a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1998 and ending with fiscal year 2000) and a year beginning with 2000 shall be equal to the product of—
(A) 1 plus the Secretary's estimate of the weighted average percentage increase (divided by 100) in the fees for all physicians' services in the applicable period involved,
(B) 1 plus the Secretary's estimate of the percentage change (divided by 100) in the average number of individuals enrolled under this part (other than Medicare+Choice plan enrollees) from the previous applicable period to the applicable period involved,
(C) 1 plus the Secretary's estimate of the annual average percentage growth in real gross domestic product per capita (divided by 100) during the 10-year period ending with the applicable period involved, and
(D) 1 plus the Secretary's estimate of the percentage change (divided by 100) in expenditures for all physicians' services in the applicable period (compared with the previous applicable period) which will result from changes in law and regulations, determined without taking into account estimated changes in expenditures resulting from the update adjustment factor determined under subsection (d)(3)(B) or (d)(4)(B) of this section, as the case may be,
minus 1 and multiplied by 100.
(3) Data to be used
For purposes of determining the update adjustment factor under subsection (d)(4)(B) of this section for a year beginning with 2001, the sustainable growth rates taken into consideration in the determination under paragraph (2) shall be determined as follows:
(A) For 2001
For purposes of such calculations for 2001, the sustainable growth rates for fiscal year 2000 and the years 2000 and 2001 shall be determined on the basis of the best data available to the Secretary as of September 1, 2000.
(B) For 2002
For purposes of such calculations for 2002, the sustainable growth rates for fiscal year 2000 and for years 2000, 2001, and 2002 shall be determined on the basis of the best data available to the Secretary as of September 1, 2001.
(C) For 2003 and succeeding years
For purposes of such calculations for a year after 2002—
(i) the sustainable growth rates for that year and the preceding 2 years shall be determined on the basis of the best data available to the Secretary as of September 1 of the year preceding the year for which the calculation is made; and
(ii) the sustainable growth rate for any year before a year described in clause (i) shall be the rate as most recently determined for that year under this subsection.
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as affecting the sustainable growth rates established for fiscal year 1998 or fiscal year 1999.
(4) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Services included in physicians' services
The term "physicians' services" includes other items and services (such as clinical diagnostic laboratory tests and radiology services), specified by the Secretary, that are commonly performed or furnished by a physician or in a physician's office, but does not include services furnished to a Medicare+Choice plan enrollee.
(B) Medicare+Choice plan enrollee
The term "Medicare+Choice plan enrollee" means, with respect to a fiscal year, an individual enrolled under this part who has elected to receive benefits under this subchapter for the fiscal year through a Medicare+Choice plan offered under part C of this subchapter, and also includes an individual who is receiving benefits under this part through enrollment with an eligible organization with a risk-sharing contract under
(C) Applicable period
The term "applicable period" means—
(i) a fiscal year, in the case of fiscal year 1998, fiscal year 1999, and fiscal year 2000; or
(ii) a calendar year with respect to a year beginning with 2000;
as the case may be.
(g) Limitation on beneficiary liability
(1) Limitation on actual charges
(A) In general
In the case of a nonparticipating physician or nonparticipating supplier or other person (as defined in
(i) Application of limiting charge
No person may bill or collect an actual charge for the service in excess of the limiting charge described in paragraph (2) for such service.
(ii) No liability for excess charges
No person is liable for payment of any amounts billed for the service in excess of such limiting charge.
(iii) Correction of excess charges
If such a physician, supplier, or other person bills, but does not collect, an actual charge for a service in violation of clause (i), the physician, supplier, or other person shall reduce on a timely basis the actual charge billed for the service to an amount not to exceed the limiting charge for the service.
(iv) Refund of excess collections
If such a physician, supplier, or other person collects an actual charge for a service in violation of clause (i), the physician, supplier, or other person shall provide on a timely basis a refund to the individual charged in the amount by which the amount collected exceeded the limiting charge for the service. The amount of such a refund shall be reduced to the extent the individual has an outstanding balance owed by the individual to the physician.
(B) Sanctions
If a physician, supplier, or other person—
(i) knowingly and willfully bills or collects for services in violation of subparagraph (A)(i) on a repeated basis, or
(ii) fails to comply with clause (iii) or (iv) of subparagraph (A) on a timely basis,
the Secretary may apply sanctions against the physician, supplier, or other person in accordance with paragraph (2) of
(C) Timely basis
For purposes of this paragraph, a correction of a bill for an excess charge or refund of an amount with respect to a violation of subparagraph (A)(i) in the case of a service is considered to be provided "on a timely basis", if the reduction or refund is made not later than 30 days after the date the physician, supplier, or other person is notified by the carrier under this part of such violation and of the requirements of subparagraph (A).
(2) "Limiting charge" defined
(A) For 1991
For physicians' services of a physician furnished during 1991, other than radiologist services subject to
(i) the maximum allowable actual charge (as determined under
(ii) the recognized payment amount for the service of the physician (as a nonparticipating physician) as of such date.
In the case of evaluation and management services (as specified in
(B) For 1992
For physicians' services furnished during 1992, other than radiologist services subject to
(i) the limiting charge (as determined under subparagraph (A) as of December 31, 1991) for the service, exceeds
(ii) the recognized payment amount for the service for nonparticipating physicians as of such date.
(C) After 1992
For physicians' services furnished in a year after 1992, the "limiting charge" shall be 115 percent of the recognized payment amount under this part for nonparticipating physicians or for nonparticipating suppliers or other persons.
(D) Recognized payment amount
In this section, the term "recognized payment amount" means, for services furnished on or after January 1, 1992, the fee schedule amount determined under subsection (a) of this section (or, if payment under this part is made on a basis other than the fee schedule under this section, 95 percent of the other payment basis), and, for services furnished during 1991, the applicable percentage (as defined in
(3) Limitation on charges for medicare beneficiaries eligible for medicaid benefits
(A) In general
Payment for physicians' services furnished on or after April 1, 1990, to an individual who is enrolled under this part and eligible for any medical assistance (including as a qualified medicare beneficiary, as defined in
(B) Penalty
A person may not bill for physicians' services subject to subparagraph (A) other than on an assignment-related basis. No person is liable for payment of any amounts billed for such a service in violation of the previous sentence. If a person knowingly and willfully bills for physicians' services in violation of the first sentence, the Secretary may apply sanctions against the person in accordance with
(4) Physician submission of claims
(A) In general
For services furnished on or after September 1, 1990, within 1 year after the date of providing a service for which payment is made under this part on a reasonable charge or fee schedule basis, a physician, supplier, or other person (or an employer or facility in the cases described in
(i) shall complete and submit a claim for such service on a standard claim form specified by the Secretary to the carrier on behalf of a beneficiary, and
(ii) may not impose any charge relating to completing and submitting such a form.
(B) Penalty
(i) With respect to an assigned claim wherever a physician, provider, supplier or other person (or an employer or facility in the cases described in
(ii) If a physician, supplier, or other person (or an employer or facility in the cases described in
(5) Electronic billing; direct deposit
The Secretary shall encourage and develop a system providing for expedited payment for claims submitted electronically. The Secretary shall also encourage and provide incentives allowing for direct deposit as payments for services furnished by participating physicians. The Secretary shall provide physicians with such technical information as necessary to enable such physicians to submit claims electronically. The Secretary shall submit a plan to Congress on this paragraph by May 1, 1990.
(6) Monitoring of charges
(A) In general
The Secretary shall monitor—
(i) the actual charges of nonparticipating physicians for physicians' services furnished on or after January 1, 1991, to individuals enrolled under this part, and
(ii) changes (by specialty, type of service, and geographic area) in (I) the proportion of expenditures for physicians' services provided under this part by participating physicians, (II) the proportion of expenditures for such services for which payment is made under this part on an assignment-related basis, and (III) the amounts charged above the recognized payment amounts under this part.
(B) Report
The Secretary shall, by not later than April 15 of each year (beginning in 1992), report to the Congress information on the extent to which actual charges exceed limiting charges, the number and types of services involved, and the average amount of excess charges and information regarding the changes described in subparagraph (A)(ii).
(C) Plan
If the Secretary finds that there has been a significant decrease in the proportions described in subclauses (I) and (II) of subparagraph (A)(ii) or an increase in the amounts described in subclause (III) of that subparagraph, the Secretary shall develop a plan to address such a problem and transmit to Congress recommendations regarding the plan. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission shall review the Secretary's plan and recommendations and transmit to Congress its comments regarding such plan and recommendations.
(7) Monitoring of utilization and access
(A) In general
The Secretary shall monitor—
(i) changes in the utilization of and access to services furnished under this part within geographic, population, and service related categories,
(ii) possible sources of inappropriate utilization of services furnished under this part which contribute to the overall level of expenditures under this part, and
(iii) factors underlying these changes and their interrelationships.
(B) Report
The Secretary shall by not later than April 15,5 of each year (beginning with 1991) report to the Congress on the changes described in subparagraph (A)(i) and shall include in the report an examination of the factors (including factors relating to different services and specific categories and groups of services and geographic and demographic variations in utilization) which may contribute to such changes.
(C) Recommendations
The Secretary shall include in each annual report under subparagraph (B) recommendations—
(i) addressing any identified patterns of inappropriate utilization,
(ii) on utilization review,
(iii) on physician education or patient education,
(iv) addressing any problems of beneficiary access to care made evident by the monitoring process, and
(v) on such other matters as the Secretary deems appropriate.
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission shall comment on the Secretary's recommendations and in developing its comments, the Commission shall convene and consult a panel of physician experts to evaluate the implications of medical utilization patterns for the quality of and access to patient care.
(h) Sending information to physicians
Before the beginning of each year (beginning with 1992), the Secretary shall send to each physician or nonparticipating supplier or other person furnishing physicians' services (as defined in subsection (j)(3) of this section) furnishing physicians' services under this part, for services commonly performed by the physician, supplier, or other person, information on fee schedule amounts that apply for the year in the fee schedule area for participating and non-participating physicians, and the maximum amount that may be charged consistent with subsection (g)(2) of this section. Such information shall be transmitted in conjunction with notices to physicians, suppliers, and other persons under
(i) Miscellaneous provisions
(1) Restriction on administrative and judicial review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(A) the determination of the adjusted historical payment basis (as defined in subsection (a)(2)(D)(i) of this section),
(B) the determination of relative values and relative value units under subsection (c) of this section, including adjustments under subsections (c)(2)(F), (c)(2)(H), and (c)(2)(I) of this section and section 13515(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993,
(C) the determination of conversion factors under subsection (d) of this section, including without limitation a prospective redetermination of the sustainable growth rates for any or all previous fiscal years,
(D) the establishment of geographic adjustment factors under subsection (e) of this section, and
(E) the establishment of the system for the coding of physicians' services under this section.
(2) Assistants-at-surgery
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), in the case of a surgical service furnished by a physician, if payment is made separately under this part for the services of a physician serving as an assistant-at-surgery, the fee schedule amount shall not exceed 16 percent of the fee schedule amount otherwise determined under this section for the global surgical service involved.
(B) Denial of payment in certain cases
If the Secretary determines, based on the most recent data available, that for a surgical procedure (or class of surgical procedures) the national average percentage of such procedure performed under this part which involve the use of a physician as an assistant at surgery is less than 5 percent, no payment may be made under this part for services of an assistant at surgery involved in the procedure.
(3) No comparability adjustment
For physicians' services for which payment under this part is determined under this section—
(A) a carrier may not make any adjustment in the payment amount under
(B) no payment adjustment may be made under
(C)
(j) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Category
For services furnished before January 1, 1998, the term "category" means, with respect to physicians' services, surgical services, and all physicians' services other than surgical services (as defined by the Secretary and including anesthesia services), primary care services (as defined in
(2) Fee schedule area
The term "fee schedule area" means a locality used under
(3) Physicians' services
The term "physicians' services" includes items and services described in paragraphs (1), (2)(A), (2)(D), (2)(G), (2)(P) (with respect to services described in subparagraphs (A) and (C) of
(4) Practice expenses
The term "practice expenses" includes all expenses for furnishing physicians' services, excluding malpractice expenses, physician compensation, and other physician fringe benefits.
(k) Quality reporting system
(1) In general
The Secretary shall implement a system for the reporting by eligible professionals of data on quality measures specified under paragraph (2). Such data shall be submitted in a form and manner specified by the Secretary (by program instruction or otherwise), which may include submission of such data on claims under this part.
(2) Use of consensus-based quality measures
(A) For 2007
(i) In general
For purposes of applying this subsection for the reporting of data on quality measures for covered professional services furnished during the period beginning July 1, 2007, and ending December 31, 2007, the quality measures specified under this paragraph are the measures identified as 2007 physician quality measures under the Physician Voluntary Reporting Program as published on the public website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as of December 20, 2006, except as may be changed by the Secretary based on the results of a consensus-based process in January of 2007, if such change is published on such website by not later than April 1, 2007.
(ii) Subsequent refinements in application permitted
The Secretary may, from time to time (but not later than July 1, 2007), publish on such website (without notice or opportunity for public comment) modifications or refinements (such as code additions, corrections, or revisions) for the application of quality measures previously published under clause (i), but may not, under this clause, change the quality measures under the reporting system.
(iii) Implementation
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may implement by program instruction or otherwise this subsection for 2007.
(B) For 2008 and 2009
(i) In general
For purposes of reporting data on quality measures for covered professional services furnished during 2008 and 2009, the quality measures specified under this paragraph for covered professional services shall be measures that have been adopted or endorsed by a consensus organization (such as the National Quality Forum or AQA), that include measures that have been submitted by a physician specialty, and that the Secretary identifies as having used a consensus-based process for developing such measures. Such measures shall include structural measures, such as the use of electronic health records and electronic prescribing technology.
(ii) Proposed set of measures
Not later than August 15 of each of 2007 and 2008, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a proposed set of quality measures that the Secretary determines are described in clause (i) and would be appropriate for eligible professionals to use to submit data to the Secretary in 2008 or 2009, as applicable. The Secretary shall provide for a period of public comment on such set of measures.
(iii) Final set of measures
Not later than November 15 of each of 2007 and 2008, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a final set of quality measures that the Secretary determines are described in clause (i) and would be appropriate for eligible professionals to use to submit data to the Secretary in 2008 or 2009, as applicable.
(C) For 2010 and subsequent years
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), for purposes of reporting data on quality measures for covered professional services furnished during 2010 and each subsequent year, subject to subsection (m)(3)(C), the quality measures (including electronic prescribing quality measures) specified under this paragraph shall be such measures selected by the Secretary from measures that have been endorsed by the entity with a contract with the Secretary under
(ii) Exception
In the case of a specified area or medical topic determined appropriate by the Secretary for which a feasible and practical measure has not been endorsed by the entity with a contract under
(D) Opportunity to provide input on measures for 2009 and subsequent years
For each quality measure (including an electronic prescribing quality measure) adopted by the Secretary under subparagraph (B) (with respect to 2009) or subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall ensure that eligible professionals have the opportunity to provide input during the development, endorsement, or selection of measures applicable to services they furnish.
(3) Covered professional services and eligible professionals defined
For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Covered professional services
The term "covered professional services" means services for which payment is made under, or is based on, the fee schedule established under this section and which are furnished by an eligible professional.
(B) Eligible professional
The term "eligible professional" means any of the following:
(i) A physician.
(ii) A practitioner described in
(iii) A physical or occupational therapist or a qualified speech-language pathologist.
(iv) Beginning with 2009, a qualified audiologist (as defined in
(4) Use of registry-based reporting
As part of the publication of proposed and final quality measures for 2008 under clauses (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary shall address a mechanism whereby an eligible professional may provide data on quality measures through an appropriate medical registry (such as the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Database) or through a Maintenance of Certification program operated by a specialty body of the American Board of Medical Specialties that meets the criteria for such a registry, as identified by the Secretary.
(5) Identification units
For purposes of applying this subsection, the Secretary may identify eligible professionals through billing units, which may include the use of the Provider Identification Number, the unique physician identification number (described in
(6) Education and outreach
The Secretary shall provide for education and outreach to eligible professionals on the operation of this subsection.
(7) Limitations on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(8) Implementation
The Secretary shall carry out this subsection acting through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
(l) Physician Assistance and Quality Initiative Fund
(1) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish under this subsection a Physician Assistance and Quality Initiative Fund (in this subsection referred to as the "Fund") which shall be available to the Secretary for physician payment and quality improvement initiatives, which may include application of an adjustment to the update of the conversion factor under subsection (d).
(2) Funding
(A) Amount available
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), there shall be available to the Fund the following amounts:
(I) For expenditures during 2008, an amount equal to $150,500,000.
(II) For expenditures during 2009, an amount equal to $24,500,000.
(ii) Limitations on expenditures
(I) 2008
The amount available for expenditures during 2008 shall be reduced as provided by subparagraph (A) of section 225(c)(1) and section 524 of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (division G of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008).
(II) 2009
The amount available for expenditures during 2009 shall be reduced as provided by subparagraph (B) of such section 225(c)(1).
(B) Timely obligation of all available funds for services
The Secretary shall provide for expenditures from the Fund in a manner designed to provide (to the maximum extent feasible) for the obligation of the entire amount available for expenditures, after application of subparagraph (A)(ii), during—
(i) 2008 for payment with respect to physicians' services furnished during 2008; and
(ii) 2009 for payment with respect to physicians' services furnished during 2009.
(C) Payment from Trust Fund
The amount specified in subparagraph (A) shall be available to the Fund, as expenditures are made from the Fund, from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund under
(D) Funding limitation
Amounts in the Fund shall be available in advance of appropriations in accordance with subparagraph (B) but only if the total amount obligated from the Fund does not exceed the amount available to the Fund under subparagraph (A). The Secretary may obligate funds from the Fund only if the Secretary determines (and the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the appropriate budget officer certify) that there are available in the Fund sufficient amounts to cover all such obligations incurred consistent with the previous sentence.
(E) Construction
In the case that expenditures from the Fund are applied to, or otherwise affect, a conversion factor under subsection (d) for a year, the conversion factor under such subsection shall be computed for a subsequent year as if such application or effect had never occurred.
(m) Incentive payments for quality reporting
(1) Incentive payments
(A) In general
For 2007 through 2014, with respect to covered professional services furnished during a reporting period by an eligible professional, if—
(i) there are any quality measures that have been established under the physician reporting system that are applicable to any such services furnished by such professional for such reporting period; and
(ii) the eligible professional satisfactorily submits (as determined under this subsection) to the Secretary data on such quality measures in accordance with such reporting system for such reporting period,
in addition to the amount otherwise paid under this part, there also shall be paid to the eligible professional (or to an employer or facility in the cases described in clause (A) of
(B) Applicable quality percent
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "applicable quality percent" means—
(i) for 2007 and 2008, 1.5 percent;
(ii) for 2009 and 2010, 2.0 percent;
(iii) for 2011, 1.0 percent; and
(iv) for 2012, 2013, and 2014, 0.5 percent.
(2) Incentive payments for electronic prescribing
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (D), for 2009 through 2013, with respect to covered professional services furnished during a reporting period by an eligible professional, if the eligible professional is a successful electronic prescriber for such reporting period, in addition to the amount otherwise paid under this part, there also shall be paid to the eligible professional (or to an employer or facility in the cases described in clause (A) of
(B) Limitation with respect to electronic prescribing quality measures
The provisions of this paragraph and subsection (a)(5) shall not apply to an eligible professional (or, in the case of a group practice under paragraph (3)(C), to the group practice) if, for the reporting period (or, for purposes of subsection (a)(5), for the reporting period for a year)—
(i) the allowed charges under this part for all covered professional services furnished by the eligible professional (or group, as applicable) for the codes to which the electronic prescribing quality measure applies (as identified by the Secretary and published on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as of January 1, 2008, and as subsequently modified by the Secretary) are less than 10 percent of the total of the allowed charges under this part for all such covered professional services furnished by the eligible professional (or the group, as applicable); or
(ii) if determined appropriate by the Secretary, the eligible professional does not submit (including both electronically and nonelectronically) a sufficient number (as determined by the Secretary) of prescriptions under part D.
If the Secretary makes the determination to apply clause (ii) for a period, then clause (i) shall not apply for such period.
(C) Applicable electronic prescribing percent
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "applicable electronic prescribing percent" means—
(i) for 2009 and 2010, 2.0 percent;
(ii) for 2011 and 2012, 1.0 percent; and
(iii) for 2013, 0.5 percent.
(D) Limitation with respect to EHR incentive payments
The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to an eligible professional (or, in the case of a group practice under paragraph (3)(C), to the group practice) if, for the EHR reporting period the eligible professional (or group practice) receives an incentive payment under subsection (o)(1)(A) with respect to a certified EHR technology (as defined in subsection (o)(4)) that has the capability of electronic prescribing.
(3) Satisfactory reporting and successful electronic prescriber described
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (1), an eligible professional shall be treated as satisfactorily submitting data on quality measures for covered professional services for a reporting period (or, for purposes of subsection (a)(8), for the quality reporting period for the year) if quality measures have been reported as follows:
(i) Three or fewer quality measures applicable
If there are no more than 3 quality measures that are provided under the physician reporting system and that are applicable to such services of such professional furnished during the period, each such quality measure has been reported under such system in at least 80 percent of the cases in which such measure is reportable under the system.
(ii) Four or more quality measures applicable
If there are 4 or more quality measures that are provided under the physician reporting system and that are applicable to such services of such professional furnished during the period, at least 3 such quality measures have been reported under such system in at least 80 percent of the cases in which the respective measure is reportable under the system.
For years after 2008, quality measures for purposes of this subparagraph shall not include electronic prescribing quality measures.
(B) Successful electronic prescriber
(i) In general
For purposes of paragraph (2) and subsection (a)(5), an eligible professional shall be treated as a successful electronic prescriber for a reporting period (or, for purposes of subsection (a)(5), for the reporting period for a year) if the eligible professional meets the requirement described in clause (ii), or, if the Secretary determines appropriate, the requirement described in clause (iii). If the Secretary makes the determination under the preceding sentence to apply the requirement described in clause (iii) for a period, then the requirement described in clause (ii) shall not apply for such period.
(ii) Requirement for submitting data on electronic prescribing quality measures
The requirement described in this clause is that, with respect to covered professional services furnished by an eligible professional during a reporting period (or, for purposes of subsection (a)(5), for the reporting period for a year), if there are any electronic prescribing quality measures that have been established under the physician reporting system and are applicable to any such services furnished by such professional for the period, such professional reported each such measure under such system in at least 50 percent of the cases in which such measure is reportable by such professional under such system.
(iii) Requirement for electronically prescribing under part D
The requirement described in this clause is that the eligible professional electronically submitted a sufficient number (as determined by the Secretary) of prescriptions under part D during the reporting period (or, for purposes of subsection (a)(5), for the reporting period for a year).
(iv) Use of part D data
Notwithstanding
(v) Standards for electronic prescribing
To the extent practicable, in determining whether eligible professionals meet the requirements under clauses (ii) and (iii) for purposes of clause (i), the Secretary shall ensure that eligible professionals utilize electronic prescribing systems in compliance with standards established for such systems pursuant to the Part D Electronic Prescribing Program under
(C) Satisfactory reporting measures for group practices
(i) In general
By January 1, 2010, the Secretary shall establish and have in place a process under which eligible professionals in a group practice (as defined by the Secretary) shall be treated as satisfactorily submitting data on quality measures under subparagraph (A) and as meeting the requirement described in subparagraph (B)(ii) for covered professional services for a reporting period (or, for purposes of subsection (a)(5), for a reporting period for a year), or, for purposes of subsection (a)(8), for a quality reporting period for the year if, in lieu of reporting measures under subsection (k)(2)(C), the group practice reports measures determined appropriate by the Secretary, such as measures that target high-cost chronic conditions and preventive care, in a form and manner, and at a time, specified by the Secretary.
(ii) Statistical sampling model
The process under clause (i) shall provide for the use of a statistical sampling model to submit data on measures, such as the model used under the Physician Group Practice demonstration project under
(iii) No double payments
Payments to a group practice under this subsection by reason of the process under clause (i) shall be in lieu of the payments that would otherwise be made under this subsection to eligible professionals in the group practice for satisfactorily submitting data on quality measures.
(D) Authority to revise satisfactorily reporting data
For years after 2009, the Secretary, in consultation with stakeholders and experts, may revise the criteria under this subsection for satisfactorily submitting data on quality measures under subparagraph (A) and the criteria for submitting data on electronic prescribing quality measures under subparagraph (B)(ii).
(4) Form of payment
The payment under this subsection shall be in the form of a single consolidated payment.
(5) Application
(A) Physician reporting system rules
Paragraphs (5), (6), and (8) of subsection (k) shall apply for purposes of this subsection in the same manner as they apply for purposes of such subsection.
(B) Coordination with other bonus payments
The provisions of this subsection shall not be taken into account in applying subsections (m) and (u) of
(C) Implementation
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for 2007, 2008, and 2009, the Secretary may implement by program instruction or otherwise this subsection.
(D) Validation
(i) In general
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this subparagraph, for purposes of determining whether a measure is applicable to the covered professional services of an eligible professional under this subsection for 2007 and 2008, the Secretary shall presume that if an eligible professional submits data for a measure, such measure is applicable to such professional.
(ii) Method
The Secretary may establish procedures to validate (by sampling or other means as the Secretary determines to be appropriate) whether measures applicable to covered professional services of an eligible professional have been reported.
(iii) Denial of payment authority
If the Secretary determines that an eligible professional (or, in the case of a group practice under paragraph (3)(C), the group practice) has not reported measures applicable to covered professional services of such professional, the Secretary shall not pay the incentive payment under this subsection. If such payments for such period have already been made, the Secretary shall recoup such payments from the eligible professional (or the group practice).
(E) Limitations on review
Except as provided in subparagraph (I), there shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(i) the determination of measures applicable to services furnished by eligible professionals under this subsection;
(ii) the determination of satisfactory reporting under this subsection;
(iii) the determination of a successful electronic prescriber under paragraph (3), the limitation under paragraph (2)(B), and the exception under subsection (a)(5)(B); and
(iv) the determination of any incentive payment under this subsection and the payment adjustment under paragraphs (5)(A) and (8)(A) of subsection (a).
(F) Extension
For 2008 and subsequent years, the Secretary shall establish alternative criteria for satisfactorily reporting under this subsection and alternative reporting periods under paragraph (6)(C) for reporting groups of measures under subsection (k)(2)(B) and for reporting using the method specified in subsection (k)(4).
(G) Posting on website
The Secretary shall post on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in an easily understandable format, a list of the names of the following:
(i) The eligible professionals (or, in the case of reporting under paragraph (3)(C), the group practices) who satisfactorily submitted data on quality measures under this subsection.
(ii) The eligible professionals (or, in the case of reporting under paragraph (3)(C), the group practices) who are successful electronic prescribers.
(H) Feedback
The Secretary shall provide timely feedback to eligible professionals on the performance of the eligible professional with respect to satisfactorily submitting data on quality measures under this subsection.
(I) Informal appeals process
The Secretary shall, by not later than January 1, 2011, establish and have in place an informal process for eligible professionals to seek a review of the determination that an eligible professional did not satisfactorily submit data on quality measures under this subsection.
(6) Definitions
For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Eligible professional; covered professional services
The terms "eligible professional" and "covered professional services" have the meanings given such terms in subsection (k)(3).
(B) Physician reporting system
The term "physician reporting system" means the system established under subsection (k).
(C) Reporting period
(i) In general
Subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), the term "reporting period" means—
(I) for 2007, the period beginning on July 1, 2007, and ending on December 31, 2007; and
(II) for 2008 and subsequent years, the entire year.
(ii) Authority to revise reporting period
For years after 2009, the Secretary may revise the reporting period under clause (i) if the Secretary determines such revision is appropriate, produces valid results on measures reported, and is consistent with the goals of maximizing scientific validity and reducing administrative burden. If the Secretary revises such period pursuant to the preceding sentence, the term "reporting period" shall mean such revised period.
(iii) Reference
Any reference in this subsection to a reporting period with respect to the application of subsection (a)(5) (a)(8) 7 shall be deemed a reference to the reporting period under subsection (a)(5)(D)(iii) or the quality reporting period under subsection (a)(8)(D)(iii),8 respectively.
(7) 9 Integration of physician quality reporting and EHR reporting
Not later than January 1, 2012, the Secretary shall develop a plan to integrate reporting on quality measures under this subsection with reporting requirements under subsection (o) relating to the meaningful use of electronic health records. Such integration shall consist of the following:
(A) The selection of measures, the reporting of which would both demonstrate—
(i) meaningful use of an electronic health record for purposes of subsection (o); and
(ii) quality of care furnished to an individual.
(B) Such other activities as specified by the Secretary.
(7) 9 Additional incentive payment
(A) In general
For 2011 through 2014, if an eligible professional meets the requirements described in subparagraph (B), the applicable quality percent for such year, as described in clauses (iii) and (iv) of paragraph (1)(B), shall be increased by 0.5 percentage points.
(B) Requirements described
In order to qualify for the additional incentive payment described in subparagraph (A), an eligible professional shall meet the following requirements:
(i) The eligible professional shall—
(I) satisfactorily submit data on quality measures for purposes of paragraph (1) for a year; and
(II) have such data submitted on their behalf through a Maintenance of Certification Program (as defined in subparagraph (C)(i)) that meets—
(aa) the criteria for a registry (as described in subsection (k)(4)); or
(bb) an alternative form and manner determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(ii) The eligible professional, more frequently than is required to qualify for or maintain board certification status—
(I) participates in such a Maintenance of Certification program for a year; and
(II) successfully completes a qualified Maintenance of Certification Program practice assessment (as defined in subparagraph (C)(ii)) for such year.
(iii) A Maintenance of Certification program submits to the Secretary, on behalf of the eligible professional, information—
(I) in a form and manner specified by the Secretary, that the eligible professional has successfully met the requirements of clause (ii) (which may be in the form of a structural measure);
(II) if requested by the Secretary, on the survey of patient experience with care (as described in subparagraph (C)(ii)(II)); and
(III) as the Secretary may require, on the methods, measures, and data used under the Maintenance of Certification Program and the qualified Maintenance of Certification Program practice assessment.
(C) Definitions
For purposes of this paragraph:
(i) The term "Maintenance of Certification Program" means a continuous assessment program, such as qualified American Board of Medical Specialties Maintenance of Certification program or an equivalent program (as determined by the Secretary), that advances quality and the lifelong learning and self-assessment of board certified specialty physicians by focusing on the competencies of patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning, interpersonal and communication skills and professionalism. Such a program shall include the following:
(I) The program requires the physician to maintain a valid, unrestricted medical license in the United States.
(II) The program requires a physician to participate in educational and self-assessment programs that require an assessment of what was learned.
(III) The program requires a physician to demonstrate, through a formalized, secure examination, that the physician has the fundamental diagnostic skills, medical knowledge, and clinical judgment to provide quality care in their respective specialty.
(IV) The program requires successful completion of a qualified Maintenance of Certification Program practice assessment as described in clause (ii).
(ii) The term "qualified Maintenance of Certification Program practice assessment" means an assessment of a physician's practice that—
(I) includes an initial assessment of an eligible professional's practice that is designed to demonstrate the physician's use of evidence-based medicine;
(II) includes a survey of patient experience with care; and
(III) requires a physician to implement a quality improvement intervention to address a practice weakness identified in the initial assessment under subclause (I) and then to remeasure to assess performance improvement after such intervention.
(n) Physician Feedback Program
(1) Establishment
(A) In general
(i) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a Physician Feedback Program (in this subsection referred to as the "Program").
(ii) Reports on resources
The Secretary shall use claims data under this subchapter (and may use other data) to provide confidential reports to physicians (and, as determined appropriate by the Secretary, to groups of physicians) that measure the resources involved in furnishing care to individuals under this subchapter.
(iii) Inclusion of certain information
If determined appropriate by the Secretary, the Secretary may include information on the quality of care furnished to individuals under this subchapter by the physician (or group of physicians) in such reports.
(B) Resource use
The resources described in subparagraph (A)(ii) may be measured—
(i) on an episode basis;
(ii) on a per capita basis; or
(iii) on both an episode and a per capita basis.
(2) Implementation
The Secretary shall implement the Program by not later than January 1, 2009.
(3) Data for reports
To the extent practicable, reports under the Program shall be based on the most recent data available.
(4) Authority to focus initial application
The Secretary may focus the initial application of the Program as appropriate, such as focusing the Program on—
(A) physician specialties that account for a certain percentage of all spending for physicians' services under this subchapter;
(B) physicians who treat conditions that have a high cost or a high volume, or both, under this subchapter;
(C) physicians who use a high amount of resources compared to other physicians;
(D) physicians practicing in certain geographic areas; or
(E) physicians who treat a minimum number of individuals under this subchapter.
(5) Authority to exclude certain information if insufficient information
The Secretary may exclude certain information regarding a service from a report under the Program with respect to a physician (or group of physicians) if the Secretary determines that there is insufficient information relating to that service to provide a valid report on that service.
(6) Adjustment of data
To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall make appropriate adjustments to the data used in preparing reports under the Program, such as adjustments to take into account variations in health status and other patient characteristics. For adjustments for reports on utilization under paragraph (9), see subparagraph (D) of such paragraph.
(7) Education and outreach
The Secretary shall provide for education and outreach activities to physicians on the operation of, and methodologies employed under, the Program.
(8) Disclosure exemption
Reports under the Program shall be exempt from disclosure under
(9) Reports on utilization
(A) Development of episode grouper
(i) In general
The Secretary shall develop an episode grouper that combines separate but clinically related items and services into an episode of care for an individual, as appropriate.
(ii) Timeline for development
The episode grouper described in subparagraph (A) 10 shall be developed by not later than January 1, 2012.
(iii) Public availability
The Secretary shall make the details of the episode grouper described in subparagraph (A) 10 available to the public.
(iv) Endorsement
The Secretary shall seek endorsement of the episode grouper described in subparagraph (A) 10 by the entity with a contract under
(B) Reports on utilization
Effective beginning with 2012, the Secretary shall provide reports to physicians that compare, as determined appropriate by the Secretary, patterns of resource use of the individual physician to such patterns of other physicians.
(C) Analysis of data
The Secretary shall, for purposes of preparing reports under this paragraph, establish methodologies as appropriate, such as to—
(i) attribute episodes of care, in whole or in part, to physicians;
(ii) identify appropriate physicians for purposes of comparison under subparagraph (B); and
(iii) aggregate episodes of care attributed to a physician under clause (i) into a composite measure per individual.
(D) Data adjustment
In preparing reports under this paragraph, the Secretary shall make appropriate adjustments, including adjustments—
(i) to account for differences in socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, ethnicity, and health status of individuals (such as to recognize that less healthy individuals may require more intensive interventions); and
(ii) to eliminate the effect of geographic adjustments in payment rates (as described in subsection (e)).
(E) Public availability of methodology
The Secretary shall make available to the public—
(i) the methodologies established under subparagraph (C);
(ii) information regarding any adjustments made to data under subparagraph (D); and
(iii) aggregate reports with respect to physicians.
(F) Definition of physician
In this paragraph:
(i) In general
The term "physician" has the meaning given that term in
(ii) Treatment of groups
Such term includes, as the Secretary determines appropriate, a group of physicians.
(G) Limitations on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(10) Coordination with other value-based purchasing reforms
The Secretary shall coordinate the Program with the value-based payment modifier established under subsection (p) and, as the Secretary determines appropriate, other similar provisions of this subchapter.
(o) Incentives for adoption and meaningful use of certified EHR technology
(1) Incentive payments
(A) In general
(i) In general
Subject to the succeeding subparagraphs of this paragraph, with respect to covered professional services furnished by an eligible professional during a payment year (as defined in subparagraph (E)), if the eligible professional is a meaningful EHR user (as determined under paragraph (2)) for the EHR reporting period with respect to such year, in addition to the amount otherwise paid under this part, there also shall be paid to the eligible professional (or to an employer or facility in the cases described in clause (A) of
(ii) No incentive payments with respect to years after 2016
No incentive payments may be made under this subsection with respect to a year after 2016.
(B) Limitations on amounts of incentive payments
(i) In general
In no case shall the amount of the incentive payment provided under this paragraph for an eligible professional for a payment year exceed the applicable amount specified under this subparagraph with respect to such eligible professional and such year.
(ii) Amount
Subject to clauses (iii) through (v), the applicable amount specified in this subparagraph for an eligible professional is as follows:
(I) For the first payment year for such professional, $15,000 (or, if the first payment year for such eligible professional is 2011 or 2012, $18,000).
(II) For the second payment year for such professional, $12,000.
(III) For the third payment year for such professional, $8,000.
(IV) For the fourth payment year for such professional, $4,000.
(V) For the fifth payment year for such professional, $2,000.
(VI) For any succeeding payment year for such professional, $0.
(iii) Phase down for eligible professionals first adopting EHR after 2013
If the first payment year for an eligible professional is after 2013, then the amount specified in this subparagraph for a payment year for such professional is the same as the amount specified in clause (ii) for such payment year for an eligible professional whose first payment year is 2013.
(iv) Increase for certain eligible professionals
In the case of an eligible professional who predominantly furnishes services under this part in an area that is designated by the Secretary (under
(v) No incentive payment if first adopting after 2014
If the first payment year for an eligible professional is after 2014 then the applicable amount specified in this subparagraph for such professional for such year and any subsequent year shall be $0.
(C) Non-application to hospital-based eligible professionals
(i) In general
No incentive payment may be made under this paragraph in the case of a hospital-based eligible professional.
(ii) Hospital-based eligible professional
For purposes of clause (i), the term "hospital-based eligible professional" means, with respect to covered professional services furnished by an eligible professional during the EHR reporting period for a payment year, an eligible professional, such as a pathologist, anesthesiologist, or emergency physician, who furnishes substantially all of such services in a hospital inpatient or emergency room setting and through the use of the facilities and equipment, including qualified electronic health records, of the hospital. The determination of whether an eligible professional is a hospital-based eligible professional shall be made on the basis of the site of service (as defined by the Secretary) and without regard to any employment or billing arrangement between the eligible professional and any other provider.
(D) Payment
(i) Form of payment
The payment under this paragraph may be in the form of a single consolidated payment or in the form of such periodic installments as the Secretary may specify.
(ii) Coordination of application of limitation for professionals in different practices
In the case of an eligible professional furnishing covered professional services in more than one practice (as specified by the Secretary), the Secretary shall establish rules to coordinate the incentive payments, including the application of the limitation on amounts of such incentive payments under this paragraph, among such practices.
(iii) Coordination with Medicaid
The Secretary shall seek, to the maximum extent practicable, to avoid duplicative requirements from Federal and State governments to demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology under this subchapter and subchapter XIX. The Secretary may also adjust the reporting periods under such subchapter and such subsections in order to carry out this clause.
(E) Payment year defined
(i) In general
For purposes of this subsection, the term "payment year" means a year beginning with 2011.
(ii) First, second, etc. payment year
The term "first payment year" means, with respect to covered professional services furnished by an eligible professional, the first year for which an incentive payment is made for such services under this subsection. The terms "second payment year", "third payment year", "fourth payment year", and "fifth payment year" mean, with respect to covered professional services furnished by such eligible professional, each successive year immediately following the first payment year for such professional.
(2) Meaningful EHR user
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (1), an eligible professional shall be treated as a meaningful EHR user for an EHR reporting period for a payment year (or, for purposes of subsection (a)(7), for an EHR reporting period under such subsection for a year) if each of the following requirements is met:
(i) Meaningful use of certified EHR technology
The eligible professional demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary, in accordance with subparagraph (C)(i), that during such period the professional is using certified EHR technology in a meaningful manner, which shall include the use of electronic prescribing as determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
(ii) Information exchange
The eligible professional demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary, in accordance with subparagraph (C)(i), that during such period such certified EHR technology is connected in a manner that provides, in accordance with law and standards applicable to the exchange of information, for the electronic exchange of health information to improve the quality of health care, such as promoting care coordination.
(iii) Reporting on measures using EHR
Subject to subparagraph (B)(ii) and using such certified EHR technology, the eligible professional submits information for such period, in a form and manner specified by the Secretary, on such clinical quality measures and such other measures as selected by the Secretary under subparagraph (B)(i).
The Secretary may provide for the use of alternative means for meeting the requirements of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) in the case of an eligible professional furnishing covered professional services in a group practice (as defined by the Secretary). The Secretary shall seek to improve the use of electronic health records and health care quality over time by requiring more stringent measures of meaningful use selected under this paragraph.
(B) Reporting on measures
(i) Selection
The Secretary shall select measures for purposes of subparagraph (A)(iii) but only consistent with the following:
(I) The Secretary shall provide preference to clinical quality measures that have been endorsed by the entity with a contract with the Secretary under
(II) Prior to any measure being selected under this subparagraph, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register such measure and provide for a period of public comment on such measure.
(ii) Limitation
The Secretary may not require the electronic reporting of information on clinical quality measures under subparagraph (A)(iii) unless the Secretary has the capacity to accept the information electronically, which may be on a pilot basis.
(iii) Coordination of reporting of information
In selecting such measures, and in establishing the form and manner for reporting measures under subparagraph (A)(iii), the Secretary shall seek to avoid redundant or duplicative reporting otherwise required, including reporting under subsection (k)(2)(C).
(C) Demonstration of meaningful use of certified EHR technology and information exchange
(i) In general
A professional may satisfy the demonstration requirement of clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) through means specified by the Secretary, which may include—
(I) an attestation;
(II) the submission of claims with appropriate coding (such as a code indicating that a patient encounter was documented using certified EHR technology);
(III) a survey response;
(IV) reporting under subparagraph (A)(iii); and
(V) other means specified by the Secretary.
(ii) Use of part D data
Notwithstanding
(3) Application
(A) Physician reporting system rules
Paragraphs (5), (6), and (8) of subsection (k) shall apply for purposes of this subsection in the same manner as they apply for purposes of such subsection.
(B) Coordination with other payments
The provisions of this subsection shall not be taken into account in applying the provisions of subsection (m) of this section and of
(C) Limitations on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(i) the methodology and standards for determining payment amounts under this subsection and payment adjustments under subsection (a)(7)(A), including the limitation under paragraph (1)(B) and coordination under clauses (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (1)(D);
(ii) the methodology and standards for determining a meaningful EHR user under paragraph (2), including selection of measures under paragraph (2)(B), specification of the means of demonstrating meaningful EHR use under paragraph (2)(C), and the hardship exception under subsection (a)(7)(B);
(iii) the methodology and standards for determining a hospital-based eligible professional under paragraph (1)(C); and
(iv) the specification of reporting periods under paragraph (5) and the selection of the form of payment under paragraph (1)(D)(i).
(D) Posting on website
The Secretary shall post on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in an easily understandable format, a list of the names, business addresses, and business phone numbers of the eligible professionals who are meaningful EHR users and, as determined appropriate by the Secretary, of group practices receiving incentive payments under paragraph (1).
(4) Certified EHR technology defined
For purposes of this section, the term "certified EHR technology" means a qualified electronic health record (as defined in
(5) Definitions
For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Covered professional services
The term "covered professional services" has the meaning given such term in subsection (k)(3).
(B) EHR reporting period
The term "EHR reporting period" means, with respect to a payment year, any period (or periods) as specified by the Secretary.
(C) Eligible professional
The term "eligible professional" means a physician, as defined in
(p) Establishment of value-based payment modifier
(1) In general
The Secretary shall establish a payment modifier that provides for differential payment to a physician or a group of physicians under the fee schedule established under subsection (b) based upon the quality of care furnished compared to cost (as determined under paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively) during a performance period. Such payment modifier shall be separate from the geographic adjustment factors established under subsection (e).
(2) Quality
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (1), quality of care shall be evaluated, to the extent practicable, based on a composite of measures of the quality of care furnished (as established by the Secretary under subparagraph (B)).
(B) Measures
(i) The Secretary shall establish appropriate measures of the quality of care furnished by a physician or group of physicians to individuals enrolled under this part, such as measures that reflect health outcomes. Such measures shall be risk adjusted as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(ii) The Secretary shall seek endorsement of the measures established under this subparagraph by the entity with a contract under
(3) Costs
For purposes of paragraph (1), costs shall be evaluated, to the extent practicable, based on a composite of appropriate measures of costs established by the Secretary (such as the composite measure under the methodology established under subsection (n)(9)(C)(iii)) that eliminate the effect of geographic adjustments in payment rates (as described in subsection (e)), and take into account risk factors (such as socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, ethnicity, and health status of individuals (such as to recognize that less healthy individuals may require more intensive interventions) 11 and other factors determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(4) Implementation
(A) Publication of measures, dates of implementation, performance period
Not later than January 1, 2012, the Secretary shall publish the following:
(i) The measures of quality of care and costs established under paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively.
(ii) The dates for implementation of the payment modifier (as determined under subparagraph (B)).
(iii) The initial performance period (as specified under subparagraph (B)(ii)).
(B) Deadlines for implementation
(i) Initial implementation
Subject to the preceding provisions of this subparagraph, the Secretary shall begin implementing the payment modifier established under this subsection through the rulemaking process during 2013 for the physician fee schedule established under subsection (b).
(ii) Initial performance period
(I) In general
The Secretary shall specify an initial performance period for application of the payment modifier established under this subsection with respect to 2015.
(II) Provision of information during initial performance period
During the initial performance period, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, provide information to physicians and groups of physicians about the quality of care furnished by the physician or group of physicians to individuals enrolled under this part compared to cost (as determined under paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively) with respect to the performance period.
(iii) Application
The Secretary shall apply the payment modifier established under this subsection for items and services furnished—
(I) beginning on January 1, 2015, with respect to specific physicians and groups of physicians the Secretary determines appropriate; and
(II) beginning not later than January 1, 2017, with respect to all physicians and groups of physicians.
(C) Budget neutrality
The payment modifier established under this subsection shall be implemented in a budget neutral manner.
(5) Systems-based care
The Secretary shall, as appropriate, apply the payment modifier established under this subsection in a manner that promotes systems-based care.
(6) Consideration of special circumstances of certain providers
In applying the payment modifier under this subsection, the Secretary shall, as appropriate, take into account the special circumstances of physicians or groups of physicians in rural areas and other underserved communities.
(7) Application
For purposes of the initial application of the payment modifier established under this subsection during the period beginning on January 1, 2015, and ending on December 31, 2016, the term "physician" has the meaning given such term in
(8) Definitions
For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Costs
The term "costs" means expenditures per individual as determined appropriate by the Secretary. In making the determination under the preceding sentence, the Secretary may take into account the amount of growth in expenditures per individual for a physician compared to the amount of such growth for other physicians.
(B) Performance period
The term "performance period" means a period specified by the Secretary.
(9) Coordination with other value-based purchasing reforms
The Secretary shall coordinate the value-based payment modifier established under this subsection with the Physician Feedback Program under subsection (n) and, as the Secretary determines appropriate, other similar provisions of this subchapter.
(10) Limitations on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(A) the establishment of the value-based payment modifier under this subsection;
(B) the evaluation of quality of care under paragraph (2), including the establishment of appropriate measures of the quality of care under paragraph (2)(B);
(C) the evaluation of costs under paragraph (3), including the establishment of appropriate measures of costs under such paragraph;
(D) the dates for implementation of the value-based payment modifier;
(E) the specification of the initial performance period and any other performance period under paragraphs (4)(B)(ii) and (8)(B), respectively;
(F) the application of the value-based payment modifier under paragraph (7); and
(G) the determination of costs under paragraph (8)(A).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1848, as added
References in Text
Section 13515(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2)(B)(ii)(I), (c)(2)(A)(i), and (i)(1)(B), is section 13515(b) of
Section 6105(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(D)(ii), (iii), is section 6105(b) of
Section 4048(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(B), is section 4048(b) of
Section 13514(a) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(F), is section 13514(a) of
Section 212 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(H)(i), (I)(ii)(I), is section 1000(a)(6) [title II, §212] of
The Balanced Budget Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (d)(1)(C), is
Part C of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (f)(4)(B), is classified to
Section 225(c)(1) and section 524 of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008, referred to in subsec. (l)(2)(A)(ii)(I), (II), are sections 225(c)(1) of title II and 524 of title V of div. G of
Part D, referred to in subsecs. (m)(2)(B)(ii), (3)(B) and (o)(2)(C)(ii), is classified to
Codification
The text of section 101(c) of
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B).
Subsec. (b)(4)(C).
"(i) in the case of services furnished on or after January 1, 2010, and before January 1, 2013, a 65 percent (rather than 50 percent) presumed rate of utilization of imaging equipment;
"(ii) in the case of services furnished on or after January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014, a 70 percent (rather than 50 percent) presumed rate of utilization of imaging equipment; and
"(iii) in the case of services furnished on or after January 1, 2014, a 75 percent (rather than 50 percent) presumed rate of utilization of imaging equipment."
Subsec. (b)(4)(D).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (b)(7).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(iv)(IV).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(v)(III) to (V).
"(III)
"(IV)
"(V)
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(v)(VI).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(v)(VII).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(vii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(K), (L).
Subsec. (d)(10).
"(A)
"(B)
Subsec. (d)(10)(A).
Subsec. (d)(10)(B).
Subsec. (d)(11).
Subsec. (d)(11)(A).
Subsec. (d)(11)(B).
Subsec. (d)(12).
Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e)(1)(E).
Subsec. (e)(1)(H).
Subsec. (e)(1)(H)(i).
Subsec. (e)(1)(I).
Subsec. (j)(3).
Subsec. (k)(4).
Subsec. (m)(1)(A).
Subsec. (m)(1)(B)(iii), (iv).
Subsec. (m)(3)(A).
Subsec. (m)(3)(C)(i).
Subsec. (m)(5)(E).
Subsec. (m)(5)(E)(iv).
Subsec. (m)(5)(H), (I).
Subsec. (m)(6)(C)(i)(II).
Subsec. (m)(6)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (m)(7).
Subsec. (n)(1)(A).
Subsec. (n)(1)(B).
Subsec. (n)(4).
Subsec. (n)(6).
Subsec. (n)(9), (10).
Subsec. (o)(1)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (p).
2009—Subsec. (a)(5)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(5)(A)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (d)(10).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A).
Subsec. (m)(2)(D).
Subsec. (o).
2008—Subsec. (a)(4)(A).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(vi).
Subsec. (d)(8).
Subsec. (d)(8)(A).
Subsec. (d)(8)(B).
Subsec. (d)(9).
Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e)(1)(E).
Subsec. (e)(1)(G).
Subsec. (j)(3).
Subsec. (k)(2)(C), (D).
Subsec. (k)(3)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (l)(2)(A)(i)(III).
Subsec. (l)(2)(A)(i)(IV).
Subsec. (l)(2)(A)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (l)(2)(A)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (l)(2)(B).
"(iii) 2013 for payment with respect to physicians' services furnished during 2013; and
"(iv) 2014 for payment with respect to physicians' services furnished during 2014."
Subsec. (l)(2)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (m)(1).
Subsec. (m)(2).
Subsec. (m)(3).
Subsec. (m)(3)(A).
Subsec. (m)(3)(B).
Subsec. (m)(3)(C), (D).
Subsec. (m)(5)(A).
Subsec. (m)(5)(B).
Subsec. (m)(5)(C).
Subsec. (m)(5)(D)(i).
Subsec. (m)(5)(D)(ii).
Subsec. (m)(5)(D)(iii).
Subsec. (m)(5)(E).
Subsec. (m)(5)(E)(ii).
Subsec. (m)(5)(E)(iii).
Subsec. (m)(5)(E)(iv).
Subsec. (m)(5)(F).
Subsec. (m)(5)(G).
Subsec. (m)(6)(A).
Subsec. (m)(6)(B).
Subsec. (m)(6)(C).
"(i) for 2007, the period beginning on July 1, 2007, and ending on December 31, 2007; and
"(ii) for 2008, all of 2008."
Subsec. (m)(6)(D).
Subsec. (n).
2007—Subsec. (d)(4)(B).
Subsec. (d)(8).
Subsec. (e)(1)(E).
Subsec. (k)(2)(B).
Subsec. (l)(2)(A).
Subsec. (l)(2)(B).
2006—Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(v).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(v)(II).
Subsec. (d)(4)(B).
Subsec. (d)(6).
Subsec. (d)(7).
Subsec. (e)(1)(E).
Subsec. (j)(3).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l).
2003—Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (c)(2)(H) to (J).
Subsec. (d)(4)(B).
Subsec. (d)(5).
Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e)(1)(E).
Subsec. (e)(1)(G).
Subsec. (f)(2)(C).
Subsec. (i)(1)(B).
Subsec. (i)(1)(C).
Subsec. (i)(3)(A).
Subsec. (j)(3).
2000—Subsec. (j)(3).
1999—Subsec. (d)(1)(A).
Subsec. (d)(1)(E).
"(i) 1991, the conversion factor which will apply to physicians' services for 1992, and the update determined under paragraph (3) for 1992; and
"(ii) each succeeding year, the conversion factor which will apply to physicians' services for the following year and the update determined under paragraph (3) for such year."
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A).
Subsec. (d)(3)(C).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B), (C).
Subsec. (f)(2)(D).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(3)(C).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (j)(3).
1997—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(G).
Subsec. (c)(3)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(3)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(1)(A).
Subsec. (d)(1)(C).
Subsec. (d)(1)(D).
Subsec. (d)(1)(E).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (d)(2)(F).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(1)(B).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(4), (5).
Subsec. (g)(3)(A).
Subsec. (g)(6)(C), (7)(C).
Subsec. (j)(1).
Subsec. (j)(3).
1994—Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(3)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (e)(1)(C).
Subsec. (e)(1)(D).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (f)(2)(C).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(3)(B).
Subsec. (g)(6)(B).
Subsec. (i)(3).
1993—Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (c)(2)(E).
Subsec. (c)(2)(F).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(iv) to (vi).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(2)(C).
Subsec. (g)(2)(D).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i)(1)(B).
Subsec. (j)(1).
Subsec. (j)(3).
1990—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(3)(C)(ii)(II), (iii)(II).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (c)(5), (6).
Subsec. (d)(1)(A).
Subsec. (d)(1)(C)(i).
Subsec. (d)(1)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(2)(E)(i).
Subsec. (d)(2)(E)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e)(1)(C).
Subsec. (f)(1)(C).
Subsec. (f)(1)(D)(i).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (f)(2)(C).
Subsec. (f)(4)(A).
Subsec. (f)(4)(B).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A).
Subsec. (g)(2)(B).
Subsec. (i)(1)(A).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (i)(3).
Subsec. (j)(1).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by section 4103(c)(2) of
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
"(i)
"(ii)
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by section 5112(c) of
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title III, §321(k)(5)] of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4022(b)(2)(B), (C) of
Amendment by section 4102(d) of
Amendment by section 4103(d) of
Amendment by section 4104(d) of
Amendment by section 4105(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 4106(b) of
Section 4502(a)(2) of
Section 4504(b) of
Amendment by section 4714(b)(2) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 123(a) of
Section 123(f)(5) of
Amendment by section 126(b)(6), (g)(2)(B), (5)–(7), (10)(A) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13511(b) of
"(1) to volume performance standard rates of increase established under section 1848(f) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f) of this section] for fiscal years before fiscal year 1994, and
"(2) to adjustment in updates in the conversion factors for physicians' services under section 1848(d)(3)(B) of such Act for physicians' services to be furnished in calendar years before 1996."
Section 13514(d) of
Amendment by section 13515(a)(1) of
Section 13517(c) of
Section 13518(c) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 4102(b), (g)(2) of
Amendment by section 4104(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 4106(b)(1) of
Section 4107(a)(2) of
Section 4107(c) of
Section 4109(b) of
Transfer of Functions
Physician Payment Review Commission (PPRC) was terminated and its assets and staff transferred to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) by section 4022(c)(2), (3) of
Termination of Reporting Requirements
For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions of law requiring submittal to Congress of any annual, semiannual, or other regular periodic report listed in House Document No. 103–7 (in which item 8 on page 94 identifies a reporting provision which, as subsequently amended, is contained in subsec. (g)(6)(B) of this section and in which item 9 on page 94 identifies a reporting provision which is contained in subsec. (g)(7)(B) of this section), see section 3003 of
Implementation of 2010 Amendment
"(A)
"(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may implement subparagraphs (K) and (L) of [section] 1848(c)(2) of the Social Security Act [
"(C) [Repealed section 4505(d) of
"(D) Except for provisions related to confidentiality of information, the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation shall not apply to this section or the amendment made by this section."
Authority To Incorporate Maintenance of Certification Programs Into Measures of Quality of Care
No Change in Billing
No Effect on Incentive Payments for 2007 or 2008
Adjustment for Medicare Mental Health Services
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(b)
"(1) insight oriented, behavior modifying, or supportive psychotherapy; or
"(2) interactive psychotherapy.
"(c)
Transfer of Funds to Part B Trust Fund
Transitional Bonus Incentive Payments for Quality Reporting in 2007 and 2008
Treatment of Other Services Currently in the Nonphysician Work Pool
Payment for Multiple Chemotherapy Agents Furnished on a Single Day Through the Push Technique
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
Transitional Adjustment
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) during 2004, is 32 percent; and
"(ii) during 2005, is 3 percent."
MedPAC Review and Reports; Secretarial Response
"(A)
"(i) for items and services furnished by oncologists; and
"(ii) for drug administration services furnished by other specialists.
"(B)
"(i) the quality of care furnished to individuals enrolled under part B and the satisfaction of such individuals with that care;
"(ii) the adequacy of reimbursement as applied in, and the availability in, different geographic areas and to different physician practice sizes; and
"(iii) the impact on physician practices.
"(C)
"(i) not later than January 1, 2006, a report on the review conducted under subparagraph (A)(i); and
"(ii) not later than January 1, 2007, a report on the review conducted under subparagraph (A)(ii).
Each such report may include such recommendations regarding further adjustments in such payments as the Commission deems appropriate.
"(D)
Multiple Chemotherapy Agents, Other Services Currently on the Non-Physician Work Pool, and Transitional Adjustment
Application of 2003 Amendment to Physician Specialties
Amendment by section 303 of
Notwithstanding section 303(j) of
GAO Study of Geographic Differences in Payments for Physicians' Services
"(1)
"(A) an assessment of the validity of the geographic adjustment factors used for each component of the fee schedule;
"(B) an evaluation of the measures used for such adjustment, including the frequency of revisions;
"(C) an evaluation of the methods used to determine professional liability insurance costs used in computing the malpractice component, including a review of increases in professional liability insurance premiums and variation in such increases by State and physician specialty and methods used to update the geographic cost of practice index and relative weights for the malpractice component; and
"(D) an evaluation of the effect of the adjustment to the physician work geographic index under section 1848(e)(1)(E) of the Social Security Act [subsection (e)(1)(E) of this section], as added by section 412, on physician location and retention in areas affected by such adjustment, taking into account—
"(i) differences in recruitment costs and retention rates for physicians, including specialists, between large urban areas and other areas; and
"(ii) the mobility of physicians, including specialists, over the last decade.
"(2)
Amendments Not Treated as Change in Law and Regulation in Sustainable Growth Rate Determination
Collaborative Demonstration-Based Review of Physician Practice Expense Geographic Adjustment Data
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
MedPAC Report on Payment for Physicians' Services
"(a)
"(1) The effect of such refinements on payment for physicians' services.
"(2) The interaction of the practice expense component with other components of and adjustments to payment for physicians' services under such section.
"(3) The appropriateness of the amount of compensation by reason of such refinements.
"(4) The effect of such refinements on access to care by medicare beneficiaries to physicians' services.
"(5) The effect of such refinements on physician participation under the medicare program.
"(b)
"(1) An analysis of recent and historic growth in the components that the Secretary [of Health and Human Services] includes under the sustainable growth rate (under section 1848(f) of the Social Security Act (
"(2) An examination of the relative growth of volume in physicians' services between medicare beneficiaries and other populations.
"(3) An analysis of the degree to which new technology, including coverage determinations of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, has affected the volume of physicians' services.
"(4) An examination of the impact on volume of demographic changes.
"(5) An examination of shifts in the site of service or services that influence the number and intensity of services furnished in physicians' offices and the extent to which changes in reimbursement rates to other providers have effected these changes.
"(6) An evaluation of the extent to which the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services takes into account the impact of law and regulations on the sustainable growth rate."
MedPAC Study of Payment for Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons
"(a)
"(b)
Report on Physician Compensation
Treatment of Certain Physician Pathology Services Under Medicare
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) is entitled to benefits under part A, or enrolled under part B, or both, of such title [part A or part B of this subchapter]; and
"(B) is not enrolled in any of the following:
"(i) A Medicare+Choice plan under part C of such title [part C of this subchapter].
"(ii) A plan offered by an eligible organization under section 1876 of such Act (
"(iii) A program of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE) under section 1894 of such Act (
"(iv) A social health maintenance organization (SHMO) demonstration project established under section 4018(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (
"(c)
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
One-Time Publication of Information on Transition
"(i) the allowed expenditures under subclauses (I) and (II) of subsection (d)(4)(C)(ii) of section 1848 of the Social Security Act (
"(ii) the estimated actual expenditures described in subsection (d) of such section for 1999; and
"(iii) the sustainable growth rate under subsection (f) of such section for 2000."
Use of Data Collected by Organizations and Entities in Determining Practice Expense Relative Values
"(a)
"(b)
Consultation With Organizations in Establishing Payment Amounts for Services Provided by Physicians
Section 4105(a)(3) of
Development of Resource-Based Practice Expense Relative Value Units
Application of Certain Budget Neutrality Provisions
Section 4505(f)(2) of
Development of Resource-Based Methodology for Practice Expenses
Section 121(a) of
"(1)
"(2)
Application of Subsection (c)(2)(B)(ii)(II), (iii)
Section 121(b)(3) of
Report on Review Process
Section 122(c) of
Relative Value for Pediatric Services
Section 124(a) of
Budget Neutrality Adjustment
For provisions requiring reduction of relative values established under subsec. (c) of this section and amounts determined under subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii)(I) of this section for 1994 (to be applied for that year and subsequent years) in order to assure that the amendments to this section and
Section 13518(b) of
Ancillary Policies; Adjustment for Independent Laboratories Furnishing Physician Pathology Services
Section 4104(c) of
Computation of Conversion Factor for 1992
Section 4105(b)(2) of
Section 4106(c) of
Publication of Performance Standard Rates
Section 4105(d) of
Study of Regional Variations in Impact of Medicare Physician Payment Reform
Section 4115 of
"(a)
"(1) factors that may explain geographic variations in Medicare reasonable charges for physicians' services that are not attributable to variations in physician practice costs (including the supply of physicians in an area and area variations in the mix of services furnished);
"(2) the extent to which the geographic practice cost indices applied under the fee schedule established under section 1848 of the Social Security Act [this section] accurately reflect variations in practice costs and malpractice costs (and alternative sources of information upon which to base such indices);
"(3) the impact of the transition to a national, resource-based fee schedule for physicians' services under Medicare on access to physicians' services in areas that experience a disproportionately large reduction in payments for physicians' services under the fee schedule by reason of such variations; and
"(4) appropriate adjustments or modifications in the transition to, or manner of determining payments under, the fee schedule established under section 1848 of the Social Security Act, to compensate for such variations and ensure continued access to physicians' services for Medicare beneficiaries in such areas.
"(b)
Statewide Fee Schedule Areas for Physicians' Services
Section 4117 of
"(1) the adjusted historical payment basis (as defined in section 1848(a)(2)(D) of such Act (
"(2) the fee schedule amount (as referred to in section 1848(a) (
for physicians' services (as defined in section 1848(j)(3) of such Act (
Studies
Distribution of Model Fee Schedule
Section 6102(e)(11) of
1 So in original. Probably should be "elapsed".
2 So in original. No subpar. (F) has been enacted.
3 So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.
4 So in original. Probably should be "than".
5 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
6 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
8 So in original. Probably should be "(a)(8)(C)(iii),".
9 So in original. Two pars. (7) have been enacted.
10 So in original. Probably means cl. (i) of this subpar.
11 So in original. Probably should be followed by a second closing parenthesis.
§1395w–5. Public reporting of performance information
(a) In general
(1) Development
Not later than January 1, 2011, the Secretary shall develop a Physician Compare Internet website with information on physicians enrolled in the Medicare program under section 1866(j) of the Social Security Act (
(2) Plan
Not later than January 1, 2013, and with respect to reporting periods that begin no earlier than January 1, 2012, the Secretary shall also implement a plan for making publicly available through Physician Compare, consistent with subsection (c), information on physician performance that provides comparable information for the public on quality and patient experience measures with respect to physicians enrolled in the Medicare program under such section 1866(j). To the extent scientifically sound measures that are developed consistent with the requirements of this section are available, such information, to the extent practicable, shall include—
(A) measures collected under the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative;
(B) an assessment of patient health outcomes and the functional status of patients;
(C) an assessment of the continuity and coordination of care and care transitions, including episodes of care and risk-adjusted resource use;
(D) an assessment of efficiency;
(E) an assessment of patient experience and patient, caregiver, and family engagement;
(F) an assessment of the safety, effectiveness, and timeliness of care; and
(G) other information as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(b) Other required considerations
In developing and implementing the plan described in subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, include—
(1) processes to assure that data made public, either by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services or by other entities, is statistically valid and reliable, including risk adjustment mechanisms used by the Secretary;
(2) processes by which a physician or other eligible professional whose performance on measures is being publicly reported has a reasonable opportunity, as determined by the Secretary, to review his or her individual results before they are made public;
(3) processes by the Secretary to assure that the implementation of the plan and the data made available on Physician Compare provide a robust and accurate portrayal of a physician's performance;
(4) data that reflects the care provided to all patients seen by physicians, under both the Medicare program and, to the extent practicable, other payers, to the extent such information would provide a more accurate portrayal of physician performance;
(5) processes to ensure appropriate attribution of care when multiple physicians and other providers are involved in the care of a patient;
(6) processes to ensure timely statistical performance feedback is provided to physicians concerning the data reported under any program subject to public reporting under this section; and
(7) implementation of computer and data systems of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that support valid, reliable, and accurate public reporting activities authorized under this section.
(c) Ensuring patient privacy
The Secretary shall ensure that information on physician performance and patient experience is not disclosed under this section in a manner that violates sections 1 552 or 552a of title 5 with regard to the privacy of individually identifiable health information.
(d) Feedback from multi-stakeholder groups
The Secretary shall take into consideration input provided by multi-stakeholder groups, consistent with sections 1890(b)(7) and 1890A of the Social Security Act [
(e) Consideration of transition to value-based purchasing
In developing the plan under this 2 subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall, as the Secretary determines appropriate, consider the plan to transition to a value-based purchasing program for physicians and other practitioners developed under section 131 of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (
(f) Report to Congress
Not later than January 1, 2015, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the Physician Compare Internet website developed under subsection (a)(1). Such report shall include information on the efforts of and plans made by the Secretary to collect and publish data on physician quality and efficiency and on patient experience of care in support of value-based purchasing and consumer choice, together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(g) Expansion
At any time before the date on which the report is submitted under subsection (f), the Secretary may expand (including expansion to other providers of services and suppliers under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [
(h) Financial incentives to encourage consumers to choose high quality providers
The Secretary may establish a demonstration program, not later than January 1, 2019, to provide financial incentives to Medicare beneficiaries who are furnished services by high quality physicians, as determined by the Secretary based on factors in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of subsection (a)(2). In no case may Medicare beneficiaries be required to pay increased premiums or cost sharing or be subject to a reduction in benefits under title XVIII of the Social Security Act as a result of such demonstration program. The Secretary shall ensure that any such demonstration program does not disadvantage those beneficiaries without reasonable access to high performing physicians or create financial inequities under such title.
(i) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Eligible professional
The term "eligible professional" has the meaning given that term for purposes of the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative under section 1848 of the Social Security Act (
(2) Physician
The term "physician" has the meaning given that term in section 1861(r) of such Act (
(3) Physician Compare
The term "Physician Compare" means the Internet website developed under subsection (a)(1).
(4) Secretary
The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(
References in Text
Section 3014 of this Act, referred to in subsec. (d), is section 3014 of
Section 131 of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (e), is section 131 of
The Social Security Act, referred to in subsecs. (g) and (h), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531,
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
1 So in original. Probably should be "section".
2 So in original. The word "this" probably should not appear.
Part C—Medicare+Choice Program
Prior Provisions
A prior part C of this subchapter, consisting of section 1395x et seq., was redesignated part E of this subchapter.
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
§1395w–21. Eligibility, election, and enrollment
(a) Choice of medicare benefits through Medicare+Choice plans
(1) In general
Subject to the provisions of this section, each Medicare+Choice eligible individual (as defined in paragraph (3)) is entitled to elect to receive benefits (other than qualified prescription drug benefits) under this subchapter—
(A) through the original medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B of this subchapter, or
(B) through enrollment in a Medicare+Choice plan under this part,
and may elect qualified prescription drug coverage in accordance with
(2) Types of Medicare+Choice plans that may be available
A Medicare+Choice plan may be any of the following types of plans of health insurance:
(A) Coordinated care plans (including regional plans)
(i) In general
Coordinated care plans which provide health care services, including but not limited to health maintenance organization plans (with or without point of service options), plans offered by provider-sponsored organizations (as defined in
(ii) Specialized MA plans for special needs individuals
Specialized MA plans for special needs individuals (as defined in
(B) Combination of MSA plan and contributions to Medicare+Choice MSA
An MSA plan, as defined in
(C) Private fee-for-service plans
A Medicare+Choice private fee-for-service plan, as defined in
(3) Medicare+Choice eligible individual
(A) In general
In this subchapter, subject to subparagraph (B), the term "Medicare+Choice eligible individual" means an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and enrolled under part B of this subchapter.
(B) Special rule for end-stage renal disease
Such term shall not include an individual medically determined to have end-stage renal disease, except that—
(i) an individual who develops end-stage renal disease while enrolled in a Medicare+Choice plan may continue to be enrolled in that plan; and
(ii) in the case of such an individual who is enrolled in a Medicare+Choice plan under clause (i) (or subsequently under this clause), if the enrollment is discontinued under circumstances described in subsection (e)(4)(A) of this section, then the individual will be treated as a "Medicare+Choice eligible individual" for purposes of electing to continue enrollment in another Medicare+Choice plan.
(b) Special rules
(1) Residence requirement
(A) In general
Except as the Secretary may otherwise provide and except as provided in subparagraph (C), an individual is eligible to elect a Medicare+Choice plan offered by a Medicare+Choice organization only if the plan serves the geographic area in which the individual resides.
(B) Continuation of enrollment permitted
Pursuant to rules specified by the Secretary, the Secretary shall provide that an MA local plan may offer to all individuals residing in a geographic area the option to continue enrollment in the plan, notwithstanding that the individual no longer resides in the service area of the plan, so long as the plan provides that individuals exercising this option have, as part of the benefits under the original medicare fee-for-service program option, reasonable access within that geographic area to the full range of basic benefits, subject to reasonable cost sharing liability in obtaining such benefits.
(C) Continuation of enrollment permitted where service changed
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) and in addition to subparagraph (B), if a Medicare+Choice organization eliminates from its service area a Medicare+Choice payment area that was previously within its service area, the organization may elect to offer individuals residing in all or portions of the affected area who would otherwise be ineligible to continue enrollment the option to continue enrollment in an MA local plan it offers so long as—
(i) the enrollee agrees to receive the full range of basic benefits (excluding emergency and urgently needed care) exclusively at facilities designated by the organization within the plan service area; and
(ii) there is no other Medicare+Choice plan offered in the area in which the enrollee resides at the time of the organization's election.
(2) Special rule for certain individuals covered under FEHBP or eligible for veterans or military health benefits
(A) FEHBP
An individual who is enrolled in a health benefit plan under
(B) VA and DOD
The Secretary may apply rules similar to the rules described in subparagraph (A) in the case of individuals who are eligible for health care benefits under
(3) Limitation on eligibility of qualified medicare beneficiaries and other medicaid beneficiaries to enroll in an MSA plan
An individual who is a qualified medicare beneficiary (as defined in
(4) Coverage under MSA plans
(A) In general
Under rules established by the Secretary, an individual is not eligible to enroll (or continue enrollment) in an MSA plan for a year unless the individual provides assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the individual will reside in the United States for at least 183 days during the year.
(B) Evaluation
The Secretary shall regularly evaluate the impact of permitting enrollment in MSA plans under this part on selection (including adverse selection), use of preventive care, access to care, and the financial status of the Trust Funds under this subchapter.
(C) Reports
The Secretary shall submit to Congress periodic reports on the numbers of individuals enrolled in such plans and on the evaluation being conducted under subparagraph (B).
(c) Process for exercising choice
(1) In general
The Secretary shall establish a process through which elections described in subsection (a) of this section are made and changed, including the form and manner in which such elections are made and changed. Such elections shall be made or changed only during coverage election periods specified under subsection (e) of this section and shall become effective as provided in subsection (f) of this section.
(2) Coordination through Medicare+Choice organizations
(A) Enrollment
Such process shall permit an individual who wishes to elect a Medicare+Choice plan offered by a Medicare+Choice organization to make such election through the filing of an appropriate election form with the organization.
(B) Disenrollment
Such process shall permit an individual, who has elected a Medicare+Choice plan offered by a Medicare+Choice organization and who wishes to terminate such election, to terminate such election through the filing of an appropriate election form with the organization.
(3) Default
(A) Initial election
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), an individual who fails to make an election during an initial election period under subsection (e)(1) of this section is deemed to have chosen the original medicare fee-for-service program option.
(ii) Seamless continuation of coverage
The Secretary may establish procedures under which an individual who is enrolled in a health plan (other than Medicare+Choice plan) offered by a Medicare+Choice organization at the time of the initial election period and who fails to elect to receive coverage other than through the organization is deemed to have elected the Medicare+Choice plan offered by the organization (or, if the organization offers more than one such plan, such plan or plans as the Secretary identifies under such procedures).
(B) Continuing periods
An individual who has made (or is deemed to have made) an election under this section is considered to have continued to make such election until such time as—
(i) the individual changes the election under this section, or
(ii) the Medicare+Choice plan with respect to which such election is in effect is discontinued or, subject to subsection (b)(1)(B) of this section, no longer serves the area in which the individual resides.
(d) Providing information to promote informed choice
(1) In general
The Secretary shall provide for activities under this subsection to broadly disseminate information to medicare beneficiaries (and prospective medicare beneficiaries) on the coverage options provided under this section in order to promote an active, informed selection among such options.
(2) Provision of notice
(A) Open season notification
At least 15 days before the beginning of each annual, coordinated election period (as defined in subsection (e)(3)(B) of this section), the Secretary shall mail to each Medicare+Choice eligible individual residing in an area the following:
(i) General information
The general information described in paragraph (3).
(ii) List of plans and comparison of plan options
A list identifying the Medicare+Choice plans that are (or will be) available to residents of the area and information described in paragraph (4) concerning such plans. Such information shall be presented in a comparative form.
(iii) Additional information
Any other information that the Secretary determines will assist the individual in making the election under this section.
The mailing of such information shall be coordinated, to the extent practicable, with the mailing of any annual notice under
(B) Notification to newly eligible Medicare+Choice eligible individuals
To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall, not later than 30 days before the beginning of the initial Medicare+Choice enrollment period for an individual described in subsection (e)(1) of this section, mail to the individual the information described in subparagraph (A).
(C) Form
The information disseminated under this paragraph shall be written and formatted using language that is easily understandable by medicare beneficiaries.
(D) Periodic updating
The information described in subparagraph (A) shall be updated on at least an annual basis to reflect changes in the availability of Medicare+Choice plans and the benefits and Medicare+Choice monthly basic and supplemental beneficiary premiums for such plans.
(3) General information
General information under this paragraph, with respect to coverage under this part during a year, shall include the following:
(A) Benefits under original medicare fee-for-service program option
A general description of the benefits covered under the original medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B of this subchapter, including—
(i) covered items and services,
(ii) beneficiary cost sharing, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayment amounts, and
(iii) any beneficiary liability for balance billing.
(B) Election procedures
Information and instructions on how to exercise election options under this section.
(C) Rights
A general description of procedural rights (including grievance and appeals procedures) of beneficiaries under the original medicare fee-for-service program and the Medicare+Choice program and the right to be protected against discrimination based on health status-related factors under
(D) Information on medigap and medicare select
A general description of the benefits, enrollment rights, and other requirements applicable to medicare supplemental policies under
(E) Potential for contract termination
The fact that a Medicare+Choice organization may terminate its contract, refuse to renew its contract, or reduce the service area included in its contract, under this part, and the effect of such a termination, nonrenewal, or service area reduction may have on individuals enrolled with the Medicare+Choice plan under this part.
(F) Catastrophic coverage and single deductible
In the case of an MA regional plan, a description of the catastrophic coverage and single deductible applicable under the plan.
(4) Information comparing plan options
Information under this paragraph, with respect to a Medicare+Choice plan for a year, shall include the following:
(A) Benefits
The benefits covered under the plan, including the following:
(i) Covered items and services beyond those provided under the original medicare fee-for-service program.
(ii) Any beneficiary cost sharing, including information on the single deductible (if applicable) under
(iii) Any maximum limitations on out-of-pocket expenses.
(iv) In the case of an MSA plan, differences in cost sharing, premiums, and balance billing under such a plan compared to under other Medicare+Choice plans.
(v) In the case of a Medicare+Choice private fee-for-service plan, differences in cost sharing, premiums, and balance billing under such a plan compared to under other Medicare+Choice plans.
(vi) The extent to which an enrollee may obtain benefits through out-of-network health care providers.
(vii) The extent to which an enrollee may select among in-network providers and the types of providers participating in the plan's network.
(viii) The organization's coverage of emergency and urgently needed care.
(B) Premiums
(i) In general
The monthly amount of the premium charged to an individual.
(ii) Reductions
The reduction in part B premiums, if any.
(C) Service area
The service area of the plan.
(D) Quality and performance
To the extent available, plan quality and performance indicators for the benefits under the plan (and how they compare to such indicators under the original medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B of this subchapter in the area involved), including—
(i) disenrollment rates for medicare enrollees electing to receive benefits through the plan for the previous 2 years (excluding disenrollment due to death or moving outside the plan's service area),
(ii) information on medicare enrollee satisfaction,
(iii) information on health outcomes, and
(iv) the recent record regarding compliance of the plan with requirements of this part (as determined by the Secretary).
(E) Supplemental benefits
Supplemental health care benefits, including any reductions in cost-sharing under
(5) Maintaining a toll-free number and Internet site
The Secretary shall maintain a toll-free number for inquiries regarding Medicare+Choice options and the operation of this part in all areas in which Medicare+Choice plans are offered and an Internet site through which individuals may electronically obtain information on such options and Medicare+Choice plans.
(6) Use of non-Federal entities
The Secretary may enter into contracts with non-Federal entities to carry out activities under this subsection.
(7) Provision of information
A Medicare+Choice organization shall provide the Secretary with such information on the organization and each Medicare+Choice plan it offers as may be required for the preparation of the information referred to in paragraph (2)(A).
(e) Coverage election periods
(1) Initial choice upon eligibility to make election if Medicare+Choice plans available to individual
If, at the time an individual first becomes entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and enrolled under part B of this subchapter, there is one or more Medicare+Choice plans offered in the area in which the individual resides, the individual shall make the election under this section during a period specified by the Secretary such that if the individual elects a Medicare+Choice plan during the period, coverage under the plan becomes effective as of the first date on which the individual may receive such coverage. If any portion of an individual's initial enrollment period under part B of this subchapter occurs after the end of the annual, coordinated election period described in paragraph (3)(B)(iii), the initial enrollment period under this part shall further extend through the end of the individual's initial enrollment period under part B of this subchapter.
(2) Open enrollment and disenrollment opportunities
Subject to paragraph (5)—
(A) Continuous open enrollment and disenrollment through 2005
At any time during the period beginning January 1, 1998, and ending on December 31, 2005, a Medicare+Choice eligible individual may change the election under subsection (a)(1) of this section.
(B) Continuous open enrollment and disenrollment for first 6 months during 2006
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), subparagraph (C)(iii),1 and subparagraph (D), at any time during the first 6 months of 2006, or, if the individual first becomes a Medicare+Choice eligible individual during 2006, during the first 6 months during 2006 in which the individual is a Medicare+Choice eligible individual, a Medicare+Choice eligible individual may change the election under subsection (a)(1) of this section.
(ii) Limitation of one change
An individual may exercise the right under clause (i) only once. The limitation under this clause shall not apply to changes in elections effected during an annual, coordinated election period under paragraph (3) or during a special enrollment period under the first sentence of paragraph (4).
(C) Annual 45-day period for disenrollment from MA plans to elect to receive benefits under the original Medicare fee-for-service program
Subject to subparagraph (D), at any time during the first 45 days of a year (beginning with 2011), an individual who is enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan may change the election under subsection (a)(1), but only with respect to coverage under the original medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B, and may elect qualified prescription drug coverage in accordance with
(D) Continuous open enrollment for institutionalized individuals
At any time after 2005 in the case of a Medicare+Choice eligible individual who is institutionalized (as defined by the Secretary), the individual may elect under subsection (a)(1) of this section—
(i) to enroll in a Medicare+Choice plan; or
(ii) to change the Medicare+Choice plan in which the individual is enrolled.
(E) Limited continuous open enrollment of original fee-for-service enrollees in medicare advantage non-prescription drug plans
(i) In general
On any date during the period beginning on January 1, 2007, and ending on July 31, 2007, on which a Medicare Advantage eligible individual is an unenrolled fee-for-service individual (as defined in clause (ii)), the individual may elect under subsection (a)(1) to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that is not an MA–PD plan.
(ii) Unenrolled fee-for-service individual defined
In this subparagraph, the term "unenrolled fee-for-service individual" means, with respect to a date, a Medicare Advantage eligible individual who—
(I) is receiving benefits under this subchapter through enrollment in the original medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B;
(II) is not enrolled in an MA plan on such date; and
(III) as of such date is not otherwise eligible to elect to enroll in an MA plan.
(iii) Limitation of one change during the applicable period
An individual may exercise the right under clause (i) only once during the period described in such clause.
(iv) No effect on coverage under a prescription drug plan
Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as permitting an individual exercising the right under clause (i)—
(I) who is enrolled in a prescription drug plan under part D, to disenroll from such plan or to enroll in a different prescription drug plan; or
(II) who is not enrolled in a prescription drug plan, to enroll in such a plan.
(3) Annual, coordinated election period
(A) In general
Subject to paragraph (5), each individual who is eligible to make an election under this section may change such election during an annual, coordinated election period.
(B) Annual, coordinated election period
For purposes of this section, the term "annual, coordinated election period" means—
(i) with respect to a year before 2002, the month of November before such year;
(ii) with respect to 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005, the period beginning on November 15 and ending on December 31 of the year before such year;
(iii) with respect to 2006, the period beginning on November 15, 2005, and ending on May 15, 2006;
(iv) with respect to 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, the period beginning on November 15 and ending on December 31 of the year before such year; and
(v) with respect to 2012 and succeeding years, the period beginning on October 15 and ending on December 7 of the year before such year.
(C) Medicare+Choice health information fairs
During the fall season of each year (beginning with 1999) and during the period described in subparagraph (B)(iii), in conjunction with the annual coordinated election period defined in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall provide for a nationally coordinated educational and publicity campaign to inform Medicare+Choice eligible individuals about Medicare+Choice plans and the election process provided under this section.
(D) Special information campaigns
During November 1998 the Secretary shall provide for an educational and publicity campaign to inform Medicare+Choice eligible individuals about the availability of Medicare+Choice plans, and eligible organizations with risk-sharing contracts under
(4) Special election periods
Effective as of January 1, 2006, an individual may discontinue an election of a Medicare+Choice plan offered by a Medicare+Choice organization other than during an annual, coordinated election period and make a new election under this section if—
(A)(i) the certification of the organization or plan under this part has been terminated, or the organization or plan has notified the individual of an impending termination of such certification; or
(ii) the organization has terminated or otherwise discontinued providing the plan in the area in which the individual resides, or has notified the individual of an impending termination or discontinuation of such plan;
(B) the individual is no longer eligible to elect the plan because of a change in the individual's place of residence or other change in circumstances (specified by the Secretary, but not including termination of the individual's enrollment on the basis described in clause (i) or (ii) of subsection (g)(3)(B) of this section);
(C) the individual demonstrates (in accordance with guidelines established by the Secretary) that—
(i) the organization offering the plan substantially violated a material provision of the organization's contract under this part in relation to the individual (including the failure to provide an enrollee on a timely basis medically necessary care for which benefits are available under the plan or the failure to provide such covered care in accordance with applicable quality standards); or
(ii) the organization (or an agent or other entity acting on the organization's behalf) materially misrepresented the plan's provisions in marketing the plan to the individual; or
(D) the individual meets such other exceptional conditions as the Secretary may provide.
Effective as of January 1, 2006, an individual who, upon first becoming eligible for benefits under part A of this subchapter at age 65, enrolls in a Medicare+Choice plan under this part, the individual may discontinue the election of such plan, and elect coverage under the original fee-for-service plan, at any time during the 12-month period beginning on the effective date of such enrollment.
(5) Special rules for MSA plans
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subsection, an individual—
(A) may elect an MSA plan only during—
(i) an initial open enrollment period described in paragraph (1), or
(ii) an annual, coordinated election period described in paragraph (3)(B);
(B) subject to subparagraph (C), may not discontinue an election of an MSA plan except during the periods described in clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (A) and under the first sentence of paragraph (4); and
(C) who elects an MSA plan during an annual, coordinated election period, and who never previously had elected such a plan, may revoke such election, in a manner determined by the Secretary, by not later than December 15 following the date of the election.
(6) Open enrollment periods
Subject to paragraph (5), a Medicare+Choice organization—
(A) shall accept elections or changes to elections during the initial enrollment periods described in paragraph (1), during the month of November 1998 and during the annual, coordinated election period under paragraph (3) for each subsequent year, and during special election periods described in the first sentence of paragraph (4); and
(B) may accept other changes to elections at such other times as the organization provides.
(f) Effectiveness of elections and changes of elections
(1) During initial coverage election period
An election of coverage made during the initial coverage election period under subsection (e)(1) of this section shall take effect upon the date the individual becomes entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and enrolled under part B of this subchapter, except as the Secretary may provide (consistent with
(2) During continuous open enrollment periods
An election or change of coverage made under subsection (e)(2) of this section shall take effect with the first day of the first calendar month following the date on which the election or change is made.
(3) Annual, coordinated election period
An election or change of coverage made during an annual, coordinated election period (as defined in subsection (e)(3)(B) of this section, other than the period described in clause (iii) of such subsection) in a year shall take effect as of the first day of the following year.
(4) Other periods
An election or change of coverage made during any other period under subsection (e)(4) of this section shall take effect in such manner as the Secretary provides in a manner consistent (to the extent practicable) with protecting continuity of health benefit coverage.
(g) Guaranteed issue and renewal
(1) In general
Except as provided in this subsection, a Medicare+Choice organization shall provide that at any time during which elections are accepted under this section with respect to a Medicare+Choice plan offered by the organization, the organization will accept without restrictions individuals who are eligible to make such election.
(2) Priority
If the Secretary determines that a Medicare+Choice organization, in relation to a Medicare+Choice plan it offers, has a capacity limit and the number of Medicare+Choice eligible individuals who elect the plan under this section exceeds the capacity limit, the organization may limit the election of individuals of the plan under this section but only if priority in election is provided—
(A) first to such individuals as have elected the plan at the time of the determination, and
(B) then to other such individuals in such a manner that does not discriminate, on a basis described in
The preceding sentence shall not apply if it would result in the enrollment of enrollees substantially nonrepresentative, as determined in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, of the medicare population in the service area of the plan.
(3) Limitation on termination of election
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), a Medicare+Choice organization may not for any reason terminate the election of any individual under this section for a Medicare+Choice plan it offers.
(B) Basis for termination of election
A Medicare+Choice organization may terminate an individual's election under this section with respect to a Medicare+Choice plan it offers if—
(i) any Medicare+Choice monthly basic and supplemental beneficiary premiums required with respect to such plan are not paid on a timely basis (consistent with standards under
(ii) the individual has engaged in disruptive behavior (as specified in such standards), or
(iii) the plan is terminated with respect to all individuals under this part in the area in which the individual resides.
(C) Consequence of termination
(i) Terminations for cause
Any individual whose election is terminated under clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (B) is deemed to have elected the original medicare fee-for-service program option described in subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section.
(ii) Termination based on plan termination or service area reduction
Any individual whose election is terminated under subparagraph (B)(iii) shall have a special election period under subsection (e)(4)(A) of this section in which to change coverage to coverage under another Medicare+Choice plan. Such an individual who fails to make an election during such period is deemed to have chosen to change coverage to the original medicare fee-for-service program option described in subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section.
(D) Organization obligation with respect to election forms
Pursuant to a contract under
(h) Approval of marketing material and application forms
(1) Submission
No marketing material or application form may be distributed by a Medicare+Choice organization to (or for the use of) Medicare+Choice eligible individuals unless—
(A) at least 45 days (or 10 days in the case described in paragraph (5)) before the date of distribution the organization has submitted the material or form to the Secretary for review, and
(B) the Secretary has not disapproved the distribution of such material or form.
(2) Review
The standards established under
(3) Deemed approval (1-stop shopping)
In the case of material or form that is submitted under paragraph (1)(A) to the Secretary or a regional office of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Secretary or the office has not disapproved the distribution of marketing material or form under paragraph (1)(B) with respect to a Medicare+Choice plan in an area, the Secretary is deemed not to have disapproved such distribution in all other areas covered by the plan and organization except with regard to that portion of such material or form that is specific only to an area involved.
(4) Prohibition of certain marketing practices
Each Medicare+Choice organization shall conform to fair marketing standards, in relation to Medicare+Choice plans offered under this part, included in the standards established under
(A) shall not permit a Medicare+Choice organization to provide for, subject to subsection (j)(2)(C), cash, gifts, prizes, or other monetary rebates as an inducement for enrollment or otherwise;
(B) may include a prohibition against a Medicare+Choice organization (or agent of such an organization) completing any portion of any election form used to carry out elections under this section on behalf of any individual;
(C) shall not permit a Medicare Advantage organization (or the agents, brokers, and other third parties representing such organization) to conduct the prohibited activities described in subsection (j)(1); and
(D) shall only permit a Medicare Advantage organization (and the agents, brokers, and other third parties representing such organization) to conduct the activities described in subsection (j)(2) in accordance with the limitations established under such subsection.
(5) Special treatment of marketing material following model marketing language
In the case of marketing material of an organization that uses, without modification, proposed model language specified by the Secretary, the period specified in paragraph (1)(A) shall be reduced from 45 days to 10 days.
(6) Required inclusion of plan type in plan name
For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2010, a Medicare Advantage organization must ensure that the name of each Medicare Advantage plan offered by the Medicare Advantage organization includes the plan type of the plan (using standard terminology developed by the Secretary).
(7) Strengthening the ability of States to act in collaboration with the Secretary to address fraudulent or inappropriate marketing practices
(A) Appointment of agents and brokers
Each Medicare Advantage organization shall—
(i) only use agents and brokers who have been licensed under State law to sell Medicare Advantage plans offered by the Medicare Advantage organization;
(ii) in the case where a State has a State appointment law, abide by such law; and
(iii) report to the applicable State the termination of any such agent or broker, including the reasons for such termination (as required under applicable State law).
(B) Compliance with State information requests
Each Medicare Advantage organization shall comply in a timely manner with any request by a State for information regarding the performance of a licensed agent, broker, or other third party representing the Medicare Advantage organization as part of an investigation by the State into the conduct of the agent, broker, or other third party.
(i) Effect of election of Medicare+Choice plan option
(1) Payments to organizations
Subject to
(2) Only organization entitled to payment
Subject to
(j) Prohibited activities described and limitations on the conduct of certain other activities
(1) Prohibited activities described
The following prohibited activities are described in this paragraph:
(A) Unsolicited means of direct contact
Any unsolicited means of direct contact of prospective enrollees, including soliciting door-to-door or any outbound telemarketing without the prospective enrollee initiating contact.
(B) Cross-selling
The sale of other non-health related products (such as annuities and life insurance) during any sales or marketing activity or presentation conducted with respect to a Medicare Advantage plan.
(C) Meals
The provision of meals of any sort, regardless of value, to prospective enrollees at promotional and sales activities.
(D) Sales and marketing in health care settings and at educational events
Sales and marketing activities for the enrollment of individuals in Medicare Advantage plans that are conducted—
(i) in health care settings in areas where health care is delivered to individuals (such as physician offices and pharmacies), except in the case where such activities are conducted in common areas in health care settings; and
(ii) at educational events.
(2) Limitations
The Secretary shall establish limitations with respect to at least the following:
(A) Scope of marketing appointments
The scope of any appointment with respect to the marketing of a Medicare Advantage plan. Such limitation shall require advance agreement with a prospective enrollee on the scope of the marketing appointment and documentation of such agreement by the Medicare Advantage organization. In the case where the marketing appointment is in person, such documentation shall be in writing.
(B) Co-branding
The use of the name or logo of a co-branded network provider on Medicare Advantage plan membership and marketing materials.
(C) Limitation of gifts to nominal dollar value
The offering of gifts and other promotional items other than those that are of nominal value (as determined by the Secretary) to prospective enrollees at promotional activities.
(D) Compensation
The use of compensation other than as provided under guidelines established by the Secretary. Such guidelines shall ensure that the use of compensation creates incentives for agents and brokers to enroll individuals in the Medicare Advantage plan that is intended to best meet their health care needs.
(E) Required training, annual retraining, and testing of agents, brokers, and other third parties
The use by a Medicare Advantage organization of any individual as an agent, broker, or other third party representing the organization that has not completed an initial training and testing program and does not complete an annual retraining and testing program.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1851, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B, referred to in text, are classified to section 1395c et seq. and section 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Subsec. (e)(2)(C) of this section, referred to in subsec. (e)(2)(B)(i), was amended generally by section 3204(a)(1) of
Part D, referred to in subsec. (e)(2)(E)(iv)(I), is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (e)(2)(C).
Subsec. (e)(3)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (e)(3)(B)(v).
2009—Subsec. (i)(1).
2008—Subsec. (h)(4)(A).
Subsec. (h)(4)(C).
Subsec. (h)(4)(D).
Subsec. (h)(6).
Subsec. (h)(7).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (j)(2).
2007—Subsec. (e)(2)(E)(i).
Subsec. (e)(2)(E)(iii).
2006—Subsec. (e)(2)(E).
2003—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A).
"(i) on or after January 1, 2003, unless the enrollment is the continuation of such an enrollment in effect as of such date; or
"(ii) as of any date if the number of such individuals so enrolled as of such date has reached 390,000."
Subsec. (b)(4)(C).
Subsec. (d)(3)(F).
Subsec. (d)(4)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(4)(B)(i).
Subsec. (d)(4)(E).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (e)(2)(C)(i).
Subsec. (e)(2)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (e)(3)(B).
Subsec. (e)(3)(C).
Subsec. (e)(3)(D).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(5)(A)(i).
Subsec. (e)(5)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (e)(5)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(2).
2002—Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B)(i), (C)(i).
Subsec. (e)(2)(D).
Subsec. (e)(3)(B).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(6)(A).
2000—Subsec. (a)(3)(B).
Subsec. (d)(4)(B).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (h)(1)(A).
Subsec. (h)(5).
1999—Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (e)(2)(C)(i).
Subsec. (e)(2)(D).
Subsec. (e)(3)(C).
Subsec. (e)(4)(A).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by section 237(b)(2)(A) of
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title VI, §606(a)(2)(C)] of
"(1)
"(2)
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title III, §321(k)(6)(A)] of
"(1) The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section and
"(2) The amendments made by subsection (c) [amending this section] apply to elections made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 29, 1999] with respect to eliminations of Medicare+Choice payment areas from a service area that occur before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act."
Regulations
Construction
No Cuts in Guaranteed Benefits.
Implementation of Medicare Advantage Program
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
Report on Impact of Increased Financial Assistance to Medicare Advantage Plans
MedPAC Study and Report on Clarification of Authority Regarding Disapproval of Unreasonable Beneficiary Cost-Sharing
Moratorium on New Local Preferred Provider Organization Plans
Specialized MA Plans
"(1)
"(2)
MedPAC Study on Consumer Coalitions
Report on Accounting for VA and DOD Expenditures for Medicare Beneficiaries
Report on Medicare MSA (Medical Savings Account) Plans
GAO Audit and Reports on Provision of Medicare+Choice Health Information to Beneficiaries
"(1)
"(3) [(2)]
Enrollment Transition Rule
Section 4002(c) of
Secretarial Submission of Legislative Proposal
Report on Integration and Transition
Medicare Enrollment Demonstration Project
Section 4018 of
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) the design of the project;
"(B) the selection criteria for the third-party contractor; and
"(C) the establishment of performance standards, as described in paragraph (3).
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
"(b)
"(c)
"(d)
"(e)
1 See References in Text note below.
§1395w–22. Benefits and beneficiary protections
(a) Basic benefits
(1) Requirement
(A) In general
Except as provided in
(B) Benefits under the original medicare fee-for-service program option defined
(i) In general
For purposes of this part, the term "benefits under the original medicare fee-for-service program option" means those items and services (other than hospice care) for which benefits are available under parts A and B to individuals entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B, with cost-sharing for those services as required under parts A and B or, subject to clause (iii), an actuarially equivalent level of cost-sharing as determined in this part.
(ii) Special rule for regional plans
In the case of an MA regional plan in determining an actuarially equivalent level of cost-sharing with respect to benefits under the original medicare fee-for-service program option, there shall only be taken into account, with respect to the application of
(iii) Limitation on variation of cost sharing for certain benefits
Subject to clause (v), cost-sharing for services described in clause (iv) shall not exceed the cost-sharing required for those services under parts A and B.
(iv) Services described
The following services are described in this clause:
(I) Chemotherapy administration services.
(II) Renal dialysis services (as defined in
(III) Skilled nursing care.
(IV) Such other services that the Secretary determines appropriate (including services that the Secretary determines require a high level of predictability and transparency for beneficiaries).
(v) Exception
In the case of services described in clause (iv) for which there is no cost-sharing required under parts A and B, cost-sharing may be required for those services in accordance with clause (i).
(2) Satisfaction of requirement
(A) In general
A Medicare+Choice plan (other than an MSA plan) offered by a Medicare+Choice organization satisfies paragraph (1)(A), with respect to benefits for items and services furnished other than through a provider or other person that has a contract with the organization offering the plan, if the plan provides payment in an amount so that—
(i) the sum of such payment amount and any cost sharing provided for under the plan, is equal to at least
(ii) the total dollar amount of payment for such items and services as would otherwise be authorized under parts A and B of this subchapter (including any balance billing permitted under such parts).
(B) Reference to related provisions
For provision relating to—
(i) limitations on balance billing against Medicare+Choice organizations for non-contract providers, see subsection (k) of this section and
(ii) limiting actuarial value of enrollee liability for covered benefits, see
(C) Election of uniform coverage determination
In the case of a Medicare+Choice organization that offers a Medicare+Choice plan in an area in which more than one local coverage determination is applied with respect to different parts of the area, the organization may elect to have the local coverage determination for the part of the area that is most beneficial to Medicare+Choice enrollees (as identified by the Secretary) apply with respect to all Medicare+Choice enrollees enrolled in the plan.
(3) Supplemental benefits
(A) Benefits included subject to Secretary's approval
Each Medicare+Choice organization may provide to individuals enrolled under this part, other than under an MSA plan (without affording those individuals an option to decline the coverage), supplemental health care benefits that the Secretary may approve. The Secretary shall approve any such supplemental benefits unless the Secretary determines that including such supplemental benefits would substantially discourage enrollment by Medicare+Choice eligible individuals with the organization.
(B) At enrollees' option
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), a Medicare+Choice organization may provide to individuals enrolled under this part supplemental health care benefits that the individuals may elect, at their option, to have covered.
(ii) Special rule for MSA plans
A Medicare+Choice organization may not provide, under an MSA plan, supplemental health care benefits that cover the deductible described in
(C) Application to Medicare+Choice private fee-for-service plans
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as preventing a Medicare+Choice private fee-for-service plan from offering supplemental benefits that include payment for some or all of the balance billing amounts permitted consistent with subsection (k) of this section and coverage of additional services that the plan finds to be medically necessary. Such benefits may include reductions in cost-sharing below the actuarial value specified in
(4) Organization as secondary payer
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a Medicare+Choice organization may (in the case of the provision of items and services to an individual under a Medicare+Choice plan under circumstances in which payment under this subchapter is made secondary pursuant to
(A) the insurance carrier, employer, or other entity which under such law, plan, or policy is to pay for the provision of such services, or
(B) such individual to the extent that the individual has been paid under such law, plan, or policy for such services.
(5) National coverage determinations and legislative changes in benefits
If there is a national coverage determination or legislative change in benefits required to be provided under this part made in the period beginning on the date of an announcement under
(A) such determination or legislative change in benefits shall not apply to contracts under this part until the first contract year that begins after the end of such period, and
(B) if such coverage determination or legislative change provides for coverage of additional benefits or coverage under additional circumstances,
The projection under the previous sentence shall be based on an analysis by the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the actuarial costs associated with the coverage determination or legislative change in benefits.
(6) Special benefit rules for regional plans
In the case of an MA plan that is an MA regional plan, benefits under the plan shall include the benefits described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of
(7) Limitation on cost-sharing for dual eligibles and qualified medicare beneficiaries
In the case of an individual who is a full-benefit dual eligible individual (as defined in
(b) Antidiscrimination
(1) Beneficiaries
(A) In general
A Medicare+Choice organization may not deny, limit, or condition the coverage or provision of benefits under this part, for individuals permitted to be enrolled with the organization under this part, based on any health status-related factor described in section 2702(a)(1) of the Public Health Service Act.1 The Secretary shall not approve a plan of an organization if the Secretary determines that the design of the plan and its benefits are likely to substantially discourage enrollment by certain MA eligible individuals with the organization.
(B) Construction
Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed as requiring a Medicare+Choice organization to enroll individuals who are determined to have end-stage renal disease, except as provided under
(2) Providers
A Medicare+Choice organization shall not discriminate with respect to participation, reimbursement, or indemnification as to any provider who is acting within the scope of the provider's license or certification under applicable State law, solely on the basis of such license or certification. This paragraph shall not be construed to prohibit a plan from including providers only to the extent necessary to meet the needs of the plan's enrollees or from establishing any measure designed to maintain quality and control costs consistent with the responsibilities of the plan.
(c) Disclosure requirements
(1) Detailed description of plan provisions
A Medicare+Choice organization shall disclose, in clear, accurate, and standardized form to each enrollee with a Medicare+Choice plan offered by the organization under this part at the time of enrollment and at least annually thereafter, the following information regarding such plan:
(A) Service area
The plan's service area.
(B) Benefits
Benefits offered under the plan, including information described in
(C) Access
The number, mix, and distribution of plan providers, out-of-network coverage (if any) provided by the plan, and any point-of-service option (including the supplemental premium for such option).
(D) Out-of-area coverage
Out-of-area coverage provided by the plan.
(E) Emergency coverage
Coverage of emergency services, including—
(i) the appropriate use of emergency services, including use of the 911 telephone system or its local equivalent in emergency situations and an explanation of what constitutes an emergency situation;
(ii) the process and procedures of the plan for obtaining emergency services; and
(iii) the locations of (I) emergency departments, and (II) other settings, in which plan physicians and hospitals provide emergency services and post-stabilization care.
(F) Supplemental benefits
Supplemental benefits available from the organization offering the plan, including—
(i) whether the supplemental benefits are optional,
(ii) the supplemental benefits covered, and
(iii) the Medicare+Choice monthly supplemental beneficiary premium for the supplemental benefits.
(G) Prior authorization rules
Rules regarding prior authorization or other review requirements that could result in nonpayment.
(H) Plan grievance and appeals procedures
All plan appeal or grievance rights and procedures.
(I) Quality improvement program
A description of the organization's quality improvement program under subsection (e) of this section.
(2) Disclosure upon request
Upon request of a Medicare+Choice eligible individual, a Medicare+Choice organization must provide the following information to such individual:
(A) The general coverage information and general comparative plan information made available under clauses (i) and (ii) of
(B) Information on procedures used by the organization to control utilization of services and expenditures.
(C) Information on the number of grievances, redeterminations, and appeals and on the disposition in the aggregate of such matters.
(D) An overall summary description as to the method of compensation of participating physicians.
(d) Access to services
(1) In general
A Medicare+Choice organization offering a Medicare+Choice plan may select the providers from whom the benefits under the plan are provided so long as—
(A) the organization makes such benefits available and accessible to each individual electing the plan within the plan service area with reasonable promptness and in a manner which assures continuity in the provision of benefits;
(B) when medically necessary the organization makes such benefits available and accessible 24 hours a day and 7 days a week;
(C) the plan provides for reimbursement with respect to services which are covered under subparagraphs (A) and (B) and which are provided to such an individual other than through the organization, if—
(i) the services were not emergency services (as defined in paragraph (3)), but (I) the services were medically necessary and immediately required because of an unforeseen illness, injury, or condition, and (II) it was not reasonable given the circumstances to obtain the services through the organization,
(ii) the services were renal dialysis services and were provided other than through the organization because the individual was temporarily out of the plan's service area, or
(iii) the services are maintenance care or post-stabilization care covered under the guidelines established under paragraph (2);
(D) the organization provides access to appropriate providers, including credentialed specialists, for medically necessary treatment and services; and
(E) coverage is provided for emergency services (as defined in paragraph (3)) without regard to prior authorization or the emergency care provider's contractual relationship with the organization.
(2) Guidelines respecting coordination of post-stabilization care
A Medicare+Choice plan shall comply with such guidelines as the Secretary may prescribe relating to promoting efficient and timely coordination of appropriate maintenance and post-stabilization care of an enrollee after the enrollee has been determined to be stable under
(3) "Emergency services" defined
In this subsection—
(A) In general
The term "emergency services" means, with respect to an individual enrolled with an organization, covered inpatient and outpatient services that—
(i) are furnished by a provider that is qualified to furnish such services under this subchapter, and
(ii) are needed to evaluate or stabilize an emergency medical condition (as defined in subparagraph (B)).
(B) Emergency medical condition based on prudent layperson
The term "emergency medical condition" means a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that a prudent layperson, who possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine, could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in—
(i) placing the health of the individual (or, with respect to a pregnant woman, the health of the woman or her unborn child) in serious jeopardy,
(ii) serious impairment to bodily functions, or
(iii) serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part.
(4) Assuring access to services in Medicare+Choice private fee-for-service plans
In addition to any other requirements under this part, in the case of a Medicare+Choice private fee-for-service plan, the organization offering the plan must demonstrate to the Secretary that the organization has sufficient number and range of health care professionals and providers willing to provide services under the terms of the plan. Subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), the Secretary shall find that an organization has met such requirement with respect to any category of health care professional or provider if, with respect to that category of provider—
(A) the plan has established payment rates for covered services furnished by that category of provider that are not less than the payment rates provided for under part A of this subchapter, part B of this subchapter, or both, for such services, or
(B) the plan has contracts or agreements (other than deemed contracts or agreements under subsection (j)(6) of this section) with a sufficient number and range of providers within such category to meet the access standards in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (1),
or a combination of both. The previous sentence shall not be construed as restricting the persons from whom enrollees under such a plan may obtain covered benefits, except that, if a plan entirely meets such requirement with respect to a category of health care professional or provider on the basis of subparagraph (B), it may provide for a higher beneficiary copayment in the case of health care professionals and providers of that category who do not have contracts or agreements (other than deemed contracts or agreements under subsection (j)(6) of this section) to provide covered services under the terms of the plan.
(5) Requirement of certain nonemployer Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service plans to use contracts with providers
(A) In general
For plan year 2011 and subsequent plan years, in the case of a Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service plan not described in paragraph (1) or (2) of
(B) Network area defined
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "network area" means, for a plan year, an area which the Secretary identifies (in the Secretary's announcement of the proposed payment rates for the previous plan year under
(C) Network-based plan defined
(i) In general
For purposes of subparagraph (B), the term "network-based plan" means—
(I) except as provided in clause (ii), a Medicare Advantage plan that is a coordinated care plan described in
(II) a network-based MSA plan; and
(III) a reasonable cost reimbursement plan under
(ii) Exclusion of non-network regional PPOS
The term "network-based plan" shall not include an MA regional plan that, with respect to the area, meets access adequacy standards under this part substantially through the authority of section 422.112(a)(1)(ii) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, rather than through written contracts.
(6) Requirement of all employer Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service plans to use contracts with providers
For plan year 2011 and subsequent plan years, in the case of a Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service plan that is described in paragraph (1) or (2) of
(e) Quality improvement program
(1) In general
Each MA organization shall have an ongoing quality improvement program for the purpose of improving the quality of care provided to enrollees in each MA plan offered by such organization.
(2) Chronic care improvement programs
As part of the quality improvement program under paragraph (1), each MA organization shall have a chronic care improvement program. Each chronic care improvement program shall have a method for monitoring and identifying enrollees with multiple or sufficiently severe chronic conditions that meet criteria established by the organization for participation under the program.
(3) Data
(A) Collection, analysis, and reporting
(i) In general
Except as provided in clauses (ii) and (iii) with respect to plans described in such clauses and subject to subparagraph (B), as part of the quality improvement program under paragraph (1), each MA organization shall provide for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data that permits the measurement of health outcomes and other indices of quality. With respect to MA private fee-for-service plans and MSA plans, the requirements under the preceding sentence may not exceed the requirements under this subparagraph with respect to MA local plans that are preferred provider organization plans, except that, for plan year 2010, the limitation under clause (iii) shall not apply and such requirements shall apply only with respect to administrative claims data.
(ii) Special requirements for specialized MA plans for special needs individuals
In addition to the data required to be collected, analyzed, and reported under clause (i) and notwithstanding the limitations under subparagraph (B), as part of the quality improvement program under paragraph (1), each MA organization offering a specialized Medicare Advantage plan for special needs individuals shall provide for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data that permits the measurement of health outcomes and other indices of quality with respect to the requirements described in paragraphs (2) through (5) of subsection (f). Such data may be based on claims data and shall be at the plan level.
(iii) Application to local preferred provider organizations and MA regional plans
Clause (i) shall apply to MA organizations with respect to MA local plans that are preferred provider organization plans and to MA regional plans only insofar as services are furnished by providers or services, physicians, and other health care practitioners and suppliers that have contracts with such organization to furnish services under such plans.
(iv) Definition of preferred provider organization plan
In this subparagraph, the term "preferred provider organization plan" means an MA plan that—
(I) has a network of providers that have agreed to a contractually specified reimbursement for covered benefits with the organization offering the plan;
(II) provides for reimbursement for all covered benefits regardless of whether such benefits are provided within such network of providers; and
(III) is offered by an organization that is not licensed or organized under State law as a health maintenance organization.
(B) Limitations
(i) Types of data
The Secretary shall not collect under subparagraph (A) data on quality, outcomes, and beneficiary satisfaction to facilitate consumer choice and program administration other than the types of data that were collected by the Secretary as of November 1, 2003.
(ii) Changes in types of data
Subject to subclause (iii), the Secretary may only change the types of data that are required to be submitted under subparagraph (A) after submitting to Congress a report on the reasons for such changes that was prepared in consultation with MA organizations and private accrediting bodies.
(iii) Construction
Nothing in the 2 subsection shall be construed as restricting the ability of the Secretary to carry out the duties under
(4) Treatment of accreditation
(A) In general
The Secretary shall provide that a Medicare+Choice organization is deemed to meet all the requirements described in any specific clause of subparagraph (B) if the organization is accredited (and periodically reaccredited) by a private accrediting organization under a process that the Secretary has determined assures that the accrediting organization applies and enforces standards that meet or exceed the standards established under
(B) Requirements described
The provisions described in this subparagraph are the following:
(i) Paragraphs (1) through (3) of this subsection (relating to quality improvement programs).
(ii) Subsection (b) of this section (relating to antidiscrimination).
(iii) Subsection (d) of this section (relating to access to services).
(iv) Subsection (h) of this section (relating to confidentiality and accuracy of enrollee records).
(v) Subsection (i) of this section (relating to information on advance directives).
(vi) Subsection (j) of this section (relating to provider participation rules).
(vii) The requirements described in
(C) Timely action on applications
The Secretary shall determine, within 210 days after the date the Secretary receives an application by a private accrediting organization and using the criteria specified in
(D) Construction
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as limiting the authority of the Secretary under
(f) Grievance mechanism
Each Medicare+Choice organization must provide meaningful procedures for hearing and resolving grievances between the organization (including any entity or individual through which the organization provides health care services) and enrollees with Medicare+Choice plans of the organization under this part.
(g) Coverage determinations, reconsiderations, and appeals
(1) Determinations by organization
(A) In general
A Medicare+Choice organization shall have a procedure for making determinations regarding whether an individual enrolled with the plan of the organization under this part is entitled to receive a health service under this section and the amount (if any) that the individual is required to pay with respect to such service. Subject to paragraph (3), such procedures shall provide for such determination to be made on a timely basis.
(B) Explanation of determination
Such a determination that denies coverage, in whole or in part, shall be in writing and shall include a statement in understandable language of the reasons for the denial and a description of the reconsideration and appeals processes.
(2) Reconsiderations
(A) In general
The organization shall provide for reconsideration of a determination described in paragraph (1)(B) upon request by the enrollee involved. The reconsideration shall be within a time period specified by the Secretary, but shall be made, subject to paragraph (3), not later than 60 days after the date of the receipt of the request for reconsideration.
(B) Physician decision on certain reconsiderations
A reconsideration relating to a determination to deny coverage based on a lack of medical necessity shall be made only by a physician with appropriate expertise in the field of medicine which necessitates treatment who is other than a physician involved in the initial determination.
(3) Expedited determinations and reconsiderations
(A) Receipt of requests
(i) Enrollee requests
An enrollee in a Medicare+Choice plan may request, either in writing or orally, an expedited determination under paragraph (1) or an expedited reconsideration under paragraph (2) by the Medicare+Choice organization.
(ii) Physician requests
A physician, regardless whether the physician is affiliated with the organization or not, may request, either in writing or orally, such an expedited determination or reconsideration.
(B) Organization procedures
(i) In general
The Medicare+Choice organization shall maintain procedures for expediting organization determinations and reconsiderations when, upon request of an enrollee, the organization determines that the application of the normal time frame for making a determination (or a reconsideration involving a determination) could seriously jeopardize the life or health of the enrollee or the enrollee's ability to regain maximum function.
(ii) Expedition required for physician requests
In the case of a request for an expedited determination or reconsideration made under subparagraph (A)(ii), the organization shall expedite the determination or reconsideration if the request indicates that the application of the normal time frame for making a determination (or a reconsideration involving a determination) could seriously jeopardize the life or health of the enrollee or the enrollee's ability to regain maximum function.
(iii) Timely response
In cases described in clauses (i) and (ii), the organization shall notify the enrollee (and the physician involved, as appropriate) of the determination or reconsideration under time limitations established by the Secretary, but not later than 72 hours of the time of receipt of the request for the determination or reconsideration (or receipt of the information necessary to make the determination or reconsideration), or such longer period as the Secretary may permit in specified cases.
(4) Independent review of certain coverage denials
The Secretary shall contract with an independent, outside entity to review and resolve in a timely manner reconsiderations that affirm denial of coverage, in whole or in part. The provisions of
(5) Appeals
An enrollee with a Medicare+Choice plan of a Medicare+Choice organization under this part who is dissatisfied by reason of the enrollee's failure to receive any health service to which the enrollee believes the enrollee is entitled and at no greater charge than the enrollee believes the enrollee is required to pay is entitled, if the amount in controversy is $100 or more, to a hearing before the Secretary to the same extent as is provided in
(h) Confidentiality and accuracy of enrollee records
Insofar as a Medicare+Choice organization maintains medical records or other health information regarding enrollees under this part, the Medicare+Choice organization shall establish procedures—
(1) to safeguard the privacy of any individually identifiable enrollee information;
(2) to maintain such records and information in a manner that is accurate and timely; and
(3) to assure timely access of enrollees to such records and information.
(i) Information on advance directives
Each Medicare+Choice organization shall meet the requirement of
(j) Rules regarding provider participation
(1) Procedures
Insofar as a Medicare+Choice organization offers benefits under a Medicare+Choice plan through agreements with physicians, the organization shall establish reasonable procedures relating to the participation (under an agreement between a physician and the organization) of physicians under such a plan. Such procedures shall include—
(A) providing notice of the rules regarding participation,
(B) providing written notice of participation decisions that are adverse to physicians, and
(C) providing a process within the organization for appealing such adverse decisions, including the presentation of information and views of the physician regarding such decision.
(2) Consultation in medical policies
A Medicare+Choice organization shall consult with physicians who have entered into participation agreements with the organization regarding the organization's medical policy, quality, and medical management procedures.
(3) Prohibiting interference with provider advice to enrollees
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), a Medicare+Choice organization (in relation to an individual enrolled under a Medicare+Choice plan offered by the organization under this part) shall not prohibit or otherwise restrict a covered health care professional (as defined in subparagraph (D)) from advising such an individual who is a patient of the professional about the health status of the individual or medical care or treatment for the individual's condition or disease, regardless of whether benefits for such care or treatment are provided under the plan, if the professional is acting within the lawful scope of practice.
(B) Conscience protection
Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed as requiring a Medicare+Choice plan to provide, reimburse for, or provide coverage of a counseling or referral service if the Medicare+Choice organization offering the plan—
(i) objects to the provision of such service on moral or religious grounds; and
(ii) in the manner and through the written instrumentalities such Medicare+Choice organization deems appropriate, makes available information on its policies regarding such service to prospective enrollees before or during enrollment and to enrollees within 90 days after the date that the organization or plan adopts a change in policy regarding such a counseling or referral service.
(C) Construction
Nothing in subparagraph (B) shall be construed to affect disclosure requirements under State law or under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [
(D) "Health care professional" defined
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "health care professional" means a physician (as defined in
(4) Limitations on physician incentive plans
(A) In general
No Medicare+Choice organization may operate any physician incentive plan (as defined in subparagraph (B)) unless the organization provides assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the following requirements are met:
(i) No specific payment is made directly or indirectly under the plan to a physician or physician group as an inducement to reduce or limit medically necessary services provided with respect to a specific individual enrolled with the organization.
(ii) If the plan places a physician or physician group at substantial financial risk (as determined by the Secretary) for services not provided by the physician or physician group, the organization provides stop-loss protection for the physician or group that is adequate and appropriate, based on standards developed by the Secretary that take into account the number of physicians placed at such substantial financial risk in the group or under the plan and the number of individuals enrolled with the organization who receive services from the physician or group.
(B) "Physician incentive plan" defined
In this paragraph, the term "physician incentive plan" means any compensation arrangement between a Medicare+Choice organization and a physician or physician group that may directly or indirectly have the effect of reducing or limiting services provided with respect to individuals enrolled with the organization under this part.
(5) Limitation on provider indemnification
A Medicare+Choice organization may not provide (directly or indirectly) for a health care professional, provider of services, or other entity providing health care services (or group of such professionals, providers, or entities) to indemnify the organization against any liability resulting from a civil action brought for any damage caused to an enrollee with a Medicare+Choice plan of the organization under this part by the organization's denial of medically necessary care.
(6) Special rules for Medicare+Choice private fee-for-service plans
For purposes of applying this part (including subsection (k)(1) of this section) and
(A) the provider, professional, or other entity furnishes services that are covered under the plan to such an enrollee; and
(B) before providing such services, the provider, professional, or other entity—
(i) has been informed of the individual's enrollment under the plan, and
(ii) either—
(I) has been informed of the terms and conditions of payment for such services under the plan, or
(II) is given a reasonable opportunity to obtain information concerning such terms and conditions,
in a manner reasonably designed to effect informed agreement by a provider.
The previous sentence shall only apply in the absence of an explicit agreement between such a provider, professional, or other entity and the Medicare+Choice organization.
(7) Promotion of e-prescribing by MA plans
(A) In general
An MA–PD plan may provide for a separate payment or otherwise provide for a differential payment for a participating physician that prescribes covered part D drugs in accordance with an electronic prescription drug program that meets standards established under
(B) Considerations
Such payment may take into consideration the costs of the physician in implementing such a program and may also be increased for those participating physicians who significantly increase—
(i) formulary compliance;
(ii) lower cost, therapeutically equivalent alternatives;
(iii) reductions in adverse drug interactions; and
(iv) efficiencies in filing prescriptions through reduced administrative costs.
(C) Structure
Additional or increased payments under this subsection may be structured in the same manner as medication therapy management fees are structured under section 1395w–104(c)(2)(E) 1 of this title.
(k) Treatment of services furnished by certain providers
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), a physician or other entity (other than a provider of services) that does not have a contract establishing payment amounts for services furnished to an individual enrolled under this part with a Medicare+Choice organization described in
(2) Application to Medicare+Choice private fee-for-service plans
(A) Balance billing limits under Medicare+Choice private fee-for-service plans in case of contract providers
(i) In general
In the case of an individual enrolled in a Medicare+Choice private fee-for-service plan under this part, a physician, provider of services, or other entity that has a contract (including through the operation of subsection (j)(6) of this section) establishing a payment rate for services furnished to the enrollee shall accept as payment in full for covered services under this subchapter that are furnished to such an individual an amount not to exceed (including any deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, or balance billing otherwise permitted under the plan) an amount equal to 115 percent of such payment rate.
(ii) Procedures to enforce limits
The Medicare+Choice organization that offers such a plan shall establish procedures, similar to the procedures described in
(iii) Assuring enforcement
If the Medicare+Choice organization fails to establish and enforce procedures required under clause (ii), the organization is subject to intermediate sanctions under
(B) Enrollee liability for noncontract providers
For provision—
(i) establishing minimum payment rate in the case of noncontract providers under a Medicare+Choice private fee-for-service plan, see subsection (a)(2) of this section; or
(ii) limiting enrollee liability in the case of covered services furnished by such providers, see paragraph (1) and
(C) Information on beneficiary liability
(i) In general
Each Medicare+Choice organization that offers a Medicare+Choice private fee-for-service plan shall provide that enrollees under the plan who are furnished services for which payment is sought under the plan are provided an appropriate explanation of benefits (consistent with that provided under parts A and B of this subchapter and, if applicable, under medicare supplemental policies) that includes a clear statement of the amount of the enrollee's liability (including any liability for balance billing consistent with this subsection) with respect to payments for such services.
(ii) Advance notice before receipt of inpatient hospital services and certain other services
In addition, such organization shall, in its terms and conditions of payments to hospitals for inpatient hospital services and for other services identified by the Secretary for which the amount of the balance billing under subparagraph (A) could be substantial, require the hospital to provide to the enrollee, before furnishing such services and if the hospital imposes balance billing under subparagraph (A)—
(I) notice of the fact that balance billing is permitted under such subparagraph for such services, and
(II) a good faith estimate of the likely amount of such balance billing (if any), with respect to such services, based upon the presenting condition of the enrollee.
(l) Return to home skilled nursing facilities for covered post-hospital extended care services
(1) Ensuring return to home SNF
(A) In general
In providing coverage of post-hospital extended care services, a Medicare+Choice plan shall provide for such coverage through a home skilled nursing facility if the following conditions are met:
(i) Enrollee election
The enrollee elects to receive such coverage through such facility.
(ii) SNF agreement
The facility has a contract with the Medicare+Choice organization for the provision of such services, or the facility agrees to accept substantially similar payment under the same terms and conditions that apply to similarly situated skilled nursing facilities that are under contract with the Medicare+Choice organization for the provision of such services and through which the enrollee would otherwise receive such services.
(B) Manner of payment to home SNF
The organization shall provide payment to the home skilled nursing facility consistent with the contract or the agreement described in subparagraph (A)(ii), as the case may be.
(2) No less favorable coverage
The coverage provided under paragraph (1) (including scope of services, cost-sharing, and other criteria of coverage) shall be no less favorable to the enrollee than the coverage that would be provided to the enrollee with respect to a skilled nursing facility the post-hospital extended care services of which are otherwise covered under the Medicare+Choice plan.
(3) Rule of construction
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to do the following:
(A) To require coverage through a skilled nursing facility that is not otherwise qualified to provide benefits under part A of this subchapter for medicare beneficiaries not enrolled in a Medicare+Choice plan.
(B) To prevent a skilled nursing facility from refusing to accept, or imposing conditions upon the acceptance of, an enrollee for the receipt of post-hospital extended care services.
(4) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Home skilled nursing facility
The term "home skilled nursing facility" means, with respect to an enrollee who is entitled to receive post-hospital extended care services under a Medicare+Choice plan, any of the following skilled nursing facilities:
(i) SNF residence at time of admission
The skilled nursing facility in which the enrollee resided at the time of admission to the hospital preceding the receipt of such post-hospital extended care services.
(ii) SNF in continuing care retirement community
A skilled nursing facility that is providing such services through a continuing care retirement community (as defined in subparagraph (B)) which provided residence to the enrollee at the time of such admission.
(iii) SNF residence of spouse at time of discharge
The skilled nursing facility in which the spouse of the enrollee is residing at the time of discharge from such hospital.
(B) Continuing care retirement community
The term "continuing care retirement community" means, with respect to an enrollee in a Medicare+Choice plan, an arrangement under which housing and health-related services are provided (or arranged) through an organization for the enrollee under an agreement that is effective for the life of the enrollee or for a specified period.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1852, as added
References in Text
Part A of subchapter XI of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A), is classified to
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1)(B)(i), (iii), (v), (2)(A)(ii), (d)(4)(A), (k)(2)(C)(i), and (l)(3)(A), are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Section 2702 of the Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(A), is section 2702 of act July 1, 1944, which was classified to
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (j)(3)(C), is
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(iii) to (v).
2008—Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (d)(4)(B).
Subsec. (d)(5).
Subsec. (d)(6).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (e)(3)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (e)(3)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (e)(4)(C).
2003—Subsec. (a)(1).
"(A) those items and services (other than hospice care) for which benefits are available under parts A and B of this subchapter to individuals residing in the area served by the plan, and
"(B) additional benefits required under
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (c)(1)(I).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (d)(4)(B).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (e)(4)(B)(i).
Subsec. (e)(4)(B)(vii).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (g)(5).
Subsec. (j)(4)(A).
Subsec. (j)(4)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (j)(4)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (j)(7).
Subsec. (k)(1).
2000—Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(5)(A).
Subsec. (a)(5)(B).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A), (B).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (g)(4).
Subsec. (l).
1999—Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B).
Subsec. (e)(2)(D).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (g)(1)(B).
Subsec. (g)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (k)(2)(C)(ii).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by section 125(b)(6) of
Effective and Termination Dates of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by sections 221(d)(3) and 222(a)(2), (3), (h), (l)(1) of
Amendment by section 948(b)(2) of
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title V, §521(b)] of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title III, §321(k)(6)(B)] of
MedPAC Study
"(1)
"(A) on the scope of additional benefits provided under the Medicare+Choice program;
"(B) on the administrative and other costs incurred by Medicare+Choice organizations; and
"(C) on the contractual relationships between such organizations and skilled nursing facilities.
"(2)
Transitional Pass-Through of Additional Costs Under Medicare+Choice Program for 2000
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. Probably should be "this".
§1395w–23. Payments to Medicare+Choice organizations
(a) Payments to organizations
(1) Monthly payments
(A) In general
Under a contract under
(i) Payment before 2006
For years before 2006, the payment amount shall be equal to 1/12 of the annual MA capitation rate (as calculated under subsection (c)(1) of this section) with respect to that individual for that area, adjusted under subparagraph (C) and reduced by the amount of any reduction elected under
(ii) Payment for original fee-for-service benefits beginning with 2006
For years beginning with 2006, the amount specified in subparagraph (B).
(B) Payment amount for original fee-for-service benefits beginning with 2006
(i) Payment of bid for plans with bids below benchmark
In the case of a plan for which there are average per capita monthly savings described in
(ii) Payment of benchmark for plans with bids at or above benchmark
In the case of a plan for which there are no average per capita monthly savings described in
(iii) Payment of benchmark for MSA plans
Notwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii), in the case of an MSA plan, the amount specified in this subparagraph is equal to the MA area-specific non-drug monthly benchmark amount, adjusted under subparagraph (C).
(iv) Authority to apply frailty adjustment under PACE payment rules for certain specialized MA plans for special needs individuals
(I) In general
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this paragraph, for plan year 2011 and subsequent plan years, in the case of a plan described in subclause (II), the Secretary may apply the payment rules under
(II) Plan described
A plan described in this subclause is a specialized MA plan for special needs individuals described in
(C) Demographic adjustment, including adjustment for health status
(i) In general
The Secretary shall adjust the payment amount under subparagraph (A)(i) and the amount specified under subparagraph (B)(i), (B)(ii), and (B)(iii) for such risk factors as age, disability status, gender, institutional status, and such other factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, including adjustment for health status under paragraph (3), so as to ensure actuarial equivalence. The Secretary may add to, modify, or substitute for such adjustment factors if such changes will improve the determination of actuarial equivalence.
(ii) Application of coding adjustment
For 2006 and each subsequent year:
(I) In applying the adjustment under clause (i) for health status to payment amounts, the Secretary shall ensure that such adjustment reflects changes in treatment and coding practices in the fee-for-service sector and reflects differences in coding patterns between Medicare Advantage plans and providers under part 1 A and B to the extent that the Secretary has identified such differences.
(II) In order to ensure payment accuracy, the Secretary shall annually conduct an analysis of the differences described in subclause (I). The Secretary shall complete such analysis by a date necessary to ensure that the results of such analysis are incorporated on a timely basis into the risk scores for 2008 and subsequent years. In conducting such analysis, the Secretary shall use data submitted with respect to 2004 and subsequent years, as available and updated as appropriate.
(III) In calculating each year's adjustment, the adjustment factor shall be for 2014, not less than the adjustment factor applied for 2010, plus 1.3 percentage points; for each of years 2015 through 2018, not less than the adjustment factor applied for the previous year, plus 0.25 percentage point; and for 2019 and each subsequent year, not less than 5.7 percent.
(IV) Such adjustment shall be applied to risk scores until the Secretary implements risk adjustment using Medicare Advantage diagnostic, cost, and use data.
(iii) Improvements to risk adjustment for special needs individuals with chronic health conditions
(I) In general
For 2011 and subsequent years, for purposes of the adjustment under clause (i) with respect to individuals described in subclause (II), the Secretary shall use a risk score that reflects the known underlying risk profile and chronic health status of similar individuals. Such risk score shall be used instead of the default risk score for new enrollees in Medicare Advantage plans that are not specialized MA plans for special needs individuals (as defined in
(II) Individuals described
An individual described in this subclause is a special needs individual described in subsection (b)(6)(B)(iii) 2 who enrolls in a specialized MA plan for special needs individuals on or after January 1, 2011.
(III) Evaluation
For 2011 and periodically thereafter, the Secretary shall evaluate and revise the risk adjustment system under this subparagraph in order to, as accurately as possible, account for higher medical and care coordination costs associated with frailty, individuals with multiple, comorbid chronic conditions, and individuals with a diagnosis of mental illness, and also to account for costs that may be associated with higher concentrations of beneficiaries with those conditions.
(IV) Publication of evaluation and revisions
The Secretary shall publish, as part of an announcement under subsection (b), a description of any evaluation conducted under subclause (III) during the preceding year and any revisions made under such subclause as a result of such evaluation.
(D) Separate payment for Federal drug subsidies
In the case of an enrollee in an MA–PD plan, the MA organization offering such plan also receives—
(i) subsidies under
(ii) reimbursement for premium and cost-sharing reductions for low-income individuals under
(E) Payment of rebate for plans with bids below benchmark
In the case of a plan for which there are average per capita monthly savings described in
(F) Adjustment for intra-area variations
(i) Intra-regional variations
In the case of payment with respect to an MA regional plan for an MA region, the Secretary shall also adjust the amounts specified under subparagraphs (B)(i) and (B)(ii) in a manner to take into account variations in MA local payment rates under this part among the different MA local areas included in such region.
(ii) Intra-service area variations
In the case of payment with respect to an MA local plan for a service area that covers more than one MA local area, the Secretary shall also adjust the amounts specified under subparagraphs (B)(i) and (B)(ii) in a manner to take into account variations in MA local payment rates under this part among the different MA local areas included in such service area.
(G) Adjustment relating to risk adjustment
The Secretary shall adjust payments with respect to MA plans as necessary to ensure that—
(i) the sum of—
(I) the monthly payment made under subparagraph (A)(ii); and
(II) the MA monthly basic beneficiary premium under
(ii) the unadjusted MA statutory non-drug monthly bid amount, adjusted in the manner described in subparagraph (C) and, for an MA regional plan, subparagraph (F).
(H) Special rule for end-stage renal disease
The Secretary shall establish separate rates of payment to a Medicare+Choice organization with respect to classes of individuals determined to have end-stage renal disease and enrolled in a Medicare+Choice plan of the organization. Such rates of payment shall be actuarially equivalent to rates that would have been paid with respect to other enrollees in the MA payment area (or such other area as specified by the Secretary) under the provisions of this section as in effect before December 8, 2003. In accordance with regulations, the Secretary shall provide for the application of the seventh sentence of
(2) Adjustment to reflect number of enrollees
(A) In general
The amount of payment under this subsection may be retroactively adjusted to take into account any difference between the actual number of individuals enrolled with an organization under this part and the number of such individuals estimated to be so enrolled in determining the amount of the advance payment.
(B) Special rule for certain enrollees
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), the Secretary may make retroactive adjustments under subparagraph (A) to take into account individuals enrolled during the period beginning on the date on which the individual enrolls with a Medicare+Choice organization under a plan operated, sponsored, or contributed to by the individual's employer or former employer (or the employer or former employer of the individual's spouse) and ending on the date on which the individual is enrolled in the organization under this part, except that for purposes of making such retroactive adjustments under this subparagraph, such period may not exceed 90 days.
(ii) Exception
No adjustment may be made under clause (i) with respect to any individual who does not certify that the organization provided the individual with the disclosure statement described in
(3) Establishment of risk adjustment factors
(A) Report
The Secretary shall develop, and submit to Congress by not later than March 1, 1999, a report on the method of risk adjustment of payment rates under this section, to be implemented under subparagraph (C), that accounts for variations in per capita costs based on health status. Such report shall include an evaluation of such method by an outside, independent actuary of the actuarial soundness of the proposal.
(B) Data collection
In order to carry out this paragraph, the Secretary shall require Medicare+Choice organizations (and eligible organizations with risk-sharing contracts under
(C) Initial implementation
(i) In general
The Secretary shall first provide for implementation of a risk adjustment methodology that accounts for variations in per capita costs based on health status and other demographic factors for payments by no later than January 1, 2000.
(ii) Phase-in
Except as provided in clause (iv), such risk adjustment methodology shall be implemented in a phased-in manner so that the methodology insofar as it makes adjustments to capitation rates for health status applies to—
(I) 10 percent of 1/12 of the annual Medicare+Choice capitation rate in 2000 and each succeeding year through 2003;
(II) 30 percent of such capitation rate in 2004;
(III) 50 percent of such capitation rate in 2005;
(IV) 75 percent of such capitation rate in 2006; and
(V) 100 percent of such capitation rate in 2007 and succeeding years.
(iii) Data for risk adjustment methodology
Such risk adjustment methodology for 2004 and each succeeding year, shall be based on data from inpatient hospital and ambulatory settings.
(iv) Full implementation of risk adjustment for congestive heart failure enrollees for 2001
(I) Exemption from phase-in
Subject to subclause (II), the Secretary shall fully implement the risk adjustment methodology described in clause (i) with respect to each individual who has had a qualifying congestive heart failure inpatient diagnosis (as determined by the Secretary under such risk adjustment methodology) during the period beginning on July 1, 1999, and ending on June 30, 2000, and who is enrolled in a coordinated care plan that is the only coordinated care plan offered on January 1, 2001, in the service area of the individual.
(II) Period of application
Subclause (I) shall only apply during the 1-year period beginning on January 1, 2001.
(D) Uniform application to all types of plans
Subject to
(4) Payment rule for federally qualified health center services
If an individual who is enrolled with an MA plan under this part receives a service from a federally qualified health center that has a written agreement with the MA organization that offers such plan for providing such a service (including any agreement required under
(A) the Secretary shall pay the amount determined under
(B) the Secretary shall not reduce the amount of the monthly payments under this subsection as a result of the application of subparagraph (A).
(b) Annual announcement of payment rates
(1) Annual announcements
(A) For 2005
The Secretary shall determine, and shall announce (in a manner intended to provide notice to interested parties), not later than the second Monday in May of 2004, with respect to each MA payment area, the following:
(i) MA capitation rates
The annual MA capitation rate for each MA payment area for 2005.
(ii) Adjustment factors
The risk and other factors to be used in adjusting such rates under subsection (a)(1)(C) of this section for payments for months in 2005.
(B) For 2006 and subsequent years
For a year after 2005—
(i) Initial announcement
The Secretary shall determine, and shall announce (in a manner intended to provide notice to interested parties), not later than the first Monday in April before the calendar year concerned, with respect to each MA payment area, the following:
(I) MA capitation rates; MA local area benchmark
The annual MA capitation rate for each MA payment area for the year.
(II) Adjustment factors
The risk and other factors to be used in adjusting such rates under subsection (a)(1)(C) of this section for payments for months in such year.
(ii) Regional benchmark announcement
The Secretary shall determine, and shall announce (in a manner intended to provide notice to interested parties), on a timely basis before the calendar year concerned, with respect to each MA region and each MA regional plan for which a bid was submitted under
(iii) Benchmark announcement for CCA local areas
The Secretary shall determine, and shall announce (in a manner intended to provide notice to interested parties), on a timely basis before the calendar year concerned, with respect to each CCA area (as defined in section 1395w–29(b)(1)(A) 2 of this title), the CCA non-drug monthly benchmark amount under section 1395w–29(e)(1) 2 of this title for that area for the year involved.
(2) Advance notice of methodological changes
At least 45 days before making the announcement under paragraph (1) for a year, the Secretary shall provide for notice to Medicare+Choice organizations of proposed changes to be made in the methodology from the methodology and assumptions used in the previous announcement and shall provide such organizations an opportunity to comment on such proposed changes.
(3) Explanation of assumptions
In each announcement made under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall include an explanation of the assumptions and changes in methodology used in such announcement.
(4) Continued computation and publication of county-specific per capita fee-for-service expenditure information
The Secretary, through the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, shall provide for the computation and publication, on an annual basis beginning with 2001 at the time of publication of the annual Medicare+Choice capitation rates under paragraph (1), of the following information for the original medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B of this subchapter (exclusive of individuals eligible for coverage under
(A) Total expenditures per capita per month, computed separately for part A of this subchapter and for part B of this subchapter.
(B) The expenditures described in subparagraph (A) reduced by the best estimate of the expenditures (such as graduate medical education and disproportionate share hospital payments) not related to the payment of claims.
(C) The average risk factor for the covered population based on diagnoses reported for medicare inpatient services, using the same methodology as is expected to be applied in making payments under subsection (a) of this section.
(D) Such average risk factor based on diagnoses for inpatient and other sites of service, using the same methodology as is expected to be applied in making payments under subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Calculation of annual Medicare+Choice capitation rates
(1) In general
For purposes of this part, subject to paragraphs (6)(C) and (7), each annual Medicare+Choice capitation rate, for a Medicare+Choice payment area that is an MA local area for a contract year consisting of a calendar year, is equal to the largest of the amounts specified in the following subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D):
(A) Blended capitation rate
For a year before 2005, the sum of—
(i) the area-specific percentage (as specified under paragraph (2) for the year) of the annual area-specific Medicare+Choice capitation rate for the Medicare+Choice payment area, as determined under paragraph (3) for the year, and
(ii) the national percentage (as specified under paragraph (2) for the year) of the input-price-adjusted annual national Medicare+Choice capitation rate, as determined under paragraph (4) for the year,
multiplied (for a year other than 2004) by the budget neutrality adjustment factor determined under paragraph (5).
(B) Minimum amount
12 multiplied by the following amount:
(i) For 1998, $367 (but not to exceed, in the case of an area outside the 50 States and the District of Columbia, 150 percent of the annual per capita rate of payment for 1997 determined under
(ii) For 1999 and 2000, the minimum amount determined under clause (i) or this clause, respectively, for the preceding year, increased by the national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage described in paragraph (6)(A) applicable to 1999 or 2000, respectively.
(iii)(I) Subject to subclause (II), for 2001, for any area in a Metropolitan Statistical Area with a population of more than 250,000, $525, and for any other area $475.
(II) In the case of an area outside the 50 States and the District of Columbia, the amount specified in this clause shall not exceed 120 percent of the amount determined under clause (ii) for such area for 2000.
(iv) For 2002, 2003, and 2004, the minimum amount specified in this clause (or clause (iii)) for the preceding year increased by the national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage, described in paragraph (6)(A) for that succeeding year.
(C) Minimum percentage increase
(i) For 1998, 102 percent of the annual per capita rate of payment for 1997 determined under
(ii) For 1999 and 2000, 102 percent of the annual Medicare+Choice capitation rate under this paragraph for the area for the previous year.
(iii) For 2001, 103 percent of the annual Medicare+Choice capitation rate under this paragraph for the area for 2000.
(iv) For 2002 and 2003, 102 percent of the annual Medicare+Choice capitation rate under this paragraph for the area for the previous year.
(v) For 2004 and each succeeding year, the greater of—
(I) 102 percent of the annual MA capitation rate under this paragraph for the area for the previous year; or
(II) the annual MA capitation rate under this paragraph for the area for the previous year increased by the national per capita MA growth percentage, described in paragraph (6) for that succeeding year, but not taking into account any adjustment under paragraph (6)(C) for a year before 2004.
(D) 100 percent of fee-for-service costs
(i) In general
For each year specified in clause (ii), the adjusted average per capita cost for the year involved, determined under
(ii) Periodic rebasing
The provisions of clause (i) shall apply for 2004 and for subsequent years as the Secretary shall specify (but not less than once every 3 years).
(iii) Inclusion of costs of VA and DOD military facility services to medicare-eligible beneficiaries
In determining the adjusted average per capita cost under clause (i) for a year, such cost shall be adjusted to include the Secretary's estimate, on a per capita basis, of the amount of additional payments that would have been made in the area involved under this subchapter if individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter had not received services from facilities of the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(2) Area-specific and national percentages
For purposes of paragraph (1)(A)—
(A) for 1998, the "area-specific percentage" is 90 percent and the "national percentage" is 10 percent,
(B) for 1999, the "area-specific percentage" is 82 percent and the "national percentage" is 18 percent,
(C) for 2000, the "area-specific percentage" is 74 percent and the "national percentage" is 26 percent,
(D) for 2001, the "area-specific percentage" is 66 percent and the "national percentage" is 34 percent,
(E) for 2002, the "area-specific percentage" is 58 percent and the "national percentage" is 42 percent, and
(F) for a year after 2002, the "area-specific percentage" is 50 percent and the "national percentage" is 50 percent.
(3) Annual area-specific Medicare+Choice capitation rate
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), subject to subparagraphs (B) and (E), the annual area-specific Medicare+Choice capitation rate for a Medicare+Choice payment area—
(i) for 1998 is, subject to subparagraph (D), the annual per capita rate of payment for 1997 determined under
(ii) for a subsequent year is the annual area-specific Medicare+Choice capitation rate for the previous year determined under this paragraph for the area, increased by the national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage for such subsequent year.
(B) Removal of medical education from calculation of adjusted average per capita cost
(i) In general
In determining the area-specific Medicare+Choice capitation rate under subparagraph (A) for a year (beginning with 1998), the annual per capita rate of payment for 1997 determined under
(ii) Applicable percent
For purposes of clause (i), the applicable percent for—
(I) 1998 is 20 percent,
(II) 1999 is 40 percent,
(III) 2000 is 60 percent,
(IV) 2001 is 80 percent, and
(V) a succeeding year is 100 percent.
(C) Payment adjustment
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), the payment adjustments described in this subparagraph are payment adjustments which the Secretary estimates were payable during 1997—
(I) for the indirect costs of medical education under
(II) for direct graduate medical education costs under
(ii) Treatment of payments covered under State hospital reimbursement system
To the extent that the Secretary estimates that an annual per capita rate of payment for 1997 described in clause (i) reflects payments to hospitals reimbursed under
(D) Treatment of areas with highly variable payment rates
In the case of a Medicare+Choice payment area for which the annual per capita rate of payment determined under
(E) Inclusion of costs of DOD and VA military facility services to Medicare-eligible beneficiaries
In determining the area-specific MA capitation rate under subparagraph (A) for a year (beginning with 2004), the annual per capita rate of payment for 1997 determined under
(4) Input-price-adjusted annual national Medicare+Choice capitation rate
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), the input-price-adjusted annual national Medicare+Choice capitation rate for a Medicare+Choice payment area for a year is equal to the sum, for all the types of medicare services (as classified by the Secretary), of the product (for each such type of service) of—
(i) the national standardized annual Medicare+Choice capitation rate (determined under subparagraph (B)) for the year,
(ii) the proportion of such rate for the year which is attributable to such type of services, and
(iii) an index that reflects (for that year and that type of services) the relative input price of such services in the area compared to the national average input price of such services.
In applying clause (iii), the Secretary may, subject to subparagraph (C), apply those indices under this subchapter that are used in applying (or updating) national payment rates for specific areas and localities.
(B) National standardized annual Medicare+Choice capitation rate
In subparagraph (A)(i), the "national standardized annual Medicare+Choice capitation rate" for a year is equal to—
(i) the sum (for all Medicare+Choice payment areas) of the product of—
(I) the annual area-specific Medicare+Choice capitation rate for that year for the area under paragraph (3), and
(II) the average number of medicare beneficiaries residing in that area in the year, multiplied by the average of the risk factor weights used to adjust payments under subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section for such beneficiaries in such area; divided by
(ii) the sum of the products described in clause (i)(II) for all areas for that year.
(C) Special rules for 1998
In applying this paragraph for 1998—
(i) medicare services shall be divided into 2 types of services: part A services and part B services;
(ii) the proportions described in subparagraph (A)(ii)—
(I) for part A services shall be the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of the national average annual per capita rate of payment for part A of this subchapter for 1997 to the total national average annual per capita rate of payment for parts A and B of this subchapter for 1997, and
(II) for part B services shall be 100 percent minus the ratio described in subclause (I);
(iii) for part A services, 70 percent of payments attributable to such services shall be adjusted by the index used under
(iv) for part B services—
(I) 66 percent of payments attributable to such services shall be adjusted by the index of the geographic area factors under
(II) of the remaining 34 percent of the amount of such payments, 40 percent shall be adjusted by the index described in clause (iii); and
(v) the index values shall be computed based only on the beneficiary population who are 65 years of age or older and who are not determined to have end stage renal disease.
The Secretary may continue to apply the rules described in this subparagraph (or similar rules) for 1999.
(5) Payment adjustment budget neutrality factor
For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), for each year (other than 2004), the Secretary shall determine a budget neutrality adjustment factor so that the aggregate of the payments under this part (other than those attributable to subsections (a)(3)(C)(iv), (a)(4), and (i) of this section) shall equal the aggregate payments that would have been made under this part if payment were based entirely on area-specific capitation rates.
(6) "National per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage" defined
(A) In general
In this part, the "national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage" for a year is the percentage determined by the Secretary, by March 1st before the beginning of the year involved, to reflect the Secretary's estimate of the projected per capita rate of growth in expenditures under this subchapter for an individual entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and enrolled under part B of this subchapter, excluding expenditures attributable to subsections (a)(7) and (o) of
(B) Adjustment
The number of percentage points specified in this subparagraph is—
(i) for 1998, 0.8 percentage points,
(ii) for 1999, 0.5 percentage points,
(iii) for 2000, 0.5 percentage points,
(iv) for 2001, 0.5 percentage points,
(v) for 2002, 0.3 percentage points, and
(vi) for a year after 2002, 0 percentage points.
(C) Adjustment for over or under projection of national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage
Beginning with rates calculated for 1999, before computing rates for a year as described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall adjust all area-specific and national Medicare+Choice capitation rates (and beginning in 2000, the minimum amount) for the previous year for the differences between the projections of the national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage for that year and previous years and the current estimate of such percentage for such years, except that for purposes of paragraph (1)(C)(v)(II), no such adjustment shall be made for a year before 2004.
(7) Adjustment for national coverage determinations and legislative changes in benefits
If the Secretary makes a determination with respect to coverage under this subchapter or there is a change in benefits required to be provided under this part that the Secretary projects will result in a significant increase in the costs to Medicare+Choice of providing benefits under contracts under this part (for periods after any period described in
(d) MA payment area; MA local area; MA region defined
(1) MA payment area
In this part, except as provided in this subsection, the term "MA payment area" means—
(A) with respect to an MA local plan, an MA local area (as defined in paragraph (2)); and
(B) with respect to an MA regional plan, an MA region (as established under
(2) MA local area
The term "MA local area" means a county or equivalent area specified by the Secretary.
(3) Rule for ESRD beneficiaries
In the case of individuals who are determined to have end stage renal disease, the Medicare+Choice payment area shall be a State or such other payment area as the Secretary specifies.
(4) Geographic adjustment
(A) In general
Upon written request of the chief executive officer of a State for a contract year (beginning after 1998) made by not later than February 1 of the previous year, the Secretary shall make a geographic adjustment to a Medicare+Choice payment area in the State otherwise determined under paragraph (1) for MA local plans—
(i) to a single statewide Medicare+Choice payment area,
(ii) to the metropolitan based system described in subparagraph (C), or
(iii) to consolidating into a single Medicare+Choice payment area noncontiguous counties (or equivalent areas described in paragraph (1)(A)) within a State.
Such adjustment shall be effective for payments for months beginning with January of the year following the year in which the request is received.
(B) Budget neutrality adjustment
In the case of a State requesting an adjustment under this paragraph, the Secretary shall initially (and annually thereafter) adjust the payment rates otherwise established under this section with respect to MA local plans for Medicare+Choice payment areas in the State in a manner so that the aggregate of the payments under this section for such plans in the State shall not exceed the aggregate payments that would have been made under this section for such plans for Medicare+Choice payment areas in the State in the absence of the adjustment under this paragraph.
(C) Metropolitan based system
The metropolitan based system described in this subparagraph is one in which—
(i) all the portions of each metropolitan statistical area in the State or in the case of a consolidated metropolitan statistical area, all of the portions of each primary metropolitan statistical area within the consolidated area within the State, are treated as a single Medicare+Choice payment area, and
(ii) all areas in the State that do not fall within a metropolitan statistical area are treated as a single Medicare+Choice payment area.
(D) Areas
In subparagraph (C), the terms "metropolitan statistical area", "consolidated metropolitan statistical area", and "primary metropolitan statistical area" mean any area designated as such by the Secretary of Commerce.
(e) Special rules for individuals electing MSA plans
(1) In general
If the amount of the Medicare+Choice monthly MSA premium (as defined in
(2) Establishment and designation of Medicare+Choice medical savings account as requirement for payment of contribution
In the case of an individual who has elected coverage under an MSA plan, no payment shall be made under paragraph (1) on behalf of an individual for a month unless the individual—
(A) has established before the beginning of the month (or by such other deadline as the Secretary may specify) a Medicare+Choice MSA (as defined in section 138(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), and
(B) if the individual has established more than one such Medicare+Choice MSA, has designated one of such accounts as the individual's Medicare+Choice MSA for purposes of this part.
Under rules under this section, such an individual may change the designation of such account under subparagraph (B) for purposes of this part.
(3) Lump-sum deposit of medical savings account contribution
In the case of an individual electing an MSA plan effective beginning with a month in a year, the amount of the contribution to the Medicare+Choice MSA on behalf of the individual for that month and all successive months in the year shall be deposited during that first month. In the case of a termination of such an election as of a month before the end of a year, the Secretary shall provide for a procedure for the recovery of deposits attributable to the remaining months in the year.
(f) Payments from Trust Funds
The payment to a Medicare+Choice organization under this section for individuals enrolled under this part with the organization and for payments under subsection (l) and subsection (m) and payments to a Medicare+Choice MSA under subsection (e)(1) of this section shall be made from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund in such proportion as the Secretary determines reflects the relative weight that benefits under part A of this subchapter and under part B of this subchapter represents of the actuarial value of the total benefits under this subchapter. Payments to MA organizations for statutory drug benefits provided under this subchapter are made from the Medicare Prescription Drug Account in the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Monthly payments otherwise payable under this section for October 2000 shall be paid on the first business day of such month. Monthly payments otherwise payable under this section for October 2001 shall be paid on the last business day of September 2001. Monthly payments otherwise payable under this section for October 2006 shall be paid on the first business day of October 2006.
(g) Special rule for certain inpatient hospital stays
In the case of an individual who is receiving inpatient hospital services from a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in
(1) election under this part of a Medicare+Choice plan offered by a Medicare+Choice organization—
(A) payment for such services until the date of the individual's discharge shall be made under this subchapter through the Medicare+Choice plan or the original medicare fee-for-service program option described in
(B) the elected organization shall not be financially responsible for payment for such services until the date after the date of the individual's discharge, and
(C) the organization shall nonetheless be paid the full amount otherwise payable to the organization under this part; or
(2) termination of election with respect to a Medicare+Choice organization under this part—
(A) the organization shall be financially responsible for payment for such services after such date and until the date of the individual's discharge,
(B) payment for such services during the stay shall not be made under
(C) the terminated organization shall not receive any payment with respect to the individual under this part during the period the individual is not enrolled.
(h) Special rule for hospice care
(1) Information
A contract under this part shall require the Medicare+Choice organization to inform each individual enrolled under this part with a Medicare+Choice plan offered by the organization about the availability of hospice care if—
(A) a hospice program participating under this subchapter is located within the organization's service area; or
(B) it is common practice to refer patients to hospice programs outside such service area.
(2) Payment
If an individual who is enrolled with a Medicare+Choice organization under this part makes an election under
(A) payment for the hospice care furnished to the individual shall be made to the hospice program elected by the individual by the Secretary;
(B) payment for other services for which the individual is eligible notwithstanding the individual's election of hospice care under
(C) the Secretary shall continue to make monthly payments to the Medicare+Choice organization in an amount equal to the value of the additional benefits required under
(i) New entry bonus
(1) In general
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), in the case of Medicare+Choice payment area in which a Medicare+Choice plan has not been offered since 1997 (or in which all organizations that offered a plan since such date have filed notice with the Secretary, as of October 13, 1999, that they will not be offering such a plan as of January 1, 2000, or filed notice with the Secretary as of October 3, 2000, that they will not be offering such a plan as of January 1, 2001), the amount of the monthly payment otherwise made under this section shall be increased—
(A) only for the first 12 months in which any Medicare+Choice plan is offered in the area, by 5 percent of the total monthly payment otherwise computed for such payment area; and
(B) only for the subsequent 12 months, by 3 percent of the total monthly payment otherwise computed for such payment area.
(2) Period of application
Paragraph (1) shall only apply to payment for Medicare+Choice plans which are first offered in a Medicare+Choice payment area during the 2-year period beginning on January 1, 2000.
(3) Limitation to organization offering first plan in an area
Paragraph (1) shall only apply to payment to the first Medicare+Choice organization that offers a Medicare+Choice plan in each Medicare+Choice payment area, except that if more than one such organization first offers such a plan in an area on the same date, paragraph (1) shall apply to payment for such organizations.
(4) Construction
Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed as affecting the calculation of the annual Medicare+Choice capitation rate under subsection (c) of this section for any payment area or as applying to payment for any period not described in such paragraph and paragraph (2).
(5) Offered defined
In this subsection, the term "offered" means, with respect to a Medicare+Choice plan as of a date, that a Medicare+Choice eligible individual may enroll with the plan on that date, regardless of when the enrollment takes effect or when the individual obtains benefits under the plan.
(j) Computation of benchmark amounts
For purposes of this part, subject to subsection (o), the term "MA area-specific non-drug monthly benchmark amount" means for a month in a year—
(1) with respect to—
(A) a service area that is entirely within an MA local area, subject to section 1395w–29(d)(2)(A) 2 of this title, an amount equal to 1/12 of the annual MA capitation rate under subsection (c)(1) for the area for the year (or, for 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, 1/12 of the applicable amount determined under subsection (k)(1) for the area for the year; for 2011, 1/12 of the applicable amount determined under subsection (k)(1) for the area for 2010; and, beginning with 2012, 1/12 of the blended benchmark amount determined under subsection (n)(1) for the area for the year), adjusted as appropriate (for years before 2007) for the purpose of risk adjustment; or
(B) a service area that includes more than one MA local area, an amount equal to the average of the amounts described in subparagraph (A) for each such local MA area, weighted by the projected number of enrollees in the plan residing in the respective local MA areas (as used by the plan for purposes of the bid and disclosed to the Secretary under
(2) with respect to an MA region for a month in a year, the MA region-specific non-drug monthly benchmark amount, as defined in
(k) Determination of applicable amount for purposes of calculating the benchmark amounts
(1) Applicable amount defined
For purposes of subsection (j), subject to paragraphs (2) and (4), the term "applicable amount" means for an area—
(A) for 2007—
(i) if such year is not specified under subsection (c)(1)(D)(ii), an amount equal to the amount specified in subsection (c)(1)(C) for the area for 2006—
(I) first adjusted by the rescaling factor for 2006 for the area (as made available by the Secretary in the announcement of the rates on April 4, 2005, under subsection (b)(1), but excluding any national adjustment factors for coding intensity and risk adjustment budget neutrality that were included in such factor); and
(II) then increased by the national per capita MA growth percentage, described in subsection (c)(6) for 2007, but not taking into account any adjustment under subparagraph (C) of such subsection for a year before 2004;
(ii) if such year is specified under subsection (c)(1)(D)(ii), an amount equal to the greater of—
(I) the amount determined under clause (i) for the area for the year; or
(II) the amount specified in subsection (c)(1)(D) for the area for the year; and
(B) for a subsequent year—
(i) if such year is not specified under subsection (c)(1)(D)(ii), an amount equal to the amount determined under this paragraph for the area for the previous year (determined without regard to paragraphs (2) and (4)), increased by the national per capita MA growth percentage, described in subsection (c)(6) for that succeeding year, but not taking into account any adjustment under subparagraph (C) of such subsection for a year before 2004; and
(ii) if such year is specified under subsection (c)(1)(D)(ii), an amount equal to the greater of—
(I) the amount determined under clause (i) for the area for the year; or
(II) the amount specified in subsection (c)(1)(D) for the area for the year.
(2) Phase-out of budget neutrality factor
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (D), in the case of 2007 through 2010, the applicable amount determined under paragraph (1) shall be multiplied by a factor equal to 1 plus the product of—
(i) the percent determined under subparagraph (B) for the year; and
(ii) the applicable phase-out factor for the year under subparagraph (C).
(B) Percent determined
(i) In general
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(i), subject to clause (iv), the percent determined under this subparagraph for a year is a percent equal to a fraction the numerator of which is described in clause (ii) and the denominator of which is described in clause (iii).
(ii) Numerator based on difference between demographic rate and risk rate
(I) In general
The numerator described in this clause is an amount equal to the amount by which the demographic rate described in subclause (II) exceeds the risk rate described in subclause (III).
(II) Demographic rate
The demographic rate described in this subclause is the Secretary's estimate of the total payments that would have been made under this part in the year if all the monthly payment amounts for all MA plans were equal to 1/12 of the annual MA capitation rate under subsection (c)(1) for the area and year, adjusted pursuant to subsection (a)(1)(C).
(III) Risk rate
The risk rate described in this subclause is the Secretary's estimate of the total payments that would have been made under this part in the year if all the monthly payment amounts for all MA plans were equal to the amount described in subsection (j)(1)(A) (determined as if this paragraph had not applied) under subsection (j) for the area and year, adjusted pursuant to subsection (a)(1)(C).
(iii) Denominator based on risk rate
The denominator described in this clause is equal to the total amount estimated for the year under clause (ii)(III).
(iv) Requirements
In estimating the amounts under the previous clauses, the Secretary shall—
(I) use a complete set of the most recent and representative Medicare Advantage risk scores under subsection (a)(3) that are available from the risk adjustment model announced for the year;
(II) adjust the risk scores to reflect changes in treatment and coding practices in the fee-for-service sector;
(III) adjust the risk scores for differences in coding patterns between Medicare Advantage plans and providers under the original Medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B to the extent that the Secretary has identified such differences, as required in subsection (a)(1)(C);
(IV) as necessary, adjust the risk scores for late data submitted by Medicare Advantage organizations;
(V) as necessary, adjust the risk scores for lagged cohorts; and
(VI) as necessary, adjust the risk scores for changes in enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans during the year.
(v) Authority
In computing such amounts the Secretary may take into account the estimated health risk of enrollees in preferred provider organization plans (including MA regional plans) for the year.
(C) Applicable phase-out factor
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), the term "applicable phase-out factor" means—
(i) for 2007, 0.55;
(ii) for 2008, 0.40;
(iii) for 2009, 0.25; and
(iv) for 2010, 0.05.
(D) Termination of application
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in a year if the amount estimated under subparagraph (B)(ii)(III) for the year is equal to or greater than the amount estimated under subparagraph (B)(ii)(II) for the year.
(3) No revision in percent
(A) In general
The Secretary may not make any adjustment to the percent determined under paragraph (2)(B) for any year.
(B) Rule of construction
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary to make adjustments to the applicable amounts determined under paragraph (1) as appropriate for purposes of updating data or for purposes of adopting an improved risk adjustment methodology.
(4) Phase-out of the indirect costs of medical education from capitation rates
(A) In general
After determining the applicable amount for an area for a year under paragraph (1) (beginning with 2010), the Secretary shall adjust such applicable amount to exclude from such applicable amount the phase-in percentage (as defined in subparagraph (B)(i)) for the year of the Secretary's estimate of the standardized costs for payments under
(B) Percentages defined
For purposes of this paragraph:
(i) Phase-in percentage
The term "phase-in percentage" means, for an area for a year, the ratio (expressed as a percentage, but in no case greater than 100 percent) of—
(I) the maximum cumulative adjustment percentage for the year (as defined in clause (ii)); to
(II) the standardized IME cost percentage (as defined in clause (iii)) for the area and year.
(ii) Maximum cumulative adjustment percentage
The term "maximum cumulative adjustment percentage" means, for—
(I) 2010, 0.60 percent; and
(II) a subsequent year, the maximum cumulative adjustment percentage for the previous year increased by 0.60 percentage points.
(iii) Standardized IME cost percentage
The term "standardized IME cost percentage" means, for an area for a year, the per capita costs for payments under
(C) Fee-for-service amount
The fee-for-service amount specified in this subparagraph for an area for a year is the amount specified under subsection (c)(1)(D) for the area and the year.
(l) Application of eligible professional incentives for certain MA organizations for adoption and meaningful use of certified EHR technology
(1) In general
Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), in the case of a qualifying MA organization, the provisions of
(2) Eligible professional described
With respect to a qualifying MA organization, an eligible professional described in this paragraph is an eligible professional (as defined for purposes of
(A)(i) is employed by the organization; or
(ii)(I) is employed by, or is a partner of, an entity that through contract with the organization furnishes at least 80 percent of the entity's Medicare patient care services to enrollees of such organization; and
(II) furnishes at least 80 percent of the professional services of the eligible professional covered under this subchapter to enrollees of the organization; and
(B) furnishes, on average, at least 20 hours per week of patient care services.
(3) Eligible professional incentive payments
(A) In general
In applying
(B) Avoiding duplication of payments
(i) In general
In the case of an eligible professional described in paragraph (2)—
(I) that is eligible for the maximum incentive payment under
(II) that is eligible for less than such maximum incentive payment for the same payment period, the payment incentive shall be made only under this subsection and not under
(ii) Methods
In the case of an eligible professional described in paragraph (2) who is eligible for an incentive payment under
(I) to ensure that duplicate payments are not made with respect to an eligible professional both under this subsection and under
(II) to collect data from Medicare Advantage organizations to ensure against such duplicate payments.
(C) Fixed schedule for application of limitation on incentive payments for all eligible professionals
In applying
(4) Payment adjustment
(A) In general
In applying
(B) Specified percent
The percent specified under this subparagraph for a year is 100 percent minus a number of percentage points equal to the product of—
(i) the number of percentage points by which the applicable percent (under
(ii) the Medicare physician expenditure proportion specified in subparagraph (C) for the year.
(C) Medicare physician expenditure proportion
The Medicare physician expenditure proportion under this subparagraph for a year is the Secretary's estimate of the proportion, of the expenditures under parts A and B that are not attributable to this part, that are attributable to expenditures for physicians' services.
(D) Application of payment adjustment
In the case that a qualifying MA organization attests that not all eligible professionals of the organization are meaningful EHR users with respect to a year, the Secretary shall apply the payment adjustment under this paragraph based on the proportion of all such eligible professionals of the organization that are not meaningful EHR users for such year.
(5) Qualifying MA organization defined
In this subsection and subsection (m), the term "qualifying MA organization" means a Medicare Advantage organization that is organized as a health maintenance organization (as defined in
(6) Meaningful EHR user attestation
For purposes of this subsection and subsection (m), a qualifying MA organization shall submit an attestation, in a form and manner specified by the Secretary which may include the submission of such attestation as part of submission of the initial bid under section 1395w–24(a)(1)(A)(iv) 4 of this title, identifying—
(A) whether each eligible professional described in paragraph (2), with respect to such organization is a meaningful EHR user (as defined in
(B) whether each eligible hospital described in subsection (m)(1),5 with respect to such organization, is a meaningful EHR user (as defined in
(7) Posting on website
The Secretary shall post on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in an easily understandable format, a list of the names, business addresses, and business phone numbers of—
(A) each qualifying MA organization receiving an incentive payment under this subsection for eligible professionals of the organization; and
(B) the eligible professionals of such organization for which such incentive payment is based.
(8) Limitation on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(A) the methodology and standards for determining payment amounts and payment adjustments under this subsection, including avoiding duplication of payments under paragraph (3)(B) and the specification of rules for the fixed schedule for application of limitation on incentive payments for all eligible professionals under paragraph (3)(C);
(B) the methodology and standards for determining eligible professionals under paragraph (2); and
(C) the methodology and standards for determining a meaningful EHR user under
(m) Application of eligible hospital incentives for certain MA organizations for adoption and meaningful use of certified EHR technology
(1) Application
Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), in the case of a qualifying MA organization, the provisions of
(2) Eligible hospital described
With respect to a qualifying MA organization, an eligible hospital described in this paragraph is an eligible hospital (as defined in section 1395ww(n)(6)(A) 8 of this title) that is under common corporate governance with such organization and serves individuals enrolled under an MA plan offered by such organization.
(3) Eligible hospital incentive payments
(A) In general
In applying
(i) shall, insofar as data to determine the discharge related amount under
(ii) shall, insofar as data to determine the medicare share described in
(B) Avoiding duplication of payments
(i) In general
In the case of a hospital that for a payment year is an eligible hospital described in paragraph (2) and for which at least one-third of their discharges (or bed-days) of Medicare patients for the year are covered under part A, payment for the payment year shall be made only under
(ii) Methods
In the case of a hospital that is an eligible hospital described in paragraph (2) and also is eligible for an incentive payment under
(I) to ensure that duplicate payments are not made with respect to an eligible hospital both under this subsection and under
(II) to collect data from Medicare Advantage organizations to ensure against such duplicate payments.
(4) Payment adjustment
(A) Subject to paragraph (3), in the case of a qualifying MA organization (as defined in subsection (l)(5)), if, according to the attestation of the organization submitted under subsection (l)(6) for an applicable period, one or more eligible hospitals (as defined in section 1395ww(n)(6)(A) 7 of this title) that are under common corporate governance with such organization and that serve individuals enrolled under a plan offered by such organization are not meaningful EHR users (as defined in
(B)
(i) the number of the percentage point reduction effected under
(ii) the Medicare hospital expenditure proportion specified in subparagraph (C) for the year.
(C)
(D)
(5) Posting on website
The Secretary shall post on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in an easily understandable format—
(A) a list of the names, business addresses, and business phone numbers of each qualifying MA organization receiving an incentive payment under this subsection for eligible hospitals described in paragraph (2); and
(B) a list of the names of the eligible hospitals for which such incentive payment is based.
(6) Limitations on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(A) the methodology and standards for determining payment amounts and payment adjustments under this subsection, including avoiding duplication of payments under paragraph (3)(B);
(B) the methodology and standards for determining eligible hospitals under paragraph (2); and
(C) the methodology and standards for determining a meaningful EHR user under
(n) Determination of blended benchmark amount
(1) In general
For purposes of subsection (j), subject to paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), the term "blended benchmark amount" means for an area—
(A) for 2012 the sum of—
(i) ½ of the applicable amount for the area and year; and
(ii) ½ of the amount specified in paragraph (2)(A) for the area and year; and
(B) for a subsequent year the amount specified in paragraph (2)(A) for the area and year.
(2) Specified amount
(A) In general
The amount specified in this subparagraph for an area and year is the product of—
(i) the base payment amount specified in subparagraph (E) for the area and year adjusted to take into account the phase-out in the indirect costs of medical education from capitation rates described in subsection (k)(4); and
(ii) the applicable percentage for the area for the year specified under subparagraph (B).
(B) Applicable percentage
Subject to subparagraph (D), the applicable percentage specified in this subparagraph for an area for a year in the case of an area that is ranked—
(i) in the highest quartile under subparagraph (C) for the previous year is 95 percent;
(ii) in the second highest quartile under such subparagraph for the previous year is 100 percent;
(iii) in the third highest quartile under such subparagraph for the previous year is 107.5 percent; or
(iv) in the lowest quartile under such subparagraph for the previous year is 115 percent.
(C) Periodic ranking
For purposes of this paragraph in the case of an area located—
(i) in 1 of the 50 States or the District of Columbia, the Secretary shall rank such area in each year specified under subsection (c)(1)(D)(ii) based upon the level of the amount specified in subparagraph (A)(i) for such areas; or
(ii) in a territory, the Secretary shall rank such areas in each such year based upon the level of the amount specified in subparagraph (A)(i) for such area relative to quartile rankings computed under clause (i).
(D) 1-year transition for changes in applicable percentage
If, for a year after 2012, there is a change in the quartile in which an area is ranked compared to the previous year, the applicable percentage for the area in the year shall be the average of—
(i) the applicable percentage for the area for the previous year; and
(ii) the applicable percentage that would otherwise apply for the area for the year.
(E) Base payment amount
Subject to subparagraph (F), the base payment amount specified in this subparagraph—
(i) for 2012 is the amount specified in subsection (c)(1)(D) for the area for the year; or
(ii) for a subsequent year that—
(I) is not specified under subsection (c)(1)(D)(ii), is the base amount specified in this subparagraph for the area for the previous year, increased by the national per capita MA growth percentage, described in subsection (c)(6) for that succeeding year, but not taking into account any adjustment under subparagraph (C) of such subsection for a year before 2004; and
(II) is specified under subsection (c)(1)(D)(ii), is the amount specified in subsection (c)(1)(D) for the area for the year.
(F) Application of indirect medical education phase-out
The base payment amount specified in subparagraph (E) for a year shall be adjusted in the same manner under paragraph (4) of subsection (k) as the applicable amount is adjusted under such subsection.
(3) Alternative phase-ins
(A) 4-year phase-in for certain areas
If the difference between the applicable amount (as defined in subsection (k)) for an area for 2010 and the projected 2010 benchmark amount (as defined in subparagraph (C)) for the area is at least $30 but less than $50, the blended benchmark amount for the area is—
(i) for 2012 the sum of—
(I) ¾ of the applicable amount for the area and year; and
(II) ¼ of the amount specified in paragraph (2)(A) for the area and year;
(ii) for 2013 the sum of—
(I) ½ of the applicable amount for the area and year; and
(II) ½ of the amount specified in paragraph (2)(A) for the area and year;
(iii) for 2014 the sum of—
(I) ¼ of the applicable amount for the area and year; and
(II) ¾ of the amount specified in paragraph (2)(A) for the area and year; and
(iv) for a subsequent year the amount specified in paragraph (2)(A) for the area and year.
(B) 6-year phase-in for certain areas
If the difference between the applicable amount (as defined in subsection (k)) for an area for 2010 and the projected 2010 benchmark amount (as defined in subparagraph (C)) for the area is at least $50, the blended benchmark amount for the area is—
(i) for 2012 the sum of—
(I) 5/6 of the applicable amount for the area and year; and
(II) 1/6 of the amount specified in paragraph (2)(A) for the area and year;
(ii) for 2013 the sum of—
(I) 2/3 of the applicable amount for the area and year; and
(II) 1/3 of the amount specified in paragraph (2)(A) for the area and year;
(iii) for 2014 the sum of—
(I) ½ of the applicable amount for the area and year; and
(II) ½ of the amount specified in paragraph (2)(A) for the area and year;
(iv) for 2015 the sum of—
(I) 1/3 of the applicable amount for the area and year; and
(II) 2/3 of the amount specified in paragraph (2)(A) for the area and year; and
(v) for 2016 the sum of—
(I) 1/6 of the applicable amount for the area and year; and
(II) 5/6 of the amount specified in paragraph (2)(A) for the area and year; and
(vi) for a subsequent year the amount specified in paragraph (2)(A) for the area and year.
(C) Projected 2010 benchmark amount
The projected 2010 benchmark amount described in this subparagraph for an area is equal to the sum of—
(i) ½ of the applicable amount (as defined in subsection (k)) for the area for 2010; and
(ii) ½ of the amount specified in paragraph (2)(A) for the area for 2010 but determined as if there were substituted for the applicable percentage specified in clause (ii) of such paragraph the sum of—
(I) the applicable percent that would be specified under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) (determined without regard to subparagraph (D) of such paragraph) for the area for 2010 if any reference in such paragraph to "the previous year" were deemed a reference to 2010; and
(II) the applicable percentage increase that would apply to a qualifying plan in the area under subsection (o) as if any reference in such subsection to 2012 were deemed a reference to 2010 and as if the determination of a qualifying county under paragraph (3)(B) of such subsection were made for 2010.
(4) Cap on benchmark amount
In no case shall the blended benchmark amount for an area for a year (determined taking into account subsection (o)) be greater than the applicable amount that would (but for the application of this subsection) be determined under subsection (k)(1) for the area for the year.
(5) Non-application to PACE plans
This subsection shall not apply to payments to a PACE program under
(o) Applicable percentage quality increases
(1) In general
Subject to the succeeding paragraphs, in the case of a qualifying plan with respect to a year beginning with 2012, the applicable percentage under subsection (n)(2)(B) shall be increased on a plan or contract level, as determined by the Secretary—
(A) for 2012, by 1.5 percentage points;
(B) for 2013, by 3.0 percentage points; and
(C) for 2014 or a subsequent year, by 5.0 percentage points.
(2) Increase for qualifying plans in qualifying counties
The increase applied under paragraph (1) for a qualifying plan located in a qualifying county for a year shall be doubled.
(3) Qualifying plans and qualifying county defined; application of increases to low enrollment and new plans
For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Qualifying plan
(i) In general
The term "qualifying plan" means, for a year and subject to paragraph (4), a plan that had a quality rating under paragraph (4) of 4 stars or higher based on the most recent data available for such year.
(ii) Application of increases to low enrollment plans
(I) 2012
For 2012, the term "qualifying plan" includes an MA plan that the Secretary determines is not able to have a quality rating under paragraph (4) because of low enrollment.
(II) 2013 and subsequent years
For 2013 and subsequent years, for purposes of determining whether an MA plan with low enrollment (as defined by the Secretary) is included as a qualifying plan, the Secretary shall establish a method to apply to MA plans with low enrollment (as defined by the Secretary) the computation of quality rating and the rating system under paragraph (4).
(iii) Application of increases to new plans
(I) In general
A new MA plan that meets criteria specified by the Secretary shall be treated as a qualifying plan, except that in applying paragraph (1), the applicable percentage under subsection (n)(2)(B) shall be increased—
(aa) for 2012, by 1.5 percentage points;
(bb) for 2013, by 2.5 percentage points; and
(cc) for 2014 or a subsequent year, by 3.5 percentage points.
(II) New MA plan defined
The term "new MA plan" means, with respect to a year, a plan offered by an organization or sponsor that has not had a contract as a Medicare Advantage organization in the preceding 3-year period.
(B) Qualifying county
The term "qualifying county" means, for a year, a county—
(i) that has an MA capitation rate that, in 2004, was based on the amount specified in subsection (c)(1)(B) for a Metropolitan Statistical Area with a population of more than 250,000;
(ii) for which, as of December 2009, of the Medicare Advantage eligible individuals residing in the county at least 25 percent of such individuals were enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans; and
(iii) that has per capita fee-for-service spending that is lower than the national monthly per capita cost for expenditures for individuals enrolled under the original medicare fee-for-service program for the year.
(4) Quality determinations for application of increase
(A) Quality determination
The quality rating for a plan shall be determined according to a 5-star rating system (based on the data collected under
(B) Plans that failed to report
An MA plan which does not report data that enables the Secretary to rate the plan for purposes of this paragraph shall be counted as having a rating of fewer than 3.5 stars.
(5) Exception for PACE plans
This subsection shall not apply to payments to a PACE program under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1853, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1)(C)(ii)(I), (b)(4), (c)(4)(C), (6)(A), (f), (k)(2)(B)(iv)(III), (l)(3)(A), (4)(C), and (m)(3)(A), (B)(i), (4)(C), are classified to section 1395c et seq. and section 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Subsection (b)(6)(B)(iii), referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(C)(iii)(II), probably means
Section 2355 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984, as amended by section 13567(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(H), is section 2355 of
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (e)(2)(A), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(i), (ii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii)(III), (IV).
Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(iii).
"(I)
"(II)
See Effective Date of 2010 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(6).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (d)(1)(A).
"(i) for years before 2012, an MA local area (as defined in paragraph (2)); and
"(ii) for 2012 and succeeding years, a service area that is an entire urban or rural area, as applicable (as described in paragraph (5)); and"
for "with respect to an MA local plan, an MA local area (as defined in paragraph (2)); and", was repealed by
Subsec. (d)(5).
"(A)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(B)
"(C)
"(D)
"(i) agreements with another MA organization or MA plan that preclude the offering of benefits throughout an entire service area; or
"(ii) limitations in their structural capacity to support adequate networks throughout an entire service area as a result of the delivery system model of the MA local plan."
See Effective Date of 2010 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (d)(6).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (j)(1)(A).
"(I) for years before 2007, 1/12 of the annual MA capitation rate under subsection (c)(1) for the area for the year, adjusted as appropriate for the purpose of risk adjustment;
"(II) for 2007 through 2011, 1/12 of the applicable amount determined under subsection (k)(1) for the area for the year;
"(III) for 2012, the sum of—
"(aa) 2/3 of the quotient of—
"(AA) the applicable amount determined under subsection (k)(1) for the area for the year; and
"(BB) 12; and
"(bb) 1/3 of the MA competitive benchmark amount (determined under paragraph (2)) for the area for the month;
"(IV) for 2013, the sum of—
"(aa) 1/3 of the quotient of—
"(AA) the applicable amount determined under subsection (k)(1) for the area for the year; and
"(BB) 12; and
"(bb) 2/3 of the MA competitive benchmark amount (as so determined) for the area for the month;
"(V) for 2014, the MA competitive benchmark amount for the area for a month in 2013 (as so determined), increased by the national per capita MA growth percentage, described in subsection (c)(6) for 2014, but not taking into account any adjustment under subparagraph (C) of such subsection for a year before 2004; and
"(VI) for 2015 and each subsequent year, the MA competitive benchmark amount (as so determined) for the area for the month; or".
See Effective Date of 2010 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (j)(2), (3).
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(3)
See Effective Date of 2010 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (k)(2).
Subsec. (n).
"(1)
"(A)
"(i) 0.5 percent of the national monthly per capita cost for expenditures for individuals enrolled under the original medicare fee-for-service program for the year; and
"(ii) the total number of programs described in clauses (i) through (ix) of subparagraph (C) that the Secretary determines the plan is conducting for the year under such subparagraph.
"(B)
"(C)
"(i) Care management programs that—
"(I) target individuals with 1 or more chronic conditions;
"(II) identify gaps in care; and
"(III) facilitate improved care by using additional resources like nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
"(ii) Programs that focus on patient education and self-management of health conditions, including interventions that—
"(I) help manage chronic conditions;
"(II) reduce declines in health status; and
"(III) foster patient and provider collaboration.
"(iii) Transitional care interventions that focus on care provided around a hospital inpatient episode, including programs that target post-discharge patient care in order to reduce unnecessary health complications and readmissions.
"(iv) Patient safety programs, including provisions for hospital-based patient safety programs in contracts that the Medicare Advantage organization offering the MA plan has with hospitals.
"(v) Financial policies that promote systematic coordination of care by primary care physicians across the full spectrum of specialties and sites of care, such as medical homes, capitation arrangements, or pay-for-performance programs.
"(vi) Programs that address, identify, and ameliorate health care disparities among principal at-risk subpopulations.
"(vii) Medication therapy management programs that are more extensive than is required under
"(viii) Health information technology programs, including clinical decision support and other tools to facilitate data collection and ensure patient-centered, appropriate care.
"(ix) Such other care management and coordination programs as the Secretary determines appropriate.
"(D)
"(E)
"(F)
"(2)
"(A)
"(i) in the case of a plan that achieves a 3 star rating (or comparable rating) on such system 2 percent of the national monthly per capita cost for expenditures for individuals enrolled under the original medicare fee-for-service program for the year; and
"(ii) in the case of a plan that achieves a 4 or 5 star rating (or comparable rating[)] on such system, 4 percent of such national monthly per capita cost for the year.
"(B)
"(C)
"(i) a rating system that uses up to 5 stars to rate clinical quality and enrollee satisfaction and performance at the Medicare Advantage contract or MA plan level; or
"(ii) such other system established by the Secretary that provides for the determination of a comparable quality performance rating to the rating system described in clause (i).
"(D)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
"(4)
"(5)
See Effective Date of 2010 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (n)(2)(B).
Subsec. (n)(6).
Subsec. (o).
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) for 2012, the monthly per capita dollar amount of such rebates provided to enrollees under the MA local plan with respect to 2011; and
"(ii) for a subsequent year, 95 percent of the amount determined under this subparagraph for the preceding year.
"(3)
"(A)
"(i) for 2012 and 2013, the sum of—
"(I) the bid amount under
"(II) the applicable amount (as defined in paragraph (2)(B)) for the MA local plan for the year.
"(ii) for 2014 and subsequent years, the sum of—
"(I) the MA competitive benchmark amount under subsection (j)(1)(A)(i) for the area for the month, adjusted, only to the extent the Secretary determines necessary, to account for induced utilization as a result of rebates provided to grandfathered enrollees (except that such adjustment shall not exceed 0.5 percent of such MA competitive benchmark amount); and
"(II) the applicable amount (as so defined) for the MA local plan for the year.
"(B)
"(C)
"(D)
"(E)
"(F)
"(4)
See Effective Date of 2010 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (p).
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) enrolls in an MA local plan in an applicable area; and
"(B) experiences a significant reduction in extra benefits described in clause (ii) of
"(3)
"(A) The 2 largest metropolitan statistical areas, if the Secretary determines that the total amount of such extra benefits for each enrollee for the month in those areas is greater than $100.
"(B) A county where—
"(i) the MA area-specific non-drug monthly benchmark amount for a month in 2011 is equal to the legacy urban floor amount (as described in subsection (c)(1)(B)(iii)), as determined by the Secretary for the area for 2011;
"(ii) the percentage of Medicare Advantage eligible beneficiaries in the county who are enrolled in an MA plan for 2009 is greater than 30 percent (as determined by the Secretary); and
"(iii) average bids submitted by an MA organization under
"(C) If the Secretary determines appropriate, a county contiguous to an area or county described in subparagraph (A) or (B), respectively.
"(4)
"(5)
See Effective Date of 2010 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (p)(3)(A).
2009—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (c)(1)(D)(i).
Subsec. (c)(6)(A).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (l).
Subsec. (m).
2008—Subsec. (k)(1).
Subsec. (k)(4).
2006—Subsec. (a)(1)(C).
Subsec. (j)(1)(A).
Subsec. (j)(1)(B).
Subsec. (k).
2003—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B) to (G).
Subsec. (a)(1)(H).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C)(iii), (iv).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C)(v).
Subsec. (c)(1)(D).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(3)(E).
Subsec. (c)(5).
Subsec. (c)(6)(C).
Subsec. (c)(7).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2), (3).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (d)(4)(A).
Subsec. (d)(4)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(4)(B).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (g)(2)(B).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (j)(1)(A).
2002—Subsec. (b)(1).
2000—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C)(ii)(II) to (V).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(ii), (iii).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C)(ii), (iii).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (c)(5).
Subsec. (c)(7).
Subsec. (i)(1).
1999—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c)(5).
Subsec. (c)(6)(B)(v).
Subsec. (i).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Repeal of sections 3201 and 3203 of
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by sections 221(d)(1), (4) and 222(d)–(f), (i) of
Amendment by section 237(b)(1), (2)(B) of
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title VI, §606(a)(2)(A)] of
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title VI, §611(a)] of
MedPAC Study of AAPCC
Implementation of 2003 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(4)
"(5)
Special Rule for January and February of 2001
"(1)
"(2)
Transition to Revised Medicare+Choice Payment Rates
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) a Medicare+Choice organization provided notice to the Secretary of Health and Human Services as of July 3, 2000, that it was renewing its contract under part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this part] for all or part of the service area or areas served under its current contract, and
"(2) any part of the service area or areas addressed in such notice includes a payment area for which the Medicare+Choice capitation rate under section 1853(c) of such Act (
such organization shall revise its submission of the information described in section 1854(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (
"(d)
"(e)
Publication
Report on Inclusion of Certain Costs of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Military Facility Services in Calculating Medicare+Choice Payment Rates
"(1) the actual or estimated cost of such services to medicare-eligible beneficiaries;
"(2) the change in Medicare+Choice capitation payment rates if such costs are included in the calculation of payment rates;
"(3) one or more proposals for the implementation of payment adjustments to Medicare+Choice plans in counties where the payment rate has been affected due to the failure to calculate the cost of such services to medicare-eligible beneficiaries; and
"(4) a system to ensure that when a Medicare+Choice enrollee receives covered services through a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense there is an appropriate payment recovery to the medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter]."
MedPAC Study and Report
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) The ability of the average risk adjustment factor applied to a Medicare+Choice plan to explain variations in plans' average per capita medicare costs, as reported by Medicare+Choice plans in the plans' adjusted community rate filings.
"(B) The year-to-year stability of the risk factors applied to each Medicare+Choice plan and the potential for substantial changes in payment for small Medicare+Choice plans.
"(C) For medicare beneficiaries newly enrolled in Medicare+Choice plans in a given year, the correspondence between the average risk factor calculated from medicare fee-for-service data for those individuals from the period prior to their enrollment in a Medicare+Choice plan and the average risk factor calculated for such individuals during their initial year of enrollment in a Medicare+Choice plan.
"(D) For medicare beneficiaries disenrolling from or switching among Medicare+Choice plans in a given year, the correspondence between the average risk factor calculated from data pertaining to the period prior to their disenrollment from a Medicare+Choice plan and the average risk factor calculated from data pertaining to the period after disenrollment.
"(E) An evaluation of the exclusion of 'discretionary' hospitalizations from consideration in the risk adjustment methodology.
"(F) Suggestions for changes or improvements in the risk adjustment methodology.
"(3)
Study and Report Regarding Reporting of Encounter Data
"(1)
"(A) Limiting the number and types of sites of services (that are in addition to inpatient sites) for which encounter data must be reported.
"(B) Establishing alternative risk adjustment methods that would require submission of less data.
"(C) The potential for Medicare+Choice organizations to misreport, overreport, or underreport prevalence of diagnoses in outpatient sites of care, the potential for increases in payments to Medicare+Choice organizations from changes in Medicare+Choice plan coding practices (commonly known as 'coding creep') and proposed methods for detecting and adjusting for such variations in diagnosis coding as part of the risk adjustment methodology using encounter data from multiple sites of care.
"(D) The impact of such requirements on the willingness of insurers to offer Medicare+Choice MSA plans and options for modifying encounter data reporting requirements to accommodate such plans.
"(E) Differences in the ability of Medicare+Choice organizations to report encounter data, and the potential for adverse competitive impacts on group and staff model health maintenance organizations or other integrated providers of care based on data reporting capabilities.
"(2)
Special Rule for 2001
Development of Special Payment Rules Under Medicare+Choice Program for Frail Elderly Enrolled in Specialized Programs
"(1)
"(A) accounts for the prevalence, mix, and severity of chronic conditions among such frail elderly Medicare+Choice beneficiaries;
"(B) includes medical diagnostic factors from all provider settings (including hospital and nursing facility settings); and
"(C) includes functional indicators of health status and such other factors as may be necessary to achieve appropriate payments for plans serving such beneficiaries.
"(2)
Publication of New Capitation Rates
Section 4002(i) of
Medicare+Choice Competitive Pricing Demonstration Project
"SEC. 4011. MEDICARE PREPAID COMPETITIVE PRICING DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(D)
"(3)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(3)
"(c)
"(1)
"(A) in accordance with the recommendations of the Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee—
"(i) establish the benefit design among plans offered in such area,
"(ii) structure the method for selecting plans offered in such area; and
"(iii) establish beneficiary premiums for plans offered in such area in a manner such that a beneficiary who enrolls in an offered plan the per capita bid for which is less than the standard per capita government contribution (as established by the competitive pricing methodology established for such area) may, at the plan's election, be offered a rebate of some or all of the medicare part B premium that such individual must otherwise pay in order to participate in a Medicare+Choice plan under the Medicare+Choice program; and
"(B) in consultation with such Committee—
"(i) establish methods for setting the price to be paid to plans, including, if the Secretaries determines appropriate, the rewarding and penalizing of Medicare+Choice plans in the area on the basis of the attainment of, or failure to attain, applicable quality standards, and
"(ii) provide for the collection of plan information (including information concerning quality and access to care), the dissemination of information, and the methods of evaluating the results of the project.
"(2)
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(e)
"(f)
"(g)
"(h)
"SEC. 4012. ADVISORY COMMITTEES.
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(b)
"(c)
1 So in original. Probably should be "parts".
2 See References in Text note below.
4 So in original.
5 So in original. Probably should be "(m)(2),".
6 So in original. Probably should be "1395w–4(o)(2)(C)".
7 So in original. Probably should be "1395w–4(o)(2)(B)".
8 So in original. Probably should be "1395ww(n)(6)(B)".
§1395w–24. Premiums and bid amounts
(a) Submission of proposed premiums, bid amounts, and related information
(1) In general
(A) Initial submission
Not later than the second Monday in September of 2002, 2003, and 2004 (or the first Monday in June of each subsequent year), each MA organization shall submit to the Secretary, in a form and manner specified by the Secretary and for each MA plan for the service area (or segment of such an area if permitted under subsection (h) of this section) in which it intends to be offered in the following year the following:
(i) The information described in paragraph (2), (3), (4), or (6)(A) for the type of plan and year involved.
(ii) The plan type for each plan.
(iii) The enrollment capacity (if any) in relation to the plan and area.
(B) Beneficiary rebate information
In the case of a plan required to provide a monthly rebate under subsection (b)(1)(C) of this section for a year, the MA organization offering the plan shall submit to the Secretary, in such form and manner and at such time as the Secretary specifies, information on—
(i) the manner in which such rebate will be provided under clause (ii) of such subsection; and
(ii) the MA monthly prescription drug beneficiary premium (if any) and the MA monthly supplemental beneficiary premium (if any).
(C) Paperwork reduction for offering of MA regional plans nationally or in multi-region areas
The Secretary shall establish requirements for information submission under this subsection in a manner that promotes the offering of MA regional plans in more than one region (including all regions) through the filing of consolidated information.
(2) Information required for coordinated care plans before 2006
For a Medicare+Choice plan described in
(A) Basic (and additional) benefits
For benefits described in
(i) the adjusted community rate (as defined in subsection (f)(3) of this section);
(ii) the Medicare+Choice monthly basic beneficiary premium (as defined in subsection (b)(2)(A) of this section);
(iii) a description of deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments applicable under the plan and the actuarial value of such deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, described in subsection (e)(1)(A) of this section; and
(iv) if required under subsection (f)(1) of this section, a description of the additional benefits to be provided pursuant to such subsection and the value determined for such proposed benefits under such subsection.
(B) Supplemental benefits
For benefits described in
(i) the adjusted community rate (as defined in subsection (f)(3) of this section);
(ii) the Medicare+Choice monthly supplemental beneficiary premium (as defined in subsection (b)(2)(B) of this section); and
(iii) a description of deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments applicable under the plan and the actuarial value of such deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, described in subsection (e)(2) of this section.
(3) Requirements for MSA plans
For an MSA plan for any year, the information described in this paragraph is as follows:
(A) Basic (and additional) benefits
For benefits described in
(B) Supplemental benefits
For benefits described in
(4) Requirements for private fee-for-service plans before 2006
For a Medicare+Choice plan described in
(A) Basic (and additional) benefits
For benefits described in
(i) the adjusted community rate (as defined in subsection (f)(3) of this section);
(ii) the amount of the Medicare+Choice monthly basic beneficiary premium;
(iii) a description of the deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments applicable under the plan, and the actuarial value of such deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, as described in subsection (e)(4)(A) of this section; and
(iv) if required under subsection (f)(1) of this section, a description of the additional benefits to be provided pursuant to such subsection and the value determined for such proposed benefits under such subsection.
(B) Supplemental benefits
For benefits described in
(5) Review
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall review the adjusted community rates, the amounts of the basic and supplemental premiums, and values filed under paragraphs (2) and (4) of this subsection and shall approve or disapprove such rates, amounts, and values so submitted. The Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall review the actuarial assumptions and data used by the Medicare+Choice organization with respect to such rates, amounts, and values so submitted to determine the appropriateness of such assumptions and data.
(B) Exception
The Secretary shall not review, approve, or disapprove the amounts submitted under paragraph (3) or, in the case of an MA private fee-for-service plan, subparagraphs (A)(ii) and (B) of paragraph (4).
(C) Rejection of bids
(i) In general
Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the Secretary to accept any or every bid submitted by an MA organization under this subsection.
(ii) Authority to deny bids that propose significant increases in cost sharing or decreases in benefits
The Secretary may deny a bid submitted by an MA organization for an MA plan if it proposes significant increases in cost sharing or decreases in benefits offered under the plan.
(6) Submission of bid amounts by MA organizations beginning in 2006
(A) Information to be submitted
For an MA plan (other than an MSA plan) for a plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2006, the information described in this subparagraph is as follows:
(i) The monthly aggregate bid amount for the provision of all items and services under the plan, which amount shall be based on average revenue requirements (as used for purposes of
(ii) The proportions of such bid amount that are attributable to—
(I) the provision of benefits under the original medicare fee-for-service program option (as defined in
(II) the provision of basic prescription drug coverage; and
(III) the provision of supplemental health care benefits.
(iii) The actuarial basis for determining the amount under clause (i) and the proportions described in clause (ii) and such additional information as the Secretary may require to verify such actuarial bases and the projected number of enrollees in each MA local area.
(iv) A description of deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments applicable under the plan and the actuarial value of such deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, described in subsection (e)(4)(A) of this section.
(v) With respect to qualified prescription drug coverage, the information required under
In the case of a specialized MA plan for special needs individuals, the information described in this subparagraph is such information as the Secretary shall specify.
(B) Acceptance and negotiation of bid amounts
(i) Authority
Subject to clauses (iii) and (iv), the Secretary has the authority to negotiate regarding monthly bid amounts submitted under subparagraph (A) (and the proportions described in subparagraph (A)(ii)), including supplemental benefits provided under subsection (b)(1)(C)(ii)(I) of this section and in exercising such authority the Secretary shall have authority similar to the authority of the Director of the Office of Personnel Management with respect to health benefits plans under
(ii) Application of FEHBP standard
Subject to clause (iv), the Secretary may only accept such a bid amount or proportion if the Secretary determines that such amount and proportions are supported by the actuarial bases provided under subparagraph (A) and reasonably and equitably reflects the revenue requirements (as used for purposes of
(iii) Noninterference
In order to promote competition under this part and part D of this subchapter and in carrying out such parts, the Secretary may not require any MA organization to contract with a particular hospital, physician, or other entity or individual to furnish items and services under this subchapter or require a particular price structure for payment under such a contract to the extent consistent with the Secretary's authority under this part.
(iv) Exception
In the case of a plan described in
(b) Monthly premium charged
(1) In general
(A) Rule for other than MSA plans
Subject to the rebate under subparagraph (C), the monthly amount (if any) of the premium charged to an individual enrolled in a Medicare+Choice plan (other than an MSA plan) offered by a Medicare+Choice organization shall be equal to the sum of the Medicare+Choice monthly basic beneficiary premium, the Medicare+Choice monthly supplementary beneficiary premium (if any), and, if the plan provides qualified prescription drug coverage, the MA monthly prescription drug beneficiary premium.
(B) MSA plans
The monthly amount of the premium charged to an individual enrolled in an MSA plan offered by a Medicare+Choice organization shall be equal to the Medicare+Choice monthly supplemental beneficiary premium (if any).
(C) Beneficiary rebate rule
(i) Requirement
The MA plan shall provide to the enrollee a monthly rebate equal to 75 percent (or the applicable rebate percentage specified in clause (iii) in the case of plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2012) of the average per capita savings (if any) described in paragraph (3)(C) or (4)(C), as applicable to the plan and year involved.
(ii) Form of rebate for plan years before 2012
For plan years before 2012, a rebate required under this subparagraph shall be provided through the application of the amount of the rebate toward one or more of the following:
(I) Provision of supplemental health care benefits and payment for premium for supplemental benefits
The provision of supplemental health care benefits described in
(II) Payment for premium for prescription drug coverage
Crediting toward the MA monthly prescription drug beneficiary premium.
(III) Payment toward part B premium
Crediting toward the premium imposed under part B of this subchapter (determined without regard to the application of subsections (b), (h), and (i) of
(iii) Applicable rebate percentage
The applicable rebate percentage specified in this clause for a plan for a year, based on the system under section 1395w–23(o)(4)(A), is the sum of—
(I) the product of the old phase-in proportion for the year under clause (iv) and 75 percent; and
(II) the product of the new phase-in proportion for the year under clause (iv) and the final applicable rebate percentage under clause (v).
(iv) Old and new phase-in proportions
For purposes of clause (iv)—
(I) for 2012, the old phase-in proportion is 2/3 and the new phase-in proportion is 1/3;
(II) for 2013, the old phase-in proportion is 1/3 and the new phase-in proportion is 2/3; and
(III) for 2014 and any subsequent year, the old phase-in proportion is 0 and the new phase-in proportion is 1.
(v) Final applicable rebate percentage
Subject to clause (vi), the final applicable rebate percentage under this clause is—
(I) in the case of a plan with a quality rating under such system of at least 4.5 stars, 70 percent;
(II) in the case of a plan with a quality rating under such system of at least 3.5 stars and less than 4.5 stars, 65 percent; and
(III) in the case of a plan with a quality rating under such system of less than 3.5 stars, 50 percent.
(vi) Treatment of low enrollment and new plans
For purposes of clause (v)—
(I) for 2012, in the case of a plan described in subclause (I) of subsection (o)(3)(A)(ii),1 the plan shall be treated as having a rating of 4.5 stars; and
(II) for 2012 or a subsequent year, in the case of a new MA plan (as defined under subclause (III) of subsection (o)(3)(A)(iii) 2) that is treated as a qualifying plan pursuant to subclause (I) of such subsection, the plan shall be treated as having a rating of 3.5 stars.
(vii) Disclosure relating to rebates
The plan shall disclose to the Secretary information on the form and amount of the rebate provided under this subparagraph or the actuarial value in the case of supplemental health care benefits.
(viii) Application of part B premium reduction
Insofar as an MA organization elects to provide a rebate under this subparagraph under a plan as a credit toward the part B premium under clause (ii)(III), the Secretary shall apply such credit to reduce the premium under
(2) Premium and bid terminology defined
For purposes of this part:
(A) MA monthly basic beneficiary premium
The term "MA monthly basic beneficiary premium" means, with respect to an MA plan—
(i) described in
(ii) described in
(B) MA monthly prescription drug beneficiary premium
The term "MA monthly prescription drug beneficiary premium" means, with respect to an MA plan, the base beneficiary premium (as determined under
(C) MA monthly supplemental beneficiary premium
(i) In general
The term "MA monthly supplemental beneficiary premium" means, with respect to an MA plan, the portion of the aggregate monthly bid amount submitted under clause (i) of subsection (a)(6)(A) of this section for the year that is attributable under clause (ii)(III) of such subsection to the provision of supplemental health care benefits, less the amount of rebate credited toward such portion under subsection (b)(1)(C)(ii)(I) of this section.
(ii) Application of MA monthly supplementary beneficiary premium
For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2012, any MA monthly supplementary beneficiary premium charged to an individual enrolled in an MA plan shall be used for the purposes, and in the priority order, described in subclauses (I) through (III) of paragraph (1)(C)(iii).3
(D) Medicare+Choice monthly MSA premium
The term "Medicare+Choice monthly MSA premium" means, with respect to a Medicare+Choice plan, the amount of such premium filed under subsection (a)(3)(A) of this section for the plan.
(E) Unadjusted MA statutory non-drug monthly bid amount
The term "unadjusted MA statutory non-drug monthly bid amount" means the portion of the bid amount submitted under clause (i) of subsection (a)(6)(A) of this section for the year that is attributable under clause (ii)(I) of such subsection to the provision of benefits under the original medicare fee-for-service program option (as defined in
(3) Computation of average per capita monthly savings for local plans
For purposes of paragraph (1)(C)(i), the average per capita monthly savings referred to in such paragraph for an MA local plan and year is computed as follows:
(A) Determination of statewide average risk adjustment for local plans
(i) In general
Subject to clause (iii), the Secretary shall determine, at the same time rates are promulgated under
(ii) Treatment of States for first year in which local plan offered
In the case of a State in which no MA local plan was offered in the previous year, the Secretary shall estimate such average. In making such estimate, the Secretary may use average risk adjustment factors applied to comparable States or applied on a national basis.
(iii) Authority to determine risk adjustment for areas other than States
The Secretary may provide for the determination and application of risk adjustment factors under this subparagraph on the basis of areas other than States or on a plan-specific basis.
(B) Determination of risk adjusted benchmark and risk-adjusted bid for local plans
For each MA plan offered in a local area in a State, the Secretary shall—
(i) adjust the applicable MA area-specific non-drug monthly benchmark amount (as defined in
(ii) adjust the unadjusted MA statutory non-drug monthly bid amount by such applicable average risk adjustment factor.
(C) Determination of average per capita monthly savings
The average per capita monthly savings described in this subparagraph for an MA local plan is equal to the amount (if any) by which—
(i) the risk-adjusted benchmark amount computed under subparagraph (B)(i); exceeds
(ii) the risk-adjusted bid computed under subparagraph (B)(ii).
(4) Computation of average per capita monthly savings for regional plans
For purposes of paragraph (1)(C)(i), the average per capita monthly savings referred to in such paragraph for an MA regional plan and year is computed as follows:
(A) Determination of regionwide average risk adjustment for regional plans
(i) In general
The Secretary shall determine, at the same time rates are promulgated under
(ii) Treatment of regions for first year in which regional plan offered
In the case of an MA region in which no MA regional plan was offered in the previous year, the Secretary shall estimate such average. In making such estimate, the Secretary may use average risk adjustment factors applied to comparable regions or applied on a national basis.
(iii) Authority to determine risk adjustment for areas other than regions
The Secretary may provide for the determination and application of risk adjustment factors under this subparagraph on the basis of areas other than MA regions or on a plan-specific basis.
(B) Determination of risk-adjusted benchmark and risk-adjusted bid for regional plans
For each MA regional plan offered in a region, the Secretary shall—
(i) adjust the applicable MA area-specific non-drug monthly benchmark amount (as defined in
(ii) adjust the unadjusted MA statutory non-drug monthly bid amount by such applicable average risk adjustment factor.
(C) Determination of average per capita monthly savings
The average per capita monthly savings described in this subparagraph for an MA regional plan is equal to the amount (if any) by which—
(i) the risk-adjusted benchmark amount computed under subparagraph (B)(i); exceeds
(ii) the risk-adjusted bid computed under subparagraph (B)(ii).
(c) Uniform premium and bid amounts
Except as permitted under
(d) Terms and conditions of imposing premiums
(1) In general
Each Medicare+Choice organization shall permit the payment of Medicare+Choice monthly basic, prescription drug, and supplemental beneficiary premiums on a monthly basis, may terminate election of individuals for a Medicare+Choice plan for failure to make premium payments only in accordance with
(2) Beneficiary's option of payment through withholding from social security payment or use of electronic funds transfer mechanism
In accordance with regulations, an MA organization shall permit each enrollee, at the enrollee's option, to make payment of premiums (if any) under this part to the organization through—
(A) withholding from benefit payments in the manner provided under
(B) an electronic funds transfer mechanism (such as automatic charges of an account at a financial institution or a credit or debit card account); or
(C) such other means as the Secretary may specify, including payment by an employer or under employment-based retiree health coverage (as defined in
All premium payments that are withheld under subparagraph (A) shall be credited to the appropriate Trust Fund (or Account thereof), as specified by the Secretary, under this subchapter and shall be paid to the MA organization involved. No charge may be imposed under an MA plan with respect to the election of the payment option described in subparagraph (A). The Secretary shall consult with the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of the Treasury regarding methods for allocating premiums withheld under subparagraph (A) among the appropriate Trust Funds and Account.
(3) Information necessary for collection
In order to carry out paragraph (2)(A) with respect to an enrollee who has elected such paragraph to apply, the Secretary shall transmit to the Commissioner of Social Security—
(A) by the beginning of each year, the name, social security account number, consolidated monthly beneficiary premium described in paragraph (4) owed by such enrollee for each month during the year, and other information determined appropriate by the Secretary, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Security; and
(B) periodically throughout the year, information to update the information previously transmitted under this paragraph for the year.
(4) Consolidated monthly beneficiary premium
In the case of an enrollee in an MA plan, the Secretary shall provide a mechanism for the consolidation of—
(A) the MA monthly basic beneficiary premium (if any);
(B) the MA monthly supplemental beneficiary premium (if any); and
(C) the MA monthly prescription drug beneficiary premium (if any).
(e) Limitation on enrollee liability
(1) For basic and additional benefits before 2006
For periods before 2006, in no event may—
(A) the Medicare+Choice monthly basic beneficiary premium (multiplied by 12) and the actuarial value of the deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments applicable on average to individuals enrolled under this part with a Medicare+Choice plan described in
(B) the actuarial value of the deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments that would be applicable on average to individuals entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and enrolled under part B of this subchapter if they were not members of a Medicare+Choice organization for the year.
(2) For supplemental benefits before 2006
For periods before 2006, if the Medicare+Choice organization provides to its members enrolled under this part in a Medicare+Choice plan described in
(3) Determination on other basis
If the Secretary determines that adequate data are not available to determine the actuarial value under paragraph (1)(A), (2), or (4), the Secretary may determine such amount with respect to all individuals in same geographic area, the State, or in the United States, eligible to enroll in the Medicare+Choice plan involved under this part or on the basis of other appropriate data.
(4) Special rule for private fee-for-service plans and for basic benefits beginning in 2006
With respect to a Medicare+Choice private fee-for-service plan (other than a plan that is an MSA plan) and for periods beginning with 2006, with respect to an MA plan described in
(A) the actuarial value of the deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments applicable on average to individuals enrolled under this part with such a plan of an organization with respect to benefits under the original medicare fee-for-service program option, exceed
(B) the actuarial value of the deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments that would be applicable with respect to such benefits on average to individuals entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and enrolled under part B of this subchapter if they were not members of a Medicare+Choice organization for the year.
(f) Requirement for additional benefits before 2006
(1) Requirement
(A) In general
For years before 2006, each Medicare+Choice organization (in relation to a Medicare+Choice plan, other than an MSA plan, it offers) shall provide that if there is an excess amount (as defined in subparagraph (B)) for the plan for a contract year, subject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection, the organization shall provide to individuals such additional benefits (as the organization may specify) in a value which the Secretary determines is at least equal to the adjusted excess amount (as defined in subparagraph (C)).
(B) Excess amount
For purposes of this paragraph, the "excess amount", for an organization for a plan, is the amount (if any) by which—
(i) the average of the capitation payments made to the organization under
(ii) the actuarial value of the required benefits described in
(C) Adjusted excess amount
For purposes of this paragraph, the "adjusted excess amount", for an organization for a plan, is the excess amount reduced to reflect any amount withheld and reserved for the organization for the year under paragraph (2).
(D) Uniform application
This paragraph shall be applied uniformly for all enrollees for a plan.
(E) Premium reductions
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), as part of providing any additional benefits required under subparagraph (A), a Medicare+Choice organization may elect a reduction in its payments under
(ii) Amount of reduction
The amount of the reduction under clause (i) with respect to any enrollee in a Medicare+Choice plan—
(I) may not exceed 125 percent of the premium described under
(II) shall apply uniformly to each enrollee of the Medicare+Choice plan to which such reduction applies.
(F) Construction
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing a Medicare+Choice organization from providing supplemental benefits (described in
(2) Stabilization fund
A Medicare+Choice organization may provide that a part of the value of an excess amount described in paragraph (1) be withheld and reserved in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and in the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund (in such proportions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate) by the Secretary for subsequent annual contract periods, to the extent required to stabilize and prevent undue fluctuations in the additional benefits offered in those subsequent periods by the organization in accordance with such paragraph. Any of such value of the amount reserved which is not provided as additional benefits described in paragraph (1)(A) to individuals electing the Medicare+Choice plan of the organization in accordance with such paragraph prior to the end of such periods, shall revert for the use of such trust funds.
(3) Adjusted community rate
For purposes of this subsection, subject to paragraph (4), the term "adjusted community rate" for a service or services means, at the election of a Medicare+Choice organization, either—
(A) the rate of payment for that service or services which the Secretary annually determines would apply to an individual electing a Medicare+Choice plan under this part if the rate of payment were determined under a "community rating system" (as defined in
(B) such portion of the weighted aggregate premium, which the Secretary annually estimates would apply to such an individual, as the Secretary annually estimates is attributable to that service or services,
but adjusted for differences between the utilization characteristics of the individuals electing coverage under this part and the utilization characteristics of the other enrollees with the plan (or, if the Secretary finds that adequate data are not available to adjust for those differences, the differences between the utilization characteristics of individuals selecting other Medicare+Choice coverage, or Medicare+Choice eligible individuals in the area, in the State, or in the United States, eligible to elect Medicare+Choice coverage under this part and the utilization characteristics of the rest of the population in the area, in the State, or in the United States, respectively).
(4) Determination based on insufficient data
For purposes of this subsection, if the Secretary finds that there is insufficient enrollment experience to determine an average of the capitation payments to be made under this part at the beginning of a contract period or to determine (in the case of a newly operated provider-sponsored organization or other new organization) the adjusted community rate for the organization, the Secretary may determine such an average based on the enrollment experience of other contracts entered into under this part and may determine such a rate using data in the general commercial marketplace.
(g) Prohibition of State imposition of premium taxes
No State may impose a premium tax or similar tax with respect to payments to Medicare+Choice organizations under
(h) Permitting use of segments of service areas
The Secretary shall permit a Medicare+Choice organization to elect to apply the provisions of this section uniformly to separate segments of a service area (rather than uniformly to an entire service area) as long as such segments are composed of one or more Medicare+Choice payment areas.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1854, as added
References in Text
Part D of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(6)(B)(iii), is classified to
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (b)(1)(C)(ii)(III), (viii), (e)(1)(B), (4)(B), and (f)(1)(B)(ii), are classified to section 1395c et seq. and section 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Cl. (iii) of par. (1)(C), referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(C)(ii), was struck out and a new cl. (iii) was added by
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(5)(C).
Subsec. (a)(6)(A).
Subsec. (a)(6)(B)(i).
Subsec. (a)(6)(B)(v).
"(I)
"(aa) actuarial guidelines for the submission of bid information under this paragraph; and
"(bb) bidding rules that are appropriate to ensure accurate bids and fair competition among MA plans.
"(II)
"(III)
See Effective Date of 2010 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(i).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(iii).
"(I) First, to use the most significant share to meaningfully reduce cost-sharing otherwise applicable for benefits under the original medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B and for qualified prescription drug coverage under part D, including the reduction of any deductibles, copayments, and maximum limitations on out-of-pocket expenses otherwise applicable. Any reduction of maximum limitations on out-of-pocket expenses under the preceding sentence shall apply to all benefits under the original medicare fee-for-service program option. The Secretary may provide guidance on meaningfully reducing cost-sharing under this subclause, except that such guidance may not require a particular amount of cost-sharing or reduction in cost-sharing.
"(II) Second, to use the next most significant share to meaningfully provide coverage of preventive and wellness health care benefits (as defined by the Secretary) which are not benefits under the original medicare fee-for-service program, such as smoking cessation, a free flu shot, and an annual physical examination.
"(III) Third, to use the remaining share to meaningfully provide coverage of other health care benefits which are not benefits under the original medicare fee-for-service program, such as eye examinations and dental coverage, and are not benefits described in subclause (II)."
Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(v).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(vi) to (viii).
Subsec. (b)(2)(C).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B)(i).
Subsec. (h).
2003—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
"(A) the information described in paragraph (2), (3), or (4) for the type of plan involved; and
"(B) the enrollment capacity (if any) in relation to the plan and area."
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(5)(A).
Subsec. (a)(5)(B).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3), (4).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(4)(A).
Subsec. (e)(4)(B).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(1)(A).
Subsec. (g).
2002—Subsec. (a)(1).
2000—Subsec. (a)(5)(A).
Subsec. (f)(1)(E), (F).
1999—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(3)(A), (B).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(4)(A).
Subsec. (a)(4)(B).
Subsec. (h).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Repeal of sections 3201 and 3203 of
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by section 222(a)(1), (b), (c), (g) of
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title VI, §606(a)(1)] of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title III, §321(k)(6)(C)] of
1 So in original. Probably means subclause (I) of section 1395w–23(o)(3)(A)(ii) of this title.
2 So in original. Probably means subclause (II) of section 1395w–23(o)(3)(A)(iii) of this title.
3 See References in Text note below.
§1395w–25. Organizational and financial requirements for Medicare+Choice organizations; provider-sponsored organizations
(a) Organized and licensed under State law
(1) In general
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a Medicare+Choice organization shall be organized and licensed under State law as a risk-bearing entity eligible to offer health insurance or health benefits coverage in each State in which it offers a Medicare+Choice plan.
(2) Special exception for provider-sponsored organizations
(A) In general
In the case of a provider-sponsored organization that seeks to offer a Medicare+Choice plan in a State, the Secretary shall waive the requirement of paragraph (1) that the organization be licensed in that State if—
(i) the organization files an application for such waiver with the Secretary by not later than November 1, 2002, and
(ii) the Secretary determines, based on the application and other evidence presented to the Secretary, that any of the grounds for approval of the application described in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) has been met.
(B) Failure to act on licensure application on a timely basis
The ground for approval of such a waiver application described in this subparagraph is that the State has failed to complete action on a licensing application of the organization within 90 days of the date of the State's receipt of a substantially complete application. No period before August 5, 1997, shall be included in determining such 90-day period.
(C) Denial of application based on discriminatory treatment
The ground for approval of such a waiver application described in this subparagraph is that the State has denied such a licensing application and—
(i) the standards or review process imposed by the State as a condition of approval of the license imposes any material requirements, procedures, or standards (other than solvency requirements) to such organizations that are not generally applicable to other entities engaged in a substantially similar business, or
(ii) the State requires the organization, as a condition of licensure, to offer any product or plan other than a Medicare+Choice plan.
(D) Denial of application based on application of solvency requirements
With respect to waiver applications filed on or after the date of publication of solvency standards under
(i) such requirements are not the same as the solvency standards established under
(ii) the State has imposed as a condition of approval of the license documentation or information requirements relating to solvency or other material requirements, procedures, or standards relating to solvency that are different from the requirements, procedures, and standards applied by the Secretary under subsection (d)(2) of this section.
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "solvency requirements" means requirements relating to solvency and other matters covered under the standards established under
(E) Treatment of waiver
In the case of a waiver granted under this paragraph for a provider-sponsored organization with respect to a State—
(i) Limitation to State
The waiver shall be effective only with respect to that State and does not apply to any other State.
(ii) Limitation to 36-month period
The waiver shall be effective only for a 36-month period and may not be renewed.
(iii) Conditioned on compliance with consumer protection and quality standards
The continuation of the waiver is conditioned upon the organization's compliance with the requirements described in subparagraph (G).
(iv) Preemption of State law
Any provisions of law of that State which relate to the licensing of the organization and which prohibit the organization from providing coverage pursuant to a contract under this part shall be superseded.
(F) Prompt action on application
The Secretary shall grant or deny such a waiver application within 60 days after the date the Secretary determines that a substantially complete waiver application has been filed. Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing an organization which has had such a waiver application denied from submitting a subsequent waiver application.
(G) Application and enforcement of State consumer protection and quality standards
(i) In general
A waiver granted under this paragraph to an organization with respect to licensing under State law is conditioned upon the organization's compliance with all consumer protection and quality standards insofar as such standards—
(I) would apply in the State to the organization if it were licensed under State law;
(II) are generally applicable to other Medicare+Choice organizations and plans in the State; and
(III) are consistent with the standards established under this part.
Such standards shall not include any standard preempted under
(ii) Incorporation into contract
In the case of such a waiver granted to an organization with respect to a State, the Secretary shall incorporate the requirement that the organization (and Medicare+Choice plans it offers) comply with standards under clause (i) as part of the contract between the Secretary and the organization under
(iii) Enforcement
In the case of such a waiver granted to an organization with respect to a State, the Secretary may enter into an agreement with the State under which the State agrees to provide for monitoring and enforcement activities with respect to compliance of such an organization and its Medicare+Choice plans with such standards. Such monitoring and enforcement shall be conducted by the State in the same manner as the State enforces such standards with respect to other Medicare+Choice organizations and plans, without discrimination based on the type of organization to which the standards apply. Such an agreement shall specify or establish mechanisms by which compliance activities are undertaken, while not lengthening the time required to review and process applications for waivers under this paragraph.
(H) Report
By not later than December 31, 2001, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report regarding whether the waiver process under this paragraph should be continued after December 31, 2002. In making such recommendation, the Secretary shall consider, among other factors, the impact of such process on beneficiaries and on the long-term solvency of the program under this subchapter.
(3) Licensure does not substitute for or constitute certification
The fact that an organization is licensed in accordance with paragraph (1) does not deem the organization to meet other requirements imposed under this part.
(b) Assumption of full financial risk
The Medicare+Choice organization shall assume full financial risk on a prospective basis for the provision of the health care services for which benefits are required to be provided under
(1) may obtain insurance or make other arrangements for the cost of providing to any enrolled member such services the aggregate value of which exceeds such aggregate level as the Secretary specifies from time to time,
(2) may obtain insurance or make other arrangements for the cost of such services provided to its enrolled members other than through the organization because medical necessity required their provision before they could be secured through the organization,
(3) may obtain insurance or make other arrangements for not more than 90 percent of the amount by which its costs for any of its fiscal years exceed 115 percent of its income for such fiscal year, and
(4) may make arrangements with physicians or other health care professionals, health care institutions, or any combination of such individuals or institutions to assume all or part of the financial risk on a prospective basis for the provision of basic health services by the physicians or other health professionals or through the institutions.
(c) Certification of provision against risk of insolvency for unlicensed PSOs
(1) In general
Each Medicare+Choice organization that is a provider-sponsored organization, that is not licensed by a State under subsection (a) of this section, and for which a waiver application has been approved under subsection (a)(2) of this section, shall meet standards established under
(2) Certification process for solvency standards for PSOs
The Secretary shall establish a process for the receipt and approval of applications of a provider-sponsored organization described in paragraph (1) for certification (and periodic recertification) of the organization as meeting such solvency standards. Under such process, the Secretary shall act upon such a certification application not later than 60 days after the date the application has been received.
(d) "Provider-sponsored organization" defined
(1) In general
In this part, the term "provider-sponsored organization" means a public or private entity—
(A) that is established or organized, and operated, by a health care provider, or group of affiliated health care providers,
(B) that provides a substantial proportion (as defined by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (2)) of the health care items and services under the contract under this part directly through the provider or affiliated group of providers, and
(C) with respect to which the affiliated providers share, directly or indirectly, substantial financial risk with respect to the provision of such items and services and have at least a majority financial interest in the entity.
(2) Substantial proportion
In defining what is a "substantial proportion" for purposes of paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary—
(A) shall take into account the need for such an organization to assume responsibility for providing—
(i) significantly more than the majority of the items and services under the contract under this section through its own affiliated providers; and
(ii) most of the remainder of the items and services under the contract through providers with which the organization has an agreement to provide such items and services,
in order to assure financial stability and to address the practical considerations involved in integrating the delivery of a wide range of service providers;
(B) shall take into account the need for such an organization to provide a limited proportion of the items and services under the contract through providers that are neither affiliated with nor have an agreement with the organization; and
(C) may allow for variation in the definition of substantial proportion among such organizations based on relevant differences among the organizations, such as their location in an urban or rural area.
(3) Affiliation
For purposes of this subsection, a provider is "affiliated" with another provider if, through contract, ownership, or otherwise—
(A) one provider, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the other,
(B) both providers are part of a controlled group of corporations under section 1563 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
(C) each provider is a participant in a lawful combination under which each provider shares substantial financial risk in connection with the organization's operations, or
(D) both providers are part of an affiliated service group under section 414 of such Code.
(4) Control
For purposes of paragraph (3), control is presumed to exist if one party, directly or indirectly, owns, controls, or holds the power to vote, or proxies for, not less than 51 percent of the voting rights or governance rights of another.
(5) "Health care provider" defined
In this subsection, the term "health care provider" means—
(A) any individual who is engaged in the delivery of health care services in a State and who is required by State law or regulation to be licensed or certified by the State to engage in the delivery of such services in the State, and
(B) any entity that is engaged in the delivery of health care services in a State and that, if it is required by State law or regulation to be licensed or certified by the State to engage in the delivery of such services in the State, is so licensed.
(6) Regulations
The Secretary shall issue regulations to carry out this subsection.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1855, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (d)(3)(B), (D), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Committee on Commerce of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives, and jurisdiction over matters relating to securities and exchanges and insurance generally transferred to Committee on Financial Services of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Seventh Congress, Jan. 3, 2001.
§1395w–26. Establishment of standards
(a) Establishment of solvency standards for provider-sponsored organizations
(1) Establishment
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish, on an expedited basis and using a negotiated rulemaking process under subchapter III of
(B) Factors to consider for solvency standards
In establishing solvency standards under subparagraph (A) for provider-sponsored organizations, the Secretary shall consult with interested parties and shall take into account—
(i) the delivery system assets of such an organization and ability of such an organization to provide services directly to enrollees through affiliated providers,
(ii) alternative means of protecting against insolvency, including reinsurance, unrestricted surplus, letters of credit, guarantees, organizational insurance coverage, partnerships with other licensed entities, and valuation attributable to the ability of such an organization to meet its service obligations through direct delivery of care, and
(iii) any standards developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners specifically for risk-based health care delivery organizations.
(C) Enrollee protection against insolvency
Such standards shall include provisions to prevent enrollees from being held liable to any person or entity for the Medicare+Choice organization's debts in the event of the organization's insolvency.
(2) Publication of notice
In carrying out the rulemaking process under this subsection, the Secretary, after consultation with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the American Academy of Actuaries, organizations representative of medicare beneficiaries, and other interested parties, shall publish the notice provided for under
(3) Target date for publication of rule
As part of the notice under paragraph (2), and for purposes of this subsection, the "target date for publication" (referred to in section 564(a)(5) of such title) shall be April 1, 1998.
(4) Abbreviated period for submission of comments
In applying section 564(c) of such title under this subsection, "15 days" shall be substituted for "30 days".
(5) Appointment of negotiated rulemaking committee and facilitator
The Secretary shall provide for—
(A) the appointment of a negotiated rulemaking committee under section 565(a) of such title by not later than 30 days after the end of the comment period provided for under section 564(c) of such title (as shortened under paragraph (4)), and
(B) the nomination of a facilitator under section 566(c) of such title by not later than 10 days after the date of appointment of the committee.
(6) Preliminary committee report
The negotiated rulemaking committee appointed under paragraph (5) shall report to the Secretary, by not later than January 1, 1998, regarding the committee's progress on achieving a consensus with regard to the rulemaking proceeding and whether such consensus is likely to occur before 1 month before the target date for publication of the rule. If the committee reports that the committee has failed to make significant progress towards such consensus or is unlikely to reach such consensus by the target date, the Secretary may terminate such process and provide for the publication of a rule under this subsection through such other methods as the Secretary may provide.
(7) Final committee report
If the committee is not terminated under paragraph (6), the rulemaking committee shall submit a report containing a proposed rule by not later than 1 month before the target date of publication.
(8) Interim, final effect
The Secretary shall publish a rule under this subsection in the Federal Register by not later than the target date of publication. Such rule shall be effective and final immediately on an interim basis, but is subject to change and revision after public notice and opportunity for a period (of not less than 60 days) for public comment. In connection with such rule, the Secretary shall specify the process for the timely review and approval of applications of entities to be certified as provider-sponsored organizations pursuant to such rules and consistent with this subsection.
(9) Publication of rule after public comment
The Secretary shall provide for consideration of such comments and republication of such rule by not later than 1 year after the target date of publication.
(b) Establishment of other standards
(1) In general
The Secretary shall establish by regulation other standards (not described in subsection (a) of this section) for Medicare+Choice organizations and plans consistent with, and to carry out, this part. The Secretary shall publish such regulations by June 1, 1998. In order to carry out this requirement in a timely manner, the Secretary may promulgate regulations that take effect on an interim basis, after notice and pending opportunity for public comment.
(2) Use of current standards
Consistent with the requirements of this part, standards established under this subsection shall be based on standards established under
(3) Relation to State laws
The standards established under this part shall supersede any State law or regulation (other than State licensing laws or State laws relating to plan solvency) with respect to MA plans which are offered by MA organizations under this part.
(4) Prohibition of midyear implementation of significant new regulatory requirements
The Secretary may not implement, other than at the beginning of a calendar year, regulations under this section that impose new, significant regulatory requirements on a Medicare+Choice organization or plan.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1856, as added
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (b)(3).
2000—Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
§1395w–27. Contracts with Medicare+Choice organizations
(a) In general
The Secretary shall not permit the election under
(b) Minimum enrollment requirements
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may not enter into a contract under this section with a Medicare+Choice organization unless the organization has—
(A) at least 5,000 individuals (or 1,500 individuals in the case of an organization that is a provider-sponsored organization) who are receiving health benefits through the organization, or
(B) at least 1,500 individuals (or 500 individuals in the case of an organization that is a provider-sponsored organization) who are receiving health benefits through the organization if the organization primarily serves individuals residing outside of urbanized areas.
(2) Application to MSA plans
In applying paragraph (1) in the case of a Medicare+Choice organization that is offering an MSA plan, paragraph (1) shall be applied by substituting covered lives for individuals.
(3) Allowing transition
The Secretary may waive the requirement of paragraph (1) during the first 3 contract years with respect to an organization.
(c) Contract period and effectiveness
(1) Period
Each contract under this section shall be for a term of at least 1 year, as determined by the Secretary, and may be made automatically renewable from term to term in the absence of notice by either party of intention to terminate at the end of the current term.
(2) Termination authority
In accordance with procedures established under subsection (h) of this section, the Secretary may at any time terminate any such contract if the Secretary determines that the organization—
(A) has failed substantially to carry out the contract;
(B) is carrying out the contract in a manner inconsistent with the efficient and effective administration of this part; or
(C) no longer substantially meets the applicable conditions of this part.
(3) Effective date of contracts
The effective date of any contract executed pursuant to this section shall be specified in the contract, except that in no case shall a contract under this section which provides for coverage under an MSA plan be effective before January 1999 with respect to such coverage.
(4) Previous terminations
(A) In general
The Secretary may not enter into a contract with a Medicare+Choice organization if a previous contract with that organization under this section was terminated at the request of the organization within the preceding 2-year period, except as provided in subparagraph (B) and except in such other circumstances which warrant special consideration, as determined by the Secretary.
(B) Earlier re-entry permitted where change in payment policy
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to the offering by a Medicare+Choice organization of a Medicare+Choice plan in a Medicare+Choice payment area if during the 6-month period beginning on the date the organization notified the Secretary of the intention to terminate the most recent previous contract, there was a legislative change enacted (or a regulatory change adopted) that has the effect of increasing payment amounts under
(5) Contracting authority
The authority vested in the Secretary by this part may be performed without regard to such provisions of law or regulations relating to the making, performance, amendment, or modification of contracts of the United States as the Secretary may determine to be inconsistent with the furtherance of the purpose of this subchapter.
(d) Protections against fraud and beneficiary protections
(1) Periodic auditing
The Secretary shall provide for the annual auditing of the financial records (including data relating to medicare utilization and costs, including allowable costs under
(2) Inspection and audit
Each contract under this section shall provide that the Secretary, or any person or organization designated by the Secretary—
(A) shall have the right to timely inspect or otherwise evaluate (i) the quality, appropriateness, and timeliness of services performed under the contract, and (ii) the facilities of the organization when there is reasonable evidence of some need for such inspection, and
(B) shall have the right to timely audit and inspect any books and records of the Medicare+Choice organization that pertain (i) to the ability of the organization to bear the risk of potential financial losses, or (ii) to services performed or determinations of amounts payable under the contract.
(3) Enrollee notice at time of termination
Each contract under this section shall require the organization to provide (and pay for) written notice in advance of the contract's termination, as well as a description of alternatives for obtaining benefits under this subchapter, to each individual enrolled with the organization under this part.
(4) Disclosure
(A) In general
Each Medicare+Choice organization shall, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, report to the Secretary financial information which shall include the following:
(i) Such information as the Secretary may require demonstrating that the organization has a fiscally sound operation.
(ii) A copy of the report, if any, filed with the Secretary containing the information required to be reported under
(iii) A description of transactions, as specified by the Secretary, between the organization and a party in interest. Such transactions shall include—
(I) any sale or exchange, or leasing of any property between the organization and a party in interest;
(II) any furnishing for consideration of goods, services (including management services), or facilities between the organization and a party in interest, but not including salaries paid to employees for services provided in the normal course of their employment and health services provided to members by hospitals and other providers and by staff, medical group (or groups), individual practice association (or associations), or any combination thereof; and
(III) any lending of money or other extension of credit between an organization and a party in interest.
The Secretary may require that information reported respecting an organization which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, another entity be in the form of a consolidated financial statement for the organization and such entity.
(B) "Party in interest" defined
For the purposes of this paragraph, the term "party in interest" means—
(i) any director, officer, partner, or employee responsible for management or administration of a Medicare+Choice organization, any person who is directly or indirectly the beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of the equity of the organization, any person who is the beneficial owner of a mortgage, deed of trust, note, or other interest secured by, and valuing more than 5 percent of the organization, and, in the case of a Medicare+Choice organization organized as a nonprofit corporation, an incorporator or member of such corporation under applicable State corporation law;
(ii) any entity in which a person described in clause (i)—
(I) is an officer or director;
(II) is a partner (if such entity is organized as a partnership);
(III) has directly or indirectly a beneficial interest of more than 5 percent of the equity; or
(IV) has a mortgage, deed of trust, note, or other interest valuing more than 5 percent of the assets of such entity;
(iii) any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with an organization; and
(iv) any spouse, child, or parent of an individual described in clause (i).
(C) Access to information
Each Medicare+Choice organization shall make the information reported pursuant to subparagraph (A) available to its enrollees upon reasonable request.
(5) Loan information
The contract shall require the organization to notify the Secretary of loans and other special financial arrangements which are made between the organization and subcontractors, affiliates, and related parties.
(6) Review to ensure compliance with care management requirements for specialized medicare advantage plans for special needs individuals
In conjunction with the periodic audit of a specialized Medicare Advantage plan for special needs individuals under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall conduct a review to ensure that such organization offering the plan meets the requirements described in
(e) Additional contract terms
(1) In general
The contract shall contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with this part (including requiring the organization to provide the Secretary with such information) as the Secretary may find necessary and appropriate.
(2) Cost-sharing in enrollment-related costs
(A) In general
A Medicare+Choice organization and a PDP sponsor under part D of this subchapter shall pay the fee established by the Secretary under subparagraph (B).
(B) Authorization
The Secretary is authorized to charge a fee to each Medicare+Choice organization with a contract under this part and each PDP sponsor with a contract under part D of this subchapter that is equal to the organization's or sponsor's pro rata share (as determined by the Secretary) of the aggregate amount of fees which the Secretary is directed to collect in a fiscal year. Any amounts collected shall be available without further appropriation to the Secretary for the purpose of carrying out
(C) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated for the purposes described in subparagraph (B) for each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2001 and ending with fiscal year 2005 an amount equal to $100,000,000, and for each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2006 an amount equal to $200,000,000, reduced by the amount of fees authorized to be collected under this paragraph and
(D) Limitation
In any fiscal year the fees collected by the Secretary under subparagraph (B) shall not exceed the lesser of—
(i) the estimated costs to be incurred by the Secretary in the fiscal year in carrying out the activities described in
(ii)(I) $200,000,000 in fiscal year 1998;
(II) $150,000,000 in fiscal year 1999;
(III) $100,000,000 in fiscal year 2000;
(IV) the Medicare+Choice portion (as defined in subparagraph (E)) of $100,000,000 in fiscal year 2001 and each succeeding fiscal year before fiscal year 2006; and
(V) the applicable portion (as defined in subparagraph (F)) of $200,000,000 in fiscal year 2006 and each succeeding fiscal year.
(E) Medicare+Choice portion defined
In this paragraph, the term "Medicare+Choice portion" means, for a fiscal year, the ratio, as estimated by the Secretary, of—
(i) the average number of individuals enrolled in Medicare+Choice plans during the fiscal year, to
(ii) the average number of individuals entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter, and enrolled under part B of this subchapter, during the fiscal year.
(F) Applicable portion defined
In this paragraph, the term "applicable portion" means, for a fiscal year—
(i) with respect to MA organizations, the Secretary's estimate of the total proportion of expenditures under this subchapter that are attributable to expenditures made under this part (including payments under part D of this subchapter that are made to such organizations); or
(ii) with respect to PDP sponsors, the Secretary's estimate of the total proportion of expenditures under this subchapter that are attributable to expenditures made to such sponsors under part D of this subchapter.
(3) Agreements with federally qualified health centers
(A) Payment levels and amounts
A contract under this section with an MA organization shall require the organization to provide, in any written agreement described in
(B) Cost-sharing
Under the written agreement referred to in subparagraph (A), a federally qualified health center must accept the payment amount referred to in such subparagraph plus the Federal payment provided for in
(4) Requirement for minimum medical loss ratio
If the Secretary determines for a contract year (beginning with 2014) that an MA plan has failed to have a medical loss ratio of at least .85—
(A) the MA plan shall remit to the Secretary an amount equal to the product of—
(i) the total revenue of the MA plan under this part for the contract year; and
(ii) the difference between .85 and the medical loss ratio;
(B) for 3 consecutive contract years, the Secretary shall not permit the enrollment of new enrollees under the plan for coverage during the second succeeding contract year; and
(C) the Secretary shall terminate the plan contract if the plan fails to have such a medical loss ratio for 5 consecutive contract years.
(f) Prompt payment by Medicare+Choice organization
(1) Requirement
A contract under this part shall require a Medicare+Choice organization to provide prompt payment (consistent with the provisions of
(2) Secretary's option to bypass noncomplying organization
In the case of a Medicare+Choice eligible organization which the Secretary determines, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, has failed to make payments of amounts in compliance with paragraph (1), the Secretary may provide for direct payment of the amounts owed to providers and suppliers (or, in the case of a Medicare+Choice private fee-for-service plan, amounts owed to the enrollees) for covered services and supplies furnished to individuals enrolled under this part under the contract. If the Secretary provides for the direct payments, the Secretary shall provide for an appropriate reduction in the amount of payments otherwise made to the organization under this part to reflect the amount of the Secretary's payments (and the Secretary's costs in making the payments).
(3) Incorporation of certain prescription drug plan contract requirements
The following provisions shall apply to contracts with a Medicare Advantage organization offering an MA–PD plan in the same manner as they apply to contracts with a PDP sponsor offering a prescription drug plan under part D:
(A) Prompt payment
(B) Submission of claims by pharmacies located in or contracting with long-term care facilities
(C) Regular update of prescription drug pricing standard
(g) Intermediate sanctions
(1) In general
If the Secretary determines that a Medicare+Choice organization with a contract under this section—
(A) fails substantially to provide medically necessary items and services that are required (under law or under the contract) to be provided to an individual covered under the contract, if the failure has adversely affected (or has substantial likelihood of adversely affecting) the individual;
(B) imposes premiums on individuals enrolled under this part in excess of the amount of the Medicare+Choice monthly basic and supplemental beneficiary premiums permitted under
(C) acts to expel or to refuse to re-enroll an individual in violation of the provisions of this part;
(D) engages in any practice that would reasonably be expected to have the effect of denying or discouraging enrollment (except as permitted by this part) by eligible individuals with the organization whose medical condition or history indicates a need for substantial future medical services;
(E) misrepresents or falsifies information that is furnished—
(i) to the Secretary under this part, or
(ii) to an individual or to any other entity under this part;
(F) fails to comply with the applicable requirements of
(G) employs or contracts with any individual or entity that is excluded from participation under this subchapter under
(H) except as provided under subparagraph (C) or (D) of
(I) transfers an individual enrolled under this part from one plan to another without the prior consent of the individual or the designee of the individual or solely for the purpose of earning a commission;
(J) fails to comply with marketing restrictions described in subsections (h) and (j) of
(K) employs or contracts with any individual or entity who engages in the conduct described in subparagraphs (A) through (J) of this paragraph;
the Secretary may provide, in addition to any other remedies authorized by law, for any of the remedies described in paragraph (2). The Secretary may provide, in addition to any other remedies authorized by law, for any of the remedies described in paragraph (2), if the Secretary determines that any employee or agent of such organization, or any provider or supplier who contracts with such organization, has engaged in any conduct described in subparagraphs (A) through (K) of this paragraph.
(2) Remedies
The remedies described in this paragraph are—
(A) civil money penalties of not more than $25,000 for each determination under paragraph (1) or, with respect to a determination under subparagraph (D) or (E)(i) of such paragraph, of not more than $100,000 for each such determination, except with respect to a determination under subparagraph (E),1 an assessment of not more than the amount claimed by such plan or plan sponsor based upon the misrepresentation or falsified information involved, plus, with respect to a determination under paragraph (1)(B), double the excess amount charged in violation of such paragraph (and the excess amount charged shall be deducted from the penalty and returned to the individual concerned), and plus, with respect to a determination under paragraph (1)(D), $15,000 for each individual not enrolled as a result of the practice involved,
(B) suspension of enrollment of individuals under this part after the date the Secretary notifies the organization of a determination under paragraph (1) and until the Secretary is satisfied that the basis for such determination has been corrected and is not likely to recur, or
(C) suspension of payment to the organization under this part for individuals enrolled after the date the Secretary notifies the organization of a determination under paragraph (1) and until the Secretary is satisfied that the basis for such determination has been corrected and is not likely to recur.
(3) Other intermediate sanctions
In the case of a Medicare+Choice organization for which the Secretary makes a determination under subsection (c)(2) of this section the basis of which is not described in paragraph (1), the Secretary may apply the following intermediate sanctions:
(A) Civil money penalties of not more than $25,000 for each determination under subsection (c)(2) of this section if the deficiency that is the basis of the determination has directly adversely affected (or has the substantial likelihood of adversely affecting) an individual covered under the organization's contract.
(B) Civil money penalties of not more than $10,000 for each week beginning after the initiation of civil money penalty procedures by the Secretary during which the deficiency that is the basis of a determination under subsection (c)(2) of this section exists.
(C) Suspension of enrollment of individuals under this part after the date the Secretary notifies the organization of a determination under subsection (c)(2) of this section and until the Secretary is satisfied that the deficiency that is the basis for the determination has been corrected and is not likely to recur.
(D) Civil monetary penalties of not more than $100,000, or such higher amount as the Secretary may establish by regulation, where the finding under subsection (c)(2)(A) of this section is based on the organization's termination of its contract under this section other than at a time and in a manner provided for under subsection (a) of this section.
(4) Civil money penalties
The provisions of section 1320a–7a (other than subsections (a) and (b)) of this title shall apply to a civil money penalty under paragraph (2) or (3) in the same manner as they apply to a civil money penalty or proceeding under
(h) Procedures for termination
(1) In general
The Secretary may terminate a contract with a Medicare+Choice organization under this section in accordance with formal investigation and compliance procedures established by the Secretary under which—
(A) the Secretary provides the organization with the reasonable opportunity to develop and implement a corrective action plan to correct the deficiencies that were the basis of the Secretary's determination under subsection (c)(2) of this section; and
(B) the Secretary provides the organization with reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing (including the right to appeal an initial decision) before terminating the contract.
(2) Exception for imminent and serious risk to health
Paragraph (1) shall not apply if the Secretary determines that a delay in termination, resulting from compliance with the procedures specified in such paragraph prior to termination, would pose an imminent and serious risk to the health of individuals enrolled under this part with the organization.
(i) Medicare+Choice program compatibility with employer or union group health plans
(1) Contracts with MA organizations
To facilitate the offering of Medicare+Choice plans under contracts between Medicare+Choice organizations and employers, labor organizations, or the trustees of a fund established by one or more employers or labor organizations (or combination thereof) to furnish benefits to the entity's employees, former employees (or combination thereof) or members or former members (or combination thereof) of the labor organizations, the Secretary may waive or modify requirements that hinder the design of, the offering of, or the enrollment in such Medicare+Choice plans.
(2) Employer sponsored MA plans
To facilitate the offering of MA plans by employers, labor organizations, or the trustees of a fund established by one or more employers or labor organizations (or combination thereof) to furnish benefits to the entity's employees, former employees (or combination thereof) or members or former members (or combination thereof) of the labor organizations, the Secretary may waive or modify requirements that hinder the design of, the offering of, or the enrollment in such MA plans. Notwithstanding
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1857, as added
References in Text
Part D of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (e)(2)(A), (B), (F) and (f)(3), is classified to
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (e)(2)(E)(ii), are classified to section 1395c et seq. and section 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (d)(2)(A).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(1)(H) to (K).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A).
2008—Subsec. (d)(6).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(3)(B).
Subsec. (f)(3)(C).
2003—Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(4)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B).
Subsec. (e)(2)(C).
Subsec. (e)(2)(D)(i).
Subsec. (e)(2)(D)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (e)(2)(D)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (e)(2)(D)(ii)(V).
Subsec. (e)(2)(F).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (i).
2000—Subsec. (g)(3)(D).
Subsec. (i).
1999—Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B).
Subsec. (e)(2)(C).
Subsec. (e)(2)(D)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (e)(2)(D)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (e)(2)(D)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (e)(2)(E).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by section 6408(b)(1) of
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by section 222(j), (k), (l)(3)(C) of
Amendment by section 237(c) of
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Construction Relating to Additional Exceptions
Technical Correction to MA Private Fee-for-Service Plans
Study of Multi-Year Contracts
Immediate Effective Date for Certain Requirements for Demonstrations
Section 4002(g) of
1 So in original. Probably means subpar. (E) of par. (1).
§1395w–27a. Special rules for MA regional plans
(a) Regional service area; establishment of MA regions
(1) Coverage of entire MA region
The service area for an MA regional plan shall consist of an entire MA region established under paragraph (2) and the provisions of
(2) Establishment of MA regions
(A) MA region
For purposes of this subchapter, the term "MA region" means such a region within the 50 States and the District of Columbia as established by the Secretary under this paragraph.
(B) Establishment
(i) Initial establishment
Not later than January 1, 2005, the Secretary shall first establish and publish MA regions.
(ii) Periodic review and revision of service areas
The Secretary may periodically review MA regions under this paragraph and, based on such review, may revise such regions if the Secretary determines such revision to be appropriate.
(C) Requirements for MA regions
The Secretary shall establish, and may revise, MA regions under this paragraph in a manner consistent with the following:
(i) Number of regions
There shall be no fewer than 10 regions, and no more than 50 regions.
(ii) Maximizing availability of plans
The regions shall maximize the availability of MA regional plans to all MA eligible individuals without regard to health status, especially those residing in rural areas.
(D) Market survey and analysis
Before establishing MA regions, the Secretary shall conduct a market survey and analysis, including an examination of current insurance markets, to determine how the regions should be established.
(3) National plan
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing an MA regional plan from being offered in more than one MA region (including all regions).
(b) Application of single deductible and catastrophic limit on out-of-pocket expenses
An MA regional plan shall include the following:
(1) Single deductible
Any deductible for benefits under the original medicare fee-for-service program option shall be a single deductible (instead of a separate inpatient hospital deductible and a part B deductible) and may be applied differentially for in-network services and may be waived for preventive or other items and services.
(2) Catastrophic limit
(A) In-network
A catastrophic limit on out-of-pocket expenditures for in-network benefits under the original medicare fee-for-service program option.
(B) Total
A catastrophic limit on out-of-pocket expenditures for all benefits under the original medicare fee-for-service program option.
(c) Portion of total payments to an organization subject to risk for 2006 and 2007
(1) Application of risk corridors
(A) In general
This subsection shall only apply to MA regional plans offered during 2006 or 2007.
(B) Notification of allowable costs under the plan
In the case of an MA organization that offers an MA regional plan in an MA region in 2006 or 2007, the organization shall notify the Secretary, before such date in the succeeding year as the Secretary specifies, of—
(i) its total amount of costs that the organization incurred in providing benefits covered under the original medicare fee-for-service program option for all enrollees under the plan in the region in the year and the portion of such costs that is attributable to administrative expenses described in subparagraph (C); and
(ii) its total amount of costs that the organization incurred in providing rebatable integrated benefits (as defined in subparagraph (D)) and with respect to such benefits the portion of such costs that is attributable to administrative expenses described in subparagraph (C) and not described in clause (i) of this subparagraph.
(C) Allowable costs defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term "allowable costs" means, with respect to an MA regional plan for a year, the total amount of costs described in subparagraph (B) for the plan and year, reduced by the portion of such costs attributable to administrative expenses incurred in providing the benefits described in such subparagraph.
(D) Rebatable integrated benefits
For purposes of this subsection, the term "rebatable integrated benefits" means such non-drug supplemental benefits under subclause (I) of
(2) Adjustment of payment
(A) No adjustment if allowable costs within 3 percent of target amount
If the allowable costs for the plan for the year are at least 97 percent, but do not exceed 103 percent, of the target amount for the plan and year, there shall be no payment adjustment under this subsection for the plan and year.
(B) Increase in payment if allowable costs above 103 percent of target amount
(i) Costs between 103 and 108 percent of target amount
If the allowable costs for the plan for the year are greater than 103 percent, but not greater than 108 percent, of the target amount for the plan and year, the Secretary shall increase the total of the monthly payments made to the organization offering the plan for the year under
(ii) Costs above 108 percent of target amount
If the allowable costs for the plan for the year are greater than 108 percent of the target amount for the plan and year, the Secretary shall increase the total of the monthly payments made to the organization offering the plan for the year under
(I) 2.5 percent of such target amount; and
(II) 80 percent of the difference between such allowable costs and 108 percent of such target amount.
(C) Reduction in payment if allowable costs below 97 percent of target amount
(i) Costs between 92 and 97 percent of target amount
If the allowable costs for the plan for the year are less than 97 percent, but greater than or equal to 92 percent, of the target amount for the plan and year, the Secretary shall reduce the total of the monthly payments made to the organization offering the plan for the year under
(ii) Costs below 92 percent of target amount
If the allowable costs for the plan for the year are less than 92 percent of the target amount for the plan and year, the Secretary shall reduce the total of the monthly payments made to the organization offering the plan for the year under
(I) 2.5 percent of such target amount; and
(II) 80 percent of the difference between 92 percent of such target amount and such allowable costs.
(D) Target amount described
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "target amount" means, with respect to an MA regional plan offered by an organization in a year, an amount equal to—
(i) the sum of—
(I) the total monthly payments made to the organization for enrollees in the plan for the year that are attributable to benefits under the original medicare fee-for-service program option (as defined in
(II) the total of the MA monthly basic beneficiary premium collectable for such enrollees for the year; and
(III) the total amount of the rebates under
(ii) the amount of administrative expenses assumed in the bid insofar as the bid is attributable to benefits described in clause (i)(I) or (i)(III).
(3) Disclosure of information
(A) In general
Each contract under this part shall provide—
(i) that an MA organization offering an MA regional plan shall provide the Secretary with such information as the Secretary determines is necessary to carry out this subsection; and
(ii) that, pursuant to
(B) Restriction on use of information
Information disclosed or obtained pursuant to the provisions of this subsection may be used by officers, employees, and contractors of the Department of Health and Human Services only for the purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, carrying out this subsection.
(d) Organizational and financial requirements
(1) In general
In the case of an MA organization that is offering an MA regional plan in an MA region and—
(A) meets the requirements of
(B) with respect to each other State in such region in which it does not meet requirements, it demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that it has filed the necessary application to meet such requirements,
the Secretary may waive such requirement with respect to each State described in subparagraph (B) for such period of time as the Secretary determines appropriate for the timely processing of such an application by the State (and, if such application is denied, through the end of such plan year as the Secretary determines appropriate to provide for a transition).
(2) Selection of appropriate State
In applying paragraph (1) in the case of an MA organization that meets the requirements of
(e) Repealed. Pub. L. 111–148, title X, §10327(c)(1), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 964
(f) Computation of applicable MA region-specific non-drug monthly benchmark amounts
(1) Computation for regions
For purposes of
(2) 2 components
For purposes of paragraph (1), the 2 components described in this paragraph for an MA region and a year are the following:
(A) Statutory component
The product of the following:
(i) Statutory region-specific non-drug amount
The statutory region-specific non-drug amount (as defined in paragraph (3)) for the region and year.
(ii) Statutory national market share
The statutory national market share percentage, determined under paragraph (4) for the year.
(B) Plan-bid component
The product of the following:
(i) Weighted average of MA plan bids in region
The weighted average of the plan bids for the region and year (as determined under paragraph (5)(A)).
(ii) Non-statutory market share
1 minus the statutory national market share percentage, determined under paragraph (4) for the year.
(3) Statutory region-specific non-drug amount
For purposes of paragraph (2)(A)(i), the term "statutory region-specific non-drug amount" means, for an MA region and year, an amount equal the sum (for each MA local area within the region) of the product of—
(A) MA area-specific non-drug monthly benchmark amount under
(B) the number of MA eligible individuals residing in the local area, divided by the total number of MA eligible individuals residing in the region.
(4) Computation of statutory market share percentage
(A) In general
The Secretary shall determine for each year a statutory national market share percentage that is equal to the proportion of MA eligible individuals nationally who were not enrolled in an MA plan during the reference month.
(B) Reference month defined
For purposes of this part, the term "reference month" means, with respect to a year, the most recent month during the previous year for which the Secretary determines that data are available to compute the percentage specified in subparagraph (A) and other relevant percentages under this part.
(5) Determination of weighted average MA bids for a region
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (2)(B)(i), the weighted average of plan bids for an MA region and a year is the sum, for MA regional plans described in subparagraph (D) in the region and year, of the products (for each such plan) of the following:
(i) Monthly MA statutory non-drug bid amount
The unadjusted MA statutory non-drug monthly bid amount for the plan.
(ii) Plan's share of MA enrollment in region
The factor described in subparagraph (B) for the plan.
(B) Plan's share of MA enrollment in region
(i) In general
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this subparagraph, the factor described in this subparagraph for a plan is equal to the number of individuals described in subparagraph (C) for such plan, divided by the total number of such individuals for all MA regional plans described in subparagraph (D) for that region and year.
(ii) Single plan rule
In the case of an MA region in which only a single MA regional plan is being offered, the factor described in this subparagraph shall be equal to 1.
(iii) Equal division among multiple plans in year in which plans are first available
In the case of an MA region in the first year in which any MA regional plan is offered, if more than one MA regional plan is offered in such year, the factor described in this subparagraph for a plan shall (as specified by the Secretary) be equal to—
(I) 1 divided by the number of such plans offered in such year; or
(II) a factor for such plan that is based upon the organization's estimate of projected enrollment, as reviewed and adjusted by the Secretary to ensure reasonableness and as is certified by the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
(C) Counting of individuals
For purposes of subparagraph (B)(i), the Secretary shall count for each MA regional plan described in subparagraph (D) for an MA region and year, the number of individuals who reside in the region and who were enrolled under such plan under this part during the reference month.
(D) Plans covered
For an MA region and year, an MA regional plan described in this subparagraph is an MA regional plan that is offered in the region and year and was offered in the region in the reference month.
(g) Election of uniform coverage determination
Instead of applying
(h) Assuring network adequacy
(1) In general
For purposes of enabling MA organizations that offer MA regional plans to meet applicable provider access requirements under
(A) the organization provides assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the organization will make payment to the hospital for inpatient hospital services of an amount that is not less than the amount that would be payable to the hospital under
(B) with respect to specific inpatient hospital services provided to an enrollee, the hospital demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the hospital's costs of such services exceed the payment amount described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Payment amounts
The payment amount under this subsection for inpatient hospital services provided by a subsection (d) hospital to an enrollee in an MA regional plan shall be, subject to the limitation of funds under paragraph (3), the amount (if any) by which—
(A) the amount of payment that would have been paid for such services under this subchapter if the enrollees were covered under the original medicare fee-for-service program option and the hospital were a critical access hospital; exceeds
(B) the amount of payment made for such services under paragraph (1)(A).
(3) Available amounts
There shall be available for payments under this subsection—
(A) in 2006, $25,000,000; and
(B) in each succeeding year the amount specified in this paragraph for the preceding year increased by the market basket percentage increase (as defined in
Payments under this subsection shall be made from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.
(4) Essential hospital
In this subsection, the term "essential hospital" means, with respect to an MA regional plan offered by an MA organization, a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1858, as added
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(3)(A).
Subsec. (i).
2009—Subsec. (e)(7).
2008—Subsec. (e)(2)(A)(i).
2007—Subsec. (e)(2)(A)(i).
"(I) during 2012, $1,600,000,000; and
"(II) during 2013, $1,790,000,000."
to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
"(I) during 2012, $1,600,000,000; and
"(II) during 2013, $1,790,000,000."
for "the Fund during the period beginning on January 1, 2012, and ending on December 31, 2013, a total of $3,500,000,000."
2006—Subsec. (e)(2)(A)(i).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Repeal of sections 3201 and 3203 of
Effective Date
Section applicable with respect to plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2006, see section 223(a) of
Elimination of MA Regional Plan Stabilization Fund; Transition
§1395w–28. Definitions; miscellaneous provisions
(a) Definitions relating to Medicare+Choice organizations
In this part—
(1) Medicare+Choice organization
The term "Medicare+Choice organization" means a public or private entity that is certified under
(2) Provider-sponsored organization
The term "provider-sponsored organization" is defined in
(b) Definitions relating to Medicare+Choice plans
(1) Medicare+Choice plan
The term "Medicare+Choice plan" means health benefits coverage offered under a policy, contract, or plan by a Medicare+Choice organization pursuant to and in accordance with a contract under
(2) Medicare+Choice private fee-for-service plan
The term "Medicare+Choice private fee-for-service plan" means a Medicare+Choice plan that—
(A) reimburses hospitals, physicians, and other providers at a rate determined by the plan on a fee-for-service basis without placing the provider at financial risk;
(B) does not vary such rates for such a provider based on utilization relating to such provider; and
(C) does not restrict the selection of providers among those who are lawfully authorized to provide the covered services and agree to accept the terms and conditions of payment established by the plan.
Nothing in subparagraph (B) shall be construed to preclude a plan from varying rates for such a provider based on the specialty of the provider, the location of the provider, or other factors related to such provider that are not related to utilization, or to preclude a plan from increasing rates for such a provider based on increased utilization of specified preventive or screening services.
(3) MSA plan
(A) In general
The term "MSA plan" means a Medicare+Choice plan that—
(i) provides reimbursement for at least the items and services described in
(ii) counts as such expenses (for purposes of such deductible) at least all amounts that would have been payable under parts A and B of this subchapter, and that would have been payable by the enrollee as deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments, if the enrollee had elected to receive benefits through the provisions of such parts; and
(iii) provides, after such deductible is met for a year and for all subsequent expenses for items and services referred to in clause (i) in the year, for a level of reimbursement that is not less than—
(I) 100 percent of such expenses, or
(II) 100 percent of the amounts that would have been paid (without regard to any deductibles or coinsurance) under parts A and B of this subchapter with respect to such expenses,
whichever is less.
(B) Deductible
The amount of annual deductible under an MSA plan—
(i) for contract year 1999 shall be not more than $6,000; and
(ii) for a subsequent contract year shall be not more than the maximum amount of such deductible for the previous contract year under this subparagraph increased by the national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage under
If the amount of the deductible under clause (ii) is not a multiple of $50, the amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $50.
(4) MA regional plan
The term "MA regional plan" means an MA plan described in
(A) that has a network of providers that have agreed to a contractually specified reimbursement for covered benefits with the organization offering the plan;
(B) that provides for reimbursement for all covered benefits regardless of whether such benefits are provided within such network of providers; and
(C) the service area of which is one or more entire MA regions.
(5) MA local plan
The term "MA local plan" means an MA plan that is not an MA regional plan.
(6) Specialized MA plans for special needs individuals
(A) In general
The term "specialized MA plan for special needs individuals" means an MA plan that exclusively serves special needs individuals (as defined in subparagraph (B)) and that, as of January 1, 2010, meets the applicable requirements of paragraph (2), (3), or (4) of subsection (f), as the case may be.
(B) Special needs individual
The term "special needs individual" means an MA eligible individual who—
(i) is institutionalized (as defined by the Secretary);
(ii) is entitled to medical assistance under a State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter; or
(iii) meets such requirements as the Secretary may determine would benefit from enrollment in such a specialized MA plan described in subparagraph (A) for individuals with severe or disabling chronic conditions who have one or more comorbid and medically complex chronic conditions that are substantially disabling or life threatening, have a high risk of hospitalization or other significant adverse health outcomes, and require specialized delivery systems across domains of care.
The Secretary may waive application of
(c) Other references to other terms
(1) Medicare+Choice eligible individual
The term "Medicare+Choice eligible individual" is defined in
(2) Medicare+Choice payment area
The term "Medicare+Choice payment area" is defined in
(3) National per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage
The "national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage" is defined in
(4) Medicare+Choice monthly basic beneficiary premium; Medicare+Choice monthly supplemental beneficiary premium
The terms "Medicare+Choice monthly basic beneficiary premium" and "Medicare+Choice monthly supplemental beneficiary premium" are defined in
(5) MA local area
The term "MA local area" is defined in
(d) Coordinated acute and long-term care benefits under Medicare+Choice plan
Nothing in this part shall be construed as preventing a State from coordinating benefits under a medicaid plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter with those provided under a Medicare+Choice plan in a manner that assures continuity of a full-range of acute care and long-term care services to poor elderly or disabled individuals eligible for benefits under this subchapter and under such plan.
(e) Restriction on enrollment for certain Medicare+Choice plans
(1) In general
In the case of a Medicare+Choice religious fraternal benefit society plan described in paragraph (2), notwithstanding any other provision of this part to the contrary and in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, the society offering the plan may restrict the enrollment of individuals under this part to individuals who are members of the church, convention, or group described in paragraph (3)(B) with which the society is affiliated.
(2) Medicare+Choice religious fraternal benefit society plan described
For purposes of this subsection, a Medicare+Choice religious fraternal benefit society plan described in this paragraph is a Medicare+Choice plan described in
(A) is offered by a religious fraternal benefit society described in paragraph (3) only to members of the church, convention, or group described in paragraph (3)(B); and
(B) permits all such members to enroll under the plan without regard to health status-related factors.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as waiving any plan requirements relating to financial solvency.
(3) "Religious fraternal benefit society" defined
For purposes of paragraph (2)(A), a "religious fraternal benefit society" described in this section is an organization that—
(A) is described in section 501(c)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Act;
(B) is affiliated with, carries out the tenets of, and shares a religious bond with, a church or convention or association of churches or an affiliated group of churches;
(C) offers, in addition to a Medicare+Choice religious fraternal benefit society plan, health coverage to individuals not entitled to benefits under this subchapter who are members of such church, convention, or group; and
(D) does not impose any limitation on membership in the society based on any health status-related factor.
(4) Payment adjustment
Under regulations of the Secretary, in the case of individuals enrolled under this part under a Medicare+Choice religious fraternal benefit society plan described in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall provide for such adjustment to the payment amounts otherwise established under
(f) Requirements regarding enrollment in specialized MA plans for special needs individuals
(1) Requirements for enrollment
In the case of a specialized MA plan for special needs individuals (as defined in subsection (b)(6) of this section), notwithstanding any other provision of this part and in accordance with regulations of the Secretary and for periods before January 1, 2014, the plan may restrict the enrollment of individuals under the plan to individuals who are within one or more classes of special needs individuals.
(2) Additional requirements for institutional SNPS
In the case of a specialized MA plan for special needs individuals described in subsection (b)(6)(B)(i), the applicable requirements described in this paragraph are as follows:
(A) Each individual that enrolls in the plan on or after January 1, 2010, is a special needs individuals described in subsection (b)(6)(B)(i). In the case of an individual who is living in the community but requires an institutional level of care, such individual shall not be considered a special needs individual described in subsection (b)(6)(B)(i) unless the determination that the individual requires an institutional level of care was made—
(i) using a State assessment tool of the State in which the individual resides; and
(ii) by an entity other than the organization offering the plan.
(B) The plan meets the requirements described in paragraph (5).
(C) If applicable, the plan meets the requirement described in paragraph (7).
(3) Additional requirements for dual SNPS
In the case of a specialized MA plan for special needs individuals described in subsection (b)(6)(B)(ii), the applicable requirements described in this paragraph are as follows:
(A) Each individual that enrolls in the plan on or after January 1, 2010, is a special needs individuals 1 described in subsection (b)(6)(B)(ii).
(B) The plan meets the requirements described in paragraph (5).
(C) The plan provides each prospective enrollee, prior to enrollment, with a comprehensive written statement (using standardized content and format established by the Secretary) that describes—
(i) the benefits and cost-sharing protections that the individual is entitled to under the State Medicaid program under subchapter XIX; and
(ii) which of such benefits and cost-sharing protections are covered under the plan.
Such statement shall be included with any description of benefits offered by the plan.
(D) The plan has a contract with the State Medicaid agency to provide benefits, or arrange for benefits to be provided, for which such individual is entitled to receive as medical assistance under subchapter XIX. Such benefits may include long-term care services consistent with State policy.
(E) If applicable, the plan meets the requirement described in paragraph (7).
(4) Additional requirements for severe or disabling chronic condition SNPS
In the case of a specialized MA plan for special needs individuals described in subsection (b)(6)(B)(iii), the applicable requirements described in this paragraph are as follows:
(A) Each individual that enrolls in the plan on or after January 1, 2010, is a special needs individual described in subsection (b)(6)(B)(iii).
(B) The plan meets the requirements described in paragraph (5).
(C) If applicable, the plan meets the requirement described in paragraph (7).
(5) Care management requirements for all SNPS
The requirements described in this paragraph are that the organization offering a specialized MA plan for special needs individuals—
(A) have in place an evidenced-based model of care with appropriate networks of providers and specialists; and
(B) with respect to each individual enrolled in the plan—
(i) conduct an initial assessment and an annual reassessment of the individual's physical, psychosocial, and functional needs;
(ii) develop a plan, in consultation with the individual as feasible, that identifies goals and objectives, including measurable outcomes as well as specific services and benefits to be provided; and
(iii) use an interdisciplinary team in the management of care.
(6) Transition and exception regarding restriction on enrollment
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall establish procedures for the transition of applicable individuals to—
(i) a Medicare Advantage plan that is not a specialized MA plan for special needs individuals (as defined in subsection (b)(6)); or
(ii) the original medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B.
(B) Applicable individuals
For purposes of clause (i), the term 'applicable individual' means an individual who—
(i) is enrolled under a specialized MA plan for special needs individuals (as defined in subsection (b)(6)); and
(ii) is not within the 1 or more of the classes of special needs individuals to which enrollment under the plan is restricted to.
(C) Exception
The Secretary shall provide for an exception to the transition described in subparagraph (A) for a limited period of time for individuals enrolled under a specialized MA plan for special needs individuals described in subsection (b)(6)(B)(ii) who are no longer eligible for medical assistance under subchapter XIX.
(D) Timeline for initial transition
The Secretary shall ensure that applicable individuals enrolled in a specialized MA plan for special needs individuals (as defined in subsection (b)(6)) prior to January 1, 2010, are transitioned to a plan or the program described in subparagraph (A) by not later than January 1, 2013.
(7) Authority to require special needs plans be NCQA approved
For 2012 and subsequent years, the Secretary shall require that a Medicare Advantage organization offering a specialized MA plan for special needs individuals be approved by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (based on standards established by the Secretary).
(g) Special rules for senior housing facility plans
(1) In general
In the case of a Medicare Advantage senior housing facility plan described in paragraph (2), notwithstanding any other provision of this part to the contrary and in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, the service area of such plan may be limited to a senior housing facility in a geographic area.
(2) Medicare advantage senior housing facility plan described
For purposes of this subsection, a Medicare Advantage senior housing facility plan is a Medicare Advantage plan that—
(A) restricts enrollment of individuals under this part to individuals who reside in a continuing care retirement community (as defined in
(B) provides primary care services onsite and has a ratio of accessible physicians to beneficiaries that the Secretary determines is adequate;
(C) provides transportation services for beneficiaries to specialty providers outside of the facility; and
(D) has participated (as of December 31, 2009) in a demonstration project established by the Secretary under which such a plan was offered for not less than 1 year.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1859, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(A), are classified to section 1395c et seq. and section 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (e)(3)(A), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2)(C).
Subsec. (f)(3)(E).
Subsec. (f)(4)(C).
Subsec. (f)(5).
Subsec. (f)(6), (7).
Subsec. (g).
2008—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(6)(A).
Subsec. (b)(6)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(5).
2007—Subsec. (f).
2003—Subsec. (b)(4), (5).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (c)(5).
Subsec. (f).
1999—Subsec. (e)(2).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by section 164(c)(1), (d)(1), (e)(1) of
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by section 221(b)(1), (d)(2) of
Amendment by section 231(b), (c) of
Regulations
Authorization To Operate; Resources for State Medicaid Agencies; Contracting Requirements
"(2)
"(A) shall permit such plan to be offered under part C of title XVIII of such Act [this part]; and
"(B) shall not permit an expansion of the service area of the plan under such part C.
"(3)
"(4)
Panel of Clinical Advisors to Determine Conditions
No Effect on Medicaid Benefits for Duals
Authority To Designate Other Plans as Specialized MA Plans
Secretary of Health and Human Services authorized, in promulgating regulations to carry out subsection (b)(6) of this section, to provide, notwithstanding subsection (b)(6)(A) of this section, for the offering of specialized MA plans for special needs individuals by MA plans that disproportionately serve special needs individuals, see section 231(d) of
1 So in original. Probably should be "individual".
§1395w–29. Repealed. Pub. L. 111–152, title I, §1102(f), Mar. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 1046
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860C–1, as added
Part D—Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program
Prior Provisions
A prior part D of this subchapter, consisting of section 1395x et seq., was redesignated part E of this subchapter.
subpart 1—part d eligible individuals and prescription drug benefits
§1395w–101. Eligibility, enrollment, and information
(a) Provision of qualified prescription drug coverage through enrollment in plans
(1) In general
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this part, each part D eligible individual (as defined in paragraph (3)(A)) is entitled to obtain qualified prescription drug coverage (described in
(A) Fee-for-service enrollees may receive coverage through a prescription drug plan
A part D eligible individual who is not enrolled in an MA plan may obtain qualified prescription drug coverage through enrollment in a prescription drug plan (as defined in
(B) Medicare Advantage enrollees
(i) Enrollees in a plan providing qualified prescription drug coverage receive coverage through the plan
A part D eligible individual who is enrolled in an MA–PD plan obtains such coverage through such plan.
(ii) Limitation on enrollment of MA plan enrollees in prescription drug plans
Except as provided in clauses (iii) and (iv), a part D eligible individual who is enrolled in an MA plan may not enroll in a prescription drug plan under this part.
(iii) Private fee-for-service enrollees in MA plans not providing qualified prescription drug coverage permitted to enroll in a prescription drug plan
A part D eligible individual who is enrolled in an MA private fee-for-service plan (as defined in
(iv) Enrollees in MSA plans permitted to enroll in a prescription drug plan
A part D eligible individual who is enrolled in an MSA plan (as defined in
(2) Coverage first effective January 1, 2006
Coverage under prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans shall first be effective on January 1, 2006.
(3) Definitions
For purposes of this part:
(A) Part D eligible individual
The term "part D eligible individual" means an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter.
(B) MA plan
The term "MA plan" has the meaning given such term in
(C) MA–PD plan
The term "MA–PD plan" means an MA plan that provides qualified prescription drug coverage.
(b) Enrollment process for prescription drug plans
(1) Establishment of process
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish a process for the enrollment, disenrollment, termination, and change of enrollment of part D eligible individuals in prescription drug plans consistent with this subsection.
(B) Application of MA rules
In establishing such process, the Secretary shall use rules similar to (and coordinated with) the rules for enrollment, disenrollment, termination, and change of enrollment with an MA–PD plan under the following provisions of
(i) Residence requirements
(ii) Exercise of choice
(iii) Coverage election periods
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection,
(iv) Coverage periods
(v) Guaranteed issue and renewal
(vi) Marketing material and application forms
In applying clauses (ii), (iv), and (v) of this subparagraph, any reference to
(C) Special rule
The process established under subparagraph (A) shall include, except as provided in subparagraph (D), in the case of a part D eligible individual who is a full-benefit dual eligible individual (as defined in
(D) Special rule for plans that waive de minimis premiums
The process established under subparagraph (A) may include, in the case of a part D eligible individual who is a subsidy eligible individual (as defined in
(2) Initial enrollment period
(A) Program initiation
In the case of an individual who is a part D eligible individual as of November 15, 2005, there shall be an initial enrollment period that shall be the same as the annual, coordinated open election period described in
(B) Continuing periods
In the case of an individual who becomes a part D eligible individual after November 15, 2005, there shall be an initial enrollment period which is the period under
(3) Additional special enrollment periods
The Secretary shall establish special enrollment periods, including the following:
(A) Involuntary loss of creditable prescription drug coverage
(i) In general
In the case of a part D eligible individual who involuntarily loses creditable prescription drug coverage (as defined in
(ii) Notice
In establishing special enrollment periods under clause (i), the Secretary shall take into account when the part D eligible individuals are provided notice of the loss of creditable prescription drug coverage.
(iii) Failure to pay premium
For purposes of clause (i), a loss of coverage shall be treated as voluntary if the coverage is terminated because of failure to pay a required beneficiary premium.
(iv) Reduction in coverage
For purposes of clause (i), a reduction in coverage so that the coverage no longer meets the requirements under
(B) Errors in enrollment
In the case described in
(C) Exceptional circumstances
In the case of part D eligible individuals who meet such exceptional conditions (in addition to those conditions applied under paragraph (1)(B)(iii)) as the Secretary may provide.
(D) Medicaid coverage
In the case of an individual (as determined by the Secretary) who is a full-benefit dual eligible individual (as defined in
(E) Discontinuance of MA–PD election during first year of eligibility
In the case of a part D eligible individual who discontinues enrollment in an MA–PD plan under the second sentence of
(4) Information to facilitate enrollment
(A) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law but subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary may provide to each PDP sponsor and MA organization such identifying information about part D eligible individuals as the Secretary determines to be necessary to facilitate efficient marketing of prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans to such individuals and enrollment of such individuals in such plans.
(B) Limitation
(i) Provision of information
The Secretary may provide the information under subparagraph (A) only to the extent necessary to carry out such subparagraph.
(ii) Use of information
Such information provided by the Secretary to a PDP sponsor or an MA organization may be used by such sponsor or organization only to facilitate marketing of, and enrollment of part D eligible individuals in, prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans.
(5) Reference to enrollment procedures for MA–PD plans
For rules applicable to enrollment, disenrollment, termination, and change of enrollment of part D eligible individuals in MA–PD plans, see
(6) Reference to penalties for late enrollment
(A) enroll in a prescription drug plan or an MA–PD plan after the initial enrollment period described in paragraph (2); and
(B) fail to maintain continuous creditable prescription drug coverage during the period of non-enrollment.
(c) Providing information to beneficiaries
(1) Activities
The Secretary shall conduct activities that are designed to broadly disseminate information to part D eligible individuals (and prospective part D eligible individuals) regarding the coverage provided under this part. Such activities shall ensure that such information is first made available at least 30 days prior to the initial enrollment period described in subsection (b)(2)(A) of this section.
(2) Requirements
The activities described in paragraph (1) shall—
(A) be similar to the activities performed by the Secretary under
(B) be coordinated with the activities performed by the Secretary under such section and under
(3) Comparative information
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the comparative information referred to in paragraph (2)(A) shall include a comparison of the following with respect to qualified prescription drug coverage:
(i) Benefits
The benefits provided under the plan.
(ii) Monthly beneficiary premium
The monthly beneficiary premium under the plan.
(iii) Quality and performance
The quality and performance under the plan.
(iv) Beneficiary cost-sharing
The cost-sharing required of part D eligible individuals under the plan.
(v) Consumer satisfaction surveys
The results of consumer satisfaction surveys regarding the plan conducted pursuant to
(B) Exception for unavailability of information
The Secretary is not required to provide comparative information under clauses (iii) and (v) of subparagraph (A) with respect to a plan—
(i) for the first plan year in which it is offered; and
(ii) for the next plan year if it is impracticable or the information is otherwise unavailable.
(4) Information on late enrollment penalty
The information disseminated under paragraph (1) shall include information concerning the methodology for determining the late enrollment penalty under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–1, as added
References in Text
Part A of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(3)(A) and (b)(2)(B), is classified to
Part B of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(3)(A) and (b)(2)(B), (3)(B), is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(1)(D).
2006—Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iii).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Office of the Inspector General Studies and Reports
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A)
"(i) A comparison, with respect to the 200 most frequently dispensed covered part D drugs under such program and covered outpatient drugs under such title (as determined by the Inspector General based on volume and expenditures), of—
"(I) the prices paid for covered part D drugs by PDP sponsors of prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage organizations offering MA–PD plans; and
"(II) the prices paid for covered outpatient drugs by a State plan under title XIX.
"(ii) An assessment of—
"(I) the financial impact of any discrepancies in such prices on the Federal Government; and
"(II) the financial impact of any such discrepancies on enrollees under part D or individuals eligible for medical assistance under a State plan under title XIX.
"(B)
"(C)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C) MA–PD
"(D)
"(E) PDP
"(F)
Submission of Legislative Proposal
Study on Transitioning Part B Prescription Drug Coverage
Report on Progress in Implementation of Prescription Drug Benefit
State Pharmaceutical Assistance Transition Commission
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(b)
"(1) A representative of each Governor of each State that the Secretary [of Health and Human Services] identifies as operating on a statewide basis a State pharmaceutical assistance program that provides for eligibility and benefits that are comparable or more generous than the low-income assistance eligibility and benefits offered under section 1860D–14 of the Social Security Act [
"(2) Representatives from other States that the Secretary identifies have in operation other State pharmaceutical assistance programs, as appointed by the Secretary.
"(3) Representatives of organizations that have an inherent interest in program participants or the program itself, as appointed by the Secretary but not to exceed the number of representatives under paragraphs (1) and (2).
"(4) Representatives of Medicare Advantage organizations, pharmaceutical benefit managers, and other private health insurance plans, as appointed by the Secretary.
"(5) The Secretary (or the Secretary's designee) and such other members as the Secretary may specify.
The Secretary shall designate a member to serve as Chair of the Commission and the Commission shall meet at the call of the Chair.
"(c)
"(1) Protection of the interests of program participants in a manner that is the least disruptive to such participants and that includes a single point of contact for enrollment and processing of benefits.
"(2) Protection of the financial and flexibility interests of States so that States are not financially worse off as a result of the enactment of this title [see Tables for classification].
"(3) Principles of medicare modernization under this Act [see Tables for classification].
"(d)
"(e)
"(f)
Conflict of Interest Study
"(a)
"(1) An assessment of the differences in costs incurred by such enrollees and plans for prescription drugs dispensed by mail-order pharmacies owned by pharmaceutical benefit managers compared to mail-order pharmacies not owned by pharmaceutical benefit managers, and community pharmacies.
"(2) Whether such plans are acting in a manner that maximizes competition and results in lower prescription drug prices for enrollees.
"(b)
"(c)
1 So in original. The closing parenthesis probably should not appear.
§1395w–102. Prescription drug benefits
(a) Requirements
(1) In general
For purposes of this part and part C of this subchapter, the term "qualified prescription drug coverage" means either of the following:
(A) Standard prescription drug coverage with access to negotiated prices
Standard prescription drug coverage (as defined in subsection (b) of this section) and access to negotiated prices under subsection (d) of this section.
(B) Alternative prescription drug coverage with at least actuarially equivalent benefits and access to negotiated prices
Coverage of covered part D drugs which meets the alternative prescription drug coverage requirements of subsection (c) of this section and access to negotiated prices under subsection (d) of this section, but only if the benefit design of such coverage is approved by the Secretary, as provided under subsection (c) of this section.
(2) Permitting supplemental prescription drug coverage
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), qualified prescription drug coverage may include supplemental prescription drug coverage consisting of either or both of the following:
(i) Certain reductions in cost-sharing
(I) In general
A reduction in the annual deductible, a reduction in the coinsurance percentage, or an increase in the initial coverage limit with respect to covered part D drugs, or any combination thereof, insofar as such a reduction or increase increases the actuarial value of benefits above the actuarial value of basic prescription drug coverage.
(II) Construction
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as affecting the application of subsection (c)(3) of this section.
(ii) Optional drugs
Coverage of any product that would be a covered part D drug but for the application of subsection (e)(2)(A) of this section.
(B) Requirement
A PDP sponsor may not offer a prescription drug plan that provides supplemental prescription drug coverage pursuant to subparagraph (A) in an area unless the sponsor also offers a prescription drug plan in the area that only provides basic prescription drug coverage.
(3) Basic prescription drug coverage
For purposes of this part and part C of this subchapter, the term "basic prescription drug coverage" means either of the following:
(A) Coverage that meets the requirements of paragraph (1)(A).
(B) Coverage that meets the requirements of paragraph (1)(B) but does not have any supplemental prescription drug coverage described in paragraph (2)(A).
(4) Application of secondary payor provisions
The provisions of
(5) Construction
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as changing the computation of incurred costs under subsection (b)(4) of this section.
(b) Standard prescription drug coverage
For purposes of this part and part C of this subchapter, the term "standard prescription drug coverage" means coverage of covered part D drugs that meets the following requirements:
(1) Deductible
(A) In general
The coverage has an annual deductible—
(i) for 2006, that is equal to $250; or
(ii) for a subsequent year, that is equal to the amount specified under this paragraph for the previous year increased by the percentage specified in paragraph (6) for the year involved.
(B) Rounding
Any amount determined under subparagraph (A)(ii) that is not a multiple of $5 shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $5.
(2) Benefit structure
(A) 25 percent coinsurance
Subject to subparagraphs (C) and (D), the coverage has coinsurance (for costs above the annual deductible specified in paragraph (1) and up to the initial coverage limit under paragraph (3)) that is—
(i) equal to 25 percent; or
(ii) actuarially equivalent (using processes and methods established under
(B) Use of tiers
Nothing in this part shall be construed as preventing a PDP sponsor or an MA organization from applying tiered copayments under a plan, so long as such tiered copayments are consistent with subparagraphs (A)(ii), (C), and (D).
(C) Coverage for generic drugs in coverage gap
(i) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (4), the coverage for an applicable beneficiary (as defined in
(I) equal to the generic-gap coinsurance percentage (specified in clause (ii)) for the year; or
(II) actuarially equivalent (using processes and methods established under
(ii) Generic-gap coinsurance percentage
The generic-gap coinsurance percentage specified in this clause for—
(I) 2011 is 93 percent;
(II) 2012 and each succeeding year before 2020 is the generic-gap coinsurance percentage under this clause for the previous year decreased by 7 percentage points; and
(III) 2020 and each subsequent year is 25 percent.
(D) Coverage for applicable drugs in coverage gap
(i) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (4), the coverage for an applicable beneficiary (as defined in
(I) equal to the difference between the applicable gap percentage (specified in clause (ii) for the year) and the discount percentage specified in
(II) actuarially equivalent (using processes and methods established under
(ii) Applicable gap percentage
The applicable gap percentage specified in this clause for—
(I) 2013 and 2014 is 97.5 percent;
(II) 2015 and 2016 is 95 percent;
(III) 2017 is 90 percent;
(IV) 2018 is 85 percent;
(V) 2019 is 80 percent; and
(VI) 2020 and each subsequent year is 75 percent.
(3) Initial coverage limit
(A) In general
Except as provided in paragraphs (2)(C), (2)(D), and (4), the coverage has an initial coverage limit on the maximum costs that may be recognized for payment purposes (including the annual deductible)—
(i) for 2006, that is equal to $2,250; or
(ii) for a subsequent year, that is equal to the amount specified in this paragraph for the previous year, increased by the annual percentage increase described in paragraph (6) for the year involved.
(B) Rounding
Any amount determined under subparagraph (A)(ii) that is not a multiple of $10 shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10.
(4) Protection against high out-of-pocket expenditures
(A) In general
(i) In general
The coverage provides benefits, after the part D eligible individual has incurred costs (as described in subparagraph (C)) for covered part D drugs in a year equal to the annual out-of-pocket threshold specified in subparagraph (B), with cost-sharing that is equal to the greater of—
(I) a copayment of $2 for a generic drug or a preferred drug that is a multiple source drug (as defined in
(II) coinsurance that is equal to 5 percent.
(ii) Adjustment of amount
For a year after 2006, the dollar amounts specified in clause (i)(I) shall be equal to the dollar amounts specified in this subparagraph for the previous year, increased by the annual percentage increase described in paragraph (6) for the year involved. Any amount established under this clause that is not a multiple of a 5 cents shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of 5 cents.
(B) Annual out-of-pocket threshold
(i) In general
For purposes of this part, the "annual out-of-pocket threshold" specified in this subparagraph—
(I) for 2006, is equal to $3,600;
(II) for each of years 2007 through 2013, is equal to the amount specified in this subparagraph for the previous year, increased by the annual percentage increase described in paragraph (6) for the year involved;
(III) for 2014 and 2015, is equal to the amount specified in this subparagraph for the previous year, increased by the annual percentage increase described in paragraph (6) for the year involved, minus 0.25 percentage point;
(IV) for each of years 2016 through 2019, is equal to the amount specified in this subparagraph for the previous year, increased by the lesser of—
(aa) the annual percentage increase described in paragraph (7) for the year involved, plus 2 percentage points; or
(bb) the annual percentage increase described in paragraph (6) for the year;
(V) for 2020, is equal to the amount that would have been applied under this subparagraph for 2020 if the amendments made by section 1101(d)(1) of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 had not been enacted; or
(VI) for a subsequent year, is equal to the amount specified in this subparagraph for the previous year, increased by the annual percentage increase described in paragraph (6) for the year involved.
(ii) Rounding
Any amount determined under clause (i)(II) that is not a multiple of $50 shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $50.
(C) Application
Except as provided in subparagraph (E), in applying subparagraph (A)—
(i) incurred costs shall only include costs incurred with respect to covered part D drugs for the annual deductible described in paragraph (1), for cost-sharing described in paragraph (2), and for amounts for which benefits are not provided because of the application of the initial coverage limit described in paragraph (3), but does not include any costs incurred for covered part D drugs which are not included (or treated as being included) in the plan's formulary;
(ii) subject to clause (iii), such costs shall be treated as incurred only if they are paid by the part D eligible individual (or by another person, such as a family member, on behalf of the individual) and the part D eligible individual (or other person) is not reimbursed through insurance or otherwise, a group health plan, or other third-party payment arrangement (other than under such section or such a Program) for such costs; and
(iii) such costs shall be treated as incurred and shall not be considered to be reimbursed under clause (ii) if such costs are borne or paid—
(I) under
(II) under a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program;
(III) by the Indian Health Service, an Indian tribe or tribal organization, or an urban Indian organization (as defined in
(IV) under an AIDS Drug Assistance Program under part B of title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act [
(D) Information regarding third-party reimbursement
(i) Procedures for exchanging information
In order to accurately apply the requirements of subparagraph (C)(ii), the Secretary is authorized to establish procedures, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Labor—
(I) for determining whether costs for part D eligible individuals are being reimbursed through insurance or otherwise, a group health plan, or other third-party payment arrangement; and
(II) for alerting the PDP sponsors and MA organizations that offer the prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans in which such individuals are enrolled about such reimbursement arrangements.
(ii) Authority to request information from enrollees
A PDP sponsor or an MA organization may periodically ask part D eligible individuals enrolled in a prescription drug plan or an MA–PD plan offered by the sponsor or organization whether such individuals have or expect to receive such third-party reimbursement. A material misrepresentation of the information described in the preceding sentence by an individual (as defined in standards set by the Secretary and determined through a process established by the Secretary) shall constitute grounds for termination of enrollment in any plan under
(E) Inclusion of costs of applicable drugs under medicare coverage gap discount program
In applying subparagraph (A), incurred costs shall include the negotiated price (as defined in paragraph (6) of
(5) Construction
Nothing in this part shall be construed as preventing a PDP sponsor or an MA organization offering an MA–PD plan from reducing to zero the cost-sharing otherwise applicable to preferred or generic drugs.
(6) Annual percentage increase
The annual percentage increase specified in this paragraph for a year is equal to the annual percentage increase in average per capita aggregate expenditures for covered part D drugs in the United States for part D eligible individuals, as determined by the Secretary for the 12-month period ending in July of the previous year using such methods as the Secretary shall specify.
(7) Additional annual percentage increase
The annual percentage increase specified in this paragraph for a year is equal to the annual percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (United States city average) for the 12-month period ending in July of the previous year.
(c) Alternative prescription drug coverage requirements
A prescription drug plan or an MA–PD plan may provide a different prescription drug benefit design from standard prescription drug coverage so long as the Secretary determines (consistent with
(1) Assuring at least actuarially equivalent coverage
(A) Assuring equivalent value of total coverage
The actuarial value of the total coverage is at least equal to the actuarial value of standard prescription drug coverage.
(B) Assuring equivalent unsubsidized value of coverage
The unsubsidized value of the coverage is at least equal to the unsubsidized value of standard prescription drug coverage. For purposes of this subparagraph, the unsubsidized value of coverage is the amount by which the actuarial value of the coverage exceeds the actuarial value of the subsidy payments under
(C) Assuring standard payment for costs at initial coverage limit
The coverage is designed, based upon an actuarially representative pattern of utilization, to provide for the payment, with respect to costs incurred that are equal to the initial coverage limit under subsection (b)(3) of this section for the year, of an amount equal to at least the product of—
(i) the amount by which the initial coverage limit described in subsection (b)(3) of this section for the year exceeds the deductible described in subsection (b)(1) of this section for the year; and
(ii) 100 percent minus the coinsurance percentage specified in subsection (b)(2)(A)(i) of this section.
(2) Maximum required deductible
The deductible under the coverage shall not exceed the deductible amount specified under subsection (b)(1) of this section for the year.
(3) Same protection against high out-of-pocket expenditures
The coverage provides the coverage required under subsection (b)(4) of this section.
(d) Access to negotiated prices
(1) Access
(A) In general
Under qualified prescription drug coverage offered by a PDP sponsor offering a prescription drug plan or an MA organization offering an MA–PD plan, the sponsor or organization shall provide enrollees with access to negotiated prices used for payment for covered part D drugs, regardless of the fact that no benefits may be payable under the coverage with respect to such drugs because of the application of a deductible or other cost-sharing or an initial coverage limit (described in subsection (b)(3) of this section).
(B) Negotiated prices
For purposes of this part, negotiated prices shall take into account negotiated price concessions, such as discounts, direct or indirect subsidies, rebates, and direct or indirect remunerations, for covered part D drugs, and include any dispensing fees for such drugs.
(C) Medicaid-related provisions
The prices negotiated by a prescription drug plan, by an MA–PD plan with respect to covered part D drugs, or by a qualified retiree prescription drug plan (as defined in
(2) Disclosure
A PDP sponsor offering a prescription drug plan or an MA organization offering an MA–PD plan shall disclose to the Secretary (in a manner specified by the Secretary) the aggregate negotiated price concessions described in paragraph (1)(B) made available to the sponsor or organization by a manufacturer which are passed through in the form of lower subsidies, lower monthly beneficiary prescription drug premiums, and lower prices through pharmacies and other dispensers. The provisions of
(3) Audits
To protect against fraud and abuse and to ensure proper disclosures and accounting under this part and in accordance with
(e) Covered part D drug defined
(1) In general
Except as provided in this subsection, for purposes of this part, the term "covered part D drug" means—
(A) a drug that may be dispensed only upon a prescription and that is described in subparagraph (A)(i), (A)(ii), or (A)(iii) of
(B) a biological product described in clauses (i) through (iii) of subparagraph (B) of such section or insulin described in subparagraph (C) of such section and medical supplies associated with the injection of insulin (as defined in regulations of the Secretary),
and such term includes a vaccine licensed under
(2) Exclusions
(A) In general
Such term does not include drugs or classes of drugs, or their medical uses, which may be excluded from coverage or otherwise restricted under
(B) Medicare covered drugs
A drug prescribed for a part D eligible individual that would otherwise be a covered part D drug under this part shall not be so considered if payment for such drug as so prescribed and dispensed or administered with respect to that individual is available (or would be available but for the application of a deductible) under part A or B of this subchapter for that individual.
(3) Application of general exclusion provisions
A prescription drug plan or an MA–PD plan may exclude from qualified prescription drug coverage any covered part D drug—
(A) for which payment would not be made if
(B) which is not prescribed in accordance with the plan or this part.
Such exclusions are determinations subject to reconsideration and appeal pursuant to subsections (g) and (h), respectively, of
(4) Medically accepted indication defined
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (1), the term "medically accepted indication" has the meaning given that term—
(i) in the case of a covered part D drug used in an anticancer chemotherapeutic regimen, in
(I) "prescription drug plan or MA–PD plan" shall be substituted for "carrier" each place it appears; and
(II) subject to subparagraph (B), the compendia described in
(ii) in the case of any other covered part D drug, in
(B) Conflict of interest
On and after January 1, 2010, subparagraph (A)(i)(II) shall not apply unless the compendia described in
(C) Update
For purposes of applying subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary shall revise the list of compendia described in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–2, as added
References in Text
Part C of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1), (3), (4) and (b), is classified to
Section 1101(d)(1) of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, referred to in subsec. (b)(4)(B)(i)(V), is section 1101(d)(1) of
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(4)(C)(iii)(IV), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373,
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (e)(2)(B), are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(2)(C), (D).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B)(i)(II) to (VI).
Subsec. (b)(4)(C).
Subsec. (b)(4)(E).
Subsec. (b)(7).
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph, there shall be no change in the premiums, bids, or any other parameters under this part or part C;
"(ii) costs that would be treated as incurred costs for purposes of applying paragraph (4) but for the application of subparagraph (A) shall continue to be treated as incurred costs;
"(iii) the Secretary shall establish procedures, which may include a reconciliation process, to fully reimburse PDP sponsors with respect to prescription drug plans and MA organizations with respect to MA–PD plans for the reduction in beneficiary cost sharing associated with the application of subparagraph (A);
"(iv) the Secretary shall develop an estimate of the additional increased costs attributable to the application of this paragraph for increased drug utilization and financing and administrative costs and shall use such estimate to adjust payments to PDP sponsors with respect to prescription drug plans under this part and MA organizations with respect to MA–PD plans under part C; and
"(v) the Secretary shall establish procedures for retroactive reimbursement of part D eligible individuals who are covered under such a plan for costs which are incurred before the date of initial implementation of subparagraph (A) and which would be reimbursed under such a plan if such implementation occurred as of January 1, 2010.
"(C)
See Construction of 2010 Amendment note below.
2008—Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(4).
2006—Subsec. (e)(1).
2005—Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
Construction of 2010 Amendment
Construction
Payment for Administration of Part D Vaccines in 2007
1 So in original. Probably should be "meet".
§1395w–103. Access to a choice of qualified prescription drug coverage
(a) Assuring access to a choice of coverage
(1) Choice of at least two plans in each area
The Secretary shall ensure that each part D eligible individual has available, consistent with paragraph (2), a choice of enrollment in at least 2 qualifying plans (as defined in paragraph (3)) in the area in which the individual resides, at least one of which is a prescription drug plan. In any such case in which such plans are not available, the part D eligible individual shall be given the opportunity to enroll in a fallback prescription drug plan.
(2) Requirement for different plan sponsors
The requirement in paragraph (1) is not satisfied with respect to an area if only one entity offers all the qualifying plans in the area.
(3) Qualifying plan defined
For purposes of this section, the term "qualifying plan" means—
(A) a prescription drug plan; or
(B) an MA–PD plan described in
(i) basic prescription drug coverage; or
(ii) qualified prescription drug coverage that provides supplemental prescription drug coverage so long as there is no MA monthly supplemental beneficiary premium applied under the plan, due to the application of a credit against such premium of a rebate under
(b) Flexibility in risk assumed and application of fallback plan
In order to ensure access pursuant to subsection (a) of this section in an area—
(1) the Secretary may approve limited risk plans under
(2) only if such access is still not provided in the area after applying paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide for the offering of a fallback prescription drug plan for that area under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–3, as added
§1395w–104. Beneficiary protections for qualified prescription drug coverage
(a) Dissemination of information
(1) General information
(A) Application of MA information
A PDP sponsor shall disclose, in a clear, accurate, and standardized form to each enrollee with a prescription drug plan offered by the sponsor under this part at the time of enrollment and at least annually thereafter, the information described in
(B) Drug specific information
The information described in this subparagraph is information concerning the following:
(i) Access to specific covered part D drugs, including access through pharmacy networks.
(ii) How any formulary (including any tiered formulary structure) used by the sponsor functions, including a description of how a part D eligible individual may obtain information on the formulary consistent with paragraph (3).
(iii) Beneficiary cost-sharing requirements and how a part D eligible individual may obtain information on such requirements, including tiered or other copayment level applicable to each drug (or class of drugs), consistent with paragraph (3).
(iv) The medication therapy management program required under subsection (c) of this section.
(2) Disclosure upon request of general coverage, utilization, and grievance information
Upon request of a part D eligible individual who is eligible to enroll in a prescription drug plan, the PDP sponsor offering such plan shall provide information similar (as determined by the Secretary) to the information described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of
(3) Provision of specific information
(A) Response to beneficiary questions
Each PDP sponsor offering a prescription drug plan shall have a mechanism for providing specific information on a timely basis to enrollees upon request. Such mechanism shall include access to information through the use of a toll-free telephone number and, upon request, the provision of such information in writing.
(B) Availability of information on changes in formulary through the Internet
A PDP sponsor offering a prescription drug plan shall make available on a timely basis through an Internet website information on specific changes in the formulary under the plan (including changes to tiered or preferred status of covered part D drugs).
(4) Claims information
A PDP sponsor offering a prescription drug plan must furnish to each enrollee in a form easily understandable to such enrollees—
(A) an explanation of benefits (in accordance with
(B) when prescription drug benefits are provided under this part, a notice of the benefits in relation to—
(i) the initial coverage limit for the current year; and
(ii) the annual out-of-pocket threshold for the current year.
Notices under subparagraph (B) need not be provided more often than as specified by the Secretary and notices under subparagraph (B)(ii) shall take into account the application of
(b) Access to covered part D drugs
(1) Assuring pharmacy access
(A) Participation of any willing pharmacy
A prescription drug plan shall permit the participation of any pharmacy that meets the terms and conditions under the plan.
(B) Discounts allowed for network pharmacies
For covered part D drugs dispensed through in-network pharmacies, a prescription drug plan may, notwithstanding subparagraph (A), reduce coinsurance or copayments for part D eligible individuals enrolled in the plan below the level otherwise required. In no case shall such a reduction result in an increase in payments made by the Secretary under
(C) Convenient access for network pharmacies
(i) In general
The PDP sponsor of the prescription drug plan shall secure the participation in its network of a sufficient number of pharmacies that dispense (other than by mail order) drugs directly to patients to ensure convenient access (consistent with rules established by the Secretary).
(ii) Application of TRICARE standards
The Secretary shall establish rules for convenient access to in-network pharmacies under this subparagraph that are no less favorable to enrollees than the rules for convenient access to pharmacies included in the statement of work of solicitation (#MDA906–03–R–0002) of the Department of Defense under the TRICARE Retail Pharmacy (TRRx) as of March 13, 2003.
(iii) Adequate emergency access
Such rules shall include adequate emergency access for enrollees.
(iv) Convenient access in long-term care facilities
Such rules may include standards with respect to access for enrollees who are residing in long-term care facilities and for pharmacies operated by the Indian Health Service, Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations (as defined in
(D) Level playing field
Such a sponsor shall permit enrollees to receive benefits (which may include a 90-day supply of drugs or biologicals) through a pharmacy (other than a mail order pharmacy), with any differential in charge paid by such enrollees.
(E) Not required to accept insurance risk
The terms and conditions under subparagraph (A) may not require participating pharmacies to accept insurance risk as a condition of participation.
(2) Use of standardized technology
(A) In general
The PDP sponsor of a prescription drug plan shall issue (and reissue, as appropriate) such a card (or other technology) that may be used by an enrollee to assure access to negotiated prices under
(B) Standards
(i) In general
The Secretary shall provide for the development, adoption, or recognition of standards relating to a standardized format for the card or other technology required under subparagraph (A). Such standards shall be compatible with part C of subchapter XI of this chapter and may be based on standards developed by an appropriate standard setting organization.
(ii) Consultation
In developing the standards under clause (i), the Secretary shall consult with the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs and other standard setting organizations determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(iii) Implementation
The Secretary shall develop, adopt, or recognize the standards under clause (i) by such date as the Secretary determines shall be sufficient to ensure that PDP sponsors utilize such standards beginning January 1, 2006.
(3) Requirements on development and application of formularies
If a PDP sponsor of a prescription drug plan uses a formulary (including the use of tiered cost-sharing), the following requirements must be met:
(A) Development and revision by a pharmacy and therapeutic (P&T) committee
(i) In general
The formulary must be developed and reviewed by a pharmacy and therapeutic committee. A majority of the members of such committee shall consist of individuals who are practicing physicians or practicing pharmacists (or both).
(ii) Inclusion of independent experts
Such committee shall include at least one practicing physician and at least one practicing pharmacist, each of whom—
(I) is independent and free of conflict with respect to the sponsor and plan; and
(II) has expertise in the care of elderly or disabled persons.
(B) Formulary development
In developing and reviewing the formulary, the committee shall—
(i) base clinical decisions on the strength of scientific evidence and standards of practice, including assessing peer-reviewed medical literature, such as randomized clinical trials, pharmacoeconomic studies, outcomes research data, and on such other information as the committee determines to be appropriate; and
(ii) take into account whether including in the formulary (or in a tier in such formulary) particular covered part D drugs has therapeutic advantages in terms of safety and efficacy.
(C) Inclusion of drugs in all therapeutic categories and classes
(i) In general
Subject to subparagraph (G), the formulary must include drugs within each therapeutic category and class of covered part D drugs, although not necessarily all drugs within such categories and classes.
(ii) Model guidelines
The Secretary shall request the United States Pharmacopeia to develop, in consultation with pharmaceutical benefit managers and other interested parties, a list of categories and classes that may be used by prescription drug plans under this paragraph and to revise such classification from time to time to reflect changes in therapeutic uses of covered part D drugs and the additions of new covered part D drugs.
(iii) Limitation on changes in therapeutic classification
The PDP sponsor of a prescription drug plan may not change the therapeutic categories and classes in a formulary other than at the beginning of each plan year except as the Secretary may permit to take into account new therapeutic uses and newly approved covered part D drugs.
(D) Provider and patient education
The PDP sponsor shall establish policies and procedures to educate and inform health care providers and enrollees concerning the formulary.
(E) Notice before removing drug from formulary or changing preferred or tier status of drug
Any removal of a covered part D drug from a formulary and any change in the preferred or tiered cost-sharing status of such a drug shall take effect only after appropriate notice is made available (such as under subsection (a)(3) of this section) to the Secretary, affected enrollees, physicians, pharmacies, and pharmacists.
(F) Periodic evaluation of protocols
In connection with the formulary, the sponsor of a prescription drug plan shall provide for the periodic evaluation and analysis of treatment protocols and procedures.
(G) Required inclusion of drugs in certain categories and classes
(i) Formulary requirements
(I) In general
Subject to subclause (II), a PDP sponsor offering a prescription drug plan shall be required to include all covered part D drugs in the categories and classes identified by the Secretary under clause (ii)(I).
(II) Exceptions
The Secretary may establish exceptions that permit a PDP sponsor offering a prescription drug plan to exclude from its formulary a particular covered part D drug in a category or class that is otherwise required to be included in the formulary under subclause (I) (or to otherwise limit access to such a drug, including through prior authorization or utilization management).
(ii) Identification of drugs in certain categories and classes
(I) In general
Subject to clause (iv), the Secretary shall identify, as appropriate, categories and classes of drugs for which the Secretary determines are of clinical concern.
(II) Criteria
The Secretary shall use criteria established by the Secretary in making any determination under subclause (I).
(iii) Implementation
The Secretary shall establish the criteria under clause (ii)(II) and any exceptions under clause (i)(II) through the promulgation of a regulation which includes a public notice and comment period.
(iv) Requirement for certain categories and classes until criteria established
Until such time as the Secretary establishes the criteria under clause (ii)(II) the following categories and classes of drugs shall be identified under clause (ii)(I):
(I) Anticonvulsants.
(II) Antidepressants.
(III) Antineoplastics.
(IV) Antipsychotics.
(V) Antiretrovirals.
(VI) Immunosuppressants for the treatment of transplant rejection.
(H) Use of single, uniform exceptions and appeals process
Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, each PDP sponsor of a prescription drug plan shall—
(i) use a single, uniform exceptions and appeals process (including, to the extent the Secretary determines feasible, a single, uniform model form for use under such process) with respect to the determination of prescription drug coverage for an enrollee under the plan; and
(ii) provide instant access to such process by enrollees through a toll-free telephone number and an Internet website.
(c) Cost and utilization management; quality assurance; medication therapy management program
(1) In general
The PDP sponsor shall have in place, directly or through appropriate arrangements, with respect to covered part D drugs, the following:
(A) A cost-effective drug utilization management program, including incentives to reduce costs when medically appropriate, such as through the use of multiple source drugs (as defined in
(B) Quality assurance measures and systems to reduce medication errors and adverse drug interactions and improve medication use.
(C) A medication therapy management program described in paragraph (2).
(D) A program to control fraud, abuse, and waste.
Nothing in this section shall be construed as impairing a PDP sponsor from utilizing cost management tools (including differential payments) under all methods of operation.
(2) Medication therapy management program
(A) Description
(i) In general
A medication therapy management program described in this paragraph is a program of drug therapy management that may be furnished by a pharmacist and that is designed to assure, with respect to targeted beneficiaries described in clause (ii), that covered part D drugs under the prescription drug plan are appropriately used to optimize therapeutic outcomes through improved medication use, and to reduce the risk of adverse events, including adverse drug interactions. Such a program may distinguish between services in ambulatory and institutional settings.
(ii) Targeted beneficiaries described
Targeted beneficiaries described in this clause are part D eligible individuals who—
(I) have multiple chronic diseases (such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and congestive heart failure);
(II) are taking multiple covered part D drugs; and
(III) are identified as likely to incur annual costs for covered part D drugs that exceed a level specified by the Secretary.
(B) Elements
Such program may include elements that promote—
(i) enhanced enrollee understanding to promote the appropriate use of medications by enrollees and to reduce the risk of potential adverse events associated with medications, through beneficiary education, counseling, and other appropriate means;
(ii) increased enrollee adherence with prescription medication regimens through medication refill reminders, special packaging, and other compliance programs and other appropriate means; and
(iii) detection of adverse drug events and patterns of overuse and underuse of prescription drugs.
(C) Required interventions
For plan years beginning on or after the date that is 2 years after March 23, 2010, prescription drug plan sponsors shall offer medication therapy management services to targeted beneficiaries described in subparagraph (A)(ii) that include, at a minimum, the following to increase adherence to prescription medications or other goals deemed necessary by the Secretary:
(i) An annual comprehensive medication review furnished person-to-person or using telehealth technologies (as defined by the Secretary) by a licensed pharmacist or other qualified provider. The comprehensive medication review—
(I) shall include a review of the individual's medications and may result in the creation of a recommended medication action plan or other actions in consultation with the individual and with input from the prescriber to the extent necessary and practicable; and
(II) shall include providing the individual with a written or printed summary of the results of the review.
The Secretary, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall develop a standardized format for the action plan under subclause (I) and the summary under subclause (II).
(ii) Follow-up interventions as warranted based on the findings of the annual medication review or the targeted medication enrollment and which may be provided person-to-person or using telehealth technologies (as defined by the Secretary).
(D) Assessment
The prescription drug plan sponsor shall have in place a process to assess, at least on a quarterly basis, the medication use of individuals who are at risk but not enrolled in the medication therapy management program, including individuals who have experienced a transition in care, if the prescription drug plan sponsor has access to that information.
(E) 1 Automatic enrollment with ability to opt-out
The prescription drug plan sponsor shall have in place a process to—
(i) subject to clause (ii), automatically enroll targeted beneficiaries described in subparagraph (A)(ii), including beneficiaries identified under subparagraph (D), in the medication therapy management program required under this subsection; and
(ii) permit such beneficiaries to opt-out of enrollment in such program.
(E) 1 Development of program in cooperation with licensed pharmacists
Such program shall be developed in cooperation with licensed and practicing pharmacists and physicians.
(F) Coordination with care management plans
The Secretary shall establish guidelines for the coordination of any medication therapy management program under this paragraph with respect to a targeted beneficiary with any care management plan established with respect to such beneficiary under a chronic care improvement program under
(G) Considerations in pharmacy fees
The PDP sponsor of a prescription drug plan shall take into account, in establishing fees for pharmacists and others providing services under such plan, the resources used, and time required to, implement the medication therapy management program under this paragraph. Each such sponsor shall disclose to the Secretary upon request the amount of any such management or dispensing fees. The provisions of
(3) Reducing wasteful dispensing of outpatient prescription drugs in long-term care facilities
The Secretary shall require PDP sponsors of prescription drug plans to utilize specific, uniform dispensing techniques, as determined by the Secretary, in consultation with relevant stakeholders (including representatives of nursing facilities, residents of nursing facilities, pharmacists, the pharmacy industry (including retail and long-term care pharmacy), prescription drug plans, MA–PD plans, and any other stakeholders the Secretary determines appropriate), such as weekly, daily, or automated dose dispensing, when dispensing covered part D drugs to enrollees who reside in a long-term care facility in order to reduce waste associated with 30-day fills.
(d) Consumer satisfaction surveys
In order to provide for comparative information under
(e) Electronic prescription program
(1) Application of standards
As of such date as the Secretary may specify, but not later than 1 year after the date of promulgation of final standards under paragraph (4)(D), prescriptions and other information described in paragraph (2)(A) for covered part D drugs prescribed for part D eligible individuals that are transmitted electronically shall be transmitted only in accordance with such standards under an electronic prescription drug program that meets the requirements of paragraph (2).
(2) Program requirements
Consistent with uniform standards established under paragraph (3)—
(A) Provision of information to prescribing health care professional and dispensing pharmacies and pharmacists
An electronic prescription drug program shall provide for the electronic transmittal to the prescribing health care professional and to the dispensing pharmacy and pharmacist of the prescription and information on eligibility and benefits (including the drugs included in the applicable formulary, any tiered formulary structure, and any requirements for prior authorization) and of the following information with respect to the prescribing and dispensing of a covered part D drug:
(i) Information on the drug being prescribed or dispensed and other drugs listed on the medication history, including information on drug-drug interactions, warnings or cautions, and, when indicated, dosage adjustments.
(ii) Information on the availability of lower cost, therapeutically appropriate alternatives (if any) for the drug prescribed.
(B) Application to medical history information
Effective on and after such date as the Secretary specifies and after the establishment of appropriate standards to carry out this subparagraph, the program shall provide for the electronic transmittal in a manner similar to the manner under subparagraph (A) of information that relates to the medical history concerning the individual and related to a covered part D drug being prescribed or dispensed, upon request of the professional or pharmacist involved.
(C) Limitations
Information shall only be disclosed under subparagraph (A) or (B) if the disclosure of such information is permitted under the Federal regulations (concerning the privacy of individually identifiable health information) promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
(D) Timing
To the extent feasible, the information exchanged under this paragraph shall be on an interactive, real-time basis.
(3) Standards
(A) In general
The Secretary shall provide consistent with this subsection for the promulgation of uniform standards relating to the requirements for electronic prescription drug programs under paragraph (2).
(B) Objectives
Such standards shall be consistent with the objectives of improving—
(i) patient safety;
(ii) the quality of care provided to patients; and
(iii) efficiencies, including cost savings, in the delivery of care.
(C) Design criteria
Such standards shall—
(i) be designed so that, to the extent practicable, the standards do not impose an undue administrative burden on prescribing health care professionals and dispensing pharmacies and pharmacists;
(ii) be compatible with standards established under part C of subchapter XI of this chapter, standards established under subsection (b)(2)(B)(i) of this section, and with general health information technology standards; and
(iii) be designed so that they permit electronic exchange of drug labeling and drug listing information maintained by the Food and Drug Administration and the National Library of Medicine.
(D) Permitting use of appropriate messaging
Such standards shall allow for the messaging of information only if it relates to the appropriate prescribing of drugs, including quality assurance measures and systems referred to in subsection (c)(1)(B) of this section.
(E) Permitting patient designation of dispensing pharmacy
(i) In general
Consistent with clause (ii), such standards shall permit a part D eligible individual to designate a particular pharmacy to dispense a prescribed drug.
(ii) No change in benefits
Clause (i) shall not be construed as affecting—
(I) the access required to be provided to pharmacies by a prescription drug plan; or
(II) the application of any differences in benefits or payments under such a plan based on the pharmacy dispensing a covered part D drug.
(4) Development, promulgation, and modification of standards
(A) Initial standards
Not later than September 1, 2005, the Secretary shall develop, adopt, recognize, or modify initial uniform standards relating to the requirements for electronic prescription drug programs described in paragraph (2) taking into consideration the recommendations (if any) from the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (as established under
(B) Role of NCVHS
The National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics shall develop recommendations for uniform standards relating to such requirements in consultation with the following:
(i) Standard setting organizations (as defined in
(ii) Practicing physicians.
(iii) Hospitals.
(iv) Pharmacies.
(v) Practicing pharmacists.
(vi) Pharmacy benefit managers.
(vii) State boards of pharmacy.
(viii) State boards of medicine.
(ix) Experts on electronic prescribing.
(x) Other appropriate Federal agencies.
(C) Pilot project to test initial standards
(i) In general
During the 1-year period that begins on January 1, 2006, the Secretary shall conduct a pilot project to test the initial standards developed under subparagraph (A) prior to the promulgation of the final uniform standards under subparagraph (D) in order to provide for the efficient implementation of the requirements described in paragraph (2).
(ii) Exception
Pilot testing of standards is not required under clause (i) where there already is adequate industry experience with such standards, as determined by the Secretary after consultation with effected standard setting organizations and industry users.
(iii) Voluntary participation of physicians and pharmacies
In order to conduct the pilot project under clause (i), the Secretary shall enter into agreements with physicians, physician groups, pharmacies, hospitals, PDP sponsors, MA organizations, and other appropriate entities under which health care professionals electronically transmit prescriptions to dispensing pharmacies and pharmacists in accordance with such standards.
(iv) Evaluation and report
(I) Evaluation
The Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the pilot project conducted under clause (i).
(II) Report to Congress
Not later than April 1, 2007, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the evaluation conducted under subclause (I).
(D) Final standards
Based upon the evaluation of the pilot project under subparagraph (C)(iv)(I) and not later than April 1, 2008, the Secretary shall promulgate uniform standards relating to the requirements described in paragraph (2).
(5) Relation to State laws
The standards promulgated under this subsection shall supersede any State law or regulation that—
(A) is contrary to the standards or restricts the ability to carry out this part; and
(B) pertains to the electronic transmission of medication history and of information on eligibility, benefits, and prescriptions with respect to covered part D drugs under this part.
(6) Establishment of safe harbor
The Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall promulgate regulations that provide for a safe harbor from sanctions under paragraphs (1) and (2) of
(A) in the case of a hospital, by the hospital to members of its medical staff;
(B) in the case of a group practice (as defined in
(C) in the case of a PDP sponsor or MA organization, by the sponsor or organization to pharmacists and pharmacies participating in the network of such sponsor or organization, and to prescribing health care professionals.
(f) Grievance mechanism
Each PDP sponsor shall provide meaningful procedures for hearing and resolving grievances between the sponsor (including any entity or individual through which the sponsor provides covered benefits) and enrollees with prescription drug plans of the sponsor under this part in accordance with
(g) Coverage determinations and reconsiderations
(1) Application of coverage determination and reconsideration provisions
A PDP sponsor shall meet the requirements of paragraphs (1) through (3) of
(2) Request for a determination for the treatment of tiered formulary drug
In the case of a prescription drug plan offered by a PDP sponsor that provides for tiered cost-sharing for drugs included within a formulary and provides lower cost-sharing for preferred drugs included within the formulary, a part D eligible individual who is enrolled in the plan may request an exception to the tiered cost-sharing structure. Under such an exception, a nonpreferred drug could be covered under the terms applicable for preferred drugs if the prescribing physician determines that the preferred drug for treatment of the same condition either would not be as effective for the individual or would have adverse effects for the individual or both. A PDP sponsor shall have an exceptions process under this paragraph consistent with guidelines established by the Secretary for making a determination with respect to such a request. Denial of such an exception shall be treated as a coverage denial for purposes of applying subsection (h) of this section.
(h) Appeals
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), a PDP sponsor shall meet the requirements of paragraphs (4) and (5) of
(2) Limitation in cases on nonformulary determinations
A part D eligible individual who is enrolled in a prescription drug plan offered by a PDP sponsor may appeal under paragraph (1) a determination not to provide for coverage of a covered part D drug that is not on the formulary under the plan only if the prescribing physician determines that all covered part D drugs on any tier of the formulary for treatment of the same condition would not be as effective for the individual as the nonformulary drug, would have adverse effects for the individual, or both.
(3) Treatment of nonformulary determinations
If a PDP sponsor determines that a plan provides coverage for a covered part D drug that is not on the formulary of the plan, the drug shall be treated as being included on the formulary for purposes of
(i) Privacy, confidentiality, and accuracy of enrollee records
The provisions of
(j) Treatment of accreditation
Subparagraph (A) of
(1) Subsection (b) of this section (relating to access to covered part D drugs).
(2) Subsection (c) of this section (including quality assurance and medication therapy management).
(3) Subsection (i) of this section (relating to confidentiality and accuracy of enrollee records).
(k) Public disclosure of pharmaceutical prices for equivalent drugs
(1) In general
A PDP sponsor offering a prescription drug plan shall provide that each pharmacy that dispenses a covered part D drug shall inform an enrollee of any differential between the price of the drug to the enrollee and the price of the lowest priced generic covered part D drug under the plan that is therapeutically equivalent and bioequivalent and available at such pharmacy.
(2) Timing of notice
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the information under paragraph (1) shall be provided at the time of purchase of the drug involved, or, in the case of dispensing by mail order, at the time of delivery of such drug.
(B) Waiver
The Secretary may waive subparagraph (A) in such circumstances as the Secretary may specify.
(l) Requirements with respect to sales and marketing activities
The following provisions shall apply to a PDP sponsor (and the agents, brokers, and other third parties representing such sponsor) in the same manner as such provisions apply to a Medicare Advantage organization (and the agents, brokers, and other third parties representing such organization):
(1) The prohibition under
(2) The requirement under
(3) The inclusion of the plan type in the plan name under
(4) The requirements regarding the appointment of agents and brokers and compliance with State information requests under subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–4, as added
References in Text
Part C of subchapter XI of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (b)(2)(B)(i) and (e)(3)(C)(ii), is classified to
Part C of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (d), (g)(1), and (h)(1), is classified to
Section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (e)(2)(C), is section 264(c) of
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(3)(G).
Subsec. (b)(3)(H).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C) to (G).
Subsec. (c)(3).
2008—Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(G).
Subsec. (l).
Subsec. (l)(2).
Subsec. (l)(3).
Subsec. (l)(4).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by section 103(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 103(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 103(d)(2) of
Rule of Construction
Grants to Physicians To Implement Electronic Prescription Drug Programs
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) give special consideration to physicians who serve a disproportionate number of medicare patients; and
"(B) give preference to physicians who serve a rural or underserved area.
"(3)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) For purchasing, leasing, and installing computer software and hardware, including handheld computer technologies.
"(B) Making upgrades and other improvements to existing computer software and hardware to enable e-prescribing.
"(C) Providing education and training to eligible physician staff on the use of technology to implement the electronic transmission of prescription and patient information.
"(3)
"(A) evaluate the project for which the grant is made; and
"(B) ensure that funding provided under the grant is expended only for the purposes for which it is made.
"(4)
"(5)
"(d)
1 So in original. Two subpars. (E) have been enacted.
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.
subpart 2—prescription drug plans; pdp sponsors; financing
§1395w–111. PDP regions; submission of bids; plan approval
(a) Establishment of PDP regions; service areas
(1) Coverage of entire PDP region
The service area for a prescription drug plan shall consist of an entire PDP region established under paragraph (2).
(2) Establishment of PDP regions
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish, and may revise, PDP regions in a manner that is consistent with the requirements for the establishment and revision of MA regions under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of
(B) Relation to MA regions
To the extent practicable, PDP regions shall be the same as MA regions under
(C) Authority for territories
The Secretary shall establish, and may revise, PDP regions for areas in States that are not within the 50 States or the District of Columbia.
(3) National plan
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing a prescription drug plan from being offered in more than one PDP region (including all PDP regions).
(b) Submission of bids, premiums, and related information
(1) In general
A PDP sponsor shall submit to the Secretary information described in paragraph (2) with respect to each prescription drug plan it offers. Such information shall be submitted at the same time and in a similar manner to the manner in which information described in paragraph (6) of
(2) Information described
The information described in this paragraph is information on the following:
(A) Coverage provided
The prescription drug coverage provided under the plan, including the deductible and other cost-sharing.
(B) Actuarial value
The actuarial value of the qualified prescription drug coverage in the region for a part D eligible individual with a national average risk profile for the factors described in
(C) Bid
Information on the bid, including an actuarial certification of—
(i) the basis for the actuarial value described in subparagraph (B) assumed in such bid;
(ii) the portion of such bid attributable to basic prescription drug coverage and, if applicable, the portion of such bid attributable to supplemental benefits;
(iii) assumptions regarding the reinsurance subsidy payments provided under
(iv) administrative expenses assumed in the bid.
(D) Service area
The service area for the plan.
(E) Level of risk assumed
(i) In general
Whether the PDP sponsor requires a modification of risk level under clause (ii) and, if so, the extent of such modification. Any such modification shall apply with respect to all prescription drug plans offered by a PDP sponsor in a PDP region. This subparagraph shall not apply to an MA–PD plan.
(ii) Risk levels described
A modification of risk level under this clause may consist of one or more of the following:
(I) Increase in Federal percentage assumed in initial risk corridor
An equal percentage point increase in the percents applied under subparagraphs (B)(i), (B)(ii)(I), (C)(i), and (C)(ii)(I) of
(II) Increase in Federal percentage assumed in second risk corridor
An equal percentage point increase in the percents applied under subparagraphs (B)(ii)(II) and (C)(ii)(II) of
(III) Decrease in size of risk corridors
A decrease in the threshold risk percentages specified in
(F) Additional information
Such other information as the Secretary may require to carry out this part.
(3) Paperwork reduction for offering of prescription drug plans nationally or in multi-region areas
The Secretary shall establish requirements for information submission under this subsection in a manner that promotes the offering of such plans in more than one PDP region (including all regions) through the filing of consolidated information.
(c) Actuarial valuation
(1) Processes
For purposes of this part, the Secretary shall establish processes and methods for determining the actuarial valuation of prescription drug coverage, including—
(A) an actuarial valuation of standard prescription drug coverage under
(B) actuarial valuations relating to alternative prescription drug coverage under
(C) an actuarial valuation of the reinsurance subsidy payments under
(D) the use of generally accepted actuarial principles and methodologies; and
(E) applying the same methodology for determinations of actuarial valuations under subparagraphs (A) and (B).
(2) Accounting for drug utilization
Such processes and methods for determining actuarial valuation shall take into account the effect that providing alternative prescription drug coverage (rather than standard prescription drug coverage) has on drug utilization.
(3) Responsibilities
(A) Plan responsibilities
PDP sponsors and MA organizations are responsible for the preparation and submission of actuarial valuations required under this part for prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans they offer.
(B) Use of outside actuaries
Under the processes and methods established under paragraph (1), PDP sponsors offering prescription drug plans and MA organizations offering MA–PD plans may use actuarial opinions certified by independent, qualified actuaries to establish actuarial values.
(d) Review of information and negotiation
(1) Review of information
The Secretary shall review the information filed under subsection (b) of this section for the purpose of conducting negotiations under paragraph (2).
(2) Negotiation regarding terms and conditions
Subject to subsection (i) of this section, in exercising the authority under paragraph (1), the Secretary—
(A) has the authority to negotiate the terms and conditions of the proposed bid submitted and other terms and conditions of a proposed plan; and
(B) has authority similar to the authority of the Director of the Office of Personnel Management with respect to health benefits plans under
(3) Rejection of bids
Paragraph (5)(C) of
(e) Approval of proposed plans
(1) In general
After review and negotiation under subsection (d) of this section, the Secretary shall approve or disapprove the prescription drug plan.
(2) Requirements for approval
The Secretary may approve a prescription drug plan only if the following requirements are met:
(A) Compliance with requirements
The plan and the PDP sponsor offering the plan comply with the requirements under this part, including the provision of qualified prescription drug coverage.
(B) Actuarial determinations
The Secretary determines that the plan and PDP sponsor meet the requirements under this part relating to actuarial determinations, including such requirements under
(C) Application of FEHBP standard
(i) In general
The Secretary determines that the portion of the bid submitted under subsection (b) of this section that is attributable to basic prescription drug coverage is supported by the actuarial bases provided under such subsection and reasonably and equitably reflects the revenue requirements (as used for purposes of
(ii) Supplemental coverage
The Secretary determines that the portion of the bid submitted under subsection (b) of this section that is attributable to supplemental prescription drug coverage pursuant to
(D) Plan design
(i) In general
The Secretary does not find that the design of the plan and its benefits (including any formulary and tiered formulary structure) are likely to substantially discourage enrollment by certain part D eligible individuals under the plan.
(ii) Use of categories and classes in formularies
The Secretary may not find that the design of categories and classes within a formulary violates clause (i) if such categories and classes are consistent with guidelines (if any) for such categories and classes established by the United States Pharmacopeia.
(f) Application of limited risk plans
(1) Conditions for approval of limited risk plans
The Secretary may only approve a limited risk plan (as defined in paragraph (4)(A)) for a PDP region if the access requirements under
(2) Rules
The following rules shall apply with respect to the approval of a limited risk plan in a PDP region:
(A) Limited exercise of authority
Only the minimum number of such plans may be approved in order to meet the access requirements under
(B) Maximizing assumption of risk
The Secretary shall provide priority in approval for those plans bearing the highest level of risk (as computed by the Secretary), but the Secretary may take into account the level of the bids submitted by such plans.
(C) No full underwriting for limited risk plans
In no case may the Secretary approve a limited risk plan under which the modification of risk level provides for no (or a de minimis) level of financial risk.
(3) Acceptance of all full risk contracts
There shall be no limit on the number of full risk plans that are approved under subsection (e) of this section.
(4) Risk-plans defined
For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Limited risk plan
The term "limited risk plan" means a prescription drug plan that provides basic prescription drug coverage and for which the PDP sponsor includes a modification of risk level described in subparagraph (E) of subsection (b)(2) of this section in its bid submitted for the plan under such subsection. Such term does not include a fallback prescription drug plan.
(B) Full risk plan
The term "full risk plan" means a prescription drug plan that is not a limited risk plan or a fallback prescription drug plan.
(g) Guaranteeing access to coverage
(1) Solicitation of bids
(A) In general
Separate from the bidding process under subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall provide for a process for the solicitation of bids from eligible fallback entities (as defined in paragraph (2)) for the offering in all fallback service areas (as defined in paragraph (3)) in one or more PDP regions of a fallback prescription drug plan (as defined in paragraph (4)) during the contract period specified in paragraph (5).
(B) Acceptance of bids
(i) In general
Except as provided in this subparagraph, the provisions of subsection (e) of this section shall apply with respect to the approval or disapproval of fallback prescription drug plans. The Secretary shall enter into contracts under this subsection with eligible fallback entities for the offering of fallback prescription drug plans so approved in fallback service areas.
(ii) Limitation of 1 plan for all fallback service areas in a PDP region
With respect to all fallback service areas in any PDP region for a contract period, the Secretary shall approve the offering of only 1 fallback prescription drug plan.
(iii) Competitive procedures
Competitive procedures (as defined in
(iv) Timing
The Secretary shall approve a fallback prescription drug plan for a PDP region in a manner so that, if there are any fallback service areas in the region for a year, the fallback prescription drug plan is offered at the same time as prescription drug plans would otherwise be offered.
(V) 2 No national fallback plan
The Secretary shall not enter into a contract with a single fallback entity for the offering of fallback plans throughout the United States.
(2) Eligible fallback entity
For purposes of this section, the term "eligible fallback entity" means, with respect to all fallback service areas in a PDP region for a contract period, an entity that—
(A) meets the requirements to be a PDP sponsor (or would meet such requirements but for the fact that the entity is not a risk-bearing entity); and
(B) does not submit a bid under subsection (b) of this section for any prescription drug plan for any PDP region for the first year of such contract period.
For purposes of subparagraph (B), an entity shall be treated as submitting a bid with respect to a prescription drug plan if the entity is acting as a subcontractor of a PDP sponsor that is offering such a plan. The previous sentence shall not apply to entities that are subcontractors of an MA organization except insofar as such organization is acting as a PDP sponsor with respect to a prescription drug plan.
(3) Fallback service area
For purposes of this subsection, the term "fallback service area" means, for a PDP region with respect to a year, any area within such region for which the Secretary determines before the beginning of the year that the access requirements of the first sentence of
(4) Fallback prescription drug plan
For purposes of this part, the term "fallback prescription drug plan" means a prescription drug plan that—
(A) only offers the standard prescription drug coverage and access to negotiated prices described in
(B) meets such other requirements as the Secretary may specify.
(5) Payments under the contract
(A) In general
A contract entered into under this subsection shall provide for—
(i) payment for the actual costs (taking into account negotiated price concessions described in
(ii) payment of management fees that are tied to performance measures established by the Secretary for the management, administration, and delivery of the benefits under the contract.
(B) Performance measures
The performance measures established by the Secretary pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii) shall include at least measures for each of the following:
(i) Costs
The entity contains costs to the Medicare Prescription Drug Account and to part D eligible individuals enrolled in a fallback prescription drug plan offered by the entity through mechanisms such as generic substitution and price discounts.
(ii) Quality programs
The entity provides such enrollees with quality programs that avoid adverse drug reactions and overutilization and reduce medical errors.
(iii) Customer service
The entity provides timely and accurate delivery of services and pharmacy and beneficiary support services.
(iv) Benefit administration and claims adjudication
The entity provides efficient and effective benefit administration and claims adjudication.
(6) Monthly beneficiary premium
Except as provided in
(7) General contract terms and conditions
(A) In general
Except as may be appropriate to carry out this section, the terms and conditions of contracts with eligible fallback entities offering fallback prescription drug plans under this subsection shall be the same as the terms and conditions of contracts under this part for prescription drug plans.
(B) Period of contract
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), a contract approved for a fallback prescription drug plan for fallback service areas for a PDP region under this section shall be for a period of 3 years (except as may be renewed after a subsequent bidding process).
(ii) Limitation
A fallback prescription drug plan may be offered under a contract in an area for a year only if that area is a fallback service area for that year.
(C) Entity not permitted to market or brand fallback prescription drug plans
An eligible fallback entity with a contract under this subsection may not engage in any marketing or branding of a fallback prescription drug plan.
(h) Annual report on use of limited risk plans and fallback plans
The Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report that describes instances in which limited risk plans and fallback prescription drug plans were offered under subsections (f) and (g) of this section. The Secretary shall include in such report such recommendations as may be appropriate to limit the need for the provision of such plans and to maximize the assumption of financial risk under section subsection (f) of this section.
(i) Noninterference
In order to promote competition under this part and in carrying out this part, the Secretary—
(1) may not interfere with the negotiations between drug manufacturers and pharmacies and PDP sponsors; and
(2) may not require a particular formulary or institute a price structure for the reimbursement of covered part D drugs.
(j) Coordination of benefits
A PDP sponsor offering a prescription drug plan shall permit State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs and Rx plans under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–11, as added
References in Text
Codification
In subsec. (g)(1)(B)(iii), "
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (d)(3).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by
Study Regarding Regional Variations in Prescription Drug Spending
"(1)
"(A) price variations (described in section 1860D–15(c)(2) of such Act [
"(B) differences in per capita utilization that is not taken into account in the health status risk adjustment provided under section 1860D–15(c)(1) of such Act [
"(2)
"(A) information regarding the extent of geographic variation described in paragraph (1)(B);
"(B) an analysis of the impact on direct subsidies under section 1860D–15(a)(1) of the Social Security Act [
"(C) recommendations regarding the appropriateness of applying an additional geographic adjustment factor under section 1860D–15(c)(2) [
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. Probably should be "(v)".
§1395w–112. Requirements for and contracts with prescription drug plan (PDP) sponsors
(a) General requirements
Each PDP sponsor of a prescription drug plan shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Licensure
Subject to subsection (c) of this section, the sponsor is organized and licensed under State law as a risk-bearing entity eligible to offer health insurance or health benefits coverage in each State in which it offers a prescription drug plan.
(2) Assumption of financial risk for unsubsidized coverage
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), to the extent that the entity is at risk the entity assumes financial risk on a prospective basis for benefits that it offers under a prescription drug plan and that is not covered under
(B) Reinsurance permitted
The plan sponsor may obtain insurance or make other arrangements for the cost of coverage provided to any enrollee to the extent that the sponsor is at risk for providing such coverage.
(3) Solvency for unlicensed sponsors
In the case of a PDP sponsor that is not described in paragraph (1) and for which a waiver has been approved under subsection (c) of this section, such sponsor shall meet solvency standards established by the Secretary under subsection (d) of this section.
(b) Contract requirements
(1) In general
The Secretary shall not permit the enrollment under
(2) Limitation on entities offering fallback prescription drug plans
The Secretary shall not enter into a contract with a PDP sponsor for the offering of a prescription drug plan (other than a fallback prescription drug plan) in a PDP region for a year if the sponsor—
(A) submitted a bid under
(B) offers a fallback prescription drug plan in any PDP region during the year; or
(C) offered a fallback prescription drug plan in that PDP region during the previous year.
For purposes of this paragraph, an entity shall be treated as submitting a bid with respect to a prescription drug plan or offering a fallback prescription drug plan if the entity is acting as a subcontractor of a PDP sponsor that is offering such a plan. The previous sentence shall not apply to entities that are subcontractors of an MA organization except insofar as such organization is acting as a PDP sponsor with respect to a prescription drug plan.
(3) Incorporation of certain medicare advantage contract requirements
Except as otherwise provided, the following provisions of
(A) Minimum enrollment
Paragraphs (1) and (3) of
(i) the Secretary may increase the minimum number of enrollees required under such paragraph (1) as the Secretary determines appropriate; and
(ii) the requirement of such paragraph (1) shall be waived during the first contract year with respect to an organization in a region.
(B) Contract period and effectiveness
(C) Protections against fraud and beneficiary protections
(D) Additional contract terms
(i) may be used for the purposes of carrying out this part, improving public health through research on the utilization, safety, effectiveness, quality, and efficiency of health care services (as the Secretary determines appropriate); and
(ii) shall be made available to Congressional 1 support agencies (in accordance with their obligations to support Congress as set out in their authorizing statutes) for the purposes of conducting Congressional 1 oversight, monitoring, making recommendations, and analysis of the program under this subchapter.
(E) Intermediate sanctions
(F) Procedures for termination
(4) Prompt payment of clean claims
(A) Prompt payment
(i) In general
Each contract entered into with a PDP sponsor under this part with respect to a prescription drug plan offered by such sponsor shall provide that payment shall be issued, mailed, or otherwise transmitted with respect to all clean claims submitted by pharmacies (other than pharmacies that dispense drugs by mail order only or are located in, or contract with, a long-term care facility) under this part within the applicable number of calendar days after the date on which the claim is received.
(ii) Clean claim defined
In this paragraph, the term "clean claim" means a claim that has no defect or impropriety (including any lack of any required substantiating documentation) or particular circumstance requiring special treatment that prevents timely payment from being made on the claim under this part.
(iii) Date of receipt of claim
In this paragraph, a claim is considered to have been received—
(I) with respect to claims submitted electronically, on the date on which the claim is transferred; and
(II) with respect to claims submitted otherwise, on the 5th day after the postmark date of the claim or the date specified in the time stamp of the transmission.
(B) Applicable number of calendar days defined
In this paragraph, the term "applicable number of calendar days" means—
(i) with respect to claims submitted electronically, 14 days; and
(ii) with respect to claims submitted otherwise, 30 days.
(C) Interest payment
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), if payment is not issued, mailed, or otherwise transmitted within the applicable number of calendar days (as defined in subparagraph (B)) after a clean claim is received, the PDP sponsor shall pay interest to the pharmacy that submitted the claim at a rate equal to the weighted average of interest on 3-month marketable Treasury securities determined for such period, increased by 0.1 percentage point for the period beginning on the day after the required payment date and ending on the date on which payment is made (as determined under subparagraph (D)(iv)). Interest amounts paid under this subparagraph shall not be counted against the administrative costs of a prescription drug plan or treated as allowable risk corridor costs under
(ii) Authority not to charge interest
The Secretary may provide that a PDP sponsor is not charged interest under clause (i) in the case where there are exigent circumstances, including natural disasters and other unique and unexpected events, that prevent the timely processing of claims.
(D) Procedures involving claims
(i) Claim deemed to be clean
A claim is deemed to be a clean claim if the PDP sponsor involved does not provide notice to the claimant of any deficiency in the claim—
(I) with respect to claims submitted electronically, within 10 days after the date on which the claim is received; and
(II) with respect to claims submitted otherwise, within 15 days after the date on which the claim is received.
(ii) Claim determined to not be a clean claim
(I) In general
If a PDP sponsor determines that a submitted claim is not a clean claim, the PDP sponsor shall, not later than the end of the period described in clause (i), notify the claimant of such determination. Such notification shall specify all defects or improprieties in the claim and shall list all additional information or documents necessary for the proper processing and payment of the claim.
(II) Determination after submission of additional information
A claim is deemed to be a clean claim under this paragraph if the PDP sponsor involved does not provide notice to the claimant of any defect or impropriety in the claim within 10 days of the date on which additional information is received under subclause (I).
(iii) Obligation to pay
A claim submitted to a PDP sponsor that is not paid or contested by the sponsor within the applicable number of days (as defined in subparagraph (B)) after the date on which the claim is received shall be deemed to be a clean claim and shall be paid by the PDP sponsor in accordance with subparagraph (A).
(iv) Date of payment of claim
Payment of a clean claim under such subparagraph is considered to have been made on the date on which—
(I) with respect to claims paid electronically, the payment is transferred; and
(II) with respect to claims paid otherwise, the payment is submitted to the United States Postal Service or common carrier for delivery.
(E) Electronic transfer of funds
A PDP sponsor shall pay all clean claims submitted electronically by electronic transfer of funds if the pharmacy so requests or has so requested previously. In the case where such payment is made electronically, remittance may be made by the PDP sponsor electronically as well.
(F) Protecting the rights of claimants
(i) In general
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit or limit a claim or action not covered by the subject matter of this section that any individual or organization has against a provider or a PDP sponsor.
(ii) Anti-retaliation
Consistent with applicable Federal or State law, a PDP sponsor shall not retaliate against an individual or provider for exercising a right of action under this subparagraph.
(G) Rule of construction
A determination under this paragraph that a claim submitted by a pharmacy is a clean claim shall not be construed as a positive determination regarding eligibility for payment under this subchapter, nor is it an indication of government approval of, or acquiescence regarding, the claim submitted. The determination shall not relieve any party of civil or criminal liability with respect to the claim, nor does it offer a defense to any administrative, civil, or criminal action with respect to the claim.
(5) Submission of claims by pharmacies located in or contracting with long-term care facilities
Each contract entered into with a PDP sponsor under this part with respect to a prescription drug plan offered by such sponsor shall provide that a pharmacy located in, or having a contract with, a long-term care facility shall have not less than 30 days (but not more than 90 days) to submit claims to the sponsor for reimbursement under the plan.
(6) Regular update of prescription drug pricing standard
If the PDP sponsor of a prescription drug plan uses a standard for reimbursement of pharmacies based on the cost of a drug, each contract entered into with such sponsor under this part with respect to the plan shall provide that the sponsor shall update such standard not less frequently than once every 7 days, beginning with an initial update on January 1 of each year, to accurately reflect the market price of acquiring the drug.
(c) Waiver of certain requirements to expand choice
(1) Authorizing waiver
(A) In general
In the case of an entity that seeks to offer a prescription drug plan in a State, the Secretary shall waive the requirement of subsection (a)(1) of this section that the entity be licensed in that State if the Secretary determines, based on the application and other evidence presented to the Secretary, that any of the grounds for approval of the application described in paragraph (2) have been met.
(B) Application of regional plan waiver rule
In addition to the waiver available under subparagraph (A), the provisions of
(2) Grounds for approval
(A) In general
The grounds for approval under this paragraph are—
(i) subject to subparagraph (B), the grounds for approval described in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) of
(ii) the application by a State of any grounds other than those required under Federal law.
(B) Special rules
In applying subparagraph (A)(i)—
(i) the ground of approval described in
(ii) for plan years beginning before January 1, 2008, if the State does have such a licensing process in effect, such ground for approval described in such section is deemed to have been met upon submission of an application described in such section.
(3) Application of waiver procedures
With respect to an application for a waiver (or a waiver granted) under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection, the provisions of subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of
(4) References to certain provisions
In applying provisions of
(A) any reference to a waiver application under
(B) any reference to solvency standards shall be treated as a reference to solvency standards established under subsection (d) of this section.
(d) Solvency standards for non-licensed entities
(1) Establishment and publication
The Secretary, in consultation with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, shall establish and publish, by not later than January 1, 2005, financial solvency and capital adequacy standards for entities described in paragraph (2).
(2) Compliance with standards
A PDP sponsor that is not licensed by a State under subsection (a)(1) of this section and for which a waiver application has been approved under subsection (c) of this section shall meet solvency and capital adequacy standards established under paragraph (1). The Secretary shall establish certification procedures for such sponsors with respect to such solvency standards in the manner described in
(e) Licensure does not substitute for or constitute certification
The fact that a PDP sponsor is licensed in accordance with subsection (a)(1) of this section or has a waiver application approved under subsection (c) of this section does not deem the sponsor to meet other requirements imposed under this part for a sponsor.
(f) Periodic review and revision of standards
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may periodically review the standards established under this section and, based on such review, may revise such standards if the Secretary determines such revision to be appropriate.
(2) Prohibition of midyear implementation of significant new regulatory requirements
The Secretary may not implement, other than at the beginning of a calendar year, regulations under this section that impose new, significant regulatory requirements on a PDP sponsor or a prescription drug plan.
(g) Prohibition of State imposition of premium taxes; relation to State laws
The provisions of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–12, as added
References in Text
Part D, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(D), is classified to
Part C of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (c)(1)(B) and (g), is classified to
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (b)(3)(D).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by section 171(a) of
Amendment by section 172(a)(1) of
Amendment by section 173(a) of
1 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.
§1395w–113. Premiums; late enrollment penalty
(a) Monthly beneficiary premium
(1) Computation
(A) In general
The monthly beneficiary premium for a prescription drug plan is the base beneficiary premium computed under paragraph (2) as adjusted under this paragraph.
(B) Adjustment to reflect difference between bid and national average bid
(i) Above average bid
If for a month the amount of the standardized bid amount (as defined in paragraph (5)) exceeds the amount of the adjusted national average monthly bid amount (as defined in clause (iii)), the base beneficiary premium for the month shall be increased by the amount of such excess.
(ii) Below average bid
If for a month the amount of the adjusted national average monthly bid amount for the month exceeds the standardized bid amount, the base beneficiary premium for the month shall be decreased by the amount of such excess.
(iii) Adjusted national average monthly bid amount defined
For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "adjusted national average monthly bid amount" means the national average monthly bid amount computed under paragraph (4), as adjusted under
(C) Increase for supplemental prescription drug benefits
The base beneficiary premium shall be increased by the portion of the PDP approved bid that is attributable to supplemental prescription drug benefits.
(D) Increase for late enrollment penalty
The base beneficiary premium shall be increased by the amount of any late enrollment penalty under subsection (b) of this section.
(E) Decrease for low-income assistance
The monthly beneficiary premium is subject to decrease in the case of a subsidy eligible individual under
(F) Increase based on income
The monthly beneficiary premium shall be increased pursuant to paragraph (7).
(G) Uniform premium
Except as provided in subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F), the monthly beneficiary premium for a prescription drug plan in a PDP region is the same for all part D eligible individuals enrolled in the plan.
(2) Base beneficiary premium
The base beneficiary premium under this paragraph for a prescription drug plan for a month is equal to the product 1 —
(A) the beneficiary premium percentage (as specified in paragraph (3)); and
(B) the national average monthly bid amount (computed under paragraph (4)) for the month.
(3) Beneficiary premium percentage
For purposes of this subsection, the beneficiary premium percentage for any year is the percentage equal to a fraction—
(A) the numerator of which is 25.5 percent; and
(B) the denominator of which is 100 percent minus a percentage equal to—
(i) the total reinsurance payments which the Secretary estimates are payable under
(ii) the sum of—
(I) the amount estimated under clause (i) for the year; and
(II) the total payments which the Secretary estimates will be paid to prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans that are attributable to the standardized bid amount during the year, taking into account amounts paid by the Secretary and enrollees.
(4) Computation of national average monthly bid amount
(A) In general
For each year (beginning with 2006) the Secretary shall compute a national average monthly bid amount equal to the average of the standardized bid amounts (as defined in paragraph (5)) for each prescription drug plan and for each MA–PD plan described in
(B) Weighted average
(i) In general
The monthly national average monthly bid amount computed under subparagraph (A) for a year shall be a weighted average, with the weight for each plan being equal to the average number of part D eligible individuals enrolled in such plan in the reference month (as defined in
(ii) Special rule for 2006
For purposes of applying this paragraph for 2006, the Secretary shall establish procedures for determining the weighted average under clause (i) for 2005.
(5) Standardized bid amount defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term "standardized bid amount" means the following:
(A) Prescription drug plans
(i) Basic coverage
In the case of a prescription drug plan that provides basic prescription drug coverage, the PDP approved bid (as defined in paragraph (6)).
(ii) Supplemental coverage
In the case of a prescription drug plan that provides supplemental prescription drug coverage, the portion of the PDP approved bid that is attributable to basic prescription drug coverage.
(B) MA–PD plans
In the case of an MA–PD plan, the portion of the accepted bid amount that is attributable to basic prescription drug coverage.
(6) PDP approved bid defined
For purposes of this part, the term "PDP approved bid" means, with respect to a prescription drug plan, the bid amount approved for the plan under this part.
(7) Increase in base beneficiary premium based on income
(A) In general
In the case of an individual whose modified adjusted gross income exceeds the threshold amount applicable under paragraph (2) of
(B) Monthly adjustment amount
The monthly adjustment amount specified in this subparagraph for an individual for a month in a year is equal to the product of—
(i) the quotient obtained by dividing—
(I) the applicable percentage determined under paragraph (3)(C) of
(II) 25.5 percent; and
(ii) the base beneficiary premium (as computed under paragraph (2)).
(C) Modified adjusted gross income
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "modified adjusted gross income" has the meaning given such term in subparagraph (A) of
(D) Determination by Commissioner of Social Security
The Commissioner of Social Security shall make any determination necessary to carry out the income-related increase in the base beneficiary premium under this paragraph.
(E) Procedures to assure correct income-related increase in base beneficiary premium
(i) Disclosure of base beneficiary premium
Not later than September 15 of each year beginning with 2010, the Secretary shall disclose to the Commissioner of Social Security the amount of the base beneficiary premium (as computed under paragraph (2)) for the purpose of carrying out the income-related increase in the base beneficiary premium under this paragraph with respect to the following year.
(ii) Additional disclosure
Not later than October 15 of each year beginning with 2010, the Secretary shall disclose to the Commissioner of Social Security the following information for the purpose of carrying out the income-related increase in the base beneficiary premium under this paragraph with respect to the following year:
(I) The modified adjusted gross income threshold applicable under paragraph (2) of
(II) The applicable percentage determined under paragraph (3)(C) of
(III) The monthly adjustment amount specified in subparagraph (B).
(IV) Any other information the Commissioner of Social Security determines necessary to carry out the income-related increase in the base beneficiary premium under this paragraph.
(F) Rule of construction
The formula used to determine the monthly adjustment amount specified under subparagraph (B) shall only be used for the purpose of determining such monthly adjustment amount under such subparagraph.
(b) Late enrollment penalty
(1) In general
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection, in the case of a part D eligible individual described in paragraph (2) with respect to a continuous period of eligibility, there shall be an increase in the monthly beneficiary premium established under subsection (a) of this section in an amount determined under paragraph (3).
(2) Individuals subject to penalty
A part D eligible individual described in this paragraph is, with respect to a continuous period of eligibility, an individual for whom there is a continuous period of 63 days or longer (all of which in such continuous period of eligibility) beginning on the day after the last date of the individual's initial enrollment period under
(3) Amount of penalty
(A) In general
The amount determined under this paragraph for a part D eligible individual for a continuous period of eligibility is the greater of—
(i) an amount that the Secretary determines is actuarially sound for each uncovered month (as defined in subparagraph (B)) in the same continuous period of eligibility; or
(ii) 1 percent of the base beneficiary premium (computed under subsection (a)(2) of this section) for each such uncovered month in such period.
(B) Uncovered month defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term "uncovered month" means, with respect to a part D eligible individual, any month beginning after the end of the initial enrollment period under
(4) Creditable prescription drug coverage defined
For purposes of this part, the term "creditable prescription drug coverage" means any of the following coverage, but only if the coverage meets the requirement of paragraph (5):
(A) Coverage under prescription drug plan or MA–PD plan
Coverage under a prescription drug plan or under an MA–PD plan.
(B) Medicaid
Coverage under a medicaid plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter or under a waiver under
(C) Group health plan
Coverage under a group health plan, including a health benefits plan under
(D) State pharmaceutical assistance program
Coverage under a State pharmaceutical assistance program described in
(E) Veterans' coverage of prescription drugs
Coverage for veterans, and survivors and dependents of veterans, under
(F) Prescription drug coverage under medigap policies
Coverage under a medicare supplemental policy under
(G) Military coverage (including TRICARE)
Coverage under
(H) Other coverage
Such other coverage as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(5) Actuarial equivalence requirement
Coverage meets the requirement of this paragraph only if the coverage is determined (in a manner specified by the Secretary) to provide coverage of the cost of prescription drugs the actuarial value of which (as defined by the Secretary) to the individual equals or exceeds the actuarial value of standard prescription drug coverage (as determined under
(6) Procedures to document creditable prescription drug coverage
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish procedures (including the form, manner, and time) for the documentation of creditable prescription drug coverage, including procedures to assist in determining whether coverage meets the requirement of paragraph (5).
(B) Disclosure by entities offering creditable prescription drug coverage
(i) In general
Each entity that offers prescription drug coverage of the type described in subparagraphs (B) through (H) of paragraph (4) shall provide for disclosure, in a form, manner, and time consistent with standards established by the Secretary, to the Secretary and part D eligible individuals of whether the coverage meets the requirement of paragraph (5) or whether such coverage is changed so it no longer meets such requirement.
(ii) Disclosure of non-creditable coverage
In the case of such coverage that does not meet such requirement, the disclosure to part D eligible individuals under this subparagraph shall include information regarding the fact that because such coverage does not meet such requirement there are limitations on the periods in a year in which the individuals may enroll under a prescription drug plan or an MA–PD plan and that any such enrollment is subject to a late enrollment penalty under this subsection.
(C) Waiver of requirement
In the case of a part D eligible individual who was enrolled in prescription drug coverage of the type described in subparagraphs (B) through (H) of paragraph (4) which is not creditable prescription drug coverage because it does not meet the requirement of paragraph (5), the individual may apply to the Secretary to have such coverage treated as creditable prescription drug coverage if the individual establishes that the individual was not adequately informed that such coverage did not meet such requirement.
(7) Continuous period of eligibility
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), for purposes of this subsection, the term "continuous period of eligibility" means, with respect to a part D eligible individual, the period that begins with the first day on which the individual is eligible to enroll in a prescription drug plan under this part and ends with the individual's death.
(B) Separate period
Any period during all of which a part D eligible individual is entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of this subchapter and—
(i) which terminated in or before the month preceding the month in which the individual attained age 65; or
(ii) for which the basis for eligibility for such entitlement changed between
shall be a separate continuous period of eligibility with respect to the individual (and each such period which terminates shall be deemed not to have existed for purposes of subsequently applying this paragraph).
(8) Waiver of penalty for subsidy-eligible individuals
In no case shall a part D eligible individual who is determined to be a subsidy eligible individual (as defined in
(c) Collection of monthly beneficiary premiums
(1) In general
Subject to paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), the provisions of
(2) Crediting of late enrollment penalty
(A) Portion attributable to increased actuarial costs
With respect to late enrollment penalties imposed under subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall specify the portion of such a penalty that the Secretary estimates is attributable to increased actuarial costs assumed by the PDP sponsor or MA organization (and not taken into account through risk adjustment provided under
(B) Collection through withholding
In the case of a late enrollment penalty that is collected from a part D eligible individual in the manner described in
(C) Collection by plan
In the case of a late enrollment penalty that is collected from a part D eligible individual in a manner other than the manner described in
(3) Fallback plans
In applying this subsection in the case of a fallback prescription drug plan, paragraph (2) shall not apply and the monthly beneficiary premium shall be collected in the manner specified in
(4) Collection of monthly adjustment amount
(A) In general
Notwithstanding any provision of this subsection or
(B) Agreements
In the case where the monthly benefit payments of an individual that are withheld under subparagraph (A) are insufficient to pay the amount described in such subparagraph, the Commissioner of Social Security shall enter into agreements with the Secretary, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, and the Railroad Retirement Board as necessary in order to allow other agencies to collect the amount described in subparagraph (A) that was not withheld under such subparagraph.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–13, as added
References in Text
Part A of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(7)(B), is classified to
Part C of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(1)(F), (G).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(4).
2008—Subsec. (b)(8).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
1 So in original. The word "of" probably should appear after "product".
2 So in original. Probably should be "section 426(b)".
§1395w–114. Premium and cost-sharing subsidies for low-income individuals
(a) Income-related subsidies for individuals with income up to 150 percent of poverty line
(1) Individuals with income below 135 percent of poverty line
In the case of a subsidy eligible individual (as defined in paragraph (3)) who is determined to have income that is below 135 percent of the poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved and who meets the resources requirement described in paragraph (3)(D) or who is covered under this paragraph under paragraph (3)(B)(i), the individual is entitled under this section to the following:
(A) Full premium subsidy
An income-related premium subsidy equal to 100 percent of the amount described in subsection (b)(1), but not to exceed the premium amount specified in subsection (b)(2)(B).
(B) Elimination of deductible
A reduction in the annual deductible applicable under
(C) Continuation of coverage above the initial coverage limit
The continuation of coverage from the initial coverage limit (under paragraph (3) of
(D) Reduction in cost-sharing below out-of-pocket threshold
(i) Institutionalized individuals
In the case of an individual who is a full-benefit dual eligible individual and who is an institutionalized individual or couple (as defined in
(ii) Lowest income dual eligible individuals
In the case of an individual not described in clause (i) who is a full-benefit dual eligible individual and whose income does not exceed 100 percent of the poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved, the substitution for the beneficiary coinsurance described in
(iii) Other individuals
In the case of an individual not described in clause (i) or (ii), the substitution for the beneficiary coinsurance described in
(E) Elimination of cost-sharing above annual out-of-pocket threshold
The elimination of any cost-sharing imposed under
(2) Other individuals with income below 150 percent of poverty line
In the case of a subsidy eligible individual who is not described in paragraph (1), the individual is entitled under this section to the following:
(A) Sliding scale premium subsidy
An income-related premium subsidy determined on a linear sliding scale ranging from 100 percent of the amount described in paragraph (1)(A) for individuals with incomes at or below 135 percent of such level to 0 percent of such amount for individuals with incomes at 150 percent of such level.
(B) Reduction of deductible
A reduction in the annual deductible applicable under
(C) Continuation of coverage above the initial coverage limit
The continuation of coverage from the initial coverage limit (under paragraph (3) of
(D) Reduction in cost-sharing below out-of-pocket threshold
The substitution for the beneficiary coinsurance described in
(E) Reduction of cost-sharing above annual out-of-pocket threshold
Subject to subsection (c) of this section, the substitution for the cost-sharing imposed under
(3) Determination of eligibility
(A) Subsidy eligible individual defined
For purposes of this part, subject to subparagraph (F), the term "subsidy eligible individual" means a part D eligible individual who—
(i) is enrolled in a prescription drug plan or MA–PD plan;
(ii) has income below 150 percent of the poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved; and
(iii) meets the resources requirement described in subparagraph (D) or (E).
(B) Determinations
(i) In general
The determination of whether a part D eligible individual residing in a State is a subsidy eligible individual and whether the individual is described in paragraph (1) shall be determined under the State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter for the State under
(ii) Effective period
Determinations under this subparagraph shall be effective beginning with the month in which the individual applies for a determination that the individual is a subsidy eligible individual and shall remain in effect for a period specified by the Secretary, but not to exceed 1 year.
(iii) Redeterminations and appeals through medicaid
Redeterminations and appeals, with respect to eligibility determinations under clause (i) made under a State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter, shall be made in accordance with the frequency of, and manner in which, redeterminations and appeals of eligibility are made under such plan for purposes of medical assistance under such subchapter.
(iv) Redeterminations and appeals through Commissioner
With respect to eligibility determinations under clause (i) made by the Commissioner of Social Security—
(I) redeterminations shall be made at such time or times as may be provided by the Commissioner;
(II) the Commissioner shall establish procedures for appeals of such determinations that are similar to the procedures described in the third sentence of
(III) judicial review of the final decision of the Commissioner made after a hearing shall be available to the same extent, and with the same limitations, as provided in subsections (g) and (h) of
(v) Treatment of medicaid beneficiaries
Subject to subparagraph (F), the Secretary—
(I) shall provide that part D eligible individuals who are full-benefit dual eligible individuals (as defined in
(II) may provide that part D eligible individuals not described in subclause (I) who are determined for purposes of the State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter to be eligible for medical assistance under clause (i), (iii), or (iv) of
Insofar as the Secretary determines that the eligibility requirements under the State plan for medical assistance referred to in subclause (II) are substantially the same as the requirements for being treated as a subsidy eligible individual described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide for the treatment described in such subclause.
(vi) Special rule for widows and widowers
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subparagraph, in the case of an individual whose spouse dies during the effective period for a determination or redetermination that has been made under this subparagraph, such effective period shall be extended through the date that is 1 year after the date on which the determination or redetermination would (but for the application of this clause) otherwise cease to be effective.
(C) Income determinations
For purposes of applying this section—
(i) in the case of a part D eligible individual who is not treated as a subsidy eligible individual under subparagraph (B)(v), income shall be determined in the manner described in
(ii) the term "poverty line" has the meaning given such term in
Nothing in clause (i) shall be construed to affect the application of
(D) Resource standard applied to full low-income subsidy to be based on three times SSI resource standard
The resources requirement of this subparagraph is that an individual's resources (as determined under
(i) for 2006 three times the maximum amount of resources that an individual may have and obtain benefits under that program; and
(ii) for a subsequent year the resource limitation established under this clause for the previous year increased by the annual percentage increase in the consumer price index (all items; U.S. city average) as of September of such previous year.
Any resource limitation established under clause (ii) that is not a multiple of $10 shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10.
(E) Alternative resource standard
(i) In general
The resources requirement of this subparagraph is that an individual's resources (as determined under
(I) for 2006, $10,000 (or $20,000 in the case of the combined value of the individual's assets or resources and the assets or resources of the individual's spouse); and
(II) for a subsequent year the dollar amounts specified in this subclause (or subclause (I)) for the previous year increased by the annual percentage increase in the consumer price index (all items; U.S. city average) as of September of such previous year.
Any dollar amount established under subclause (II) that is not a multiple of $10 shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10.
(ii) Use of simplified application form and process
The Secretary, jointly with the Commissioner of Social Security, shall—
(I) develop a model, simplified application form and process consistent with clause (iii) for the determination and verification of a part D eligible individual's assets or resources under this subparagraph; and
(II) provide such form to States.
(iii) Documentation and safeguards
Under such process—
(I) the application form shall consist of an attestation under penalty of perjury regarding the level of assets or resources (or combined assets and resources in the case of a married part D eligible individual) and valuations of general classes of assets or resources;
(II) such form shall be accompanied by copies of recent statements (if any) from financial institutions in support of the application; and
(III) matters attested to in the application shall be subject to appropriate methods of verification.
(iv) Methodology flexibility
The Secretary may permit a State in making eligibility determinations for premium and cost-sharing subsidies under this section to use the same asset or resource methodologies that are used with respect to eligibility for medical assistance for medicare cost-sharing described in
(F) Treatment of territorial residents
In the case of a part D eligible individual who is not a resident of the 50 States or the District of Columbia, the individual is not eligible to be a subsidy eligible individual under this section but may be eligible for financial assistance with prescription drug expenses under
(G) Life insurance policy exclusion
In determining the resources of an individual (and the eligible spouse of the individual, if any) under
(4) Indexing dollar amounts
(A) Copayment for lowest income dual eligible individuals
The dollar amounts applied under paragraph (1)(D)(ii)—
(i) for 2007 shall be the dollar amounts specified in such paragraph increased by the annual percentage increase in the consumer price index (all items; U.S. city average) as of September of such previous year; or
(ii) for a subsequent year shall be the dollar amounts specified in this clause (or clause (i)) for the previous year increased by the annual percentage increase in the consumer price index (all items; U.S. city average) as of September of such previous year.
Any amount established under clause (i) or (ii), that is based on an increase of $1 or $3, that is not a multiple of 5 cents or 10 cents, respectively, shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of 5 cents or 10 cents, respectively.
(B) Reduced deductible
The dollar amount applied under paragraph (2)(B)—
(i) for 2007 shall be the dollar amount specified in such paragraph increased by the annual percentage increase described in
(ii) for a subsequent year shall be the dollar amount specified in this clause (or clause (i)) for the previous year increased by the annual percentage increase described in
Any amount established under clause (i) or (ii) that is not a multiple of $1 shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $1.
(5) Waiver of de minimis premiums
The Secretary shall, under procedures established by the Secretary, permit a prescription drug plan or an MA–PD plan to waive the monthly beneficiary premium for a subsidy eligible individual if the amount of such premium is de minimis. If such premium is waived under the plan, the Secretary shall not reassign subsidy eligible individuals enrolled in the plan to other plans based on the fact that the monthly beneficiary premium under the plan was greater than the low-income benchmark premium amount.
(b) Premium subsidy amount
(1) In general
The premium subsidy amount described in this subsection for a subsidy eligible individual residing in a PDP region and enrolled in a prescription drug plan or MA–PD plan is the low-income benchmark premium amount (as defined in paragraph (2)) for the PDP region in which the individual resides or, if greater, the amount specified in paragraph (3).
(2) Low-income benchmark premium amount defined
(A) In general
For purposes of this subsection, the term "low-income benchmark premium amount" means, with respect to a PDP region in which—
(i) all prescription drug plans are offered by the same PDP sponsor, the weighted average of the amounts described in subparagraph (B)(i) for such plans; or
(ii) there are prescription drug plans offered by more than one PDP sponsor, the weighted average of amounts described in subparagraph (B) for prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans described in
(B) Premium amounts described
The premium amounts described in this subparagraph are, in the case of—
(i) a prescription drug plan that is a basic prescription drug plan, the monthly beneficiary premium for such plan;
(ii) a prescription drug plan that provides alternative prescription drug coverage the actuarial value of which is greater than that of standard prescription drug coverage, the portion of the monthly beneficiary premium that is attributable to basic prescription drug coverage; and
(iii) an MA–PD plan, the portion of the MA monthly prescription drug beneficiary premium that is attributable to basic prescription drug benefits (described in section 1395w–22(a)(6)(B)(ii) 1 of this title) and determined before the application of the monthly rebate computed under
The premium amounts described in this subparagraph do not include any amounts attributable to late enrollment penalties under
(3) Access to 0 premium plan
In no case shall the premium subsidy amount under this subsection for a PDP region be less than the lowest monthly beneficiary premium for a prescription drug plan that offers basic prescription drug coverage in the region.
(c) Administration of subsidy program
(1) In general
The Secretary shall provide a process whereby, in the case of a part D eligible individual who is determined to be a subsidy eligible individual and who is enrolled in a prescription drug plan or is enrolled in an MA–PD plan—
(A) the Secretary provides for a notification of the PDP sponsor or the MA organization offering the plan involved that the individual is eligible for a subsidy and the amount of the subsidy under subsection (a) of this section;
(B) the sponsor or organization involved reduces the premiums or cost-sharing otherwise imposed by the amount of the applicable subsidy and submits to the Secretary information on the amount of such reduction;
(C) the Secretary periodically and on a timely basis reimburses the sponsor or organization for the amount of such reductions; and
(D) the Secretary ensures the confidentiality of individually identifiable information.
In applying subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall compute reductions based upon imposition under subsections (a)(1)(D) and (a)(2)(E) of this section of unreduced copayment amounts applied under such subsections.
(2) Use of capitated form of payment
The reimbursement under this section with respect to cost-sharing subsidies may be computed on a capitated basis, taking into account the actuarial value of the subsidies and with appropriate adjustments to reflect differences in the risks actually involved.
(d) Facilitation of reassignments
Beginning not later than January 1, 2011, the Secretary shall, in the case of a subsidy eligible individual who is enrolled in one prescription drug plan and is subsequently reassigned by the Secretary to a new prescription drug plan, provide the individual, within 30 days of such reassignment, with—
(1) information on formulary differences between the individual's former plan and the plan to which the individual is reassigned with respect to the individual's drug regimens; and
(2) a description of the individual's right to request a coverage determination, exception, or reconsideration under
(e) Relation to medicaid program
For special provisions under the medicaid program relating to medicare prescription drug benefits, see
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–14, as added
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(1)(D)(i).
Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(vi).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(iii).
Subsecs. (d), (e).
2008—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
"(i) 100 percent of the amount described in subsection (b)(1) of this section, but not to exceed the premium amount specified in subsection (b)(2)(B) of this section; plus
"(ii) 80 percent of any late enrollment penalties imposed under
Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(iv)(III).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C)(i).
Subsec. (a)(3)(D), (E)(i).
Subsec. (a)(3)(G).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by section 3303(a) of
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by section 114(a)(2) of
GAO Study Regarding Impact of Assets Test for Subsidy Eligible Individuals
"(1)
"(2)
1 So in original.
§1395w–114a. Medicare coverage gap discount program
(a) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a Medicare coverage gap discount program (in this section referred to as the "program") by not later than January 1, 2011. Under the program, the Secretary shall enter into agreements described in subsection (b) with manufacturers and provide for the performance of the duties described in subsection (c)(1). The Secretary shall establish a model agreement for use under the program by not later than 180 days after March 23, 2010, in consultation with manufacturers, and allow for comment on such model agreement.
(b) Terms of agreement
(1) In general
(A) Agreement
An agreement under this section shall require the manufacturer to provide applicable beneficiaries access to discounted prices for applicable drugs of the manufacturer.
(B) Provision of discounted prices at the point-of-sale
Except as provided in subsection (c)(1)(A)(iii), such discounted prices shall be provided to the applicable beneficiary at the pharmacy or by the mail order service at the point-of-sale of an applicable drug.
(C) Timing of agreement
(i) Special rule for 2011
In order for an agreement with a manufacturer to be in effect under this section with respect to the period beginning on January 1, 2011, and ending on December 31, 2011, the manufacturer shall enter into such agreement not later than not later than 1 30 days after the date of the establishment of a model agreement under subsection (a).
(ii) 2012 and subsequent years
In order for an agreement with a manufacturer to be in effect under this section with respect to plan year 2012 or a subsequent plan year, the manufacturer shall enter into such agreement (or such agreement shall be renewed under paragraph (4)(A)) not later than January 30 of the preceding year.
(2) Provision of appropriate data
Each manufacturer with an agreement in effect under this section shall collect and have available appropriate data, as determined by the Secretary, to ensure that it can demonstrate to the Secretary compliance with the requirements under the program.
(3) Compliance with requirements for administration of program
Each manufacturer with an agreement in effect under this section shall comply with requirements imposed by the Secretary or a third party with a contract under subsection (d)(3), as applicable, for purposes of administering the program, including any determination under clause (i) of subsection (c)(1)(A) or procedures established under such subsection (c)(1)(A).
(4) Length of agreement
(A) In general
An agreement under this section shall be effective for an initial period of not less than 18 months and shall be automatically renewed for a period of not less than 1 year unless terminated under subparagraph (B).
(B) Termination
(i) By the Secretary
The Secretary may provide for termination of an agreement under this section for a knowing and willful violation of the requirements of the agreement or other good cause shown. Such termination shall not be effective earlier than 30 days after the date of notice to the manufacturer of such termination. The Secretary shall provide, upon request, a manufacturer with a hearing concerning such a termination, and such hearing shall take place prior to the effective date of the termination with sufficient time for such effective date to be repealed if the Secretary determines appropriate.
(ii) By a manufacturer
A manufacturer may terminate an agreement under this section for any reason. Any such termination shall be effective, with respect to a plan year—
(I) if the termination occurs before January 30 of a plan year, as of the day after the end of the plan year; and
(II) if the termination occurs on or after January 30 of a plan year, as of the day after the end of the succeeding plan year.
(iii) Effectiveness of termination
Any termination under this subparagraph shall not affect discounts for applicable drugs of the manufacturer that are due under the agreement before the effective date of its termination.
(iv) Notice to third party
The Secretary shall provide notice of such termination to a third party with a contract under subsection (d)(3) within not less than 30 days before the effective date of such termination.
(c) Duties described and special rule for supplemental benefits
(1) Duties described
The duties described in this subsection are the following:
(A) Administration of program
Administering the program, including—
(i) the determination of the amount of the discounted price of an applicable drug of a manufacturer;
(ii) except as provided in clause (iii), the establishment of procedures under which discounted prices are provided to applicable beneficiaries at pharmacies or by mail order service at the point-of-sale of an applicable drug;
(iii) in the case where, during the period beginning on January 1, 2011, and ending on December 31, 2011, it is not practicable to provide such discounted prices at the point-of-sale (as described in clause (ii)), the establishment of procedures to provide such discounted prices as soon as practicable after the point-of-sale;
(iv) the establishment of procedures to ensure that, not later than the applicable number of calendar days after the dispensing of an applicable drug by a pharmacy or mail order service, the pharmacy or mail order service is reimbursed for an amount equal to the difference between—
(I) the negotiated price of the applicable drug; and
(II) the discounted price of the applicable drug;
(v) the establishment of procedures to ensure that the discounted price for an applicable drug under this section is applied before any coverage or financial assistance under other health benefit plans or programs that provide coverage or financial assistance for the purchase or provision of prescription drug coverage on behalf of applicable beneficiaries as the Secretary may specify;
(vi) the establishment of procedures to implement the special rule for supplemental benefits under paragraph (2); and
(vii) providing a reasonable dispute resolution mechanism to resolve disagreements between manufacturers, applicable beneficiaries, and the third party with a contract under subsection (d)(3).
(B) Monitoring compliance
(i) In general
The Secretary shall monitor compliance by a manufacturer with the terms of an agreement under this section.
(ii) Notification
If a third party with a contract under subsection (d)(3) determines that the manufacturer is not in compliance with such agreement, the third party shall notify the Secretary of such noncompliance for appropriate enforcement under subsection (e).
(C) Collection of data from prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans
The Secretary may collect appropriate data from prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans in a timeframe that allows for discounted prices to be provided for applicable drugs under this section.
(2) Special rule for supplemental benefits
For plan year 2011 and each subsequent plan year, in the case where an applicable beneficiary has supplemental benefits with respect to applicable drugs under the prescription drug plan or MA–PD plan that the applicable beneficiary is enrolled in, the applicable beneficiary shall not be provided a discounted price for an applicable drug under this section until after such supplemental benefits have been applied with respect to the applicable drug.
(d) Administration
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall provide for the implementation of this section, including the performance of the duties described in subsection (c)(1).
(2) Limitation
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), in providing for such implementation, the Secretary shall not receive or distribute any funds of a manufacturer under the program.
(B) Exception
The limitation under subparagraph (A) shall not apply to the Secretary with respect to drugs dispensed during the period beginning on January 1, 2011, and ending on December 31, 2011, but only if the Secretary determines that the exception to such limitation under this subparagraph is necessary in order for the Secretary to begin implementation of this section and provide applicable beneficiaries timely access to discounted prices during such period.
(3) Contract with third parties
The Secretary shall enter into a contract with 1 or more third parties to administer the requirements established by the Secretary in order to carry out this section. At a minimum, the contract with a third party under the preceding sentence shall require that the third party—
(A) receive and transmit information between the Secretary, manufacturers, and other individuals or entities the Secretary determines appropriate;
(B) receive, distribute, or facilitate the distribution of funds of manufacturers to appropriate individuals or entities in order to meet the obligations of manufacturers under agreements under this section;
(C) provide adequate and timely information to manufacturers, consistent with the agreement with the manufacturer under this section, as necessary for the manufacturer to fulfill its obligations under this section; and
(D) permit manufacturers to conduct periodic audits, directly or through contracts, of the data and information used by the third party to determine discounts for applicable drugs of the manufacturer under the program.
(4) Performance requirements
The Secretary shall establish performance requirements for a third party with a contract under paragraph (3) and safeguards to protect the independence and integrity of the activities carried out by the third party under the program under this section.
(5) Implementation
The Secretary may implement the program under this section by program instruction or otherwise.
(6) Administration
(e) Enforcement
(1) Audits
Each manufacturer with an agreement in effect under this section shall be subject to periodic audit by the Secretary.
(2) Civil money penalty
(A) In general
The Secretary shall impose a civil money penalty on a manufacturer that fails to provide applicable beneficiaries discounts for applicable drugs of the manufacturer in accordance with such agreement for each such failure in an amount the Secretary determines is commensurate with the sum of—
(i) the amount that the manufacturer would have paid with respect to such discounts under the agreement, which will then be used to pay the discounts which the manufacturer had failed to provide; and
(ii) 25 percent of such amount.
(B) Application
The provisions of
(f) Clarification regarding availability of other covered part D drugs
Nothing in this section shall prevent an applicable beneficiary from purchasing a covered part D drug that is not an applicable drug (including a generic drug or a drug that is not on the formulary of the prescription drug plan or MA–PD plan that the applicable beneficiary is enrolled in).
(g) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Applicable beneficiary
The term "applicable beneficiary" means an individual who, on the date of dispensing a covered part D drug—
(A) is enrolled in a prescription drug plan or an MA–PD plan;
(B) is not enrolled in a qualified retiree prescription drug plan;
(C) is not entitled to an income-related subsidy under
(D) who—
(i) has reached or exceeded the initial coverage limit under
(ii) has not incurred costs for covered part D drugs in the year equal to the annual out-of-pocket threshold specified in
(2) Applicable drug
The term "applicable drug" means, with respect to an applicable beneficiary, a covered part D drug—
(A) approved under a new drug application under
(B)(i) if the PDP sponsor of the prescription drug plan or the MA organization offering the MA–PD plan uses a formulary, which is on the formulary of the prescription drug plan or MA–PD plan that the applicable beneficiary is enrolled in;
(ii) if the PDP sponsor of the prescription drug plan or the MA organization offering the MA–PD plan does not use a formulary, for which benefits are available under the prescription drug plan or MA–PD plan that the applicable beneficiary is enrolled in; or
(iii) is provided through an exception or appeal.
(3) Applicable number of calendar days
The term "applicable number of calendar days" means—
(A) with respect to claims for reimbursement submitted electronically, 14 days; and
(B) with respect to claims for reimbursement submitted otherwise, 30 days.
(4) Discounted price
(A) In general
The term "discounted price" means 50 percent of the negotiated price of the applicable drug of a manufacturer.
(B) Clarification
Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the responsibility of an applicable beneficiary for payment of a dispensing fee for an applicable drug.
(C) Special case for certain claims
In the case where the entire amount of the negotiated price of an individual claim for an applicable drug with respect to an applicable beneficiary does not fall at or above the initial coverage limit under
(5) Manufacturer
The term "manufacturer" means any entity which is engaged in the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, conversion, or processing of prescription drug products, either directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of natural origin, or independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis. Such term does not include a wholesale distributor of drugs or a retail pharmacy licensed under State law.
(6) Negotiated price
The term "negotiated price" has the meaning given such term in section 423.100 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on March 23, 2010), except that such negotiated price shall not include any dispensing fee for the applicable drug.
(7) Qualified retiree prescription drug plan
The term "qualified retiree prescription drug plan" has the meaning given such term in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–14A, as added
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(i).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(1)(C) to (E).
1 So in original. Second "not later than" probably should not appear.
§1395w–115. Subsidies for part D eligible individuals for qualified prescription drug coverage
(a) Subsidy payment
In order to reduce premium levels applicable to qualified prescription drug coverage for part D eligible individuals consistent with an overall subsidy level of 74.5 percent for basic prescription drug coverage, to reduce adverse selection among prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans, and to promote the participation of PDP sponsors under this part and MA organizations under part C of this subchapter, the Secretary shall provide for payment to a PDP sponsor that offers a prescription drug plan and an MA organization that offers an MA–PD plan of the following subsidies in accordance with this section:
(1) Direct subsidy
A direct subsidy for each part D eligible individual enrolled in a prescription drug plan or MA–PD plan for a month equal to—
(A) the amount of the plan's standardized bid amount (as defined in
(B) the base beneficiary premium (as computed under paragraph (2) of
(2) Subsidy through reinsurance
The reinsurance payment amount (as defined in subsection (b) of this section).
This section constitutes budget authority in advance of appropriations Acts and represents the obligation of the Secretary to provide for the payment of amounts provided under this section.
(b) Reinsurance payment amount
(1) In general
The reinsurance payment amount under this subsection for a part D eligible individual enrolled in a prescription drug plan or MA–PD plan for a coverage year is an amount equal to 80 percent of the allowable reinsurance costs (as specified in paragraph (2)) attributable to that portion of gross covered prescription drug costs as specified in paragraph (3) incurred in the coverage year after such individual has incurred costs that exceed the annual out-of-pocket threshold specified in
(2) Allowable reinsurance costs
For purposes of this section, the term "allowable reinsurance costs" means, with respect to gross covered prescription drug costs under a prescription drug plan offered by a PDP sponsor or an MA–PD plan offered by an MA organization, the part of such costs that are actually paid (net of discounts, chargebacks, and average percentage rebates) by the sponsor or organization or by (or on behalf of) an enrollee under the plan, but in no case more than the part of such costs that would have been paid under the plan if the prescription drug coverage under the plan were basic prescription drug coverage, or, in the case of a plan providing supplemental prescription drug coverage, if such coverage were standard prescription drug coverage.
(3) Gross covered prescription drug costs
For purposes of this section, the term "gross covered prescription drug costs" means, with respect to a part D eligible individual enrolled in a prescription drug plan or MA–PD plan during a coverage year, the costs incurred under the plan, not including administrative costs, but including costs directly related to the dispensing of covered part D drugs during the year and costs relating to the deductible. Such costs shall be determined whether they are paid by the individual or under the plan, regardless of whether the coverage under the plan exceeds basic prescription drug coverage.
(4) Coverage year defined
For purposes of this section, the term "coverage year" means a calendar year in which covered part D drugs are dispensed if the claim for such drugs (and payment on such claim) is made not later than such period after the end of such year as the Secretary specifies.
(c) Adjustments relating to bids
(1) Health status risk adjustment
(A) Establishment of risk adjustors
The Secretary shall establish an appropriate methodology for adjusting the standardized bid amount under subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section to take into account variation in costs for basic prescription drug coverage among prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans based on the differences in actuarial risk of different enrollees being served. Any such risk adjustment shall be designed in a manner so as not to result in a change in the aggregate amounts payable to such plans under subsection (a)(1) of this section and through that portion of the monthly beneficiary prescription drug premiums described in subsection (a)(1)(B) of this section and MA monthly prescription drug beneficiary premiums.
(B) Considerations
In establishing the methodology under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may take into account the similar methodologies used under
(C) Data collection
In order to carry out this paragraph, the Secretary shall require—
(i) PDP sponsors to submit data regarding drug claims that can be linked at the individual level to part A and part B data and such other information as the Secretary determines necessary; and
(ii) MA organizations that offer MA–PD plans to submit data regarding drug claims that can be linked at the individual level to other data that such organizations are required to submit to the Secretary and such other information as the Secretary determines necessary.
(D) Publication
At the time of publication of risk adjustment factors under
(2) Geographic adjustment
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), for purposes of
(B) De minimis rule
If the Secretary determines that the price variations described in subparagraph (A) among PDP regions are de minimis, the Secretary shall not provide for adjustment under this paragraph.
(C) Budget neutral adjustment
Any adjustment under this paragraph shall be applied in a manner so as to not result in a change in the aggregate payments made under this part that would have been made if the Secretary had not applied such adjustment.
(d) Payment methods
(1) In general
Payments under this section shall be based on such a method as the Secretary determines. The Secretary may establish a payment method by which interim payments of amounts under this section are made during a year based on the Secretary's best estimate of amounts that will be payable after obtaining all of the information.
(2) Requirement for provision of information
(A) Requirement
Payments under this section to a PDP sponsor or MA organization are conditioned upon the furnishing to the Secretary, in a form and manner specified by the Secretary, of such information as may be required to carry out this section.
(B) Restriction on use of information
Information disclosed or obtained pursuant to subparagraph (A) may be used by officers, employees, and contractors of the Department of Health and Human Services only for the purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, carrying out this section.
(3) Source of payments
Payments under this section shall be made from the Medicare Prescription Drug Account.
(4) Application of enrollee adjustment
The provisions of
(e) Portion of total payments to a sponsor or organization subject to risk (application of risk corridors)
(1) Computation of adjusted allowable risk corridor costs
(A) In general
For purposes of this subsection, the term "adjusted allowable risk corridor costs" means, for a plan for a coverage year (as defined in subsection (b)(4) of this section)—
(i) the allowable risk corridor costs (as defined in subparagraph (B)) for the plan for the year, reduced by
(ii) the sum of (I) the total reinsurance payments made under subsection (b) of this section to the sponsor of the plan for the year, and (II) the total subsidy payments made under
(B) Allowable risk corridor costs
For purposes of this subsection, the term "allowable risk corridor costs" means, with respect to a prescription drug plan offered by a PDP sponsor or an MA–PD plan offered by an MA organization, the part of costs (not including administrative costs, but including costs directly related to the dispensing of covered part D drugs during the year) incurred by the sponsor or organization under the plan that are actually paid (net of discounts, chargebacks, and average percentage rebates) by the sponsor or organization under the plan, but in no case more than the part of such costs that would have been paid under the plan if the prescription drug coverage under the plan were basic prescription drug coverage, or, in the case of a plan providing supplemental prescription drug coverage, if such coverage were basic prescription drug coverage taking into account the adjustment under
(2) Adjustment of payment
(A) No adjustment if adjusted allowable risk corridor costs within risk corridor
If the adjusted allowable risk corridor costs (as defined in paragraph (1)) for the plan for the year are at least equal to the first threshold lower limit of the risk corridor (specified in paragraph (3)(A)(i)), but not greater than the first threshold upper limit of the risk corridor (specified in paragraph (3)(A)(iii)) for the plan for the year, then no payment adjustment shall be made under this subsection.
(B) Increase in payment if adjusted allowable risk corridor costs above upper limit of risk corridor
(i) Costs between first and second threshold upper limits
If the adjusted allowable risk corridor costs for the plan for the year are greater than the first threshold upper limit, but not greater than the second threshold upper limit, of the risk corridor for the plan for the year, the Secretary shall increase the total of the payments made to the sponsor or organization offering the plan for the year under this section by an amount equal to 50 percent (or, for 2006 and 2007, 75 percent or 90 percent if the conditions described in clause (iii) are met for the year) of the difference between such adjusted allowable risk corridor costs and the first threshold upper limit of the risk corridor.
(ii) Costs above second threshold upper limits
If the adjusted allowable risk corridor costs for the plan for the year are greater than the second threshold upper limit of the risk corridor for the plan for the year, the Secretary shall increase the total of the payments made to the sponsor or organization offering the plan for the year under this section by an amount equal to the sum of—
(I) 50 percent (or, for 2006 and 2007, 75 percent or 90 percent if the conditions described in clause (iii) are met for the year) of the difference between the second threshold upper limit and the first threshold upper limit; and
(II) 80 percent of the difference between such adjusted allowable risk corridor costs and the second threshold upper limit of the risk corridor.
(iii) Conditions for application of higher percentage for 2006 and 2007
The conditions described in this clause are met for 2006 or 2007 if the Secretary determines with respect to such year that—
(I) at least 60 percent of prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans to which this subsection applies have adjusted allowable risk corridor costs for the plan for the year that are more than the first threshold upper limit of the risk corridor for the plan for the year; and
(II) such plans represent at least 60 percent of part D eligible individuals enrolled in any prescription drug plan or MA–PD plan.
(C) Reduction in payment if adjusted allowable risk corridor costs below lower limit of risk corridor
(i) Costs between first and second threshold lower limits
If the adjusted allowable risk corridor costs for the plan for the year are less than the first threshold lower limit, but not less than the second threshold lower limit, of the risk corridor for the plan for the year, the Secretary shall reduce the total of the payments made to the sponsor or organization offering the plan for the year under this section by an amount (or otherwise recover from the sponsor or organization an amount) equal to 50 percent (or, for 2006 and 2007, 75 percent) of the difference between the first threshold lower limit of the risk corridor and such adjusted allowable risk corridor costs.
(ii) Costs below second threshold lower limit
If the adjusted allowable risk corridor costs for the plan for the year are less the second threshold lower limit of the risk corridor for the plan for the year, the Secretary shall reduce the total of the payments made to the sponsor or organization offering the plan for the year under this section by an amount (or otherwise recover from the sponsor or organization an amount) equal to the sum of—
(I) 50 percent (or, for 2006 and 2007, 75 percent) of the difference between the first threshold lower limit and the second threshold lower limit; and
(II) 80 percent of the difference between the second threshold upper limit of the risk corridor and such adjusted allowable risk corridor costs.
(3) Establishment of risk corridors
(A) In general
For each plan year the Secretary shall establish a risk corridor for each prescription drug plan and each MA–PD plan. The risk corridor for a plan for a year shall be equal to a range as follows:
(i) First threshold lower limit
The first threshold lower limit of such corridor shall be equal to—
(I) the target amount described in subparagraph (B) for the plan; minus
(II) an amount equal to the first threshold risk percentage for the plan (as determined under subparagraph (C)(i)) of such target amount.
(ii) Second threshold lower limit
The second threshold lower limit of such corridor shall be equal to—
(I) the target amount described in subparagraph (B) for the plan; minus
(II) an amount equal to the second threshold risk percentage for the plan (as determined under subparagraph (C)(ii)) of such target amount.
(iii) First threshold upper limit
The first threshold upper limit of such corridor shall be equal to the sum of—
(I) such target amount; and
(II) the amount described in clause (i)(II).
(iv) Second threshold upper limit
The second threshold upper limit of such corridor shall be equal to the sum of—
(I) such target amount; and
(II) the amount described in clause (ii)(II).
(B) Target amount described
The target amount described in this paragraph is, with respect to a prescription drug plan or an MA–PD plan in a year, the total amount of payments paid to the PDP sponsor or MA–PD organization for the plan for the year, taking into account amounts paid by the Secretary and enrollees, based upon the standardized bid amount (as defined in
(C) First and second threshold risk percentage defined
(i) First threshold risk percentage
Subject to clause (iii), for purposes of this section, the first threshold risk percentage is—
(I) for 2006 and 2007, and 1 2.5 percent;
(II) for 2008 through 2011, 5 percent; and
(III) for 2012 and subsequent years, a percentage established by the Secretary, but in no case less than 5 percent.
(ii) Second threshold risk percentage
Subject to clause (iii), for purposes of this section, the second threshold risk percentage is—
(I) for 2006 and 2007, 5 percent;
(II) for 2008 through 2011, 10 percent; and
(III) for 2012 and subsequent years, a percentage established by the Secretary that is greater than the percent established for the year under clause (i)(III), but in no case less than 10 percent.
(iii) Reduction of risk percentage to ensure 2 plans in an area
Pursuant to
(4) Plans at risk for entire amount of supplemental prescription drug coverage
A PDP sponsor and MA organization that offers a plan that provides supplemental prescription drug benefits shall be at full financial risk for the provision of such supplemental benefits.
(5) No effect on monthly premium
No adjustment in payments made by reason of this subsection shall affect the monthly beneficiary premium or the MA monthly prescription drug beneficiary premium.
(f) Disclosure of information
(1) In general
Each contract under this part and under part C of this subchapter shall provide that—
(A) the PDP sponsor offering a prescription drug plan or an MA organization offering an MA–PD plan shall provide the Secretary with such information as the Secretary determines is necessary to carry out this section; and
(B) the Secretary shall have the right in accordance with
(2) Restriction on use of information
Information disclosed or obtained pursuant to the provisions of this section may be used—
(A) by officers, employees, and contractors of the Department of Health and Human Services for the purposes of, and to the extent necessary in—
(i) carrying out this section; and
(ii) conducting oversight, evaluation, and enforcement under this subchapter; and
(B) by the Attorney General and the Comptroller General of the United States for the purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, carrying out health oversight activities.
(g) Payment for fallback prescription drug plans
In lieu of the amounts otherwise payable under this section to a PDP sponsor offering a fallback prescription drug plan (as defined in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–15, as added
References in Text
Part C of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (f)(1), is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (f)(2).
1 So in original. The word "and" probably should not appear.
2 See References in Text note below.
§1395w–116. Medicare Prescription Drug Account in the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund
(a) Establishment and operation of Account
(1) Establishment
There is created within the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund established by
(2) Funding
The Account shall consist of such gifts and bequests as may be made as provided in
(3) Separate from rest of Trust Fund
Funds provided under this part to the Account shall be kept separate from all other funds within the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, but shall be invested, and such investments redeemed, in the same manner as all other funds and investments within such Trust Fund.
(b) Payments from Account
(1) In general
The Managing Trustee shall pay from time to time from the Account such amounts as the Secretary certifies are necessary to make payments to operate the program under this part, including—
(A) payments under
(B) payments under
(C) payments to sponsors of qualified retiree prescription drug plans under
(D) payments with respect to administrative expenses under this part in accordance with
(2) Transfers to Medicaid account for increased administrative costs
The Managing Trustee shall transfer from time to time from the Account to the Grants to States for Medicaid account amounts the Secretary certifies are attributable to increases in payment resulting from the application of
(3) Payments of premiums withheld
The Managing Trustee shall make payment to the PDP sponsor or MA organization involved of the premiums (and the portion of late enrollment penalties) that are collected in the manner described in
(4) Treatment in relation to part B premium
Amounts payable from the Account shall not be taken into account in computing actuarial rates or premium amounts under
(c) Deposits into Account
(1) Low-income transfer
Amounts paid under
(2) Amounts withheld
Pursuant to
(3) Appropriations to cover Government contributions
There are authorized to be appropriated from time to time, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the Account, an amount equivalent to the amount of payments made from the Account under subsection (b) of this section plus such amounts as the Managing Trustee certifies is necessary to maintain an appropriate contingency margin, reduced by the amounts deposited under paragraph (1) or subsection (a)(2) of this section.
(4) Initial funding and reserve
In order to assure prompt payment of benefits provided under this part and the administrative expenses thereunder during the early months of the program established by this part and to provide an initial contingency reserve, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Account, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such amount as the Secretary certifies are required, but not to exceed 10 percent of the estimated total expenditures from such Account in 2006.
(5) Transfer of any remaining balance from Transitional Assistance Account
Any balance in the Transitional Assistance Account that is transferred under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–16, as added
subpart 3—application to medicare advantage program and treatment of employer-sponsored programs and other prescription drug plans
§1395w–131. Application to Medicare Advantage program and related managed care programs
(a) Special rules relating to offering of qualified prescription drug coverage
(1) In general
An MA organization on and after January 1, 2006—
(A) may not offer an MA plan described in
(B) may not offer prescription drug coverage (other than that required under parts A and B of this subchapter) to an enrollee—
(i) under an MSA plan; or
(ii) under another MA plan unless such drug coverage under such other plan provides qualified prescription drug coverage and unless the requirements of this section with respect to such coverage are met.
(2) Qualifying coverage
For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), the term "required coverage" means with respect to an MA–PD plan—
(A) basic prescription drug coverage; or
(B) qualified prescription drug coverage that provides supplemental prescription drug coverage, so long as there is no MA monthly supplemental beneficiary premium applied under the plan (due to the application of a credit against such premium of a rebate under
(b) Application of default enrollment rules
(1) Seamless continuation
In applying
(2) MA continuation
In applying
(A) for purposes of the election as of January 1, 2006, the MA plan provided as of December 31, 2005, any prescription drug coverage; or
(B) for periods after January 1, 2006, such MA plan is an MA–PD plan.
(3) Discontinuance of MA–PD election during first year of eligibility
In applying the second sentence of
(4) Rules regarding enrollees in MA plans not providing qualified prescription drug coverage
In the case of an individual who is enrolled in an MA plan (other than an MSA plan) that does not provide qualified prescription drug coverage, if the organization offering such coverage discontinues the offering with respect to the individual of all MA plans that do not provide such coverage—
(i) the individual is deemed to have elected the original medicare fee-for-service program option, unless the individual affirmatively elects to enroll in an MA–PD plan; and
(ii) in the case of such a deemed election, the disenrollment shall be treated as an involuntary termination of the MA plan described in subparagraph (B)(ii) of
The information disclosed under
(c) Application of part D rules for prescription drug coverage
With respect to the offering of qualified prescription drug coverage by an MA organization under this part on and after January 1, 2006—
(1) In general
Except as otherwise provided, the provisions of this part shall apply under part C of this subchapter with respect to prescription drug coverage provided under MA–PD plans in lieu of the other provisions of part C of this subchapter that would apply to such coverage under such plans.
(2) Waiver
The Secretary shall waive the provisions referred to in paragraph (1) to the extent the Secretary determines that such provisions duplicate, or are in conflict with, provisions otherwise applicable to the organization or plan under part C of this subchapter or as may be necessary in order to improve coordination of this part with the benefits under this part.
(3) Treatment of MA owned and operated pharmacies
The Secretary may waive the requirement of
(d) Special rules for private fee-for-service plans that offer prescription drug coverage
With respect to an MA plan described in
(1) Requirements regarding negotiated prices
Subsections (a)(1) and (d)(1) of
(2) Modification of pharmacy access standard and disclosure requirement
If the plan provides coverage for drugs purchased from all pharmacies, without charging additional cost-sharing, and without regard to whether they are participating pharmacies in a network or have entered into contracts or agreements with pharmacies to provide drugs to enrollees covered by the plan, subsections (b)(1)(C) and (k) of
(3) Drug utilization management program and medication therapy management program not required
The requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (C) of
(4) Application of reinsurance
The Secretary shall determine the amount of reinsurance payments under
(A) bases such amount on the Secretary's estimate of the amount of such payments that would be payable if the plan were an MA–PD plan described in
(B) takes into account the average reinsurance payments made under
(5) Exemption from risk corridor provisions
The provisions of
(6) Exemption from negotiations
Subsections (d) and (e)(2)(C) of
(7) Treatment of incurred costs without regard to formulary
The exclusion of costs incurred for covered part D drugs which are not included (or treated as being included) in a plan's formulary under
(e) Application to reasonable cost reimbursement contractors
(1) In general
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) and rules established by the Secretary, in the case of an organization that is providing benefits under a reasonable cost reimbursement contract under
(2) Limitation on enrollment
In applying paragraph (1), the organization may not enroll part D eligible individuals who are not enrolled under the reasonable cost reimbursement contract involved.
(3) Bids not included in determining national average monthly bid amount
The bid of an organization offering prescription drug coverage under this subsection shall not be taken into account in computing the national average monthly bid amount and low-income benchmark premium amount under this part.
(f) Application to PACE
(1) In general
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) and rules established by the Secretary, in the case of a PACE program under
(2) Limitation on enrollment
In applying paragraph (1), the organization may not enroll part D eligible individuals who are not enrolled under the PACE program involved.
(3) Bids not included in determining standardized bid amount
The bid of an organization offering prescription drug coverage under this subsection is not be taken into account in computing any average benchmark bid amount and low-income benchmark premium amount under this part.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–21, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(B), are classified to section 1395c et seq. and section 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Part C of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (c)(1), (2), (e)(1), and (f)(1), is classified to
§1395w–132. Special rules for employer-sponsored programs
(a) Subsidy payment
(1) In general
The Secretary shall provide in accordance with this subsection for payment to the sponsor of a qualified retiree prescription drug plan (as defined in paragraph (2)) of a special subsidy payment equal to the amount specified in paragraph (3) for each qualified covered retiree under the plan (as defined in paragraph (4)). This subsection constitutes budget authority in advance of appropriations Acts and represents the obligation of the Secretary to provide for the payment of amounts provided under this section.
(2) Qualified retiree prescription drug plan defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term "qualified retiree prescription drug plan" means employment-based retiree health coverage (as defined in subsection (c)(1) of this section) if, with respect to a part D eligible individual who is a participant or beneficiary under such coverage, the following requirements are met:
(A) Attestation of actuarial equivalence to standard coverage
The sponsor of the plan provides the Secretary, annually or at such other time as the Secretary may require, with an attestation that the actuarial value of prescription drug coverage under the plan (as determined using the processes and methods described in
(B) Audits
The sponsor of the plan, or an administrator of the plan designated by the sponsor, shall maintain (and afford the Secretary access to) such records as the Secretary may require for purposes of audits and other oversight activities necessary to ensure the adequacy of prescription drug coverage and the accuracy of payments made under this section. The provisions of
(C) Provision of disclosure regarding prescription drug coverage
The sponsor of the plan shall provide for disclosure of information regarding prescription drug coverage in accordance with
(3) Employer and union special subsidy amounts
(A) In general
For purposes of this subsection, the special subsidy payment amount under this paragraph for a qualifying covered retiree for a coverage year enrolled with the sponsor of a qualified retiree prescription drug plan is, for the portion of the retiree's gross covered retiree plan-related prescription drug costs (as defined in subparagraph (C)(ii)) for such year that exceeds the cost threshold amount specified in subparagraph (B) and does not exceed the cost limit under such subparagraph, an amount equal to 28 percent of the allowable retiree costs (as defined in subparagraph (C)(i)) attributable to such gross covered prescription drug costs.
(B) Cost threshold and cost limit applicable
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii)—
(I) the cost threshold under this subparagraph is equal to $250 for plan years that end in 2006; and
(II) the cost limit under this subparagraph is equal to $5,000 for plan years that end in 2006.
(ii) Indexing
The cost threshold and cost limit amounts specified in subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (i) for a plan year that ends after 2006 shall be adjusted in the same manner as the annual deductible and the annual out-of-pocket threshold, respectively, are annually adjusted under paragraphs (1) and (4)(B) of
(C) Definitions
For purposes of this paragraph:
(i) Allowable retiree costs
The term "allowable retiree costs" means, with respect to gross covered prescription drug costs under a qualified retiree prescription drug plan by a plan sponsor, the part of such costs that are actually paid (net of discounts, chargebacks, and average percentage rebates) by the sponsor or by or on behalf of a qualifying covered retiree under the plan.
(ii) Gross covered retiree plan-related prescription drug costs
For purposes of this section, the term "gross covered retiree plan-related prescription drug costs" means, with respect to a qualifying covered retiree enrolled in a qualified retiree prescription drug plan during a coverage year, the costs incurred under the plan, not including administrative costs, but including costs directly related to the dispensing of covered part D drugs during the year. Such costs shall be determined whether they are paid by the retiree or under the plan.
(iii) Coverage year
The term "coverage year" has the meaning given such term in
(4) Qualifying covered retiree defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term "qualifying covered retiree" means a part D eligible individual who is not enrolled in a prescription drug plan or an MA–PD plan but is covered under a qualified retiree prescription drug plan.
(5) Payment methods, including provision of necessary information
The provisions of
(6) Construction
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as—
(A) precluding a part D eligible individual who is covered under employment-based retiree health coverage from enrolling in a prescription drug plan or in an MA–PD plan;
(B) precluding such employment-based retiree health coverage or an employer or other person from paying all or any portion of any premium required for coverage under a prescription drug plan or MA–PD plan on behalf of such an individual;
(C) preventing such employment-based retiree health coverage from providing coverage—
(i) that is better than standard prescription drug coverage to retirees who are covered under a qualified retiree prescription drug plan; or
(ii) that is supplemental to the benefits provided under a prescription drug plan or an MA–PD plan, including benefits to retirees who are not covered under a qualified retiree prescription drug plan but who are enrolled in such a prescription drug plan or MA–PD plan; or
(D) preventing employers to provide for flexibility in benefit design and pharmacy access provisions, without regard to the requirements for basic prescription drug coverage, so long as the actuarial equivalence requirement of paragraph (2)(A) is met.
(b) Application of MA waiver authority
The provisions of
(c) Definitions
For purposes of this section:
(1) Employment-based retiree health coverage
The term "employment-based retiree health coverage" means health insurance or other coverage of health care costs (whether provided by voluntary insurance coverage or pursuant to statutory or contractual obligation) for part D eligible individuals (or for such individuals and their spouses and dependents) under a group health plan based on their status as retired participants in such plan.
(2) Sponsor
The term "sponsor" means a plan sponsor, as defined in
(3) Group health plan
The term "group health plan" includes such a plan as defined in
(A) Federal and State governmental plans
Such a plan established or maintained for its employees by the Government of the United States, by the government of any State or political subdivision thereof, or by any agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, including a health benefits plan offered under
(B) Collectively bargained plans
Such a plan established or maintained under or pursuant to one or more collective bargaining agreements.
(C) Church plans
Such a plan established and maintained for its employees (or their beneficiaries) by a church or by a convention or association of churches which is exempt from tax under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–22, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(C), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Study on Employment-Based Retiree Health Coverage
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) Trends in employment-based retiree health coverage prior to the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 8, 2003].
"(2) The opinions of sponsors of employment-based retiree health coverage concerning which of the options available under this Act [see Tables for classification] they are most likely to utilize for the provision of health coverage to their medicare-eligible retirees, including an assessment of the administrative burdens associated with the available options.
"(3) The likelihood of sponsors of employment-based retiree health coverage to maintain or adjust their levels of retiree health benefits beyond coordination with medicare, including for prescription drug coverage, provided to medicare-eligible retirees after the date of the enactment of this Act.
"(4) The factors that sponsors of employment-based retiree health coverage expect to consider in making decisions about any changes they may make in the health coverage provided to medicare-eligible retirees.
"(5) Whether the prescription drug plan options available, or the health plan options available under the Medicare Advantage program, are likely to cause employers and other entities that did not provide health coverage to retirees prior to the date of the enactment of this Act to provide supplemental coverage or contributions toward premium expenses for medicare-eligible retirees who may enroll in such options in the future.
"(c)
"(1) Changes in the trends in employment-based retiree health coverage since the completion of the initial study by the Comptroller General.
"(2) Factors contributing to any changes in coverage levels.
"(3) The number and characteristics of sponsors of employment-based retiree health coverage who receive the special subsidy payments under section 1860D–22 of the Social Security Act [this section], as added by section 101, for the provision of prescription drug coverage to their medicare-eligible retirees that is the same or greater actuarial value as the prescription drug coverage available to other medicare beneficiaries without employment-based retiree health coverage.
"(4) The extent to which sponsors of employment-based retiree health coverage provide supplemental health coverage or contribute to the premiums for medicare-eligible retirees who enroll in a prescription drug plan or an MA–PD plan.
"(5) Other coverage options, including tax-preferred retirement or health savings accounts, consumer-directed health plans, or other vehicles that sponsors of employment-based retiree health coverage believe would assist retirees with their future health care needs and their willingness to sponsor such alternative plan designs.
"(6) The extent to which employers or other entities that did not provide employment-based retiree health coverage prior to the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 8, 2003] provided some form of coverage or financial assistance for retiree health care needs after the date of the enactment of this Act.
"(7) Recommendations by employers, benefits experts, academics, and others on ways that the voluntary provision of employment-based retiree health coverage may be improved and expanded.
"(d)
"(1) the initial study under subsection (b) not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 8, 2003]; and
"(2) the final study under subsection (c) not later than January 1, 2007.
"(e)
§1395w–133. State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
(a) Requirements for benefit coordination
(1) In general
Before July 1, 2005, the Secretary shall establish consistent with this section requirements for prescription drug plans to ensure the effective coordination between a part D plan (as defined in paragraph (5)) and a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (as defined in subsection (b) of this section) with respect to—
(A) payment of premiums and coverage; and
(B) payment for supplemental prescription drug benefits,
for part D eligible individuals enrolled under both types of plans.
(2) Coordination elements
The requirements under paragraph (1) shall include requirements relating to coordination of each of the following:
(A) Enrollment file sharing.
(B) The processing of claims, including electronic processing.
(C) Claims payment.
(D) Claims reconciliation reports.
(E) Application of the protection against high out-of-pocket expenditures under
(F) Other administrative processes specified by the Secretary.
Such requirements shall be consistent with applicable law to safeguard the privacy of any individually identifiable beneficiary information.
(3) Use of lump sum per capita method
Such requirements shall include a method for the application by a part D plan of specified funding amounts from a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program for enrolled individuals for supplemental prescription drug benefits.
(4) Consultation
In establishing requirements under this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs, MA organizations, States, pharmaceutical benefit managers, employers, representatives of part D eligible individuals, the data processing experts, pharmacists, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and other experts.
(5) Part D plan defined
For purposes of this section and
(b) State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program
For purposes of this part, the term "State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program" means a State program—
(1) which provides financial assistance for the purchase or provision of supplemental prescription drug coverage or benefits on behalf of part D eligible individuals;
(2) which, in determining eligibility and the amount of assistance to part D eligible individuals under the Program, provides assistance to such individuals in all part D plans and does not discriminate based upon the part D plan in which the individual is enrolled; and
(3) which satisfies the requirements of subsections (a) and (c) of this section.
(c) Relation to other provisions
(1) Medicare as primary payor
The requirements of this section shall not change or affect the primary payor status of a part D plan.
(2) Use of a single card
A card that is issued under
(3) Other provisions
The provisions of
(4) Special treatment under out-of-pocket rule
In applying
(5) Construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program to coordinate or provide financial assistance with respect to any part D plan.
(d) Facilitation of transition and coordination with State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
(1) Transitional grant program
The Secretary shall provide payments to State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs with an application approved under this subsection.
(2) Use of funds
Payments under this section may be used by a Program for any of the following:
(A) Educating part D eligible individuals enrolled in the Program about the prescription drug coverage available through part D plans under this part.
(B) Providing technical assistance, phone support, and counseling for such enrollees to facilitate selection and enrollment in such plans.
(C) Other activities designed to promote the effective coordination of enrollment, coverage, and payment between such Program and such plans.
(3) Allocation of funds
Of the amount appropriated to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall allocate payments among Programs that have applications approved under paragraph (4) for such fiscal year in proportion to the number of enrollees enrolled in each such Program as of October 1, 2003.
(4) Application
No payments may be made under this subsection except pursuant to an application that is submitted and approved in a time, manner, and form specified by the Secretary.
(5) Funding
Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006, $62,500,000 to carry out this subsection.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–23, as added
§1395w–134. Coordination requirements for plans providing prescription drug coverage
(a) Application of benefit coordination requirements to additional plans
(1) In general
The Secretary shall apply the coordination requirements established under
(2) Application to treatment of certain out-of-pocket expenditures
To the extent specified by the Secretary, the requirements referred to in paragraph (1) shall apply to procedures established under
(3) User fees
(A) In general
The Secretary may impose user fees for the transmittal of information necessary for benefit coordination under
(B) Application
A user fee may not be imposed under subparagraph (A) with respect to a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program.
(b) Rx Plan
An Rx plan described in this subsection is any of the following:
(1) Medicaid programs
A State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter, including such a plan operating under a waiver under
(2) Group health plans
An employer group health plan.
(3) FEHBP
The Federal employees health benefits plan under
(4) Military coverage (including TRICARE)
Coverage under
(5) Other prescription drug coverage
Such other health benefit plans or programs that provide coverage or financial assistance for the purchase or provision of prescription drug coverage on behalf of part D eligible individuals as the Secretary may specify.
(c) Relation to other provisions
(1) Use of cost management tools
The requirements of this section shall not impair or prevent a PDP sponsor or MA organization from applying cost management tools (including differential payments) under all methods of operation.
(2) No affect 1 on treatment of certain out-of-pocket expenditures
The requirements of this section shall not affect the application of the procedures established under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–24, as added
1 So in original. Probably should be "effect".
subpart 4—medicare prescription drug discount card and transitional assistance program
§1395w–141. Medicare prescription drug discount card and transitional assistance program
(a) Establishment of program
(1) In general
The Secretary shall establish a program under this section—
(A) to endorse prescription drug discount card programs that meet the requirements of this section in order to provide access to prescription drug discounts through prescription drug card sponsors for discount card eligible individuals throughout the United States; and
(B) to provide for transitional assistance for transitional assistance eligible individuals enrolled in such endorsed programs.
(2) Period of operation
(A) Implementation deadline
The Secretary shall implement the program under this section so that discount cards and transitional assistance are first available by not later than 6 months after December 8, 2003.
(B) Expediting implementation
The Secretary shall promulgate regulations to carry out the program under this section which may be effective and final immediately on an interim basis as of the date of publication of the interim final regulation. If the Secretary provides for an interim final regulation, the Secretary shall provide for a period of public comments on such regulation after the date of publication. The Secretary may change or revise such regulation after completion of the period of public comment.
(C) Termination and transition
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii)—
(I) the program under this section shall not apply to covered discount card drugs dispensed after December 31, 2005; and
(II) transitional assistance shall be available after such date to the extent the assistance relates to drugs dispensed on or before such date.
(ii) Transition
In the case of an individual who is enrolled in an endorsed discount card program as of December 31, 2005, during the individual's transition period (if any) under clause (iii), in accordance with transition rules specified by the Secretary—
(I) such endorsed program may continue to apply to covered discount card drugs dispensed to the individual under the program during such transition period;
(II) no annual enrollment fee shall be applicable during the transition period;
(III) during such period the individual may not change the endorsed program plan in which the individual is enrolled; and
(IV) the balance of any transitional assistance remaining on January 1, 2006, shall remain available for drugs dispensed during the individual's transition period.
(iii) Transition period
The transition period under this clause for an individual is the period beginning on January 1, 2006, and ending in the case of an individual who—
(I) is enrolled in a prescription drug plan or an MA–PD plan before the last date of the initial enrollment period under
(II) is not so enrolled, on the last day of such initial period.
(3) Voluntary nature of program
Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a discount card eligible individual to enroll in an endorsed discount card program under this section.
(4) Glossary and definitions of terms
For purposes of this section:
(A) Covered discount card drug
The term "covered discount card drug" has the meaning given the term "covered part D drug" in
(B) Discount card eligible individual
The term "discount card eligible individual" is defined in subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section.
(C) Endorsed discount card program; endorsed program
The terms "endorsed discount card program" and "endorsed program" mean a prescription drug discount card program that is endorsed (and for which the sponsor has a contract with the Secretary) under this section.
(D) Negotiated price
Negotiated prices are described in subsection (e)(1)(A)(ii) of this section.
(E) Prescription drug card sponsor; sponsor
The terms "prescription drug card sponsor" and "sponsor" are defined in subsection (h)(1)(A) of this section.
(F) State
The term "State" has the meaning given such term for purposes of subchapter XIX of this chapter.
(G) Transitional assistance eligible individual
The term "transitional assistance eligible individual" is defined in subsection (b)(2) of this section.
(b) Eligibility for discount card and for transitional assistance
For purposes of this section:
(1) Discount card eligible individual
(A) In general
The term "discount card eligible individual" means an individual who—
(i) is entitled to benefits, or enrolled, under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter; and
(ii) subject to paragraph (4), is not an individual described in subparagraph (B).
(B) Individual described
An individual described in this subparagraph is an individual described in subparagraph (A)(i) who is enrolled under subchapter XIX of this chapter (or under a waiver under
(2) Transitional assistance eligible individual
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the term "transitional assistance eligible individual" means a discount card eligible individual who resides in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia and whose income (as determined under subsection (f)(1)(B) of this section) is not more than 135 percent of the poverty line (as defined in
(B) Exclusion of individuals with certain prescription drug coverage
Such term does not include an individual who has coverage of, or assistance for, covered discount card drugs under any of the following:
(i) A group health plan or health insurance coverage (as such terms are defined in
(ii)
(iii) A plan under
(3) Special transitional assistance eligible individual
The term "special transitional assistance eligible individual" means a transitional assistance eligible individual whose income (as determined under subsection (f)(1)(B) of this section) is not more than 100 percent of the poverty line (as defined in
(4) Treatment of medicaid medically needy
For purposes of this section, the Secretary shall provide for appropriate rules for the treatment of medically needy individuals described in
(c) Enrollment and enrollment fees
(1) Enrollment process
The Secretary shall establish a process through which a discount card eligible individual is enrolled and disenrolled in an endorsed discount card program under this section consistent with the following:
(A) Continuous open enrollment
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this paragraph and subsection (h)(9) of this section, a discount card eligible individual who is not enrolled in an endorsed discount card program and is residing in a State may enroll in any such endorsed program—
(i) that serves residents of the State; and
(ii) at any time beginning on the initial enrollment date, specified by the Secretary, and before January 1, 2006.
(B) Use of standard enrollment form
An enrollment in an endorsed program shall only be effected through completion of a standard enrollment form specified by the Secretary. Each sponsor of an endorsed program shall transmit to the Secretary (in a form and manner specified by the Secretary) information on individuals who complete such enrollment forms and, to the extent provided under subsection (f) of this section, information regarding certification as a transitional assistance eligible individual.
(C) Enrollment only in one program
(i) In general
Subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), a discount card eligible individual may be enrolled in only one endorsed discount card program under this section.
(ii) Change in endorsed program permitted for 2005
The Secretary shall establish a process, similar to (and coordinated with) the process for annual, coordinated elections under
(iii) Additional exceptions
The Secretary shall permit an individual to change the endorsed discount card program in which the individual is enrolled in the case of an individual who changes residence to be outside the service area of such program and in such other exceptional cases as the Secretary may provide (taking into account the circumstances for special election periods under
(D) Disenrollment
(i) Voluntary
An individual may voluntarily disenroll from an endorsed discount card program at any time. In the case of such a voluntary disenrollment, the individual may not enroll in another endorsed program, except under such exceptional circumstances as the Secretary may recognize under subparagraph (C)(iii) or during the annual coordinated enrollment period provided under subparagraph (C)(ii).
(ii) Involuntary
An individual who is enrolled in an endorsed discount card program and not a transitional assistance eligible individual may be disenrolled by the sponsor of the program if the individual fails to pay any annual enrollment fee required under the program.
(E) Application to certain enrollees
In the case of a discount card eligible individual who is enrolled in a plan described in
(2) Enrollment fees
(A) In general
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this paragraph, a prescription drug card sponsor may charge an annual enrollment fee for each discount card eligible individual enrolled in an endorsed discount card program offered by such sponsor. The annual enrollment fee for either 2004 or 2005 shall not be prorated for portions of a year. There shall be no annual enrollment fee for a year after 2005.
(B) Amount
No annual enrollment fee charged under subparagraph (A) may exceed $30.
(C) Uniform enrollment fee
A prescription drug card sponsor shall ensure that the annual enrollment fee (if any) for an endorsed discount card program is the same for all discount card eligible individuals enrolled in the program and residing in the State.
(D) Collection
The annual enrollment fee (if any) charged for enrollment in an endorsed program shall be collected by the sponsor of the program.
(E) Payment of fee for transitional assistance eligible individuals
Under subsection (g)(1)(A) of this section, the annual enrollment fee (if any) otherwise charged under this paragraph with respect to a transitional assistance eligible individual shall be paid by the Secretary on behalf of such individual.
(F) Optional payment of fee by State
(i) In general
The Secretary shall establish an arrangement under which a State may provide for payment of some or all of the enrollment fee for some or all enrollees who are not transitional assistance eligible individuals in the State, as specified by the State under the arrangement. Insofar as such a payment arrangement is made with respect to an enrollee, the amount of the enrollment fee shall be paid directly by the State to the sponsor.
(ii) No Federal matching available under medicaid or SCHIP
Expenditures made by a State for enrollment fees described in clause (i) shall not be treated as State expenditures for purposes of Federal matching payments under subchapter XIX or XXI of this chapter.
(G) Rules in case of changes in program enrollment during a year
The Secretary shall provide special rules in the case of payment of an annual enrollment fee for a discount card eligible individual who changes the endorsed program in which the individual is enrolled during a year.
(3) Issuance of discount card
Each prescription drug card sponsor of an endorsed discount card program shall issue, in a standard format specified by the Secretary, to each discount card eligible individual enrolled in such program a card that establishes proof of enrollment and that can be used in a coordinated manner to identify the sponsor, program, and individual for purposes of the program under this section.
(4) Period of access
In the case of a discount card eligible individual who enrolls in an endorsed program, access to negotiated prices and transitional assistance, if any, under such endorsed program shall take effect on such date as the Secretary shall specify.
(d) Provision of information on enrollment and program features
(1) Secretarial responsibilities
(A) In general
The Secretary shall provide for activities under this subsection to broadly disseminate information to discount card eligible individuals (and prospective eligible individuals) regarding—
(i) enrollment in endorsed discount card programs; and
(ii) the features of the program under this section, including the availability of transitional assistance.
(B) Promotion of informed choice
In order to promote informed choice among endorsed prescription drug discount card programs, the Secretary shall provide for the dissemination of information which—
(i) compares the annual enrollment fee and other features of such programs, which may include comparative prices for covered discount card drugs; and
(ii) includes educational materials on the variability of discounts on prices of covered discount card drugs under an endorsed program.
The dissemination of information under clause (i) shall, to the extent practicable, be coordinated with the dissemination of educational information on other medicare options.
(C) Special rule for initial enrollment date under the program
To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure, through the activities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B), that discount card eligible individuals are provided with such information at least 30 days prior to the initial enrollment date specified under subsection (c)(1)(A)(ii) of this section.
(D) Use of medicare toll-free number
The Secretary shall provide through the toll-free telephone number 1–800–MEDICARE for the receipt and response to inquiries and complaints concerning the program under this section and endorsed programs.
(2) Prescription drug card sponsor responsibilities
(A) In general
Each prescription drug card sponsor that offers an endorsed discount card program shall make available to discount card eligible individuals (through the Internet and otherwise) information that the Secretary identifies as being necessary to promote informed choice among endorsed discount card programs by such individuals, including information on enrollment fees and negotiated prices for covered discount card drugs charged to such individuals.
(B) Response to enrollee questions
Each sponsor offering an endorsed discount card program shall have a mechanism (including a toll-free telephone number) for providing upon request specific information (such as negotiated prices and the amount of transitional assistance remaining available through the program) to discount card eligible individuals enrolled in the program. The sponsor shall inform transitional assistance eligible individuals enrolled in the program of the availability of such toll-free telephone number to provide information on the amount of available transitional assistance.
(C) Information on balance of transitional assistance available at point-of-sale
Each sponsor offering an endorsed discount card program shall have a mechanism so that information on the amount of transitional assistance remaining under subsection (g)(1)(B) of this section is available (electronically or by telephone) at the point-of-sale of covered discount card drugs.
(3) Public disclosure of pharmaceutical prices for equivalent drugs
(A) In general
A prescription drug card sponsor offering an endorsed discount card program shall provide that each pharmacy that dispenses a covered discount card drug shall inform a discount card eligible individual enrolled in the program of any differential between the price of the drug to the enrollee and the price of the lowest priced generic covered discount card drug under the program that is therapeutically equivalent and bioequivalent and available at such pharmacy.
(B) Timing of notice
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), the information under subparagraph (A) shall be provided at the time of purchase of the drug involved, or, in the case of dispensing by mail order, at the time of delivery of such drug.
(ii) Waiver
The Secretary may waive clause (i) in such circumstances as the Secretary may specify.
(e) Discount card features
(1) Savings to enrollees through negotiated prices
(A) Access to negotiated prices
(i) In general
Each prescription drug card sponsor that offers an endorsed discount card program shall provide each discount card eligible individual enrolled in the program with access to negotiated prices.
(ii) Negotiated prices
For purposes of this section, negotiated prices shall take into account negotiated price concessions, such as discounts, direct or indirect subsidies, rebates, and direct or indirect remunerations, for covered discount card drugs, and include any dispensing fees for such drugs.
(B) Ensuring pharmacy access
Each prescription drug card sponsor offering an endorsed discount card program shall secure the participation in its network of a sufficient number of pharmacies that dispense (other than solely by mail order) drugs directly to enrollees to ensure convenient access to covered discount card drugs at negotiated prices (consistent with rules established by the Secretary). The Secretary shall establish convenient access rules under this clause that are no less favorable to enrollees than the standards for convenient access to pharmacies included in the statement of work of solicitation (#MDA906–03–R–0002) of the Department of Defense under the TRICARE Retail Pharmacy (TRRx) as of March 13, 2003.
(C) Prohibition on charges for required services
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), a prescription drug card sponsor (and any pharmacy contracting with such sponsor for the provision of covered discount card drugs to individuals enrolled in such sponsor's endorsed discount card program) may not charge an enrollee any amount for any items and services required to be provided by the sponsor under this section.
(ii) Construction
Nothing in clause (i) shall be construed to prevent—
(I) the sponsor from charging the annual enrollment fee (except in the case of a transitional assistance eligible individual); and
(II) the pharmacy dispensing the covered discount card drug, from imposing a charge (consistent with the negotiated price) for the covered discount card drug dispensed, reduced by the amount of any transitional assistance made available.
(D) Inapplicability of medicaid best price rules
The prices negotiated from drug manufacturers for covered discount card drugs under an endorsed discount card program under this section shall (notwithstanding any other provision of law) not be taken into account for the purposes of establishing the best price under
(2) Reduction of medication errors and adverse drug interactions
Each endorsed discount card program shall implement a system to reduce the likelihood of medication errors and adverse drug interactions and to improve medication use.
(f) Eligibility procedures for endorsed programs and transitional assistance
(1) Determinations
(A) Procedures
The determination of whether an individual is a discount card eligible individual or a transitional assistance eligible individual or a special transitional assistance eligible individual (as defined in subsection (b) of this section) shall be determined under procedures specified by the Secretary consistent with this subsection.
(B) Income and family size determinations
For purposes of this section, the Secretary shall define the terms "income" and "family size" and shall specify the methods and period for which they are determined. If under such methods income or family size is determined based on the income or family size for prior periods of time, the Secretary shall permit (whether through a process of reconsideration or otherwise) an individual whose income or family size has changed to elect to have eligibility for transitional assistance determined based on income or family size for a more recent period.
(2) Use of self-certification for transitional assistance
(A) In general
Under the procedures specified under paragraph (1)(A) an individual who wishes to be treated as a transitional assistance eligible individual or a special transitional assistance eligible individual under this section (or another qualified person on such individual's behalf) shall certify on the enrollment form under subsection (c)(1)(B) of this section (or similar form specified by the Secretary), through a simplified means specified by the Secretary and under penalty of perjury or similar sanction for false statements, as to the amount of the individual's income, family size, and individual's prescription drug coverage (if any) insofar as they relate to eligibility to be a transitional assistance eligible individual or a special transitional assistance eligible individual. Such certification shall be deemed as consent to verification of respective eligibility under paragraph (3). A certification under this paragraph may be provided before, on, or after the time of enrollment under an endorsed program.
(B) Treatment of self-certification
The Secretary shall treat a certification under subparagraph (A) that is verified under paragraph (3) as a determination that the individual involved is a transitional assistance eligible individual or special transitional assistance eligible individual (as the case may be) for the entire period of the enrollment of the individual in any endorsed program.
(3) Verification
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish methods (which may include the use of sampling and the use of information described in subparagraph (B)) to verify eligibility for individuals who seek to enroll in an endorsed program and for individuals who provide a certification under paragraph (2).
(B) Information described
The information described in this subparagraph is as follows:
(i) Medicaid-related information
Information on eligibility under subchapter XIX of this chapter and provided to the Secretary under arrangements between the Secretary and States in order to verify the eligibility of individuals who seek to enroll in an endorsed program and of individuals who provide certification under paragraph (2).
(ii) Social security information
Financial information made available to the Secretary under arrangements between the Secretary and the Commissioner of Social Security in order to verify the eligibility of individuals who provide such certification.
(iii) Information from Secretary of the Treasury
Financial information made available to the Secretary under section 6103(l)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 in order to verify the eligibility of individuals who provide such certification.
(C) Verification in cases of medicaid enrollees
(i) In general
Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing the Secretary from finding that a discount card eligible individual meets the income requirements under subsection (b)(2)(A) of this section if the individual is within a category of discount card eligible individuals who are enrolled under subchapter XIX of this chapter (such as qualified medicare beneficiaries (QMBs), specified low-income medicare beneficiaries (SLMBs), and certain qualified individuals (QI–1s)).
(ii) Availability of information for verification purposes
As a condition of provision of Federal financial participation to a State that is one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia under subchapter XIX of this chapter, for purposes of carrying out this section, the State shall provide the information it submits to the Secretary relating to such subchapter in a manner specified by the Secretary that permits the Secretary to identify individuals who are described in subsection (b)(1)(B) of this section or are transitional assistance eligible individuals or special transitional assistance eligible individuals.
(4) Reconsideration
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish a process under which a discount card eligible individual, who is determined through the certification and verification methods under paragraphs (2) and (3) not to be a transitional assistance eligible individual or a special transitional assistance eligible individual, may request a reconsideration of the determination.
(B) Contract authority
The Secretary may enter into a contract to perform the reconsiderations requested under subparagraph (A).
(C) Communication of results
Under the process under subparagraph (A) the results of such reconsideration shall be communicated to the individual and the prescription drug card sponsor involved.
(g) Transitional assistance
(1) Provision of transitional assistance
An individual who is a transitional assistance eligible individual (as determined under this section) and who is enrolled with an endorsed program is entitled—
(A) to have payment made of any annual enrollment fee charged under subsection (c)(2) of this section for enrollment under the program; and
(B) to have payment made, up to the amount specified in paragraph (2), under such endorsed program of 90 percent (or 95 percent in the case of a special transitional assistance eligible individual) of the costs incurred for covered discount card drugs obtained through the program taking into account the negotiated price (if any) for the drug under the program.
(2) Limitation on dollar amount
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the amount specified in this paragraph for a transitional assistance eligible individual—
(i) for costs incurred during 2004, is $600; or
(ii) for costs incurred during 2005, is—
(I) $600, plus
(II) except as provided in subparagraph (E), the amount by which the amount available under this paragraph for 2004 for that individual exceeds the amount of payment made under paragraph (1)(B) for that individual for costs incurred during 2004.
(B) Proration
(i) In general
In the case of an individual not described in clause (ii) with respect to a year, the Secretary may prorate the amount specified in subparagraph (A) for the balance of the year involved in a manner specified by the Secretary.
(ii) Individual described
An individual described in this clause is a transitional assistance eligible individual who—
(I) with respect to 2004, enrolls in an endorsed program, and provides a certification under subsection (f)(2) of this section, before the initial implementation date of the program under this section; and
(II) with respect to 2005, is enrolled in an endorsed program, and has provided such a certification, before February 1, 2005.
(C) Accounting for available balances in cases of changes in program enrollment
In the case of a transitional assistance eligible individual who changes the endorsed discount card program in which the individual is enrolled under this section, the Secretary shall provide a process under which the Secretary provides to the sponsor of the endorsed program in which the individual enrolls information concerning the balance of amounts available on behalf of the individual under this paragraph.
(D) Limitation on use of funds
Pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(C) of this section, no assistance shall be provided under paragraph (1)(B) with respect to covered discount card drugs dispensed after December 31, 2005.
(E) No rollover permitted in case of voluntary disenrollment
Except in such exceptional cases as the Secretary may provide, in the case of a transitional assistance eligible individual who voluntarily disenrolls from an endorsed plan, the provisions of subclause (II) of subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not apply.
(3) Payment
The Secretary shall provide a method for the reimbursement of prescription drug card sponsors for assistance provided under this subsection.
(4) Coverage of coinsurance
(A) Waiver permitted by pharmacy
Nothing in this section shall be construed as precluding a pharmacy from reducing or waiving the application of coinsurance imposed under paragraph (1)(B) in accordance with
(B) Optional payment of coinsurance by State
(i) In general
The Secretary shall establish an arrangement under which a State may provide for payment of some or all of the coinsurance under paragraph (1)(B) for some or all enrollees in the State, as specified by the State under the arrangement. Insofar as such a payment arrangement is made with respect to an enrollee, the amount of the coinsurance shall be paid directly by the State to the pharmacy involved.
(ii) No Federal matching available under medicaid or SCHIP
Expenditures made by a State for coinsurance described in clause (i) shall not be treated as State expenditures for purposes of Federal matching payments under subchapter XIX or XXI of this chapter.
(iii) Not treated as medicare cost-sharing
Coinsurance described in paragraph (1)(B) shall not be treated as coinsurance under this subchapter for purposes of
(C) Treatment of coinsurance
The amount of any coinsurance imposed under paragraph (1)(B), whether paid or waived under this paragraph, shall not be taken into account in applying the limitation in dollar amount under paragraph (2).
(5) Ensuring access to transitional assistance for qualified residents of long-term care facilities and American Indians
(A) Residents of long-term care facilities
The Secretary shall establish procedures and may waive requirements of this section as necessary to negotiate arrangements with sponsors to provide arrangements with pharmacies that support long-term care facilities in order to ensure access to transitional assistance for transitional assistance eligible individuals who reside in long-term care facilities.
(B) American Indians
The Secretary shall establish procedures and may waive requirements of this section to ensure that, for purposes of providing transitional assistance, pharmacies operated by the Indian Health Service, Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations (as defined in
(6) No impact on benefits under other programs
The availability of negotiated prices or transitional assistance under this section shall not be treated as benefits or otherwise taken into account in determining an individual's eligibility for, or the amount of benefits under, any other Federal program.
(7) Disregard for purposes of part C
Nonuniformity of benefits resulting from the implementation of this section (including the provision or nonprovision of transitional assistance and the payment or waiver of any enrollment fee under this section) shall not be taken into account in applying
(h) Qualification of prescription drug card sponsors and endorsement of discount card programs; beneficiary protections
(1) Prescription drug card sponsor and qualifications
(A) Prescription drug card sponsor and sponsor defined
For purposes of this section, the terms "prescription drug card sponsor" and "sponsor" mean any nongovernmental entity that the Secretary determines to be appropriate to offer an endorsed discount card program under this section, which may include—
(i) a pharmaceutical benefit management company;
(ii) a wholesale or retail pharmacy delivery system;
(iii) an insurer (including an insurer that offers medicare supplemental policies under
(iv) an organization offering a plan under part C of this subchapter; or
(v) any combination of the entities described in clauses (i) through (iv).
(B) Administrative qualifications
Each endorsed discount card program shall be operated directly, or through arrangements with an affiliated organization (or organizations), by one or more entities that have demonstrated experience and expertise in operating such a program or a similar program and that meets such business stability and integrity requirements as the Secretary may specify.
(C) Accounting for transitional assistance
The sponsor of an endorsed discount card program shall have arrangements satisfactory to the Secretary to account for the assistance provided under subsection (g) of this section on behalf of transitional assistance eligible individuals.
(2) Applications for program endorsement
(A) Submission
Each prescription drug card sponsor that seeks endorsement of a prescription drug discount card program under this section shall submit to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may specify, an application containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(B) Approval; compliance with applicable requirements
The Secretary shall review the application submitted under subparagraph (A) and shall determine whether to endorse the prescription drug discount card program. The Secretary may not endorse such a program unless—
(i) the program and prescription drug card sponsor offering the program comply with the applicable requirements under this section; and
(ii) the sponsor has entered into a contract with the Secretary to carry out such requirements.
(C) Termination of endorsement and contracts
An endorsement of an endorsed program and a contract under subparagraph (B) shall be for the duration of the program under this section (including any transition applicable under subsection (a)(2)(C)(ii) of this section), except that the Secretary may, with notice and for cause (as defined by the Secretary), terminate such endorsement and contract.
(D) Ensuring choice of programs
(i) In general
The Secretary shall ensure that there is available to each discount card eligible individual a choice of at least 2 endorsed programs (each offered by a different sponsor).
(ii) Limitation on number
The Secretary may limit (but not below 2) the number of sponsors in a State that are awarded contracts under this paragraph.
(3) Service area encompassing entire States
Except as provided in paragraph (9), if a prescription drug card sponsor that offers an endorsed program enrolls in the program individuals residing in any part of a State, the sponsor must permit any discount card eligible individual residing in any portion of the State to enroll in the program.
(4) Savings to medicare beneficiaries
Each prescription drug card sponsor that offers an endorsed discount card program shall pass on to discount card eligible individuals enrolled in the program negotiated prices on covered discount card drugs, including discounts negotiated with pharmacies and manufacturers, to the extent disclosed under subsection (i)(1) of this section.
(5) Grievance mechanism
Each prescription drug card sponsor shall provide meaningful procedures for hearing and resolving grievances between the sponsor (including any entity or individual through which the sponsor carries out the endorsed discount card program) and enrollees in endorsed discount card programs of the sponsor under this section in a manner similar to that required under
(6) Confidentiality of enrollee records
(A) In general
For purposes of the program under this section, the operations of an endorsed program are covered functions and a prescription drug card sponsor is a covered entity for purposes of applying part C of subchapter XI of this chapter and all regulatory provisions promulgated thereunder, including regulations (relating to privacy) adopted pursuant to the authority of the Secretary under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (
(B) Waiver authority
In order to promote participation of sponsors in the program under this section, the Secretary may waive such relevant portions of regulations relating to privacy referred to in subparagraph (A), for such appropriate, limited period of time, as the Secretary specifies.
(7) Limitation on provision and marketing of products and services
The sponsor of an endorsed discount card program—
(A) may provide under the program—
(i) a product or service only if the product or service is directly related to a covered discount card drug; or
(ii) a discount price for nonprescription drugs; and
(B) may, to the extent otherwise permitted under paragraph (6) (relating to application of HIPAA requirements), market a product or service under the program only if the product or service is directly related to—
(i) a covered discount card drug; or
(ii) a drug described in subparagraph (A)(ii) and the marketing consists of information on the discounted price made available for the drug involved.
(8) Additional protections
Each endorsed discount card program shall meet such additional requirements as the Secretary identifies to protect and promote the interest of discount card eligible individuals, including requirements that ensure that discount card eligible individuals enrolled in endorsed discount card programs are not charged more than the lower of the price based on negotiated prices or the usual and customary price.
(9) Special rules for certain organizations
(A) In general
In the case of an organization that is offering a plan under part C of this subchapter or enrollment under a reasonable cost reimbursement contract under
(B) Special rules
The special rules under this subparagraph are as follows:
(i) Limitation on enrollment
The sponsor limits enrollment under this section under the endorsed discount card program to discount card eligible individuals who are enrolled in the part C plan involved or under the reasonable cost reimbursement contract involved and is not required nor permitted to enroll other individuals under such program.
(ii) Pharmacy access
Pharmacy access requirements under subsection (e)(1)(B) of this section are deemed to be met if the access is made available through a pharmacy network (and not only through mail order) and the network used by the sponsor is approved by the Secretary.
(iii) Sponsor requirements
The Secretary may waive the application of such requirements for a sponsor as the Secretary determines to be duplicative or to conflict with a requirement of the organization under part C of this subchapter or
(i) Disclosure and oversight
(1) Disclosure
Each prescription drug card sponsor offering an endorsed discount card program shall disclose to the Secretary (in a manner specified by the Secretary) information relating to program performance, use of prescription drugs by discount card eligible individuals enrolled in the program, the extent to which negotiated price concessions described in subsection (e)(1)(A)(ii) of this section made available to the entity by a manufacturer are passed through to enrollees through pharmacies or otherwise, and such other information as the Secretary may specify. The provisions of
(2) Oversight; audit and inspection authority
The Secretary shall provide appropriate oversight to ensure compliance of endorsed discount card programs and their sponsors with the requirements of this section. The Secretary shall have the right to audit and inspect any books and records of a prescription discount card sponsor (and of any affiliated organization referred to in subsection (h)(1)(B) of this section) that pertain to the endorsed discount card program under this section, including amounts payable to the sponsor under this section.
(3) Sanctions for abusive practices
The Secretary may implement intermediate sanctions or may revoke the endorsement of a program offered by a sponsor under this section if the Secretary determines that the sponsor or the program no longer meets the applicable requirements of this section or that the sponsor has engaged in false or misleading marketing practices. The Secretary may impose a civil money penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for conduct that a party knows or should know is a violation of this section. The provisions of
(j) Treatment of territories
(1) In general
The Secretary may waive any provision of this section (including subsection (h)(2)(D)) in the case of a resident of a State (other than the 50 States and the District of Columbia) insofar as the Secretary determines it is necessary to secure access to negotiated prices for discount card eligible individuals (or, at the option of the Secretary, individuals described in subsection (b)(1)(A)(i) of this section).
(2) Transitional assistance
(A) In general
In the case of a State, other than the 50 States and the District of Columbia, if the State establishes a plan described in subparagraph (B) (for providing transitional assistance with respect to the provision of prescription drugs to some or all individuals residing in the State who are described in subparagraph (B)(i)), the Secretary shall pay to the State for the entire period of the operation of this section an amount equal to the amount allotted to the State under subparagraph (C).
(B) Plan
The plan described in this subparagraph is a plan that—
(i) provides transitional assistance with respect to the provision of covered discount card drugs to some or all individuals who are entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, who reside in the State, and who have income below 135 percent of the poverty line; and
(ii) assures that amounts received by the State under this paragraph are used only for such assistance.
(C) Allotment limit
The amount described in this subparagraph for a State is equal to $35,000,000 multiplied by the ratio (as estimated by the Secretary) of—
(i) the number of individuals who are entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter and who reside in the State (as determined by the Secretary as of July 1, 2003), to
(ii) the sum of such numbers for all States to which this paragraph applies.
(D) Continued availability of funds
Amounts made available to a State under this paragraph which are not used under this paragraph shall be added to the amount available to that State for purposes of carrying out
(k) Funding
(1) Establishment of Transitional Assistance Account
(A) In general
There is created within the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund established by
(B) Funds
The Account shall consist of such gifts and bequests as may be made as provided in
(C) Separate from rest of Trust Fund
Funds provided under this subsection to the Account shall be kept separate from all other funds within the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, but shall be invested, and such investments redeemed, in the same manner as all other funds and investments within such Trust Fund.
(2) Payments from account
(A) In general
The Managing Trustee shall pay from time to time from the Account such amounts as the Secretary certifies are necessary to make payments for transitional assistance provided under subsections (g) and (j)(2) of this section.
(B) Treatment in relation to part B premium
Amounts payable from the Account shall not be taken into account in computing actuarial rates or premium amounts under
(3) Appropriations to cover benefits
There are appropriated to the Account in a fiscal year, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, an amount equal to the payments made from the Account in the year.
(4) For administrative expenses
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary to carry out the Secretary's responsibilities under this section.
(5) Transfer of any remaining balance to Medicare Prescription Drug Account
Any balance remaining in the Account after the Secretary determines that funds in the Account are no longer necessary to carry out the program under this section shall be transferred and deposited into the Medicare Prescription Drug Account under
(6) Construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing the Secretary to provide for payment (other than payment of an enrollment fee on behalf of a transitional assistance eligible individual under subsection (g)(1)(A) of this section) to a sponsor for administrative expenses incurred by the sponsor in carrying out this section (including in administering the transitional assistance provisions of subsections (f) and (g) of this section).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–31, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (b)(1)(A)(i) and (j)(2)(B)(i), (C)(i), are classified to section 1395c et seq. and section 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Part C of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (b)(2)(B)(i), (c)(1)(C)(iii), (g)(7), and (h)(1)(A)(iv), (9), is classified to
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (f)(3)(B)(iii), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Part C of subchapter XI of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (h)(6)(A), is classified to
Section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (h)(6)(A), is section 264(c) of
Rules for Implementation
"(1) In promulgating regulations pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(B) of such section 1860D–31 [subsec. (a)(2)(B) of this section]—
"(A) section 1871(a)(3) of the Social Security Act (
"(B)
"(C)
"(2) Section 1857(c)(5) of the Social Security Act (
"(3) The administration of such program shall be made without regard to
"(4)(A) There shall be no judicial review of a determination not to endorse, or enter into a contract, with a prescription drug card sponsor under section 1860D–31 of the Social Security Act.
"(B) In the case of any order issued to enjoin any provision of section 1860D–31 of the Social Security Act (or of [sic] any provision of this section [amending
1 See References in Text note below.
subpart 5—definitions and miscellaneous provisions
§1395w–151. Definitions; treatment of references to provisions in part C
(a) Definitions
For purposes of this part:
(1) Basic prescription drug coverage
The term "basic prescription drug coverage" is defined in
(2) Covered part D drug
The term "covered part D drug" is defined in
(3) Creditable prescription drug coverage
The term "creditable prescription drug coverage" has the meaning given such term in
(4) Part D eligible individual
The term "part D eligible individual" has the meaning given such term in
(5) Fallback prescription drug plan
The term "fallback prescription drug plan" has the meaning given such term in
(6) Initial coverage limit
The term "initial coverage limit" means such limit as established under
(7) Insurance risk
The term "insurance risk" means, with respect to a participating pharmacy, risk of the type commonly assumed only by insurers licensed by a State and does not include payment variations designed to reflect performance-based measures of activities within the control of the pharmacy, such as formulary compliance and generic drug substitution.
(8) MA plan
The term "MA plan" has the meaning given such term in
(9) MA–PD plan
The term "MA–PD plan" has the meaning given such term in
(10) Medicare Prescription Drug Account
The term "Medicare Prescription Drug Account" means the Account created under
(11) PDP approved bid
The term "PDP approved bid" has the meaning given such term in
(12) PDP region
The term "PDP region" means such a region as provided under
(13) PDP sponsor
The term "PDP sponsor" means a nongovernmental entity that is certified under this part as meeting the requirements and standards of this part for such a sponsor.
(14) Prescription drug plan
The term "prescription drug plan" means prescription drug coverage that is offered—
(A) under a policy, contract, or plan that has been approved under
(B) by a PDP sponsor pursuant to, and in accordance with, a contract between the Secretary and the sponsor under
(15) Qualified prescription drug coverage
The term "qualified prescription drug coverage" is defined in
(16) Standard prescription drug coverage
The term "standard prescription drug coverage" is defined in
(17) State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program
The term "State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program" has the meaning given such term in
(18) Subsidy eligible individual
The term "subsidy eligible individual" has the meaning given such term in
(b) Application of part C provisions under this part
For purposes of applying provisions of part C of this subchapter under this part with respect to a prescription drug plan and a PDP sponsor, unless otherwise provided in this part such provisions shall be applied as if—
(1) any reference to an MA plan included a reference to a prescription drug plan;
(2) any reference to an MA organization or a provider-sponsored organization included a reference to a PDP sponsor;
(3) any reference to a contract under
(4) any reference to part C of this subchapter included a reference to this part; and
(5) any reference to an election period under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–41, as added
References in Text
Part C of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (b), is classified to
1 See References in Text note below.
§1395w–152. Miscellaneous provisions
(a) Access to coverage in territories
The Secretary may waive such requirements of this part, including
(b) Application of demonstration authority
The provisions of section 402 of the Social Security Amendments of 1967 (
(c) Coverage gap rebate for 2010
(1) In general
In the case of an individual described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of
(2) Limitation
The Secretary shall provide only 1 payment under this subsection with respect to any individual.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–42, as added
References in Text
Section 402 of the Social Security Amendments of 1967, referred to in subsec. (b), is section 402 of
Parts A, B, and C of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (b), are classified to sections 1395c et seq., 1395j et seq., and 1395w–21 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (c).
§1395w–153. Condition for coverage of drugs under this part
(a) In general
In order for coverage to be available under this part for covered part D drugs (as defined in
(1) participate in the Medicare coverage gap discount program under
(2) have entered into and have in effect an agreement described in subsection (b) of such section with the Secretary; and
(3) have entered into and have in effect, under terms and conditions specified by the Secretary, a contract with a third party that the Secretary has entered into a contract with under subsection (d)(3) of such section.
(b) Effective date
Subsection (a) shall apply to covered part D drugs dispensed under this part on or after January 1, 2011.
(c) Authorizing coverage for drugs not covered under agreements
Subsection (a) shall not apply to the dispensing of a covered part D drug if—
(1) the Secretary has made a determination that the availability of the drug is essential to the health of beneficiaries under this part; or
(2) the Secretary determines that in the period beginning on January 1, 2011, and 1 December 31, 2011, there were extenuating circumstances.
(d) Definition of manufacturer
In this section, the term "manufacturer" has the meaning given such term in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1860D–43, as added
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(2).
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by "ending on".
§1395w–154. Improved Medicare prescription drug plan and MA–PD plan complaint system
(a) In general
The Secretary shall develop and maintain a complaint system, that is widely known and easy to use, to collect and maintain information on MA–PD plan and prescription drug plan complaints that are received (including by telephone, letter, e-mail, or any other means) by the Secretary (including by a regional office of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman, a subcontractor, a carrier, a fiscal intermediary, and a Medicare administrative contractor under
(b) Model electronic complaint form
The Secretary shall develop a model electronic complaint form to be used for reporting plan complaints under the system. Such form shall be prominently displayed on the front page of the Medicare.gov Internet website and on the Internet website of the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman.
(c) Annual reports by the Secretary
The Secretary shall submit to Congress annual reports on the system. Such reports shall include an analysis of the number and types of complaints reported in the system, geographic variations in such complaints, the timeliness of agency or plan responses to such complaints, and the resolution of such complaints.
(d) Definitions
In this section:
(1) MA–PD plan
The term "MA–PD plan" has the meaning given such term in
(2) Prescription drug plan
The term "prescription drug plan" has the meaning given such term in
(3) Secretary
The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(4) System
The term "system" means the plan complaint system developed and maintained under subsection (a).
(
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Part E—Miscellaneous Provisions
Amendments
2003—
1997—
§1395x. Definitions
For purposes of this subchapter—
(a) Spell of illness
The term "spell of illness" with respect to any individual means a period of consecutive days—
(1) beginning with the first day (not included in a previous spell of illness) (A) on which such individual is furnished inpatient hospital services, inpatient critical access hospital services or extended care services, and (B) which occurs in a month for which he is entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter, and
(2) ending with the close of the first period of 60 consecutive days thereafter on each of which he is neither an inpatient of a hospital or critical access hospital nor an inpatient of a facility described in
(b) Inpatient hospital services
The term "inpatient hospital services" means the following items and services furnished to an inpatient of a hospital and (except as provided in paragraph (3)) by the hospital—
(1) bed and board;
(2) such nursing services and other related services, such use of hospital facilities, and such medical social services as are ordinarily furnished by the hospital for the care and treatment of inpatients, and such drugs, biologicals, supplies, appliances, and equipment, for use in the hospital, as are ordinarily furnished by such hospital for the care and treatment of inpatients; and
(3) such other diagnostic or therapeutic items or services, furnished by the hospital or by others under arrangements with them made by the hospital, as are ordinarily furnished to inpatients either by such hospital or by others under such arrangements;
excluding, however—
(4) medical or surgical services provided by a physician, resident, or intern, services described by subsection (s)(2)(K) of this section, certified nurse-midwife services, qualified psychologist services, and services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist; and
(5) the services of a private-duty nurse or other private-duty attendant.
Paragraph (4) shall not apply to services provided in a hospital by—
(6) an intern or a resident-in-training under a teaching program approved by the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association or, in the case of an osteopathic hospital, approved by the Committee on Hospitals of the Bureau of Professional Education of the American Osteopathic Association, or, in the case of services in a hospital or osteopathic hospital by an intern or resident-in-training in the field of dentistry, approved by the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association, or in the case of services in a hospital or osteopathic hospital by an intern or resident-in-training in the field of podiatry, approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association; or
(7) a physician where the hospital has a teaching program approved as specified in paragraph (6), if (A) the hospital elects to receive any payment due under this subchapter for reasonable costs of such services, and (B) all physicians in such hospital agree not to bill charges for professional services rendered in such hospital to individuals covered under the insurance program established by this subchapter.
(c) Inpatient psychiatric hospital services
The term "inpatient psychiatric hospital services" means inpatient hospital services furnished to an inpatient of a psychiatric hospital.
(d) Supplier
The term "supplier" means, unless the context otherwise requires, a physician or other practitioner, a facility, or other entity (other than a provider of services) that furnishes items or services under this subchapter.
(e) Hospital
The term "hospital" (except for purposes of
(1) is primarily engaged in providing, by or under the supervision of physicians, to inpatients (A) diagnostic services and therapeutic services for medical diagnosis, treatment, and care of injured, disabled, or sick persons, or (B) rehabilitation services for the rehabilitation of injured, disabled, or sick persons;
(2) maintains clinical records on all patients;
(3) has bylaws in effect with respect to its staff of physicians;
(4) has a requirement that every patient with respect to whom payment may be made under this subchapter must be under the care of a physician, except that a patient receiving qualified psychologist services (as defined in subsection (ii) of this section) may be under the care of a clinical psychologist with respect to such services to the extent permitted under State law;
(5) provides 24-hour nursing service rendered or supervised by a registered professional nurse, and has a licensed practical nurse or registered professional nurse on duty at all times; except that until January 1, 1979, the Secretary is authorized to waive the requirement of this paragraph for any one-year period with respect to any institution, insofar as such requirement relates to the provision of twenty-four-hour nursing service rendered or supervised by a registered professional nurse (except that in any event a registered professional nurse must be present on the premises to render or supervise the nursing service provided, during at least the regular daytime shift), where immediately preceding such one-year period he finds that—
(A) such institution is located in a rural area and the supply of hospital services in such area is not sufficient to meet the needs of individuals residing therein,
(B) the failure of such institution to qualify as a hospital would seriously reduce the availability of such services to such individuals, and
(C) such institution has made and continues to make a good faith effort to comply with this paragraph, but such compliance is impeded by the lack of qualified nursing personnel in such area;
(6)(A) has in effect a hospital utilization review plan which meets the requirements of subsection (k) of this section and (B) has in place a discharge planning process that meets the requirements of subsection (ee) of this section;
(7) in the case of an institution in any State in which State or applicable local law provides for the licensing of hospitals, (A) is licensed pursuant to such law or (B) is approved, by the agency of such State or locality responsible for licensing hospitals, as meeting the standards established for such licensing;
(8) has in effect an overall plan and budget that meets the requirements of subsection (z) of this section; and
(9) meets such other requirements as the Secretary finds necessary in the interest of the health and safety of individuals who are furnished services in the institution.
For purposes of subsection (a)(2) of this section, such term includes any institution which meets the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection. For purposes of
(A) with respect to the requirements for nursing services applicable after December 31, 1978, such requirements shall provide for temporary waiver of the requirements, for such period as the Secretary deems appropriate, where (i) the facility's failure to fully comply with the requirements is attributable to a temporary shortage of qualified nursing personnel in the area in which the facility is located, (ii) a registered professional nurse is present on the premises to render or supervise the nursing service provided during at least the regular daytime shift, and (iii) the Secretary determines that the employment of such nursing personnel as are available to the facility during such temporary period will not adversely affect the health and safety of patients;
(B) with respect to the health and safety requirements promulgated under paragraph (9), such requirements shall be applied by the Secretary to a facility herein defined in such manner as to assure that personnel requirements take into account the availability of technical personnel and the educational opportunities for technical personnel in the area in which such facility is located, and the scope of services rendered by such facility; and the Secretary, by regulations, shall provide for the continued participation of such a facility where such personnel requirements are not fully met, for such period as the Secretary determines that (i) the facility is making good faith efforts to fully comply with the personnel requirements, (ii) the employment by the facility of such personnel as are available to the facility will not adversely affect the health and safety of patients, and (iii) if the Secretary has determined that because of the facility's waiver under this subparagraph the facility should limit its scope of services in order not to adversely affect the health and safety of the facility's patients, the facility is so limiting the scope of services it provides; and
(C) with respect to the fire and safety requirements promulgated under paragraph (9), the Secretary (i) may waive, for such period as he deems appropriate, specific provisions of such requirements which if rigidly applied would result in unreasonable hardship for such a facility and which, if not applied, would not jeopardize the health and safety of patients, and (ii) may accept a facility's compliance with all applicable State codes relating to fire and safety in lieu of compliance with the fire and safety requirements promulgated under paragraph (9), if he determines that such State has in effect fire and safety codes, imposed by State law, which adequately protect patients.
The term "hospital" does not include, unless the context otherwise requires, a critical access hospital (as defined in subsection (mm)(1) of this section).
(f) Psychiatric hospital
The term "psychiatric hospital" means an institution which—
(1) is primarily engaged in providing, by or under the supervision of a physician, psychiatric services for the diagnosis and treatment of mentally ill persons;
(2) satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (3) through (9) of subsection (e) of this section;
(3) maintains clinical records on all patients and maintains such records as the Secretary finds to be necessary to determine the degree and intensity of the treatment provided to individuals entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of this subchapter; and
(4) meets such staffing requirements as the Secretary finds necessary for the institution to carry out an active program of treatment for individuals who are furnished services in the institution.
In the case of an institution which satisfies paragraphs (1) and (2) of the preceding sentence and which contains a distinct part which also satisfies paragraphs (3) and (4) of such sentence, such distinct part shall be considered to be a "psychiatric hospital".
(g) Outpatient occupational therapy services
The term "outpatient occupational therapy services" has the meaning given the term "outpatient physical therapy services" in subsection (p) of this section, except that "occupational" shall be substituted for "physical" each place it appears therein.
(h) Extended care services
The term "extended care services" means the following items and services furnished to an inpatient of a skilled nursing facility and (except as provided in paragraphs (3), (6), and (7)) by such skilled nursing facility—
(1) nursing care provided by or under the supervision of a registered professional nurse;
(2) bed and board in connection with the furnishing of such nursing care;
(3) physical or occupational therapy or speech-language pathology services furnished by the skilled nursing facility or by others under arrangements with them made by the facility;
(4) medical social services;
(5) such drugs, biologicals, supplies, appliances, and equipment, furnished for use in the skilled nursing facility, as are ordinarily furnished by such facility for the care and treatment of inpatients;
(6) medical services provided by an intern or resident-in-training of a hospital with which the facility has in effect a transfer agreement (meeting the requirements of subsection (l) of this section), under a teaching program of such hospital approved as provided in the last sentence of subsection (b) of this section, and other diagnostic or therapeutic services provided by a hospital with which the facility has such an agreement in effect; and
(7) such other services necessary to the health of the patients as are generally provided by skilled nursing facilities, or by others under arrangements with them made by the facility;
excluding, however, any item or service if it would not be included under subsection (b) of this section if furnished to an inpatient of a hospital.
(i) Post-hospital extended care services
The term "post-hospital extended care services" means extended care services furnished an individual after transfer from a hospital in which he was an inpatient for not less than 3 consecutive days before his discharge from the hospital in connection with such transfer. For purposes of the preceding sentence, items and services shall be deemed to have been furnished to an individual after transfer from a hospital, and he shall be deemed to have been an inpatient in the hospital immediately before transfer therefrom, if he is admitted to the skilled nursing facility (A) within 30 days after discharge from such hospital, or (B) within such time as it would be medically appropriate to begin an active course of treatment, in the case of an individual whose condition is such that skilled nursing facility care would not be medically appropriate within 30 days after discharge from a hospital; and an individual shall be deemed not to have been discharged from a skilled nursing facility if, within 30 days after discharge therefrom, he is admitted to such facility or any other skilled nursing facility.
(j) Skilled nursing facility
The term "skilled nursing facility" has the meaning given such term in
(k) Utilization review
A utilization review plan of a hospital or skilled nursing facility shall be considered sufficient if it is applicable to services furnished by the institution to individuals entitled to insurance benefits under this subchapter and if it provides—
(1) for the review, on a sample or other basis, of admissions to the institution, the duration of stays therein, and the professional services (including drugs and biologicals) furnished, (A) with respect to the medical necessity of the services, and (B) for the purpose of promoting the most efficient use of available health facilities and services;
(2) for such review to be made by either (A) a staff committee of the institution composed of two or more physicians (of which at least two must be physicians described in subsection (r)(1) of this section), with or without participation of other professional personnel, or (B) a group outside the institution which is similarly composed and (i) which is established by the local medical society and some or all of the hospitals and skilled nursing facilities in the locality, or (ii) if (and for as long as) there has not been established such a group which serves such institution, which is established in such other manner as may be approved by the Secretary;
(3) for such review, in each case of inpatient hospital services or extended care services furnished to such an individual during a continuous period of extended duration, as of such days of such period (which may differ for different classes of cases) as may be specified in regulations, with such review to be made as promptly as possible, after each day so specified, and in no event later than one week following such day; and
(4) for prompt notification to the institution, the individual, and his attending physician of any finding (made after opportunity for consultation to such attending physician) by the physician members of such committee or group that any further stay in the institution is not medically necessary.
The review committee must be composed as provided in clause (B) of paragraph (2) rather than as provided in clause (A) of such paragraph in the case of any hospital or skilled nursing facility where, because of the small size of the institution, or (in the case of a skilled nursing facility) because of lack of an organized medical staff, or for such other reason or reasons as may be included in regulations, it is impracticable for the institution to have a properly functioning staff committee for the purposes of this subsection. If the Secretary determines that the utilization review procedures established pursuant to subchapter XIX of this chapter are superior in their effectiveness to the procedures required under this section, he may, to the extent that he deems it appropriate, require for purposes of this subchapter that the procedures established pursuant to subchapter XIX of this chapter be utilized instead of the procedures required by this section.
(l) Agreements for transfer between skilled nursing facilities and hospitals
A hospital and a skilled nursing facility shall be considered to have a transfer agreement in effect if, by reason of a written agreement between them or (in case the two institutions are under common control) by reason of a written undertaking by the person or body which controls them, there is reasonable assurance that—
(1) transfer of patients will be effected between the hospital and the skilled nursing facility whenever such transfer is medically appropriate as determined by the attending physician; and
(2) there will be interchange of medical and other information necessary or useful in the care and treatment of individuals transferred between the institutions, or in determining whether such individuals can be adequately cared for otherwise than in either of such institutions.
Any skilled nursing facility which does not have such an agreement in effect, but which is found by a State agency (of the State in which such facility is situated) with which an agreement under
(m) Home health services
The term "home health services" means the following items and services furnished to an individual, who is under the care of a physician, by a home health agency or by others under arrangements with them made by such agency, under a plan (for furnishing such items and services to such individual) established and periodically reviewed by a physician, which items and services are, except as provided in paragraph (7), provided on a visiting basis in a place of residence used as such individual's home—
(1) part-time or intermittent nursing care provided by or under the supervision of a registered professional nurse;
(2) physical or occupational therapy or speech-language pathology services;
(3) medical social services under the direction of a physician;
(4) to the extent permitted in regulations, part-time or intermittent services of a home health aide who has successfully completed a training program approved by the Secretary;
(5) medical supplies (including catheters, catheter supplies, ostomy bags, and supplies related to ostomy care, and a covered osteoporosis drug (as defined in subsection (kk) of this section), but excluding other drugs and biologicals) and durable medical equipment while under such a plan;
(6) in the case of a home health agency which is affiliated or under common control with a hospital, medical services provided by an intern or resident-in-training of such hospital, under a teaching program of such hospital approved as provided in the last sentence of subsection (b) of this section; and
(7) any of the foregoing items and services which are provided on an outpatient basis, under arrangements made by the home health agency, at a hospital or skilled nursing facility, or at a rehabilitation center which meets such standards as may be prescribed in regulations, and—
(A) the furnishing of which involves the use of equipment of such a nature that the items and services cannot readily be made available to the individual in such place of residence, or
(B) which are furnished at such facility while he is there to receive any such item or service described in clause (A),
but not including transportation of the individual in connection with any such item or service;
excluding, however, any item or service if it would not be included under subsection (b) of this section if furnished to an inpatient of a hospital. For purposes of paragraphs (1) and (4), the term "part-time or intermittent services" means skilled nursing and home health aide services furnished any number of days per week as long as they are furnished (combined) less than 8 hours each day and 28 or fewer hours each week (or, subject to review on a case-by-case basis as to the need for care, less than 8 hours each day and 35 or fewer hours per week). For purposes of
(n) Durable medical equipment
The term "durable medical equipment" includes iron lungs, oxygen tents, hospital beds, and wheelchairs (which may include a power-operated vehicle that may be appropriately used as a wheelchair, but only where the use of such a vehicle is determined to be necessary on the basis of the individual's medical and physical condition and the vehicle meets such safety requirements as the Secretary may prescribe) used in the patient's home (including an institution used as his home other than an institution that meets the requirements of subsection (e)(1) of this section or
(o) Home health agency
The term "home health agency" means a public agency or private organization, or a subdivision of such an agency or organization, which—
(1) is primarily engaged in providing skilled nursing services and other therapeutic services;
(2) has policies, established by a group of professional personnel (associated with the agency or organization), including one or more physicians and one or more registered professional nurses, to govern the services (referred to in paragraph (1)) which it provides, and provides for supervision of such services by a physician or registered professional nurse;
(3) maintains clinical records on all patients;
(4) in the case of an agency or organization in any State in which State or applicable local law provides for the licensing of agencies or organizations of this nature, (A) is licensed pursuant to such law, or (B) is approved, by the agency of such State or locality responsible for licensing agencies or organizations of this nature, as meeting the standards established for such licensing;
(5) has in effect an overall plan and budget that meets the requirements of subsection (z) of this section;
(6) meets the conditions of participation specified in
(7) provides the Secretary with a surety bond—
(A) effective for a period of 4 years (as specified by the Secretary) or in the case of a change in the ownership or control of the agency (as determined by the Secretary) during or after such 4-year period, an additional period of time that the Secretary determines appropriate, such additional period not to exceed 4 years from the date of such change in ownership or control;
(B) in a form specified by the Secretary; and
(C) for a year in the period described in subparagraph (A) in an amount that is equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 10 percent of the aggregate amount of payments to the agency under this subchapter and subchapter XIX of this chapter for that year, as estimated by the Secretary that the Secretary determines is commensurate with the volume of the billing of the home health agency; and
(8) meets such additional requirements (including conditions relating to bonding or establishing of escrow accounts as the Secretary finds necessary for the financial security of the program) as the Secretary finds necessary for the effective and efficient operation of the program;
except that for purposes of part A of this subchapter such term shall not include any agency or organization which is primarily for the care and treatment of mental diseases. The Secretary may waive the requirement of a surety bond under paragraph (7) in the case of an agency or organization that provides a comparable surety bond under State law.
(p) Outpatient physical therapy services
The term "outpatient physical therapy services" means physical therapy services furnished by a provider of services, a clinic, rehabilitation agency, or a public health agency, or by others under an arrangement with, and under the supervision of, such provider, clinic, rehabilitation agency, or public health agency to an individual as an outpatient—
(1) who is under the care of a physician (as defined in paragraph (1), (3), or (4) of subsection (r) of this section), and
(2) with respect to whom a plan prescribing the type, amount, and duration of physical therapy services that are to be furnished such individual has been established by a physician (as so defined) or by a qualified physical therapist and is periodically reviewed by a physician (as so defined);
excluding, however—
(3) any item or service if it would not be included under subsection (b) of this section if furnished to an inpatient of a hospital; and
(4) any such service—
(A) if furnished by a clinic or rehabilitation agency, or by others under arrangements with such clinic or agency, unless such clinic or rehabilitation agency—
(i) provides an adequate program of physical therapy services for outpatients and has the facilities and personnel required for such program or required for the supervision of such a program, in accordance with such requirements as the Secretary may specify,
(ii) has policies, established by a group of professional personnel, including one or more physicians (associated with the clinic or rehabilitation agency) and one or more qualified physical therapists, to govern the services (referred to in clause (i)) it provides,
(iii) maintains clinical records on all patients,
(iv) if such clinic or agency is situated in a State in which State or applicable local law provides for the licensing of institutions of this nature, (I) is licensed pursuant to such law, or (II) is approved by the agency of such State or locality responsible for licensing institutions of this nature, as meeting the standards established for such licensing; and
(v) meets such other conditions relating to the health and safety of individuals who are furnished services by such clinic or agency on an outpatient basis, as the Secretary may find necessary, and provides the Secretary on a continuing basis with a surety bond in a form specified by the Secretary and in an amount that is not less than $50,000, or
(B) if furnished by a public health agency, unless such agency meets such other conditions relating to health and safety of individuals who are furnished services by such agency on an outpatient basis, as the Secretary may find necessary.
The term "outpatient physical therapy services" also includes physical therapy services furnished an individual by a physical therapist (in his office or in such individual's home) who meets licensing and other standards prescribed by the Secretary in regulations, otherwise than under an arrangement with and under the supervision of a provider of services, clinic, rehabilitation agency, or public health agency, if the furnishing of such services meets such conditions relating to health and safety as the Secretary may find necessary. In addition, such term includes physical therapy services which meet the requirements of the first sentence of this subsection except that they are furnished to an individual as an inpatient of a hospital or extended care facility. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as requiring, with respect to outpatients who are not entitled to benefits under this subchapter, a physical therapist to provide outpatient physical therapy services only to outpatients who are under the care of a physician or pursuant to a plan of care established by a physician. The Secretary may waive the requirement of a surety bond under paragraph (4)(A)(v) in the case of a clinic or agency that provides a comparable surety bond under State law.
(q) Physicians' services
The term "physicians' services" means professional services performed by physicians, including surgery, consultation, and home, office, and institutional calls (but not including services described in subsection (b)(6) of this section).
(r) Physician
The term "physician", when used in connection with the performance of any function or action, means (1) a doctor of medicine or osteopathy legally authorized to practice medicine and surgery by the State in which he performs such function or action (including a physician within the meaning of
(s) Medical and other health services
The term "medical and other health services" means any of the following items or services:
(1) physicians' services;
(2)(A) services and supplies (including drugs and biologicals which are not usually self-administered by the patient) furnished as an incident to a physician's professional service, of kinds which are commonly furnished in physicians' offices and are commonly either rendered without charge or included in the physicians' bills (or would have been so included but for the application of
(B) hospital services (including drugs and biologicals which are not usually self-administered by the patient) incident to physicians' services rendered to outpatients and partial hospitalization services incident to such services;
(C) diagnostic services which are—
(i) furnished to an individual as an outpatient by a hospital or by others under arrangements with them made by a hospital, and
(ii) ordinarily furnished by such hospital (or by others under such arrangements) to its outpatients for the purpose of diagnostic study;
(D) outpatient physical therapy services, outpatient speech-language pathology services, and outpatient occupational therapy services;
(E) rural health clinic services and Federally qualified health center services;
(F) home dialysis supplies and equipment, self-care home dialysis support services, and institutional dialysis services and supplies, and, for items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2011, renal dialysis services (as defined in
(G) antigens (subject to quantity limitations prescribed in regulations by the Secretary) prepared by a physician, as defined in subsection (r)(1) of this section, for a particular patient, including antigens so prepared which are forwarded to another qualified person (including a rural health clinic) for administration to such patient, from time to time, by or under the supervision of another such physician;
(H)(i) services furnished pursuant to a contract under
(ii) services furnished pursuant to a risk-sharing contract under
(I) blood clotting factors, for hemophilia patients competent to use such factors to control bleeding without medical or other supervision, and items related to the administration of such factors, subject to utilization controls deemed necessary by the Secretary for the efficient use of such factors;
(J) prescription drugs used in immunosuppressive therapy furnished, to an individual who receives an organ transplant for which payment is made under this subchapter;
(K)(i) services which would be physicians' services and services described in subsections (ww)(1) and (hhh) of this section if furnished by a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1) of this section) and which are performed by a physician assistant (as defined in subsection (aa)(5) of this section) under the supervision of a physician (as so defined) and which the physician assistant is legally authorized to perform by the State in which the services are performed, and such services and supplies furnished as incident to such services as would be covered under subparagraph (A) if furnished incident to a physician's professional service, but only if no facility or other provider charges or is paid any amounts with respect to the furnishing of such services,2
(ii) services which would be physicians' services and services described in subsections (ww)(1) and (hhh) of this section if furnished by a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1) of this section) and which are performed by a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist (as defined in subsection (aa)(5) of this section) working in collaboration (as defined in subsection (aa)(6) of this section) with a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1) of this section) which the nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist is legally authorized to perform by the State in which the services are performed, and such services and supplies furnished as an incident to such services as would be covered under subparagraph (A) if furnished incident to a physician's professional service, but only if no facility or other provider charges or is paid any amounts with respect to the furnishing of such services;
(L) certified nurse-midwife services;
(M) qualified psychologist services;
(N) clinical social worker services (as defined in subsection (hh)(2) of this section);
(O) erythropoietin for dialysis patients competent to use such drug without medical or other supervision with respect to the administration of such drug, subject to methods and standards established by the Secretary by regulation for the safe and effective use of such drug, and items related to the administration of such drug;
(P) prostate cancer screening tests (as defined in subsection (oo) of this section);
(Q) an oral drug (which is approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration) prescribed for use as an anticancer chemotherapeutic agent for a given indication, and containing an active ingredient (or ingredients), which is the same indication and active ingredient (or ingredients) as a drug which the carrier determines would be covered pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) if the drug could not be self-administered;
(R) colorectal cancer screening tests (as defined in subsection (pp) of this section); and 3
(S) diabetes outpatient self-management training services (as defined in subsection (qq) of this section);
(T) an oral drug (which is approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration) prescribed for use as an acute anti-emetic used as part of an anticancer chemotherapeutic regimen if the drug is administered by a physician (or as prescribed by a physician)—
(i) for use immediately before, at, or within 48 hours after the time of the administration of the anticancer chemotherapeutic agent; and
(ii) as a full replacement for the anti-emetic therapy which would otherwise be administered intravenously;
(U) screening for glaucoma (as defined in subsection (uu) of this section) for individuals determined to be at high risk for glaucoma, individuals with a family history of glaucoma and individuals with diabetes;
(V) medical nutrition therapy services (as defined in subsection (vv)(1) of this section) in the case of a beneficiary with diabetes or a renal disease who—
(i) has not received diabetes outpatient self-management training services within a time period determined by the Secretary;
(ii) is not receiving maintenance dialysis for which payment is made under
(iii) meets such other criteria determined by the Secretary after consideration of protocols established by dietitian or nutrition professional organizations;
(W) an initial preventive physical examination (as defined in subsection (ww) of this section);
(X) cardiovascular screening blood tests (as defined in subsection (xx)(1) of this section);
(Y) diabetes screening tests (as defined in subsection (yy) of this section);
(Z) intravenous immune globulin for the treatment of primary immune deficiency diseases in the home (as defined in subsection (zz) of this section);
(AA) ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (as defined in subsection (bbb)) for an individual—
(i) who receives a referral for such an ultrasound screening as a result of an initial preventive physical examination (as defined in subsection (ww)(1));
(ii) who has not been previously furnished such an ultrasound screening under this subchapter; and
(iii) who—
(I) has a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm; or
(II) manifests risk factors included in a beneficiary category recommended for screening by the United States Preventive Services Task Force regarding abdominal aortic aneurysms;
(BB) additional preventive services (described in subsection (ddd)(1));
(CC) items and services furnished under a cardiac rehabilitation program (as defined in subsection (eee)(1)) or under a pulmonary rehabilitation program (as defined in subsection (fff)(1));
(DD) items and services furnished under an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program (as defined in subsection (eee)(4));
(EE) kidney disease education services (as defined in subsection (ggg)); and
(FF) personalized prevention plan services (as defined in subsection (hhh));
(3) diagnostic X-ray tests (including tests under the supervision of a physician, furnished in a place of residence used as the patient's home, if the performance of such tests meets such conditions relating to health and safety as the Secretary may find necessary and including diagnostic mammography if conducted by a facility that has a certificate (or provisional certificate) issued under section 354 of the Public Health Service Act [
(4) X-ray, radium, and radioactive isotope therapy, including materials and services of technicians;
(5) surgical dressings, and splints, casts, and other devices used for reduction of fractures and dislocations;
(6) durable medical equipment;
(7) ambulance service where the use of other methods of transportation is contraindicated by the individual's condition, but, subject to
(8) prosthetic devices (other than dental) which replace all or part of an internal body organ (including colostomy bags and supplies directly related to colostomy care), including replacement of such devices, and including one pair of conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses furnished subsequent to each cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular lens;
(9) leg, arm, back, and neck braces, and artificial legs, arms, and eyes, including replacements if required because of a change in the patient's physical condition;
(10)(A) pneumococcal vaccine and its administration and, subject to section 4071(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, influenza vaccine and its administration; and
(B) hepatitis B vaccine and its administration, furnished to an individual who is at high or intermediate risk of contracting hepatitis B (as determined by the Secretary under regulations);
(11) services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist (as defined in subsection (bb) of this section);
(12) subject to section 4072(e) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, extra-depth shoes with inserts or custom molded shoes with inserts for an individual with diabetes, if—
(A) the physician who is managing the individual's diabetic condition (i) documents that the individual has peripheral neuropathy with evidence of callus formation, a history of pre-ulcerative calluses, a history of previous ulceration, foot deformity, or previous amputation, or poor circulation, and (ii) certifies that the individual needs such shoes under a comprehensive plan of care related to the individual's diabetic condition;
(B) the particular type of shoes are prescribed by a podiatrist or other qualified physician (as established by the Secretary); and
(C) the shoes are fitted and furnished by a podiatrist or other qualified individual (such as a pedorthist or orthotist, as established by the Secretary) who is not the physician described in subparagraph (A) (unless the Secretary finds that the physician is the only such qualified individual in the area);
(13) screening mammography (as defined in subsection (jj) of this section);
(14) screening pap smear and screening pelvic exam; and
(15) bone mass measurement (as defined in subsection (rr) of this section).
No diagnostic tests performed in any laboratory, including a laboratory that is part of a rural health clinic, or a hospital (which, for purposes of this sentence, means an institution considered a hospital for purposes of
(16) if situated in any State in which State or applicable local law provides for licensing of establishments of this nature, (A) is licensed pursuant to such law, or (B) is approved, by the agency of such State or locality responsible for licensing establishments of this nature, as meeting the standards established for such licensing; and
(17)(A) meets the certification requirements under section 353 of the Public Health Service Act [
(B) meets such other conditions relating to the health and safety of individuals with respect to whom such tests are performed as the Secretary may find necessary.
There shall be excluded from the diagnostic services specified in paragraph (2)(C) any item or service (except services referred to in paragraph (1)) which would not be included under subsection (b) of this section if it were furnished to an inpatient of a hospital. None of the items and services referred to in the preceding paragraphs (other than paragraphs (1) and (2)(A)) of this subsection which are furnished to a patient of an institution which meets the definition of a hospital for purposes of
(t) Drugs and biologicals
(1) The term "drugs" and the term "biologicals", except for purposes of subsection (m)(5) of this section and paragraph (2), include only such drugs (including contrast agents) and biologicals, respectively, as are included (or approved for inclusion) in the United States Pharmacopoeia, the National Formulary, or the United States Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia, or in New Drugs or Accepted Dental Remedies (except for any drugs and biologicals unfavorably evaluated therein), or as are approved by the pharmacy and drug therapeutics committee (or equivalent committee) of the medical staff of the hospital furnishing such drugs and biologicals for use in such hospital.
(2)(A) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term "drugs" also includes any drugs or biologicals used in an anticancer chemotherapeutic regimen for a medically accepted indication (as described in subparagraph (B)).
(B) In subparagraph (A), the term "medically accepted indication", with respect to the use of a drug, includes any use which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the drug, and includes another use of the drug if—
(i) the drug has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration; and
(ii)(I) such use is supported by one or more citations which are included (or approved for inclusion) in one or more of the following compendia: the American Hospital Formulary Service-Drug Information, the American Medical Association Drug Evaluations, the United States Pharmacopoeia-Drug Information (or its successor publications), and other authoritative compendia as identified by the Secretary, unless the Secretary has determined that the use is not medically appropriate or the use is identified as not indicated in one or more such compendia, or
(II) the carrier involved determines, based upon guidance provided by the Secretary to carriers for determining accepted uses of drugs, that such use is medically accepted based on supportive clinical evidence in peer reviewed medical literature appearing in publications which have been identified for purposes of this subclause by the Secretary.
The Secretary may revise the list of compendia in clause (ii)(I) as is appropriate for identifying medically accepted indications for drugs. On and after January 1, 2010, no compendia may be included on the list of compendia under this subparagraph unless the compendia has 4 a publicly transparent process for evaluating therapies and for identifying potential conflicts of interests.
(u) Provider of services
The term "provider of services" means a hospital, critical access hospital, skilled nursing facility, comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility, home health agency, hospice program, or, for purposes of section 1395f(g) and
(v) Reasonable costs
(1)(A) The reasonable cost of any services shall be the cost actually incurred, excluding therefrom any part of incurred cost found to be unnecessary in the efficient delivery of needed health services, and shall be determined in accordance with regulations establishing the method or methods to be used, and the items to be included, in determining such costs for various types or classes of institutions, agencies, and services; except that in any case to which paragraph (2) or (3) applies, the amount of the payment determined under such paragraph with respect to the services involved shall be considered the reasonable cost of such services. In prescribing the regulations referred to in the preceding sentence, the Secretary shall consider, among other things, the principles generally applied by national organizations or established prepayment organizations (which have developed such principles) in computing the amount of payment, to be made by persons other than the recipients of services, to providers of services on account of services furnished to such recipients by such providers. Such regulations may provide for determination of the costs of services on a per diem, per unit, per capita, or other basis, may provide for using different methods in different circumstances, may provide for the use of estimates of costs of particular items or services, may provide for the establishment of limits on the direct or indirect overall incurred costs or incurred costs of specific items or services or groups of items or services to be recognized as reasonable based on estimates of the costs necessary in the efficient delivery of needed health services to individuals covered by the insurance programs established under this subchapter, and may provide for the use of charges or a percentage of charges where this method reasonably reflects the costs. Such regulations shall (i) take into account both direct and indirect costs of providers of services (excluding therefrom any such costs, including standby costs, which are determined in accordance with regulations to be unnecessary in the efficient delivery of services covered by the insurance programs established under this subchapter) in order that, under the methods of determining costs, the necessary costs of efficiently delivering covered services to individuals covered by the insurance programs established by this subchapter will not be borne by individuals not so covered, and the costs with respect to individuals not so covered will not be borne by such insurance programs, and (ii) provide for the making of suitable retroactive corrective adjustments where, for a provider of services for any fiscal period, the aggregate reimbursement produced by the methods of determining costs proves to be either inadequate or excessive.
(B) In the case of extended care services, the regulations under subparagraph (A) shall not include provision for specific recognition of a return on equity capital.
(C) Where a hospital has an arrangement with a medical school under which the faculty of such school provides services at such hospital, an amount not in excess of the reasonable cost of such services to the medical school shall be included in determining the reasonable cost to the hospital of furnishing services—
(i) for which payment may be made under part A of this subchapter, but only if—
(I) payment for such services as furnished under such arrangement would be made under part A of this subchapter to the hospital had such services been furnished by the hospital, and
(II) such hospital pays to the medical school at least the reasonable cost of such services to the medical school, or
(ii) for which payment may be made under part B of this subchapter, but only if such hospital pays to the medical school at least the reasonable cost of such services to the medical school.
(D) Where (i) physicians furnish services which are either inpatient hospital services (including services in conjunction with the teaching programs of such hospital) by reason of paragraph (7) of subsection (b) of this section or for which entitlement exists by reason of clause (II) of
(E) Such regulations may, in the case of skilled nursing facilities in any State, provide for the use of rates, developed by the State in which such facilities are located, for the payment of the cost of skilled nursing facility services furnished under the State's plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter (and such rates may be increased by the Secretary on a class or size of institution or on a geographical basis by a percentage factor not in excess of 10 percent to take into account determinable items or services or other requirements under this subchapter not otherwise included in the computation of such State rates), if the Secretary finds that such rates are reasonably related to (but not necessarily limited to) analyses undertaken by such State of costs of care in comparable facilities in such State. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, such regulations with respect to skilled nursing facilities shall take into account (in a manner consistent with subparagraph (A) and based on patient-days of services furnished) the costs (including the costs of services required to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident eligible for benefits under this subchapter) of such facilities complying with the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of
(F) Such regulations shall require each provider of services (other than a fund) to make reports to the Secretary of information described in
(G)(i) In any case in which a hospital provides inpatient services to an individual that would constitute post-hospital extended care services if provided by a skilled nursing facility and a quality control and peer review organization (or, in the absence of such a qualified organization, the Secretary or such agent as the Secretary may designate) determines that inpatient hospital services for the individual are not medically necessary but post-hospital extended care services for the individual are medically necessary and such extended care services are not otherwise available to the individual (as determined in accordance with criteria established by the Secretary) at the time of such determination, payment for such services provided to the individual shall continue to be made under this subchapter at the payment rate described in clause (ii) during the period in which—
(I) such post-hospital extended care services for the individual are medically necessary and not otherwise available to the individual (as so determined),
(II) inpatient hospital services for the individual are not medically necessary, and
(III) the individual is entitled to have payment made for post-hospital extended care services under this subchapter,
except that if the Secretary determines that there is not an excess of hospital beds in such hospital and (subject to clause (iv)) there is not an excess of hospital beds in the area of such hospital, such payment shall be made (during such period) on the basis of the amount otherwise payable under part A with respect to inpatient hospital services.
(ii)(I) Except as provided in subclause (II), the payment rate referred to in clause (i) is a rate equal to the estimated adjusted State-wide average rate per patient-day paid for services provided in skilled nursing facilities under the State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter for the State in which such hospital is located, or, if the State in which the hospital is located does not have a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, the estimated adjusted State-wide average allowable costs per patient-day for extended care services under this subchapter in that State.
(II) If a hospital has a unit which is a skilled nursing facility, the payment rate referred to in clause (i) for the hospital is a rate equal to the lesser of the rate described in subclause (I) or the allowable costs in effect under this subchapter for extended care services provided to patients of such unit.
(iii) Any day on which an individual receives inpatient services for which payment is made under this subparagraph shall, for purposes of this chapter (other than this subparagraph), be deemed to be a day on which the individual received inpatient hospital services.
(iv) In determining under clause (i), in the case of a public hospital, whether or not there is an excess of hospital beds in the area of such hospital, such determination shall be made on the basis of only the public hospitals (including the hospital) which are in the area of the hospital and which are under common ownership with that hospital.
(H) In determining such reasonable cost with respect to home health agencies, the Secretary may not include—
(i) any costs incurred in connection with bonding or establishing an escrow account by any such agency as a result of the surety bond requirement described in subsection (o)(7) of this section and the financial security requirement described in subsection (o)(8) of this section;
(ii) in the case of home health agencies to which the surety bond requirement described in subsection (o)(7) of this section and the financial security requirement described in subsection (o)(8) of this section apply, any costs attributed to interest charged such an agency in connection with amounts borrowed by the agency to repay overpayments made under this subchapter to the agency, except that such costs may be included in reasonable cost if the Secretary determines that the agency was acting in good faith in borrowing the amounts;
(iii) in the case of contracts entered into by a home health agency after December 5, 1980, for the purpose of having services furnished for or on behalf of such agency, any cost incurred by such agency pursuant to any such contract which is entered into for a period exceeding five years; and
(iv) in the case of contracts entered into by a home health agency before December 5, 1980, for the purpose of having services furnished for or on behalf of such agency, any cost incurred by such agency pursuant to any such contract, which determines the amount payable by the home health agency on the basis of a percentage of the agency's reimbursement or claim for reimbursement for services furnished by the agency, to the extent that such cost exceeds the reasonable value of the services furnished on behalf of such agency.
(I) In determining such reasonable cost, the Secretary may not include any costs incurred by a provider with respect to any services furnished in connection with matters for which payment may be made under this subchapter and furnished pursuant to a contract between the provider and any of its subcontractors which is entered into after December 5, 1980, and the value or cost of which is $10,000 or more over a twelve-month period unless the contract contains a clause to the effect that—
(i) until the expiration of four years after the furnishing of such services pursuant to such contract, the subcontractor shall make available, upon written request by the Secretary, or upon request by the Comptroller General, or any of their duly authorized representatives, the contract, and books, documents and records of such subcontractor that are necessary to certify the nature and extent of such costs, and
(ii) if the subcontractor carries out any of the duties of the contract through a subcontract, with a value or cost of $10,000 or more over a twelve-month period, with a related organization, such subcontract shall contain a clause to the effect that until the expiration of four years after the furnishing of such services pursuant to such subcontract, the related organization shall make available, upon written request by the Secretary, or upon request by the Comptroller General, or any of their duly authorized representatives, the subcontract, and books, documents and records of such organization that are necessary to verify the nature and extent of such costs.
The Secretary shall prescribe in regulation 5 criteria and procedures which the Secretary shall use in obtaining access to books, documents, and records under clauses required in contracts and subcontracts under this subparagraph.
(J) Such regulations may not provide for any inpatient routine salary cost differential as a reimbursable cost for hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.
(K)(i) The Secretary shall issue regulations that provide, to the extent feasible, for the establishment of limitations on the amount of any costs or charges that shall be considered reasonable with respect to services provided on an outpatient basis by hospitals (other than bona fide emergency services as defined in clause (ii)) or clinics (other than rural health clinics), which are reimbursed on a cost basis or on the basis of cost related charges, and by physicians utilizing such outpatient facilities. Such limitations shall be reasonably related to the charges in the same area for similar services provided in physicians' offices. Such regulations shall provide for exceptions to such limitations in cases where similar services are not generally available in physicians' offices in the area to individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter.
(ii) For purposes of clause (i), the term "bona fide emergency services" means services provided in a hospital emergency room after the sudden onset of a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in—
(I) placing the patient's health in serious jeopardy;
(II) serious impairment to bodily functions; or
(III) serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part.
(L)(i) The Secretary, in determining the amount of the payments that may be made under this subchapter with respect to services furnished by home health agencies, may not recognize as reasonable (in the efficient delivery of such services) costs for the provision of such services by an agency to the extent these costs exceed (on the aggregate for the agency) for cost reporting periods beginning on or after—
(I) July 1, 1985, and before July 1, 1986, 120 percent of the mean of the labor-related and nonlabor per visit costs for freestanding home health agencies,
(II) July 1, 1986, and before July 1, 1987, 115 percent of such mean,
(III) July 1, 1987, and before October 1, 1997, 112 percent of such mean,
(IV) October 1, 1997, and before October 1, 1998, 105 percent of the median of the labor-related and nonlabor per visit costs for freestanding home health agencies, or
(V) October 1, 1998, 106 percent of such median.
(ii) Effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after July 1, 1986, such limitations shall be applied on an aggregate basis for the agency, rather than on a discipline specific basis. The Secretary may provide for such exemptions and exceptions to such limitation as he deems appropriate.
(iii) Not later than July 1, 1991, and annually thereafter (but not for cost reporting periods beginning on or after July 1, 1994, and before July 1, 1996, or on or after July 1, 1997, and before October 1, 1997), the Secretary shall establish limits under this subparagraph for cost reporting periods beginning on or after such date by utilizing the area wage index applicable under
(iv) In establishing limits under this subparagraph for cost reporting periods beginning after September 30, 1997, the Secretary shall not take into account any changes in the home health market basket, as determined by the Secretary, with respect to cost reporting periods which began on or after July 1, 1994, and before July 1, 1996.
(v) For services furnished by home health agencies for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1997, subject to clause (viii)(I), the Secretary shall provide for an interim system of limits. Payment shall not exceed the costs determined under the preceding provisions of this subparagraph or, if lower, the product of—
(I) an agency-specific per beneficiary annual limitation calculated based 75 percent on 98 percent of the reasonable costs (including nonroutine medical supplies) for the agency's 12-month cost reporting period ending during fiscal year 1994, and based 25 percent on 98 percent of the standardized regional average of such costs for the agency's census division, as applied to such agency, for cost reporting periods ending during fiscal year 1994, such costs updated by the home health market basket index; and
(II) the agency's unduplicated census count of patients (entitled to benefits under this subchapter) for the cost reporting period subject to the limitation.
(vi) For services furnished by home health agencies for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1997, the following rules apply:
(I) For new providers and those providers without a 12-month cost reporting period ending in fiscal year 1994 subject to clauses (viii)(II) and (viii)(III), the per beneficiary limitation shall be equal to the median of these limits (or the Secretary's best estimates thereof) applied to other home health agencies as determined by the Secretary. A home health agency that has altered its corporate structure or name shall not be considered a new provider for this purpose.
(II) For beneficiaries who use services furnished by more than one home health agency, the per beneficiary limitations shall be prorated among the agencies.
(vii)(I) Not later than January 1, 1998, the Secretary shall establish per visit limits applicable for fiscal year 1998, and not later than April 1, 1998, the Secretary shall establish per beneficiary limits under clause (v)(I) for fiscal year 1998.
(II) Not later than August 1 of each year (beginning in 1998) the Secretary shall establish the limits applicable under this subparagraph for services furnished during the fiscal year beginning October 1 of the year.
(viii)(I) In the case of a provider with a 12-month cost reporting period ending in fiscal year 1994, if the limit imposed under clause (v) (determined without regard to this subclause) for a cost reporting period beginning during or after fiscal year 1999 is less than the median described in clause (vi)(I) (but determined as if any reference in clause (v) to "98 percent" were a reference to "100 percent"), the limit otherwise imposed under clause (v) for such provider and period shall be increased by 1/3 of such difference.
(II) Subject to subclause (IV), for new providers and those providers without a 12-month cost reporting period ending in fiscal year 1994, but for which the first cost reporting period begins before fiscal year 1999, for cost reporting periods beginning during or after fiscal year 1999, the per beneficiary limitation described in clause (vi)(I) shall be equal to the median described in such clause (determined as if any reference in clause (v) to "98 percent" were a reference to "100 percent").
(III) Subject to subclause (IV), in the case of a new provider for which the first cost reporting period begins during or after fiscal year 1999, the limitation applied under clause (vi)(I) (but only with respect to such provider) shall be equal to 75 percent of the median described in clause (vi)(I).
(IV) In the case of a new provider or a provider without a 12-month cost reporting period ending in fiscal year 1994, subclause (II) shall apply, instead of subclause (III), to a home health agency which filed an application for home health agency provider status under this subchapter before September 15, 1998, or which was approved as a branch of its parent agency before such date and becomes a subunit of the parent agency or a separate agency on or after such date.
(V) Each of the amounts specified in subclauses (I) through (III) are such amounts as adjusted under clause (iii) to reflect variations in wages among different areas.
(ix) Notwithstanding the per beneficiary limit under clause (viii), if the limit imposed under clause (v) (determined without regard to this clause) for a cost reporting period beginning during or after fiscal year 2000 is less than the median described in clause (vi)(I) (but determined as if any reference in clause (v) to "98 percent" were a reference to "100 percent"), the limit otherwise imposed under clause (v) for such provider and period shall be increased by 2 percent.
(x) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subparagraph, in updating any limit under this subparagraph by a home health market basket index for cost reporting periods beginning during each of fiscal years 2000, 2002, and 2003, the update otherwise provided shall be reduced by 1.1 percentage points. With respect to cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 2001, the update to any limit under this subparagraph shall be the home health market basket index.
(M) Such regulations shall provide that costs respecting care provided by a provider of services, pursuant to an assurance under title VI or XVI of the Public Health Service Act [
(N) In determining such reasonable costs, costs incurred for activities directly related to influencing employees respecting unionization may not be included.
(O)(i) In establishing an appropriate allowance for depreciation and for interest on capital indebtedness with respect to an asset of a provider of services which has undergone a change of ownership, such regulations shall provide, except as provided in clause (iii), that the valuation of the asset after such change of ownership shall be the historical cost of the asset, as recognized under this subchapter, less depreciation allowed, to the owner of record as of August 5, 1997 (or, in the case of an asset not in existence as of August 5, 1997, the first owner of record of the asset after August 5, 1997).
(ii) Such regulations shall not recognize, as reasonable in the provision of health care services, costs (including legal fees, accounting and administrative costs, travel costs, and the costs of feasibility studies) attributable to the negotiation or settlement of the sale or purchase of any capital asset (by acquisition or merger) for which any payment has previously been made under this subchapter.
(iii) In the case of the transfer of a hospital from ownership by a State to ownership by a nonprofit corporation without monetary consideration, the basis for capital allowances to the new owner shall be the book value of the hospital to the State at the time of the transfer.
(P) If such regulations provide for the payment for a return on equity capital (other than with respect to costs of inpatient hospital services), the rate of return to be recognized, for determining the reasonable cost of services furnished in a cost reporting period, shall be equal to the average of the rates of interest, for each of the months any part of which is included in the period, on obligations issued for purchase by the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.
(Q) Except as otherwise explicitly authorized, the Secretary is not authorized to limit the rate of increase on allowable costs of approved medical educational activities.
(R) In determining such reasonable cost, costs incurred by a provider of services representing a beneficiary in an unsuccessful appeal of a determination described in
(S)(i) Such regulations shall not include provision for specific recognition of any return on equity capital with respect to hospital outpatient departments.
(ii)(I) Such regulations shall provide that, in determining the amount of the payments that may be made under this subchapter with respect to all the capital-related costs of outpatient hospital services, the Secretary shall reduce the amounts of such payments otherwise established under this subchapter by 15 percent for payments attributable to portions of cost reporting periods occurring during fiscal year 1990, by 15 percent for payments attributable to portions of cost reporting periods occurring during fiscal year 1991, and by 10 percent for payments attributable to portions of cost reporting periods occurring during fiscal years 1992 through 1999 and until the first date that the prospective payment system under
(II) The Secretary shall reduce the reasonable cost of outpatient hospital services (other than the capital-related costs of such services) otherwise determined pursuant to
(III) Subclauses (I) and (II) shall not apply to payments with respect to the costs of hospital outpatient services provided by any hospital that is a sole community hospital (as defined in
(IV) In applying subclauses (I) and (II) to services for which payment is made on the basis of a blend amount under
(T) In determining such reasonable costs for hospitals, no reduction in copayments under
(i) for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 1998, by 25 percent of such amount otherwise allowable,
(ii) for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 1999, by 40 percent of such amount otherwise allowable,
(iii) for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 2000, by 45 percent of such amount otherwise allowable, and
(iv) for cost reporting periods beginning during a subsequent fiscal year, by 30 percent of such amount otherwise allowable.
(U) In determining the reasonable cost of ambulance services (as described in subsection (s)(7) of this section) provided during fiscal year 1998, during fiscal year 1999, and during so much of fiscal year 2000 as precedes January 1, 2000, the Secretary shall not recognize the costs per trip in excess of costs recognized as reasonable for ambulance services provided on a per trip basis during the previous fiscal year (after application of this subparagraph), increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) as estimated by the Secretary for the 12-month period ending with the midpoint of the fiscal year involved reduced by 1.0 percentage point. For ambulance services provided after June 30, 1998, the Secretary may provide that claims for such services must include a code (or codes) under a uniform coding system specified by the Secretary that identifies the services furnished.
(V) In determining such reasonable costs for skilled nursing facilities with respect to cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2005, the amount of bad debts otherwise treated as allowed costs which are attributable to the coinsurance amounts under this subchapter for individuals who are entitled to benefits under part A and—
(i) are not described in
(ii) are described in such section shall not be reduced.
(2)(A) If the bed and board furnished as part of inpatient hospital services (including inpatient tuberculosis hospital services and inpatient psychiatric hospital services) or post-hospital extended care services is in accommodations more expensive than semi-private accommodations, the amount taken into account for purposes of payment under this subchapter with respect to such services may not exceed the amount that would be taken into account with respect to such services if furnished in such semi-private accommodations unless the more expensive accommodations were required for medical reasons.
(B) Where a provider of services which has an agreement in effect under this subchapter furnishes to an individual items or services which are in excess of or more expensive than the items or services with respect to which payment may be made under part A or part B of this subchapter, as the case may be, the Secretary shall take into account for purposes of payment to such provider of services only the items or services with respect to which such payment may be made.
(3) If the bed and board furnished as part of inpatient hospital services (including inpatient tuberculosis hospital services and inpatient psychiatric hospital services) or post-hospital extended care services is in accommodations other than, but not more expensive than, semi-private accommodations and the use of such other accommodations rather than semi-private accommodations was neither at the request of the patient nor for a reason which the Secretary determines is consistent with the purposes of this subchapter, the amount of the payment with respect to such bed and board under part A of this subchapter shall be the amount otherwise payable under this subchapter for such bed and board furnished in semi-private accommodations minus the difference between the charge customarily made by the hospital or skilled nursing facility for bed and board in semi-private accommodations and the charge customarily made by it for bed and board in the accommodations furnished.
(4) If a provider of services furnishes items or services to an individual which are in excess of or more expensive than the items or services determined to be necessary in the efficient delivery of needed health services and charges are imposed for such more expensive items or services under the authority granted in section 1395cc(a)(2)(B)(ii) 7 of this title, the amount of payment with respect to such items or services otherwise due such provider in any fiscal period shall be reduced to the extent that such payment plus such charges exceed the cost actually incurred for such items or services in the fiscal period in which such charges are imposed.
(5)(A) Where physical therapy services, occupational therapy services, speech therapy services, or other therapy services or services of other health-related personnel (other than physicians) are furnished under an arrangement with a provider of services or other organization, specified in the first sentence of subsection (p) of this section (including through the operation of subsection (g) of this section) the amount included in any payment to such provider or other organization under this subchapter as the reasonable cost of such services (as furnished under such arrangements) shall not exceed an amount equal to the salary which would reasonably have been paid for such services (together with any additional costs that would have been incurred by the provider or other organization) to the person performing them if they had been performed in an employment relationship with such provider or other organization (rather than under such arrangement) plus the cost of such other expenses (including a reasonable allowance for traveltime and other reasonable types of expense related to any differences in acceptable methods of organization for the provision of such therapy) incurred by such person, as the Secretary may in regulations determine to be appropriate.
(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (A), if a provider of services or other organization specified in the first sentence of subsection (p) of this section requires the services of a therapist on a limited part-time basis, or only to perform intermittent services, the Secretary may make payment on the basis of a reasonable rate per unit of service, even though such rate is greater per unit of time than salary related amounts, where he finds that such greater payment is, in the aggregate, less than the amount that would have been paid if such organization had employed a therapist on a full- or part-time salary basis.
(6) For purposes of this subsection, the term, "semi-private accommodations" means two-bed, three-bed, or four-bed accommodations.
(7)(A) For limitation on Federal participation for capital expenditures which are out of conformity with a comprehensive plan of a State or areawide planning agency, see
(B) For further limitations on reasonable cost and determination of payment amounts for operating costs of inpatient hospital services and waivers for certain States, see
(C) For provisions restricting payment for provider-based physicians' services and for payments under certain percentage arrangements, see
(D) For further limitations on reasonable cost and determination of payment amounts for routine service costs of skilled nursing facilities, see subsections (a) through (c) of
(8)
(i) entertainment, including tickets to sporting and other entertainment events;
(ii) gifts or donations;
(iii) personal use of motor vehicles;
(iv) costs for fines and penalties resulting from violations of Federal, State, or local laws; and
(v) education expenses for spouses or other dependents of providers of services, their employees or contractors.
(w) Arrangements for certain services; payments pursuant to arrangements for utilization review activities
(1) The term "arrangements" is limited to arrangements under which receipt of payment by the hospital, critical access hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health agency, or hospice program (whether in its own right or as agent), with respect to services for which an individual is entitled to have payment made under this subchapter, discharges the liability of such individual or any other person to pay for the services.
(2) Utilization review activities conducted, in accordance with the requirements of the program established under part B of subchapter XI of this chapter with respect to services furnished by a hospital or critical access hospital to patients insured under part A of this subchapter or entitled to have payment made for such services under part B of this subchapter or under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, by a quality control and peer review organization designated for the area in which such hospital or critical access hospital is located shall be deemed to have been conducted pursuant to arrangements between such hospital or critical access hospital and such organization under which such hospital or critical access hospital is obligated to pay to such organization, as a condition of receiving payment for hospital or critical access hospital services so furnished under this part or under such a State plan, such amount as is reasonably incurred and requested (as determined under regulations of the Secretary) by such organization in conducting such review activities with respect to services furnished by such hospital or critical access hospital to such patients.
(x) State and United States
The terms "State" and "United States" have the meaning given to them by subsections (h) and (i), respectively, of
(y) Extended care in religious nonmedical health care institutions
(1) The term "skilled nursing facility" also includes a religious nonmedical health care institution (as defined in subsection (ss)(1) of this section), but only (except for purposes of subsection (a)(2) of this section) with respect to items and services ordinarily furnished by such an institution to inpatients, and payment may be made with respect to services provided by or in such an institution only to such extent and under such conditions, limitations, and requirements (in addition to or in lieu of the conditions, limitations, and requirements otherwise applicable) as may be provided in regulations consistent with
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, payment under part A of this subchapter may not be made for services furnished an individual in a skilled nursing facility to which paragraph (1) applies unless such individual elects, in accordance with regulations, for a spell of illness to have such services treated as post-hospital extended care services for purposes of such part; and payment under part A of this subchapter may not be made for post-hospital extended care services—
(A) furnished an individual during such spell of illness in a skilled nursing facility to which paragraph (1) applies after—
(i) such services have been furnished to him in such a facility for 30 days during such spell, or
(ii) such services have been furnished to him during such spell in a skilled nursing facility to which such paragraph does not apply; or
(B) furnished an individual during such spell of illness in a skilled nursing facility to which paragraph (1) does not apply after such services have been furnished to him during such spell in a skilled nursing facility to which such paragraph applies.
(3) The amount payable under part A of this subchapter for post-hospital extended care services furnished an individual during any spell of illness in a skilled nursing facility to which paragraph (1) applies shall be reduced by a coinsurance amount equal to one-eighth of the inpatient hospital deductible for each day before the 31st day on which he is furnished such services in such a facility during such spell (and the reduction under this paragraph shall be in lieu of any reduction under
(4) For purposes of subsection (i) of this section, the determination of whether services furnished by or in an institution described in paragraph (1) constitute post-hospital extended care services shall be made in accordance with and subject to such conditions, limitations, and requirements as may be provided in regulations.
(z) Institutional planning
An overall plan and budget of a hospital, skilled nursing facility, comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility, or home health agency shall be considered sufficient if it—
(1) provides for an annual operating budget which includes all anticipated income and expenses related to items which would, under generally accepted accounting principles, be considered income and expense items (except that nothing in this paragraph shall require that there be prepared, in connection with any budget, an item-by-item identification of the components of each type of anticipated expenditure or income);
(2)(A) provides for a capital expenditures plan for at least a 3-year period (including the year to which the operating budget described in paragraph (1) is applicable) which includes and identifies in detail the anticipated sources of financing for, and the objectives of, each anticipated expenditure in excess of $600,000 (or such lesser amount as may be established by the State under
(B) provides that such plan is submitted to the agency designated under
(3) provides for review and updating at least annually; and
(4) is prepared, under the direction of the governing body of the institution or agency, by a committee consisting of representatives of the governing body, the administrative staff, and the medical staff (if any) of the institution or agency.
(aa) Rural health clinic services and Federally qualified health center services
(1) The term "rural health clinic services" means—
(A) physicians' services and such services and supplies as are covered under subsection (s)(2)(A) of this section if furnished as an incident to a physician's professional service and items and services described in subsection (s)(10) of this section,
(B) such services furnished by a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner (as defined in paragraph (5)), by a clinical psychologist (as defined by the Secretary) or by a clinical social worker (as defined in subsection (hh)(1) of this section), and such services and supplies furnished as an incident to his service as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physician's service, and
(C) in the case of a rural health clinic located in an area in which there exists a shortage of home health agencies, part-time or intermittent nursing care and related medical supplies (other than drugs and biologicals) furnished by a registered professional nurse or licensed practical nurse to a homebound individual under a written plan of treatment (i) established and periodically reviewed by a physician described in paragraph (2)(B), or (ii) established by a nurse practitioner or physician assistant and periodically reviewed and approved by a physician described in paragraph (2)(B),
when furnished to an individual as an outpatient of a rural health clinic.
(2) The term "rural health clinic" means a facility which—
(A) is primarily engaged in furnishing to outpatients services described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1);
(B) in the case of a facility which is not a physician-directed clinic, has an arrangement (consistent with the provisions of State and local law relative to the practice, performance, and delivery of health services) with one or more physicians (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) of this section under which provision is made for the periodic review by such physicians of covered services furnished by physician assistants and nurse practitioners, the supervision and guidance by such physicians of physician assistants and nurse practitioners, the preparation by such physicians of such medical orders for care and treatment of clinic patients as may be necessary, and the availability of such physicians for such referral of and consultation for patients as is necessary and for advice and assistance in the management of medical emergencies; and, in the case of a physician-directed clinic, has one or more of its staff physicians perform the activities accomplished through such an arrangement;
(C) maintains clinical records on all patients;
(D) has arrangements with one or more hospitals, having agreements in effect under
(E) has written policies, which are developed with the advice of (and with provision for review of such policies from time to time by) a group of professional personnel, including one or more physicians and one or more physician assistants or nurse practitioners, to govern those services described in paragraph (1) which it furnishes;
(F) has a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner responsible for the execution of policies described in subparagraph (E) and relating to the provision of the clinic's services;
(G) directly provides routine diagnostic services, including clinical laboratory services, as prescribed in regulations by the Secretary, and has prompt access to additional diagnostic services from facilities meeting requirements under this subchapter;
(H) in compliance with State and Federal law, has available for administering to patients of the clinic at least such drugs and biologicals as are determined by the Secretary to be necessary for the treatment of emergency cases (as defined in regulations) and has appropriate procedures or arrangements for storing, administering, and dispensing any drugs and biologicals;
(I) has a quality assessment and performance improvement program, and appropriate procedures for review of utilization of clinic services, as the Secretary may specify;
(J) has a nurse practitioner, a physician assistant, or a certified nurse-midwife (as defined in subsection (gg) of this section) available to furnish patient care services not less than 50 percent of the time the clinic operates; and
(K) meets such other requirements as the Secretary may find necessary in the interest of the health and safety of the individuals who are furnished services by the clinic.
For the purposes of this subchapter, such term includes only a facility which (i) is located in an area that is not an urbanized area (as defined by the Bureau of the Census) and in which there are insufficient numbers of needed health care practitioners (as determined by the Secretary), and that, within the previous 4-year period, has been designated by the chief executive officer of the State and certified by the Secretary as an area with a shortage of personal health services or designated by the Secretary either (I) as an area with a shortage of personal health services under section 330(b)(3) or 1302(7) of the Public Health Service Act [
(3) The term "Federally qualified health center services" means—
(A) services of the type described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1) and preventive services (as defined in subsection (ddd)(3)); and
(B) preventive primary health services that a center is required to provide under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act [
when furnished to an individual as an outpatient of a Federally qualified health center by the center or by a health care professional under contract with the center and, for this purpose, any reference to a rural health clinic or a physician described in paragraph (2)(B) is deemed a reference to a Federally qualified health center or a physician at the center, respectively.
(4) The term "Federally qualified health center" means an entity which—
(A)(i) is receiving a grant under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act [
(ii)(I) is receiving funding from such a grant under a contract with the recipient of such a grant, and (II) meets the requirements to receive a grant under section 330 of such Act [
(B) based on the recommendation of the Health Resources and Services Administration within the Public Health Service, is determined by the Secretary to meet the requirements for receiving such a grant;
(C) was treated by the Secretary, for purposes of part B of this subchapter, as a comprehensive Federally funded health center as of January 1, 1990; or
(D) is an outpatient health program or facility operated by a tribe or tribal organization under the Indian Self-Determination Act [
(5)(A) The term "physician assistant" and the term "nurse practitioner" mean, for purposes of this subchapter, a physician assistant or nurse practitioner who performs such services as such individual is legally authorized to perform (in the State in which the individual performs such services) in accordance with State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law), and who meets such training, education, and experience requirements (or any combination thereof) as the Secretary may prescribe in regulations.
(B) The term "clinical nurse specialist" means, for purposes of this subchapter, an individual who—
(i) is a registered nurse and is licensed to practice nursing in the State in which the clinical nurse specialist services are performed; and
(ii) holds a master's degree in a defined clinical area of nursing from an accredited educational institution.
(6) The term "collaboration" means a process in which a nurse practitioner works with a physician to deliver health care services within the scope of the practitioner's professional expertise, with medical direction and appropriate supervision as provided for in jointly developed guidelines or other mechanisms as defined by the law of the State in which the services are performed.
(7)(A) The Secretary shall waive for a 1-year period the requirements of paragraph (2) that a rural health clinic employ a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife or that such clinic require such providers to furnish services at least 50 percent of the time that the clinic operates for any facility that requests such waiver if the facility demonstrates that the facility has been unable, despite reasonable efforts, to hire a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or certified nurse-midwife in the previous 90-day period.
(B) The Secretary may not grant such a waiver under subparagraph (A) to a facility if the request for the waiver is made less than 6 months after the date of the expiration of any previous such waiver for the facility, or if the facility has not yet been determined to meet the requirements (including subparagraph (J) of the first sentence of paragraph (2)) of a rural health clinic.
(C) A waiver which is requested under this paragraph shall be deemed granted unless such request is denied by the Secretary within 60 days after the date such request is received.
(bb) Services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist
(1) The term "services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist" means anesthesia services and related care furnished by a certified registered nurse anesthetist (as defined in paragraph (2)) which the nurse anesthetist is legally authorized to perform as such by the State in which the services are furnished.
(2) The term "certified registered nurse anesthetist" means a certified registered nurse anesthetist licensed by the State who meets such education, training, and other requirements relating to anesthesia services and related care as the Secretary may prescribe. In prescribing such requirements the Secretary may use the same requirements as those established by a national organization for the certification of nurse anesthetists. Such term also includes, as prescribed by the Secretary, an anesthesiologist assistant.
(cc) Comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility services
(1) The term "comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility services" means the following items and services furnished by a physician or other qualified professional personnel (as defined in regulations by the Secretary) to an individual who is an outpatient of a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility under a plan (for furnishing such items and services to such individual) established and periodically reviewed by a physician—
(A) physicians' services;
(B) physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology services, and respiratory therapy;
(C) prosthetic and orthotic devices, including testing, fitting, or training in the use of prosthetic and orthotic devices;
(D) social and psychological services;
(E) nursing care provided by or under the supervision of a registered professional nurse;
(F) drugs and biologicals which cannot, as determined in accordance with regulations, be self-administered;
(G) supplies and durable medical equipment; and
(H) such other items and services as are medically necessary for the rehabilitation of the patient and are ordinarily furnished by comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities,
excluding, however, any item or service if it would not be included under subsection (b) of this section if furnished to an inpatient of a hospital. In the case of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech pathology services, there shall be no requirement that the item or service be furnished at any single fixed location if the item or service is furnished pursuant to such plan and payments are not otherwise made for the item or service under this subchapter.
(2) The term "comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility" means a facility which—
(A) is primarily engaged in providing (by or under the supervision of physicians) diagnostic, therapeutic, and restorative services to outpatients for the rehabilitation of injured, disabled, or sick persons;
(B) provides at least the following comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation services: (i) physicians' services (rendered by physicians, as defined in subsection (r)(1) of this section, who are available at the facility on a full- or part-time basis); (ii) physical therapy; and (iii) social or psychological services;
(C) maintains clinical records on all patients;
(D) has policies established by a group of professional personnel (associated with the facility), including one or more physicians defined in subsection (r)(1) of this section to govern the comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation services it furnishes, and provides for the carrying out of such policies by a full- or part-time physician referred to in subparagraph (B)(i);
(E) has a requirement that every patient must be under the care of a physician;
(F) in the case of a facility in any State in which State or applicable local law provides for the licensing of facilities of this nature (i) is licensed pursuant to such law, or (ii) is approved by the agency of such State or locality, responsible for licensing facilities of this nature, as meeting the standards established for such licensing;
(G) has in effect a utilization review plan in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary;
(H) has in effect an overall plan and budget that meets the requirements of subsection (z) of this section;
(I) provides the Secretary on a continuing basis with a surety bond in a form specified by the Secretary and in an amount that is not less than $50,000; and
(J) meets such other conditions of participation as the Secretary may find necessary in the interest of the health and safety of individuals who are furnished services by such facility, including conditions concerning qualifications of personnel in these facilities.
The Secretary may waive the requirement of a surety bond under subparagraph (I) in the case of a facility that provides a comparable surety bond under State law.
(dd) Hospice care; hospice program; definitions; certification; waiver by Secretary
(1) The term "hospice care" means the following items and services provided to a terminally ill individual by, or by others under arrangements made by, a hospice program under a written plan (for providing such care to such individual) established and periodically reviewed by the individual's attending physician and by the medical director (and by the interdisciplinary group described in paragraph (2)(B)) of the program—
(A) nursing care provided by or under the supervision of a registered professional nurse,
(B) physical or occupational therapy, or speech-language pathology services,
(C) medical social services under the direction of a physician,
(D)(i) services of a home health aide who has successfully completed a training program approved by the Secretary and (ii) homemaker services,
(E) medical supplies (including drugs and biologicals) and the use of medical appliances, while under such a plan,
(F) physicians' services,
(G) short-term inpatient care (including both respite care and procedures necessary for pain control and acute and chronic symptom management) in an inpatient facility meeting such conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to provide such care, but such respite care may be provided only on an intermittent, nonroutine, and occasional basis and may not be provided consecutively over longer than five days,
(H) counseling (including dietary counseling) with respect to care of the terminally ill individual and adjustment to his death, and
(I) any other item or service which is specified in the plan and for which payment may otherwise be made under this subchapter.
The care and services described in subparagraphs (A) and (D) may be provided on a 24-hour, continuous basis only during periods of crisis (meeting criteria established by the Secretary) and only as necessary to maintain the terminally ill individual at home.
(2) The term "hospice program" means a public agency or private organization (or a subdivision thereof) which—
(A)(i) is primarily engaged in providing the care and services described in paragraph (1) and makes such services available (as needed) on a 24-hour basis and which also provides bereavement counseling for the immediate family of terminally ill individuals and services described in
(ii) provides for such care and services in individuals' homes, on an outpatient basis, and on a short-term inpatient basis, directly or under arrangements made by the agency or organization, except that—
(I) the agency or organization must routinely provide directly substantially all of each of the services described in subparagraphs (A), (C), and (H) of paragraph (1), except as otherwise provided in paragraph (5), and
(II) in the case of other services described in paragraph (1) which are not provided directly by the agency or organization, the agency or organization must maintain professional management responsibility for all such services furnished to an individual, regardless of the location or facility in which such services are furnished; and
(iii) provides assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the aggregate number of days of inpatient care described in paragraph (1)(G) provided in any 12-month period to individuals who have an election in effect under
(B) has an interdisciplinary group of personnel which—
(i) includes at least—
(I) one physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1) of this section),
(II) one registered professional nurse, and
(III) one social worker,
employed by or, in the case of a physician described in subclause (I), under contract with the agency or organization, and also includes at least one pastoral or other counselor,
(ii) provides (or supervises the provision of) the care and services described in paragraph (1), and
(iii) establishes the policies governing the provision of such care and services;
(C) maintains central clinical records on all patients;
(D) does not discontinue the hospice care it provides with respect to a patient because of the inability of the patient to pay for such care;
(E)(i) utilizes volunteers in its provision of care and services in accordance with standards set by the Secretary, which standards shall ensure a continuing level of effort to utilize such volunteers, and (ii) maintains records on the use of these volunteers and the cost savings and expansion of care and services achieved through the use of these volunteers;
(F) in the case of an agency or organization in any State in which State or applicable local law provides for the licensing of agencies or organizations of this nature, is licensed pursuant to such law; and
(G) meets such other requirements as the Secretary may find necessary in the interest of the health and safety of the individuals who are provided care and services by such agency or organization.
(3)(A) An individual is considered to be "terminally ill" if the individual has a medical prognosis that the individual's life expectancy is 6 months or less.
(B) The term "attending physician" means, with respect to an individual, the physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1) of this section) or nurse practitioner (as defined in subsection (aa)(5) of this section), who may be employed by a hospice program, whom the individual identifies as having the most significant role in the determination and delivery of medical care to the individual at the time the individual makes an election to receive hospice care.
(4)(A) An entity which is certified as a provider of services other than a hospice program shall be considered, for purposes of certification as a hospice program, to have met any requirements under paragraph (2) which are also the same requirements for certification as such other type of provider. The Secretary shall coordinate surveys for determining certification under this subchapter so as to provide, to the extent feasible, for simultaneous surveys of an entity which seeks to be certified as a hospice program and as a provider of services of another type.
(B) Any entity which is certified as a hospice program and as a provider of another type shall have separate provider agreements under
(5)(A) The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraph (2)(A)(ii)(I) for an agency or organization with respect to all or part of the nursing care described in paragraph (1)(A) if such agency or organization—
(i) is located in an area which is not an urbanized area (as defined by the Bureau of the Census);
(ii) was in operation on or before January 1, 1983; and
(iii) has demonstrated a good faith effort (as determined by the Secretary) to hire a sufficient number of nurses to provide such nursing care directly.
(B) Any waiver, which is in such form and containing such information as the Secretary may require and which is requested by an agency or organization under subparagraph (A) or (C), shall be deemed to be granted unless such request is denied by the Secretary within 60 days after the date such request is received by the Secretary. The granting of a waiver under subparagraph (A) or (C) shall not preclude the granting of any subsequent waiver request should such a waiver again become necessary.
(C) The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraph (2)(A)(i) and (2)(A)(ii) for an agency or organization with respect to the services described in paragraph (1)(B) and, with respect to dietary counseling, paragraph (1)(H), if such agency or organization—
(i) is located in an area which is not an urbanized area (as defined by the Bureau of Census), and
(ii) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the agency or organization has been unable, despite diligent efforts, to recruit appropriate personnel.
(D) In extraordinary, exigent, or other non-routine circumstances, such as unanticipated periods of high patient loads, staffing shortages due to illness or other events, or temporary travel of a patient outside a hospice program's service area, a hospice program may enter into arrangements with another hospice program for the provision by that other program of services described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii)(I). The provisions of paragraph (2)(A)(ii)(II) shall apply with respect to the services provided under such arrangements.
(E) A hospice program may provide services described in paragraph (1)(A) other than directly by the program if the services are highly specialized services of a registered professional nurse and are provided non-routinely and so infrequently so that the provision of such services directly would be impracticable and prohibitively expensive.
(ee) Discharge planning process
(1) A discharge planning process of a hospital shall be considered sufficient if it is applicable to services furnished by the hospital to individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter and if it meets the guidelines and standards established by the Secretary under paragraph (2).
(2) The Secretary shall develop guidelines and standards for the discharge planning process in order to ensure a timely and smooth transition to the most appropriate type of and setting for post-hospital or rehabilitative care. The guidelines and standards shall include the following:
(A) The hospital must identify, at an early stage of hospitalization, those patients who are likely to suffer adverse health consequences upon discharge in the absence of adequate discharge planning.
(B) Hospitals must provide a discharge planning evaluation for patients identified under subparagraph (A) and for other patients upon the request of the patient, patient's representative, or patient's physician.
(C) Any discharge planning evaluation must be made on a timely basis to ensure that appropriate arrangements for post-hospital care will be made before discharge and to avoid unnecessary delays in discharge.
(D) A discharge planning evaluation must include an evaluation of a patient's likely need for appropriate post-hospital services, including hospice care and post-hospital extended care services, and the availability of those services, including the availability of home health services through individuals and entities that participate in the program under this subchapter and that serve the area in which the patient resides and that request to be listed by the hospital as available and, in the case of individuals who are likely to need post-hospital extended care services, the availability of such services through facilities that participate in the program under this subchapter and that serve the area in which the patient resides.
(E) The discharge planning evaluation must be included in the patient's medical record for use in establishing an appropriate discharge plan and the results of the evaluation must be discussed with the patient (or the patient's representative).
(F) Upon the request of a patient's physician, the hospital must arrange for the development and initial implementation of a discharge plan for the patient.
(G) Any discharge planning evaluation or discharge plan required under this paragraph must be developed by, or under the supervision of, a registered professional nurse, social worker, or other appropriately qualified personnel.
(H) Consistent with
(i) not specify or otherwise limit the qualified provider which may provide post-hospital home health services, and
(ii) identify (in a form and manner specified by the Secretary) any entity to whom the individual is referred in which the hospital has a disclosable financial interest (as specified by the Secretary consistent with
(3) With respect to a discharge plan for an individual who is enrolled with a Medicare+Choice organization under a Medicare+Choice plan and is furnished inpatient hospital services by a hospital under a contract with the organization—
(A) the discharge planning evaluation under paragraph (2)(D) is not required to include information on the availability of home health services through individuals and entities which do not have a contract with the organization; and
(B) notwithstanding subparagraph (H)(i) 8, the plan may specify or limit the provider (or providers) of post-hospital home health services or other post-hospital services under the plan.
(ff) Partial hospitalization services
(1) The term "partial hospitalization services" means the items and services described in paragraph (2) prescribed by a physician and provided under a program described in paragraph (3) under the supervision of a physician pursuant to an individualized, written plan of treatment established and periodically reviewed by a physician (in consultation with appropriate staff participating in such program), which plan sets forth the physician's diagnosis, the type, amount, frequency, and duration of the items and services provided under the plan, and the goals for treatment under the plan.
(2) The items and services described in this paragraph are—
(A) individual and group therapy with physicians or psychologists (or other mental health professionals to the extent authorized under State law),
(B) occupational therapy requiring the skills of a qualified occupational therapist,
(C) services of social workers, trained psychiatric nurses, and other staff trained to work with psychiatric patients,
(D) drugs and biologicals furnished for therapeutic purposes (which cannot, as determined in accordance with regulations, be self-administered),
(E) individualized activity therapies that are not primarily recreational or diversionary,
(F) family counseling (the primary purpose of which is treatment of the individual's condition),
(G) patient training and education (to the extent that training and educational activities are closely and clearly related to individual's care and treatment),
(H) diagnostic services, and
(I) such other items and services as the Secretary may provide (but in no event to include meals and transportation);
that are reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or active treatment of the individual's condition, reasonably expected to improve or maintain the individual's condition and functional level and to prevent relapse or hospitalization, and furnished pursuant to such guidelines relating to frequency and duration of services as the Secretary shall by regulation establish (taking into account accepted norms of medical practice and the reasonable expectation of patient improvement).
(3)(A) A program described in this paragraph is a program which is furnished by a hospital to its outpatients or by a community mental health center (as defined in subparagraph (B)), and which is a distinct and organized intensive ambulatory treatment service offering less than 24-hour-daily care other than in an individual's home or in an inpatient or residential setting.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "community mental health center" means an entity that—
(i)(I) provides the mental health services described in section 1913(c)(1) of the Public Health Service Act [
(II) in the case of an entity operating in a State that by law precludes the entity from providing itself the service described in subparagraph (E) of such section, provides for such service by contract with an approved organization or entity (as determined by the Secretary);
(ii) meets applicable licensing or certification requirements for community mental health centers in the State in which it is located;
(iii) provides at least 40 percent of its services to individuals who are not eligible for benefits under this subchapter; and
(iv) meets such additional conditions as the Secretary shall specify to ensure (I) the health and safety of individuals being furnished such services, (II) the effective and efficient furnishing of such services, and (III) the compliance of such entity with the criteria described in section 1931(c)(1) of the Public Health Service Act [
(gg) Certified nurse-midwife services
(1) The term "certified nurse-midwife services" means such services furnished by a certified nurse-midwife (as defined in paragraph (2)) and such services and supplies furnished as an incident to the nurse-midwife's service which the certified nurse-midwife is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physicians' service.
(2) The term "certified nurse-midwife" means a registered nurse who has successfully completed a program of study and clinical experience meeting guidelines prescribed by the Secretary, or has been certified by an organization recognized by the Secretary.
(hh) Clinical social worker; clinical social worker services
(1) The term "clinical social worker" means an individual who—
(A) possesses a master's or doctor's degree in social work;
(B) after obtaining such degree has performed at least 2 years of supervised clinical social work; and
(C)(i) is licensed or certified as a clinical social worker by the State in which the services are performed, or
(ii) in the case of an individual in a State which does not provide for licensure or certification—
(I) has completed at least 2 years or 3,000 hours of post-master's degree supervised clinical social work practice under the supervision of a master's level social worker in an appropriate setting (as determined by the Secretary), and
(II) meets such other criteria as the Secretary establishes.
(2) The term "clinical social worker services" means services performed by a clinical social worker (as defined in paragraph (1)) for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses (other than services furnished to an inpatient of a hospital and other than services furnished to an inpatient of a skilled nursing facility which the facility is required to provide as a requirement for participation) which the clinical social worker is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) of the State in which such services are performed as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physician's professional service.
(ii) Qualified psychologist services
The term "qualified psychologist services" means such services and such services and supplies furnished as an incident to his service furnished by a clinical psychologist (as defined by the Secretary) which the psychologist is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physician's service.
(jj) Screening mammography
The term "screening mammography" means a radiologic procedure provided to a woman for the purpose of early detection of breast cancer and includes a physician's interpretation of the results of the procedure.
(kk) Covered osteoporosis drug
The term "covered osteoporosis drug" means an injectable drug approved for the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis provided to an individual by a home health agency if, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary—
(1) the individual's attending physician certifies that the individual has suffered a bone fracture related to post-menopausal osteoporosis and that the individual is unable to learn the skills needed to self-administer such drug or is otherwise physically or mentally incapable of self-administering such drug; and
(2) the individual is confined to the individual's home (except when receiving items and services referred to in subsection (m)(7) of this section).
(ll) Speech-language pathology services; audiology services
(1) The term "speech-language pathology services" means such speech, language, and related function assessment and rehabilitation services furnished by a qualified speech-language pathologist as the speech-language pathologist is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician.
(2) The term "outpatient speech-language pathology services" has the meaning given the term "outpatient physical therapy services" in subsection (p), except that in applying such subsection—
(A) "speech-language pathology" shall be substituted for "physical therapy" each place it appears; and
(B) "speech-language pathologist" shall be substituted for "physical therapist" each place it appears.
(3) The term "audiology services" means such hearing and balance assessment services furnished by a qualified audiologist as the audiologist is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law), as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician.
(4) In this subsection:
(A) The term "qualified speech-language pathologist" means an individual with a master's or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology who—
(i) is licensed as a speech-language pathologist by the State in which the individual furnishes such services, or
(ii) in the case of an individual who furnishes services in a State which does not license speech-language pathologists, has successfully completed 350 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum (or is in the process of accumulating such supervised clinical experience), performed not less than 9 months of supervised full-time speech-language pathology services after obtaining a master's or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology or a related field, and successfully completed a national examination in speech-language pathology approved by the Secretary.
(B) The term "qualified audiologist" means an individual with a master's or doctoral degree in audiology who—
(i) is licensed as an audiologist by the State in which the individual furnishes such services, or
(ii) in the case of an individual who furnishes services in a State which does not license audiologists, has successfully completed 350 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum (or is in the process of accumulating such supervised clinical experience), performed not less than 9 months of supervised full-time audiology services after obtaining a master's or doctoral degree in audiology or a related field, and successfully completed a national examination in audiology approved by the Secretary.
(mm) Critical access hospital; critical access hospital services
(1) The term "critical access hospital" means a facility certified by the Secretary as a critical access hospital under
(2) The term "inpatient critical access hospital services" means items and services, furnished to an inpatient of a critical access hospital by such facility, that would be inpatient hospital services if furnished to an inpatient of a hospital by a hospital.
(3) The term "outpatient critical access hospital services" means medical and other health services furnished by a critical access hospital on an outpatient basis.
(nn) Screening pap smear; screening pelvic exam
(1) The term "screening pap smear" means a diagnostic laboratory test consisting of a routine exfoliative cytology test (Papanicolaou test) provided to a woman for the purpose of early detection of cervical or vaginal cancer and includes a physician's interpretation of the results of the test, if the individual involved has not had such a test during the preceding 2 years, or during the preceding year in the case of a woman described in paragraph (3).
(2) The term "screening pelvic exam" means a pelvic examination provided to a woman if the woman involved has not had such an examination during the preceding 2 years, or during the preceding year in the case of a woman described in paragraph (3), and includes a clinical breast examination.
(3) A woman described in this paragraph is a woman who—
(A) is of childbearing age and has had a test described in this subsection during any of the preceding 3 years that indicated the presence of cervical or vaginal cancer or other abnormality; or
(B) is at high risk of developing cervical or vaginal cancer (as determined pursuant to factors identified by the Secretary).
(oo) Prostate cancer screening tests
(1) The term "prostate cancer screening test" means a test that consists of any (or all) of the procedures described in paragraph (2) provided for the purpose of early detection of prostate cancer to a man over 50 years of age who has not had such a test during the preceding year.
(2) The procedures described in this paragraph are as follows:
(A) A digital rectal examination.
(B) A prostate-specific antigen blood test.
(C) For years beginning after 2002, such other procedures as the Secretary finds appropriate for the purpose of early detection of prostate cancer, taking into account changes in technology and standards of medical practice, availability, effectiveness, costs, and such other factors as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(pp) Colorectal cancer screening tests
(1) The term "colorectal cancer screening test" means any of the following procedures furnished to an individual for the purpose of early detection of colorectal cancer:
(A) Screening fecal-occult blood test.
(B) Screening flexible sigmoidoscopy.
(C) Screening colonoscopy.
(D) Such other tests or procedures, and modifications to tests and procedures under this subsection, with such frequency and payment limits, as the Secretary determines appropriate, in consultation with appropriate organizations.
(2) An "individual at high risk for colorectal cancer" is an individual who, because of family history, prior experience of cancer or precursor neoplastic polyps, a history of chronic digestive disease condition (including inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's Disease, or ulcerative colitis), the presence of any appropriate recognized gene markers for colorectal cancer, or other predisposing factors, faces a high risk for colorectal cancer.
(qq) Diabetes outpatient self-management training services
(1) The term "diabetes outpatient self-management training services" means educational and training services furnished (at such times as the Secretary determines appropriate) to an individual with diabetes by a certified provider (as described in paragraph (2)(A)) in an outpatient setting by an individual or entity who meets the quality standards described in paragraph (2)(B), but only if the physician who is managing the individual's diabetic condition certifies that such services are needed under a comprehensive plan of care related to the individual's diabetic condition to ensure therapy compliance or to provide the individual with necessary skills and knowledge (including skills related to the self-administration of injectable drugs) to participate in the management of the individual's condition.
(2) In paragraph (1)—
(A) a "certified provider" is a physician, or other individual or entity designated by the Secretary, that, in addition to providing diabetes outpatient self-management training services, provides other items or services for which payment may be made under this subchapter; and
(B) a physician, or such other individual or entity, meets the quality standards described in this paragraph if the physician, or individual or entity, meets quality standards established by the Secretary, except that the physician or other individual or entity shall be deemed to have met such standards if the physician or other individual or entity meets applicable standards originally established by the National Diabetes Advisory Board and subsequently revised by organizations who participated in the establishment of standards by such Board, or is recognized by an organization that represents individuals (including individuals under this subchapter) with diabetes as meeting standards for furnishing the services.
(rr) Bone mass measurement
(1) The term "bone mass measurement" means a radiologic or radioisotopic procedure or other procedure approved by the Food and Drug Administration performed on a qualified individual (as defined in paragraph (2)) for the purpose of identifying bone mass or detecting bone loss or determining bone quality, and includes a physician's interpretation of the results of the procedure.
(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term "qualified individual" means an individual who is (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary)—
(A) an estrogen-deficient woman at clinical risk for osteoporosis;
(B) an individual with vertebral abnormalities;
(C) an individual receiving long-term glucocorticoid steroid therapy;
(D) an individual with primary hyperparathyroidism; or
(E) an individual being monitored to assess the response to or efficacy of an approved osteoporosis drug therapy.
(3) The Secretary shall establish such standards regarding the frequency with which a qualified individual shall be eligible to be provided benefits for bone mass measurement under this subchapter.
(ss) Religious nonmedical health care institution
(1) The term "religious nonmedical health care institution" means an institution that—
(A) is described in subsection (c)(3) of section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt from taxes under subsection (a) of such section;
(B) is lawfully operated under all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations;
(C) provides only nonmedical nursing items and services exclusively to patients who choose to rely solely upon a religious method of healing and for whom the acceptance of medical health services would be inconsistent with their religious beliefs;
(D) provides such nonmedical items and services exclusively through nonmedical nursing personnel who are experienced in caring for the physical needs of such patients;
(E) provides such nonmedical items and services to inpatients on a 24-hour basis;
(F) on the basis of its religious beliefs, does not provide through its personnel or otherwise medical items and services (including any medical screening, examination, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, or the administration of drugs) for its patients;
(G)(i) is not owned by, under common ownership with, or has an ownership interest in, a provider of medical treatment or services;
(ii) is not affiliated with—
(I) a provider of medical treatment or services, or
(II) an individual who has an ownership interest in a provider of medical treatment or services;
(H) has in effect a utilization review plan which—
(i) provides for the review of admissions to the institution, of the duration of stays therein, of cases of continuous extended duration, and of the items and services furnished by the institution,
(ii) requires that such reviews be made by an appropriate committee of the institution that includes the individuals responsible for overall administration and for supervision of nursing personnel at the institution,
(iii) provides that records be maintained of the meetings, decisions, and actions of such committee, and
(iv) meets such other requirements as the Secretary finds necessary to establish an effective utilization review plan;
(I) provides the Secretary with such information as the Secretary may require to implement
(J) meets such other requirements as the Secretary finds necessary in the interest of the health and safety of individuals who are furnished services in the institution.
(2) To the extent that the Secretary finds that the accreditation of an institution by a State, regional, or national agency or association provides reasonable assurances that any or all of the requirements of paragraph (1) are met or exceeded, the Secretary may treat such institution as meeting the condition or conditions with respect to which the Secretary made such finding.
(3)(A)(i) In administering this subsection and
(ii) Clause (i) shall not be construed as preventing the Secretary from requiring under
(B)(i) In administering this subsection and
(ii) Clause (i) shall not be construed as preventing the Secretary from reviewing items and services billed by the institution to the extent the Secretary determines such review to be necessary to determine whether such items and services were not covered under part A of this subchapter, are excessive, or are fraudulent.
(4)(A) For purposes of paragraph (1)(G)(i), an ownership interest of less than 5 percent shall not be taken into account.
(B) For purposes of paragraph (1)(G)(ii), none of the following shall be considered to create an affiliation:
(i) An individual serving as an uncompensated director, trustee, officer, or other member of the governing body of a religious nonmedical health care institution.
(ii) An individual who is a director, trustee, officer, employee, or staff member of a religious nonmedical health care institution having a family relationship with an individual who is affiliated with (or has an ownership interest in) a provider of medical treatment or services.
(iii) An individual or entity furnishing goods or services as a vendor to both providers of medical treatment or services and religious nonmedical health care institutions.
(tt) Post-institutional home health services; home health spell of illness
(1) The term "post-institutional home health services" means home health services furnished to an individual—
(A) after discharge from a hospital or critical access hospital in which the individual was an inpatient for not less than 3 consecutive days before such discharge if such home health services were initiated within 14 days after the date of such discharge; or
(B) after discharge from a skilled nursing facility in which the individual was provided post-hospital extended care services if such home health services were initiated within 14 days after the date of such discharge.
(2) The term "home health spell of illness" with respect to any individual means a period of consecutive days—
(A) beginning with the first day (not included in a previous home health spell of illness) (i) on which such individual is furnished post-institutional home health services, and (ii) which occurs in a month for which the individual is entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter, and
(B) ending with the close of the first period of 60 consecutive days thereafter on each of which the individual is neither an inpatient of a hospital or critical access hospital nor an inpatient of a facility described in
(uu) Screening for glaucoma
The term "screening for glaucoma" means a dilated eye examination with an intraocular pressure measurement, and a direct ophthalmoscopy or a slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination for the early detection of glaucoma which is furnished by or under the direct supervision of an optometrist or ophthalmologist who is legally authorized to furnish such services under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) of the State in which the services are furnished, as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physician's professional service, if the individual involved has not had such an examination in the preceding year.
(vv) Medical nutrition therapy services; registered dietitian or nutrition professional
(1) The term "medical nutrition therapy services" means nutritional diagnostic, therapy, and counseling services for the purpose of disease management which are furnished by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional (as defined in paragraph (2)) pursuant to a referral by a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1) of this section).
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the term "registered dietitian or nutrition professional" means an individual who—
(A) holds a baccalaureate or higher degree granted by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States (or an equivalent foreign degree) with completion of the academic requirements of a program in nutrition or dietetics, as accredited by an appropriate national accreditation organization recognized by the Secretary for this purpose;
(B) has completed at least 900 hours of supervised dietetics practice under the supervision of a registered dietitian or nutrition professional; and
(C)(i) is licensed or certified as a dietitian or nutrition professional by the State in which the services are performed; or
(ii) in the case of an individual in a State that does not provide for such licensure or certification, meets such other criteria as the Secretary establishes.
(3) Subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) shall not apply in the case of an individual who, as of December 21, 2000, is licensed or certified as a dietitian or nutrition professional by the State in which medical nutrition therapy services are performed.
(ww) Initial preventive physical examination
(1) The term "initial preventive physical examination" means physicians' services consisting of a physical examination (including measurement of height, weight body mass index,,9 and blood pressure) with the goal of health promotion and disease detection and includes education, counseling, and referral with respect to screening and other preventive services described in paragraph (2) and end-of-life planning (as defined in paragraph (3)) upon the agreement with the individual, but does not include clinical laboratory tests.
(2) The screening and other preventive services described in this paragraph include the following:
(A) Pneumococcal, influenza, and hepatitis B vaccine and administration under subsection (s)(10).
(B) Screening mammography as defined in subsection (jj).
(C) Screening pap smear and screening pelvic exam as defined in subsection (nn).
(D) Prostate cancer screening tests as defined in subsection (oo).
(E) Colorectal cancer screening tests as defined in subsection (pp).
(F) Diabetes outpatient self-management training services as defined in subsection (qq)(1).
(G) Bone mass measurement as defined in subsection (rr).
(H) Screening for glaucoma as defined in subsection (uu).
(I) Medical nutrition therapy services as defined in subsection (vv).
(J) Cardiovascular screening blood tests as defined in subsection (xx)(1).
(K) Diabetes screening tests as defined in subsection (yy).
(L) Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm as defined in subsection (bbb).
(M) An electrocardiogram.
(N) Additional preventive services (as defined in subsection (ddd)(1)).
(3) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term "end-of-life planning" means verbal or written information regarding—
(A) an individual's ability to prepare an advance directive in the case that an injury or illness causes the individual to be unable to make health care decisions; and
(B) whether or not the physician is willing to follow the individual's wishes as expressed in an advance directive.
(xx) Cardiovascular screening blood test
(1) The term "cardiovascular screening blood test" means a blood test for the early detection of cardiovascular disease (or abnormalities associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease) that tests for the following:
(A) Cholesterol levels and other lipid or triglyceride levels.
(B) Such other indications associated with the presence of, or an elevated risk for, cardiovascular disease as the Secretary may approve for all individuals (or for some individuals determined by the Secretary to be at risk for cardiovascular disease), including indications measured by noninvasive testing.
The Secretary may not approve an indication under subparagraph (B) for any individual unless a blood test for such is recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.
(2) The Secretary shall establish standards, in consultation with appropriate organizations, regarding the frequency for each type of cardiovascular screening blood tests, except that such frequency may not be more often than once every 2 years.
(yy) Diabetes screening tests
(1) The term "diabetes screening tests" means testing furnished to an individual at risk for diabetes (as defined in paragraph (2)) for the purpose of early detection of diabetes, including—
(A) a fasting plasma glucose test; and
(B) such other tests, and modifications to tests, as the Secretary determines appropriate, in consultation with appropriate organizations.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term "individual at risk for diabetes" means an individual who has any of the following risk factors for diabetes:
(A) Hypertension.
(B) Dyslipidemia.
(C) Obesity, defined as a body mass index greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2.
(D) Previous identification of an elevated impaired fasting glucose.
(E) Previous identification of impaired glucose tolerance.
(F) A risk factor consisting of at least 2 of the following characteristics:
(i) Overweight, defined as a body mass index greater than 25, but less than 30, kg/m2.
(ii) A family history of diabetes.
(iii) A history of gestational diabetes mellitus or delivery of a baby weighing greater than 9 pounds.
(iv) 65 years of age or older.
(3) The Secretary shall establish standards, in consultation with appropriate organizations, regarding the frequency of diabetes screening tests, except that such frequency may not be more often than twice within the 12-month period following the date of the most recent diabetes screening test of that individual.
(zz) Intravenous immune globulin
The term "intravenous immune globulin" means an approved pooled plasma derivative for the treatment in the patient's home of a patient with a diagnosed primary immune deficiency disease, but not including items or services related to the administration of the derivative, if a physician determines administration of the derivative in the patient's home is medically appropriate.
(aaa) Extended care in religious nonmedical health care institutions
(1) The term "home health agency" also includes a religious nonmedical health care institution (as defined in subsection (ss)(1) of this section), but only with respect to items and services ordinarily furnished by such an institution to individuals in their homes, and that are comparable to items and services furnished to individuals by a home health agency that is not religious nonmedical health care institution.
(2)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B), payment may be made with respect to services provided by such an institution only to such extent and under such conditions, limitations, and requirements (in addition to or in lieu of the conditions, limitations, and requirements otherwise applicable) as may be provided in regulations consistent with
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, payment may not be made under subparagraph (A)—
(i) in a year insofar as such payments exceed $700,000; and
(ii) after December 31, 2006.
(bbb) Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm
The term "ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm" means—
(1) a procedure using sound waves (or such other procedures using alternative technologies, of commensurate accuracy and cost, that the Secretary may specify) provided for the early detection of abdominal aortic aneurysm; and
(2) includes a physician's interpretation of the results of the procedure.
(ccc) Long-term care hospital
The term "long-term care hospital" means a hospital which—
(1) is primarily engaged in providing inpatient services, by or under the supervision of a physician, to Medicare beneficiaries whose medically complex conditions require a long hospital stay and programs of care provided by a long-term care hospital;
(2) has an average inpatient length of stay (as determined by the Secretary) of greater than 25 days, or meets the requirements of clause (II) of
(3) satisfies the requirements of subsection (e); and
(4) meets the following facility criteria:
(A) the institution has a patient review process, documented in the patient medical record, that screens patients prior to admission for appropriateness of admission to a long-term care hospital, validates within 48 hours of admission that patients meet admission criteria for long-term care hospitals, regularly evaluates patients throughout their stay for continuation of care in a long-term care hospital, and assesses the available discharge options when patients no longer meet such continued stay criteria;
(B) the institution has active physician involvement with patients during their treatment through an organized medical staff, physician-directed treatment with physician on-site availability on a daily basis to review patient progress, and consulting physicians on call and capable of being at the patient's side within a moderate period of time, as determined by the Secretary; and
(C) the institution has interdisciplinary team treatment for patients, requiring interdisciplinary teams of health care professionals, including physicians, to prepare and carry out an individualized treatment plan for each patient.
(ddd) Additional preventive services; preventive services
(1) The term "additional preventive services" means services not described in subparagraph (A) or (C) of paragraph (3) that identify medical conditions or risk factors and that the Secretary determines are—
(A) reasonable and necessary for the prevention or early detection of an illness or disability;
(B) recommended with a grade of A or B by the United States Preventive Services Task Force; and
(C) appropriate for individuals entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B.
(2) In making determinations under paragraph (1) regarding the coverage of a new service, the Secretary shall use the process for making national coverage determinations (as defined in
(3) The term "preventive services" means the following:
(A) The screening and preventive services described in subsection (ww)(2) (other than the service described in subparagraph (M) of such subsection).
(B) An initial preventive physical examination (as defined in subsection (ww)).
(C) Personalized prevention plan services (as defined in subsection (hhh)(1)).
(eee) Cardiac rehabilitation program; intensive cardiac rehabilitation program
(1) The term "cardiac rehabilitation program" means a physician-supervised program (as described in paragraph (2)) that furnishes the items and services described in paragraph (3).
(2) A program described in this paragraph is a program under which—
(A) items and services under the program are delivered—
(i) in a physician's office;
(ii) in a hospital on an outpatient basis; or
(iii) in other settings determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(B) a physician is immediately available and accessible for medical consultation and medical emergencies at all times items and services are being furnished under the program, except that, in the case of items and services furnished under such a program in a hospital, such availability shall be presumed; and
(C) individualized treatment is furnished under a written plan established, reviewed, and signed by a physician every 30 days that describes—
(i) the individual's diagnosis;
(ii) the type, amount, frequency, and duration of the items and services furnished under the plan; and
(iii) the goals set for the individual under the plan.
(3) The items and services described in this paragraph are—
(A) physician-prescribed exercise;
(B) cardiac risk factor modification, including education, counseling, and behavioral intervention (to the extent such education, counseling, and behavioral intervention is closely related to the individual's care and treatment and is tailored to the individual's needs);
(C) psychosocial assessment;
(D) outcomes assessment; and
(E) such other items and services as the Secretary may determine, but only if such items and services are—
(i) reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or active treatment of the individual's condition;
(ii) reasonably expected to improve or maintain the individual's condition and functional level; and
(iii) furnished under such guidelines relating to the frequency and duration of such items and services as the Secretary shall establish, taking into account accepted norms of medical practice and the reasonable expectation of improvement of the individual.
(4)(A) The term "intensive cardiac rehabilitation program" means a physician-supervised program (as described in paragraph (2)) that furnishes the items and services described in paragraph (3) and has shown, in peer-reviewed published research, that it accomplished—
(i) one or more of the following:
(I) positively affected the progression of coronary heart disease; or
(II) reduced the need for coronary bypass surgery; or
(III) reduced the need for percutaneous coronary interventions; and
(ii) a statistically significant reduction in 5 or more of the following measures from their level before receipt of cardiac rehabilitation services to their level after receipt of such services:
(I) low density lipoprotein;
(II) triglycerides;
(III) body mass index;
(IV) systolic blood pressure;
(V) diastolic blood pressure; or
(VI) the need for cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes medications.
(B) To be eligible for an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program, an individual must have—
(i) had an acute myocardial infarction within the preceding 12 months;
(ii) had coronary bypass surgery;
(iii) stable angina pectoris;
(iv) had heart valve repair or replacement;
(v) had percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary stenting; or
(vi) had a heart or heart-lung transplant.
(C) An intensive cardiac rehabilitation program may be provided in a series of 72 one-hour sessions (as defined in
(5) The Secretary shall establish standards to ensure that a physician with expertise in the management of individuals with cardiac pathophysiology who is licensed to practice medicine in the State in which a cardiac rehabilitation program (or the intensive cardiac rehabilitation program, as the case may be) is offered—
(A) is responsible for such program; and
(B) in consultation with appropriate staff, is involved substantially in directing the progress of individual 10 in the program.
(fff) Pulmonary rehabilitation program
(1) The term "pulmonary rehabilitation program" means a physician-supervised program (as described in subsection (eee)(2) with respect to a program under this subsection) that furnishes the items and services described in paragraph (2).
(2) The items and services described in this paragraph are—
(A) physician-prescribed exercise;
(B) education or training (to the extent the education or training is closely and clearly related to the individual's care and treatment and is tailored to such individual's needs);
(C) psychosocial assessment;
(D) outcomes assessment; and
(E) such other items and services as the Secretary may determine, but only if such items and services are—
(i) reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or active treatment of the individual's condition;
(ii) reasonably expected to improve or maintain the individual's condition and functional level; and
(iii) furnished under such guidelines relating to the frequency and duration of such items and services as the Secretary shall establish, taking into account accepted norms of medical practice and the reasonable expectation of improvement of the individual.
(3) The Secretary shall establish standards to ensure that a physician with expertise in the management of individuals with respiratory pathophysiology who is licensed to practice medicine in the State in which a pulmonary rehabilitation program is offered—
(A) is responsible for such program; and
(B) in consultation with appropriate staff, is involved substantially in directing the progress of individual 10 in the program.
(ggg) Kidney disease education services
(1) The term "kidney disease education services" means educational services that are—
(A) furnished to an individual with stage IV chronic kidney disease who, according to accepted clinical guidelines identified by the Secretary, will require dialysis or a kidney transplant;
(B) furnished, upon the referral of the physician managing the individual's kidney condition, by a qualified person (as defined in paragraph (2)); and
(C) designed—
(i) to provide comprehensive information (consistent with the standards set under paragraph (3)) regarding—
(I) the management of comorbidities, including for purposes of delaying the need for dialysis;
(II) the prevention of uremic complications; and
(III) each option for renal replacement therapy (including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis at home and in-center as well as vascular access options and transplantation);
(ii) to ensure that the individual has the opportunity to actively participate in the choice of therapy; and
(iii) to be tailored to meet the needs of the individual involved.
(2)(A) The term "qualified person" means—
(i) a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as defined in subsection (aa)(5)), who furnishes services for which payment may be made under the fee schedule established under
(ii) a provider of services located in a rural area (as defined in
(B) Such term does not include a provider of services (other than a provider of services described in subparagraph (A)(ii)) or a renal dialysis facility.
(3) The Secretary shall set standards for the content of such information to be provided under paragraph (1)(C)(i) after consulting with physicians, other health professionals, health educators, professional organizations, accrediting organizations, kidney patient organizations, dialysis facilities, transplant centers, network organizations described in
(4) No individual shall be furnished more than 6 sessions of kidney disease education services under this subchapter.
(hhh) Annual wellness visit
(1) The term "personalized prevention plan services" means the creation of a plan for an individual—
(A) that includes a health risk assessment (that meets the guidelines established by the Secretary under paragraph (4)(A)) of the individual that is completed prior to or as part of the same visit with a health professional described in paragraph (3); and
(B) that—
(i) takes into account the results of the health risk assessment; and
(ii) may contain the elements described in paragraph (2).
(2) Subject to paragraph (4)(H), the elements described in this paragraph are the following:
(A) The establishment of, or an update to, the individual's medical and family history.
(B) A list of current providers and suppliers that are regularly involved in providing medical care to the individual (including a list of all prescribed medications).
(C) A measurement of height, weight, body mass index (or waist circumference, if appropriate), blood pressure, and other routine measurements.
(D) Detection of any cognitive impairment.
(E) The establishment of, or an update to, the following:
(i) A screening schedule for the next 5 to 10 years, as appropriate, based on recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and the individual's health status, screening history, and age-appropriate preventive services covered under this subchapter.
(ii) A list of risk factors and conditions for which primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention interventions are recommended or are underway, including any mental health conditions or any such risk factors or conditions that have been identified through an initial preventive physical examination (as described under subsection (ww)(1)), and a list of treatment options and their associated risks and benefits.
(F) The furnishing of personalized health advice and a referral, as appropriate, to health education or preventive counseling services or programs aimed at reducing identified risk factors and improving self-management, or community-based lifestyle interventions to reduce health risks and promote self-management and wellness, including weight loss, physical activity, smoking cessation, fall prevention, and nutrition.
(G) Any other element determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(3) A health professional described in this paragraph is—
(A) a physician;
(B) a practitioner described in clause (i) of
(C) a medical professional (including a health educator, registered dietitian, or nutrition professional) or a team of medical professionals, as determined appropriate by the Secretary, under the supervision of a physician.
(4)(A) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary, not later than 1 year after March 23, 2010, shall establish publicly available guidelines for health risk assessments. Such guidelines shall be developed in consultation with relevant groups and entities and shall provide that a health risk assessment—
(i) identify chronic diseases, injury risks, modifiable risk factors, and urgent health needs of the individual; and
(ii) may be furnished—
(I) through an interactive telephonic or web-based program that meets the standards established under subparagraph (B);
(II) during an encounter with a health care professional;
(III) through community-based prevention programs; or
(IV) through any other means the Secretary determines appropriate to maximize accessibility and ease of use by beneficiaries, while ensuring the privacy of such beneficiaries.
(B) Not later than 1 year after March 23, 2010, the Secretary shall establish standards for interactive telephonic or web-based programs used to furnish health risk assessments under subparagraph (A)(ii)(I). The Secretary may utilize any health risk assessment developed under
(C)(i) Not later than 18 months after March 23, 2010, the Secretary shall develop and make available to the public a health risk assessment model. Such model shall meet the guidelines under subparagraph (A) and may be used to meet the requirement under paragraph (1)(A).
(ii) Any health risk assessment that meets the guidelines under subparagraph (A) and is approved by the Secretary may be used to meet the requirement under paragraph (1)(A).
(D) The Secretary may coordinate with community-based entities (including State Health Insurance Programs, Area Agencies on Aging, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, and the Administration on Aging) to—
(i) ensure that health risk assessments are accessible to beneficiaries; and
(ii) provide appropriate support for the completion of health risk assessments by beneficiaries.
(E) The Secretary shall establish procedures to make beneficiaries and providers aware of the requirement that a beneficiary complete a health risk assessment prior to or at the same time as receiving personalized prevention plan services.
(F) To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall encourage the use of, integration with, and coordination of health information technology (including use of technology that is compatible with electronic medical records and personal health records) and may experiment with the use of personalized technology to aid in the development of self-management skills and management of and adherence to provider recommendations in order to improve the health status of beneficiaries.
(G) A beneficiary shall be eligible to receive only an initial preventive physical examination (as defined under subsection (ww)(1)) during the 12-month period after the date that the beneficiary's coverage begins under part B and shall be eligible to receive personalized prevention plan services under this subsection each year thereafter provided that the beneficiary has not received either an initial preventive physical examination or personalized prevention plan services within the preceding 12-month period.
(H) The Secretary shall issue guidance that—
(i) identifies elements under paragraph (2) that are required to be provided to a beneficiary as part of their first visit for personalized prevention plan services; and
(ii) establishes a yearly schedule for appropriate provision of such elements thereafter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1861, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in text, are classified to section 1395c et seq. and section 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Section 4071(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, referred to in subsec. (s)(10)(A), is section 4071(b) of
Section 4072(e) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, referred to in subsec. (s)(12), is section 4072(e) of
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (v)(1)(M), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373,
Part B of subchapter XI of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (w)(2), is classified to
Section 329 of the Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (aa)(2), was section 329 of act July 1, 1944, which was classified to
The Indian Self-Determination Act, referred to in subsec. (aa)(4)(D), is title I of
The Indian Health Care Improvement Act, referred to in subsec. (aa)(4)(D), is
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (ss)(1)(A), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (o)(7)(C).
Subsec. (s)(2)(K).
Subsec. (s)(2)(FF).
Subsec. (aa)(3)(A).
Subsec. (ff)(3)(A).
Subsec. (ff)(3)(B)(iii), (iv).
Subsec. (ddd).
Subsec. (ddd)(1).
Subsec. (ddd)(3).
Subsec. (hhh).
Subsec. (hhh)(4)(G).
"(G)(i) A beneficiary shall only be eligible to receive an initial preventive physical examination (as defined under subsection (ww)(1)) at any time during the 12-month period after the date that the beneficiary's coverage begins under part B of this subchapter and shall be eligible to receive personalized prevention plan services under this subsection provided that the beneficiary has not received such services within the preceding 12-month period.
"(ii) The Secretary shall establish procedures to make beneficiaries aware of the option to select an initial preventive physical examination or personalized prevention plan services during the period of 12 months after the date that a beneficiary's coverage begins under part B of this subchapter, which shall include information regarding any relevant differences between such services."
2008—Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (p).
Subsec. (s)(2)(D).
Subsec. (s)(2)(F).
Subsec. (s)(2)(BB).
Subsec. (s)(2)(CC), (DD).
Subsec. (s)(2)(EE).
Subsec. (t)(2)(B).
Subsec. (aa)(2).
Subsec. (ll)(2) to (4).
Subsec. (ww)(1).
Subsec. (ww)(2)(M), (N).
Subsec. (ww)(3).
Subsec. (ddd).
Subsecs. (eee), (fff).
Subsec. (ggg).
2007—Subsec. (ccc).
2006—Subsec. (s)(2)(AA).
Subsec. (t)(2)(B)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (v)(1)(T).
Subsec. (v)(1)(V).
Subsec. (aa)(3).
Subsec. (aa)(4)(A)(i), (ii)(II).
Subsec. (ww)(2)(L).
Subsec. (bbb).
2003—Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (s)(2)(A).
Subsec. (s)(2)(K)(i).
Subsec. (s)(2)(K)(ii).
Subsec. (s)(2)(W).
Subsec. (s)(2)(X).
Subsec. (s)(2)(Y).
Subsec. (s)(2)(Z).
Subsec. (s)(7).
Subsec. (v)(1)(S)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (v)(1)(U).
Subsec. (v)(8).
Subsec. (aa)(1)(B).
Subsec. (dd)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (dd)(3)(B).
Subsec. (dd)(5)(D), (E).
Subsec. (ee)(2)(D).
Subsec. (mm).
Subsec. (tt)(1)(A), (2)(B).
Subsec. (ww).
Subsec. (xx).
Subsec. (yy).
Subsec. (zz).
Subsec. (aaa).
2000—Subsec. (s)(2)(A), (B).
Subsec. (s)(2)(J).
Subsec. (s)(2)(U).
Subsec. (s)(2)(V).
Subsec. (t)(1).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(x).
Subsec. (v)(1)(T)(ii).
Subsec. (v)(1)(T)(iii).
Subsec. (v)(1)(T)(iv).
Subsec. (ff)(3)(B).
"(i) providing the services described in section 1916(c)(4) of the Public Health Service Act; and
"(ii) meeting applicable licensing or certification requirements for community mental health centers in the State in which it is located."
Subsec. (nn)(1), (2).
Subsec. (pp)(1)(C).
Subsec. (pp)(2).
Subsec. (uu).
Subsec. (vv).
1999—Subsec. (o)(7).
Subsec. (p)(1).
Subsec. (r)(4).
Subsec. (s)(2)(J)(v).
Subsec. (s)(2)(T)(ii).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(ix), (x).
Subsec. (v)(1)(S)(ii)(I), (II).
Subsec. (aa)(2)(I).
Subsec. (ee)(3).
Subsec. (ss)(1)(G)(i).
1998—Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(i)(III) to (V).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(v).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(vi)(I).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(viii).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(ix).
1997—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (h)(7).
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (o)(7), (8).
Subsec. (p).
Subsec. (p)(4)(A)(v).
Subsec. (r)(5).
Subsec. (s)(2)(K)(i).
Subsec. (s)(2)(K)(ii).
Subsec. (s)(2)(K)(iii), (iv).
"(iii) services which would be physicians' services if furnished by a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1) of this section) and which are performed by a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist (as defined in subsection (aa)(5) of this section) working in collaboration (as defined in subsection (aa)(6) of this section) with a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1) of this section) in a rural area (as defined in
"(iv) such services and supplies furnished as an incident to services described in clause (i) or (ii) as would be covered under subparagraph (A) if furnished as an incident to a physician's professional service;".
Subsec. (s)(2)(N) to (P).
Subsec. (s)(2)(R).
Subsec. (s)(2)(S).
Subsec. (s)(2)(T).
Subsec. (s)(12)(C).
Subsec. (s)(14).
Subsec. (s)(15) to (17).
Subsec. (u).
Subsec. (v)(1)(H)(i).
Subsec. (v)(1)(H)(ii).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(i).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(i)(I).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(i)(II).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(i)(III).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(i)(IV).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(iii).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(iv).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(v) to (vii).
Subsec. (v)(1)(O)(i).
Subsec. (v)(1)(O)(ii) to (iv).
Subsec. (v)(1)(S)(ii)(I), (II).
Subsec. (v)(1)(S)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (v)(1)(T).
Subsec. (v)(1)(U).
Subsec. (v)(7)(D).
Subsec. (v)(8).
Subsec. (w).
Subsec. (y).
Subsec. (y)(1).
Subsec. (aa)(2).
Subsec. (aa)(2)(I).
Subsec. (aa)(5).
Subsec. (aa)(7)(B).
Subsec. (cc)(2).
Subsec. (cc)(2)(I), (J).
Subsec. (dd)(1)(I).
Subsec. (dd)(2)(A)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (dd)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (dd)(5)(B).
Subsec. (dd)(5)(C).
Subsec. (ee)(2)(D).
Subsec. (ee)(2)(H).
Subsec. (mm).
"(1) The term 'rural primary care hospital' means a facility designated by the Secretary as a rural primary care hospital under
"(2) The term 'inpatient rural primary care hospital services' means items and services, furnished to an inpatient of a rural primary care hospital by such a hospital, that would be inpatient hospital services if furnished to an inpatient of a hospital by a hospital.
"(3) The term 'outpatient rural primary care hospital services' means medical and other health services furnished by a rural primary care hospital."
Subsec. (nn).
Subsec. (oo).
Subsec. (pp).
Subsec. (qq).
Subsec. (rr).
Subsec. (ss).
Subsec. (tt).
1996—Subsec. (aa)(4)(A)(i).
Subsec. (aa)(4)(A)(ii)(II).
1994—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (h)(3).
Subsec. (m)(2).
Subsec. (m)(5).
Subsec. (p).
Subsec. (s)(2)(K)(iii).
Subsec. (s)(2)(N).
Subsec. (s)(2)(O), (P).
Subsec. (s)(3).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(iii).
Subsec. (aa)(2).
Subsec. (aa)(5).
Subsec. (cc)(1)(B).
Subsec. (dd)(1)(B).
Subsec. (ee)(2)(D).
Subsec. (jj).
Subsec. (kk).
Subsec. (ll).
1993—Subsec. (s)(2)(J).
Subsec. (s)(2)(P).
Subsec. (s)(2)(Q).
Subsec. (t).
Subsec. (v)(1)(B).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(ii).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(iii).
Subsec. (v)(1)(S)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (v)(1)(S)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (aa)(4)(D).
Subsec. (gg)(2).
1990—Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (s)(2)(E).
Subsec. (s)(2)(H)(i).
Subsec. (s)(2)(K)(i).
Subsec. (s)(2)(K)(ii).
Subsec. (s)(2)(K)(iii).
Subsec. (s)(2)(K)(iv).
Subsec. (s)(2)(O).
Subsec. (s)(2)(P).
Subsec. (s)(8).
Subsec. (s)(13).
Subsec. (v)(1)(E).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(iii).
"(I) utilize a wage index that is based on verified wage data obtained from home health agencies, and
"(II) base such limits on the most recent verified wage data available, which data may be for cost reporting periods beginning no earlier than July 1, 1985.
In the case of a home health agency that refuses to provide data, or deliberately provides false data, respecting wages for purposes of this clause upon the request of the Secretary, the Secretary may withhold up to 5 percent of the amount of the payments otherwise payable to the agency under this subchapter until such date as the Secretary determines that such data has been satisfactorily provided."
Subsec. (v)(1)(S)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (v)(1)(S)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (v)(1)(S)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (v)(1)(S)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (aa).
Subsec. (aa)(1)(B).
Subsec. (aa)(2).
Subsec. (aa)(3).
Subsec. (aa)(4) to (6).
Subsec. (aa)(7).
Subsec. (ff)(3).
Subsec. (jj).
1989—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (m)(5).
Subsec. (s).
Subsec. (s)(2)(H)(ii).
Subsec. (s)(2)(J).
Subsec. (s)(2)(K).
Subsec. (s)(2)(N).
Subsec. (s)(12).
Subsec. (s)(13).
Subsec. (s)(14).
Subsec. (s)(15).
Subsec. (s)(16).
Subsec. (t).
Subsec. (u).
Subsec. (v)(1)(G)(i).
Subsec. (v)(1)(S).
Subsec. (v)(2)(A), (3).
Subsec. (w)(1).
Subsec. (w)(2).
Subsec. (y).
Subsec. (aa)(1)(B).
Subsec. (aa)(2).
Subsec. (aa)(2)(J), (K).
Subsec. (aa)(4).
Subsec. (hh).
Subsec. (ii).
Subsecs. (jj) to (ll).
Subsec. (mm).
Subsec. (mm)(3).
Subsec. (nn).
1988—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (p).
Subsec. (s).
Subsec. (s)(2)(H)(ii).
Subsec. (s)(2)(J).
Subsec. (s)(2)(K)(i).
Subsec. (s)(2)(K)(i)(I).
Subsec. (s)(2)(M).
Subsec. (s)(10)(A).
Subsec. (s)(12).
Subsec. (s)(13).
Subsec. (s)(14).
Subsec. (s)(15).
Subsec. (s)(16).
Subsec. (t).
Subsec. (u).
Subsec. (v)(1)(G)(i).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(iii).
Subsec. (v)(2)(A), (3).
Subsec. (y).
Subsec. (y)(1).
Subsec. (y)(2).
Subsec. (y)(3).
Subsec. (y)(4).
Subsec. (bb)(2).
Subsec. (ff).
Subsec. (ff)(3).
Subsec. (gg).
Subsec. (hh).
Subsec. (ii).
Subsec. (jj).
Subsec. (kk).
Subsec. (ll).
1987—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (o)(6).
Subsec. (r)(3).
Subsec. (s).
Subsec. (s)(2)(B).
Subsec. (s)(2)(H)(ii).
Subsec. (s)(2)(J).
Subsec. (s)(2)(K)(i).
Subsec. (s)(2)(L).
Subsec. (s)(2)(M).
Subsec. (s)(10)(A).
Subsec. (s)(12).
Subsec. (s)(13), (14).
Subsec. (s)(15).
Subsec. (s)(16).
Subsec. (v)(1)(E).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L)(iii).
Subsec. (v)(1)(S).
Subsec. (v)(5)(A).
Subsec. (aa)(1)(B).
Subsec. (bb).
Subsec. (bb)(2).
Subsec. (cc)(1).
Subsec. (ee).
Subsec. (ff).
Subsec. (gg).
Subsec. (hh).
Subsec. (ii).
1986—Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (e)(6).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (r)(4).
Subsec. (s)(2)(D).
Subsec. (s)(2)(J).
Subsec. (s)(2)(K).
Subsec. (s)(11) to (15).
Subsec. (v)(1)(B).
Subsec. (v)(1)(G)(i).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L).
"(I) July 1, 1985, and before July 1, 1986, 120 percent,
"(II) July 1, 1986, and before July 1, 1987, 115 percent, or
"(III) July 1, 1987, 112 percent,
of the mean of the labor-related and nonlabor per visit costs for free standing home health agencies.
"(ii) Effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after July 1, 1986, such limitations shall be applied on an aggregate basis for the agency, rather than on a discipline specific basis, with appropriate adjustment for administrative and general costs of hospital-based agencies."
Subsec. (v)(1)(O)(i).
Subsec. (v)(1)(O)(iv).
Subsec. (v)(1)(P).
Subsec. (v)(1)(Q).
Subsec. (v)(1)(R).
Subsec. (v)(5)(A).
Subsec. (bb).
Subsec. (ee).
1984—Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (j)(2).
Subsec. (j)(13).
Subsec. (m)(5).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (p)(1).
Subsec. (p)(2).
Subsec. (r)(3).
Subsec. (s)(2)(H).
Subsec. (s)(2)(I).
Subsec. (s)(6).
Subsec. (s)(10).
Subsec. (u).
Subsec. (v)(1)(B).
Subsec. (v)(1)(C).
Subsec. (v)(1)(C)(i).
Subsec. (v)(1)(D).
Subsec. (v)(1)(E).
Subsec. (v)(1)(I)(i), (ii).
Subsec. (v)(1)(K).
Subsec. (v)(1)(O).
Subsec. (v)(3).
Subsec. (v)(7)(D).
Subsec. (z)(2).
Subsec. (aa)(2)(I).
Subsec. (cc)(1)(F).
Subsec. (cc)(1)(G).
Subsec. (cc)(2)(F).
Subsec. (dd)(2)(A)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (dd)(5).
1983—Subsec. (v)(1)(G)(i).
Subsec. (v)(2)(A).
Subsec. (v)(2)(B).
Subsec. (v)(3).
Subsec. (v)(7)(C).
Subsec. (z)(2).
1982—Subsec. (e)(C).
Subsec. (s)(2)(H).
Subsec. (u).
Subsec. (v)(1)(E).
Subsec. (v)(1)(G)(i).
Subsec. (v)(1)(H)(iii).
Subsec. (v)(1)(I).
Subsec. (v)(1)(J).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L).
Subsec. (v)(1)(M).
Subsec. (v)(1)(N).
Subsec. (v)(7).
Subsec. (v)(7)(C).
Subsec. (w)(1).
Subsec. (w)(2).
Subsec. (cc)(1).
Subsec. (dd).
1981—Subsec. (u).
Subsec. (v)(1)(G)(i).
Subsec. (v)(1)(G)(iv).
Subsec. (v)(1)(J).
Subsec. (v)(1)(K).
Subsec. (v)(1)(L).
Subsec. (w)(2).
Subsec. (bb).
1980—Subsec. (b)(7).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j)(13).
Subsec. (k)(2)(A).
Subsec. (m)(4).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (o)(7).
Subsec. (r)(2).
Subsec. (r)(3).
Subsec. (r)(4).
Subsec. (s)(2)(G).
Subsec. (s)(10) to (14).
Subsec. (u).
Subsec. (v)(1)(G).
Subsec. (v)(1)(H).
Subsec. (v)(1)(I).
Subsec. (z).
Subsec. (aa)(1)(A).
Subsec. (bb).
Subsec. (cc).
1978—Subsec. (s)(2)(F).
1977—Subsec. (j)(11).
Subsec. (j)(13).
Subsec. (j)(14).
Subsec. (s).
Subsec. (s)(6).
Subsec. (v)(1)(F).
Subsec. (w)(2).
Subsec. (aa).
1975—Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (j)(13).
Subsec. (w).
1972—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (b)(7).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (e)(8).
Subsec. (e)(9).
Subsecs. (f)(2), (g)(2).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (j)(10).
Subsec. (j)(11) to (13).
Subsec. (j)(15).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l).
Subsec. (m)(7).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (o)(5), (6).
Subsec. (p).
Subsec. (q).
Subsec. (r).
Subsec. (s)(8).
Subsec. (u).
Subsec. (v)(1).
Subsec. (v)(3).
Subsec. (v)(4).
Subsec. (v)(5).
Subsec. (v)(6).
Subsec. (v)(7).
Subsecs. (w), (y).
Subsec. (z).
1971—Subsec. (e)(5).
1968—Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (p).
Subsec. (r)(3).
Subsec. (s).
Subsec. (s)(2)(A) to (C).
Subsec. (s)(2)(D).
Subsec. (s)(3).
Subsec. (s)(6).
Subsec. (s)(12), (13).
Subsec. (y)(3).
1966—Subsec. (v)(1).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by section 4103(a), (b) of
Amendment by section 4104(a) of
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by section 101(a)(1), (b)(1) of
Amendment by section 125(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 143(a), (b)(5), (6) of
Amendment by section 144(a)(1) of
Amendment by section 152(b)(1)(A), (B) of
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by section 5112(a), (b) of
Amendment by section 5114(a)(1), (b) of
Amendment by section 6001(f)(1) of
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by section 415(b) of
Amendment by section 512(c) of
Amendment by section 611(a), (b), (d)(2) of
Amendment by section 642(a) of
Amendment by section 946(a) of
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title I, §103(a)] of
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title I, §105(a), (b)] of
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title IV, §430(b)] of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title II, §201(k)] of
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title III, §321(k)(7)–(9)] of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4102(a), (c) of
Amendment by section 4103(a) of
Amendment by section 4104(a)(1) of
Amendment by section 4105(a)(1), (b)(1) of
Section 4106(d) of
Amendment by section 4201(c)(1), (2) of
Section 4205(b)(2) of
Section 4205(c)(2) of
Section 4205(d)(4) of
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(i)
"(ii)
Amendment by section 4312(d), (e) of
Section 4312(f)(2) of
Section 4321(d)(1) of
Section 4404(b) of
Amendment by section 4432(b)(5)(D), (E) of
Section 4444(b) of
Amendment by sections 4445 and 4446 of
Amendment by section 4454(a)(1) of
Amendment by section 4511(a)(1)–(2)(B), (d) of
Amendment by section 4512(a) of
Section 4513(b) of
Section 4557(b) of
Section 4604(c) of
Amendment by section 4611(b) of
Section 4612(b) of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 107(b) of
Amendment by section 145(b) of
Section 146(c) of
Amendment by section 147(e)(1), (4), (5), (f)(3), (4)(A), (6)(A), (B), (E) of
Section 158(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13503(c)(2) of
Section 13553(c) of
Section 13554(b) of
Section 13556(b) of
Section 13564(b)(2) of
Section 13566(c) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 4008(h)(2)(A)(i) of
Amendment by section 4152(a)(2) of
Section 4153(b)(2)(C) of
Amendment by section 4155(a), (d) of
Amendment by section 4157(a) of
Amendment by section 4161(a)(1), (2), (5) of
Section 4161(b)(5) of
Amendment by section 4162(a) of
Amendment by section 4163(a) of
Section 4201(d)(3)[(4)] of
Section 4207(d)(4), formerly 4027(d)(3), of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendments
Amendment by section 6112(e)(1) of
Amendment by section 6113(a)–(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 6114(a), (d) of
Section 6115(d) of
Amendment by section 6131(a)(2) of
Section 6141(b) of
Section 6213(d) of
Amendment by section 101(a) of
Amendment by section 201(a) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 8423(b) of
Section 8424(b) of
Amendment by
Amendment by section 104(d)(4) of
Amendment by section 202(a) of
Amendment by section 203(b), (e)(1) of
Amendment by section 204(a) of
Amendment by section 205(b) of
Section 206(b) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Section 411(d)(1)(B)(ii) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 4009(e)(2) of
Section 4021(c) of
Section 4026(a)(2) of
Section 4064(e)(2) of
Section 4065(c) of
Section 4070(c)(2) of
"(A) The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section and
"(B) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall implement the amendments made by subsection (b) so as to ensure that there is no additional cost to the medicare program by reason of such amendments."
Section 4071(b) of
"(1) The provisions of subsection (e) of section 4072 of this subpart [section 4072(e) of
"(2) In conducting the demonstration project pursuant to paragraph (1), in order to determine the cost effectiveness of including influenza vaccine in the medicare program, the Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to conduct a demonstration of the provision of influenza vaccine as a service for medicare beneficiaries and to expend $25,000,000 each year of the demonstration project for this purpose. In conducting this demonstration, the Secretary is authorized to purchase in bulk influenza vaccine and to distribute it in a manner to make it widely available to medicare beneficiaries, to develop projects to provide vaccine in the same manner as other covered medicare services in large scale demonstration projects, including statewide projects, and to engage in other appropriate use of moneys to provide influenza vaccine to medicare beneficiaries and evaluate the cost effectiveness of its use. In determining cost effectiveness, the Secretary shall consider the direct cost of the vaccine, the utilization of vaccine which might otherwise not have occurred, the costs of illnesses and nursing home days avoided, and other relevant factors, except that extended life for beneficiaries shall not be considered to reduce the cost effectiveness of the vaccine."
Section 4072(e) of
"(1) The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2)(A) The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this paragraph referred to as the 'Secretary'), shall establish a demonstration project to begin on October 1, 1988, to test the cost-effectiveness of furnishing therapeutic shoes under the medicare program to the extent provided under the amendments made by this section to a sample group of medicare beneficiaries.
"(B)(i) The demonstration project under subparagraph (A) shall be conducted for an initial period of 24 months. Not later than October 1, 1990, the Secretary shall report to the Congress on the results of such project. If the Secretary finds, on the basis of existing data, that furnishing therapeutic shoes under the medicare program to the extent provided under the amendments made by this section is cost-effective, the Secretary shall include such finding in such report, such project shall be discontinued, and the amendments made by this section shall become effective on November 1, 1990.
"(ii) If the Secretary determines that such finding cannot be made on the basis of existing data, such project shall continue for an additional 24 months. Not later than April 1, 1993, the Secretary shall submit a final report to the Congress on the results of such project. The amendments made by this section shall become effective on the first day of the first month to begin after such report is submitted to the Congress unless the report contains a finding by the Secretary that furnishing therapeutic shoes under the medicare program to the extent provided under the amendments made by this section is not cost-effective (in which case the amendments made by this section shall not become effective)."
[Amendments by section 4072 of
Amendment by section 4073(a), (c) of
Section 4074(c) of
Section 4075(b) of
Section 4076(b) of
Section 4077(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 4077(b)(1), (4) of
Amendment by section 4084(c)(1) of
Amendments by section 4201(a)(1), (b)(1), (d)(1), (2), (5) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Section 9305(c)(4) of
Section 9313(a)(3) of
Amendment by section 9320(b), (c), (f) of
Section 9335(c)(2) of
Section 9336(b) of
Amendment by section 9337(d) of
Section 9338(f) of
Section 9107(c)(2) of
Section 9110(b) of
Section 9202(i)(2) of
Amendment by section 9219(b)(1)(B) of
Section 9219(b)(3)(B) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 2314(c)(1), (2) of
"(1) Clause (i) of section 1861(v)(1)(O) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (v)(1)(O)(i) of this section] shall not apply to changes of ownership of assets pursuant to an enforceable agreement entered into before the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984].
"(2) Clause (iii) of section 1861(v)(1)(O) of such Act [subsec. (v)(1)(O)(iii) of this section] shall apply to costs incurred on or after the date of the enactment of this Act."
Section 2318(c) of
Amendment by section 2319(a) of
Amendment by section 2321(e) of
Section 2322(b) of
Amendment by section 2323(a) of
Section 2324(b) of
Amendment by section 2335(b) of
Section 2340(c) of
Amendment by section 2341(a), (c) of
Amendment by section 2342(a) of
Section 2343(c) of
Amendment by section 2354(b)(18)–(29) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendments
Amendment by section 602(d) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by section 101(a)(2) of
Section 102(b) of
Section 103(b) of
Section 105(b) of
Section 106(b) of
Section 107(b) of
Amendment by section 109(b)(2) of
Section 109(c)(3) of
Amendment by section 122(d) of
Section 128(e) of
"(1) Any amendment to the Omnibus Budget Reconciliaton [Reconciliation] Act of 1981 [
"(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, any amendment to the Social Security Act [this chapter] or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] [Title 26, Internal Revenue Code] made by this section (other than subsection (d)) [amending this section and
"(3) The amendments made by subsection (d) [amending this section and
Amendment by section 148(b) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 2102(b)(1) of
Amendment by section 2121(c), (d) of
Section 2141(c) of
"(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to cost reporting periods ending after September 30, 1981.
"(2) In the case of a cost reporting period beginning before October 1, 1981, any reduction in payments resulting from the amendment made by subsection (a) shall be imposed only in proportion to the part of the period that occurs after September 30, 1981."
Section 2143(b) of
"(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to cost reporting periods ending after September 30, 1981.
"(2) In the case of a cost reporting period beginning before October 1, 1981, any reduction in payments resulting from the amendment made by subsection (a) shall be imposed only in proportion to the part of the period that occurs after September 30, 1981."
Section 2144(b) of
"(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to cost reporting periods ending after September 30, 1981.
"(2) In the case of a cost reporting period beginning before October 1, 1981, any reduction in payments resulting from the amendment made by subsection (a) shall be imposed only in proportion to the part of the period that occurs after September 30, 1981."
For effective date, savings, and transitional provisions relating to amendment by section 2193(c)(9) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 902(c) of
Section 930(s) of
"(1) the amendments made by this section [amending this section,
"(2) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall take administrative action to assure that improvements, in accordance with the amendment made by subsection (n)(1) [amending this section], will be made not later than June 30, 1981."
Amendment by section 931(c), (d) of
Amendment by section 933(c)–(e) of
Amendment by section 936(a) of
Section 937(c) of
Section 938(b) of
Section 948(c)(1) of
Section 951(c) of
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1977 Amendments
Section 501(c) of
Amendment by
Amendment by section 3(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 19(b)(1) of
Section 21(c)(1) of
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Section 106(b) of
Section 112(d) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by section 211(b), (c)(2) of
Section 223(h) of
Section 227(g) of
Section 234(i) of
Section 246(c) of
Section 251(d) of
"(1) The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section and
"(2) The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section and
"(3) The amendments made by subsection (c) [amending this section] shall be effective with respect to accounting periods beginning after the month in which there are promulgated, by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, final regulations implementing the provisions of section 1861(v)(5) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (v)(5) of this section]."
Section 252(b) of
Amendment by section 256(b) of
Section 264(b) of
Section 273(b) of
Section 276(b) of
Amendment by section 283(a) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Section 127(c) of
Amendment by section 129(a), (b), (c)(9)(C), (10), (11) of
Amendment by section 132(a) of
Amendment by section 133(a), (b) of
Section 134(b) of
Amendment by section 143(a) of
Section 144(e) of
Effective Date of 1966 Amendment
Amendment by
Construction of 2008 Amendment
For construction of amendment by section 153(b)(3)(B) of
Conforming References to Previous Part D
Application of 2003 Amendment to Physician Specialties
Amendment by section 303 of
Notwithstanding section 303(j) of
Frontier Extended Stay Clinic Demonstration Project
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) is located in a community where the closest short-term acute care hospital or critical access hospital is at least 75 miles away from the community or is inaccessible by public road; and
"(2) is designed to address the needs of—
"(A) seriously or critically ill or injured patients who, due to adverse weather conditions or other reasons, cannot be transferred quickly to acute care referral centers; or
"(B) patients who need monitoring and observation for a limited period of time.
"(c)
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(e)
"(f)
"(g)
MedPAC Study of Coverage of Surgical First Assisting Services of Certified Registered Nurse First Assistants
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) is a registered nurse and is licensed to practice nursing in the State in which the surgical first assisting services are performed;
"(B) has completed a minimum of 2,000 hours of first assisting a physician with surgery and related preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care; and
"(C) is certified as a registered nurse first assistant by an organization recognized by the Secretary."
Studies Relating to Vision Impairments
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(b)
Demonstration of Coverage of Chiropractic Services Under Medicare
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) care for neuromusculoskeletal conditions typical among eligible beneficiaries; and
"(B) diagnostic and other services that a chiropractor is legally authorized to perform by the State or jurisdiction in which such treatment is provided.
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(c)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) two shall be in rural areas; and
"(ii) two shall be in urban areas.
"(C)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(d)
"(1)
"(A) to determine whether eligible beneficiaries who use chiropractic services use a lesser overall amount of items and services for which payment is made under the medicare program than eligible beneficiaries who do not use such services;
"(B) to determine the cost of providing payment for chiropractic services under the medicare program;
"(C) to determine the satisfaction of eligible beneficiaries participating in the demonstration projects and the quality of care received by such beneficiaries; and
"(D) to evaluate such other matters as the Secretary determines is appropriate.
"(2)
"(e)
"(f)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(2)
Demonstration Project To Clarify the Definition of Homebound
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) the beneficiary has been certified by one physician as an individual who has a permanent and severe, disabling condition that is not expected to improve;
"(2) the beneficiary is dependent upon assistance from another individual with at least 3 out of the 5 activities of daily living for the rest of the beneficiary's life;
"(3) the beneficiary requires skilled nursing services for the rest of the beneficiary's life and the skilled nursing is more than medication management;
"(4) an attendant is required to visit the beneficiary on a daily basis to monitor and treat the beneficiary's medical condition or to assist the beneficiary with activities of daily living;
"(5) the beneficiary requires technological assistance or the assistance of another person to leave the home; and
"(6) the beneficiary does not regularly work in a paid position full-time or part-time outside the home.
"(c)
"(d)
"(e)
"(f)
"(1) An examination of whether the provision of home health services to medicare beneficiaries under the project has had any of the following effects:
"(A) Has adversely affected the provision of home health services under the medicare program.
"(B) Has directly caused an increase of expenditures under the medicare program for the provision of such services that is directly attributable to such clarification.
"(2) The specific data evidencing the amount of any increase in expenditures that is directly attributable to the demonstration project (expressed both in absolute dollar terms and as a percentage) above expenditures that would otherwise have been incurred for home health services under the medicare program.
"(3) Specific recommendations to exempt permanently and severely disabled homebound beneficiaries from restrictions on the length, frequency, and purpose of their absences from the home to qualify for home health services without incurring additional costs to the medicare program.
"(g)
"(h)
"(i)
"(j)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
Information on Medicare-Certified Skilled Nursing Facilities in Hospital Discharge Plans
Implementation of Amendments by Pub. L. 105–277
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
Study on Expansion of Medical Nutrition Therapy Services Benefit
Study on Medicare Coverage of Routine Thyroid Screening
"(a)
"(b)
GAO Study on Coverage of Surgical First Assisting Services of Certified Registered Nurse First Assistants
"(a)
"(1) Any impact on the quality of care furnished to medicare beneficiaries by reason of such coverage.
"(2) Appropriate education and training requirements for certified registered nurse first assistants who furnish such first assisting services.
"(3) Appropriate rates of payment under the program to such certified registered nurse first assistants for furnishing such services, taking into account the costs of compensation, overhead, and supervision attributable to certified registered nurse first assistants.
"(b)
MedPAC Study and Report on Medicare Coverage of Services Provided by Certain Nonphysician Providers
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) surgical technologist;
"(B) marriage counselor;
"(C) marriage and family therapist;
"(D) pastoral care counselor; and
"(E) licensed professional counselor of mental health.
"(2)
"(b)
Development of Patient Assessment Instruments
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) elements that are common to the items and services described in subsection (b) may be readily comparable and are statistically compatible;
"(B) only elements necessary to meet program objectives are collected; and
"(C) the standard instruments supersede any other assessment instrument used before that date.
"(3)
"(b)
"(1) Inpatient and outpatient hospital services.
"(2) Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services.
"(3) Covered skilled nursing facility services.
"(4) Home health services.
"(5) Physical or occupational therapy or speech-language pathology services.
"(6) Items and services furnished to such individuals determined to have end stage renal disease.
"(7) Partial hospitalization services and other mental health services.
"(8) Any other service for which payment is made under such title as the Secretary determines to be appropriate."
Conforming References to Previous Part C
Section 4002(f)(1) of
Deadline for Publication of Determination on Coverage of Screening Barium Enema
Section 4104(a)(2) of
Establishment of Outcome Measures for Beneficiaries With Diabetes
Section 4105(c) of
"(1)
"(2)
Vaccines Outreach Expansion
Section 4107 of
"(a)
"(b)
Study on Preventive and Enhanced Benefits
Section 4108 of
Utilization Guidelines
Section 4513(c) of
Authorizing Payment for Paramedic Intercept Service Providers in Rural Communities
"(1) The ALS intercept services are provided under a contract with one or more volunteer ambulance services and are medically necessary based on the health condition of the individual being transported.
"(2) The volunteer ambulance service involved—
"(A) is certified as qualified to provide ambulance service for purposes of such section,
"(B) provides only basic life support services at the time of the intercept, and
"(C) is prohibited by State law from billing for any services.
"(3) The entity supplying the ALS intercept services—
"(A) is certified as qualified to provide such services under the medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], and
"(B) bills all recipients who receive ALS intercept services from the entity, regardless of whether or not such recipients are medicare beneficiaries.
For purposes of this subsection, an area shall be treated as a rural area if it is designated as a rural area by any law or regulation of the State or if it is located in a rural census tract of a metropolitan statistical area (as determined under the most recent Goldsmith Modification, originally published in the Federal Register on February 27, 1992 (57 Fed. Reg. 6725))."
[
No Exceptions Permitted Based on Amendment to Subsection (v)(1)(L)
Section 4601(b) of
Study on Definition of Homebound
Section 4613 of
"(a)
"(b)
Revisions of Coverage for Immunosuppressive Drug Therapy
Section 160(c) of
Freeze in Per Visit Cost Limits for Home Health Services
Section 13564(a)(1) of
Study and Report on Effects of Coverage of Osteoporosis Drugs
Section 4156(b) of
Productivity Screening Guidelines Application to Staff in Rural Health Clinics
Section 4161(b)(3) of
Development of Prospective Payment System for Home Health Services
Section 4207(c), formerly 4027(c), of
Application of Budget-Neutral Basis
Section 4207(d)(2), formerly 4027(d)(2), of
Transition Provisions for Determining Reasonable Costs for Home Health Agency Services
Section 4207(d)(3), formerly 4027(d)(3), of
Permitting Dentist To Serve as Hospital Medical Director
Section 6025 of
Recognition of Costs of Certain Hospital-Based Nursing Schools
Section 6205(a)(1)(A) of
[Section 6205(a)(2) of
Dissemination of Rural Health Clinic Information
Section 6213(e) of
Treatment of Certain Facilities as Rural Health Clinics
Section 6213(f) of
Continued Use of Home Health Wage Index in Effect Prior to July 1, 1989, Until After July 1, 1991
Section 6222 of
Payment for Medical Escort or Medical Attendant on Commercial Airliner Allowed
Section 8427 of
"(a)
"(b)
Skilled Nursing Facility; Access and Visitation Rights
Section 411(l)(2)(E) of
Moratorium on Prior Authorization for Home Health and Post-Hospital Extended Care Services
Section 4039(e) of
Delay in Publishing Regulations With Respect To Deeming Status of Entities
Section 4039(f) of
"(1) on any date prior to 6 months after the date on which the Secretary has published a proposed rule with respect to the deeming of the entity, and
"(2) until the Secretary publishes a final rule with respect to the deeming of the entity."
Development of Uniform Needs Assessment Instrument
Section 9305(h) of
Prior and Concurrent Authorization Demonstration Project
Section 9305(k) of
Considerations in Establishing Limits on Payment for Home Health Services
Section 9315(b) of
"(1) base such limitations on the most recent data available, which data may be for cost reporting periods beginning no earlier than October 1, 1983; and
"(2) take into account the changes in costs of home health agencies for billing and verification procedures that result from the Secretary's changing the requirements for such procedures, to the extent the changes in costs are not reflected in such data.
Paragraph (2) shall apply to changes in requirements effected before, on, or after July 1, 1986."
Comptroller General Study and Report on Cost Limits for Home Health Services
Section 9315(c) of
Reduction in Payment To Avoid Duplicate Payment for Services of Physician Assistants
Section 9338(d) of
Study and Report on Payments for Physician Assistants
Section 9338(e) of
Cost Limits for Routine Services for Urban and Rural Hospital-Based Skilled Nursing Facilities; Cost Reporting Periods Beginning On or After October 1, 1982, and Prior to July 1, 1984
Section 2319(d) of
Study and Report Relating to Requirements That Core Services Be Furnished Directly by Hospices
Section 2343(d) of
Report on Effect of 1982 Amendment on Hospital-Based Skilled Nursing Facilities
Section 605(b) of
Section 2319(e) of
Elimination of Private Room Subsidy
Section 111 of
"(a) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, pursuant to section 1861(v)(2) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (v)(2) of this section], not allow as a reasonable cost the estimated amount by which the costs incurred by a hospital or skilled nursing facility for nonmedically necessary private accommodations for medicare beneficiaries exceeds the costs which would have been incurred by such hospital or facility for semiprivate accommodations.
"(b) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall first issue such final regulations (whether on an interim or other basis) as may be necessary to implement subsection (a) by October 1, 1982. If such regulations are promulgated on an interim final basis, the Secretary shall take such steps as may be necessary to provide opportunity for public comment, and appropriate revision based thereon, so as to provide that such regulations are not on an interim basis later than January 31, 1983."
Regulations Regarding Access to Books and Records
Section 952(b) of
Compliance With the Life Safety Code or State Fire and Safety Code
Section 915(b) of
Section 106(c) of
Private, Nonprofit Health Care Clinics Qualifying, as of July 1, 1977, as Rural Health Clinics
Section 1(e) of
"(1) on July 1, 1977, was operating and located in an area which on that date (A) was not an urbanized area (as defined by the Bureau of the Census) and (B) had a supply of physicians insufficient to meet the needs of the area (as determined by the Secretary), and
"(2) meets the definition of a rural health clinic under section 1861(aa)(2) [subsec. (aa)(2) of this section] or section 1905(l) of the Social Security Act [
shall be considered, for the purposes of title XVIII or XIX, respectively, of the Social Security Act [this subchapter or subchapter XIX of this chapter], as satisfying the definition of a rural health clinic under such section."
Promulgation of Regulations Defining Costs Chargeable to Personal Funds of Patients in Skilled Nursing Facilities; Date of Issuance
Section 21(b) of
[Section 21(c)(2) of
Home Health Services; Grants for Establishment, Operation, Staffing, Etc., of Public and Nonprofit Private Agencies and Entities; Procedures; Payments; Authorization of Appropriations
Payment for Service of Physicians Rendered in a Teaching Hospital for Accounting Periods Beginning After June 30, 1975, and Prior to October 1, 1978; Studies, Reports, etc.; Effective Dates
Physical Therapy Services Requirements; Effective Date Postponement
Section 17(a) of
Payment for Durable Medical Equipment
Section 245(a)–(c) of
"(a) The Secretary is authorized to conduct reimbursement experiments designed to eliminate unreasonable expenses resulting from prolonged rentals of durable medical equipment described in section 1861(s)(6) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (s)(6) of this section].
"(b) Such experiment may be conducted in one or more geographic areas, as the Secretary deems appropriate, and may, pursuant to agreements with suppliers, provide for reimbursement for such equipment on a lump-sum basis whenever it is determined (in accordance with guidelines established by the Secretary) that a lump-sum payment would be more economical than the anticipated period of rental payments. Such experiments may also provide for incentives to beneficiaries (including waiver of the 20 percent coinsurance amount applicable under section 1833 of the Social Security Act [
"(c) The Secretary is authorized, at such time as he deems appropriate, to implement on a nationwide basis any such reimbursement procedures which he finds to be workable, desirable and economical and which are consistent with the purposes of this section."
Respecting the Rights of Hospital Patients to Receive Visitors and to Designate Surrogate Decision Makers for Medical Emergencies
Memorandum of President of the United States, Apr. 15, 2010, 75 F.R. 20511, provided:
Memorandum for the Secretary of Health and Human Services
There are few moments in our lives that call for greater compassion and companionship than when a loved one is admitted to the hospital. In these hours of need and moments of pain and anxiety, all of us would hope to have a hand to hold, a shoulder on which to lean—a loved one to be there for us, as we would be there for them.
Yet every day, all across America, patients are denied the kindnesses and caring of a loved one at their sides—whether in a sudden medical emergency or a prolonged hospital stay. Often, a widow or widower with no children is denied the support and comfort of a good friend. Members of religious orders are sometimes unable to choose someone other than an immediate family member to visit them and make medical decisions on their behalf. Also uniquely affected are gay and lesbian Americans who are often barred from the bedsides of the partners with whom they may have spent decades of their lives—unable to be there for the person they love, and unable to act as a legal surrogate if their partner is incapacitated.
For all of these Americans, the failure to have their wishes respected concerning who may visit them or make medical decisions on their behalf has real consequences. It means that doctors and nurses do not always have the best information about patients' medications and medical histories and that friends and certain family members are unable to serve as intermediaries to help communicate patients' needs. It means that a stressful and at times terrifying experience for patients is senselessly compounded by indignity and unfairness. And it means that all too often, people are made to suffer or even to pass away alone, denied the comfort of companionship in their final moments while a loved one is left worrying and pacing down the hall.
Many States have taken steps to try to put an end to these problems. North Carolina recently amended its Patients' Bill of Rights to give each patient "the right to designate visitors who shall receive the same visitation privileges as the patient's immediate family members, regardless of whether the visitors are legally related to the patient"—a right that applies in every hospital in the State. Delaware, Nebraska, and Minnesota have adopted similar laws.
My Administration can expand on these important steps to ensure that patients can receive compassionate care and equal treatment during their hospital stays. By this memorandum, I request that you take the following steps:
1. Initiate appropriate rulemaking, pursuant to your authority under
2. Ensure that all hospitals participating in Medicare or Medicaid are in full compliance with regulations, codified at 42 CFR 482.13 and 42 CFR 489.102(a), promulgated to guarantee that all patients' advance directives, such as durable powers of attorney and health care proxies, are respected, and that patients' representatives otherwise have the right to make informed decisions regarding patients' care. Additionally, I request that you issue new guidelines, pursuant to your authority under
3. Provide additional recommendations to me, within 180 days of the date of this memorandum, on actions the Department of Health and Human Services can take to address hospital visitation, medical decisionmaking, or other health care issues that affect LGBT patients and their families.
This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
You are hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
Barack Obama.
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by "and".
3 So in original. The word "and" probably should not appear.
4 So in original. Probably should be "have".
5 So in original. Probably should be "regulations".
6 So in original. Probably should be "subclauses."
7 See References in Text note below.
8 So in original. Probably should be "paragraph (2)(H)(i)".
9 So in original. Probably should be "weight, body mass index,".
§1395y. Exclusions from coverage and medicare as secondary payer
(a) Items or services specifically excluded
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, no payment may be made under part A or part B of this subchapter for any expenses incurred for items or services—
(1)(A) which, except for items and services described in a succeeding subparagraph or additional preventive services (as described in
(B) in the case of items and services described in
(C) in the case of hospice care, which are not reasonable and necessary for the palliation or management of terminal illness,
(D) in the case of clinical care items and services provided with the concurrence of the Secretary and with respect to research and experimentation conducted by, or under contract with, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission or the Secretary, which are not reasonable and necessary to carry out the purposes of
(E) in the case of research conducted pursuant to
(F) in the case of screening mammography, which is performed more frequently than is covered under
(G) in the case of prostate cancer screening tests (as defined in
(H) in the case of colorectal cancer screening tests, which are performed more frequently than is covered under
(I) the frequency and duration of home health services which are in excess of normative guidelines that the Secretary shall establish by regulation,
(J) in the case of a drug or biological specified in
(K) in the case of an initial preventive physical examination, which is performed more than 1 year after the date the individual's first coverage period begins under part B of this subchapter,
(L) in the case of cardiovascular screening blood tests (as defined in
(M) in the case of a diabetes screening test (as defined in
(N) in the case of ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm which is performed more frequently than is provided for under
(O) in the case of kidney disease education services (as defined in paragraph (1) of
(P) in the case of personalized prevention plan services (as defined in
(2) for which the individual furnished such items or services has no legal obligation to pay, and which no other person (by reason of such individual's membership in a prepayment plan or otherwise) has a legal obligation to provide or pay for, except in the case of Federally qualified health center services;
(3) which are paid for directly or indirectly by a governmental entity (other than under this chapter and other than under a health benefits or insurance plan established for employees of such an entity), except in the case of rural health clinic services, as defined in
(4) which are not provided within the United States (except for inpatient hospital services furnished outside the United States under the conditions described in
(5) which are required as a result of war, or of an act of war, occurring after the effective date of such individual's current coverage under such part;
(6) which constitute personal comfort items (except, in the case of hospice care, as is otherwise permitted under paragraph (1)(C));
(7) where such expenses are for routine physical checkups, eyeglasses (other than eyewear described in
(8) where such expenses are for orthopedic shoes or other supportive devices for the feet, other than shoes furnished pursuant to
(9) where such expenses are for custodial care (except, in the case of hospice care, as is otherwise permitted under paragraph (1)(C));
(10) where such expenses are for cosmetic surgery or are incurred in connection therewith, except as required for the prompt repair of accidental injury or for improvement of the functioning of a malformed body member;
(11) where such expenses constitute charges imposed by immediate relatives of such individual or members of his household;
(12) where such expenses are for services in connection with the care, treatment, filling, removal, or replacement of teeth or structures directly supporting teeth, except that payment may be made under part A of this subchapter in the case of inpatient hospital services in connection with the provision of such dental services if the individual, because of his underlying medical condition and clinical status or because of the severity of the dental procedure, requires hospitalization in connection with the provision of such services;
(13) where such expenses are for—
(A) the treatment of flat foot conditions and the prescription of supportive devices therefor,
(B) the treatment of subluxations of the foot, or
(C) routine foot care (including the cutting or removal of corns or calluses, the trimming of nails, and other routine hygienic care);
(14) which are other than physicians' services (as defined in regulations promulgated specifically for purposes of this paragraph), services described by
(15)(A) which are for services of an assistant at surgery in a cataract operation (including subsequent insertion of an intraocular lens) unless, before the surgery is performed, the appropriate utilization and quality control peer review organization (under part B of subchapter XI of this chapter) or a carrier under
(B) which are for services of an assistant at surgery to which
(16) in the case in which funds may not be used for such items and services under the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 [
(17) where the expenses are for an item or service furnished in a competitive acquisition area (as established by the Secretary under
(18) which are covered skilled nursing facility services described in
(19) which are for items or services which are furnished pursuant to a private contract described in
(20) in the case of outpatient physical therapy services, outpatient speech-language pathology services, or outpatient occupational therapy services furnished as an incident to a physician's professional services (as described in
(21) where such expenses are for home health services (including medical supplies described in
(22) subject to subsection (h) of this section, for which a claim is submitted other than in an electronic form specified by the Secretary;
(23) which are the technical component of advanced diagnostic imaging services described in
(24) where such expenses are for renal dialysis services (as defined in subparagraph (B) of
(25) not later than January 1, 2014, for which the payment is other than by electronic funds transfer (EFT) or an electronic remittance in a form as specified in ASC X12 835 Health Care Payment and Remittance Advice or subsequent standard.
Paragraph (7) shall not apply to Federally qualified health center services described in
(b) Medicare as secondary payer
(1) Requirements of group health plans
(A) Working aged under group health plans
(i) In general
A group health plan—
(I) may not take into account that an individual (or the individual's spouse) who is covered under the plan by virtue of the individual's current employment status with an employer is entitled to benefits under this subchapter under
(II) shall provide that any individual age 65 or older (and the spouse age 65 or older of any individual) who has current employment status with an employer shall be entitled to the same benefits under the plan under the same conditions as any such individual (or spouse) under age 65.
(ii) Exclusion of group health plan of a small employer
Clause (i) shall not apply to a group health plan unless the plan is a plan of, or contributed to by, an employer that has 20 or more employees for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks in the current calendar year or the preceding calendar year.
(iii) Exception for small employers in multiemployer or multiple employer group health plans
Clause (i) also shall not apply with respect to individuals enrolled in a multiemployer or multiple employer group health plan if the coverage of the individuals under the plan is by virtue of current employment status with an employer that does not have 20 or more individuals in current employment status for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks in the current calendar year and the preceding calendar year; except that the exception provided in this clause shall only apply if the plan elects treatment under this clause.
(iv) Exception for individuals with end stage renal disease
Subparagraph (C) shall apply instead of clause (i) to an item or service furnished in a month to an individual if for the month the individual is, or (without regard to entitlement under
(v) "Group health plan" defined
In this subparagraph, and subparagraph (C), the term "group health plan" has the meaning given such term in section 5000(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, without regard to section 5000(d) of such Code.
(B) Disabled individuals in large group health plans
(i) In general
A large group health plan (as defined in clause (iii)) may not take into account that an individual (or a member of the individual's family) who is covered under the plan by virtue of the individual's current employment status with an employer is entitled to benefits under this subchapter under
(ii) Exception for individuals with end stage renal disease
Subparagraph (C) shall apply instead of clause (i) to an item or service furnished in a month to an individual if for the month the individual is, or (without regard to entitlement under
(iii) "Large group health plan" defined
In this subparagraph, the term "large group health plan" has the meaning given such term in section 5000(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, without regard to section 5000(d) of such Code.
(C) Individuals with end stage renal disease
A group health plan (as defined in subparagraph (A)(v))—
(i) may not take into account that an individual is entitled to or eligible for benefits under this subchapter under
(ii) may not differentiate in the benefits it provides between individuals having end stage renal disease and other individuals covered by such plan on the basis of the existence of end stage renal disease, the need for renal dialysis, or in any other manner;
except that clause (ii) shall not prohibit a plan from paying benefits secondary to this subchapter when an individual is entitled to or eligible for benefits under this subchapter under
(D) Treatment of certain members of religious orders
In this subsection, an individual shall not be considered to be employed, or an employee, with respect to the performance of services as a member of a religious order which are considered employment only by virtue of an election made by the religious order under section 3121(r) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(E) General provisions
For purposes of this subsection:
(i) Aggregation rules
(I) All employers treated as a single employer under subsection (a) or (b) of section 52 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be treated as a single employer.
(II) All employees of the members of an affiliated service group (as defined in section 414(m) of such Code) shall be treated as employed by a single employer.
(III) Leased employees (as defined in section 414(n)(2) of such Code) shall be treated as employees of the person for whom they perform services to the extent they are so treated under section 414(n) of such Code.
In applying sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 under this clause, the Secretary shall rely upon regulations and decisions of the Secretary of the Treasury respecting such sections.
(ii) "Current employment status" defined
An individual has "current employment status" with an employer if the individual is an employee, is the employer, or is associated with the employer in a business relationship.
(iii) Treatment of self-employed persons as employers
The term "employer" includes a self-employed person.
(F) Limitation on beneficiary liability
An individual who is entitled to benefits under this subchapter and is furnished an item or service for which such benefits are incorrectly paid is not liable for repayment of such benefits under this paragraph unless payment of such benefits was made to the individual.
(2) Medicare secondary payer
(A) In general
Payment under this subchapter may not be made, except as provided in subparagraph (B), with respect to any item or service to the extent that—
(i) payment has been made, or can reasonably be expected to be made, with respect to the item or service as required under paragraph (1), or
(ii) payment has been made 3 or can reasonably be expected to be made 3 under a workmen's compensation law or plan of the United States or a State or under an automobile or liability insurance policy or plan (including a self-insured plan) or under no fault insurance.
In this subsection, the term "primary plan" means a group health plan or large group health plan, to the extent that clause (i) applies, and a workmen's compensation law or plan, an automobile or liability insurance policy or plan (including a self-insured plan) or no fault insurance, to the extent that clause (ii) applies. An entity that engages in a business, trade, or profession shall be deemed to have a self-insured plan if it carries its own risk (whether by a failure to obtain insurance, or otherwise) in whole or in part.
(B) Conditional payment
(i) Authority to make conditional payment
The Secretary may make payment under this subchapter with respect to an item or service if a primary plan described in subparagraph (A)(ii) has not made or cannot reasonably be expected to make payment with respect to such item or service promptly (as determined in accordance with regulations). Any such payment by the Secretary shall be conditioned on reimbursement to the appropriate Trust Fund in accordance with the succeeding provisions of this subsection.
(ii) Repayment required
A primary plan, and an entity that receives payment from a primary plan, shall reimburse the appropriate Trust Fund for any payment made by the Secretary under this subchapter with respect to an item or service if it is demonstrated that such primary plan has or had a responsibility to make payment with respect to such item or service. A primary plan's responsibility for such payment may be demonstrated by a judgment, a payment conditioned upon the recipient's compromise, waiver, or release (whether or not there is a determination or admission of liability) of payment for items or services included in a claim against the primary plan or the primary plan's insured, or by other means. If reimbursement is not made to the appropriate Trust Fund before the expiration of the 60-day period that begins on the date notice of, or information related to, a primary plan's responsibility for such payment or other information is received, the Secretary may charge interest (beginning with the date on which the notice or other information is received) on the amount of the reimbursement until reimbursement is made (at a rate determined by the Secretary in accordance with regulations of the Secretary of the Treasury applicable to charges for late payments).
(iii) Action by United States
In order to recover payment made under this subchapter for an item or service, the United States may bring an action against any or all entities that are or were required or responsible (directly, as an insurer or self-insurer, as a third-party administrator, as an employer that sponsors or contributes to a group health plan, or large group health plan, or otherwise) to make payment with respect to the same item or service (or any portion thereof) under a primary plan. The United States may, in accordance with paragraph (3)(A) collect double damages against any such entity. In addition, the United States may recover under this clause from any entity that has received payment from a primary plan or from the proceeds of a primary plan's payment to any entity. The United States may not recover from a third-party administrator under this clause in cases where the third-party administrator would not be able to recover the amount at issue from the employer or group health plan and is not employed by or under contract with the employer or group health plan at the time the action for recovery is initiated by the United States or for whom it provides administrative services due to the insolvency or bankruptcy of the employer or plan.
(iv) Subrogation rights
The United States shall be subrogated (to the extent of payment made under this subchapter for such an item or service) to any right under this subsection of an individual or any other entity to payment with respect to such item or service under a primary plan.
(v) Waiver of rights
The Secretary may waive (in whole or in part) the provisions of this subparagraph in the case of an individual claim if the Secretary determines that the waiver is in the best interests of the program established under this subchapter.
(vi) Claims-filing period
Notwithstanding any other time limits that may exist for filing a claim under an employer group health plan, the United States may seek to recover conditional payments in accordance with this subparagraph where the request for payment is submitted to the entity required or responsible under this subsection to pay with respect to the item or service (or any portion thereof) under a primary plan within the 3-year period beginning on the date on which the item or service was furnished.
(C) Treatment of questionnaires
The Secretary may not fail to make payment under subparagraph (A) solely on the ground that an individual failed to complete a questionnaire concerning the existence of a primary plan.
(3) Enforcement
(A) Private cause of action
There is established a private cause of action for damages (which shall be in an amount double the amount otherwise provided) in the case of a primary plan which fails to provide for primary payment (or appropriate reimbursement) in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2)(A).
(B) Reference to excise tax with respect to nonconforming group health plans
For provision imposing an excise tax with respect to nonconforming group health plans, see section 5000 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(C) Prohibition of financial incentives not to enroll in a group health plan or a large group health plan
It is unlawful for an employer or other entity to offer any financial or other incentive for an individual entitled to benefits under this subchapter not to enroll (or to terminate enrollment) under a group health plan or a large group health plan which would (in the case of such enrollment) be a primary plan (as defined in paragraph (2)(A)). Any entity that violates the previous sentence is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $5,000 for each such violation. The provisions of
(4) Coordination of benefits
Where payment for an item or service by a primary plan is less than the amount of the charge for such item or service and is not payment in full, payment may be made under this subchapter (without regard to deductibles and coinsurance under this subchapter) for the remainder of such charge, but—
(A) payment under this subchapter may not exceed an amount which would be payable under this subchapter for such item or service if paragraph (2)(A) did not apply; and
(B) payment under this subchapter, when combined with the amount payable under the primary plan, may not exceed—
(i) in the case of an item or service payment for which is determined under this subchapter on the basis of reasonable cost (or other cost-related basis) or under
(ii) in the case of an item or service for which payment is authorized under this subchapter on another basis—
(I) the amount which would be payable under the primary plan (without regard to deductibles and coinsurance under such plan), or
(II) the reasonable charge or other amount which would be payable under this subchapter (without regard to deductibles and coinsurance under this subchapter),
whichever is greater.
(5) Identification of secondary payer situations
(A) Requesting matching information
(i) Commissioner of Social Security
The Commissioner of Social Security shall, not less often than annually, transmit to the Secretary of the Treasury a list of the names and TINs of medicare beneficiaries (as defined in section 6103(l)(12) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) and request that the Secretary disclose to the Commissioner the information described in subparagraph (A) of such section.
(ii) Administrator
The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall request, not less often than annually, the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration to disclose to the Administrator the information described in subparagraph (B) of section 6103(l)(12) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(B) Disclosure to fiscal intermediaries and carriers
In addition to any other information provided under this subchapter to fiscal intermediaries and carriers, the Administrator shall disclose to such intermediaries and carriers (or to such a single intermediary or carrier as the Secretary may designate) the information received under subparagraph (A) for purposes of carrying out this subsection.
(C) Contacting employers
(i) In general
With respect to each individual (in this subparagraph referred to as an "employee") who was furnished a written statement under section 6051 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by a qualified employer (as defined in section 6103(l)(12)(E)(iii) of such Code), as disclosed under subparagraph (B), the appropriate fiscal intermediary or carrier shall contact the employer in order to determine during what period the employee or employee's spouse may be (or have been) covered under a group health plan of the employer and the nature of the coverage that is or was provided under the plan (including the name, address, and identifying number of the plan).
(ii) Employer response
Within 30 days of the date of receipt of the inquiry, the employer shall notify the intermediary or carrier making the inquiry as to the determinations described in clause (i). An employer (other than a Federal or other governmental entity) who willfully or repeatedly fails to provide timely and accurate notice in accordance with the previous sentence shall be subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $1,000 for each individual with respect to which such an inquiry is made. The provisions of
(D) Obtaining information from beneficiaries
Before an individual applies for benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolls under part B of this subchapter, the Administrator shall mail the individual a questionnaire to obtain information on whether the individual is covered under a primary plan and the nature of the coverage provided under the plan, including the name, address, and identifying number of the plan.
(6) Screening requirements for providers and suppliers
(A) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, no payment may be made for any item or service furnished under part B of this subchapter unless the entity furnishing such item or service completes (to the best of its knowledge and on the basis of information obtained from the individual to whom the item or service is furnished) the portion of the claim form relating to the availability of other health benefit plans.
(B) Penalties
An entity that knowingly, willfully, and repeatedly fails to complete a claim form in accordance with subparagraph (A) or provides inaccurate information relating to the availability of other health benefit plans on a claim form under such subparagraph shall be subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $2,000 for each such incident. The provisions of
(7) Required submission of information by group health plans
(A) Requirement
On and after the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the date that is 1 year after December 29, 2007, an entity serving as an insurer or third party administrator for a group health plan, as defined in paragraph (1)(A)(v), and, in the case of a group health plan that is self-insured and self-administered, a plan administrator or fiduciary, shall—
(i) secure from the plan sponsor and plan participants such information as the Secretary shall specify for the purpose of identifying situations where the group health plan is or has been a primary plan to the program under this subchapter; and
(ii) submit such information to the Secretary in a form and manner (including frequency) specified by the Secretary.
(B) Enforcement
(i) In general
An entity, a plan administrator, or a fiduciary described in subparagraph (A) that fails to comply with the requirements under such subparagraph shall be subject to a civil money penalty of $1,000 for each day of noncompliance for each individual for which the information under such subparagraph should have been submitted. The provisions of subsections (e) and (k) of
(ii) Deposit of amounts collected
Any amounts collected pursuant to clause (i) shall be deposited in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under
(C) Sharing of information
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, under terms and conditions established by the Secretary, the Secretary—
(i) shall share information on entitlement under part A and enrollment under part B under this subchapter with entities, plan administrators, and fiduciaries described in subparagraph (A);
(ii) may share the entitlement and enrollment information described in clause (i) with entities and persons not described in such clause; and
(iii) may share information collected under this paragraph as necessary for purposes of the proper coordination of benefits.
(D) Implementation
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may implement this paragraph by program instruction or otherwise.
(8) Required submission of information by or on behalf of liability insurance (including self-insurance), no fault insurance, and workers' compensation laws and plans
(A) Requirement
On and after the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the date that is 18 months after December 29, 2007, an applicable plan shall—
(i) determine whether a claimant (including an individual whose claim is unresolved) is entitled to benefits under the program under this subchapter on any basis; and
(ii) if the claimant is determined to be so entitled, submit the information described in subparagraph (B) with respect to the claimant to the Secretary in a form and manner (including frequency) specified by the Secretary.
(B) Required information
The information described in this subparagraph is—
(i) the identity of the claimant for which the determination under subparagraph (A) was made; and
(ii) such other information as the Secretary shall specify in order to enable the Secretary to make an appropriate determination concerning coordination of benefits, including any applicable recovery claim.
(C) Timing
Information shall be submitted under subparagraph (A)(ii) within a time specified by the Secretary after the claim is resolved through a settlement, judgment, award, or other payment (regardless of whether or not there is a determination or admission of liability).
(D) Claimant
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "claimant" includes—
(i) an individual filing a claim directly against the applicable plan; and
(ii) an individual filing a claim against an individual or entity insured or covered by the applicable plan.
(E) Enforcement
(i) In general
An applicable plan that fails to comply with the requirements under subparagraph (A) with respect to any claimant shall be subject to a civil money penalty of $1,000 for each day of noncompliance with respect to each claimant. The provisions of subsections (e) and (k) of
(ii) Deposit of amounts collected
Any amounts collected pursuant to clause (i) shall be deposited in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.
(F) Applicable plan
In this paragraph, the term "applicable plan" means the following laws, plans, or other arrangements, including the fiduciary or administrator for such law, plan, or arrangement:
(i) Liability insurance (including self-insurance).
(ii) No fault insurance.
(iii) Workers' compensation laws or plans.
(G) Sharing of information
The Secretary may share information collected under this paragraph as necessary for purposes of the proper coordination of benefits.
(H) Implementation
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may implement this paragraph by program instruction or otherwise.
(c) Drug products
No payment may be made under part B of this subchapter for any expenses incurred for—
(1) a drug product—
(A) which is described in section 107(c)(3) of the Drug Amendments of 1962,
(B) which may be dispensed only upon prescription,
(C) for which the Secretary has issued a notice of an opportunity for a hearing under subsection (e) of
(D) for which the Secretary has not determined there is a compelling justification for its medical need; and
(2) any other drug product—
(A) which is identical, related, or similar (as determined in accordance with section 310.6 of title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations) to a drug product described in paragraph (1), and
(B) for which the Secretary has not determined there is a compelling justification for its medical need,
until such time as the Secretary withdraws such proposed order.
(d) Items or services provided for emergency medical conditions
For purposes of subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section, in the case of any item or service that is required to be provided pursuant to
(e) Item or service by excluded individual or entity or at direction of excluded physician; limitation of liability of beneficiaries with respect to services furnished by excluded individuals and entities
(1) No payment may be made under this subchapter with respect to any item or service (other than an emergency item or service, not including items or services furnished in an emergency room of a hospital) furnished—
(A) by an individual or entity during the period when such individual or entity is excluded pursuant to
(B) at the medical direction or on the prescription of a physician during the period when he is excluded pursuant to
(2) Where an individual eligible for benefits under this subchapter submits a claim for payment for items or services furnished by an individual or entity excluded from participation in the programs under this subchapter, pursuant to section 1320a–7, 1320a–7a, 1320c–5, 1320c–9 (as in effect on September 2, 1982), 1395u(j)(2), 1395y(d) (as in effect on August 18, 1987), or 1395cc of this title, and such beneficiary did not know or have reason to know that such individual or entity was so excluded, then, to the extent permitted by this subchapter, and notwithstanding such exclusion, payment shall be made for such items or services. In each such case the Secretary shall notify the beneficiary of the exclusion of the individual or entity furnishing the items or services. Payment shall not be made for items or services furnished by an excluded individual or entity to a beneficiary after a reasonable time (as determined by the Secretary in regulations) after the Secretary has notified the beneficiary of the exclusion of that individual or entity.
(f) Utilization guidelines for provision of home health services
The Secretary shall establish utilization guidelines for the determination of whether or not payment may be made, consistent with paragraph (1)(A) of subsection (a) of this section, under part A or part B of this subchapter for expenses incurred with respect to the provision of home health services, and shall provide for the implementation of such guidelines through a process of selective postpayment coverage review by intermediaries or otherwise.
(g) Contracts with utilization and quality control peer review organizations
The Secretary shall, in making the determinations under paragraphs (1) and (9) of subsection (a) of this section, and for the purposes of promoting the effective, efficient, and economical delivery of health care services, and of promoting the quality of services of the type for which payment may be made under this subchapter, enter into contracts with utilization and quality control peer review organizations pursuant to part B of subchapter XI of this chapter.
(h) Waiver of electronic form requirement
(1) The Secretary—
(A) shall waive the application of subsection (a)(22) of this section in cases in which—
(i) there is no method available for the submission of claims in an electronic form; or
(ii) the entity submitting the claim is a small provider of services or supplier; and
(B) may waive the application of such subsection in such unusual cases as the Secretary finds appropriate.
(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term "small provider of services or supplier" means—
(A) a provider of services with fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees; or
(B) a physician, practitioner, facility, or supplier (other than provider of services) with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees.
(i) Awards and contracts for original research and experimentation of new and existing medical procedures; conditions
In order to supplement the activities of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission under
(1) such procedure is not of sufficient commercial value to justify research and experimentation by a commercial organization;
(2) research and experimentation with respect to such procedure is not of a type that may appropriately be carried out by an institute, division, or bureau of the National Institutes of Health; and
(3) such procedure has the potential to be more cost-effective in the treatment of a condition than procedures currently in use with respect to such condition.
(j) Nonvoting members and experts
(1) Any advisory committee appointed to advise the Secretary on matters relating to the interpretation, application, or implementation of subsection (a)(1) of this section shall assure the full participation of a nonvoting member in the deliberations of the advisory committee, and shall provide such nonvoting member access to all information and data made available to voting members of the advisory committee, other than information that—
(A) is exempt from disclosure pursuant to subsection (a) of
(B) the Secretary determines would present a conflict of interest relating to such nonvoting member.
(2) If an advisory committee described in paragraph (1) organizes into panels of experts according to types of items or services considered by the advisory committee, any such panel of experts may report any recommendation with respect to such items or services directly to the Secretary without the prior approval of the advisory committee or an executive committee thereof.
(k) Dental benefits under group health plans
(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a group health plan (as defined in subsection (a)(1)(A)(v) 4 of this section) providing supplemental or secondary coverage to individuals also entitled to services under this subchapter shall not require a medicare claims determination under this subchapter for dental benefits specifically excluded under subsection (a)(12) of this section as a condition of making a claims determination for such benefits under the group health plan.
(2) A group health plan may require a claims determination under this subchapter in cases involving or appearing to involve inpatient dental hospital services or dental services expressly covered under this subchapter pursuant to actions taken by the Secretary.
(l) National and local coverage determination process
(1) Factors and evidence used in making national coverage determinations
The Secretary shall make available to the public the factors considered in making national coverage determinations of whether an item or service is reasonable and necessary. The Secretary shall develop guidance documents to carry out this paragraph in a manner similar to the development of guidance documents under
(2) Timeframe for decisions on requests for national coverage determinations
In the case of a request for a national coverage determination that—
(A) does not require a technology assessment from an outside entity or deliberation from the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee, the decision on the request shall be made not later than 6 months after the date of the request; or
(B) requires such an assessment or deliberation and in which a clinical trial is not requested, the decision on the request shall be made not later than 9 months after the date of the request.
(3) Process for public comment in national coverage determinations
(A) Period for proposed decision
Not later than the end of the 6-month period (or 9-month period for requests described in paragraph (2)(B)) that begins on the date a request for a national coverage determination is made, the Secretary shall make a draft of proposed decision on the request available to the public through the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services or other appropriate means.
(B) 30-day period for public comment
Beginning on the date the Secretary makes a draft of the proposed decision available under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall provide a 30-day period for public comment on such draft.
(C) 60-day period for final decision
Not later than 60 days after the conclusion of the 30-day period referred to under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall—
(i) make a final decision on the request;
(ii) include in such final decision summaries of the public comments received and responses to such comments;
(iii) make available to the public the clinical evidence and other data used in making such a decision when the decision differs from the recommendations of the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee; and
(iv) in the case of a final decision under clause (i) to grant the request for the national coverage determination, the Secretary shall assign a temporary or permanent code (whether existing or unclassified) and implement the coding change.
(4) Consultation with outside experts in certain national coverage determinations
With respect to a request for a national coverage determination for which there is not a review by the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee, the Secretary shall consult with appropriate outside clinical experts.
(5) Local coverage determination process
(A) Plan to promote consistency of coverage determinations
The Secretary shall develop a plan to evaluate new local coverage determinations to determine which determinations should be adopted nationally and to what extent greater consistency can be achieved among local coverage determinations.
(B) Consultation
The Secretary shall require the fiscal intermediaries or carriers providing services within the same area to consult on all new local coverage determinations within the area.
(C) Dissemination of information
The Secretary should serve as a center to disseminate information on local coverage determinations among fiscal intermediaries and carriers to reduce duplication of effort.
(6) National and local coverage determination defined
For purposes of this subsection—
(A) National coverage determination
The term "national coverage determination" means a determination by the Secretary with respect to whether or not a particular item or service is covered nationally under this subchapter.
(B) Local coverage determination
The term "local coverage determination" has the meaning given that in
(m) Coverage of routine costs associated with certain clinical trials of category A devices
(1) In general
In the case of an individual entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter, or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both who participates in a category A clinical trial, the Secretary shall not exclude under subsection (a)(1) of this section payment for coverage of routine costs of care (as defined by the Secretary) furnished to such individual in the trial.
(2) Category A clinical trial
For purposes of paragraph (1), a "category A clinical trial" means a trial of a medical device if—
(A) the trial is of an experimental/investigational (category A) medical device (as defined in regulations under section 405.201(b) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect as of September 1, 2003));
(B) the trial meets criteria established by the Secretary to ensure that the trial conforms to appropriate scientific and ethical standards; and
(C) in the case of a trial initiated before January 1, 2010, the device involved in the trial has been determined by the Secretary to be intended for use in the diagnosis, monitoring, or treatment of an immediately life-threatening disease or condition.
(n) Requirement of a surety bond for certain providers of services and suppliers
(1) In general
The Secretary may require a provider of services or supplier described in paragraph (2) to provide the Secretary on a continuing basis with a surety bond in a form specified by the Secretary in an amount (not less than $50,000) that the Secretary determines is commensurate with the volume of the billing of the provider of services or supplier. The Secretary may waive the requirement of a bond under the preceding sentence in the case of a provider of services or supplier that provides a comparable surety bond under State law.
(2) Provider of services or supplier described
A provider of services or supplier described in this paragraph is a provider of services or supplier the Secretary determines appropriate based on the level of risk involved with respect to the provider of services or supplier, and consistent with the surety bond requirements under
(o) Suspension of payments pending investigation of credible allegations of fraud
(1) In general
The Secretary may suspend payments to a provider of services or supplier under this subchapter pending an investigation of a credible allegation of fraud against the provider of services or supplier, unless the Secretary determines there is good cause not to suspend such payments.
(2) Consultation
The Secretary shall consult with the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services in determining whether there is a credible allegation of fraud against a provider of services or supplier.
(3) Promulgation of regulations
The Secretary shall promulgate regulations to carry out this subsection and
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1862, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in text, are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Part B of subchapter XI of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(15) and (g), is classified to
The Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (a)(16), is
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Section 107(c)(3) of the Drug Amendments of 1962, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(A), is section 107(c)(3) of
Codification
Amendments by section 301(a) to (c) of
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(1)(P).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(25).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (o).
2008—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(K).
Subsec. (a)(1)(O).
Subsec. (a)(20).
Subsec. (a)(23).
Subsec. (a)(24).
2007—Subsec. (b)(7), (8).
2006—Subsec. (a)(1)(N).
2003—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1)(J).
Subsec. (a)(1)(K).
Subsec. (a)(1)(L).
Subsec. (a)(1)(M).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(iv) to (vi).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A).
Subsec. (b)(5)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (j)(1).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l).
Subsec. (m).
2001—Subsec. (a)(22).
Subsec. (h).
2000—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(18).
1999—Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(21).
1997—Subsec. (a)(1)(D).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(1)(G).
Subsec. (a)(1)(H).
Subsec. (a)(1)(I).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (a)(16).
Subsec. (a)(17).
Subsec. (a)(18).
Subsec. (a)(19).
Subsec. (a)(20).
Subsec. (a)(21).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iii), (iv).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(1)(F).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(v).
Subsec. (b)(5)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (i).
1996—Subsec. (b)(5)(B).
"(i) subparagraph (A), and
"(ii)
for purposes of carrying out this subsection".
Subsec. (b)(5)(C)(i).
Subsec. (h).
1994—Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (a)(15).
Subsec. (a)(16).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(i)(II).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(v).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(2)(C).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C).
Subsec. (b)(5)(C)(i).
Subsec. (b)(5)(D).
Subsec. (b)(6).
1993—Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(i).
"(I) may not take into account, for any item or service furnished to an individual 65 years of age or older at the time the individual is covered under the plan by reason of the current employment of the individual (or the individual's spouse), that the individual is entitled to benefits under this subchapter under
"(II) shall provide that any employee age 65 or older, and any employee's spouse age 65 or older, shall be entitled to the same benefits under the plan under the same conditions as any employee, and the spouse of such employee, under age 65."
Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(v).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(1)(E).
Subsec. (b)(5)(B).
Subsec. (b)(5)(C)(i).
Subsec. (b)(5)(C)(iii).
1990—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (a)(15).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(i).
"(I) the month in which a regular course of renal dialysis is initiated, or
"(II) in the case of an individual who receives a kidney transplant, the first month in which he would be eligible for benefits under part A of this subchapter (if he had filed an application for such benefits) under the provisions of
Subsec. (b)(3)(C).
Subsec. (b)(5)(C)(iii).
1989—
Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(E).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(1)(G), (6), (7).
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(1)(D).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (e)(1).
1988—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(1)(G).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(15).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2).
1987—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B)(i).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e) [formerly §1395aaa].
Subsec. (h)(1)(B).
Subsec. (h)(1)(D).
Subsec. (h)(2)(C).
Subsec. (h)(4).
Subsec. (h)(4)(B).
1986—Subsec. (a)(1)(E).
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (a)(15).
Subsec. (a)(16).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(5).
1984—Subsec. (a)(12).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
1983—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(D).
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i).
1982—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(9).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (d)(1)(C).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
1981—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (f).
1980—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(12).
Subsec. (a)(13)(C).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (e).
1977—Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (d)(1)(B).
Subsec. (d)(1)(C).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (e).
1975—Subsec. (c).
1974—Subsec. (c).
1973—Subsec. (a)(12).
1972—Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(12).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
1968—Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(13).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by section 4103(d) of
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by section 101(a)(3), (b)(3), (4) of
Amendment by section 143(b)(7) of
Amendment by section 152(b)(1)(D) of
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
"(1) in the case of subsection (a), as if included in the enactment of title III [sic] of the Medicare and Medicaid Budget Reconciliation Amendments of 1984 (
"(2) in the case of subsections (b) and (c), as if included in the enactment of section 953 of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1980 (
Amendment by section 611(d)(1) of
Amendment by section 612(c) of
Amendment by section 613(c) of
Amendment by section 948(a) of
Effective Date of 2001 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title I, §102(c)] of
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title III, §313(a)] of
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title IV, §432(b)(1)] of
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title V, §522(b)] of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title III, §305(b)] of
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title III, §321(k)(10)] of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 4022(b)(1)(B) of
Amendment by section 4102(c) of
Amendment by section 4103(c) of
Amendment by section 4104(c)(3) of
Amendment by section 4201(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 4432(b)(1) of
Amendment by section 4507(a)(2)(B) of
Amendment by section 4511(a)(2)(C) of
Amendment by section 4541(b) of
Amendment by section 4603(c)(2)(C) of
Section 4614(c) of
Section 4632(b) of
Section 4633(c) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 145(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 147(e)(6) of
Section 151(a)(2)(B) of
Section 151(b)(3)(C) of
Section 151(c)(1), (9) of
Section 151(c)(4) of
Section 151(c)(5), (6) of
Amendment by section 156(a)(2)(D) of
Section 157(b)(8) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 151(c)(10) of
Amendment by section 13561(d)(1) of
Section 13561(e)(1)(D) of
Section 13581(d) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 4153(b)(2)(B) of
Amendment by section 4157(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 4161(a)(3)(C) of
Amendment by section 4163(d)(2)(A)(i)–(iii), (B) of
Section 4163(d)(3) of
Section 4204(g)(2) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendments
Amendment by section 6115(b) of
Amendment by section 6202(b)(1) of
Section 6202(e)(2) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 202(d) of
Amendment by section 204(d)(2) of
Amendment by section 205(e)(1) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Section 411(f)(4)(D)(ii) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendments
Section 4009(j)(6) of
Section 4034(b) of
Section 4036(a)(2) of
Section 4039(c)(2) of
For effective date of amendment by section 4072(c) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Section 9319(f) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [enacting
"(2) The amendments made by subsection (c) [amending
Amendment by section 9320(h)(1) of
Amendment by section 9343(c)(1) of
Section 9201(d)(1) of
Amendment by section 9307(a) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2301(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 2304(c) of
Section 2313(e) of
Section 2344(d) of
Amendment by section 2354(b)(30), (31) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendments
Amendment by section 601(f) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by section 116(b) of
Amendment by section 122(f), (g)(1) of
Amendment by section 128(a)(2)–(4) of
Amendment by sections 142 and 148(a) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 2103(a)(2) of
Section 2146(c)(1) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 936(c) of
Section 939(b) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 13(c) of
Effective Date of 1973 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by section 211(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 256(c) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by section 127(b) of
Construction of 2008 Amendment
For construction of amendment by section 153(b)(2) of
Construction of 2007 Amendment
Construction of 2003 Amendment
Application of 2003 Amendment to Physician Specialties
Amendment by section 303 of
Notwithstanding section 303(j) of
Treatment of Hospitals for Certain Services Under Medicare Secondary Payor (MSP) Provisions
"(a)
"(b)
Annual Publication of List of National Coverage Determinations
Notification to Physicians of Excessive Home Health Visits
Section 4614(b) of
Distribution of Questionnaire by Contractor
Section 151(a)(1)(B) of
Retroactive Exemption for Certain Situations Involving Religious Orders
Section 13561(f) of
GAO Study of Extension of Secondary Payer Period
Section 4203(c)(2) of
Deadline for First Transmittal and Request of Matching Information
Section 6202(a)(2)(B) of
"(i) transmit to the Secretary of the Treasury information under paragraph (5)(A)(i) of section 1862(b) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b)(5)(A)(i) of this section] (as inserted by subparagraph (A)), and
"(ii) request from the Secretary disclosure of information described in section 6013(l)(12)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [
by not later than 14 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 1989]."
Designation of Pediatric Hospitals as Meeting Certification as Heart Transplant Facility
Section 4009(b) of
"(1) the hospital's pediatric heart transplant program is operated jointly by the hospital and another facility that meets such criteria,
"(2) the unified program shares the same transplant surgeons and quality assurance program (including oversight committee, patient protocol, and patient selection criteria), and
"(3) the hospital demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that it is able to provide the specialized facilities, services, and personnel that are required by pediatric heart transplant patients."
Approval of Surgical Assistants for Procedures Performed April 1, 1986, to December 15, 1986
Section 1895(b)(16)(C) of
Extending Waiver of Liability Provisions to Hospice Programs
Section 9305(f) of
"(1)
"(2)
[Section 4008(a)(3) of
Study of Impact on Disabled Beneficiaries and Family of Amendments Relating to Large Group Health Plans and Medicare as Secondary Payer
Section 9319(e) of
Reinstatement of Waiver of Liability Presumption
Section 9126(c) of
Home Health Waiver of Liability
Section 9205 of
[Section 158(b)(2) of
Recommendations and Guidelines for Elimination of Assistants at Surgery; Report to Congress
Section 9307(d) of
Pacemaker Reimbursement Review and Reform; Promulgation of Regulations; Effective Date of Pacemaker Registration
Section 2304(d) of
Payment for Debridement of Mycotic Toenails
Section 2325 of
Interim Waiver in Certain Cases of Billing Rule for Items and Services Other Than Physicians' Services
Section 602(k) of
"(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services may, for any cost reporting period beginning prior to October 1, 1986, waive the requirements of sections 1862(a)(14) and 1866(a)(1)(H) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(14) of this section and
"(2) In the case of a hospital which is receiving payments pursuant to a waiver under paragraph (1), payment of the adjustment for indirect costs of approved educational activities shall be made as if the hospital were receiving under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act all the payments which are made under part B of such title solely by reason of such waiver.
"(3) Any waiver granted under paragraph (1) shall provide that, with respect to those items and services billed under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act solely by reason of such waiver—
"(A) payment under such part shall be equal to 100 percent of the reasonable charge or other applicable payment base for the items and services; and
"(B) the entity furnishing the items and services must agree to accept the amount paid pursuant to subparagraph (A) as the full charge for the items and services."
[Section 9112(b) of
["(1) Section 602(k)(2) of the Social Security Amendments of 1983 (as added by subsection (a)) [set out above] shall apply to cost reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 1986.
["(2) Section 602(k)(3) of the Social Security Amendments of 1983 (as added by subsection (a)) [set out above] shall apply to items and services furnished after the end of the 10-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 7, 1986]."]
Prohibition of Payment for Ineffective Drugs
Section 115(b) of
Establishment and Implementation of Guidelines
Section 2152(b) of
Report to Congressional Committees on Implementation of Certification Requirements Relating to Modification of Health Benefits Plan or Program; Failure To Submit Report
Section 4(b) of
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
3 So in original. Probably should be "made,".
4 So in original. Probably should be "(b)(1)(A)(v)".
§1395z. Consultation with State agencies and other organizations to develop conditions of participation for providers of services
In carrying out his functions, relating to determination of conditions of participation by providers of services, under subsections (e)(9), (f)(4), (j)(15),1 (o)(6), (cc)(2)(I), and 2 (dd)(2), and (mm)(1) of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1863, as added
References in Text
Subsection (j) of
Amendments
1994—
1990—
1989—
1988—
1984—
1982—
1980—
1972—
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by section 203(e)(2) of
Amendment by section 204(c)(1) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 2335(c) of
Amendment by section 2349(b)(1) of
Amendment by section 2354(b)(32) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by section 933(f) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by
Termination of Advisory Councils
Advisory councils in existence on Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period following Jan. 5, 1973, unless, in the case of a council established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such council is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a council established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. See sections 3(2) and 14 of
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. The word "and" probably should not appear.
§1395aa. Agreements with States
(a) Use of State agencies to determine compliance by providers of services with conditions of participation
The Secretary shall make an agreement with any State which is able and willing to do so under which the services of the State health agency or other appropriate State agency (or the appropriate local agencies) will be utilized by him for the purpose of determining whether an institution therein is a hospital or skilled nursing facility, or whether an agency therein is a home health agency, or whether an agency is a hospice program or whether a facility therein is a rural health clinic as defined in
(b) Payment in advance or by way of reimbursement to State for performance of functions of subsection (a)
The Secretary shall pay any such State, in advance or by way of reimbursement, as may be provided in the agreement with it (and may make adjustments in such payments on account of overpayments or underpayments previously made), for the reasonable cost of performing the functions specified in subsection (a) of this section, and for the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund's fair share of the costs attributable to the planning and other efforts directed toward coordination of activities in carrying out its agreement and other activities related to the provision of services similar to those for which payment may be made under part A of this subchapter, or related to the facilities and personnel required for the provision of such services, or related to improving the quality of such services.
(c) Use of State or local agencies to survey hospitals
The Secretary is authorized to enter into an agreement with any State under which the appropriate State or local agency which performs the certification function described in subsection (a) of this section will survey, on a selective sample basis (or where the Secretary finds that a survey is appropriate because of substantial allegations of the existence of a significant deficiency or deficiencies which would, if found to be present, adversely affect health and safety of patients), provider entities that, pursuant to
(d) Fulfillment of requirements by States
The Secretary may not enter an agreement under this section with a State with respect to determining whether an institution therein is a skilled nursing facility unless the State meets the requirements specified in
(e) Prohibition of user fees for survey and certification
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may not impose, or require a State to impose, any fee on any facility or entity subject to a determination under subsection (a) of this section, or any renal dialysis facility subject to the requirements of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1864, as added
References in Text
Part A of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (b), is classified to
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (c).
1997—Subsec. (a).
1996—Subsec. (c).
1994—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (e).
1990—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (e).
1989—Subsec. (a).
1988—Subsec. (a).
1987—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (d).
1986—Subsec. (a).
1984—Subsec. (c).
1982—Subsec. (a).
1980—Subsec. (a).
1977—Subsec. (a).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
1968—Subsec. (a).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment; Transition Rule
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4106(c) of
Amendment by section 4201(c)(1) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by section 145(c)(3) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4154(d)(2) of
Amendment by section 4163(c)(2) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendments
Amendment by section 6115(c) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 203(e)(3) of
Amendment by section 204(c)(2), (d)(3) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 4025(c), formerly §4025(b), of
For effective date of amendment by section 4072(d) of
Amendments by sections 4201(a)(2), (d)(4) and 4202(a)(1), (c) of
Amendment by section 4203(a)(1) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Amendment by
For effective date of amendment by section 933(g) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 299D(c) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by section 133(f) of
Section 228(b) of
Use of State or Local Agencies in Evaluating Laboratories
Section 160(a)(2) of
Nurse Aid Training and Competency Evaluation, Failure by State To Meet Guidelines
Section 4008(h)(1)(A) of
§1395bb. Effect of accreditation
(a) Accreditation by American Osteopathic Association or other national accreditation body
(1) If the Secretary finds that accreditation of a provider entity (as defined in paragraph (4)) by the American Osteopathic Association or any other national accreditation body demonstrates that all of the applicable conditions or requirements of this subchapter (other than the requirements of
(A) in the case of a provider entity not described in paragraph (3)(B), the Secretary shall treat such entity as meeting those conditions or requirements with respect to which the Secretary made such finding; or
(B) in the case of a provider entity described in paragraph (3)(B), the Secretary may treat such entity as meeting those conditions or requirements with respect to which the Secretary made such finding.
(2) In making such a finding, the Secretary shall consider, among other factors with respect to a national accreditation body, its requirements for accreditation, its survey procedures, its ability to provide adequate resources for conducting required surveys and supplying information for use in enforcement activities, its monitoring procedures for provider entities found out of compliance with the conditions or requirements, and its ability to provide the Secretary with necessary data for validation.
(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), not later than 60 days after the date of receipt of a written request for a finding under paragraph (1) (with any documentation necessary to make a determination on the request), the Secretary shall publish a notice identifying the national accreditation body making the request, describing the nature of the request, and providing a period of at least 30 days for the public to comment on the request. The Secretary shall approve or deny a request for such a finding, and shall publish notice of such approval or denial, not later than 210 days after the date of receipt of the request (with such documentation). Such an approval shall be effective with respect to accreditation determinations made on or after such effective date (which may not be later than the date of publication of the approval) as the Secretary specifies in the publication notice.
(B) The 210-day and 60-day deadlines specified in subparagraph (A) shall not apply in the case of any request for a finding with respect to accreditation of a provider entity to which the conditions and requirements of
(4) For purposes of this section, the term "provider entity" means a provider of services, supplier, facility, clinic, agency, or laboratory.
(b) Disclosure of accreditation survey
The Secretary may not disclose any accreditation survey (other than a survey with respect to a home health agency) made and released to the Secretary by the American Osteopathic Association or any other national accreditation body, of an entity accredited by such body, except that the Secretary may disclose such a survey and information related to such a survey to the extent such survey and information relate to an enforcement action taken by the Secretary.
(c) Deficiencies
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, if the Secretary finds that a provider entity has significant deficiencies (as defined in regulations pertaining to health and safety), the entity shall, after the date of notice of such finding to the entity and for such period as may be prescribed in regulations, be deemed not to meet the conditions or requirements the entity has been treated as meeting pursuant to subsection (a)(1).
(d) State or local accreditation
For provisions relating to validation surveys of entities that are treated as meeting applicable conditions or requirements of this subchapter pursuant to subsection (a)(1), see
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1865, as added
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (b).
Subsecs. (c), (d).
Subsec. (e).
2003—Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
1996—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
1994—Subsec. (a).
1990—Subsec. (a).
1989—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b).
1988—Subsec. (a).
1987—Subsec. (a).
1986—Subsec. (a).
1984—Subsec. (a).
1982—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1972—
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment; Transition Rule
"(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) For purposes of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendments
Section 6019(d) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 1989].
"(2) The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act."
Amendment by section 6115(c) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 204(c)(3), (d)(3) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by section 4025(b) of
For effective date of amendment by section 4072(d) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by section 9305(c)(3) of
Amendment by section 9320(h)(3) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2345(b) of
Section 2346(b) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by section 122(g)(4) of
Amendment by section 128(d)(3) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by section 234(h) of
Authority To Recognize the Joint Commission as a National Accreditation Body
§1395cc. Agreements with providers of services; enrollment processes
(a) Filing of agreements; eligibility for payment; charges with respect to items and services
(1) Any provider of services (except a fund designated for purposes of section 1395f(g) and
(A)(i) not to charge, except as provided in paragraph (2), any individual or any other person for items or services for which such individual is entitled to have payment made under this subchapter (or for which he would be so entitled if such provider of services had complied with the procedural and other requirements under or pursuant to this subchapter or for which such provider is paid pursuant to the provisions of
(B) not to charge any individual or any other person for items or services for which such individual is not entitled to have payment made under this subchapter because payment for expenses incurred for such items or services may not be made by reason of the provisions of paragraph (1) or (9) of
(C) to make adequate provision for return (or other disposition, in accordance with regulations) of any moneys incorrectly collected from such individual or other person,
(D) to promptly notify the Secretary of its employment of an individual who, at any time during the year preceding such employment, was employed in a managerial, accounting, auditing, or similar capacity (as determined by the Secretary by regulation) by an agency or organization which serves as a fiscal intermediary or carrier (for purposes of part A or part B, or both, of this subchapter) with respect to the provider,
(E) to release data with respect to patients of such provider upon request to an organization having a contract with the Secretary under part B of subchapter XI of this chapter as may be necessary (i) to allow such organization to carry out its functions under such contract, or (ii) to allow such organization to carry out similar review functions under any contract the organization may have with a private or public agency paying for health care in the same area with respect to patients who authorize release of such data for such purposes,
(F)(i) in the case of hospitals which provide inpatient hospital services for which payment may be made under subsection (b), (c), or (d) of
(ii) in the case of hospitals, critical access hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies, to maintain an agreement with a utilization and quality control peer review organization (which has a contract with the Secretary under part B of subchapter XI of this chapter for the area in which the hospital, facility, or agency is located) to perform the functions described in paragraph (3)(A),
(G) in the case of hospitals which provide inpatient hospital services for which payment may be made under subsection (b) or (d) of
(H)(i) in the case of hospitals which provide services for which payment may be made under this subchapter and in the case of critical access hospitals which provide critical access hospital services, to have all items and services (other than physicians' services as defined in regulations for purposes of
(ii) in the case of skilled nursing facilities which provide covered skilled nursing facility services—
(I) that are furnished to an individual who is a resident of the skilled nursing facility during a period in which the resident is provided covered post-hospital extended care services (or, for services described in
(II) for which the individual is entitled to have payment made under this subchapter,
to have items and services (other than services described in
(I) in the case of a hospital or critical access hospital—
(i) to adopt and enforce a policy to ensure compliance with the requirements of
(ii) to maintain medical and other records related to individuals transferred to or from the hospital for a period of five years from the date of the transfer, and
(iii) to maintain a list of physicians who are on call for duty after the initial examination to provide treatment necessary to stabilize an individual with an emergency medical condition,
(J) in the case of hospitals which provide inpatient hospital services for which payment may be made under this subchapter, to be a participating provider of medical care under any health plan contracted for under
(K) not to charge any individual or any other person for items or services for which payment under this subchapter is denied under
(L) in the case of hospitals which provide inpatient hospital services for which payment may be made under this subchapter, to be a participating provider of medical care under
(M) in the case of hospitals, to provide to each individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter (or to a person acting on the individual's behalf), at or about the time of the individual's admission as an inpatient to the hospital, a written statement (containing such language as the Secretary prescribes consistent with this paragraph) which explains—
(i) the individual's rights to benefits for inpatient hospital services and for post-hospital services under this subchapter,
(ii) the circumstances under which such an individual will and will not be liable for charges for continued stay in the hospital,
(iii) the individual's right to appeal denials of benefits for continued inpatient hospital services, including the practical steps to initiate such an appeal, and
(iv) the individual's liability for payment for services if such a denial of benefits is upheld on appeal,
and which provides such additional information as the Secretary may specify,
(N) in the case of hospitals and critical access hospitals—
(i) to make available to its patients the directory or directories of participating physicians (published under
(ii) if hospital personnel (including staff of any emergency or outpatient department) refer a patient to a nonparticipating physician for further medical care on an outpatient basis, the personnel must inform the patient that the physician is a nonparticipating physician and, whenever practicable, must identify at least one qualified participating physician who is listed in such a directory and from whom the patient may receive the necessary services,
(iii) to post conspicuously in any emergency department a sign (in a form specified by the Secretary) specifying rights of individuals under
(iv) to post conspicuously (in a form specified by the Secretary) information indicating whether or not the hospital participates in the medicaid program under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter,
(O) to accept as payment in full for services that are covered under this subchapter and are furnished to any individual enrolled with a Medicare+Choice organization under part C of this subchapter, with a PACE provider under
(P) in the case of home health agencies which provide home health services to individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter who require catheters, catheter supplies, ostomy bags, and supplies related to ostomy care (described in
(Q) in the case of hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and hospice programs, to comply with the requirement of subsection (f) of this section (relating to maintaining written policies and procedures respecting advance directives),
(R) to contract only with a health care clearinghouse (as defined in
(S) in the case of a hospital that has a financial interest (as specified by the Secretary in regulations) in an entity to which individuals are referred as described in
(i) the nature of such financial interest,
(ii) the number of individuals who were discharged from the hospital and who were identified as requiring home health services, and
(iii) the percentage of such individuals who received such services from such provider (or another such provider),
(T) in the case of hospitals and critical access hospitals, to furnish to the Secretary such data as the Secretary determines appropriate pursuant to subparagraph (E) of
(U) in the case of hospitals which furnish inpatient hospital services for which payment may be made under this subchapter, to be a participating provider of medical care both—
(i) under the contract health services program funded by the Indian Health Service and operated by the Indian Health Service, an Indian tribe, or tribal organization (as those terms are defined in
(ii) under any program funded by the Indian Health Service and operated by an urban Indian organization with respect to the purchase of items and services for an eligible urban Indian (as those terms are defined in such section 1603),
in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary regarding admission practices, payment methodology, and rates of payment (including the acceptance of no more than such payment rate as payment in full for such items and services,2
(V) in the case of hospitals that are not otherwise subject to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 [
(W) 4 in the case of a hospital described in
(W) 4 maintain and, upon request of the Secretary, provide access to documentation relating to written orders or requests for payment for durable medical equipment, certifications for home health services, or referrals for other items or services written or ordered by the provider under this subchapter, as specified by the Secretary.
In the case of a hospital which has an agreement in effect with an organization described in subparagraph (F), which organization's contract with the Secretary under part B of subchapter XI of this chapter is terminated on or after October 1, 1984, the hospital shall not be determined to be out of compliance with the requirement of such subparagraph during the six month period beginning on the date of the termination of that contract.
(2)(A) A provider of services may charge such individual or other person (i) the amount of any deduction or coinsurance amount imposed pursuant to section 1395e(a)(1), (a)(3), or (a)(4), section 1395l(b), or
(B) Where a provider of services has furnished, at the request of such individual, items or services which are in excess of or more expensive than the items or services with respect to which payment may be made under this subchapter, such provider of services may also charge such individual or other person for such more expensive items or services to the extent that the amount customarily charged by it for the items or services furnished at such request exceeds the amount customarily charged by it for the items or services with respect to which payment may be made under this subchapter.
(C) A provider of services may in accordance with its customary practice also appropriately charge any such individual for any whole blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as defined under regulations) furnished him with respect to which a deductible is imposed under
(D) Where a provider of services customarily furnishes items or services which are in excess of or more expensive than the items or services with respect to which payment may be made under this subchapter, such provider, notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this paragraph, may not, under the authority of subparagraph (B)(ii) of this paragraph, charge any individual or other person any amount for such items or services in excess of the amount of the payment which may otherwise be made for such items or services under this subchapter if the admitting physician has a direct or indirect financial interest in such provider.
(3)(A) Under the agreement required under paragraph (1)(F)(ii), the peer review organization must perform functions (other than those covered under an agreement under paragraph (1)(F)(i)) under the third sentence of
(B) For purposes of payment under this subchapter, the cost of such an agreement to the hospital, critical access hospital, facility, or agency shall be considered a cost incurred by such hospital, critical access hospital, facility, or agency in providing covered services under this subchapter and shall be paid directly by the Secretary to the peer review organization on behalf of such hospital, critical access hospital, facility, or agency in accordance with a schedule established by the Secretary.
(C) Such payments—
(i) shall be transferred in appropriate proportions from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, without regard to amounts appropriated in advance in appropriation Acts, in the same manner as transfers are made for payment for services provided directly to beneficiaries, and
(ii) shall not be less in the aggregate for a fiscal year—
(I) in the case of hospitals, than the amount specified in paragraph (1)(F)(i)(III), and
(II) in the case of facilities, critical access hospitals, and agencies, than the amounts the Secretary determines to be sufficient to cover the costs of such organizations' conducting the activities described in subparagraph (A) with respect to such facilities, critical access hospitals, or agencies under part B of subchapter XI of this chapter.
(b) Termination or nonrenewal of agreements
(1) A provider of services may terminate an agreement with the Secretary under this section at such time and upon such notice to the Secretary and the public as may be provided in regulations, except that notice of more than six months shall not be required.
(2) The Secretary may refuse to enter into an agreement under this section or, upon such reasonable notice to the provider and the public as may be specified in regulations, may refuse to renew or may terminate such an agreement after the Secretary—
(A) has determined that the provider fails to comply substantially with the provisions of the agreement, with the provisions of this subchapter and regulations thereunder, or with a corrective action required under
(B) has determined that the provider fails substantially to meet the applicable provisions of
(C) has excluded the provider from participation in a program under this subchapter pursuant to
(D) has ascertained that the provider has been convicted of a felony under Federal or State law for an offense which the Secretary determines is detrimental to the best interests of the program or program beneficiaries.
(3) A termination of an agreement or a refusal to renew an agreement under this subsection shall become effective on the same date and in the same manner as an exclusion from participation under the programs under this subchapter becomes effective under
(4)(A) A hospital that fails to comply with the requirement of subsection (a)(1)(V) of this section (relating to the Bloodborne Pathogens standard) is subject to a civil money penalty in an amount described in subparagraph (B), but is not subject to termination of an agreement under this section.
(B) The amount referred to in subparagraph (A) is an amount that is similar to the amount of civil penalties that may be imposed under section 17 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 [
(C) A civil money penalty under this paragraph shall be imposed and collected in the same manner as civil money penalties under subsection (a) of
(c) Refiling after termination or nonrenewal; agreements with skilled nursing facilities
(1) Where the Secretary has terminated or has refused to renew an agreement under this subchapter with a provider of services, such provider may not file another agreement under this subchapter unless the Secretary finds that the reason for the termination or nonrenewal has been removed and that there is reasonable assurance that it will not recur.
(2) Where the Secretary has terminated or has refused to renew an agreement under this subchapter with a provider of services, the Secretary shall promptly notify each State agency which administers or supervises the administration of a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter of such termination or nonrenewal.
(d) Decision to withhold payment for failure to review long-stay cases
If the Secretary finds that there is a substantial failure to make timely review in accordance with
(e) "Provider of services" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "provider of services" shall include—
(1) a clinic, rehabilitation agency, or public health agency if, in the case of a clinic or rehabilitation agency, such clinic or agency meets the requirements of
(2) a community mental health center (as defined in
(f) Maintenance of written policies and procedures
(1) For purposes of subsection (a)(1)(Q) of this section and
(A) to provide written information to each such individual concerning—
(i) an individual's rights under State law (whether statutory or as recognized by the courts of the State) to make decisions concerning such medical care, including the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment and the right to formulate advance directives (as defined in paragraph (3)), and
(ii) the written policies of the provider or organization respecting the implementation of such rights;
(B) to document in a prominent part of the individual's current medical record whether or not the individual has executed an advance directive;
(C) not to condition the provision of care or otherwise discriminate against an individual based on whether or not the individual has executed an advance directive;
(D) to ensure compliance with requirements of State law (whether statutory or as recognized by the courts of the State) respecting advance directives at facilities of the provider or organization; and
(E) to provide (individually or with others) for education for staff and the community on issues concerning advance directives.
Subparagraph (C) shall not be construed as requiring the provision of care which conflicts with an advance directive.
(2) The written information described in paragraph (1)(A) shall be provided to an adult individual—
(A) in the case of a hospital, at the time of the individual's admission as an inpatient,
(B) in the case of a skilled nursing facility, at the time of the individual's admission as a resident,
(C) in the case of a home health agency, in advance of the individual coming under the care of the agency,
(D) in the case of a hospice program, at the time of initial receipt of hospice care by the individual from the program, and
(E) in the case of an eligible organization (as defined in
(3) In this subsection, the term "advance directive" means a written instruction, such as a living will or durable power of attorney for health care, recognized under State law (whether statutory or as recognized by the courts of the State) and relating to the provision of such care when the individual is incapacitated.
(4) For construction relating to this subsection, see
(g) Penalties for improper billing
Except as permitted under subsection (a)(2) of this section, any person who knowingly and willfully presents, or causes to be presented, a bill or request for payment inconsistent with an arrangement under subsection (a)(1)(H) of this section or in violation of the requirement for such an arrangement, is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $2,000. The provisions of
(h) Dissatisfaction with determination of Secretary; appeal by institutions or agencies; single notice and hearing
(1)(A) Except as provided in paragraph (2), an institution or agency dissatisfied with a determination by the Secretary that it is not a provider of services or with a determination described in subsection (b)(2) of this section shall be entitled to a hearing thereon by the Secretary (after reasonable notice) to the same extent as is provided in
(B) An institution or agency described in subparagraph (A) that has filed for a hearing under subparagraph (A) shall have expedited access to judicial review under this subparagraph in the same manner as providers of services, suppliers, and individuals entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both, may obtain expedited access to judicial review under the process established under
(C)(i) The Secretary shall develop and implement a process to expedite proceedings under this subsection in which—
(I) the remedy of termination of participation has been imposed;
(II) a remedy described in clause (i) or (iii) of
(III) a determination has been made as to a finding of substandard quality of care that results in the loss of approval of a skilled nursing facility's nurse aide training program.
(ii) Under such process under clause (i), priority shall be provided in cases of termination described in clause (i)(I).
(iii) Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to affect the application of any remedy imposed under
(2) An institution or agency is not entitled to separate notice and opportunity for a hearing under both
(i) Intermediate sanctions for psychiatric hospitals
(1) If the Secretary determines that a psychiatric hospital which has an agreement in effect under this section no longer meets the requirements for a psychiatric hospital under this subchapter and further finds that the hospital's deficiencies—
(A) immediately jeopardize the health and safety of its patients, the Secretary shall terminate such agreement; or
(B) do not immediately jeopardize the health and safety of its patients, the Secretary may terminate such agreement, or provide that no payment will be made under this subchapter with respect to any individual admitted to such hospital after the effective date of the finding, or both.
(2) If a psychiatric hospital, found to have deficiencies described in paragraph (1)(B), has not complied with the requirements of this subchapter—
(A) within 3 months after the date the hospital is found to be out of compliance with such requirements, the Secretary shall provide that no payment will be made under this subchapter with respect to any individual admitted to such hospital after the end of such 3-month period, or
(B) within 6 months after the date the hospital is found to be out of compliance with such requirements, no payment may be made under this subchapter with respect to any individual in the hospital until the Secretary finds that the hospital is in compliance with the requirements of this subchapter.
(j) Enrollment process for providers of services and suppliers
(1) Enrollment process
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish by regulation a process for the enrollment of providers of services and suppliers under this subchapter. Such process shall include screening of providers and suppliers in accordance with paragraph (2), a provisional period of enhanced oversight in accordance with paragraph (3), disclosure requirements in accordance with paragraph (4), the imposition of temporary enrollment moratoria in accordance with paragraph (5), and the establishment of compliance programs in accordance with paragraph (6).
(B) Deadlines
The Secretary shall establish by regulation procedures under which there are deadlines for actions on applications for enrollment (and, if applicable, renewal of enrollment). The Secretary shall monitor the performance of medicare administrative contractors in meeting the deadlines established under this subparagraph.
(C) Consultation before changing provider enrollment forms
The Secretary shall consult with providers of services and suppliers before making changes in the provider enrollment forms required of such providers and suppliers to be eligible to submit claims for which payment may be made under this subchapter.
(2) Provider screening
(A) Procedures
Not later than 180 days after March 23, 2010, the Secretary, in consultation with the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, shall establish procedures under which screening is conducted with respect to providers of medical or other items or services and suppliers under the program under this subchapter, the Medicaid program under subchapter XIX, and the CHIP program under subchapter XXI.
(B) Level of screening
The Secretary shall determine the level of screening conducted under this paragraph according to the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse, as determined by the Secretary, with respect to the category of provider of medical or other items or services or supplier. Such screening—
(i) shall include a licensure check, which may include such checks across States; and
(ii) may, as the Secretary determines appropriate based on the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse described in the preceding sentence, include—
(I) a criminal background check;
(II) fingerprinting;
(III) unscheduled and unannounced site visits, including preenrollment site visits;
(IV) database checks (including such checks across States); and
(V) such other screening as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(C) Application fees
(i) Institutional providers
Except as provided in clause (ii), the Secretary shall impose a fee on each institutional provider of medical or other items or services or supplier (such as a hospital or skilled nursing facility) with respect to which screening is conducted under this paragraph in an amount equal to—
(I) for 2010, $500; and
(II) for 2011 and each subsequent year, the amount determined under this clause for the preceding year, adjusted by the percentage change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year.
(ii) Hardship exception; waiver for certain Medicaid providers
The Secretary may, on a case-by-case basis, exempt a provider of medical or other items or services or supplier from the imposition of an application fee under this subparagraph if the Secretary determines that the imposition of the application fee would result in a hardship. The Secretary may waive the application fee under this subparagraph for providers enrolled in a State Medicaid program for whom the State demonstrates that imposition of the fee would impede beneficiary access to care.
(iii) Use of funds
Amounts collected as a result of the imposition of a fee under this subparagraph shall be used by the Secretary for program integrity efforts, including to cover the costs of conducting screening under this paragraph and to carry out this subsection and
(D) Application and enforcement
(i) New providers of services and suppliers
The screening under this paragraph shall apply, in the case of a provider of medical or other items or services or supplier who is not enrolled in the program under this subchapter, subchapter XIX, or subchapter XXI as of March 23, 2010, on or after the date that is 1 year after such date.
(ii) Current providers of services and suppliers
The screening under this paragraph shall apply, in the case of a provider of medical or other items or services or supplier who is enrolled in the program under this subchapter, subchapter XIX, or subchapter XXI as of such date, on or after the date that is 2 years after such date.
(iii) Revalidation of enrollment
Effective beginning on the date that is 180 days after such date, the screening under this paragraph shall apply with respect to the revalidation of enrollment of a provider of medical or other items or services or supplier in the program under this subchapter, subchapter XIX, or subchapter XXI.
(iv) Limitation on enrollment and revalidation of enrollment
In no case may a provider of medical or other items or services or supplier who has not been screened under this paragraph be initially enrolled or reenrolled in the program under this subchapter, subchapter XIX, or subchapter XXI on or after the date that is 3 years after such date.
(E) Use of information from the Department of Treasury concerning tax debts
In reviewing the application of a provider of services or supplier to enroll or reenroll under the program under this subchapter, the Secretary shall take into account the information supplied by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to section 6103(l)(22) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, in determining whether to deny such application or to apply enhanced oversight to such provider of services or supplier pursuant to paragraph (3) if the Secretary determines such provider of services or supplier owes such a debt.
(F) Expedited rulemaking
The Secretary may promulgate an interim final rule to carry out this paragraph.
(3) Provisional period of enhanced oversight for new providers of services and suppliers
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish procedures to provide for a provisional period of not less than 30 days and not more than 1 year during which new providers of medical or other items or services and suppliers, as the Secretary determines appropriate, including categories of providers or suppliers, would be subject to enhanced oversight, such as prepayment review and payment caps, under the program under this subchapter, the Medicaid program under subchapter XIX.6 and the CHIP program under subchapter XXI.
(B) Implementation
The Secretary may establish by program instruction or otherwise the procedures under this paragraph.
(4) 90-day period of enhanced oversight for initial claims of DME suppliers
For periods beginning after January 1, 2011, if the Secretary determines that there is a significant risk of fraudulent activity among suppliers of durable medical equipment, in the case of a supplier of durable medical equipment who is within a category or geographic area under this subchapter identified pursuant to such determination and who is initially enrolling under such subchapter, the Secretary shall, notwithstanding
(5) Increased disclosure requirements
(A) Disclosure
A provider of medical or other items or services or supplier who submits an application for enrollment or revalidation of enrollment in the program under this subchapter, subchapter XIX, or subchapter XXI on or after the date that is 1 year after March 23, 2010, shall disclose (in a form and manner and at such time as determined by the Secretary) any current or previous affiliation (directly or indirectly) with a provider of medical or other items or services or supplier that has uncollected debt, has been or is subject to a payment suspension under a Federal health care program (as defined in
(B) Authority to deny enrollment
If the Secretary determines that such previous affiliation poses an undue risk of fraud, waste, or abuse, the Secretary may deny such application. Such a denial shall be subject to appeal in accordance with paragraph (7).
(6) Authority to adjust payments of providers of services and suppliers with the same tax identification number for medicare obligations
(A) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, in the case of an applicable provider of services or supplier, the Secretary may make any necessary adjustments to payments to the applicable provider of services or supplier under the program under this subchapter in order to satisfy any amount described in subparagraph (B)(ii) due from such obligated provider of services or supplier.
(B) Definitions
In this paragraph:
(i) In general
The term "applicable provider of services or supplier" means a provider of services or supplier that has the same taxpayer identification number assigned under section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as is assigned to the obligated provider of services or supplier under such section, regardless of whether the applicable provider of services or supplier is assigned a different billing number or national provider identification number under the program under this subchapter than is assigned to the obligated provider of services or supplier.
(ii) Obligated provider of services or supplier
The term "obligated provider of services or supplier" means a provider of services or supplier that owes an amount that is more than the amount required to be paid under the program under this subchapter (as determined by the Secretary).
(7) Temporary moratorium on enrollment of new providers
(A) In general
The Secretary may impose a temporary moratorium on the enrollment of new providers of services and suppliers, including categories of providers of services and suppliers, in the program under this subchapter, under the Medicaid program under subchapter XIX, or under the CHIP program under subchapter XXI if the Secretary determines such moratorium is necessary to prevent or combat fraud, waste, or abuse under either such program.
(B) Limitation on review
There shall be no judicial review under
(8) 7 Compliance programs
(A) In general
On or after the date of implementation determined by the Secretary under subparagraph (C), a provider of medical or other items or services or supplier within a particular industry sector or category shall, as a condition of enrollment in the program under this subchapter, subchapter XIX, or subchapter XXI, establish a compliance program that contains the core elements established under subparagraph (B) with respect to that provider or supplier and industry or category.
(B) Establishment of core elements
The Secretary, in consultation with the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, shall establish core elements for a compliance program under subparagraph (A) for providers or suppliers within a particular industry or category.
(C) Timeline for implementation
The Secretary shall determine the timeline for the establishment of the core elements under subparagraph (B) and the date of the implementation of subparagraph (A) for providers or suppliers within a particular industry or category. The Secretary shall, in determining such date of implementation, consider the extent to which the adoption of compliance programs by a provider of medical or other items or services or supplier is widespread in a particular industry sector or with respect to a particular provider or supplier category.
(8) 7 Hearing rights in cases of denial or non-renewal
A provider of services or supplier whose application to enroll (or, if applicable, to renew enrollment) under this subchapter is denied may have a hearing and judicial review of such denial under the procedures that apply under subsection (h)(1)(A) of this section to a provider of services that is dissatisfied with a determination by the Secretary.
(k) Quality reporting by cancer hospitals
(1) In general
For purposes of fiscal year 2014 and each subsequent fiscal year, a hospital described in
(2) Submission of quality data
For fiscal year 2014 and each subsequent fiscal year, each hospital described in such section shall submit to the Secretary data on quality measures specified under paragraph (3). Such data shall be submitted in a form and manner, and at a time, specified by the Secretary for purposes of this subparagraph.
(3) Quality measures
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), any measure specified by the Secretary under this paragraph must have been endorsed by the entity with a contract under
(B) Exception
In the case of a specified area or medical topic determined appropriate by the Secretary for which a feasible and practical measure has not been endorsed by the entity with a contract under
(C) Time frame
Not later than October 1, 2012, the Secretary shall publish the measures selected under this paragraph that will be applicable with respect to fiscal year 2014.
(4) Public availability of data submitted
The Secretary shall establish procedures for making data submitted under paragraph (4) available to the public. Such procedures shall ensure that a hospital described in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1866, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (h)(1)(B), are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Part B of subchapter XI of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), (3)(C)(ii)(II), is classified to
Part C of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(O), is classified to
Section 222(a) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(O)(i), is section 222(a) of
Part C of subchapter XI of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(R), is classified to
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1)(V) and (b)(4)(B), is
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (j)(2)(E), (6)(B)(i), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(1)(U).
Subsec. (a)(1)(V).
Subsec. (a)(1)(W).
Subsec. (j)(1)(A).
Subsec. (j)(2).
Subsec. (j)(2)(C).
"(I) for 2010, $200; and
"(II) for 2011 and each subsequent year, the amount determined under this clause for the preceding year, adjusted by the percentage change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year."
Subsec. (j)(2)(E), (F).
Subsec. (j)(3).
Subsec. (j)(4), (5).
Subsec. (j)(6).
Subsec. (j)(6)(A).
Subsec. (j)(6)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (j)(7).
Subsec. (j)(8).
Subsec. (k).
2008—Subsec. (e)(1).
2003—
Subsec. (a)(1)(O).
Subsec. (a)(1)(T).
Subsec. (a)(1)(U).
Subsec. (a)(1)(V).
Subsec. (b)(2)(D).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (h)(1).
Subsec. (j).
2000—Subsec. (a)(1)(H)(ii)(I).
1999—Subsec. (a)(1)(I)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(N)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(1)(O).
Subsec. (a)(1)(Q).
Subsec. (a)(1)(R).
1997—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(H).
Subsec. (a)(1)(I), (N).
Subsec. (a)(1)(O).
Subsec. (a)(1)(S).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b)(2)(D).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(1)(B).
Subsec. (f)(2)(E).
Subsec. (f)(4).
1996—Subsec. (a)(1)(R).
1994—Subsec. (a)(1)(H).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (h)(1).
1991—Subsec. (a)(1)(J).
Subsec. (a)(1)(L).
1990—Subsec. (a)(1)(F)(i).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(H).
Subsec. (a)(1)(I)(i).
Subsec. (a)(1)(P).
Subsec. (a)(1)(Q).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
1989—Subsec. (a)(1)(F)(i)(III).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(H).
Subsec. (a)(1)(I).
Subsec. (a)(1)(N).
Subsec. (a)(1)(N)(iii), (iv).
Subsec. (a)(1)(P).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(3)(A), (B).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (i).
1988—Subsec. (a)(1)(M).
Subsec. (a)(1)(N).
Subsec. (a)(1)(O).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
1987—Subsec. (a)(1)(F)(i)(III).
Subsec. (a)(1)(O).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
1986—Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(1)(H).
Subsec. (a)(1)(I).
Subsec. (a)(1)(J).
Subsec. (a)(1)(K).
Subsec. (a)(1)(L).
Subsec. (a)(1)(M).
Subsec. (a)(1)(N).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (g).
1984—Subsec. (a)(1)(E).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (d).
1983—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F) to (H).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii).
1982—Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(1)(E).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A).
1981—Subsec. (a)(1).
1980—Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (f).
1978—Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b)(2)(G).
1977—Subsec. (a)(1)(D).
Subsec. (b)(2)(C).
Subsec. (b)(2)(F).
Subsec. (c)(2).
1972—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
1968—Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (e).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by section 6406(b) of
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by section 505(b) of
Amendment by section 932(b), (c)(1) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 4201(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 4302(a) of
Amendment by section 4321(b) of
Amendment by section 4432(b)(5)(F) of
Amendment by section 4511(a)(2)(D) of
Amendment by section 4541(a)(3) of
Section 4641(b) of
Amendments by section 4714(b)(1) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendments
Section 106(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 147(e)(7) of
Amendment by section 156(a)(2)(E) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4008(b)(4) of
Section 4153(d)(2) of
Amendment by section 4157(c)(2) of
Amendment by section 4162(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 4206(a) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendments
Section 6018(b) of
Amendment by section 6112(e)(3) of
Amendment by section 101(a) of
Amendment by section 201(a) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by section 608(d)(3)(F), (19)(A) of
Amendment by section 104(d)(5) of
Amendment by section 202(h)(1) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Section 411(c)(2)(A)(ii) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendments
Amendment by section 4012(a) of
Amendment by section 4062(d)(4) of
Section 4085(i)(17) of
Section 4097(c) of
Amendment by section 4212(e)(4) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Section 233(b) of
Amendment by
Section 9305(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 9320(h)(2) of
Section 9332(e)(2) of
Amendment by section 9337(c)(2) of
Amendment by section 9343(c)(2), (3) of
Section 9353(e)(3)(A) of
Amendment by section 9121(a) of
Section 9122(b) of
Section 9402(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 9403(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 2303(f) of
Amendment by section 2315(d) of
Amendment by section 2321(c) of
Amendment by section 2323(b)(3) of
Amendment by section 2335(d) of
Amendment by section 2347(a) of
Section 2348(b) of
Amendment by section 2354(b)(33), (34) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendments
Section 602(l) of
Amendment by section 602(f)(2) of
Subsec. (a)(1)(F) to (H) of this section, as added by section 602(f)(1)(C) of
Amendment by section 309(a)(5) of
Amendment by section 309(b)(11) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by section 122(g)(5), (6) of
Amendment by section 128(a)(5) of
Amendment by section 128(d)(4) of
Amendment by section 144 of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1977 Amendments
Section 2(f) of
"(1) The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act [subchapter XIX of this chapter] which the Secretary determines requires State legislation in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title [subchapter] solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 13, 1977]."
Amendment by section 3(b) of
Amendment by section 8(b) of
Amendment by section 13(b)(3) of
Section 15(b) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by section 223(e), (g) of
Amendment by section 227(d)(2) of
Section 249A(e) of
Amendment by section 281(c) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by section 129(c)(12) of
Amendment by section 133(c) of
Amendment by section 135(b) of
Regulations
Disclosure of Medicare Terminated Providers and Suppliers to States
Office of the Inspector General Report on Compliance With and Enforcement of National Standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Medicare
"(a)
"(1) the extent to which Medicare providers and plans are complying with the Office for Civil Rights' Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons and the Office of Minority Health's Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Standards in health care; and
"(2) a description of the costs associated with or savings related to the provision of language services.
Such report shall include recommendations on improving compliance with CLAS Standards and recommendations on improving enforcement of CLAS Standards.
"(b)
GAO Study and Report on the Propagation of Concierge Care
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) is used by medicare beneficiaries (as defined in section 1802(b)(5)(A) of the Social Security Act (
"(B) has impacted upon the access of medicare beneficiaries (as so defined) to items and services for which reimbursement is provided under the medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (
"(2)
"(A) charges a membership fee or another incidental fee to an individual desiring to receive the health care item or service from such physician, practitioner, or other individual; or
"(B) requires the individual desiring to receive the health care item or service from such physician, practitioner, or other individual to purchase an item or service.
"(b)
Effect on State Law
Section 4206(c) of
Reports to Congress on Number of Hospitals Terminating or Not Renewing Provider Agreements
Section 233(c) of
"(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall periodically submit to the Congress a report on the number of hospitals that have terminated or failed to renew an agreement under section 1866 of the Social Security Act [this section] as a result of the additional conditions imposed under the amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section].
"(2) Not later than October 1, 1987, the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report regarding implementation of this section [amending this section]. Thereafter, the Administrator shall notify such committees if any hospital terminates or fails to renew an agreement described in paragraph (1) for the reasons described in that paragraph."
[For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions of law requiring submittal to Congress of any annual, semiannual, or other regular periodic report listed in House Document No. 103–7 (in which item 7 on page 96 identifies a report on "Hospitals that have terminated or failed to renew an agreement under section 1866 of Social Security Act as a result of the additional conditions imposed" authorized by
Section 9122(d) of
[For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions of law requiring submittal to Congress of any annual, semiannual, or other regular periodic report listed in House Document No. 103–7 (in which item 7 on page 96 identifies a report on "Hospitals that have terminated or failed to renew an agreement under section 1866 of Social Security Act as a result of the additional conditions imposed" authorized by
Delay in Implementation of Requirement That Hospitals Maintain Agreements With Utilization and Quality Control Peer Review Organization
Section 2347(b) of
Interim Waiver in Certain Cases of Billing Rule for Items and Services Other Than Physicians' Services
For authority to waive the requirements of subsec. (a)(1)(H) of this section for any cost period prior to Oct. 1, 1986, where immediate compliance would threaten the stability of patient care, see section 602(k) of
Private Sector Review Initiative
Section 119 of
"(a) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall undertake an initiative to improve medical review by intermediaries and carriers under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] and to encourage similar review efforts by private insurers and other private entities. The initiative shall include the development of specific standards for measuring the performance of such intermediaries and carriers with respect to the identification and reduction of unnecessary utilization of health services.
"(b) Where such review activity results in the denial of payment to providers of services under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], such providers shall be prohibited, in accordance with sections 1866 and 1879 of such title [this section and
Agreements Filed and Accepted Prior to Oct. 30, 1972, Deemed To Be for Specified Term Ending Dec. 31, 1973
Section 249A(f) of
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. The comma probably should be preceded by a closing parenthesis.
3 So in original. Probably should be preceded by "section".
4 So in original. Two subpars. (W) have been enacted.
5 So in original. Probably should be subsection "(a)(1)(V)".
6 So in original. Probably should be a comma.
7 So in original. Two pars. (8) have been enacted.
§1395cc–1. Demonstration of application of physician volume increases to group practices
(a) Demonstration program authorized
(1) In general
The Secretary shall conduct demonstration projects to test and, if proven effective, expand the use of incentives to health care groups participating in the program under this subchapter that—
(A) encourage coordination of the care furnished to individuals under the programs under parts A and B of this subchapter by institutional and other providers, practitioners, and suppliers of health care items and services;
(B) encourage investment in administrative structures and processes to ensure efficient service delivery; and
(C) reward physicians for improving health outcomes.
Such projects shall focus on the efficiencies of furnishing health care in a group-practice setting as compared to the efficiencies of furnishing health care in other health care delivery systems.
(2) Administration by contract
Except as otherwise specifically provided, the Secretary may administer the program under this section in accordance with
(3) Definitions
For purposes of this section, terms have the following meanings:
(A) Physician
Except as the Secretary may otherwise provide, the term "physician" means any individual who furnishes services which may be paid for as physicians' services under this subchapter.
(B) Health care group
The term "health care group" means a group of physicians (as defined in subparagraph (A)) organized at least in part for the purpose of providing physicians' services under this subchapter. As the Secretary finds appropriate, a health care group may include a hospital and any other individual or entity furnishing items or services for which payment may be made under this subchapter that is affiliated with the health care group under an arrangement structured so that such individual or entity participates in a demonstration under this section and will share in any bonus earned under subsection (d) of this section.
(b) Eligibility criteria
(1) In general
The Secretary is authorized to establish criteria for health care groups eligible to participate in a demonstration under this section, including criteria relating to numbers of health care professionals in, and of patients served by, the group, scope of services provided, and quality of care.
(2) Payment method
A health care group participating in the demonstration under this section shall agree with respect to services furnished to beneficiaries within the scope of the demonstration (as determined under subsection (c) of this section)—
(A) to be paid on a fee-for-service basis; and
(B) that payment with respect to all such services furnished by members of the health care group to such beneficiaries shall (where determined appropriate by the Secretary) be made to a single entity.
(3) Data reporting
A health care group participating in a demonstration under this section shall report to the Secretary such data, at such times and in such format as the Secretary requires, for purposes of monitoring and evaluation of the demonstration under this section.
(c) Patients within scope of demonstration
(1) In general
The Secretary shall specify, in accordance with this subsection, the criteria for identifying those patients of a health care group who shall be considered within the scope of the demonstration under this section for purposes of application of subsection (d) of this section and for assessment of the effectiveness of the group in achieving the objectives of this section.
(2) Other criteria
The Secretary may establish additional criteria for inclusion of beneficiaries within a demonstration under this section, which may include frequency of contact with physicians in the group or other factors or criteria that the Secretary finds to be appropriate.
(3) Notice requirements
In the case of each beneficiary determined to be within the scope of a demonstration under this section with respect to a specific health care group, the Secretary shall ensure that such beneficiary is notified of the incentives, and of any waivers of coverage or payment rules, applicable to such group under such demonstration.
(d) Incentives
(1) Performance target
The Secretary shall establish for each health care group participating in a demonstration under this section—
(A) a base expenditure amount, equal to the average total payments under parts A and B of this subchapter for patients served by the health care group on a fee-for-service basis in a base period determined by the Secretary; and
(B) an annual per capita expenditure target for patients determined to be within the scope of the demonstration, reflecting the base expenditure amount adjusted for risk and expected growth rates.
(2) Incentive bonus
The Secretary shall pay to each participating health care group (subject to paragraph (4)) a bonus for each year under the demonstration equal to a portion of the medicare savings realized for such year relative to the performance target.
(3) Additional bonus for process and outcome improvements
At such time as the Secretary has established appropriate criteria based on evidence the Secretary determines to be sufficient, the Secretary shall also pay to a participating health care group (subject to paragraph (4)) an additional bonus for a year, equal to such portion as the Secretary may designate of the saving to the program under this subchapter resulting from process improvements made by and patient outcome improvements attributable to activities of the group.
(4) Limitation
The Secretary shall limit bonus payments under this section as necessary to ensure that the aggregate expenditures under this subchapter (inclusive of bonus payments) with respect to patients within the scope of the demonstration do not exceed the amount which the Secretary estimates would be expended if the demonstration projects under this section were not implemented.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1866A, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1)(A) and (d)(1)(A), are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
GAO Report
§1395cc–2. Provisions for administration of demonstration program
(a) General administrative authority
(1) Beneficiary eligibility
Except as otherwise provided by the Secretary, an individual shall only be eligible to receive benefits under the program under
(A) is enrolled under the program under part B of this subchapter and entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter; and
(B) is not enrolled in a Medicare+Choice plan under part C of this subchapter, an eligible organization under a contract under
(2) Secretary's discretion as to scope of program
The Secretary may limit the implementation of the demonstration program to—
(A) a geographic area (or areas) that the Secretary designates for purposes of the program, based upon such criteria as the Secretary finds appropriate;
(B) a subgroup (or subgroups) of beneficiaries or individuals and entities furnishing items or services (otherwise eligible to participate in the program), selected on the basis of the number of such participants that the Secretary finds consistent with the effective and efficient implementation of the program;
(C) an element (or elements) of the program that the Secretary determines to be suitable for implementation; or
(D) any combination of any of the limits described in subparagraphs (A) through (C).
(3) Voluntary receipt of items and services
Items and services shall be furnished to an individual under the demonstration program only at the individual's election.
(4) Agreements
The Secretary is authorized to enter into agreements with individuals and entities to furnish health care items and services to beneficiaries under the demonstration program.
(5) Program standards and criteria
The Secretary shall establish performance standards for the demonstration program including, as applicable, standards for quality of health care items and services, cost-effectiveness, beneficiary satisfaction, and such other factors as the Secretary finds appropriate. The eligibility of individuals or entities for the initial award, continuation, and renewal of agreements to provide health care items and services under the program shall be conditioned, at a minimum, on performance that meets or exceeds such standards.
(6) Administrative review of decisions affecting individuals and entities furnishing services
An individual or entity furnishing services under the demonstration program shall be entitled to a review by the program administrator (or, if the Secretary has not contracted with a program administrator, by the Secretary) of a decision not to enter into, or to terminate, or not to renew, an agreement with the entity to provide health care items or services under the program.
(7) Secretary's review of marketing materials
An agreement with an individual or entity furnishing services under the demonstration program shall require the individual or entity to guarantee that it will not distribute materials that market items or services under the program without the Secretary's prior review and approval.
(8) Payment in full
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an individual or entity receiving payment from the Secretary under a contract or agreement under the demonstration program shall agree to accept such payment as payment in full, and such payment shall be in lieu of any payments to which the individual or entity would otherwise be entitled under this subchapter.
(B) Collection of deductibles and coinsurance
Such individual or entity may collect any applicable deductible or coinsurance amount from a beneficiary.
(b) Contracts for program administration
(1) In general
The Secretary may administer the demonstration program through a contract with a program administrator in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.
(2) Scope of program administrator contracts
The Secretary may enter into such contracts for a limited geographic area, or on a regional or national basis.
(3) Eligible contractors
The Secretary may contract for the administration of the program with—
(A) an entity that, under a contract under
(B) any other entity with substantial experience in managing the type of program concerned.
(4) Contract award, duration, and renewal
(A) In general
A contract under this subsection shall be for an initial term of up to three years, renewable for additional terms of up to three years.
(B) Noncompetitive award and renewal for entities administering part A or part B payments
The Secretary may enter or renew a contract under this subsection with an entity described in paragraph (3)(A) without regard to the requirements of
(5) Applicability of Federal Acquisition Regulation
The Federal Acquisition Regulation shall apply to program administration contracts under this subsection.
(6) Performance standards
The Secretary shall establish performance standards for the program administrator including, as applicable, standards for the quality and cost-effectiveness of the program administered, and such other factors as the Secretary finds appropriate. The eligibility of entities for the initial award, continuation, and renewal of program administration contracts shall be conditioned, at a minimum, on performance that meets or exceeds such standards.
(7) Functions of program administrator
A program administrator shall perform any or all of the following functions, as specified by the Secretary:
(A) Agreements with entities furnishing health care items and services
Determine the qualifications of entities seeking to enter or renew agreements to provide services under the demonstration program, and as appropriate enter or renew (or refuse to enter or renew) such agreements on behalf of the Secretary.
(B) Establishment of payment rates
Negotiate or otherwise establish, subject to the Secretary's approval, payment rates for covered health care items and services.
(C) Payment of claims or fees
Administer payments for health care items or services furnished under the program.
(D) Payment of bonuses
Using such guidelines as the Secretary shall establish, and subject to the approval of the Secretary, make bonus payments as described in subsection (c)(2)(B) of this section to entities furnishing items or services for which payment may be made under the program.
(E) Oversight
Monitor the compliance of individuals and entities with agreements under the program with the conditions of participation.
(F) Administrative review
Conduct reviews of adverse determinations specified in subsection (a)(6) of this section.
(G) Review of marketing materials
Conduct a review of marketing materials proposed by an entity furnishing services under the program.
(H) Additional functions
Perform such other functions as the Secretary may specify.
(8) Limitation of liability
The provisions of
(9) Information sharing
Notwithstanding
(c) Rules applicable to both program agreements and program administration contracts
(1) Records, reports, and audits
The Secretary is authorized to require entities with agreements to provide health care items or services under the demonstration program, and entities with program administration contracts under subsection (b) of this section, to maintain adequate records, to afford the Secretary access to such records (including for audit purposes), and to furnish such reports and other materials (including audited financial statements and performance data) as the Secretary may require for purposes of implementation, oversight, and evaluation of the program and of individuals' and entities' effectiveness in performance of such agreements or contracts.
(2) Bonuses
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, but subject to subparagraph (B)(ii), the Secretary may make bonus payments under the demonstration program from the Federal Health Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund in amounts that do not exceed the amounts authorized under the program in accordance with the following:
(A) Payments to program administrators
The Secretary may make bonus payments under the program to program administrators.
(B) Payments to entities furnishing services
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), the Secretary may make bonus payments to individuals or entities furnishing items or services for which payment may be made under the demonstration program, or may authorize the program administrator to make such bonus payments in accordance with such guidelines as the Secretary shall establish and subject to the Secretary's approval.
(ii) Limitations
The Secretary may condition such payments on the achievement of such standards related to efficiency, improvement in processes or outcomes of care, or such other factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(3) Antidiscrimination limitation
The Secretary shall not enter into an agreement with an entity to provide health care items or services under the demonstration program, or with an entity to administer the program, unless such entity guarantees that it will not deny, limit, or condition the coverage or provision of benefits under the program, for individuals eligible to be enrolled under such program, based on any health status-related factor described in section 2702(a)(1) 1 of the Public Health Service Act.
(d) Limitations on judicial review
The following actions and determinations with respect to the demonstration program shall not be subject to review by a judicial or administrative tribunal:
(1) Limiting the implementation of the program under subsection (a)(2) of this section.
(2) Establishment of program participation standards under subsection (a)(5) of this section or the denial or termination of, or refusal to renew, an agreement with an entity to provide health care items and services under the program.
(3) Establishment of program administration contract performance standards under subsection (b)(6) of this section, the refusal to renew a program administration contract, or the noncompetitive award or renewal of a program administration contract under subsection (b)(4)(B) of this section.
(4) Establishment of payment rates, through negotiation or otherwise, under a program agreement or a program administration contract.
(5) A determination with respect to the program (where specifically authorized by the program authority or by subsection (c)(2) of this section)—
(A) as to whether cost savings have been achieved, and the amount of savings; or
(B) as to whether, to whom, and in what amounts bonuses will be paid.
(e) Application limited to parts A and B
None of the provisions of this section or of the demonstration program shall apply to the programs under part C of this subchapter.
(f) Reports to Congress
Not later than two years after December 21, 2000, and biennially thereafter for six years, the Secretary shall report to Congress on the use of authorities under the demonstration program. Each report shall address the impact of the use of those authorities on expenditures, access, and quality under the programs under this subchapter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1866B, as added
References in Text
Parts A, B, and C of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (e), are classified to sections 1395c et seq., 1395j et seq., and 1395w–21 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Section 2702 of the Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(3), is section 2702 of act July 1, 1944, which was classified to
Codification
In subsec. (b)(4)(B), "
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (b)(7)(D).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
1 See References in Text note below.
§1395cc–3. Health care quality demonstration program
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Beneficiary
The term "beneficiary" means an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and enrolled under part B of this subchapter, including any individual who is enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan under part C of this subchapter.
(2) Health care group
(A) In general
The term "health care group" means—
(i) a group of physicians that is organized at least in part for the purpose of providing physician's services under this subchapter;
(ii) an integrated health care delivery system that delivers care through coordinated hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, ambulatory surgery centers, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation facilities and clinics, and employed, independent, or contracted physicians; or
(iii) an organization representing regional coalitions of groups or systems described in clause (i) or (ii).
(B) Inclusion
As the Secretary determines appropriate, a health care group may include a hospital or any other individual or entity furnishing items or services for which payment may be made under this subchapter that is affiliated with the health care group under an arrangement structured so that such hospital, individual, or entity participates in a demonstration project under this section.
(3) Physician
Except as otherwise provided for by the Secretary, the term "physician" means any individual who furnishes services that may be paid for as physicians' services under this subchapter.
(b) Demonstration projects
The Secretary shall establish a demonstration program under which the Secretary shall approve demonstration projects that examine health delivery factors that encourage the delivery of improved quality in patient care, including—
(1) the provision of incentives to improve the safety of care provided to beneficiaries;
(2) the appropriate use of best practice guidelines by providers and services by beneficiaries;
(3) reduced scientific uncertainty in the delivery of care through the examination of variations in the utilization and allocation of services, and outcomes measurement and research;
(4) encourage shared decision making between providers and patients;
(5) the provision of incentives for improving the quality and safety of care and achieving the efficient allocation of resources;
(6) the appropriate use of culturally and ethnically sensitive health care delivery; and
(7) the financial effects on the health care marketplace of altering the incentives for care delivery and changing the allocation of resources.
(c) Administration by contract
(1) In general
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Secretary may administer the demonstration program established under this section in a manner that is similar to the manner in which the demonstration program established under
(2) Alternative payment systems
A health care group that receives assistance under this section may, with respect to the demonstration project to be carried out with such assistance, include proposals for the use of alternative payment systems for items and services provided to beneficiaries by the group that are designed to—
(A) encourage the delivery of high quality care while accomplishing the objectives described in subsection (b) of this section; and
(B) streamline documentation and reporting requirements otherwise required under this subchapter.
(3) Benefits
A health care group that receives assistance under this section may, with respect to the demonstration project to be carried out with such assistance, include modifications to the package of benefits available under the original medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B of this subchapter or the package of benefits available through a Medicare Advantage plan under part C of this subchapter. The criteria employed under the demonstration program under this section to evaluate outcomes and determine best practice guidelines and incentives shall not be used as a basis for the denial of medicare benefits under the demonstration program to patients against their wishes (or if the patient is incompetent, against the wishes of the patient's surrogate) on the basis of the patient's age or expected length of life or of the patient's present or predicted disability, degree of medical dependency, or quality of life.
(d) Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to receive assistance under this section, an entity shall—
(1) be a health care group;
(2) meet quality standards established by the Secretary, including—
(A) the implementation of continuous quality improvement mechanisms that are aimed at integrating community-based support services, primary care, and referral care;
(B) the implementation of activities to increase the delivery of effective care to beneficiaries;
(C) encouraging patient participation in preference-based decisions;
(D) the implementation of activities to encourage the coordination and integration of medical service delivery; and
(E) the implementation of activities to measure and document the financial impact on the health care marketplace of altering the incentives of health care delivery and changing the allocation of resources; and
(3) meet such other requirements as the Secretary may establish.
(e) Waiver authority
The Secretary may waive such requirements of this subchapter and subchapter XI of this chapter as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the demonstration program established under this section.
(f) Budget neutrality
With respect to the period of the demonstration program under subsection (b) of this section, the aggregate expenditures under this subchapter for such period shall not exceed the aggregate expenditures that would have been expended under this subchapter if the program established under this section had not been implemented.
(g) Notice requirements
In the case of an individual that receives health care items or services under a demonstration program carried out under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that such individual is notified of any waivers of coverage or payment rules that are applicable to such individual under this subchapter as a result of the participation of the individual in such program.
(h) Participation and support by Federal agencies
In carrying out the demonstration program under this section, the Secretary may direct—
(1) the Director of the National Institutes of Health to expand the efforts of the Institutes to evaluate current medical technologies and improve the foundation for evidence-based practice;
(2) the Administrator of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to, where possible and appropriate, use the program under this section as a laboratory for the study of quality improvement strategies and to evaluate, monitor, and disseminate information relevant to such program; and
(3) the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Administrator of the Center for Medicare Choices to support linkages of relevant medicare data to registry information from participating health care groups for the beneficiary populations served by the participating groups, for analysis supporting the purposes of the demonstration program, consistent with the applicable provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1866C, as added
References in Text
Parts A, B, and C of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (c)(3), are classified to sections 1395c et seq., 1395j et seq., and 1395w–21 et seq., respectively, of this title.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (h)(3), is
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (f).
§1395cc–4. National pilot program on payment bundling
(a) Implementation
(1) In general
The Secretary shall establish a pilot program for integrated care during an episode of care provided to an applicable beneficiary around a hospitalization in order to improve the coordination, quality, and efficiency of health care services under this subchapter.
(2) Definitions
In this section:
(A) Applicable beneficiary
The term "applicable beneficiary" means an individual who—
(i) is entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A and enrolled for benefits under part B of such subchapter, but not enrolled under part C or a PACE program under
(ii) is admitted to a hospital for an applicable condition.
(B) Applicable condition
The term "applicable condition" means 1 or more of 10 conditions selected by the Secretary. In selecting conditions under the preceding sentence, the Secretary shall take into consideration the following factors:
(i) Whether the conditions selected include a mix of chronic and acute conditions.
(ii) Whether the conditions selected include a mix of surgical and medical conditions.
(iii) Whether a condition is one for which there is evidence of an opportunity for providers of services and suppliers to improve the quality of care furnished while reducing total expenditures under this subchapter.
(iv) Whether a condition has significant variation in—
(I) the number of readmissions; and
(II) the amount of expenditures for post-acute care spending under this subchapter.
(v) Whether a condition is high-volume and has high post-acute care expenditures under this subchapter.
(vi) Which conditions the Secretary determines are most amenable to bundling across the spectrum of care given practice patterns under this subchapter.
(C) Applicable services
The term "applicable services" means the following:
(i) Acute care inpatient services.
(ii) Physicians' services delivered in and outside of an acute care hospital setting.
(iii) Outpatient hospital services, including emergency department services.
(iv) Post-acute care services, including home health services, skilled nursing services, inpatient rehabilitation services, and inpatient hospital services furnished by a long-term care hospital.
(v) Other services the Secretary determines appropriate.
(D) Episode of care
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), the term "episode of care" means, with respect to an applicable condition and an applicable beneficiary, the period that includes—
(I) the 3 days prior to the admission of the applicable beneficiary to a hospital for the applicable condition;
(II) the length of stay of the applicable beneficiary in such hospital; and
(III) the 30 days following the discharge of the applicable beneficiary from such hospital.
(ii) Establishment of period by the Secretary
The Secretary, as appropriate, may establish a period (other than the period described in clause (i)) for an episode of care under the pilot program.
(E) Physicians' services
The term "physicians' services" has the meaning given such term in
(F) Pilot program
The term "pilot program" means the pilot program under this section.
(G) Provider of services
The term "provider of services" has the meaning given such term in
(H) Readmission
The term "readmission" has the meaning given such term in
(I) Supplier
The term "supplier" has the meaning given such term in
(3) Deadline for implementation
The Secretary shall establish the pilot program not later than January 1, 2013.
(b) Developmental phase
(1) Determination of patient assessment instrument
The Secretary shall determine which patient assessment instrument (such as the Continuity Assessment Record and Evaluation (CARE) tool) shall be used under the pilot program to evaluate the applicable condition of an applicable beneficiary for purposes of determining the most clinically appropriate site for the provision of post-acute care to the applicable beneficiary.
(2) Development of quality measures for an episode of care and for post-acute care
(A) In general
The Secretary, in consultation with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the entity with a contract under
(i) for episodes of care; and
(ii) for post-acute care.
(B) Site-neutral post-acute care quality measures
Any quality measures developed under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be site-neutral.
(C) Coordination with quality measure development and endorsement procedures
The Secretary shall ensure that the development of quality measures under subparagraph (A) is done in a manner that is consistent with the measures developed and endorsed under section 1 1395aaa and 1395aaa–1 of this title that are applicable to all post-acute care settings.
(c) Details
(1) Duration
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the pilot program shall be conducted for a period of 5 years.
(B) Expansion
The Secretary may, at any point after January 1, 2016, expand the duration and scope of the pilot program, to the extent determined appropriate by the Secretary, if—
(i) the Secretary determines that such expansion is expected to—
(I) reduce spending under this subchapter without reducing the quality of care; or
(II) improve the quality of care and reduce spending;
(ii) the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services certifies that such expansion would reduce program spending under this subchapter; and
(iii) the Secretary determines that such expansion would not deny or limit the coverage or provision of benefits under this subchapter for individuals.
(2) Participating providers of services and suppliers
(A) In general
An entity comprised of providers of services and suppliers, including a hospital, a physician group, a skilled nursing facility, and a home health agency, who are otherwise participating under this subchapter, may submit an application to the Secretary to provide applicable services to applicable individuals under this section.
(B) Requirements
The Secretary shall develop requirements for entities to participate in the pilot program under this section. Such requirements shall ensure that applicable beneficiaries have an adequate choice of providers of services and suppliers under the pilot program.
(3) Payment methodology
(A) In general
(i) Establishment of payment methods
The Secretary shall develop payment methods for the pilot program for entities participating in the pilot program. Such payment methods may include bundled payments and bids from entities for episodes of care. The Secretary shall make payments to the entity for services covered under this section.
(ii) No additional program expenditures
Payments under this section for applicable items and services under this subchapter (including payment for services described in subparagraph (B)) for applicable beneficiaries for a year shall be established in a manner that does not result in spending more for such entity for such beneficiaries than would otherwise be expended for such entity for such beneficiaries for such year if the pilot program were not implemented, as estimated by the Secretary.
(B) Inclusion of certain services
A payment methodology tested under the pilot program shall include payment for the furnishing of applicable services and other appropriate services, such as care coordination, medication reconciliation, discharge planning, transitional care services, and other patient-centered activities as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(C) Bundled payments
(i) In general
A bundled payment under the pilot program shall—
(I) be comprehensive, covering the costs of applicable services and other appropriate services furnished to an individual during an episode of care (as determined by the Secretary); and
(II) be made to the entity which is participating in the pilot program.
(ii) Requirement for provision of applicable services and other appropriate services
Applicable services and other appropriate services for which payment is made under this subparagraph shall be furnished or directed by the entity which is participating in the pilot program.
(D) Payment for post-acute care services after the episode of care
The Secretary shall establish procedures, in the case where an applicable beneficiary requires continued post-acute care services after the last day of the episode of care, under which payment for such services shall be made.
(4) Quality measures
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish quality measures (including quality measures of process, outcome, and structure) related to care provided by entities participating in the pilot program. Quality measures established under the preceding sentence shall include measures of the following:
(i) Functional status improvement.
(ii) Reducing rates of avoidable hospital readmissions.
(iii) Rates of discharge to the community.
(iv) Rates of admission to an emergency room after a hospitalization.
(v) Incidence of health care acquired infections.
(vi) Efficiency measures.
(vii) Measures of patient-centeredness of care.
(viii) Measures of patient perception of care.
(ix) Other measures, including measures of patient outcomes, determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(B) Reporting on quality measures
(i) In general
A entity shall submit data to the Secretary on quality measures established under subparagraph (A) during each year of the pilot program (in a form and manner, subject to clause (iii), specified by the Secretary).
(ii) Submission of data through electronic health record
To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall specify that data on measures be submitted under clause (i) through the use of an qualified electronic health record (as defined in
(d) Waiver
The Secretary may waive such provisions of this subchapter and subchapter XI as may be necessary to carry out the pilot program.
(e) Independent evaluation and reports on pilot program
(1) Independent evaluation
The Secretary shall conduct an independent evaluation of the pilot program, including the extent to which the pilot program has—
(A) improved quality measures established under subsection (c)(4)(A);
(B) improved health outcomes;
(C) improved applicable beneficiary access to care; and
(D) reduced spending under this subchapter.
(2) Reports
(A) Interim report
Not later than 2 years after the implementation of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the initial results of the independent evaluation conducted under paragraph (1).
(B) Final report
Not later than 3 years after the implementation of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the final results of the independent evaluation conducted under paragraph (1).
(f) Consultation
The Secretary shall consult with representatives of small rural hospitals, including critical access hospitals (as defined in
(g) Application of pilot program to continuing care hospitals
(1) In general
In conducting the pilot program, the Secretary shall apply the provisions of the program so as to separately pilot test the continuing care hospital model.
(2) Special rules
In pilot testing the continuing care hospital model under paragraph (1), the following rules shall apply:
(A) Such model shall be tested without the limitation to the conditions selected under subsection (a)(2)(B).
(B) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2)(D), an episode of care shall be defined as the full period that a patient stays in the continuing care hospital plus the first 30 days following discharge from such hospital.
(3) Continuing care hospital defined
In this subsection, the term "continuing care hospital" means an entity that has demonstrated the ability to meet patient care and patient safety standards and that provides under common management the medical and rehabilitation services provided in inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and units (as defined in
(h) Administration
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1866D, as added and amended
References in Text
Parts A, B, and C, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A)(i), are classified to sections 1395c et seq., 1395j et seq., and 1395w–21 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Codification
Another section 1866D of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1866E and is classified to
Amendments
2010—
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B).
Subsec. (g).
1 So in original. Probably should be "sections".
§1395cc–5. Independence at home medical practice demonstration program
(a) Establishment
(1) In general
The Secretary shall conduct a demonstration program (in this section referred to as the "demonstration program") to test a payment incentive and service delivery model that utilizes physician and nurse practitioner directed home-based primary care teams designed to reduce expenditures and improve health outcomes in the provision of items and services under this subchapter to applicable beneficiaries (as defined in subsection (d)).
(2) Requirement
The demonstration program shall test whether a model described in paragraph (1), which is accountable for providing comprehensive, coordinated, continuous, and accessible care to high-need populations at home and coordinating health care across all treatment settings, results in—
(A) reducing preventable hospitalizations;
(B) preventing hospital readmissions;
(C) reducing emergency room visits;
(D) improving health outcomes commensurate with the beneficiaries' stage of chronic illness;
(E) improving the efficiency of care, such as by reducing duplicative diagnostic and laboratory tests;
(F) reducing the cost of health care services covered under this subchapter; and
(G) achieving beneficiary and family caregiver satisfaction.
(b) Independence at home medical practice
(1) Independence at home medical practice defined
In this section:
(A) In general
The term "independence at home medical practice" means a legal entity that—
(i) is comprised of an individual physician or nurse practitioner or group of physicians and nurse practitioners that provides care as part of a team that includes physicians, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, and other health and social services staff as appropriate who have experience providing home-based primary care to applicable beneficiaries, make in-home visits, and are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to carry out plans of care that are tailored to the individual beneficiary's chronic conditions and designed to achieve the results in subsection (a);
(ii) is organized at least in part for the purpose of providing physicians' services;
(iii) has documented experience in providing home-based primary care services to high-cost chronically ill beneficiaries, as determined appropriate by the Secretary;
(iv) furnishes services to at least 200 applicable beneficiaries (as defined in subsection (d)) during each year of the demonstration program;
(v) has entered into an agreement with the Secretary;
(vi) uses electronic health information systems, remote monitoring, and mobile diagnostic technology; and
(vii) meets such other criteria as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to participate in the demonstration program.
The entity shall report on quality measures (in such form, manner, and frequency as specified by the Secretary, which may be for the group, for providers of services and suppliers, or both) and report to the Secretary (in a form, manner, and frequency as specified by the Secretary) such data as the Secretary determines appropriate to monitor and evaluate the demonstration program.
(B) Physician
The term "physician" includes, except as the Secretary may otherwise provide, any individual who furnishes services for which payment may be made as physicians' services and has the medical training or experience to fulfill the physician's role described in subparagraph (A)(i).
(2) Participation of nurse practitioners and physician assistants
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a nurse practitioner or physician assistant from participating in, or leading, a home-based primary care team as part of an independence at home medical practice if—
(A) all the requirements of this section are met;
(B) the nurse practitioner or physician assistant, as the case may be, is acting consistent with State law; and
(C) the nurse practitioner or physician assistant has the medical training or experience to fulfill the nurse practitioner or physician assistant role described in paragraph (1)(A)(i).
(3) Inclusion of providers and practitioners
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing an independence at home medical practice from including a provider of services or a participating practitioner described in
(4) Quality and performance standards
The Secretary shall develop quality performance standards for independence at home medical practices participating in the demonstration program.
(c) Payment methodology
(1) Establishment of target spending level
The Secretary shall establish an estimated annual spending target, for the amount the Secretary estimates would have been spent in the absence of the demonstration, for items and services covered under parts A and B furnished to applicable beneficiaries for each qualifying independence at home medical practice under this section. Such spending targets shall be determined on a per capita basis. Such spending targets shall include a risk corridor that takes into account normal variation in expenditures for items and services covered under parts A and B furnished to such beneficiaries with the size of the corridor being related to the number of applicable beneficiaries furnished services by each independence at home medical practice. The spending targets may also be adjusted for other factors as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(2) Incentive payments
Subject to performance on quality measures, a qualifying independence at home medical practice is eligible to receive an incentive payment under this section if actual expenditures for a year for the applicable beneficiaries it enrolls are less than the estimated spending target established under paragraph (1) for such year. An incentive payment for such year shall be equal to a portion (as determined by the Secretary) of the amount by which actual expenditures (including incentive payments under this paragraph) for applicable beneficiaries under parts A and B for such year are estimated to be less than 5 percent less than the estimated spending target for such year, as determined under paragraph (1).
(d) Applicable beneficiaries
(1) Definition
In this section, the term "applicable beneficiary" means, with respect to a qualifying independence at home medical practice, an individual who the practice has determined—
(A) is entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled for benefits under part B;
(B) is not enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan under part C or a PACE program under
(C) has 2 or more chronic illnesses, such as congestive heart failure, diabetes, other dementias designated by the Secretary, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's Disease and neurodegenerative diseases, and other diseases and conditions designated by the Secretary which result in high costs under this subchapter;
(D) within the past 12 months has had a nonelective hospital admission;
(E) within the past 12 months has received acute or subacute rehabilitation services;
(F) has 2 or more functional dependencies requiring the assistance of another person (such as bathing, dressing, toileting, walking, or feeding); and
(G) meets such other criteria as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(2) Patient election to participate
The Secretary shall determine an appropriate method of ensuring that applicable beneficiaries have agreed to enroll in an independence at home medical practice under the demonstration program. Enrollment in the demonstration program shall be voluntary.
(3) Beneficiary access to services
Nothing in this section shall be construed as encouraging physicians or nurse practitioners to limit applicable beneficiary access to services covered under this subchapter and applicable beneficiaries shall not be required to relinquish access to any benefit under this subchapter as a condition of receiving services from an independence at home medical practice.
(e) Implementation
(1) Starting date
The demonstration program shall begin no later than January 1, 2012. An agreement with an independence at home medical practice under the demonstration program may cover not more than a 3-year period.
(2) No physician duplication in demonstration participation
The Secretary shall not pay an independence at home medical practice under this section that participates in
(3) No beneficiary duplication in demonstration participation
The Secretary shall ensure that no applicable beneficiary enrolled in an independence at home medical practice under this section is participating in the programs under
(4) Preference
In approving an independence at home medical practice, the Secretary shall give preference to practices that are—
(A) located in high-cost areas of the country;
(B) have experience in furnishing health care services to applicable beneficiaries in the home; and
(C) use electronic medical records, health information technology, and individualized plans of care.
(5) Limitation on number of practices
In selecting qualified independence at home medical practices to participate under the demonstration program, the Secretary shall limit the number of such practices so that the number of applicable beneficiaries that may participate in the demonstration program does not exceed 10,000.
(6) Waiver
The Secretary may waive such provisions of this subchapter and subchapter XI as the Secretary determines necessary in order to implement the demonstration program.
(7) Administration
(f) Evaluation and monitoring
(1) In general
The Secretary shall evaluate each independence at home medical practice under the demonstration program to assess whether the practice achieved the results described in subsection (a).
(2) Monitoring applicable beneficiaries
The Secretary may monitor data on expenditures and quality of services under this subchapter after an applicable beneficiary discontinues receiving services under this subchapter through a qualifying independence at home medical practice.
(g) Reports to Congress
The Secretary shall conduct an independent evaluation of the demonstration program and submit to Congress a final report, including best practices under the demonstration program. Such report shall include an analysis of the demonstration program on coordination of care, expenditures under this subchapter, applicable beneficiary access to services, and the quality of health care services provided to applicable beneficiaries.
(h) Funding
For purposes of administering and carrying out the demonstration program, other than for payments for items and services furnished under this subchapter and incentive payments under subsection (c), in addition to funds otherwise appropriated, there shall be transferred to the Secretary for the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services Program Management Account from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under
(i) Termination
(1) Mandatory termination
The Secretary shall terminate an agreement with an independence at home medical practice if—
(A) the Secretary estimates or determines that such practice will not receive an incentive payment for the second of 2 consecutive years under the demonstration program; or
(B) such practice fails to meet quality standards during any year of the demonstration program.
(2) Permissive termination
The Secretary may terminate an agreement with an independence at home medical practice for such other reasons determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1866E, formerly §1866D, as added and renumbered §1866E,
References in Text
Parts A, B, and C, referred to in subsecs. (c) and (d)(1)(A), (B), are classified to sections 1395c et seq., 1395j et seq., and 1395w–21 et seq., respectively, of this title.
§1395dd. Examination and treatment for emergency medical conditions and women in labor
(a) Medical screening requirement
In the case of a hospital that has a hospital emergency department, if any individual (whether or not eligible for benefits under this subchapter) comes to the emergency department and a request is made on the individual's behalf for examination or treatment for a medical condition, the hospital must provide for an appropriate medical screening examination within the capability of the hospital's emergency department, including ancillary services routinely available to the emergency department, to determine whether or not an emergency medical condition (within the meaning of subsection (e)(1) of this section) exists.
(b) Necessary stabilizing treatment for emergency medical conditions and labor
(1) In general
If any individual (whether or not eligible for benefits under this subchapter) comes to a hospital and the hospital determines that the individual has an emergency medical condition, the hospital must provide either—
(A) within the staff and facilities available at the hospital, for such further medical examination and such treatment as may be required to stabilize the medical condition, or
(B) for transfer of the individual to another medical facility in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.
(2) Refusal to consent to treatment
A hospital is deemed to meet the requirement of paragraph (1)(A) with respect to an individual if the hospital offers the individual the further medical examination and treatment described in that paragraph and informs the individual (or a person acting on the individual's behalf) of the risks and benefits to the individual of such examination and treatment, but the individual (or a person acting on the individual's behalf) refuses to consent to the examination and treatment. The hospital shall take all reasonable steps to secure the individual's (or person's) written informed consent to refuse such examination and treatment.
(3) Refusal to consent to transfer
A hospital is deemed to meet the requirement of paragraph (1) with respect to an individual if the hospital offers to transfer the individual to another medical facility in accordance with subsection (c) of this section and informs the individual (or a person acting on the individual's behalf) of the risks and benefits to the individual of such transfer, but the individual (or a person acting on the individual's behalf) refuses to consent to the transfer. The hospital shall take all reasonable steps to secure the individual's (or person's) written informed consent to refuse such transfer.
(c) Restricting transfers until individual stabilized
(1) Rule
If an individual at a hospital has an emergency medical condition which has not been stabilized (within the meaning of subsection (e)(3)(B) of this section), the hospital may not transfer the individual unless—
(A)(i) the individual (or a legally responsible person acting on the individual's behalf) after being informed of the hospital's obligations under this section and of the risk of transfer, in writing requests transfer to another medical facility,
(ii) a physician (within the meaning of
(iii) if a physician is not physically present in the emergency department at the time an individual is transferred, a qualified medical person (as defined by the Secretary in regulations) has signed a certification described in clause (ii) after a physician (as defined in
(B) the transfer is an appropriate transfer (within the meaning of paragraph (2)) to that facility.
A certification described in clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (A) shall include a summary of the risks and benefits upon which the certification is based.
(2) Appropriate transfer
An appropriate transfer to a medical facility is a transfer—
(A) in which the transferring hospital provides the medical treatment within its capacity which minimizes the risks to the individual's health and, in the case of a woman in labor, the health of the unborn child;
(B) in which the receiving facility—
(i) has available space and qualified personnel for the treatment of the individual, and
(ii) has agreed to accept transfer of the individual and to provide appropriate medical treatment;
(C) in which the transferring hospital sends to the receiving facility all medical records (or copies thereof), related to the emergency condition for which the individual has presented, available at the time of the transfer, including records related to the individual's emergency medical condition, observations of signs or symptoms, preliminary diagnosis, treatment provided, results of any tests and the informed written consent or certification (or copy thereof) provided under paragraph (1)(A), and the name and address of any on-call physician (described in subsection (d)(1)(C) of this section) who has refused or failed to appear within a reasonable time to provide necessary stabilizing treatment;
(D) in which the transfer is effected through qualified personnel and transportation equipment, as required including the use of necessary and medically appropriate life support measures during the transfer; and
(E) which meets such other requirements as the Secretary may find necessary in the interest of the health and safety of individuals transferred.
(d) Enforcement
(1) Civil money penalties
(A) A participating hospital that negligently violates a requirement of this section is subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $50,000 (or not more than $25,000 in the case of a hospital with less than 100 beds) for each such violation. The provisions of
(B) Subject to subparagraph (C), any physician who is responsible for the examination, treatment, or transfer of an individual in a participating hospital, including a physician on-call for the care of such an individual, and who negligently violates a requirement of this section, including a physician who—
(i) signs a certification under subsection (c)(1)(A) of this section that the medical benefits reasonably to be expected from a transfer to another facility outweigh the risks associated with the transfer, if the physician knew or should have known that the benefits did not outweigh the risks, or
(ii) misrepresents an individual's condition or other information, including a hospital's obligations under this section,
is subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $50,000 for each such violation and, if the violation is gross and flagrant or is repeated, to exclusion from participation in this subchapter and State health care programs. The provisions of
(C) If, after an initial examination, a physician determines that the individual requires the services of a physician listed by the hospital on its list of on-call physicians (required to be maintained under
(2) Civil enforcement
(A) Personal harm
Any individual who suffers personal harm as a direct result of a participating hospital's violation of a requirement of this section may, in a civil action against the participating hospital, obtain those damages available for personal injury under the law of the State in which the hospital is located, and such equitable relief as is appropriate.
(B) Financial loss to other medical facility
Any medical facility that suffers a financial loss as a direct result of a participating hospital's violation of a requirement of this section may, in a civil action against the participating hospital, obtain those damages available for financial loss, under the law of the State in which the hospital is located, and such equitable relief as is appropriate.
(C) Limitations on actions
No action may be brought under this paragraph more than two years after the date of the violation with respect to which the action is brought.
(3) Consultation with peer review organizations
In considering allegations of violations of the requirements of this section in imposing sanctions under paragraph (1) or in terminating a hospital's participation under this subchapter, the Secretary shall request the appropriate utilization and quality control peer review organization (with a contract under part B of subchapter XI of this chapter) to assess whether the individual involved had an emergency medical condition which had not been stabilized, and provide a report on its findings. Except in the case in which a delay would jeopardize the health or safety of individuals, the Secretary shall request such a review before effecting a sanction under paragraph (1) and shall provide a period of at least 60 days for such review. Except in the case in which a delay would jeopardize the health or safety of individuals, the Secretary shall also request such a review before making a compliance determination as part of the process of terminating a hospital's participation under this subchapter for violations related to the appropriateness of a medical screening examination, stabilizing treatment, or an appropriate transfer as required by this section, and shall provide a period of 5 days for such review. The Secretary shall provide a copy of the organization's report to the hospital or physician consistent with confidentiality requirements imposed on the organization under such part B.
(4) Notice upon closing an investigation
The Secretary shall establish a procedure to notify hospitals and physicians when an investigation under this section is closed.
(e) Definitions
In this section:
(1) The term "emergency medical condition" means—
(A) a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in—
(i) placing the health of the individual (or, with respect to a pregnant woman, the health of the woman or her unborn child) in serious jeopardy,
(ii) serious impairment to bodily functions, or
(iii) serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part; or
(B) with respect to a pregnant woman who is having contractions—
(i) that there is inadequate time to effect a safe transfer to another hospital before delivery, or
(ii) that transfer may pose a threat to the health or safety of the woman or the unborn child.
(2) The term "participating hospital" means a hospital that has entered into a provider agreement under
(3)(A) The term "to stabilize" means, with respect to an emergency medical condition described in paragraph (1)(A), to provide such medical treatment of the condition as may be necessary to assure, within reasonable medical probability, that no material deterioration of the condition is likely to result from or occur during the transfer of the individual from a facility, or, with respect to an emergency medical condition described in paragraph (1)(B), to deliver (including the placenta).
(B) The term "stabilized" means, with respect to an emergency medical condition described in paragraph (1)(A), that no material deterioration of the condition is likely, within reasonable medical probability, to result from or occur during the transfer of the individual from a facility, or, with respect to an emergency medical condition described in paragraph (1)(B), that the woman has delivered (including the placenta).
(4) The term "transfer" means the movement (including the discharge) of an individual outside a hospital's facilities at the direction of any person employed by (or affiliated or associated, directly or indirectly, with) the hospital, but does not include such a movement of an individual who (A) has been declared dead, or (B) leaves the facility without the permission of any such person.
(5) The term "hospital" includes a critical access hospital (as defined in
(f) Preemption
The provisions of this section do not preempt any State or local law requirement, except to the extent that the requirement directly conflicts with a requirement of this section.
(g) Nondiscrimination
A participating hospital that has specialized capabilities or facilities (such as burn units, shock-trauma units, neonatal intensive care units, or (with respect to rural areas) regional referral centers as identified by the Secretary in regulation) shall not refuse to accept an appropriate transfer of an individual who requires such specialized capabilities or facilities if the hospital has the capacity to treat the individual.
(h) No delay in examination or treatment
A participating hospital may not delay provision of an appropriate medical screening examination required under subsection (a) of this section or further medical examination and treatment required under subsection (b) of this section in order to inquire about the individual's method of payment or insurance status.
(i) Whistleblower protections
A participating hospital may not penalize or take adverse action against a qualified medical person described in subsection (c)(1)(A)(iii) of this section or a physician because the person or physician refuses to authorize the transfer of an individual with an emergency medical condition that has not been stabilized or against any hospital employee because the employee reports a violation of a requirement of this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1867, as added
References in Text
Part B of subchapter XI of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (d)(3), is classified to
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1395dd, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1867, as added July 30, 1965,
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (d)(1)(B).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
Subsec. (e)(2).
1997—Subsec. (e)(5).
1994—Subsec. (d)(3).
1990—Subsec. (c)(2)(C).
Subsec. (d)(1).
"(A) termination of its provider agreement under this subchapter in accordance with
"(B) at the option of the Secretary, suspension of such agreement for such period of time as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, upon reasonable notice to the hospital and to the public."
Subsec. (d)(1)(B).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (i).
1989—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(i).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C).
Subsec. (c)(2)(D).
Subsec. (c)(2)(E).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C).
"(i) is employed by, or under contract with, the participating hospital, and
"(ii) acting as such an employee or under such a contract, has professional responsibility for the provision of examinations or treatments for the individual, or transfers of the individual, with respect to which the violation occurred."
Subsec. (e)(1).
"(A) placing the patient's health in serious jeopardy,
"(B) serious impairment to bodily functions, or
"(C) serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part."
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(4)(A).
Subsec. (e)(4)(B).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (e)(6).
Subsecs. (g) to (i).
1988—Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2).
1987—Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2).
1986—Subsec. (b)(2), (3).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 4008(b)(1)–(3)(A) of
Amendment by section 4207(a)(1)(A) of
Section 4207(a)(4), formerly 4027(a)(4), of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 6211(i) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 4009(a)(2), formerly §4009(a)(3), of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 9121(c) of
Short Title
This section is popularly known as the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).
Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) Technical Advisory Group
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) 4 shall be representatives of hospitals, including at least one public hospital, that have experience with the application of EMTALA and at least 2 of which have not been cited for EMTALA violations;
"(2) 7 shall be practicing physicians drawn from the fields of emergency medicine, cardiology or cardiothoracic surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, pediatrics or a pediatric subspecialty, obstetrics-gynecology, and psychiatry, with not more than one physician from any particular field;
"(3) 2 shall represent patients;
"(4) 2 shall be staff involved in EMTALA investigations from different regional offices of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; and
"(5) 1 shall be from a State survey office involved in EMTALA investigations and 1 shall be from a peer review organization, both of whom shall be from areas other than the regions represented under paragraph (4).
In selecting members described in paragraphs (1) through (3), the Secretary shall consider qualified individuals nominated by organizations representing providers and patients.
"(c)
"(1) shall review EMTALA regulations;
"(2) may provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary with respect to those regulations and their application to hospitals and physicians;
"(3) shall solicit comments and recommendations from hospitals, physicians, and the public regarding the implementation of such regulations; and
"(4) may disseminate information on the application of such regulations to hospitals, physicians, and the public.
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(e)
"(f)
Federal Reimbursement of Emergency Health Services Furnished to Undocumented Aliens
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) the total amount available for allotments under this paragraph for the fiscal year; and
"(ii) the percentage of undocumented aliens residing in the State as compared to the total number of such aliens residing in all States, as determined by the Statistics Division of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, as of January 2003, based on the 2000 decennial census.
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) the total amount available for allotments under this paragraph for the fiscal year; and
"(ii) the percentage of undocumented alien apprehensions in the State in that fiscal year as compared to the total of such apprehensions for all such States for the preceding fiscal year.
"(C)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(i) the amount that the provider demonstrates was incurred for the provision of such services; or
"(ii) amounts determined under a methodology established by the Secretary for purposes of this subsection.
"(B)
"(3)
"(A) may establish different methodologies for types of eligible providers;
"(B) may base payments for hospital services on estimated hospital charges, adjusted to estimated cost, through the application of hospital-specific cost-to-charge ratios;
"(C) shall provide for the election by a hospital to receive either payments to the hospital for—
"(i) hospital and physician services; or
"(ii) hospital services and for a portion of the on-call payments made by the hospital to physicians; and
"(D) shall make quarterly payments under this section to eligible providers.
If a hospital makes the election under subparagraph (C)(i), the hospital shall pass on payments for services of a physician to the physician and may not charge any administrative or other fee with respect to such payments.
"(4)
"(5)
"(A) Undocumented aliens.
"(B) Aliens who have been paroled into the United States at a United States port of entry for the purpose of receiving eligible services.
"(C) Mexican citizens permitted to enter the United States for not more than 72 hours under the authority of a biometric machine readable border crossing identification card (also referred to as a 'laser visa') issued in accordance with the requirements of regulations prescribed under section 101(a)(6) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (
"(d)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(2)
"(e)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
Inspector General Study of Prohibition on Hospital Employment of Physicians
Section 4008(c) of
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
§1395ee. Practicing Physicians Advisory Council; Council for Technology and Innovation
(a) Repealed. Pub. L. 111–148, title III, §3134(b)(2), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 435
(b) Council for Technology and Innovation
(1) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a Council for Technology and Innovation within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (in this section referred to as "CMS").
(2) Composition
The Council shall be composed of senior CMS staff and clinicians and shall be chaired by the Executive Coordinator for Technology and Innovation (appointed or designated under paragraph (4)).
(3) Duties
The Council shall coordinate the activities of coverage, coding, and payment processes under this subchapter with respect to new technologies and procedures, including new drug therapies, and shall coordinate the exchange of information on new technologies between CMS and other entities that make similar decisions.
(4) Executive Coordinator for Technology and Innovation
The Secretary shall appoint (or designate) a noncareer appointee (as defined in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1868, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1395ee, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1868, as added July 30, 1965,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a).
2003—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Termination of Advisory Councils
Advisory councils established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a council established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such council is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a council established by Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. See sections 3(2) and 14 of
§1395ff. Determinations; appeals
(a) Initial determinations
(1) Promulgations of regulations
The Secretary shall promulgate regulations and make initial determinations with respect to benefits under part A of this subchapter or part B of this subchapter in accordance with those regulations for the following:
(A) The initial determination of whether an individual is entitled to benefits under such parts.
(B) The initial determination of the amount of benefits available to the individual under such parts.
(C) Any other initial determination with respect to a claim for benefits under such parts, including an initial determination by the Secretary that payment may not be made, or may no longer be made, for an item or service under such parts, an initial determination made by a utilization and quality control peer review organization under
(2) Deadlines for making initial determinations
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), in promulgating regulations under paragraph (1), initial determinations shall be concluded by not later than the 45-day period beginning on the date the fiscal intermediary or the carrier, as the case may be, receives a claim for benefits from an individual as described in paragraph (1). Notice of such determination shall be mailed to the individual filing the claim before the conclusion of such 45-day period.
(B) Clean claims
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to any claim that is subject to the requirements of
(3) Redeterminations
(A) In general
In promulgating regulations under paragraph (1) with respect to initial determinations, such regulations shall provide for a fiscal intermediary or a carrier to make a redetermination with respect to a claim for benefits that is denied in whole or in part.
(B) Limitations
(i) Appeal rights
No initial determination may be reconsidered or appealed under subsection (b) of this section unless the fiscal intermediary or carrier has made a redetermination of that initial determination under this paragraph.
(ii) Decisionmaker
No redetermination may be made by any individual involved in the initial determination.
(C) Deadlines
(i) Filing for redetermination
A redetermination under subparagraph (A) shall be available only if notice is filed with the Secretary to request the redetermination by not later than the end of the 120-day period beginning on the date the individual receives notice of the initial determination under paragraph (2).
(ii) Concluding redeterminations
Redeterminations shall be concluded by not later than the 60-day period beginning on the date the fiscal intermediary or the carrier, as the case may be, receives a request for a redetermination. Notice of such determination shall be mailed to the individual filing the claim before the conclusion of such 60-day period.
(D) Construction
For purposes of the succeeding provisions of this section a redetermination under this paragraph shall be considered to be part of the initial determination.
(4) Requirements of notice of determinations
With respect to an initial determination insofar as it results in a denial of a claim for benefits—
(A) the written notice on the determination shall include—
(i) the reasons for the determination, including whether a local medical review policy or a local coverage determination was used;
(ii) the procedures for obtaining additional information concerning the determination, including the information described in subparagraph (B); and
(iii) notification of the right to seek a redetermination or otherwise appeal the determination and instructions on how to initiate such a redetermination under this section;
(B) such written notice shall be provided in printed form and written in a manner calculated to be understood by the individual entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both; and
(C) the individual provided such written notice may obtain, upon request, information on the specific provision of the policy, manual, or regulation used in making the redetermination.
(5) Requirements of notice of redeterminations
With respect to a redetermination insofar as it results in a denial of a claim for benefits—
(A) the written notice on the redetermination shall include—
(i) the specific reasons for the redetermination;
(ii) as appropriate, a summary of the clinical or scientific evidence used in making the redetermination;
(iii) a description of the procedures for obtaining additional information concerning the redetermination; and
(iv) notification of the right to appeal the redetermination and instructions on how to initiate such an appeal under this section;
(B) such written notice shall be provided in printed form and written in a manner calculated to be understood by the individual entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both; and
(C) the individual provided such written notice may obtain, upon request, information on the specific provision of the policy, manual, or regulation used in making the redetermination.
(b) Appeal rights
(1) In general
(A) Reconsideration of initial determination
Subject to subparagraph (D), any individual dissatisfied with any initial determination under subsection (a)(1) of this section shall be entitled to reconsideration of the determination, and, subject to subparagraphs (D) and (E), a hearing thereon by the Secretary to the same extent as is provided in
(B) Representation by provider or supplier
(i) In general
(ii) Mandatory waiver of right to payment from beneficiary
Any person that furnishes services or items to an individual may not represent an individual under this section with respect to the issue described in
(iii) Prohibition on payment for representation
If a person furnishes services or items to an individual and represents the individual under this section, the person may not impose any financial liability on such individual in connection with such representation.
(iv) Requirements for representatives of a beneficiary
The provisions of
(C) Succession of rights in cases of assignment
The right of an individual to an appeal under this section with respect to an item or service may be assigned to the provider of services or supplier of the item or service upon the written consent of such individual using a standard form established by the Secretary for such an assignment.
(D) Time limits for filing appeals
(i) Reconsiderations
Reconsideration under subparagraph (A) shall be available only if the individual described in subparagraph (A) files notice with the Secretary to request reconsideration by not later than the end of the 180-day period beginning on the date the individual receives notice of the redetermination under subsection (a)(3) of this section, or within such additional time as the Secretary may allow.
(ii) Hearings conducted by the Secretary
The Secretary shall establish in regulations time limits for the filing of a request for a hearing by the Secretary in accordance with provisions in
(E) Amounts in controversy
(i) In general
A hearing (by the Secretary) shall not be available to an individual under this section if the amount in controversy is less than $100, and judicial review shall not be available to the individual if the amount in controversy is less than $1,000.
(ii) Aggregation of claims
In determining the amount in controversy, the Secretary, under regulations, shall allow two or more appeals to be aggregated if the appeals involve—
(I) the delivery of similar or related services to the same individual by one or more providers of services or suppliers, or
(II) common issues of law and fact arising from services furnished to two or more individuals by one or more providers of services or suppliers.
(iii) Adjustment of dollar amounts
For requests for hearings or judicial review made in a year after 2004, the dollar amounts specified in clause (i) shall be equal to such dollar amounts increased by the percentage increase in the medical care component of the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) for July 2003 to the July preceding the year involved. Any amount determined under the previous sentence that is not a multiple of $10 shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10.
(F) Expedited proceedings
(i) Expedited determination
In the case of an individual who has received notice from a provider of services that such provider plans—
(I) to terminate services provided to an individual and a physician certifies that failure to continue the provision of such services is likely to place the individual's health at significant risk, or
(II) to discharge the individual from the provider of services,
the individual may request, in writing or orally, an expedited determination or an expedited reconsideration of an initial determination made under subsection (a)(1) of this section, as the case may be, and the Secretary shall provide such expedited determination or expedited reconsideration.
(ii) Reference to expedited access to judicial review
For the provision relating to expedited access to judicial review, see paragraph (2).
(G) Reopening and revision of determinations
The Secretary may reopen or revise any initial determination or reconsidered determination described in this subsection under guidelines established by the Secretary in regulations.
(2) Expedited access to judicial review
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish a process under which a provider of services or supplier that furnishes an item or service or an individual entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both, who has filed an appeal under paragraph (1) (other than an appeal filed under paragraph (1)(F)(i)) may obtain access to judicial review when a review entity (described in subparagraph (D)), on its own motion or at the request of the appellant, determines that the Departmental Appeals Board does not have the authority to decide the question of law or regulation relevant to the matters in controversy and that there is no material issue of fact in dispute. The appellant may make such request only once with respect to a question of law or regulation for a specific matter in dispute in a case of an appeal.
(B) Prompt determinations
If, after or coincident with appropriately filing a request for an administrative hearing, the appellant requests a determination by the appropriate review entity that the Departmental Appeals Board does not have the authority to decide the question of law or regulations relevant to the matters in controversy and that there is no material issue of fact in dispute, and if such request is accompanied by the documents and materials as the appropriate review entity shall require for purposes of making such determination, such review entity shall make a determination on the request in writing within 60 days after the date such review entity receives the request and such accompanying documents and materials. Such a determination by such review entity shall be considered a final decision and not subject to review by the Secretary.
(C) Access to judicial review
(i) In general
If the appropriate review entity—
(I) determines that there are no material issues of fact in dispute and that the only issues to be adjudicated are ones of law or regulation that the Departmental Appeals Board does not have authority to decide; or
(II) fails to make such determination within the period provided under subparagraph (B),
then the appellant may bring a civil action as described in this subparagraph.
(ii) Deadline for filing
Such action shall be filed, in the case described in—
(I) clause (i)(I), within 60 days of the date of the determination described in such clause; or
(II) clause (i)(II), within 60 days of the end of the period provided under subparagraph (B) for the determination.
(iii) Venue
Such action shall be brought in the district court of the United States for the judicial district in which the appellant is located (or, in the case of an action brought jointly by more than one applicant, the judicial district in which the greatest number of applicants are located) or in the District Court for the District of Columbia.
(iv) Interest on any amounts in controversy
Where a provider of services or supplier is granted judicial review pursuant to this paragraph, the amount in controversy (if any) shall be subject to annual interest beginning on the first day of the first month beginning after the 60-day period as determined pursuant to clause (ii) and equal to the rate of interest on obligations issued for purchase by the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund for the month in which the civil action authorized under this paragraph is commenced, to be awarded by the reviewing court in favor of the prevailing party. No interest awarded pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be deemed income or cost for the purposes of determining reimbursement due providers of services or suppliers under this subchapter.
(D) Review entity defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term "review entity" means an entity of up to three reviewers who are administrative law judges or members of the Departmental Appeals Board selected for purposes of making determinations under this paragraph.
(3) Requiring full and early presentation of evidence by providers
A provider of services or supplier may not introduce evidence in any appeal under this section that was not presented at the reconsideration conducted by the qualified independent contractor under subsection (c) of this section, unless there is good cause which precluded the introduction of such evidence at or before that reconsideration.
(c) Conduct of reconsiderations by independent contractors
(1) In general
The Secretary shall enter into contracts with qualified independent contractors to conduct reconsiderations of initial determinations made under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (a)(1) of this section. Contracts shall be for an initial term of three years and shall be renewable on a triennial basis thereafter.
(2) Qualified independent contractor
For purposes of this subsection, the term "qualified independent contractor" means an entity or organization that is independent of any organization under contract with the Secretary that makes initial determinations under subsection (a)(1) of this section, and that meets the requirements established by the Secretary consistent with paragraph (3).
(3) Requirements
Any qualified independent contractor entering into a contract with the Secretary under this subsection shall meet all of the following requirements:
(A) In general
The qualified independent contractor shall perform such duties and functions and assume such responsibilities as may be required by the Secretary to carry out the provisions of this subsection, and shall have sufficient medical, legal, and other expertise (including knowledge of the program under this subchapter) and sufficient staffing to make reconsiderations under this subsection.
(B) Reconsiderations
(i) In general
The qualified independent contractor shall review initial determinations. Where an initial determination is made with respect to whether an item or service is reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury (under
(ii) Effect of national and local coverage determinations
(I) National coverage determinations
If the Secretary has made a national coverage determination pursuant to the requirements established under the third sentence of
(II) Local coverage determinations
If the Secretary has made a local coverage determination, such determination shall not be binding on the qualified independent contractor in making a decision with respect to a reconsideration under this section. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the qualified independent contractor shall consider the local coverage determination in making such decision.
(III) Absence of national or local coverage determination
In the absence of such a national coverage determination or local coverage determination, the qualified independent contractor shall make a decision with respect to the reconsideration based on applicable information, including clinical experience and medical, technical, and scientific evidence.
(C) Deadlines for decisions
(i) Reconsiderations
Except as provided in clauses (iii) and (iv), the qualified independent contractor shall conduct and conclude a reconsideration under subparagraph (B), and mail the notice of the decision with respect to the reconsideration by not later than the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date a request for reconsideration has been timely filed.
(ii) Consequences of failure to meet deadline
In the case of a failure by the qualified independent contractor to mail the notice of the decision by the end of the period described in clause (i) or to provide notice by the end of the period described in clause (iii), as the case may be, the party requesting the reconsideration or appeal may request a hearing before the Secretary, notwithstanding any requirements for a reconsidered determination for purposes of the party's right to such hearing.
(iii) Expedited reconsiderations
The qualified independent contractor shall perform an expedited reconsideration under subsection (b)(1)(F) of this section as follows:
(I) Deadline for decision
Notwithstanding
(II) Consultation with beneficiary
In such reconsideration, the qualified independent contractor shall solicit the views of the individual involved.
(III) Special rule for hospital discharges
A reconsideration of a discharge from a hospital shall be conducted under this clause in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of
(iv) Extension
An individual requesting a reconsideration under this subparagraph may be granted such additional time as the individual specifies (not to exceed 14 days) for the qualified independent contractor to conclude the reconsideration. The individual may request such additional time orally or in writing.
(D) Qualifications for reviewers
The requirements of subsection (g) of this section shall be met (relating to qualifications of reviewing professionals).
(E) Explanation of decision
Any decision with respect to a reconsideration of a qualified independent contractor shall be in writing, be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the individual entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both, and shall include (to the extent appropriate) and shall include 1 a detailed explanation of the decision as well as a discussion of the pertinent facts and applicable regulations applied in making such decision, and 2 a notification of the right to appeal such determination and instructions on how to initiate such appeal under this section 3 and 3 in the case of a determination of whether an item or service is reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury (under
(F) Notice requirements
Whenever a qualified independent contractor makes a decision with respect to a reconsideration under this subsection, the qualified independent contractor shall promptly notify the entity responsible for the payment of claims under part A of this subchapter or part B of this subchapter of such decision.
(G) Dissemination of decisions on reconsiderations
Each qualified independent contractor shall make available all decisions with respect to reconsiderations of such qualified independent contractors to fiscal intermediaries (under
(H) Ensuring consistency in decisions
Each qualified independent contractor shall monitor its decisions with respect to reconsiderations to ensure the consistency of such decisions with respect to requests for reconsideration of similar or related matters.
(I) Data collection
(i) In general
Consistent with the requirements of clause (ii), a qualified independent contractor shall collect such information relevant to its functions, and keep and maintain such records in such form and manner as the Secretary may require to carry out the purposes of this section and shall permit access to and use of any such information and records as the Secretary may require for such purposes.
(ii) Type of data collected
Each qualified independent contractor shall keep accurate records of each decision made, consistent with standards established by the Secretary for such purpose. Such records shall be maintained in an electronic database in a manner that provides for identification of the following:
(I) Specific claims that give rise to appeals.
(II) Situations suggesting the need for increased education for providers of services, physicians, or suppliers.
(III) Situations suggesting the need for changes in national or local coverage determination.
(IV) Situations suggesting the need for changes in local coverage determinations.
(iii) Annual reporting
Each qualified independent contractor shall submit annually to the Secretary (or otherwise as the Secretary may request) records maintained under this paragraph for the previous year.
(J) Hearings by the Secretary
The qualified independent contractor shall (i) submit such information as is required for an appeal of a decision of the contractor, and (ii) participate in such hearings as required by the Secretary.
(K) Independence requirements
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), a qualified independent contractor shall not conduct any activities in a case unless the entity—
(I) is not a related party (as defined in subsection (g)(5) of this section);
(II) does not have a material familial, financial, or professional relationship with such a party in relation to such case; and
(III) does not otherwise have a conflict of interest with such a party.
(ii) Exception for reasonable compensation
Nothing in clause (i) shall be construed to prohibit receipt by a qualified independent contractor of compensation from the Secretary for the conduct of activities under this section if the compensation is provided consistent with clause (iii).
(iii) Limitations on entity compensation
Compensation provided by the Secretary to a qualified independent contractor in connection with reviews under this section shall not be contingent on any decision rendered by the contractor or by any reviewing professional.
(4) Number of qualified independent contractors
The Secretary shall enter into contracts with a sufficient number of qualified independent contractors (but not fewer than 4 such contractors) to conduct reconsiderations consistent with the timeframes applicable under this subsection.
(5) Limitation on qualified independent contractor liability
No qualified independent contractor having a contract with the Secretary under this subsection and no person who is employed by, or who has a fiduciary relationship with, any such qualified independent contractor or who furnishes professional services to such qualified independent contractor, shall be held by reason of the performance of any duty, function, or activity required or authorized pursuant to this subsection or to a valid contract entered into under this subsection, to have violated any criminal law, or to be civilly liable under any law of the United States or of any State (or political subdivision thereof) provided due care was exercised in the performance of such duty, function, or activity.
(d) Deadlines for hearings by the Secretary; notice
(1) Hearing by administrative law judge
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an administrative law judge shall conduct and conclude a hearing on a decision of a qualified independent contractor under subsection (c) of this section and render a decision on such hearing by not later than the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date a request for hearing has been timely filed.
(B) Waiver of deadline by party seeking hearing
The 90-day period under subparagraph (A) shall not apply in the case of a motion or stipulation by the party requesting the hearing to waive such period.
(2) Departmental Appeals Board review
(A) In general
The Departmental Appeals Board of the Department of Health and Human Services shall conduct and conclude a review of the decision on a hearing described in paragraph (1) and make a decision or remand the case to the administrative law judge for reconsideration by not later than the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date a request for review has been timely filed.
(B) DAB hearing procedure
In reviewing a decision on a hearing under this paragraph, the Departmental Appeals Board shall review the case de novo.
(3) Consequences of failure to meet deadlines
(A) Hearing by administrative law judge
In the case of a failure by an administrative law judge to render a decision by the end of the period described in paragraph (1), the party requesting the hearing may request a review by the Departmental Appeals Board of the Department of Health and Human Services, notwithstanding any requirements for a hearing for purposes of the party's right to such a review.
(B) Departmental Appeals Board review
In the case of a failure by the Departmental Appeals Board to render a decision by the end of the period described in paragraph (2), the party requesting the hearing may seek judicial review, notwithstanding any requirements for a hearing for purposes of the party's right to such judicial review.
(4) Notice
Notice of the decision of an administrative law judge shall be in writing in a manner calculated to be understood by the individual entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both, and shall include—
(A) the specific reasons for the determination (including, to the extent appropriate, a summary of the clinical or scientific evidence used in making the determination);
(B) the procedures for obtaining additional information concerning the decision; and
(C) notification of the right to appeal the decision and instructions on how to initiate such an appeal under this section.
(e) Administrative provisions
(1) Limitation on review of certain regulations
A regulation or instruction that relates to a method for determining the amount of payment under part B of this subchapter and that was initially issued before January 1, 1981, shall not be subject to judicial review.
(2) Outreach
The Secretary shall perform such outreach activities as are necessary to inform individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter and providers of services and suppliers with respect to their rights of, and the process for, appeals made under this section. The Secretary shall use the toll-free telephone number maintained by the Secretary under
(3) Continuing education requirement for qualified independent contractors and administrative law judges
The Secretary shall provide to each qualified independent contractor, and, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Security, to administrative law judges that decide appeals of reconsiderations of initial determinations or other decisions or determinations under this section, such continuing education with respect to coverage of items and services under this subchapter or policies of the Secretary with respect to part B of subchapter XI of this chapter as is necessary for such qualified independent contractors and administrative law judges to make informed decisions with respect to appeals.
(4) Reports
(A) Annual report to Congress
The Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report describing the number of appeals for the previous year, identifying issues that require administrative or legislative actions, and including any recommendations of the Secretary with respect to such actions. The Secretary shall include in such report an analysis of determinations by qualified independent contractors with respect to inconsistent decisions and an analysis of the causes of any such inconsistencies.
(B) Survey
Not less frequently than every 5 years, the Secretary shall conduct a survey of a valid sample of individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter who have filed appeals of determinations under this section, providers of services, and suppliers to determine the satisfaction of such individuals or entities with the process for appeals of determinations provided for under this section and education and training provided by the Secretary with respect to that process. The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the results of the survey, and shall include any recommendations for administrative or legislative actions that the Secretary determines appropriate.
(f) Review of coverage determinations
(1) National coverage determinations
(A) In general
Review of any national coverage determination shall be subject to the following limitations:
(i) Such a determination shall not be reviewed by any administrative law judge.
(ii) Such a determination shall not be held unlawful or set aside on the ground that a requirement of
(iii) Upon the filing of a complaint by an aggrieved party, such a determination shall be reviewed by the Departmental Appeals Board of the Department of Health and Human Services. In conducting such a review, the Departmental Appeals Board—
(I) shall review the record and shall permit discovery and the taking of evidence to evaluate the reasonableness of the determination, if the Board determines that the record is incomplete or lacks adequate information to support the validity of the determination;
(II) may, as appropriate, consult with appropriate scientific and clinical experts; and
(III) shall defer only to the reasonable findings of fact, reasonable interpretations of law, and reasonable applications of fact to law by the Secretary.
(iv) The Secretary shall implement a decision of the Departmental Appeals Board within 30 days of receipt of such decision.
(v) A decision of the Departmental Appeals Board constitutes a final agency action and is subject to judicial review.
(B) Definition of national coverage determination
For purposes of this section, the term "national coverage determination" means a determination by the Secretary with respect to whether or not a particular item or service is covered nationally under this subchapter, but does not include a determination of what code, if any, is assigned to a particular item or service covered under this subchapter or a determination with respect to the amount of payment made for a particular item or service so covered.
(2) Local coverage determination
(A) In general
Review of any local coverage determination shall be subject to the following limitations:
(i) Upon the filing of a complaint by an aggrieved party, such a determination shall be reviewed by an administrative law judge. The administrative law judge—
(I) shall review the record and shall permit discovery and the taking of evidence to evaluate the reasonableness of the determination, if the administrative law judge determines that the record is incomplete or lacks adequate information to support the validity of the determination;
(II) may, as appropriate, consult with appropriate scientific and clinical experts; and
(III) shall defer only to the reasonable findings of fact, reasonable interpretations of law, and reasonable applications of fact to law by the Secretary.
(ii) Upon the filing of a complaint by an aggrieved party, a decision of an administrative law judge under clause (i) shall be reviewed by the Departmental Appeals Board of the Department of Health and Human Services.
(iii) The Secretary shall implement a decision of the administrative law judge or the Departmental Appeals Board within 30 days of receipt of such decision.
(iv) A decision of the Departmental Appeals Board constitutes a final agency action and is subject to judicial review.
(B) Definition of local coverage determination
For purposes of this section, the term "local coverage determination" means a determination by a fiscal intermediary or a carrier under part A of this subchapter or part B of this subchapter, as applicable, respecting whether or not a particular item or service is covered on an intermediary- or carrier-wide basis under such parts, in accordance with
(3) No material issues of fact in dispute
In the case of a determination that may otherwise be subject to review under paragraph (1)(A)(iii) or paragraph (2)(A)(i), where the moving party alleges that—
(A) there are no material issues of fact in dispute, and
(B) the only issue of law is the constitutionality of a provision of this subchapter, or that a regulation, determination, or ruling by the Secretary is invalid,
the moving party may seek review by a court of competent jurisdiction without filing a complaint under such paragraph and without otherwise exhausting other administrative remedies.
(4) Pending national coverage determinations
(A) In general
In the event the Secretary has not issued a national coverage or noncoverage determination with respect to a particular type or class of items or services, an aggrieved person (as described in paragraph (5)) may submit to the Secretary a request to make such a determination with respect to such items or services. By not later than the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date the Secretary receives such a request (notwithstanding the receipt by the Secretary of new evidence (if any) during such 90-day period), the Secretary shall take one of the following actions:
(i) Issue a national coverage determination, with or without limitations.
(ii) Issue a national noncoverage determination.
(iii) Issue a determination that no national coverage or noncoverage determination is appropriate as of the end of such 90-day period with respect to national coverage of such items or services.
(iv) Issue a notice that states that the Secretary has not completed a review of the request for a national coverage determination and that includes an identification of the remaining steps in the Secretary's review process and a deadline by which the Secretary will complete the review and take an action described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii).
(B) Deemed action by the Secretary
In the case of an action described in subparagraph (A)(iv), if the Secretary fails to take an action referred to in such clause by the deadline specified by the Secretary under such clause, then the Secretary is deemed to have taken an action described in subparagraph (A)(iii) as of the deadline.
(C) Explanation of determination
When issuing a determination under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall include an explanation of the basis for the determination. An action taken under subparagraph (A) (other than clause (iv)) is deemed to be a national coverage determination for purposes of review under paragraph (1)(A).
(5) Standing
An action under this subsection seeking review of a national coverage determination or local coverage determination may be initiated only by individuals entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter, or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both, who are in need of the items or services that are the subject of the coverage determination.
(6) Publication on the Internet of decisions of hearings of the Secretary
Each decision of a hearing by the Secretary with respect to a national coverage determination shall be made public, and the Secretary shall publish each decision on the Medicare 4 Internet site of the Department of Health and Human Services. The Secretary shall remove from such decision any information that would identify any individual, provider of services, or supplier.
(7) Annual report on national coverage determinations
(A) In general
Not later than December 1 of each year, beginning in 2001, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that sets forth a detailed compilation of the actual time periods that were necessary to complete and fully implement national coverage determinations that were made in the previous fiscal year for items, services, or medical devices not previously covered as a benefit under this subchapter, including, with respect to each new item, service, or medical device, a statement of the time taken by the Secretary to make and implement the necessary coverage, coding, and payment determinations, including the time taken to complete each significant step in the process of making and implementing such determinations.
(B) Publication of reports on the Internet
The Secretary shall publish each report submitted under clause (i) on the medicare Internet site of the Department of Health and Human Services.
(8) Construction
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as permitting administrative or judicial review pursuant to this section insofar as such review is explicitly prohibited or restricted under another provision of law.
(g) Qualifications of reviewers
(1) In general
In reviewing determinations under this section, a qualified independent contractor shall assure that—
(A) each individual conducting a review shall meet the qualifications of paragraph (2);
(B) compensation provided by the contractor to each such reviewer is consistent with paragraph (3); and
(C) in the case of a review by a panel described in subsection (c)(3)(B) of this section composed of physicians or other health care professionals (each in this subsection referred to as a "reviewing professional"), a reviewing professional meets the qualifications described in paragraph (4) and, where a claim is regarding the furnishing of treatment by a physician (allopathic or osteopathic) or the provision of items or services by a physician (allopathic or osteopathic), a reviewing professional shall be a physician (allopathic or osteopathic).
(2) Independence
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), each individual conducting a review in a case shall—
(i) not be a related party (as defined in paragraph (5));
(ii) not have a material familial, financial, or professional relationship with such a party in the case under review; and
(iii) not otherwise have a conflict of interest with such a party.
(B) Exception
Nothing in subparagraph (A) shall be construed to—
(i) prohibit an individual, solely on the basis of a participation agreement with a fiscal intermediary, carrier, or other contractor, from serving as a reviewing professional if—
(I) the individual is not involved in the provision of items or services in the case under review;
(II) the fact of such an agreement is disclosed to the Secretary and the individual entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both, or such individual's authorized representative, and neither party objects; and
(III) the individual is not an employee of the intermediary, carrier, or contractor and does not provide services exclusively or primarily to or on behalf of such intermediary, carrier, or contractor;
(ii) prohibit an individual who has staff privileges at the institution where the treatment involved takes place from serving as a reviewer merely on the basis of having such staff privileges if the existence of such privileges is disclosed to the Secretary and such individual (or authorized representative), and neither party objects; or
(iii) prohibit receipt of compensation by a reviewing professional from a contractor if the compensation is provided consistent with paragraph (3).
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "participation agreement" means an agreement relating to the provision of health care services by the individual and does not include the provision of services as a reviewer under this subsection.
(3) Limitations on reviewer compensation
Compensation provided by a qualified independent contractor to a reviewer in connection with a review under this section shall not be contingent on the decision rendered by the reviewer.
(4) Licensure and expertise
Each reviewing professional shall be—
(A) a physician (allopathic or osteopathic) who is appropriately credentialed or licensed in one or more States to deliver health care services and has medical expertise in the field of practice that is appropriate for the items or services at issue; or
(B) a health care professional who is legally authorized in one or more States (in accordance with State law or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) to furnish the health care items or services at issue and has medical expertise in the field of practice that is appropriate for such items or services.
(5) Related party defined
For purposes of this section, the term "related party" means, with respect to a case under this subchapter involving a specific individual entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both, any of the following:
(A) The Secretary, the medicare administrative contractor involved, or any fiduciary, officer, director, or employee of the Department of Health and Human Services, or of such contractor.
(B) The individual (or authorized representative).
(C) The health care professional that provides the items or services involved in the case.
(D) The institution at which the items or services (or treatment) involved in the case are provided.
(E) The manufacturer of any drug or other item that is included in the items or services involved in the case.
(F) Any other party determined under any regulations to have a substantial interest in the case involved.
(h) Prior determination process for certain items and services
(1) Establishment of process
(A) In general
With respect to a medicare administrative contractor that has a contract under
(B) Eligible requester
For purposes of this subsection, each of the following shall be an eligible requester:
(i) A participating physician, but only with respect to physicians' services to be furnished to an individual who is entitled to benefits under this subchapter and who has consented to the physician making the request under this subsection for those physicians' services.
(ii) An individual entitled to benefits under this subchapter, but only with respect to a physicians' service for which the individual receives, from a physician, an advance beneficiary notice under
(2) Secretarial flexibility
The Secretary shall establish by regulation reasonable limits on the physicians' services for which a prior determination of coverage may be requested under this subsection. In establishing such limits, the Secretary may consider the dollar amount involved with respect to the physicians' service, administrative costs and burdens, and other relevant factors.
(3) Request for prior determination
(A) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), under the process established under this subsection an eligible requester may submit to the contractor a request for a determination, before the furnishing of a physicians' service, as to whether the physicians' service is covered under this subchapter consistent with the applicable requirements of
(B) Accompanying documentation
The Secretary may require that the request be accompanied by a description of the physicians' service, supporting documentation relating to the medical necessity for the physicians' service, and any other appropriate documentation. In the case of a request submitted by an eligible requester who is described in paragraph (1)(B)(ii), the Secretary may require that the request also be accompanied by a copy of the advance beneficiary notice involved.
(4) Response to request
(A) In general
Under such process, the contractor shall provide the eligible requester with written notice of a determination as to whether—
(i) the physicians' service is so covered;
(ii) the physicians' service is not so covered; or
(iii) the contractor lacks sufficient information to make a coverage determination with respect to the physicians' service.
(B) Contents of notice for certain determinations
(i) Noncoverage
If the contractor makes the determination described in subparagraph (A)(ii), the contractor shall include in the notice a brief explanation of the basis for the determination, including on what national or local coverage or noncoverage determination (if any) the determination is based, and a description of any applicable rights under subsection (a) of this section.
(ii) Insufficient information
If the contractor makes the determination described in subparagraph (A)(iii), the contractor shall include in the notice a description of the additional information required to make the coverage determination.
(C) Deadline to respond
Such notice shall be provided within the same time period as the time period applicable to the contractor providing notice of initial determinations on a claim for benefits under subsection (a)(2)(A) of this section.
(D) Informing beneficiary in case of physician request
In the case of a request by a participating physician under paragraph (1)(B)(i), the process shall provide that the individual to whom the physicians' service is proposed to be furnished shall be informed of any determination described in subparagraph (A)(ii) (relating to a determination of non-coverage) and the right (referred to in paragraph (6)(B)) to obtain the physicians' service and have a claim submitted for the physicians' service.
(5) Binding nature of positive determination
If the contractor makes the determination described in paragraph (4)(A)(i), such determination shall be binding on the contractor in the absence of fraud or evidence of misrepresentation of facts presented to the contractor.
(6) Limitation on further review
(A) In general
Contractor determinations described in paragraph (4)(A)(ii) or (4)(A)(iii) (relating to pre-service claims) are not subject to further administrative appeal or judicial review under this section or otherwise.
(B) Decision not to seek prior determination or negative determination does not impact right to obtain services, seek reimbursement, or appeal rights
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as affecting the right of an individual who—
(i) decides not to seek a prior determination under this subsection with respect to physicians' services; or
(ii) seeks such a determination and has received a determination described in paragraph (4)(A)(ii),
from receiving (and submitting a claim for) such physicians' services and from obtaining administrative or judicial review respecting such claim under the other applicable provisions of this section. Failure to seek a prior determination under this subsection with respect to physicians' service shall not be taken into account in such administrative or judicial review.
(C) No prior determination after receipt of services
Once an individual is provided physicians' services, there shall be no prior determination under this subsection with respect to such physicians' services.
(i) Mediation process for local coverage determinations
(1) Establishment of process
The Secretary shall establish a mediation process under this subsection through the use of a physician trained in mediation and employed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
(2) Responsibility of mediator
Under the process established in paragraph (1), such a mediator shall mediate in disputes between groups representing providers of services, suppliers (as defined in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1869, as added
References in Text
Parts A, B, and C of this subchapter, referred to in text, are classified to sections 1395c et seq., 1395j et seq., and 1395w–21 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Part B of subchapter XI of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (c)(3)(G) and (e)(3), is classified to
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (a)(3)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(4), (5).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1)(E)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(1)(F)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (c)(3)(C)(i).
Subsec. (c)(3)(D).
Subsec. (c)(3)(E).
Subsec. (c)(3)(I)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (c)(3)(I)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (c)(3)(J)(i).
Subsec. (c)(3)(K).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (f)(4)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (f)(4)(B).
Subsec. (f)(4)(C).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
2000—
Subsec. (f).
1997—Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
1994—Subsec. (b)(1).
1987—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (c).
1986—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(1)(D).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3), (4).
1984—Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
1972—Subsec. (b).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by section 932(a) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
Amendment by section 948(b)(1), (c) of
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by section §1(a)(6) [title V, §521(a)] of
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title V, §522(a)] of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1987 Amendments
Section 4082(e)(1), (2) of
"(1) The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987].
"(2) The amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to requests for hearings filed after the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act."
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 9313(b)(2) of
Section 9341(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 299O(b) of
"(1) The provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 1869(b)(1) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b)(1)(A), (B) of this section], as amended by subsection (a) of this section, shall be effective on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 30, 1972].
"(2) The provisions of paragraph (2) and subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of section 1869(b) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b)(1)(C) and (b)(2) of this section], as amended by subsection (a) of this section, shall be effective with respect to any claims under part A of title XVIII of such Act [part A of this subchapter], filed—
"(A) in or after the month in which this Act is enacted [Oct. 1972], or
"(B) before the month in which this Act is enacted [Oct. 1972], but only if a civil action with respect to a final decision of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare on such claim has not been commenced under such section 1869(b) [subsec. (b) of this section] before such month."
Transfer of Responsibility for Medicare Appeals
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(D)
"(E)
"(F)
"(G)
"(i) filing appeals with administrative law judges electronically; and
"(ii) conducting hearings using tele- or video-conference technologies.
"(H)
"(I)
"(J)
"(K)
"(L)
"(M)
"(3)
"(4) GAO
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
"(c)
"(1) increase the number of administrative law judges (and their staffs) under subsection (b)(4);
"(2) improve education and training opportunities for administrative law judges (and their staffs); and
"(3) increase the staff of the Departmental Appeals Board."
Transition
Process for Correction of Minor Errors and Omissions Without Pursuing Appeals Process
"(a)
"(b)
Study of Aggregation Rule for Claims for Similar Physicians' Services
Medicare Hearings and Appeals
Section 4037 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Comptroller General of the United States shall each conduct a study on holding hearings under section 1869(b)(1) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b)(1) of this section] by telephone and shall each report the results of the study not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987].
"(2) The studies under paragraph (1) shall focus on whether telephone hearings allow for a full and fair evidentiary hearing, in general, or with respect to any particular category of claims and shall examine the possible improvements to the hearing process (such as cost-effectiveness, convenience to the claimant, and reduction in time under the process) resulting from the use of such hearings as compared to the adoption of other changes to the process (such as expansions in staff and resources)."
2 So in original. The word "and" probably should not appear.
3 So in original. A comma probably should appear.
4 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.
§1395gg. Overpayment on behalf of individuals and settlement of claims for benefits on behalf of deceased individuals
(a) Payments to providers of services or other person regarded as payment to individuals
Any payment under this subchapter to any provider of services or other person with respect to any items or services furnished any individual shall be regarded as a payment to such individual.
(b) Incorrect payments on behalf of individuals; payment adjustment
Where—
(1) more than the correct amount is paid under this subchapter to a provider of services or other person for items or services furnished an individual and the Secretary determines (A) that, within such period as he may specify, the excess over the correct amount cannot be recouped from such provider of services or other person, or (B) that such provider of services or other person was without fault with respect to the payment of such excess over the correct amount, or
(2) any payment has been made under
proper adjustments shall be made, under regulations prescribed (after consultation with the Railroad Retirement Board) by the Secretary, by decreasing subsequent payments—
(3) to which such individual is entitled under subchapter II of this chapter or under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 [
(4) if such individual dies before such adjustment has been completed, to which any other individual is entitled under subchapter II of this chapter or under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 [
As soon as practicable after any adjustment under paragraph (3) or (4) is determined to be necessary, the Secretary, for purposes of this section,
(c) Exception to subsection (b) payment adjustment
There shall be no adjustment as provided in subsection (b) of this section (nor shall there be recovery) in any case where the incorrect payment has been made (including payments under
(d) Liability of certifying or disbursing officer for failure to recoup
No certifying or disbursing officer shall be held liable for any amount certified or paid by him to any provider of services or other person where the adjustment or recovery of such amount is waived under subsection (c) of this section or where adjustment under subsection (b) of this section is not completed prior to the death of all persons against whose benefits such adjustment is authorized.
(e) Settlement of claims for benefits under this subchapter on behalf of deceased individuals
If an individual, who received services for which payment may be made to such individual under this subchapter, dies, and payment for such services was made (other than under this subchapter), and the individual died before any payment due him under this subchapter with respect to such services was completed, payment of the amount due (including the amount of any unnegotiated checks) shall be made—
(1) if the payment for such services was made (before or after such individual's death) by a person other than the deceased individual, to the person or persons determined by the Secretary under regulations to have paid for such services, or if the payment for such services was made by the deceased individual before his death, to the legal representative of the estate of such deceased individual, if any;
(2) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1), to the person, if any, who is determined by the Secretary to be the surviving spouse of the deceased individual and who was either living in the same household with the deceased at the time of his death or was, for the month in which the deceased individual died, entitled to a monthly benefit on the basis of the same wages and self-employment income as was the deceased individual;
(3) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1) or (2), or if the person who meets such requirements dies before the payment due him under this subchapter is completed, to the child or children, if any, of the deceased individual who were, for the month in which the deceased individual died, entitled to monthly benefits on the basis of the same wages and self-employment income as was the deceased individual (and, in case there is more than one such child, in equal parts to each such child);
(4) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1), (2), or (3), or if each person who meets such requirements dies before the payment due him under this subchapter is completed, to the parent or parents, if any, of the deceased individual who were, for the month in which the deceased individual died, entitled to monthly benefits on the basis of the same wages and self-employment income as was the deceased individual (and, in case there is more than one such parent, in equal parts to each such parent);
(5) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4), or if each person who meets such requirements dies before the payment due him under this subchapter is completed, to the person, if any, determined by the Secretary to be the surviving spouse of the deceased individual;
(6) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5), or if each person who meets such requirements dies before the payment due him under this subchapter is completed, to the person or persons, if any, determined by the Secretary to be the child or children of the deceased individual (and, in case there is more than one such child, in equal parts to each such child);
(7) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6), or if each person who meets such requirements dies before the payment due him under this subchapter is completed, to the parent or parents, if any, of the deceased individual (and, in case there is more than one such parent, in equal parts to each such parent); or
(8) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), or (7), or if each person who meets such requirements dies before the payment due him under this subchapter is completed, to the legal representatives of the estate of the deceased individual, if any.
(f) Settlement of claims for section 1395k benefits on behalf of deceased individuals
If an individual who received medical and other health services for which payment may be made under
(1) if the person or persons who furnished the services agree to the terms of assignment specified in
(2) if the person or persons who furnished the services do not agree to the terms of assignment specified in
but only in such amount and subject to such conditions as would be applicable if the individual who received the services had not died.
(g) Refund of premiums for deceased individuals
If an individual, who is enrolled under
(h) Appeals by providers of services or suppliers
Notwithstanding subsection (f) of this section or any other provision of law, the Secretary shall permit a provider of services or supplier to appeal any determination of the Secretary under this subchapter relating to services rendered under this subchapter to an individual who subsequently dies if there is no other party available to appeal such determination.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1870, as added
References in Text
The Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (b), is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812, as amended generally by
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (h).
1988—
Subsec. (f)(1), (2).
1987—
Subsec. (f)(1), (2).
1982—Subsec. (c).
1980—Subsec. (f).
1974—Subsec. (b).
1972—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (g).
1968—
Subsecs. (e), (f).
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by section 4096(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Section 954(b) of
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 261(b) of
Section 281(g) of
Waiver of Liability Limiting Recoupment in Certain Cases
§1395hh. Regulations
(a) Authority to prescribe regulations; ineffectiveness of substantive rules not promulgated by regulation
(1) The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the administration of the insurance programs under this subchapter. When used in this subchapter, the term "regulations" means, unless the context otherwise requires, regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
(2) No rule, requirement, or other statement of policy (other than a national coverage determination) that establishes or changes a substantive legal standard governing the scope of benefits, the payment for services, or the eligibility of individuals, entities, or organizations to furnish or receive services or benefits under this subchapter shall take effect unless it is promulgated by the Secretary by regulation under paragraph (1).
(3)(A) The Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall establish and publish a regular timeline for the publication of final regulations based on the previous publication of a proposed regulation or an interim final regulation.
(B) Such timeline may vary among different regulations based on differences in the complexity of the regulation, the number and scope of comments received, and other relevant factors, but shall not be longer than 3 years except under exceptional circumstances. If the Secretary intends to vary such timeline with respect to the publication of a final regulation, the Secretary shall cause to have published in the Federal Register notice of the different timeline by not later than the timeline previously established with respect to such regulation. Such notice shall include a brief explanation of the justification for such variation.
(C) In the case of interim final regulations, upon the expiration of the regular timeline established under this paragraph for the publication of a final regulation after opportunity for public comment, the interim final regulation shall not continue in effect unless the Secretary publishes (at the end of the regular timeline and, if applicable, at the end of each succeeding 1-year period) a notice of continuation of the regulation that includes an explanation of why the regular timeline (and any subsequent 1-year extension) was not complied with. If such a notice is published, the regular timeline (or such timeline as previously extended under this paragraph) for publication of the final regulation shall be treated as having been extended for 1 additional year.
(D) The Secretary shall annually submit to Congress a report that describes the instances in which the Secretary failed to publish a final regulation within the applicable regular timeline under this paragraph and that provides an explanation for such failures.
(4) If the Secretary publishes a final regulation that includes a provision that is not a logical outgrowth of a previously published notice of proposed rulemaking or interim final rule, such provision shall be treated as a proposed regulation and shall not take effect until there is the further opportunity for public comment and a publication of the provision again as a final regulation.
(b) Notice of proposed regulations; public comment
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), before issuing in final form any regulation under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall provide for notice of the proposed regulation in the Federal Register and a period of not less than 60 days for public comment thereon.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply where—
(A) a statute specifically permits a regulation to be issued in interim final form or otherwise with a shorter period for public comment,
(B) a statute establishes a specific deadline for the implementation of a provision and the deadline is less than 150 days after the date of the enactment of the statute in which the deadline is contained, or
(C) subsection (b) of
(c) Publication of certain rules; public inspection; changes in data collection and retrieval
(1) The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register, not less frequently than every 3 months, a list of all manual instructions, interpretative rules, statements of policy, and guidelines of general applicability which—
(A) are promulgated to carry out this subchapter, but
(B) are not published pursuant to subsection (a)(1) of this section and have not been previously published in a list under this subsection.
(2) Effective June 1, 1988, each fiscal intermediary and carrier administering claims for extended care, post-hospital extended care, home health care, and durable medical equipment benefits under this subchapter shall make available to the public all interpretative materials, guidelines, and clarifications of policies which relate to payments for such benefits.
(3) The Secretary shall to the extent feasible make such changes in automated data collection and retrieval by the Secretary and fiscal intermediaries with agreements under
(e) 1 Retroactivity of substantive changes; reliance upon written guidance
(1)(A) A substantive change in regulations, manual instructions, interpretative rules, statements of policy, or guidelines of general applicability under this subchapter shall not be applied (by extrapolation or otherwise) retroactively to items and services furnished before the effective date of the change, unless the Secretary determines that—
(i) such retroactive application is necessary to comply with statutory requirements; or
(ii) failure to apply the change retroactively would be contrary to the public interest.
(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), a substantive change referred to in subparagraph (A) shall not become effective before the end of the 30-day period that begins on the date that the Secretary has issued or published, as the case may be, the substantive change.
(ii) The Secretary may provide for such a substantive change to take effect on a date that precedes the end of the 30-day period under clause (i) if the Secretary finds that waiver of such 30-day period is necessary to comply with statutory requirements or that the application of such 30-day period is contrary to the public interest. If the Secretary provides for an earlier effective date pursuant to this clause, the Secretary shall include in the issuance or publication of the substantive change a finding described in the first sentence, and a brief statement of the reasons for such finding.
(C) No action shall be taken against a provider of services or supplier with respect to noncompliance with such a substantive change for items and services furnished before the effective date of such a change.
(2)(A) If—
(i) a provider of services or supplier follows the written guidance (which may be transmitted electronically) provided by the Secretary or by a medicare contractor (as defined in
(ii) the Secretary determines that the provider of services or supplier has accurately presented the circumstances relating to such items, services, and claim to the contractor in writing; and
(iii) the guidance was in error;
the provider of services or supplier shall not be subject to any penalty or interest under this subchapter or the provisions of subchapter XI of this chapter insofar as they relate to this subchapter (including interest under a repayment plan under
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed as preventing the recoupment or repayment (without any additional penalty) relating to an overpayment insofar as the overpayment was solely the result of a clerical or technical operational error.
(f) Report on areas of inconsistency or conflict
(1) Not later than 2 years after December 8, 2003, and every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report with respect to the administration of this subchapter and areas of inconsistency or conflict among the various provisions under law and regulation.
(2) In preparing a report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall collect—
(A) information from individuals entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both, providers of services, and suppliers and from the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman with respect to such areas of inconsistency and conflict; and
(B) information from medicare contractors that tracks the nature of written and telephone inquiries.
(3) A report under paragraph (1) shall include a description of efforts by the Secretary to reduce such inconsistency or conflicts, and recommendations for legislation or administrative action that the Secretary determines appropriate to further reduce such inconsistency or conflicts.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1871, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (f)(2)(A), are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B), (C).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (f).
1987—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
1986—
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 9321(e)(3)(A) of
Regulations
Section 4039(g) of title IV of
GAO Study on Advisory Opinion Authority
"(1)
"(2)
1 So in original. No subsec. (d) has been enacted.
§1395ii. Application of certain provisions of subchapter II
The provisions of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1872, as added
Amendments
1994—
1984—
1972—
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by
§1395jj. Designation of organization or publication by name
Designation in this subchapter, by name, of any nongovernmental organization or publication shall not be affected by change of name of such organization or publication, and shall apply to any successor organization or publication which the Secretary finds serves the purpose for which such designation is made.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1873, as added
§1395kk. Administration of insurance programs
(a) Functions of Secretary; performance directly or by contract
Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter and in the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 [
(b) Contracts to secure special data, actuarial information, etc.
The Secretary may contract with any person, agency, or institution to secure on a reimbursable basis such special data, actuarial information, and other information as may be necessary in the carrying out of his functions under this subchapter.
(c) Oaths and affirmations
In the course of any hearing, investigation, or other proceeding that he is authorized to conduct under this subchapter, the Secretary may administer oaths and affirmations.
(d) Inclusion of Medicare provider and supplier payments in Federal Payment Levy Program
(1) In general
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall take all necessary steps to participate in the Federal Payment Levy Program under section 6331(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as soon as possible and shall ensure that—
(A) at least 50 percent of all payments under parts A and B are processed through such program beginning within 1 year after July 15, 2008; 1
(B) at least 75 percent of all payments under parts A and B are processed through such program beginning within 2 years after July 15, 2008; and
(C) all payments under parts A and B are processed through such program beginning not later than September 30, 2011.
(2) Assistance
The Financial Management Service and the Internal Revenue Service shall provide assistance to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to ensure that all payments described in paragraph (1) are included in the Federal Payment Levy Program by the deadlines specified in that subsection.
(e) Availability of Medicare data
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (4), the Secretary shall make available to qualified entities (as defined in paragraph (2)) data described in paragraph (3) for the evaluation of the performance of providers of services and suppliers.
(2) Qualified entities
For purposes of this subsection, the term "qualified entity" means a public or private entity that—
(A) is qualified (as determined by the Secretary) to use claims data to evaluate the performance of providers of services and suppliers on measures of quality, efficiency, effectiveness, and resource use; and
(B) agrees to meet the requirements described in paragraph (4) and meets such other requirements as the Secretary may specify, such as ensuring security of data.
(3) Data described
The data described in this paragraph are standardized extracts (as determined by the Secretary) of claims data under parts A, B, and D for items and services furnished under such parts for one or more specified geographic areas and time periods requested by a qualified entity. The Secretary shall take such actions as the Secretary deems necessary to protect the identity of individuals entitled to or enrolled for benefits under such parts.
(4) Requirements
(A) Fee
Data described in paragraph (3) shall be made available to a qualified entity under this subsection at a fee equal to the cost of making such data available. Any fee collected pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be deposited into the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund under
(B) Specification of uses and methodologies
A qualified entity requesting data under this subsection shall—
(i) submit to the Secretary a description of the methodologies that such qualified entity will use to evaluate the performance of providers of services and suppliers using such data;
(ii)(I) except as provided in subclause (II), if available, use standard measures, such as measures endorsed by the entity with a contract under
(II) use alternative measures if the Secretary, in consultation with appropriate stakeholders, determines that use of such alternative measures would be more valid, reliable, responsive to consumer preferences, cost-effective, or relevant to dimensions of quality and resource use not addressed by such standard measures;
(iii) include data made available under this subsection with claims data from sources other than claims data under this subchapter in the evaluation of performance of providers of services and suppliers;
(iv) only include information on the evaluation of performance of providers and suppliers in reports described in subparagraph (C);
(v) make available to providers of services and suppliers, upon their request, data made available under this subsection; and
(vi) prior to their release, submit to the Secretary the format of reports under subparagraph (C).
(C) Reports
Any report by a qualified entity evaluating the performance of providers of services and suppliers using data made available under this subsection shall—
(i) include an understandable description of the measures, which shall include quality measures and the rationale for use of other measures described in subparagraph (B)(ii)(II), risk adjustment methods, physician attribution methods, other applicable methods, data specifications and limitations, and the sponsors, so that consumers, providers of services and suppliers, health plans, researchers, and other stakeholders can assess such reports;
(ii) be made available confidentially, to any provider of services or supplier to be identified in such report, prior to the public release of such report, and provide an opportunity to appeal and correct errors;
(iii) only include information on a provider of services or supplier in an aggregate form as determined appropriate by the Secretary; and
(iv) except as described in clause (ii), be made available to the public.
(D) Approval and limitation of uses
The Secretary shall not make data described in paragraph (3) available to a qualified entity unless the qualified entity agrees to release the information on the evaluation of performance of providers of services and suppliers. Such entity shall only use such data, and information derived from such evaluation, for the reports under subparagraph (C). Data released to a qualified entity under this subsection shall not be subject to discovery or admission as evidence in judicial or administrative proceedings without consent of the applicable provider of services or supplier.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1874, as added and amended
References in Text
The Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (a), is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812, as amended generally by
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Parts A and B, referred to in subsecs. (d)(1) and (e)(3), are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
July 15, 2008, referred to in subsec. (d)(1)(A) and (B), was in the original "the date of the enactment of this section" and "such date", which were translated as meaning the date of enactment of
Part D, referred to in subsec. (e)(3), is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (e).
2008—Subsec. (d).
1974—Subsec. (a).
1972—Subsec. (c).
1965—Subsec. (a).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Amendment by
1 See References in Text note below.
§1395kk–1. Contracts with medicare administrative contractors
(a) Authority
(1) Authority to enter into contracts
The Secretary may enter into contracts with any eligible entity to serve as a medicare administrative contractor with respect to the performance of any or all of the functions described in paragraph (4) or parts of those functions (or, to the extent provided in a contract, to secure performance thereof by other entities).
(2) Eligibility of entities
An entity is eligible to enter into a contract with respect to the performance of a particular function described in paragraph (4) only if—
(A) the entity has demonstrated capability to carry out such function;
(B) the entity complies with such conflict of interest standards as are generally applicable to Federal acquisition and procurement;
(C) the entity has sufficient assets to financially support the performance of such function; and
(D) the entity meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose.
(3) Medicare administrative contractor defined
For purposes of this subchapter and subchapter XI of this chapter—
(A) In general
The term "medicare administrative contractor" means an agency, organization, or other person with a contract under this section.
(B) Appropriate medicare administrative contractor
With respect to the performance of a particular function in relation to an individual entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both, a specific provider of services or supplier (or class of such providers of services or suppliers), the "appropriate" medicare administrative contractor is the medicare administrative contractor that has a contract under this section with respect to the performance of that function in relation to that individual, provider of services or supplier or class of provider of services or supplier.
(4) Functions described
The functions referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) are payment functions (including the function of developing local coverage determinations, as defined in
(A) Determination of payment amounts
Determining (subject to the provisions of
(B) Making payments
Making payments described in subparagraph (A) (including receipt, disbursement, and accounting for funds in making such payments).
(C) Beneficiary education and assistance
Providing education and outreach to individuals entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both, and providing assistance to those individuals with specific issues, concerns, or problems.
(D) Provider consultative services
Providing consultative services to institutions, agencies, and other persons to enable them to establish and maintain fiscal records necessary for purposes of this subchapter and otherwise to qualify as providers of services or suppliers.
(E) Communication with providers
Communicating to providers of services and suppliers any information or instructions furnished to the medicare administrative contractor by the Secretary, and facilitating communication between such providers and suppliers and the Secretary.
(F) Provider education and technical assistance
Performing the functions relating to provider education, training, and technical assistance.
(G) Additional functions
Performing such other functions, including (subject to paragraph (5)) functions under the Medicare Integrity Program under
(5) Relationship to MIP contracts
(A) Nonduplication of duties
In entering into contracts under this section, the Secretary shall assure that functions of medicare administrative contractors in carrying out activities under parts A and B of this subchapter do not duplicate activities carried out under a contract entered into under the Medicare Integrity Program under
(B) Construction
An entity shall not be treated as a medicare administrative contractor merely by reason of having entered into a contract with the Secretary under
(6) Application of Federal Acquisition Regulation
Except to the extent inconsistent with a specific requirement of this section, the Federal Acquisition Regulation applies to contracts under this section.
(b) Contracting requirements
(1) Use of competitive procedures
(A) In general
Except as provided in laws with general applicability to Federal acquisition and procurement or in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall use competitive procedures when entering into contracts with medicare administrative contractors under this section, taking into account performance quality as well as price and other factors.
(B) Renewal of contracts
The Secretary may renew a contract with a medicare administrative contractor under this section from term to term without regard to
(C) Transfer of functions
The Secretary may transfer functions among medicare administrative contractors consistent with the provisions of this paragraph. The Secretary shall ensure that performance quality is considered in such transfers. The Secretary shall provide public notice (whether in the Federal Register or otherwise) of any such transfer (including a description of the functions so transferred, a description of the providers of services and suppliers affected by such transfer, and contact information for the contractors involved).
(D) Incentives for quality
The Secretary shall provide incentives for medicare administrative contractors to provide quality service and to promote efficiency.
(2) Compliance with requirements
No contract under this section shall be entered into with any medicare administrative contractor unless the Secretary finds that such medicare administrative contractor will perform its obligations under the contract efficiently and effectively and will meet such requirements as to financial responsibility, legal authority, quality of services provided, and other matters as the Secretary finds pertinent.
(3) Performance requirements
(A) Development of specific performance requirements
(i) In general
The Secretary shall develop contract performance requirements to carry out the specific requirements applicable under this subchapter to a function described in subsection (a)(4) of this section and shall develop standards for measuring the extent to which a contractor has met such requirements. Such requirements shall include specific performance duties expected of a medical director of a medicare administrative contractor, including requirements relating to professional relations and the availability of such director to conduct medical determination activities within the jurisdiction of such a contractor.
(ii) Consultation
In developing such performance requirements and standards for measurement, the Secretary shall consult with providers of services, organizations representative of beneficiaries under this subchapter, and organizations and agencies performing functions necessary to carry out the purposes of this section with respect to such performance requirements.
(iii) Publication of standards
The Secretary shall make such performance requirements and measurement standards available to the public.
(B) Considerations
The Secretary shall include, as one of the standards developed under subparagraph (A), provider and beneficiary satisfaction levels.
(C) Inclusion in contracts
All contractor performance requirements shall be set forth in the contract between the Secretary and the appropriate medicare administrative contractor. Such performance requirements—
(i) shall reflect the performance requirements published under subparagraph (A), but may include additional performance requirements;
(ii) shall be used for evaluating contractor performance under the contract; and
(iii) shall be consistent with the written statement of work provided under the contract.
(4) Information requirements
The Secretary shall not enter into a contract with a medicare administrative contractor under this section unless the contractor agrees—
(A) to furnish to the Secretary such timely information and reports as the Secretary may find necessary in performing his functions under this subchapter; and
(B) to maintain such records and afford such access thereto as the Secretary finds necessary to assure the correctness and verification of the information and reports under subparagraph (A) and otherwise to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.
(5) Surety bond
A contract with a medicare administrative contractor under this section may require the medicare administrative contractor, and any of its officers or employees certifying payments or disbursing funds pursuant to the contract, or otherwise participating in carrying out the contract, to give surety bond to the United States in such amount as the Secretary may deem appropriate.
(c) Terms and conditions
(1) In general
A contract with any medicare administrative contractor under this section may contain such terms and conditions as the Secretary finds necessary or appropriate and may provide for advances of funds to the medicare administrative contractor for the making of payments by it under subsection (a)(4)(B) of this section.
(2) Prohibition on mandates for certain data collection
The Secretary may not require, as a condition of entering into, or renewing, a contract under this section, that the medicare administrative contractor match data obtained other than in its activities under this subchapter with data used in the administration of this subchapter for purposes of identifying situations in which the provisions of
(d) Limitation on liability of medicare administrative contractors and certain officers
(1) Certifying officer
No individual designated pursuant to a contract under this section as a certifying officer shall, in the absence of the reckless disregard of the individual's obligations or the intent by that individual to defraud the United States, be liable with respect to any payments certified by the individual under this section.
(2) Disbursing officer
No disbursing officer shall, in the absence of the reckless disregard of the officer's obligations or the intent by that officer to defraud the United States, be liable with respect to any payment by such officer under this section if it was based upon an authorization (which meets the applicable requirements for such internal controls established by the Comptroller General of the United States) of a certifying officer designated as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(3) Liability of medicare administrative contractor
(A) In general
No medicare administrative contractor shall be liable to the United States for a payment by a certifying or disbursing officer unless, in connection with such payment, the medicare administrative contractor acted with reckless disregard of its obligations under its medicare administrative contract or with intent to defraud the United States.
(B) Relationship to False Claims Act
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit liability for conduct that would constitute a violation of
(4) Indemnification by Secretary
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (D), in the case of a medicare administrative contractor (or a person who is a director, officer, or employee of such a contractor or who is engaged by the contractor to participate directly in the claims administration process) who is made a party to any judicial or administrative proceeding arising from or relating directly to the claims administration process under this subchapter, the Secretary may, to the extent the Secretary determines to be appropriate and as specified in the contract with the contractor, indemnify the contractor and such persons.
(B) Conditions
The Secretary may not provide indemnification under subparagraph (A) insofar as the liability for such costs arises directly from conduct that is determined by the judicial proceeding or by the Secretary to be criminal in nature, fraudulent, or grossly negligent. If indemnification is provided by the Secretary with respect to a contractor before a determination that such costs arose directly from such conduct, the contractor shall reimburse the Secretary for costs of indemnification.
(C) Scope of indemnification
Indemnification by the Secretary under subparagraph (A) may include payment of judgments, settlements (subject to subparagraph (D)), awards, and costs (including reasonable legal expenses).
(D) Written approval for settlements or compromises
A contractor or other person described in subparagraph (A) may not propose to negotiate a settlement or compromise of a proceeding described in such subparagraph without the prior written approval of the Secretary to negotiate such settlement or compromise. Any indemnification under subparagraph (A) with respect to amounts paid under a settlement or compromise of a proceeding described in such subparagraph are conditioned upon prior written approval by the Secretary of the final settlement or compromise.
(E) Construction
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed—
(i) to change any common law immunity that may be available to a medicare administrative contractor or person described in subparagraph (A); or
(ii) to permit the payment of costs not otherwise allowable, reasonable, or allocable under the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
(e) Requirements for information security
(1) Development of information security program
A medicare administrative contractor that performs the functions referred to in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(4) of this section (relating to determining and making payments) shall implement a contractor-wide information security program to provide information security for the operation and assets of the contractor with respect to such functions under this subchapter. An information security program under this paragraph shall meet the requirements for information security programs imposed on Federal agencies under paragraphs (1) through (8) of
(2) Independent audits
(A) Performance of annual evaluations
Each year a medicare administrative contractor that performs the functions referred to in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(4) of this section (relating to determining and making payments) shall undergo an evaluation of the information security of the contractor with respect to such functions under this subchapter. The evaluation shall—
(i) be performed by an entity that meets such requirements for independence as the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services may establish; and
(ii) test the effectiveness of information security control techniques of an appropriate subset of the contractor's information systems (as defined in
(B) Deadline for initial evaluation
(i) New contractors
In the case of a medicare administrative contractor covered by this subsection that has not previously performed the functions referred to in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(4) of this section (relating to determining and making payments) as a fiscal intermediary or carrier under
(ii) Other contractors
In the case of a medicare administrative contractor covered by this subsection that is not described in clause (i), the first independent evaluation conducted pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be completed within 1 year after the date the contractor commences functions referred to in clause (i) under this section.
(C) Reports on evaluations
(i) To the Department of Health and Human Services
The results of independent evaluations under subparagraph (A) shall be submitted promptly to the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services and to the Secretary.
(ii) To Congress
The Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services shall submit to Congress annual reports on the results of such evaluations, including assessments of the scope and sufficiency of such evaluations.
(iii) Agency reporting
The Secretary shall address the results of such evaluations in reports required under
(f) Incentives to improve contractor performance in provider education and outreach
The Secretary shall use specific claims payment error rates or similar methodology of medicare administrative contractors in the processing or reviewing of medicare claims in order to give such contractors an incentive to implement effective education and outreach programs for providers of services and suppliers.
(g) Communications with beneficiaries, providers of services and suppliers
(1) Communication strategy
The Secretary shall develop a strategy for communications with individuals entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both, and with providers of services and suppliers under this subchapter.
(2) Response to written inquiries
Each medicare administrative contractor shall, for those providers of services and suppliers which submit claims to the contractor for claims processing and for those individuals entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both, with respect to whom claims are submitted for claims processing, provide general written responses (which may be through electronic transmission) in a clear, concise, and accurate manner to inquiries of providers of services, suppliers, and individuals entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both, concerning the programs under this subchapter within 45 business days of the date of receipt of such inquiries.
(3) Response to toll-free lines
The Secretary shall ensure that each medicare administrative contractor shall provide, for those providers of services and suppliers which submit claims to the contractor for claims processing and for those individuals entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both, with respect to whom claims are submitted for claims processing, a toll-free telephone number at which such individuals, providers of services, and suppliers may obtain information regarding billing, coding, claims, coverage, and other appropriate information under this subchapter.
(4) Monitoring of contractor responses
(A) In general
Each medicare administrative contractor shall, consistent with standards developed by the Secretary under subparagraph (B)—
(i) maintain a system for identifying who provides the information referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3); and
(ii) monitor the accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of the information so provided.
(B) Development of standards
(i) In general
The Secretary shall establish and make public standards to monitor the accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of the information provided in response to written and telephone inquiries under this subsection. Such standards shall be consistent with the performance requirements established under subsection (b)(3) of this section.
(ii) Evaluation
In conducting evaluations of individual medicare administrative contractors, the Secretary shall take into account the results of the monitoring conducted under subparagraph (A) taking into account as performance requirements the standards established under clause (i). The Secretary shall, in consultation with organizations representing providers of services, suppliers, and individuals entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or both, establish standards relating to the accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of the information so provided.
(C) Direct monitoring
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as preventing the Secretary from directly monitoring the accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of the information so provided.
(5) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this subsection.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1874A, as added and amended
References in Text
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(3)(B), (4), (5)(A) and (g)(1)–(3), (4)(B)(ii), are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Codification
In subsec. (b)(1)(B), "
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (h).
2003—Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
Effective Date; Transition Rule
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(3)
Construction
"(1) to compromise or affect existing legal remedies for addressing fraud or abuse, whether it be criminal prosecution, civil enforcement, or administrative remedies, including under
"(2) to prevent or impede the Department of Health and Human Services in any way from its ongoing efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in the medicare program.
Furthermore, the consolidation of medicare administrative contracting set forth in this division [
Consideration of Incorporation of Current Law Standards
References
Secretarial Submission of Legislative Proposal
Reports on Implementation
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) The number of contracts that have been competitively bid as of such date.
"(B) The distribution of functions among contracts and contractors.
"(C) A timeline for complete transition to full competition.
"(D) A detailed description of how the Secretary has modified oversight and management of medicare contractors to adapt to full competition."
Application to Fiscal Intermediaries and Carriers
"(1)
"(2)
Policy Development Regarding Evaluation and Management (E & M) Documentation Guidelines
"(a)
"(1) has developed the guidelines in collaboration with practicing physicians (including both generalists and specialists) and provided for an assessment of the proposed guidelines by the physician community;
"(2) has established a plan that contains specific goals, including a schedule, for improving the use of such guidelines;
"(3) has conducted appropriate and representative pilot projects under subsection (b) to test such guidelines;
"(4) finds, based on reports submitted under subsection (b)(5) with respect to pilot projects conducted for such or related guidelines, that the objectives described in subsection (c) will be met in the implementation of such guidelines; and
"(5) has established, and is implementing, a program to educate physicians on the use of such guidelines and that includes appropriate outreach.
The Secretary shall make changes to the manner in which existing evaluation and management documentation guidelines are implemented to reduce paperwork burdens on physicians.
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) be voluntary;
"(B) be of sufficient length as determined by the Secretary (but in no case to exceed 1 year) to allow for preparatory physician and medicare contractor education, analysis, and use and assessment of potential evaluation and management guidelines; and
"(C) be conducted, in development and throughout the planning and operational stages of the project, in consultation with practicing physicians (including both generalists and specialists).
"(3)
"(A) at least one shall focus on a peer review method by physicians (not employed by a medicare contractor) which evaluates medical record information for claims submitted by physicians identified as statistical outliers relative to codes used for billing purposes for such services;
"(B) at least one shall focus on an alternative method to detailed guidelines based on physician documentation of face to face encounter time with a patient;
"(C) at least one shall be conducted for services furnished in a rural area and at least one for services furnished outside such an area; and
"(D) at least one shall be conducted in a setting where physicians bill under physicians' services in teaching settings and at least one shall be conducted in a setting other than a teaching setting.
"(4)
"(A) different types of physician practices, including those with fewer than 10 full-time-equivalent employees (including physicians); and
"(B) the costs of physician compliance, including education, implementation, auditing, and monitoring.
"(5)
"(c)
"(1) identify clinically relevant documentation needed to code accurately and assess coding levels accurately;
"(2) decrease the level of non-clinically pertinent and burdensome documentation time and content in the physician's medical record;
"(3) increase accuracy by reviewers; and
"(4) educate both physicians and reviewers.
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) the development of a simpler, alternative system of requirements for documentation accompanying claims for evaluation and management physician services for which payment is made under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter]; and
"(B) consideration of systems other than current coding and documentation requirements for payment for such physician services.
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(A) Not later than October 1, 2005, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1).
"(B) The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission shall conduct an analysis of the results of the study included in the report under subparagraph (A) and shall submit a report on such analysis to Congress.
"(e)
"(f)
"(1) the term 'rural area' has the meaning given that term in section 1886(d)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act (
"(2) the term 'teaching settings' are those settings described in section 415.150 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations."
§1395ll. Studies and recommendations
(a) Health care of the aged and disabled
The Secretary shall carry on studies and develop recommendations to be submitted from time to time to the Congress relating to health care of the aged and the disabled, including studies and recommendations concerning (1) the adequacy of existing personnel and facilities for health care for purposes of the programs under parts A and B of this subchapter; (2) methods for encouraging the further development of efficient and economical forms of health care which are a constructive alternative to inpatient hospital care; and (3) the effects of the deductibles and coinsurance provisions upon beneficiaries, persons who provide health services, and the financing of the program.
(b) Operation and administration of insurance programs
The Secretary shall make a continuing study of the operation and administration of this subchapter (including a validation of the accreditation process of national accreditation bodies under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1875, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a), are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Section 226 of the Social Security Amendments of 1972, referred to in subsec. (b), is section 226 of
Section 402 of the Social Security Amendments of 1967, referred to in subsec. (b), is section 402 of
Section 222(a) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972, referred to in subsec. (b), is section 222(a) of
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (b).
2003—Subsec. (b).
1989—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(7).
1988—Subsec. (c)(3).
"(A) from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund $4,000,000 for fiscal year 1987 and $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1988 and 1989, and
"(B) from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1987 and $2,500,000 for each of fiscal years 1988 and 1989."
1987—Subsec. (c)(3)(B).
1986—Subsec. (c).
1984—Subsec. (b).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1968—Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment; Transition Rule
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 6103(b)(3)(A) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by section 226(d) of
Institute of Medicine Evaluation and Report on Health Care Performance Measures
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) catalogue, review, and evaluate the validity of leading health care performance measures;
"(B) catalogue and evaluate the success and utility of alternative performance incentive programs in public or private sector settings; and
"(C) identify and prioritize options to implement policies that align performance with payment under the medicare program that indicate—
"(i) the performance measurement set to be used and how that measurement set will be updated;
"(ii) the payment policy that will reward performance; and
"(iii) the key implementation issues (such as data and information technology requirements) that must be addressed.
"(3)
"(4)
"(b)
"(c)
GAO Study on Access to Physicians' Services
"(a)
"(1) an assessment of the use by beneficiaries of such services through an analysis of claims submitted by physicians for such services under part B of the medicare program [part B of this subchapter];
"(2) an examination of changes in the use by beneficiaries of physicians' services over time; and
"(3) an examination of the extent to which physicians are not accepting new medicare beneficiaries as patients.
"(b)
"(1) data from claims submitted by physicians under part B of the medicare program [part B of this subchapter] indicate potential access problems for medicare beneficiaries in certain geographic areas; and
"(2) access by medicare beneficiaries to physicians' services may have improved, remained constant, or deteriorated over time."
Study on Enrollment Procedures for Groups That Retain Independent Contractor Physicians
"(a)
"(1) review the issuance of individual medicare provider numbers and the possible medicare program integrity vulnerabilities of the current process;
"(2) review direct and indirect costs associated with the current process incurred by the medicare program and groups that retain independent contractor physicians;
"(3) assess the effect on program integrity by the enrollment of groups that retain independent contractor hospital-based physicians; and
"(4) develop suggested procedures for the enrollment of these groups.
"(b)
GAO Studies and Reports on Medicare Payments
"(a) GAO
"(1)
"(A) coding and billing;
"(B) documentation requirements; and
"(C) the calculation of overpayments.
"(2)
"(b) GAO
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) a reduction in paperwork, an ease of administration, or an appropriate change in oversight and review may be accomplished; or
"(B) additional payments or education are needed to assist physicians and other health care providers in understanding and complying with any legal or regulatory requirements."
Study and Report Regarding Utilization of Physicians' Services by Medicare Beneficiaries
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) The various methods for accurately estimating the economic impact on expenditures for physicians' services under the original medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (
"(i) improvements in medical capabilities;
"(ii) advancements in scientific technology;
"(iii) demographic changes in the types of medicare beneficiaries that receive benefits under such program; and
"(iv) geographic changes in locations where medicare beneficiaries receive benefits under such program.
"(B) The rate of usage of physicians' services under the original medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (
"(C) Other factors that may be reliable predictors of beneficiary utilization of physicians' services under the original medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (
"(3)
"(4)
"(A) an analysis and evaluation of the report submitted under paragraph (3); and
"(B) such recommendations as it determines are appropriate."
Study of Adult Day Care Services
Study To Develop a Strategy for Quality Review and Assurance
Section 9313(d) of
Special Treatment of States Formerly Under Waiver
For treatment of hospitals in States which have had a waiver approved under this section, upon termination of waiver, see section 9202(j) of
Drug Detoxification Medicare Coverage and Facility Incentives
Legislative Recommendations Regarding Reimbursement for Optometrists' Services
Demonstration Projects, Studies, and Reports: Nutritional Therapy, Second Opinion Cost-Sharing, Services of Registered Dietitians, Services of Clinical Social Workers, Orthopedic Shoes, Respiratory Therapy Services, and Foot Conditions; Grants, Payments, and Expenditures
Demonstration Project Relating to the Terminally Ill
Report to Congress With Respect to Urban or Rural Comprehensive Mental Health Centers and Centers for Treatment of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse; Submission No Later Than June 13, 1978
Study and Review by Comptroller General of Administrative Structure for Processing Medicare Claims; Report to Congress
Report by Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare on Delivery of Home Health and Other In-Home Services; Contents; Consultation Requirements; Submission to Congress
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
§1395mm. Payments to health maintenance organizations and competitive medical plans
(a) Rates and adjustments
(1)(A) The Secretary shall annually determine, and shall announce (in a manner intended to provide notice to interested parties) not later than September 7 before the calendar year concerned—
(i) a per capita rate of payment for each class of individuals who are enrolled under this section with an eligible organization which has entered into a risk-sharing contract and who are entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and enrolled under part B of this subchapter, and
(ii) a per capita rate of payment for each class of individuals who are so enrolled with such an organization and who are enrolled under part B of this subchapter only.
For purposes of this section, the term "risk-sharing contract" means a contract entered into under subsection (g) of this section and the term "reasonable cost reimbursement contract" means a contract entered into under subsection (h) of this section.
(B) The Secretary shall define appropriate classes of members, based on age, disability status, and such other factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, so as to ensure actuarial equivalence. The Secretary may add to, modify, or substitute for such classes, if such changes will improve the determination of actuarial equivalence.
(C) The annual per capita rate of payment for each such class shall be equal to 95 percent of the adjusted average per capita cost (as defined in paragraph (4)) for that class.
(D) In the case of an eligible organization with a risk-sharing contract, the Secretary shall make monthly payments in advance and in accordance with the rate determined under subparagraph (C) and except as provided in subsection (g)(2) of this section, to the organization for each individual enrolled with the organization under this section.
(E)(i) The amount of payment under this paragraph may be retroactively adjusted to take into account any difference between the actual number of individuals enrolled in the plan under this section and the number of such individuals estimated to be so enrolled in determining the amount of the advance payment.
(ii)(I) Subject to subclause (II), the Secretary may make retroactive adjustments under clause (i) to take into account individuals enrolled during the period beginning on the date on which the individual enrolls with an eligible organization (which has a risk-sharing contract under this section) under a health benefit plan operated, sponsored, or contributed to by the individual's employer or former employer (or the employer or former employer of the individual's spouse) and ending on the date on which the individual is enrolled in the plan under this section, except that for purposes of making such retroactive adjustments under this clause, such period may not exceed 90 days.
(II) No adjustment may be made under subclause (I) with respect to any individual who does not certify that the organization provided the individual with the explanation described in subsection (c)(3)(E) of this section at the time the individual enrolled with the organization.
(F)(i) At least 45 days before making the announcement under subparagraph (A) for a year (beginning with the announcement for 1991), the Secretary shall provide for notice to eligible organizations of proposed changes to be made in the methodology or benefit coverage assumptions from the methodology and assumptions used in the previous announcement and shall provide such organizations an opportunity to comment on such proposed changes.
(ii) In each announcement made under subparagraph (A) for a year (beginning with the announcement for 1991), the Secretary shall include an explanation of the assumptions (including any benefit coverage assumptions) and changes in methodology used in the announcement in sufficient detail so that eligible organizations can compute per capita rates of payment for classes of individuals located in each county (or equivalent area) which is in whole or in part within the service area of such an organization.
(2) With respect to any eligible organization which has entered into a reasonable cost reimbursement contract, payments shall be made to such plan in accordance with subsection (h)(2) of this section rather than paragraph (1).
(3) Subject to subsections (c)(2)(B)(ii) and (c)(7) of this section, payments under a contract to an eligible organization under paragraph (1) or (2) shall be instead of the amounts which (in the absence of the contract) would be otherwise payable, pursuant to
(4) For purposes of this section, the term "adjusted average per capita cost" means the average per capita amount that the Secretary estimates in advance (on the basis of actual experience, or retrospective actuarial equivalent based upon an adequate sample and other information and data, in a geographic area served by an eligible organization or in a similar area, with appropriate adjustments to assure actuarial equivalence) would be payable in any contract year for services covered under parts A and B of this subchapter, or part B only, and types of expenses otherwise reimbursable under parts A and B of this subchapter, or part B only (including administrative costs incurred by organizations described in
(5) The payment to an eligible organization under this section for individuals enrolled under this section with the organization and entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and enrolled under part B of this subchapter shall be made from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. The portion of that payment to the organization for a month to be paid by each trust fund shall be determined as follows:
(A) In regard to expenditures by eligible organizations having risk-sharing contracts, the allocation shall be determined each year by the Secretary based on the relative weight that benefits from each fund contribute to the adjusted average per capita cost.
(B) In regard to expenditures by eligible organizations operating under a reasonable cost reimbursement contract, the initial allocation shall be based on the plan's most recent budget, such allocation to be adjusted, as needed, after cost settlement to reflect the distribution of actual expenditures.
The remainder of that payment shall be paid by the former trust fund.
(6) Subject to subsections (c)(2)(B)(ii) and (c)(7) of this section, if an individual is enrolled under this section with an eligible organization having a risk-sharing contract, only the eligible organization shall be entitled to receive payments from the Secretary under this subchapter for services furnished to the individual.
(b) Definitions; requirements
For purposes of this section, the term "eligible organization" means a public or private entity (which may be a health maintenance organization or a competitive medical plan), organized under the laws of any State, which—
(1) is a qualified health maintenance organization (as defined in section 300e–9(d) 1 of this title), or
(2) meets the following requirements:
(A) The entity provides to enrolled members at least the following health care services:
(i) Physicians' services performed by physicians (as defined in
(ii) Inpatient hospital services.
(iii) Laboratory, X-ray, emergency, and preventive services.
(iv) Out-of-area coverage.
(B) The entity is compensated (except for deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) for the provision of health care services to enrolled members by a payment which is paid on a periodic basis without regard to the date the health care services are provided and which is fixed without regard to the frequency, extent, or kind of health care service actually provided to a member.
(C) The entity provides physicians' services primarily (i) directly through physicians who are either employees or partners of such organization, or (ii) through contracts with individual physicians or one or more groups of physicians (organized on a group practice or individual practice basis).
(D) The entity assumes full financial risk on a prospective basis for the provision of the health care services listed in subparagraph (A), except that such entity may—
(i) obtain insurance or make other arrangements for the cost of providing to any enrolled member health care services listed in subparagraph (A) the aggregate value of which exceeds $5,000 in any year,
(ii) obtain insurance or make other arrangements for the cost of health care service listed in subparagraph (A) provided to its enrolled members other than through the entity because medical necessity required their provision before they could be secured through the entity,
(iii) obtain insurance or make other arrangements for not more than 90 percent of the amount by which its costs for any of its fiscal years exceed 115 percent of its income for such fiscal year, and
(iv) make arrangements with physicians or other health professionals, health care institutions, or any combination of such individuals or institutions to assume all or part of the financial risk on a prospective basis for the provision of basic health services by the physicians or other health professionals or through the institutions.
(E) The entity has made adequate provision against the risk of insolvency, which provision is satisfactory to the Secretary.
Paragraph (2)(A)(ii) shall not apply to an entity which had contracted with a single State agency administering a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter for the provision of services (other than inpatient hospital services) to individuals eligible for such services under such State plan on a prepaid risk basis prior to 1970.
(c) Enrollment in plan; duties of organization to enrollees
(1) The Secretary may not enter into a contract under this section with an eligible organization unless it meets the requirements of this subsection and subsection (e) of this section with respect to members enrolled under this section.
(2)(A) The organization must provide to members enrolled under this section, through providers and other persons that meet the applicable requirements of this subchapter and part A of subchapter XI of this chapter—
(i) only those services covered under parts A and B of this subchapter, for those members entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or
(ii) only those services covered under part B of this subchapter, for those members enrolled only under such part,
which are available to individuals residing in the geographic area served by the organization, except that (I) the organization may provide such members with such additional health care services as the members may elect, at their option, to have covered, and (II) in the case of an organization with a risk-sharing contract, the organization may provide such members with such additional health care services as the Secretary may approve. The Secretary shall approve any such additional health care services which the organization proposes to offer to such members, unless the Secretary determines that including such additional services will substantially discourage enrollment by covered individuals with the organization.
(B) If there is a national coverage determination made in the period beginning on the date of an announcement under subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section and ending on the date of the next announcement under such subsection that the Secretary projects will result in a significant change in the costs to the organization of providing the benefits that are the subject of such national coverage determination and that was not incorporated in the determination of the per capita rate of payment included in the announcement made at the beginning of such period—
(i) such determination shall not apply to risk-sharing contracts under this section until the first contract year that begins after the end of such period; and
(ii) if such coverage determination provides for coverage of additional benefits or under additional circumstances, subsection (a)(3) of this section shall not apply to payment for such additional benefits or benefits provided under such additional circumstances until the first contract year that begins after the end of such period,
unless otherwise required by law.
(3)(A)(i) Each eligible organization must have an open enrollment period, for the enrollment of individuals under this section, of at least 30 days duration every year and including the period or periods specified under clause (ii), and must provide that at any time during which enrollments are accepted, the organization will accept up to the limits of its capacity (as determined by the Secretary) and without restrictions, except as may be authorized in regulations, individuals who are eligible to enroll under subsection (d) of this section in the order in which they apply for enrollment, unless to do so would result in failure to meet the requirements of subsection (f) of this section or would result in the enrollment of enrollees substantially nonrepresentative, as determined in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, of the population in the geographic area served by the organization.
(ii)(I) If a risk-sharing contract under this section is not renewed or is otherwise terminated, eligible organizations with risk-sharing contracts under this section and serving a part of the same service area as under the terminated contract are required to have an open enrollment period for individuals who were enrolled under the terminated contract as of the date of notice of such termination. If a risk-sharing contract under this section is renewed in a manner that discontinues coverage for individuals residing in part of the service area, eligible organizations with risk-sharing contracts under this section and enrolling individuals residing in that part of the service area are required to have an open enrollment period for individuals residing in the part of the service area who were enrolled under the contract as of the date of notice of such discontinued coverage.
(II) The open enrollment periods required under subclause (I) shall be for 30 days and shall begin 30 days after the date that the Secretary provides notice of such requirement.
(III) Enrollment under this clause shall be effective 30 days after the end of the open enrollment period, or, if the Secretary determines that such date is not feasible, such other date as the Secretary specifies.
(B) An individual may enroll under this section with an eligible organization in such manner as may be prescribed in regulations and may terminate his enrollment with the eligible organization as of the beginning of the first calendar month following the date on which the request is made for such termination (or, in the case of financial insolvency of the organization, as may be prescribed by regulations) or, in the case of such an organization with a reasonable cost reimbursement contract, as may be prescribed by regulations. In the case of an individual's termination of enrollment, the organization shall provide the individual with a copy of the written request for termination of enrollment and a written explanation of the period (ending on the effective date of the termination) during which the individual continues to be enrolled with the organization and may not receive benefits under this subchapter other than through the organization.
(C) The Secretary may prescribe the procedures and conditions under which an eligible organization that has entered into a contract with the Secretary under this subsection may inform individuals eligible to enroll under this section with the organization about the organization, or may enroll such individuals with the organization. No brochures, application forms, or other promotional or informational material may be distributed by an organization to (or for the use of) individuals eligible to enroll with the organization under this section unless (i) at least 45 days before its distribution, the organization has submitted the material to the Secretary for review and (ii) the Secretary has not disapproved the distribution of the material. The Secretary shall review all such material submitted and shall disapprove such material if the Secretary determines, in the Secretary's discretion, that the material is materially inaccurate or misleading or otherwise makes a material misrepresentation.
(D) The organization must provide assurances to the Secretary that it will not expel or refuse to re-enroll any such individual because of the individual's health status or requirements for health care services, and that it will notify each such individual of such fact at the time of the individual's enrollment.
(E) Each eligible organization shall provide each enrollee, at the time of enrollment and not less frequently than annually thereafter, an explanation of the enrollee's rights under this section, including an explanation of—
(i) the enrollee's rights to benefits from the organization,
(ii) the restrictions on payments under this subchapter for services furnished other than by or through the organization,
(iii) out-of-area coverage provided by the organization,
(iv) the organization's coverage of emergency services and urgently needed care, and
(v) appeal rights of enrollees.
(F) Each eligible organization that provides items and services pursuant to a contract under this section shall provide assurances to the Secretary that in the event the organization ceases to provide such items and services, the organization shall provide or arrange for supplemental coverage of benefits under this subchapter related to a pre-existing condition with respect to any exclusion period, to all individuals enrolled with the entity who receive benefits under this subchapter, for the lesser of six months or the duration of such period.
(G)(i) Each eligible organization having a risk-sharing contract under this section shall notify individuals eligible to enroll with the organization under this section and individuals enrolled with the organization under this section that—
(I) the organization is authorized by law to terminate or refuse to renew the contract, and
(II) termination or nonrenewal of the contract may result in termination of the enrollments of individuals enrolled with the organization under this section.
(ii) The notice required by clause (i) shall be included in—
(I) any marketing materials described in subparagraph (C) that are distributed by an eligible organization to individuals eligible to enroll under this section with the organization, and
(II) any explanation provided to enrollees by the organization pursuant to subparagraph (E).
(4) The organization must—
(A) make the services described in paragraph (2) (and such other health care services as such individuals have contracted for) (i) available and accessible to each such individual, within the area served by the organization, with reasonable promptness and in a manner which assures continuity, and (ii) when medically necessary, available and accessible twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week, and
(B) provide for reimbursement with respect to services which are described in subparagraph (A) and which are provided to such an individual other than through the organization, if (i) the services were medically necessary and immediately required because of an unforeseen illness, injury, or condition and (ii) it was not reasonable given the circumstances to obtain the services through the organization.
(5)(A) The organization must provide meaningful procedures for hearing and resolving grievances between the organization (including any entity or individual through which the organization provides health care services) and members enrolled with the organization under this section.
(B) A member enrolled with an eligible organization under this section who is dissatisfied by reason of his failure to receive any health service to which he believes he is entitled and at no greater charge than he believes he is required to pay is entitled, if the amount in controversy is $100 or more, to a hearing before the Secretary to the same extent as is provided in
(6) The organization must have arrangements, established in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, for an ongoing quality assurance program for health care services it provides to such individuals, which program (A) stresses health outcomes and (B) provides review by physicians and other health care professionals of the process followed in the provision of such health care services.
(7) A risk-sharing contract under this section shall provide that in the case of an individual who is receiving inpatient hospital services from a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in
(A) enrollment with an eligible organization under this section—
(i) payment for such services until the date of the individual's discharge shall be made under this subchapter as if the individual were not enrolled with the organization,
(ii) the organization shall not be financially responsible for payment for such services until the date after the date of the individual's discharge, and
(iii) the organization shall nonetheless be paid the full amount otherwise payable to the organization under this section; or
(B) termination of enrollment with an eligible organization under this section—
(i) the organization shall be financially responsible for payment for such services after such date and until the date of the individual's discharge,
(ii) payment for such services during the stay shall not be made under
(iii) the organization shall not receive any payment with respect to the individual under this section during the period the individual is not enrolled.
(8) A contract under this section shall provide that the eligible organization shall meet the requirement of
(d) Right to enroll with contracting organization in geographic area
Subject to the provisions of subsection (c)(3) of this section, every individual entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and enrolled under part B of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter only (other than an individual medically determined to have end-stage renal disease) shall be eligible to enroll under this section with any eligible organization with which the Secretary has entered into a contract under this section and which serves the geographic area in which the individual resides.
(e) Limitation on charges; election of coverage; "adjusted community rate" defined; workmen's compensation and insurance benefits
(1) In no case may—
(A) the portion of an eligible organization's premium rate and the actuarial value of its deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments charged (with respect to services covered under parts A and B of this subchapter) to individuals who are enrolled under this section with the organization and who are entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or
(B) the portion of its premium rate and the actuarial value of its deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments charged (with respect to services covered under part B of this subchapter) to individuals who are enrolled under this section with the organization and enrolled under part B of this subchapter only
exceed the actuarial value of the coinsurance and deductibles that would be applicable on the average to individuals enrolled under this section with the organization (or, if the Secretary finds that adequate data are not available to determine that actuarial value, the actuarial value of the coinsurance and deductibles applicable on the average to individuals in the area, in the State, or in the United States, eligible to enroll under this section with the organization, or other appropriate data) and entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and enrolled under part B of this subchapter, or enrolled under part B only, respectively, if they were not members of an eligible organization.
(2) If the eligible organization provides to its members enrolled under this section services in addition to services covered under parts A and B of this subchapter, election of coverage for such additional services (unless such services have been approved by the Secretary under subsection (c)(2) of this section) shall be optional for such members and such organization shall furnish such members with information on the portion of its premium rate or other charges applicable to such additional services. In no case may the sum of—
(A) the portion of such organization's premium rate charged, with respect to such additional services, to members enrolled under this section, and
(B) the actuarial value of its deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments charged, with respect to such services to such members
exceed the adjusted community rate for such services.
(3) For purposes of this section, the term "adjusted community rate" for a service or services means, at the election of an eligible organization, either—
(A) the rate of payment for that service or services which the Secretary annually determines would apply to a member enrolled under this section with an eligible organization if the rate of payment were determined under a "community rating system" (as defined in
(B) such portion of the weighted aggregate premium, which the Secretary annually estimates would apply to a member enrolled under this section with the eligible organization, as the Secretary annually estimates is attributable to that service or services,
but adjusted for differences between the utilization characteristics of the members enrolled with the eligible organization under this section and the utilization characteristics of the other members of the organization (or, if the Secretary finds that adequate data are not available to adjust for those differences, the differences between the utilization characteristics of members in other eligible organizations, or individuals in the area, in the State, or in the United States, eligible to enroll under this section with an eligible organization and the utilization characteristics of the rest of the population in the area, in the State, or in the United States, respectively).
(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the eligible organization may (in the case of the provision of services to a member enrolled under this section for an illness or injury for which the member is entitled to benefits under a workmen's compensation law or plan of the United States or a State, under an automobile or liability insurance policy or plan, including a self-insured plan, or under no fault insurance) charge or authorize the provider of such services to charge, in accordance with the charges allowed under such law or policy—
(A) the insurance carrier, employer, or other entity which under such law, plan, or policy is to pay for the provision of such services, or
(B) such member to the extent that the member has been paid under such law, plan, or policy for such services.
(f) Membership requirements
(1) For contract periods beginning before January 1, 1999, each eligible organization with which the Secretary enters into a contract under this section shall have, for the duration of such contract, an enrolled membership at least one-half of which consists of individuals who are not entitled to benefits under this subchapter.
(2) Subject to paragraph (4), the Secretary may modify or waive the requirement imposed by paragraph (1) only—
(A) to the extent that more than 50 percent of the population of the area served by the organization consists of individuals who are entitled to benefits under this subchapter or under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, or
(B) in the case of an eligible organization that is owned and operated by a governmental entity, only with respect to a period of three years beginning on the date the organization first enters into a contract under this section, and only if the organization has taken and is making reasonable efforts to enroll individuals who are not entitled to benefits under this subchapter or under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter.
(3) If the Secretary determines that an eligible organization has failed to comply with the requirements of this subsection, the Secretary may provide for the suspension of enrollment of individuals under this section or of payment to the organization under this section for individuals newly enrolled with the organization, after the date the Secretary notifies the organization of such noncompliance.
(4) Effective for contract periods beginning after December 31, 1996, the Secretary may waive or modify the requirement imposed by paragraph (1) to the extent the Secretary finds that it is in the public interest.
(g) Risk-sharing contract
(1) The Secretary may enter a risk-sharing contract with any eligible organization, as defined in subsection (b) of this section, which has at least 5,000 members, except that the Secretary may enter into such a contract with an eligible organization that has fewer members if the organization primarily serves members residing outside of urbanized areas.
(2) Each risk-sharing contract shall provide that—
(A) if the adjusted community rate, as defined in subsection (e)(3) of this section, for services under parts A and B of this subchapter (as reduced for the actuarial value of the coinsurance and deductibles under those parts) for members enrolled under this section with the organization and entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and enrolled in part B of this subchapter, or
(B) if the adjusted community rate for services under part B of this subchapter (as reduced for the actuarial value of the coinsurance and deductibles under that part) for members enrolled under this section with the organization and entitled to benefits under part B of this subchapter only
is less than the average of the per capita rates of payment to be made under subsection (a)(1) of this section at the beginning of an annual contract period for members enrolled under this section with the organization and entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and enrolled in part B of this subchapter, or enrolled in part B of this subchapter only, respectively, the eligible organization shall provide to members enrolled under a risk-sharing contract under this section with the organization and entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and enrolled in part B of this subchapter, or enrolled in part B of this subchapter only, respectively, the additional benefits described in paragraph (3) which are selected by the eligible organization and which the Secretary finds are at least equal in value to the difference between that average per capita payment and the adjusted community rate (as so reduced); except that this paragraph shall not apply with respect to any organization which elects to receive a lesser payment to the extent that there is no longer a difference between the average per capita payment and adjusted community rate (as so reduced) and except that an organization (with the approval of the Secretary) may provide that a part of the value of such additional benefits be withheld and reserved by the Secretary as provided in paragraph (5). If the Secretary finds that there is insufficient enrollment experience to determine an average of the per capita rates of payment to be made under subsection (a)(1) of this section at the beginning of a contract period, the Secretary may determine such an average based on the enrollment experience of other contracts entered into under this section.
(3) The additional benefits referred to in paragraph (2) are—
(A) the reduction of the premium rate or other charges made with respect to services furnished by the organization to members enrolled under this section, or
(B) the provision of additional health benefits,
or both.
(4) Repealed.
(5) An organization having a risk-sharing contract under this section may (with the approval of the Secretary) provide that a part of the value of additional benefits otherwise required to be provided by reason of paragraph (2) be withheld and reserved in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and in the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund (in such proportions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate) by the Secretary for subsequent annual contract periods, to the extent required to stabilize and prevent undue fluctuations in the additional benefits offered in those subsequent periods by the organization in accordance with paragraph (3). Any of such value of additional benefits which is not provided to members of the organization in accordance with paragraph (3) prior to the end of such period, shall revert for the use of such trust funds.
(6)(A) A risk-sharing contract under this section shall require the eligible organization to provide prompt payment (consistent with the provisions of
(B) In the case of an eligible organization which the Secretary determines, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, has failed to make payments of amounts in compliance with subparagraph (A), the Secretary may provide for direct payment of the amounts owed to providers and suppliers for such covered services furnished to individuals enrolled under this section under the contract. If the Secretary provides for such direct payments, the Secretary shall provide for an appropriate reduction in the amount of payments otherwise made to the organization under this section to reflect the amount of the Secretary's payments (and costs incurred by the Secretary in making such payments).
(h) Reasonable cost reimbursement contract; requirements
(1) If—
(A) the Secretary is not satisfied that an eligible organization has the capacity to bear the risk of potential losses under a risk-sharing contract under this section, or
(B) the eligible organization so elects or has an insufficient number of members to be eligible to enter into a risk-sharing contract under subsection (g)(1) of this section,
the Secretary may, if he is otherwise satisfied that the eligible organization is able to perform its contractual obligations effectively and efficiently, enter into a contract with such organization pursuant to which such organization is reimbursed on the basis of its reasonable cost (as defined in
(2) A reasonable cost reimbursement contract under this subsection may, at the option of such organization, provide that the Secretary—
(A) will reimburse hospitals and skilled nursing facilities either for the reasonable cost (as determined under
(B) will deduct the amount of such reimbursement from payment which would otherwise be made to such organization.
If such an eligible organization pays a hospital or skilled nursing facility directly, the amount paid shall not exceed the reasonable cost of the services (as determined under
(3) Payments made to an organization with a reasonable cost reimbursement contract shall be subject to appropriate retroactive corrective adjustment at the end of each contract year so as to assure that such organization is paid for the reasonable cost actually incurred (excluding any part of incurred cost found to be unnecessary in the efficient delivery of health services) or the amounts otherwise determined under
(4) Any reasonable cost reimbursement contract with an eligible organization under this subsection shall provide that the Secretary shall require, at such time following the expiration of each accounting period of the eligible organization (and in such form and in such detail) as he may prescribe—
(A) that the organization report to him in an independently certified financial statement its per capita incurred cost based on the types of components of expenses otherwise reimbursable under this subchapter for providing services described in subsection (a)(1) of this section, including therein, in accordance with accounting procedures prescribed by the Secretary, its methods of allocating costs between individuals enrolled under this section and other individuals enrolled with such organization;
(B) that failure to report such information as may be required may be deemed to constitute evidence of likely overpayment on the basis of which appropriate collection action may be taken;
(C) that in any case in which an eligible organization is related to another organization by common ownership or control, a consolidated financial statement shall be filed and that the allowable costs for such organization may not include costs for the types of expense otherwise reimbursable under this subchapter, in excess of those which would be determined to be reasonable in accordance with regulations (providing for limiting reimbursement to costs rather than charges to the eligible organization by related organizations and owners) issued by the Secretary; and
(D) that in any case in which compensation is paid by an eligible organization substantially in excess of what is normally paid for similar services by similar practitioners (regardless of method of compensation), such compensation may as appropriate be considered to constitute a distribution of profits.
(5)(A) After August 5, 1997, the Secretary may not enter into a reasonable cost reimbursement contract under this subsection (if the contract is not in effect as of August 5, 1997), except for a contract with an eligible organization which, immediately previous to entering into such contract, had an agreement in effect under
(B) Subject to subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall approve an application for a modification to a reasonable cost contract under this section in order to expand the service area of such contract if—
(i) such application is submitted to the Secretary on or before September 1, 2003; and
(ii) the Secretary determines that the organization with the contract continues to meet the requirements applicable to such organizations and contracts under this section.
(C)(i) Subject to clause (ii), a reasonable cost reimbursement contract under this subsection may be extended or renewed indefinitely.
(ii) For any period beginning on or after January 1, 2013, a reasonable cost reimbursement contract under this subsection may not be extended or renewed for a service area insofar as such area during the entire previous year was within the service area of—
(I) 2 or more MA regional plans described in clause (iii), provided that all such plans are not offered by the same Medicare Advantage organization; or
(II) 2 or more MA local plans described in clause (iii), provided that all such plans are not offered by the same Medicare Advantage organization.
(iii) A plan described in this clause for a year for a service area is a plan described in
(I) With respect to any portion of the area involved that is within a Metropolitan Statistical Area with a population of more than 250,000 and counties contiguous to such Metropolitan Statistical Area that are not in another Metropolitan Statistical Area with a population of more than 250,000, 5,000 individuals. If the service area includes a portion in more than 1 Metropolitan Statistical Area with a population of more than 250,000, the minimum enrollment determination under the preceding sentence shall be made with respect to each such Metropolitan Statistical Area (and such applicable contiguous counties to such Metropolitan Statistical Area).
(II) With respect to any other portion of such area, 1,500 individuals.
(i) Duration, termination, effective date, and terms of contract; powers and duties of Secretary
(1) Each contract under this section shall be for a term of at least one year, as determined by the Secretary, and may be made automatically renewable from term to term in the absence of notice by either party of intention to terminate at the end of the current term; except that in accordance with procedures established under paragraph (9), the Secretary may at any time terminate any such contract or may impose the intermediate sanctions described in paragraph (6)(B) or (6)(C) (whichever is applicable) on the eligible organization if the Secretary determines that the organization—
(A) has failed substantially to carry out the contract;
(B) is carrying out the contract in a manner substantially inconsistent with the efficient and effective administration of this section; or
(C) no longer substantially meets the applicable conditions of subsections (b), (c), (e), and (f) of this section.
(2) The effective date of any contract executed pursuant to this section shall be specified in the contract.
(3) Each contract under this section—
(A) shall provide that the Secretary, or any person or organization designated by him—
(i) shall have the right to inspect or otherwise evaluate (I) the quality, appropriateness, and timeliness of services performed under the contract and (II) the facilities of the organization when there is reasonable evidence of some need for such inspection, and
(ii) shall have the right to audit and inspect any books and records of the eligible organization that pertain (I) to the ability of the organization to bear the risk of potential financial losses, or (II) to services performed or determinations of amounts payable under the contract;
(B) shall require the organization with a risk-sharing contract to provide (and pay for) written notice in advance of the contract's termination, as well as a description of alternatives for obtaining benefits under this subchapter, to each individual enrolled under this section with the organization; and
(C)(i) shall require the organization to comply with subsections (a) and (c) of
(ii) shall require the organization to provide and supply information (described in
(iii) shall require the organization to notify the Secretary of loans and other special financial arrangements which are made between the organization and subcontractors, affiliates, and related parties; and
(D) shall contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with this section (including requiring the organization to provide the Secretary with such information) as the Secretary may find necessary and appropriate.
(4) The Secretary may not enter into a risk-sharing contract with an eligible organization if a previous risk-sharing contract with that organization under this section was terminated at the request of the organization within the preceding five-year period, except in circumstances which warrant special consideration, as determined by the Secretary.
(5) The authority vested in the Secretary by this section may be performed without regard to such provisions of law or regulations relating to the making, performance, amendment, or modification of contracts of the United States as the Secretary may determine to be inconsistent with the furtherance of the purpose of this subchapter.
(6)(A) If the Secretary determines that an eligible organization with a contract under this section—
(i) fails substantially to provide medically necessary items and services that are required (under law or under the contract) to be provided to an individual covered under the contract, if the failure has adversely affected (or has substantial likelihood of adversely affecting) the individual;
(ii) imposes premiums on individuals enrolled under this section in excess of the premiums permitted;
(iii) acts to expel or to refuse to re-enroll an individual in violation of the provisions of this section;
(iv) engages in any practice that would reasonably be expected to have the effect of denying or discouraging enrollment (except as permitted by this section) by eligible individuals with the organization whose medical condition or history indicates a need for substantial future medical services;
(v) misrepresents or falsifies information that is furnished—
(I) to the Secretary under this section, or
(II) to an individual or to any other entity under this section;
(vi) fails to comply with the requirements of subsection (g)(6)(A) of this section or paragraph (8); or
(vii) in the case of a risk-sharing contract, employs or contracts with any individual or entity that is excluded from participation under this subchapter under
the Secretary may provide, in addition to any other remedies authorized by law, for any of the remedies described in subparagraph (B).
(B) The remedies described in this subparagraph are—
(i) civil money penalties of not more than $25,000 for each determination under subparagraph (A) or, with respect to a determination under clause (iv) or (v)(I) of such subparagraph, of not more than $100,000 for each such determination, plus, with respect to a determination under subparagraph (A)(ii), double the excess amount charged in violation of such subparagraph (and the excess amount charged shall be deducted from the penalty and returned to the individual concerned), and plus, with respect to a determination under subparagraph (A)(iv), $15,000 for each individual not enrolled as a result of the practice involved,
(ii) suspension of enrollment of individuals under this section after the date the Secretary notifies the organization of a determination under subparagraph (A) and until the Secretary is satisfied that the basis for such determination has been corrected and is not likely to recur, or
(iii) suspension of payment to the organization under this section for individuals enrolled after the date the Secretary notifies the organization of a determination under subparagraph (A) and until the Secretary is satisfied that the basis for such determination has been corrected and is not likely to recur.
(C) In the case of an eligible organization for which the Secretary makes a determination under paragraph (1), the basis of which is not described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary may apply the following intermediate sanctions:
(i) Civil money penalties of not more than $25,000 for each determination under paragraph (1) if the deficiency that is the basis of the determination has directly adversely affected (or has the substantial likelihood of adversely affecting) an individual covered under the organization's contract.
(ii) Civil money penalties of not more than $10,000 for each week beginning after the initiation of procedures by the Secretary under paragraph (9) during which the deficiency that is the basis of a determination under paragraph (1) exists.
(iii) Suspension of enrollment of individuals under this section after the date the Secretary notifies the organization of a determination under paragraph (1) and until the Secretary is satisfied that the deficiency that is the basis for the determination has been corrected and is not likely to recur.
(D) The provisions of
(7)(A) Each risk-sharing contract with an eligible organization under this section shall provide that the organization will maintain a written agreement with a utilization and quality control peer review organization (which has a contract with the Secretary under part B of subchapter XI of this chapter for the area in which the eligible organization is located) or with an entity selected by the Secretary under
(B) For purposes of payment under this subchapter, the cost of such agreement to the eligible organization shall be considered a cost incurred by a provider of services in providing covered services under this subchapter and shall be paid directly by the Secretary to the review organization on behalf of such eligible organization in accordance with a schedule established by the Secretary.
(C) Such payments—
(i) shall be transferred in appropriate proportions from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and from the Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, without regard to amounts appropriated in advance in appropriation Acts, in the same manner as transfers are made for payment for services provided directly to beneficiaries, and
(ii) shall not be less in the aggregate for such organizations for a fiscal year than the amounts the Secretary determines to be sufficient to cover the costs of such organizations' conducting activities described in subparagraph (A) with respect to such eligible organizations under part B of subchapter XI of this chapter.
(8)(A) Each contract with an eligible organization under this section shall provide that the organization may not operate any physician incentive plan (as defined in subparagraph (B)) unless the following requirements are met:
(i) No specific payment is made directly or indirectly under the plan to a physician or physician group as an inducement to reduce or limit medically necessary services provided with respect to a specific individual enrolled with the organization.
(ii) If the plan places a physician or physician group at substantial financial risk (as determined by the Secretary) for services not provided by the physician or physician group, the organization—
(I) provides stop-loss protection for the physician or group that is adequate and appropriate, based on standards developed by the Secretary that take into account the number of physicians placed at such substantial financial risk in the group or under the plan and the number of individuals enrolled with the organization who receive services from the physician or the physician group, and
(II) conducts periodic surveys of both individuals enrolled and individuals previously enrolled with the organization to determine the degree of access of such individuals to services provided by the organization and satisfaction with the quality of such services.
(iii) The organization provides the Secretary with descriptive information regarding the plan, sufficient to permit the Secretary to determine whether the plan is in compliance with the requirements of this subparagraph.
(B) In this paragraph, the term "physician incentive plan" means any compensation arrangement between an eligible organization and a physician or physician group that may directly or indirectly have the effect of reducing or limiting services provided with respect to individuals enrolled with the organization.
(9) The Secretary may terminate a contract with an eligible organization under this section or may impose the intermediate sanctions described in paragraph (6) on the organization in accordance with formal investigation and compliance procedures established by the Secretary under which—
(A) the Secretary first provides the organization with the reasonable opportunity to develop and implement a corrective action plan to correct the deficiencies that were the basis of the Secretary's determination under paragraph (1) and the organization fails to develop or implement such a plan;
(B) in deciding whether to impose sanctions, the Secretary considers aggravating factors such as whether an organization has a history of deficiencies or has not taken action to correct deficiencies the Secretary has brought to the organization's attention;
(C) there are no unreasonable or unnecessary delays between the finding of a deficiency and the imposition of sanctions; and
(D) the Secretary provides the organization with reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing (including the right to appeal an initial decision) before imposing any sanction or terminating the contract.
(j) Payment in full and limitation on actual charges; physicians, providers of services, or renal dialysis facilities not under contract with organization
(1)(A) In the case of physicians' services or renal dialysis services described in paragraph (2) which are furnished by a participating physician or provider of services or renal dialysis facility to an individual enrolled with an eligible organization under this section and enrolled under part B of this subchapter, the applicable participation agreement is deemed to provide that the physician or provider of services or renal dialysis facility will accept as payment in full from the eligible organization the amount that would be payable to the physician or provider of services or renal dialysis facility under part B of this subchapter and from the individual under such part, if the individual were not enrolled with an eligible organization under this section.
(B) In the case of physicians' services described in paragraph (2) which are furnished by a nonparticipating physician, the limitations on actual charges for such services otherwise applicable under part B of this subchapter (to services furnished by individuals not enrolled with an eligible organization under this section) shall apply in the same manner as such limitations apply to services furnished to individuals not enrolled with such an organization.
(2) The physicians' services or renal dialysis services described in this paragraph are physicians' services or renal dialysis services which are furnished to an enrollee of an eligible organization under this section by a physician, provider of services, or renal dialysis facility who is not under a contract with the organization.
(k) Risk-sharing contracts
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2)—
(A) on or after the date standards for Medicare+Choice organizations and plans are first established under
(B) for any contract year beginning on or after January 1, 1999, the Secretary shall not renew any such contract.
(2) An individual who is enrolled in part B of this subchapter only and is enrolled in an eligible organization with a risk-sharing contract under this section on December 31, 1998, may continue enrollment in such organization in accordance with regulations described in
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall provide that payment amounts under risk-sharing contracts under this section for months in a year (beginning with January 1998) shall be computed—
(A) with respect to individuals entitled to benefits under both parts A and B of this subchapter, by substituting payment rates under
(B) with respect to individuals only entitled to benefits under part B of this subchapter, by substituting an appropriate proportion of such rates (reflecting the relative proportion of payments under this subchapter attributable to such part) for the payment rates otherwise established under subsection (a) of this section.
(4) The following requirements shall apply to eligible organizations with risk-sharing contracts under this section in the same manner as they apply to Medicare+Choice organizations under part C of this subchapter:
(A) Data collection requirements under
(B) Restrictions on imposition of premium taxes under
(C) The requirement to accept enrollment of new enrollees during November 1998 under
(D) Payments under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1876, as added and amended
References in Text
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in text, are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Parts A and B of subchapter XI of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (c)(2) and (i)(7)(A), (B)(ii), are classified to sections 1301 et seq. and 1320c et seq., respectively, of this title.
Part C of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (k)(4), is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (h)(5)(C)(ii).
2008—Subsec. (h)(5)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(5)(C)(ii)(I), (II).
Subsec. (h)(5)(C)(iii)(I).
2007—Subsec. (h)(5)(C)(ii).
2003—Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(5)(B).
Subsec. (h)(5)(C).
Subsec. (j)(2).
2000—Subsec. (h)(5)(B), (C).
1999—Subsec. (h)(5)(B).
1997—Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (h)(5).
Subsec. (k).
1996—Subsec. (i)(1).
"(A) has failed substantially to carry out the contract,
"(B) is carrying out the contract in a manner inconsistent with the efficient and effective administration of this section, or
"(C) no longer substantially meets the applicable conditions of subsections (b), (c), (e), and (f) of this section."
Subsec. (i)(6)(B).
Subsec. (i)(6)(C).
Subsec. (i)(6)(D).
Subsec. (i)(7)(A).
Subsec. (i)(9).
1994—Subsec. (a)(1)(E)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (c)(5)(B).
1990—Subsec. (a)(1)(E).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(8).
Subsec. (i)(6)(A)(vi).
Subsec. (i)(8).
Subsec. (j)(1)(A).
Subsec. (j)(2).
"(A) are emergency services or out-of-area coverage (described in clauses (iii) and (iv) of subsection (b)(2)(A) of this section), and
"(B) are furnished to an enrollee of an eligible organization under this section by a person who is not under a contract with the organization."
1989—Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A)(ii).
Subsecs. (e)(1), (g)(3)(A).
Subsec. (g)(5).
Subsec. (i)(6)(A)(vii).
Subsec. (j).
1988—Subsec. (a)(5).
"(A) the product of (i) the number of such individuals for the month who have attained age 65, and (ii) the monthly actuarial rate for supplementary medical insurance for the month as determined under
"(B) the product of (i) the number of such individuals for the month who have not attained age 65, and (ii) the monthly actuarial rate for supplementary medical insurance for the month as determined under
Subsec. (c)(3)(F).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (f)(3).
"(A) An eligible organization described in subparagraph (B) may elect, for purposes of enrollment and residency requirements under this section and for determining the compliance of a subdivision, subsidiary, or affiliate described in subparagraph (B)(iii) with the requirement of paragraph (1) for the period before October 1, 1992, to have members described in subparagraph (B)(iii) who receive services through the subdivision, subsidiary, or affiliate considered to be members of the parent organization.
"(B) An eligible organization described in this subparagraph is an eligible organization which—
"(i) is described in
"(ii) has members who have a collectively bargained contractual right to obtain health benefits from the organization;
"(iii) elects to provide benefits under a risk-sharing contract to individuals residing in a service area, who have a collectively bargained contractual right to obtain benefits from the organization, through a subdivision, subsidiary, or affiliate which itself is an eligible organization serving the area and which is owned or controlled by the parent eligible organization; and
"(iv) has assumed any risk of insolvency and quality assurance with respect to individuals receiving benefits through such a subdivision, subsidiary, or affiliate."
Subsec. (f)(3)(A).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (g)(3)(A).
Subsec. (g)(5).
Subsec. (i)(6)(A).
Subsec. (i)(6)(B).
Subsec. (i)(6)(B)(i).
Subsec. (i)(7)(A).
Subsec. (i)(7)(B).
1987—Subsec. (c)(3)(F).
Subsec. (c)(3)(G).
Subsec. (f)(3), (4).
Subsec. (g)(4).
"(A) will reimburse hospitals and skilled nursing facilities either for payment amounts determined in accordance with
"(B) will deduct the amount of such reimbursement for payment which would otherwise be made to such organization."
Subsec. (g)(5).
Subsec. (i)(6).
"(6)(A) Any eligible organization with a risk-sharing contract under this section that fails substantially to provide medically necessary items and services that are required (under law or such contract) to be provided to individuals covered under such contract, if the failure has adversely affected (or has a substantial likelihood of adversely affecting) these individuals, is subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $10,000 for each such failure.
"(B) The provisions of
Subsec. (i)(7)(A).
Subsec. (i)(7)(B).
1986—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B).
Subsec. (c)(3)(C).
Subsec. (c)(7).
Subsec. (c)(3)(E).
Subsec. (f)(2).
"(A) special circumstances warrant such modification or waiver, and
"(B) the eligible organization has taken and is making reasonable efforts to enroll individuals who are not entitled to benefits under this subchapter or under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter."
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (g)(6).
Subsec. (i)(1)(C).
Subsec. (i)(3)(C).
Subsec. (i)(6).
Subsec. (i)(7).
1984—Subsec. (b)(2)(D).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(4)(A)(i).
Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (g)(4)(A).
Subsec. (g)(5).
1983—Subsec. (a)(5)(A)(ii), (B)(ii).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(4).
1982—
1978—Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
1976—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i)(6)(B).
Subsec. (k).
1973—Subsec. (a)(3)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (g)(2).
1972—Subsec. (i).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Section 215(c) of
Amendment by section 231(g) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4204(a)(4) of
Section 4204(c)(3) of
Section 4204(d)(2) of
Section 4204(e)(2) of
Amendment by section 4206(b)(1) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendments
Section 6206(b)(2) of
Section 6212(b)(2) of
Section 6212(c)(3) of
Section 6411(d)(4)(B) of
Amendment by section 201(a) of
Amendment by section 202(a) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Section 8412(b) of
Amendment by
Amendment by section 202(f) of
Amendment by section 211(c)(3) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 4011(a)(2) of
Section 4011(b)(2) of
Section 4012(d) of
Section 4013(b) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Section 1895(b)(11)(B) of
Section 9312(b)(2) of
Section 9312(c)(3) of
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(i) as of the date of the enactment of this Act, has been granted, under paragraph (2) of section 1876(f) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f)(2) of this section], a modification or waiver of the requirement imposed by paragraph (1) of that section, but
"(ii) does not meet the requirement for such modification or waiver under the amendment made by paragraph (1) of this subsection,
the organization shall make, and continue to make, reasonable efforts to meet scheduled enrollment goals, consistent with a schedule of compliance approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. If the Secretary determines that the organization has complied, or made significant progress towards compliance, with such schedule of compliance, the Secretary may extend such waiver. If the Secretary determines that the organization has not complied with such schedule, the Secretary may provide for a sanction described in section 1876(f)(3) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f)(3) of this section] (as amended by this section) effective with respect to individuals enrolling with the organization after the date the Secretary notifies the organization of such noncompliance.
"(D)
"(i) before January 1, 1996, section 1876(f) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f) of this section] shall not apply to the organization;
"(ii) beginning on January 1, 1990, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall conduct an annual review of the organization to determine the organization's compliance with the quality assurance requirements of section 1876(c)(6) of such Act [subsec. (c)(6) of this section]; and
"(iii) after January 1, 1990, if the organization receives an unfavorable review under clause (ii), the Secretary, after notice to the organization of the unfavorable review and an opportunity to correct any deficiencies identified during the review, may provide for the sanction described in section 1876(f)(3) of such Act [subsec. (f)(3) of this section] effective with respect to individuals enrolling with the organization after the date the Secretary notifies the organization that the organization is not in compliance with the requirements of section 1876(c)(6) of such Act."
Section 9312(d)(2) of
Section 9312(e)(2) of
Section 9353(e)(3)(B) of
Section 9211(e) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(B) Such amendment also shall not apply so as to require the submission of material which is distributed before July 1, 1986.
"(C) Such amendment shall also not apply to material which the Secretary determines has been prepared before the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 7, 1986] and for which a commitment for distribution has been made, if the application of such amendment would constitute a hardship for the organization involved.
"(4)
"(5)
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2350(d) of
Amendment by section 2354(b)(37), (38) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendments; Transitional Rule
Amendment by section 602(g) of
Amendment by section 606(a)(3)(H) of
Amendment by section 309(b)(12) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Section 114(c) of
"(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to services furnished on or after the initial effective date (as defined in paragraph (4)), except that such amendment shall not apply—
"(A) with respect to services furnished by an eligible organization to any individual who is enrolled with that organization under an existing cost contract (as defined in paragraph (3)(A)) and entitled to benefits under part A, or enrolled in part B, of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] at the time the organization first enters into a new risk-sharing contract (as defined in paragraph (3)(D)) unless—
"(i) the individual requests at any time that the amendment apply, or
"(ii) the Secretary determines at any time that the amendment should apply to all members of the organization because of administrative costs or other administrative burdens involved and so informs in advance each affected member of the eligible organization;
"(B) with respect to services furnished by an eligible organization during the five-year period beginning on the initial effective date, if—
"(i) the organization has an existing risk-sharing contract (as defined in paragraph (3)(B)) on the initial effective date, or
"(ii) on the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 3, 1982] the organization was furnishing services pursuant to an existing demonstration project (as defined in paragraph (3)(C)), such demonstration project is concluded before the initial effective date, and before such initial effective date the organization enters into an existing risk-sharing contract,
unless the organization requests that the amendment apply earlier; or
"(C) with respect to services furnished by an eligible organization during the period of an existing demonstration project if on the initial effective date the organization was furnishing services pursuant to the project and if the project concludes after such date.
"(2)(A) In the case of an eligible organization which has in effect an existing cost contract (as defined in paragraph (3)(A)) on the initial effective date, the organization may receive payment under a new risk-sharing contract with respect to a current, nonrisk medicare enrollee (as defined in subparagraph (C)) only to the extent that the organization enrolls, for each such enrollee, two new medicare enrollees (as defined in subparagraph (D)). The selection of those current nonrisk medicare enrollees with respect to whom payment may be so received under a new risk-sharing contract shall be made in a nonbiased manner.
"(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to prevent an eligible organization from providing for enrollment, on a basis described in subsection (a)(6) of section 1876 of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(6) of this section] (as amended by this Act [
"(i) payment to the organization with respect to such enrollees shall only be made in accordance with the terms of a reasonable cost reimbursement contract, and
"(ii) no payment may be made under section 1876 of such Act [this section] with respect to such enrollees for any such additional benefits.
Individuals enrolled with the organization under this subparagraph shall be considered to be individuals enrolled with the organization for the purpose of meeting the requirement of section 1876(g)(2) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (g)(2) of this section] (as amended by this Act [
"(C) For purposes of this paragraph, the term 'current, nonrisk medicare enrollee' means, with respect to an organization, an individual who on the initial effective date—
"(i) is enrolled with that organization under an existing cost contract, and
"(ii) is entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B, or enrolled in part B, of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter].
"(D) For purposes of this paragraph, the term 'new medicare enrollee' means, with respect to an organization, an individual who—
"(i) is enrolled with the organization after the date the organization first enters into a new risk-sharing contract,
"(ii) at the time of such enrollment is entitled to benefits under part A, or enrolled in part B, of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], and
"(iii) was not enrolled with the organization at the time the individual became entitled to benefits under part A, or to enroll in part B, of such title [this subchapter].
"(E) The preceding provisions of this paragraph shall not to [sic] apply to payments made for current, nonrisk medicare enrollees for months beginning with April 1987.
"(3) For purposes of this subsection:
"(A) The term 'existing cost contract' means a contract which is entered into under section 1876 of the Social Security Act [this section], as in effect before the initial effective date, or reimbursement on a reasonable cost basis under section 1833(a)(1)(A) of such Act [
"(B) The term 'existing risk-sharing contract' means a contract entered into under section 1876(i)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (i)(2)(A) of this section], as in effect before the initial effective date.
"(C) The term 'existing demonstration project' means a demonstration project under section 402(a) of the Social Security Amendments of 1967 [
"(D) The term 'new risk-sharing contract' means a contract entered into under section 1876(g) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (g) of this section], as amended by this Act [
"(E) The term 'reasonable cost reimbursement contract' means a contract entered into under section 1876(h) of such Act [subsec. (h) of this section], as amended by this Act, or reimbursement on a reasonable cost basis under section 1833(a)(1)(A) of such Act [
"(4) As used in this section, the term 'initial effective date' means—
"(A) the first day of the thirteenth month which begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 3, 1982], or
"(B) the first day of the first month [Feb. 1, 1985] after the month in which the Secretary of Health and Human Services notifies the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committees on Ways and Means and on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives that he is reasonably certain that the methodology to make appropriate adjustments (referred to in section 1876(a)(4) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(4) of this section], as amended by this Act [
whichever is later."
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Section 201(e) of
Effective Date of 1973 Amendment
Section 18(z–3)(3) of
Effective Date
Section 226(f) of
Report on Impact
Section 4002(b)(2)(B) of
Transition Rule for PSO Enrollment
Section 4002(h) of
Requirements With Respect to Actuarial Equivalence of AAPCC
Section 4204(b) of
"(1)(A) Not later than October 1, 1995, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this subsection referred to as the 'Secretary') shall submit a proposal to the Congress that provides for revisions to the payment method to be applied in years beginning with 1997 for organizations with a risk-sharing contract under section 1876(g) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (g) of this section].
"(B) In proposing the revisions required under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consider—
"(i) the difference in costs associated with medicare beneficiaries with differing health status and demographic characteristics; and
"(ii) the effects of using alternative geographic classifications on the determinations of costs associated with beneficiaries residing in different areas.
"(2) Not later than 3 months after the date of submittal of the proposal under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall review the proposal and shall report to Congress on the appropriateness of the proposed modifications."
[Amendment by section 122(g) of
Study of Chiropractic Services
Section 4204(f) of
Effect on State Law
Conscientious objections of health care provider under State law unaffected by enactment of subsec. (c)(8) of this section, see section 4206(c) of
Notice of Methodology Used in Making Announcements Under Subsection (a)(1)(A)
Section 6206(a)(2) of
Adjustment of Contracts With Prepaid Health Plans
Section 203(b) of
"(1) with eligible organizations under section 1876 of the Social Security Act [this section], or
"(2) with health maintenance organizations under section 1876(i)(2)(A) of such Act [subsec. (i)(2)(A) of this section] (as in effect before February 1, 1985), under section 402(a) of the Social Security Amendments of 1967 [
Adjustment of Contracts With Prepaid Health Plans
Section 222 of
"(1) modify contracts under section 1876 of the Social Security Act [this section], for portions of contract years occurring after December 31, 1988, to take into account the amendments made by this Act [see Short Title of 1988 Amendment note under
"(2) require such organizations and organizations paid under section 1833(a)(1)(A) of such Act [
The Secretary shall also provide for appropriate modifications of contracts with health maintenance organizations under section 1876(i)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (i)(2)(A) of this section] (as in effect before February 1, 1985), under section 402(a) of the Social Security Amendments of 1967 [
Provision of Medicare DRG Rates for Certain Payments and Data on Inpatient Cost Pass-Through Items
Section 4012(c) of
Medicare Payment Demonstration Projects
Section 4015 of
"(a)
"(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this subsection referred to as the 'Secretary') may provide for capitation demonstration projects (in this subsection referred to as 'projects') with an entity which is an eligible organization with a contract with the Secretary under section 1876 of the Social Security Act [this section] or which meets the restrictions and requirements of this subsection. The Secretary may not approve a project unless it meets the requirements of this subsection.
"(2) The Secretary may not conduct more than 3 projects and may not expend, from funds under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], more than $600,000,000 in any fiscal year for all such projects.
"(3) The per capita rate of payment under a project—
"(A) may be based on the adjusted average per capita cost (as defined in section 1876(a)(4) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(4) of this section]) determined only with respect to the group of individuals involved (rather than with respect to medicare beneficiaries generally), but
"(B) the rate of payment may not exceed the lesser of—
"(i) 95 percent of the adjusted average per capita cost described in subparagraph (A), or
"(ii)(I) in the 4th year or 5th year of a project, 115 percent of the adjusted average per capita cost (as defined in section 1876(a)(4) of such Act [subsec. (a)(4) of this section]) for classes of individuals described in section 1876(a)(1)(B) of that Act [subsec. (a)(1)(B) of this section], or
"(II) in any subsequent year of a project, 95 percent of the adjusted average per capita cost (as defined in section 1876(a)(4) [subsec. (a)(4) of this section]) for such classes.
"(4) If the payment amounts made to a project are greater than the costs of the project (as determined by the Secretary or, if applicable, on the basis of adjusted community rates described in section 1876(e)(3) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (e)(3) of this section]), the project—
"(A) may retain the surplus, but not to exceed 5 percent of the average adjusted per capita cost determined in accordance with paragraph (3)(A), and
"(B) with respect to any additional surplus not retained by the project, shall apply such surplus to additional benefits for individuals served by the project or return such surplus to the Secretary.
"(5) Enrollment under the project shall be voluntary. Individuals enrolled with the project may terminate such enrollment as of the beginning of the first calendar month following the date on which the request is made for such termination. Upon such termination, such individuals shall retain the same rights to other health benefits that such individuals would have had if they had never enrolled with the project without any exclusion or waiting period for pre-existing conditions.
"(6) The requirements of—
"(A) subsection (c)(3)(C) (relating to dissemination of information),
"(B) subsection (c)(3)(E) (annual statement of rights),
"(C) subsection (c)(5) (grievance procedures),
"(D) subsection (c)(6) (on-going quality),
"(E) subsection (g)(6) (relating to prompt payment of claims),
"(F) subsection (i)(3)(A) and (B) (relating to access to information and termination notices),
"(G) subsection (i)(6) (relating to providing necessary services), and
"(H) subsection (i)(7) (relating to agreements with peer review organizations),
of section 1876 of the Social Security Act [this section] shall apply to a project in the same manner as they apply to eligible organizations with risk-sharing contracts under such section.
"(7) The benefits provided under a project must be at least actuarially equivalent to the combination of the benefits available under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] and the benefits available through any alternative plans in which the individual can enroll through the employer. The project shall guarantee the actuarial value of benefits available under the employer plan for the duration of the project.
"(8) A project shall comply with all applicable State laws.
"(9) The Secretary may not authorize a project unless the entity offering the project demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that it has the necessary financial reserves to pay for any liability for benefits under the project (including those liabilities for health benefits under medicare and any supplemental benefits).
"(10) The Comptroller General shall monitor projects under this subsection and shall report periodically (not less often than once every year) to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce and Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives on the status of such projects and the effect on such projects of the requirements of this section and shall submit a final report to each such committee on the results of such projects.
"(b)
"(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this subsection referred to as the 'Secretary') is specifically authorized to conduct demonstration projects under this subsection for the purpose of testing alternative payment methodologies pertaining to capitation payments under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], including—
"(A) computing adjustments to the average per capita cost under section 1876 of such Act [this section] on the basis of health status or prior utilization of services, and
"(B) accounting for geographic variations in cost in the adjusted average per capita costs applicable to an eligible organization under such section which differs from payments currently provided on a county-by-county basis.
"(2) No project may be conducted under this subsection—
"(A) with an entity which is not an eligible organization (as defined in section 1876(b) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b) of this section]), and
"(B) unless the project meets all the requirements of subsections (c) and (i)(3) of section 1876 of such Act [subsecs. (c) and (i)(3) of this section].
"(3) There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out projects under this subsection $5,000,000 in each of fiscal years 1989 and 1990.
"(c)
[For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions of law requiring submittal to Congress of any annual, semiannual, or other regular periodic report listed in House Document No. 103–7 (in which the requirement to report not less than once every year to certain committees of Congress under section 4015(a)(10) of
GAO Study and Reports on Medicare Capitation
Section 4017 of
Demonstration Projects To Provide Payment on a Prepaid, Capitated Basis for Community Nursing and Ambulatory Care Furnished to Medicare Beneficiaries
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(i) the period beginning with October 1, 2000, and ending with December 31, 2000, shall be determined by actuarially adjusting the actual capitation rate paid for such services in 1999 for inflation, utilization, and other changes to the CNO service package, and by reducing such adjusted capitation rate by 10 percent in the case of the demonstration sites located in Arizona, Minnesota, and Illinois, and 15 percent for the demonstration site located in New York; and
"(ii) 2001 shall be determined by actuarially adjusting the capitation rate determined under clause (i) for inflation, utilization, and other changes to the CNO service package.
"(B)
"(i) the case management fee per enrollee per month for—
"(I) the period described in subparagraph (A)(i) shall be determined by actuarially adjusting the case management fee for 1999 for inflation; and
"(II) 2001 shall be determined by actuarially adjusting the amount determined under subclause (I) for inflation; and
"(ii) such case management fee shall be paid only for enrollees who are classified as moderately frail or frail pursuant to criteria established by the Secretary.
"(C)
"(i) protocols for periodic telephonic contact with enrollees based on—
"(I) the results of such standardized written health assessment; and
"(II) the application of appropriate care planning approaches;
"(ii) disease management programs for targeted diseases (such as congestive heart failure, arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension) that are highly prevalent in the enrolled populations;
"(iii) systems and protocols to track enrollees through hospitalizations, including pre-admission planning, concurrent management during inpatient hospital stays, and post-discharge assessment, planning, and follow-up; and
"(iv) standardized patient educational materials for specified diseases and health conditions.
"(D)
"(i) enrollee satisfaction surveys; and
"(ii) reporting on specified quality indicators for the enrolled population.
"(c)
"(1)
"(A) evaluates such demonstration projects for the period beginning July 1, 1997, and ending December 31, 1999, on a site-specific basis with respect to the impact on per beneficiary spending, specific health utilization measures, and enrollee satisfaction; and
"(B) includes a similar evaluation of such projects for the portion of the extension period that occurs after September 30, 2000.
"(2)
"(3)
"(A) data for all individuals who—
"(i) were enrolled in such demonstration projects as of the first day of the period under evaluation; and
"(ii) were enrolled for a minimum of 6 months thereafter; with
"(B) data for a matched sample of individuals who are enrolled under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [part B of this subchapter] and are not enrolled in such a project, or in a Medicare+Choice plan under part C of such title [part C of this subchapter], a plan offered by an eligible organization under section 1876 of such Act [this section], or a health care prepayment plan under section 1833(a)(1)(A) of such Act [
[
Section 4019 of
Section 4079 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) The term 'community nursing and ambulatory care' means the following services:
"(A) Part-time or intermittent nursing care furnished by or under the supervision of registered professional nurses.
"(B) Physical, occupational, or speech therapy.
"(C) Social and related services supportive of a plan of ambulatory care.
"(D) Part-time or intermittent services of a home health aide.
"(E) Medical supplies (other than drugs and biologicals) and durable medical equipment while under a plan of care.
"(F) Medical and other health services described in paragraphs (2)(H)(ii) and (5) through (9) of section 1861(s) of the Social Security Act [section 1395x(s)(2)(H)(ii), (5)–(9) of this title].
"(G) Rural health clinic services described in section 1861(aa)(1)(C) of such Act [
"(H) Certain other related services listed in section 1915(c)(4)(B) of such Act [
"(2) The term 'eligible organization' means a public or private entity, organized under the laws of any State, which meets the following requirements:
"(A) The entity (or a division or part of such entity) is primarily engaged in the direct provision of community nursing and ambulatory care.
"(B) The entity provides directly, or through arrangements with other qualified personnel, the services described in paragraph (1).
"(C) The entity provides that all nursing care (including services of home health aids) is furnished by or under the supervision of a registered nurse.
"(D) The entity provides that all services are furnished by qualified staff and are coordinated by a registered professional nurse.
"(E) The entity has policies governing the furnishing of community nursing and ambulatory care that are developed by registered professional nurses in cooperation with (as appropriate) other professionals.
"(F) The entity maintains clinical records on all patients.
"(G) The entity has protocols and procedures to assure, when appropriate, timely referral to or consultation with other health care providers or professionals.
"(H) The entity complies with applicable State and local laws governing the provision of community nursing and ambulatory care to patients.
"(I) The requirements of subparagraphs (B), (D), and (E) of section 1876(b)(2) of the Social Security Act [
"(c)
"(1) The Secretary may not enter into an agreement with an eligible organization to conduct a demonstration project under this section unless the organization meets the requirements of this subsection and subsection (e) with respect to members enrolled with the organization under this section.
"(2) The organization shall have an open enrollment period for the enrollment of individuals under this section. The duration of such period of enrollment and any other requirement pertaining to enrollment or termination of enrollment shall be specified in the agreement with the organization.
"(3) The organization must provide to members enrolled with the organization under this section, through providers and other persons that meet the applicable requirements of titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter and subchapter XIX of this chapter], community nursing and ambulatory care (as defined in subsection (b)(1)) which is generally available to individuals residing in the geographic area served by the organization, except that the organization may provide such members with such additional health care services as the members may elect, at their option, to have covered.
"(4) The organization must make community nursing and ambulatory care (and such other health care services as such individuals have contracted for) available and accessible to each individual enrolled with the organization under this section, within the area served by the organization, with reasonable promptness and in a manner which assures continuity.
"(5) Section 1876(c)(5) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (c)(5) of this section] shall apply to organizations under this section in the same manner as it applies to organizations under section 1876 of such Act.
"(6) The organization must have arrangements, established in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, for an ongoing quality assurance program for health care services it provides to such individuals under the demonstration project conducted under this section, which program (A) stresses health outcomes and (B) provides review by health care professionals of the process followed in the provision of such health care services.
"(7) Under a demonstration project under this section—
"(A) the Secretary could require the organization to provide financial or other assurances (including financial risk-sharing) that minimize the inappropriate substitution of other services under title XVIII of such Act [this subchapter] for community nursing services; and
"(B) if the Secretary determines that the organization has failed to perform in accordance with the requirements of the project (including meeting financial responsibility requirements under the project, any pattern of disproportionate or inappropriate institutionalization) the Secretary shall, after notice, terminate the project.
"(d)
"(1) The Secretary shall determine for each 12-month period in which a demonstration project is conducted under this section, and shall announce (in a manner intended to provide notice to interested parties) not later than three months before the beginning of such period, with respect to each eligible organization conducting a demonstration project under this section, a per capita rate of payment for each class of individuals who are enrolled with such organization who are entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [part A and part B of this subchapter].
"(2)(A) Except as provided in paragraph (3), the per capita rate of payment under paragraph (1) shall be determined in accordance with this paragraph.
"(B) The Secretary shall define appropriate classes of members, based on age, disability status, and such other factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, so as to ensure actuarial equivalence. The Secretary may add to, modify, or substitute for such classes, if such changes will improve the determination of actuarial equivalence.
"(C) The per capita rate of payment under paragraph (1) for each such class shall be equal to 95 percent of the adjusted average per capita cost (as defined in subparagraph (D)) for that class.
"(D) For purposes of subparagraph (C), the term 'adjusted average per capita cost' means the average per capita amount that the Secretary estimates in advance (on the basis of actual experience, or retrospective actuarial equivalent based upon an adequate sample and other information and data, in a geographic area served by an eligible organization or in a similar area, with appropriate adjustments to assure actuarial equivalence) would be payable in any contract year for those services covered under parts A and B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [parts A and B of this subchapter] and types of expenses otherwise reimbursable under such parts A and B which are described in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of subsection (b)(1) (including administrative costs incurred by organizations described in sections 1816 and 1842 of such Act [
"(3) The Secretary shall, in consultation with providers, health policy experts, and consumer groups develop capitation-based reimbursement rates for such classes of individuals entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B of the Social Security Act [probably means parts A and B of title XVIII of that Act, this subchapter] as the Secretary shall determine. Such rates shall be applied in determining per capita rates of payment under paragraph (1) with respect to at least one eligible organization conducting a demonstration project under this section.
"(4)(A) In the case of an eligible organization conducting a demonstration project under this section, the Secretary shall make monthly payments in advance and in accordance with the rate determined under paragraph (2) or (3), except as provided in subsection (e)(3)(B), to the organization for each individual enrolled with the organization.
"(B) The amount of payment under paragraph (2) or (3) may be retroactively adjusted to take into account any difference between the actual number of individuals enrolled in the plan under this section and the number of such individuals estimated to be so enrolled in determining the amount of the advance payment.
"(5) The payment to an eligible organization under this section for individuals enrolled under this section with the organization and entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B of the Social Security Act shall be made from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund established under such Act [this chapter] in such proportions from each such trust fund as the Secretary deems to be fair and equitable taking into consideration benefits attributable to such parts A and B, respectively.
"(6) During any period in which an individual is enrolled with an eligible organization conducting a demonstration project under this section, only the eligible organization (and no other individual or person) shall be entitled to receive payments from the Secretary under this title [probably means title XVIII of the Social Security Act, this subchapter] for community nursing and ambulatory care (as defined in subsection (b)(1)) furnished to the individual.
"(e)
"(1) In no case may the portion of an eligible organization's premium rate and the actuarial value of its deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments charged (with respect to community nursing and ambulatory care) to individuals who are enrolled under this section with the organization, exceed the actuarial value of the coinsurance and deductibles that would be applicable on the average to individuals enrolled under this section with the organization (or, if the Secretary finds that adequate data are not available to determine that actuarial value, the actuarial value of the coinsurance and deductibles applicable on the average to individuals in the area, in the State, or in the United States, eligible to enroll under this section with the organization, or other appropriate data) and entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B of the Social Security Act [probably means parts A and B of title XVIII of that Act, this subchapter], if they were not members of an eligible organization.
"(2) If the eligible organization provides to its members enrolled under this section services in addition to community nursing and ambulatory care, election of coverage for such additional services shall be optional for such members and such organization shall furnish such members with information on the portion of its premium rate or other charges applicable to such additional services. In no case may the sum of—
"(A) the portion of such organization's premium rate charged, with respect to such additional services, to members enrolled under this section, and
"(B) the actuarial value of its deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments charged, with respect to such services to such members
exceed the adjusted community rate for such services (as defined in section 1876(e)(3) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (e)(3) of this section]).
"(3)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), each agreement to conduct a demonstration project under this section shall provide that if—
"(i) the adjusted community rate, referred to in paragraph (2), for community nursing and ambulatory care covered under parts A and B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [parts A and B of this subchapter] (as reduced for the actuarial value of the coinsurance and deductibles under those parts) for members enrolled under this section with the organization,
is less than
"(ii) the average of the per capita rates of payment to be made under subsection (d)(1) at the beginning of the 12-month period (as determined on such basis as the Secretary determines appropriate) described in such subsection for members enrolled under this section with the organization,
the eligible organization shall provide to such members the additional benefits described in section 1876(g)(3) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (g)(3) of this section] which are selected by the eligible organization and which the Secretary finds are at least equal in value to the difference between that average per capita payment and the adjusted community rate (as so reduced).
"(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to any organization which elects to receive a lesser payment to the extent that there is no longer a difference between the average per capita payment and adjusted community rate (as so reduced).
"(C) An organization conducting a demonstration project under this section may provide (with the approval of the Secretary) that a part of the value of such additional benefits under subparagraph (A) be withheld and reserved by the Secretary as provided in section 1876(g)(5) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (g)(5) of this section].
"(4) The provisions of paragraphs (3), (5), and (6) of section 1876(g) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (g)(3), (5), and (6) of this section] shall apply in the same manner to agreements under this section as they apply to risk-sharing contracts under section 1876 of such Act, and, for this purpose, any reference in such paragraphs to paragraph (2) is deemed a reference to paragraph (3) of this subsection.
"(5) Section 1876(e)(4) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (e)(4) of this section] shall apply to eligible organizations under this section in the same manner as it applies to eligible organizations under section 1876 of such Act.
"(f)
"(g)
Study of AAPCC and ACR
Section 9312(g) of
Allowing Medicare Beneficiaries To Disenroll at Local Social Security Offices
Section 9312(h) of
Use of Reserve Funds
Section 9312(i) of
Phase-in of Enrollment Period by Secretary
Section 2350(a)(2) of
Stabilization Fund; Establishment Limitation; Uses; Report to Congress
Section 2350(b)(3), (4) of
Study of Additional Benefits Selected by Eligible Organizations
Section 114(d) of
Study Evaluating the Extent of, and Reasons for, Termination by Medicare Beneficiaries of Membership in Organizations With Contracts Under This Section
Section 114(e) of
Reimbursement for Services
Section 226(b) of
"(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1814 and section 1833 of the Social Security Act [
"(2) With respect to individuals who are members of organizations which have entered into a risk-sharing contract with the Secretary pursuant to subsection (i)(2)(A) [of this section] prior to July 1, 1973, and who, although eligible to have payment made pursuant to section 1876 of such Act [this section] for services rendered to them, chose (in accordance with regulations) not to have such payment made pursuant to such section, the Secretary shall, for a period not to exceed three years commencing on July 1, 1973, pay to such organization on the basis of an interim per capita rate, determined in accordance with the provisions of section 1876(a)(2) of such Act [subsec. (a)(2) of this section], with appropriate actuarial adjustments to reflect the difference in utilization of out-of-plan services, which would have been considered sufficiently reasonable and necessary under the rules of the health maintenance organization to be provided by that organization, between such individuals and individuals who are enrolled with such organization pursuant to section 1876 of such Act [this section]. Payments under this paragraph shall be subject to retroactive adjustment at the end of each contract year as provided in paragraph (3).
"(3) If the Secretary determines that the per capita cost of any such organization in any contract year for providing services to individuals described in paragraph (2), when combined with the cost of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund in such year for providing out-of-plan services to such individuals, is less than or greater than the adjusted average per capita cost (as defined in section 1876(a)(3) of such Act) [subsec. (a)(3) of this section] of providing such services, the resulting savings shall be apportioned between such organization and such Trust Funds, or the resulting losses shall be absorbed by such organization, in the manner prescribed in section 1876(a)(3) of such Act [subsec. (a)(3) of this section]."
1 See References in Text note below.
2 See References in Text note below.
§1395nn. Limitation on certain physician referrals
(a) Prohibition of certain referrals
(1) In general
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, if a physician (or an immediate family member of such physician) has a financial relationship with an entity specified in paragraph (2), then—
(A) the physician may not make a referral to the entity for the furnishing of designated health services for which payment otherwise may be made under this subchapter, and
(B) the entity may not present or cause to be presented a claim under this subchapter or bill to any individual, third party payor, or other entity for designated health services furnished pursuant to a referral prohibited under subparagraph (A).
(2) Financial relationship specified
For purposes of this section, a financial relationship of a physician (or an immediate family member of such physician) with an entity specified in this paragraph is—
(A) except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, an ownership or investment interest in the entity, or
(B) except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, a compensation arrangement (as defined in subsection (h)(1) of this section) between the physician (or an immediate family member of such physician) and the entity.
An ownership or investment interest described in subparagraph (A) may be through equity, debt, or other means and includes an interest in an entity that holds an ownership or investment interest in any entity providing the designated health service.
(b) General exceptions to both ownership and compensation arrangement prohibitions
Subsection (a)(1) of this section shall not apply in the following cases:
(1) Physicians' services
In the case of physicians' services (as defined in
(2) In-office ancillary services
In the case of services (other than durable medical equipment (excluding infusion pumps) and parenteral and enteral nutrients, equipment, and supplies)—
(A) that are furnished—
(i) personally by the referring physician, personally by a physician who is a member of the same group practice as the referring physician, or personally by individuals who are directly supervised by the physician or by another physician in the group practice, and
(ii)(I) in a building in which the referring physician (or another physician who is a member of the same group practice) furnishes physicians' services unrelated to the furnishing of designated health services, or
(II) in the case of a referring physician who is a member of a group practice, in another building which is used by the group practice—
(aa) for the provision of some or all of the group's clinical laboratory services, or
(bb) for the centralized provision of the group's designated health services (other than clinical laboratory services),
unless the Secretary determines other terms and conditions under which the provision of such services does not present a risk of program or patient abuse, and
(B) that are billed by the physician performing or supervising the services, by a group practice of which such physician is a member under a billing number assigned to the group practice, or by an entity that is wholly owned by such physician or such group practice,
if the ownership or investment interest in such services meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse. Such requirements shall, with respect to magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, positron emission tomography, and any other designated health services specified under subsection (h)(6)(D) that the Secretary determines appropriate, include a requirement that the referring physician inform the individual in writing at the time of the referral that the individual may obtain the services for which the individual is being referred from a person other than a person described in subparagraph (A)(i) and provide such individual with a written list of suppliers (as defined in
(3) Prepaid plans
In the case of services furnished by an organization—
(A) with a contract under
(B) described in
(C) receiving payments on a prepaid basis, under a demonstration project under
(D) that is a qualified health maintenance organization (within the meaning of section 300e–9(d) 1 of this title) to an individual enrolled with the organization, or
(E) that is a Medicare+Choice organization under part C of this subchapter that is offering a coordinated care plan described in
(4) Other permissible exceptions
In the case of any other financial relationship which the Secretary determines, and specifies in regulations, does not pose a risk of program or patient abuse.
(5) Electronic prescribing
An exception established by regulation under
(c) General exception related only to ownership or investment prohibition for ownership in publicly traded securities and mutual funds
Ownership of the following shall not be considered to be an ownership or investment interest described in subsection (a)(2)(A) of this section:
(1) Ownership of investment securities (including shares or bonds, debentures, notes, or other debt instruments) which may be purchased on terms generally available to the public and which are—
(A)(i) securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, or any regional exchange in which quotations are published on a daily basis, or foreign securities listed on a recognized foreign, national, or regional exchange in which quotations are published on a daily basis, or
(ii) traded under an automated interdealer quotation system operated by the National Association of Securities Dealers, and
(B) in a corporation that had, at the end of the corporation's most recent fiscal year, or on average during the previous 3 fiscal years, stockholder equity exceeding $75,000,000.
(2) Ownership of shares in a regulated investment company as defined in section 851(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, if such company had, at the end of the company's most recent fiscal year, or on average during the previous 3 fiscal years, total assets exceeding $75,000,000.
(d) Additional exceptions related only to ownership or investment prohibition
The following, if not otherwise excepted under subsection (b) of this section, shall not be considered to be an ownership or investment interest described in subsection (a)(2)(A) of this section:
(1) Hospitals in Puerto Rico
In the case of designated health services provided by a hospital located in Puerto Rico.
(2) Rural providers
In the case of designated health services furnished in a rural area (as defined in
(A) substantially all of the designated health services furnished by the entity are furnished to individuals residing in such a rural area;
(B) effective for the 18-month period beginning on December 8, 2003, the entity is not a specialty hospital (as defined in subsection (h)(7) of this section); and
(C) in the case where the entity is a hospital, the hospital meets the requirements of paragraph (3)(D).
(3) Hospital ownership
In the case of designated health services provided by a hospital (other than a hospital described in paragraph (1)) if—
(A) the referring physician is authorized to perform services at the hospital;
(B) effective for the 18-month period beginning on December 8, 2003, the hospital is not a specialty hospital (as defined in subsection (h)(7) of this section);
(C) the ownership or investment interest is in the hospital itself (and not merely in a subdivision of the hospital); and
(D) the hospital meets the requirements described in subsection (i)(1) not later than 18 months after March 23, 2010.
(e) Exceptions relating to other compensation arrangements
The following shall not be considered to be a compensation arrangement described in subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section:
(1) Rental of office space; rental of equipment
(A) Office space
Payments made by a lessee to a lessor for the use of premises if—
(i) the lease is set out in writing, signed by the parties, and specifies the premises covered by the lease,
(ii) the space rented or leased does not exceed that which is reasonable and necessary for the legitimate business purposes of the lease or rental and is used exclusively by the lessee when being used by the lessee, except that the lessee may make payments for the use of space consisting of common areas if such payments do not exceed the lessee's pro rata share of expenses for such space based upon the ratio of the space used exclusively by the lessee to the total amount of space (other than common areas) occupied by all persons using such common areas,
(iii) the lease provides for a term of rental or lease for at least 1 year,
(iv) the rental charges over the term of the lease are set in advance, are consistent with fair market value, and are not determined in a manner that takes into account the volume or value of any referrals or other business generated between the parties,
(v) the lease would be commercially reasonable even if no referrals were made between the parties, and
(vi) the lease meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse.
(B) Equipment
Payments made by a lessee of equipment to the lessor of the equipment for the use of the equipment if—
(i) the lease is set out in writing, signed by the parties, and specifies the equipment covered by the lease,
(ii) the equipment rented or leased does not exceed that which is reasonable and necessary for the legitimate business purposes of the lease or rental and is used exclusively by the lessee when being used by the lessee,
(iii) the lease provides for a term of rental or lease of at least 1 year,
(iv) the rental charges over the term of the lease are set in advance, are consistent with fair market value, and are not determined in a manner that takes into account the volume or value of any referrals or other business generated between the parties,
(v) the lease would be commercially reasonable even if no referrals were made between the parties, and
(vi) the lease meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse.
(2) Bona fide employment relationships
Any amount paid by an employer to a physician (or an immediate family member of such physician) who has a bona fide employment relationship with the employer for the provision of services if—
(A) the employment is for identifiable services,
(B) the amount of the remuneration under the employment—
(i) is consistent with the fair market value of the services, and
(ii) is not determined in a manner that takes into account (directly or indirectly) the volume or value of any referrals by the referring physician,
(C) the remuneration is provided pursuant to an agreement which would be commercially reasonable even if no referrals were made to the employer, and
(D) the employment meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse.
Subparagraph (B)(ii) shall not prohibit the payment of remuneration in the form of a productivity bonus based on services performed personally by the physician (or an immediate family member of such physician).
(3) Personal service arrangements
(A) In general
Remuneration from an entity under an arrangement (including remuneration for specific physicians' services furnished to a nonprofit blood center) if—
(i) the arrangement is set out in writing, signed by the parties, and specifies the services covered by the arrangement,
(ii) the arrangement covers all of the services to be provided by the physician (or an immediate family member of such physician) to the entity,
(iii) the aggregate services contracted for do not exceed those that are reasonable and necessary for the legitimate business purposes of the arrangement,
(iv) the term of the arrangement is for at least 1 year,
(v) the compensation to be paid over the term of the arrangement is set in advance, does not exceed fair market value, and except in the case of a physician incentive plan described in subparagraph (B), is not determined in a manner that takes into account the volume or value of any referrals or other business generated between the parties,
(vi) the services to be performed under the arrangement do not involve the counseling or promotion or a business arrangement or other activity that violates any State or Federal law, and
(vii) the arrangement meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse.
(B) Physician incentive plan exception
(i) In general
In the case of a physician incentive plan (as defined in clause (ii)) between a physician and an entity, the compensation may be determined in a manner (through a withhold, capitation, bonus, or otherwise) that takes into account directly or indirectly the volume or value of any referrals or other business generated between the parties, if the plan meets the following requirements:
(I) No specific payment is made directly or indirectly under the plan to a physician or a physician group as an inducement to reduce or limit medically necessary services provided with respect to a specific individual enrolled with the entity.
(II) In the case of a plan that places a physician or a physician group at substantial financial risk as determined by the Secretary pursuant to
(III) Upon request by the Secretary, the entity provides the Secretary with access to descriptive information regarding the plan, in order to permit the Secretary to determine whether the plan is in compliance with the requirements of this clause.
(ii) "Physician incentive plan" defined
For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "physician incentive plan" means any compensation arrangement between an entity and a physician or physician group that may directly or indirectly have the effect of reducing or limiting services provided with respect to individuals enrolled with the entity.
(4) Remuneration unrelated to the provision of designated health services
In the case of remuneration which is provided by a hospital to a physician if such remuneration does not relate to the provision of designated health services.
(5) Physician recruitment
In the case of remuneration which is provided by a hospital to a physician to induce the physician to relocate to the geographic area served by the hospital in order to be a member of the medical staff of the hospital, if—
(A) the physician is not required to refer patients to the hospital,
(B) the amount of the remuneration under the arrangement is not determined in a manner that takes into account (directly or indirectly) the volume or value of any referrals by the referring physician, and
(C) the arrangement meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse.
(6) Isolated transactions
In the case of an isolated financial transaction, such as a one-time sale of property or practice, if—
(A) the requirements described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (2) are met with respect to the entity in the same manner as they apply to an employer, and
(B) the transaction meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse.
(7) Certain group practice arrangements with a hospital
(A) 2 In general
An arrangement between a hospital and a group under which designated health services are provided by the group but are billed by the hospital if—
(i) with respect to services provided to an inpatient of the hospital, the arrangement is pursuant to the provision of inpatient hospital services under
(ii) the arrangement began before December 19, 1989, and has continued in effect without interruption since such date,
(iii) with respect to the designated health services covered under the arrangement, substantially all of such services furnished to patients of the hospital are furnished by the group under the arrangement,
(iv) the arrangement is pursuant to an agreement that is set out in writing and that specifies the services to be provided by the parties and the compensation for services provided under the agreement,
(v) the compensation paid over the term of the agreement is consistent with fair market value and the compensation per unit of services is fixed in advance and is not determined in a manner that takes into account the volume or value of any referrals or other business generated between the parties,
(vi) the compensation is provided pursuant to an agreement which would be commercially reasonable even if no referrals were made to the entity, and
(vii) the arrangement between the parties meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse.
(8) Payments by a physician for items and services
Payments made by a physician—
(A) to a laboratory in exchange for the provision of clinical laboratory services, or
(B) to an entity as compensation for other items or services if the items or services are furnished at a price that is consistent with fair market value.
(f) Reporting requirements
Each entity providing covered items or services for which payment may be made under this subchapter shall provide the Secretary with the information concerning the entity's ownership, investment, and compensation arrangements, including—
(1) the covered items and services provided by the entity, and
(2) the names and unique physician identification numbers of all physicians with an ownership or investment interest (as described in subsection (a)(2)(A) of this section), or with a compensation arrangement (as described in subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section), in the entity, or whose immediate relatives have such an ownership or investment interest or who have such a compensation relationship with the entity.
Such information shall be provided in such form, manner, and at such times as the Secretary shall specify. The requirement of this subsection shall not apply to designated health services provided outside the United States or to entities which the Secretary determines provides 3 services for which payment may be made under this subchapter very infrequently.
(g) Sanctions
(1) Denial of payment
No payment may be made under this subchapter for a designated health service which is provided in violation of subsection (a)(1) of this section.
(2) Requiring refunds for certain claims
If a person collects any amounts that were billed in violation of subsection (a)(1) of this section, the person shall be liable to the individual for, and shall refund on a timely basis to the individual, any amounts so collected.
(3) Civil money penalty and exclusion for improper claims
Any person that presents or causes to be presented a bill or a claim for a service that such person knows or should know is for a service for which payment may not be made under paragraph (1) or for which a refund has not been made under paragraph (2) shall be subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $15,000 for each such service. The provisions of
(4) Civil money penalty and exclusion for circumvention schemes
Any physician or other entity that enters into an arrangement or scheme (such as a cross-referral arrangement) which the physician or entity knows or should know has a principal purpose of assuring referrals by the physician to a particular entity which, if the physician directly made referrals to such entity, would be in violation of this section, shall be subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $100,000 for each such arrangement or scheme. The provisions of
(5) Failure to report information
Any person who is required, but fails, to meet a reporting requirement of subsection (f) of this section is subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $10,000 for each day for which reporting is required to have been made. The provisions of
(6) Advisory opinions
(A) In general
The Secretary shall issue written advisory opinions concerning whether a referral relating to designated health services (other than clinical laboratory services) is prohibited under this section. Each advisory opinion issued by the Secretary shall be binding as to the Secretary and the party or parties requesting the opinion.
(B) Application of certain rules
The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, apply the rules under subsections (b)(3) and (b)(4) of this section and take into account the regulations promulgated under subsection (b)(5) of
(C) Regulations
In order to implement this paragraph in a timely manner, the Secretary may promulgate regulations that take effect on an interim basis, after notice and pending opportunity for public comment.
(D) Applicability
This paragraph shall apply to requests for advisory opinions made after the date which is 90 days after August 5, 1997, and before the close of the period described in
(h) Definitions and special rules
For purposes of this section:
(1) Compensation arrangement; remuneration
(A) The term "compensation arrangement" means any arrangement involving any remuneration between a physician (or an immediate family member of such physician) and an entity other than an arrangement involving only remuneration described in subparagraph (C).
(B) The term "remuneration" includes any remuneration, directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind.
(C) Remuneration described in this subparagraph is any remuneration consisting of any of the following:
(i) The forgiveness of amounts owed for inaccurate tests or procedures, mistakenly performed tests or procedures, or the correction of minor billing errors.
(ii) The provision of items, devices, or supplies that are used solely to—
(I) collect, transport, process, or store specimens for the entity providing the item, device, or supply, or
(II) order or communicate the results of tests or procedures for such entity.
(iii) A payment made by an insurer or a self-insured plan to a physician to satisfy a claim, submitted on a fee for service basis, for the furnishing of health services by that physician to an individual who is covered by a policy with the insurer or by the self-insured plan, if—
(I) the health services are not furnished, and the payment is not made, pursuant to a contract or other arrangement between the insurer or the plan and the physician,
(II) the payment is made to the physician on behalf of the covered individual and would otherwise be made directly to such individual,
(III) the amount of the payment is set in advance, does not exceed fair market value, and is not determined in a manner that takes into account directly or indirectly the volume or value of any referrals, and
(IV) the payment meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse.
(2) Employee
An individual is considered to be "employed by" or an "employee" of an entity if the individual would be considered to be an employee of the entity under the usual common law rules applicable in determining the employer-employee relationship (as applied for purposes of section 3121(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).
(3) Fair market value
The term "fair market value" means the value in arms length transactions, consistent with the general market value, and, with respect to rentals or leases, the value of rental property for general commercial purposes (not taking into account its intended use) and, in the case of a lease of space, not adjusted to reflect the additional value the prospective lessee or lessor would attribute to the proximity or convenience to the lessor where the lessor is a potential source of patient referrals to the lessee.
(4) Group practice
(A) Definition of group practice
The term "group practice" means a group of 2 or more physicians legally organized as a partnership, professional corporation, foundation, not-for-profit corporation, faculty practice plan, or similar association—
(i) in which each physician who is a member of the group provides substantially the full range of services which the physician routinely provides, including medical care, consultation, diagnosis, or treatment, through the joint use of shared office space, facilities, equipment and personnel,
(ii) for which substantially all of the services of the physicians who are members of the group are provided through the group and are billed under a billing number assigned to the group and amounts so received are treated as receipts of the group,
(iii) in which the overhead expenses of and the income from the practice are distributed in accordance with methods previously determined,
(iv) except as provided in subparagraph (B)(i), in which no physician who is a member of the group directly or indirectly receives compensation based on the volume or value of referrals by the physician,
(v) in which members of the group personally conduct no less than 75 percent of the physician-patient encounters of the group practice, and
(vi) which meets such other standards as the Secretary may impose by regulation.
(B) Special rules
(i) Profits and productivity bonuses
A physician in a group practice may be paid a share of overall profits of the group, or a productivity bonus based on services personally performed or services incident to such personally performed services, so long as the share or bonus is not determined in any manner which is directly related to the volume or value of referrals by such physician.
(ii) Faculty practice plans
In the case of a faculty practice plan associated with a hospital, institution of higher education, or medical school with an approved medical residency training program in which physician members may provide a variety of different specialty services and provide professional services both within and outside the group, as well as perform other tasks such as research, subparagraph (A) shall be applied only with respect to the services provided within the faculty practice plan.
(5) Referral; referring physician
(A) Physicians' services
Except as provided in subparagraph (C), in the case of an item or service for which payment may be made under part B of this subchapter, the request by a physician for the item or service, including the request by a physician for a consultation with another physician (and any test or procedure ordered by, or to be performed by (or under the supervision of) that other physician), constitutes a "referral" by a "referring physician".
(B) Other items
Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the request or establishment of a plan of care by a physician which includes the provision of the designated health service constitutes a "referral" by a "referring physician".
(C) Clarification respecting certain services integral to a consultation by certain specialists
A request by a pathologist for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests and pathological examination services, a request by a radiologist for diagnostic radiology services, and a request by a radiation oncologist for radiation therapy, if such services are furnished by (or under the supervision of) such pathologist, radiologist, or radiation oncologist pursuant to a consultation requested by another physician does not constitute a "referral" by a "referring physician".
(6) Designated health services
The term "designated health services" means any of the following items or services:
(A) Clinical laboratory services.
(B) Physical therapy services.
(C) Occupational therapy services.
(D) Radiology services, including magnetic resonance imaging, computerized axial tomography scans, and ultrasound services.
(E) Radiation therapy services and supplies.
(F) Durable medical equipment and supplies.
(G) Parenteral and enteral nutrients, equipment, and supplies.
(H) Prosthetics, orthotics, and prosthetic devices and supplies.
(I) Home health services.
(J) Outpatient prescription drugs.
(K) Inpatient and outpatient hospital services.
(L) Outpatient speech-language pathology services.
(7) Specialty hospital
(A) In general
For purposes of this section, except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term "specialty hospital" means a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in
(i) Patients with a cardiac condition.
(ii) Patients with an orthopedic condition.
(iii) Patients receiving a surgical procedure.
(iv) Any other specialized category of services that the Secretary designates as inconsistent with the purpose of permitting physician ownership and investment interests in a hospital under this section.
(B) Exception
For purposes of this section, the term "specialty hospital" does not include any hospital—
(i) determined by the Secretary—
(I) to be in operation before November 18, 2003; or
(II) under development as of such date;
(ii) for which the number of physician investors at any time on or after such date is no greater than the number of such investors as of such date;
(iii) for which the type of categories described in subparagraph (A) at any time on or after such date is no different than the type of such categories as of such date;
(iv) for which any increase in the number of beds occurs only in the facilities on the main campus of the hospital and does not exceed 50 percent of the number of beds in the hospital as of November 18, 2003, or 5 beds, whichever is greater; and
(v) that meets such other requirements as the Secretary may specify.
(i) Requirements for hospitals to qualify for rural provider and hospital exception to ownership or investment prohibition
(1) Requirements described
For purposes of subsection (d)(3)(D), the requirements described in this paragraph for a hospital are as follows:
(A) Provider agreement
The hospital had—
(i) physician ownership or investment on December 31, 2010; and
(ii) a provider agreement under
(B) Limitation on expansion of facility capacity
Except as provided in paragraph (3), the number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, and beds for which the hospital is licensed at any time on or after March 23, 2010, is no greater than the number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, and beds for which the hospital is licensed as of such date.
(C) Preventing conflicts of interest
(i) The hospital submits to the Secretary an annual report containing a detailed description of—
(I) the identity of each physician owner or investor and any other owners or investors of the hospital; and
(II) the nature and extent of all ownership and investment interests in the hospital.
(ii) The hospital has procedures in place to require that any referring physician owner or investor discloses to the patient being referred, by a time that permits the patient to make a meaningful decision regarding the receipt of care, as determined by the Secretary—
(I) the ownership or investment interest, as applicable, of such referring physician in the hospital; and
(II) if applicable, any such ownership or investment interest of the treating physician.
(iii) The hospital does not condition any physician ownership or investment interests either directly or indirectly on the physician owner or investor making or influencing referrals to the hospital or otherwise generating business for the hospital.
(iv) The hospital discloses the fact that the hospital is partially owned or invested in by physicians—
(I) on any public website for the hospital; and
(II) in any public advertising for the hospital.
(D) Ensuring bona fide investment
(i) The percentage of the total value of the ownership or investment interests held in the hospital, or in an entity whose assets include the hospital, by physician owners or investors in the aggregate does not exceed such percentage as of March 23, 2010.
(ii) Any ownership or investment interests that the hospital offers to a physician owner or investor are not offered on more favorable terms than the terms offered to a person who is not a physician owner or investor.
(iii) The hospital (or any owner or investor in the hospital) does not directly or indirectly provide loans or financing for any investment in the hospital by a physician owner or investor.
(iv) The hospital (or any owner or investor in the hospital) does not directly or indirectly guarantee a loan, make a payment toward a loan, or otherwise subsidize a loan, for any individual physician owner or investor or group of physician owners or investors that is related to acquiring any ownership or investment interest in the hospital.
(v) Ownership or investment returns are distributed to each owner or investor in the hospital in an amount that is directly proportional to the ownership or investment interest of such owner or investor in the hospital.
(vi) Physician owners and investors do not receive, directly or indirectly, any guaranteed receipt of or right to purchase other business interests related to the hospital, including the purchase or lease of any property under the control of other owners or investors in the hospital or located near the premises of the hospital.
(vii) The hospital does not offer a physician owner or investor the opportunity to purchase or lease any property under the control of the hospital or any other owner or investor in the hospital on more favorable terms than the terms offered to an individual who is not a physician owner or investor.
(E) Patient safety
(i) Insofar as the hospital admits a patient and does not have any physician available on the premises to provide services during all hours in which the hospital is providing services to such patient, before admitting the patient—
(I) the hospital discloses such fact to a patient; and
(II) following such disclosure, the hospital receives from the patient a signed acknowledgment that the patient understands such fact.
(ii) The hospital has the capacity to—
(I) provide assessment and initial treatment for patients; and
(II) refer and transfer patients to hospitals with the capability to treat the needs of the patient involved.
(F) Limitation on application to certain converted facilities
The hospital was not converted from an ambulatory surgical center to a hospital on or after March 23, 2010.
(2) Publication of information reported
The Secretary shall publish, and update on an annual basis, the information submitted by hospitals under paragraph (1)(C)(i) on the public Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
(3) Exception to prohibition on expansion of facility capacity
(A) Process
(i) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish and implement a process under which a hospital that is an applicable hospital (as defined in subparagraph (E)) or is a high Medicaid facility described in subparagraph (F) may apply for an exception from the requirement under paragraph (1)(B).
(ii) Opportunity for community input
The process under clause (i) shall provide individuals and entities in the community in which the applicable hospital applying for an exception is located with the opportunity to provide input with respect to the application.
(iii) Timing for implementation
The Secretary shall implement the process under clause (i) on February 1, 2012.
(iv) Regulations
Not later than January 1, 2012, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations to carry out the process under clause (i).
(B) Frequency
The process described in subparagraph (A) shall permit an applicable hospital to apply for an exception up to once every 2 years.
(C) Permitted increase
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii) and subparagraph (D), an applicable hospital granted an exception under the process described in subparagraph (A) may increase the number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, and beds for which the applicable hospital is licensed above the baseline number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, and beds of the applicable hospital (or, if the applicable hospital has been granted a previous exception under this paragraph, above the number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, and beds for which the hospital is licensed after the application of the most recent increase under such an exception).
(ii) 100 percent increase limitation
The Secretary shall not permit an increase in the number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, and beds for which an applicable hospital is licensed under clause (i) to the extent such increase would result in the number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, and beds for which the applicable hospital is licensed exceeding 200 percent of the baseline number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, and beds of the applicable hospital.
(iii) Baseline number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, and beds
In this paragraph, the term "baseline number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, and beds" means the number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, and beds for which the applicable hospital is licensed as of March 23, 2010 (or, in the case of a hospital that did not have a provider agreement in effect as of such date but does have such an agreement in effect on December 31, 2010, the effective date of such provider agreement).
(D) Increase limited to facilities on the main campus of the hospital
Any increase in the number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, and beds for which an applicable hospital is licensed pursuant to this paragraph may only occur in facilities on the main campus of the applicable hospital.
(E) Applicable hospital
In this paragraph, the term "applicable hospital" means a hospital—
(i) that is located in a county in which the percentage increase in the population during the most recent 5-year period (as of the date of the application under subparagraph (A)) is at least 150 percent of the percentage increase in the population growth of the State in which the hospital is located during that period, as estimated by Bureau of the Census;
(ii) whose annual percent of total inpatient admissions that represent inpatient admissions under the program under subchapter XIX is equal to or greater than the average percent with respect to such admissions for all hospitals located in the county in which the hospital is located;
(iii) that does not discriminate against beneficiaries of Federal health care programs and does not permit physicians practicing at the hospital to discriminate against such beneficiaries;
(iv) that is located in a State in which the average bed capacity in the State is less than the national average bed capacity; and
(v) that has an average bed occupancy rate that is greater than the average bed occupancy rate in the State in which the hospital is located.
(F) High Medicaid facility described
A high Medicaid facility described in this subparagraph is a hospital that—
(i) is not the sole hospital in a county;
(ii) with respect to each of the 3 most recent years for which data are available, has an annual percent of total inpatient admissions that represent inpatient admissions under subchapter XIX that is estimated to be greater than such percent with respect to such admissions for any other hospital located in the county in which the hospital is located; and
(iii) meets the conditions described in subparagraph (E)(iii).
(G) Procedure rooms
In this subsection, the term "procedure rooms" includes rooms in which catheterizations, angiographies, angiograms, and endoscopies are performed, except such term shall not include emergency rooms or departments (exclusive of rooms in which catheterizations, angiographies, angiograms, and endoscopies are performed).
(H) Publication of final decisions
Not later than 60 days after receiving a complete application under this paragraph, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register the final decision with respect to such application.
(I) Limitation on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(4) Collection of ownership and investment information
For purposes of subparagraphs (A)(i) and (D)(i) of paragraph (1), the Secretary shall collect physician ownership and investment information for each hospital.
(5) Physician owner or investor defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term "physician owner or investor" means a physician (or an immediate family member of such physician) with a direct or an indirect ownership or investment interest in the hospital.
(6) Clarification
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing the Secretary from revoking a hospital's provider agreement if not in compliance with regulations implementing
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1877, as added
References in Text
Section 222(a) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(C), is section 222(a) of
Part C of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(E), is classified to
The Internal Revenue Code, referred to in subsecs. (c)(2) and (h)(2), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Part B of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (h)(5)(A), is classified to
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1395nn, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1877, as added and amended Oct. 30, 1972,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C).
Subsec. (d)(3)(D).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (i)(1)(A)(i).
Subsec. (i)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (i)(3)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (i)(3)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (i)(3)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (i)(3)(F) to (I).
2008—Subsec. (h)(6)(L).
2003—Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B), (C).
Subsec. (h)(7).
1999—Subsec. (b)(3)(C).
Subsec. (b)(3)(D).
Subsec. (b)(3)(E).
1997—Subsec. (g)(6).
1994—Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (h)(6).
1993—Subsecs. (a) to (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (h).
1990—Subsec. (b)(4), (5).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (g)(5).
Subsec. (h)(6).
Subsec. (h)(7).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 152(d)(1) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13562(b) of
"(1)
"(A) made on or after January 1, 1992, in the case of clinical laboratory services, and
"(B) made after December 31, 1994, in the case of other designated health services.
"(2)
"(A) the second sentence of subsection (a)(2), and subsections (b)(2)(B) and (d)(2), of section 1877 of the Social Security Act [subsecs. (a)(2), (b)(2)(B), and (d)(2) of this section] (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 1993]) shall apply instead of the corresponding provisions in section 1877 (as amended by this Act);
"(B) section 1877(b)(4) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b)(4) of this section] (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act) shall apply;
"(C) the requirements of section 1877(c)(2) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (c)(2) of this section] (as amended by this Act) shall not apply to any securities of a corporation that meets the requirements of section 1877(c)(2) of the Social Security Act (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act);
"(D) section 1877(e)(3) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (e)(3) of this section] (as amended by this Act) shall apply, except that it shall not apply to any arrangement that meets the requirements of subsection (e)(2) or subsection (e)(3) of section 1877 of the Social Security Act (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act);
"(E) the requirements of clauses (iv) and (v) of section 1877(h)(4)(A), and of clause (i) of section 1877(h)(4)(B), of the Social Security Act [subsec. (h)(4)(A)(iv), (v), (B)(i) of this section] (as amended by this Act) shall not apply; and
"(F) section 1877(h)(4)(B) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (h)(4)(B) of this section] (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act) shall apply instead of section 1877(h)(4)(A)(ii) of such Act (as amended by this Act)."
[Section 152(d)(2) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4207(e)(5), formerly 4027(e)(5), of
Effective Date
Section 6204(c) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [enacting this section and amending
"(2) The reporting requirement of section 1877(f) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f) of this section] shall take effect on October 1, 1990."
Deadline for Certain Regulations
Section 6204(d) of
Enforcement
"(1)
"(2)
Medicare Self-Referral Disclosure Protocol
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) a specific person, official, or office to whom such disclosures shall be made; and
"(B) instruction on the implication of the SRDP on corporate integrity agreements and corporate compliance agreements.
"(2)
"(3)
"(b)
"(1) The nature and extent of the improper or illegal practice.
"(2) The timeliness of such self-disclosure.
"(3) The cooperation in providing additional information related to the disclosure.
"(4) Such other factors as the Secretary considers appropriate.
"(c)
"(1) the number of health care providers of services and suppliers making disclosures pursuant to the SRDP;
"(2) the amounts collected pursuant to the SRDP;
"(3) the types of violations reported under the SRDP; and
"(4) such other information as may be necessary to evaluate the impact of this section."
Application of Exception for Hospitals Under Development
"(1) whether architectural plans have been completed, funding has been received, zoning requirements have been met, and necessary approvals from appropriate State agencies have been received; and
"(2) any other evidence the Secretary determines would indicate whether a hospital is under development as of such date."
Studies
"(1)
"(A) any differences in the costs of health care services furnished to patients by physician-owned specialty hospitals and the costs of such services furnished by local full-service community hospitals within specific diagnosis-related groups;
"(B) the extent to which specialty hospitals, relative to local full-service community hospitals, treat patients in certain diagnosis-related groups within a category, such as cardiology, and an analysis of the selection;
"(C) the financial impact of physician-owned specialty hospitals on local full-service community hospitals;
"(D) how the current diagnosis-related group system should be updated to better reflect the cost of delivering care in a hospital setting; and
"(E) the proportions of payments received, by type of payer, between the specialty hospitals and local full-service community hospitals.
"(2) HHS
"(A) to determine the percentage of patients admitted to physician-owned specialty hospitals who are referred by physicians with an ownership interest;
"(B) to determine the referral patterns of physician owners, including the percentage of patients they referred to physician-owned specialty hospitals and the percentage of patients they referred to local full-service community hospitals for the same condition;
"(C) to compare the quality of care furnished in physician-owned specialty hospitals and in local full-service community hospitals for similar conditions and patient satisfaction with such care; and
"(D) to assess the differences in uncompensated care, as defined by the Secretary, between the specialty hospital and local full-service community hospitals, and the relative value of any tax exemption available to such hospitals.
"(3)
GAO Study of Ownership by Referring Physicians
Section 6204(e) of
Statistical Summary of Comparative Utilization
Section 6204(f) of
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. No subpar. (B) has been enacted.
3 So in original. Probably should be "provide".
§1395oo. Provider Reimbursement Review Board
(a) Establishment
Any provider of services which has filed a required cost report within the time specified in regulations may obtain a hearing with respect to such cost report by a Provider Reimbursement Review Board (hereinafter referred to as the "Board") which shall be established by the Secretary in accordance with subsection (h) of this section and (except as provided in subsection (g)(2) of this section) any hospital which receives payments in amounts computed under subsection (b) or (d) of
(1) such provider—
(A)(i) is dissatisfied with a final determination of the organization serving as its fiscal intermediary pursuant to
(ii) is dissatisfied with a final determination of the Secretary as to the amount of the payment under subsection (b) or (d) of
(B) has not received such final determination from such intermediary on a timely basis after filing such report, where such report complied with the rules and regulations of the Secretary relating to such report, or
(C) has not received such final determination on a timely basis after filing a supplementary cost report, where such cost report did not so comply and such supplementary cost report did so comply,
(2) the amount in controversy is $10,000 or more, and
(3) such provider files a request for a hearing within 180 days after notice of the intermediary's final determination under paragraph (1)(A)(i), or with respect to appeals under paragraph (1)(A)(ii), 180 days after notice of the Secretary's final determination, or with respect to appeals pursuant to paragraph (1) (B) or (C), within 180 days after notice of such determination would have been received if such determination had been made on a timely basis.
(b) Appeals by groups
The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall apply to any group of providers of services if each provider of services in such group would, upon the filing of an appeal (but without regard to the $10,000 limitation), be entitled to such a hearing, but only if the matters in controversy involve a common question of fact or interpretation of law or regulations and the amount in controversy is, in the aggregate, $50,000 or more.
(c) Right to counsel; rules of evidence
At such hearing, the provider of services shall have the right to be represented by counsel, to introduce evidence, and to examine and cross-examine witnesses. Evidence may be received at any such hearing even though inadmissible under rules of evidence applicable to court procedure.
(d) Decisions of Board
A decision by the Board shall be based upon the record made at such hearing, which shall include the evidence considered by the intermediary and such other evidence as may be obtained or received by the Board, and shall be supported by substantial evidence when the record is viewed as a whole. The Board shall have the power to affirm, modify, or reverse a final determination of the fiscal intermediary with respect to a cost report and to make any other revisions on matters covered by such cost report (including revisions adverse to the provider of services) even though such matters were not considered by the intermediary in making such final determination.
(e) Rules and regulations
The Board shall have full power and authority to make rules and establish procedures, not inconsistent with the provisions of this subchapter or regulations of the Secretary, which are necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this section. In the course of any hearing the Board may administer oaths and affirmations. The provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of
(f) Finality of decision; judicial review; determinations of Board authority; jurisdiction; venue; interest on amount in controversy
(1) A decision of the Board shall be final unless the Secretary, on his own motion, and within 60 days after the provider of services is notified of the Board's decision, reverses, affirms, or modifies the Board's decision. Providers shall have the right to obtain judicial review of any final decision of the Board, or of any reversal, affirmance, or modification by the Secretary, by a civil action commenced within 60 days of the date on which notice of any final decision by the Board or of any reversal, affirmance, or modification by the Secretary is received. Providers shall also have the right to obtain judicial review of any action of the fiscal intermediary which involves a question of law or regulations relevant to the matters in controversy whenever the Board determines (on its own motion or at the request of a provider of services as described in the following sentence) that it is without authority to decide the question, by a civil action commenced within sixty days of the date on which notification of such determination is received. If a provider of services may obtain a hearing under subsection (a) of this section and has filed a request for such a hearing, such provider may file a request for a determination by the Board of its authority to decide the question of law or regulations relevant to the matters in controversy (accompanied by such documents and materials as the Board shall require for purposes of rendering such determination). The Board shall render such determination in writing within thirty days after the Board receives the request and such accompanying documents and materials, and the determination shall be considered a final decision and not subject to review by the Secretary. If the Board fails to render such determination within such period, the provider may bring a civil action (within sixty days of the end of such period) with respect to the matter in controversy contained in such request for a hearing. Such action shall be brought in the district court of the United States for the judicial district in which the provider is located (or, in an action brought jointly by several providers, the judicial district in which the greatest number of such providers are located) or in the District Court for the District of Columbia and shall be tried pursuant to the applicable provisions under
(2) Where a provider seeks judicial review pursuant to paragraph (1), the amount in controversy shall be subject to annual interest beginning on the first day of the first month beginning after the 180-day period as determined pursuant to subsection (a)(3) of this section and equal to the rate of interest on obligations issued for purchase by the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for the month in which the civil action authorized under paragraph (1) is commenced, to be awarded by the reviewing court in favor of the prevailing party.
(3) No interest awarded pursuant to paragraph (2) shall be deemed income or cost for the purposes of determining reimbursement due providers under this chapter.
(g) Certain findings not reviewable
(1) The finding of a fiscal intermediary that no payment may be made under this subchapter for any expenses incurred for items or services furnished to an individual because such items or services are listed in
(2) The determinations and other decisions described in
(h) Composition and compensation
The Board shall be composed of five members appointed by the Secretary without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive services. Two of such members shall be representative of providers of services. All of the members of the Board shall be persons knowledgeable in the field of payment of providers of services, and at least one of them shall be a certified public accountant. Members of the Board shall be entitled to receive compensation at rates fixed by the Secretary, but not exceeding the rate specified (at the time the service involved is rendered by such members) for grade GS–18 in
(i) Technical and clerical assistance
The Board is authorized to engage such technical assistance as may be required to carry out its functions, and the Secretary shall, in addition, make available to the Board such secretarial, clerical, and other assistance as the Board may require to carry out its functions.
(j) "Provider of services" defined
In this section, the term "provider of services" includes a rural health clinic and a Federally qualified health center.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1878, as added
Amendments
1993—Subsec. (f)(2).
1990—Subsec. (j).
1984—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f)(1).
1983—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
1980—Subsec. (f)(1).
1974—Subsec. (f).
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 4161(a)(6) of
Amendment by section 4161(b)(4) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2351(a)(2) of
Section 2351(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 2354(b)(39), (40) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Section 3(b) of
Effective Date
Section 243(c) of
References in Other Laws to GS–16, 17, or 18 Pay Rates
References in laws to the rates of pay for GS–16, 17, or 18, or to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I, §101(c)(1)] of
Review of Provider Reimbursement Review Board Decisions
Section 2351(c) of
"(1) the amendments made by section 602(h)(2)(A) of that Act [amending this section] shall be effective with respect to any appeal or action brought on or after April 20, 1983; and
"(2) the amendments made by section 602(h)(2)(B) of that Act [amending this section] shall be effective with respect to any appeal or action brought on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984]."
§1395pp. Limitation on liability where claims are disallowed
(a) Conditions prerequisite to payment for items and services notwithstanding determination of disallowance
Where—
(1) a determination is made that, by reason of section 1395y(a)(1) or (9) of this title or by reason of a coverage denial described in subsection (g) of this section, payment may not be made under part A or part B of this subchapter for any expenses incurred for items or services furnished an individual by a provider of services or by another person pursuant to an assignment under
(2) both such individual and such provider of services or such other person, as the case may be, did not know, and could not reasonably have been expected to know, that payment would not be made for such items or services under such part A or part B of this subchapter,
then to the extent permitted by this subchapter, payment shall, notwithstanding such determination, be made for such items or services (and for such period of time as the Secretary finds will carry out the objectives of this subchapter), as though section 1395y(a)(1) and
(b) Knowledge of person or provider that payment could not be made; indemnification of individual
In any case in which the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of this section are met, except that such provider or such other person, as the case may be, knew, or could be expected to know, that payment for such services or items could not be made under such part A or part B of this subchapter, then the Secretary shall, upon proper application filed within such time as may be prescribed in regulations, indemnify the individual (referred to in such paragraphs) for any payments received from such individual by such provider or such other person, as the case may be, for such items or services. Any payments made by the Secretary as indemnification shall be deemed to have been made to such provider or such other person, as the case may be, and shall be treated as overpayments, recoverable from such provider or such other person, as the case may be, under applicable provisions of law. In each such case the Secretary shall notify such individual of the conditions under which indemnification is made and in the case of comparable situations arising thereafter with respect to such individual, he shall, by reason of such notice (or similar notices provided before the enactment of this section), be deemed to have knowledge that payment cannot be made for such items or services. No item or service for which an individual is indemnified under this subsection shall be taken into account in applying any limitation on the amount of items and services for which payment may be made to or on behalf of the individual under this subchapter.
(c) Knowledge of both provider and individual to whom items or services were furnished that payment could not be made
No payments shall be made under this subchapter in any cases in which the provisions of paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this section are met, but both the individual to whom the items or services were furnished and the provider of service or other person, as the case may be, who furnished the items or services knew, or could reasonably have been expected to know, that payment could not be made for items or services under part A or part B of this subchapter by reason of section 1395y(a)(1) or (a)(9) of this title or by reason of a coverage denial described in subsection (g) of this section.
(d) Exercise of rights
In any case arising under subsection (b) of this section (but without regard to whether payments have been made by the individual to the provider or other person) or subsection (c) of this section, the provider or other person shall have the same rights that an individual has under
(e) Payment where beneficiary not at fault
Where payment for inpatient hospital services or extended care services may not be made under part A of this subchapter on behalf of an individual entitled to benefits under such part solely because of an unintentional, inadvertent, or erroneous action with respect to the transfer of such individual from a hospital or skilled nursing facility that meets the requirements of section 1395x(e) or (j) of this title by such a provider of services acting in good faith in accordance with the advice of a utilization review committee, quality control and peer review organization, or fiscal intermediary, or on the basis of a clearly erroneous administrative decision by a provider of services, the Secretary shall take such action with respect to the payment of such benefits as he determines may be necessary to correct the effects of such unintentional, inadvertent, or erroneous action.
(f) Presumption with respect to coverage denial; rebuttal; requirements; "fiscal intermediary" defined
(1) A home health agency which meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (3) and (4) shall be presumed to meet the requirement of subsection (a)(2) of this section.
(2) The presumption of paragraph (1) with respect to specific services may be rebutted by actual or imputed knowledge of the facts described in subsection (a)(2) of this section, including any of the following:
(A) Notice by the fiscal intermediary of the fact that payment may not be made under this subchapter with respect to the services.
(B) It is clear and obvious that the provider should have known at the time the services were furnished that they were excluded from coverage.
(3) The requirements of this paragraph are as follows:
(A) The agency complies with requirements of the Secretary under this subchapter respecting timely submittal of bills for payment and medical documentation.
(B) The agency program has reasonable procedures to notify promptly each patient (and the patient's physician) where it is determined that a patient is being or will be furnished items or services which are excluded from coverage under this subchapter.
(4)(A) The requirement of this paragraph is that, on the basis of bills submitted by a home health agency during the previous quarter, the rate of denial of bills for the agency by reason of a coverage denial described in subsection (g) of this section does not exceed 2.5 percent, computed based on visits for home health services billed.
(B) For purposes of determining the rate of denial of bills for a home health agency under subparagraph (A), a bill shall not be considered to be denied until the expiration of the 60-day period that begins on the date such bill is denied by the fiscal intermediary, or, with respect to such a denial for which the agency requests reconsideration, until the fiscal intermediary issues a decision denying payment for such bill.
(5) In this subsection, the term "fiscal intermediary" means, with respect to a home health agency, an agency or organization with an agreement under
(6) The Secretary shall monitor the proportion of denied bills submitted by home health agencies for which reconsideration is requested, and shall notify Congress if the proportion of denials reversed upon reconsideration increases significantly.
(g) Coverage denial defined
The coverage denial described in this subsection is—
(1) with respect to the provision of home health services to an individual, a failure to meet the requirements of
(A) is or was not confined to his home, or
(B) does or did not need skilled nursing care on an intermittent basis; and
(2) with respect to the provision of hospice care to an individual, a determination that the individual is not terminally ill.
(h) Supplier responsibility for items furnished on assignment basis
If a supplier of medical equipment and supplies (as defined in
(1) furnishes an item or service to a beneficiary for which no payment may be made by reason of
(2) furnishes an item or service to a beneficiary for which payment is denied in advance under
(3) furnishes an item or service to a beneficiary for which no payment may be made by reason of
any expenses incurred for items and services furnished to an individual by such a supplier on an assignment-related basis shall be the responsibility of such supplier. The individual shall have no financial responsibility for such expenses and the supplier shall refund on a timely basis to the individual (and shall be liable to the individual for) any amounts collected from the individual for such items or services. The provisions of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1879, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in text, are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Amendments
1997—Subsec. (g).
1994—Subsec. (h).
1989—Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (f)(6).
1987—Subsec. (b).
1986—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsecs. (f), (g).
1982—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (e).
1980—Subsec. (e).
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 6214(c) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 9305(g)(3) of
Amendment by section 9341(a)(3) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Section 956(b) of
Effective Date
Section 213(b) of
Provisions Relating to Advance Beneficiary Notices; Report on Prior Determination Process
"(1)
"(2)
"(3) GAO
"(4) GAO
"(A) information concerning—
"(i) the number and types of procedures for which a prior determination has been sought;
"(ii) determinations made under the process;
"(iii) the percentage of beneficiaries prevailing;
"(iv) in those cases in which the beneficiaries do not prevail, the reasons why such beneficiaries did not prevail; and
"(v) changes in receipt of services resulting from the application of such process;
"(B) an evaluation of whether the process was useful for physicians (and other suppliers) and beneficiaries, whether it was timely, and whether the amount of information required was burdensome to physicians and beneficiaries; and
"(C) recommendations for improvements or continuation of such process.
"(5)
Reports to Congress on Denials of Bills for Payment
Section 9305(g)(2) of
§1395qq. Indian Health Service Facilities
(a) Eligibility for payments; conditions and requirements
A hospital or skilled nursing facility of the Indian Health Service, whether operated by such Service or by an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as those terms are defined in
(b) Eligibility based on submission of plan to achieve compliance with conditions and requirements; twelve-month period
Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a hospital or skilled nursing facility of the Indian Health Service which does not meet all of the conditions and requirements of this subchapter which are applicable generally to hospitals or skilled nursing facilities (as the case may be), but which submits to the Secretary within six months after September 30, 1976, an acceptable plan for achieving compliance with such conditions and requirements, shall be deemed to meet such conditions and requirements (and to be eligible for payments under this subchapter), without regard to the extent of its actual compliance with such conditions and requirements, during the first 12 months after the month in which such plan is submitted.
(c) Payments into special fund for improvements to achieve compliance with conditions and requirements; certification of compliance by Secretary
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, payments to which any hospital or skilled nursing facility of the Indian Health Service is entitled by reason of this section shall be placed in a special fund to be held by the Secretary and used by him (to such extent or in such amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts) exclusively for the purpose of making any improvements in the hospitals and skilled nursing facilities of such Service which may be necessary to achieve compliance with the applicable conditions and requirements of this subchapter. The preceding sentence shall cease to apply when the Secretary determines and certifies that substantially all of the hospitals and skilled nursing facilities of such Service in the United States are in compliance with such conditions and requirements.
(d) Report by Secretary; status of facilities in complying with conditions and requirements
The annual report of the Secretary which is required by
(e) Services provided by Indian Health Service, Indian tribe, or tribal organization
(1)(A) Notwithstanding
(B) Payment shall not be made for services under subparagraph (A) to the extent that payment is otherwise made for such services under this subchapter.
(2) The services described in this paragraph are the following:
(A) Services for which payment is made under
(B) Services furnished by a practitioner described in
(C) Services furnished by a physical therapist or occupational therapist as described in
(3) Subsection (c) of this section shall not apply to payments made under this subsection.
(f) Cross reference
For provisions relating to the authority of certain Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Alaska Native health organizations to elect to directly bill for, and receive payment for, health care services provided by a hospital or clinic of such tribes or organizations and for which payment may be made under this subchapter, see
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1880, as added
References in Text
Part B of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(A), (2)(B), (C), is classified to
Codification
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
2003—Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
2000—Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
1992—Subsec. (d).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title IV, §432(a)] of
Amendment by
Medicare Payments Not Considered in Determining Appropriations for Indian Health Care
Preference in Services for Indians With Medicare Coverage Not Authorized
1 See References in Text note below.
§1395rr. End stage renal disease program
(a) Type, duration, and scope of benefits
The benefits provided by parts A and B of this subchapter shall include benefits for individuals who have been determined to have end stage renal disease as provided in
(b) Payments with respect to services; dialysis; regulations; physicians' services; target reimbursement rates; home dialysis supplies and equipment; self-care home dialysis support services; self-care dialysis units; hepatitis B vaccine
(1) Payments under this subchapter with respect to services, in addition to services for which payment would otherwise be made under this subchapter, furnished to individuals who have been determined to have end stage renal disease shall include (A) payments on behalf of such individuals to providers of services and renal dialysis facilities which meet such requirements as the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe for institutional dialysis services and supplies (including self-dialysis services in a self-care dialysis unit maintained by the provider or facility), transplantation services, self-care home dialysis support services which are furnished by the provider or facility, and routine professional services performed by a physician during a maintenance dialysis episode if payments for his other professional services furnished to an individual who has end stage renal disease are made on the basis specified in paragraph (3)(A) of this subsection, (B) payments to or on behalf of such individuals for home dialysis supplies and equipment, and (C) payments to a supplier of home dialysis supplies and equipment that is not a provider of services, a renal dialysis facility, or a physician for self-administered erythropoietin as described in section 1395x(s)(2)(P) 1 of this title if the Secretary finds that the patient receiving such drug from such a supplier can safely and effectively administer the drug (in accordance with the applicable methods and standards established by the Secretary pursuant to such section). The requirements prescribed by the Secretary under subparagraph (A) shall include requirements for a minimum utilization rate for transplantations.
(2)(A) With respect to payments for dialysis services furnished by providers of services and renal dialysis facilities to individuals determined to have end stage renal disease for which payments may be made under part B of this subchapter, such payments (unless otherwise provided in this section) shall be equal to 80 percent of the amounts determined in accordance with subparagraph (B); and with respect to payments for services for which payments may be made under part A of this subchapter, the amounts of such payments (which amounts shall not exceed, in respect to costs in procuring organs attributable to payments made to an organ procurement agency or histocompatibility laboratory, the costs incurred by that agency or laboratory) shall be determined in accordance with
(B) The Secretary shall prescribe in regulations any methods and procedures to (i) determine the costs incurred by providers of services and renal dialysis facilities in furnishing covered services to individuals determined to have end stage renal disease, and (ii) determine, on a cost-related basis or other economical and equitable basis (including any basis authorized under
(C) Such regulations, in the case of services furnished by proprietary providers and facilities (other than hospital outpatient departments) may include, if the Secretary finds it feasible and appropriate, provision for recognition of a reasonable rate of return on equity capital, providing such rate of return does not exceed the rate of return stipulated in
(D) For purposes of
(3) With respect to payments for physicians' services furnished to individuals determined to have end stage renal disease, the Secretary shall pay 80 percent of the amounts calculated for such services—
(A) on a reasonable charge basis (but may, in such case, make payment on the basis of the prevailing charges of other physicians for comparable services or, for services furnished on or after January 1, 1992, on the basis described in
(B) on a comprehensive monthly fee or other basis (which effectively encourages the efficient delivery of dialysis services and provides incentives for the increased use of home dialysis) for an aggregate of services provided over a period of time (as defined in regulations).
(4)(A) Pursuant to agreements with approved providers of services and renal dialysis facilities, the Secretary may make payments to such providers and facilities for the cost of home dialysis supplies and equipment and self-care home dialysis support services furnished to patients whose self-care home dialysis is under the direct supervision of such provider or facility, on the basis of a target reimbursement rate (as defined in paragraph (6)) or on the basis of a method established under paragraph (7).
(B) The Secretary shall make payments to a supplier of home dialysis supplies and equipment furnished to a patient whose self-care home dialysis is not under the direct supervision of an approved provider of services or renal dialysis facility only in accordance with a written agreement under which—
(i) the patient certifies that the supplier is the sole provider of such supplies and equipment to the patient,
(ii) the supplier agrees to receive payment for the cost of such supplies and equipment only on an assignment-related basis, and
(iii) the supplier certifies that it has entered into a written agreement with an approved provider of services or renal dialysis facility under which such provider or facility agrees to furnish to such patient all self-care home dialysis support services and all other necessary dialysis services and supplies, including institutional dialysis services and supplies and emergency services.
(5) An agreement under paragraph (4) shall require, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, that the provider or facility will—
(A) assume full responsibility for directly obtaining or arranging for the provision of—
(i) such medically necessary dialysis equipment as is prescribed by the attending physician;
(ii) dialysis equipment maintenance and repair services;
(iii) the purchase and delivery of all necessary medical supplies; and
(iv) where necessary, the services of trained home dialysis aides;
(B) perform all such administrative functions and maintain such information and records as the Secretary may require to verify the transactions and arrangements described in subparagraph (A);
(C) submit such cost reports, data, and information as the Secretary may require with respect to the costs incurred for equipment, supplies, and services furnished to the facility's home dialysis patient population; and
(D) provide for full access for the Secretary to all such records, data, and information as he may require to perform his functions under this section.
(6) The Secretary shall establish, for each calendar year, commencing with January 1, 1979, a target reimbursement rate for home dialysis which shall be adjusted for regional variations in the cost of providing home dialysis. In establishing such a rate, the Secretary shall include—
(A) the Secretary's estimate of the cost of providing medically necessary home dialysis supplies and equipment;
(B) an allowance, in an amount determined by the Secretary, to cover the cost of providing personnel to aid in home dialysis; and
(C) an allowance, in an amount determined by the Secretary, to cover administrative costs and to provide an incentive for the efficient delivery of home dialysis;
but in no event (except as may be provided in regulations under paragraph (7)) shall such target rate exceed 75 percent of the national average payment, adjusted for regional variations, for maintenance dialysis services furnished in approved providers and facilities during the preceding fiscal year. Any such target rate so established shall be utilized, without renegotiation of the rate, throughout the calendar year for which it is established. During the last quarter of each calendar year, the Secretary shall establish a home dialysis target reimbursement rate for the next calendar year based on the most recent data available to the Secretary at the time. In establishing any rate under this paragraph, the Secretary may utilize a competitive-bid procedure, a prenegotiated rate procedure, or any other procedure (including methods established under paragraph (7)) which the Secretary determines is appropriate and feasible in order to carry out this paragraph in an effective and efficient manner.
(7) Subject to paragraph (12), the Secretary shall provide by regulation for a method (or methods) for determining prospectively the amounts of payments to be made for dialysis services furnished by providers of services and renal dialysis facilities to individuals in a facility and to such individuals at home. Such method (or methods) shall provide for the prospective determination of a rate (or rates) for each mode of care based on a single composite weighted formula (which takes into account the mix of patients who receive dialysis services at a facility or at home and the relative costs of providing such services in such settings) for hospital-based facilities and such a single composite weighted formula for other renal dialysis facilities, or based on such other method or combination of methods which differentiate between hospital-based facilities and other renal dialysis facilities and which the Secretary determines, after detailed analysis, will more effectively encourage the more efficient delivery of dialysis services and will provide greater incentives for increased use of home dialysis than through the single composite weighted formulas. The amount of a payment made under any method other than a method based on a single composite weighted formula may not exceed the amount (or, in the case of continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis, 130 percent of the amount) of the median payment that would have been made under the formula for hospital-based facilities. Subject to section 422(a)(2) of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, the Secretary shall provide for such exceptions to such methods as may be warranted by unusual circumstances (including the special circumstances of sole facilities located in isolated, rural areas and of pediatric facilities). Each application for such an exception shall be deemed to be approved unless the Secretary disapproves it by not later than 60 working days after the date the application is filed. The Secretary may provide that such method will serve in lieu of any target reimbursement rate that would otherwise be established under paragraph (6). The Secretary shall reduce the amount of each composite rate payment under this paragraph for each treatment by 50 cents (subject to such adjustments as may be required to reflect modes of dialysis other than hemodialysis) and provide for payment of such amount to the organizations (designated under subsection (c)(1)(A) of this section) for such organizations' necessary and proper administrative costs incurred in carrying out the responsibilities described in subsection (c)(2) of this section. The Secretary shall provide that amounts paid under the previous sentence shall be distributed to the organizations described in subsection (c)(1)(A) of this section to ensure equitable treatment of all such network organizations. The Secretary in distributing any such payments to network organizations shall take into account—
(A) the geographic size of the network area;
(B) the number of providers of end stage renal disease services in the network area;
(C) the number of individuals who are entitled to end stage renal disease services in the network area; and
(D) the proportion of the aggregate administrative funds collected in the network area.
The Secretary shall increase the amount of each composite rate payment for dialysis services furnished during 2000 by 1.2 percent above such composite rate payment amounts for such services furnished on December 31, 1999, for such services furnished on or after January 1, 2001, and before January 1, 2005, by 2.4 percent above such composite rate payment amounts for such services furnished on December 31, 2000, and for such services furnished on or after January 1, 2005, by 1.6 percent above such composite rate payment amounts for such services furnished on December 31, 2004.
(8) For purposes of this subchapter, the term "home dialysis supplies and equipment" means medically necessary supplies and equipment (including supportive equipment) required by an individual suffering from end stage renal disease in connection with renal dialysis carried out in his home (as defined in regulations), including obtaining, installing, and maintaining such equipment.
(9) For purposes of this subchapter, the term "self-care home dialysis support services", to the extent permitted in regulation, means—
(A) periodic monitoring of the patient's home adaptation, including visits by qualified provider or facility personnel (as defined in regulations), so long as this is done in accordance with a plan prepared and periodically reviewed by a professional team (as defined in regulations) including the individual's physician;
(B) installation and maintenance of dialysis equipment;
(C) testing and appropriate treatment of the water; and
(D) such additional supportive services as the Secretary finds appropriate and desirable.
(10) For purposes of this subchapter, the term "self-care dialysis unit" means a renal dialysis facility or a distinct part of such facility or of a provider of services, which has been approved by the Secretary to make self-dialysis services, as defined by the Secretary in regulations, available to individuals who have been trained for self-dialysis. A self-care dialysis unit must, at a minimum, furnish the services, equipment and supplies needed for self-care dialysis, have patient-staff ratios which are appropriate to self-dialysis (allowing for such appropriate lesser degree of ongoing medical supervision and assistance of ancillary personnel than is required for full care maintenance dialysis), and meet such other requirements as the Secretary may prescribe with respect to the quality and cost-effectiveness of services.
(11)(A) Hepatitis B vaccine and its administration, when provided to a patient determined to have end stage renal disease, shall not be included as dialysis services for purposes of payment under any prospective payment amount or comprehensive fee established under this section. Payment for such vaccine and its administration shall be made separately in accordance with
(B) Erythropoietin, when provided to a patient determined to have end stage renal disease, shall not be included as a dialysis service for purposes of payment under any prospective payment amount or comprehensive fee established under this section, and subject to paragraphs (12) and (13) payment for such item shall be made separately—
(i) in the case of erythropoietin provided by a physician, in accordance with
(ii) in the case of erythropoietin provided by a provider of services, renal dialysis facility, or other supplier of home dialysis supplies and equipment—
(I) for erythropoietin provided during 1994, in an amount equal to $10 per thousand units (rounded to the nearest 100 units), and
(II) for erythropoietin provided during a subsequent year, in an amount determined to be appropriate by the Secretary, except that such amount may not exceed the amount determined under this clause for the previous year increased by the percentage increase (if any) in the implicit price deflator for gross national product (as published by the Department of Commerce) for the second quarter of the preceding year over the implicit price deflator for the second quarter of the second preceding year.
(C) The amount payable to a supplier of home dialysis supplies and equipment that is not a provider of services, a renal dialysis facility, or a physician for erythropoietin shall be determined in the same manner as the amount payable to a renal dialysis facility for such item.
(12)(A) Subject to paragraph (14), in lieu of payment under paragraph (7) beginning with services furnished on January 1, 2005, the Secretary shall establish a basic case-mix adjusted prospective payment system for dialysis services furnished by providers of services and renal dialysis facilities in a year to individuals in a facility and to such individuals at home. The case-mix under such system shall be for a limited number of patient characteristics. Under such system, the payment rate for dialysis services furnished on or after January 1, 2009, by providers of services shall be the same as the payment rate (computed without regard to this sentence) for such services furnished by renal dialysis facilities, and in applying the geographic index under subparagraph (D) to providers of services, the labor share shall be based on the labor share otherwise applied for renal dialysis facilities.
(B) The system described in subparagraph (A) shall include—
(i) the services comprising the composite rate established under paragraph (7); and
(ii) the difference between payment amounts under this subchapter for separately billed drugs and biologicals (including erythropoietin) and acquisition costs of such drugs and biologicals, as determined by the Inspector General reports to the Secretary as required by section 623(c) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003—
(I) beginning with 2005, for such drugs and biologicals for which a billing code exists prior to January 1, 2004; and
(II) beginning with 2007, for such drugs and biologicals for which a billing code does not exist prior to January 1, 2004,
adjusted to 2005, or 2007, respectively, as determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
(C)(i) In applying subparagraph (B)(ii) for 2005, such payment amounts under this subchapter shall be determined using the methodology specified in paragraph (13)(A)(i).
(ii) For 2006, the Secretary shall provide for an adjustment to the payments under clause (i) to reflect the difference between the payment amounts using the methodology under paragraph (13)(A)(i) and the payment amount determined using the methodology applied by the Secretary under paragraph (13)(A)(iii) of such paragraph, as estimated by the Secretary.
(D) The Secretary shall adjust the payment rates under such system by a geographic index as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. If the Secretary applies a geographic index under this paragraph that differs from the index applied under paragraph (7) the Secretary shall phase-in the application of the index under this paragraph over a multiyear period.
(E)(i) Such system shall be designed to result in the same aggregate amount of expenditures for such services, as estimated by the Secretary, as would have been made for 2005 if this paragraph did not apply.
(ii) The adjustment made under subparagraph (B)(ii)(II) shall be done in a manner to result in the same aggregate amount of expenditures after such adjustment as would otherwise have been made for such services for 2006 or 2007, respectively, as estimated by the Secretary, if this paragraph did not apply.
(F) Beginning with 2006, the Secretary shall annually increase the basic case-mix adjusted payment amounts established under this paragraph, by an amount determined by—
(i) applying the estimated growth in expenditures for drugs and biologicals (including erythropoietin) that are separately billable to the component of the basic case-mix adjusted system described in subparagraph (B)(ii); and
(ii) converting the amount determined in clause (i) to an increase applicable to the basic case-mix adjusted payment amounts established under subparagraph (B).
Except as provided in subparagraph (G), nothing in this paragraph or paragraph (14) shall be construed as providing for an update to the composite rate component of the basic case-mix adjusted system under subparagraph (B) or under the system under paragraph (14).
(G) The Secretary shall increase the amount of the composite rate component of the basic case-mix adjusted system under subparagraph (B) for dialysis services—
(i) furnished on or after January 1, 2006, and before April 1, 2007, by 1.6 percent above the amount of such composite rate component for such services furnished on December 31, 2005;
(ii) furnished on or after April 1, 2007, and before January 1, 2009, by 1.6 percent above the amount of such composite rate component for such services furnished on March 31, 2007;
(iii) furnished on or after January 1, 2009, and before January 1, 2010, by 1.0 percent above the amount of such composite rate component for such services furnished on December 31, 2008; and
(iv) furnished on or after January 1, 2010, by 1.0 percent above the amount of such composite rate component for such services furnished on December 31, 2009.
(H) There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(13)(A) Subject to paragraph (14), the payment amounts under this subchapter for separately billed drugs and biologicals furnished in a year, beginning with 2004, are as follows:
(i) For such drugs and biologicals (other than erythropoietin) furnished in 2004, the amount determined under
(ii) For such drugs and biologicals (including erythropoietin) furnished in 2005, the acquisition cost of the drug or biological, as determined by the Inspector General reports to the Secretary as required by section 623(c) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003. Insofar as the Inspector General has not determined the acquisition cost with respect to a drug or biological, the Secretary shall determine the payment amount for such drug or biological.
(iii) For such drugs and biologicals (including erythropoietin) furnished in 2006 and subsequent years, such acquisition cost or the amount determined under
(B) Drugs and biologicals (including erythropoietin) which were separately billed under this subsection on the day before December 8, 2003, shall continue to be separately billed on and after such date, subject to paragraph (14).
(14)(A)(i) Subject to subparagraph (E), for services furnished on or after January 1, 2011, the Secretary shall implement a payment system under which a single payment is made under this subchapter to a provider of services or a renal dialysis facility for renal dialysis services (as defined in subparagraph (B)) in lieu of any other payment (including a payment adjustment under paragraph (12)(B)(ii)) and for such services and items furnished pursuant to paragraph (4).
(ii) In implementing the system under this paragraph the Secretary shall ensure that the estimated total amount of payments under this subchapter for 2011 for renal dialysis services shall equal 98 percent of the estimated total amount of payments for renal dialysis services, including payments under paragraph (12)(B)(ii), that would have been made under this subchapter with respect to services furnished in 2011 if such system had not been implemented. In making the estimation under subclause (I), the Secretary shall use per patient utilization data from 2007, 2008, or 2009, whichever has the lowest per patient utilization.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "renal dialysis services" includes—
(i) items and services included in the composite rate for renal dialysis services as of December 31, 2010;
(ii) erythropoiesis stimulating agents and any oral form of such agents that are furnished to individuals for the treatment of end stage renal disease;
(iii) other drugs and biologicals that are furnished to individuals for the treatment of end stage renal disease and for which payment was (before the application of this paragraph) made separately under this subchapter, and any oral equivalent form of such drug or biological; and
(iv) diagnostic laboratory tests and other items and services not described in clause (i) that are furnished to individuals for the treatment of end stage renal disease.
Such term does not include vaccines.
(C) The system under this paragraph may provide for payment on the basis of services furnished during a week or month or such other appropriate unit of payment as the Secretary specifies.
(D) Such system—
(i) shall include a payment adjustment based on case mix that may take into account patient weight, body mass index, comorbidities, length of time on dialysis, age, race, ethnicity, and other appropriate factors;
(ii) shall include a payment adjustment for high cost outliers due to unusual variations in the type or amount of medically necessary care, including variations in the amount of erythropoiesis stimulating agents necessary for anemia management;
(iii) shall include a payment adjustment that reflects the extent to which costs incurred by low-volume facilities (as defined by the Secretary) in furnishing renal dialysis services exceed the costs incurred by other facilities in furnishing such services, and for payment for renal dialysis services furnished on or after January 1, 2011, and before January 1, 2014, such payment adjustment shall not be less than 10 percent; and
(iv) may include such other payment adjustments as the Secretary determines appropriate, such as a payment adjustment—
(I) for pediatric providers of services and renal dialysis facilities;
(II) by a geographic index, such as the index referred to in paragraph (12)(D), as the Secretary determines to be appropriate; and
(III) for providers of services or renal dialysis facilities located in rural areas.
The Secretary shall take into consideration the unique treatment needs of children and young adults in establishing such system.
(E)(i) The Secretary shall provide for a four-year phase-in (in equal increments) of the payment amount under the payment system under this paragraph, with such payment amount being fully implemented for renal dialysis services furnished on or after January 1, 2014.
(ii) A provider of services or renal dialysis facility may make a one-time election to be excluded from the phase-in under clause (i) and be paid entirely based on the payment amount under the payment system under this paragraph. Such an election shall be made prior to January 1, 2011, in a form and manner specified by the Secretary, and is final and may not be rescinded.
(iii) The Secretary shall make an adjustment to the payments under this paragraph for years during which the phase-in under clause (i) is applicable so that the estimated total amount of payments under this paragraph, including payments under this subparagraph, shall equal the estimated total amount of payments that would otherwise occur under this paragraph without such phase-in.
(F)(i)(I) Subject to subclause (II) and clause (ii), beginning in 2012, the Secretary shall annually increase payment amounts established under this paragraph by an ESRD market basket percentage increase factor for a bundled payment system for renal dialysis services that reflects changes over time in the prices of an appropriate mix of goods and services included in renal dialysis services.
(II) For 2012 and each subsequent year, after determining the increase factor described in subclause (I), the Secretary shall reduce such increase factor by the productivity adjustment described in
(ii) For years during which a phase-in of the payment system pursuant to subparagraph (E) is applicable, the following rules shall apply to the portion of the payment under the system that is based on the payment of the composite rate that would otherwise apply if the system under this paragraph had not been enacted:
(I) The update under clause (i) shall not apply.
(II) Subject to clause (i)(II), the Secretary shall annually increase such composite rate by the ESRD market basket percentage increase factor described in clause (i)(I).
(G) There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(H) Erythropoiesis stimulating agents and other drugs and biologicals shall be treated as prescribed and dispensed or administered and available only under part B if they are—
(i) furnished to an individual for the treatment of end stage renal disease; and
(ii) included in subparagraph (B) for purposes of payment under this paragraph.
(c) Renal disease network areas; coordinating councils, executive committees, and medical review boards; national end stage renal disease medical information system; functions of network organizations
(1)(A)(i) For the purpose of assuring effective and efficient administration of the benefits provided under this section, the Secretary shall, in accordance with such criteria as he finds necessary to assure the performance of the responsibilities and functions specified in paragraph (2)—
(I) establish at least 17 end stage renal disease network areas, and
(II) for each such area, designate a network administrative organization which, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, shall establish (aa) a network council of renal dialysis and transplant facilities located in the area and (bb) a medical review board, which has a membership including at least one patient representative and physicians, nurses, and social workers engaged in treatment relating to end stage renal disease.
The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a description of the geographic area that he determines, after consultation with appropriate professional and patient organizations, constitutes each network area and the criteria on the basis of which such determination is made.
(ii)(I) In order to determine whether the Secretary should enter into, continue, or terminate an agreement with a network administrative organization designated for an area established under clause (i), the Secretary shall develop and publish in the Federal Register standards, criteria, and procedures to evaluate an applicant organization's capabilities to perform (and, in the case of an organization with which such an agreement is in effect, actual performance of) the responsibilities described in paragraph (2). The Secretary shall evaluate each applicant based on quality and scope of services and may not accord more than 20 percent of the weight of the evaluation to the element of price.
(II) An agreement with a network administrative organization may be terminated by the Secretary only if he finds, after applying such standards and criteria, that the organization has failed to perform its prescribed responsibilities effectively and efficiently. If such an agreement is to be terminated, the Secretary shall select a successor to the agreement on the basis of competitive bidding and in a manner that provides an orderly transition.
(B) At least one patient representative shall serve as a member of each network council and each medical review board.
(C) The Secretary shall, in regulations, prescribe requirements with respect to membership in network organizations by individuals (and the relatives of such individuals) (i) who have an ownership or control interest in a facility or provider which furnishes services referred to in
(2) The network organizations of each network shall be responsible, in addition to such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by the Secretary, for—
(A) encouraging, consistent with sound medical practice, the use of those treatment settings most compatible with the successful rehabilitation of the patient and the participation of patients, providers of services, and renal disease facilities in vocational rehabilitation programs;
(B) developing criteria and standards relating to the quality and appropriateness of patient care and with respect to working with patients, facilities, and providers in encouraging participation in vocational rehabilitation programs; and network goals with respect to the placement of patients in self-care settings and undergoing or preparing for transplantation;
(C) evaluating the procedure by which facilities and providers in the network assess the appropriateness of patients for proposed treatment modalities;
(D) implementing a procedure for evaluating and resolving patient grievances;
(E) conducting on-site reviews of facilities and providers as necessary (as determined by a medical review board or the Secretary), utilizing standards of care established by the network organization to assure proper medical care;
(F) collecting, validating, and analyzing such data as are necessary to prepare the reports required by subparagraph (H) and to assure the maintenance of the registry established under paragraph (7);
(G) identifying facilities and providers that are not cooperating toward meeting network goals and assisting such facilities and providers in developing appropriate plans for correction and reporting to the Secretary on facilities and providers that are not providing appropriate medical care; and
(H) submitting an annual report to the Secretary on July 1 of each year which shall include a full statement of the network's goals, data on the network's performance in meeting its goals (including data on the comparative performance of facilities and providers with respect to the identification and placement of suitable candidates in self-care settings and transplantation and encouraging participation in vocational rehabilitation programs), identification of those facilities that have consistently failed to cooperate with network goals, and recommendations with respect to the need for additional or alternative services or facilities in the network in order to meet the network goals, including self-dialysis training, transplantation, and organ procurement facilities.
(3) Where the Secretary determines, on the basis of the data contained in the network's annual report and such other relevant data as may be available to him, that a facility or provider has consistently failed to cooperate with network plans and goals or to follow the recommendations of the medical review board, he may terminate or withhold certification of such facility or provider (for purposes of payment for services furnished to individuals with end stage renal disease) until he determines that such provider or facility is making reasonable and appropriate efforts to cooperate with the network's plans and goals. If the Secretary determines that the facility's or provider's failure to cooperate with network plans and goals does not jeopardize patient health or safety or justify termination of certification, he may instead, after reasonable notice to the provider or facility and to the public, impose such other sanctions as he determines to be appropriate, which sanctions may include denial of reimbursement with respect to some or all patients admitted to the facility after the date of notice to the facility or provider, and graduated reduction in reimbursement for all patients.
(4) The Secretary shall, in determining whether to certify additional facilities or expansion of existing facilities within a network, take into account the network's goals and performance as reflected in the network's annual report.
(5) The Secretary, after consultation with appropriate professional and planning organizations, shall provide such guidelines with respect to the planning and delivery of renal disease services as are necessary to assist network organizations in their development of their respective networks' goals to promote the optimum use of self-dialysis and transplantation by suitable candidates for such modalities.
(6) It is the intent of the Congress that the maximum practical number of patients who are medically, socially, and psychologically suitable candidates for home dialysis or transplantation should be so treated and that the maximum practical number of patients who are suitable candidates for vocational rehabilitation services be given access to such services and encouraged to return to gainful employment. The Secretary shall consult with appropriate professional and network organizations and consider available evidence relating to developments in research, treatment methods, and technology for home dialysis and transplantation.
(7) The Secretary shall establish a national end stage renal disease registry the purpose of which shall be to assemble and analyze the data reported by network organizations, transplant centers, and other sources on all end stage renal disease patients in a manner that will permit—
(A) the preparation of the annual report to the Congress required under subsection (g) 1 of this section;
(B) an identification of the economic impact, cost-effectiveness, and medical efficacy of alternative modalities of treatment;
(C) an evaluation with respect to the most appropriate allocation of resources for the treatment and research into the cause of end stage renal disease;
(D) the determination of patient mortality and morbidity rates, and trends in such rates, and other indices of quality of care; and
(E) such other analyses relating to the treatment and management of end stage renal disease as will assist the Congress in evaluating the end stage renal disease program under this section.
The Secretary shall provide for such coordination of data collection activities, and such consolidation of existing end stage renal disease data systems, as is necessary to achieve the purpose of such registry, shall determine the appropriate location of the registry, and shall provide for the appointment of a professional advisory group to assist the Secretary in the formulation of policies and procedures relevant to the management of such registry.
(8) The provisions of
(d) Donors of kidney for transplant surgery
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in
(e) Reimbursement of providers, facilities, and nonprofit entities for costs of artificial kidney and automated dialysis peritoneal machines for home dialysis
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, the Secretary may, pursuant to agreements with approved providers of services, renal dialysis facilities, and nonprofit entities which the Secretary finds can furnish equipment economically and efficiently, reimburse such providers, facilities, and nonprofit entities (without regard to the deductible and coinsurance provisions of this subchapter) for the reasonable cost of the purchase, installation, maintenance and reconditioning for subsequent use of artificial kidney and automated dialysis peritoneal machines (including supportive equipment) which are to be used exclusively by entitled individuals dialyzing at home.
(2) An agreement under this subsection shall require that the provider, facility, or other entity will—
(A) make the equipment available for use only by entitled individuals dialyzing at home;
(B) recondition the equipment, as needed, for reuse by such individuals throughout the useful life of the equipment, including modification of the equipment consistent with advances in research and technology;
(C) provide for full access for the Secretary to all records and information relating to the purchase, maintenance, and use of the equipment; and
(D) submit such reports, data, and information as the Secretary may require with respect to the cost, management, and use of the equipment.
(3) For purposes of this section, the term "supportive equipment" includes blood pumps, heparin pumps, bubble detectors, other alarm systems, and such other items as the Secretary may determine are medically necessary.
(f) Experiments, studies, and pilot projects
(1) The Secretary shall initiate and carry out, at selected locations in the United States, pilot projects under which financial assistance in the purchase of new or used durable medical equipment for renal dialysis is provided to individuals suffering from end stage renal disease at the time home dialysis is begun, with provision for a trial period to assure successful adaptation to home dialysis before the actual purchase of such equipment.
(2) The Secretary shall conduct experiments to evaluate methods for reducing the costs of the end stage renal disease program. Such experiments shall include (without being limited to) reimbursement for nurses and dialysis technicians to assist with home dialysis, and reimbursement to family members assisting with home dialysis.
(3) The Secretary shall conduct experiments to evaluate methods of dietary control for reducing the costs of the end stage renal disease program, including (without being limited to) the use of protein-controlled products to delay the necessity for, or reduce the frequency of, dialysis in the treatment of end stage renal disease.
(4) The Secretary shall conduct a comprehensive study of methods for increasing public participation in kidney donation and other organ donation programs.
(5) The Secretary shall conduct a full and complete study of the reimbursement of physicians for services furnished to patients with end stage renal disease under this subchapter, giving particular attention to the range of payments to physicians for such services, the average amounts of such payments, and the number of hours devoted to furnishing such services to patients at home, in renal disease facilities, in hospitals, and elsewhere.
(6) The Secretary shall conduct a study of the number of patients with end stage renal disease who are not eligible for benefits with respect to such disease under this subchapter (by reason of this section or otherwise), and of the economic impact of such noneligibility of such individuals. Such study shall include consideration of mechanisms whereby governmental and other health plans might be instituted or modified to permit the purchase of actuarially sound coverage for the costs of end stage renal disease.
(7)(A) The Secretary shall establish protocols on standards and conditions for the reuse of dialyzer filters for those facilities and providers which voluntarily elect to reuse such filters.
(B) With respect to dialysis services furnished on or after January 1, 1988 (or July 1, 1988, with respect to protocols that relate to the reuse of bloodlines), no dialysis facility may reuse dialysis supplies (other than dialyzer filters) unless the Secretary has established a protocol with respect to the reuse of such supplies and the facility follows the protocol so established.
(C) The Secretary shall incorporate protocols established under this paragraph, and the requirement of subparagraph (B), into the requirements for facilities prescribed under subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section and failure to follow such a protocol or requirement subjects such a facility to denial of participation in the program established under this section and to denial of payment for dialysis treatment not furnished in compliance with such a protocol or in violation of such requirement.
(8) The Secretary shall submit to the Congress no later than October 1, 1979, a full report on the experiments conducted under paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (7), and the studies under paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7). Such report shall include any recommendations for legislative changes which the Secretary finds necessary or desirable as a result of such experiments and studies.
(g) Conditional approval of dialysis facilities; restriction-of-payments notice to public and facility; notice and hearing; judicial review
(1) In any case where the Secretary—
(A) finds that a renal dialysis facility is not in substantial compliance with requirements for such facilities prescribed under subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section,
(B) finds that the facility's deficiencies do not immediately jeopardize the health and safety of patients, and
(C) has given the facility a reasonable opportunity to correct its deficiencies,
the Secretary may, in lieu of terminating approval of the facility, determine that payment under this subchapter shall be made to the facility only for services furnished to individuals who were patients of the facility before the effective date of the notice.
(2) The Secretary's decision to restrict payments under this subsection shall be made effective only after such notice to the public and to the facility as may be prescribed in regulations, and shall remain in effect until (A) the Secretary finds that the facility is in substantial compliance with the requirements under subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section, or (B) the Secretary terminates the agreement under this subchapter with the facility.
(3) A facility dissatisfied with a determination by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall be entitled to a hearing thereon by the Secretary (after reasonable notice) to the same extent as is provided in
(h) Quality incentives in the end-stage renal disease program
(1) Quality incentives
(A) In general
With respect to renal dialysis services (as defined in subsection (b)(14)(B)) furnished on or after January 1, 2012, in the case of a provider of services or a renal dialysis facility that does not meet the requirement described in subparagraph (B) with respect to the year, payments otherwise made to such provider or facility under the system under subsection (b)(14) for such services shall be reduced by up to 2.0 percent, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(B) Requirement
The requirement described in this subparagraph is that the provider or facility meets (or exceeds) the total performance score under paragraph (3) with respect to performance standards established by the Secretary with respect to measures specified in paragraph (2).
(C) No effect in subsequent years
The reduction under subparagraph (A) shall apply only with respect to the year involved, and the Secretary shall not take into account such reduction in computing the single payment amount under the system under paragraph (14) in a subsequent year.
(2) Measures
(A) In general
The measures specified under this paragraph with respect to the year involved shall include—
(i) measures on anemia management that reflect the labeling approved by the Food and Drug Administration for such management and measures on dialysis adequacy;
(ii) to the extent feasible, such measure (or measures) of patient satisfaction as the Secretary shall specify; and
(iii) such other measures as the Secretary specifies, including, to the extent feasible, measures on—
(I) iron management;
(II) bone mineral metabolism; and
(III) vascular access, including for maximizing the placement of arterial venous fistula.
(B) Use of endorsed measures
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), any measure specified by the Secretary under subparagraph (A)(iii) must have been endorsed by the entity with a contract under
(ii) Exception
In the case of a specified area or medical topic determined appropriate by the Secretary for which a feasible and practical measure has not been endorsed by the entity with a contract under
(C) Updating measures
The Secretary shall establish a process for updating the measures specified under subparagraph (A) in consultation with interested parties.
(D) Consideration
In specifying measures under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consider the availability of measures that address the unique treatment needs of children and young adults with kidney failure.
(3) Performance scores
(A) Total performance score
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), the Secretary shall develop a methodology for assessing the total performance of each provider of services and renal dialysis facility based on performance standards with respect to the measures selected under paragraph (2) for a performance period established under paragraph (4)(D) (in this subsection referred to as the "total performance score").
(ii) Application
For providers of services and renal dialysis facilities that do not meet (or exceed) the total performance score established by the Secretary, the Secretary shall ensure that the application of the methodology developed under clause (i) results in an appropriate distribution of reductions in payment under paragraph (1) among providers and facilities achieving different levels of total performance scores, with providers and facilities achieving the lowest total performance scores receiving the largest reduction in payment under paragraph (1)(A).
(iii) Weighting of measures
In calculating the total performance score, the Secretary shall weight the scores with respect to individual measures calculated under subparagraph (B) to reflect priorities for quality improvement, such as weighting scores to ensure that providers of services and renal dialysis facilities have strong incentives to meet or exceed anemia management and dialysis adequacy performance standards, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(B) Performance score with respect to individual measures
The Secretary shall also calculate separate performance scores for each measure, including for dialysis adequacy and anemia management.
(4) Performance standards
(A) Establishment
Subject to subparagraph (E), the Secretary shall establish performance standards with respect to measures selected under paragraph (2) for a performance period with respect to a year (as established under subparagraph (D)).
(B) Achievement and improvement
The performance standards established under subparagraph (A) shall include levels of achievement and improvement, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(C) Timing
The Secretary shall establish the performance standards under subparagraph (A) prior to the beginning of the performance period for the year involved.
(D) Performance period
The Secretary shall establish the performance period with respect to a year. Such performance period shall occur prior to the beginning of such year.
(E) Special rule
The Secretary shall initially use as the performance standard for the measures specified under paragraph (2)(A)(i) for a provider of services or a renal dialysis facility the lesser of—
(i) the performance of such provider or facility for such measures in the year selected by the Secretary under the second sentence of subsection (b)(14)(A)(ii); or
(ii) a performance standard based on the national performance rates for such measures in a period determined by the Secretary.
(5) Limitation on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(A) The determination of the amount of the payment reduction under paragraph (1).
(B) The establishment of the performance standards and the performance period under paragraph (4).
(C) The specification of measures under paragraph (2).
(D) The methodology developed under paragraph (3) that is used to calculate total performance scores and performance scores for individual measures.
(6) Public reporting
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish procedures for making information regarding performance under this subsection available to the public, including—
(i) the total performance score achieved by the provider of services or renal dialysis facility under paragraph (3) and appropriate comparisons of providers of services and renal dialysis facilities to the national average with respect to such scores; and
(ii) the performance score achieved by the provider or facility with respect to individual measures.
(B) Opportunity to review
The procedures established under subparagraph (A) shall ensure that a provider of services and a renal dialysis facility has the opportunity to review the information that is to be made public with respect to the provider or facility prior to such data being made public.
(C) Certificates
(i) In general
The Secretary shall provide certificates to providers of services and renal dialysis facilities who furnish renal dialysis services under this section to display in patient areas. The certificate shall indicate the total performance score achieved by the provider or facility under paragraph (3).
(ii) Display
Each facility or provider receiving a certificate under clause (i) shall prominently display the certificate at the provider or facility.
(D) Web-based list
The Secretary shall establish a list of providers of services and renal dialysis facilities who furnish renal dialysis services under this section that indicates the total performance score and the performance score for individual measures achieved by the provider and facility under paragraph (3). Such information shall be posted on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in an easily understandable format.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1881, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B, referred to in text, are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Section 422(a)(2) of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, referred to in subsec. (b)(7), is section 1(a)(6) [title IV, §422(a)(2)] of
Section 623(c) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, referred to in subsec. (b)(12)(B)(ii), (13)(A)(ii), is section 623(c) of
Subsection (g) of this section, referred to in subsec. (c)(7)(A), was repealed, and subsec. (h) was redesignated (g), by
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(14)(F)(i).
Subsec. (b)(14)(F)(ii)(II).
2008—Subsec. (b)(12)(A).
Subsec. (b)(12)(F).
Subsec. (b)(12)(G).
Subsec. (b)(13)(A).
Subsec. (b)(13)(B).
Subsec. (b)(14).
Subsec. (h).
2006—Subsec. (b)(12)(F).
Subsec. (b)(12)(G).
Subsec. (b)(12)(H).
2003—Subsec. (b)(7).
Subsec. (b)(11)(B).
Subsec. (b)(12), (13).
2000—Subsec. (b)(7).
1999—Subsec. (b)(7).
1994—Subsec. (g)(3).
1993—Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(11)(B)(ii)(I).
1990—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(11).
1989—Subsec. (b)(3)(A).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(7).
Subsec. (c)(8).
1987—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2)(C).
Subsec. (c)(2)(F).
Subsec. (c)(6).
Subsec. (f)(7)(B).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
1986—Subsec. (b)(7).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2)(D) to (F).
Subsec. (c)(2)(G).
Subsec. (c)(2)(H).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(6).
Subsec. (c)(7).
Subsec. (f)(7).
1984—Subsecs. (a), (b)(1), (2)(A), (B), (3), (8).
Subsec. (b)(11).
Subsec. (c)(3).
1983—Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
1981—Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (b)(7) to (10).
1980—Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (g).
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4201(c)(2) of
Amendment by section 4201(d)(2) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 6203(b)(3) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendments
Amendment by section 4065(b) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 9335(a)(3) of
Section 9335(j)(2) of
[Section 4085(i)(21) of
Section 9335(l) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 2323(c) of
Section 2352(b) of
Amendment by section 2354(b)(41) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 2145(b) of
Effective Date
Section effective with respect to services, supplies, and equipment furnished after the third calendar month beginning after June 13, 1978, except that provisions for the implementation of an incentive reimbursement system for dialysis services furnished in facilities and providers to become effective with respect to a facility's or provider's first accounting period beginning after the last day of the twelfth month following the month of June 1978, and except that provisions for reimbursement rates for home dialysis to become effective on Apr. 1, 1979, see section 6 of
Construction of 2008 Amendment
Inspector General Studies on ESRD Drugs
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(3)
"(A) determine the difference between the amount of payment made to end stage renal disease facilities under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] for such drugs and biologicals and the acquisition costs of such facilities for such drugs and biologicals and which are separately billed by end stage renal disease facilities, and
"(B) estimate the rates of growth of expenditures for such drugs and biologicals billed by such facilities.
"(4)
"(A)
"(B)
Demonstration of Bundled Case-Mix Adjusted Payment System for ESRD Services
Report on a Bundled Prospective Payment System for End Stage Renal Disease Services
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(D)
"(E)
"(F)
"(G)
Prohibition on Exceptions
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(D)
Development of ESRD Market Basket
"(1)
"(A) technology used in furnishing dialysis services;
"(B) the manner or method of furnishing dialysis services; and
"(C) the amounts by which the payments under such section for all services billed by a facility for a year exceed the aggregate allowable audited costs of such services for such facility for such year.
"(2)
Inclusion of Additional Services in Composite Rate
"(1)
"(2)
GAO Study on Access to Services
"(1)
"(2)
Special Rule for Payment for 2001
"(1) for services furnished on or after January 1, 2001, and before April 1, 2001, shall be the composite rate payment determined under the provisions of law in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2000]; and
"(2) for services furnished on or after April 1, 2001, and before January 1, 2002, shall be the composite rate payment (as determined taking into account the amendment made by subsection (a)(1)) increased by a transitional percentage allowance equal to 0.39 percent (to account for the timing of implementation of the CPI update)."
Study on Payment Level for Home Hemodialysis
Renal Dialysis-Related Services
"(a)
"(b)
PROPAC Study on ESRD Composite Rates
Section 4201(b) of
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) hemodialysis and other modalities of treatment,
"(ii) the appropriate services to be included in such payments,
"(iii) the adjustment factors to be incorporated including facility characteristics, such as hospital versus free-standing facilities, urban versus rural, size and mix of services,
"(iv) adjustments for labor and nonlabor costs,
"(v) comparative profit margins for all types of renal dialysis providers of service and renal dialysis facilities,
"(vi) adjustments for patient complexity, such as age, diagnosis, case mix, and pediatric services, and
"(vii) efficient costs related to high quality of care and positive outcomes for all treatment modalities.
"(2)
"(3)
[Prospective Payment Assessment Commission (ProPAC) was terminated and its assets and staff transferred to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) by section 4022(c)(2), (3) of
Staff-Assisted Home Dialysis Demonstration Project
Section 4202 of
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) technical assistance with the operation of a hemodialysis machine in the patient's home and with such patient's care during in-home hemodialysis; and
"(ii) administration of medications within the patient's home to maintain the patency of the extra corporeal circuit.
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(I) the rate determined under clause (ii) with respect to a provider of services or a renal dialysis facility; and
"(II) the factor by which the labor portion of the composite rate determined under section 1881(b)(7) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b)(7) of this section] is adjusted for differences in area wage levels.
"(ii) The rate determined under this clause, with respect to a provider of services or renal dialysis facility, shall be equal to the difference between—
"(I) two-thirds of the labor portion of the composite rate applicable under section 1881(b)(7) of such Act to the provider or facility, and
"(II) the product of the national median hourly wage for a home hemodialysis staff assistant and the national median time expended in the provision of home hemodialysis staff assistant services (taking into account time expended in travel and predialysis patient care).
"(iii) For purposes of clause (ii)(II)—
"(I) the national median hourly wage for a home hemodialysis staff assistant and the national median average time expended for home hemodialysis staff assistant services shall be determined annually on the basis of the most recent data available, and
"(II) the national median hourly wage for a home hemodialysis staff assistant shall be the sum of 65 percent of the national median hourly wage for a licensed practical nurse and 35 percent of the national median hourly wage for a registered nurse.
"(C)
"(c)
"(1)
"(A) the individual is not a resident of a nursing facility;
"(B) the individual is an end stage renal disease patient entitled to benefits under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter];
"(C) the individual's physician certifies that the individual is confined to a bed or wheelchair and cannot transfer themselves [sic] from a bed to a chair;
"(D) the individual has a serious medical condition (as specified by the Secretary) which would be exacerbated by travel to and from a dialysis facility;
"(E) the individual is eligible for ambulance transportation to receive routine maintenance dialysis treatments, and, based on the individual's medical condition, there is reasonable expectation that such transportation will be used by the individual for a period of at least 6 consecutive months, such that the cost of ambulance transportation can reasonably be expected to meet or exceed the cost of home hemodialysis staff assistance as provided under subsection (b)(2); and
"(F) no family member or other individual is available to provide such assistance to the individual.
"(2)
"(3)
"(d)
"(1) meets minimum qualifications as specified by the Secretary; and
"(2) meets any applicable qualifications as specified under the law of the State in which the home hemodialysis staff assistant is providing services.
"(e)
"(1)
"(2)
"(f)
"(1) For fiscal year 1991, $4,000,000.
"(2) For fiscal year 1992, $4,000,000.
"(3) For fiscal year 1993, $3,000,000.
"(4) For fiscal year 1994, $2,000,000.
"(5) For fiscal year 1995, $1,000,000."
Studies of End-Stage Renal Disease Program
Section 4036(d)(1)–(4) of
"(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this subsection referred to as the 'Secretary') shall arrange for a study of the end-stage renal disease program within the medicare program.
"(2) Among other items, the study shall address—
"(A) access to treatment by both individuals eligible for medicare benefits and those not eligible for such benefits;
"(B) the quality of care provided to end-stage renal disease beneficiaries, as measured by clinical indicators, functional status of patients, and patient satisfaction;
"(C) the effect of reimbursement on quality of treatment;
"(D) major epidemiological and demographic changes in the end-stage renal disease population that may affect access to treatment, the quality of care, or the resource requirements of the program; and
"(E) the adequacy of existing data systems to monitor these matters on a continuing basis.
"(3) The Secretary shall submit to Congress, not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987], a report on the study.
"(4) The Secretary shall request the National Academy of Sciences, acting through the Institute of Medicine, to submit an application to conduct the study described in this section. If the Academy submits an acceptable application, the Secretary shall enter into an appropriate arrangement with the Academy for the conduct of the study. If the Academy does not submit an acceptable application to conduct the study, the Secretary may request one or more appropriate nonprofit private entities to submit an application to conduct the study and may enter into an appropriate arrangement for the conduct of the study by the entity which submits the best acceptable application."
Rates for Dialysis Services
[Section 6203(a)(2) of
Study and Report on Medicare Payment Rate Reductions for Patients With End Stage Renal Disease
Section 9335(b) of
Deadline for Establishing New End Stage Renal Disease Network Areas; Transition
Section 9335(d)(2), (3) of
"(2)
"(3)
Report on Establishment of National End Stage Renal Disease Registry
Section 9335(i)(2) of
Deadline for Establishment of Protocols on Reuse of Dialyzer Filters
Section 9335(k)(2) of
[Section 4036(c)(1)(B) of
Limitation on Merger of End Stage Renal Disease Networks
1 See References in Text note below.
§1395rr–1. Medicare coverage for individuals exposed to environmental health hazards
(a) Deeming of individuals as eligible for medicare benefits
(1) In general
For purposes of eligibility for benefits under this subchapter, an individual determined under subsection (c) to be an environmental exposure affected individual described in subsection (e)(2) shall be deemed to meet the conditions specified in
(2) Discretionary deeming
For purposes of eligibility for benefits under this subchapter, the Secretary may deem an individual determined under subsection (c) to be an environmental exposure affected individual described in subsection (e)(3) to meet the conditions specified in
(3) Effective date of coverage
An Individual 1 who is deemed eligible for benefits under this subchapter under paragraph (1) or (2) shall be—
(A) entitled to benefits under the program under Part 1 A as of the date of such deeming; and
(B) eligible to enroll in the program under Part 1 B beginning with the month in which such deeming occurs.
(b) Pilot program for care of certain individuals residing in emergency declaration areas
(1) Program; purpose
(A) Primary pilot program
The Secretary shall establish a pilot program in accordance with this subsection to provide innovative approaches to furnishing comprehensive, coordinated, and cost-effective care under this subchapter to individuals described in paragraph (2)(A).
(B) Optional pilot programs
The Secretary may establish a separate pilot program, in accordance with this subsection, with respect to each geographic area subject to an emergency declaration (other than the declaration of June 17, 2009), in order to furnish such comprehensive, coordinated and cost-effective care to individuals described in subparagraph (2)(B) who reside in each such area.
(2) Individual described
For purposes of paragraph (1), an individual described in this paragraph is an individual who enrolls in part B, submits to the Secretary an application to participate in the applicable pilot program under this subsection, and—
(A) is an environmental exposure affected individual described in subsection (e)(2) who resides in or around the geographic area subject to an emergency declaration made as of June 17, 2009; or
(B) is an environmental exposure affected individual described in subsection (e)(3) who—
(i) is deemed under subsection (a)(2); and
(ii) meets such other criteria or conditions for participation in a pilot program under paragraph (1)(B) as the Secretary specifies.
(3) Flexible benefits and services
A pilot program under this subsection may provide for the furnishing of benefits, items, or services not otherwise covered or authorized under this subchapter, if the Secretary determines that furnishing such benefits, items, or services will further the purposes of such pilot program (as described in paragraph (1)).
(4) Innovative reimbursement methodologies
For purposes of the pilot program under this subsection, the Secretary—
(A) shall develop and implement appropriate methodologies to reimburse providers for furnishing benefits, items, or services for which payment is not otherwise covered or authorized under this subchapter, if such benefits, items, or services are furnished pursuant to paragraph (3); and
(B) may develop and implement innovative approaches to reimbursing providers for any benefits, items, or services furnished under this subsection.
(5) Limitation
Consistent with
(6) Waiver authority
The Secretary may waive such provisions of this subchapter and subchapter XI as are necessary to carry out pilot programs under this subsection.
(7) Funding
For purposes of carrying out pilot programs under this subsection, the Secretary shall provide for the transfer, from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under
(8) Waiver of budget neutrality
The Secretary shall not require that pilot programs under this subsection be budget neutral with respect to expenditures under this subchapter.
(c) Determinations
(1) By the Commissioner of Social Security
For purposes of this section, the Commissioner of Social Security, in consultation with the Secretary, and using the cost allocation method prescribed in
(2) By the Secretary
The Secretary shall determine eligibility for pilot programs under subsection (b).
(d) Emergency declaration defined
For purposes of this section, the term "emergency declaration" means a declaration of a public health emergency under
(e) Environmental exposure affected individual defined
(1) In general
For purposes of this section, the term "environmental exposure affected individual" means—
(A) an individual described in paragraph (2); and
(B) an individual described in paragraph (3).
(2) Individual described
(A) In general
An individual described in this paragraph is any individual who—
(i) is diagnosed with 1 or more conditions described in subparagraph (B);
(ii) as demonstrated in such manner as the Secretary determines appropriate, has been present for an aggregate total of 6 months in the geographic area subject to an emergency declaration specified in subsection (b)(2)(A), during a period ending—
(I) not less than 10 years prior to such diagnosis; and
(II) prior to the implementation of all the remedial and removal actions specified in the Record of Decision for Operating Unit 4 and the Record of Decision for Operating Unit 7;
(iii) files an application for benefits under this subchapter (or has an application filed on behalf of the individual), including pursuant to this section; and
(iv) is determined under this section to meet the criteria in this subparagraph.
(B) Conditions described
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the following conditions are described in this subparagraph:
(i) Asbestosis, pleural thickening, or pleural plaques as established by—
(I) interpretation by a "B Reader" qualified physician of a plain chest x-ray or interpretation of a computed tomographic radiograph of the chest by a qualified physician, as determined by the Secretary; or
(II) such other diagnostic standards as the Secretary specifies,
except that this clause shall not apply to pleural thickening or pleural plaques unless there are symptoms or conditions requiring medical treatment as a result of these diagnoses.
(ii) Mesothelioma, or malignancies of the lung, colon, rectum, larynx, stomach, esophagus, pharynx, or ovary, as established by—
(I) pathologic examination of biopsy tissue;
(II) cytology from bronchioalveolar lavage; or
(III) such other diagnostic standards as the Secretary specifies.
(iii) Any other diagnosis which the Secretary, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Security, determines is an asbestos-related medical condition, as established by such diagnostic standards as the Secretary specifies.
(3) Other individual described
An individual described in this paragraph is any individual who—
(A) is not an individual described in paragraph (2);
(B) is diagnosed with a medical condition caused by the exposure of the individual to a public health hazard to which an emergency declaration applies, based on such medical conditions, diagnostic standards, and other criteria as the Secretary specifies;
(C) as demonstrated in such manner as the Secretary determines appropriate, has been present for an aggregate total of 6 months in the geographic area subject to the emergency declaration involved, during a period determined appropriate by the Secretary;
(D) files an application for benefits under this subchapter (or has an application filed on behalf of the individual), including pursuant to this section; and
(E) is determined under this section to meet the criteria in this paragraph.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1881A, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B, referred to in subsecs. (a)(3) and (b)(2), are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
1 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.
§1395ss. Certification of medicare supplemental health insurance policies
(a) Submission of policy by insurer
(1) The Secretary shall establish a procedure whereby medicare supplemental policies (as defined in subsection (g)(1) of this section) may be certified by the Secretary as meeting minimum standards and requirements set forth in subsection (c) of this section. Such procedure shall provide an opportunity for any insurer to submit any such policy, and such additional data as the Secretary finds necessary, to the Secretary for his examination and for his certification thereof as meeting the standards and requirements set forth in subsection (c) of this section. Subject to subsections (k)(3), (m), and (n) of this section, such certification shall remain in effect if the insurer files a notarized statement with the Secretary no later than June 30 of each year stating that the policy continues to meet such standards and requirements and if the insurer submits such additional data as the Secretary finds necessary to independently verify the accuracy of such notarized statement. Where the Secretary determines such a policy meets (or continues to meet) such standards and requirements, he shall authorize the insurer to have printed on such policy (but only in accordance with such requirements and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe) an emblem which the Secretary shall cause to be designed for use as an indication that a policy has received the Secretary's certification. The Secretary shall provide each State commissioner or superintendent of insurance with a list of all the policies which have received his certification.
(2) No medicare supplemental policy may be issued in a State on or after the date specified in subsection (p)(1)(C) of this section unless—
(A) the State's regulatory program under subsection (b)(1) of this section provides for the application and enforcement of the standards and requirements set forth in such subsection (including the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation (as the case may be)) by the date specified in subsection (p)(1)(C) of this section; or
(B) if the State's program does not provide for the application and enforcement of such standards and requirements, the policy has been certified by the Secretary under paragraph (1) as meeting the standards and requirements set forth in subsection (c) of this section (including such applicable standards) by such date.
Any person who issues a medicare supplemental policy, on and after the effective date specified in subsection (p)(1)(C) of this section, in violation of this paragraph is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $25,000 for each such violation. The provisions of
(b) Standards and requirements; periodic review by Secretary
(1) Any medicare supplemental policy issued in any State which the Secretary determines has established under State law a regulatory program that—
(A) provides for the application and enforcement of standards with respect to such policies equal to or more stringent than the NAIC Model Standards (as defined in subsection (g)(2)(A) of this section), except as otherwise provided by subparagraph (H);
(B) includes requirements equal to or more stringent than the requirements described in paragraphs (2) through (5) of subsection (c) of this section;
(C) provides that—
(i) information with respect to the actual ratio of benefits provided to premiums collected under such policies will be reported to the State on forms conforming to those developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners for such purpose, or
(ii) such ratios will be monitored under the program in an alternative manner approved by the Secretary, and that a copy of each such policy, the most recent premium for each such policy, and a listing of the ratio of benefits provided to premiums collected for the most recent 3-year period for each such policy issued or sold in the State is maintained and made available to interested persons;
(D) provides for application and enforcement of the standards and requirements described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) to all medicare supplemental policies (as defined in subsection (g)(1) of this section) issued in such State,
(E) provides the Secretary periodically (but at least annually) with a list containing the name and address of the issuer of each such policy and the name and number of each such policy (including an indication of policies that have been previously approved, newly approved, or withdrawn from approval since the previous list was provided),
(F) reports to the Secretary on the implementation and enforcement of standards and requirements of this paragraph at intervals established by the Secretary,
(G) provides for a process for approving or disapproving proposed premium increases with respect to such policies, and establishes a policy for the holding of public hearings prior to approval of a premium increase, and
(H) in the case of a policy that meets the standards under subparagraph (A) except that benefits under the policy are limited to items and services furnished by certain entities (or reduced benefits are provided when items or services are furnished by other entities), provides for the application of requirements equal to or more stringent than the requirements under subsection (t) of this section,
shall be deemed (subject to subsections (k)(3), (m), and (n) of this section, for so long as the Secretary finds that such State regulatory program continues to meet the standards and requirements of this paragraph) to meet the standards and requirements set forth in subsection (c) of this section. Each report required under subparagraph (F) shall include information on loss ratios of policies sold in the State, frequency and types of instances in which policies approved by the State fail to meet the standards and requirements of this paragraph, actions taken by the State to bring such policies into compliance, information regarding State programs implementing consumer protection provisions, and such further information as the Secretary in consultation with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners may specify.
(2) The Secretary periodically shall review State regulatory programs to determine if they continue to meet the standards and requirements specified in paragraph (1). If the Secretary finds that a State regulatory program no longer meets the standards and requirements, before making a final determination, the Secretary shall provide the State an opportunity to adopt such a plan of correction as would permit the State regulatory program to continue to meet such standards and requirements. If the Secretary makes a final determination that the State regulatory program, after such an opportunity, fails to meet such standards and requirements, the program shall no longer be considered to have in operation a program meeting such standards and requirements.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a medicare supplemental policy offered in a State shall not be deemed to meet the standards and requirements set forth in subsection (c) of this section, with respect to an advertisement (whether through written, radio, or television medium) used (or, at a State's option, to be used) for the policy in the State, unless the entity issuing the policy provides a copy of each advertisement to the Commissioner of Insurance (or comparable officer identified by the Secretary) of that State for review or approval to the extent it may be required under State law.
(c) Requisite findings
The Secretary shall certify under this section any medicare supplemental policy, or continue certification of such a policy, only if he finds that such policy (or, with respect to paragraph (3) or the requirement described in subsection (s) of this section, the issuer of the policy)—
(1) meets or exceeds (either in a single policy or, in the case of nonprofit hospital and medical service associations, in one or more policies issued in conjunction with one another) the NAIC Model Standards (except as otherwise provided by subsection (t) of this section);
(2) meets the requirements of subsection (r) of this section;
(3)(A) accepts a notice under
(B) where such a notice is received—
(i) provides notice to such physician or supplier and the beneficiary of the payment determination under the policy, and
(ii) provides any payment covered by such policy directly to the participating physician or supplier involved;
(C) provides each enrollee at the time of enrollment a card listing the policy name and number and a single mailing address to which notices under
(D) agrees to pay any user fees established under
(E) provides to the Secretary at least annually, for transmittal to carriers, a single mailing address to which notices under
(4) may, during a period of not less than 30 days after the policy is issued, be returned for a full refund of any premiums paid (without regard to the manner in which the purchase of the policy was solicited); and
(5) meets the applicable requirements of subsections (o) through (t) of this section.
(d) Criminal penalties; civil penalties for certain violations
(1) Whoever knowingly and willfully makes or causes to be made or induces or seeks to induce the making of any false statement or representation of a material fact with respect to the compliance of any policy with the standards and requirements set forth in subsection (c) of this section or in regulations promulgated pursuant to such subsection, or with respect to the use of the emblem designed by the Secretary under subsection (a) of this section, shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both, and, in addition to or in lieu of such a criminal penalty, is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $5,000 for each such prohibited act.
(2) Whoever falsely assumes or pretends to be acting, or misrepresents in any way that he is acting, under the authority of or in association with, the program of health insurance established by this subchapter, or any Federal agency, for the purpose of selling or attempting to sell insurance, or in such pretended character demands, or obtains money, paper, documents, or anything of value, shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both, and, in addition to or in lieu of such a criminal penalty, is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $5,000 for each such prohibited act.
(3)(A)(i) It is unlawful for a person to sell or issue to an individual entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter (including an individual electing a Medicare+Choice plan under
(I) a health insurance policy with knowledge that the policy duplicates health benefits to which the individual is otherwise entitled under this subchapter or subchapter XIX of this chapter,
(II) in the case of an individual not electing a Medicare+Choice plan, a medicare supplemental policy with knowledge that the individual is entitled to benefits under another medicare supplemental policy or in the case of an individual electing a Medicare+Choice plan, a medicare supplemental policy with knowledge that the policy duplicates health benefits to which the individual is otherwise entitled under the Medicare+Choice plan or under another medicare supplemental policy, or
(III) a health insurance policy (other than a medicare supplemental policy) with knowledge that the policy duplicates health benefits to which the individual is otherwise entitled, other than benefits to which the individual is entitled under a requirement of State or Federal law.
(ii) Whoever violates clause (i) shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both, and, in addition to or in lieu of such a criminal penalty, is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $25,000 (or $15,000 in the case of a person other than the issuer of the policy) for each such prohibited act.
(iii) A seller (who is not the issuer of a health insurance policy) shall not be considered to violate clause (i)(II) with respect to the sale of a medicare supplemental policy if the policy is sold in compliance with subparagraph (B).
(iv) For purposes of this subparagraph, a health insurance policy (other than a Medicare supplemental policy) providing for benefits which are payable to or on behalf of an individual without regard to other health benefit coverage of such individual is not considered to "duplicate" any health benefits under this subchapter, under subchapter XIX of this chapter, or under a health insurance policy, and subclauses (I) and (III) of clause (i) do not apply to such a policy.
(v) For purposes of this subparagraph, a health insurance policy (or a rider to an insurance contract which is not a health insurance policy) is not considered to "duplicate" health benefits under this subchapter or under another health insurance policy if it—
(I) provides health care benefits only for long-term care, nursing home care, home health care, or community-based care, or any combination thereof,
(II) coordinates against or excludes items and services available or paid for under this subchapter or under another health insurance policy, and
(III) for policies sold or issued on or after the end of the 90-day period beginning on August 21, 1996, discloses such coordination or exclusion in the policy's outline of coverage.
For purposes of this clause, the terms "coordinates" and "coordination" mean, with respect to a policy in relation to health benefits under this subchapter or under another health insurance policy, that the policy under its terms is secondary to, or excludes from payment, items and services to the extent available or paid for under this subchapter or under another health insurance policy.
(vi)(I) An individual entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter who is applying for a health insurance policy (other than a policy described in subclause (III)) shall be furnished a disclosure statement described in clause (vii) for the type of policy being applied for. Such statement shall be furnished as a part of (or together with) the application for such policy.
(II) Whoever issues or sells a health insurance policy (other than a policy described in subclause (III)) to an individual described in subclause (I) and fails to furnish the appropriate disclosure statement as required under such subclause shall be fined under title 18, or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both, and, in addition to or in lieu of such a criminal penalty, is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $25,000 (or $15,000 in the case of a person other than the issuer of the policy) for each such violation.
(III) A policy described in this subclause (to which subclauses (I) and (II) do not apply) is a Medicare supplemental policy, a policy described in clause (v), or a health insurance policy identified under 60 Federal Register 30880 (June 12, 1995) as a policy not required to have a disclosure statement.
(IV) Any reference in this section to the revised NAIC model regulation (referred to in subsection (m)(1)(A) of this section) is deemed a reference to such regulation as revised by section 171(m)(2) of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1994 (
(vii) The disclosure statement described in this clause for a type of policy is the statement specified under subparagraph (D) of this paragraph (as in effect before August 21, 1996) for that type of policy, as revised as follows:
(I) In each statement, amend the second line to read as follows:
"THIS IS NOT MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT
INSURANCE".
(II) In each statement, strike the third line and insert the following: "Some health care services paid for by Medicare may also trigger the payment of benefits under this policy.".
(III) In each statement not described in subclause (V), strike the boldface matter that begins "This insurance" and all that follows up to the next paragraph that begins "Medicare".
(IV) In each statement not described in subclause (V), insert before the boxed matter (that states "Before You Buy This Insurance") the following: "This policy must pay benefits without regard to other health benefit coverage to which you may be entitled under Medicare or other insurance.".
(V) In a statement relating to policies providing both nursing home and non-institutional coverage, to policies providing nursing home benefits only, or policies providing home care benefits only, amend the sentence that begins "Federal law" to read as follows: "Federal law requires us to inform you that in certain situations this insurance may pay for some care also covered by Medicare.".
(viii)(I) Subject to subclause (II), nothing in this subparagraph shall restrict or preclude a State's ability to regulate health insurance policies, including any health insurance policy that is described in clause (iv), (v), or (vi)(III).
(II) A State may not declare or specify, in statute, regulation, or otherwise, that a health insurance policy (other than a Medicare supplemental policy) or rider to an insurance contract which is not a health insurance policy, that is described in clause (iv), (v), or (vi)(III) and that is sold, issued, or renewed to an individual entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter "duplicates" health benefits under this subchapter or under a Medicare supplemental policy.
(B)(i) It is unlawful for a person to issue or sell a medicare supplemental policy to an individual entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter, whether directly, through the mail, or otherwise, unless—
(I) the person obtains from the individual, as part of the application for the issuance or purchase and on a form described in clause (ii), a written statement signed by the individual stating, to the best of the individual's knowledge, what health insurance policies (including any Medicare+Choice plan) the individual has, from what source, and whether the individual is entitled to any medical assistance under subchapter XIX of this chapter, whether as a qualified medicare beneficiary or otherwise, and
(II) the written statement is accompanied by a written acknowledgment, signed by the seller of the policy, of the request for and receipt of such statement.
(ii) The statement required by clause (i) shall be made on a form that—
(I) states in substance that a medicare-eligible individual does not need more than one medicare supplemental policy,
(II) states in substance that individuals may be eligible for benefits under the State medicaid program under subchapter XIX of this chapter and that such individuals who are entitled to benefits under that program usually do not need a medicare supplemental policy and that benefits and premiums under any such policy shall be suspended upon request of the policyholder during the period (of not longer than 24 months) of entitlement to benefits under such subchapter and may be reinstituted upon loss of such entitlement, and
(III) states that counseling services may be available in the State to provide advice concerning the purchase of medicare supplemental policies and enrollment under the medicaid program and may provide the telephone number for such services.
(iii)(I) Except as provided in subclauses (II) and (III), if the statement required by clause (i) is not obtained or indicates that the individual has a medicare supplemental policy or indicates that the individual is entitled to any medical assistance under subchapter XIX of this chapter, the sale of a medicare supplemental policy shall be considered to be a violation of subparagraph (A).
(II) Subclause (I) shall not apply in the case of an individual who has a medicare supplemental policy, if the individual indicates in writing, as part of the application for purchase, that the policy being purchased replaces such other policy and indicates an intent to terminate the policy being replaced when the new policy becomes effective and the issuer or seller certifies in writing that such policy will not, to the best of the issuer's or seller's knowledge, duplicate coverage (taking into account any such replacement).
(III) If the statement required by clause (i) is obtained and indicates that the individual is entitled to any medical assistance under subchapter XIX of this chapter, the sale of the policy is not in violation of clause (i) (insofar as such clause relates to such medical assistance), if (aa) a State medicaid plan under such subchapter pays the premiums for the policy, (bb) in the case of a qualified medicare beneficiary described in
(iv) Whoever issues or sells a medicare supplemental policy in violation of this subparagraph shall be fined under title 18, or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both, and, in addition to or in lieu of such a criminal penalty, is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $25,000 (or $15,000 in the case of a seller who is not the issuer of a policy) for each such violation.
(C) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to the sale or issuance of a group policy or plan of one or more employers or labor organizations, or of the trustees of a fund established by one or more employers or labor organizations (or combination thereof), for employees or former employees (or combination thereof) or for members or former members (or combination thereof) of the labor organizations.
(4)(A) Whoever knowingly, directly or through his agent, mails or causes to be mailed any matter for a prohibited purpose (as determined under subparagraph (B)) shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both, and, in addition to or in lieu of such a criminal penalty, is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $5,000 for each such prohibited act.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), a prohibited purpose means the advertising, solicitation, or offer for sale of a medicare supplemental policy, or the delivery of such a policy, in or into any State in which such policy has not been approved by the State commissioner or superintendent of insurance.
(C) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in the case of a person who mails or causes to be mailed a medicare supplemental policy into a State if such person has ascertained that the party insured under such policy to whom (or on whose behalf) such policy is mailed is located in such State on a temporary basis.
(D) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in the case of a person who mails or causes to be mailed a duplicate copy of a medicare supplemental policy previously issued to the party to whom (or on whose behalf) such duplicate copy is mailed.
(E) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in the case of an issuer who mails or causes to be mailed a policy, certificate, or other matter solely to comply with the requirements of subsection (q) of this section.
(5) The provisions of
(e) Dissemination of information
(1) The Secretary shall provide to all individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter (and, to the extent feasible, to individuals about to become so entitled) such information as will permit such individuals to evaluate the value of medicare supplemental policies to them and the relationship of any such policies to benefits provided under this subchapter.
(2) The Secretary shall—
(A) inform all individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter (and, to the extent feasible, individuals about to become so entitled) of—
(i) the actions and practices that are subject to sanctions under subsection (d) of this section, and
(ii) the manner in which they may report any such action or practice to an appropriate official of the Department of Health and Human Services (or to an appropriate State official), and
(B) publish the toll-free telephone number for individuals to report suspected violations of the provisions of such subsection.
(3) The Secretary shall provide individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter (and, to the extent feasible, individuals about to become so entitled) with a listing of the addresses and telephone numbers of State and Federal agencies and offices that provide information and assistance to individuals with respect to the selection of medicare supplemental policies.
(f) Study and evaluation of comparative effectiveness of various State approaches to regulating medicare supplemental policies; report to Congress no later than January 1, 1982; periodic evaluations
(1)(A) The Secretary shall, in consultation with Federal and State regulatory agencies, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, private insurers, and organizations representing consumers and the aged, conduct a comprehensive study and evaluation of the comparative effectiveness of various State approaches to the regulation of medicare supplemental policies in (i) limiting marketing and agent abuse, (ii) assuring the dissemination of such information to individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter (and to other consumers) as is necessary to permit informed choice, (iii) promoting policies which provide reasonable economic benefits for such individuals, (iv) reducing the purchase of unnecessary duplicative coverage, (v) improving price competition, and (vi) establishing effective approved State regulatory programs described in subsection (b) of this section.
(B) Such study shall also address the need for standards or certification of health insurance policies, other than medicare supplemental policies, sold to individuals eligible for benefits under this subchapter.
(C) The Secretary shall, no later than January 1, 1982, submit a report to the Congress on the results of such study and evaluation, accompanied by such recommendations as the Secretary finds warranted by such results with respect to the need for legislative or administrative changes to accomplish the objectives set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B), including the need for a mandatory Federal regulatory program to assure the marketing of appropriate types of medicare supplemental policies, and such other means as he finds may be appropriate to enhance effective State regulation of such policies.
(2) The Secretary shall submit to the Congress no later than July 1, 1982, and periodically as may be appropriate thereafter (but not less often than once every 2 years), a report evaluating the effectiveness of the certification procedure and the criminal penalties established under this section, and shall include in such reports an analysis of—
(A) the impact of such procedure and penalties on the types, market share, value, and cost to individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter of medicare supplemental policies which have been certified by the Secretary;
(B) the need for any change in the certification procedure to improve its administration or effectiveness; and
(C) whether the certification program and criminal penalties should be continued.
(3) The Secretary shall provide information via a toll-free telephone number on medicare supplemental policies (including the relationship of State programs under subchapter XIX of this chapter to such policies).
(g) Definitions
(1) For purposes of this section, a medicare supplemental policy is a health insurance policy or other health benefit plan offered by a private entity to individuals who are entitled to have payment made under this subchapter, which provides reimbursement for expenses incurred for services and items for which payment may be made under this subchapter but which are not reimbursable by reason of the applicability of deductibles, coinsurance amounts, or other limitations imposed pursuant to this subchapter; but does not include a prescription drug plan under part D of this subchapter or a Medicare+Choice plan or any such policy or plan of one or more employers or labor organizations, or of the trustees of a fund established by one or more employers or labor organizations (or combination thereof), for employees or former employees (or combination thereof) or for members or former members (or combination thereof) of the labor organizations and does not include a policy or plan of an eligible organization (as defined in
(2) For purposes of this section:
(A) The term "NAIC Model Standards" means the "NAIC Model Regulation to Implement the Individual Accident and Sickness Insurance Minimum Standards Act", adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners on June 6, 1979, as it applies to medicare supplemental policies.
(B) The term "State with an approved regulatory program" means a State for which the Secretary has made a determination under subsection (b)(1) of this section.
(C) The State in which a policy is issued means—
(i) in the case of an individual policy, the State in which the policyholder resides; and
(ii) in the case of a group policy, the State in which the holder of the master policy resides.
(h) Rules and regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary for the effective, efficient, and equitable administration of the certification procedure established under this section. The Secretary shall first issue final regulations to implement the certification procedure established under subsection (a) of this section not later than March 1, 1981.
(i) Commencement of certification program
(1) No medicare supplemental policy shall be certified and no such policy may be issued bearing the emblem authorized by the Secretary under subsection (a) of this section until July 1, 1982. On and after such date policies certified by the Secretary may bear such emblem, including policies which were issued prior to such date and were subsequently certified, and insurers may notify holders of such certified policies issued prior to such date using such emblem in the notification.
(2)(A) The Secretary shall not implement the certification program established under subsection (a) of this section with respect to policies issued in a State unless the Panel makes a finding that such State cannot be expected to have established, by July 1, 1982, an approved State regulatory program meeting the standards and requirements of subsection (b)(1) of this section. If the Panel makes such a finding, the Secretary shall implement such program under subsection (a) of this section with respect to medicare supplemental policies issued in such State, until such time as the Panel determines that such State has a program that meets the standards and requirements of subsection (b)(1) of this section.
(B) Any finding by the Panel under subparagraph (A) shall be transmitted in writing, not later than January 1, 1982, to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and shall not become effective until 60 days after the date of its transmittal to the Committees of the Congress under this subparagraph. In counting such days, days on which either House is not in session because of an adjournment sine die or an adjournment of more than three days to a day certain are excluded in the computation.
(j) State regulation of policies issued in other States
Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to affect the right of any State to regulate medicare supplemental policies which, under the provisions of this section, are considered to be issued in another State.
(k) Amended NAIC Model Regulation or Federal model standards applicable; effective date; medicare supplemental policy and State regulatory program meeting applicable standards
(1)(A) If, within the 90-day period beginning on July 1, 1988, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (in this subsection referred to as the "Association") amends the NAIC Model Regulation adopted on June 6, 1979 (as it relates to medicare supplemental policies), with respect to matters such as minimum benefit standards, loss ratios, disclosure requirements, and replacement requirements and provisions otherwise necessary to reflect the changes in law made by the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, except as provided in subsection (m) of this section, subsection (g)(2)(A) of this section shall be applied in a State, effective on and after the date specified in subparagraph (B), as if the reference to the Model Regulation adopted on June 6, 1979, were a reference to the Model Regulation as amended by the Association in accordance with this paragraph (in this subsection and subsection (l) of this section referred to as the "amended NAIC Model Regulation").
(B) The date specified in this subparagraph for a State is the earlier of the date the State adopts standards equal to or more stringent than the amended NAIC Model Regulation or 1 year after the date the Association first adopts such amended Regulation.
(2)(A) If the Association does not amend the NAIC Model Regulation within the 90-day period specified in paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall promulgate, not later than 60 days after the end of such period, Federal model standards (in this subsection and subsection (l) of this section referred to as "Federal model standards") for medicare supplemental policies to reflect the changes in law made by the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, and subsection (g)(2)(A) of this section shall be applied in a State, effective on and after the date specified in subparagraph (B), as if the reference to the Model Regulation adopted on June 6, 1979, were a reference to Federal model standards.
(B) The date specified in this subparagraph for a State is the earlier of the date the State adopts standards equal to or more stringent than the Federal model standards or 1 year after the date the Secretary first promulgates such standards.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section (except as provided in subsections (l), (m), and (n) of this section)—
(A) no medicare supplemental policy may be certified by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) of this section,
(B) no certification made pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall remain in effect, and
(C) no State regulatory program shall be found to meet (or to continue to meet) the requirements of subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section,
unless such policy meets (or such program provides for the application of standards equal to or more stringent than) the standards set forth in the amended NAIC Model Regulation or the Federal model standards (as the case may be) by the date specified in paragraph (1)(B) or (2)(B) (as the case may be).
(l) Transitional compliance with NAIC Model Transition Regulation; "qualifying medicare supplemental policy" and "NAIC Model Transition Regulation" defined
(1) Until the date specified in paragraph (3), in the case of a qualifying medicare supplemental policy described in paragraph (2) issued—
(A) before January 1, 1989, the policy is deemed to remain in compliance with this section if the insurer issuing the policy complies with the NAIC Model Transition Regulation (including giving notices to subscribers and filing for premium adjustments with the State as described in section 5.B. of such Regulation) by January 1, 1989; or
(B) on or after January 1, 1989, the policy is deemed to be in compliance with this section if the insurer issuing the policy complies with the NAIC Model Transition Regulation before the date of the sale of the policy.
(2) In paragraph (1), the term "qualifying medicare supplemental policy" means a medicare supplemental policy—
(A) issued in a State which—
(i) has not adopted standards equal to or more stringent than the NAIC Model Transition Regulation by January 1, 1989, and
(ii) has not adopted standards equal to or more stringent than the amended NAIC Model Regulation (or Federal model standards) by January 1, 1989; and
(B) which has been issued in compliance with this section (as in effect on June 1, 1988).
(3)(A) The date specified in this paragraph is the earlier of—
(i) the first date a State adopts, after January 1, 1989, standards equal to or more stringent than the NAIC Model Transition Regulation or equal to or more stringent than the amended NAIC Model Regulation (or Federal model standards), as the case may be, or
(ii) the later of (I) the date specified in subsection (k)(1)(B) or (k)(2)(B) of this section (as the case may be), or (II) the date specified in subparagraph (B).
(B) In the case of a State which the Secretary identifies as—
(i) requiring State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for medicare supplemental policies to meet standards described in subparagraph (A)(i), but
(ii) having a legislature which is not scheduled to meet in 1989 in a legislative session in which such legislation may be considered,
the date specified in this subparagraph is the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first legislative session of the State legislature that begins on or after January 1, 1989, and in which legislation described in clause (i) may be considered. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
(4) In the case of a medicare supplemental policy in effect on January 1, 1989, and offered in a State which, as of such date—
(A) has adopted standards equal to or more stringent than the amended NAIC Model Regulation (or Federal model standards), but
(B) does not have in effect standards equal to or more stringent than the NAIC Model Transition Regulation (or otherwise requiring notice substantially the same as the notice required in section 5.B. of such Regulation),
the policy shall not be deemed to meet the standards in subsection (c) of this section unless each individual who is entitled to benefits under this subchapter and is a policyholder under such policy on January 1, 1989, is sent such a notice in any appropriate form by not later than January 31, 1989, that explains—
(A) the improved benefits under this subchapter contained in the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, and
(B) how these improvements affect the benefits contained in the policies and the premium for the policy.
(5) In this subsection, the term "NAIC Model Transition Regulation" refers to the standards contained in the "Model Regulation to Implement Transitional Requirements for the Conversion of Medicare Supplement Insurance Benefits and Premiums to Conform to Medicare Program Revisions" (as adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in September 1987).
(m) Revision of amended NAIC Model Regulation and amended Federal model standards; effective dates; medicare supplemental policy and State regulatory program meeting applicable standards
(1)(A) If, within the 90-day period beginning on December 13, 1989, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (in this subsection and subsection (n) of this section referred to as the "Association") revises the amended NAIC Model Regulation (referred to in subsection (k)(1)(A) of this section and adopted on September 20, 1988) to improve such regulation and otherwise to reflect the changes in law made by the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Repeal Act of 1989, subsection (g)(2)(A) of this section shall be applied in a State, effective on and after the date specified in subparagraph (B), as if the reference to the Model Regulation adopted on June 6, 1979, were a reference to the amended NAIC Model Regulation (referred to in subsection (k)(1)(A) of this section) as revised by the Association in accordance with this paragraph (in this subsection and subsection (n) of this section referred to as the "revised NAIC Model Regulation").
(B) The date specified in this subparagraph for a State is the earlier of the date the State adopts standards equal to or more stringent than the revised NAIC Model Regulation or 1 year after the date the Association first adopts such revised Regulation.
(2)(A) If the Association does not revise the amended NAIC Model Regulation, within the 90-day period specified in paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall promulgate, not later than 60 days after the end of such period, revised Federal model standards (in this subsection and subsection (n) of this section referred to as "revised Federal model standards") for medicare supplemental policies to improve such standards and otherwise to reflect the changes in law made by the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Repeal Act of 1989, subsection (g)(2)(A) of this section shall be applied in a State, effective on and after the date specified in subparagraph (B), as if the reference to the Model Regulation adopted on June 6, 1979, were a reference to the revised Federal model standards.
(B) The date specified in this subparagraph for a State is the earlier of the date the State adopts standards equal to or more stringent than the revised Federal model standards or 1 year after the date the Secretary first promulgates such standards.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section (except as provided in subsection (n) of this section)—
(A) no medicare supplemental policy may be certified by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) of this section,
(B) no certification made pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall remain in effect, and
(C) no State regulatory program shall be found to meet (or to continue to meet) the requirements of subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section,
unless such policy meets (or such program provides for the application of standards equal to or more stringent than) the standards set forth in the revised NAIC Model Regulation or the revised Federal model standards (as the case may be) by the date specified in paragraph (1)(B) or (2)(B) (as the case may be).
(n) Transition compliance with revision of NAIC Model Regulation and Federal model standards
(1) Until the date specified in paragraph (4), in the case of a qualifying medicare supplemental policy described in paragraph (3) issued in a State—
(A) before the transition deadline, the policy is deemed to remain in compliance with the standards described in subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section only if the insurer issuing the policy complies with the transition provision described in paragraph (2), or
(B) on or after the transition deadline, the policy is deemed to be in compliance with the standards described in subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section only if the insurer issuing the policy complies with the revised NAIC Model Regulation or the revised Federal model standards (as the case may be) before the date of the sale of the policy.
In this paragraph, the term "transition deadline" means 1 year after the date the Association adopts the revised NAIC Model Regulation or 1 year after the date the Secretary promulgates revised Federal model standards (as the case may be).
(2) The transition provision described in this paragraph is—
(A) such transition provision as the Association provides, by not later than December 15, 1989, so as to provide for an appropriate transition (i) to restore benefit provisions which are no longer duplicative as a result of the changes in benefits under this subchapter made by the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Repeal Act of 1989 and (ii) to eliminate the requirement of payment for the first 8 days of coinsurance for extended care services, or
(B) if the Association does not provide for a transition provision by the date described in subparagraph (A), such transition provision as the Secretary shall provide, by January 1, 1990, so as to provide for an appropriate transition described in subparagraph (A).
(3) In paragraph (1), the term "qualifying medicare supplemental policy" means a medicare supplemental policy which has been issued in compliance with this section as in effect on the date before December 13, 1989.
(4)(A) The date specified in this paragraph for a policy issued in a State is—
(i) the first date a State adopts, after December 13, 1989, standards equal to or more stringent than the revised NAIC Model Regulation (or revised Federal model standards), as the case may be, or
(ii) the date specified in subparagraph (B),
whichever is earlier.
(B) In the case of a State which the Secretary identifies, in consultation with the Association, as—
(i) requiring State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for medicare supplemental policies to meet standards described in subparagraph (A)(i), but
(ii) having a legislature which is not scheduled to meet in 1990 in a legislative session in which such legislation may be considered,
the date specified in this subparagraph is the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first legislative session of the State legislature that begins on or after January 1, 1990. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
(5) In the case of a medicare supplemental policy in effect on January 1, 1990, the policy shall not be deemed to meet the standards in subsection (c) of this section unless each individual who is entitled to benefits under this subchapter and is a policyholder or certificate holder under such policy on such date is sent a notice in an appropriate form by not later than January 31, 1990, that explains—
(A) the changes in benefits under this subchapter effected by the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Repeal Act of 1989, and
(B) how these changes may affect the benefits contained in such policy and the premium for the policy.
(6)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in the case of an individual who had in effect, as of December 31, 1988, a medicare supplemental policy with an insurer (as a policyholder or, in the case of a group policy, as a certificate holder) and the individual terminated coverage under such policy before December 13, 1989, no medicare supplemental policy of the insurer shall be deemed to meet the standards in subsection (c) of this section unless the insurer—
(i) provides written notice, no earlier than December 15, 1989, and no later than January 30, 1990, to the policyholder or certificate holder (at the most recent available address) of the offer described in clause (ii), and
(ii) offers the individual, during a period of at least 60 days beginning not later than February 1, 1990, reinstitution of coverage (with coverage effective as of January 1, 1990), under the terms which (I) do not provide for any waiting period with respect to treatment of pre-existing conditions, (II) provides for coverage which is substantially equivalent to coverage in effect before the date of such termination, and (III) provides for classification of premiums on which terms are at least as favorable to the policyholder or certificate holder as the premium classification terms that would have applied to the policyholder or certificate holder had the coverage never terminated.
(B) An insurer is not required to make the offer under subparagraph (A)(ii) in the case of an individual who is a policyholder or certificate holder in another medicare supplemental policy as of December 13, 1989, if (as of January 1, 1990) the individual is not subject to a waiting period with respect to treatment of a pre-existing condition under such other policy.
(o) Requirements of group benefits; core group benefits; uniform outline of coverage
The requirements of this subsection are as follows:
(1) Each medicare supplemental policy shall provide for coverage of a group of benefits consistent with subsections (p), (v) 1 (w), and (y) of this section.
(2) If the medicare supplemental policy provides for coverage of a group of benefits other than the core group of basic benefits described in subsection (p)(2)(B) of this section, the issuer of the policy must make available to the individual a medicare supplemental policy with only such core group of basic benefits.
(3) The issuer of the policy has provided, before the sale of the policy, an outline of coverage that uses uniform language and format (including layout and print size) that facilitates comparison among medicare supplemental policies and comparison with medicare benefits.
(4) The issuer of the medicare supplemental policy complies with subsection (s)(2)(E) and subsection (x).
(5) In addition to the requirement under paragraph (2), the issuer of the policy must make available to the individual at least Medicare supplemental policies with benefit packages classified as "C" or "F".
(p) Standards for group benefits
(1)(A) If, within 9 months after November 5, 1990, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (in this subsection referred to as the "Association") changes the revised NAIC Model Regulation (described in subsection (m) of this section) to incorporate—
(i) limitations on the groups or packages of benefits that may be offered under a medicare supplemental policy consistent with paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection,
(ii) uniform language and definitions to be used with respect to such benefits,
(iii) uniform format to be used in the policy with respect to such benefits, and
(iv) other standards to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990,
subsection (g)(2)(A) of this section shall be applied in each State, effective for policies issued to policyholders on and after the date specified in subparagraph (C), as if the reference to the Model Regulation adopted on June 6, 1979, were a reference to the revised NAIC Model Regulation as changed under this subparagraph (such changed regulation referred to in this section as the "1991 NAIC Model Regulation").
(B) If the Association does not make the changes in the revised NAIC Model Regulation within the 9-month period specified in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall promulgate, not later than 9 months after the end of such period, a regulation and subsection (g)(2)(A) of this section shall be applied in each State, effective for policies issued to policyholders on and after the date specified in subparagraph (C), as if the reference to the Model Regulation adopted on June 6, 1979, were a reference to the revised NAIC Model Regulation as changed by the Secretary under this subparagraph (such changed regulation referred to in this section as the "1991 Federal Regulation").
(C)(i) Subject to clause (ii), the date specified in this subparagraph for a State is the date the State adopts the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation or 1 year after the date the Association or the Secretary first adopts such standards, whichever is earlier.
(ii) In the case of a State which the Secretary identifies, in consultation with the Association, as—
(I) requiring State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for medicare supplemental policies to meet the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation, but
(II) having a legislature which is not scheduled to meet in 1992 in a legislative session in which such legislation may be considered,
the date specified in this subparagraph is the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first legislative session of the State legislature that begins on or after January 1, 1992. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
(D) In promulgating standards under this paragraph, the Association or Secretary shall consult with a working group composed of representatives of issuers of medicare supplemental policies, consumer groups, medicare beneficiaries, and other qualified individuals. Such representatives shall be selected in a manner so as to assure balanced representation among the interested groups.
(E) If benefits (including deductibles and coinsurance) under this subchapter are changed and the Secretary determines, in consultation with the Association, that changes in the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation are needed to reflect such changes, the preceding provisions of this paragraph shall apply to the modification of standards previously established in the same manner as they applied to the original establishment of such standards.
(2) The benefits under the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation shall provide—
(A) for such groups or packages of benefits as may be appropriate taking into account the considerations specified in paragraph (3) and the requirements of the succeeding subparagraphs;
(B) for identification of a core group of basic benefits common to all policies; and
(C) that, subject to paragraph (4)(B), the total number of different benefit packages (counting the core group of basic benefits described in subparagraph (B) and each other combination of benefits that may be offered as a separate benefit package) that may be established in all the States and by all issuers shall not exceed 10 plus the 2 plans described in paragraph (11)(A).
(3) The benefits under paragraph (2) shall, to the extent possible—
(A) provide for benefits that offer consumers the ability to purchase the benefits that are available in the market as of November 5, 1990; and
(B) balance the objectives of (i) simplifying the market to facilitate comparisons among policies, (ii) avoiding adverse selection, (iii) providing consumer choice, (iv) providing market stability, and (v) promoting competition.
(4)(A)(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) or paragraph (6), no State with a regulatory program approved under subsection (b)(1) of this section may provide for or permit the grouping of benefits (or language or format with respect to such benefits) under a medicare supplemental policy unless such grouping meets the applicable 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation.
(ii) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary may not provide for or permit the grouping of benefits (or language or format with respect to such benefits) under a medicare supplemental policy seeking approval by the Secretary unless such grouping meets the applicable 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation.
(B) With the approval of the State (in the case of a policy issued in a State with an approved regulatory program) or the Secretary (in the case of any other policy), the issuer of a medicare supplemental policy may offer new or innovative benefits in addition to the benefits provided in a policy that otherwise complies with the applicable 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation. Any such new or innovative benefits may include benefits that are not otherwise available and are cost-effective and shall be offered in a manner which is consistent with the goal of simplification of medicare supplemental policies.
(5)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), this subsection shall not be construed as preventing a State from restricting the groups of benefits that may be offered in medicare supplemental policies in the State.
(B) A State with a regulatory program approved under subsection (b)(1) of this section may not restrict under subparagraph (A) the offering of a medicare supplemental policy consisting only of the core group of benefits described in paragraph (2)(B).
(6) The Secretary may waive the application of standards described in clauses (i) through (iii) of paragraph (1)(A) in those States that on November 5, 1990, had in place an alternative simplification program.
(7) This subsection shall not be construed as preventing an issuer of a medicare supplemental policy who otherwise meets the requirements of this section from providing, through an arrangement with a vendor, for discounts from that vendor to policyholders or certificateholders for the purchase of items or services not covered under its medicare supplemental policies.
(8) Any person who sells or issues a medicare supplemental policy, on and after the effective date specified in paragraph (1)(C) (but subject to paragraph (10)), in violation of the applicable 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation insofar as such regulation relates to the requirements of subsection (o) or (q) of this section or clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of paragraph (1)(A) is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $25,000 (or $15,000 in the case of a seller who is not an issuer of a policy) for each such violation. The provisions of
(9)(A) Anyone who sells a medicare supplemental policy to an individual shall make available for sale to the individual a medicare supplemental policy with only the core group of basic benefits (described in paragraph (2)(B)).
(B) Anyone who sells a medicare supplemental policy to an individual shall provide the individual, before the sale of the policy, an outline of coverage which describes the benefits under the policy. Such outline shall be on a standard form approved by the State regulatory program or the Secretary (as the case may be) consistent with the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation under this subsection.
(C) Whoever sells a medicare supplemental policy in violation of this paragraph is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $25,000 (or $15,000 in the case of a seller who is not the issuer of the policy) for each such violation. The provisions of
(D) Subject to paragraph (10), this paragraph shall apply to sales of policies occurring on or after the effective date specified in paragraph (1)(C).
(10) No penalty may be imposed under paragraph (8) or (9) in the case of a seller who is not the issuer of a policy until the Secretary has published a list of the groups of benefit packages that may be sold or issued consistent with paragraph (1)(A)(i).
(11)(A) For purposes of paragraph (2), the benefit packages described in this subparagraph are as follows:
(i) The benefit package classified as "F" under the standards established by such paragraph, except that it has a high deductible feature.
(ii) The benefit package classified as "J" under the standards established by such paragraph, except that it has a high deductible feature.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), a high deductible feature is one which—
(i) requires the beneficiary of the policy to pay annual out-of-pocket expenses (other than premiums) in the amount specified in subparagraph (C) before the policy begins payment of benefits, and
(ii) covers 100 percent of covered out-of-pocket expenses once such deductible has been satisfied in a year.
(C) The amount specified in this subparagraph—
(i) for 1998 and 1999 is $1,500, and
(ii) for a subsequent year, is the amount specified in this subparagraph for the previous year increased by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (all items; U.S. city average) for the 12-month period ending with August of the preceding year.
If any amount determined under clause (ii) is not a multiple of $10, it shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10.
(q) Guaranteed renewal of policies; termination; suspension
The requirements of this subsection are as follows:
(1) Each medicare supplemental policy shall be guaranteed renewable and—
(A) the issuer may not cancel or nonrenew the policy solely on the ground of health status of the individual; and
(B) the issuer shall not cancel or nonrenew the policy for any reason other than nonpayment of premium or material misrepresentation.
(2) If the medicare supplemental policy is terminated by the group policyholder and is not replaced as provided under paragraph (4), the issuer shall offer certificateholders an individual medicare supplemental policy which (at the option of the certificateholder)—
(A) provides for continuation of the benefits contained in the group policy, or
(B) provides for such benefits as otherwise meets 2 the requirements of this section.
(3) If an individual is a certificateholder in a group medicare supplemental policy and the individual terminates membership in the group, the issuer shall—
(A) offer the certificateholder the conversion opportunity described in paragraph (2), or
(B) at the option of the group policyholder, offer the certificateholder continuation of coverage under the group policy.
(4) If a group medicare supplemental policy is replaced by another group medicare supplemental policy purchased by the same policyholder, issuer 3 of the replacement policy shall offer coverage to all persons covered under the old group policy on its date of termination. Coverage under the new group policy shall not result in any exclusion for preexisting conditions that would have been covered under the group policy being replaced.
(5)(A) Each medicare supplemental policy shall provide that benefits and premiums under the policy shall be suspended at the request of the policyholder for the period (not to exceed 24 months) in which the policyholder has applied for and is determined to be entitled to medical assistance under subchapter XIX of this chapter, but only if the policyholder notifies the issuer of such policy within 90 days after the date the individual becomes entitled to such assistance. If such suspension occurs and if the policyholder or certificate holder loses entitlement to such medical assistance, such policy shall be automatically reinstituted (effective as of the date of termination of such entitlement) under terms described in subsection (n)(6)(A)(ii) of this section as of the termination of such entitlement if the policyholder provides notice of loss of such entitlement within 90 days after the date of such loss.
(B) Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the authority of a State, under subchapter XIX of this chapter, to purchase a medicare supplemental policy for an individual otherwise entitled to assistance under such subchapter.
(C) Any person who issues a medicare supplemental policy and fails to comply with the requirements of this paragraph or paragraph (6) is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $25,000 for each such violation. The provisions of
(6) Each medicare supplemental policy shall provide that benefits and premiums under the policy shall be suspended at the request of the policyholder if the policyholder is entitled to benefits under
(r) Required ratio of aggregate benefits to aggregate premiums
(1) A medicare supplemental policy may not be issued or renewed (or otherwise provide coverage after the date described in subsection (p)(1)(C) of this section) in any State unless—
(A) the policy can be expected for periods after the effective date of these provisions (as estimated for the entire period for which rates are computed to provide coverage, on the basis of incurred claims experience and earned premiums for such periods and in accordance with a uniform methodology, including uniform reporting standards, developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) to return to policyholders in the form of aggregate benefits provided under the policy, at least 75 percent of the aggregate amount of premiums collected in the case of group policies and at least 65 percent in the case of individual policies; and
(B) the issuer of the policy provides for the issuance of a proportional refund, or a credit against future premiums of a proportional amount, based on the premium paid and in accordance with paragraph (2), of the amount of premiums received necessary to assure that the ratio of aggregate benefits provided to the aggregate premiums collected (net of such refunds or credits) complies with the expectation required under subparagraph (A), treating policies of the same type as a single policy for each standard package.
For purposes of applying subparagraph (A) only, policies issued as a result of solicitations of individuals through the mails or by mass media advertising (including both print and broadcast advertising) shall be deemed to be individual policies. For the purpose of calculating the refund or credit required under paragraph (1)(B) for a policy issued before the date specified in subsection (p)(1)(C) of this section, the refund or credit calculation shall be based on the aggregate benefits provided and premiums collected under all such policies issued by an insurer in a State (separated as to individual and group policies) and shall be based only on aggregate benefits provided and premiums collected under such policies after the date specified in section 171(m)(4) of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1994.
(2)(A) Paragraph (1)(B) shall be applied with respect to each type of policy by standard package. Paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply to a policy until 12 months following issue. The Comptroller General, in consultation with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, shall submit to Congress a report containing recommendations on adjustment in the percentages under paragraph (1)(A) that may be appropriate. In the case of a policy issued before the date specified in subsection (p)(1)(C) of this section, paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply until 1 year after the date specified in section 171(m)(4) of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1994.
(B) A refund or credit required under paragraph (1)(B) shall be made to each policyholder insured under the applicable policy as of the last day of the year involved.
(C) Such a refund or credit shall include interest from the end of the calendar year involved until the date of the refund or credit at a rate as specified by the Secretary for this purpose from time to time which is not less than the average rate of interest for 13-week Treasury notes.
(D) For purposes of this paragraph and paragraph (1)(B), refunds or credits against premiums due shall be made, with respect to a calendar year, not later than the third quarter of the succeeding calendar year.
(3) The provisions of this subsection do not preempt a State from requiring a higher percentage than that specified in paragraph (1)(A).
(4) The Secretary shall submit in October of each year (beginning with 1993) a report to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate on loss ratios under medicare supplemental policies and the use of sanctions, such as a required rebate or credit or the disallowance of premium increases, for policies that fail to meet the requirements of this subsection (relating to loss ratios). Such report shall include a list of the policies that failed to comply with such loss ratio requirements or other requirements of this section.
(5) The Secretary may perform audits with respect to the compliance of medicare supplemental policies with the loss ratio requirements of this subsection and shall report the results of such audits to the State involved.
(6)(A) A person who fails to provide refunds or credits as required in paragraph (1)(B) is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $25,000 for each policy issued for which such failure occurred. The provisions of
(B) Each issuer of a policy subject to the requirements of paragraph (1)(B) shall be liable to the policyholder or, in the case of a group policy, to the certificate holder for credits required under such paragraph.
(s) Coverage for pre-existing conditions
(1) If a medicare supplemental policy replaces another medicare supplemental policy, the issuer of the replacing policy shall waive any time periods applicable to preexisting conditions, waiting period, elimination periods and probationary periods in the new medicare supplemental policy for similar benefits to the extent such time was spent under the original policy.
(2)(A) The issuer of a medicare supplemental policy may not deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness of a medicare supplemental policy, or discriminate in the pricing of the policy, because of health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition in the case of an individual for whom an application is submitted prior to or during the 6 month period beginning with the first month as of the first day on which the individual is 65 years of age or older and is enrolled for benefits under part B of this subchapter.
(B) Subject to subparagraphs (C) and (D), subparagraph (A) shall not be construed as preventing the exclusion of benefits under a policy, during its first 6 months, based on a pre-existing condition for which the policyholder received treatment or was otherwise diagnosed during the 6 months before the policy became effective.
(C) If a medicare supplemental policy or certificate replaces another such policy or certificate which has been in effect for 6 months or longer, the replacing policy may not provide any time period applicable to pre-existing conditions, waiting periods, elimination periods, and probationary periods in the new policy or certificate for similar benefits.
(D) In the case of a policy issued during the 6-month period described in subparagraph (A) to an individual who is 65 years of age or older as of the date of issuance and who as of the date of the application for enrollment has a continuous period of creditable coverage (as defined in 4 2701(c) 5 of the Public Health Service Act) of—
(i) at least 6 months, the policy may not exclude benefits based on a pre-existing condition; or
(ii) less than 6 months, if the policy excludes benefits based on a preexisting condition, the policy shall reduce the period of any preexisting condition exclusion by the aggregate of the periods of creditable coverage (if any, as so defined) applicable to the individual as of the enrollment date.
The Secretary shall specify the manner of the reduction under clause (ii), based upon the rules used by the Secretary in carrying out section 2701(a)(3) of such Act.
(E) An issuer of a medicare supplemental policy shall not deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness of the policy (including the imposition of any exclusion of benefits under the policy based on a pre-existing condition) and shall not discriminate in the pricing of the policy (including the adjustment of premium rates) of an individual on the basis of the genetic information with respect to such individual.
(F)
(i) denying or conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of the policy or increasing the premium for an employer based on the manifestation of a disease or disorder of an individual who is covered under the policy; or
(ii) increasing the premium for any policy issued to an individual based on the manifestation of a disease or disorder of an individual who is covered under the policy (in such case, the manifestation of a disease or disorder in one individual cannot also be used as genetic information about other group members and to further increase the premium for the employer).
(3)(A) The issuer of a medicare supplemental policy—
(i) may not deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness of a medicare supplemental policy described in subparagraph (C) that is offered and is available for issuance to new enrollees by such issuer;
(ii) may not discriminate in the pricing of such policy, because of health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition; and
(iii) may not impose an exclusion of benefits based on a preexisting condition under such policy,
in the case of an individual described in subparagraph (B) who seeks to enroll under the policy during the period specified in subparagraph (E) and who submits evidence of the date of termination or disenrollment along with the application for such medicare supplemental policy.
(B) An individual described in this subparagraph is an individual described in any of the following clauses:
(i) The individual is enrolled under an employee welfare benefit plan that provides health benefits that supplement the benefits under this subchapter and the plan terminates or ceases to provide all such supplemental health benefits to the individual.
(ii) The individual is enrolled with a Medicare+Choice organization under a Medicare+Choice plan under part C of this subchapter, and there are circumstances permitting discontinuance of the individual's election of the plan under the first sentence of
(iii) The individual is enrolled with an eligible organization under a contract under
(iv) The individual is enrolled under a medicare supplemental policy under this section and such enrollment ceases because—
(I) of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the issuer or because of other involuntary termination of coverage or enrollment under such policy and there is no provision under applicable State law for the continuation or conversion of such coverage;
(II) the issuer of the policy substantially violated a material provision of the policy; or
(III) the issuer (or an agent or other entity acting on the issuer's behalf) materially misrepresented the policy's provisions in marketing the policy to the individual.
(v) The individual—
(I) was enrolled under a medicare supplemental policy under this section,
(II) subsequently terminates such enrollment and enrolls, for the first time, with any Medicare+Choice organization under a Medicare+Choice plan under part C of this subchapter, any eligible organization under a contract under
(III) the subsequent enrollment under subclause (II) is terminated by the enrollee during any period within the first 12 months of such enrollment (during which the enrollee is permitted to terminate such subsequent enrollment under
(vi) The individual, upon first becoming eligible for benefits under part A of this subchapter at age 65, enrolls in a Medicare+Choice plan under part C of this subchapter or in a PACE program under
(C)(i) Subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), a medicare supplemental policy described in this subparagraph is a medicare supplemental policy which has a benefit package classified as "A", "B", "C", or "F" under the standards established under subsection (p)(2) of this section.
(ii)(I) Subject to subclause (II), only for purposes of an individual described in subparagraph (B)(v), a medicare supplemental policy described in this subparagraph is the same medicare supplemental policy referred to in such subparagraph in which the individual was most recently previously enrolled, if available from the same issuer, or, if not so available, a policy described in clause (i).
(II) If the medicare supplemental policy referred to in subparagraph (B)(v) was a medigap Rx policy (as defined in subsection (v)(6)(A) of this section), a medicare supplemental policy described in this subparagraph is such policy in which the individual was most recently enrolled as modified under subsection (v)(2)(C)(i) of this section or, at the election of the individual, a policy referred to in subsection (v)(3)(A)(i) of this section.
(iii) Only for purposes of an individual described in subparagraph (B)(vi) and subject to subsection (v)(1) of this section, a medicare supplemental policy described in this subparagraph shall include any medicare supplemental policy.
(iv) For purposes of applying this paragraph in the case of a State that provides for offering of benefit packages other than under the classification referred to in clause (i), the references to benefit packages in such clause are deemed references to comparable benefit packages offered in such State.
(D) At the time of an event described in subparagraph (B) because of which an individual ceases enrollment or loses coverage or benefits under a contract or agreement, policy, or plan, the organization that offers the contract or agreement, the insurer offering the policy, or the administrator of the plan, respectively, shall notify the individual of the rights of the individual under this paragraph, and obligations of issuers of medicare supplemental policies, under subparagraph (A).
(E) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the time period specified in this subparagraph is—
(i) in the case of an individual described in subparagraph (B)(i), the period beginning on the date the individual receives a notice of termination or cessation of all supplemental health benefits (or, if no such notice is received, notice that a claim has been denied because of such a termination or cessation) and ending on the date that is 63 days after the applicable notice;
(ii) in the case of an individual described in clause (ii), (iii), (v), or (vi) of subparagraph (B) whose enrollment is terminated involuntarily, the period beginning on the date that the individual receives a notice of termination and ending on the date that is 63 days after the date the applicable coverage is terminated;
(iii) in the case of an individual described in subparagraph (B)(iv)(I), the period beginning on the earlier of (I) the date that the individual receives a notice of termination, a notice of the issuer's bankruptcy or insolvency, or other such similar notice, if any, and (II) the date that the applicable coverage is terminated, and ending on the date that is 63 days after the date the coverage is terminated;
(iv) in the case of an individual described in clause (ii), (iii), (iv)(II), (iv)(III), (v), or (vi) of subparagraph (B) who disenrolls voluntarily, the period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the effective date of the disenrollment and ending on the date that is 63 days after such effective date; and
(v) in the case of an individual described in subparagraph (B) but not described in the preceding provisions of this subparagraph, the period beginning on the effective date of the disenrollment and ending on the date that is 63 days after such effective date.
(F)(i) Subject to clause (ii), for purposes of this paragraph—
(I) in the case of an individual described in subparagraph (B)(v) (or deemed to be so described, pursuant to this subparagraph) whose enrollment with an organization or provider described in subclause (II) of such subparagraph is involuntarily terminated within the first 12 months of such enrollment, and who, without an intervening enrollment, enrolls with another such organization or provider, such subsequent enrollment shall be deemed to be an initial enrollment described in such subparagraph; and
(II) in the case of an individual described in clause (vi) of subparagraph (B) (or deemed to be so described, pursuant to this subparagraph) whose enrollment with a plan or in a program described in such clause is involuntarily terminated within the first 12 months of such enrollment, and who, without an intervening enrollment, enrolls in another such plan or program, such subsequent enrollment shall be deemed to be an initial enrollment described in such clause.
(ii) For purposes of clauses (v) and (vi) of subparagraph (B), no enrollment of an individual with an organization or provider described in clause (v)(II), or with a plan or in a program described in clause (vi), may be deemed to be an initial enrollment under this clause after the 2-year period beginning on the date on which the individual first enrolled with such an organization, provider, plan, or program.
(4) Any issuer of a medicare supplemental policy that fails to meet the requirements of this subsection is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $5,000 for each such failure. The provisions of
(t) Medicare select policies
(1) If a medicare supplemental policy meets the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation and otherwise complies with the requirements of this section except that benefits under the policy are restricted to items and services furnished by certain entities (or reduced benefits are provided when items or services are furnished by other entities), the policy shall nevertheless be treated as meeting those standards if—
(A) full benefits are provided for items and services furnished through a network of entities which have entered into contracts or agreements with the issuer of the policy;
(B) full benefits are provided for items and services furnished by other entities if the services are medically necessary and immediately required because of an unforeseen illness, injury, or condition and it is not reasonable given the circumstances to obtain the services through the network;
(C) the network offers sufficient access;
(D) the issuer of the policy has arrangements for an ongoing quality assurance program for items and services furnished through the network;
(E)(i) the issuer of the policy provides to each enrollee at the time of enrollment an explanation of (I) the restrictions on payment under the policy for services furnished other than by or through the network, (II) out of area coverage under the policy, (III) the policy's coverage of emergency services and urgently needed care, and (IV) the availability of a policy through the entity that meets the standards in the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation without reference to this subsection and the premium charged for such policy, and
(ii) each enrollee prior to enrollment acknowledges receipt of the explanation provided under clause (i); and
(F) the issuer of the policy makes available to individuals, in addition to the policy described in this subsection, any policy (otherwise offered by the issuer to individuals in the State) that meets the standards in the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation and other requirements of this section without reference to this subsection.
(2) If the Secretary determines that an issuer of a policy approved under paragraph (1)—
(A) fails substantially to provide medically necessary items and services to enrollees seeking such items and services through the issuer's network, if the failure has adversely affected (or has substantial likelihood of adversely affecting) the individual,
(B) imposes premiums on enrollees in excess of the premiums approved by the State,
(C) acts to expel an enrollee for reasons other than nonpayment of premiums, or
(D) does not provide the explanation required under paragraph (1)(E)(i) or does not obtain the acknowledgment required under paragraph (1)(E)(ii),
the issuer is subject to a civil money penalty in an amount not to exceed $25,000 for each such violation. The provisions of
(3) The Secretary may enter into a contract with an entity whose policy has been certified under paragraph (1) or has been approved by a State under subsection (b)(1)(H) of this section to determine whether items and services (furnished to individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter and under that policy) are not allowable under
(u) Additional rules relating to individuals enrolled in MSA plans and in private fee-for-service plans
(1) It is unlawful for a person to sell or issue a policy described in paragraph (2) to an individual with knowledge that the individual has in effect under
(2)(A) A policy described in this subparagraph is a health insurance policy (other than a policy described in subparagraph (B)) that provides for coverage of expenses that are otherwise required to be counted toward meeting the annual deductible amount provided under the MSA plan.
(B) A policy described in this subparagraph is any of the following:
(i) A policy that provides coverage (whether through insurance or otherwise) for accidents, disability, dental care, vision care, or long-term care.
(ii) A policy of insurance to which substantially all of the coverage relates to—
(I) liabilities incurred under workers' compensation laws,
(II) tort liabilities,
(III) liabilities relating to ownership or use of property, or
(IV) such other similar liabilities as the Secretary may specify by regulations.
(iii) A policy of insurance that provides coverage for a specified disease or illness.
(iv) A policy of insurance that pays a fixed amount per day (or other period) of hospitalization.
(v) Rules relating to medigap policies that provide prescription drug coverage
(1) Prohibition on sale, issuance, and renewal of new policies that provide prescription drug coverage
(A) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on or after January 1, 2006, a medigap Rx policy (as defined in paragraph (6)(A)) may not be sold, issued, or renewed under this section—
(i) to an individual who is a part D enrollee (as defined in paragraph (6)(B)); or
(ii) except as provided in subparagraph (B), to an individual who is not a part D enrollee.
(B) Continuation permitted for non-part D enrollees
Subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not apply to the renewal of a medigap Rx policy that was issued before January 1, 2006.
(C) Construction
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing the offering on and after January 1, 2006, of "H", "I", and "J" policies described in paragraph (2)(D)(i) if the benefit packages are modified in accordance with paragraph (2)(C).
(2) Elimination of duplicative coverage upon part D enrollment
(A) In general
In the case of an individual who is covered under a medigap Rx policy and enrolls under a part D plan—
(i) before the end of the initial part D enrollment period, the individual may—
(I) enroll in a medicare supplemental policy without prescription drug coverage under paragraph (3); or
(II) continue the policy in effect subject to the modification described in subparagraph (C)(i); or
(ii) after the end of such period, the individual may continue the policy in effect subject to such modification.
(B) Notice required to be provided to current policyholders with medigap Rx policy
No medicare supplemental policy of an issuer shall be deemed to meet the standards in subsection (c) of this section unless the issuer provides written notice (in accordance with standards of the Secretary established in consultation with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) during the 60-day period immediately preceding the initial part D enrollment period, to each individual who is a policyholder or certificate holder of a medigap Rx policy (at the most recent available address of that individual) of the following:
(i) If the individual enrolls in a plan under part D of this subchapter during the initial enrollment period under
(I) continuing enrollment in the individual's current plan, but the plan's coverage of prescription drugs will be modified under subparagraph (C)(i); or
(II) enrolling in another medicare supplemental policy pursuant to paragraph (3).
(ii) If the individual does not enroll in a plan under part D of this subchapter during such period, the individual may continue enrollment in the individual's current plan without change, but—
(I) the individual will not be guaranteed the option of enrollment in another medicare supplemental policy pursuant to paragraph (3); and
(II) if the current plan does not provide creditable prescription drug coverage (as defined in
(iii) Such other information as the Secretary may specify (in consultation with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), including the potential impact of such election on premiums for medicare supplemental policies.
(C) Modification
(i) In general
The policy modification described in this subparagraph is the elimination of prescription coverage for expenses of prescription drugs incurred after the effective date of the individual's coverage under a part D plan and the appropriate adjustment of premiums to reflect such elimination of coverage.
(ii) Continuation of renewability and application of modification
No medicare supplemental policy of an issuer shall be deemed to meet the standards in subsection (c) of this section unless the issuer—
(I) continues renewability of medigap Rx policies that it has issued, subject to subclause (II); and
(II) applies the policy modification described in clause (i) in the cases described in clauses (i)(II) and (ii) of subparagraph (A).
(D) References to Rx policies
(i) H, I, and J policies
Any reference to a benefit package classified as "H", "I", or "J" (including the benefit package classified as "J" with a high deductible feature, as described in subsection (p)(11) of this section) under the standards established under subsection (p)(2) of this section shall be construed as including a reference to such a package as modified under subparagraph (C) and such packages as modified shall not be counted as a separate benefit package under such subsection.
(ii) Application in waivered States
Except for the modification provided under subparagraph (C), the waivers previously in effect under subsection (p)(2) of this section shall continue in effect.
(3) Availability of substitute policies with guaranteed issue
(A) In general
The issuer of a medicare supplemental policy—
(i) may not deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness of a medicare supplemental policy that has a benefit package classified as "A", "B", "C", or "F" (including the benefit package classified as "F" with a high deductible feature, as described in subsection (p)(11) of this section), under the standards established under subsection (p)(2) of this section, or a benefit package described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (w)(2) of this section and that is offered and is available for issuance to new enrollees by such issuer;
(ii) may not discriminate in the pricing of such policy, because of health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition; and
(iii) may not impose an exclusion of benefits based on a pre-existing condition under such policy,
in the case of an individual described in subparagraph (B) who seeks to enroll under the policy not later than 63 days after the effective date of the individual's coverage under a part D plan.
(B) Individual covered
An individual described in this subparagraph with respect to the issuer of a medicare supplemental policy is an individual who—
(i) enrolls in a part D plan during the initial part D enrollment period;
(ii) at the time of such enrollment was enrolled in a medigap Rx policy issued by such issuer; and
(iii) terminates enrollment in such policy and submits evidence of such termination along with the application for the policy under subparagraph (A).
(C) Special rule for waivered States
For purposes of applying this paragraph in the case of a State that provides for offering of benefit packages other than under the classification referred to in subparagraph (A)(i), the references to benefit packages in such subparagraph are deemed references to comparable benefit packages offered in such State.
(4) Enforcement
(A) Penalties for duplication
The penalties described in subsection (d)(3)(A)(ii) of this section shall apply with respect to a violation of paragraph (1)(A).
(B) Guaranteed issue
The provisions of paragraph (4) of subsection (s) of this section shall apply with respect to the requirements of paragraph (3) in the same manner as they apply to the requirements of such subsection.
(5) Construction
Any provision in this section or in a medicare supplemental policy relating to guaranteed renewability of coverage shall be deemed to have been met with respect to a part D enrollee through the continuation of the policy subject to modification under paragraph (2)(C) or the offering of a substitute policy under paragraph (3). The previous sentence shall not be construed to affect the guaranteed renewability of such a modified or substitute policy.
(6) Definitions
For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Medigap Rx policy
The term "medigap Rx policy" means a medicare supplemental policy—
(i) which has a benefit package classified as "H", "I", or "J" (including the benefit package classified as "J" with a high deductible feature, as described in subsection (p)(11) of this section) under the standards established under subsection (p)(2) of this section, without regard to this subsection; and
(ii) to which such standards do not apply (or to which such standards have been waived under subsection (p)(6) of this section) but which provides benefits for prescription drugs.
Such term does not include a policy with a benefit package as classified under clause (i) which has been modified under paragraph (2)(C)(i).
(B) Part D enrollee
The term "part D enrollee" means an individual who is enrolled in a part D plan.
(C) Part D plan
The term "part D plan" means a prescription drug plan or an MA–PD plan (as defined for purposes of part D of this subchapter).
(D) Initial part D enrollment period
The term "initial part D enrollment period" means the initial enrollment period described in
(w) Development of new standards for medicare supplemental policies
(1) In general
The Secretary shall request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to review and revise the standards for benefit packages under subsection (p)(1) of this section, taking into account the changes in benefits resulting from enactment of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 and to otherwise update standards to reflect other changes in law included in such Act. Such revision shall incorporate the inclusion of the 2 benefit packages described in paragraph (2). Such revisions shall be made consistent with the rules applicable under subsection (p)(1)(E) of this section with the reference to the "1991 NAIC Model Regulation" deemed a reference to the NAIC Model Regulation as published in the Federal Register on December 4, 1998, and as subsequently updated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to reflect previous changes in law (and subsection (v) of this section) and the reference to "date of enactment of this subsection" deemed a reference to December 8, 2003. To the extent practicable, such revision shall provide for the implementation of revised standards for benefit packages as of January 1, 2006.
(2) New benefit packages
The benefit packages described in this paragraph are the following (notwithstanding any other provision of this section relating to a core benefit package):
(A) First new benefit package
A benefit package consisting of the following:
(i) Subject to clause (ii), coverage of 50 percent of the cost-sharing otherwise applicable under parts A and B of this subchapter, except there shall be no coverage of the part B deductible and coverage of 100 percent of any cost-sharing otherwise applicable for preventive benefits.
(ii) Coverage for all hospital inpatient coinsurance and 365 extra lifetime days of coverage of inpatient hospital services (as in the current core benefit package).
(iii) A limitation on annual out-of-pocket expenditures under parts A and B of this subchapter to $4,000 in 2006 (or, in a subsequent year, to such limitation for the previous year increased by an appropriate inflation adjustment specified by the Secretary).
(B) Second new benefit package
A benefit package consisting of the benefit package described in subparagraph (A), except as follows:
(i) Substitute "75 percent" for "50 percent" in clause (i) of such subparagraph.
(ii) Substitute "$2,000" for "$4,000" in clause (iii) of such subparagraph.
(x) Limitations on genetic testing and information
(1) Genetic testing
(A) Limitation on requesting or requiring genetic testing
An issuer of a medicare supplemental policy shall not request or require an individual or a family member of such individual to undergo a genetic test.
(B) Rule of construction
Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to limit the authority of a health care professional who is providing health care services to an individual to request that such individual undergo a genetic test.
(C) Rule of construction regarding payment
(i) In general
Nothing in subparagraph (A) shall be construed to preclude an issuer of a medicare supplemental policy from obtaining and using the results of a genetic test in making a determination regarding payment (as such term is defined for the purposes of applying the regulations promulgated by the Secretary under part C of subchapter XI and section 264 of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as may be revised from time to time) consistent with subsection (s)(2)(E).
(ii) Limitation
For purposes of clause (i), an issuer of a medicare supplemental policy may request only the minimum amount of information necessary to accomplish the intended purpose.
(D) Research exception
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), an issuer of a medicare supplemental policy may request, but not require, that an individual or a family member of such individual undergo a genetic test if each of the following conditions is met:
(i) The request is made pursuant to research that complies with part 46 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, or equivalent Federal regulations, and any applicable State or local law or regulations for the protection of human subjects in research.
(ii) The issuer clearly indicates to each individual, or in the case of a minor child, to the legal guardian of such child, to whom the request is made that—
(I) compliance with the request is voluntary; and
(II) non-compliance will have no effect on enrollment status or premium or contribution amounts.
(iii) No genetic information collected or acquired under this subparagraph shall be used for underwriting, determination of eligibility to enroll or maintain enrollment status, premium rating, or the creation, renewal, or replacement of a plan, contract, or coverage for health insurance or health benefits.
(iv) The issuer notifies the Secretary in writing that the issuer is conducting activities pursuant to the exception provided for under this subparagraph, including a description of the activities conducted.
(v) The issuer complies with such other conditions as the Secretary may by regulation require for activities conducted under this subparagraph.
(2) Prohibition on collection of genetic information
(A) In general
An issuer of a medicare supplemental policy shall not request, require, or purchase genetic information for underwriting purposes (as defined in paragraph (3)).
(B) Prohibition on collection of genetic information prior to enrollment
An issuer of a medicare supplemental policy shall not request, require, or purchase genetic information with respect to any individual prior to such individual's enrollment under the policy in connection with such enrollment.
(C) Incidental collection
If an issuer of a medicare supplemental policy obtains genetic information incidental to the requesting, requiring, or purchasing of other information concerning any individual, such request, requirement, or purchase shall not be considered a violation of subparagraph (B) if such request, requirement, or purchase is not in violation of subparagraph (A).
(3) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Family member
The term "family member" means with respect to an individual, any other individual who is a first-degree, second-degree, third-degree, or fourth-degree relative of such individual.
(B) Genetic information
(i) In general
The term "genetic information" means, with respect to any individual, information about—
(I) such individual's genetic tests,
(II) the genetic tests of family members of such individual, and
(III) subject to clause (iv), the manifestation of a disease or disorder in family members of such individual.
(ii) Inclusion of genetic services and participation in genetic research
Such term includes, with respect to any individual, any request for, or receipt of, genetic services, or participation in clinical research which includes genetic services, by such individual or any family member of such individual.
(iii) Exclusions
The term "genetic information" shall not include information about the sex or age of any individual.
(C) Genetic test
(i) In general
The term "genetic test" means an analysis of human DNA, RNA, chromosomes, proteins, or metabolites, that detects genotypes, mutations, or chromosomal changes.
(ii) Exceptions
The term "genetic test" does not mean—
(I) an analysis of proteins or metabolites that does not detect genotypes, mutations, or chromosomal changes; or
(II) an analysis of proteins or metabolites that is directly related to a manifested disease, disorder, or pathological condition that could reasonably be detected by a health care professional with appropriate training and expertise in the field of medicine involved.
(D) Genetic services
The term "genetic services" means—
(i) a genetic test;
(ii) genetic counseling (including obtaining, interpreting, or assessing genetic information); or
(iii) genetic education.
(E) Underwriting purposes
The term "underwriting purposes" means, with respect to a medicare supplemental policy—
(i) rules for, or determination of, eligibility (including enrollment and continued eligibility) for benefits under the policy;
(ii) the computation of premium or contribution amounts under the policy;
(iii) the application of any pre-existing condition exclusion under the policy; and
(iv) other activities related to the creation, renewal, or replacement of a contract of health insurance or health benefits.
(F) Issuer of a medicare supplemental policy
The term "issuer of a medicare supplemental policy" includes a third-party administrator or other person acting for or on behalf of such issuer.
(4) Genetic information of a fetus or embryo
Any reference in this section to genetic information concerning an individual or family member of an individual shall—
(A) with respect to such an individual or family member of an individual who is a pregnant woman, include genetic information of any fetus carried by such pregnant woman; and
(B) with respect to an individual or family member utilizing an assisted reproductive technology, include genetic information of any embryo legally held by the individual or family member.
(y) Development of new standards for certain medicare supplemental policies
(1) In general
The Secretary shall request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to review and revise the standards for benefit packages described in paragraph (2) under subsection (p)(1), to otherwise update standards to include requirements for nominal cost sharing to encourage the use of appropriate physicians' services under part B. Such revisions shall be based on evidence published in peer-reviewed journals or current examples used by integrated delivery systems and made consistent with the rules applicable under subsection (p)(1)(E) with the reference to the "1991 NAIC Model Regulation" deemed a reference to the NAIC Model Regulation as published in the Federal Register on December 4, 1998, and as subsequently updated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to reflect previous changes in law and the reference to "date of enactment of this subsection" deemed a reference to March 23, 2010. To the extent practicable, such revision shall provide for the implementation of revised standards for benefit packages as of January 1, 2015.
(2) Benefit packages described
The benefit packages described in this paragraph are benefit packages classified as "C" and "F".
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1882, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (d)(3)(A)(i), (vi)(I), (viii)(II), (B)(i), (s)(2)(A), (3)(B)(vi), (w)(2)(A)(i), (iii), and (y)(1), are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Section 171(m) of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1994, referred to in subsecs. (d)(3)(A)(vi)(IV) and (r)(1), (2)(A), is section 171(m) of
Part D of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (g)(1) and (v)(2)(B)(i), (ii), (6)(C), is classified to
Section 603(c) of the Social Security Amendments of 1983, referred to in subsec. (g)(1), is section 603(c) of
Section 2355 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984, referred to in subsec. (g)(1), is section 2355 of
Section 9412(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, referred to in subsec. (g)(1), is section 9412(b) of
The Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, referred to in subsecs. (k)(1)(A), (2)(A) and (l)(4)(A), is
The Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Repeal Act of 1989, referred to in subsecs. (m)(1)(A), (2)(A) and (n)(2)(A), (5)(A), is
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (p)(1)(A)(iv), is
Section 2701 of the Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (s)(2)(D), is section 2701 of act July 1, 1944, which was classified to
Part C of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (s)(3)(B)(ii), (v)(II), (vi), is classified to
Paragraphs (2)(A), (B) and (3)(C)–(E) of
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, referred to in subsec. (w)(1), is
Part C of subchapter XI, referred to in subsec. (x)(1)(C)(i), is classified to
Section 264 of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (x)(1)(C)(i), is section 264 of
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (o)(1).
Subsec. (y).
2008—Subsec. (o)(4).
Subsec. (o)(5).
Subsec. (s)(2)(E), (F).
Subsec. (x).
Subsec. (x)(4).
2007—Subsec. (r)(5).
2003—Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(i)(II).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B)(iii)(II).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A).
Subsec. (o)(1).
Subsec. (p)(2)(B).
Subsec. (s)(3)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (s)(3)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (s)(3)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (v).
Subsec. (w).
2000—Subsec. (s)(3)(A).
Subsec. (s)(3)(E).
"(E)(i) An individual described in subparagraph (B)(ii) may elect to apply subparagraph (A) by substituting, for the date of termination of enrollment, the date on which the individual was notified by the Medicare+Choice organization of the impending termination or discontinuance of the Medicare+Choice plan it offers in the area in which the individual resides, but only if the individual disenrolls from the plan as a result of such notification.
"(ii) In the case of an individual making such an election, the issuer involved shall accept the application of the individual submitted before the date of termination of enrollment, but the coverage under subparagraph (A) shall only become effective upon termination of coverage under the Medicare+Choice plan involved."
Subsec. (s)(3)(F).
1999—Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (q)(5)(C).
Subsec. (q)(6).
Subsec. (s)(2)(D).
Subsec. (s)(3)(A).
Subsec. (s)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (s)(3)(B)(v)(II).
Subsec. (s)(3)(B)(vi).
Subsec. (s)(3)(E).
1998—Subsec. (l)(6).
1997—Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(i)(II).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(vi)(III).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B)(i)(I).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (p)(2)(C).
Subsec. (p)(11).
Subsec. (s)(2)(B).
Subsec. (s)(2)(D).
Subsec. (s)(3).
Subsec. (s)(4).
Subsec. (u).
1996—Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(iv) to (viii).
Subsec. (d)(3)(C).
Subsec. (d)(3)(D).
1994—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsecs. (b)(1)(B), (c)(5).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B)(iii)(I).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B)(iii)(II).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B)(iii)(III).
Subsec. (d)(3)(C).
Subsec. (d)(3)(D).
Subsec. (d)(4)(D).
Subsec. (d)(4)(E).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(2)(B).
Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (p).
Subsec. (p)(1)(A).
Subsec. (p)(1)(B).
Subsec. (p)(1)(C)(i).
Subsec. (p)(1)(C)(ii)(I), (E).
Subsec. (p)(2).
Subsec. (p)(2)(C).
Subsec. (p)(4).
Subsec. (p)(4)(A)(i).
Subsec. (p)(6).
Subsec. (p)(7).
Subsec. (p)(8).
Subsec. (p)(9)(B).
Subsec. (p)(9)(D).
Subsec. (p)(10).
Subsec. (q)(2).
Subsec. (q)(4).
Subsec. (q)(5)(A), (B).
Subsec. (r)(1).
Subsec. (r)(1)(A).
Subsec. (r)(1)(B).
Subsec. (r)(2)(A).
Subsec. (r)(2)(C), (D).
Subsec. (r)(4).
Subsec. (r)(6)(A).
Subsec. (r)(6)(B).
Subsec. (s)(2)(A).
Subsec. (s)(2)(B).
Subsec. (t)(1).
Subsec. (t)(1)(A).
Subsec. (t)(1)(E)(i), (F).
Subsec. (t)(2).
1990—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(1)(D).
Subsec. (b)(1)(F).
Subsec. (b)(1)(G).
Subsec. (b)(1)(H).
Subsec. (b)(2).
"(A) There is hereby established a panel (hereinafter in this section referred to as the 'Panel') to be known as the Supplemental Health Insurance Panel. The Panel shall consist of the Secretary, who shall serve as the Chairman, and four State commissioners or superintendents of insurance, who shall be appointed by the Secretary and serve at his pleasure. Such members shall first be appointed not later than December 31, 1980.
"(B) A majority of the members of the Panel shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may conduct hearings.
"(C) The Secretary shall provide such technical, secretarial, clerical, and other assistance as the Panel may require.
"(D) There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this paragraph.
"(E) Members of the Panel shall be allowed, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Panel, travel expenses (including per diem in lieu of subsistence) in the same manner as persons employed intermittently in the Government service are allowed expenses under
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(5).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B).
Subsec. (d)(4)(B).
"(i) the policy has been certified by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (c) of this section or was issued in a State with an approved regulatory program (as defined in subsection (g)(2)(B) of this section);
"(ii) the policy has been approved by the commissioners or superintendents of insurance in States in which more than 30 percent of such policies are sold; or
"(iii) the State has in effect a law which the commissioner or superintendent of insurance of the State has determined gives him the authority to review, and to approve, or effectively bar from sale in the State, such policy;
except that such a policy shall not be deemed to be approved by a State commissioner or superintendent of insurance if the State notifies the Secretary that such policy has been submitted for approval to the State and has been specifically disapproved by such State after providing appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing pursuant to the procedures (if any) of the State."
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsecs. (o), (p).
Subsec. (q).
Subsec. (q)(5).
Subsec. (r).
Subsec. (s).
Subsec. (t).
1989—Subsecs. (a), (b)(1).
Subsec. (k)(1)(A).
Subsec. (k)(3).
Subsecs. (m), (n).
1988—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(1)(D), (E).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (d)(5).
Subsec. (e).
Subsecs. (k), (l).
1987—Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(1)(D).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives immediately prior to noon on Jan. 3, 1981, by House Resolution No. 549, Ninety-sixth Congress, Mar. 25, 1980. Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives treated as referring to Committee on Commerce of House of Representatives by section 1(a) of
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendments
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title III, §321(k)(13), (14)] of
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title V, §501(a)(2)] of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 4002(j)(2) of
Section 4031(d) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
Section 4032(b) of
"(1)
"(2)
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Section 271(d) of
"(1) Except as provided in this subsection, the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall be effective as if included in the enactment of section 4354 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 [
"(2)(A) Clause (vi) of section 1882(d)(3)(A) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(3)(A)(vi) of this section], as added by subsection (a), shall only apply to individuals applying for—
"(i) a health insurance policy described in section 1882(d)(3)(A)(iv) of such Act (as added by subsection (a)), after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 21, 1996], or
"(ii) another health insurance policy after the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
"(B) A seller or issuer of a health insurance policy may substitute, for the disclosure statement described in clause (vii) of such section, the statement specified under section 1882(d)(3)(D) of the Social Security Act (as in effect before the date of the enactment of this Act), without the revision specified in such clause."
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 171(l) of
"(1) the amendments made by subsection (d)(1) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 31, 1994], but no penalty shall be imposed under section 1882(d)(3)(A) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(3)(A) of this section] (for an action occurring after the effective date of the amendments made by section 4354 of OBRA–1990 [see section 4354(c) of
"(2) the amendments made by subsection (d)(2)(A) [amending this section] and by subparagraphs (A), (B), and (E) of subsection (e)(1) [amending this section] shall be effective on the date specified in subsection (m)(4) [set out as a note below]; and
"(3) the amendment made by subsection (g)(2) [amending this section] shall take effect on January 1, 1995, and shall apply to individuals who attain 65 years of age or older on or after the effective date of section 1882(s)(2) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (s)(2) of this section, for effective date see section 4357(b) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4353(d)(2) of
Section 4354(c) of
Section 4355(d) of
Section 4356(b) of
Section 4357(b) of
Amendment by section 4358(a), (b)(1), (2) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 203(e) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 221(g) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [July 1, 1988].
"(2) The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section] shall become effective on the date specified in subsection (k)(1)(B) or (k)(2)(B) of section 1882 of the Social Security Act [subsec. (k)(1)(B) or (k)(2)(B) of this section] (as added by subsection (d) of this section).
"(3) The amendment made by subsection (e) [amending this section] shall apply to medicare supplemental policies as of January 1, 1989, with respect to advertising used on or after such date.
"(4) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide for the reappointment of members to the Supplemental Health Insurance Panel (under section 1882(b)(2) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b)(2) of this section]) by not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 1, 1988]."
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Amendment by section 428(b) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendments
Section 4081(c)(2) of
"(A) The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to medicare supplemental policies as of January 1, 1989 (or, if applicable, the date established under subparagraph (B)).
"(B) In the case of a State which the Secretary of Health and Human Services identifies as—
"(i) requiring State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for medicare supplemental policies to be changed to meet the requirements of section 1882(c)(3) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (c)(3) of this section], and
"(ii) having a legislature which is not scheduled to meet in 1988 in a legislative session in which such legislation may be considered or which has not enacted such legislation before July 1, 1988,
the date specified in this subparagraph is the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first legislative session of the State legislature that begins on or after January 1, 1989, and in which legislation described in clause (i) may be considered."
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 507(b) of
Rule of Construction
"(1)
"(2)
Implementation of NAIC Recommendations
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
Study of Medigap Policies
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) The level of coverage provided by each type of medicare supplemental policy.
"(B) The current enrollment levels in each type of medicare supplemental policy.
"(C) The availability of each type of medicare supplemental policy to medicare beneficiaries over age 65½.
"(D) The number and type of medicare supplemental policies offered in each State.
"(E) The average out-of-pocket costs (including premiums) per beneficiary under each type of medicare supplemental policy.
"(2)[(3)]
Conforming Benefits to Changes in Terminology for Hospital Outpatient Department Cost Sharing
Section 4031(f) of
Transition Provisions
"(1)
"(2) NAIC
"(3)
"(4)
"(A)
"(i) the date the State changes its statutes or regulations to conform its regulatory program to the changes made by this section, or
"(ii) July 1, 2009.
"(B)
"(i) requiring State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) to conform its regulatory program to the changes made in this section, but
"(ii) having a legislature which is not scheduled to meet in 2009 in a legislative session in which such legislation may be considered, the date specified in this paragraph is the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first legislative session of the State legislature that begins on or after July 1, 2009. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature."
Section 4031(e) of
"(1)
"(2) NAIC
"(3)
"(4)
"(A)
"(i) the date the State changes its statutes or regulations to conform its regulatory program to the changes made by this section, or
"(ii) 1 year after the date the NAIC or the Secretary first makes the modifications under paragraph (2) or (3), respectively.
"(B)
"(i) requiring State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) to conform its regulatory program to the changes made in this section, but
"(ii) having a legislature which is not scheduled to meet in 1999 in a legislative session in which such legislation may be considered,
the date specified in this paragraph is the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first legislative session of the State legislature that begins on or after July 1, 1999. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature."
Section 271(c) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) includes a cause of action which arose, or which is based on or evidenced by any act or omission which occurred, during the transition period; and
"(B) relates to the application of section 1882(d)(3)(A) of the Social Security Act to any act or omission with respect to the sale, issuance, or renewal of any health insurance policy that is described in clause (iv) or (v) of such section (as amended by subsection (a)).
"(3)
"(4)
Applicability of Disclosure Requirement
Section 171(d)(3)(C) of
State Regulatory Programs
Section 171(m) of
"(1)
"(2) NAIC
"(3)
"(4)
"(A)
"(i) the date the State changes its statutes or regulations to conform its regulatory program to the changes made by this section, or
"(ii) 1 year after the date the NAIC or the Secretary first makes the modifications under paragraph (2) or (3), respectively.
"(B)
"(i) requiring State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) to conform its regulatory program to the changes made in this section, but
"(ii) having a legislature which is not scheduled to meet in 1996 in a legislative session in which such legislation may be considered,
the date specified in this paragraph is the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first legislative session of the State legislature that begins on or after January 1, 1996. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature."
Evaluation of 1990 Amendments
Section 4358(d) of
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
2 So in original. Probably should be "meet".
3 So in original. Probably should be preceded by "the".
4 So in original. Probably should be followed by "section".
5 See References in Text note below.
§1395ss–1. Clarification
Any health insurance policy that provides reimbursement for expenses incurred for items and services for which payment may be made under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [
(
References in Text
The Social Security Act, referred to in text, is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531,
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
§1395tt. Hospital providers of extended care services
(a) Hospital facility agreements; reasonable costs of services
(1) Any hospital which has an agreement under
(2)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, payment to any hospital (other than a critical access hospital) for services furnished under an agreement entered into under this section shall be based upon the reasonable cost of the services as determined under subparagraph (B).
(B)(i) The reasonable cost of the services consists of the reasonable cost of routine services (determined under clause (ii)) and the reasonable cost of ancillary services (determined under clause (iii)).
(ii) The reasonable cost of routine services furnished during any calendar year by a hospital under an agreement under this section is equal to the product of—
(I) the number of patient-days during the year for which the services were furnished, and
(II) the average reasonable cost per patient-day, such average reasonable cost per patient-day being the average rate per patient-day paid for routine services during the most recent year for which cost reporting data are available with respect to such services (increased in a compounded manner by the applicable increase for payments for routine service costs of skilled nursing facilities under subsections (a) through (d) of
(iii) The reasonable cost of ancillary services shall be determined in the same manner as the reasonable cost of ancillary services provided for inpatient hospital services.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, a critical access hospital shall be paid for covered skilled nursing facility services furnished under an agreement entered into under this section on the basis of equal to 101 percent of the reasonable costs of such services (as determined under
(b) Eligible facilities
The Secretary may not enter into an agreement under this section with any hospital unless, except as provided under subsection (g) of this section, the hospital is located in a rural area and has less than 100 beds.
(c) Terms and conditions of facility agreements
An agreement with a hospital under this section shall, except as otherwise provided under regulations of the Secretary, be of the same duration and subject to termination on the same conditions as are agreements with skilled nursing facilities under
(d) Post-hospital extended care services
Any agreement with a hospital under this section shall provide that payment for services will be made only for services for which payment would be made as post-hospital extended care services if those services had been furnished by a skilled nursing facility under an agreement entered into under
(e) Reimbursement for routine hospital services
During a period for which a hospital has in effect an agreement under this section, in order to allocate routine costs between hospital and long-term care services for purposes of determining payment for inpatient hospital services, the total reimbursement due for routine services from all classes of long-term care patients (including this subchapter, subchapter XIX of this chapter, and private pay patients) shall be subtracted from the hospital's total routine costs before calculations are made to determine this subchapter reimbursement for routine hospital services.
(f) Conditions applicable to skilled nursing facilities
A hospital which enters into an agreement with the Secretary under this section shall be required to meet those conditions applicable to skilled nursing facilities relating to discharge planning and the social services function (and staffing requirements to satisfy it) which are promulgated by the Secretary under
(g) Agreements on demonstration basis
The Secretary may enter into an agreement under this section on a demonstration basis with any hospital which does not meet the requirement of subsection (b)(1) of this section, if the hospital otherwise meets the requirements of this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1883, as added
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (a)(3).
2000—Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3).
1999—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (b).
"(1) except as provided under subsection (g) of this section, the hospital is located in a rural area and has less than 100 beds, and
"(2) the hospital has been granted a certificate of need for the provision of long-term care services from the State health planning and development agency (designated under
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
1997—Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii)(II).
1990—Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii)(II).
1989—Subsecs. (d)(1), (f).
1988—Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (f).
1987—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (f).
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4008(j)(4) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 104(d)(6) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 4005(b)(4) of
Amendment by section 4201(d)(3) of
Effective Date
Section 904(d) of
Hold Harmless for Amendment by Pub. L. 101–508
Section 4008(j)(2) of
Swing Beds Certified Prior to May 1, 1987
Section 4008(j)(3) of
Report of Hospital Admissions for Extended Care Services
Section 4005(b)(3) of
Report on Hospital Providers of Extended Care, Skilled Nursing, and Intermediate Care Services
Section 904(c) of
§1395uu. Payments to promote closing or conversion of underutilized hospital facilities
(a) Transitional allowances; procedures applicable
Any hospital may file an application with the Secretary (in such form and including such data and information as the Secretary may require) for establishment of a transitional allowance under this subchapter with respect to the closing or conversion of an underutilized hospital facility. The Secretary also may establish procedures, consistent with this section, by which a hospital, before undergoing an actual closure or conversion of a hospital facility, can have a determination made as to whether or not it will be eligible for a transitional allowance under this section with respect to such closure or conversion.
(b) Allowable costs as transitional allowances; findings and determinations
If the Secretary finds, after consideration of an application under subsection (a) of this section, that—
(1) the hospital's closure or conversion—
(A) is formally initiated after September 30, 1981,
(B) is expected to benefit the program under this subchapter by (i) eliminating excess bed capacity, (ii) discontinuing an underutilized service for which there are adequate alternative sources, or (iii) substituting for the underutilized service some other service which is needed in the area, and
(C) is consistent with the findings of an appropriate health planning agency and with any applicable State program for reduction in the number of hospital beds in the State, and
(2) in the case of a complete closure of a hospital—
(A) the hospital is a private nonprofit hospital or a local governmental hospital, and
(B) the closure is not for replacement of the hospital,
the Secretary may include as an allowable cost in the hospital's reasonable cost (for the purpose of making payments to the hospital under this subchapter) an amount (in this section referred to as a "transitional allowance"), as provided in subsection (c) of this section.
(c) Factors determinative of transitional allowance
(1) Each transitional allowance established shall be reasonably related to the prior or prospective use of the facility involved under this subchapter and shall recognize—
(A) in the case of a facility conversion or closure (other than a complete closure of a hospital)—
(i) in the case of a private nonprofit or local governmental hospital, that portion of the hospital's costs attributable to capital assets of the facility which have been taken into account in determining reasonable cost for purposes of determining the amount of payment to the hospital under this subchapter, and
(ii) in the case of any hospital, transitional operating cost increases related to the conversion or closure to the extent that such operating costs exceed amounts ordinarily reimbursable under this subchapter; and
(B) in the case of complete closure of a hospital, the outstanding portion of actual debt obligations previously recognized as reasonable for purposes of reimbursement under this subchapter, less any salvage value of the hospital.
(2) A transitional allowance shall be for a period (not to exceed 20 years) specified by the Secretary, except that, in the case of a complete closure described in paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary may provide for a lump-sum allowance where the Secretary determines that such a one-time allowance is more efficient and economical.
(3) A transitional allowance shall take effect on a date established by the Secretary, but not earlier than the date of completion of the closure or conversion concerned.
(4) A transitional allowance shall not be considered in applying the limits to costs recognized as reasonable pursuant to the third sentence of subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (L)(i) of
(d) Hearing to review determination
A hospital dissatisfied with a determination of the Secretary on its application under this section may obtain an informal or formal hearing, at the discretion of the Secretary, by filing (in such form and within such time period as the Secretary establishes) a request for such a hearing. The Secretary shall make a final determination on such application within 30 days after the last day of such hearing.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1884, as added
Amendments
1982—Subsec. (d).
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 2101(c) of
Payments To Promote Closure and Conversion of Underutilized Hospital Facilities
Establishment and Evaluation of Transitional Allowances; Report and Recommendations to Congress
Section 2101(b) of
§1395vv. Withholding payments from certain medicaid providers
(a) Adjustments by Secretary
The Secretary may adjust, in accordance with this section, payments under parts A and B to any institution which has in effect an agreement with the Secretary under
(1) has (or previously had) in effect an agreement with a State agency to furnish medical care and services under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, and
(2) from which (or from whom) such State agency (A) has been unable to recover overpayments made under the State plan, or (B) has been unable to collect the information necessary to enable it to determine the amount (if any) of the overpayments made to such institution or person under the State plan.
(b) Implementing regulations; notice, opportunity to be heard, etc.
The Secretary shall by regulation provide procedures for implementation of this section, which procedures shall—
(1) assure that the authority under this section is exercised only on behalf of a State agency which demonstrates to the Secretary's satisfaction that it has provided adequate notice of a determination or of a need for information, and an opportunity to appeal such determination or to provide such information,
(2) determine the amount of the payment to which the institution or person would otherwise be entitled under this subchapter which shall be treated as a setoff against overpayments under subchapter XIX of this chapter, and
(3) assure the restoration to the institution or person of amounts withheld under this section which are ultimately determined to be in excess of overpayments under subchapter XIX of this chapter and to which the institution or person would otherwise be entitled under this subchapter.
(c) Payment to States of amounts recovered
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, from the trust funds established under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1885, as added
§1395ww. Payments to hospitals for inpatient hospital services
(a) Determination of costs for inpatient hospital services; limitations; exemptions; "operating costs of inpatient hospital services" defined
(1)(A)(i) The Secretary, in determining the amount of the payments that may be made under this subchapter with respect to operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in paragraph (4)) shall not recognize as reasonable (in the efficient delivery of health services) costs for the provision of such services by a hospital for a cost reporting period to the extent such costs exceed the applicable percentage (as determined under clause (ii)) of the average of such costs for all hospitals in the same grouping as such hospital for comparable time periods.
(ii) For purposes of clause (i), the applicable percentage for hospital cost reporting periods beginning—
(I) on or after October 1, 1982, and before October 1, 1983, is 120 percent;
(II) on or after October 1, 1983, and before October 1, 1984, is 115 percent; and
(III) on or after October 1, 1984, is 110 percent.
(B)(i) For purposes of subparagraph (A) the Secretary shall establish case mix indexes for all short-term hospitals, and shall set limits for each hospital based upon the general mix of types of medical cases with respect to which such hospital provides services for which payment may be made under this subchapter.
(ii) The Secretary shall set such limits for a cost reporting period of a hospital—
(I) by updating available data for a previous period to the immediate preceding cost reporting period by the estimated average rate of change of hospital costs industry-wide, and
(II) by projecting for the cost reporting period by the applicable percentage increase (as defined in subsection (b)(3)(B) of this section).
(C) The limitation established under subparagraph (A) for any hospital shall in no event be lower than the allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in paragraph (4)) recognized under this subchapter for such hospital for such hospital's last cost reporting period prior to the hospital's first cost reporting period for which this section is in effect.
(D) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1983.
(2) The Secretary shall provide for such exemptions from, and exceptions and adjustments to, the limitation established under paragraph (1)(A) as he deems appropriate, including those which he deems necessary to take into account—
(A) the special needs of sole community hospitals, of new hospitals, of risk based health maintenance organizations, and of hospitals which provide atypical services or essential community services, and to take into account extraordinary circumstances beyond the hospital's control, medical and paramedical education costs, significantly fluctuating population in the service area of the hospital, and unusual labor costs,
(B) the special needs of psychiatric hospitals and of public or other hospitals that serve a significantly disproportionate number of patients who have low income or are entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter, and
(C) a decrease in the inpatient hospital services that a hospital provides and that are customarily provided directly by similar hospitals which results in a significant distortion in the operating costs of inpatient hospital services.
(3) The limitation established under paragraph (1)(A) shall not apply with respect to any hospital which—
(A) is located outside of a standard metropolitan statistical area, and
(B)(i) has less than 50 beds, and
(ii) was in operation and had less than 50 beds on September 3, 1982.
(4) For purposes of this section, the term "operating costs of inpatient hospital services" includes all routine operating costs, ancillary service operating costs, and special care unit operating costs with respect to inpatient hospital services as such costs are determined on an average per admission or per discharge basis (as determined by the Secretary), and includes the costs of all services for which payment may be made under this subchapter that are provided by the hospital (or by an entity wholly owned or operated by the hospital) to the patient during the 3 days (or, in the case of a hospital that is not a subsection (d) hospital, during the 1 day) immediately preceding the date of the patient's admission if such services are diagnostic services (including clinical diagnostic laboratory tests) or are other services related to the admission (as defined by the Secretary). Such term does not include costs of approved educational activities, a return on equity capital, other capital-related costs (as defined by the Secretary for periods before October 1, 1987), or costs with respect to administering blood clotting factors to individuals with hemophilia. In applying the first sentence of this paragraph, the term "other services related to the admission" includes all services that are not diagnostic services (other than ambulance and maintenance renal dialysis services) for which payment may be made under this subchapter that are provided by a hospital (or an entity wholly owned or operated by the hospital) to a patient—
(A) on the date of the patient's inpatient admission; or
(B) during the 3 days (or, in the case of a hospital that is not a subsection (d) hospital, during the 1 day) immediately preceding the date of such admission unless the hospital demonstrates (in a form and manner, and at a time, specified by the Secretary) that such services are not related (as determined by the Secretary) to such admission.
(b) Computation of payment; definitions; exemptions; adjustments
(1) Notwithstanding
(A) are less than or equal to the target amount (as defined in paragraph (3)) for that hospital for that period, the amount of the payment with respect to such operating costs payable under part A of this subchapter on a per discharge or per admission basis (as the case may be) shall be equal to the amount of such operating costs, plus—
(i) 15 percent of the amount by which the target amount exceeds the amount of the operating costs, or
(ii) 2 percent of the target amount,
whichever is less;
(B) are greater than the target amount but do not exceed 110 percent of the target amount, the amount of the payment with respect to those operating costs payable under part A of this subchapter on a per discharge basis shall equal the target amount; or
(C) are greater than 110 percent of the target amount, the amount of the payment with respect to such operating costs payable under part A of this subchapter on a per discharge or per admission basis (as the case may be) shall be equal to (i) the target amount, plus (ii) in the case of cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1991, an additional amount equal to 50 percent of the amount by which the operating costs exceed 110 percent of the target amount (except that such additional amount may not exceed 10 percent of the target amount) after any exceptions or adjustments are made to such target amount for the cost reporting period;
plus the amount, if any, provided under paragraph (2), except that in no case may the amount payable under this subchapter (other than on the basis of a DRG prospective payment rate determined under subsection (d) of this section) with respect to operating costs of inpatient hospital services exceed the maximum amount payable with respect to such costs pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (E), in addition to the payment computed under paragraph (1), in the case of an eligible hospital (described in subparagraph (B)) for a cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 1997, the amount of payment on a per discharge basis under paragraph (1) shall be increased by the lesser of—
(i) 50 percent of the amount by which the operating costs are less than the expected costs (as defined in subparagraph (D)) for the period; or
(ii) 1 percent of the target amount for the period.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, an "eligible hospital" means with respect to a cost reporting period, a hospital—
(i) that has received payments under this subsection for at least 3 full cost reporting periods before that cost reporting period, and
(ii) whose operating costs for the period are less than the least of its target amount, its trended costs (as defined in subparagraph (C)), or its expected costs (as defined in subparagraph (D)) for the period.
(C) For purposes of subparagraph (B)(ii), the term "trended costs" means for a hospital cost reporting period ending in a fiscal year—
(i) in the case of a hospital for which its cost reporting period ending in fiscal year 1996 was its third or subsequent full cost reporting period for which it receives payments under this subsection, the lesser of the operating costs or target amount for that hospital for its cost reporting period ending in fiscal year 1996, or
(ii) in the case of any other hospital, the operating costs for that hospital for its third full cost reporting period for which it receives payments under this subsection,
increased (in a compounded manner) for each succeeding fiscal year (through the fiscal year involved) by the market basket percentage increase for the fiscal year.
(D) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "expected costs", with respect to the cost reporting period ending in a fiscal year, means the lesser of the operating costs of inpatient hospital services or target amount per discharge for the previous cost reporting period updated by the market basket percentage increase (as defined in paragraph (3)(B)(iii)) for the fiscal year.
(E)(i) In the case of an eligible hospital that is a hospital or unit that is within a class of hospital described in clause (ii) with a 12-month cost reporting period beginning before November 29, 1999, in determining the amount of the increase under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall substitute for the percentage of the target amount applicable under subparagraph (A)(ii)—
(I) for a cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 2000, and before September 30, 2001, 1.5 percent; and
(II) for a cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 2001, and before September 30, 2002, 2 percent.
(ii) For purposes of clause (i), each of the following shall be treated as a separate class of hospital:
(I) Hospitals described in clause (i) of subsection (d)(1)(B) of this section and psychiatric units described in the matter following clause (v) of such subsection.
(II) Hospitals described in clause (iv) of such subsection.
(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (C) and succeeding subparagraphs, and in paragraph (7)(A)(ii), for purposes of this subsection, the term "target amount" means, with respect to a hospital for a particular 12-month cost reporting period—
(i) in the case of the first such reporting period for which this subsection is in effect, the allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in subsection (a)(4) of this section) recognized under this subchapter for such hospital for the preceding 12-month cost reporting period, and
(ii) in the case of a later reporting period, the target amount for the preceding 12-month cost reporting period,
increased by the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (B) for that particular cost reporting period.
(B)(i) For purposes of subsection (d) of this section and subsection (j) of this section for discharges occurring during a fiscal year, the "applicable percentage increase" shall be—
(I) for fiscal year 1986, ½ percent,
(II) for fiscal year 1987, 1.15 percent,
(III) for fiscal year 1988, 3.0 percent for hospitals located in a rural area, 1.5 percent for hospitals located in a large urban area (as defined in subsection (d)(2)(D) of this section), and 1.0 percent for hospitals located in other urban areas,
(IV) for fiscal year 1989, the market basket percentage increase minus 1.5 percent for hospitals located in a rural area, the market basket percentage increase minus 2.0 percentage points for hospitals located in a large urban area, and the market basket percentage increase minus 2.5 percentage points for hospitals located in other urban areas,
(V) for fiscal year 1990, the market basket percentage increase plus 4.22 percentage points for hospitals located in a rural area, the market basket percentage increase plus 0.12 percentage points for hospitals located in a large urban area, and the market basket percentage increase minus 0.53 percentage points for hospitals located in other urban areas,
(VI) for fiscal year 1991, the market basket percentage increase minus 2.0 percentage points for hospitals in a large urban or other urban area, and the market basket percentage increase minus 0.7 percentage point for hospitals located in a rural area,
(VII) for fiscal year 1992, the market basket percentage increase minus 1.6 percentage points for hospitals in a large urban or other urban area, and the market basket percentage increase minus 0.6 percentage point for hospitals located in a rural area,
(VIII) for fiscal year 1993, the market basket percentage increase minus 1.55 percentage point for hospitals in a large urban or other urban area, and the market basket percentage increase minus 0.55 1 for hospitals located in a rural area,
(IX) for fiscal year 1994, the market basket percentage increase minus 2.5 percentage points for hospitals located in a large urban or other urban area, and the market basket percentage increase minus 1.0 percentage point for hospitals located in a rural area,
(X) for fiscal year 1995, the market basket percentage increase minus 2.5 percentage points for hospitals located in a large urban or other urban area, and such percentage increase for hospitals located in a rural area as will provide for the average standardized amount determined under subsection (d)(3)(A) of this section for hospitals located in a rural area being equal to such average standardized amount for hospitals located in an urban area (other than a large urban area),
(XI) for fiscal year 1996, the market basket percentage increase minus 2.0 percentage points for hospitals in all areas,
(XII) for fiscal year 1997, the market basket percentage increase minus 0.5 percentage point for hospitals in all areas,
(XIII) for fiscal year 1998, 0 percent,
(XIV) for fiscal year 1999, the market basket percentage increase minus 1.9 percentage points for hospitals in all areas,
(XV) for fiscal year 2000, the market basket percentage increase minus 1.8 percentage points for hospitals in all areas,
(XVI) for fiscal year 2001, the market basket percentage increase for hospitals in all areas,
(XVII) for fiscal year 2002, the market basket percentage increase minus 0.55 percentage points for hospitals in all areas,
(XVIII) for fiscal year 2003, the market basket percentage increase minus 0.55 percentage points for hospitals in all areas,
(XIX) for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2006, subject to clause (vii), the market basket percentage increase for hospitals in all areas; 2 and
(XX) for each subsequent fiscal year, subject to clauses (viii), (ix), (xi), and (xii), the market basket percentage increase for hospitals in all areas.
(ii) For purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (E), the "applicable percentage increase" for 12-month cost reporting periods beginning during—
(I) fiscal year 1986, is 0.5 percent,
(II) fiscal year 1987, is 1.15 percent,
(III) fiscal year 1988, is the market basket percentage increase minus 2.0 percentage points,
(IV) a subsequent fiscal year ending on or before September 30, 1993, is the market basket percentage increase,
(V) fiscal years 1994 through 1997, is the market basket percentage increase minus the applicable reduction (as defined in clause (v)(II)), or in the case of a hospital for a fiscal year for which the hospital's update adjustment percentage (as defined in clause (v)(I)) is at least 10 percent, the market basket percentage increase,
(VI) for fiscal year 1998, is 0 percent,
(VII) for fiscal years 1999 through 2002, is the applicable update factor specified under clause (vi) for the fiscal year, and
(VIII) subsequent fiscal years is the market basket percentage increase.
(iii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "market basket percentage increase" means, with respect to cost reporting periods and discharges occurring in a fiscal year, the percentage, estimated by the Secretary before the beginning of the period or fiscal year, by which the cost of the mix of goods and services (including personnel costs but excluding nonoperating costs) comprising routine, ancillary, and special care unit inpatient hospital services, based on an index of appropriately weighted indicators of changes in wages and prices which are representative of the mix of goods and services included in such inpatient hospital services, for the period or fiscal year will exceed the cost of such mix of goods and services for the preceding 12-month cost reporting period or fiscal year.
(iv) For purposes of subparagraphs (C) and (D), the "applicable percentage increase" is—
(I) for 12-month cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal years 1986 through 1993, the applicable percentage increase specified in clause (ii),
(II) for fiscal year 1994, the market basket percentage increase minus 2.3 percentage points (adjusted to exclude any portion of a cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1993 for which the applicable percentage increase is determined under subparagraph (I)),
(III) for fiscal year 1995, the market basket percentage increase minus 2.2 percentage points, and
(IV) for fiscal year 1996 and each subsequent fiscal year, the applicable percentage increase under clause (i).
(v) For purposes of clause (ii)(V)—
(I) a hospital's "update adjustment percentage" for a fiscal year is the percentage by which the hospital's allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services recognized under this subchapter for the cost reporting period beginning in fiscal year 1990 exceeds the hospital's target amount (as determined under subparagraph (A)) for such cost reporting period, increased for each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1994) by the sum of any of the hospital's applicable reductions under subclause (V) for previous fiscal years; and
(II) the "applicable reduction" with respect to a hospital for a fiscal year is the lesser of 1 percentage point or the percentage point difference between 10 percent and the hospital's update adjustment percentage for the fiscal year.
(vi) For purposes of clause (ii)(VII) for a fiscal year, if a hospital's allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services recognized under this subchapter for the most recent cost reporting period for which information is available—
(I) is equal to, or exceeds, 110 percent of the hospital's target amount (as determined under subparagraph (A)) for such cost reporting period, the applicable update factor specified under this clause is the market basket percentage;
(II) exceeds 100 percent, but is less than 110 percent, of such target amount for the hospital, the applicable update factor specified under this clause is 0 percent or, if greater, the market basket percentage minus 0.25 percentage points for each percentage point by which such allowable operating costs (expressed as a percentage of such target amount) is less than 110 percent of such target amount;
(III) is equal to, or less than 100 percent, but exceeds 2/3 of such target amount for the hospital, the applicable update factor specified under this clause is 0 percent or, if greater, the market basket percentage minus 2.5 percentage points; or
(IV) does not exceed 2/3 of such target amount for the hospital, the applicable update factor specified under this clause is 0 percent.
(vii)(I) For purposes of clause (i)(XIX) for fiscal years 2005 and 2006, in a case of a subsection (d) hospital that does not submit data to the Secretary in accordance with subclause (II) with respect to such a fiscal year, the applicable percentage increase under such clause for such fiscal year shall be reduced by 0.4 percentage points. Such reduction shall apply only with respect to the fiscal year involved, and the Secretary shall not take into account such reduction in computing the applicable percentage increase under clause (i)(XIX) for a subsequent fiscal year.
(II) For fiscal years 2005 and 2006, each subsection (d) hospital shall submit to the Secretary quality data (for a set of 10 indicators established by the Secretary as of November 1, 2003) that relate to the quality of care furnished by the hospital in inpatient settings in a form and manner, and at a time, specified by the Secretary for purposes of this clause, but with respect to fiscal year 2005, the Secretary shall provide for a 30-day grace period for the submission of data by a hospital.
(viii)(I) For purposes of clause (i) for fiscal year 2007 and each subsequent fiscal year, in the case of a subsection (d) hospital that does not submit, to the Secretary in accordance with this clause, data required to be submitted on measures selected under this clause with respect to such a fiscal year, the applicable percentage increase under clause (i) for such fiscal year shall be reduced by 2.0 percentage points (or, beginning with fiscal year 2015, by one-quarter of such applicable percentage increase (determined without regard to clause (ix), (xi), or (xii))). Such reduction shall apply only with respect to the fiscal year involved and the Secretary shall not take into account such reduction in computing the applicable percentage increase under clause (i) for a subsequent fiscal year, and the Secretary and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission shall carry out the requirements under section 5001(b) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.
(II) Each subsection (d) hospital shall submit data on measures selected under this clause to the Secretary in a form and manner, and at a time, specified by the Secretary for purposes of this clause. The Secretary may require hospitals to submit data on measures that are not used for the determination of value-based incentive payments under subsection (o).
(III) The Secretary shall expand, beyond the measures specified under clause (vii)(II) and consistent with the succeeding subclauses, the set of measures that the Secretary determines to be appropriate for the measurement of the quality of care (including medication errors) furnished by hospitals in inpatient settings.
(IV) Effective for payments beginning with fiscal year 2007, in expanding the number of measures under subclause (III), the Secretary shall begin to adopt the baseline set of performance measures as set forth in the November 2005 report by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences under section 238(b) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.
(V) Effective for payments for fiscal years 2008 through 2012, the Secretary shall add other measures that reflect consensus among affected parties and, to the extent feasible and practicable, shall include measures set forth by one or more national consensus building entities.
(VI) For purposes of this clause and clause (vii), the Secretary may replace any measures or indicators in appropriate cases, such as where all hospitals are effectively in compliance or the measures or indicators have been subsequently shown not to represent the best clinical practice.
(VII) The Secretary shall establish procedures for making information regarding measures submitted under this clause available to the public. Such procedures shall ensure that a hospital has the opportunity to review the data that are to be made public with respect to the hospital prior to such data being made public. The Secretary shall report quality measures of process, structure, outcome, patients' perspectives on care, efficiency, and costs of care that relate to services furnished in inpatient settings in hospitals on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
(VIII) Effective for payments beginning with fiscal year 2013, with respect to quality measures for outcomes of care, the Secretary shall provide for such risk adjustment as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to maintain incentives for hospitals to treat patients with severe illnesses or conditions.
(IX)(aa) Subject to item (bb), effective for payments beginning with fiscal year 2013, each measure specified by the Secretary under this clause shall be endorsed by the entity with a contract under
(bb) In the case of a specified area or medical topic determined appropriate by the Secretary for which a feasible and practical measure has not been endorsed by the entity with a contract under
(X) To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall, with input from consensus organizations and other stakeholders, take steps to ensure that the measures specified by the Secretary under this clause are coordinated and aligned with quality measures applicable to—
(aa) physicians under
(bb) other providers of services and suppliers under this subchapter.
(XI) The Secretary shall establish a process to validate measures specified under this clause as appropriate. Such process shall include the auditing of a number of randomly selected hospitals sufficient to ensure validity of the reporting program under this clause as a whole and shall provide a hospital with an opportunity to appeal the validation of measures reported by such hospital.
(ix)(I) For purposes of clause (i) for fiscal year 2015 and each subsequent fiscal year, in the case of an eligible hospital (as defined in subsection (n)(6)(A)) 3 that is not a meaningful EHR user (as defined in subsection (n)(3)) for an EHR reporting period for such fiscal year, three-quarters of the applicable percentage increase otherwise applicable under clause (i) (determined without regard to clause (viii), (xi), or (xii)) for such fiscal year shall be reduced by 331/3 percent for fiscal year 2015, 662/3 percent for fiscal year 2016, and 100 percent for fiscal year 2017 and each subsequent fiscal year. Such reduction shall apply only with respect to the fiscal year involved and the Secretary shall not take into account such reduction in computing the applicable percentage increase under clause (i) for a subsequent fiscal year.
(II) The Secretary may, on a case-by-case basis, exempt a subsection (d) hospital from the application of subclause (I) with respect to a fiscal year if the Secretary determines, subject to annual renewal, that requiring such hospital to be a meaningful EHR user during such fiscal year would result in a significant hardship, such as in the case of a hospital in a rural area without sufficient Internet access. In no case may a hospital be granted an exemption under this subclause for more than 5 years.
(III) For fiscal year 2015 and each subsequent fiscal year, a State in which hospitals are paid for services under
(IV) For purposes of this clause, the term "EHR reporting period" means, with respect to a fiscal year, any period (or periods) as specified by the Secretary.
(x)(I) The Secretary shall develop standard Internet website reports tailored to meet the needs of various stakeholders such as hospitals, patients, researchers, and policymakers. The Secretary shall seek input from such stakeholders in determining the type of information that is useful and the formats that best facilitate the use of the information.
(II) The Secretary shall modify the Hospital Compare Internet website to make the use and navigation of that website readily available to individuals accessing it.
(xi)(I) For 2012 and each subsequent fiscal year, after determining the applicable percentage increase described in clause (i) and after application of clauses (viii) and (ix), such percentage increase shall be reduced by the productivity adjustment described in subclause (II).
(II) The productivity adjustment described in this subclause, with respect to a percentage, factor, or update for a fiscal year, year, cost reporting period, or other annual period, is a productivity adjustment equal to the 10-year moving average of changes in annual economy-wide private nonfarm business multi-factor productivity (as projected by the Secretary for the 10-year period ending with the applicable fiscal year, year, cost reporting period, or other annual period).
(III) The application of subclause (I) may result in the applicable percentage increase described in clause (i) being less than 0.0 for a fiscal year, and may result in payment rates under this section for a fiscal year being less than such payment rates for the preceding fiscal year.
(xii) After determining the applicable percentage increase described in clause (i), and after application of clauses (viii), (ix), and (xi), the Secretary shall reduce such applicable percentage increase—
(I) for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011, by 0.25 percentage point;
(II) for each of fiscal years 2012 and 2013, by 0.1 percentage point;
(III) for fiscal year 2014, by 0.3 percentage point;
(IV) for each of fiscal years 2015 and 2016, by 0.2 percentage point; and
(V) for each of fiscal years 2017, 2018, and 2019, by 0.75 percentage point.
The application of this clause may result in the applicable percentage increase described in clause (i) being less than 0.0 for a fiscal year, and may result in payment rates under this section for a fiscal year being less than such payment rates for the preceding fiscal year.
(C) In the case of a hospital that is a sole community hospital (as defined in subsection (d)(5)(D)(iii) of this section), subject to subparagraphs (I) and (L), the term "target amount" means—
(i) with respect to the first 12-month cost reporting period in which this subparagraph is applied to the hospital—
(I) the allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in subsection (a)(4) of this section) recognized under this subchapter for the hospital for the 12-month cost reporting period (in this subparagraph referred to as the "base cost reporting period") preceding the first cost reporting period for which this subsection was in effect with respect to such hospital, increased (in a compounded manner) by—
(II) the applicable percentage increases applied to such hospital under this paragraph for cost reporting periods after the base cost reporting period and up to and including such first 12-month cost reporting period,
(ii) with respect to a later cost reporting period beginning before fiscal year 1994, the target amount for the preceding 12-month cost reporting period, increased by the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (B)(iv) for discharges occurring in the fiscal year in which that later cost reporting period begins,
(iii) with respect to discharges occurring in fiscal year 1994, the target amount for the cost reporting period beginning in fiscal year 1993 increased by the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (B)(iv), or
(iv) with respect to discharges occurring in fiscal year 1995 and each subsequent fiscal year, the target amount for the preceding year increased by the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (B)(iv).
There shall be substituted for the base cost reporting period described in clause (i) a hospital's cost reporting period (if any) beginning during fiscal year 1987 if such substitution results in an increase in the target amount for the hospital.
(D) For cost reporting periods ending on or before September 30, 1994, and for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1997, and before October 1, 2012, in the case of a hospital that is a medicare-dependent, small rural hospital (as defined in subsection (d)(5)(G) of this section), subject to subparagraph (K), the term "target amount" means—
(i) with respect to the first 12-month cost reporting period in which this subparagraph is applied to the hospital—
(I) the allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in subsection (a)(4) of this section) recognized under this subchapter for the hospital for the 12-month cost reporting period (in this subparagraph referred to as the "base cost reporting period") preceding the first cost reporting period for which this subsection was in effect with respect to such hospital, increased (in a compounded manner) by—
(II) the applicable percentage increases applied to such hospital under this paragraph for cost reporting periods after the base cost reporting period and up to and including such first 12-month cost reporting period, or
(ii) with respect to a later cost reporting period beginning before fiscal year 1994, the target amount for the preceding 12-month cost reporting period, increased by the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (B)(iv) for discharges occurring in the fiscal year in which that later cost reporting period begins,
(iii) with respect to discharges occurring in fiscal year 1994, the target amount for the cost reporting period beginning in fiscal year 1993 increased by the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (B)(iv), and
(iv) with respect to discharges occurring during fiscal year 1998 through fiscal year 2012, the target amount for the preceding year increased by the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (B)(iv).
There shall be substituted for the base cost reporting period described in clause (i) a hospital's cost reporting period (if any) beginning during fiscal year 1987 if such substitution results in an increase in the target amount for the hospital.
(E) In the case of a hospital described in clause (v) of subsection (d)(1)(B) of this section, the term "target amount" means—
(i) with respect to the first 12-month cost reporting period in which this subparagraph is applied to the hospital—
(I) the allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in subsection (a)(4) of this section) recognized under this subchapter for the hospital for the 12-month cost reporting period (in this subparagraph referred to as the "base cost reporting period") preceding the first cost reporting period for which this subsection was in effect with respect to such hospital, increased (in a compounded manner) by—
(II) the sum of the applicable percentage increases applied to such hospital under this paragraph for cost reporting periods after the base cost reporting period and up to and including such first 12-month cost reporting period, or
(ii) with respect to a later cost reporting period, the target amount for the preceding 12-month cost reporting period, increased by the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (B)(ii) for that later cost reporting period.
There shall be substituted for the base cost reporting period described in clause (i) a hospital's cost reporting period (if any) beginning during fiscal year 1987 if such substitution results in an increase in the target amount for the hospital.
(F)(i) In the case of a hospital (or unit described in the matter following clause (v) of subsection (d)(1)(B) of this section) that received payment under this subsection for inpatient hospital services furnished during cost reporting periods beginning before October 1, 1990, that is within a class of hospital described in clause (iii), and that elects (in a form and manner determined by the Secretary) this subparagraph to apply to the hospital, the target amount for the hospital's 12-month cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1998 is equal to the average described in clause (ii).
(ii) The average described in this clause for a hospital or unit shall be determined by the Secretary as follows:
(I) The Secretary shall determine the allowable operating costs for inpatient hospital services for the hospital or unit for each of the 5 cost reporting periods for which the Secretary has the most recent settled cost reports as of August 5, 1997.
(II) The Secretary shall increase the amount determined under subclause (I) for each cost reporting period by the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (B)(ii) for each subsequent cost reporting period up to the cost reporting period described in clause (i).
(III) The Secretary shall identify among such 5 cost reporting periods the cost reporting periods for which the amount determined under subclause (II) is the highest, and the lowest.
(IV) The Secretary shall compute the averages of the amounts determined under subclause (II) for the 3 cost reporting periods not identified under subclause (III).
(iii) For purposes of this subparagraph, each of the following shall be treated as a separate class of hospital:
(I) Hospitals described in clause (i) of subsection (d)(1)(B) of this section and psychiatric units described in the matter following clause (v) of such subsection.
(II) Hospitals described in clause (ii) of such subsection and rehabilitation units described in the matter following clause (v) of such subsection.
(III) Hospitals described in clause (iii) of such subsection.
(IV) Hospitals described in clause (iv) of such subsection.
(V) Hospitals described in clause (v) of such subsection.
(G)(i) In the case of a qualified long-term care hospital (as defined in clause (ii)) that elects (in a form and manner determined by the Secretary) this subparagraph to apply to the hospital, the target amount for the hospital's 12-month cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1998 is equal to the allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in subsection (a)(4) of this section) recognized under this subchapter for the hospital for the 12-month cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1996, increased by the applicable percentage increase for the cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1997.
(ii) In clause (i), a "qualified long-term care hospital" means, with respect to a cost reporting period, a hospital described in clause (iv) of subsection (d)(1)(B) of this section during each of the 2 cost reporting periods for which the Secretary has the most recent settled cost reports as of August 5, 1997, for each of which—
(I) the hospital's allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services recognized under this subchapter exceeded 115 percent of the hospital's target amount, and
(II) the hospital would have a disproportionate patient percentage of at least 70 percent (as determined by the Secretary under subsection (d)(5)(F)(vi) of this section) if the hospital were a subsection (d) hospital.
(H)(i) In the case of a hospital or unit that is within a class of hospital described in clause (iv), for a cost reporting period beginning during fiscal years 1998 through 2002, the target amount for such a hospital or unit may not exceed the amount as updated up to or for such cost reporting period under clause (ii).
(ii)(I) In the case of a hospital or unit that is within a class of hospital described in clause (iv), the Secretary shall estimate the 75th percentile of the target amounts for such hospitals within such class for cost reporting periods ending during fiscal year 1996, as adjusted under clause (iii).
(II) The Secretary shall update the amount determined under subclause (I), for each cost reporting period after the cost reporting period described in such subclause and up to the first cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 1997, by a factor equal to the market basket percentage increase.
(III) For cost reporting periods beginning during each of fiscal years 1999 through 2002, subject to subparagraph (J), the Secretary shall update such amount by a factor equal to the market basket percentage increase.
(iii) In applying clause (ii)(I) in the case of a hospital or unit, the Secretary shall provide for an appropriate adjustment to the labor-related portion of the amount determined under such subparagraph to take into account differences between average wage-related costs in the area of the hospital and the national average of such costs within the same class of hospital.
(iv) For purposes of this subparagraph, each of the following shall be treated as a separate class of hospital:
(I) Hospitals described in clause (i) of subsection (d)(1)(B) of this section and psychiatric units described in the matter following clause (v) of such subsection.
(II) Hospitals described in clause (ii) of such subsection and rehabilitation units described in the matter following clause (v) of such subsection.
(III) Hospitals described in clause (iv) of such subsection.
(I)(i) Subject to subparagraph (L), for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2000, in the case of a sole community hospital there shall be substituted for the amount otherwise determined under subsection (d)(5)(D)(i) of this section, if such substitution results in a greater amount of payment under this section for the hospital—
(I) with respect to discharges occurring in fiscal year 2001, 75 percent of the amount otherwise applicable to the hospital under subsection (d)(5)(D)(i) of this section (referred to in this clause as the "subsection (d)(5)(D)(i) amount") and 25 percent of the rebased target amount (as defined in clause (ii));
(II) with respect to discharges occurring in fiscal year 2002, 50 percent of the subsection (d)(5)(D)(i) amount and 50 percent of the rebased target amount;
(III) with respect to discharges occurring in fiscal year 2003, 25 percent of the subsection (d)(5)(D)(i) amount and 75 percent of the rebased target amount; and
(IV) with respect to discharges occurring after fiscal year 2003, 100 percent of the rebased target amount.
(ii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the "rebased target amount" has the meaning given the term "target amount" in subparagraph (C) except that—
(I) there shall be substituted for the base cost reporting period the 12-month cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1996;
(II) any reference in subparagraph (C)(i) to the "first cost reporting period" described in such subparagraph is deemed a reference to the first cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 2000; and
(III) applicable increase percentage shall only be applied under subparagraph (C)(iv) for discharges occurring in fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 2002.
(iii) In no case shall a hospital be denied treatment as a sole community hospital or payment (on the basis of a target rate as such as a hospital) because data are unavailable for any cost reporting period due to changes in ownership, changes in fiscal intermediaries, or other extraordinary circumstances, so long as data for at least one applicable base cost reporting period is available.
(J) For cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 2001, for a hospital described in subsection (d)(1)(B)(iv) of this section—
(i) the limiting or cap amount otherwise determined under subparagraph (H) shall be increased by 2 percent; and
(ii) the target amount otherwise determined under subparagraph (A) shall be increased by 25 percent (subject to the limiting or cap amount determined under subparagraph (H), as increased by clause (i)).
(K)(i) With respect to discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2006, in the case of a medicare-dependent, small rural hospital, for purposes of applying subparagraph (D)—
(I) there shall be substituted for the base cost reporting period described in subparagraph (D)(i) the 12-month cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 2002; and
(II) any reference in such subparagraph to the "first cost reporting period" described in such subparagraph is deemed a reference to the first cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 2006.
(ii) This subparagraph shall only apply to a hospital if the substitution described in clause (i)(I) results in an increase in the target amount under subparagraph (D) for the hospital.
(L)(i) For cost reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2009, in the case of a sole community hospital there shall be substituted for the amount otherwise determined under subsection (d)(5)(D)(i) of this section, if such substitution results in a greater amount of payment under this section for the hospital, the subparagraph (L) rebased target amount.
(ii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "subparagraph (L) rebased target amount" has the meaning given the term "target amount" in subparagraph (C), except that—
(I) there shall be substituted for the base cost reporting period the 12-month cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 2006;
(II) any reference in subparagraph (C)(i) to the "first cost reporting period" described in such subparagraph is deemed a reference to the first cost reporting period beginning on or after January 1, 2009; and
(III) the applicable percentage increase shall only be applied under subparagraph (C)(iv) for discharges occurring on or after January 1, 2009.
(4)(A)(i) The Secretary shall provide for an exception and adjustment to (and in the case of a hospital described in subsection (d)(1)(B)(iii) of this section, may provide an exemption from) the method under this subsection for determining the amount of payment to a hospital where events beyond the hospital's control or extraordinary circumstances, including changes in the case mix of such hospital, create a distortion in the increase in costs for a cost reporting period (including any distortion in the costs for the base period against which such increase is measured). The Secretary may provide for such other exemptions from, and exceptions and adjustments to, such method as the Secretary deems appropriate, including the assignment of a new base period which is more representative, as determined by the Secretary, of the reasonable and necessary cost of inpatient services and including those which he deems necessary to take into account a decrease in the inpatient hospital services that a hospital provides and that are customarily provided directly by similar hospitals which results in a significant distortion in the operating costs of inpatient hospital services. The Secretary shall announce a decision on any request for an exemption, exception, or adjustment under this paragraph not later than 180 days after receiving a completed application from the intermediary for such exemption, exception, or adjustment, and shall include in such decision a detailed explanation of the grounds on which such request was approved or denied.
(ii) The payment reductions under paragraph (3)(B)(ii)(V) shall not be considered by the Secretary in making adjustments pursuant to clause (i). In making such reductions, the Secretary shall treat the applicable update factor described in paragraph (3)(B)(vi) for a fiscal year as being equal to the market basket percentage for that year.
(B) In determining under subparagraph (A) whether to assign a new base period which is more representative of the reasonable and necessary cost to a hospital of providing inpatient services, the Secretary shall take into consideration—
(i) changes in applicable technologies and medical practices, or differences in the severity of illness among patients, that increase the hospital's costs;
(ii) whether increases in wages and wage-related costs for hospitals located in the geographic area in which the hospital is located exceed the average of the increases in such costs paid by hospitals in the United States; and
(iii) such other factors as the Secretary considers appropriate in determining increases in the hospital's costs of providing inpatient services.
(C) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to payment of hospitals which is otherwise determined under paragraph (3) of
(5) In the case of any hospital having any cost reporting period of other than a 12-month period, the Secretary shall determine the 12-month period which shall be used for purposes of this section.
(6) In the case of any hospital which becomes subject to the taxes under section 3111 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, with respect to any or all of its employees, for part or all of a cost reporting period, and was not subject to such taxes with respect to any or all of its employees for all or part of the 12-month base cost reporting period referred to in subsection (b)(3)(A)(i) of this section, the Secretary shall provide for an adjustment by increasing the base period amount described in such subsection for such hospital by an amount equal to the amount of such taxes which would have been paid or accrued by such hospital for such base period if such hospital had been subject to such taxes for all of such base period with respect to all its employees, minus the amount of any such taxes actually paid or accrued for such base period.
(7)(A) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in the case of a hospital or unit that is within a class of hospital described in subparagraph (B) which first receives payments under this section on or after October 1, 1997—
(i) for each of the first 2 cost reporting periods for which the hospital has a settled cost report, the amount of the payment with respect to operating costs described in paragraph (1) under part A of this subchapter on a per discharge or per admission basis (as the case may be) is equal to the lesser of—
(I) the amount of operating costs for such respective period, or
(II) 110 percent of the national median (as estimated by the Secretary) of the target amount for hospitals in the same class as the hospital for cost reporting periods ending during fiscal year 1996, updated by the hospital market basket increase percentage to the fiscal year in which the hospital first received payments under this section, as adjusted under subparagraph (C); and
(ii) for purposes of computing the target amount for the subsequent cost reporting period, the target amount for the preceding cost reporting period is equal to the amount determined under clause (i) for such preceding period.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, each of the following shall be treated as a separate class of hospital:
(i) Hospitals described in clause (i) of subsection (d)(1)(B) of this section and psychiatric units described in the matter following clause (v) of such subsection.
(ii) Hospitals described in clause (ii) of such subsection and rehabilitation units described in the matter following clause (v) of such subsection.
(iii) Hospitals described in clause (iv) of such subsection.
(C) In applying subparagraph (A)(i)(II) in the case of a hospital or unit, the Secretary shall provide for an appropriate adjustment to the labor-related portion of the amount determined under such subparagraph to take into account differences between average wage-related costs in the area of the hospital and the national average of such costs within the same class of hospital.
(c) Payment in accordance with State hospital reimbursement control system; amount of payment; discontinuance of payments
(1) The Secretary may provide, in his discretion, that payment with respect to services provided by a hospital in a State may be made in accordance with a hospital reimbursement control system in a State, rather than in accordance with the other provisions of this subchapter, if the chief executive officer of the State requests such treatment and if—
(A) the Secretary determines that the system, if approved under this subsection, will apply (i) to substantially all non-Federal acute care hospitals (as defined by the Secretary) in the State and (ii) to the review of at least 75 percent of all revenues or expenses in the State for inpatient hospital services and of revenues or expenses for inpatient hospital services provided under the State's plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter;
(B) the Secretary has been provided satisfactory assurances as to the equitable treatment under the system of all entities (including Federal and State programs) that pay hospitals for inpatient hospital services, of hospital employees, and of hospital patients;
(C) the Secretary has been provided satisfactory assurances that under the system, over 36-month periods (the first such period beginning with the first month in which this subsection applies to that system in the State), the amount of payments made under this subchapter under such system will not exceed the amount of payments which would otherwise have been made under this subchapter not using such system;
(D) the Secretary determines that the system will not preclude an eligible organization (as defined in
(E) the Secretary determines that the system requires hospitals to meet the requirement of
The Secretary cannot deny the application of a State under this subsection on the ground that the State's hospital reimbursement control system is based on a payment methodology other than on the basis of a diagnosis-related group or on the ground that the amount of payments made under this subchapter under such system must be less than the amount of payments which would otherwise have been made under this subchapter not using such system. If the Secretary determines that the conditions described in subparagraph (C) are based on maintaining payment amounts at no more than a specified percentage increase above the payment amounts in a base period, the State has the option of applying such test (for inpatient hospital services under part A of this subchapter) on an aggregate payment basis or on the basis of the amount of payment per inpatient discharge or admission. If the Secretary determines that the conditions described in subparagraph (C) are based on maintaining aggregate payment amounts below a national average percentage increase in total payments under part A of this subchapter for inpatient hospital services, the Secretary cannot deny the application of a State under this subsection on the ground that the State's rate of increase in such payments for such services must be less than such national average rate of increase.
(2) In determining under paragraph (1)(C) the amount of payment which would otherwise have been made under this subchapter for a State, the Secretary may provide for appropriate adjustment of such amount to take into account previous reductions effected in the amount of payments made under this subchapter in the State due to the operation of the hospital reimbursement control system in the State if the system has resulted in an aggregate rate of increase in operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in subsection (a)(4) of this section) under this subchapter for hospitals in the State which is less than the aggregate rate of increase in such costs under this subchapter for hospitals in the United States.
(3) The Secretary shall discontinue payments under a system described in paragraph (1) if the Secretary—
(A) determines that the system no longer meets the requirements of subparagraphs (A), (D), and (E) of paragraph (1) and, if applicable, the requirements of paragraph (5), or
(B) has reason to believe that the assurances described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (1) (or, if applicable, in paragraph (5)) are not being (or will not be) met.
(4) The Secretary shall approve the request of a State under paragraph (1) with respect to a hospital reimbursement control system if—
(A) the requirements of subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E) of paragraph (1) have been met with respect to the system, and
(B) with respect to that system a waiver of certain requirements of this subchapter has been approved on or before (and which is in effect as of) April 20, 1983, pursuant to
With respect to a State system described in this paragraph, the Secretary shall judge the effectiveness of such system on the basis of its rate of increase or inflation in inpatient hospital payments for individuals under this subchapter, as compared to the national rate of increase or inflation for such payments, with the State retaining the option to have the test applied on the basis of the aggregate payments under the State system as compared to aggregate payments which would have been made under the national system since October 1, 1984, to the most recent date for which annual data are available.
(5) The Secretary shall approve the request of a State under paragraph (1) with respect to a hospital reimbursement control system if—
(A) the requirements of subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E) of paragraph (1) have been met with respect to the system;
(B) the Secretary determines that the system—
(i) is operated directly by the State or by an entity designated pursuant to State law,
(ii) provides for payment of hospitals covered under the system under a methodology (which sets forth exceptions and adjustments, as well as any method for changes in the methodology) by which rates or amounts to be paid for hospital services during a specified period are established under the system prior to the defined rate period, and
(iii) hospitals covered under the system will make such reports (in lieu of cost and other reports, identified by the Secretary, otherwise required under this subchapter) as the Secretary may require in order to properly monitor assurances provided under this subsection;
(C) the State has provided the Secretary with satisfactory assurances that operation of the system will not result in any change in hospital admission practices which result in—
(i) a significant reduction in the proportion of patients (receiving hospital services covered under the system) who have no third-party coverage and who are unable to pay for hospital services,
(ii) a significant reduction in the proportion of individuals admitted to hospitals for inpatient hospital services for which payment is (or is likely to be) less than the anticipated charges for or costs of such services,
(iii) the refusal to admit patients who would be expected to require unusually costly or prolonged treatment for reasons other than those related to the appropriateness of the care available at the hospital, or
(iv) the refusal to provide emergency services to any person who is in need of emergency services if the hospital provides such services;
(D) any change by the State in the system which has the effect of materially reducing payments to hospitals can only take effect upon 60 days notice to the Secretary and to the hospitals the payment to which is likely to be materially affected by the change; and
(E) the State has provided the Secretary with satisfactory assurances that in the development of the system the State has consulted with local governmental officials concerning the impact of the system on public hospitals.
The Secretary shall respond to requests of States under this paragraph within 60 days of the date the request is submitted to the Secretary.
(6) If the Secretary determines that the assurances described in paragraph (1)(C) have not been met with respect to any 36-month period, the Secretary may reduce payments under this subchapter to hospitals under the system in an amount equal to the amount by which the payment under this subchapter under such system for such period exceeded the amount of payments which would otherwise have been made under this subchapter not using such system.
(7) In the case of a State which made a request under paragraph (5) before December 31, 1984, for the approval of a State hospital reimbursement control system and which request was approved—
(A) in applying paragraphs (1)(C) and (6), a reference to a "36-month period" is deemed a reference to a "48-month period", and
(B) in order to allow the State the opportunity to provide the assurances described in paragraph (1)(C) for a 48-month period, the Secretary may not discontinue payments under the system, under the authority of paragraph (3)(A) because the Secretary has reason to believe that such assurances are not being (or will not be) met, before July 1, 1986.
(d) Inpatient hospital service payments on basis of prospective rates; Medicare Geographical Classification Review Board
(1)(A) Notwithstanding
(i) beginning on or after October 1, 1983, and before October 1, 1984, is equal to the sum of—
(I) the target percentage (as defined in subparagraph (C)) of the hospital's target amount for the cost reporting period (as defined in subsection (b)(3)(A) of this section, but determined without the application of subsection (a) of this section), and
(II) the DRG percentage (as defined in subparagraph (C)) of the regional adjusted DRG prospective payment rate determined under paragraph (2) for such discharges;
(ii) beginning on or after October 1, 1984, and before October 1, 1987, is equal to the sum of—
(I) the target percentage (as defined in subparagraph (C)) of the hospital's target amount for the cost reporting period (as defined in subsection (b)(3)(A) of this section, but determined without the application of subsection (a) of this section), and
(II) the DRG percentage (as defined in subparagraph (C)) of the applicable combined adjusted DRG prospective payment rate determined under subparagraph (D) for such discharges; or
(iii) beginning on or after April 1, 1988, is equal to—
(I) the national adjusted DRG prospective payment rate determined under paragraph (3) for such discharges, or
(II) for discharges occurring during a fiscal year ending on or before September 30, 1996, the sum of 85 percent of the national adjusted DRG prospective payment rate determined under paragraph (3) for such discharges and 15 percent of the regional adjusted DRG prospective payment rate determined under such paragraph, but only if the average standardized amount (described in clause (i)(I) or clause (ii)(I) of paragraph (3)(D)) for hospitals within the region of, and in the same large urban or other area (or, for discharges occurring during a fiscal year ending on or before September 30, 1994, the same large urban or other area) as, the hospital is greater than the average standardized amount (described in the respective clause) for hospitals within the United States in that type of area for discharges occurring during such fiscal year.
(B) As used in this section, the term "subsection (d) hospital" means a hospital located in one of the fifty States or the District of Columbia other than—
(i) a psychiatric hospital (as defined in
(ii) a rehabilitation hospital (as defined by the Secretary),
(iii) a hospital whose inpatients are predominantly individuals under 18 years of age,
(iv)(I) a hospital which has an average inpatient length of stay (as determined by the Secretary) of greater than 25 days, or
(II) a hospital that first received payment under this subsection in 1986 which has an average inpatient length of stay (as determined by the Secretary) of greater than 20 days and that has 80 percent or more of its annual medicare inpatient discharges with a principal diagnosis that reflects a finding of neoplastic disease in the 12-month cost reporting period ending in fiscal year 1997, or
(v)(I) a hospital that the Secretary has classified, at any time on or before December 31, 1990,4 (or, in the case of a hospital that, as of December 19, 1989, is located in a State operating a demonstration project under
(II) a hospital that was recognized as a comprehensive cancer center or clinical cancer research center by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health as of April 20, 1983, that is located in a State which, as of December 19, 1989, was not operating a demonstration project under
(III) a hospital that was recognized as a clinical cancer research center by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health as of February 18, 1998, that has never been reimbursed for inpatient hospital services pursuant to a reimbursement system under a demonstration project under
and, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, does not include a psychiatric or rehabilitation unit of the hospital which is a distinct part of the hospital (as defined by the Secretary). A hospital that was classified by the Secretary on or before September 30, 1995, as a hospital described in clause (iv) shall continue to be so classified notwithstanding that it is located in the same building as, or on the same campus as, another hospital.
(C) For purposes of this subsection, for cost reporting periods beginning—
(i) on or after October 1, 1983, and before October 1, 1984, the "target percentage" is 75 percent and the "DRG percentage" is 25 percent;
(ii) on or after October 1, 1984, and before October 1, 1985, the "target percentage" is 50 percent and the "DRG percentage" is 50 percent;
(iii) on or after October 1, 1985, and before October 1, 1986, the "target percentage" is 45 percent and the "DRG percentage" is 55 percent; and
(iv) on or after October 1, 1986, and before October 1, 1987, the "target percentage" is 25 percent and the "DRG percentage" is 75 percent.
(D) For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii)(II), the "applicable combined adjusted DRG prospective payment rate" for discharges occurring—
(i) on or after October 1, 1984, and before October 1, 1986, is a combined rate consisting of 25 percent of the national adjusted DRG prospective payment rate, and 75 percent of the regional adjusted DRG prospective payment rate, determined under paragraph (3) for such discharges; and
(ii) on or after October 1, 1986, and before October 1, 1987, is a combined rate consisting of 50 percent of the national adjusted DRG prospective payment rate, and 50 percent of the regional adjusted DRG prospective payment rate, determined under paragraph (3) for such discharges.
(E) For purposes of subclauses (II) and (III) of subparagraph (B)(v) only, the term "principal finding of neoplastic disease" means the condition established after study to be chiefly responsible for occasioning the admission of a patient to a hospital, except that only discharges with ICD–9–CM principal diagnosis codes of 140 through 239, V58.0, V58.1, V66.1, V66.2, or 990 will be considered to reflect such a principal diagnosis.
(2) The Secretary shall determine a national adjusted DRG prospective payment rate, for each inpatient hospital discharge in fiscal year 1984 involving inpatient hospital services of a subsection (d) hospital in the United States, and shall determine a regional adjusted DRG prospective payment rate for such discharges in each region, for which payment may be made under part A of this subchapter. Each such rate shall be determined for hospitals located in urban or rural areas within the United States or within each such region, respectively, as follows:
(A)
(B)
(i) updating for fiscal year 1983 by the estimated average rate of change of hospital costs industry-wide between the cost reporting period used under such subparagraph and fiscal year 1983 and the most recent case-mix data available, and
(ii) projecting for fiscal year 1984 by the applicable percentage increase (as defined in subsection (b)(3)(B) of this section) for fiscal year 1984.
(C)
(i) excluding an estimate of indirect medical education costs (taking into account, for discharges occurring after September 30, 1986, the amendments made by section 9104(a) of the Medicare and Medicaid Budget Reconciliation Amendments of 1985), except that the Secretary shall not take into account any reduction in the amount of additional payments under paragraph (5)(B)(ii) resulting from the amendment made by section 4621(a)(1) of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 or any additional payments under such paragraph resulting from the application of section 111 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999, of section 302 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, or the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003,
(ii) adjusting for variations among hospitals by area in the average hospital wage level,
(iii) adjusting for variations in case mix among hospitals, and
(iv) for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1986, excluding an estimate of the additional payments to certain hospitals to be made under paragraph (5)(F), except that the Secretary shall not exclude additional payments under such paragraph made as a result of the enactment of section 6003(c) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989, the enactment of section 4002(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, the enactment of section 303 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, or the enactment of section 402(a)(1) 5 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.
(D)
(i) for all subsection (d) hospitals located in an urban area within the United States or that region, respectively, and
(ii) for all subsection (d) hospitals located in a rural area within the United States or that region, respectively.
For purposes of this subsection, the term "region" means one of the nine census divisions, comprising the fifty States and the District of Columbia, established by the Bureau of the Census for statistical and reporting purposes; the term "urban area" means an area within a Metropolitan Statistical Area (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget) or within such similar area as the Secretary has recognized under subsection (a) of this section by regulation; the term "large urban area" means, with respect to a fiscal year, such an urban area which the Secretary determines (in the publications described in subsection (e)(5) of this section before the fiscal year) has a population of more than 1,000,000 (as determined by the Secretary based on the most recent available population data published by the Bureau of the Census); and the term "rural area" means any area outside such an area or similar area. A hospital located in a Metropolitan Statistical Area shall be deemed to be located in the region in which the largest number of the hospitals in the same Metropolitan Statistical Area are located, or, at the option of the Secretary, the region in which the majority of the inpatient discharges (with respect to which payments are made under this subchapter) from hospitals in the same Metropolitan Statistical Area are made.
(E)
(F)
(G)
(i) for hospitals located in an urban area in the United States or that region (respectively), to the product of—
(I) the average standardized amount (computed under subparagraph (D), reduced under subparagraph (E), and adjusted under subparagraph (F)) for hospitals located in an urban area in the United States or that region, and
(II) the weighting factor (determined under paragraph (4)(B)) for that diagnosis-related group; and
(ii) for hospitals located in a rural area in the United States or that region (respectively), to the product of—
(I) the average standardized amount (computed under subparagraph (D), reduced under subparagraph (E), and adjusted under subparagraph (F)) for hospitals located in a rural area in the United States or that region, and
(II) the weighting factor (determined under paragraph (4)(B)) for that diagnosis-related group.
(H)
(3) The Secretary shall determine a national adjusted DRG prospective payment rate, for each inpatient hospital discharge in a fiscal year after fiscal year 1984 involving inpatient hospital services of a subsection (d) hospital in the United States, and shall determine, for fiscal years before fiscal year 1997, a regional adjusted DRG prospective payment rate for such discharges in each region for which payment may be made under part A of this subchapter. Each such rate shall be determined for hospitals located in large urban, other urban, or rural areas within the United States and within each such region, respectively, as follows:
(A)
(ii) For discharges occurring in a fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 1987, and ending on or before September 30, 1994, the Secretary shall compute an average standardized amount for hospitals located in a large urban area, for hospitals located in a rural area, and for hospitals located in other urban areas, within the United States and within each region, equal to the respective average standardized amount computed for the previous fiscal year under this subparagraph increased by the applicable percentage increase under subsection (b)(3)(B)(i) of this section with respect to hospitals located in the respective areas for the fiscal year involved.
(iii) For discharges occurring in the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 1994, the average standardized amount for hospitals located in a rural area shall be equal to the average standardized amount for hospitals located in an urban area. For discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1994, the Secretary shall adjust the ratio of the labor portion to non-labor portion of each average standardized amount to equal such ratio for the national average of all standardized amounts.
(iv)(I) Subject to subclause (II), for discharges occurring in a fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 1995, the Secretary shall compute an average standardized amount for hospitals located in a large urban area and for hospitals located in other areas within the United States and within each region equal to the respective average standardized amount computed for the previous fiscal year under this subparagraph increased by the applicable percentage increase under subsection (b)(3)(B)(i) of this section with respect to hospitals located in the respective areas for the fiscal year involved.
(II) For discharges occurring in a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2004), the Secretary shall compute a standardized amount for hospitals located in any area within the United States and within each region equal to the standardized amount computed for the previous fiscal year under this subparagraph for hospitals located in a large urban area (or, beginning with fiscal year 2005, for all hospitals in the previous fiscal year) increased by the applicable percentage increase under subsection (b)(3)(B)(i) of this section for the fiscal year involved.
(v) Average standardized amounts computed under this paragraph shall be adjusted to reflect the most recent case-mix data available.
(vi) Insofar as the Secretary determines that the adjustments under paragraph (4)(C)(i) for a previous fiscal year (or estimates that such adjustments for a future fiscal year) did (or are likely to) result in a change in aggregate payments under this subsection during the fiscal year that are a result of changes in the coding or classification of discharges that do not reflect real changes in case mix, the Secretary may adjust the average standardized amounts computed under this paragraph for subsequent fiscal years so as to eliminate the effect of such coding or classification changes.
(B)
(C)
(ii) For discharges occurring after September 30, 1986, the Secretary shall further reduce each of the average standardized amounts (in a proportion which takes into account the differing effects of the standardization effected under paragraph (2)(C)(i)) so as to provide for a reduction in the total of the payments (attributable to this paragraph) made for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1986, of an amount equal to the estimated reduction in the payment amounts under paragraph (5)(B) that would have resulted from the enactment of the amendments made by section 9104 of the Medicare and Medicaid Budget Reconciliation Amendments of 1985 and by section 4003(a)(1) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 if the factor described in clause (ii)(II) of paragraph (5)(B) (determined without regard to amendments made by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) were applied for discharges occurring on or after such date instead of the factor described in clause (ii) of that paragraph.
(D)
(i) for fiscal years before fiscal year 2004, for hospitals located in a large urban area in the United States or that region (respectively), to the product of—
(I) the average standardized amount (computed under subparagraph (A), reduced under subparagraph (B), and adjusted or reduced under subparagraph (C)) for the fiscal year for hospitals located in such a large urban area in the United States or that region, and
(II) the weighting factor (determined under paragraph (4)(B)) for that diagnosis-related group;
(ii) for fiscal years before fiscal year 2004, for hospitals located in other areas in the United States or that region (respectively), to the product of—
(I) the average standardized amount (computed under subparagraph (A), reduced under subparagraph (B), and adjusted or reduced under subparagraph (C)) for the fiscal year for hospitals located in other areas in the United States or that region, and
(II) the weighting factor (determined under paragraph (4)(B)) for that diagnosis-related group; and
(iii) for a fiscal year beginning after fiscal year 2003, for hospitals located in all areas, to the product of—
(I) the applicable standardized amount (computed under subparagraph (A)), reduced under subparagraph (B), and adjusted or reduced under subparagraph (C) for the fiscal year; and
(II) the weighting factor (determined under paragraph (4)(B)) for that diagnosis-related group.
(E)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(I)
(II)
(III)
(IV)
(4)(A) The Secretary shall establish a classification of inpatient hospital discharges by diagnosis-related groups and a methodology for classifying specific hospital discharges within these groups.
(B) For each such diagnosis-related group the Secretary shall assign an appropriate weighting factor which reflects the relative hospital resources used with respect to discharges classified within that group compared to discharges classified within other groups.
(C)(i) The Secretary shall adjust the classifications and weighting factors established under subparagraphs (A) and (B), for discharges in fiscal year 1988 and at least annually thereafter, to reflect changes in treatment patterns, technology (including a new medical service or technology under paragraph (5)(K)), and other factors which may change the relative use of hospital resources.
(ii) For discharges in fiscal year 1990, the Secretary shall reduce the weighting factor for each diagnosis-related group by 1.22 percent.
(iii) Any such adjustment under clause (i) for discharges in a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1991) shall be made in a manner that assures that the aggregate payments under this subsection for discharges in the fiscal year are not greater or less than those that would have been made for discharges in the year without such adjustment.
(D)(i) For discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2008, the diagnosis-related group to be assigned under this paragraph for a discharge described in clause (ii) shall be a diagnosis-related group that does not result in higher payment based on the presence of a secondary diagnosis code described in clause (iv).
(ii) A discharge described in this clause is a discharge which meets the following requirements:
(I) The discharge includes a condition identified by a diagnosis code selected under clause (iv) as a secondary diagnosis.
(II) But for clause (i), the discharge would have been classified to a diagnosis-related group that results in a higher payment based on the presence of a secondary diagnosis code selected under clause (iv).
(III) At the time of admission, no code selected under clause (iv) was present.
(iii) As part of the information required to be reported by a hospital with respect to a discharge of an individual in order for payment to be made under this subsection, for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2007, the information shall include the secondary diagnosis of the individual at admission.
(iv) By not later than October 1, 2007, the Secretary shall select diagnosis codes associated with at least two conditions, each of which codes meets all of the following requirements (as determined by the Secretary):
(I) Cases described by such code have a high cost or high volume, or both, under this subchapter.
(II) The code results in the assignment of a case to a diagnosis-related group that has a higher payment when the code is present as a secondary diagnosis.
(III) The code describes such conditions that could reasonably have been prevented through the application of evidence-based guidelines.
The Secretary may from time to time revise (through addition or deletion of codes) the diagnosis codes selected under this clause so long as there are diagnosis codes associated with at least two conditions selected for discharges occurring during any fiscal year.
(v) In selecting and revising diagnosis codes under clause (iv), the Secretary shall consult with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other appropriate entities.
(vi) Any change resulting from the application of this subparagraph shall not be taken into account in adjusting the weighting factors under subparagraph (C)(i) or in applying budget neutrality under subparagraph (C)(iii).
(5)(A)(i) For discharges occurring during fiscal years ending on or before September 30, 1997, the Secretary shall provide for an additional payment for a subsection (d) hospital for any discharge in a diagnosis-related group, the length of stay of which exceeds the mean length of stay for discharges within that group by a fixed number of days, or exceeds such mean length of stay by some fixed number of standard deviations, whichever is the fewer number of days.
(ii) For cases which are not included in clause (i), a subsection (d) hospital may request additional payments in any case where charges, adjusted to cost, exceed a fixed multiple of the applicable DRG prospective payment rate, or exceed such other fixed dollar amount, whichever is greater, or, for discharges in fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 1994, exceed the sum of the applicable DRG prospective payment rate plus any amounts payable under subparagraphs (B) and (F) plus a fixed dollar amount determined by the Secretary.
(iii) The amount of such additional payment under clauses (i) and (ii) shall be determined by the Secretary and shall (except as payments under clause (i) are required to be reduced to take into account the requirements of clause (v)) approximate the marginal cost of care beyond the cutoff point applicable under clause (i) or (ii).
(iv) The total amount of the additional payments made under this subparagraph for discharges in a fiscal year may not be less than 5 percent nor more than 6 percent of the total payments projected or estimated to be made based on DRG prospective payment rates for discharges in that year.
(v) The Secretary shall provide that—
(I) the day outlier percentage for fiscal year 1995 shall be 75 percent of the day outlier percentage for fiscal year 1994;
(II) the day outlier percentage for fiscal year 1996 shall be 50 percent of the day outlier percentage for fiscal year 1994; and
(III) the day outlier percentage for fiscal year 1997 shall be 25 percent of the day outlier percentage for fiscal year 1994.
(vi) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "day outlier percentage" means, for a fiscal year, the percentage of the total additional payments made by the Secretary under this subparagraph for discharges in that fiscal year which are additional payments under clause (i).
(B) The Secretary shall provide for an additional payment amount for subsection (d) hospitals with indirect costs of medical education, in an amount computed in the same manner as the adjustment for such costs under regulations (in effect as of January 1, 1983) under subsection (a)(2) of this section, except as follows:
(i) The amount of such additional payment shall be determined by multiplying (I) the sum of the amount determined under paragraph (1)(A)(ii)(II) (or, if applicable, the amount determined under paragraph (1)(A)(iii)) and, for cases qualifying for additional payment under subparagraph (A)(i), the amount paid to the hospital under subparagraph (A), by (II) the indirect teaching adjustment factor described in clause (ii).
(ii) For purposes of clause (i)(II), the indirect teaching adjustment factor is equal to c × (((1+r) to the nth power) ^1), where "r" is the ratio of the hospital's full-time equivalent interns and residents to beds and "n" equals .405. Subject to clause (ix), for discharges occurring—
(I) on or after October 1, 1988, and before October 1, 1997, "c" is equal to 1.89;
(II) during fiscal year 1998, "c" is equal to 1.72;
(III) during fiscal year 1999, "c" is equal to 1.6;
(IV) during fiscal year 2000, "c" is equal to 1.47;
(V) during fiscal year 2001, "c" is equal to 1.54;
(VI) during fiscal year 2002, "c" is equal to 1.6;
(VII) on or after October 1, 2002, and before April 1, 2004, "c" is equal to 1.35;
(VIII) on or after April 1, 2004, and before October 1, 2004, "c" is equal to 1.47;
(IX) during fiscal year 2005, "c" is equal to 1.42;
(X) during fiscal year 2006, "c" is equal to 1.37;
(XI) during fiscal year 2007, "c" is equal to 1.32; and
(XII) on or after October 1, 2007, "c" is equal to 1.35.
(iii) In determining such adjustment the Secretary shall not distinguish between those interns and residents who are employees of a hospital and those interns and residents who furnish services to a hospital but are not employees of such hospital.
(iv)(I) Effective for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1997, and before July 1, 2010, all the time spent by an intern or resident in patient care activities under an approved medical residency training program at an entity in a nonhospital setting shall be counted towards the determination of full-time equivalency if the hospital incurs all, or substantially all, of the costs for the training program in that setting.
(II) Effective for discharges occurring on or after July 1, 2010, all the time spent by an intern or resident in patient care activities in a nonprovider setting shall be counted towards the determination of full-time equivalency if a hospital incurs the costs of the stipends and fringe benefits of the intern or resident during the time the intern or resident spends in that setting. If more than one hospital incurs these costs, either directly or through a third party, such hospitals shall count a proportional share of the time, as determined by written agreement between the hospitals, that a resident spends training in that setting.
(v) In determining the adjustment with respect to a hospital for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1997, the total number of full-time equivalent interns and residents in the fields of allopathic and osteopathic medicine in either a hospital or nonhospital setting may not exceed the number (or, 130 percent of such number in the case of a hospital located in a rural area) of such full-time equivalent interns and residents in the hospital with respect to the hospital's most recent cost reporting period ending on or before December 31, 1996. Rules similar to the rules of subsection (h)(4)(F)(ii) of this section shall apply for purposes of this clause. The provisions of subsections (h)(4)(H)(vi), (h)(7), and (h)(8) of this section shall apply with respect to the first sentence of this clause in the same manner as they apply with respect to subsection (h)(4)(F)(i) of this section.
(vi) For purposes of clause (ii)—
(I) "r" may not exceed the ratio of the number of interns and residents, subject to the limit under clause (v), with respect to the hospital for its most recent cost reporting period to the hospital's available beds (as defined by the Secretary) during that cost reporting period, and
(II) for the hospital's cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1997, subject to the limits described in clauses (iv) and (v), the total number of full-time equivalent residents for payment purposes shall equal the average of the actual full-time equivalent resident count for the cost reporting period and the preceding two cost reporting periods.
In the case of the first cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 1997, subclause (II) shall be applied by using the average for such period and the preceding cost reporting period.
(vii) If any cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 1997, is not equal to twelve months, the Secretary shall make appropriate modifications to ensure that the average full-time equivalent residency count pursuant to subclause (II) of clause (vi) is based on the equivalent of full twelve-month cost reporting periods.
(viii) Rules similar to the rules of subsection (h)(4)(H) of this section shall apply for purposes of clauses (v) and (vi).
(ix) For discharges occurring on or after July 1, 2005, insofar as an additional payment amount under this subparagraph is attributable to resident positions redistributed to a hospital under subsection (h)(7)(B) of this section, in computing the indirect teaching adjustment factor under clause (ii) the adjustment shall be computed in a manner as if "c" were equal to 0.66 with respect to such resident positions.
(x) 6 For discharges occurring on or after July 1, 2011, insofar as an additional payment amount under this subparagraph is attributable to resident positions distributed to a hospital under subsection (h)(8)(B), the indirect teaching adjustment factor shall be computed in the same manner as provided under clause (ii) with respect to such resident positions.
(x)(I) 6 The provisions of subparagraph (K) of subsection (h)(4) shall apply under this subparagraph in the same manner as they apply under such subsection.
(II) In determining the hospital's number of full-time equivalent residents for purposes of this subparagraph, all the time spent by an intern or resident in an approved medical residency training program in non-patient care activities, such as didactic conferences and seminars, as such time and activities are defined by the Secretary, that occurs in the hospital shall be counted toward the determination of full-time equivalency if the hospital—
(aa) is recognized as a subsection (d) hospital;
(bb) is recognized as a subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospital;
(cc) is reimbursed under a reimbursement system authorized under
(dd) is a provider-based hospital outpatient department.
(III) In determining the hospital's number of full-time equivalent residents for purposes of this subparagraph, all the time spent by an intern or resident in an approved medical residency training program in research activities that are not associated with the treatment or diagnosis of a particular patient, as such time and activities are defined by the Secretary, shall not be counted toward the determination of full-time equivalency.
(C)(i) The Secretary shall provide for such exceptions and adjustments to the payment amounts established under this subsection (other than under paragraph (9)) as the Secretary deems appropriate to take into account the special needs of regional and national referral centers (including those hospitals of 275 or more beds located in rural areas). A hospital which is classified as a rural hospital may appeal to the Secretary to be classified as a rural referral center under this clause on the basis of criteria (established by the Secretary) which shall allow the hospital to demonstrate that it should be so reclassified by reason of certain of its operating characteristics being similar to those of a typical urban hospital located in the same census region and which shall not require a rural osteopathic hospital to have more than 3,000 discharges in a year in order to be classified as a rural referral center. Such characteristics may include wages, scope of services, service area, and the mix of medical specialties. The Secretary shall publish the criteria not later than August 17, 1984, for implementation by October 1, 1984. An appeal allowed under this clause must be submitted to the Secretary (in such form and manner as the Secretary may prescribe) during the quarter before the first quarter of the hospital's cost reporting period (or, in the case of a cost reporting period beginning during October 1984, during the first quarter of that period), and the Secretary must make a final determination with respect to such appeal within 60 days after the date the appeal was submitted. Any payment adjustments necessitated by a reclassification based upon the appeal shall be effective at the beginning of such cost reporting period.
(ii) The Secretary shall provide, under clause (i), for the classification of a rural hospital as a regional referral center if the hospital has a case mix index equal to or greater than the median case mix index for hospitals (other than hospitals with approved teaching programs) located in an urban area in the same region (as defined in paragraph (2)(D)), has at least 5,000 discharges a year or, if less, the median number of discharges in urban hospitals in the region in which the hospital is located (or, in the case of a rural osteopathic hospital, meets the criterion established by the Secretary under clause (i) with respect to the annual number of discharges for such hospitals), and meets any other criteria established by the Secretary under clause (i).
(D)(i) For any cost reporting period beginning on or after April 1, 1990, with respect to a subsection (d) hospital which is a sole community hospital, payment under paragraph (1)(A) shall be—
(I) an amount based on 100 percent of the hospital's target amount for the cost reporting period, as defined in subsection (b)(3)(C) of this section, or
(II) the amount determined under paragraph (1)(A)(iii),
whichever results in greater payment to the hospital.
(ii) In the case of a sole community hospital that experiences, in a cost reporting period compared to the previous cost reporting period, a decrease of more than 5 percent in its total number of inpatient cases due to circumstances beyond its control, the Secretary shall provide for such adjustment to the payment amounts under this subsection (other than under paragraph (9)) as may be necessary to fully compensate the hospital for the fixed costs it incurs in the period in providing inpatient hospital services, including the reasonable cost of maintaining necessary core staff and services.
(iii) For purposes of this subchapter, the term "sole community hospital" means any hospital—
(I) that the Secretary determines is located more than 35 road miles from another hospital,
(II) that, by reason of factors such as the time required for an individual to travel to the nearest alternative source of appropriate inpatient care (in accordance with standards promulgated by the Secretary), location, weather conditions, travel conditions, or absence of other like hospitals (as determined by the Secretary), is the sole source of inpatient hospital services reasonably available to individuals in a geographic area who are entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter, or
(III) that is located in a rural area and designated by the Secretary as an essential access community hospital under
(iv) The Secretary shall promulgate a standard for determining whether a hospital meets the criteria for classification as a sole community hospital under clause (iii)(II) because of the time required for an individual to travel to the nearest alternative source of appropriate inpatient care.
(v) If the Secretary determines that, in the case of a hospital located in a rural area and designated by the Secretary as an essential access community hospital under
(E)(i) The Secretary shall estimate the amount of reimbursement made for services described in
(ii) The Secretary shall provide for an adjustment to the payment for subsection (d) hospitals in each fiscal year so as appropriately to reflect the net amount described in clause (i).
(F)(i) Subject to subsection (r), for discharges occurring on or after May 1, 1986, the Secretary shall provide, in accordance with this subparagraph, for an additional payment amount for each subsection (d) hospital which—
(I) serves a significantly disproportionate number of low-income patients (as defined in clause (v)), or
(II) is located in an urban area, has 100 or more beds, and can demonstrate that its net inpatient care revenues (excluding any of such revenues attributable to this subchapter or State plans approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter), during the cost reporting period in which the discharges occur, for indigent care from State and local government sources exceed 30 percent of its total of such net inpatient care revenues during the period.
(ii) Subject to clause (ix), the amount of such payment for each discharge shall be determined by multiplying (I) the sum of the amount determined under paragraph (1)(A)(ii)(II) (or, if applicable, the amount determined under paragraph (1)(A)(iii)) and, for cases qualifying for additional payment under subparagraph (A)(i), the amount paid to the hospital under subparagraph (A) for that discharge, by (II) the disproportionate share adjustment percentage established under clause (iii) or (iv) for the cost reporting period in which the discharge occurs.
(iii) The disproportionate share adjustment percentage for a cost reporting period for a hospital described in clause (i)(II) is equal to 35 percent.
(iv) The disproportionate share adjustment percentage for a cost reporting period for a hospital that is not described in clause (i)(II) and that—
(I) is located in an urban area and has 100 or more beds or is described in the second sentence of clause (v), is equal to the percent determined in accordance with the applicable formula described in clause (vii);
(II) is located in an urban area and has less than 100 beds, is equal to 5 percent or, subject to clause (xiv) and for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001, is equal to the percent determined in accordance with clause (xiii);
(III) is located in a rural area and is not described in subclause (IV) or (V) or in the second sentence of clause (v), is equal to 4 percent or, subject to clause (xiv) and for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001, is equal to the percent determined in accordance with clause (xii);
(IV) is located in a rural area, is classified as a rural referral center under subparagraph (C), and is classified as a sole community hospital under subparagraph (D), is equal to 10 percent or, if greater, the percent determined in accordance with the applicable formula described in clause (viii) or, subject to clause (xiv) and for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001, the greater of the percentages determined under clause (x) or (xi);
(V) is located in a rural area, is classified as a rural referral center under subparagraph (C), and is not classified as a sole community hospital under subparagraph (D), is equal to the percent determined in accordance with the applicable formula described in clause (viii) or, subject to clause (xiv) and for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001, is equal to the percent determined in accordance with clause (xi); or
(VI) is located in a rural area, is classified as a sole community hospital under subparagraph (D), and is not classified as a rural referral center under subparagraph (C), is 10 percent or, subject to clause (xiv) and for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001, is equal to the percent determined in accordance with clause (x).
(v) In this subparagraph, a hospital "serves a significantly disproportionate number of low income patients" for a cost reporting period if the hospital has a disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)) for that period which equals, or exceeds—
(I) 15 percent, if the hospital is located in an urban area and has 100 or more beds,
(II) 30 percent (or 15 percent, for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001), if the hospital is located in a rural area and has more than 100 beds, or is located in a rural area and is classified as a sole community hospital under subparagraph (D),
(III) 40 percent (or 15 percent, for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001), if the hospital is located in an urban area and has less than 100 beds, or
(IV) 45 percent (or 15 percent, for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001), if the hospital is located in a rural area and is not described in subclause (II).
A hospital located in a rural area and with 500 or more beds also "serves a significantly disproportionate number of low income patients" for a cost reporting period if the hospital has a disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)) for that period which equals or exceeds a percentage specified by the Secretary.
(vi) In this subparagraph, the term "disproportionate patient percentage" means, with respect to a cost reporting period of a hospital, the sum of—
(I) the fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which is the number of such hospital's patient days for such period which were made up of patients who (for such days) were entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and were entitled to supplementary security income benefits (excluding any State supplementation) under subchapter XVI of this chapter, and the denominator of which is the number of such hospital's patient days for such fiscal year which were made up of patients who (for such days) were entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter, and
(II) the fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which is the number of the hospital's patient days for such period which consist of patients who (for such days) were eligible for medical assistance under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, but who were not entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter, and the denominator of which is the total number of the hospital's patient days for such period.
In determining under subclause (II) the number of the hospital's patient days for such period which consist of patients who (for such days) were eligible for medical assistance under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX, the Secretary may, to the extent and for the period the Secretary determines appropriate, include patient days of patients not so eligible but who are regarded as such because they receive benefits under a demonstration project approved under subchapter XI.
(vii) The formula used to determine the disproportionate share adjustment percentage for a cost reporting period for a hospital described in clause (iv)(I) is—
(I) in the case of such a hospital with a disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)) greater than 20.2—
(a) for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 1990, and on or before December 31, 1990, (P−20.2)(.65) + 5.62,
(b) for discharges occurring on or after January 1, 1991, and on or before September 30, 1993, (P−20.2)(.7) + 5.62,
(c) for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1993, and on or before September 30, 1994, (P−20.2)(.8) + 5.88, and
(d) for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1994, (P−20.2)(.825) + 5.88; or
(II) in the case of any other such hospital—
(a) for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 1990, and on or before December 31, 1990, (P−15)(.6) + 2.5,
(b) for discharges occurring on or after January 1, 1991, and on or before September 30, 1993, (P−15)(.6) + 2.5,7
(c) for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1993, (P−15)(.65) + 2.5,
where "P" is the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)).
(viii) Subject to clause (xiv), the formula used to determine the disproportionate share adjustment percentage for a cost reporting period for a hospital described in clause (iv)(IV) or (iv)(V) is the percentage determined in accordance with the following formula: (P−30)(.6) + 4.0, where "P" is the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)).
(ix) In the case of discharges occurring—
(I) during fiscal year 1998, the additional payment amount otherwise determined under clause (ii) shall be reduced by 1 percent;
(II) during fiscal year 1999, such additional payment amount shall be reduced by 2 percent;
(III) during fiscal years 2000 and 2001, such additional payment amount shall be reduced by 3 percent and 2 percent, respectively;
(IV) during fiscal year 2002, such additional payment amount shall be reduced by 3 percent; and
(V) during fiscal year 2003 and each subsequent fiscal year, such additional payment amount shall be reduced by 0 percent.
(x) Subject to clause (xiv), for purposes of clause (iv)(VI) (relating to sole community hospitals), in the case of a hospital for a cost reporting period with a disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)) that—
(I) is less than 19.3, the disproportionate share adjustment percentage is determined in accordance with the following formula: (P−15)(.65) + 2.5;
(II) is equal to or exceeds 19.3, but is less than 30.0, such adjustment percentage is equal to 5.25 percent; or
(III) is equal to or exceeds 30, such adjustment percentage is equal to 10 percent,
where "P" is the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)).
(xi) Subject to clause (xiv), for purposes of clause (iv)(V) (relating to rural referral centers), in the case of a hospital for a cost reporting period with a disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)) that—
(I) is less than 19.3, the disproportionate share adjustment percentage is determined in accordance with the following formula: (P−15)(.65) + 2.5;
(II) is equal to or exceeds 19.3, but is less than 30.0, such adjustment percentage is equal to 5.25 percent; or
(III) is equal to or exceeds 30, such adjustment percentage is determined in accordance with the following formula: (P−30)(.6) + 5.25,
where "P" is the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)).
(xii) Subject to clause (xiv), for purposes of clause (iv)(III) (relating to small rural hospitals generally), in the case of a hospital for a cost reporting period with a disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)) that—
(I) is less than 19.3, the disproportionate share adjustment percentage is determined in accordance with the following formula: (P−15)(.65) + 2.5; or
(II) is equal to or exceeds 19.3, such adjustment percentage is equal to 5.25 percent,
where "P" is the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)).
(xiii) Subject to clause (xiv), for purposes of clause (iv)(II) (relating to urban hospitals with less than 100 beds), in the case of a hospital for a cost reporting period with a disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)) that—
(I) is less than 19.3, the disproportionate share adjustment percentage is determined in accordance with the following formula: (P−15)(.65) + 2.5; or
(II) is equal to or exceeds 19.3, such adjustment percentage is equal to 5.25 percent,
where "P" is the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)).
(xiv)(I) In the case of discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2004, subject to subclause (II), there shall be substituted for the disproportionate share adjustment percentage otherwise determined under clause (iv) (other than subclause (I)) or under clause (viii), (x), (xi), (xii), or (xiii), the disproportionate share adjustment percentage determined under clause (vii) (relating to large, urban hospitals).
(II) Under subclause (I), the disproportionate share adjustment percentage shall not exceed 12 percent for a hospital that is not classified as a rural referral center under subparagraph (C) or, in the case of discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2006, as a medicare-dependent, small rural hospital under subparagraph (G)(iv).
(G)(i) For any cost reporting period beginning on or after April 1, 1990, and before October 1, 1994, or discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1997, and before October 1, 2012, in the case of a subsection (d) hospital which is a medicare-dependent, small rural hospital, payment under paragraph (1)(A) shall be equal to the sum of the amount determined under clause (ii) and the amount determined under paragraph (1)(A)(iii).
(ii) The amount determined under this clause is—
(I) for discharges occurring during the 36-month period beginning with the first day of the cost reporting period that begins on or after April 1, 1990, the amount by which the hospital's target amount for the cost reporting period (as defined in subsection (b)(3)(D) of this section) exceeds the amount determined under paragraph (1)(A)(iii); and
(II) for discharges occurring during any subsequent cost reporting period (or portion thereof) and before October 1, 1994, or discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1997, and before October 1, 2012, 50 percent (or 75 percent in the case of discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2006) of the amount by which the hospital's target amount for the cost reporting period or for discharges in the fiscal year (as defined in subsection (b)(3)(D) of this section) exceeds the amount determined under paragraph (1)(A)(iii).
(iii) In the case of a medicare dependent, small rural hospital that experiences, in a cost reporting period compared to the previous cost reporting period, a decrease of more than 5 percent in its total number of inpatient cases due to circumstances beyond its control, the Secretary shall provide for such adjustment to the payment amounts under this subsection (other than under paragraph (9)) as may be necessary to fully compensate the hospital for the fixed costs it incurs in the period in providing inpatient hospital services, including the reasonable cost of maintaining necessary core staff and services.
(iv) The term "medicare-dependent, small rural hospital" means, with respect to any cost reporting period to which clause (i) applies, any hospital—
(I) located in a rural area,
(II) that has not more than 100 beds,
(III) that is not classified as a sole community hospital under subparagraph (D), and
(IV) for which not less than 60 percent of its inpatient days or discharges during the cost reporting period beginning in fiscal year 1987, or two of the three most recently audited cost reporting periods for which the Secretary has a settled cost report, were attributable to inpatients entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter.
(H) The Secretary may provide for such adjustments to the payment amounts under this subsection as the Secretary deems appropriate to take into account the unique circumstances of hospitals located in Alaska and Hawaii.
(I)(i) The Secretary shall provide by regulation for such other exceptions and adjustments to such payment amounts under this subsection as the Secretary deems appropriate.
(ii) In making adjustments under clause (i) for transfer cases (as defined by the Secretary) in a fiscal year, not taking in account the effect of subparagraph (J), the Secretary may make adjustments to each of the average standardized amounts determined under paragraph (3) to assure that the aggregate payments made under this subsection for such fiscal year are not greater or lesser than those that would have otherwise been made in such fiscal year.
(J)(i) The Secretary shall treat the term "transfer case" (as defined in subparagraph (I)(ii)) as including the case of a qualified discharge (as defined in clause (ii)), which is classified within a diagnosis-related group described in clause (iii), and which occurs on or after October 1, 1998. In the case of a qualified discharge for which a substantial portion of the costs of care are incurred in the early days of the inpatient stay (as defined by the Secretary), in no case may the payment amount otherwise provided under this subsection exceed an amount equal to the sum of—
(I) 50 percent of the amount of payment under this subsection for transfer cases (as established under subparagraph (I)(i)), and
(II) 50 percent of the amount of payment which would have been made under this subsection with respect to the qualified discharge if no transfer were involved.
(ii) For purposes of clause (i), subject to clause (iii), the term "qualified discharge" means a discharge classified with a diagnosis-related group (described in clause (iii)) of an individual from a subsection (d) hospital, if upon such discharge the individual—
(I) is admitted as an inpatient to a hospital or hospital unit that is not a subsection (d) hospital for the provision of inpatient hospital services;
(II) is admitted to a skilled nursing facility;
(III) is provided home health services from a home health agency, if such services relate to the condition or diagnosis for which such individual received inpatient hospital services from the subsection (d) hospital, and if such services are provided within an appropriate period (as determined by the Secretary); or
(IV) for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2000, the individual receives post discharge services described in clause (iv)(I).
(iii) Subject to clause (iv), a diagnosis-related group described in this clause is—
(I) 1 of 10 diagnosis-related groups selected by the Secretary based upon a high volume of discharges classified within such groups and a disproportionate use of post discharge services described in clause (ii); and
(II) a diagnosis-related group specified by the Secretary under clause (iv)(II).
(iv) The Secretary shall include in the proposed rule published under subsection (e)(5)(A) of this section for fiscal year 2001, a description of the effect of this subparagraph. The Secretary may include in the proposed rule (and in the final rule published under paragraph (6)) for fiscal year 2001 or a subsequent fiscal year, a description of—
(I) post-discharge services not described in subclauses (I), (II), and (III) of clause (ii), the receipt of which results in a qualified discharge; and
(II) diagnosis-related groups described in clause (iii)(I) in addition to the 10 selected under such clause.
(K)(i) Effective for discharges beginning on or after October 1, 2001, the Secretary shall establish a mechanism to recognize the costs of new medical services and technologies under the payment system established under this subsection. Such mechanism shall be established after notice and opportunity for public comment (in the publications required by subsection (e)(5) of this section for a fiscal year or otherwise). Such mechanism shall be modified to meet the requirements of clause (viii).
(ii) The mechanism established pursuant to clause (i) shall—
(I) apply to a new medical service or technology if, based on the estimated costs incurred with respect to discharges involving such service or technology, the DRG prospective payment rate otherwise applicable to such discharges under this subsection is inadequate (applying a threshold specified by the Secretary that is the lesser of 75 percent of the standardized amount (increased to reflect the difference between cost and charges) or 75 percent of one standard deviation for the diagnosis-related group involved);
(II) provide for the collection of data with respect to the costs of a new medical service or technology described in subclause (I) for a period of not less than two years and not more than three years beginning on the date on which an inpatient hospital code is issued with respect to the service or technology;
(III) provide for additional payment to be made under this subsection with respect to discharges involving a new medical service or technology described in subclause (I) that occur during the period described in subclause (II) in an amount that adequately reflects the estimated average cost of such service or technology; and
(IV) provide that discharges involving such a service or technology that occur after the close of the period described in subclause (II) will be classified within a new or existing diagnosis-related group with a weighting factor under paragraph (4)(B) that is derived from cost data collected with respect to discharges occurring during such period.
(iii) For purposes of clause (ii)(II), the term "inpatient hospital code" means any code that is used with respect to inpatient hospital services for which payment may be made under this subsection and includes an alphanumeric code issued under the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification ("ICD–9–CM") and its subsequent revisions.
(iv) For purposes of clause (ii)(III), the term "additional payment" means, with respect to a discharge for a new medical service or technology described in clause (ii)(I), an amount that exceeds the prospective payment rate otherwise applicable under this subsection to discharges involving such service or technology that would be made but for this subparagraph.
(v) The requirement under clause (ii)(III) for an additional payment may be satisfied by means of a new-technology group (described in subparagraph (L)), an add-on payment, a payment adjustment, or any other similar mechanism for increasing the amount otherwise payable with respect to a discharge under this subsection. The Secretary may not establish a separate fee schedule for such additional payment for such services and technologies, by utilizing a methodology established under subsection (a) or (h) of
(vi) For purposes of this subparagraph and subparagraph (L), a medical service or technology will be considered a "new medical service or technology" if the service or technology meets criteria established by the Secretary after notice and an opportunity for public comment.
(vii) Under the mechanism under this subparagraph, the Secretary shall provide for the addition of new diagnosis and procedure codes in April 1 of each year, but the addition of such codes shall not require the Secretary to adjust the payment (or diagnosis-related group classification) under this subsection until the fiscal year that begins after such date.
(viii) The mechanism established pursuant to clause (i) shall be adjusted to provide, before publication of a proposed rule, for public input regarding whether a new service or technology represents an advance in medical technology that substantially improves the diagnosis or treatment of individuals entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter as follows:
(I) The Secretary shall make public and periodically update a list of all the services and technologies for which an application for additional payment under this subparagraph is pending.
(II) The Secretary shall accept comments, recommendations, and data from the public regarding whether the service or technology represents a substantial improvement.
(III) The Secretary shall provide for a meeting at which organizations representing hospitals, physicians, such individuals, manufacturers, and any other interested party may present comments, recommendations, and data to the clinical staff of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services before publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding whether service or technology represents a substantial improvement.
(ix) Before establishing any add-on payment under this subparagraph with respect to a new technology, the Secretary shall seek to identify one or more diagnosis-related groups associated with such technology, based on similar clinical or anatomical characteristics and the cost of the technology. Within such groups the Secretary shall assign an eligible new technology into a diagnosis-related group where the average costs of care most closely approximate the costs of care of using the new technology. No add-on payment under this subparagraph shall be made with respect to such new technology and this clause shall not affect the application of paragraph (4)(C)(iii).
(L)(i) In establishing the mechanism under subparagraph (K), the Secretary may establish new-technology groups into which a new medical service or technology will be classified if, based on the estimated average costs incurred with respect to discharges involving such service or technology, the DRG prospective payment rate otherwise applicable to such discharges under this subsection is inadequate.
(ii) Such groups—
(I) shall not be based on the costs associated with a specific new medical service or technology; but
(II) shall, in combination with the applicable standardized amounts and the weighting factors assigned to such groups under paragraph (4)(B), reflect such cost cohorts as the Secretary determines are appropriate for all new medical services and technologies that are likely to be provided as inpatient hospital services in a fiscal year.
(iii) The methodology for classifying specific hospital discharges within a diagnosis-related group under paragraph (4)(A) or a new-technology group shall provide that a specific hospital discharge may not be classified within both a diagnosis-related group and a new-technology group.
(6) The Secretary shall provide for publication in the Federal Register, on or before the August 1 before each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1984), of a description of the methodology and data used in computing the adjusted DRG prospective payment rates under this subsection, including any adjustments required under subsection (e)(1)(B) of this section.
(7) There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(A) the determination of the requirement, or the proportional amount, of any adjustment effected pursuant to subsection (e)(1) of this section or the determination of the applicable percentage increase under paragraph (12)(A)(ii),
(B) the establishment of diagnosis-related groups, of the methodology for the classification of discharges within such groups, and of the appropriate weighting factors thereof under paragraph (4), including the selection and revision of codes under paragraph (4)(D), and
(C) the determination of whether services provided prior to a patient's inpatient admission are related to the admission (as described in subsection (a)(4)).
(8)(A) In the case of any hospital which is located in an area which is, at any time after April 20, 1983, reclassified from an urban to a rural area, payments to such hospital for the first two cost reporting periods for which such reclassification is effective shall be made as follows:
(i) For the first such cost reporting period, payment shall be equal to the amount payable to such hospital for such reporting period on the basis of the rural classification, plus an amount equal to two-thirds of the amount (if any) by which—
(I) the amount which would have been payable to such hospital for such reporting period on the basis of an urban classification, exceeds
(II) the amount payable to such hospital for such reporting period on the basis of the rural classification.
(ii) For the second such cost reporting period, payment shall be equal to the amount payable to such hospital for such reporting period on the basis of the rural classification, plus an amount equal to one-third of the amount (if any) by which—
(I) the amount which would have been payable to such hospital for such reporting period on the basis of an urban classification, exceeds
(II) the amount payable to such hospital for such reporting period on the basis of the rural classification.
(B)(i) For purposes of this subsection, the Secretary shall treat a hospital located in a rural county adjacent to one or more urban areas as being located in the urban metropolitan statistical area to which the greatest number of workers in the county commute, if the rural county would otherwise be considered part of an urban area, under the standards for designating Metropolitan Statistical Areas (and for designating New England County Metropolitan Areas) described in clause (ii), if the commuting rates used in determining outlying counties (or, for New England, similar recognized areas) were determined on the basis of the aggregate number of resident workers who commute to (and, if applicable under the standards, from) the central county or counties of all contiguous Metropolitan Statistical Areas (or New England County Metropolitan Areas).
(ii) The standards described in this clause for cost reporting periods beginning in a fiscal year—
(I) before fiscal year 2003, are the standards published in the Federal Register on January 3, 1980, or, at the election of the hospital with respect to fiscal years 2001 and 2002, standards so published on March 30, 1990; and
(II) after fiscal year 2002, are the standards published in the Federal Register by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget based on the most recent available decennial population data.
Subparagraphs (C) and (D) shall not apply with respect to the application of subclause (I).
(C)(i) If the application of subparagraph (B) or a decision of the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board or the Secretary under paragraph (10), by treating hospitals located in a rural county or counties as being located in an urban area, or by treating hospitals located in one urban area as being located in another urban area—
(I) reduces the wage index for that urban area (as applied under this subsection) by 1 percentage point or less, the Secretary, in calculating such wage index under this subsection, shall exclude those hospitals so treated, or
(II) reduces the wage index for that urban area by more than 1 percentage point (as applied under this subsection), the Secretary shall calculate and apply such wage index under this subsection separately to hospitals located in such urban area (excluding all the hospitals so treated) and to the hospitals so treated (as if such hospitals were located in such urban area).
(ii) If the application of subparagraph (B) or a decision of the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board or the Secretary under paragraph (10), by treating hospitals located in a rural county or counties as not being located in the rural area in a State, reduces the wage index for that rural area (as applied under this subsection), the Secretary shall calculate and apply such wage index under this subsection as if the hospitals so treated had not been excluded from calculation of the wage index for that rural area.
(iii) The application of subparagraph (B) or a decision of the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board or the Secretary under paragraph (10) may not result in the reduction of any county's wage index to a level below the wage index for rural areas in the State in which the county is located.
(iv) The application of subparagraph (B) or a decision of the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board or of the Secretary under paragraph (10) may not result in a reduction in an urban area's wage index if—
(I) the urban area has a wage index below the wage index for rural areas in the State in which it is located; or
(II) the urban area is located in a State that is composed of a single urban area.
(v) This subparagraph shall apply with respect to discharges occurring in a fiscal year only if the Secretary uses a method for making adjustments to the DRG prospective payment rate for area differences in hospital wage levels under paragraph (3)(E) for the fiscal year that is based on the use of Metropolitan Statistical Area classifications.
(D) The Secretary shall make a proportional adjustment in the standardized amounts determined under paragraph (3) to assure that the provisions of subparagraphs (B) and (C) or a decision of the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board or the Secretary under paragraph (10) do not result in aggregate payments under this section that are greater or less than those that would otherwise be made.
(E)(i) For purposes of this subsection, not later than 60 days after the receipt of an application (in a form and manner determined by the Secretary) from a subsection (d) hospital described in clause (ii), the Secretary shall treat the hospital as being located in the rural area (as defined in paragraph (2)(D)) of the State in which the hospital is located.
(ii) For purposes of clause (i), a subsection (d) hospital described in this clause is a subsection (d) hospital that is located in an urban area (as defined in paragraph (2)(D)) and satisfies any of the following criteria:
(I) The hospital is located in a rural census tract of a metropolitan statistical area (as determined under the most recent modification of the Goldsmith Modification, originally published in the Federal Register on February 27, 1992 (57 Fed. Reg. 6725)).
(II) The hospital is located in an area designated by any law or regulation of such State as a rural area (or is designated by such State as a rural hospital).
(III) The hospital would qualify as a rural, regional, or national referral center under paragraph (5)(C) or as a sole community hospital under paragraph (5)(D) if the hospital were located in a rural area.
(IV) The hospital meets such other criteria as the Secretary may specify.
(9)(A) Notwithstanding
(i) the applicable Puerto Rico percentage (specified in subparagraph (E)) of the Puerto Rico adjusted DRG prospective payment rate (determined under subparagraph (B) or (C)) for such discharges,
(ii) the applicable Federal percentage (specified in subparagraph (E)) of—
(I) for discharges beginning in a fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 1997, and before October 1, 2003, the discharge-weighted average of—
(aa) the national adjusted DRG prospective payment rate (determined under paragraph (3)(D)) for hospitals located in a large urban area,
(bb) such rate for hospitals located in other urban areas, and
(cc) such rate for hospitals located in a rural area,
for such discharges, adjusted in the manner provided in paragraph (3)(E) for different area wage levels; and
(II) for discharges in a fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 2003, the national DRG prospective payment rate determined under paragraph (3)(D)(iii) for hospitals located in any area for such discharges, adjusted in the manner provided in paragraph (3)(E) for different area wage levels.
As used in this section, the term "subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospital" means a hospital that is located in Puerto Rico and that would be a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in paragraph (1)(B)) if it were located in one of the 50 States.
(B) The Secretary shall determine a Puerto Rico adjusted DRG prospective payment rate, for each inpatient hospital discharge in fiscal year 1988 involving inpatient hospital services of a subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospital for which payment may be made under part A of this subchapter. Such rate shall be determined for such hospitals located in urban or rural areas within Puerto Rico, as follows:
(i) The Secretary shall determine the target amount (as defined in subsection (b)(3)(A) of this section) for the hospital for the cost reporting period beginning in fiscal year 1987 and increase such amount by prorating the applicable percentage increase (as defined in subsection (b)(3)(B) of this section) to update the amount to the midpoint in fiscal year 1988.
(ii) The Secretary shall standardize the amount determined under clause (i) for each hospital by—
(I) excluding an estimate of indirect medical education costs,
(II) adjusting for variations among hospitals by area in the average hospital wage level,
(III) adjusting for variations in case mix among hospitals, and
(IV) excluding an estimate of the additional payments to certain subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospitals to be made under subparagraph (D)(iii) (relating to disproportionate share payments).
(iii) The Secretary shall compute a discharge weighted average of the standardized amounts determined under clause (ii) for all hospitals located in an urban area and for all hospitals located in a rural area (as such terms are defined in paragraph (2)(D)).
(iv) The Secretary shall reduce the average standardized amount by a proportion equal to the proportion (estimated by the Secretary) of the amount of payments under this paragraph which are additional payments described in subparagraph (D)(i) (relating to outlier payments).
(v) For each discharge classified within a diagnosis-related group for hospitals located in an urban or rural area, respectively, the Secretary shall establish a Puerto Rico DRG prospective payment rate equal to the product of—
(I) the average standardized amount (computed under clause (iii) and reduced under clause (iv)) for hospitals located in an urban or rural area, respectively, and
(II) the weighting factor (determined under paragraph (4)(B)) for that diagnosis-related group.
(vi) The Secretary shall adjust the proportion (as estimated by the Secretary from time to time) of hospitals' costs which are attributable to wages and wage-related costs, of the Puerto Rico DRG prospective payment rate computed under clause (v) for area differences in hospital wage levels by a factor (established by the Secretary) reflecting the relative hospital wage level in the geographic area of the hospital compared to the Puerto Rican average hospital wage level.
(C) The Secretary shall determine a Puerto Rico adjusted DRG prospective payment rate, for each inpatient hospital discharge after fiscal year 1988 involving inpatient hospital services of a subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospital for which payment may be made under part A of this subchapter. Such rate shall be determined for hospitals located in urban or rural areas within Puerto Rico as follows:
(i)(I) For discharges in a fiscal year after fiscal year 1988 and before fiscal year 2004, the Secretary shall compute an average standardized amount for hospitals located in an urban area and for hospitals located in a rural area equal to the respective average standardized amount computed for the previous fiscal year under subparagraph (B)(iii) or under this clause, increased for fiscal year 1989 by the applicable percentage increase under subsection (b)(3)(B) of this section, and adjusted for subsequent fiscal years in accordance with the final determination of the Secretary under subsection (e)(4) of this section, and adjusted to reflect the most recent case-mix data available.
(II) For discharges occurring in a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2004), the Secretary shall compute an average standardized amount for hospitals located in any area of Puerto Rico that is equal to the average standardized amount computed under subclause (I) for fiscal year 2003 for hospitals in a large urban area (or, beginning with fiscal year 2005, for all hospitals in the previous fiscal year) increased by the applicable percentage increase under subsection (b)(3)(B) of this section for the fiscal year involved.
(ii) The Secretary shall reduce each of the average standardized amounts (or for fiscal year 2004 and thereafter, the average standardized amount) by a proportion equal to the proportion (estimated by the Secretary) of the amount of payments under this paragraph which are additional payments described in subparagraph (D)(i) (relating to outlier payments).
(iii) For each discharge classified within a diagnosis-related group for hospitals located in an urban or rural area, respectively, the Secretary shall establish a Puerto Rico DRG prospective payment rate equal to the product of—
(I) the average standardized amount (computed under clause (i) and reduced under clause (ii)), and
(II) the weighting factor (determined under paragraph (4)(B)) for that diagnosis-related group.
(iv)(I) The Secretary shall adjust the proportion (as estimated by the Secretary from time to time) of hospitals' costs which are attributable to wages and wage-related costs, of the Puerto Rico DRG prospective payment rate computed under clause (iii) for area differences in hospital wage levels by a factor (established by the Secretary) reflecting the relative hospital wage level in the geographic area of the hospital compared to the Puerto Rico average hospital wage level. The second and third sentences of paragraph (3)(E)(i) shall apply to subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospitals under this clause in the same manner as they apply to subsection (d) hospitals under such paragraph and, for purposes of this clause, any reference in such paragraph to a subsection (d) hospital is deemed a reference to a subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospital.
(II) For discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2004, the Secretary shall substitute "62 percent" for the proportion described in the first sentence of clause (i), unless the application of this subclause would result in lower payments to a hospital than would otherwise be made.
(D) The following provisions of paragraph (5) shall apply to subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospitals receiving payment under this paragraph in the same manner and to the extent as they apply to subsection (d) hospitals receiving payment under this subsection:
(i) Subparagraph (A) (relating to outlier payments).
(ii) Subparagraph (B) (relating to payments for indirect medical education costs), except that for this purpose the sum of the amount determined under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and the amount paid to the hospital under clause (i) of this subparagraph shall be substituted for the sum referred to in paragraph (5)(B)(i)(I).
(iii) Subparagraph (F) (relating to disproportionate share payments), except that for this purpose the sum described in clause (ii) of this subparagraph shall be substituted for the sum referred to in paragraph (5)(F)(ii)(I).
(iv) Subparagraph (H) (relating to exceptions and adjustments).
(E) For purposes of subparagraph (A), for discharges occurring—
(i) on or after October 1, 1987, and before October 1, 1997, the applicable Puerto Rico percentage is 75 percent and the applicable Federal percentage is 25 percent;
(ii) on or after October 1, 1997, and before April 1, 2004, the applicable Puerto Rico percentage is 50 percent and the applicable Federal percentage is 50 percent;
(iii) on or after April 1, 2004, and before October 1, 2004, the applicable Puerto Rico percentage is 37.5 percent and the applicable Federal percentage is 62.5 percent; and
(iv) on or after October 1, 2004, the applicable Puerto Rico percentage is 25 percent and the applicable Federal percentage is 75 percent.
(10)(A) There is hereby established the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board (hereinafter in this paragraph referred to as the "Board").
(B)(i) The Board shall be composed of 5 members appointed by the Secretary without regard to the provisions of title 5, governing appointments in the competitive service. Two of such members shall be representative of subsection (d) hospitals located in a rural area under paragraph (2)(D). At least 1 member shall be knowledgeable in the field of analyzing costs with respect to the provision of inpatient hospital services.
(ii) The Secretary shall make initial appointments to the Board as provided in this paragraph within 180 days after December 19, 1989.
(C)(i) The Board shall consider the application of any subsection (d) hospital requesting that the Secretary change the hospital's geographic classification for purposes of determining for a fiscal year—
(I) the hospital's average standardized amount under paragraph (2)(D), or
(II) the factor used to adjust the DRG prospective payment rate for area differences in hospital wage levels that applies to such hospital under paragraph (3)(E).
(ii) A hospital requesting a change in geographic classification under clause (i) for a fiscal year shall submit its application to the Board not later than the first day of the 13-month period ending on September 30 of the preceding fiscal year.
(iii)(I) The Board shall render a decision on an application submitted under clause (i) not later than 180 days after the deadline referred to in clause (ii).
(II) Appeal of decisions of the Board shall be subject to the provisions of section 557b 8 of title 5. The Secretary shall issue a decision on such an appeal not later than 90 days after the date on which the appeal is filed. The decision of the Secretary shall be final and shall not be subject to judicial review.
(D)(i) The Secretary shall publish guidelines to be utilized by the Board in rendering decisions on applications submitted under this paragraph, and shall include in such guidelines the following:
(I) Guidelines for comparing wages, taking into account (to the extent the Secretary determines appropriate) occupational mix, in the area in which the hospital is classified and the area in which the hospital is applying to be classified.
(II) Guidelines for determining whether the county in which the hospital is located should be treated as being a part of a particular Metropolitan Statistical Area.
(III) Guidelines for considering information provided by an applicant with respect to the effects of the hospital's geographic classification on access to inpatient hospital services by medicare beneficiaries.
(IV) Guidelines for considering the appropriateness of the criteria used to define New England County Metropolitan Areas.
(ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), if the Secretary uses a method for making adjustments to the DRG prospective payment rate for area differences in hospital wage levels under paragraph (3)(E) that is not based on the use of Metropolitan Statistical Area classifications, the Secretary may revise the guidelines published under clause (i) to the extent such guidelines are used to determine the appropriateness of the geographic area in which the hospital is determined to be located for purposes of making such adjustments.
(iii) Under the guidelines published by the Secretary under clause (i), in the case of a hospital which has ever been classified by the Secretary as a rural referral center under paragraph (5)(C), the Board may not reject the application of the hospital under this paragraph on the basis of any comparison between the average hourly wage of the hospital and the average hourly wage of hospitals in the area in which it is located.
(iv) The Secretary shall publish the guidelines described in clause (i) by July 1, 1990.
(v) Any decision of the Board to reclassify a subsection (d) hospital for purposes of the adjustment factor described in subparagraph (C)(i)(II) for fiscal year 2001 or any fiscal year thereafter shall be effective for a period of 3 fiscal years, except that the Secretary shall establish procedures under which a subsection (d) hospital may elect to terminate such reclassification before the end of such period.
(vi) Such guidelines shall provide that, in making decisions on applications for reclassification for the purposes described in clause (v) for fiscal year 2003 and any succeeding fiscal year, the Board shall base any comparison of the average hourly wage for the hospital with the average hourly wage for hospitals in an area on—
(I) an average of the average hourly wage amount for the hospital from the most recently published hospital wage survey data of the Secretary (as of the date on which the hospital applies for reclassification) and such amount from each of the two immediately preceding surveys; and
(II) an average of the average hourly wage amount for hospitals in such area from the most recently published hospital wage survey data of the Secretary (as of the date on which the hospital applies for reclassification) and such amount from each of the two immediately preceding surveys.
(E)(i) The Board shall have full power and authority to make rules and establish procedures, not inconsistent with the provisions of this subchapter or regulations of the Secretary, which are necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this paragraph. In the course of any hearing the Board may administer oaths and affirmations. The provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of
(ii) The Board is authorized to engage such technical assistance and to receive such information as may be required to carry out its functions, and the Secretary shall, in addition, make available to the Board such secretarial, clerical, and other assistance as the Board may require to carry out its functions.
(F)(i) Each member of the Board who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for grade GS–18 of the General Schedule under
(ii) Members of the Board shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of
(11)
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(12)
(A)
(B)
(i) The Secretary shall determine the empirical relationship for subsection (d) hospitals between the standardized cost-per-case for such hospitals and the total number of discharges of such hospitals and the amount of the additional incremental costs (if any) that are associated with such number of discharges.
(ii) The applicable percentage increase shall be determined based upon such relationship in a manner that reflects, based upon the number of such discharges for a subsection (d) hospital, such additional incremental costs.
(iii) In no case shall the applicable percentage increase exceed 25 percent.
(C)
(i)
(ii)
(D)
(13)(A) In order to recognize commuting patterns among geographic areas, the Secretary shall establish a process through application or otherwise for an increase of the wage index applied under paragraph (3)(E) for subsection (d) hospitals located in a qualifying county described in subparagraph (B) in the amount computed under subparagraph (D) based on out-migration of hospital employees who reside in that county to any higher wage index area.
(B) The Secretary shall establish criteria for a qualifying county under this subparagraph based on the out-migration referred to in subparagraph (A) and differences in the area wage indices. Under such criteria the Secretary shall, utilizing such data as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, establish—
(i) a threshold percentage, established by the Secretary, of the weighted average of the area wage index or indices for the higher wage index areas involved;
(ii) a threshold (of not less than 10 percent) for minimum out-migration to a higher wage index area or areas; and
(iii) a requirement that the average hourly wage of the hospitals in the qualifying county equals or exceeds the average hourly wage of all the hospitals in the area in which the qualifying county is located.
(C) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "higher wage index area" means, with respect to a county, an area with a wage index that exceeds that of the county.
(D) The increase in the wage index under subparagraph (A) for a qualifying county shall be equal to the percentage of the hospital employees residing in the qualifying county who are employed in any higher wage index area multiplied by the sum of the products, for each higher wage index area of—
(i) the difference between—
(I) the wage index for such higher wage index area, and
(II) the wage index of the qualifying county; and
(ii) the number of hospital employees residing in the qualifying county who are employed in such higher wage index area divided by the total number of hospital employees residing in the qualifying county who are employed in any higher wage index area.
(E) The process under this paragraph may be based upon the process used by the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board under paragraph (10). As the Secretary determines to be appropriate to carry out such process, the Secretary may require hospitals (including subsection (d) hospitals and other hospitals) and critical access hospitals, as required under
(F) A wage index increase under this paragraph shall be effective for a period of 3 fiscal years, except that the Secretary shall establish procedures under which a subsection (d) hospital may elect to waive the application of such wage index increase.
(G) A hospital in a county that has a wage index increase under this paragraph for a period and that has not waived the application of such an increase under subparagraph (F) is not eligible for reclassification under paragraph (8) or (10) during that period.
(H) Any increase in a wage index under this paragraph for a county shall not be taken into account for purposes of—
(i) computing the wage index for portions of the wage index area (not including the county) in which the county is located; or
(ii) applying any budget neutrality adjustment with respect to such index under paragraph (8)(D).
(I) The thresholds described in subparagraph (B), data on hospital employees used under this paragraph, and any determination of the Secretary under the process described in subparagraph (E) shall be final and shall not be subject to judicial review.
(e) Proportional adjustments in applicable percentage increases
(1)(A) For cost reporting periods of hospitals beginning in fiscal year 1984 or fiscal year 1985, the Secretary shall provide for such proportional adjustment in the applicable percentage increase (otherwise applicable to the periods under subsection (b)(3)(B) of this section) as may be necessary to assure that—
(i) the aggregate payment amounts otherwise provided under subsection (d)(1)(A)(i)(I) of this section for that fiscal year for operating costs of inpatient hospital services of hospitals (excluding payments made under
are not greater or less than—
(ii) the target percentage (as defined in subsection (d)(1)(C) of this section) of the payment amounts which would have been payable for such services for those same hospitals for that fiscal year under this section under the law as in effect before April 20, 1983 (excluding payments made under
except that the adjustment made under this subparagraph shall apply only to subsection (d) hospitals and shall not apply for purposes of making computations under subsection (d)(2)(B)(ii) of this section or subsection (d)(3)(A) of this section.
(B) For discharges occurring in fiscal year 1984 or fiscal year 1985, the Secretary shall provide under subsections (d)(2)(F) and (d)(3)(C) of this section for such equal proportional adjustment in each of the average standardized amounts otherwise computed for that fiscal year as may be necessary to assure that—
(i) the aggregate payment amounts otherwise provided under subsection (d)(1)(A)(i)(II) and (d)(5) of this section for that fiscal year for operating costs of inpatient hospital services of hospitals (excluding payments made under
are not greater or less than—
(ii) the DRG percentage (as defined in subsection (d)(1)(C) of this section) of the payment amounts which would have been payable for such services for those same hospitals for that fiscal year under this section under the law as in effect before April 20, 1983 (excluding payments made under
(C) For discharges occurring in fiscal year 1988, the Secretary shall provide for such equal proportional adjustment in each of the average standardized amounts otherwise computed under subsection (d)(3) of this section for that fiscal year as may be necessary to assure that—
(i) the aggregate payment amounts otherwise provided under subsections (d)(1)(A)(iii), (d)(5), and (d)(9) of this section for that fiscal year for operating costs of inpatient hospital services of subsection (d) hospitals and subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospitals,
are not greater or less than—
(ii) the payment amounts that would have been payable for such services for those same hospitals for that fiscal year but for the enactment of the amendments made by section 9304 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986.
(2) Repealed.
(3) Repealed.
(4)(A) Taking into consideration the recommendations of the Commission, the Secretary shall recommend for each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1988) an appropriate change factor for inpatient hospital services for discharges in that fiscal year which will take into account amounts necessary for the efficient and effective delivery of medically appropriate and necessary care of high quality. The appropriate change factor may be different for all large urban subsection (d) hospitals, other urban subsection (d) hospitals, urban subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospitals, rural subsection (d) hospitals, and rural subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospitals, and all other hospitals and units not paid under subsection (d) of this section, and may vary among such other hospitals and units.
(B) In addition to the recommendation made under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Commission under paragraph (2)(B), recommend for each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1992) other appropriate changes in each existing reimbursement policy under this subchapter under which payments to an institution are based upon prospectively determined rates.
(5) The Secretary shall cause to have published in the Federal Register, not later than—
(A) the April 1 before each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1986), the Secretary's proposed recommendations under paragraph (4) for that fiscal year for public comment, and
(B) the August 1 before such fiscal year after such consideration of public comment on the proposal as is feasible in the time available, the Secretary's final recommendations under such paragraph for that year.
The Secretary shall include in the publication referred to in subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year the report of the Commission's recommendations submitted under paragraph (3) for that fiscal year. To the extent that the Secretary's recommendations under paragraph (4) differ from the Commission's recommendations for that fiscal year, the Secretary shall include in the publication referred to in subparagraph (A) an explanation of the Secretary's grounds for not following the Commission's recommendations.
(f) Reporting of costs of hospitals receiving payments on basis of prospective rates
(1)(A) The Secretary shall maintain a system for the reporting of costs of hospitals receiving payments computed under subsection (d) of this section.
(B)(i) Subject to clause (ii), the Secretary shall place into effect a standardized electronic cost reporting format for hospitals under this subchapter.
(ii) The Secretary may delay or waive the implementation of such format in particular instances where such implementation would result in financial hardship (in particular with respect to hospitals with a small percentage of inpatients entitled to benefits under this subchapter).
(2) If the Secretary determines, based upon information supplied by a utilization and quality control peer review organization under part B of subchapter XI of this chapter, that a hospital, in order to circumvent the payment method established under subsection (b) or (d) of this section, has taken an action that results in the admission of individuals entitled to benefits under part A unnecessarily, unnecessary multiple admissions of the same such individuals, or other inappropriate medical or other practices with respect to such individuals, the Secretary may—
(A) deny payment (in whole or in part) under part A of this subchapter with respect to inpatient hospital services provided with respect to such an unnecessary admission (or subsequent admission of the same individual), or
(B) require the hospital to take other corrective action necessary to prevent or correct the inappropriate practice.
(3) The provisions of subsections (c) through (g) of
(g) Prospective payment for capital-related costs; return on equity capital for hospitals
(1)(A) Notwithstanding
(B) Such system—
(i) shall provide for (I) a payment on a per discharge basis, and (II) an appropriate weighting of such payment amount as relates to the classification of the discharge;
(ii) may provide for an adjustment to take into account variations in the relative costs of capital and construction for the different types of facilities or areas in which they are located;
(iii) may provide for such exceptions (including appropriate exceptions to reflect capital obligations) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, and
(iv) may provide for suitable adjustment to reflect hospital occupancy rate.
(C) In this paragraph, the term "capital-related costs" has the meaning given such term by the Secretary under subsection (a)(4) of this section as of September 30, 1987, and does not include a return on equity capital.
(2)(A) The Secretary shall provide that the amount which is allowable, with respect to reasonable costs of inpatient hospital services for which payment may be made under this subchapter, for a return on equity capital for hospitals shall, for cost reporting periods beginning on or after April 20, 1983, be equal to amounts otherwise allowable under regulations in effect on March 1, 1983, except that the rate of return to be recognized shall be equal to the applicable percentage (described in subparagraph (B)) of the average of the rates of interest, for each of the months any part of which is included in the reporting period, on obligations issued for purchase by the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.
(B) In this paragraph, the "applicable percentage" is—
(i) 75 percent, for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 1987,
(ii) 50 percent, for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 1988,
(iii) 25 percent, for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 1989, and
(iv) 0 percent, for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1989.
(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in determining the amount of the payments that may be made under this subchapter with respect to all the capital-related costs of inpatient hospital services of a subsection (d) hospital and a subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospital, the Secretary shall reduce the amounts of such payments otherwise established under this subchapter by—
(i) 3.5 percent for payments attributable to portions of cost reporting periods occurring during fiscal year 1987,
(ii) 7 percent for payments attributable to portions of cost reporting periods or discharges (as the case may be) occurring during fiscal year 1988 on or after October 1, 1987, and before January 1, 1988,
(iii) 12 percent for payments attributable to portions of cost reporting periods or discharges (as the case may be) in fiscal year 1988, occurring on or after January 1, 1988,
(iv) 15 percent for payments attributable to portions of cost reporting periods or discharges (as the case may be) occurring during fiscal year 1989, and
(v) 15 percent for payments attributable to portions of cost reporting periods or discharges (as the case may be) occurring during the period beginning January 1, 1990, and ending September 30, 1991.
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to payments with respect to the capital-related costs of any hospital that is a sole community hospital (as defined in subsection (d)(5)(D)(iii) of this section) or a critical access hospital (as defined in
(4) In determining the amount of the payments that are attributable to portions of cost reporting periods occurring during fiscal years 1998 through 2002 and that may be made under this subchapter with respect to capital-related costs of inpatient hospital services of a hospital which is described in clause (i), (ii), or (iv) of subsection (d)(1)(B) of this section or a unit described in the matter after clause (v) of such subsection, the Secretary shall reduce the amounts of such payments otherwise determined under this subchapter by 15 percent.
(h) Payments for direct graduate medical education costs
(1) Substitution of special payment rules
Notwithstanding
(2) Determination of hospital-specific approved FTE resident amounts
The Secretary shall determine, for each hospital with an approved medical residency training program, an approved FTE resident amount for each cost reporting period beginning on or after July 1, 1985, as follows:
(A) Determining allowable average cost per FTE resident in a hospital's base period
The Secretary shall determine, for the hospital's cost reporting period that began during fiscal year 1984, the average amount recognized as reasonable under this subchapter for direct graduate medical education costs of the hospital for each full-time-equivalent resident.
(B) Updating to the first cost reporting period
(i) In general
The Secretary shall update each average amount determined under subparagraph (A) by the percentage increase in the consumer price index during the 12-month cost reporting period described in such subparagraph.
(ii) Exception
The Secretary shall not perform an update under clause (i) in the case of a hospital if the hospital's reporting period, described in subparagraph (A), began on or after July 1, 1984, and before October 1, 1984.
(C) Amount for first cost reporting period
For the first cost reporting period of the hospital beginning on or after July 1, 1985, the approved FTE resident amount for the hospital is equal to the amount determined under subparagraph (B) increased by 1 percent.
(D) Amount for subsequent cost reporting periods
(i) In general
Except as provided in a subsequent clause, for each subsequent cost reporting period, the approved FTE resident amount for the hospital is equal to the approved FTE resident amount determined under this paragraph for the previous cost reporting period updated, through the midpoint of the period, by projecting the estimated percentage change in the consumer price index during the 12-month period ending at that midpoint, with appropriate adjustments to reflect previous under- or over-estimations under this subparagraph in the projected percentage change in the consumer price index.
(ii) Freeze in update for fiscal years 1994 and 1995
For cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 1994 or fiscal year 1995, the approved FTE resident amount for a hospital shall not be updated under clause (i) for a resident who is not a primary care resident (as defined in paragraph (5)(H)) or a resident enrolled in an approved medical residency training program in obstetrics and gynecology.
(iii) Floor for locality adjusted national average per resident amount
The approved FTE resident amount for a hospital for the cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 2001 shall not be less than 70 percent, and for the cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 2002 shall not be less than 85 percent, of the locality adjusted national average per resident amount computed under subparagraph (E) for the hospital and period.
(iv) Adjustment in rate of increase for hospitals with FTE approved amount above 140 percent of locality adjusted national average per resident amount
(I) Freeze for fiscal years 2001 and 2002 and 2004 through 2013
For a cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 2001 or fiscal year 2002 or during the period beginning with fiscal year 2004 and ending with fiscal year 2013, if the approved FTE resident amount for a hospital for the preceding cost reporting period exceeds 140 percent of the locality adjusted national average per resident amount computed under subparagraph (E) for that hospital and period, subject to subclause (III), the approved FTE resident amount for the period involved shall be the same as the approved FTE resident amount for the hospital for such preceding cost reporting period.
(II) 2 percent decrease in update for fiscal years 2003, 2004, and 2005
For the cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 2003, if the approved FTE resident amount for a hospital for the preceding cost reporting period exceeds 140 percent of the locality adjusted national average per resident amount computed under subparagraph (E) for that hospital and preceding period, the approved FTE resident amount for the period involved shall be updated in the manner described in subparagraph (D)(i) except that, subject to subclause (III), the consumer price index applied for a 12-month period shall be reduced (but not below zero) by 2 percentage points.
(III) No adjustment below 140 percent
In no case shall subclause (I) or (II) reduce an approved FTE resident amount for a hospital for a cost reporting period below 140 percent of the locality adjusted national average per resident amount computed under subparagraph (E) for such hospital and period.
(E) Determination of locality adjusted national average per resident amount
The Secretary shall determine a locality adjusted national average per resident amount with respect to a cost reporting period of a hospital beginning during a fiscal year as follows:
(i) Determining hospital single per resident amount
The Secretary shall compute for each hospital operating an approved graduate medical education program a single per resident amount equal to the average (weighted by number of full-time equivalent residents, as determined under paragraph (4)) of the primary care per resident amount and the non-primary care per resident amount computed under paragraph (2) for cost reporting periods ending during fiscal year 1997.
(ii) Standardizing per resident amounts
The Secretary shall compute a standardized per resident amount for each such hospital by dividing the single per resident amount computed under clause (i) by an average of the 3 geographic index values (weighted by the national average weight for each of the work, practice expense, and malpractice components) as applied under
(iii) Computing of weighted average
The Secretary shall compute the average of the standardized per resident amounts computed under clause (ii) for such hospitals, with the amount for each hospital weighted by the average number of full-time equivalent residents at such hospital (as determined under paragraph (4)).
(iv) Computing national average per resident amount
The Secretary shall compute the national average per resident amount, for a hospital's cost reporting period that begins during fiscal year 2001, equal to the weighted average computed under clause (iii) increased by the estimated percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers during the period beginning with the month that represents the midpoint of the cost reporting periods described in clause (i) and ending with the midpoint of the hospital's cost reporting period that begins during fiscal year 2001.
(v) Adjusting for locality
The Secretary shall compute the product of—
(I) the national average per resident amount computed under clause (iv) for the hospital, and
(II) the geographic index value average (described and applied under clause (ii)) for the fee schedule area in which the hospital is located.
(vi) Computing locality adjusted amount
The locality adjusted national per resident amount for a hospital for—
(I) the cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 2001 is the product computed under clause (v); or
(II) each subsequent cost reporting period is equal to the locality adjusted national per resident amount for the hospital for the previous cost reporting period (as determined under this clause) updated, through the midpoint of the period, by projecting the estimated percentage change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers during the 12-month period ending at that midpoint.
(F) Treatment of certain hospitals
In the case of a hospital that did not have an approved medical residency training program or was not participating in the program under this subchapter for a cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1984, the Secretary shall, for the first such period for which it has such a residency training program and is participating under this subchapter, provide for such approved FTE resident amount as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, based on approved FTE resident amounts for comparable programs.
(3) Hospital payment amount per resident
(A) In general
The payment amount, for a hospital cost reporting period beginning on or after July 1, 1985, is equal to the product of—
(i) the aggregate approved amount (as defined in subparagraph (B)) for that period, and
(ii) the hospital's medicare patient load (as defined in subparagraph (C)) for that period.
(B) Aggregate approved amount
As used in subparagraph (A), the term "aggregate approved amount" means, for a hospital cost reporting period, the product of—
(i) the hospital's approved FTE resident amount (determined under paragraph (2)) for that period, and
(ii) the weighted average number of full-time-equivalent residents (as determined under paragraph (4)) in the hospital's approved medical residency training programs in that period.
The Secretary shall reduce the aggregate approved amount to the extent payment is made under subsection (k) of this section for residents included in the hospital's count of full-time equivalent residents.
(C) Medicare patient load
As used in subparagraph (A), the term "medicare patient load" means, with respect to a hospital's cost reporting period, the fraction of the total number of inpatient-bed-days (as established by the Secretary) during the period which are attributable to patients with respect to whom payment may be made under part A of this subchapter.
(D) Payment for managed care enrollees
(i) In general
For portions of cost reporting periods occurring on or after January 1, 1998, the Secretary shall provide for an additional payment amount under this subsection for services furnished to individuals who are enrolled under a risk-sharing contract with an eligible organization under
(I) the aggregate approved amount (as defined in subparagraph (B)) for that period; and
(II) the fraction of the total number of inpatient-bed days (as established by the Secretary) during the period which are attributable to such enrolled individuals.
(ii) Applicable percentage
For purposes of clause (i), the applicable percentage is—
(I) 20 percent in 1998,
(II) 40 percent in 1999,
(III) 60 percent in 2000,
(IV) 80 percent in 2001, and
(V) 100 percent in 2002 and subsequent years.
(iii) Proportional reduction for nursing and allied health education
The Secretary shall estimate a proportional adjustment in payments to all hospitals determined under clauses (i) and (ii) for portions of cost reporting periods beginning in a year (beginning with 2000) such that the proportional adjustment reduces payments in an amount for such year equal to the total additional payment amounts for nursing and allied health education determined under subsection (l) of this section for portions of cost reporting periods occurring in that year.
(iv) Special rule for hospitals under reimbursement system
The Secretary shall establish rules for the application of this subparagraph to a hospital reimbursed under a reimbursement system authorized under
(4) Determination of full-time-equivalent residents
(A) Rules
The Secretary shall establish rules consistent with this paragraph for the computation of the number of full-time-equivalent residents in an approved medical residency training program.
(B) Adjustment for part-year or part-time residents
Such rules shall take into account individuals who serve as residents for only a portion of a period with a hospital or simultaneously with more than one hospital.
(C) Weighting factors for certain residents
Subject to subparagraph (D), such rules shall provide, in calculating the number of full-time-equivalent residents in an approved residency program—
(i) before July 1, 1986, for each resident the weighting factor is 1.00,
(ii) on or after July 1, 1986, for a resident who is in the resident's initial residency period (as defined in paragraph (5)(F)), the weighting factor is 1.00,
(iii) on or after July 1, 1986, and before July 1, 1987, for a resident who is not in the resident's initial residency period (as defined in paragraph (5)(F)), the weighting factor is .75, and
(iv) on or after July 1, 1987, for a resident who is not in the resident's initial residency period (as defined in paragraph (5)(F)), the weighting factor is .50.
(D) Foreign medical graduates required to pass FMGEMS examination
(i) In general
Except as provided in clause (ii), such rules shall provide that, in the case of an individual who is a foreign medical graduate (as defined in paragraph (5)(D)), the individual shall not be counted as a resident on or after July 1, 1986, unless—
(I) the individual has passed the FMGEMS examination (as defined in paragraph (5)(E)), or
(II) the individual has previously received certification from, or has previously passed the examination of, the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.
(ii) Transition for current FMGS
On or after July 1, 1986, but before July 1, 1987, in the case of a foreign medical graduate who—
(I) has served as a resident before July 1, 1986, and is serving as a resident after that date, but
(II) has not passed the FMGEMS examination or a previous examination of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates before July 1, 1986,
the individual shall be counted as a resident at a rate equal to one-half of the rate at which the individual would otherwise be counted.
(E) Counting time spent in outpatient settings
Subject to subparagraphs (J) and (K), such rules shall provide that only time spent in activities relating to patient care shall be counted and that—
(i) effective for cost reporting periods beginning before July 1, 2010, all the time; 9 so spent by a resident under an approved medical residency training program shall be counted towards the determination of full-time equivalency, without regard to the setting in which the activities are performed, if the hospital incurs all, or substantially all, of the costs for the training program in that setting; and
(ii) effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after July 1, 2010, all the time so spent by a resident shall be counted towards the determination of full-time equivalency, without regard to the setting in which the activities are performed, if a hospital incurs the costs of the stipends and fringe benefits of the resident during the time the resident spends in that setting. If more than one hospital incurs these costs, either directly or through a third party, such hospitals shall count a proportional share of the time, as determined by written agreement between the hospitals, that a resident spends training in that setting.
Any hospital claiming under this subparagraph for time spent in a nonprovider setting shall maintain and make available to the Secretary records regarding the amount of such time and such amount in comparison with amounts of such time in such base year as the Secretary shall specify.
(F) Limitation on number of residents in allopathic and osteopathic medicine
(i) In general
Such rules shall provide that for purposes of a cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 1997, subject to paragraphs (7) and (8), the total number of full-time equivalent residents before application of weighting factors (as determined under this paragraph) with respect to a hospital's approved medical residency training program in the fields of allopathic medicine and osteopathic medicine may not exceed the number (or, 130 percent of such number in the case of a hospital located in a rural area) of such full-time equivalent residents for the hospital's most recent cost reporting period ending on or before December 31, 1996.
(ii) Counting primary care residents on certain approved leaves of absence in base year FTE count
(I) In general
In determining the number of such full-time equivalent residents for a hospital's most recent cost reporting period ending on or before December 31, 1996, for purposes of clause (i), the Secretary shall count an individual to the extent that the individual would have been counted as a primary care resident for such period but for the fact that the individual, as determined by the Secretary, was on maternity or disability leave or a similar approved leave of absence.
(II) Limitation to 3 FTE residents for any hospital
The total number of individuals counted under subclause (I) for a hospital may not exceed 3 full-time equivalent residents.
(G) Counting interns and residents for FY 1998 and subsequent years
(i) In general
For cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 1997, subject to the limit described in subparagraph (F), the total number of full-time equivalent residents for determining a hospital's graduate medical education payment shall equal the average of the actual full-time equivalent resident counts for the cost reporting period and the preceding two cost reporting periods.
(ii) Adjustment for short periods
If any cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 1997, is not equal to twelve months, the Secretary shall make appropriate modifications to ensure that the average full-time equivalent resident counts pursuant to clause (i) are based on the equivalent of full twelve-month cost reporting periods.
(iii) Transition rule for 1998
In the case of a hospital's first cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 1997, clause (i) shall be applied by using the average for such period and the preceding cost reporting period.
(H) Special rules for application of subparagraphs (F) and (G)
(i) New facilities
The Secretary shall, consistent with the principles of subparagraphs (F) and (G) and subject to paragraphs (7) and (8), prescribe rules for the application of such subparagraphs in the case of medical residency training programs established on or after January 1, 1995. In promulgating such rules for purposes of subparagraph (F), the Secretary shall give special consideration to facilities that meet the needs of underserved rural areas.
(ii) Aggregation
The Secretary may prescribe rules which allow institutions which are members of the same affiliated group (as defined by the Secretary) to elect to apply the limitation of subparagraph (F) on an aggregate basis.
(iii) Data collection
The Secretary may require any entity that operates a medical residency training program and to which subparagraphs (F) and (G) apply to submit to the Secretary such additional information as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out such subparagraphs.
(iv) Nonrural hospitals operating training programs in rural areas
In the case of a hospital that is not located in a rural area but establishes separately accredited approved medical residency training programs (or rural tracks) in an 10 rural area or has an accredited training program with an integrated rural track, the Secretary shall adjust the limitation under subparagraph (F) in an appropriate manner insofar as it applies to such programs in such rural areas in order to encourage the training of physicians in rural areas.
(v) Special provider agreement
If an entity enters into a provider agreement pursuant to
(I) the limitation on the number of total full time equivalent residents under subparagraph (F) and clauses (v) and (vi)(I) of subsection (d)(5)(B) applicable to such provider shall be equal to the limitation applicable under such provisions to Provider No. 05–0578 for its cost reporting period ending on June 30, 2006; and
(II) the provisions of subparagraph (G) and subsection (d)(5)(B)(vi)(II) shall not be applicable to such provider for the first three cost reporting years in which such provider trains residents under any approved medical residency training program.
(vi) Redistribution of residency slots after a hospital closes
(I) In general
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this clause, the Secretary shall, by regulation, establish a process under which, in the case where a hospital (other than a hospital described in clause (v)) with an approved medical residency program closes on or after a date that is 2 years before March 23, 2010, the Secretary shall increase the otherwise applicable resident limit under this paragraph for other hospitals in accordance with this clause.
(II) Priority for hospitals in certain areas
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this clause, in determining for which hospitals the increase in the otherwise applicable resident limit is provided under such process, the Secretary shall distribute the increase to hospitals in the following priority order (with preference given within each category to hospitals that are members of the same affiliated group (as defined by the Secretary under clause (ii)) as the closed hospital):
(aa) First, to hospitals located in the same core-based statistical area as, or a core-based statistical area contiguous to, the hospital that closed.
(bb) Second, to hospitals located in the same State as the hospital that closed.
(cc) Third, to hospitals located in the same region of the country as the hospital that closed.
(dd) Fourth, only if the Secretary is not able to distribute the increase to hospitals described in item (cc), to qualifying hospitals in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (8).
(III) Requirement hospital likely to fill position within certain time period
The Secretary may only increase the otherwise applicable resident limit of a hospital under such process if the Secretary determines the hospital has demonstrated a likelihood of filling the positions made available under this clause within 3 years.
(IV) Limitation
The aggregate number of increases in the otherwise applicable resident limits for hospitals under this clause shall be equal to the number of resident positions in the approved medical residency programs that closed on or after the date described in subclause (I).
(V) Administration
(J) 11 Treatment of certain nonprovider and didactic activities
Such rules shall provide that all time spent by an intern or resident in an approved medical residency training program in a nonprovider setting that is primarily engaged in furnishing patient care (as defined in paragraph (5)(K)) in non-patient care activities, such as didactic conferences and seminars, but not including research not associated with the treatment or diagnosis of a particular patient, as such time and activities are defined by the Secretary, shall be counted toward the determination of full-time equivalency.
(K) Treatment of certain other activities
In determining the hospital's number of full-time equivalent residents for purposes of this subsection, all the time that is spent by an intern or resident in an approved medical residency training program on vacation, sick leave, or other approved leave, as such time is defined by the Secretary, and that does not prolong the total time the resident is participating in the approved program beyond the normal duration of the program shall be counted toward the determination of full-time equivalency.
(5) Definitions and special rules
As used in this subsection:
(A) Approved medical residency training program
The term "approved medical residency training program" means a residency or other postgraduate medical training program participation in which may be counted toward certification in a specialty or subspecialty and includes formal postgraduate training programs in geriatric medicine approved by the Secretary.
(B) Consumer price index
The term "consumer price index" refers to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (United States city average), as published by the Secretary of Commerce.
(C) Direct graduate medical education costs
The term "direct graduate medical education costs" means direct costs of approved educational activities for approved medical residency training programs.
(D) Foreign medical graduate
The term "foreign medical graduate" means a resident who is not a graduate of—
(i) a school of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education of the American Medical Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges (or approved by such Committee as meeting the standards necessary for such accreditation),
(ii) a school of osteopathy accredited by the American Osteopathic Association, or approved by such Association as meeting the standards necessary for such accreditation, or
(iii) a school of dentistry or podiatry which is accredited (or meets the standards for accreditation) by an organization recognized by the Secretary for such purpose.
(E) FMGEMS examination
The term "FMGEMS examination" means parts I and II of the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination in the Medical Sciences or any successor examination recognized by the Secretary for this purpose.
(F) Initial residency period
The term "initial residency period" means the period of board eligibility, except that—
(i) except as provided in clause (ii), in no case shall the initial period of residency exceed an aggregate period of formal training of more than five years for any individual, and
(ii) a period, of not more than two years, during which an individual is in a geriatric residency or fellowship program or a preventive medicine residency or fellowship program which meets such criteria as the Secretary may establish, shall be treated as part of the initial residency period, but shall not be counted against any limitation on the initial residency period.
Subject to subparagraph (G)(v), the initial residency period shall be determined, with respect to a resident, as of the time the resident enters the residency training program.
(G) Period of board eligibility
(i) General rule
Subject to clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), and (v), the term "period of board eligibility" means, for a resident, the minimum number of years of formal training necessary to satisfy the requirements for initial board eligibility in the particular specialty for which the resident is training.
(ii) Application of 1985–1986 directory
Except as provided in clause (iii), the period of board eligibility shall be such period specified in the 1985–1986 Directory of Residency Training Programs published by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education.
(iii) Changes in period of board eligibility
On or after July 1, 1989, if the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education, in its Directory of Residency Training Programs—
(I) increases the minimum number of years of formal training necessary to satisfy the requirements for a specialty, above the period specified in its 1985–1986 Directory, the Secretary may increase the period of board eligibility for that specialty, but not to exceed the period of board eligibility specified in that later Directory, or
(II) decreases the minimum number of years of formal training necessary to satisfy the requirements for a specialty, below the period specified in its 1985–1986 Directory, the Secretary may decrease the period of board eligibility for that specialty, but not below the period of board eligibility specified in that later Directory.
(iv) Special rule for certain primary care combined residency programs
(I) In the case of a resident enrolled in a combined medical residency training program in which all of the individual programs (that are combined) are for training a primary care resident (as defined in subparagraph (H)), the period of board eligibility shall be the minimum number of years of formal training required to satisfy the requirements for initial board eligibility in the longest of the individual programs plus one additional year.
(II) A resident enrolled in a combined medical residency training program that includes an obstetrics and gynecology program shall qualify for the period of board eligibility under subclause (I) if the other programs such resident combines with such obstetrics and gynecology program are for training a primary care resident.
(v) Child neurology training programs
In the case of a resident enrolled in a child neurology residency training program, the period of board eligibility and the initial residency period shall be the period of board eligibility for pediatrics plus 2 years.
(H) Primary care resident
The term "primary care resident" means a resident enrolled in an approved medical residency training program in family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, preventive medicine, geriatric medicine, or osteopathic general practice.
(I) Resident
The term "resident" includes an intern or other participant in an approved medical residency training program.
(J) Adjustments for certain family practice residency programs
(i) In general
In the case of an approved medical residency training program (meeting the requirements of clause (ii)) of a hospital which received funds from the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State or an instrumentality of such a State or political subdivision (other than payments under this subchapter or a State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter) for the program during the cost reporting period that began during fiscal year 1984, the Secretary shall—
(I) provide for an average amount under paragraph (2)(A) that takes into account the Secretary's estimate of the amount that would have been recognized as reasonable under this subchapter if the hospital had not received such funds, and
(II) reduce the payment amount otherwise provided under this subsection in an amount equal to the proportion of such program funds received during the cost reporting period involved that is allocable to this subchapter.
(ii) Additional requirements
A hospital's approved medical residency program meets the requirements of this clause if—
(I) the program is limited to training for family and community medicine;
(II) the program is the only approved medical residency program of the hospital; and
(III) the average amount determined under paragraph (2)(A) for the hospital (as determined without regard to the increase in such amount described in clause (i)(I)) does not exceed $10,000.
(K) Nonprovider setting that is primarily engaged in furnishing patient care
The term "nonprovider setting that is primarily engaged in furnishing patient care" means a nonprovider setting in which the primary activity is the care and treatment of patients, as defined by the Secretary.
(6) Incentive payment under plans for voluntary reduction in number of residents
(A) In general
In the case of a voluntary residency reduction plan for which an application is approved under subparagraph (B), subject to subparagraph (F), each hospital which is part of the qualifying entity submitting the plan shall be paid an applicable hold harmless percentage (as specified in subparagraph (E)) of the sum of—
(i) the amount (if any) by which—
(I) the amount of payment which would have been made under this subsection if there had been a 5-percent reduction in the number of full-time equivalent residents in the approved medical education training programs of the hospital as of June 30, 1997, exceeds
(II) the amount of payment which is made under this subsection, taking into account the reduction in such number effected under the reduction plan; and
(ii) the amount of the reduction in payment under subsection (d)(5)(B) of this section for the hospital that is attributable to the reduction in number of residents effected under the plan below 95 percent of the number of full-time equivalent residents in such programs of the hospital as of June 30, 1997.
The determination of the amounts under clauses (i) and (ii) for any year shall be made on the basis of the provisions of this subchapter in effect on the application deadline date for the first calendar year to which the reduction plan applies.
(B) Approval of plan applications
The Secretary may not approve the application of an qualifying entity unless—
(i) the application is submitted in a form and manner specified by the Secretary and by not later than November 1, 1999,12
(ii) the application provides for the operation of a plan for the reduction in the number of full-time equivalent residents in the approved medical residency training programs of the entity consistent with the requirements of subparagraph (D);
(iii) the entity elects in the application the period of residency training years (not greater than 5) over which the reduction will occur;
(iv) the entity will not reduce the proportion of its residents in primary care (to the total number of residents) below such proportion as in effect as of the applicable time described in subparagraph (D)(v); and
(v) the Secretary determines that the application and the entity and such plan meet such other requirements as the Secretary specifies in regulations.
(C) Qualifying entity
For purposes of this paragraph, any of the following may be a qualifying entity:
(i) Individual hospitals operating one or more approved medical residency training programs.
(ii) Two or more hospitals that operate such programs and apply for treatment under this paragraph as a single qualifying entity.
(iii) A qualifying consortium (as described in section 4628 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997).
(D) Residency reduction requirements
(i) Individual hospital applicants
In the case of a qualifying entity described in subparagraph (C)(i), the number of full-time equivalent residents in all the approved medical residency training programs operated by or through the entity shall be reduced as follows:
(I) If the base number of residents exceeds 750 residents, by a number equal to at least 20 percent of such base number.
(II) Subject to subclause (IV), if the base number of residents exceeds 600 but is less than 750 residents, by 150 residents.
(III) Subject to subclause (IV), if the base number of residents does not exceed 600 residents, by a number equal to at least 25 percent of such base number.
(IV) In the case of a qualifying entity which is described in clause (v) and which elects treatment under this subclause, by a number equal to at least 20 percent of the base number.
(ii) Joint applicants
In the case of a qualifying entity described in subparagraph (C)(ii), the number of full-time equivalent residents in the aggregate for all the approved medical residency training programs operated by or through the entity shall be reduced as follows:
(I) Subject to subclause (II), by a number equal to at least 25 percent of the base number.
(II) In the case of such a qualifying entity which is described in clause (v) and which elects treatment under this subclause, by a number equal to at least 20 percent of the base number.
(iii) Consortia
In the case of a qualifying entity described in subparagraph (C)(iii), the number of full-time equivalent residents in the aggregate for all the approved medical residency training programs operated by or through the entity shall be reduced by a number equal to at least 20 percent of the base number.
(iv) Manner of reduction
The reductions specified under the preceding provisions of this subparagraph for a qualifying entity shall be below the base number of residents for that entity and shall be fully effective not later than the 5th residency training year in which the application under subparagraph (B) is effective.
(v) Entities providing assurance of increase in primary care residents
An entity is described in this clause if—
(I) the base number of residents for the entity is less than 750 or the entity is described in subparagraph (C)(ii); and
(II) the entity represents in its application under subparagraph (B) that it will increase the number of full-time equivalent residents in primary care by at least 20 percent (from such number included in the base number of residents) by not later than the 5th residency training year in which the application under subparagraph (B) is effective.
If a qualifying entity fails to comply with the representation described in subclause (II) by the end of such 5th residency training year, the entity shall be subject to repayment of all amounts paid under this paragraph, in accordance with procedures established to carry out subparagraph (F).
(vi) "Base number of residents" defined
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "base number of residents" means, with respect to a qualifying entity (or its participating hospitals) operating approved medical residency training programs, the number of full-time equivalent residents in such programs (before application of weighting factors) of the entity as of the most recent residency training year ending before June 30, 1997, or, if less, for any subsequent residency training year that ends before the date the entity makes application under this paragraph.
(E) Applicable hold harmless percentage
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the "applicable hold harmless percentage" for the—
(i) first and second residency training years in which the reduction plan is in effect, 100 percent,
(ii) third such year, 75 percent,
(iii) fourth such year, 50 percent, and
(iv) fifth such year, 25 percent.
(F) Penalty for noncompliance
(i) In general
No payment may be made under this paragraph to a hospital for a residency training year if the hospital has failed to reduce the number of full-time equivalent residents (in the manner required under subparagraph (D)) to the number agreed to by the Secretary and the qualifying entity in approving the application under this paragraph with respect to such year.
(ii) Increase in number of residents in subsequent years
If payments are made under this paragraph to a hospital, and if the hospital increases the number of full-time equivalent residents above the number of such residents permitted under the reduction plan as of the completion of the plan, then, as specified by the Secretary, the entity is liable for repayment to the Secretary of the total amounts paid under this paragraph to the entity.
(G) Treatment of rotating residents
In applying this paragraph, the Secretary shall establish rules regarding the counting of residents who are assigned to institutions the medical residency training programs in which are not covered under approved applications under this paragraph.
(7) Redistribution of unused resident positions
(A) Reduction in limit based on unused positions
(i) Programs subject to reduction
(I) In general
Except as provided in subclause (II), if a hospital's reference resident level (specified in clause (ii)) is less than the otherwise applicable resident limit (as defined in subparagraph (C)(ii)), effective for portions of cost reporting periods occurring on or after July 1, 2005, the otherwise applicable resident limit shall be reduced by 75 percent of the difference between such otherwise applicable resident limit and such reference resident level.
(II) Exception for small rural hospitals
This subparagraph shall not apply to a hospital located in a rural area (as defined in subsection (d)(2)(D)(ii) of this section) with fewer than 250 acute care inpatient beds.
(ii) Reference resident level
(I) In general
Except as otherwise provided in subclauses (II) and (III), the reference resident level specified in this clause for a hospital is the resident level for the most recent cost reporting period of the hospital ending on or before September 30, 2002, for which a cost report has been settled (or, if not, submitted (subject to audit)), as determined by the Secretary.
(II) Use of most recent accounting period to recognize expansion of existing programs
If a hospital submits a timely request to increase its resident level due to an expansion of an existing residency training program that is not reflected on the most recent settled cost report, after audit and subject to the discretion of the Secretary, the reference resident level for such hospital is the resident level for the cost reporting period that includes July 1, 2003, as determined by the Secretary.
(III) Expansions under newly approved programs
Upon the timely request of a hospital, the Secretary shall adjust the reference resident level specified under subclause (I) or (II) to include the number of medical residents that were approved in an application for a medical residency training program that was approved by an appropriate accrediting organization (as determined by the Secretary) before January 1, 2002, but which was not in operation during the cost reporting period used under subclause (I) or (II), as the case may be, as determined by the Secretary.
(iii) Affiliation
The provisions of clause (i) shall be applied to hospitals which are members of the same affiliated group (as defined by the Secretary under paragraph (4)(H)(ii)) as of July 1, 2003.
(B) Redistribution
(i) In general
The Secretary is authorized to increase the otherwise applicable resident limit for each qualifying hospital that submits a timely application under this subparagraph by such number as the Secretary may approve for portions of cost reporting periods occurring on or after July 1, 2005. The aggregate number of increases in the otherwise applicable resident limits under this subparagraph may not exceed the Secretary's estimate of the aggregate reduction in such limits attributable to subparagraph (A).
(ii) Considerations in redistribution
In determining for which hospitals the increase in the otherwise applicable resident limit is provided under clause (i), the Secretary shall take into account the demonstrated likelihood of the hospital filling the positions within the first 3 cost reporting periods beginning on or after July 1, 2005, made available under this subparagraph, as determined by the Secretary.
(iii) Priority for rural and small urban areas
In determining for which hospitals and residency training programs an increase in the otherwise applicable resident limit is provided under clause (i), the Secretary shall distribute the increase to programs of hospitals located in the following priority order:
(I) First, to hospitals located in rural areas (as defined in subsection (d)(2)(D)(ii) of this section).
(II) Second, to hospitals located in urban areas that are not large urban areas (as defined for purposes of subsection (d) of this section).
(III) Third, to other hospitals in a State if the residency training program involved is in a specialty for which there are not other residency training programs in the State.
Increases of residency limits within the same priority category under this clause shall be determined by the Secretary.
(iv) Limitation
In no case shall more than 25 full-time equivalent additional residency positions be made available under this subparagraph with respect to any hospital.
(v) Application of locality adjusted national average per resident amount
With respect to additional residency positions in a hospital attributable to the increase provided under this subparagraph, notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the approved FTE resident amount is deemed to be equal to the locality adjusted national average per resident amount computed under paragraph (4)(E) for that hospital.
(vi) Construction
Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as permitting the redistribution of reductions in residency positions attributable to voluntary reduction programs under paragraph (6), under a demonstration project approved as of October 31, 2003, under the authority of section 402 of
(C) Resident level and limit defined
In this paragraph:
(i) Resident level
The term "resident level" means, with respect to a hospital, the total number of full-time equivalent residents, before the application of weighting factors (as determined under paragraph (4)), in the fields of allopathic and osteopathic medicine for the hospital.
(ii) Otherwise applicable resident limit
The term "otherwise applicable resident limit" means, with respect to a hospital, the limit otherwise applicable under subparagraphs (F)(i) and (H) of paragraph (4) on the resident level for the hospital determined without regard to this paragraph.
(D) Adjustment based on settled cost report
In the case of a hospital with a dual accredited osteopathic and allopathic family practice program for which—
(i) the otherwise applicable resident limit was reduced under subparagraph (A)(i)(I); and
(ii) such reduction was based on a reference resident level that was determined using a cost report and where a revised or corrected notice of program reimbursement was issued for such cost report between September 1, 2006 and September 15, 2006, whether as a result of an appeal or otherwise, and the reference resident level under such settled cost report is higher than the level used for the reduction under subparagraph (A)(i)(I);
the Secretary shall apply subparagraph (A)(i)(I) using the higher resident reference level and make any necessary adjustments to such reduction. Any such necessary adjustments shall be effective for portions of cost reporting periods occurring on or after July 1, 2005.
(E) Judicial review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(8) Distribution of additional residency positions
(A) Reductions in limit based on unused positions
(i) In general
Except as provided in clause (ii), if a hospital's reference resident level (as defined in subparagraph (H)(i)) is less than the otherwise applicable resident limit (as defined in subparagraph (H)(iii)), effective for portions of cost reporting periods occurring on or after July 1, 2011, the otherwise applicable resident limit shall be reduced by 65 percent of the difference between such otherwise applicable resident limit and such reference resident level.
(ii) Exceptions
This subparagraph shall not apply to—
(I) a hospital located in a rural area (as defined in subsection (d)(2)(D)(ii)) with fewer than 250 acute care inpatient beds;
(II) a hospital that was part of a qualifying entity which had a voluntary residency reduction plan approved under paragraph (6)(B) or under the authority of section 402 of
(III) a hospital described in paragraph (4)(H)(v).
(B) Distribution
(i) In general
The Secretary shall increase the otherwise applicable resident limit for each qualifying hospital that submits an application under this subparagraph by such number as the Secretary may approve for portions of cost reporting periods occurring on or after July 1, 2011. The aggregate number of increases in the otherwise applicable resident limit under this subparagraph shall be equal to the aggregate reduction in such limits attributable to subparagraph (A) (as estimated by the Secretary).
(ii) Requirements
Subject to clause (iii), a hospital that receives an increase in the otherwise applicable resident limit under this subparagraph shall ensure, during the 5-year period beginning on the date of such increase, that—
(I) the number of full-time equivalent primary care residents, as defined in paragraph (5)(H) (as determined by the Secretary), excluding any additional positions under subclause (II), is not less than the average number of full-time equivalent primary care residents (as so determined) during the 3 most recent cost reporting periods ending prior to March 23, 2010; and
(II) not less than 75 percent of the positions attributable to such increase are in a primary care or general surgery residency (as determined by the Secretary).
The Secretary may determine whether a hospital has met the requirements under this clause during such 5-year period in such manner and at such time as the Secretary determines appropriate, including at the end of such 5-year period.
(iii) Redistribution of positions if hospital no longer meets certain requirements
In the case where the Secretary determines that a hospital described in clause (ii) does not meet either of the requirements under subclause (I) or (II) of such clause, the Secretary shall—
(I) reduce the otherwise applicable resident limit of the hospital by the amount by which such limit was increased under this paragraph; and
(II) provide for the distribution of positions attributable to such reduction in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph.
(C) Considerations in redistribution
In determining for which hospitals the increase in the otherwise applicable resident limit is provided under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall take into account—
(i) the demonstration likelihood of the hospital filling the positions made available under this paragraph within the first 3 cost reporting periods beginning on or after July 1, 2011, as determined by the Secretary; and
(ii) whether the hospital has an accredited rural training track (as described in paragraph (4)(H)(iv)).
(D) Priority for certain areas
In determining for which hospitals the increase in the otherwise applicable resident limit is provided under subparagraph (B), subject to subparagraph (E), the Secretary shall distribute the increase to hospitals based on the following factors:
(i) Whether the hospital is located in a State with a resident-to-population ratio in the lowest quartile (as determined by the Secretary).
(ii) Whether the hospital is located in a State, a territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia that is among the top 10 States, territories, or Districts in terms of the ratio of—
(I) the total population of the State, territory, or District living in an area designated (under such section 332(a)(1)(A) 5) as a health professional shortage area (as of the date of enactment of this paragraph); to
(II) the total population of the State, territory, or District (as determined by the Secretary based on the most recent available population data published by the Bureau of the Census).
(iii) Whether the hospital is located in a rural area (as defined in subsection (d)(2)(D)(ii)).
(E) Reservation of positions for certain hospitals
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), the Secretary shall reserve the positions available for distribution under this paragraph as follows:
(I) 70 percent of such positions for distribution to hospitals described in clause (i) of subparagraph (D).
(II) 30 percent of such positions for distribution to hospitals described in clause (ii) and (iii) of such subparagraph.
(ii) Exception if positions not redistributed by July 1, 2011
In the case where the Secretary does not distribute positions to hospitals in accordance with clause (i) by July 1, 2011, the Secretary shall distribute such positions to other hospitals in accordance with the considerations described in subparagraph (C) and the priority described in subparagraph (D).
(F) Limitation
A hospital may not receive more than 75 full-time equivalent additional residency positions under this paragraph.
(G) Application of per resident amounts for primary care and nonprimary care
With respect to additional residency positions in a hospital attributable to the increase provided under this paragraph, the approved FTE per resident amounts are deemed to be equal to the hospital per resident amounts for primary care and nonprimary care computed under paragraph (2)(D) for that hospital.
(H) Definitions
In this paragraph:
(i) Reference resident level
The term "reference resident level" means, with respect to a hospital, the highest resident level for any of the 3 most recent cost reporting periods (ending before March 23, 2010) of the hospital for which a cost report has been settled (or, if not, submitted (subject to audit)), as determined by the Secretary.
(ii) Resident level
The term "resident level" has the meaning given such term in paragraph (7)(C)(i).
(iii) Otherwise applicable resident limit
The term "otherwise applicable resident limit" means, with respect to a hospital, the limit otherwise applicable under subparagraphs (F)(i) and (H) of paragraph (4) on the resident level for the hospital determined without regard to this paragraph but taking into account paragraph (7)(A).
(I) Affiliation
The provisions of this paragraph shall be applied to hospitals which are members of the same affiliated group (as defined by the Secretary under paragraph (4)(H)(ii)) and the reference resident level for each such hospital shall be the reference resident level with respect to the cost reporting period that results in the smallest difference between the reference resident level and the otherwise applicable resident limit.
(i) Avoiding duplicative payments to hospitals participating in rural demonstration programs
The Secretary shall reduce any payment amounts otherwise determined under this section to the extent necessary to avoid duplication of any payment made under section 4005(e) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987.
(j) Prospective payment for inpatient rehabilitation services
(1) Payment during transition period
(A) In general
Notwithstanding
(i) the TEFRA percentage (as defined in subparagraph (C)) of the amount that would have been paid under part A of this subchapter with respect to such costs if this subsection did not apply, and
(ii) the prospective payment percentage (as defined in subparagraph (C)) of the product of (I) the per unit payment rate established under this subsection for the fiscal year in which the payment unit of service occurs, and (II) the number of such payment units occurring in the cost reporting period.
(B) Fully implemented system
Notwithstanding
(C) TEFRA and prospective payment percentages specified
For purposes of subparagraph (A), for a cost reporting period beginning—
(i) on or after October 1, 2000, and before October 1, 2001, the "TEFRA percentage" is 662/3 percent and the "prospective payment percentage" is 331/3 percent; and
(ii) on or after October 1, 2001, and before October 1, 2002, the "TEFRA percentage" is 331/3 percent and the "prospective payment percentage" is 662/3 percent.
(D) Payment unit
For purposes of this subsection, the term "payment unit" means a discharge.
(E) Construction relating to transfer authority
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing the Secretary from providing for an adjustment to payments to take into account the early transfer of a patient from a rehabilitation facility to another site of care.
(F) Election to apply full prospective payment system
A rehabilitation facility may elect, not later than 30 days before its first cost reporting period for which the payment methodology under this subsection applies to the facility, to have payment made to the facility under this subsection under the provisions of subparagraph (B) (rather than subparagraph (A)) for each cost reporting period to which such payment methodology applies.
(2) Patient case mix groups
(A) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish—
(i) classes of patient discharges of rehabilitation facilities by functional-related groups (each in this subsection referred to as a "case mix group"), based on impairment, age, comorbidities, and functional capability of the patient and such other factors as the Secretary deems appropriate to improve the explanatory power of functional independence measure-function related groups; and
(ii) a method of classifying specific patients in rehabilitation facilities within these groups.
(B) Weighting factors
For each case mix group the Secretary shall assign an appropriate weighting which reflects the relative facility resources used with respect to patients classified within that group compared to patients classified within other groups.
(C) Adjustments for case mix
(i) In general
The Secretary shall from time to time adjust the classifications and weighting factors established under this paragraph as appropriate to reflect changes in treatment patterns, technology, case mix, number of payment units for which payment is made under this subchapter, and other factors which may affect the relative use of resources. Such adjustments shall be made in a manner so that changes in aggregate payments under the classification system are a result of real changes and are not a result of changes in coding that are unrelated to real changes in case mix.
(ii) Adjustment
Insofar as the Secretary determines that such adjustments for a previous fiscal year (or estimates that such adjustments for a future fiscal year) did (or are likely to) result in a change in aggregate payments under the classification system during the fiscal year that are a result of changes in the coding or classification of patients that do not reflect real changes in case mix, the Secretary shall adjust the per payment unit payment rate for subsequent years so as to eliminate the effect of such coding or classification changes.
(D) Data collection
The Secretary is authorized to require rehabilitation facilities that provide inpatient hospital services to submit such data as the Secretary deems necessary to establish and administer the prospective payment system under this subsection.
(3) Payment rate
(A) In general
The Secretary shall determine a prospective payment rate for each payment unit for which such rehabilitation facility is entitled to receive payment under this subchapter. Subject to subparagraph (B), such rate for payment units occurring during a fiscal year shall be based on the average payment per payment unit under this subchapter for inpatient operating and capital costs of rehabilitation facilities using the most recent data available (as estimated by the Secretary as of the date of establishment of the system) adjusted—
(i) by updating such per-payment-unit amount to the fiscal year involved by the weighted average of the applicable percentage increases provided under subsection (b)(3)(B)(ii) of this section (for cost reporting periods beginning during the fiscal year) covering the period from the midpoint of the period for such data through the midpoint of fiscal year 2000 and by an increase factor (described in subparagraph (C)) specified by the Secretary for subsequent fiscal years up to the fiscal year involved;
(ii) by reducing such rates by a factor equal to the proportion of payments under this subsection (as estimated by the Secretary) based on prospective payment amounts which are additional payments described in paragraph (4) (relating to outlier and related payments);
(iii) for variations among rehabilitation facilities by area under paragraph (6);
(iv) by the weighting factors established under paragraph (2)(B); and
(v) by such other factors as the Secretary determines are necessary to properly reflect variations in necessary costs of treatment among rehabilitation facilities.
(B) Budget neutral rates
The Secretary shall establish the prospective payment amounts under this subsection for payment units during fiscal years 2001 and 2002 at levels such that, in the Secretary's estimation, the amount of total payments under this subsection for such fiscal years (including any payment adjustments pursuant to paragraphs (4) and (6) but not taking into account any payment adjustment resulting from an election permitted under paragraph (1)(F)) shall be equal to 98 percent for fiscal year 2001 and 100 percent for fiscal year 2002 of the amount of payments that would have been made under this subchapter during the fiscal years for operating and capital costs of rehabilitation facilities had this subsection not been enacted. In establishing such payment amounts, the Secretary shall consider the effects of the prospective payment system established under this subsection on the total number of payment units from rehabilitation facilities and other factors described in subparagraph (A).
(C) Increase factor
(i) In general
For purposes of this subsection for payment units in each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2001), the Secretary shall establish an increase factor subject to clause (ii). Such factor shall be based on an appropriate percentage increase in a market basket of goods and services comprising services for which payment is made under this subsection, which may be the market basket percentage increase described in subsection (b)(3)(B)(iii) of this section. The increase factor to be applied under this subparagraph for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009 shall be 0 percent.
(ii) Productivity and other adjustment
After establishing the increase factor described in clause (i) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reduce such increase factor—
(I) for fiscal year 2012 and each subsequent fiscal year, by the productivity adjustment described in subsection (b)(3)(B)(xi)(II); and
(II) for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2019, by the other adjustment described in subparagraph (D).
The application of this clause may result in the increase factor under this subparagraph being less than 0.0 for a fiscal year, and may result in payment rates under this subsection for a fiscal year being less than such payment rates for the preceding fiscal year.
(D) Other adjustment
For purposes of subparagraph (C)(ii)(II), the other adjustment described in this subparagraph is—
(i) for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011, 0.25 percentage point;
(ii) for each of fiscal years 2012 and 2013, 0.1 percentage point;
(iii) for fiscal year 2014, 0.3 percentage point;
(iv) for each of fiscal years 2015 and 2016, 0.2 percentage point; and
(v) for each of fiscal years 2017, 2018, and 2019, 0.75 percentage point.
(4) Outlier and special payments
(A) Outliers
(i) In general
The Secretary may provide for an additional payment to a rehabilitation facility for patients in a case mix group, based upon the patient being classified as an outlier based on an unusual length of stay, costs, or other factors specified by the Secretary.
(ii) Payment based on marginal cost of care
The amount of such additional payment under clause (i) shall be determined by the Secretary and shall approximate the marginal cost of care beyond the cutoff point applicable under clause (i).
(iii) Total payments
The total amount of the additional payments made under this subparagraph for payment units in a fiscal year may not exceed 5 percent of the total payments projected or estimated to be made based on prospective payment rates for payment units in that year.
(B) Adjustment
The Secretary may provide for such adjustments to the payment amounts under this subsection as the Secretary deems appropriate to take into account the unique circumstances of rehabilitation facilities located in Alaska and Hawaii.
(5) Publication
The Secretary shall provide for publication in the Federal Register, on or before August 1 before each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2001), of the classification and weighting factors for case mix groups under paragraph (2) for such fiscal year and a description of the methodology and data used in computing the prospective payment rates under this subsection for that fiscal year.
(6) Area wage adjustment
The Secretary shall adjust the proportion (as estimated by the Secretary from time to time) of rehabilitation facilities' costs which are attributable to wages and wage-related costs, of the prospective payment rates computed under paragraph (3) for area differences in wage levels by a factor (established by the Secretary) reflecting the relative hospital wage level in the geographic area of the rehabilitation facility compared to the national average wage level for such facilities. Not later than October 1, 2001 (and at least every 36 months thereafter), the Secretary shall update the factor under the preceding sentence on the basis of information available to the Secretary (and updated as appropriate) of the wages and wage-related costs incurred in furnishing rehabilitation services. Any adjustments or updates made under this paragraph for a fiscal year shall be made in a manner that assures that the aggregated payments under this subsection in the fiscal year are not greater or less than those that would have been made in the year without such adjustment.
(7) Quality reporting
(A) Reduction in update for failure to report
(i) In general
For purposes of fiscal year 2014 and each subsequent fiscal year, in the case of a rehabilitation facility that does not submit data to the Secretary in accordance with subparagraph (C) with respect to such a fiscal year, after determining the increase factor described in paragraph (3)(C), and after application of paragraph (3)(D), the Secretary shall reduce such increase factor for payments for discharges occurring during such fiscal year by 2 percentage points.
(ii) Special rule
The application of this subparagraph may result in the increase factor described in paragraph (3)(C) being less than 0.0 for a fiscal year, and may result in payment rates under this subsection for a fiscal year being less than such payment rates for the preceding fiscal year.
(B) Noncumulative application
Any reduction under subparagraph (A) shall apply only with respect to the fiscal year involved and the Secretary shall not take into account such reduction in computing the payment amount under this subsection for a subsequent fiscal year.
(C) Submission of quality data
For fiscal year 2014 and each subsequent rate year, each rehabilitation facility shall submit to the Secretary data on quality measures specified under subparagraph (D). Such data shall be submitted in a form and manner, and at a time, specified by the Secretary for purposes of this subparagraph.
(D) Quality measures
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), any measure specified by the Secretary under this subparagraph must have been endorsed by the entity with a contract under
(ii) Exception
In the case of a specified area or medical topic determined appropriate by the Secretary for which a feasible and practical measure has not been endorsed by the entity with a contract under
(iii) Time frame
Not later than October 1, 2012, the Secretary shall publish the measures selected under this subparagraph that will be applicable with respect to fiscal year 2014.
(E) Public availability of data submitted
The Secretary shall establish procedures for making data submitted under subparagraph (C) available to the public. Such procedures shall ensure that a rehabilitation facility has the opportunity to review the data that is to be made public with respect to the facility prior to such data being made public. The Secretary shall report quality measures that relate to services furnished in inpatient settings in rehabilitation facilities on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
(8) Limitation on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(A) case mix groups, of the methodology for the classification of patients within such groups, and of the appropriate weighting factors thereof under paragraph (2),
(B) the prospective payment rates under paragraph (3),
(C) outlier and special payments under paragraph (4), and
(D) area wage adjustments under paragraph (6).
(k) Payment to nonhospital providers
(1) In general
For cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1997, the Secretary may establish rules for payment to qualified nonhospital providers for their direct costs of medical education, if those costs are incurred in the operation of an approved medical residency training program described in subsection (h) of this section. Such rules shall specify the amounts, form, and manner in which such payments will be made and the portion of such payments that will be made from each of the trust funds under this subchapter.
(2) Qualified nonhospital providers
For purposes of this subsection, the term "qualified nonhospital providers" means—
(A) a Federally 14 qualified health center, as defined in
(B) a rural health clinic, as defined in
(C) Medicare+Choice organizations; and
(D) such other providers (other than hospitals) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(l) Payment for nursing and allied health education for managed care enrollees
(1) In general
For portions of cost reporting periods occurring in a year (beginning with 2000), the Secretary shall provide for an additional payment amount for any hospital that receives payments for the costs of approved educational activities for nurse and allied health professional training under
(2) Payment amount
The additional payment amount under this subsection for each hospital for portions of cost reporting periods occurring in a year shall be an amount specified by the Secretary in a manner consistent with the following:
(A) Determination of managed care enrollee payment ratio for graduate medical education payments
The Secretary shall estimate the ratio of payments for all hospitals for portions of cost reporting periods occurring in the year under subsection (h)(3)(D) of this section to total direct graduate medical education payments estimated for such portions of periods under subsection (h)(3) of this section.
(B) Application to fee-for-service nursing and allied health education payments
Such ratio shall be applied to the Secretary's estimate of total payments for nursing and allied health education determined under
(C) Application to hospital
The amount of payment under this subsection to a hospital for portions of cost reporting periods occurring in a year is equal to the total amount of payments determined under subparagraph (B) for the year multiplied by the ratio of—
(i) the product of (I) the Secretary's estimate of the ratio of the amount of payments made under
(ii) the sum of the products determined under clause (i) for such cost reporting periods.
(m) Prospective payment for long-term care hospitals
(1) Reference to establishment and implementation of system
For provisions related to the establishment and implementation of a prospective payment system for payments under this subchapter for inpatient hospital services furnished by a long-term care hospital described in subsection (d)(1)(B)(iv), see section 123 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 and section 307(b) of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000.
(2) Update for rate year 2008
In implementing the system described in paragraph (1) for discharges occurring during the rate year ending in 2008 for a hospital, the base rate for such discharges for the hospital shall be the same as the base rate for discharges for the hospital occurring during the rate year ending in 2007.
(3) Implementation for rate year 2010 and subsequent years
(A) In general
In implementing the system described in paragraph (1) for rate year 2010 and each subsequent rate year, any annual update to a standard Federal rate for discharges for the hospital during the rate year, shall be reduced—
(i) for rate year 2012 and each subsequent rate year, by the productivity adjustment described in subsection (b)(3)(B)(xi)(II); and
(ii) for each of rate years 2010 through 2019, by the other adjustment described in paragraph (4).
(B) Special rule
The application of this paragraph may result in such annual update being less than 0.0 for a rate year, and may result in payment rates under the system described in paragraph (1) for a rate year being less than such payment rates for the preceding rate year.
(4) Other adjustment
For purposes of paragraph (3)(A)(ii), the other adjustment described in this paragraph is—
(A) for rate year 2010, 0.25 percentage point;
(B) for rate year 2011, 0.50 percentage point;
(C) for each of the rate years beginning in 2012 and 2013, 0.1 percentage point;
(D) for rate year 2014, 0.3 percentage point;
(E) for each of rate years 2015 and 2016, 0.2 percentage point; and
(F) for each of rate years 2017, 2018, and 2019, 0.75 percentage point.
(5) Quality reporting
(A) Reduction in update for failure to report
(i) In general
Under the system described in paragraph (1), for rate year 2014 and each subsequent rate year, in the case of a long-term care hospital that does not submit data to the Secretary in accordance with subparagraph (C) with respect to such a rate year, any annual update to a standard Federal rate for discharges for the hospital during the rate year, and after application of paragraph (3), shall be reduced by 2 percentage points.
(ii) Special rule
The application of this subparagraph may result in such annual update being less than 0.0 for a rate year, and may result in payment rates under the system described in paragraph (1) for a rate year being less than such payment rates for the preceding rate year.
(B) Noncumulative application
Any reduction under subparagraph (A) shall apply only with respect to the rate year involved and the Secretary shall not take into account such reduction in computing the payment amount under the system described in paragraph (1) for a subsequent rate year.
(C) Submission of quality data
For rate year 2014 and each subsequent rate year, each long-term care hospital shall submit to the Secretary data on quality measures specified under subparagraph (D). Such data shall be submitted in a form and manner, and at a time, specified by the Secretary for purposes of this subparagraph.
(D) Quality measures
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), any measure specified by the Secretary under this subparagraph must have been endorsed by the entity with a contract under
(ii) Exception
In the case of a specified area or medical topic determined appropriate by the Secretary for which a feasible and practical measure has not been endorsed by the entity with a contract under
(iii) Time frame
Not later than October 1, 2012, the Secretary shall publish the measures selected under this subparagraph that will be applicable with respect to rate year 2014.
(E) Public availability of data submitted
The Secretary shall establish procedures for making data submitted under subparagraph (C) available to the public. Such procedures shall ensure that a long-term care hospital has the opportunity to review the data that is to be made public with respect to the hospital prior to such data being made public. The Secretary shall report quality measures that relate to services furnished in inpatient settings in long-term care hospitals on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
(n) Incentives for adoption and meaningful use of certified EHR technology
(1) In general
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection, with respect to inpatient hospital services furnished by an eligible hospital during a payment year (as defined in paragraph (2)(G)), if the eligible hospital is a meaningful EHR user (as determined under paragraph (3)) for the EHR reporting period with respect to such year, in addition to the amount otherwise paid under this section, there also shall be paid to the eligible hospital, from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund established under
(2) Payment amount
(A) In general
Subject to the succeeding subparagraphs of this paragraph, the applicable amount specified in this subparagraph for an eligible hospital for a payment year is equal to the product of the following:
(i) Initial amount
The sum of—
(I) the base amount specified in subparagraph (B); plus
(II) the discharge related amount specified in subparagraph (C) for a 12-month period selected by the Secretary with respect to such payment year.
(ii) Medicare share
The Medicare share as specified in subparagraph (D) for the eligible hospital for a period selected by the Secretary with respect to such payment year.
(iii) Transition factor
The transition factor specified in subparagraph (E) for the eligible hospital for the payment year.
(B) Base amount
The base amount specified in this subparagraph is $2,000,000.
(C) Discharge related amount
The discharge related amount specified in this subparagraph for a 12-month period selected by the Secretary shall be determined as the sum of the amount, estimated based upon total discharges for the eligible hospital (regardless of any source of payment) for the period, for each discharge up to the 23,000th discharge as follows:
(i) For the first through 1,149th discharge, $0.
(ii) For the 1,150th through the 23,000th discharge, $200.
(iii) For any discharge greater than the 23,000th, $0.
(D) Medicare share
The Medicare share specified under this subparagraph for an eligible hospital for a period selected by the Secretary for a payment year is equal to the fraction—
(i) the numerator of which is the sum (for such period and with respect to the eligible hospital) of—
(I) the estimated number of inpatient-bed-days (as established by the Secretary) which are attributable to individuals with respect to whom payment may be made under part A; and
(II) the estimated number of inpatient-bed-days (as so established) which are attributable to individuals who are enrolled with a Medicare Advantage organization under part C; and
(ii) the denominator of which is the product of—
(I) the estimated total number of inpatient-bed-days with respect to the eligible hospital during such period; and
(II) the estimated total amount of the eligible hospital's charges during such period, not including any charges that are attributable to charity care (as such term is used for purposes of hospital cost reporting under this subchapter), divided by the estimated total amount of the hospital's charges during such period.
Insofar as the Secretary determines that data are not available on charity care necessary to calculate the portion of the formula specified in clause (ii)(II), the Secretary shall use data on uncompensated care and may adjust such data so as to be an appropriate proxy for charity care including a downward adjustment to eliminate bad debt data from uncompensated care data. In the absence of the data necessary, with respect to a hospital, for the Secretary to compute the amount described in clause (ii)(II), the amount under such clause shall be deemed to be 1. In the absence of data, with respect to a hospital, necessary to compute the amount described in clause (i)(II), the amount under such clause shall be deemed to be 0.
(E) Transition factor specified
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), the transition factor specified in this subparagraph for an eligible hospital for a payment year is as follows:
(I) For the first payment year for such hospital, 1.
(II) For the second payment year for such hospital, ¾.
(III) For the third payment year for such hospital, ½.
(IV) For the fourth payment year for such hospital, ¼.
(V) For any succeeding payment year for such hospital, 0.
(ii) Phase down for eligible hospitals first adopting EHR after 2013
If the first payment year for an eligible hospital is after 2013, then the transition factor specified in this subparagraph for a payment year for such hospital is the same as the amount specified in clause (i) for such payment year for an eligible hospital for which the first payment year is 2013. If the first payment year for an eligible hospital is after 2015 then the transition factor specified in this subparagraph for such hospital and for such year and any subsequent year shall be 0.
(F) Form of payment
The payment under this subsection for a payment year may be in the form of a single consolidated payment or in the form of such periodic installments as the Secretary may specify.
(G) Payment year defined
(i) In general
For purposes of this subsection, the term "payment year" means a fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2011.
(ii) First, second, etc. payment year
The term "first payment year" means, with respect to inpatient hospital services furnished by an eligible hospital, the first fiscal year for which an incentive payment is made for such services under this subsection. The terms "second payment year", "third payment year", and "fourth payment year" mean, with respect to an eligible hospital, each successive year immediately following the first payment year for that hospital.
(3) Meaningful EHR user
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (1), an eligible hospital shall be treated as a meaningful EHR user for an EHR reporting period for a payment year (or, for purposes of subsection (b)(3)(B)(ix), for an EHR reporting period under such subsection for a fiscal year) if each of the following requirements are met:
(i) Meaningful use of certified EHR technology
The eligible hospital demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary, in accordance with subparagraph (C)(i), that during such period the hospital is using certified EHR technology in a meaningful manner.
(ii) Information exchange
The eligible hospital demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary, in accordance with subparagraph (C)(i), that during such period such certified EHR technology is connected in a manner that provides, in accordance with law and standards applicable to the exchange of information, for the electronic exchange of health information to improve the quality of health care, such as promoting care coordination.
(iii) Reporting on measures using EHR
Subject to subparagraph (B)(ii) and using such certified EHR technology, the eligible hospital submits information for such period, in a form and manner specified by the Secretary, on such clinical quality measures and such other measures as selected by the Secretary under subparagraph (B)(i).
The Secretary shall seek to improve the use of electronic health records and health care quality over time by requiring more stringent measures of meaningful use selected under this paragraph.
(B) Reporting on measures
(i) Selection
The Secretary shall select measures for purposes of subparagraph (A)(iii) but only consistent with the following:
(I) The Secretary shall provide preference to clinical quality measures that have been selected for purposes of applying subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii) or that have been endorsed by the entity with a contract with the Secretary under
(II) Prior to any measure (other than a clinical quality measure that has been selected for purposes of applying subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii)) being selected under this subparagraph, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register such measure and provide for a period of public comment on such measure.
(ii) Limitations
The Secretary may not require the electronic reporting of information on clinical quality measures under subparagraph (A)(iii) unless the Secretary has the capacity to accept the information electronically, which may be on a pilot basis.
(iii) Coordination of reporting of information
In selecting such measures, and in establishing the form and manner for reporting measures under subparagraph (A)(iii), the Secretary shall seek to avoid redundant or duplicative reporting with reporting otherwise required, including reporting under subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii).
(C) Demonstration of meaningful use of certified EHR technology and information exchange
(i) In general
An eligible hospital may satisfy the demonstration requirement of clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) through means specified by the Secretary, which may include—
(I) an attestation;
(II) the submission of claims with appropriate coding (such as a code indicating that inpatient care was documented using certified EHR technology);
(III) a survey response;
(IV) reporting under subparagraph (A)(iii); and
(V) other means specified by the Secretary.
(ii) Use of part D data
Notwithstanding
(4) Application
(A) Limitations on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(i) the methodology and standards for determining payment amounts under this subsection and payment adjustments under subsection (b)(3)(B)(ix), including selection of periods under paragraph (2) for determining, and making estimates or using proxies of, discharges under paragraph (2)(C) and inpatient-bed-days, hospital charges, charity charges, and Medicare share under paragraph (2)(D);
(ii) the methodology and standards for determining a meaningful EHR user under paragraph (3), including selection of measures under paragraph (3)(B), specification of the means of demonstrating meaningful EHR use under paragraph (3)(C), and the hardship exception under subsection (b)(3)(B)(ix)(II); and
(iii) the specification of EHR reporting periods under paragraph (6)(B) 15 and the selection of the form of payment under paragraph (2)(F).
(B) Posting on website
The Secretary shall post on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in an easily understandable format, a list of the names of the eligible hospitals that are meaningful EHR users under this subsection or subsection (b)(3)(B)(ix) (and a list of the names of critical access hospitals to which paragraph (3) or (4) of
(5) Certified EHR technology defined
The term "certified EHR technology" has the meaning given such term in section 1395w–4(o)(4) this title.
(6) Definitions
For purposes of this subsection:
(A) EHR reporting period
The term "EHR reporting period" means, with respect to a payment year, any period (or periods) as specified by the Secretary.
(B) Eligible hospital
The term "eligible hospital" means a subsection (d) hospital.
(o) Hospital value-based purchasing program
(1) Establishment
(A) In general
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection, the Secretary shall establish a hospital value-based purchasing program (in this subsection referred to as the "Program") under which value-based incentive payments are made in a fiscal year to hospitals that meet the performance standards under paragraph (3) for the performance period for such fiscal year (as established under paragraph (4)).
(B) Program to begin in fiscal year 2013
The Program shall apply to payments for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2012.
(C) Applicability of Program to hospitals
(i) In general
For purposes of this subsection, subject to clause (ii), the term "hospital" means a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in subsection (d)(1)(B)).
(ii) Exclusions
The term "hospital" shall not include, with respect to a fiscal year, a hospital—
(I) that is subject to the payment reduction under subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii)(I) for such fiscal year;
(II) for which, during the performance period for such fiscal year, the Secretary has cited deficiencies that pose immediate jeopardy to the health or safety of patients;
(III) for which there are not a minimum number (as determined by the Secretary) of measures that apply to the hospital for the performance period for such fiscal year; or
(IV) for which there are not a minimum number (as determined by the Secretary) of cases for the measures that apply to the hospital for the performance period for such fiscal year.
(iii) Independent analysis
For purposes of determining the minimum numbers under subclauses (III) and (IV) of clause (ii), the Secretary shall have conducted an independent analysis of what numbers are appropriate.
(iv) Exemption
In the case of a hospital that is paid under
(2) Measures
(A) In general
The Secretary shall select measures, other than measures of readmissions, for purposes of the Program. Such measures shall be selected from the measures specified under subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii).
(B) Requirements
(i) For fiscal year 2013
For value-based incentive payments made with respect to discharges occurring during fiscal year 2013, the Secretary shall ensure the following:
(I) Conditions or procedures
Measures are selected under subparagraph (A) that cover at least the following 5 specific conditions or procedures:
(aa) Acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
(bb) Heart failure.
(cc) Pneumonia.
(dd) Surgeries, as measured by the Surgical Care Improvement Project (formerly referred to as "Surgical Infection Prevention" for discharges occurring before July 2006).
(ee) Healthcare-associated infections, as measured by the prevention metrics and targets established in the HHS Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections (or any successor plan) of the Department of Health and Human Services.
(II) HCAHPS
Measures selected under subparagraph (A) shall be related to the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey (HCAHPS).
(ii) Inclusion of efficiency measures
For value-based incentive payments made with respect to discharges occurring during fiscal year 2014 or a subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary shall ensure that measures selected under subparagraph (A) include efficiency measures, including measures of "Medicare spending per beneficiary". Such measures shall be adjusted for factors such as age, sex, race, severity of illness, and other factors that the Secretary determines appropriate.
(C) Limitations
(i) Time requirement for prior reporting and notice
The Secretary may not select a measure under subparagraph (A) for use under the Program with respect to a performance period for a fiscal year (as established under paragraph (4)) unless such measure has been specified under subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii) and included on the Hospital Compare Internet website for at least 1 year prior to the beginning of such performance period.
(ii) Measure not applicable unless hospital furnishes services appropriate to the measure
A measure selected under subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a hospital if such hospital does not furnish services appropriate to such measure.
(D) Replacing measures
Subclause (VI) of subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii) shall apply to measures selected under subparagraph (A) in the same manner as such subclause applies to measures selected under such subsection.
(3) Performance standards
(A) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish performance standards with respect to measures selected under paragraph (2) for a performance period for a fiscal year (as established under paragraph (4)).
(B) Achievement and improvement
The performance standards established under subparagraph (A) shall include levels of achievement and improvement.
(C) Timing
The Secretary shall establish and announce the performance standards under subparagraph (A) not later than 60 days prior to the beginning of the performance period for the fiscal year involved.
(D) Considerations in establishing standards
In establishing performance standards with respect to measures under this paragraph, the Secretary shall take into account appropriate factors, such as—
(i) practical experience with the measures involved, including whether a significant proportion of hospitals failed to meet the performance standard during previous performance periods;
(ii) historical performance standards;
(iii) improvement rates; and
(iv) the opportunity for continued improvement.
(4) Performance period
For purposes of the Program, the Secretary shall establish the performance period for a fiscal year. Such performance period shall begin and end prior to the beginning of such fiscal year.
(5) Hospital performance score
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall develop a methodology for assessing the total performance of each hospital based on performance standards with respect to the measures selected under paragraph (2) for a performance period (as established under paragraph (4)). Using such methodology, the Secretary shall provide for an assessment (in this subsection referred to as the "hospital performance score") for each hospital for each performance period.
(B) Application
(i) Appropriate distribution
The Secretary shall ensure that the application of the methodology developed under subparagraph (A) results in an appropriate distribution of value-based incentive payments under paragraph (6) among hospitals achieving different levels of hospital performance scores, with hospitals achieving the highest hospital performance scores receiving the largest value-based incentive payments.
(ii) Higher of achievement or improvement
The methodology developed under subparagraph (A) shall provide that the hospital performance score is determined using the higher of its achievement or improvement score for each measure.
(iii) Weights
The methodology developed under subparagraph (A) shall provide for the assignment of weights for categories of measures as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(iv) No minimum performance standard
The Secretary shall not set a minimum performance standard in determining the hospital performance score for any hospital.
(v) Reflection of measures applicable to the hospital
The hospital performance score for a hospital shall reflect the measures that apply to the hospital.
(6) Calculation of value-based incentive payments
(A) In general
In the case of a hospital that the Secretary determines meets (or exceeds) the performance standards under paragraph (3) for the performance period for a fiscal year (as established under paragraph (4)), the Secretary shall increase the base operating DRG payment amount (as defined in paragraph (7)(D)), as determined after application of paragraph (7)(B)(i), for a hospital for each discharge occurring in such fiscal year by the value-based incentive payment amount.
(B) Value-based incentive payment amount
The value-based incentive payment amount for each discharge of a hospital in a fiscal year shall be equal to the product of—
(i) the base operating DRG payment amount (as defined in paragraph (7)(D)) for the discharge for the hospital for such fiscal year; and
(ii) the value-based incentive payment percentage specified under subparagraph (C) for the hospital for such fiscal year.
(C) Value-based incentive payment percentage
(i) In general
The Secretary shall specify a value-based incentive payment percentage for a hospital for a fiscal year.
(ii) Requirements
In specifying the value-based incentive payment percentage for each hospital for a fiscal year under clause (i), the Secretary shall ensure that—
(I) such percentage is based on the hospital performance score of the hospital under paragraph (5); and
(II) the total amount of value-based incentive payments under this paragraph to all hospitals in such fiscal year is equal to the total amount available for value-based incentive payments for such fiscal year under paragraph (7)(A), as estimated by the Secretary.
(7) Funding for value-based incentive payments
(A) Amount
The total amount available for value-based incentive payments under paragraph (6) for all hospitals for a fiscal year shall be equal to the total amount of reduced payments for all hospitals under subparagraph (B) for such fiscal year, as estimated by the Secretary.
(B) Adjustment to payments
(i) In general
The Secretary shall reduce the base operating DRG payment amount (as defined in subparagraph (D)) for a hospital for each discharge in a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2013) by an amount equal to the applicable percent (as defined in subparagraph (C)) of the base operating DRG payment amount for the discharge for the hospital for such fiscal year. The Secretary shall make such reductions for all hospitals in the fiscal year involved, regardless of whether or not the hospital has been determined by the Secretary to have earned a value-based incentive payment under paragraph (6) for such fiscal year.
(ii) No effect on other payments
Payments described in items (aa) and (bb) of subparagraph (D)(i)(II) for a hospital shall be determined as if this subsection had not been enacted.
(C) Applicable percent defined
For purposes of subparagraph (B), the term "applicable percent" means—
(i) with respect to fiscal year 2013, 1.0 percent;
(ii) with respect to fiscal year 2014, 1.25 percent;
(iii) with respect to fiscal year 2015, 1.5 percent;
(iv) with respect to fiscal year 2016, 1.75 percent; and
(v) with respect to fiscal year 2017 and succeeding fiscal years, 2 percent.
(D) Base operating DRG payment amount defined
(i) In general
Except as provided in clause (ii), in this subsection, the term "base operating DRG payment amount" means, with respect to a hospital for a fiscal year—
(I) the payment amount that would otherwise be made under subsection (d) (determined without regard to subsection (q)) for a discharge if this subsection did not apply; reduced by
(II) any portion of such payment amount that is attributable to—
(aa) payments under paragraphs (5)(A), (5)(B), (5)(F), and (12) of subsection (d); and
(bb) such other payments under subsection (d) determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(ii) Special rules for certain hospitals
(I) Sole community hospitals and medicare-dependent, small rural hospitals
In the case of a medicare-dependent, small rural hospital (with respect to discharges occurring during fiscal year 2012 and 2013) or a sole community hospital, in applying subparagraph (A)(i), the payment amount that would otherwise be made under subsection (d) shall be determined without regard to subparagraphs (I) and (L) of subsection (b)(3) and subparagraphs (D) and (G) of subsection (d)(5).
(II) Hospitals paid under section 1395f
In the case of a hospital that is paid under
(8) Announcement of net result of adjustments
Under the Program, the Secretary shall, not later than 60 days prior to the fiscal year involved, inform each hospital of the adjustments to payments to the hospital for discharges occurring in such fiscal year under paragraphs (6) and (7)(B)(i).
(9) No effect in subsequent fiscal years
The value-based incentive payment under paragraph (6) and the payment reduction under paragraph (7)(B)(i) shall each apply only with respect to the fiscal year involved, and the Secretary shall not take into account such value-based incentive payment or payment reduction in making payments to a hospital under this section in a subsequent fiscal year.
(10) Public reporting
(A) Hospital specific information
(i) In general
The Secretary shall make information available to the public regarding the performance of individual hospitals under the Program, including—
(I) the performance of the hospital with respect to each measure that applies to the hospital;
(II) the performance of the hospital with respect to each condition or procedure; and
(III) the hospital performance score assessing the total performance of the hospital.
(ii) Opportunity to review and submit corrections
The Secretary shall ensure that a hospital has the opportunity to review, and submit corrections for, the information to be made public with respect to the hospital under clause (i) prior to such information being made public.
(iii) Website
Such information shall be posted on the Hospital Compare Internet website in an easily understandable format.
(B) Aggregate information
The Secretary shall periodically post on the Hospital Compare Internet website aggregate information on the Program, including—
(i) the number of hospitals receiving value-based incentive payments under paragraph (6) and the range and total amount of such value-based incentive payments; and
(ii) the number of hospitals receiving less than the maximum value-based incentive payment available to the hospital for the fiscal year involved and the range and amount of such payments.
(11) Implementation
(A) Appeals
The Secretary shall establish a process by which hospitals may appeal the calculation of a hospital's performance assessment with respect to the performance standards established under paragraph (3)(A) and the hospital performance score under paragraph (5). The Secretary shall ensure that such process provides for resolution of such appeals in a timely manner.
(B) Limitation on review
Except as provided in subparagraph (A), there shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(i) The methodology used to determine the amount of the value-based incentive payment under paragraph (6) and the determination of such amount.
(ii) The determination of the amount of funding available for such value-based incentive payments under paragraph (7)(A) and the payment reduction under paragraph (7)(B)(i).
(iii) The establishment of the performance standards under paragraph (3) and the performance period under paragraph (4).
(iv) The measures specified under subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii) and the measures selected under paragraph (2).
(v) The methodology developed under paragraph (5) that is used to calculate hospital performance scores and the calculation of such scores.
(vi) The validation methodology specified in subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii)(XI).
(C) Consultation with small hospitals
The Secretary shall consult with small rural and urban hospitals on the application of the Program to such hospitals.
(12) Promulgation of regulations
The Secretary shall promulgate regulations to carry out the Program, including the selection of measures under paragraph (2), the methodology developed under paragraph (5) that is used to calculate hospital performance scores, and the methodology used to determine the amount of value-based incentive payments under paragraph (6).
(p) Adjustment to hospital payments for hospital acquired conditions
(1) In general
In order to provide an incentive for applicable hospitals to reduce hospital acquired conditions under this subchapter, with respect to discharges from an applicable hospital occurring during fiscal year 2015 or a subsequent fiscal year, the amount of payment under this section or
(2) Applicable hospitals
(A) In general
For purposes of this subsection, the term "applicable hospital" means a subsection (d) hospital that meets the criteria described in subparagraph (B).
(B) Criteria described
(i) In general
The criteria described in this subparagraph, with respect to a subsection (d) hospital, is that the subsection (d) hospital is in the top quartile of all subsection (d) hospitals, relative to the national average, of hospital acquired conditions during the applicable period, as determined by the Secretary.
(ii) Risk adjustment
In carrying out clause (i), the Secretary shall establish and apply an appropriate risk adjustment methodology.
(C) Exemption
In the case of a hospital that is paid under
(3) Hospital acquired conditions
For purposes of this subsection, the term "hospital acquired condition" means a condition identified for purposes of subsection (d)(4)(D)(iv) and any other condition determined appropriate by the Secretary that an individual acquires during a stay in an applicable hospital, as determined by the Secretary.
(4) Applicable period
In this subsection, the term "applicable period" means, with respect to a fiscal year, a period specified by the Secretary.
(5) Reporting to hospitals
Prior to fiscal year 2015 and each subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide confidential reports to applicable hospitals with respect to hospital acquired conditions of the applicable hospital during the applicable period.
(6) Reporting hospital specific information
(A) In general
The Secretary shall make information available to the public regarding hospital acquired conditions of each applicable hospital.
(B) Opportunity to review and submit corrections
The Secretary shall ensure that an applicable hospital has the opportunity to review, and submit corrections for, the information to be made public with respect to the hospital under subparagraph (A) prior to such information being made public.
(C) Website
Such information shall be posted on the Hospital Compare Internet website in an easily understandable format.
(7) Limitations on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(A) The criteria described in paragraph (2)(A).
(B) The specification of hospital acquired conditions under paragraph (3).
(C) The specification of the applicable period under paragraph (4).
(D) The provision of reports to applicable hospitals under paragraph (5) and the information made available to the public under paragraph (6).
(q) Hospital readmissions reduction program
(1) In general
With respect to payment for discharges from an applicable hospital (as defined in paragraph (5)(C)) occurring during a fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 2012, in order to account for excess readmissions in the hospital, the Secretary shall make payments (in addition to the payments described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii)) for such a discharge to such hospital under subsection (d) (or
(A) the base operating DRG payment amount (as defined in paragraph (2)) for the discharge; and
(B) the adjustment factor (described in paragraph (3)(A)) for the hospital for the fiscal year.
(2) Base operating DRG payment amount defined
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in this subsection, the term "base operating DRG payment amount" means, with respect to a hospital for a fiscal year—
(i) the payment amount that would otherwise be made under subsection (d) (determined without regard to subsection (o)) for a discharge if this subsection did not apply; reduced by
(ii) any portion of such payment amount that is attributable to payments under paragraphs (5)(A), (5)(B), (5)(F), and (12) of subsection (d).
(B) Special rules for certain hospitals
(i) Sole community hospitals and medicare-dependent, small rural hospitals
In the case of a medicare-dependent, small rural hospital (with respect to discharges occurring during fiscal years 2012 and 2013) or a sole community hospital, in applying subparagraph (A)(i), the payment amount that would otherwise be made under subsection (d) shall be determined without regard to subparagraphs (I) and (L) of subsection (b)(3) and subparagraphs (D) and (G) of subsection (d)(5).
(ii) Hospitals paid under section 1395f of this title
In the case of a hospital that is paid under
(3) Adjustment factor
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (1), the adjustment factor under this paragraph for an applicable hospital for a fiscal year is equal to the greater of—
(i) the ratio described in subparagraph (B) for the hospital for the applicable period (as defined in paragraph (5)(D)) for such fiscal year; or
(ii) the floor adjustment factor specified in subparagraph (C).
(B) Ratio
The ratio described in this subparagraph for a hospital for an applicable period is equal to 1 minus the ratio of—
(i) the aggregate payments for excess readmissions (as defined in paragraph (4)(A)) with respect to an applicable hospital for the applicable period; and
(ii) the aggregate payments for all discharges (as defined in paragraph (4)(B)) with respect to such applicable hospital for such applicable period.
(C) Floor adjustment factor
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the floor adjustment factor specified in this subparagraph for—
(i) fiscal year 2013 is 0.99;
(ii) fiscal year 2014 is 0.98; or
(iii) fiscal year 2015 and subsequent fiscal years is 0.97.
(4) Aggregate payments, excess readmission ratio defined
For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Aggregate payments for excess readmissions
The term "aggregate payments for excess readmissions" means, for a hospital for an applicable period, the sum, for applicable conditions (as defined in paragraph (5)(A)), of the product, for each applicable condition, of—
(i) the base operating DRG payment amount for such hospital for such applicable period for such condition;
(ii) the number of admissions for such condition for such hospital for such applicable period; and
(iii) the excess readmissions ratio (as defined in subparagraph (C)) for such hospital for such applicable period minus 1.
(B) Aggregate payments for all discharges
The term "aggregate payments for all discharges" means, for a hospital for an applicable period, the sum of the base operating DRG payment amounts for all discharges for all conditions from such hospital for such applicable period.
(C) Excess readmission ratio
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), the term "excess readmissions ratio" means, with respect to an applicable condition for a hospital for an applicable period, the ratio (but not less than 1.0) of—
(I) the risk adjusted readmissions based on actual readmissions, as determined consistent with a readmission measure methodology that has been endorsed under paragraph (5)(A)(ii)(I), for an applicable hospital for such condition with respect to such applicable period; to
(II) the risk adjusted expected readmissions (as determined consistent with such a methodology) for such hospital for such condition with respect to such applicable period.
(ii) Exclusion of certain readmissions
For purposes of clause (i), with respect to a hospital, excess readmissions shall not include readmissions for an applicable condition for which there are fewer than a minimum number (as determined by the Secretary) of discharges for such applicable condition for the applicable period and such hospital.
(5) Definitions
For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Applicable condition
The term "applicable condition" means, subject to subparagraph (B), a condition or procedure selected by the Secretary among conditions and procedures for which—
(i) readmissions (as defined in subparagraph (E)) that represent conditions or procedures that are high volume or high expenditures under this subchapter (or other criteria specified by the Secretary); and
(ii) measures of such readmissions—
(I) have been endorsed by the entity with a contract under
(II) such endorsed measures have exclusions for readmissions that are unrelated to the prior discharge (such as a planned readmission or transfer to another applicable hospital).
(B) Expansion of applicable conditions
Beginning with fiscal year 2015, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, expand the applicable conditions beyond the 3 conditions for which measures have been endorsed as described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I) as of March 23, 2010, to the additional 4 conditions that have been identified by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission in its report to Congress in June 2007 and to other conditions and procedures as determined appropriate by the Secretary. In expanding such applicable conditions, the Secretary shall seek the endorsement described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I) but may apply such measures without such an endorsement in the case of a specified area or medical topic determined appropriate by the Secretary for which a feasible and practical measure has not been endorsed by the entity with a contract under
(C) Applicable hospital
The term "applicable hospital" means a subsection (d) hospital or a hospital that is paid under
(D) Applicable period
The term "applicable period" means, with respect to a fiscal year, such period as the Secretary shall specify.
(E) Readmission
The term "readmission" means, in the case of an individual who is discharged from an applicable hospital, the admission of the individual to the same or another applicable hospital within a time period specified by the Secretary from the date of such discharge. Insofar as the discharge relates to an applicable condition for which there is an endorsed measure described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I), such time period (such as 30 days) shall be consistent with the time period specified for such measure.
(6) Reporting hospital specific information
(A) In general
The Secretary shall make information available to the public regarding readmission rates of each subsection (d) hospital under the program.
(B) Opportunity to review and submit corrections
The Secretary shall ensure that a subsection (d) hospital has the opportunity to review, and submit corrections for, the information to be made public with respect to the hospital under subparagraph (A) prior to such information being made public.
(C) Website
Such information shall be posted on the Hospital Compare Internet website in an easily understandable format.
(7) Limitations on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(A) The determination of base operating DRG payment amounts.
(B) The methodology for determining the adjustment factor under paragraph (3), including excess readmissions ratio under paragraph (4)(C), aggregate payments for excess readmissions under paragraph (4)(A), and aggregate payments for all discharges under paragraph (4)(B), and applicable periods and applicable conditions under paragraph (5).
(C) The measures of readmissions as described in paragraph (5)(A)(ii).
(8) Readmission rates for all patients
(A) Calculation of readmission
The Secretary shall calculate readmission rates for all patients (as defined in subparagraph (D)) for a specified hospital (as defined in subparagraph (D)(ii)) for an applicable condition (as defined in paragraph (5)(B)) and other conditions deemed appropriate by the Secretary for an applicable period (as defined in paragraph (5)(D)) in the same manner as used to calculate such readmission rates for hospitals with respect to this subchapter and posted on the CMS Hospital Compare website.
(B) Posting of hospital specific all patient readmission rates
The Secretary shall make information on all patient readmission rates calculated under subparagraph (A) available on the CMS Hospital Compare website in a form and manner determined appropriate by the Secretary. The Secretary may also make other information determined appropriate by the Secretary available on such website.
(C) Hospital submission of all patient data
(i) Except as provided for in clause (ii), each specified hospital (as defined in subparagraph (D)(ii)) shall submit to the Secretary, in a form, manner and time specified by the Secretary, data and information determined necessary by the Secretary for the Secretary to calculate the all patient readmission rates described in subparagraph (A).
(ii) Instead of a specified hospital submitting to the Secretary the data and information described in clause (i), such data and information may be submitted to the Secretary, on behalf of such a specified hospital, by a state or an entity determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(D) Definitions
For purposes of this paragraph:
(i) The term "all patients" means patients who are treated on an inpatient basis and discharged from a specified hospital (as defined in clause (ii)).
(ii) The term "specified hospital" means a subsection (d) hospital, hospitals described in clauses (i) through (v) of subsection (d)(1)(B) and, as determined feasible and appropriate by the Secretary, other hospitals not otherwise described in this subparagraph.
(r) Adjustments to medicare DSH payments
(1) Empirically justified DSH payments
For fiscal year 2014 and each subsequent fiscal year, instead of the amount of disproportionate share hospital payment that would otherwise be made under subsection (d)(5)(F) to a subsection (d) hospital for the fiscal year, the Secretary shall pay to the subsection (d) hospital 25 percent of such amount (which represents the empirically justified amount for such payment, as determined by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission in its March 2007 Report to the Congress).
(2) Additional payment
In addition to the payment made to a subsection (d) hospital under paragraph (1), for fiscal year 2014 and each subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary shall pay to such subsection (d) hospitals an additional amount equal to the product of the following factors:
(A) Factor one
A factor equal to the difference between—
(i) the aggregate amount of payments that would be made to subsection (d) hospitals under subsection (d)(5)(F) if this subsection did not apply for such fiscal year (as estimated by the Secretary); and
(ii) the aggregate amount of payments that are made to subsection (d) hospitals under paragraph (1) for such fiscal year (as so estimated).
(B) Factor two
(i) Fiscal years 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017
For each of fiscal years 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, a factor equal to 1 minus the percent change in the percent of individuals under the age of 65 who are uninsured, as determined by comparing the percent of such individuals—
(I) who are uninsured in 2013, the last year before coverage expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (as calculated by the Secretary based on the most recent estimates available from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office before a vote in either House on the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 that, if determined in the affirmative, would clear such Act for enrollment); and
(II) who are uninsured in the most recent period for which data is available (as so calculated),
minus 0.1 percentage points for fiscal year 2014 and minus 0.2 percentage points for each of fiscal years 2015, 2016, and 2017.
(ii) 2018 and subsequent years
For fiscal year 2018 and each subsequent fiscal year, a factor equal to 1 minus the percent change in the percent of individuals who are uninsured, as determined by comparing the percent of individuals—
(I) who are uninsured in 2013 (as estimated by the Secretary, based on data from the Census Bureau or other sources the Secretary determines appropriate, and certified by the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services); and
(II) who are uninsured in the most recent period for which data is available (as so estimated and certified),
minus 0.2 percentage points for each of fiscal years 2018 and 2019.
(C) Factor three
A factor equal to the percent, for each subsection (d) hospital, that represents the quotient of—
(i) the amount of uncompensated care for such hospital for a period selected by the Secretary (as estimated by the Secretary, based on appropriate data (including, in the case where the Secretary determines that alternative data is available which is a better proxy for the costs of subsection (d) hospitals for treating the uninsured, the use of such alternative data)); and
(ii) the aggregate amount of uncompensated care for all subsection (d) hospitals that receive a payment under this subsection for such period (as so estimated, based on such data).
(3) Limitations on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(A) Any estimate of the Secretary for purposes of determining the factors described in paragraph (2).
(B) Any period selected by the Secretary for such purposes.
(s) Prospective payment for psychiatric hospitals
(1) Reference to establishment and implementation of system
For provisions related to the establishment and implementation of a prospective payment system for payments under this subchapter for inpatient hospital services furnished by psychiatric hospitals (as described in clause (i) of subsection (d)(1)(B)) and psychiatric units (as described in the matter following clause (v) of such subsection), see section 124 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999.
(2) Implementation for rate year beginning in 2010 and subsequent rate years
(A) In general
In implementing the system described in paragraph (1) for the rate year beginning in 2010 and any subsequent rate year, any update to a base rate for days during the rate year for a psychiatric hospital or unit, respectively, shall be reduced—
(i) for the rate year beginning in 2012 and each subsequent rate year, by the productivity adjustment described in subsection (b)(3)(B)(xi)(II); and
(ii) for each of the rate years beginning in 2010 through 2019, by the other adjustment described in paragraph (3).
(B) Special rule
The application of this paragraph may result in such update being less than 0.0 for a rate year, and may result in payment rates under the system described in paragraph (1) for a rate year being less than such payment rates for the preceding rate year.
(3) Other adjustment
For purposes of paragraph (2)(A)(ii), the other adjustment described in this paragraph is—
(A) for each of the rate years beginning in 2010 and 2011, 0.25 percentage point;
(B) for each of the rate years beginning in 2012 and 2013, 0.1 percentage point;
(C) for the rate year beginning in 2014, 0.3 percentage point;
(D) for each of the rate years beginning in 2015 and 2016, 0.2 percentage point; and
(E) for each of the rate years beginning in 2017, 2018, and 2019, 0.75 percentage point.
(4) Quality reporting
(A) Reduction in update for failure to report
(i) In general
Under the system described in paragraph (1), for rate year 2014 and each subsequent rate year, in the case of a psychiatric hospital or psychiatric unit that does not submit data to the Secretary in accordance with subparagraph (C) with respect to such a rate year, any annual update to a standard Federal rate for discharges for the hospital during the rate year, and after application of paragraph (2), shall be reduced by 2 percentage points.
(ii) Special rule
The application of this subparagraph may result in such annual update being less than 0.0 for a rate year, and may result in payment rates under the system described in paragraph (1) for a rate year being less than such payment rates for the preceding rate year.
(B) Noncumulative application
Any reduction under subparagraph (A) shall apply only with respect to the rate year involved and the Secretary shall not take into account such reduction in computing the payment amount under the system described in paragraph (1) for a subsequent rate year.
(C) Submission of quality data
For rate year 2014 and each subsequent rate year, each psychiatric hospital and psychiatric unit shall submit to the Secretary data on quality measures specified under subparagraph (D). Such data shall be submitted in a form and manner, and at a time, specified by the Secretary for purposes of this subparagraph.
(D) Quality measures
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), any measure specified by the Secretary under this subparagraph must have been endorsed by the entity with a contract under
(ii) Exception
In the case of a specified area or medical topic determined appropriate by the Secretary for which a feasible and practical measure has not been endorsed by the entity with a contract under
(iii) Time frame
Not later than October 1, 2012, the Secretary shall publish the measures selected under this subparagraph that will be applicable with respect to rate year 2014.
(E) Public availability of data submitted
The Secretary shall establish procedures for making data submitted under subparagraph (C) available to the public. Such procedures shall ensure that a psychiatric hospital and a psychiatric unit has the opportunity to review the data that is to be made public with respect to the hospital or unit prior to such data being made public. The Secretary shall report quality measures that relate to services furnished in inpatient settings in psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric units on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1886, as added and amended
References in Text
Parts A, B, C, and D of this subchapter, referred to in text, are classified to sections 1395c et seq., 1395j et seq., 1395w–21 et seq., and 1395w–101 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Section 5001(b) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(B)(viii)(I), is section 5001(b) of
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, referred to in subsecs. (b)(3)(B)(viii)(IV) and (d)(2)(C)(i), is
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b)(6), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Section 222(a) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972, referred to in subsec. (c)(4)(B), is section 222(a) of
Section 9104(a) of the Medicare and Medicaid Budget Reconciliation Amendments of 1985, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(C)(i), is section 9104(a) of
Section 4621(a)(1) of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(C)(i), is section 4621(a)(1) of
Section 111 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(C)(i), is section 1000(a)(6) [title I, §111] of
Section 302 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(C)(i), is section 1(a)(6) [title III, §302] of
Section 6003(c) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(C)(iv), is section 6003(c) of
Section 4002(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(C)(iv), is section 4002(b) of
Section 303 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(C)(iv), is section 1(a)(6) [title III, §303] of
Section 9104 of the Medicare and Medicaid Budget Reconciliation Amendments of 1985, referred to in subsec. (d)(3)(C)(ii), is section 9104 of
Section 4003(a)(1) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, referred to in subsec. (d)(3)(C)(ii), is section 4003(a)(1) of
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (d)(3)(C)(ii), is
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to in subsecs. (d)(3)(E)(i) and (r)(2)(B)(i)(I), is
Section 9304 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(C)(ii), is section 9304 of
Part B of subchapter XI of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (f)(2), is classified to
Section 4628 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (h)(6)(C)(iii), is section 4628 of
Section 402 of
Such section 332(a)(1)(A), referred to in subsec. (h)(8)(D)(ii)(I), probably means section 332(a)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act, which is classified to
Section 4005(e) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, referred to in subsec. (i), is section 4005(e) of
Section 123 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999, referred to in subsec. (m)(1), is section 1000(a)(6) [title I, §123] of
Section 307(b) of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, referred to in subsec. (m)(1), is section 1(a)(6) [title III, §307(b)] of
The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, referred to in subsec. (r)(2)(B)(i)(I), is
Section 124 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999, referred to in subsec. (s)(1), is section 1000(a)(6) [title I, §124] of
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(XX).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(viii)(I).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(viii)(II).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(viii)(V).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(viii)(VII).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(viii)(VIII) to (XI).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ix)(I).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(x).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(xi), (xii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(xii)(I).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(xii)(II).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(xii)(III).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(xii)(IV), (V).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(xiii).
"(I) the excess (if any) of—
"(aa) the total percentage of the non-elderly insured population for the preceding fiscal year (based on the most recent estimates available from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office before a vote in either House on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that, if determined in the affirmative, would clear such Act for enrollment); over
"(bb) the total percentage of the non-elderly insured population for such preceding fiscal year (as estimated by the Secretary); exceeds
"(II) 5 percentage points."
Subsec. (b)(3)(D).
Subsec. (b)(3)(D)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(3)(E)(i).
Subsec. (d)(3)(E)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(v).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(x).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(i).
Subsec. (d)(5)(G)(i).
Subsec. (d)(5)(G)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (d)(7)(C).
Subsec. (d)(12)(A).
Subsec. (d)(12)(B).
Subsec. (d)(12)(C)(i).
Subsec. (d)(12)(D).
Subsec. (h)(4)(E).
Subsec. (h)(4)(F)(i).
Subsec. (h)(4)(H)(i).
Subsec. (h)(4)(H)(vi).
Subsec. (h)(4)(J), (K).
Subsec. (h)(5)(K).
Subsec. (h)(7)(E).
Subsec. (h)(8).
Subsec. (h)(8)(I).
Subsec. (j)(3)(C).
Subsec. (j)(3)(D).
Subsec. (j)(3)(D)(i)(I).
Subsec. (j)(3)(D)(i)(II).
Subsec. (j)(3)(D)(i)(III).
Subsec. (j)(3)(D)(i)(IV), (V).
Subsec. (j)(3)(D)(ii).
"(I) the excess (if any) of—
"(aa) the total percentage of the non-elderly insured population for the preceding fiscal year (based on the most recent estimates available from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office before a vote in either House on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that, if determined in the affirmative, would clear such Act for enrollment); over
"(bb) the total percentage of the non-elderly insured population for such preceding fiscal year (as estimated by the Secretary); exceeds
"(II) 5 percentage points."
Subsec. (j)(7), (8).
Subsec. (m)(3), (4).
Subsec. (m)(4)(A).
Subsec. (m)(4)(A)(i).
Subsec. (m)(4)(A)(ii), (iii).
Subsec. (m)(4)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (m)(4)(A)(v), (vi).
Subsec. (m)(4)(B).
"(i) the excess (if any) of—
"(I) the total percentage of the non-elderly insured population for the preceding rate year (based on the most recent estimates available from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office before a vote in either House on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that, if determined in the affirmative, would clear such Act for enrollment); over
"(II) the total percentage of the non-elderly insured population for such preceding rate year (as estimated by the Secretary); exceeds
"(ii) 5 percentage points."
Subsec. (m)(4)(C) to (F).
Subsec. (m)(5).
Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (o)(2)(A).
Subsec. (p).
Subsec. (q).
Subsec. (q)(1).
Subsec. (r).
Subsec. (r)(1).
Subsec. (r)(2).
Subsec. (r)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (r)(2)(B)(i)(I).
Subsec. (r)(2)(B)(i)(II).
Subsec. (r)(2)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (s).
Subsec. (s)(3).
Subsec. (s)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (s)(3)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (s)(3)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (s)(3)(A)(iv), (v).
Subsec. (s)(3)(B).
"(i) the excess (if any) of—
"(I) the total percentage of the non-elderly insured population for the preceding rate year (based on the most recent estimates available from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office before a vote in either House on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that, if determined in the affirmative, would clear such Act for enrollment); over
"(II) the total percentage of the non-elderly insured population for such preceding rate year (as estimated by the Secretary); exceeds
"(ii) 5 percentage points."
Subsec. (s)(4).
2009—Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(viii)(I).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ix).
Subsec. (n).
2008—Subsec. (b)(3)(C).
Subsec. (b)(3)(I)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(L).
2007—Subsec. (h)(4)(H)(v).
Subsec. (h)(7)(D), (E).
Subsec. (j)(3)(C).
Subsec. (m).
2006—Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(XIX).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(XX).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(vii)(I).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(vii)(II).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(viii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(viii)(III).
Subsec. (b)(3)(D).
Subsec. (b)(3)(D)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(3)(K).
Subsec. (d)(4)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(4)(D).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(vi).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(xiv)(II).
Subsec. (d)(5)(G)(i).
Subsec. (d)(5)(G)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (d)(7)(B).
Subsec. (e)(3).
2003—Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(XIX), (XX).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(vii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(I)(i)(I).
Subsec. (b)(3)(I)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(i).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(3)(D).
Subsec. (d)(3)(D)(i).
Subsec. (d)(3)(D)(i)(II).
Subsec. (d)(3)(D)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(3)(D)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (d)(3)(D)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(3)(E).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(ii)(VI).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(ii)(VII).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(ii)(VIII) to (XII).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(v).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(ix).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(iv)(II) to (VI).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(viii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(x) to (xiii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(xiv).
Subsec. (d)(5)(K)(i).
Subsec. (d)(5)(K)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (d)(5)(K)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (d)(5)(K)(vii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(K)(viii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(K)(ix).
Subsec. (d)(7)(A).
Subsec. (d)(9)(A).
"(I) the national adjusted DRG prospective payment rate (determined under paragraph (3)(D)) for hospitals located in a large urban area,
"(II) such rate for hospitals located in other urban areas, and
"(III) such rate for hospitals located in a rural area,
for such discharges, adjusted in the manner provided in paragraph (3)(E) for different area wage levels. As used in this section, the term 'subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospital' means a hospital that is located in Puerto Rico and that would be a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in paragraph (1)(B)) if it were located in one of the fifty States."
Subsec. (d)(9)(A)(i).
Subsec. (d)(9)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(9)(C)(i).
Subsec. (d)(9)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(9)(C)(iii)(I).
Subsec. (d)(9)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(9)(E).
Subsec. (d)(12).
Subsec. (d)(13).
Subsec. (g)(3)(B).
Subsec. (h)(2)(D)(iv)(I).
Subsec. (h)(2)(D)(iv)(II).
Subsec. (h)(3)(D)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (h)(4)(F)(i).
Subsec. (h)(4)(H)(i).
Subsec. (h)(7).
2000—Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(XVI).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(XVII).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(XVIII).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(XIX).
Subsec. (b)(3)(H)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (b)(3)(I)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(I)(i)(I).
Subsec. (b)(3)(I)(i)(II), (III).
Subsec. (b)(3)(J).
Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(v)(III).
Subsec. (d)(1)(E).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(i).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(vi).
Subsec. (d)(3)(E).
Subsec. (d)(4)(C)(i).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(ii)(V).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(ii)(VI).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(ii)(VII).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(i).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(iv)(II).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(iv)(III).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(iv)(IV).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(iv)(V).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(iv)(VI).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(v)(II).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(v)(III).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(v)(IV).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(ix)(III).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(ix)(IV).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(x).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(xi).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(xii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(xiii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(G)(iv)(IV).
Subsec. (d)(5)(K), (L).
Subsec. (d)(10)(D)(v), (vi).
Subsec. (h)(2)(D)(iii).
Subsec. (j)(1)(A).
Subsec. (j)(1)(B).
Subsec. (j)(1)(F).
Subsec. (j)(3)(B).
Subsec. (l)(2)(C).
1999—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(E).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(XVI) to (XVIII).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(VI).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(VII).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C).
Subsec. (b)(3)(D).
Subsec. (b)(3)(D)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(3)(H)(i) to (iii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(I).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(i).
Subsec. (b)(7)(A)(i)(II).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(i).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(ii)(V), (VI).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(v).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(i).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(ix)(III).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(ix)(IV).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(ix)(V), (VI).
Subsec. (d)(5)(G)(i).
Subsec. (d)(5)(G)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (d)(8)(B).
Subsec. (d)(8)(E).
Subsec. (d)(9)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A).
Subsec. (h)(2)(D)(i).
Subsec. (h)(2)(D)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(2)(D)(iii), (iv).
Subsec. (h)(2)(E), (F).
Subsec. (h)(3)(D)(i).
Subsec. (h)(3)(D)(iii), (iv).
Subsec. (h)(4)(F).
Subsec. (h)(4)(F)(i).
Subsec. (h)(4)(H)(iv).
Subsec. (h)(5)(F).
Subsec. (h)(5)(G)(i).
Subsec. (h)(5)(G)(v).
Subsec. (j)(1)(D).
Subsec. (j)(1)(E).
Subsec. (j)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (l).
1997—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
"(i) 50 percent of the amount by which the target amount exceeds the amount of the operating costs, or
"(ii) 5 percent of the target amount,
whichever is less; or".
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(XIII) to (XVII).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(VI) to (VIII).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(vi).
Subsec. (b)(3)(D).
Subsec. (b)(3)(D)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(3)(F), (G).
Subsec. (b)(3)(H).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(i).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(7).
Subsec. (d)(1)(B).
Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(v).
Subsec. (d)(1)(E).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(i).
Subsec. (d)(5)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(i)(I).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(v) to (viii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(D)(iii)(III).
Subsec. (d)(5)(D)(v).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(i).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(ix).
Subsec. (d)(5)(G)(i), (ii)(II).
Subsec. (d)(5)(I)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(J).
Subsec. (d)(6).
Subsec. (d)(9)(A).
Subsec. (d)(9)(A)(i).
Subsec. (d)(9)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(10)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(10)(D)(iii), (iv).
Subsec. (d)(11).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (e)(5)(A).
Subsec. (e)(5)(B).
Subsec. (e)(6).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A).
Subsec. (g)(3)(B).
Subsec. (g)(4).
Subsec. (h)(3)(B).
Subsec. (h)(3)(D).
Subsec. (h)(4)(F) to (H).
Subsec. (h)(5)(G).
Subsec. (h)(6).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k).
1994—Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(iv)(II).
Subsec. (b)(3)(D).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(D)(iii)(III).
Subsec. (d)(5)(D)(v).
Subsec. (d)(5)(G)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (d)(5)(I).
Subsec. (d)(8)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(8)(C)(v).
Subsec. (d)(10)(C)(i)(II).
Subsec. (d)(10)(D)(i)(I).
Subsec. (d)(10)(D)(ii), (iii).
Subsec. (e)(6)(B).
Subsec. (h)(5)(E).
1993—Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(IX).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(X).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(XI).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(XII), (XIII).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(III) to (VI).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(v).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(i)(II).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(iii), (iv).
Subsec. (b)(3)(D)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(D)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A).
Subsec. (d)(1)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(A)(i).
Subsec. (d)(5)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(A)(v), (vi).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(5)(G)(i).
"(I) an amount based on 100 percent of the hospital's target amount for the cost reporting period, as defined in subsection (b)(3)(D) of this section, or
"(II) the amount determined under paragraph (1)(A)(iii),
whichever results in the greater payment to the hospital." to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Subsec. (d)(5)(G)(ii) to (iv).
Subsec. (d)(8)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A).
Subsec. (h)(2)(D).
Subsec. (h)(5)(F).
Subsec. (h)(5)(F)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(5)(H), (I).
Subsec. (h)(5)(J).
1990—Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(V).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(VI).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(VII).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(VIII).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(IX).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(X).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(XI).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(ii), (D)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B), (C).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (d)(1)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(iii) to (v).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B).
Subsec. (d)(3)(C)(ii).
"(I) on or after October 1, 1986, and before October 1, 1995, of an amount equal to the estimated reduction in the payment amounts under paragraph (5)(B) that would have resulted from the enactment of the amendments made by section 9104 of the Medicare and Medicaid Budget Reconciliation Amendments of 1985 and by section 4003(a)(1) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 if the factor described in clause (ii)(II) of paragraph (5)(B) were applied for discharges occurring during such period instead of the factor described in clause (ii)(I) of that paragraph, and
"(II) on or after October 1, 1995, of an amount equal to the estimated reduction in the payment amounts under paragraph (5)(B) for those discharges that has resulted from the enactment of the amendments made by section 9104 of the Medicare and Medicaid Budget Reconciliation Amendments of 1985 and by section 4003(a)(1) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987."
Subsec. (d)(3)(D)(i).
Subsec. (d)(3)(D)(i)(I).
Subsec. (d)(3)(D)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(4)(D).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(ii).
"(I) on or after May 1, 1986, and before October 1, 1995, is equal to 1.89×((1+r).405^1), or
"(II) on or after October 1, 1995, is equal to 1.43×((1+r).5795^1),
where 'r' is the ratio of the hospital's full-time equivalent interns and residents to beds."
Subsec. (d)(5)(D)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(i).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(vii)(I).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(vii)(II).
Subsec. (d)(8)(C)(i).
Subsec. (d)(8)(C)(i)(II).
Subsec. (d)(8)(C)(ii) to (iv).
"(I) reduces the wage index for the urban area within which the county or counties is reclassified by 1 percentage point or less (as applied under this subsection), the Secretary, in calculating such wage index under this subsection, shall exclude those counties so reclassified, or
"(II) reduces the wage index for the urban area within which the county or counties is reclassified by more than 1 percentage point (as applied under this subsection), the Secretary shall calculate and apply such wage index under this subsection separately to hospitals located in such urban area (excluding all the hospitals so reclassified) and to hospitals located in the counties so reclassified (as if each affected county were a separate area)."
Subsec. (d)(8)(D).
Subsec. (d)(10)(A).
Subsec. (d)(10)(B)(i).
Subsec. (d)(10)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(10)(C)(iii)(II).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(3)(A).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (e)(6)(G).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A).
Subsec. (g)(3)(A)(v).
Subsec. (g)(3)(B).
1989—Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(V), (VI).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C).
Subsec. (b)(3)(D).
Subsec. (b)(3)(E).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(v).
Subsec. (d)(3)(E).
Subsec. (d)(4)(C).
Subsec. (d)(5)(C).
Subsec. (d)(5)(D).
Subsec. (d)(5)(D)(iii)(III).
Subsec. (d)(5)(D)(v).
Subsec. (d)(5)(E).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(iv)(I).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(iv)(III).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(iv)(IV) to (VI).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(v)(II) to (IV).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(vii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(viii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(G).
Subsec. (d)(5)(H).
Subsec. (d)(5)(I).
Subsec. (d)(8)(C).
"(i) If the application of subparagraph (B) or a decision of the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board or the Secretary under paragraph (10),, [sic] by treating hospitals located in a rural county or counties as being located in an urban area, reduces the wage index for that urban area (as applied under this subsection), the Secretary shall calculate and apply such wage index under this subsection separately to hospitals located in such urban area (excluding all the hospitals so treated) and to the hospitals so treated (as if each affected rural county were a separate urban area). If the application of subparagraph (B) or a decision of the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board or the Secretary under paragraph (10),, [sic] by treating the hospitals located in a rural county or counties as not being located in the rural area in a State, reduces the wage index for that rural area (as applied under this subsection), the Secretary shall calculate and apply such wage index under this subsection as if the hospitals so treated had not been excluded from calculation of the wage index for that rural area.
"(ii) Clause (i) shall only apply to discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1989, and before October 1, 1991."
Subsec. (d)(8)(C)(i).
Subsec. (d)(8)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(8)(D).
Subsec. (d)(9)(B)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (d)(9)(D)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(9)(D)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(9)(D)(v).
Subsec. (d)(10).
Subsec. (g)(3)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (g)(3)(A)(v).
Subsec. (g)(3)(B).
Subsec. (i).
1988—Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(III).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(IV).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(V).
Subsec. (d)(1)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(i).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(2)(D).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(3)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(3)(C)(ii)(I), (II).
Subsec. (d)(3)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(ii)(I), (II).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(i).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(vi)(I).
Subsec. (d)(8).
Subsec. (d)(8)(B).
"(i) the rural county would otherwise be considered part of an urban area but for the fact that the rural county does not meet the standard relating to the rate of commutation between the rural county and the central county or counties of any adjacent urban area; and
"(ii) either (I) the number of residents of the rural county who commute for employment to the central county or counties of any adjacent urban area is equal to at least 15 percent of the number of residents of the rural county who are employed, or (II) the sum of the number of residents of the rural county who commute for employment to the central county or counties of any adjacent urban area and the number of residents of any adjacent urban area who commute for employment to the rural county is at least equal to 20 percent of the number of residents of the rural county who are employed."
Subsec. (d)(8)(C).
Subsec. (d)(8)(D).
Subsec. (d)(9)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (e)(6)(B).
Subsec. (f)(1)(A).
Subsec. (f)(1)(B).
Subsec. (g)(3)(A)(ii) to (iv).
Subsec. (g)(3)(A)(iv).
1987—Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(II).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(III) to (V).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii), (iii).
Subsec. (d)(1)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(2)(D).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (d)(3)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(3)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(3)(D).
Subsec. (d)(3)(D)(i).
Subsec. (d)(3)(E).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(C)(i)(I).
Subsec. (d)(5)(C)(i)(II).
Subsec. (d)(5)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(i).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(i)(II).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(iv)(I).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(vi)(I).
Subsec. (d)(8).
Subsec. (d)(9)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(9)(B).
Subsec. (d)(9)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (e)(3)(B).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (e)(6)(B).
Subsec. (e)(6)(D).
Subsec. (f)(1)(A).
Subsec. (f)(1)(B).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(3)(A)(ii) to (iv).
Subsec. (g)(3)(C).
"(i) notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, for the continuation of payment under the reasonable cost methodology described in
"(ii) in the design of such payment system that the aggregate payment amounts under this subchapter for such other capital-related costs for payments attributable to portions of cost reporting periods occurring during fiscal year 1988 and fiscal year 1989 shall approximate the aggregate payment amount under this subchapter that would have been made (taking into account the provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (B)) during that fiscal year but for the inclusion of such costs by the Secretary."
Subsec. (h)(4)(C).
1986—Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(II).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (c)(7).
Subsec. (d)(1)(A).
Subsec. (d)(1)(C).
Subsec. (d)(1)(D).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(i).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B).
Subsec. (d)(3)(C).
Subsec. (d)(3)(C)(ii).
"(I) the sum of the additional payment amounts under paragraph (5)(B) (relating to indirect costs of medical education) if the indirect teaching adjustment factor were equal to 1.159r (as 'r' is defined in paragraph (5)(B)(ii)), and
"(II) that sum using the factor specified in paragraph (5)(B)(ii)(II)."
Subsec. (d)(3)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(3)(D)(i)(I), (ii)(I).
Subsec. (d)(4)(C).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(C)(i).
Subsec. (d)(5)(C)(i)(I).
Subsec. (d)(5)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(E).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(i).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(iv)(I).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(iv)(III).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(v).
Subsec. (d)(5)(F)(vi)(I).
Subsec. (d)(9).
Subsec. (e)(1)(C).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (e)(3)(A).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (e)(5)(A).
Subsec. (e)(6)(A).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (g)(2)(B).
Subsec. (g)(3).
Subsec. (g)(3)(A).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (h)(2)(C).
Subsec. (h)(4)(D).
Subsec. (h)(4)(E).
Subsec. (h)(5)(B).
1984—Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
Subsec. (c)(4)(A).
Subsec. (d)(2)(D).
Subsec. (d)(3)(D)(i)(I).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B).
Subsec. (d)(5)(C)(i).
Subsec. (d)(5)(E).
Subsec. (d)(8).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (e)(5)(A).
Subsec. (e)(6)(C).
Subsec. (e)(6)(C)(i).
Subsec. (e)(6)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (e)(6)(D).
Subsec. (e)(6)(J).
1983—Subsec. (a)(1)(D).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (b)(6)(C).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B).
Subsec. (c)(4) to (6).
Subsec. (d).
Subsecs. (e) to (g).
1982—Subsec. (d).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
"(1)
"(2) GME.—Section 1886(h)(4)(J) of the Social Security Act [
"(3) IME.—Section 1886(d)(5)(B)(x)(III) of the Social Security Act [
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by section 109(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 205(b)(1) of
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) the Secretary shall automatically reconsider the application as an application for fiscal year 2005 under the amendments made by this section; and
"(B) the maximum time period otherwise permitted for such classification of the service or technology shall be extended by 12 months."
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title III, §321(b), (e), (f), (h), (k)(15)–(17)] of
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title IV, §401(a)] of
"(A) DGME.—The amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] apply to cost reporting periods that begin on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 29, 1999].
"(B) IME.—The amendment made by paragraph (2) [amending this section] applies to discharges occurring in cost reporting periods that begin on or after such date of enactment."
"(A) DGME.—The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] applies to cost reporting periods beginning on or after April 1, 2000.
"(B) IME.—The amendment made by paragraph (2) [amending this section] applies to discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2000."
"(A) payments to hospitals under section 1886(h) of the Social Security Act (
"(B) payments to hospitals under section 1886(d)(5)(B)(v) of such Act (
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4022(b) of
Amendment by section 4201(c)(1), (4) of
Section 4204(b) of
Section 4405(d) of
Section 4415(e) of
Section 4417(a)(2) of
Section 4417(b)(2) of
Section 4419(a)(2) of
Section 4421(c) of
Section 4627(b) of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 101(a)(2) of
Section 153(b) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13501(b)(3) of
Section 13563(b)(2) of
Section 13563(c)(2) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4002(a)(2) of
Section 4002(b)(5) of
Section 4002(c)(3) of
Section 4002(e)(4)[(3)] of
Section 4002(g)(5) of
Section 4002(h)(1)(B) of
Section 4003(b) of
"(1) in the case of any services provided during the day immediately preceding the date of a patient's admission (without regard to whether the services are related to the admission), to services furnished on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 5, 1990] and before October 1, 1991;
"(2) in the case of diagnostic services (including clinical diagnostic laboratory tests), to services furnished on or after January 1, 1991; and
"(3) in the case of any other services, to services furnished on or after October 1, 1991."
Section 4005(a)(2) of
Section 4005(c)(4) of
Section 4008(f)(2) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 6003(a)(2) of
Section 6003(c)(4) of
Section 6003(h)(7) of
Section 6004(a)(3) of
"(A) in the case of a hospital classified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as a hospital involved extensively in treatment for or research on cancer under section 1886(d)(5)(I) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(5)(I) of this section] (as redesignated by section 6003(e)(1)(A)) after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 1989], such amendments shall apply with respect to cost reporting periods beginning on or after the date of such classification,
"(B) in the case of a hospital that is not described in subparagraph (A), such amendments shall apply with respect to portions of cost reporting periods or discharges occurring during and after fiscal year 1987 for purposes of section 1886(g) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (g) of this section], and
"(C) such amendments shall take effect 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act for purposes of determining the eligibility of a hospital to receive periodic interim payments under section 1815(e)(2) of the Social Security Act [
Section 6004(b)(2) of
Section 6011(d) of
[Section 13505 of
Section 6015(c) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by section 1018(r)(1) of
Amendment by
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendments
Section 4002(g) of
"(1)
"(A) the amendments made by subsections (a) and (c) [amending this section] shall apply to payments made under section 1886(d)(1)(A)(iii) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(1)(A)(iii) of this section] on the basis of discharges occurring on or after April 1, 1988, and
"(B) for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1988, the applicable percentage increase (described in section 1886(b)(3)(B) of such Act [subsec. (b)(3)(B) of this section]) for discharges occurring during fiscal year 1987 is deemed to have been such percentage increase as amended by subsection (a).
"(2)
"(A) the amendment made by subsections (a) and (c) [amending this section] shall apply to payments under section 1886(d)(1)(A)(ii)(I) of the Social Security Act made on the basis of discharges occurring during a cost reporting period of a hospital, for the hospital's cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 1987;
"(B) notwithstanding subparagraph (A), for cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1988, the applicable percentage increase (as defined in section 1886(b)(3)(B) of such Act [subsec. (b)(3)(B) of this section]) for the—
"(i) first 51 days of the cost reporting period shall be 0 percent,
"(ii) next 132 days of such period shall be 2.7 percent, and
"(iii) remainder of such period of the cost reporting period shall be the applicable percentage increase (as so defined, as amended by subsection (a)); and
"(C) for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1988, the applicable percentage increase (as so defined) with respect to the previous cost reporting period shall be deemed to have been the applicable percentage increase (as so defined, as amended by subsection (a)).
"(3)
"(A) the amendments made by subsection (e) [amending this section] shall apply to cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1987;
"(B) notwithstanding subparagraph (A), for the hospital's cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1988, payment under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] shall be made as though the applicable percentage increase described in section 1886(b)(3)(B) of such Act [subsec. (b)(3)(B) of this section] were equal to the product of 2.7 percent and the ratio of 315 to 366; and
"(C) for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1988, the applicable percentage increase (as so defined) with respect to the cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1988 shall be deemed to have been 2.7 percent.
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
Section 4003(e) of
Section 4005(a)(3) of
Section 4005(c)(2)(A) of
Section 4005(d)(1)(B) of
Section 4006(b)(3) of
Section 4007(b)(2) of
Section 4009(d)(2) of
Section 4009(j)(6) of
Section 4083(b)(2) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Section 1895(b)(1)(D) of
Section 1895(b)(2)(B), formerly §1895(b)(2)(D), of
Amendment by section 1895(b)(3), (9) of
Section 9302(a)(3) of
Section 9302(b)(2) of
Section 9302(d)(1)(B) of
"(i) Subject to clause (ii), the amendments made by subparagraph (A) [amending this section] shall apply to payments for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1986.
"(ii) An appeal for classification of a rural hospital as a regional referral center, pursuant to the amendments made by subparagraph (A), which is filed before January 1, 1987, and which is approved shall be effective with respect to discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1986."
Section 9303(b) of
Section 9304(d) of
Section 9306(d) of
Section 9307(c)(1) of
Section 9314(b) of
Amendment by section 9320(g) of
Section 9321(e)(3)(B) of
Section 9101(d) of
Section 9101(e) of
"(1)
"(A) the amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to payments made under section 1886(d)(1)(A) of such Act [subsec. (d)(1)(A) of this section] made on the basis of discharges occurring on or after May 1, 1986; and
"(B) for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1986, the applicable percentage increase (described in section 1886(b)(3)(B) [subsec. (b)(3)(B) of this section]) for discharges occurring during fiscal year 1986 shall be deemed to have been ½ percent.
"(2)
"(A) the amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to payments under section 1886(d)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(1)(A) of this section] made on the basis of discharges occurring during a cost reporting period of a hospital, for the hospital's cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1985;
"(B) notwithstanding subparagraph (A), for the cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1986, the applicable percentage increase (as defined in section 1886(b)(3)(B) of such Act [subsec. (b)(3)(B) of this section]) for the—
"(i) first 7 months of the cost reporting period shall be 0 percent, and
"(ii) for the remaining 5 months of the cost reporting period shall be ½ percent; and
"(C) for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1986, the applicable percentage increase (as so defined) with respect to the previous cost reporting period shall be deemed to have been ½ percent.
"(3)
"(A) the amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1985;
"(B) notwithstanding subparagraph (A), for the hospital's cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1986, payment under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] shall be made as though the applicable percentage increase described in section 1886(b)(3)(B) [subsec. (b)(3)(B) of this section] were equal to 5/24 of 1 percent; and
"(C) for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1986, the applicable percentage increase (as so defined) with respect to the cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1986 shall be deemed to have been ½ percent.
"(4)
Section 9102(d) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) to cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1985, but
"(B) notwithstanding subparagraph (A), for a hospital's cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1986, for purposes of section 1886(d)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(1)(A) of this section]—
"(i) during the first 7 months of the period the 'target percentage' is 50 percent and the 'DRG percentage' is 50 percent, and
"(ii) during the remaining 5 months of the period the 'target percentage' is 45 percent and the 'DRG percentage' is 55 percent.
"(3)
"(4)
"(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall not apply to payments with respect to the operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in section 1886(a)(4) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(4) of this section]) of a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in section 1886(d)(1)(B) of such Act [subsec. (d)(1)(B) of this section]) located in the State of Oregon.
"(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for a cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1986 of a subsection (d) hospital to which the amendments made by this section [amending this section] do not apply, for purposes of section 1886(d)(1)(A) of of [sic] Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(1)(A) of this section]—
"(i) during the first 7 months of the period the 'target percentage' is 50 percent and the 'DRG percentage' is 50 percent, and
"(ii) during the remaining 5 months of the period the 'target percentage' is 25 percent and the 'DRG percentage' is 75 percent.
"(C) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for purposes of section 1886(d)(1)(D) of such Act [subsec. (d)(1)(D) of this section], the applicable combined adjusted DRG prospective payment rate for a subsection (d) hospital to which the amendments made by this section [amending this section] do not apply is, for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1985, and before May 1, 1986, a combined rate consisting of 25 percent of the national adjusted DRG prospective payment rate and 75 percent of the regional adjusted DRG prospective payment rate for such discharges."
Section 9104(c) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to discharges occurring on or after May 1, 1986.
"(2) The amendments made by this section shall not first be applied to discharges occurring as of a date unless, for discharges occurring on that date, the amendments made by section 9105 [amending this section] are also being applied."
Section 9105(e) of
Section 9106(b) of
Section 9107(c)(1) of
Section 9109(b) of
Section 9111(b) of
Section 9202(b) of
Effective and Termination Dates of 1984 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 2307(b)(2) of
Section 2310(b) of
Section 2311(d) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by subsections (b) and (c) [amending this section] shall be effective with respect to cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1983, and the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall be effective with respect to cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1984.
"(2) The amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall not apply so as to reduce any payment under section 1886(d) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d) of this section] to a hospital the region of which is deemed to be changed pursuant to such amendment for discharges occurring in any cost reporting period beginning before October 1, 1984."
Section 2312(c) of
Amendment by section 2313(a), (b), (d) of
Section 2315(g) of
Amendment by section 2354(b)(42)–(44) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendments
Section 601(b)(9) of
Section 604 of title VI of
"(a)(1) Except as provided in section 602(l) [amending
"(2) Section 1866(a)(1)(F) of the Social Security Act [
"(b) The Secretary shall make an appropriate reduction in the payment amount under section 1886(d) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d) of this section] (as amended by this title) for any discharge, if the admission has occurred before a hospital's first cost reporting period that begins after September 1983, to take into account amounts payable under title XVIII of that Act [this subchapter] (as in effect before the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 20, 1983]) for items and services furnished before that period.
"(c)(1) The Secretary shall cause to be published in the Federal Register a notice of the interim final DRG prospective payment rates established under subsection (d) of section 1886 of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d) of this section] (as amended by this title) no later than September 1, 1983, and allow for a period of public comment thereon. Payment on the basis of prospective rates shall become effective on October 1, 1983, without the necessity for consideration of comments received, but the Secretary shall, by notice published in the Federal Register, affirm or modify the amounts by December 31, 1983, after considering those comments.
"(2) A modification under paragraph (1) that reduces a prospective payment rate shall apply only to discharges occurring after 30 days after the date the notice of the modification is published in the Federal Register.
"(3) Rules to implement the amendments made by this title [amending this section and
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 101(b)(1) of
Regulations
Section 4003(c) of
Section 2315(f)(2) of
Section 101(b)(2)(A) of
Construction of 2010 Amendment
Transfer of Functions
Prospective Payment Assessment Commission (ProPAC) was terminated and its assets and staff transferred to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) by section 4022(c)(2), (3) of
Special Rule for Fiscal Year 2011 and Adjustment for Certain Hospitals in Fiscal Year 2011
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(3)
"(A)
"(i) a reclassification of its wage index for purposes of such section was extended pursuant to the amendment made by paragraph (1); and
"(ii) the wage index applicable for such hospital for the period beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on March 31, 2011, was lower than for the period beginning on April 1, 2011, and ending on September 30, 2011, by reason of the application of paragraph (2)(B);
"the Secretary shall pay such hospital an additional payment that reflects the difference between the wage index for such periods.
"(B)
Similar provisions were contained in
No Reopening of Previously Bundled Claims
"(1)
"(2)
Implementation of Amendment by Pub. L. 111–192
Payment for Qualifying Hospitals
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(d)
Value-Based Purchasing Demonstration Programs
"(1)
"(A)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(iii)
"(B)
"(C)
"(D)
"(i) recommendations on the establishment of a permanent value-based purchasing program under the Medicare program for critical access hospitals with respect to inpatient critical access hospital services; and
"(ii) recommendations for such other legislation and administrative action as the Secretary determines appropriate.
"(2)
"(A)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(iii)
"(iv)
"(B)
"(C)
"(D)
"(i) recommendations on the establishment of a permanent value-based purchasing program under the Medicare program for applicable hospitals with respect to inpatient hospital services; and
"(ii) recommendations for such other legislation and administrative action as the Secretary determines appropriate."
Reforming the Medicare Hospital Wage Index System
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) uses Bureau of Labor Statistics data, or other data or methodologies, to calculate relative wages for each geographic area involved;
"(B) minimizes wage index adjustments between and within metropolitan statistical areas and statewide rural areas;
"(C) includes methods to minimize the volatility of wage index adjustments that result from implementation of policy, while maintaining budget neutrality in applying such adjustments;
"(D) takes into account the effect that implementation of the system would have on health care providers and on each region of the country;
"(E) addresses issues related to occupational mix, such as staffing practices and ratios, and any evidence on the effect on quality of care or patient safety as a result of the implementation of the system; and
"(F) provides for a transition.
"(3)
"(c)
Application of Budget Neutrality on a National Basis in the Calculation of the Medicare Hospital Wage Index Floor
Effect on Temporary FTE Cap Adjustments
Graduate Nurse Education Demonstration
"(a)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(3)
"(4)
"(b)
"(1) the obligations of the eligible partners with respect to the provision of qualified training; and
"(2) the obligation of the eligible hospital to reimburse such eligible partners applicable (in a timely manner) for the costs of such qualified training attributable to partner.
"(c)
"(1) The growth in the number of advanced practice registered nurses with respect to a specific base year as a result of the demonstration.
"(2) The growth for each of the specialties described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (e)(1).
"(3) The costs to the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act as a result of the demonstration.
"(4) Other items the Secretary determines appropriate and relevant.
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(e)
"(1)
"(A) A clinical nurse specialist (as defined in subsection (aa)(5) of section 1861 of the Social Security Act (
"(B) A nurse practitioner (as defined in such subsection).
"(C) A certified registered nurse anesthetist (as defined in subsection (bb)(2) of such section).
"(D) A certified nurse-midwife (as defined in subsection (gg)(2) of such section).
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(A) 1 or more applicable schools of nursing; and
"(B) 2 or more applicable non-hospital community-based care settings.
"(6)
"(A) An applicable non-hospital community-based care setting.
"(B) An applicable school of nursing.
"(7)
"(A)
"(i) that provides an advanced practice registered nurse with the clinical skills necessary to provide primary care, preventive care, transitional care, chronic care management, and other services appropriate for individuals entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [
"(ii) subject to subparagraph (B), at least half of which is provided in a non-hospital community-based care setting.
"(B)
"(8)
Payment for Long-Term Care Hospital Services
"(1)
"(A) section 412.536 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, or any similar provision, to freestanding long-term care hospitals or to a long-term care hospital, or satellite facility, that as of December 29, 2007, was co-located with an entity that is a provider-based, off-campus location of a subsection (d) hospital which did not provide services payable under section 1886(d) of the Social Security Act [
"(B) such section or section 412.534 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, or any similar provisions, to a long-term care hospital identified by the amendment made by section 4417(a) of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(C)
"(3)
"(4)
[
Moratorium on the Establishment of Long-Term Care Hospitals, Long-Term Care Satellite Facilities and on the Increase of Long-Term Care Hospital Beds in Existing Long-Term Care Hospitals or Satellite Facilities
"(1)
"(A) subject to paragraph (2), on the establishment and classification of a long-term care hospital or satellite facility, other than an existing long-term care hospital or facility; and
"(B) subject to paragraph (3), on an increase of long-term care hospital beds in existing long-term care hospitals or satellite facilities.
"(2)
"(A) began its qualifying period for payment as a long-term care hospital under section 412.23(e) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, on or before the date of the enactment of this Act;
"(B) has a binding written agreement with an outside, unrelated party for the actual construction, renovation, lease, or demolition for a long-term care hospital, and has expended, before the date of the enactment of this Act, at least 10 percent of the estimated cost of the project (or, if less, $2,500,000); or
"(C) has obtained an approved certificate of need in a State where one is required on or before the date of the enactment of this Act.
"(3)
"(A)
"(i) is located in a State where there is only one other long-term care hospital; and
"(ii) requests an increase in beds following the closure or the decrease in the number of beds of another long-term care hospital in the State.
"(B)
"(4)
"(5)
[For effective date of amendment by
Expanded Review of Medical Necessity
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) provide for a statistically valid and representative sample of admissions of such individuals sufficient to provide results at a 95 percent confidence interval; and
"(B) guarantee that at least 75 percent of overpayments received by long-term care hospitals for medically unnecessary admissions and continued stays of individuals in long-term care hospitals will be identified and recovered and that related days of care will not be counted toward the length of stay requirement contained in section 1886(d)(1)(B)(iv) of the Social Security Act (
"(3)
"(4)
"(A)
"(B)
"(5)
Extending Certain Medicare Hospital Wage Index Reclassifications
"(2)
"(3)
Correction of Application of Wage Index During Tax Relief and Health Care Act Extension
"(1) a reclassification of its wage index for purposes of such section was extended for the period beginning on April 1, 2007, and ending on September 30, 2007, pursuant to subsection (a) of section 106 of division B of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 [
"(2) the wage index applicable for such hospital during such period was lower than the wage index applicable for such hospital during the period beginning on October 1, 2006, and ending on March 31, 2007,
the Secretary [of Health and Human Services] shall apply the higher wage index that was applicable for such hospital during the period beginning on October 1, 2006, and ending on March 31, 2007, for the entire fiscal year 2007. If the Secretary determines that the application of the preceding sentence to a hospital will result in a hospital being owed additional reimbursement, the Secretary shall make such payments within 90 days after the settlement of the applicable cost report."
Correction of Mid-Year Reclassification Expiration
Plan for Hospital Value Based Purchasing Program
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) The on-going development, selection, and modification process for measures of quality and efficiency in hospital inpatient settings.
"(B) The reporting, collection, and validation of quality data.
"(C) The structure of value based payment adjustments, including the determination of thresholds or improvements in quality that would substantiate a payment adjustment, the size of such payments, and the sources of funding for the value based payments.
"(D) The disclosure of information on hospital performance.
In developing such a plan, the Secretary shall consult with relevant affected parties and shall consider experience with such demonstrations that are relevant to the value based purchasing program under this subsection."
Extended Phase-In of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Classification Criteria
"(a)
"(b)
"(c) IRF
[
Medicare Demonstration Projects To Permit Gainsharing Arrangements
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) is submitted to the Secretary prior to implementation of the project; and
"(B) includes a plan outlining how the project will achieve improvements in quality and efficiency.
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
"(c)
"(1)
"(A) remuneration for purposes of section 1128B of the Social Security Act (
"(B) a payment intended to induce a physician to reduce or limit services to a patient entitled to benefits under Medicare or a State plan approved under title XIX of such Act [subchapter XIX of this chapter] in violation of section 1128A of such Act (
"(C) a financial relationship for purposes of section 1877 of such Act (
"(2)
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(e)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(f)
"(1)
"(2)
"(g)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
More Frequent Update in Weights Used in Hospital Market Basket
"(a)
"(b)
Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A) for discharges occurring in the first cost reporting period beginning on or after the implementation of the demonstration program, the reasonable costs of providing such services; and
"(B) for discharges occurring in a subsequent cost reporting period under the demonstration program, the lesser of—
"(i) the reasonable costs of providing such services in the cost reporting period involved; or
"(ii) the target amount (as defined in paragraph (2)), applicable to the cost reporting period involved.
"(2)
"(A) in the case of the second such cost reporting period for which this subsection is in effect, the reasonable costs of providing such covered inpatient hospital services as determined under paragraph (1)(A), and
"(B) in the case of a later cost reporting period, the target amount for the preceding 12-month cost reporting period,
increased by the applicable percentage increase (under clause (i) of section 1886(b)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act (
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(d)
"(e)
"(f)
"(1)
"(A)
"(i) is located in a rural area (as defined in section 1886(d)(2)(D) of such Act (
"(ii) subject to subparagraph (B), has fewer than 51 acute care inpatient beds, as reported in its most recent cost report;
"(iii) makes available 24-hour emergency care services; and
"(iv) is not eligible for designation, or has not been designated, as a critical access hospital under section 1820 [probably means section 1820 of the Social Security Act which is classified to
"(B)
"(2)
"(g)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(A) shall provide for the continued participation of such rural community hospital in the demonstration program during the 5-year extension period unless the rural community hospital makes an election, in such form and manner as the Secretary may specify, to discontinue such participation; and
"(B) in calculating the amount of payment under subsection (b) to the rural community hospital for covered inpatient hospital services furnished by the hospital during such 5-year extension period, shall substitute, under paragraph (1)(A) of such subsection—
"(i) the reasonable costs of providing such services for discharges occurring in the first cost reporting period beginning on or after the first day of the 5-year extension period, for
"(ii) the reasonable costs of providing such services for discharges occurring in the first cost reporting period beginning on or after the implementation of the demonstration program."
Applicability of Chapter 35 of Title 44
Report on Extension of Applications Under Redistribution Program
MedPAC Study on Rural Hospital Payment Adjustments
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
GAO Study and Report on Appropriateness of Payments Under the Prospective Payment System for Inpatient Hospital Services
"(1)
"(A) the appropriate level and distribution of payments in relation to costs under the prospective payment system under section 1886 of the Social Security Act (
"(B) whether there is a need to adjust such payments under such system to reflect legitimate differences in costs across different geographic areas, kinds of hospitals, and types of cases.
"(2)
Not Budget Neutral
One-Time Appeals Process for Hospital Wage Index Classification
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) Such an appeal may be filed as soon as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 8, 2003] but shall be filed by not later than February 15, 2004.
"(B) Such an appeal shall be heard by the Medicare Geographic Reclassification Review Board.
"(C) There shall be no further administrative or judicial review of a decision of such Board.
"(3)
"(4)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) does not qualify for a change in wage index classification under paragraph (8) or (10) of section 1886(d) of the Social Security Act (
"(2) meets such other criteria, such as quality, as the Secretary may specify by instruction or otherwise.
The Secretary may modify the wage comparison guidelines promulgated under section 1886(d)(10)(D) of such Act (
"(d)
"(e)
"(f)
"(g)
Exception to Initial Residency Period for Geriatric Residency or Fellowship Programs
"(a)
"(b)
Treatment of Volunteer Supervision
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
Furnishing Hospitals With Information To Compute DSH Formula
Special Rules for Payment for Fiscal Year 2001
"(1) for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2000, and before April 1, 2001, shall be determined in accordance with subclause (XVI) of such section as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2000]; and
"(2) for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001, and before October 1, 2001, shall be equal to—
"(A) the market basket percentage increase plus 1.1 percentage points for hospitals (other than sole community hospitals) in all areas; and
"(B) the market basket percentage increase for sole community hospitals."
"(1) for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2000, and before April 1, 2001, shall be adjusted as provided by clause (ix)(III) of such section as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2000]; and
"(2) for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001, and before October 1, 2001, shall, instead of being reduced by 3 percent as provided by clause (ix)(III) of such section as in effect after the date of the enactment of this Act, be reduced by 1 percent."
"(a)
"(1) Section 301(b)(2)(A) [set out as a note above] (relating to acute care hospital payment update).
"(2) Section 302(b) [set out as a note above] (relating to IME percentage adjustment).
"(3) Section 303(b)(2) [set out as a note above] (relating to DSH payments)."
Consideration of Price of Blood and Blood Products in Market Basket Index
MedPAC Study and Report Regarding Certain Hospital Costs
"(1)
"(A) any increased costs incurred by subsection (d) hospitals (as defined in paragraph (1)(B) of section 1886(d) of the Social Security Act (
"(i) complying with new blood safety measure requirements; and
"(ii) providing such services using new technologies;
"(B) the extent to which the prospective payment system for such services under such section provides adequate and timely recognition of such increased costs;
"(C) the prospects for (and to the extent practicable, the magnitude of) cost increases that hospitals will incur in providing such services that are attributable to complying with new blood safety measure requirements and providing such services using new technologies during the 10 years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2000]; and
"(D) the feasibility and advisability of establishing mechanisms under such payment system to provide for more timely and accurate recognition of such cost increases in the future.
"(2)
"(A) hospitals;
"(B) organizations involved in the collection, processing, and delivery of blood; and
"(C) organizations involved in the development of new blood safety technologies.
"(3)
Process To Permit Statewide Wage Index Calculation and Application
"(1)
"(2)
Collection of Information on Occupational Mix
"(A) the collection of data under paragraph (1) [set out above]; and
"(B) the measurement under the third sentence of section 1886(d)(3)(E) [subsection (d)(3)(E) of this section], as amended by paragraph (2)."
Payment for Inpatient Services of Psychiatric Hospitals
Expediting Recognition of New Technologies Into Inpatient PPS Coding System
"(1)
"(2)
Consultation Prior to Rulemaking
Special Payments To Maintain 6.5 Percent IME Payment for Fiscal Year 2000
"(1)
"(2)
Data Collection
"(1)
"(2)
Per Discharge Prospective Payment System for Long-Term Care Hospitals
"(1)
"(2)
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(b)
"(c)
Per Diem Prospective Payment System for Psychiatric Hospitals
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(b)
"(c)
Study on Impact of Implementation of Prospective Payment System
"(1)
"(2)
MedPAC Study on Medicare Payment for Nonphysician Health Professional Clinical Training in Hospitals
"(a)
"(b)
Not Counting Against Numerical Limitation Certain Interns and Residents Transferred from a VA Residency Program That Loses Accreditation
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) participated in graduate medical education at a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs;
"(B) was subsequently transferred on or after January 1, 1997, and before July 31, 1998, to a hospital that was not a Department of Veterans Affairs facility; and
"(C) was transferred because the approved medical residency program in which the resident or intern participated would lose accreditation by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education if such program continued to train residents at the Department of Veterans Affairs facility.
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
GAO Study on Geographic Reclassification
"(a)
"(1) the magnitude of the effect of geographic reclassification on rural hospitals that are not reclassified;
"(2) whether the current thresholds used in geographic reclassification reclassify hospitals to the appropriate labor markets;
"(3) the effect of eliminating geographic reclassification through use of the occupational mix data;
"(4) the group reclassification policy;
"(5) changes in the number of reclassifications and the compositions of the groups;
"(6) the effect of State-specific budget neutrality compared to national budget neutrality; and
"(7) whether there are sufficient controls over the intermediary evaluation of the wage data reported by hospitals.
"(b)
Continuing Treatment of Previously Designated Centers
Section 4202(b) of
"(1)
"(2)
Hospital Geographic Reclassification Permitted for Purposes of Disproportionate Share Payment Adjustments
Section 4203 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
Temporary Relief for Certain Non-Teaching, Non-DSH Hospitals
"(1)
"(A) beginning in fiscal year 1998 the amount of payment made to the hospital under section 1886(d) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d) of this section] for discharges occurring during such fiscal year only shall be increased as though the applicable percentage increase (otherwise applicable to discharges occurring during fiscal year 1998 under section 1886(b)(3)(B)(i)(XIII) of the Social Security Act (
"(B) beginning in fiscal year 1999 the amount of payment made to the hospital under section 1886(d) of the Social Security Act for discharges occurring during such fiscal year only shall be increased as though the applicable percentage increase (otherwise applicable to discharges occurring during fiscal year 1999 under section 1886(b)(3)(B)(i)(XIV) of the Social Security Act (
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in computing the increase under subparagraph (B) and neither subparagraph shall affect payment for discharges for any hospital occurring during a fiscal year after fiscal year 1999. Payment increases under this subsection for discharges occurring during a fiscal year are subject to settlement after the close of the fiscal year.
"(2)
"(A) that is described in paragraph (3) for such period;
"(B) that is located in a State in which the amount of the aggregate payments under section 1886(d) of such Act [subsec. (d) of this section] for hospitals located in the State and described in paragraph (3) for their cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 1995 is less than the aggregate allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in section 1886(a)(4) of such Act) for all such hospitals in such State with respect to such cost reporting periods; and
"(C) with respect to which the payments under section 1886(d) of such Act (
"(3)
"(A) is not receiving any additional payment amount described in section 1886(d)(5)(F) of such Act (
"(B) is not receiving any additional payment under section 1886(d)(5)(B) of such Act (
"(C) does not qualify for payment under section 1886(d)(5)(G) of such Act (
Formula for Additional Payment Amounts; Report
Section 4403(b), (c) of
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) establish a single threshold for costs incurred by hospitals in serving low-income patients, and
"(B) consider the costs described in paragraph (3).
"(3) The costs described in this paragraph are as follows:
"(A) The costs incurred by the hospital during a period (as determined by the Secretary) of furnishing hospital services to individuals who are entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [part A of this subchapter] and who receive supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of such Act [subchapter XVI of this chapter] (excluding any supplementation of those benefits by a State under section 1616 of such Act (
"(B) The costs incurred by the hospital during a period (as so determined) of furnishing hospital services to individuals who receive medical assistance under the State plan under title XIX of such Act [subchapter XIX of this chapter] and are not entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII of such Act [part A of this subchapter] (including individuals enrolled in a managed care organization (as defined in section 1903(m)(1)(A) of such Act (
"(c)
Geographic Reclassification for Certain Disproportionately Large Hospitals
Section 4409 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) the average hourly wage paid by the hospital is not less than 108 percent of the average hourly wage paid by all other hospitals located in the Metropolitan Statistical Area (or the New England County Metropolitan Area) in which the hospital is located;
"(2) not less than 40 percent of the adjusted uninflated wages paid by all hospitals located in such Area is attributable to wages paid by the hospital; and
"(3) the hospital submitted an application requesting reclassification for purposes of wage index under section 1886(d)(10)(C) of such Act (
Floor on Area Wage Index
Section 4410 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
Report on Effect of Amendments by Pub. L. 105–33, §4415, on Psychiatric Hospitals
Section 4415(d) of
Treatment of Certain Cancer Hospitals; Payment
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
Section 4418(b) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) the hospital's cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1990, or
"(B) pursuant to an election under 1886(b)(3)(G) of such Act (
"(3)
Report on Exceptions
Section 4419(b) of
Development of Proposal on Payments for Long-Term Care Hospitals
Section 4422 of
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) may require such long-term care hospitals to submit such information to the Secretary as the Secretary may require to develop the proposal; and
"(B) shall consider several payment methodologies, including the feasibility of expanding the current diagnosis-related groups and prospective payment system established under section 1886(d) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d) of this section] to apply to payments under the medicare program to long-term care hospitals.
"(b)
Dissemination of Information on High Per Discharge Relative Values for In-Hospital Physicians' Services
Section 4506 of title IV of
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) the hospital-specific per discharge relative value under subsection (b); and
"(B) whether the hospital-specific relative value is projected to be excessive (as determined based on such value represented as a percentage of the median of hospital-specific per discharge relative values determined under subsection (b)).
"(2)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) the average per discharge relative value (as determined under section 1848(c)(2) of such Act [
"(B) the equivalent per discharge relative value (as determined under such section) for physicians' services furnished to inpatients of the hospital by interns and residents of the hospital during the second year preceding that calendar year, adjusted for variations in case-mix among hospitals, and in disproportionate share status and teaching status among hospitals (as determined by the Secretary under paragraph (3)).
The Secretary shall determine the equivalent relative value unit per discharge for interns and residents based on the best available data and may make such adjustment in the aggregate.
"(3)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) if (in accordance with requirements for hospitals established by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Organizations)—
"(i) the individual is subject to bylaws, rules, and regulations established by the hospital to provide a framework for the self-governance of medical staff activities,
"(ii) subject to the bylaws, rules, and regulations, the individual has clinical privileges granted by the hospital's governing body, and
"(iii) under the clinical privileges, the individual may provide physicians' services independently within the scope of the individual's clinical privileges, or
"(B) if the physician provides at least one service to an individual entitled to benefits under this title in that hospital.
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
Incentive Payments Under Plans for Voluntary Reduction in Number of Residents; Relation to Demonstration Projects and Authority; Regulations
Section 4626(b), (c) of
"(b)
"(1) Section 1886(h)(6) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (h)(6) of this section], added by subsection (a), other than subparagraph (F)(ii) thereof, shall not apply to any residency training program with respect to which a demonstration project described in paragraph (3) has been approved by the Health Care Financing Administration as of May 27, 1997.
"(2) Effective May 27, 1997, the Secretary of Health and Human Services is not authorized to approve any demonstration project described in paragraph (3) for any residency training year beginning before July 1, 2006.
"(3) A demonstration project described in this paragraph is a project that primarily provides for additional payments under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] in connection with a reduction in the number of residents in a medical residency training program.
"(c)
Demonstration Project on Use of Consortia
Section 4628 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) The consortium consists of a teaching hospital with one or more approved medical residency training programs and one or more of the following entities:
"(A) A school of allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine.
"(B) Another teaching hospital, which may be a children's hospital.
"(C) A Federally qualified health center.
"(D) A medical group practice.
"(E) A managed care entity.
"(F) An entity furnishing outpatient services.
"(G) Such other entity as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
"(2) The members of the consortium have agreed to participate in the programs of graduate medical education that are operated by the entities in the consortium.
"(3) With respect to the receipt by the consortium of payments made pursuant to this section, the members of the consortium have agreed on a method for allocating the payments among the members.
"(4) The consortium meets such additional requirements as the Secretary may establish.
"(c)
Recommendations on Long-Term Policies Regarding Teaching Hospitals and Graduate Medical Education
Section 4629 of
"(a)
"(1) Possible methodologies for making payments for graduate medical education and the selection of entities to receive such payments. Matters considered under this paragraph shall include—
"(A) issues regarding children's hospitals and approved medical residency training programs in pediatrics, and
"(B) whether and to what extent payments are being made (or should be made) for training in the nursing and other allied health professions.
"(2) Federal policies regarding international medical graduates.
"(3) The dependence of schools of medicine on service-generated income.
"(4) Whether and to what extent the needs of the United States regarding the supply of physicians, in the aggregate and in different specialties, will change during the 10-year period beginning on October 1, 1997, and whether and to what extent any such changes will have significant financial effects on teaching hospitals.
"(5) Methods for promoting an appropriate number, mix, and geographical distribution of health professionals.
"(b)
"(1) deans from allopathic and osteopathic schools of medicine;
"(2) chief executive officers (or equivalent administrative heads) from academic health centers, integrated health care systems, approved medical residency training programs, and teaching hospitals that sponsor approved medical residency training programs;
"(3) chairs of departments or divisions from allopathic and osteopathic schools of medicine, schools of dentistry, and approved medical residency training programs in oral surgery;
"(4) individuals with leadership experience from representative fields of non-physician health professionals;
"(5) individuals with substantial experience in the study of issues regarding the composition of the health care workforce of the United States; and
"(6) individuals with expertise in health care payment policies.
"(c)
Study of Hospital Overhead and Supervisory Physician Components of Direct Medical Education Costs
Section 4630 of
"(a)
"(1) variations among hospitals in the hospital overhead and supervisory physician components of their direct medical education costs taken into account under section 1886(h) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (h) of this section], and
"(2) the reasons for such variations.
"(b)
DRG Prospective Payment Rate Methodology; Transition Rule for Fiscal Year 1998
Section 4644(a)(2) of
Hospital Payment Updates; Transition Rule for Fiscal Year 1998
Section 4644(b)(2) of
Geographical Reclassification; Special Rule for Applications Received in Fiscal Year 1997
Section 4644(c)(2) of
No Standardized Amount Adjustments for Fiscal Years 1992 or 1993
Section 13501(b)(2) of
Extension of Regional Referral Center Classifications Through Fiscal Year 1994; Reclassification
Section 13501(d) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) notify such hospital of such failure to qualify,
"(B) provide an opportunity for such hospital to decline such reclassification, and
"(C) if the hospital—
"(i) declines such reclassification, administer the Social Security Act [this chapter] (other than section 1886(d)(8)(D)) for such fiscal year as if the decision by the Review Board had not occurred, or
"(ii) fails to decline such reclassification, administer the Social Security Act without regard to paragraph (1).
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
Hospitals Declining Urban Area Reclassifications; Retroactive Payments
"(2)
"(A) notify such hospital of such failure to qualify,
"(B) provide an opportunity for such hospital to decline such reclassification, and
"(C) if the hospital declines such reclassification, administer the Social Security Act [this chapter] (other than section 1886(d)(8)(D)) for such fiscal year as if the decision by the Review Board had not occurred.
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
Adjustment in GME Base-Year Costs of Federal Insurance Contributions Act
Section 13563(d) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(A) The 'base cost reporting period' for a hospital is the hospital's cost reporting period that began during fiscal year 1984.
"(B) The term 'FICA taxes' means, with respect to a hospital, the taxes under section 3111 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [
Determination of Area Wage Index for Discharges Occurring January 1, 1991 to October 1, 1993
Section 4002(d)(1) of
"(A) For purposes of section 1886(d)(3)(E) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(3)(E) of this section] for discharges occurring on or after January 1, 1991, and before October 1, 1993, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall apply an area wage index determined using the survey of the 1988 wages and wage-related costs of hospitals in the United States conducted under such section.
"(B) The Secretary shall apply the wage index described in subparagraph (A) without regard to a previous survey of wages and wage-related costs."
Study and Report on Relationship Between Non-Wage-Related Input Prices and Adjusted Average Standardized Amounts
Section 4002(e)(2) of
Deadline for Submission of Applications to Geographic Classification Review Board
Section 4002(h)(2)(A) of
Payments for Medical Education Costs
Section 4004 of
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) the hospital claimed and was reimbursed for such costs during the most recent cost reporting period that ended on or before October 1, 1989;
"(B) the proportion of the hospital's total allowable costs that is attributable to the clinical training costs of the approved program, and allowable under (b)(1) during the cost reporting period does not exceed the proportion of total allowable costs that were attributable to the clinical training costs during the cost reporting period described in subparagraph (A);
"(C) the hospital receives a benefit for the support it furnishes to such program through the provision of clinical services by nursing or allied health students participating in such program; and
"(D) the costs incurred by the hospital for such program do not exceed the costs that would be incurred by the hospital if it operated the program itself.
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
"(4)
"(5)
Section 4159 of
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) the hospital claimed and was reimbursed for such costs during the most recent cost reporting period that ended on or before October 1, 1989;
"(B) the proportion of the hospital's total allowable costs that is attributable to the clinical training costs of the approved program, and allowable under (b)(1) during the cost reporting period does not exceed the proportion of total allowable costs that were attributable to clinical training costs during the cost reporting period described in subparagraph (A);
"(C) the hospital receives a benefit for the support it furnishes to such program through the provision of clinical services by nursing or allied health students participating in such program; and
"(D) the costs incurred by the hospital for such program do not exceed the costs that would be incurred by the hospital if it operated the program itself.
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
"(4)
"(5)
Development of National Prospective Payment Rates for Current Non-PPS Hospitals
Section 4005(b) of
"(1)
"(A) take into consideration the need to provide for appropriate limits on increases in expenditures under the medicare program;
"(B) provide for adjustments to prospectively determined rates to account for changes in a hospital's case mix, severity of illness of patients, volume of cases, and the development of new technologies and standards of medical practice;
"(C) take into consideration the need to increase the payment otherwise made under such system in the case of services provided to patients whose length of stay or costs of treatment greatly exceed the length of stay or cost of treatment provided for under the applicable prospectively determined payment rate;
"(D) take into consideration the need to adjust payments under the system to take into account factors such as a disproportionate share of low-income patients, costs related to graduate medical education programs, differences in wages and wage-related costs among hospitals located in various geographic areas, and other factors the Secretary considers appropriate; and
"(E) provide for the appropriate allocation of operating and capital-related costs of hospitals not subject to the new prospective payment system and distinct units of such hospitals that would be paid under such system.
"(2)
"(B) By not later than June 1, 1992, the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission shall submit an analysis of and comments on the proposal developed under paragraph (1) to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives."
Guidance to Intermediaries and Hospitals
Section 4005(c)(3) of
Freeze in Payments Under Part A of This Subchapter Through December 31, 1990
Section 4007 of
"(a)
"(1) The market basket percentage increase (described in section 1886(b)(3)(B)(iii) of the Social Security Act) shall be deemed to be 0 for discharges occurring during such period.
"(2) The percentage increase or decrease in the medical care expenditure category of the consumer price index applicable under section 1814(i)(2)(B) of such Act [
"(3) The area wage index applicable to a subsection (d) hospital under section 1886(d)(3)(E) of such Act shall be deemed to be the area wage index applicable to such hospital as of September 30, 1990.
"(4) The percentage change in the consumer price index applicable under section 1886(h)(2)(D) of such Act shall be deemed to be 0.
"(b)
Review of Hospital Regulations With Respect to Rural Hospitals
Section 4008(l) of
"(1)
"(2)
Prohibition on Cost Savings Policies Before Beginning of Fiscal Year
Section 4207(b)(1), formerly 4027(b)(1), of
"(A) The Secretary may issue such a proposed regulation, instruction, or other policy with respect to the fiscal year before the May 15 preceding the beginning of the fiscal year.
"(B) The Secretary may issue such a final regulation, instruction, or other policy with respect to the fiscal year on or after October 15 of the fiscal year.
"(C) The Secretary may, at any time, issue such a proposed or final regulation, instruction, or other policy with respect to the fiscal year if required to implement specific provisions under statute."
Prohibition of Payment Cycle Changes
Section 4207(b)(2), formerly 4027(b)(2), of
Extension of Area Wage Index
Section 115(a) of
Adjustments Resulting From Extensions of Regional Floor on Standardized Amounts
Section 115(b)(2) of
Indexing of Future Applicable Percentage Increases
Section 6003(a)(3) of
Continuation of Sole Community Hospital Designation for Current Sole Community Hospitals
Section 6003(e)(3) of
Additional Payment Resulting From Corrections of Erroneously Determined Wage Index
Section 6003(h)(5) of
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) the error resulted from the submission of erroneous data, except that a hospital is not eligible for such additional payment if it submitted such erroneous data;
"(ii) the error was made with respect to the survey of the 1984 wages and wage-related costs of hospitals in the United States conducted under section 1886(d)(3)(E) of the Social Security Act; and
"(iii) the correction of the error resulted in an adjustment to the area wage index of not less than 3 percentage points.
"(C)
Legislative Proposal Eliminating Separate Average Standardized Amounts
Determination and Recommendations of Payments for Costs of Administering Blood Clotting Factors to Individuals With Hemophilia
Section 6011(b), (c) of
"(b)
"(c)
Publication of Instructions Relating to Exceptions and Adjustments in Target Amounts
Section 6015(b) of
Delay in Recoupment of Certain Nursing and Allied Education Costs
Section 6205(b) of
"(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this subsection referred to as the 'Secretary') shall not, before October 1, 1990, recoup from, or otherwise reduce or adjust payments under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] to, hospitals because of alleged overpayments to such hospitals under such title due to a determination that costs which were reported by a hospital on its medicare cost reports relating to approved nursing and allied health education programs were allowable costs and are included in the definition of 'operating costs of inpatient hospital services' pursuant to section 1886(a)(4) of such Act [subsec. (a)(4) of this section], so that no pass-through of such costs was permitted under that section.
"(2)(A) Before July 1, 1990, the Secretary shall issue regulations respecting payment of costs described in paragraph (1).
"(B) In issuing such regulations—
"(i) the Secretary shall allow a comment period of not less than 60 days,
"(ii) the Secretary shall consult with the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission, and
"(iii) any final rule shall not be effective prior to October 1, 1990, or 30 days after publication of the final rule in the Federal Register, whichever is later.
"(C) Such regulations shall specify—
"(i) the relationship required between an approved nursing or allied health education program and a hospital for the program's costs to be attributed to the hospital;
"(ii) the types of costs related to nursing or allied health education programs that are allowable by medicare;
"(iii) the distinction between costs of approved educational activities as recognized under section 1886(a)(3) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(3) of this section] and educational costs treated as operating costs of inpatient hospital services; and
"(iv) the treatment of other funding sources for the program."
Inner-City Hospital Triage Demonstration Project
Section 6217 of
"(a)
"(1) to train hospital personnel to operate and participate in the system; and
"(2) to provide services to patients who might otherwise be denied appropriate and prompt care.
"(b)
"(2) The amount of payment made under the demonstration project during a single year may not exceed $500,000."
Transition Adjustments to Target Amounts for Inpatient Hospital Services
Section 101(c)(2)(B) of title I of
Election of Personnel Policy for ProPAC Employees
Section 8405 of
Adjustments in Payments for Inpatient Hospital Services
Section 104(c) of
"(1) PPS
"(2) PPS-
[Amendment of section 104(c) of
ProPAC Study
Section 203(c)(2) of
Clinic Hospital Wage Indices
Section 4004(b) of
Limitation on Amounts Paid in Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989
Section 4005(c)(2)(B) of
Study of Criteria for Classification of Hospitals as Rural Referral Centers; Report
Section 4005(d)(2) of
Grant Program for Rural Health Care Transition
Section 4005(e) of
"(1) The Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Health (or a designee), shall establish a program of grants to assist eligible small rural hospitals and their communities in the planning and implementation of projects to modify the type and extent of services such hospitals provide in order to adjust for one or more of the following factors:
"(A) Changes in clinical practice patterns.
"(B) Changes in service populations.
"(C) Declining demand for acute-care inpatient hospital capacity.
"(D) Declining ability to provide appropriate staffing for inpatient hospitals.
"(E) Increasing demand for ambulatory and emergency services.
"(F) Increasing demand for appropriate integration of community health services.
"(G) The need for adequate access (including appropriate transportation) to emergency care and inpatient care in areas in which a significant number of underutilized hospital beds are being eliminated.
"(H) The Administrator shall submit a final report on the program to the Congress not later than 180 days after all projects receiving a grant under the program are completed.
Each demonstration project under this subsection shall demonstrate methods of strengthening the financial and managerial capability of the hospital involved to provide necessary services. Such methods may include programs of cooperation with other health care providers, of diversification in services furnished (including the provision of home health services), of physician recruitment, and of improved management systems. Grants under this paragraph may be used to provide instruction and consultation (and such other services as the Administrator determines appropriate) via telecommunications to physicians in such rural areas (within the meaning of section 1886(d)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(2)(D) of this section]) as are designated either class 1 or class 2 health manpower shortage areas under section 332(a)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act [
"(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term 'eligible small rural hospital' means any rural primary care hospital designated by the Secretary under section 1820(i)(2) of the Social Security Act [
"(A) is located in a rural area (as determined in accordance with subsection (d)),
"(B) has less than 100 beds, and
"(C) is not for profit.
"(3)(A) Any eligible small rural hospital that desires to modify the type or extent of health care services that it provides in order to adjust for one or more of the factors specified in paragraph (1) may submit an application to the Administrator and a copy of such application to the Governor of the State in which it is located. The application shall specify the nature of the project proposed by the hospital, the data and information on which the project is based, and a timetable (of not more than 24 months) for completion of the project. The application shall be submitted on or before a date specified by the Administrator and shall be in such form as the Administrator may require.
"(B) The Governor shall transmit to the Administrator, within a reasonable time after receiving a copy of an application pursuant to subparagraph (A), any comments with respect to the application that the Governor deems appropriate.
"(C) The Governor of a State may designate an appropriate State agency to receive and comment on applications submitted under subparagraph (A).
"(4) A hospital shall be considered to be located in a rural area for purposes of this subsection if it is treated as being located in a rural area for purposes of section 1886(d)(3)(D) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(3)(D) of this section].
"(5) In determining which hospitals making application under paragraph (3) will receive grants under this subsection, the Administrator shall take into account—
"(A) any comments received under paragraph (3)(B) with respect to a proposed project;
"(B) the effect that the project will have on—
"(i) reducing expenditures from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund,
"(ii) improving the access of medicare beneficiaries to health care of a reasonable quality;
"(C) the extent to which the proposal of the hospital, using appropriate data, demonstrates an understanding of—
"(i) the primary market or service area of the hospital, and
"(ii) the health care needs of the elderly and disabled that are not currently being met by providers in such market or area, and
"(D) the degree of coordination that may be expected between the proposed project and—
"(i) other local or regional health care providers, and
"(ii) community and government leaders,
as evidenced by the availability of support for the project (in cash or in kind) and other relevant factors.
"(6) A grant to a hospital under this subsection may not exceed $50,000 a year and may not exceed a term of 3 years.
"(7)(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), a hospital receiving a grant under this subsection may use the grant for any of expenses incurred in planning and implementing the project with respect to which the grant is made.
"(B) A hospital receiving a grant under this subsection for a project may not use the grant to retire debt incurred with respect to any capital expenditure made prior to the date on which the project is initiated.
"(C) Not more than one-third of any grant made under this subsection may be expended for capital-related costs (as defined by the Secretary for purposes of section 1886(a)(4) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(4) of this section]) of the project, except that this limitation shall not apply with respect to a grant used for the purposes described in subparagraph (D).
"(D) A hospital may use a grant received under this subsection to develop a plan for converting itself to a rural primary care hospital (as described in section 1820 of the Social Security Act [
"(8)(A) A hospital receiving a grant under this section [amending this section and
"(B) The Administrator shall report to the Congress at least once every 12 months on the program of grants established under this subsection. The report shall assess the functioning and status of the program, shall evaluate the progress made toward achieving the purposes of the program, and shall include any recommendations the Secretary may deem appropriate with respect to the program. In preparing the report, the Secretary shall solicit and include the comments and recommendations of private and public entities with an interest in rural health care.
"(C) The Administrator shall submit a final report on the program to the Congress not later than 180 days after all projects receiving a grant under the program are completed.
"(9) For purposes of carrying out the program of grants under this subsection, there are authorized to be appropriated from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1989, $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1990, 1991, and 1992 and $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1993 through 1997."
[For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions of law requiring submittal to Congress of any annual, semiannual, or other regular periodic report listed in House Document No. 103–7 (in which item 6 on page 100 identifies a reporting provision which, as subsequently amended, is contained in section 4005(e)(8)(B) of
[Section 103(a)(2) of
[
[Section 6003(g)(1)(B)(ii) of
Reporting Hospital Information
Section 4007 of
"(a)
"(b) [Amended subsec. (f) of this section and enacted provisions set out as an Effective Date of 1987 Amendment note above.]
"(c)
"(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide for a demonstration project to develop, and determine the costs and benefits of establishing a uniform system for the reporting by medicare participating hospitals of balance sheet and information described in paragraph (2). In conducting the project, the Secretary shall require hospitals in at least 2 States, one of which maintains a uniform hospital reporting system, to report such information based on standard information established by the Secretary.
"(2) The information described in this paragraph is as follows:
"(A) Hospital discharges (classified by class of primary payer).
"(B) Patient days (classified by class of primary payer).
"(C) Licensed beds, staffed beds, and occupancy.
"(D) Inpatient charges and revenues (classified by class of primary payer).
"(E) Outpatient charges and revenues (classified by class of primary payer).
"(F) Inpatient and outpatient hospital expenses (by cost-center classified for operating and capital).
"(G) Reasonable costs.
"(H) Other income.
"(I) Bad debt and charity care.
"(J) Capital acquisitions.
"(K) Capital assets.
The Secretary shall develop a definition of 'outpatient visit' for purposes of reporting hospital information.
"(3) The Secretary shall develop the system under subsection (c) in a manner so as—
"(A) to facilitate the submittal of the information in the report in an electronic form, and
"(B) to be compatible with the needs of the medicare prospective payment system.
"(4) The Secretary shall prepare and submit, to the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission, the Comptroller General, the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Finance of the Senate, by not later than 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter, data collected under the system.
"(5) In paragraph (2):
"(A) The term 'bad debt and charity care' has such meaning as the Secretary establishes.
"(B) The term 'class' means, with respect to payers at least, the programs under this title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], a State plan approved under title XIX of such Act [subchapter XIX of this chapter], other third party-payers, and other persons (including self-paying individuals).
"(6) The Secretary shall set aside at least a total of $3,000,000 for fiscal years 1988, 1989, and 1990 from existing research funds or from operations funds to develop the format, according to paragraph (1) and for data collection and analysis, but total funds shall not exceed $15,000,000.
"(7) The Comptroller General shall analyze the adequacy of the existing system for reporting of hospital information and the costs and benefits of data reporting under the demonstration system and will recommend improvements in hospital data collection and in analysis and display of data in support of policy making.
"(d)
Hospital Outlier Payments and Policy
Section 4008(d) of
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(3)
ProPAC Studies and Reports
Section 4009(h) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
Special Rule for Urban Areas in New England
Section 4009(i) of
Rural Health Medical Education Demonstration Project
Section 4038 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(A) two of such hospitals are located in rural counties of more than 2,700 square miles (one of which is east of the Mississippi River and one of which is west of such river); and
"(B) two of such hospitals are located in rural counties with (as determined by the Secretary) a severe shortage of physicians (one of which is east of the Mississippi River and one of which is west of such river).
"(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to applications submitted as a result of amendments made by section 6216 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 [
"(d)
"(1) with respect to subsection (d)(5)(B) of such section, any resident physician participating in the project under subsection (a) for any part of a year shall be treated as if he or she were working at the appropriate sponsoring hospital with an agreement under subsection (a) on September 1 of such year (and shall not be treated as if working at the small rural hospital); and
"(2) with respect to subsection (h) of such section, the payment amount permitted under such subsection for a sponsoring hospital with an agreement under subsection (a) shall be increased (for the duration of the project only) by an amount equal to the amount of any direct graduate medical education costs (as defined in paragraph (5) of such subsection (h)) incurred by such hospital in supervising the education and training activities under a project under subsection (a).
"(e)
"(f)
Prohibition on Policy by Secretary of Health and Human Services To Reduce Expenditures in Fiscal Years 1989, 1990, and 1991
Section 4039(d) of
Temporary Extension of Payment Policies for Inpatient Hospital Services
"(A)
"(B)
"(i)
"(I) during the extension period is the rate specified in subsection (d)(1)(D)(ii) of such section, or
"(II) after such period is the national adjusted prospective payment rate determined under subsection (d)(3) of such section.
"(ii)
"(C)
"(D)
"(E)
[Section 4002(f)(2) of
Freezing Certain Changes in Medicare Payment Regulations and Policies
"(1)
"(A) any final regulation that changes the policy with respect to payment under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] to providers of service for reasonable costs relating to unrecovered costs associated with unpaid deductible and coinsurance amounts incurred under such title;
"(B) any final regulation, instruction, or other policy change which is primarily intended to have the effect of slowing down claims processing, or delaying payment of claims, under such title; or
"(C) any final regulation that changes the policy under such title with respect to payment for a return on equity capital for outpatient hospital services.
The final regulation of the Health Care Financing Administration published on September 1, 1987 (52 Federal Register 32920) and relating to changes to the return on equity capital provisions for outpatient hospital services is void and of no effect.
"(2)
"(3)
Maintaining Current Outlier Policy in Fiscal Year 1987
Section 9302(b)(3) of
"(A) the proportions under paragraph (3)(B) for hospitals located in urban and rural areas shall be established at such levels as produce the same total dollar reduction under such paragraph as if this section had not been enacted; and
"(B) the thresholds and standards used for making additional payments under paragraph (5) of such section shall be the same as those in effect as of October 1, 1986."
Extension of Regional Referral Center Classification
Section 6003(d) of
Section 9302(d)(2) of
Budget-Neutral Implementation
Section 9302(d)(3) of
Promulgation of New Rate
Section 9302(f) of
Miscellaneous Accounting Provision
Section 9307(d) of
"(1) had a cost reporting period beginning on September 28, 29, or 30 of 1985,
"(2) is located in a State in which inpatient hospital services were paid in fiscal year 1985 pursuant to a Statewide demonstration project under section 402 of the Social Security Amendments of 1967 [section 402 of
"(3) elects, by notice to the Secretary of Health and Human Services by not later than April 1, 1988, to have this subsection apply,
during the first 7 months of such cost reporting period the 'target percentage' shall be 75 percent and the 'DRG percentage' shall be 25 percent, and during the remaining 5 months of such period the 'target percentage' and the 'DRG percentage' shall each be 50 percent."
[Section 4008(e) of
Treatment of Capital-Related Regulations
Section 9321(c) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
Limitation on Authority To Issue Certain Final Regulations and Instructions Relating to Hospitals or Physicians
Section 9321(d) of
Study of Methodology for Area Wage Adjustment for Central Cities; Report to Congress
Section 9103(b) of
"(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission, shall collect information and shall develop one or more methodologies to permit the adjustment of the wage indices used for purposes of sections 1886(d)(2)(C)(ii), 1886(d)(2)(H), and 1886(d)(3)(E) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(2)(C)(ii), (H), and (3)(E) of this section], in order to more accurately reflect hospital labor markets, by taking into account variations in wages and wage-related costs between the central city portion of urban areas and other parts of urban areas.
"(2) The Secretary shall report to Congress on the information collected and the methodologies developed under paragraph (1) not later than May 1, 1987. The report shall include a recommendation as to the feasibility and desirability of implementing such methodologies."
Continuation of Medicare Reimbursement Waivers for Certain Hospitals Participating in Regional Hospital Reimbursement Demonstrations
Section 9108 of
"(a)
"(1) to substantially all non-Federal acute care hospitals (as defined by the Secretary) in the geographic area served by such system on January 1, 1985, and
"(2) to the review of at least 75 percent of—
"(A) all revenues or expenses in such geographic area for inpatient hospital services, and
"(B) revenues or expenses in such geographic area for inpatient hospital services provided under the State's plan approved under title XIX [subchapter XIX of this chapter].
"(b)
"(c)
Information on Impact of PPS Payments on Hospitals
Section 9114 of
"(a)
"(b)
Special Rules for Implementation of Hospital Reimbursement
Section 9115 of
"(a)
"(b)
Appointment of Additional Members to Prospective Payment Assessment Commission
Section 9127(b) of
Studies by Secretary; GAO Study; Report on Uniformity of Approved FTE Resident Amounts; Study on Foreign Medical Graduates; Establishing Physician Identifier System; Paperwork Reduction
Section 9202(c)–(h) of
"(c)
"(A) the types and numbers of such programs, and number of students supported or trained under each program;
"(B) the fiscal and administrative relationships between the hospitals involved and the schools with which the programs and students are affiliated; and
"(C) the types and amounts of expenses of such programs for which reimbursement is made, and the financial and other contributions which accrue to the hospital as a consequence of having such programs.
The Secretary shall report the results of such study to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committees on Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives prior to December 31, 1987.
"(2) The Secretary shall conduct a separate study of the advisability of continuing or terminating the exception under section 1886(h)(5)(F)(ii) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (h)(5)(F)(ii) of this section] for geriatric residencies and fellowships, and of expanding such exception to cover other educational activities, particularly those which are necessary to meet the projected health care needs of Medicare beneficiaries. Such study shall also examine the adequacy of the supply of faculty in the field of geriatrics. The Secretary shall report the results of such study to the committees described in paragraph (1) prior to July 1, 1990.
"(d)
"(2) In carrying out such study, the Comptroller General may utilize a sample of hospital patients and any other data sources which he deems appropriate, and shall, to the extent feasible, control for differences in severity of illness levels, area wage levels, levels of physician reasonable charges for like services and procedures, and for other factors which could affect the comparability of patients and of payments between teaching and nonteaching settings and among teaching settings. The information obtained in the study shall be coordinated with the information obtained in conducting the study of teaching physicians' services under section 2307(c) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 [section 2307(c) of
"(3) The Comptroller General shall report the results of the study to the committees described in subsection (c)(1) prior to December 31, 1987.
"(e)
"(f)
"(1) the types of services provided;
"(2) the cost of providing such services, relative to the cost of other physicians providing the services or other approaches to providing the services;
"(3) any deficiencies in the quality of the services provided, and methods of assuring the quality of such services; and
"(4) the impact on costs of and access to services if medicare payment for hospitals' costs of graduate medical education of foreign medical graduates were phased out.
"[(g) Repealed.
"(h)
Special Treatment of States Formerly Under Waiver
Section 9202(j) of
"(1) the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall permit the hospital to change the method by which it allocates administrative and general costs to the direct medical education cost centers to the method specified in the medicare cost report;
"(2) the Secretary may make appropriate adjustments in the regional adjusted DRG prospective payment rate (for the region in which the State is located), based on the assumption that all teaching hospitals in the State use the medicare cost report; and
"(3) the Secretary shall adjust the hospital-specific portion of payment under section 1886(d) of such Act [subsec. (d) of this section] for any such hospital that actually chooses to use the medicare cost report.
The Secretary shall implement this subsection based on the best available data."
Moratorium on Laboratory Payment Demonstrations; Cooperation in Study; Report to Congress
Section 9204 of
"(a)
"(b)
Medicare Hospital and Physician Payment Provisions; Extension Period
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
[Amendment of section 5 of
Definition of Hospital Serving Significantly Disproportionate Number of Low-Income Patients or Patients Entitled to Hospital Insurance Benefits for Aged and Disabled; Identification
Section 2315(h) of
"(1) develop and publish a definition of 'hospitals that serve a significantly disproportionate number of patients who have low income or are entitled to benefits under part A' of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [part A of this subchapter] for purposes of section 1886(d)(5)(C)(i) of that Act [subsec. (d)(5)(C)(i) of this section], and
"(2) identify those hospitals which meet such definition, and make such identity available to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate."
Prospective Payment Wage Index; Studies and Reports to Congress
Section 2316 of
"(a) The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall conduct a study to develop an appropriate index for purposes of adjusting payment amounts under section 1886(d) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d) of this section] to reflect area differences in average hospital wage levels, as required under paragraphs (2)(H) and (3)(E) of such section [subsec. (d)(2)(H) and (3)(E) of this section], taking into account wage differences of full time and part time workers. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall report the results of such study to the Congress not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984], including any changes which the Secretary determines to be necessary to provide for an appropriate index.
"(b) The Secretary shall adjust the payment amounts for hospitals for discharges occurring on or after May 1, 1986, to reflect the changes the Secretary has promulgated in final regulations (on September 3, 1985) relating to the hospital wage index under section 1886(d)(3)(E) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(3)(E) of this section]. For discharges occurring after September 30, 1986, the Secretary shall provide for such periodic adjustments in the appropriate wage index used under that section as may be necessary, taking into account changes in the wage levels and relative proportions of full-time and part-time workers.
"(c) The Secretary shall conduct a study and report to the Congress on proposed criteria under which, in the case of a hospital that demonstrates to the Secretary in a current fiscal year that the adjustment being made under paragraph (2)(H) or (3)(E) of section 1886(d) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d)(2)(H) or (3)(E) of this section] for that hospital's discharges in that fiscal year does not accurately reflect the wage levels in the labor market serving the hospital, the Secretary, to the extent he deems appropriate, would modify such adjustment for that hospital for discharges in the subsequent fiscal year to take into account a difference in payment amounts in that current fiscal year to the hospital that resulted from such inaccuracy."
[Section 9103(a)(2) of
Different Treatment of Capital-Projects-Related Costs Before and After Implementation of System for Including Such Costs Under Prospectively Determined Payment Rate
Section 601(a)(3) of
New England Hospitals; Classification as Urban or Rural
Section 601(g) of
Reports, Experiments, and Demonstration Projects Related to Inclusion in Prospective Payment Amounts of Inpatient Hospital Service Capital-Related Costs
Section 603(a) of title VI of
Inapplicability of Coordination of Federal Information Policy to the Collection of Information
Section 101(b)(2)(B) of
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by "percentage point".
2 So in original. The semicolon probably should be a comma.
3 So in original. Probably should be "(n)(6)(B))".
4 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
5 See References in Text note below.
6 So in original. Two cls. (x) have been enacted.
7 So in original. Probably should be followed by "and".
8 So in original. Probably should be section "557(b)".
9 So in original. The semicolon probably should not appear.
10 So in original. Probably should be "a".
11 So in original. No subpar. (I) has been enacted.
12 So in original. The comma probably should be a semicolon.
14 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.
15 So in original. Probably should be "(6)(A)".
§1395xx. Payment of provider-based physicians and payment under certain percentage arrangements
(a) Criteria; amount of payments
(1) The Secretary shall by regulation determine criteria for distinguishing those services (including inpatient and outpatient services) rendered in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities—
(A) which constitute professional medical services, which are personally rendered for an individual patient by a physician and which contribute to the diagnosis or treatment of an individual patient, and which may be reimbursed as physicians' services under part B, and
(B) which constitute professional services which are rendered for the general benefit to patients in a hospital or skilled nursing facility and which may be reimbursed only on a reasonable cost basis or on the bases described in
(2)(A) For purposes of cost reimbursement, the Secretary shall recognize as a reasonable cost of a hospital or skilled nursing facility only that portion of the costs attributable to services rendered by a physician in such hospital or facility which are services described in paragraph (1)(B), apportioned on the basis of the amount of time actually spent by such physician rendering such services.
(B) In determining the amount of the payments which may be made with respect to services described in paragraph (1)(B), after apportioning costs as required by subparagraph (A), the Secretary may not recognize as reasonable (in the efficient delivery of health services) such portion of the provider's costs for such services to the extent that such costs exceed the reasonable compensation equivalent for such services. The reasonable compensation equivalent for any service shall be established by the Secretary in regulations.
(C) The Secretary may, upon a showing by a hospital or facility that it is unable to recruit or maintain an adequate number of physicians for the hospital or facility on account of the reimbursement limits established under this subsection, grant exceptions to such reimbursement limits as may be necessary to allow such provider to provide a compensation level sufficient to provide adequate physician services in such hospital or facility.
(b) Prohibition of recognition of payments under certain percentage agreements
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), in the case of a provider of services which is paid under this subchapter on a reasonable cost basis, or other basis related to costs that are reasonable, and which has entered into a contract for the purpose of having services furnished for or on behalf of it, the Secretary may not include any cost incurred by the provider under the contract if the amount payable under the contract by the provider for that cost is determined on the basis of a percentage (or other proportion) of the provider's charges, revenues, or claim for reimbursement.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply—
(A) to services furnished by a physician and described in subsection (a)(1)(B) of this section and covered by regulations in effect under subsection (a) of this section, and
(B) under regulations established by the Secretary, where the amount involved under the percentage contract is reasonable and the contract—
(i) is a customary commercial business practice, or
(ii) provides incentives for the efficient and economical operation of the provider of services.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1887, as added and amended
Amendments
1983—Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
1982—Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Section 109(c)(1), (2) of
"(1) The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) In the case of a contract with a provider of services entered into prior to the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 3, 1982], the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to payments under such contract (A) 30 days after the first date (after such date of enactment) the provider of services may unilaterally terminate the contract, or (B) one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, whichever is earlier."
Effective Date of Regulations
Section 108(b), formerly §108(c), of
§1395yy. Payment to skilled nursing facilities for routine service costs
(a) Per diem limitations
The Secretary, in determining the amount of the payments which may be made under this subchapter with respect to routine service costs of extended care services shall not recognize as reasonable (in the efficient delivery of health services) per diem costs of such services to the extent that such per diem costs exceed the following per diem limits, except as otherwise provided in this section:
(1) With respect to freestanding skilled nursing facilities located in urban areas, the limit shall be equal to 112 percent of the mean per diem routine service costs for freestanding skilled nursing facilities located in urban areas.
(2) With respect to freestanding skilled nursing facilities located in rural areas, the limit shall be equal to 112 percent of the mean per diem routine service costs for freestanding skilled nursing facilities located in rural areas.
(3) With respect to hospital-based skilled nursing facilities located in urban areas, the limit shall be equal to the sum of the limit for freestanding skilled nursing facilities located in urban areas, plus 50 percent of the amount by which 112 percent of the mean per diem routine service costs for hospital-based skilled nursing facilities located in urban areas exceeds the limit for freestanding skilled nursing facilities located in urban areas.
(4) With respect to hospital-based skilled nursing facilities located in rural areas, the limit shall be equal to the sum of the limit for freestanding skilled nursing facilities located in rural areas, plus 50 percent of the amount by which 112 percent of the mean per diem routine service costs for hospital-based skilled nursing facilities located in rural areas exceeds the limit for freestanding skilled nursing facilities located in rural areas.
In applying this subsection the Secretary shall make appropriate adjustments to the labor related portion of the costs based upon an appropriate wage index, and shall, for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1992, on or after October 1, 1995, and every 2 years thereafter, provide for an update to the per diem cost limits described in this subsection, except that the limits effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1997, shall be based on the limits effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1996.
(b) Excess overhead allocations for hospital-based facilities
With respect to a hospital-based skilled nursing facility, the Secretary may not recognize as reasonable the portion of the cost differences between hospital-based and freestanding skilled nursing facilities attributable to excess overhead allocations.
(c) Adjustments in limitations; publication of data
The Secretary may make adjustments in the limits set forth in subsection (a) of this section with respect to any skilled nursing facility to the extent the Secretary deems appropriate, based upon case mix or circumstances beyond the control of the facility. The Secretary shall publish the data and criteria to be used for purposes of this subsection on an annual basis.
(d) Access to skilled nursing facilities
(1) Subject to subsection (e) of this section, any skilled nursing facility may choose to be paid under this subsection on the basis of a prospective payment for all routine service costs (including the costs of services required to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident eligible for benefits under this subchapter) and capital-related costs of extended care services provided in a cost reporting period if such facility had, in the preceding cost reporting period, fewer than 1,500 patient days with respect to which payments were made under this subchapter. Such prospective payment shall be in lieu of payments which would otherwise be made for routine service costs pursuant to
(2)(A) The amount of the payment under this section shall be determined on a per diem basis.
(B) Subject to the limitations of subparagraph (C), for skilled nursing facilities located—
(i) in an urban area, the amount shall be equal to 105 percent of the mean of the per diem reasonable routine service and capital-related costs of extended care services for skilled nursing facilities in urban areas within the same region, determined without regard to the limitations of subsection (a) of this section and adjusted for different area wage levels, and
(ii) in a rural area the amount shall be equal to 105 percent of the mean of the per diem reasonable routine service and capital-related costs of extended care services for skilled nursing facilities in rural areas within the same region, determined without regard to the limitations of subsection (a) of this section and adjusted for different area wage levels.
(C) The per diem amounts determined under subparagraph (B) shall not exceed the limit on routine service costs determined under subsection (a) of this section with respect to the facility, adjusted to take into account average capital-related costs with respect to the type and location of the facility.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, urban and rural areas shall be determined in the same manner as for purposes of subsection (a) of this section, and the term "region" shall have the same meaning as under
(4) The Secretary shall establish the prospective payment amounts for cost reporting periods beginning in a fiscal year at least 90 days prior to the beginning of such fiscal year, on the basis of the most recent data available for a 12-month period. A skilled nursing facility must notify the Secretary of its intention to be paid pursuant to this subsection for a cost reporting period no later than 30 days before the beginning of that period.
(5) The Secretary shall provide for a simplified cost report to be filed by facilities being paid pursuant to this subsection, which shall require only the cost information necessary for determining prospective payment amounts pursuant to paragraph (2) and reasonable costs of ancillary services.
(6) In lieu of payment on a cost basis for ancillary services provided by a facility which is being paid pursuant to this subsection, the Secretary may pay for such ancillary services on a reasonable charge basis if the Secretary determines that such payment basis will provide an equitable level of reimbursement and will ease the reporting burden of the facility.
(7) In computing the rates of payment to be made under this subsection, there shall be taken into account the costs described in the last sentence of
(e) Prospective payment
(1) Payment provision
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, subject to paragraphs (7), (11), and (12), the amount of the payment for all costs (as defined in paragraph (2)(B)) of covered skilled nursing facility services (as defined in paragraph (2)(A)) for each day of such services furnished—
(A) in a cost reporting period during the transition period (as defined in paragraph (2)(E)), is equal to the sum of—
(i) the non-Federal percentage of the facility-specific per diem rate (computed under paragraph (3)), and
(ii) the Federal percentage of the adjusted Federal per diem rate (determined under paragraph (4)) applicable to the facility; and
(B) after the transition period is equal to the adjusted Federal per diem rate applicable to the facility.
(2) Definitions
For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Covered skilled nursing facility services
(i) In general
The term "covered skilled nursing facility services"—
(I) means post-hospital extended care services as defined in
(II) includes all items and services (other than items and services described in clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv)) for which payment may be made under part B of this subchapter and which are furnished to an individual who is a resident of a skilled nursing facility during the period in which the individual is provided covered post-hospital extended care services.
(ii) Services excluded
Services described in this clause are physicians' services, services described by clauses (i) and (ii) of
(iii) Exclusion of certain additional items and services
Items and services described in this clause are the following:
(I) Ambulance services furnished to an individual in conjunction with renal dialysis services described in
(II) Chemotherapy items (identified as of July 1, 1999, by HCPCS codes J9000–J9020; J9040–J9151; J9170–J9185; J9200–J9201; J9206–J9208; J9211; J9230–J9245; and J9265–J9600 (and as subsequently modified by the Secretary)) and any additional chemotherapy items identified by the Secretary.
(III) Chemotherapy administration services (identified as of July 1, 1999, by HCPCS codes 36260–36262; 36489; 36530–36535; 36640; 36823; and 96405–96542 (and as subsequently modified by the Secretary)) and any additional chemotherapy administration services identified by the Secretary.
(IV) Radioisotope services (identified as of July 1, 1999, by HCPCS codes 79030–79440 (and as subsequently modified by the Secretary)) and any additional radioisotope services identified by the Secretary.
(V) Customized prosthetic devices (commonly known as artificial limbs or components of artificial limbs) under the following HCPCS codes (as of July 1, 1999 (and as subsequently modified by the Secretary)), and any additional customized prosthetic devices identified by the Secretary, if delivered to an inpatient for use during the stay in the skilled nursing facility and intended to be used by the individual after discharge from the facility: L5050–L5340; L5500–L5611; L5613–L5986; L5988; L6050–L6370; L6400–L6880; L6920–L7274; and L7362–7366.
(iv) Exclusion of certain rural health clinic and federally qualified health center services
Services described in this clause are—
(I) rural health clinic services (as defined in paragraph (1) of
(II) federally qualified health center services (as defined in paragraph (3) of such section);
that would be described in clause (ii) if such services were furnished by an individual not affiliated with a rural health clinic or a federally qualified health center.
(B) All costs
The term "all costs" means routine service costs, ancillary costs, and capital-related costs of covered skilled nursing facility services, but does not include costs associated with approved educational activities.
(C) Non-Federal percentage; Federal percentage
For—
(i) the first cost reporting period (as defined in subparagraph (D)) of a facility, the "non-Federal percentage" is 75 percent and the "Federal percentage" is 25 percent;
(ii) the next cost reporting period of such facility, the "non-Federal percentage" is 50 percent and the "Federal percentage" is 50 percent; and
(iii) the subsequent cost reporting period of such facility, the "non-Federal percentage" is 25 percent and the "Federal percentage" is 75 percent.
(D) First cost reporting period
The term "first cost reporting period" means, with respect to a skilled nursing facility, the first cost reporting period of the facility beginning on or after July 1, 1998.
(E) Transition period
(i) In general
The term "transition period" means, with respect to a skilled nursing facility, the 3 cost reporting periods of the facility beginning with the first cost reporting period.
(ii) Treatment of new skilled nursing facilities
In the case of a skilled nursing facility that first received payment for services under this subchapter on or after October 1, 1995, payment for such services shall be made under this subsection as if all services were furnished after the transition period.
(3) Determination of facility specific per diem rates
The Secretary shall determine a facility-specific per diem rate for each skilled nursing facility not described in paragraph (2)(E)(ii) for a cost reporting period as follows:
(A) Determining base payments
The Secretary shall determine, on a per diem basis, the total of—
(i) the allowable costs of extended care services for the facility for cost reporting periods beginning in fiscal year 1995, including costs associated with facilities described in subsection (d) of this section, with appropriate adjustments (as determined by the Secretary) to non-settled cost reports or, in the case of a facility participating in the Nursing Home Case-Mix and Quality Demonstration (RUGS–III), the RUGS–III rate received by the facility during the cost reporting period beginning in 1997, and
(ii) an estimate of the amounts that would be payable under part B of this subchapter (disregarding any applicable deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) for covered skilled nursing facility services described in paragraph (2)(A)(i)(II) furnished during the applicable cost reporting period described in clause (i) to an individual who is a resident of the facility, regardless of whether or not the payment was made to the facility or to another entity.
In making appropriate adjustments under clause (i), the Secretary shall take into account exceptions and shall take into account exemptions but, with respect to exemptions, only to the extent that routine costs do not exceed 150 percent of the routine cost limits otherwise applicable but for the exemption.
(B) Update to first cost reporting period
The Secretary shall update the amount determined under subparagraph (A), for each cost reporting period after the applicable cost reporting period described in subparagraph (A)(i) and up to the first cost reporting period by a factor equal to the skilled nursing facility market basket percentage increase minus 1.0 percentage point.
(C) Updating to applicable cost reporting period
The Secretary shall update the amount determined under subparagraph (B) for each cost reporting period beginning with the first cost reporting period and up to and including the cost reporting period involved by a factor equal to the facility-specific update factor.
(D) Facility-specific update factor
For purposes of this paragraph, the "facility-specific update factor" for cost reporting periods beginning during—
(i) during each of fiscal years 1998 and 1999, is equal to the skilled nursing facility market basket percentage increase for such fiscal year minus 1 percentage point, and
(ii) during each subsequent fiscal year is equal to the skilled nursing facility market basket percentage increase for such fiscal year.
(4) Federal per diem rate
(A) Determination of historical per diem for facilities
For each skilled nursing facility that received payments for post-hospital extended care services during a cost reporting period beginning in fiscal year 1995 and that was subject to (and not exempted from) the per diem limits referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section (and facilities described in subsection (d) of this section), the Secretary shall estimate, on a per diem basis for such cost reporting period, the total of—
(i) the allowable costs of extended care services (excluding exceptions payments) for the facility for cost reporting periods beginning in 1995 with appropriate adjustments (as determined by the Secretary) to non-settled cost reports, and
(ii) an estimate of the amounts that would be payable under part B of this subchapter (disregarding any applicable deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) for covered skilled nursing facility services described in paragraph (2)(A)(i)(II) furnished during such period to an individual who is a resident of the facility, regardless of whether or not the payment was made to the facility or to another entity.
(B) Update to first fiscal year
The Secretary shall update the amount determined under subparagraph (A), for each cost reporting period after the cost reporting period described in subparagraph (A)(i) and up to the first cost reporting period by a factor equal to the skilled nursing facility market basket percentage increase reduced (on an annualized basis) by 1 percentage point.
(C) Computation of standardized per diem rate
The Secretary shall standardize the amount updated under subparagraph (B) for each facility by—
(i) adjusting for variations among facilities by area in the average facility wage level per diem, and
(ii) adjusting for variations in case mix per diem among facilities.
(D) Computation of weighted average per diem rates
(i) All facilities
The Secretary shall compute a weighted average per diem rate for all facilities by computing an average of the standardized amounts computed under subparagraph (C), weighted for each facility by the number of days of extended care services furnished during the cost reporting period referred to in subparagraph (A).
(ii) Freestanding facilities
The Secretary shall compute a weighted average per diem rate for freestanding facilities by computing an average of the standardized amounts computed under subparagraph (C) only for such facilities, weighted for each facility by the number of days of extended care services furnished during the cost reporting period referred to in subparagraph (A).
(iii) Separate computation
The Secretary may compute and apply such averages separately for facilities located in urban and rural areas (as defined in
(E) Updating
(i) Initial period
For the initial period beginning on July 1, 1998, and ending on September 30, 1999, the Secretary shall compute for skilled nursing facilities an unadjusted Federal per diem rate equal to the average of the weighted average per diem rates computed under clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (D), increased by skilled nursing facility market basket percentage change for such period minus 1 percentage point.
(ii) Subsequent fiscal years
The Secretary shall compute an unadjusted Federal per diem rate equal to the Federal per diem rate computed under this subparagraph—
(I) for fiscal year 2000, the rate computed for the initial period described in clause (i), increased by the skilled nursing facility market basket percentage change for the initial period minus 1 percentage point;
(II) for fiscal year 2001, the rate computed for the previous fiscal year increased by the skilled nursing facility market basket percentage change for the fiscal year;
(III) for each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003, the rate computed for the previous fiscal year increased by the skilled nursing facility market basket percentage change for the fiscal year involved minus 0.5 percentage points; and
(IV) for each subsequent fiscal year, the rate computed for the previous fiscal year increased by the skilled nursing facility market basket percentage change for the fiscal year involved.
(F) Adjustment for case mix creep
Insofar as the Secretary determines that the adjustments under subparagraph (G)(i) for a previous fiscal year (or estimates that such adjustments for a future fiscal year) did (or are likely to) result in a change in aggregate payments under this subsection during the fiscal year that are a result of changes in the coding or classification of residents that do not reflect real changes in case mix, the Secretary may adjust unadjusted Federal per diem rates for subsequent fiscal years so as to eliminate the effect of such coding or classification changes.
(G) Determination of Federal rate
The Secretary shall compute for each skilled nursing facility for each fiscal year (beginning with the initial period described in subparagraph (E)(i)) an adjusted Federal per diem rate equal to the unadjusted Federal per diem rate determined under subparagraph (E), as adjusted under subparagraph (F), and as further adjusted as follows:
(i) Adjustment for case mix
The Secretary shall provide for an appropriate adjustment to account for case mix. Such adjustment shall be based on a resident classification system, established by the Secretary, that accounts for the relative resource utilization of different patient types. The case mix adjustment shall be based on resident assessment data and other data that the Secretary considers appropriate.
(ii) Adjustment for geographic variations in labor costs
The Secretary shall adjust the portion of such per diem rate attributable to wages and wage-related costs for the area in which the facility is located compared to the national average of such costs using an appropriate wage index as determined by the Secretary. Such adjustment shall be done in a manner that does not result in aggregate payments under this subsection that are greater or less than those that would otherwise be made if such adjustment had not been made.
(iii) Adjustment for exclusion of certain additional items and services
The Secretary shall provide for an appropriate proportional reduction in payments so that beginning with fiscal year 2001, the aggregate amount of such reductions is equal to the aggregate increase in payments attributable to the exclusion effected under clause (iii) of paragraph (2)(A).
(H) Publication of information on per diem rates
The Secretary shall provide for publication in the Federal Register, before May 1, 1998 (with respect to fiscal period described in subparagraph (E)(i)) and before the August 1 preceding each succeeding fiscal year (with respect to that succeeding fiscal year), of—
(i) the unadjusted Federal per diem rates to be applied to days of covered skilled nursing facility services furnished during the fiscal year,
(ii) the case mix classification system to be applied under subparagraph (G)(i) with respect to such services during the fiscal year, and
(iii) the factors to be applied in making the area wage adjustment under subparagraph (G)(ii) with respect to such services.
(5) Skilled nursing facility market basket index and percentage
For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Skilled nursing facility market basket index
The Secretary shall establish a skilled nursing facility market basket index that reflects changes over time in the prices of an appropriate mix of goods and services included in covered skilled nursing facility services.
(B) Skilled nursing facility market basket percentage
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), the term "skilled nursing facility market basket percentage" means, for a fiscal year or other annual period and as calculated by the Secretary, the percentage change in the skilled nursing facility market basket index (established under subparagraph (A)) from the midpoint of the prior fiscal year (or period) to the midpoint of the fiscal year (or other period) involved.
(ii) Adjustment
For fiscal year 2012 and each subsequent fiscal year, after determining the percentage described in clause (i), the Secretary shall reduce such percentage by the productivity adjustment described in
(6) Submission of resident assessment data
A skilled nursing facility, or a facility described in paragraph (7)(B), shall provide the Secretary, in a manner and within the timeframes prescribed by the Secretary, the resident assessment data necessary to develop and implement the rates under this subsection. For purposes of meeting such requirement, a skilled nursing facility, or a facility described in paragraph (7), may submit the resident assessment data required under
(7) Treatment of medicare swing bed hospitals
(A) Transition
Subject to subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall determine an appropriate manner in which to apply this subsection to the facilities described in subparagraph (B) (other than critical access hospitals), taking into account the purposes of this subsection, and shall provide that at the end of the transition period (as defined in paragraph (2)(E)) such facilities shall be paid only under this subsection. Payment shall not be made under this subsection to such facilities for cost reporting periods beginning before such date (not earlier than July 1, 1999) as the Secretary specifies.
(B) Facilities described
The facilities described in this subparagraph are facilities that have in effect an agreement described in
(C) Exemption from PPS of swing-bed services furnished in critical access hospitals
The prospective payment system established under this subsection shall not apply to services furnished by a critical access hospital pursuant to an agreement under
(8) Limitation on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(A) the establishment of Federal per diem rates under paragraph (4), including the computation of the standardized per diem rates under paragraph (4)(C), adjustments and corrections for case mix under paragraphs (4)(F) and (4)(G)(i), adjustments for variations in labor-related costs under paragraph (4)(G)(ii), and adjustments under paragraph (4)(G)(iii);
(B) the establishment of facility specific rates before July 1, 1999 (except any determination of costs paid under part A of this subchapter); and
(C) the establishment of transitional amounts under paragraph (7).
(9) Payment for certain services
In the case of an item or service furnished to a resident of a skilled nursing facility or a part of a facility that includes a skilled nursing facility (as determined under regulations) for which payment would (but for this paragraph) be made under part B of this subchapter in an amount determined in accordance with
(10) Required coding
No payment may be made under part B of this subchapter for items and services (other than services described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii)) furnished to an individual who is a resident of a skilled nursing facility or of a part of a facility that includes a skilled nursing facility (as determined under regulations), unless the claim for such payment includes a code (or codes) under a uniform coding system specified by the Secretary that identifies the items or services furnished.
(11) Permitting facilities to waive 3-year transition
Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(A), a facility may elect to have the amount of the payment for all costs of covered skilled nursing facility services for each day of such services furnished in cost reporting periods beginning no earlier than 30 days before the date of such election determined pursuant to paragraph (1)(B).
(12) Adjustment for residents with AIDS
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), in the case of a resident of a skilled nursing facility who is afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), the per diem amount of payment otherwise applicable (determined without regard to any increase under section 101 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999, or under section 314(a) of Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000), shall be increased by 128 percent to reflect increased costs associated with such residents.
(B) Sunset
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply on and after such date as the Secretary certifies that there is an appropriate adjustment in the case mix under paragraph (4)(G)(i) to compensate for the increased costs associated with residents described in such subparagraph.
(f) Reporting of direct care expenditures
(1) In general
For cost reports submitted under this subchapter for cost reporting periods beginning on or after the date that is 2 years after March 23, 2010, skilled nursing facilities shall separately report expenditures for wages and benefits for direct care staff (breaking out (at a minimum) registered nurses, licensed professional nurses, certified nurse assistants, and other medical and therapy staff).
(2) Modification of form
The Secretary, in consultation with private sector accountants experienced with Medicare and Medicaid nursing facility home cost reports, shall redesign such reports to meet the requirement of paragraph (1) not later than 1 year after March 23, 2010.
(3) Categorization by functional accounts
Not later than 30 months after March 23, 2010, the Secretary, working in consultation with the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, and other expert parties the Secretary determines appropriate, shall take the expenditures listed on cost reports, as modified under paragraph (1), submitted by skilled nursing facilities and categorize such expenditures, regardless of any source of payment for such expenditures, for each skilled nursing facility into the following functional accounts on an annual basis:
(A) Spending on direct care services (including nursing, therapy, and medical services).
(B) Spending on indirect care (including housekeeping and dietary services).
(C) Capital assets (including building and land costs).
(D) Administrative services costs.
(4) Availability of information submitted
The Secretary shall establish procedures to make information on expenditures submitted under this subsection readily available to interested parties upon request, subject to such requirements as the Secretary may specify under the procedures established under this paragraph.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1888, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (e), are classified to section 1395c et seq. and section 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Section 101 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999, referred to in subsec. (e)(12)(A), is section 1000(a)(6) [title I, §101] of
Section 314(a) of Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, referred to in subsec. (e)(12)(A), is section 1(a)(6) [title III, §314(a)] of
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (e)(5)(B).
Subsec. (f).
2008—Subsec. (e)(2)(A)(ii).
2003—Subsec. (e)(2)(A)(i)(II).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (e)(12).
2000—Subsec. (e)(4)(E)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (e)(4)(E)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (e)(4)(E)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (e)(7).
Subsec. (e)(7)(A).
Subsec. (e)(7)(B).
Subsec. (e)(7)(C).
1999—Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A)(i)(II).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (e)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (e)(3)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (e)(3)(B).
"(i)
"(ii)
Subsec. (e)(4)(E)(i).
Subsec. (e)(4)(E)(ii).
Subsec. (e)(4)(G)(iii).
Subsec. (e)(8)(A).
Subsec. (e)(8)(B).
Subsec. (e)(9).
Subsec. (e)(11).
Subsec. (e)(12).
1997—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (e)(9), (10).
1993—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1990—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (d)(1).
1987—Subsec. (d)(7).
1986—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title II, §203(a)] of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title III, §321(g)(1), (k)(18)] of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4432(a), (b)(3), (5)(H) of
Amendment by section 4511(a)(2)(E) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13503(a)(3)(B) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4008(e)(3) of
Amendment by section 4008(h)(2)(A)(ii) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Section 1895(b)(7)(D) of
Amendment by section 9219(b)(1)(C) of
Section 9126(d) of
"(1) The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1986.
"(2) The amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 7, 1986]."
Effective Date
Section 2319(c) of
Study on Portable Diagnostic Ultrasound Services for Beneficiaries in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Special Rule for Payment for Fiscal Year 2001
"(1) for the period beginning on October 1, 2000, and ending on March 31, 2001, shall be the rate determined in accordance with the law as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2000]; and
"(2) for the period beginning on April 1, 2001, and ending on September 30, 2001, shall be the rate that would have been determined under such section if 'plus 1 percentage point' had been substituted for 'minus 1 percentage point' under subclause (II) of such paragraph (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act)."
GAO Report on Adequacy of SNF Payment Rates
HCFA Study of Classification Systems for SNF Residents
"(1)
"(2)
GAO Audit of Nursing Staff Ratios
"(1)
"(2)
Oversight
Establishment of Process for Geographic Reclassification
"(a)
"(b)
Report to Congress
Medical Review Process
Section 4432(c) of
Construction of Wage Index for Skilled Nursing Facilities
No Change in Limits on Per Diem Service Costs for Extended Care Services for Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995
Section 13503(a)(1) of
No Change in Prospective Payments for Services Furnished During Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995
Section 13503(b) of
Prospective Payment System for Skilled Nursing Facility Services
Section 4008(k) of
"(1)
"(A) take into consideration the need to provide for appropriate limits on increases in expenditures under the medicare program without jeopardizing access to extended care services for individuals unable to care for themselves;
"(B) provide for adjustments to prospectively determined rates to account for changes in a facility's case mix, volume of cases, and the development of new technologies and standards of medical practice;
"(C) take into consideration the need to increase the payment otherwise made under such system in the case of services provided to patients whose length of stay or costs of treatment greatly exceed the length of stay or cost of treatment provided for under the applicable prospectively determined payment rate;
"(D) take into consideration the need to adjust payments under the system to take into account factors such as a disproportionate share of low-income patients, differences in wages and wage-related costs among facilities located in various geographic areas, and other factors the Secretary considers appropriate; and
"(E) take into consideration the appropriateness of classifying patients and payments upon functional disability, cognitive impairment, and other patient characteristics.
"(2)
"(B) By not later than September 1, 1991, the Secretary shall submit the proposal developed under paragraph (1) to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives.
"(C) By not later than March 1, 1992, the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission shall submit an analysis of and comments on the proposal developed under paragraph (1) to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives."
Use of More Recent Data Regarding Routine Service Costs of Skilled Nursing Facilities
§1395zz. Provider education and technical assistance
(a) Coordination of education funding
The Secretary shall coordinate the educational activities provided through medicare contractors (as defined in subsection (g) of this section, including under
(b) Enhanced education and training
(1) Additional resources
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary (in appropriate part from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund) such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 2005.
(2) Use
The funds made available under paragraph (1) shall be used to increase the conduct by medicare contractors of education and training of providers of services and suppliers regarding billing, coding, and other appropriate items and may also be used to improve the accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of contractor responses.
(c) Tailoring education and training activities for small providers or suppliers
(1) In general
Insofar as a medicare contractor conducts education and training activities, it shall tailor such activities to meet the special needs of small providers of services or suppliers (as defined in paragraph (2)). Such education and training activities for small providers of services and suppliers may include the provision of technical assistance (such as review of billing systems and internal controls to determine program compliance and to suggest more efficient and effective means of achieving such compliance).
(2) Small provider of services or supplier
In this subsection, the term "small provider of services or supplier" means—
(A) a provider of services with fewer than 25 full-time-equivalent employees; or
(B) a supplier with fewer than 10 full-time-equivalent employees.
(d) Internet websites; FAQs
The Secretary, and each medicare contractor insofar as it provides services (including claims processing) for providers of services or suppliers, shall maintain an Internet website which—
(1) provides answers in an easily accessible format to frequently asked questions, and
(2) includes other published materials of the contractor,
that relate to providers of services and suppliers under the programs under this subchapter (and subchapter XI of this chapter insofar as it relates to such programs).
(e) Encouragement of participation in education program activities
A medicare contractor may not use a record of attendance at (or failure to attend) educational activities or other information gathered during an educational program conducted under this section or otherwise by the Secretary to select or track providers of services or suppliers for the purpose of conducting any type of audit or prepayment review.
(f) Construction
Nothing in this section or section 1395ddd(g) 1 of this title shall be construed as providing for disclosure by a medicare contractor—
(1) of the screens used for identifying claims that will be subject to medical review; or
(2) of information that would compromise pending law enforcement activities or reveal findings of law enforcement-related audits.
(g) Definitions
For purposes of this section, the term "medicare contractor" includes the following:
(1) A medicare administrative contractor with a contract under
(2) An eligible entity with a contract under
Such term does not include, with respect to activities of a specific provider of services or supplier an entity that has no authority under this subchapter or subchapter IX of this chapter with respect to such activities and such provider of services or supplier.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1889, as added and amended
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1395zz, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1889, as added Nov. 5, 1990,
Another prior section 1395zz, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1889, formerly §1833(f), as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Amendments
2003—Subsecs. (b), (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsecs. (e) to (g).
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date
Small Provider Technical Assistance Demonstration Program
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) evaluation and recommendations regarding billing and related systems; and
"(B) information and assistance regarding policies and procedures under the medicare program, including coding and reimbursement.
"(3)
"(A) a provider of services with fewer than 25 full-time-equivalent employees; or
"(B) a supplier with fewer than 10 full-time-equivalent employees.
"(b)
"(c)
"(d) GAO
"(e)
"(f)
1 So in original. Section 1395ddd does not contain a subsec. (g).
§1395aaa. Contract with a consensus-based entity regarding performance measurement
(a) Contract
(1) In general
For purposes of activities conducted under this chapter, the Secretary shall identify and have in effect a contract with a consensus-based entity, such as the National Quality Forum, that meets the requirements described in subsection (c). Such contract shall provide that the entity will perform the duties described in subsection (b).
(2) Timing for first contract
As soon as practicable after July 15, 2008, the Secretary shall enter into the first contract under paragraph (1).
(3) Period of contract
A contract under paragraph (1) shall be for a period of 4 years (except as may be renewed after a subsequent bidding process).
(4) Competitive procedures
Competitive procedures (as defined in
(b) Duties
The duties described in this subsection are the following:
(1) Priority setting process
The entity shall synthesize evidence and convene key stakeholders to make recommendations, with respect to activities conducted under this chapter, on an integrated national strategy and priorities for health care performance measurement in all applicable settings. In making such recommendations, the entity shall—
(A) ensure that priority is given to measures—
(i) that address the health care provided to patients with prevalent, high-cost chronic diseases;
(ii) with the greatest potential for improving the quality, efficiency, and patient-centeredness of health care; and
(iii) that may be implemented rapidly due to existing evidence, standards of care, or other reasons; and
(B) take into account measures that—
(i) may assist consumers and patients in making informed health care decisions;
(ii) address health disparities across groups and areas; and
(iii) address the continuum of care a patient receives, including services furnished by multiple health care providers or practitioners and across multiple settings.
(2) Endorsement of measures
The entity shall provide for the endorsement of standardized health care performance measures. The endorsement process under the preceding sentence shall consider whether a measure—
(A) is evidence-based, reliable, valid, verifiable, relevant to enhanced health outcomes, actionable at the caregiver level, feasible to collect and report, and responsive to variations in patient characteristics, such as health status, language capabilities, race or ethnicity, and income level; and
(B) is consistent across types of health care providers, including hospitals and physicians.
(3) Maintenance of measures
The entity shall establish and implement a process to ensure that measures endorsed under paragraph (2) are updated (or retired if obsolete) as new evidence is developed.
(4) Promotion of the development of electronic health records
The entity shall promote the development and use of electronic health records that contain the functionality for automated collection, aggregation, and transmission of performance measurement information.
(5) Annual report to Congress and the Secretary; secretarial publication and comment
(A) Annual report
By not later than March 1 of each year (beginning with 2009), the entity shall submit to Congress and the Secretary a report containing a description of—
(i) the implementation of quality measurement initiatives under this chapter and the coordination of such initiatives with quality initiatives implemented by other payers;
(ii) the recommendations made under paragraph (1);
(iii) the performance by the entity of the duties required under the contract entered into with the Secretary under subsection (a);
(iv) gaps in endorsed quality measures, which shall include measures that are within priority areas identified by the Secretary under the national strategy established under
(v) areas in which evidence is insufficient to support endorsement of quality measures in priority areas identified by the Secretary under the national strategy established under
(vi) the matters described in clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (7)(A).
(B) Secretarial review and publication of annual report
Not later than 6 months after receiving a report under subparagraph (A) for a year, the Secretary shall—
(i) review such report; and
(ii) publish such report in the Federal Register, together with any comments of the Secretary on such report.
(6) Review and endorsement of episode grouper under the physician feedback program
The entity shall provide for the review and, as appropriate, the endorsement of the episode grouper developed by the Secretary under
(7) Convening multi-stakeholder groups
(A) In general
The entity shall convene multi-stakeholder groups to provide input on—
(i) the selection of quality and efficiency measures described in subparagraph (B), from among—
(I) such measures that have been endorsed by the entity; and
(II) such measures that have not been considered for endorsement by such entity but are used or proposed to be used by the Secretary for the collection or reporting of quality and efficiency measures; and
(ii) national priorities (as identified under
(B) Quality and efficiency measures
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), the quality and efficiency measures described in this subparagraph are quality and efficiency measures—
(I) for use pursuant to
(II) for use in reporting performance information to the public; and
(III) for use in health care programs other than for use under this chapter.
(ii) Exclusion
Data sets (such as the outcome and assessment information set for home health services and the minimum data set for skilled nursing facility services) that are used for purposes of classification systems used in establishing payment rates under this subchapter shall not be quality and efficiency measures described in this subparagraph.
(C) Requirement for transparency in process
(i) In general
In convening multi-stakeholder groups under subparagraph (A) with respect to the selection of quality and efficiency measures, the entity shall provide for an open and transparent process for the activities conducted pursuant to such convening.
(ii) Selection of organizations participating in multi-stakeholder groups
The process described in clause (i) shall ensure that the selection of representatives comprising such groups provides for public nominations for, and the opportunity for public comment on, such selection.
(D) Multi-stakeholder group defined
In this paragraph, the term "multi-stakeholder group" means, with respect to a quality and efficiency measure, a voluntary collaborative of organizations representing a broad group of stakeholders interested in or affected by the use of such quality and efficiency measure.
(8) Transmission of multi-stakeholder input
Not later than February 1 of each year (beginning with 2012), the entity shall transmit to the Secretary the input of multi-stakeholder groups provided under paragraph (7).
(c) Requirements described
The requirements described in this subsection are the following:
(1) Private nonprofit
The entity is a private nonprofit entity governed by a board.
(2) Board membership
The members of the board of the entity include—
(A) representatives of health plans and health care providers and practitioners or representatives of groups representing such health plans and health care providers and practitioners;
(B) health care consumers or representatives of groups representing health care consumers; and
(C) representatives of purchasers and employers or representatives of groups representing purchasers or employers.
(3) Entity membership
The membership of the entity includes persons who have experience with—
(A) urban health care issues;
(B) safety net health care issues;
(C) rural and frontier health care issues; and
(D) health care quality and safety issues.
(4) Open and transparent
With respect to matters related to the contract with the Secretary under subsection (a), the entity conducts its business in an open and transparent manner and provides the opportunity for public comment on its activities.
(5) Voluntary consensus standards setting organization
The entity operates as a voluntary consensus standards setting organization as defined for purposes of section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (
(6) Experience
The entity has at least 4 years of experience in establishing national consensus standards.
(7) Membership fees
If the entity requires a membership fee for participation in the functions of the entity, such fees shall be reasonable and adjusted based on the capacity of the potential member to pay the fee. In no case shall membership fees pose a barrier to the participation of individuals or groups with low or nominal resources to participate in the functions of the entity.
(d) Funding
For purposes of carrying out this section, the Secretary shall provide for the transfer, from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1890, as added
References in Text
Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995, referred to in subsec. (c)(5), is section 12(d) of
Codification
In subsec. (a)(4), "
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1395aaa, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1890, as added Aug. 18, 1987,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(5)(A)(iv) to (vi).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (b)(7).
Subsec. (b)(7)(B).
Subsec. (b)(7)(B)(i)(I).
Subsec. (b)(8).
§1395aaa–1. Quality and efficiency measurement
(a) Multi-stakeholder group input into selection of quality and efficiency measures
The Secretary shall establish a pre-rulemaking process under which the following steps occur with respect to the selection of quality and efficiency measures described in
(1) Input
Pursuant to
(2) Public availability of measures considered for selection
Not later than December 1 of each year (beginning with 2011), the Secretary shall make available to the public a list of quality and efficiency measures described in
(3) Transmission of multi-stakeholder input
Pursuant to
(4) Consideration of multi-stakeholder input
The Secretary shall take into consideration the input from multi-stakeholder groups described in paragraph (1) in selecting quality and efficiency measures described in
(5) Rationale for use of quality and efficiency measures
The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register the rationale for the use of any quality and efficiency measure described in
(6) Assessment of impact
Not later than March 1, 2012, and at least once every three years thereafter, the Secretary shall—
(A) conduct an assessment of the quality and efficiency impact of the use of endorsed measures described in
(B) make such assessment available to the public.
(b) Process for dissemination of measures used by the Secretary
(1) In general
The Secretary shall establish a process for disseminating quality and efficiency measures used by the Secretary. Such process shall include the following:
(A) The incorporation of such measures, where applicable, in workforce programs, training curricula, and any other means of dissemination determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(B) The dissemination of such quality and efficiency measures through the national strategy developed under
(2) Existing methods
To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall utilize and expand existing dissemination methods in disseminating quality and efficiency measures under the process established under paragraph (1).
(c) Review of quality and efficiency measures used by the Secretary
(1) In general
The Secretary shall—
(A) periodically (but in no case less often than once every 3 years) review quality and efficiency measures described in
(B) with respect to each such measure, determine whether to—
(i) maintain the use of such measure; or
(ii) phase out such measure.
(2) Considerations
In conducting the review under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall take steps to—
(A) seek to avoid duplication of measures used; and
(B) take into consideration current innovative methodologies and strategies for quality and efficiency improvement practices in the delivery of health care services that represent best practices for such quality and efficiency improvement and measures endorsed by the entity with a contract under
(d) Rule of construction
Nothing in this section shall preclude a State from using the quality and efficiency measures identified under
(e) Development of quality and efficiency measures
The Administrator of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall through contracts develop quality and efficiency measures (as determined appropriate by the Administrator) for use under this chapter. In developing such measures, the Administrator shall consult with the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
(f) Hospital acquired conditions
The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, publicly report on measures for hospital-acquired conditions that are currently utilized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the adjustment of the amount of payment to hospitals based on rates of hospital-acquired infections.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1890A, as added and amended
Amendments
2010—
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
§1395bbb. Conditions of participation for home health agencies; home health quality
(a) Conditions of participation; protection of individual rights; notification of State entities; use of home health aides; medical equipment; individual's plan of care; compliance with Federal, State, and local laws and regulations
The conditions of participation that a home health agency is required to meet under this subsection are as follows:
(1) The agency protects and promotes the rights of each individual under its care, including each of the following rights:
(A) The right to be fully informed in advance about the care and treatment to be provided by the agency, to be fully informed in advance of any changes in the care or treatment to be provided by the agency that may affect the individual's well-being, and (except with respect to an individual adjudged incompetent) to participate in planning care and treatment or changes in care or treatment.
(B) The right to voice grievances with respect to treatment or care that is (or fails to be) furnished without discrimination or reprisal for voicing grievances.
(C) The right to confidentiality of the clinical records described in
(D) The right to have one's property treated with respect.
(E) The right to be fully informed orally and in writing (in advance of coming under the care of the agency) of—
(i) all items and services furnished by (or under arrangements with) the agency for which payment may be made under this subchapter,
(ii) the coverage available for such items and services under this subchapter, subchapter XIX of this chapter, and any other Federal program of which the agency is reasonably aware,
(iii) any charges for items and services not covered under this subchapter and any charges the individual may have to pay with respect to items and services furnished by (or under arrangements with) the agency, and
(iv) any changes in the charges or items and services described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii).
(F) The right to be fully informed in writing (in advance of coming under the care of the agency) of the individual's rights and obligations under this subchapter.
(G) The right to be informed of the availability of the State home health agency hot-line established under
(2) The agency notifies the State entity responsible for the licensing or certification of the agency of a change in—
(A) the persons with an ownership or control interest (as defined in
(B) the persons who are officers, directors, agents, or managing employees (as defined in
(C) the corporation, association, or other company responsible for the management of the agency.
Such notice shall be given at the time of the change and shall include the identity of each new person or company described in the previous sentence.
(3)(A) The agency must not use as a home health aide (on a full-time, temporary, per diem, or other basis), any individual to provide items or services described in
(i) has completed a training and competency evaluation program, or a competency evaluation program, that meets the minimum standards established by the Secretary under subparagraph (D), and
(ii) is competent to provide such items and services.
For purposes of clause (i), an individual is not considered to have completed a training and competency evaluation program, or a competency evaluation program if, since the individual's most recent completion of such a program, there has been a continuous period of 24 consecutive months during none of which the individual provided items and services described in
(B)(i) The agency must provide, with respect to individuals used as a home health aide by the agency as of July 1, 1989, for a competency evaluation program (as described in subparagraph (A)(i)) and such preparation as may be necessary for the individual to complete such a program by January 1, 1990.
(ii) The agency must provide such regular performance review and regular in-service education as assures that individuals used to provide items and services described in
(C) The agency must not permit an individual, other than in a training and competency evaluation program that meets the minimum standards established by the Secretary under subparagraph (D), to provide items or services of a type for which the individual has not demonstrated competency.
(D)(i) The Secretary shall establish minimum standards for the programs described in subparagraph (A) by not later than October 1, 1988.
(ii) Such standards shall include the content of the curriculum, minimum hours of training, qualification of instructors, and procedures for determination of competency.
(iii) Such standards may permit approval of programs offered by or in home health agencies, as well as outside agencies (including employee organizations), and of programs in effect on December 22, 1987; except that they may not provide for the approval of a program offered by or in a home health agency which, within the previous 2 years—
(I) has been determined to be out of compliance with subparagraph (A), (B), or (C);
(II) has been subject to an extended (or partial extended) survey under subsection (c)(2)(D) of this section;
(III) has been assessed a civil money penalty described in subsection (f)(2)(A)(i) of this section of not less than $5,000; or
(IV) has been subject to the remedies described in subsection (e)(1) of this section or in clauses (ii) or (iii) of subsection (f)(2)(A) of this section.
(iv) Such standards shall permit a determination that an individual who has completed (before July 1, 1989) a training and competency evaluation program or a competency evaluation program shall be deemed for purposes of subparagraph (A) to have completed a program that is approved by the Secretary under the standards established under this subparagraph if the Secretary determines that, at the time the program was offered, the program met such standards.
(E) In this paragraph, the term "home health aide" means any individual who provides the items and services described in
(i) who is a licensed health professional (as defined in subparagraph (F)), or
(ii) who volunteers to provide such services without monetary compensation.
(F) In this paragraph, the term "licensed health professional" means a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, physical, speech, or occupational therapist, physical or occupational therapy assistant, registered professional nurse, licensed practical nurse, or licensed or certified social worker.
(4) The agency includes an individual's plan of care required under
(5) The agency operates and provides services in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations (including the requirements of
(6) The agency complies with the requirement of
(b) Duty of Secretary
It is the duty and responsibility of the Secretary to assure that the conditions of participation and requirements specified in or pursuant to
(c) Surveys of home health agencies
(1) Any agreement entered into or renewed by the Secretary pursuant to
(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), each home health agency shall be subject to a standard survey not later than 36 months after the date of the previous standard survey conducted under this paragraph. The Secretary shall establish a frequency for surveys of home health agencies within this 36-month interval commensurate with the need to assure the delivery of quality home health services.
(B) If not otherwise conducted under subparagraph (A), a standard survey (or an abbreviated standard survey) of an agency—
(i) may be conducted within 2 months of any change of ownership, administration, or management of the agency to determine whether the change has resulted in any decline in the quality of care furnished by the agency, and
(ii) shall be conducted within 2 months of when a significant number of complaints have been reported with respect to the agency to the Secretary, the State, the entity responsible for the licensing of the agency, the State or local agency responsible for maintaining a toll-free hotline and investigative unit (under
(C) A standard survey conducted under this paragraph with respect to a home health agency—
(i) shall include (to the extent practicable), for a case-mix stratified sample of individuals furnished items or services by the agency—
(I) visits to the homes of such individuals, but only with the consent of such individuals, for the purpose of evaluating (in accordance with a standardized reproducible assessment instrument (or instruments) approved by the Secretary under subsection (d) of this section) the extent to which the quality and scope of items and services furnished by the agency attained and maintained the highest practicable functional capacity of each such individual as reflected in such individual's written plan of care required under
(II) a survey of the quality of care and services furnished by the agency as measured by indicators of medical, nursing, and rehabilitative care;
(ii) shall be based upon a protocol that is developed, tested, and validated by the Secretary not later than January 1, 1989; and
(iii) shall be conducted by an individual—
(I) who meets minimum qualifications established by the Secretary not later than July 1, 1989,
(II) who is not serving (or has not served within the previous 2 years) as a member of the staff of, or as a consultant to, the home health agency surveyed respecting compliance with the conditions of participation specified in or pursuant to
(III) who has no personal or familial financial interest in the home health agency surveyed.
(D) Each home health agency that is found, under a standard survey, to have provided substandard care shall be subject to an extended survey to review and identify the policies and procedures which produced such substandard care and to determine whether the agency has complied with the conditions of participation specified in or pursuant to
(E) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring an extended (or partial extended) survey as a prerequisite to imposing a sanction against an agency under subsection (e) of this section on the basis of the findings of a standard survey.
(d) Assessment process; reports to Congress
(1) Not later than January 1, 1989, the Secretary shall designate an assessment instrument (or instruments) for use by an agency in complying with subsection (c)(2)(C)(i)(I) of this section.
(2)(A) Not later than January 1, 1992, the Secretary shall—
(i) evaluate the assessment process,
(ii) report to Congress on the results of such evaluation, and
(iii) based on such evaluation, make such modifications in the assessment process as the Secretary determines are appropriate.
(B) The Secretary shall periodically update the evaluation conducted under subparagraph (A), report the results of such update to Congress, and, based on such update, make such modifications in the assessment process as the Secretary determines are appropriate.
(3) The Secretary shall provide for the comprehensive training of State and Federal surveyors in matters relating to the performance of standard and extended surveys under this section, including the use of any assessment instrument (or instruments) designated under paragraph (1).
(e) Enforcement
(1) If the Secretary determines on the basis of a standard, extended, or partial extended survey or otherwise, that a home health agency that is certified for participation under this subchapter is no longer in compliance with the requirements specified in or pursuant to
(2) If the Secretary determines on the basis of a standard, extended, or partial extended survey or otherwise, that a home health agency that is certified for participation under this subchapter is no longer in compliance with the requirements specified in or pursuant to
(3) If the Secretary determines that a home health agency that is certified for participation under this subchapter is in compliance with the requirements specified in or pursuant to
(4) The Secretary may continue payments under this subchapter with respect to a home health agency not in compliance with the requirements specified in or pursuant to
(A) the State or local survey agency finds that it is more appropriate to take alternative action to assure compliance of the agency with the requirements than to terminate the certification of the agency,
(B) the agency has submitted a plan and timetable for corrective action to the Secretary for approval and the Secretary approves the plan of corrective action, and
(C) the agency agrees to repay to the Federal Government payments received under this subparagraph if the corrective action is not taken in accordance with the approved plan and timetable.
The Secretary shall establish guidelines for approval of corrective actions requested by home health agencies under this subparagraph.
(f) Intermediate sanctions
(1) The Secretary shall develop and implement, by not later than April 1, 1989—
(A) a range of intermediate sanctions to apply to home health agencies under the conditions described in subsection (e) of this section, and
(B) appropriate procedures for appealing determinations relating to the imposition of such sanctions.
(2)(A) The intermediate sanctions developed under paragraph (1) shall include—
(i) civil money penalties in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for each day of noncompliance,
(ii) suspension of all or part of the payments to which a home health agency would otherwise be entitled under this subchapter with respect to items and services furnished by a home health agency on or after the date on which the Secretary determines that intermediate sanctions should be imposed pursuant to subsection (e)(2) of this section, and
(iii) the appointment of temporary management to oversee the operation of the home health agency and to protect and assure the health and safety of the individuals under the care of the agency while improvements are made in order to bring the agency into compliance with all the requirements specified in or pursuant to
The provisions of
(B) The sanctions specified in subparagraph (A) are in addition to sanctions otherwise available under State or Federal law and shall not be construed as limiting other remedies, including any remedy available to an individual at common law.
(C) A finding to suspend payment under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall terminate when the Secretary finds that the home health agency is in substantial compliance with all the requirements specified in or pursuant to
(3) The Secretary shall develop and implement, by not later than April 1, 1989, specific procedures with respect to the conditions under which each of the intermediate sanctions developed under paragraph (1) is to be applied, including the amount of any fines and the severity of each of these sanctions. Such procedures shall be designed so as to minimize the time between identification of deficiencies and imposition of these sanctions and shall provide for the imposition of incrementally more severe fines for repeated or uncorrected deficiencies.
(g) Payment on basis of location of service
A home health agency shall submit claims for payment for home health services under this subchapter only on the basis of the geographic location at which the service is furnished, as determined by the Secretary.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1891, as added and amended
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (d)(1).
1997—Subsec. (g).
1996—Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
1990—Subsec. (a)(3)(D)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(6).
1988—Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3)(F).
Subsec. (a)(4) to (6).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A).
Subsecs. (e), (f).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(i).
1987—Subsecs. (c), (d).
Subsecs. (e), (f).
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 4206(d)(2) of
Section 4207(i)(1), formerly 4027(i)(1), of
Section 4207(i)(2), formerly 4027(i)(2), of
"(i) had its participation terminated under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [this subchapter];
"(ii) was assessed a civil money penalty not less than $5,000 for deficiencies in applicable quality standards for home health agencies;
"(iii) was subject to suspension by the Secretary of all or part of the payments to which it would otherwise be entitled under such title;
"(iv) operated under a temporary management appointed to oversee the operation of the agency and to ensure the health and safety of the agency's patients; or
"(v) pursuant to State action, was closed or had its patients transferred."
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 4022(b) of
Section 4023(b) of
Effective Date
Section applicable to home health agencies as of the first day of the 18th calendar month that begins after Dec. 22, 1987, except as otherwise provided, see section 4021(c) of
Treatment of Branch Offices; GAO Study on Supervision of Home Health Care Provided in Isolated Rural Areas
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
§1395ccc. Offset of payments to individuals to collect past-due obligations arising from breach of scholarship and loan contract
(a) In general
(1)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall enter into an agreement under this section with any individual who, by reason of a breach of a contract entered into by such individual pursuant to the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program, the Physician Shortage Area Scholarship Program, or the Health Education Assistance Loan Program, owes a past-due obligation to the United States (as defined in subsection (b) of this section).
(B) The Secretary shall not enter into an agreement with an individual under this section to the extent—
(i)(I) the individual has entered into a contract with the Secretary pursuant to section 204(a)(1) of the Public Health Service Amendments of 1987, and
(II) the individual has fulfilled or (as determined by the Secretary) is fulfilling the terms of such contract; or
(ii) the liability of the individual under such section 204(a)(1) has otherwise been relieved under such section; or
(iii) the individual is performing such physician's 1 service obligation under a forbearance agreement entered into with the Secretary under subpart II of part D of title III of the Public Health Service Act [
(2) The agreement under this section shall provide that—
(A) deductions shall be made from the amounts otherwise payable to the individual under this subchapter, in accordance with a formula and schedule agreed to by the Secretary and the individual, until such past-due obligation (and accrued interest) have been repaid;
(B) payment under this subchapter for services provided by such individual shall be made only on an assignment-related basis;
(C) if the individual does not provide services, for which payment would otherwise be made under this subchapter, of a sufficient quantity to maintain the offset collection according to the agreed upon formula and schedule—
(i) the Secretary shall immediately inform the Attorney General, and the Attorney General shall immediately commence an action to recover the full amount of the past-due obligation, and
(ii) subject to paragraph (4), the Secretary shall immediately exclude the individual from the program under this subchapter, until such time as the entire past-due obligation has been repaid.
(3) If the individual refuses to enter into an agreement or breaches any provision of the agreement—
(A) the Secretary shall immediately inform the Attorney General, and the Attorney General shall immediately commence an action to recover the full amount of the past-due obligation, and
(B) subject to paragraph (4), the Secretary shall immediately exclude the individual from the program under this subchapter, until such time as the entire past-due obligation has been repaid.
(4) The Secretary shall not exclude an individual pursuant to paragraph (2)(C)(ii) or paragraph (3)(B) if such individual is a sole community practitioner or sole source of essential specialized services in a community if a State requests that the individual not be excluded.
(b) Past-due obligation
For purposes of this section, a past-due obligation is any amount—
(1) owed by an individual to the United States by reason of a breach of a scholarship contract under section 338E of the Public Health Service Act [
(2) owed by an individual to the United States by reason of a loan covered by Federal loan insurance under subpart I 2 of part C of title VII of the Public Health Service Act and payment for which has not been cancelled, waived, or suspended by the Secretary under such subpart.
(c) Collection under this section shall not be exclusive
This section shall not preclude the United States from applying other provisions of law otherwise applicable to the collection of obligations owed to the United States, including (but not limited to) the use of tax refund offsets pursuant to
(d) Collection from providers and health maintenance organizations
(1) In the case of an individual who owes a past-due obligation, and who is an employee of, or affiliated by a medical services agreement with, a provider having an agreement under
(2) Deductions shall be in accordance with a formula and schedule agreed to by the Secretary, the individual and the provider, organization, or plan. The deductions shall be made from the amounts otherwise payable to the individual under this subchapter as long as the individual continues to be employed or affiliated by a medical services agreement.
(3) Such deduction shall not be made until 6 months after the Secretary notifies the provider, organization, or plan of the amount to be deducted and the particular physicians 3 to whom the deductions are attributable.
(4) A deduction made under this subsection shall relieve the individual of the obligation (to the extent of the amount collected) to the United States, but the provider, organization, or plan shall have a right of action to collect from such individual the amount deducted pursuant to this subsection (including accumulated interest).
(5) No deduction shall be made under this subsection if, within the 6-month period after notice is given to the provider, organization, or plan, the individual pays the past-due obligation, or ceases to be employed by the provider, organization, or plan.
(6) The Secretary shall also apply the provisions of this subsection in the case of an individual who is a member of a group practice, if such group practice submits bills under this program as a group, rather than by individual physicians.3
(e) Transfer from trust funds
Amounts equal to the amounts deducted pursuant to this section shall be transferred from the Trust Fund from which the payment to the individual, provider, or other entity would otherwise have been made, to the general fund in the Treasury, and shall be credited as payment of the past-due obligation of the individual from whom (or with respect to whom) the deduction was made.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1892, as added
References in Text
Section 204(a)(1) of the Public Health Service Amendments of 1987, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(B), is section 204(a)(1) of
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1)(B)(iii) and (b), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373,
Amendments
1988—
Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A) to (C).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(3)(B).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (d)(4) to (6).
Subsec. (e).
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Section 411(f)(10)(C)(iii) of
Effective Date
Section 4052(c) of
1 So in original. Probably should be "individual's".
2 See References in Text note below.
3 So in original. Probably should be "individuals".
§1395ddd. Medicare Integrity Program
(a) Establishment of Program
There is hereby established the Medicare Integrity Program (in this section referred to as the "Program") under which the Secretary shall promote the integrity of the medicare program by entering into contracts in accordance with this section with eligible entities, or otherwise, to carry out the activities described in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Activities described
The activities described in this subsection are as follows:
(1) Review of activities of providers of services or other individuals and entities furnishing items and services for which payment may be made under this subchapter (including skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies), including medical and utilization review and fraud review (employing similar standards, processes, and technologies used by private health plans, including equipment and software technologies which surpass the capability of the equipment and technologies used in the review of claims under this subchapter as of August 21, 1996).
(2) Audit of cost reports.
(3) Determinations as to whether payment should not be, or should not have been, made under this subchapter by reason of
(4) Education of providers of services, beneficiaries, and other persons with respect to payment integrity and benefit quality assurance issues.
(5) Developing (and periodically updating) a list of items of durable medical equipment in accordance with
(6) The Medicare-Medicaid Data Match Program in accordance with subsection (g).
(c) Eligibility of entities
An entity is eligible to enter into a contract under the Program to carry out any of the activities described in subsection (b) of this section if—
(1) the entity has demonstrated capability to carry out such activities;
(2) in carrying out such activities, the entity agrees to cooperate with the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Attorney General, and other law enforcement agencies, as appropriate, in the investigation and deterrence of fraud and abuse in relation to this subchapter and in other cases arising out of such activities;
(3) the entity complies with such conflict of interest standards as are generally applicable to Federal acquisition and procurement;
(4) the entity agrees to provide the Secretary and the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services with such performance statistics (including the number and amount of overpayments recovered, the number of fraud referrals, and the return on investment of such activities by the entity) as the Secretary or the Inspector General may request; and
(5) the entity meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose.
In the case of the activity described in subsection (b)(5) of this section, an entity shall be deemed to be eligible to enter into a contract under the Program to carry out the activity if the entity is a carrier with a contract in effect under
(d) Process for entering into contracts
The Secretary shall enter into contracts under the Program in accordance with such procedures as the Secretary shall by regulation establish, except that such procedures shall include the following:
(1) Procedures for identifying, evaluating, and resolving organizational conflicts of interest that are generally applicable to Federal acquisition and procurement.
(2) Competitive procedures to be used—
(A) when entering into new contracts under this section;
(B) when entering into contracts that may result in the elimination of responsibilities of an individual fiscal intermediary or carrier under section 202(b) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; and
(C) at any other time considered appropriate by the Secretary,
except that the Secretary may continue to contract with entities that are carrying out the activities described in this section pursuant to agreements under
(3) Procedures under which a contract under this section may be renewed without regard to any provision of law requiring competition if the contractor has met or exceeded the performance requirements established in the current contract.
The Secretary may enter into such contracts without regard to final rules having been promulgated.
(e) Limitation on contractor liability
The Secretary shall by regulation provide for the limitation of a contractor's liability for actions taken to carry out a contract under the Program, and such regulation shall, to the extent the Secretary finds appropriate, employ the same or comparable standards and other substantive and procedural provisions as are contained in
(f) Recovery of overpayments
(1) Use of repayment plans
(A) In general
If the repayment, within 30 days by a provider of services or supplier, of an overpayment under this subchapter would constitute a hardship (as described in subparagraph (B)), subject to subparagraph (C), upon request of the provider of services or supplier the Secretary shall enter into a plan with the provider of services or supplier for the repayment (through offset or otherwise) of such overpayment over a period of at least 6 months but not longer than 3 years (or not longer than 5 years in the case of extreme hardship, as determined by the Secretary). Interest shall accrue on the balance through the period of repayment. Such plan shall meet terms and conditions determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
(B) Hardship
(i) In general
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the repayment of an overpayment (or overpayments) within 30 days is deemed to constitute a hardship if—
(I) in the case of a provider of services that files cost reports, the aggregate amount of the overpayments exceeds 10 percent of the amount paid under this subchapter to the provider of services for the cost reporting period covered by the most recently submitted cost report; or
(II) in the case of another provider of services or supplier, the aggregate amount of the overpayments exceeds 10 percent of the amount paid under this subchapter to the provider of services or supplier for the previous calendar year.
(ii) Rule of application
The Secretary shall establish rules for the application of this subparagraph in the case of a provider of services or supplier that was not paid under this subchapter during the previous year or was paid under this subchapter only during a portion of that year.
(iii) Treatment of previous overpayments
If a provider of services or supplier has entered into a repayment plan under subparagraph (A) with respect to a specific overpayment amount, such payment amount under the repayment plan shall not be taken into account under clause (i) with respect to subsequent overpayment amounts.
(C) Exceptions
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply if—
(i) the Secretary has reason to suspect that the provider of services or supplier may file for bankruptcy or otherwise cease to do business or discontinue participation in the program under this subchapter; or
(ii) there is an indication of fraud or abuse committed against the program.
(D) Immediate collection if violation of repayment plan
If a provider of services or supplier fails to make a payment in accordance with a repayment plan under this paragraph, the Secretary may immediately seek to offset or otherwise recover the total balance outstanding (including applicable interest) under the repayment plan.
(E) Relation to no fault provision
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as affecting the application of
(2) Limitation on recoupment
(A) In general
In the case of a provider of services or supplier that is determined to have received an overpayment under this subchapter and that seeks a reconsideration by a qualified independent contractor on such determination under
(B) Collection with interest
Insofar as the determination on such appeal is against the provider of services or supplier, interest on the overpayment shall accrue on and after the date of the original notice of overpayment. Insofar as such determination against the provider of services or supplier is later reversed, the Secretary shall provide for repayment of the amount recouped plus interest at the same rate as would apply under the previous sentence for the period in which the amount was recouped.
(C) Medicare contractor defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term "medicare contractor" has the meaning given such term in
(3) Limitation on use of extrapolation
A medicare contractor may not use extrapolation to determine overpayment amounts to be recovered by recoupment, offset, or otherwise unless the Secretary determines that—
(A) there is a sustained or high level of payment error; or
(B) documented educational intervention has failed to correct the payment error.
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(4) Provision of supporting documentation
In the case of a provider of services or supplier with respect to which amounts were previously overpaid, a medicare contractor may request the periodic production of records or supporting documentation for a limited sample of submitted claims to ensure that the previous practice is not continuing.
(5) Consent settlement reforms
(A) In general
The Secretary may use a consent settlement (as defined in subparagraph (D)) to settle a projected overpayment.
(B) Opportunity to submit additional information before consent settlement offer
Before offering a provider of services or supplier a consent settlement, the Secretary shall—
(i) communicate to the provider of services or supplier—
(I) that, based on a review of the medical records requested by the Secretary, a preliminary evaluation of those records indicates that there would be an overpayment;
(II) the nature of the problems identified in such evaluation; and
(III) the steps that the provider of services or supplier should take to address the problems; and
(ii) provide for a 45-day period during which the provider of services or supplier may furnish additional information concerning the medical records for the claims that had been reviewed.
(C) Consent settlement offer
The Secretary shall review any additional information furnished by the provider of services or supplier under subparagraph (B)(ii). Taking into consideration such information, the Secretary shall determine if there still appears to be an overpayment. If so, the Secretary—
(i) shall provide notice of such determination to the provider of services or supplier, including an explanation of the reason for such determination; and
(ii) in order to resolve the overpayment, may offer the provider of services or supplier—
(I) the opportunity for a statistically valid random sample; or
(II) a consent settlement.
The opportunity provided under clause (ii)(I) does not waive any appeal rights with respect to the alleged overpayment involved.
(D) Consent settlement defined
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "consent settlement" means an agreement between the Secretary and a provider of services or supplier whereby both parties agree to settle a projected overpayment based on less than a statistically valid sample of claims and the provider of services or supplier agrees not to appeal the claims involved.
(6) Notice of over-utilization of codes
The Secretary shall establish, in consultation with organizations representing the classes of providers of services and suppliers, a process under which the Secretary provides for notice to classes of providers of services and suppliers served by the contractor in cases in which the contractor has identified that particular billing codes may be overutilized by that class of providers of services or suppliers under the programs under this subchapter (or provisions of subchapter XI of this chapter insofar as they relate to such programs).
(7) Payment audits
(A) Written notice for post-payment audits
Subject to subparagraph (C), if a medicare contractor decides to conduct a post-payment audit of a provider of services or supplier under this subchapter, the contractor shall provide the provider of services or supplier with written notice (which may be in electronic form) of the intent to conduct such an audit.
(B) Explanation of findings for all audits
Subject to subparagraph (C), if a medicare contractor audits a provider of services or supplier under this subchapter, the contractor shall—
(i) give the provider of services or supplier a full review and explanation of the findings of the audit in a manner that is understandable to the provider of services or supplier and permits the development of an appropriate corrective action plan;
(ii) inform the provider of services or supplier of the appeal rights under this subchapter as well as consent settlement options (which are at the discretion of the Secretary);
(iii) give the provider of services or supplier an opportunity to provide additional information to the contractor; and
(iv) take into account information provided, on a timely basis, by the provider of services or supplier under clause (iii).
(C) Exception
Subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall not apply if the provision of notice or findings would compromise pending law enforcement activities, whether civil or criminal, or reveal findings of law enforcement-related audits.
(8) Standard methodology for probe sampling
The Secretary shall establish a standard methodology for medicare contractors to use in selecting a sample of claims for review in the case of an abnormal billing pattern.
(g) Medicare-Medicaid Data Match Program
(1) Expansion of Program
(A) In general
The Secretary shall enter into contracts with eligible entities for the purpose of ensuring that, beginning with 2006, the Medicare-Medicaid Data Match Program (commonly referred to as the "Medi-Medi Program") is conducted with respect to the program established under this subchapter and State Medicaid programs under subchapter XIX for the purpose of—
(i) identifying program vulnerabilities in the program established under this subchapter and the Medicaid program established under subchapter XIX through the use of computer algorithms to look for payment anomalies (including billing or billing patterns identified with respect to service, time, or patient that appear to be suspect or otherwise implausible);
(ii) working with States, the Attorney General, and the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate appropriate actions to protect the Federal and State share of expenditures under the Medicaid program under subchapter XIX, as well as the program established under this subchapter; and
(iii) increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of both such programs through cost avoidance, savings, and recoupments of fraudulent, wasteful, or abusive expenditures.
(B) Reporting requirements
The Secretary shall make available in a timely manner any data and statistical information collected by the Medi-Medi Program to the Attorney General, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the States (including a Medicaid fraud and abuse control unit described in
(2) Limited waiver authority
The Secretary shall waive only such requirements of this section and of subchapters XI and XIX as are necessary to carry out paragraph (1).
(h) Use of recovery audit contractors
(1) In general
Under the Program, the Secretary shall enter into contracts with recovery audit contractors in accordance with this subsection for the purpose of identifying underpayments and overpayments and recouping overpayments under this subchapter with respect to all services for which payment is made under this subchapter. Under the contracts—
(A) payment shall be made to such a contractor only from amounts recovered;
(B) from such amounts recovered, payment—
(i) shall be made on a contingent basis for collecting overpayments; and
(ii) may be made in such amounts as the Secretary may specify for identifying underpayments; and
(C) the Secretary shall retain a portion of the amounts recovered which shall be available to the program management account of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for purposes of activities conducted under the recovery audit program under this subsection.
(2) Disposition of remaining recoveries
The amounts recovered under such contracts that are not paid to the contractor under paragraph (1) or retained by the Secretary under paragraph (1)(C) shall be applied to reduce expenditures under this subchapter.
(3) Nationwide coverage
The Secretary shall enter into contracts under paragraph (1) in a manner so as to provide for activities in all States under such a contract by not later than January 1, 2010 (not later than December 31, 2010, in the case of contracts relating to payments made under part C or D).
(4) Audit and recovery periods
Each such contract shall provide that audit and recovery activities may be conducted during a fiscal year with respect to payments made under this subchapter—
(A) during such fiscal year; and
(B) retrospectively (for a period of not more than 4 fiscal years prior to such fiscal year).
(5) Waiver
The Secretary shall waive such provisions of this subchapter as may be necessary to provide for payment of recovery audit contractors under this subsection in accordance with paragraph (1).
(6) Qualifications of contractors
(A) In general
The Secretary may not enter into a contract under paragraph (1) with a recovery audit contractor unless the contractor has staff that has the appropriate clinical knowledge of, and experience with, the payment rules and regulations under this subchapter or the contractor has, or will contract with, another entity that has such knowledgeable and experienced staff.
(B) Ineligibility of certain contractors
The Secretary may not enter into a contract under paragraph (1) with a recovery audit contractor to the extent the contractor is a fiscal intermediary under
(C) Preference for entities with demonstrated proficiency
In awarding contracts to recovery audit contractors under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give preference to those risk entities that the Secretary determines have demonstrated more than 3 years direct management experience and a proficiency for cost control or recovery audits with private insurers, health care providers, health plans, under the Medicaid program under subchapter XIX, or under this subchapter.
(7) Construction relating to conduct of investigation of fraud
A recovery of an overpayment to a individual or entity by a recovery audit contractor under this subsection shall not be construed to prohibit the Secretary or the Attorney General from investigating and prosecuting, if appropriate, allegations of fraud or abuse arising from such overpayment.
(8) Annual report
The Secretary shall annually submit to Congress a report on the use of recovery audit contractors under this subsection. Each such report shall include information on the performance of such contractors in identifying underpayments and overpayments and recouping overpayments, including an evaluation of the comparative performance of such contractors and savings to the program under this subchapter.
(9) Special rules relating to parts C and D
The Secretary shall enter into contracts under paragraph (1) to require recovery audit contractors to—
(A) ensure that each MA plan under part C has an anti-fraud plan in effect and to review the effectiveness of each such anti-fraud plan;
(B) ensure that each prescription drug plan under part D has an anti-fraud plan in effect and to review the effectiveness of each such anti-fraud plan;
(C) examine claims for reinsurance payments under
(D) review estimates submitted by prescription drug plans by private plans with respect to the enrollment of high cost beneficiaries (as defined by the Secretary) and to compare such estimates with the numbers of such beneficiaries actually enrolled by such plans.
(i) Evaluations and annual report
(1) Evaluations
The Secretary shall conduct evaluations of eligible entities which the Secretary contracts with under the Program not less frequently than every 3 years.
(2) Annual report
Not later than 180 days after the end of each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2011), the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress which identifies—
(A) the use of funds, including funds transferred from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under
(B) the effectiveness of the use of such funds.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1893, as added
References in Text
Section 202(b) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(B), is section 202(b) of
Parts C and D, referred to in subsec. (h)(3), (9), are classified to sections 1395w–21 et seq. and 1395w–101 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c)(4), (5).
Subsec. (h)(1).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (h)(3).
Subsec. (h)(4).
Subsec. (h)(9).
Subsec. (i).
2006—Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
2003—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (f).
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
"(7)
"(8)
Access to Coordination of Benefits Contractor Database
§1395eee. Payments to, and coverage of benefits under, programs of all-inclusive care for elderly (PACE)
(a) Receipt of benefits through enrollment in PACE program; definitions for PACE program related terms
(1) Benefits through enrollment in a PACE program
In accordance with this section, in the case of an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter or enrolled under part B of this subchapter and who is a PACE program eligible individual (as defined in paragraph (5)) with respect to a PACE program offered by a PACE provider under a PACE program agreement—
(A) the individual may enroll in the program under this section; and
(B) so long as the individual is so enrolled and in accordance with regulations—
(i) the individual shall receive benefits under this subchapter solely through such program; and
(ii) the PACE provider is entitled to payment under and in accordance with this section and such agreement for provision of such benefits.
(2) "PACE program" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "PACE program" means a program of all-inclusive care for the elderly that meets the following requirements:
(A) Operation
The entity operating the program is a PACE provider (as defined in paragraph (3)).
(B) Comprehensive benefits
The program provides comprehensive health care services to PACE program eligible individuals in accordance with the PACE program agreement and regulations under this section.
(C) Transition
In the case of an individual who is enrolled under the program under this section and whose enrollment ceases for any reason (including that the individual no longer qualifies as a PACE program eligible individual, the termination of a PACE program agreement, or otherwise), the program provides assistance to the individual in obtaining necessary transitional care through appropriate referrals and making the individual's medical records available to new providers.
(3) "PACE provider" defined
(A) In general
For purposes of this section, the term "PACE provider" means an entity that—
(i) subject to subparagraph (B), is (or is a distinct part of) a public entity or a private, nonprofit entity organized for charitable purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
(ii) has entered into a PACE program agreement with respect to its operation of a PACE program.
(B) Treatment of private, for-profit providers
Clause (i) of subparagraph (A) shall not apply—
(i) to entities subject to a demonstration project waiver under subsection (h) of this section; and
(ii) after the date the report under section 4804(b) of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 is submitted, unless the Secretary determines that any of the findings described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (2) of such section are true.
(4) "PACE program agreement" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "PACE program agreement" means, with respect to a PACE provider, an agreement, consistent with this section,
(5) "PACE program eligible individual" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "PACE program eligible individual" means, with respect to a PACE program, an individual who—
(A) is 55 years of age or older;
(B) subject to subsection (c)(4) of this section, is determined under subsection (c) of this section to require the level of care required under the State medicaid plan for coverage of nursing facility services;
(C) resides in the service area of the PACE program; and
(D) meets such other eligibility conditions as may be imposed under the PACE program agreement for the program under subsection (e)(2)(A)(ii) of this section.
(6) "PACE protocol" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "PACE protocol" means the Protocol for the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), as published by On Lok, Inc., as of April 14, 1995, or any successor protocol that may be agreed upon between the Secretary and On Lok, Inc.
(7) "PACE demonstration waiver program" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "PACE demonstration waiver program" means a demonstration program under either of the following sections (as in effect before the date of their repeal):
(A) Section 603(c) of the Social Security Amendments of 1983 (
(B) Section 9412(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (
(8) "State administering agency" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "State administering agency" means, with respect to the operation of a PACE program in a State, the agency of that State (which may be the single agency responsible for administration of the State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter in the State) responsible for administering PACE program agreements under this section and
(9) "Trial period" defined
(A) In general
For purposes of this section, the term "trial period" means, with respect to a PACE program operated by a PACE provider under a PACE program agreement, the first 3 contract years under such agreement with respect to such program.
(B) Treatment of entities previously operating PACE demonstration waiver programs
Each contract year (including a year occurring before the effective date of this section) during which an entity has operated a PACE demonstration waiver program shall be counted under subparagraph (A) as a contract year during which the entity operated a PACE program as a PACE provider under a PACE program agreement.
(10) "Regulations" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "regulations" refers to interim final or final regulations promulgated under subsection (f) of this section to carry out this section and
(b) Scope of benefits; beneficiary safeguards
(1) In general
Under a PACE program agreement, a PACE provider shall—
(A) provide to PACE program eligible individuals enrolled with the provider, regardless of source of payment and directly or under contracts with other entities, at a minimum—
(i) all items and services covered under this subchapter (for individuals enrolled under this section) and all items and services covered under subchapter XIX of this chapter, but without any limitation or condition as to amount, duration, or scope and without application of deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing that would otherwise apply under this subchapter or such subchapter, respectively; and
(ii) all additional items and services specified in regulations, based upon those required under the PACE protocol;
(B) provide such enrollees access to necessary covered items and services 24 hours per day, every day of the year;
(C) provide services to such enrollees through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary health and social services delivery system which integrates acute and long-term care services pursuant to regulations; and
(D) specify the covered items and services that will not be provided directly by the entity, and to arrange for delivery of those items and services through contracts meeting the requirements of regulations.
(2) Quality assurance; patient safeguards
The PACE program agreement shall require the PACE provider to have in effect at a minimum—
(A) a written plan of quality assurance and improvement, and procedures implementing such plan, in accordance with regulations; and
(B) written safeguards of the rights of enrolled participants (including a patient bill of rights and procedures for grievances and appeals) in accordance with regulations and with other requirements of this subchapter and Federal and State law that are designed for the protection of patients.
(3) Treatment of medicare services furnished by noncontract physicians and other entities
(A) Application of medicare advantage requirement with respect to medicare services furnished by noncontract physicians and other entities
(B) Reference to related provision for noncontract providers of services
For the provision relating to limitations on balance billing against PACE providers for services covered under this subchapter furnished by noncontract providers of services, see
(4) Reference to related provision for services covered under subchapter XIX but not under this subchapter
For provisions relating to limitations on payments to providers participating under the State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter that do not have a contract or other agreement with a PACE provider establishing payment amounts for services covered under such plan (but not under this subchapter) when such services are furnished to enrollees of that PACE provider, see
(c) Eligibility determinations
(1) In general
The determination of whether an individual is a PACE program eligible individual—
(A) shall be made under and in accordance with the PACE program agreement; and
(B) who is entitled to medical assistance under subchapter XIX of this chapter, shall be made (or who is not so entitled, may be made) by the State administering agency.
(2) Condition
An individual is not a PACE program eligible individual (with respect to payment under this section) unless the individual's health status has been determined by the Secretary or the State administering agency, in accordance with regulations, to be comparable to the health status of individuals who have participated in the PACE demonstration waiver programs. Such determination shall be based upon information on health status and related indicators (such as medical diagnoses and measures of activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and cognitive impairment) that are part of a uniform minimum data set collected by PACE providers on potential PACE program eligible individuals.
(3) Annual eligibility recertifications
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the determination described in subsection (a)(5)(B) of this section for an individual shall be reevaluated at least annually.
(B) Exception
The requirement of annual reevaluation under subparagraph (A) may be waived during a period in accordance with regulations in those cases where the State administering agency determines that there is no reasonable expectation of improvement or significant change in an individual's condition during the period because of the severity of chronic condition, or degree of impairment of functional capacity of the individual involved.
(4) Continuation of eligibility
An individual who is a PACE program eligible individual may be deemed to continue to be such an individual notwithstanding a determination that the individual no longer meets the requirement of subsection (a)(5)(B) of this section if, in accordance with regulations, in the absence of continued coverage under a PACE program the individual reasonably would be expected to meet such requirement within the succeeding 6-month period.
(5) Enrollment; disenrollment
(A) Voluntary disenrollment at any time
The enrollment and disenrollment of PACE program eligible individuals in a PACE program shall be pursuant to regulations and the PACE program agreement and shall permit enrollees to voluntarily disenroll without cause at any time.
(B) Limitations on disenrollment
(i) In general
Regulations promulgated by the Secretary under this section and
(I) for nonpayment of premiums (if applicable) on a timely basis; or
(II) for engaging in disruptive or threatening behavior, as defined in such regulations (developed in close consultation with State administering agencies).
(ii) No disenrollment for noncompliant behavior
Except as allowed under regulations promulgated to carry out clause (i)(II), a PACE program may not disenroll a PACE program eligible individual on the ground that the individual has engaged in noncompliant behavior if such behavior is related to a mental or physical condition of the individual. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term "noncompliant behavior" includes repeated noncompliance with medical advice and repeated failure to appear for appointments.
(iii) Timely review of proposed nonvoluntary disenrollment
A proposed disenrollment, other than a voluntary disenrollment, shall be subject to timely review and final determination by the Secretary or by the State administering agency (as applicable), prior to the proposed disenrollment becoming effective.
(d) Payments to PACE providers on capitated basis
(1) In general
In the case of a PACE provider with a PACE program agreement under this section, except as provided in this subsection or by regulations, the Secretary shall make prospective monthly payments of a capitation amount for each PACE program eligible individual enrolled under the agreement under this section in the same manner and from the same sources as payments are made to a Medicare+Choice organization under
(2) Capitation amount
The capitation amount to be applied under this subsection for a provider for a contract year shall be an amount specified in the PACE program agreement for the year. Such amount shall be based upon payment rates established for purposes of payment under
(3) Capitation rates determined without regard to the phase-out of the indirect costs of medical education from the annual Medicare Advantage capitation rate
Capitation amounts under this subsection shall be determined without regard to the application of
(e) PACE program agreement
(1) Requirement
(A) In general
The Secretary, in close cooperation with the State administering agency, shall establish procedures for entering into, extending, and terminating PACE program agreements for the operation of PACE programs by entities that meet the requirements for a PACE provider under this section,
(B) Numerical limitation
(i) In general
The Secretary shall not permit the number of PACE providers with which agreements are in effect under this section or under section 9412(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 to exceed—
(I) 40 as of August 5, 1997; or
(II) as of each succeeding anniversary of August 5, 1997, the numerical limitation under this subparagraph for the preceding year plus 20.
Subclause (II) shall apply without regard to the actual number of agreements in effect as of a previous anniversary date.
(ii) Treatment of certain private, for-profit providers
The numerical limitation in clause (i) shall not apply to a PACE provider that—
(I) is operating under a demonstration project waiver under subsection (h) of this section; or
(II) was operating under such a waiver and subsequently qualifies for PACE provider status pursuant to subsection (a)(3)(B)(ii) of this section.
(2) Service area and eligibility
(A) In general
A PACE program agreement for a PACE program—
(i) shall designate the service area of the program;
(ii) may provide additional requirements for individuals to qualify as PACE program eligible individuals with respect to the program;
(iii) shall be effective for a contract year, but may be extended for additional contract years in the absence of a notice by a party to terminate and is subject to termination by the Secretary and the State administering agency at any time for cause (as provided under the agreement);
(iv) shall require a PACE provider to meet all applicable State and local laws and requirements; and
(v) shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the parties may agree to, so long as such terms and conditions are consistent with this section and regulations.
(B) Service area overlap
In designating a service area under a PACE program agreement under subparagraph (A)(i), the Secretary (in consultation with the State administering agency) may exclude from designation an area that is already covered under another PACE program agreement, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of services and avoid impairing the financial and service viability of an existing program.
(3) Data collection; development of outcome measures
(A) Data collection
(i) In general
Under a PACE program agreement, the PACE provider shall—
(I) collect data;
(II) maintain, and afford the Secretary and the State administering agency access to, the records relating to the program, including pertinent financial, medical, and personnel records; and
(III) make available to the Secretary and the State administering agency reports that the Secretary finds (in consultation with State administering agencies) necessary to monitor the operation, cost, and effectiveness of the PACE program under this section and
(ii) Requirements during trial period
During the first 3 years of operation of a PACE program (either under this section or under a PACE demonstration waiver program), the PACE provider shall provide such additional data as the Secretary specifies in regulations in order to perform the oversight required under paragraph (4)(A).
(B) Development of outcome measures
Under a PACE program agreement, the PACE provider, the Secretary, and the State administering agency shall jointly cooperate in the development and implementation of health status and quality of life outcome measures with respect to PACE program eligible individuals.
(4) Oversight
(A) Annual, close oversight during trial period
During the trial period (as defined in subsection (a)(9) of this section) with respect to a PACE program operated by a PACE provider, the Secretary (in cooperation with the State administering agency) shall conduct a comprehensive annual review of the operation of the PACE program by the provider in order to assure compliance with the requirements of this section and regulations. Such a review shall include—
(i) an on-site visit to the program site;
(ii) comprehensive assessment of a provider's fiscal soundness;
(iii) comprehensive assessment of the provider's capacity to provide all PACE services to all enrolled participants;
(iv) detailed analysis of the entity's substantial compliance with all significant requirements of this section and regulations; and
(v) any other elements the Secretary or State administering agency considers necessary or appropriate.
(B) Continuing oversight
After the trial period, the Secretary (in cooperation with the State administering agency) shall continue to conduct such review of the operation of PACE providers and PACE programs as may be appropriate, taking into account the performance level of a provider and compliance of a provider with all significant requirements of this section and regulations.
(C) Disclosure
The results of reviews under this paragraph shall be reported promptly to the PACE provider, along with any recommendations for changes to the provider's program, and shall be made available to the public upon request.
(5) Termination of PACE provider agreements
(A) In general
Under regulations—
(i) the Secretary or a State administering agency may terminate a PACE program agreement for cause; and
(ii) a PACE provider may terminate an agreement after appropriate notice to the Secretary, the State agency, and enrollees.
(B) Causes for termination
In accordance with regulations establishing procedures for termination of PACE program agreements, the Secretary or a State administering agency may terminate a PACE program agreement with a PACE provider for, among other reasons, the fact that—
(i) the Secretary or State administering agency determines that—
(I) there are significant deficiencies in the quality of care provided to enrolled participants; or
(II) the provider has failed to comply substantially with conditions for a program or provider under this section or
(ii) the entity has failed to develop and successfully initiate, within 30 days of the date of the receipt of written notice of such a determination, a plan to correct the deficiencies, or has failed to continue implementation of such a plan.
(C) Termination and transition procedures
An entity whose PACE provider agreement is terminated under this paragraph shall implement the transition procedures required under subsection (a)(2)(C) of this section.
(6) Secretary's oversight; enforcement authority
(A) In general
Under regulations, if the Secretary determines (after consultation with the State administering agency) that a PACE provider is failing substantially to comply with the requirements of this section and regulations, the Secretary (and the State administering agency) may take any or all of the following actions:
(i) Condition the continuation of the PACE program agreement upon timely execution of a corrective action plan.
(ii) Withhold some or all further payments under the PACE program agreement under this section or
(iii) Terminate such agreement.
(B) Application of intermediate sanctions
Under regulations, the Secretary may provide for the application against a PACE provider of remedies described in section 1395w–27(g)(2) (or, for periods before January 1, 1999,
(7) Procedures for termination or imposition of sanctions
Under regulations, the provisions of
(8) Timely consideration of applications for PACE program provider status
In considering an application for PACE provider program status, the application shall be deemed approved unless the Secretary, within 90 days after the date of the submission of the application to the Secretary, either denies such request in writing or informs the applicant in writing with respect to any additional information that is needed in order to make a final determination with respect to the application. After the date the Secretary receives such additional information, the application shall be deemed approved unless the Secretary, within 90 days of such date, denies such request.
(f) Regulations
(1) In general
The Secretary shall issue interim final or final regulations to carry out this section and
(2) Use of PACE protocol
(A) In general
In issuing such regulations, the Secretary shall, to the extent consistent with the provisions of this section, incorporate the requirements applied to PACE demonstration waiver programs under the PACE protocol.
(B) Flexibility
In order to provide for reasonable flexibility in adapting the PACE service delivery model to the needs of particular organizations (such as those in rural areas or those that may determine it appropriate to use nonstaff physicians according to State licensing law requirements) under this section and
(i) The focus on frail elderly qualifying individuals who require the level of care provided in a nursing facility.
(ii) The delivery of comprehensive, integrated acute and long-term care services.
(iii) The interdisciplinary team approach to care management and service delivery.
(iv) Capitated, integrated financing that allows the provider to pool payments received from public and private programs and individuals.
(v) The assumption by the provider of full financial risk.
(C) Continuation of modifications or waivers of operational requirements under demonstration status
If a PACE program operating under demonstration authority has contractual or other operating arrangements which are not otherwise recognized in regulation and which were in effect on July 1, 2000, the Secretary (in close consultation with, and with the concurrence of, the State administering agency) shall permit any such program to continue such arrangements so long as such arrangements are found by the Secretary and the State to be reasonably consistent with the objectives of the PACE program.
(3) Application of certain additional beneficiary and program protections
(A) In general
In issuing such regulations and subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary may apply with respect to PACE programs, providers, and agreements such requirements of part C of this subchapter (or, for periods before January 1, 1999,
(B) Considerations
In issuing such regulations, the Secretary shall—
(i) take into account the differences between populations served and benefits provided under this section and under part C of this subchapter (or, for periods before January 1, 1999,
(ii) not include any requirement that conflicts with carrying out PACE programs under this section; and
(iii) not include any requirement restricting the proportion of enrollees who are eligible for benefits under this subchapter or subchapter XIX of this chapter.
(4) Construction
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing the Secretary from including in regulations provisions to ensure the health and safety of individuals enrolled in a PACE program under this section that are in addition to those otherwise provided under paragraphs (2) and (3).
(g) Waivers of requirements
With respect to carrying out a PACE program under this section, the following requirements of this subchapter (and regulations relating to such requirements) are waived and shall not apply:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5) Paragraphs (1) and (9) of
(h) Demonstration project for for-profit entities
(1) In general
In order to demonstrate the operation of a PACE program by a private, for-profit entity, the Secretary (in close consultation with State administering agencies) shall grant waivers from the requirement under subsection (a)(3) of this section that a PACE provider may not be a for-profit, private entity.
(2) Similar terms and conditions
(A) In general
Except as provided under subparagraph (B), and paragraph (1), the terms and conditions for operation of a PACE program by a provider under this subsection shall be the same as those for PACE providers that are nonprofit, private organizations.
(B) Numerical limitation
The number of programs for which waivers are granted under this subsection shall not exceed 10. Programs with waivers granted under this subsection shall not be counted against the numerical limitation specified in subsection (e)(1)(B) of this section.
(i) Miscellaneous provisions
Nothing in this section or
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1894, as added
References in Text
Parts A, B, and C of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1), (e)(7), (f)(3), and (i), are classified to sections 1395c et seq., 1395j et seq., and 1395w–21 et seq., respectively, of this title.
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a)(3)(A)(i), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Section 4804(b) of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (a)(3)(B)(ii), is section 4804(b) of
Section 603(c) of the Social Security Amendments of 1983, referred to in subsec. (a)(7)(A), is section 603(c) of
Section 9220 of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, referred to in subsec. (a)(7)(A), is section 9220 of
Section 9412(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (a)(7)(B) and (e)(1)(B)(i), is section 9412(b) of
For the effective date of this section, referred to in subsec. (a)(9)(B), see section 4803 of
Amendments
2010—Subsecs. (h) to (j).
"With respect to a PACE program under this section, the following provisions (and regulations relating to such provisions) shall not apply:
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
See Effective Date of 2010 Amendment note below.
2008—Subsec. (d)(3).
2003—Subsec. (b)(3), (4).
2000—Subsec. (f)(2)(C).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Repeal of section 3201 of
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Rural PACE Provider Grant Program
"(a)
"(1) CMS.—The term 'CMS' means the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
"(2) PACE
"(3) PACE
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(D)
"(i) Feasibility analysis and planning.
"(ii) Interdisciplinary team development.
"(iii) Development of a provider network, including contract development.
"(iv) Development or adaptation of claims processing systems.
"(v) Preparation of special education and outreach efforts required for the PACE program.
"(vi) Development of expense reporting required for calculation of outlier payments or reconciliation processes.
"(vii) Development of any special quality of care or patient satisfaction data collection efforts.
"(viii) Establishment of a working capital fund to sustain fixed administrative, facility, or other fixed costs until the provider reaches sufficient enrollment size.
"(ix) Startup and development costs incurred prior to the approval of the rural PACE pilot site's PACE provider application by CMS.
"(x) Any other efforts determined by the rural PACE pilot site to be critical to its successful startup, as approved by the Secretary.
"(E)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(2)
"(A) outreach and education to State agencies and provider organizations interested in establishing PACE programs in rural areas; and
"(B) technical assistance necessary to support rural PACE pilot sites.
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(A)
"(i) If the services are provided under a contract between the pilot site and the provider, the payment rate specified under the contract.
"(ii) The payment rate established under the original Medicare fee-for-service program for such service.
"(iii) The amount actually paid for the services by the pilot site.
"(B)
"(3)[two pars. (3) have been enacted]
"(A)[no subpar. (B) has been enacted]
"(4)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(5)
"(6)
"(A) documentation of the costs incurred with respect to the participant;
"(B) a certification that the site has complied with the requirements under paragraph (4); and
"(C) such additional information as the Secretary may require.
"(7)
"(A)
"(B)
"(d)
"(e)
Flexibility in Exercising Waiver Authority
"(1) shall approve or deny a request for a modification or a waiver of provisions of the PACE protocol not later than 90 days after the date the Secretary receives the request; and
"(2) may exercise authority to modify or waive such provisions in a manner that responds promptly to the needs of PACE programs relating to areas of employment and the use of community-based primary care physicians."
Transition; Regulations
Section 4803 of title IV of
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting before the period at the end the following: ', except that the Secretary shall grant waivers of such requirements to up to the applicable numerical limitation specified in sections 1894(e)(1)(B) and 1934(e)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act' [subsec. (e)(1)(B) of this section and
"(B) in paragraph (2)—
"(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ', including permitting the organization to assume progressively (over the initial 3-year period of the waiver) the full financial risk'; and
"(ii) in subparagraph (C), by adding at the end the following: 'In granting further extensions, an organization shall not be required to provide for reporting of information which is only required because of the demonstration nature of the project.'
"(2)
"(3)
"(c)
"(1)
"(A) first, to entities that are operating a PACE demonstration waiver program (as defined in sections 1894(a)(7) and 1934(a)(7) of such Act [subsec. (a)(7) of this section and
"(B) then to entities that have applied to operate such a program as of May 1, 1997.
"(2)
"(A) to any entities that have applied for such waivers under such section as of May 1, 1997; and
"(B) to any entity that, as of May 1, 1997, has formally contracted with a State to provide services for which payment is made on a capitated basis with an understanding that the entity was seeking to become a PACE provider.
"(3)
"(d)
"(1)
"(A) Section 603(c) of the Social Security Amendments of 1983 (
"(B) Section 9220 of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (
"(C) Section 9412(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
PACE Programs; Study and Reports
Section 4804(a), (b) of title IV of
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) The number of covered lives enrolled with entities operating under demonstration project waivers under sections 1894(h) and 1934(h) of the Social Security Act is fewer than 800 (or such lesser number as the Secretary may find statistically sufficient to make determinations respecting findings described in the succeeding subparagraphs).
"(B) The population enrolled with such entities is less frail than the population enrolled with other PACE providers.
"(C) Access to or quality of care for individuals enrolled with such entities is lower than such access or quality for individuals enrolled with other PACE providers.
"(D) The application of such section has resulted in an increase in expenditures under the medicare or medicaid programs above the expenditures that would have been made if such section did not apply."
§1395fff. Prospective payment for home health services
(a) In general
Notwithstanding
(b) System of prospective payment for home health services
(1) In general
The Secretary shall establish under this subsection a prospective payment system for payment for all costs of home health services. Under the system under this subsection all services covered and paid on a reasonable cost basis under the medicare home health benefit as of August 5, 1997, including medical supplies, shall be paid for on the basis of a prospective payment amount determined under this subsection and applicable to the services involved. In implementing the system, the Secretary may provide for a transition (of not longer than 4 years) during which a portion of such payment is based on agency-specific costs, but only if such transition does not result in aggregate payments under this subchapter that exceed the aggregate payments that would be made if such a transition did not occur.
(2) Unit of payment
In defining a prospective payment amount under the system under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider an appropriate unit of service and the number, type, and duration of visits provided within that unit, potential changes in the mix of services provided within that unit and their cost, and a general system design that provides for continued access to quality services.
(3) Payment basis
(A) Initial basis
(i) In general
Under such system the Secretary shall provide for computation of a standard prospective payment amount (or amounts) as follows:
(I) Such amount (or amounts) shall initially be based on the most current audited cost report data available to the Secretary and shall be computed in a manner so that the total amounts payable under the system for the 12-month period beginning on the date the Secretary implements the system shall be equal to the total amount that would have been made if the system had not been in effect and if
(II) For the 12-month period beginning after the period described in subclause (I), such amount (or amounts) shall be equal to the amount (or amounts) determined under subclause (I), updated under subparagraph (B).
(III) Subject to clause (iii), for periods beginning after the period described in subclause (II), such amount (or amounts) shall be equal to the amount (or amounts) that would have been determined under subclause (I) that would have been made for fiscal year 2001 if the system had not been in effect and if
Each such amount shall be standardized in a manner that eliminates the effect of variations in relative case mix and area wage adjustments among different home health agencies in a budget neutral manner consistent with the case mix and wage level adjustments provided under paragraph (4)(A). Under the system, the Secretary may recognize regional differences or differences based upon whether or not the services or agency are in an urbanized area.
(ii) Reduction
The reduction described in this clause is a reduction by 15 percent in the cost limits and per beneficiary limits described in
(iii) Adjustment for 2014 and subsequent years
(I) In general
Subject to subclause (II), for 2014 and subsequent years, the amount (or amounts) that would otherwise be applicable under clause (i)(III) shall be adjusted by a percentage determined appropriate by the Secretary to reflect such factors as changes in the number of visits in an episode, the mix of services in an episode, the level of intensity of services in an episode, the average cost of providing care per episode, and other factors that the Secretary considers to be relevant. In conducting the analysis under the preceding sentence, the Secretary may consider differences between hospital-based and freestanding agencies, between for-profit and nonprofit agencies, and between the resource costs of urban and rural agencies. Such adjustment shall be made before the update under subparagraph (B) is applied for the year.
(II) Transition
The Secretary shall provide for a 4-year phase-in (in equal increments) of the adjustment under subclause (I), with such adjustment being fully implemented for 2017. During each year of such phase-in, the amount of any adjustment under subclause (I) for the year may not exceed 3.5 percent of the amount (or amounts) applicable under clause (i)(III) as of March 23, 2010.
(B) Annual update
(i) In general
The standard prospective payment amount (or amounts) shall be adjusted for fiscal year 2002 and for fiscal year 2003 and for each subsequent year (beginning with 2004) in a prospective manner specified by the Secretary by the home health applicable increase percentage (as defined in clause (ii)) applicable to the fiscal year or year involved.
(ii) Home health applicable increase percentage
For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "home health applicable increase percentage" means, with respect to—
(I) each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003, the home health market basket percentage increase (as defined in clause (iii)) minus 1.1 percentage points;
(II) for 1 the last calendar quarter of 2003 and the first calendar quarter of 2004, the home health market basket percentage increase;
(III) the last 3 calendar quarters of 2004, and all of 2005 2 the home health market basket percentage increase minus 0.8 percentage points;
(IV) 2006, 0 percent; and
(V) any subsequent year, subject to clauses (v) and (vi), the home health market basket percentage increase.
(iii) Home health market basket percentage increase
For purposes of this subsection, the term "home health market basket percentage increase" means, with respect to a fiscal year or year, a percentage (estimated by the Secretary before the beginning of the fiscal year or year) determined and applied with respect to the mix of goods and services included in home health services in the same manner as the market basket percentage increase under
(iv) Adjustment for case mix changes
Insofar as the Secretary determines that the adjustments under paragraph (4)(A)(i) for a previous fiscal year or year (or estimates that such adjustments for a future fiscal year or year) did (or are likely to) result in a change in aggregate payments under this subsection during the fiscal year or year that are a result of changes in the coding or classification of different units of services that do not reflect real changes in case mix, the Secretary may adjust the standard prospective payment amount (or amounts) under paragraph (3) for subsequent fiscal years or years so as to eliminate the effect of such coding or classification changes.
(v) Adjustment if quality data not submitted
(I) Adjustment
For purposes of clause (ii)(V), for 2007 and each subsequent year, in the case of a home health agency that does not submit data to the Secretary in accordance with subclause (II) with respect to such a year, the home health market basket percentage increase applicable under such clause for such year shall be reduced by 2 percentage points. Such reduction shall apply only with respect to the year involved, and the Secretary shall not take into account such reduction in computing the prospective payment amount under this section for a subsequent year, and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission shall carry out the requirements under section 5201(d) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.
(II) Submission of quality data
For 2007 and each subsequent year, each home health agency shall submit to the Secretary such data that the Secretary determines are appropriate for the measurement of health care quality. Such data shall be submitted in a form and manner, and at a time, specified by the Secretary for purposes of this clause.
(III) Public availability of data submitted
The Secretary shall establish procedures for making data submitted under subclause (II) available to the public. Such procedures shall ensure that a home health agency has the opportunity to review the data that is to be made public with respect to the agency prior to such data being made public.
(vi) Adjustments
After determining the home health market basket percentage increase under clause (iii), and after application of clause (v), the Secretary shall reduce such percentage—
(I) for 2015 and each subsequent year, by the productivity adjustment described in
(II) for each of 2011, 2012, and 2013, by 1 percentage point.
The application of this clause may result in the home health market basket percentage increase under clause (iii) being less than 0.0 for a year, and may result in payment rates under the system under this subsection for a year being less than such payment rates for the preceding year.
(C) Adjustment for outliers
The Secretary shall reduce the standard prospective payment amount (or amounts) under this paragraph applicable to home health services furnished during a period by such proportion as will result in an aggregate reduction in payments for the period equal to 5 percent of the total payments estimated to be made based on the prospective payment system under this subsection for the period.
(4) Payment computation
(A) In general
The payment amount for a unit of home health services shall be the applicable standard prospective payment amount adjusted as follows:
(i) Case mix adjustment
The amount shall be adjusted by an appropriate case mix adjustment factor (established under subparagraph (B)).
(ii) Area wage adjustment
The portion of such amount that the Secretary estimates to be attributable to wages and wage-related costs shall be adjusted for geographic differences in such costs by an area wage adjustment factor (established under subparagraph (C)) for the area in which the services are furnished or such other area as the Secretary may specify.
(B) Establishment of case mix adjustment factors
The Secretary shall establish appropriate case mix adjustment factors for home health services in a manner that explains a significant amount of the variation in cost among different units of services.
(C) Establishment of area wage adjustment factors
The Secretary shall establish area wage adjustment factors that reflect the relative level of wages and wage-related costs applicable to the furnishing of home health services in a geographic area compared to the national average applicable level. Such factors may be the factors used by the Secretary for purposes of
(5) Outliers
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary may provide for an addition or adjustment to the payment amount otherwise made in the case of outliers because of unusual variations in the type or amount of medically necessary care. The total amount of the additional payments or payment adjustments made under this paragraph with respect to a fiscal year or year may not exceed 2.5 percent of the total payments projected or estimated to be made based on the prospective payment system under this subsection in that year.
(B) Program specific outlier cap
The estimated total amount of additional payments or payment adjustments made under subparagraph (A) with respect to a home health agency for a year (beginning with 2011) may not exceed an amount equal to 10 percent of the estimated total amount of payments made under this section (without regard to this paragraph) with respect to the home health agency for the year.
(6) Proration of prospective payment amounts
If a beneficiary elects to transfer to, or receive services from, another home health agency within the period covered by the prospective payment amount, the payment shall be prorated between the home health agencies involved.
(c) Requirements for payment information
With respect to home health services furnished on or after October 1, 1998, no claim for such a service may be paid under this subchapter unless—
(1) the claim has the unique identifier (provided under
(2) in the case of a service visit described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of
(d) Limitation on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(1) the establishment of a transition period under subsection (b)(1) of this section;
(2) the definition and application of payment units under subsection (b)(2) of this section;
(3) the computation of initial standard prospective payment amounts under subsection (b)(3)(A) of this section (including the reduction described in clause (ii) of such subsection);
(4) the establishment of the adjustment for outliers under subsection (b)(3)(C) of this section;
(5) the establishment of case mix and area wage adjustments under subsection (b)(4) of this section; and
(6) the establishment of any adjustments for outliers under subsection (b)(5) of this section.
(e) Construction related to home health services
(1) Telecommunications
Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing a home health agency furnishing a home health unit of service for which payment is made under the prospective payment system established by this section for such units of service from furnishing services via a telecommunication system if such services—
(A) do not substitute for in-person home health services ordered as part of a plan of care certified by a physician pursuant to
(B) are not considered a home health visit for purposes of eligibility or payment under this subchapter.
(2) Physician certification
Nothing in this section shall be construed as waiving the requirement for a physician certification under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1895, as added
References in Text
Section 5201(d) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(B)(v)(I), is section 5201(d) of title V of
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i)(III).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(V).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(vi).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(vi)(II).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C).
Subsec. (b)(5).
2006—Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(V).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(v).
2003—Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(5).
2000—Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i)(II).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i)(III).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (e).
1999—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i)(I).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i)(II).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(I).
1998—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii), (iii).
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title III, §303(b)] of
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title III, §321(k)(19)] of
Effective Date
Study and Report on the Development of Home Health Payment Revisions in Order To Ensure Access to Care and Payment for Severity of Illness
"(1)
"(A) Methods to potentially revise the home health prospective payment system under section 1895 of the Social Security Act (
"(i) payment adjustments for services that may involve additional or fewer resources;
"(ii) changes to reflect resources involved with providing home health services to low-income Medicare beneficiaries or Medicare beneficiaries residing in medically underserved areas;
"(iii) ways outlier payments might be revised to reflect costs of treating Medicare beneficiaries with high levels of severity of illness; and
"(iv) other issues determined appropriate by the Secretary.
"(B) Operational issues involved with potential implementation of potential revisions to the home health payment system, including impacts for both home health agencies and administrative and systems issues for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and any possible payment vulnerabilities associated with implementing potential revisions.
"(C) Whether additional research might be needed.
"(D) Other items determined appropriate by the Secretary.
"(2)
"(A) population density and relative patient access to care;
"(B) variations in service costs for providing care to individuals who are dually eligible under the Medicare and Medicaid programs;
"(C) the presence of severe or chronic diseases, which might be measured by multiple, discontinuous home health episodes;
"(D) poverty status, such as evidenced by the receipt of Supplemental Security Income under title XVI of the Social Security Act [
"(E) other factors determined appropriate by the Secretary.
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(i) shall not apply to payments for home health services under title XVIII [
"(ii) shall not be taken into account in calculating the payment amounts applicable for such services after such period.
"(D)
"(E)
"(F)
"(i) provide for an evaluation of the project; and
"(ii) submit to Congress, by a date specified by the Secretary, a report on the project.
"(G)
Temporary Increase for Home Health Services Furnished in a Rural Area
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) shall not apply to episodes and visits ending after such period; and
"(2) shall not be taken into account in calculating the payment amounts applicable for episodes and visits occurring after such period."
Demonstration Project for Medical Adult Day-Care Services
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(c)
"(d)
"(e)
"(f)
"(g)
"(h)
"(1) An analysis of the patient outcomes and costs of furnishing care to the medicare beneficiaries participating in the project as compared to such outcomes and costs to beneficiaries receiving only home health services for the same health conditions.
"(2) Such recommendations regarding the extension, expansion, or termination of the project as the Secretary determines appropriate.
"(i)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) has been licensed or certified by a State to furnish medical adult day-care services in the State for a continuous 2-year period;
"(B) is engaged in providing skilled nursing services and other therapeutic services directly or under arrangement with a home health agency;
"(C) is licensed and certified by the State in which it operates or meets such standards established by the Secretary to assure quality of care and such other requirements as the Secretary finds necessary in the interest of the health and safety of individuals who are furnished services in the facility; and
"(D) provides medical adult day-care services.
"(3)
"(A) home health service items and services described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 1861(m) [probably means section 1861(m) of the Social Security Act which is classified to
"(B) a program of supervised activities furnished in a group setting in the facility that—
"(i) meet such criteria as the Secretary determines appropriate; and
"(ii) is designed to promote physical and mental health of the individuals; and
"(C) such other services as the Secretary may specify.
"(4)
Temporary Suspension of Oasis Requirement for Collection of Data on Non-Medicare and Non-Medicaid Patients
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) begins on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 8, 2003]; and
"(2) ends on the last day of the second month beginning after the date as of which the Secretary has published final regulations regarding the collection and use by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of non-medicare/medicaid OASIS information following the submission of the report required under subsection (c).
"(c)
"(1)
"(A) whether there are unique benefits from the analysis of such information that cannot be derived from other information available to, or collected by, such agencies; and
"(B) the value of collecting such information by small home health agencies compared to the administrative burden related to such collection.
In conducting the study the Secretary shall obtain recommendations from quality assessment experts in the use of such information and the necessity of small, as well as large, home health agencies collecting such information.
"(2)
"(d)
MedPAC Study on Medicare Margins of Home Health Agencies
"(a)
"(b)
Special Rule for Payment for Fiscal Year 2001 Based on Adjusted Prospective Payment Amounts
"(1)
"(A) with respect to episodes and visits ending on or after October 1, 2000, and before April 1, 2001, use the final standardized and budget neutral prospective payment amounts for 60-day episodes and standardized average per visit amounts for fiscal year 2001 as published by the Secretary in the Federal Register on July 3, 2000 (65 Fed. Reg. 41128–41214); and
"(B) with respect to episodes and visits ending on or after April 1, 2001, and before October 1, 2001, use such amounts increased by 2.2 percent.
"(2)
Temporary Two-Month Periodic Interim Payment
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) notifies the Secretary that such agency does not want to receive such payment;
"(2) is not receiving payments pursuant to section 405.371 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations;
"(3) is excluded from the medicare program under title XI of the Social Security Act [subchapter XI of this chapter];
"(4) no longer has a provider agreement under section 1866 of such Act (
"(5) is no longer in business; or
"(6) is subject to a court order providing for the withholding of medicare payments under title XVIII of such Act [this subchapter]."
Temporary Increase for Home Health Services Furnished in a Rural Area
"(a) 24
"(b)
Clarification of Application of Temporary Payment Increases for 2001
"(1)
"(2)
Adjustment To Reflect Administrative Costs Not Included in the Interim Payment System; GAO Report on Costs of Compliance With Oasis Data Collection Requirements
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(3)
"(4)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) An assessment of the costs incurred by medicare home health agencies in complying with such data collection requirement.
"(ii) An analysis of the effect of such data collection requirement on the privacy interests of patients from whom data is collected.
"(C)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
Report to Congress on Need for Reductions
Study and Report to Congress Regarding Exemption of Rural Agencies and Populations From Inclusion in Home Health Prospective Payment System
"(a)
"(b)
Case Mix System Development
Section 4602(d) of
Case Mix System; Submission of Data
Section 4602(e) of
Prospective Payment System Contingency
Reports to Congress Regarding Home Health Cost Containment
Section 4616 of
"(a)
"(b)
1 So in original. The word "for" probably should not appear.
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
§1395ggg. Omitted
Codification
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1896, as added
§1395hhh. Health care infrastructure improvement program
(a) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a loan program that provides loans to qualifying hospitals for payment of the capital costs of projects described in subsection (d) of this section.
(b) Application
No loan may be provided under this section to a qualifying hospital except pursuant to an application that is submitted and approved in a time, manner, and form specified by the Secretary. A loan under this section shall be on such terms and conditions and meet such requirements as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(c) Selection criteria
(1) In general
The Secretary shall establish criteria for selecting among qualifying hospitals that apply for a loan under this section. Such criteria shall consider the extent to which the project for which loan is sought is nationally or regionally significant, in terms of expanding or improving the health care infrastructure of the United States or the region or in terms of the medical benefit that the project will have.
(2) Qualifying hospital defined
For purposes of this section, the term "qualifying hospital" means a hospital or an entity described in paragraph (3) that—
(A) is engaged in research in the causes, prevention, and treatment of cancer; and
(B) is designated as a cancer center for the National Cancer Institute or is designated by the State legislature as the official cancer institute of the State and such designation by the State legislature occurred prior to December 8, 2003.
(3) Entity described
An entity described in this paragraph is an entity that—
(A) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code;
(B) has at least 1 existing memorandum of understanding or affiliation agreement with a hospital located in the State in which the entity is located; and
(C) retains clinical outpatient treatment for cancer on site as well as lab research and education and outreach for cancer in the same facility.
(d) Projects
A project described in this subsection is a project of a qualifying hospital that is designed to improve the health care infrastructure of the hospital, including construction, renovation, or other capital improvements.
(e) State and local permits
The provision of a loan under this section with respect to a project shall not—
(1) relieve any recipient of the loan of any obligation to obtain any required State or local permit or approval with respect to the project;
(2) limit the right of any unit of State or local government to approve or regulate any rate of return on private equity invested in the project; or
(3) otherwise supersede any State or local law (including any regulation) applicable to the construction or operation of the project.
(f) Forgiveness of indebtedness
The Secretary may forgive a loan provided to a qualifying hospital under this section under terms and conditions that are analogous to the loan forgiveness provision for student loans under part D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (
(A) an outreach program for cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment that provides services to a substantial majority of the residents of a State or region, including residents of rural areas;
(B) an outreach program for cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment that provides services to multiple Indian tribes; and
(C)(i) unique research resources (such as population databases); or
(ii) an affiliation with an entity that has unique research resources.
(g) Funding
(1) In general
There are appropriated, out of amounts in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to carry out this section, $200,000,000, to remain available during the period beginning on July 1, 2004, and ending on September 30, 2008.
(2) Administrative costs
From funds made available under paragraph (1), the Secretary may use, for the administration of this section, not more than $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2008.
(3) Availability
Amounts appropriated under this section shall be available for obligation on July 1, 2004.
(h) Report to Congress
Not later than 4 years after December 8, 2003, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the projects for which loans are provided under this section and a recommendation as to whether the Congress should authorize the Secretary to continue loans under this section beyond fiscal year 2008.
(i) Limitation on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review of any determination made by the Secretary under this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1897, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(A), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
The Higher Education Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (f), is
Amendments
2005—Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (i).
Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
§1395iii. Medicare Improvement Fund
(a) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish under this subchapter a Medicare Improvement Fund (in this section referred to as the "Fund") which shall be available to the Secretary to make improvements under the original medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B for individuals entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A or enrolled under part B including, but not limited to, an increase in the conversion factor under
(b) Funding
(1) In general
There shall be available to the Fund, for expenditures from the Fund for services furnished during—
(A) fiscal year 2014, $0;
(B) fiscal year 2015, $275,000,000; and
(C) fiscal year 2020 and each subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary's estimate, as of July 1 of the fiscal year, of the aggregate reduction in expenditures under this subchapter during the preceding fiscal year directly resulting from the reduction in payment amounts under
(2) Payment from Trust Funds
The amount specified under paragraph (1) shall be available to the Fund, as expenditures are made from the Fund, from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund in such proportion as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(3) Funding limitation
Amounts in the Fund shall be available in advance of appropriations but only if the total amount obligated from the Fund does not exceed the amount available to the Fund under paragraph (1). The Secretary may obligate funds from the Fund only if the Secretary determines (and the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the appropriate budget officer certify) that there are available in the Fund sufficient amounts to cover all such obligations incurred consistent with the previous sentence.
(4) No effect on payments in subsequent years
In the case that expenditures from the Fund are applied to, or otherwise affect, a payment rate for an item or service under this subchapter for a year, the payment rate for such item or service shall be computed for a subsequent year as if such application or effect had never occurred.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1898, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B, referred to in subsec. (a), are classified to section 1395c et seq. and section 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
2009—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B), (C).
Subsec. (b)(4).
2008—Subsec. (b)(1).
§1395jjj. Shared savings program
(a) Establishment
(1) 1 In general
Not later than January 1, 2012, the Secretary shall establish a shared savings program (in this section referred to as the "program") that promotes accountability for a patient population and coordinates items and services under parts A and B, and encourages investment in infrastructure and redesigned care processes for high quality and efficient service delivery. Under such program—
(A) groups of providers of services and suppliers meeting criteria specified by the Secretary may work together to manage and coordinate care for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries through an accountable care organization (referred to in this section as an "ACO"); and
(B) ACOs that meet quality performance standards established by the Secretary are eligible to receive payments for shared savings under subsection (d)(2).
(b) Eligible ACOs
(1) In general
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection, as determined appropriate by the Secretary, the following groups of providers of services and suppliers which have established a mechanism for shared governance are eligible to participate as ACOs under the program under this section:
(A) ACO professionals in group practice arrangements.
(B) Networks of individual practices of ACO professionals.
(C) Partnerships or joint venture arrangements between hospitals and ACO professionals.
(D) Hospitals employing ACO professionals.
(E) Such other groups of providers of services and suppliers as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(2) Requirements
An ACO shall meet the following requirements:
(A) The ACO shall be willing to become accountable for the quality, cost, and overall care of the Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries assigned to it.
(B) The ACO shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary to participate in the program for not less than a 3-year period (referred to in this section as the "agreement period").
(C) The ACO shall have a formal legal structure that would allow the organization to receive and distribute payments for shared savings under subsection (d)(2) to participating providers of services and suppliers.
(D) The ACO shall include primary care ACO professionals that are sufficient for the number of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries assigned to the ACO under subsection (c). At a minimum, the ACO shall have at least 5,000 such beneficiaries assigned to it under subsection (c) in order to be eligible to participate in the ACO program.
(E) The ACO shall provide the Secretary with such information regarding ACO professionals participating in the ACO as the Secretary determines necessary to support the assignment of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries to an ACO, the implementation of quality and other reporting requirements under paragraph (3), and the determination of payments for shared savings under subsection (d)(2).
(F) The ACO shall have in place a leadership and management structure that includes clinical and administrative systems.
(G) The ACO shall define processes to promote evidence-based medicine and patient engagement, report on quality and cost measures, and coordinate care, such as through the use of telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and other such enabling technologies.
(H) The ACO shall demonstrate to the Secretary that it meets patient-centeredness criteria specified by the Secretary, such as the use of patient and caregiver assessments or the use of individualized care plans.
(3) Quality and other reporting requirements
(A) In general
The Secretary shall determine appropriate measures to assess the quality of care furnished by the ACO, such as measures of—
(i) clinical processes and outcomes;
(ii) patient and, where practicable, caregiver experience of care; and
(iii) utilization (such as rates of hospital admissions for ambulatory care sensitive conditions).
(B) Reporting requirements
An ACO shall submit data in a form and manner specified by the Secretary on measures the Secretary determines necessary for the ACO to report in order to evaluate the quality of care furnished by the ACO. Such data may include care transitions across health care settings, including hospital discharge planning and post-hospital discharge follow-up by ACO professionals, as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(C) Quality performance standards
The Secretary shall establish quality performance standards to assess the quality of care furnished by ACOs. The Secretary shall seek to improve the quality of care furnished by ACOs over time by specifying higher standards, new measures, or both for purposes of assessing such quality of care.
(D) Other reporting requirements
The Secretary may, as the Secretary determines appropriate, incorporate reporting requirements and incentive payments related to the physician quality reporting initiative (PQRI) under
(4) No duplication in participation in shared savings programs
A provider of services or supplier that participates in any of the following shall not be eligible to participate in an ACO under this section:
(A) A model tested or expanded under
(B) The independence at home medical practice pilot program under
(c) Assignment of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries to ACOs
The Secretary shall determine an appropriate method to assign Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries to an ACO based on their utilization of primary care services provided under this subchapter by an ACO professional described in subsection (h)(1)(A).
(d) Payments and treatment of savings
(1) Payments
(A) In general
Under the program, subject to paragraph (3), payments shall continue to be made to providers of services and suppliers participating in an ACO under the original Medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B in the same manner as they would otherwise be made except that a participating ACO is eligible to receive payment for shared savings under paragraph (2) if—
(i) the ACO meets quality performance standards established by the Secretary under subsection (b)(3); and
(ii) the ACO meets the requirement under subparagraph (B)(i).
(B) Savings requirement and benchmark
(i) Determining savings
In each year of the agreement period, an ACO shall be eligible to receive payment for shared savings under paragraph (2) only if the estimated average per capita Medicare expenditures under the ACO for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries for parts A and B services, adjusted for beneficiary characteristics, is at least the percent specified by the Secretary below the applicable benchmark under clause (ii). The Secretary shall determine the appropriate percent described in the preceding sentence to account for normal variation in expenditures under this subchapter, based upon the number of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries assigned to an ACO.
(ii) Establish and update benchmark
The Secretary shall estimate a benchmark for each agreement period for each ACO using the most recent available 3 years of per-beneficiary expenditures for parts A and B services for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries assigned to the ACO. Such benchmark shall be adjusted for beneficiary characteristics and such other factors as the Secretary determines appropriate and updated by the projected absolute amount of growth in national per capita expenditures for parts A and B services under the original Medicare fee-for-service program, as estimated by the Secretary. Such benchmark shall be reset at the start of each agreement period.
(2) Payments for shared savings
Subject to performance with respect to the quality performance standards established by the Secretary under subsection (b)(3), if an ACO meets the requirements under paragraph (1), a percent (as determined appropriate by the Secretary) of the difference between such estimated average per capita Medicare expenditures in a year, adjusted for beneficiary characteristics, under the ACO and such benchmark for the ACO may be paid to the ACO as shared savings and the remainder of such difference shall be retained by the program under this subchapter. The Secretary shall establish limits on the total amount of shared savings that may be paid to an ACO under this paragraph.
(3) Monitoring avoidance of at-risk patients
If the Secretary determines that an ACO has taken steps to avoid patients at risk in order to reduce the likelihood of increasing costs to the ACO the Secretary may impose an appropriate sanction on the ACO, including termination from the program.
(4) Termination
The Secretary may terminate an agreement with an ACO if it does not meet the quality performance standards established by the Secretary under subsection (b)(3).
(e) Administration
(f) Waiver authority
The Secretary may waive such requirements of
(g) Limitations on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(1) the specification of criteria under subsection (a)(1)(B);
(2) the assessment of the quality of care furnished by an ACO and the establishment of performance standards under subsection (b)(3);
(3) the assignment of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries to an ACO under subsection (c);
(4) the determination of whether an ACO is eligible for shared savings under subsection (d)(2) and the amount of such shared savings, including the determination of the estimated average per capita Medicare expenditures under the ACO for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries assigned to the ACO and the average benchmark for the ACO under subsection (d)(1)(B);
(5) the percent of shared savings specified by the Secretary under subsection (d)(2) and any limit on the total amount of shared savings established by the Secretary under such subsection; and
(6) the termination of an ACO under subsection (d)(4).
(h) Definitions
In this section:
(1) ACO professional
The term "ACO professional" means—
(A) a physician (as defined in
(B) a practitioner described in
(2) Hospital
The term "hospital" means a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in
(3) Medicare fee-for-service beneficiary
The term "Medicare fee-for-service beneficiary" means an individual who is enrolled in the original Medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B and is not enrolled in an MA plan under part C, an eligible organization under
(i) Option to use other payment models
(1) In general
If the Secretary determines appropriate, the Secretary may use any of the payment models described in paragraph (2) or (3) for making payments under the program rather than the payment model described in subsection (d).
(2) Partial capitation model
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), a model described in this paragraph is a partial capitation model in which an ACO is at financial risk for some, but not all, of the items and services covered under parts A and B, such as at risk for some or all physicians' services or all items and services under part B. The Secretary may limit a partial capitation model to ACOs that are highly integrated systems of care and to ACOs capable of bearing risk, as determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
(B) No additional program expenditures
Payments to an ACO for items and services under this subchapter for beneficiaries for a year under the partial capitation model shall be established in a manner that does not result in spending more for such ACO for such beneficiaries than would otherwise be expended for such ACO for such beneficiaries for such year if the model were not implemented, as estimated by the Secretary.
(3) Other payment models
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), a model described in this paragraph is any payment model that the Secretary determines will improve the quality and efficiency of items and services furnished under this subchapter.
(B) No additional program expenditures
Subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) shall apply to a payment model under subparagraph (A) in a similar manner as such subparagraph (B) applies to the payment model under paragraph (2).
(j) Involvement in private payer and other third party arrangements
The Secretary may give preference to ACOs who are participating in similar arrangements with other payers.
(k) Treatment of physician group practice demonstration
During the period beginning on March 23, 2010, and ending on the date the program is established, the Secretary may enter into an agreement with an ACO under the demonstration under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1899, as added and amended
References in Text
Parts A, B, and C, referred to in text, are classified to sections 1395c et seq., 1395j et seq., and 1395w–21 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Amendments
2010—Subsecs. (i) to (k).
1 So in original. No par. (2) has been enacted.
§1395kkk. Independent Payment Advisory Board
(a) Establishment
There is established an independent board to be known as the "Independent Payment Advisory Board".
(b) Purpose
It is the purpose of this section to, in accordance with the following provisions of this section, reduce the per capita rate of growth in Medicare spending—
(1) by requiring the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to determine in each year to which this section applies (in this section referred to as "a determination year") the projected per capita growth rate under Medicare for the second year following the determination year (in this section referred to as "an implementation year");
(2) if the projection for the implementation year exceeds the target growth rate for that year, by requiring the Board to develop and submit during the first year following the determination year (in this section referred to as "a proposal year") a proposal containing recommendations to reduce the Medicare per capita growth rate to the extent required by this section; and
(3) by requiring the Secretary to implement such proposals unless Congress enacts legislation pursuant to this section.
(c) Board proposals
(1) Development
(A) In general
The Board shall develop detailed and specific proposals related to the Medicare program in accordance with the succeeding provisions of this section.
(B) Advisory reports
Beginning January 15, 2014, the Board may develop and submit to Congress advisory reports on matters related to the Medicare program, regardless of whether or not the Board submitted a proposal for such year. Such a report may, for years prior to 2020, include recommendations regarding improvements to payment systems for providers of services and suppliers who are not otherwise subject to the scope of the Board's recommendations in a proposal under this section. Any advisory report submitted under this subparagraph shall not be subject to the rules for congressional consideration under subsection (d). In any year (beginning with 2014) that the Board is not required to submit a proposal under this section, the Board shall submit to Congress an advisory report on matters related to the Medicare program.
(2) Proposals
(A) Requirements
Each proposal submitted under this section in a proposal year shall meet each of the following requirements:
(i) If the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has made a determination under paragraph (7)(A) in the determination year, the proposal shall include recommendations so that the proposal as a whole (after taking into account recommendations under clause (v)) will result in a net reduction in total Medicare program spending in the implementation year that is at least equal to the applicable savings target established under paragraph (7)(B) for such implementation year. In determining whether a proposal meets the requirement of the preceding sentence, reductions in Medicare program spending during the 3-month period immediately preceding the implementation year shall be counted to the extent that such reductions are a result of the implementation of recommendations contained in the proposal for a change in the payment rate for an item or service that was effective during such period pursuant to subsection (e)(2)(A).
(ii) The proposal shall not include any recommendation to ration health care, raise revenues or Medicare beneficiary premiums under
(iii) In the case of proposals submitted prior to December 31, 2018, the proposal shall not include any recommendation that would reduce payment rates for items and services furnished, prior to December 31, 2019, by providers of services (as defined in
(iv) As appropriate, the proposal shall include recommendations to reduce Medicare payments under parts C and D, such as reductions in direct subsidy payments to Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans specified under paragraph 1 (1) and (2) of
(v) The proposal shall include recommendations with respect to administrative funding for the Secretary to carry out the recommendations contained in the proposal.
(vi) The proposal shall only include recommendations related to the Medicare program.
(vii) If the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has made a determination described in subsection (e)(3)(B)(i)(II) in the determination year, the proposal shall be designed to help reduce the growth rate described in paragraph (8) while maintaining or enhancing beneficiary access to quality care under this subchapter.
(B) Additional considerations
In developing and submitting each proposal under this section in a proposal year, the Board shall, to the extent feasible—
(i) give priority to recommendations that extend Medicare solvency;
(ii) include recommendations that—
(I) improve the health care delivery system and health outcomes, including by promoting integrated care, care coordination, prevention and wellness, and quality and efficiency improvement; and
(II) protect and improve Medicare beneficiaries' access to necessary and evidence-based items and services, including in rural and frontier areas;
(iii) include recommendations that target reductions in Medicare program spending to sources of excess cost growth;
(iv) consider the effects on Medicare beneficiaries of changes in payments to providers of services (as defined in
(v) consider the effects of the recommendations on providers of services and suppliers with actual or projected negative cost margins or payment updates;
(vi) consider the unique needs of Medicare beneficiaries who are dually eligible for Medicare and the Medicaid program under subchapter XIX; and
(vii) take into account the data and findings contained in the annual reports under subsection (n) in order to develop proposals that can most effectively promote the delivery of efficient, high quality care to Medicare beneficiaries.
(C) No increase in total Medicare program spending
Each proposal submitted under this section shall be designed in such a manner that implementation of the recommendations contained in the proposal would not be expected to result, over the 10-year period starting with the implementation year, in any increase in the total amount of net Medicare program spending relative to the total amount of net Medicare program spending that would have occurred absent such implementation.
(D) Consultation with MEDPAC
The Board shall submit a draft copy of each proposal to be submitted under this section to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission established under
(E) Review and comment by the Secretary
The Board shall submit a draft copy of each proposal to be submitted to Congress under this section to the Secretary for the Secretary's review and comment. The Board shall submit such draft copy by not later than September 1 of the determination year. Not later than March 1 of the submission year, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the results of such review, unless the Secretary submits a proposal under paragraph (5)(A) in that year.
(F) Consultations
In carrying out its duties under this section, the Board shall engage in regular consultations with the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission under
(3) Submission of Board proposal to Congress and the President
(A) In general
(i) In general
Except as provided in clause (ii) and subsection (f)(3)(B), the Board shall submit a proposal under this section to Congress and the President on January 15 of each year (beginning with 2014).
(ii) Exception
The Board shall not submit a proposal under clause (i) in a proposal year if the year is—
(I) a year for which the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services makes a determination in the determination year under paragraph (6)(A) that the growth rate described in clause (i) of such paragraph does not exceed the growth rate described in clause (ii) of such paragraph; or
(II) a year in which the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services makes a determination in the determination year that the projected percentage increase (if any) for the medical care expenditure category of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (United States city average) for the implementation year is less than the projected percentage increase (if any) in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (all items; United States city average) for such implementation year.
(iii) Start-up period
The Board may not submit a proposal under clause (i) prior to January 15, 2014.
(B) Required information
Each proposal submitted by the Board under subparagraph (A)(i) shall include—
(i) the recommendations described in paragraph (2)(A)(i);
(ii) an explanation of each recommendation contained in the proposal and the reasons for including such recommendation;
(iii) an actuarial opinion by the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services certifying that the proposal meets the requirements of subparagraphs (A)(i) and (C) of paragraph (2);
(iv) a legislative proposal that implements the recommendations; and
(v) other information determined appropriate by the Board.
(4) Presidential submission to Congress
Upon receiving a proposal from the Secretary under paragraph (5), the President shall within 2 days submit such proposal to Congress.
(5) Contingent secretarial development of proposal
If, with respect to a proposal year, the Board is required, but fails, to submit a proposal to Congress and the President by the deadline applicable under paragraph (3)(A)(i), the Secretary shall develop a detailed and specific proposal that satisfies the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (C) (and, to the extent feasible, subparagraph (B)) of paragraph (2) and contains the information required paragraph (3)(B)). By not later than January 25 of the year, the Secretary shall transmit—
(A) such proposal to the President; and
(B) a copy of such proposal to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission for its review.
(6) Per capita growth rate projections by Chief Actuary
(A) In general
Subject to subsection (f)(3)(A), not later than April 30, 2013, and annually thereafter, the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall determine in each such year whether—
(i) the projected Medicare per capita growth rate for the implementation year (as determined under subparagraph (B)); exceeds
(ii) the projected Medicare per capita target growth rate for the implementation year (as determined under subparagraph (C)).
(B) Medicare per capita growth rate
(i) In general
For purposes of this section, the Medicare per capita growth rate for an implementation year shall be calculated as the projected 5-year average (ending with such year) of the growth in Medicare program spending (calculated as the sum of per capita spending under each of parts A, B, and D).
(ii) Requirement
The projection under clause (i) shall—
(I) to the extent that there is projected to be a negative update to the single conversion factor applicable to payments for physicians' services under
(II) take into account any delivery system reforms or other payment changes that have been enacted or published in final rules but not yet implemented as of the making of such calculation.
(C) Medicare per capita target growth rate
For purposes of this section, the Medicare per capita target growth rate for an implementation year shall be calculated as the projected 5-year average (ending with such year) percentage increase in—
(i) with respect to a determination year that is prior to 2018, the average of the projected percentage increase (if any) in—
(I) the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (all items; United States city average); and
(II) the medical care expenditure category of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (United States city average); and
(ii) with respect to a determination year that is after 2017, the nominal gross domestic product per capita plus 1.0 percentage point.
(7) Savings requirement
(A) In general
If, with respect to a determination year, the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services makes a determination under paragraph (6)(A) that the growth rate described in clause (i) of such paragraph exceeds the growth rate described in clause (ii) of such paragraph, the Chief Actuary shall establish an applicable savings target for the implementation year.
(B) Applicable savings target
For purposes of this section, the applicable savings target for an implementation year shall be an amount equal to the product of—
(i) the total amount of projected Medicare program spending for the proposal year; and
(ii) the applicable percent for the implementation year.
(C) Applicable percent
For purposes of subparagraph (B), the applicable percent for an implementation year is the lesser of—
(i) in the case of—
(I) implementation year 2015, 0.5 percent;
(II) implementation year 2016, 1.0 percent;
(III) implementation year 2017, 1.25 percent; and
(IV) implementation year 2018 or any subsequent implementation year, 1.5 percent; and
(ii) the projected excess for the implementation year (expressed as a percent) determined under subparagraph (A).
(8) Per capita rate of growth in national health expenditures
In each determination year (beginning in 2018), the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall project the per capita rate of growth in national health expenditures for the implementation year. Such rate of growth for an implementation year shall be calculated as the projected 5-year average (ending with such year) percentage increase in national health care expenditures.
(d) Congressional consideration
(1) Introduction
(A) In general
On the day on which a proposal is submitted by the Board or the President to the House of Representatives and the Senate under subsection (c)(3)(A)(i) or subsection (c)(4), the legislative proposal (described in subsection (c)(3)(B)(iv)) contained in the proposal shall be introduced (by request) in the Senate by the majority leader of the Senate or by Members of the Senate designated by the majority leader of the Senate and shall be introduced (by request) in the House by the majority leader of the House or by Members of the House designated by the majority leader of the House.
(B) Not in session
If either House is not in session on the day on which such legislative proposal is submitted, the legislative proposal shall be introduced in that House, as provided in subparagraph (A), on the first day thereafter on which that House is in session.
(C) Any Member
If the legislative proposal is not introduced in either House within 5 days on which that House is in session after the day on which the legislative proposal is submitted, then any Member of that House may introduce the legislative proposal.
(D) Referral
The legislation introduced under this paragraph shall be referred by the Presiding Officers of the respective Houses to the Committee on Finance in the Senate and to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means in the House of Representatives.
(2) Committee consideration of proposal
(A) Reporting bill
Not later than April 1 of any proposal year in which a proposal is submitted by the Board or the President to Congress under this section, the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate may report the bill referred to the Committee under paragraph (1)(D) with committee amendments related to the Medicare program.
(B) Calculations
In determining whether a committee amendment meets the requirement of subparagraph (A), the reductions in Medicare program spending during the 3-month period immediately preceding the implementation year shall be counted to the extent that such reductions are a result of the implementation provisions in the committee amendment for a change in the payment rate for an item or service that was effective during such period pursuant to such amendment.
(C) Committee jurisdiction
Notwithstanding rule XV of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a committee amendment described in subparagraph (A) may include matter not within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Finance if that matter is relevant to a proposal contained in the bill submitted under subsection (c)(3).
(D) Discharge
If, with respect to the House involved, the committee has not reported the bill by the date required by subparagraph (A), the committee shall be discharged from further consideration of the proposal.
(3) Limitation on changes to the Board recommendations
(A) In general
It shall not be in order in the Senate or the House of Representatives to consider any bill, resolution, or amendment, pursuant to this subsection or conference report thereon, that fails to satisfy the requirements of subparagraphs (A)(i) and (C) of subsection (c)(2).
(B) Limitation on changes to the Board recommendations in other legislation
It shall not be in order in the Senate or the House of Representatives to consider any bill, resolution, amendment, or conference report (other than pursuant to this section) that would repeal or otherwise change the recommendations of the Board if that change would fail to satisfy the requirements of subparagraphs (A)(i) and (C) of subsection (c)(2).
(C) Limitation on changes to this subsection
It shall not be in order in the Senate or the House of Representatives to consider any bill, resolution, amendment, or conference report that would repeal or otherwise change this subsection.
(D) Waiver
This paragraph may be waived or suspended in the Senate only by the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members, duly chosen and sworn.
(E) Appeals
An affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members of the Senate, duly chosen and sworn, shall be required in the Senate to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair on a point of order raised under this paragraph.
(4) Expedited procedure
(A) Consideration
A motion to proceed to the consideration of the bill in the Senate is not debatable.
(B) Amendment
(i) Time limitation
Debate in the Senate on any amendment to a bill under this section shall be limited to 1 hour, to be equally divided between, and controlled by, the mover and the manager of the bill, and debate on any amendment to an amendment, debatable motion, or appeal shall be limited to 30 minutes, to be equally divided between, and controlled by, the mover and the manager of the bill, except that in the event the manager of the bill is in favor of any such amendment, motion, or appeal, the time in opposition thereto shall be controlled by the minority leader or such leader's designee.
(ii) Germane
No amendment that is not germane to the provisions of such bill shall be received.
(iii) Additional time
The leaders, or either of them, may, from the time under their control on the passage of the bill, allot additional time to any Senator during the consideration of any amendment, debatable motion, or appeal.
(iv) Amendment not in order
It shall not be in order to consider an amendment that would cause the bill to result in a net reduction in total Medicare program spending in the implementation year that is less than the applicable savings target established under subsection (c)(7)(B) for such implementation year.
(v) Waiver and appeals
This paragraph may be waived or suspended in the Senate only by the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members, duly chosen and sworn. An affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members of the Senate, duly chosen and sworn, shall be required in the Senate to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair on a point of order raised under this section.
(C) Consideration by the other House
(i) In general
The expedited procedures provided in this subsection for the consideration of a bill introduced pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not apply to such a bill that is received by one House from the other House if such a bill was not introduced in the receiving House.
(ii) Before passage
If a bill that is introduced pursuant to paragraph (1) is received by one House from the other House, after introduction but before disposition of such a bill in the receiving House, then the following shall apply:
(I) The receiving House shall consider the bill introduced in that House through all stages of consideration up to, but not including, passage.
(II) The question on passage shall be put on the bill of the other House as amended by the language of the receiving House.
(iii) After passage
If a bill introduced pursuant to paragraph (1) is received by one House from the other House, after such a bill is passed by the receiving House, then the vote on passage of the bill that originates in the receiving House shall be considered to be the vote on passage of the bill received from the other House as amended by the language of the receiving House.
(iv) Disposition
Upon disposition of a bill introduced pursuant to paragraph (1) that is received by one House from the other House, it shall no longer be in order to consider the bill that originates in the receiving House.
(v) Limitation
Clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) shall apply only to a bill received by one House from the other House if the bill—
(I) is related only to the program under this subchapter; and
(II) satisfies the requirements of subparagraphs (A)(i) and (C) of subsection (c)(2).
(D) Senate limits on debate
(i) In general
In the Senate, consideration of the bill and on all debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith shall not exceed a total of 30 hours, which shall be divided equally between the majority and minority leaders or their designees.
(ii) Motion to further limit debate
A motion to further limit debate on the bill is in order and is not debatable.
(iii) Motion or appeal
Any debatable motion or appeal is debatable for not to exceed 1 hour, to be divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the motion or appeal.
(iv) Final disposition
After 30 hours of consideration, the Senate shall proceed, without any further debate on any question, to vote on the final disposition thereof to the exclusion of all amendments not then pending before the Senate at that time and to the exclusion of all motions, except a motion to table, or to reconsider and one quorum call on demand to establish the presence of a quorum (and motions required to establish a quorum) immediately before the final vote begins.
(E) Consideration in conference
(i) In general
Consideration in the Senate and the House of Representatives on the conference report or any messages between Houses shall be limited to 10 hours, equally divided and controlled by the majority and minority leaders of the Senate or their designees and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the minority leader of the House of Representatives or their designees.
(ii) Time limitation
Debate in the Senate on any amendment under this subparagraph shall be limited to 1 hour, to be equally divided between, and controlled by, the mover and the manager of the bill, and debate on any amendment to an amendment, debatable motion, or appeal shall be limited to 30 minutes, to be equally divided between, and controlled by, the mover and the manager of the bill, except that in the event the manager of the bill is in favor of any such amendment, motion, or appeal, the time in opposition thereto shall be controlled by the minority leader or such leader's designee.
(iii) Final disposition
After 10 hours of consideration, the Senate shall proceed, without any further debate on any question, to vote on the final disposition thereof to the exclusion of all motions not then pending before the Senate at that time or necessary to resolve the differences between the Houses and to the exclusion of all other motions, except a motion to table, or to reconsider and one quorum call on demand to establish the presence of a quorum (and motions required to establish a quorum) immediately before the final vote begins.
(iv) Limitation
Clauses (i) through (iii) shall only apply to a conference report, message or the amendments thereto if the conference report, message, or an amendment thereto—
(I) is related only to the program under this subchapter; and
(II) satisfies the requirements of subparagraphs (A)(i) and (C) of subsection (c)(2).
(F) Veto
If the President vetoes the bill debate on a veto message in the Senate under this subsection shall be 1 hour equally divided between the majority and minority leaders or their designees.
(5) Rules of the Senate and House of Representatives
This subsection and subsection (f)(2) are enacted by Congress—
(A) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, and is deemed to be part of the rules of each House, respectively, but applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in that House in the case of bill 4 under this section, and it supersedes other rules only to the extent that it is inconsistent with such rules; and
(B) with full recognition of the constitutional right of either House to change the rules (so far as they relate to the procedure of that House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that House.
(e) Implementation of proposal
(1) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall, except as provided in paragraph (3), implement the recommendations contained in a proposal submitted by the Board or the President to Congress pursuant to this section on August 15 of the year in which the proposal is so submitted.
(2) Application
(A) In general
A recommendation described in paragraph (1) shall apply as follows:
(i) In the case of a recommendation that is a change in the payment rate for an item or service under Medicare in which payment rates change on a fiscal year basis (or a cost reporting period basis that relates to a fiscal year), on a calendar year basis (or a cost reporting period basis that relates to a calendar year), or on a rate year basis (or a cost reporting period basis that relates to a rate year), such recommendation shall apply to items and services furnished on the first day of the first fiscal year, calendar year, or rate year (as the case may be) that begins after such August 15.
(ii) In the case of a recommendation relating to payments to plans under parts C and D, such recommendation shall apply to plan years beginning on the first day of the first calendar year that begins after such August 15.
(iii) In the case of any other recommendation, such recommendation shall be addressed in the regular regulatory process timeframe and shall apply as soon as practicable.
(B) Interim final rulemaking
The Secretary may use interim final rulemaking to implement any recommendation described in paragraph (1).
(3) Exceptions
(A) In general
The Secretary shall not implement the recommendations contained in a proposal submitted in a proposal year by the Board or the President to Congress pursuant to this section if—
(i) prior to August 15 of the proposal year, Federal legislation is enacted that includes the following provision: "This Act supercedes the recommendations of the Board contained in the proposal submitted, in the year which includes the date of enactment of this Act, to Congress under section 1899A of the Social Security Act."; and
(ii) in the case of implementation year 2020 and subsequent implementation years, a joint resolution described in subsection (f)(1) is enacted not later than August 15, 2017.
(B) Limited additional exception
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), the Secretary shall not implement the recommendations contained in a proposal submitted by the Board or the President to Congress pursuant to this section in a proposal year (beginning with proposal year 2019) if—
(I) the Board was required to submit a proposal to Congress under this section in the year preceding the proposal year; and
(II) the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services makes a determination in the determination year that the growth rate described in subsection (c)(8) exceeds the growth rate described in subsection (c)(6)(A)(i).
(ii) Limited additional exception may not be applied in two consecutive years
This subparagraph shall not apply if the recommendations contained in a proposal submitted by the Board or the President to Congress pursuant to this section in the year preceding the proposal year were not required to be implemented by reason of this subparagraph.
(iii) No affect on requirement to submit proposals or for congressional consideration of proposals
Clause 5 (i) and (ii) shall not affect—
(I) the requirement of the Board or the President to submit a proposal to Congress in a proposal year in accordance with the provisions of this section; or
(II) Congressional consideration of a legislative proposal (described in subsection (c)(3)(B)(iv)) contained such a proposal in accordance with subsection (d).
(4) No affect on authority to implement certain provisions
Nothing in paragraph (3) shall be construed to affect the authority of the Secretary to implement any recommendation contained in a proposal or advisory report under this section to the extent that the Secretary otherwise has the authority to implement such recommendation administratively.
(5) Limitation on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under
(f) Joint resolution required to discontinue the Board
(1) In general
For purposes of subsection (e)(3)(B), a joint resolution described in this paragraph means only a joint resolution—
(A) that is introduced in 2017 by not later than February 1 of such year;
(B) which does not have a preamble;
(C) the title of which is as follows: "Joint resolution approving the discontinuation of the process for consideration and automatic implementation of the annual proposal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board under section 1899A of the Social Security Act"; and
(D) the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: "That Congress approves the discontinuation of the process for consideration and automatic implementation of the annual proposal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board under section 1899A of the Social Security Act.".
(2) Procedure
(A) Referral
A joint resolution described in paragraph (1) shall be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate.
(B) Discharge
In the Senate, if the committee to which is referred a joint resolution described in paragraph (1) has not reported such joint resolution (or an identical joint resolution) at the end of 20 days after the joint resolution described in paragraph (1) is introduced, such committee may be discharged from further consideration of such joint resolution upon a petition supported in writing by 30 Members of the Senate, and such joint resolution shall be placed on the calendar.
(C) Consideration
(i) In general
In the Senate, when the committee to which a joint resolution is referred has reported, or when a committee is discharged (under subparagraph (C)) from further consideration of a joint resolution described in paragraph (1), it is at any time thereafter in order (even though a previous motion to the same effect has been disagreed to) for a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution to be made, and all points of order against the joint resolution (and against consideration of the joint resolution) are waived, except for points of order under the Congressional Budget act 6 of 1974 or under budget resolutions pursuant to that Act. The motion is not debatable. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not be in order. If a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution is agreed to, the joint resolution shall remain the unfinished business of the Senate until disposed of.
(ii) Debate limitation
In the Senate, consideration of the joint resolution, and on all debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith, shall be limited to not more than 10 hours, which shall be divided equally between the majority leader and the minority leader, or their designees. A motion further to limit debate is in order and not debatable. An amendment to, or a motion to postpone, or a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business, or a motion to recommit the joint resolution is not in order.
(iii) Passage
In the Senate, immediately following the conclusion of the debate on a joint resolution described in paragraph (1), and a single quorum call at the conclusion of the debate if requested in accordance with the rules of the Senate, the vote on passage of the joint resolution shall occur.
(iv) Appeals
Appeals from the decisions of the Chair relating to the application of the rules of the Senate to the procedure relating to a joint resolution described in paragraph (1) shall be decided without debate.
(D) Other House acts first
If, before the passage by 1 House of a joint resolution of that House described in paragraph (1), that House receives from the other House a joint resolution described in paragraph (1), then the following procedures shall apply:
(i) The joint resolution of the other House shall not be referred to a committee.
(ii) With respect to a joint resolution described in paragraph (1) of the House receiving the joint resolution—
(I) the procedure in that House shall be the same as if no joint resolution had been received from the other House; but
(II) the vote on final passage shall be on the joint resolution of the other House.
(E) Excluded days
For purposes of determining the period specified in subparagraph (B), there shall be excluded any days either House of Congress is adjourned for more than 3 days during a session of Congress.
(F) Majority required for adoption
A joint resolution considered under this subsection shall require an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members, duly chosen and sworn, for adoption.
(3) Termination
If a joint resolution described in paragraph (1) is enacted not later than August 15, 2017—
(A) the Chief Actuary of the Medicare & Medicaid Services shall not—
(i) make any determinations under subsection (c)(6) after May 1, 2017; or
(ii) provide any opinion pursuant to subsection (c)(3)(B)(iii) after January 16, 2018;
(B) the Board shall not submit any proposals, advisory reports, or advisory recommendations under this section or produce the public report under subsection (n) after January 16, 2018; and
(C) the Board and the consumer advisory council under subsection (k) shall terminate on August 16, 2018.
(g) Board membership; terms of office; Chairperson; removal
(1) Membership
(A) In general
The Board shall be composed of—
(i) 15 members appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; and
(ii) the Secretary, the Administrator of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, all of whom shall serve ex officio as nonvoting members of the Board.
(B) Qualifications
(i) In general
The appointed membership of the Board shall include individuals with national recognition for their expertise in health finance and economics, actuarial science, health facility management, health plans and integrated delivery systems, reimbursement of health facilities, allopathic and osteopathic physicians, and other providers of health services, and other related fields, who provide a mix of different professionals, broad geographic representation, and a balance between urban and rural representatives.
(ii) Inclusion
The appointed membership of the Board shall include (but not be limited to) physicians and other health professionals, experts in the area of pharmaco-economics or prescription drug benefit programs, employers, third-party payers, individuals skilled in the conduct and interpretation of biomedical, health services, and health economics research and expertise in outcomes and effectiveness research and technology assessment. Such membership shall also include representatives of consumers and the elderly.
(iii) Majority nonproviders
Individuals who are directly involved in the provision or management of the delivery of items and services covered under this subchapter shall not constitute a majority of the appointed membership of the Board.
(C) Ethical disclosure
The President shall establish a system for public disclosure by appointed members of the Board of financial and other potential conflicts of interest relating to such members. Appointed members of the Board shall be treated as officers in the executive branch for purposes of applying title I of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (
(D) Conflicts of interest
No individual may serve as an appointed member if that individual engages in any other business, vocation, or employment.
(E) Consultation with Congress
In selecting individuals for nominations for appointments to the Board, the President shall consult with—
(i) the majority leader of the Senate concerning the appointment of 3 members;
(ii) the Speaker of the House of Representatives concerning the appointment of 3 members;
(iii) the minority leader of the Senate concerning the appointment of 3 members; and
(iv) the minority leader of the House of Representatives concerning the appointment of 3 members.
(2) Term of office
Each appointed member shall hold office for a term of 6 years except that—
(A) a member may not serve more than 2 full consecutive terms (but may be reappointed to 2 full consecutive terms after being appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board);
(B) a member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which that member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term;
(C) a member may continue to serve after the expiration of the member's term until a successor has taken office; and
(D) of the members first appointed under this section, 5 shall be appointed for a term of 1 year, 5 shall be appointed for a term of 3 years, and 5 shall be appointed for a term of 6 years, the term of each to be designated by the President at the time of nomination.
(3) Chairperson
(A) In general
The Chairperson shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from among the members of the Board.
(B) Duties
The Chairperson shall be the principal executive officer of the Board, and shall exercise all of the executive and administrative functions of the Board, including functions of the Board with respect to—
(i) the appointment and supervision of personnel employed by the Board;
(ii) the distribution of business among personnel appointed and supervised by the Chairperson and among administrative units of the Board; and
(iii) the use and expenditure of funds.
(C) Governance
In carrying out any of the functions under subparagraph (B), the Chairperson shall be governed by the general policies established by the Board and by the decisions, findings, and determinations the Board shall by law be authorized to make.
(D) Requests for appropriations
Requests or estimates for regular, supplemental, or deficiency appropriations on behalf of the Board may not be submitted by the Chairperson without the prior approval of a majority vote of the Board.
(4) Removal
Any appointed member may be removed by the President for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office, but for no other cause.
(h) Vacancies; quorum; seal; Vice Chairperson; voting on reports
(1) Vacancies
No vacancy on the Board shall impair the right of the remaining members to exercise all the powers of the Board.
(2) Quorum
A majority of the appointed members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.
(3) Seal
The Board shall have an official seal, of which judicial notice shall be taken.
(4) Vice Chairperson
The Board shall annually elect a Vice Chairperson to act in the absence or disability of the Chairperson or in case of a vacancy in the office of the Chairperson.
(5) Voting on proposals
Any proposal of the Board must be approved by the majority of appointed members present.
(i) Powers of the Board
(1) Hearings
The Board may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Board considers advisable to carry out this section.
(2) Authority to inform research priorities for data collection
The Board may advise the Secretary on priorities for health services research, particularly as such priorities pertain to necessary changes and issues regarding payment reforms under Medicare.
(3) Obtaining official data
The Board may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out this section. Upon request of the Chairperson, the head of that department or agency shall furnish that information to the Board on an agreed upon schedule.
(4) Postal services
The Board may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
(5) Gifts
The Board may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or property.
(6) Offices
The Board shall maintain a principal office and such field offices as it determines necessary, and may meet and exercise any of its powers at any other place.
(j) Personnel matters
(1) Compensation of members and Chairperson
Each appointed member, other than the Chairperson, shall be compensated at a rate equal to the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level III of the Executive Schedule 2 under
(2) Travel expenses
The appointed members shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of
(3) Staff
(A) In general
The Chairperson may, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate an executive director and such other additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the Board to perform its duties. The employment of an executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the Board.
(B) Compensation
The Chairperson may fix the compensation of the executive director and other personnel without regard to
(4) Detail of Government employees
Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Board without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.
(5) Procurement of temporary and intermittent services
The Chairperson may procure temporary and intermittent services under
(k) Consumer advisory council
(1) In general
There is established a consumer advisory council to advise the Board on the impact of payment policies under this subchapter on consumers.
(2) Membership
(A) Number and appointment
The consumer advisory council shall be composed of 10 consumer representatives appointed by the Comptroller General of the United States, 1 from among each of the 10 regions established by the Secretary as of March 23, 2010.
(B) Qualifications
The membership of the council shall represent the interests of consumers and particular communities.
(3) Duties
The consumer advisory council shall, subject to the call of the Board, meet not less frequently than 2 times each year in the District of Columbia.
(4) Open meetings
Meetings of the consumer advisory council shall be open to the public.
(5) Election of officers
Members of the consumer advisory council shall elect their own officers.
(6) Application of FACA
The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the consumer advisory council except that section 14 of such Act shall not apply.
(l) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Board; Chairperson; Member
The terms "Board", "Chairperson", and "Member" mean the Independent Payment Advisory Board established under subsection (a) and the Chairperson and any Member thereof, respectively.
(2) Medicare
The term "Medicare" means the program established under this subchapter, including parts A, B, C, and D.
(3) Medicare beneficiary
The term "Medicare beneficiary" means an individual who is entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A or enrolled for benefits under part B.
(4) Medicare program spending
The term "Medicare program spending" means program spending under parts A, B, and D net of premiums.
(m) Funding
(1) In general
There are appropriated to the Board to carry out its duties and functions—
(A) for fiscal year 2012, $15,000,000; and
(B) for each subsequent fiscal year, the amount appropriated under this paragraph for the previous fiscal year increased by the annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (all items; United States city average) as of June of the previous fiscal year.
(2) From trust funds
Sixty percent of amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) shall be derived by transfer from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under
(n) Annual public report
(1) In general
Not later than July 1, 2014, and annually thereafter, the Board shall produce a public report containing standardized information on system-wide health care costs, patient access to care, utilization, and quality-of-care that allows for comparison by region, types of services, types of providers, and both private payers and the program under this subchapter.
(2) Requirements
Each report produced pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include information with respect to the following areas:
(A) The quality and costs of care for the population at the most local level determined practical by the Board (with quality and costs compared to national benchmarks and reflecting rates of change, taking into account quality measures described in
(B) Beneficiary and consumer access to care, patient and caregiver experience of care, and the cost-sharing or out-of-pocket burden on patients.
(C) Epidemiological shifts and demographic changes.
(D) The proliferation, effectiveness, and utilization of health care technologies, including variation in provider practice patterns and costs.
(E) Any other areas that the Board determines affect overall spending and quality of care in the private sector.
(o) Advisory recommendations for non-Federal health care programs
(1) In general
Not later than January 15, 2015, and at least once every two years thereafter, the Board shall submit to Congress and the President recommendations to slow the growth in national health expenditures (excluding expenditures under this subchapter and in other Federal health care programs) while preserving or enhancing quality of care, such as recommendations—
(A) that the Secretary or other Federal agencies can implement administratively;
(B) that may require legislation to be enacted by Congress in order to be implemented;
(C) that may require legislation to be enacted by State or local governments in order to be implemented;
(D) that private sector entities can voluntarily implement; and
(E) with respect to other areas determined appropriate by the Board.
(2) Coordination
In making recommendations under paragraph (1), the Board shall coordinate such recommendations with recommendations contained in proposals and advisory reports produced by the Board under subsection (c).
(3) Available to public
The Board shall make recommendations submitted to Congress and the President under this subsection available to the public.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1899A, as added and amended
References in Text
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(A)(iii), is
Parts A, B, C, and D, referred to in subsecs. (c)(2)(A)(iv), (6)(B)(i), (e)(2)(A)(ii), and (l)(2)–(4), are classified to sections 1395c et seq., 1395j et seq., 1395w–21 et seq., and 1395w–101 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Section 1899A of the Social Security Act, referred to in subsecs. (e)(3)(A)(i), (f)(1)(C), (D), is section 1899A of act Aug. 14, 1935, which is classified to this section.
The Congressional Budget Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (f)(2)(C)(i), is titles I through IX of
The Ethics in Government Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (g)(1)(C), is
Levels II and III of the Executive Schedule, referred to in subsec. (j)(1), are set out in sections 5313 and 5314, respectively, of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
The Federal Advisory Committee Act, referred to in subsec. (k)(6), is
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (c)(1)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(vii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(vii).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (c)(5).
Subsec. (c)(6)(B)(i).
Subsec. (d)(1)(A).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (f)(3)(B).
Subsecs. (n), (o).
Change of Name
Construction
1 So in original. Probably should be "paragraphs".
2 See References in Text note below.
3 So in original. Probably should be preceded by "section".
4 So in original. Probably should be preceded by "a".
5 So in original. Probably should be "Clauses".
6 So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
§1395kkk–1. GAO study and report on determination and implementation of payment and coverage policies under the Medicare program
(1) Initial study and report
(A) Study
The Comptroller General of the United States (in this section referred to as the "Comptroller General") shall conduct a study on changes to payment policies, methodologies, and rates and coverage policies and methodologies under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [
(i) Medicare beneficiary access to providers and items and services;
(ii) the affordability of Medicare premiums and cost-sharing (including deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments);
(iii) the potential impact of changes on other government or private-sector purchasers and payers of care; and
(iv) quality of patient care, including patient experience, outcomes, and other measures of care.
(B) Report
Not later than July 1, 2015, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the study conducted under subparagraph (A), together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.
(2) Subsequent studies and reports
The Comptroller General shall periodically conduct such additional studies and submit reports to Congress on changes to Medicare payments policies, methodologies, and rates and coverage policies and methodologies as the Comptroller General determines appropriate, in consultation with the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate.
(
References in Text
The Social Security Act, referred to in par. (1)(A), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531,
Subsection (a), referred to in par. (1)(A), means subsection (a) of section 3403 of
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
Change of Name
"Independent Payment Advisory Board" substituted for "Independent Medicare Advisory Board" on authority of section 10320(b) of
1 See References in Text note below.
SUBCHAPTER XIX—GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
§1396. Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
(a) Establishment
There is hereby established the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (in this section referred to as "MACPAC").
(b) Duties
(1) Review of access policies for all States and annual reports
MACPAC shall—
(A) review policies of the Medicaid program established under this subchapter (in this section referred to as "Medicaid") and the State Children's Health Insurance Program established under subchapter XXI (in this section referred to as "CHIP") affecting access to covered items and services, including topics described in paragraph (2);
(B) make recommendations to Congress, the Secretary, and States concerning such access policies;
(C) by not later than March 15 of each year (beginning with 2010), submit a report to Congress containing the results of such reviews and MACPAC's recommendations concerning such policies; and
(D) by not later than June 15 of each year (beginning with 2010), submit a report to Congress containing an examination of issues affecting Medicaid and CHIP, including the implications of changes in health care delivery in the United States and in the market for health care services on such programs.
(2) Specific topics to be reviewed
Specifically, MACPAC shall review and assess the following:
(A) Medicaid and CHIP payment policies
Payment policies under Medicaid and CHIP, including—
(i) the factors affecting expenditures for the efficient provision of items and services in different sectors, including the process for updating payments to medical, dental, and health professionals, hospitals, residential and long-term care providers, providers of home and community based services, Federally-qualified health centers and rural health clinics, managed care entities, and providers of other covered items and services;
(ii) payment methodologies; and
(iii) the relationship of such factors and methodologies to access and quality of care for Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries (including how such factors and methodologies enable such beneficiaries to obtain the services for which they are eligible, affect provider supply, and affect providers that serve a disproportionate share of low-income and other vulnerable populations).
(B) Eligibility policies
Medicaid and CHIP eligibility policies, including a determination of the degree to which Federal and State policies provide health care coverage to needy populations.
(C) Enrollment and retention processes
Medicaid and CHIP enrollment and retention processes, including a determination of the degree to which Federal and State policies encourage the enrollment of individuals who are eligible for such programs and screen out individuals who are ineligible, while minimizing the share of program expenses devoted to such processes.
(D) Coverage policies
Medicaid and CHIP benefit and coverage policies, including a determination of the degree to which Federal and State policies provide access to the services enrollees require to improve and maintain their health and functional status.
(E) Quality of care
Medicaid and CHIP policies as they relate to the quality of care provided under those programs, including a determination of the degree to which Federal and State policies achieve their stated goals and interact with similar goals established by other purchasers of health care services.
(F) Interaction of Medicaid and CHIP payment policies with health care delivery generally
The effect of Medicaid and CHIP payment policies on access to items and services for children and other Medicaid and CHIP populations other than under this subchapter or subchapter XXI and the implications of changes in health care delivery in the United States and in the general market for health care items and services on Medicaid and CHIP.
(G) Interactions with Medicare and Medicaid
Consistent with paragraph (11), the interaction of policies under Medicaid and the Medicare program under subchapter XVIII, including with respect to how such interactions affect access to services, payments, and dual eligible individuals.
(H) Other access policies
The effect of other Medicaid and CHIP policies on access to covered items and services, including policies relating to transportation and language barriers and preventive, acute, and long-term services and supports.
(3) Recommendations and reports of State-specific data
MACPAC shall—
(A) review national and State-specific Medicaid and CHIP data; and
(B) submit reports and recommendations to Congress, the Secretary, and States based on such reviews.
(4) Creation of early-warning system
MACPAC shall create an early-warning system to identify provider shortage areas, as well as other factors that adversely affect, or have the potential to adversely affect, access to care by, or the health care status of, Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries. MACPAC shall include in the annual report required under paragraph (1)(D) a description of all such areas or problems identified with respect to the period addressed in the report.
(5) Comments on certain secretarial reports and regulations
(A) Certain secretarial reports
If the Secretary submits to Congress (or a committee of Congress) a report that is required by law and that relates to access policies, including with respect to payment policies, under Medicaid or CHIP, the Secretary shall transmit a copy of the report to MACPAC. MACPAC shall review the report and, not later than 6 months after the date of submittal of the Secretary's report to Congress, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress and the Secretary written comments on such report. Such comments may include such recommendations as MACPAC deems appropriate.
(B) Regulations
MACPAC shall review Medicaid and CHIP regulations and may comment through submission of a report to the appropriate committees of Congress and the Secretary, on any such regulations that affect access, quality, or efficiency of health care.
(6) Agenda and additional reviews
MACPAC shall consult periodically with the chairmen and ranking minority members of the appropriate committees of Congress regarding MACPAC's agenda and progress towards achieving the agenda. MACPAC may conduct additional reviews, and submit additional reports to the appropriate committees of Congress, from time to time on such topics relating to the program under this subchapter or subchapter XXI as may be requested by such chairmen and members and as MACPAC deems appropriate.
(7) Availability of reports
MACPAC shall transmit to the Secretary a copy of each report submitted under this subsection and shall make such reports available to the public.
(8) Appropriate committee of Congress
For purposes of this section, the term "appropriate committees of Congress" means the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate.
(9) Voting and reporting requirements
With respect to each recommendation contained in a report submitted under paragraph (1), each member of MACPAC shall vote on the recommendation, and MACPAC shall include, by member, the results of that vote in the report containing the recommendation.
(10) Examination of budget consequences
Before making any recommendations, MACPAC shall examine the budget consequences of such recommendations, directly or through consultation with appropriate expert entities, and shall submit with any recommendations, a report on the Federal and State-specific budget consequences of the recommendations.
(11) Consultation and coordination with MEDPAC
(A) In general
MACPAC shall consult with the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (in this paragraph referred to as "MedPAC") established under
(B) Information sharing
MACPAC and MedPAC shall have access to deliberations and records of the other such entity, respectively, upon the request of the other such entity.
(12) Consultation with States
MACPAC shall regularly consult with States in carrying out its duties under this section, including with respect to developing processes for carrying out such duties, and shall ensure that input from States is taken into account and represented in MACPAC's recommendations and reports.
(13) Coordinate and consult with the Federal Coordinated Health Care Office
MACPAC shall coordinate and consult with the Federal Coordinated Health Care Office established under section 2081 1 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act before making any recommendations regarding dual eligible individuals.
(14) Programmatic oversight vested in the Secretary
MACPAC's authority to make recommendations in accordance with this section shall not affect, or be considered to duplicate, the Secretary's authority to carry out Federal responsibilities with respect to Medicaid and CHIP.
(c) Membership
(1) Number and appointment
MACPAC shall be composed of 17 members appointed by the Comptroller General of the United States.
(2) Qualifications
(A) In general
The membership of MACPAC shall include individuals who have had direct experience as enrollees or parents or caregivers of enrollees in Medicaid or CHIP and individuals with national recognition for their expertise in Federal safety net health programs, health finance and economics, actuarial science, health plans and integrated delivery systems, reimbursement for health care, health information technology, and other providers of health services, public health, and other related fields, who provide a mix of different professions, broad geographic representation, and a balance between urban and rural representation.
(B) Inclusion
The membership of MACPAC shall include (but not be limited to) physicians, dentists, and other health professionals, employers, third-party payers, and individuals with expertise in the delivery of health services. Such membership shall also include representatives of children, pregnant women, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, caregivers, and dual eligible individuals, current or former representatives of State agencies responsible for administering Medicaid, and current or former representatives of State agencies responsible for administering CHIP.
(C) Majority nonproviders
Individuals who are directly involved in the provision, or management of the delivery, of items and services covered under Medicaid or CHIP shall not constitute a majority of the membership of MACPAC.
(D) Ethical disclosure
The Comptroller General of the United States shall establish a system for public disclosure by members of MACPAC of financial and other potential conflicts of interest relating to such members. Members of MACPAC shall be treated as employees of Congress for purposes of applying title I of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (
(3) Terms
(A) In general
The terms of members of MACPAC shall be for 3 years except that the Comptroller General of the United States shall designate staggered terms for the members first appointed.
(B) Vacancies
Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term. A member may serve after the expiration of that member's term until a successor has taken office. A vacancy in MACPAC shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
(4) Compensation
While serving on the business of MACPAC (including travel time), a member of MACPAC shall be entitled to compensation at the per diem equivalent of the rate provided for level IV of the Executive Schedule under
(5) Chairman; Vice Chairman
The Comptroller General of the United States shall designate a member of MACPAC, at the time of appointment of the member 2 as Chairman and a member as Vice Chairman for that term of appointment, except that in the case of vacancy of the Chairmanship or Vice Chairmanship, the Comptroller General of the United States may designate another member for the remainder of that member's term.
(6) Meetings
MACPAC shall meet at the call of the Chairman.
(d) Director and staff; experts and consultants
Subject to such review as the Comptroller General of the United States deems necessary to assure the efficient administration of MACPAC, MACPAC may—
(1) employ and fix the compensation of an Executive Director (subject to the approval of the Comptroller General of the United States) and such other personnel as may be necessary to carry out its duties (without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service);
(2) seek such assistance and support as may be required in the performance of its duties from appropriate Federal and State departments and agencies;
(3) enter into contracts or make other arrangements, as may be necessary for the conduct of the work of MACPAC (without regard to
(4) make advance, progress, and other payments which relate to the work of MACPAC;
(5) provide transportation and subsistence for persons serving without compensation; and
(6) prescribe such rules and regulations as it deems necessary with respect to the internal organization and operation of MACPAC.
(e) Powers
(1) Obtaining official data
MACPAC may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States and, as a condition for receiving payments under
(2) Data collection
In order to carry out its functions, MACPAC shall—
(A) utilize existing information, both published and unpublished, where possible, collected and assessed either by its own staff or under other arrangements made in accordance with this section;
(B) carry out, or award grants or contracts for, original research and experimentation, where existing information is inadequate; and
(C) adopt procedures allowing any interested party to submit information for MACPAC's use in making reports and recommendations.
(3) Access of GAO to information
The Comptroller General of the United States shall have unrestricted access to all deliberations, records, and nonproprietary data of MACPAC, immediately upon request.
(4) Periodic audit
MACPAC shall be subject to periodic audit by the Comptroller General of the United States.
(f) Funding
(1) Request for appropriations
MACPAC shall submit requests for appropriations (other than for fiscal year 2010) in the same manner as the Comptroller General of the United States submits requests for appropriations, but amounts appropriated for MACPAC shall be separate from amounts appropriated for the Comptroller General of the United States.
(2) Authorization
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
(3) Funding for fiscal year 2010
(A) In general
Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated to MACPAC to carry out the provisions of this section for fiscal year 2010, $9,000,000.
(B) Transfer of funds
Notwithstanding
(4) Availability
Amounts made available under paragraphs (2) and (3) to MACPAC to carry out the provisions of this section shall remain available until expended.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1900, as added
References in Text
Section 2081 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(13), probably means section 2602 of
The Ethics in Government Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(D), is
Codification
In subsec. (d)(3), "
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1396, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1901, as added
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(1)(D).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B) to (H).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (b)(6) to (10).
Subsec. (b)(11) to (14).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A), (B).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (f).
Effective Date
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) any amounts that are so appropriated that are not so allotted and obligated before April 1, 2009 are rescinded; and
"(2) any amount provided for CHIP allotments to a State under this Act (and the amendments made by this Act) for such fiscal year shall be reduced by the amount of such appropriations so allotted and obligated before such date.
"(d)
"(1) such amendments are effective as of such date whether or not regulations implementing such amendments have been issued; and
"(2) Federal financial participation for medical assistance or child health assistance furnished under title XIX or XXI, respectively, of the Social Security Act [this subchapter and subchapter XXI of this chapter] on or after such date by a State in good faith reliance on such amendments before the date of promulgation of final regulations, if any, to carry out such amendments (or before the date of guidance, if any, regarding the implementation of such amendments) shall not be denied on the basis of the State's failure to comply with such regulations or guidance."
Purpose
Model of Interstate Coordinated Enrollment and Coverage Process
"(a)
"(b)
Improved Accessibility of Dental Provider Information to Enrollees Under Medicaid and CHIP
"(1) work with States, pediatric dentists, and other dental providers (including providers that are, or are affiliated with, a school of dentistry) to include, not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Feb. 4, 2009], on the Insure Kids Now website (http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/) and hotline (1–877–KIDS–NOW) (or on any successor websites or hotlines) a current and accurate list of all such dentists and providers within each State that provide dental services to children enrolled in the State plan (or waiver) under Medicaid or the State child health plan (or waiver) under CHIP, and shall ensure that such list is updated at least quarterly; and
"(2) work with States to include, not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, a description of the dental services provided under each State plan (or waiver) under Medicaid and each State child health plan (or waiver) under CHIP on such Insure Kids Now website, and shall ensure that such list is updated at least annually."
Deadline for Initial Appointments
Annual Report
No Federal Funding for Illegal Aliens; Disallowance for Unauthorized Expenditures
Definitions
"(1) CHIP.—The term 'CHIP' means the State Children's Health Insurance Program established under title XXI of the Social Security Act (
"(2)
"(3)
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
§1396–1. Appropriations
For the purpose of enabling each State, as far as practicable under the conditions in such State, to furnish (1) medical assistance on behalf of families with dependent children and of aged, blind, or disabled individuals, whose income and resources are insufficient to meet the costs of necessary medical services, and (2) rehabilitation and other services to help such families and individuals attain or retain capability for independence or self-care, there is hereby authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year a sum sufficient to carry out the purposes of this subchapter. The sums made available under this section shall be used for making payments to States which have submitted, and had approved by the Secretary, State plans for medical assistance.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1901, as added
Codification
Section was formerly classified to
Amendments
1984—
1973—
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1973 Amendment
Amendment by
§1396a. State plans for medical assistance
(a) Contents
A State plan for medical assistance must—
(1) provide that it shall be in effect in all political subdivisions of the State, and, if administered by them, be mandatory upon them;
(2) provide for financial participation by the State equal to not less than 40 per centum of the non-Federal share of the expenditures under the plan with respect to which payments under
(3) provide for granting an opportunity for a fair hearing before the State agency to any individual whose claim for medical assistance under the plan is denied or is not acted upon with reasonable promptness;
(4) provide (A) such methods of administration (including methods relating to the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards on a merit basis, except that the Secretary shall exercise no authority with respect to the selection, tenure of office, and compensation of any individual employed in accordance with such methods, and including provision for utilization of professional medical personnel in the administration and, where administered locally, supervision of administration of the plan) as are found by the Secretary to be necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the plan, (B) for the training and effective use of paid subprofessional staff, with particular emphasis on the full-time or part-time employment of recipients and other persons of low income, as community service aides, in the administration of the plan and for the use of nonpaid or partially paid volunteers in a social service volunteer program in providing services to applicants and recipients and in assisting any advisory committees established by the State agency, (C) that each State or local officer, employee, or independent contractor who is responsible for the expenditure of substantial amounts of funds under the State plan, each individual who formerly was such an officer, employee, or contractor, and each partner of such an officer, employee, or contractor shall be prohibited from committing any act, in relation to any activity under the plan, the commission of which, in connection with any activity concerning the United States Government, by an officer or employee of the United States Government, an individual who was such an officer or employee, or a partner of such an officer or employee is prohibited by
(5) either provide for the establishment or designation of a single State agency to administer or to supervise the administration of the plan; or provide for the establishment or designation of a single State agency to administer or to supervise the administration of the plan, except that the determination of eligibility for medical assistance under the plan shall be made by the State or local agency administering the State plan approved under subchapter I or XVI of this chapter (insofar as it relates to the aged) if the State is eligible to participate in the State plan program established under subchapter XVI of this chapter, or by the agency or agencies administering the supplemental security income program established under subchapter XVI or the State plan approved under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter if the State is not eligible to participate in the State plan program established under subchapter XVI of this chapter;
(6) provide that the State agency will make such reports, in such form and containing such information, as the Secretary may from time to time require, and comply with such provisions as the Secretary may from time to time find necessary to assure the correctness and verification of such reports;
(7) provide—
(A) safeguards which restrict the use or disclosure of information concerning applicants and recipients to purposes directly connected with—
(i) the administration of the plan; and
(ii) the exchange of information necessary to certify or verify the certification of eligibility of children for free or reduced price breakfasts under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 [
(B) that, notwithstanding the Express Lane option under subsection (e)(13), the State may enter into an agreement with the State agency administering the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act under which the State shall establish procedures to ensure that—
(i) a child receiving medical assistance under the State plan under this subchapter whose family income does not exceed 133 percent of the poverty line (as defined in
(ii) the State agencies responsible for administering the State plan under this subchapter, and for carrying out the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (
(8) provide that all individuals wishing to make application for medical assistance under the plan shall have opportunity to do so, and that such assistance shall be furnished with reasonable promptness to all eligible individuals;
(9) provide—
(A) that the State health agency, or other appropriate State medical agency (whichever is utilized by the Secretary for the purpose specified in the first sentence of
(B) for the establishment or designation of a State authority or authorities which shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining standards, other than those relating to health, for such institutions,
(C) that any laboratory services paid for under such plan must be provided by a laboratory which meets the applicable requirements of
(D) that the State maintain a consumer-oriented website providing useful information to consumers regarding all skilled nursing facilities and all nursing facilities in the State, including for each facility, Form 2567 State inspection reports (or a successor form), complaint investigation reports, the facility's plan of correction, and such other information that the State or the Secretary considers useful in assisting the public to assess the quality of long term care options and the quality of care provided by individual facilities;
(10) provide—
(A) for making medical assistance available, including at least the care and services listed in paragraphs (1) through (5), (17), (21), and (28) of
(i) all individuals—
(I) who are receiving aid or assistance under any plan of the State approved under subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter, or part A or part E of subchapter IV of this chapter (including individuals eligible under this subchapter by reason of section 602(a)(37),1 606(h),1 or 673(b) of this title, or considered by the State to be receiving such aid as authorized under section 682(e)(6)1 of this title),
(II)(aa) with respect to whom supplemental security income benefits are being paid under subchapter XVI of this chapter (or were being paid as of the date of the enactment of section 211(a) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (
(III) who are qualified pregnant women or children as defined in
(IV) who are described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (l)(1) of this section and whose family income does not exceed the minimum income level the State is required to establish under subsection (l)(2)(A) of this section for such a family; 2
(V) who are qualified family members as defined in
(VI) who are described in subparagraph (C) of subsection (l)(1) of this section and whose family income does not exceed the income level the State is required to establish under subsection (l)(2)(B) of this section for such a family,
(VII) who are described in subparagraph (D) of subsection (l)(1) of this section and whose family income does not exceed the income level the State is required to establish under subsection (l)(2)(C) of this section for such a family; 2 or
(VIII) beginning January 1, 2014, who are under 65 years of age, not pregnant, not entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A of subchapter XVIII, or enrolled for benefits under part B of subchapter XVIII, and are not described in a previous subclause of this clause, and whose income (as determined under subsection (e)(14)) does not exceed 133 percent of the poverty line (as defined in
(ii) at the option of the State, to 4 any group or groups of individuals described in
(I) who meet the income and resources requirements of the appropriate State plan described in clause (i) or the supplemental security income program (as the case may be),
(II) who would meet the income and resources requirements of the appropriate State plan described in clause (i) if their work-related child care costs were paid from their earnings rather than by a State agency as a service expenditure,
(III) who would be eligible to receive aid under the appropriate State plan described in clause (i) if coverage under such plan was as broad as allowed under Federal law,
(IV) with respect to whom there is being paid, or who are eligible, or would be eligible if they were not in a medical institution, to have paid with respect to them, aid or assistance under the appropriate State plan described in clause (i), supplemental security income benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter, or a State supplementary payment; 2
(V) who are in a medical institution for a period of not less than 30 consecutive days (with eligibility by reason of this subclause beginning on the first day of such period), who meet the resource requirements of the appropriate State plan described in clause (i) or the supplemental security income program, and whose income does not exceed a separate income standard established by the State which is consistent with the limit established under
(VI) who would be eligible under the State plan under this subchapter if they were in a medical institution, with respect to whom there has been a determination that but for the provision of home or community-based services described in subsection (c), (d), or (e) of
(VII) who would be eligible under the State plan under this subchapter if they were in a medical institution, who are terminally ill, and who will receive hospice care pursuant to a voluntary election described in
(VIII) who is a child described in
(aa) for whom there is in effect an adoption assistance agreement (other than an agreement under part E of subchapter IV of this chapter) between the State and an adoptive parent or parents,
(bb) who the State agency responsible for adoption assistance has determined cannot be placed with adoptive parents without medical assistance because such child has special needs for medical or rehabilitative care, and
(cc) who was eligible for medical assistance under the State plan prior to the adoption assistance agreement being entered into, or who would have been eligible for medical assistance at such time if the eligibility standards and methodologies of the State's foster care program under part E of subchapter IV of this chapter were applied rather than the eligibility standards and methodologies of the State's aid to families with dependent children program under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter; 2
(IX) who are described in subsection (l)(1) of this section and are not described in clause (i)(IV), clause (i)(VI), or clause (i)(VII); 2
(X) who are described in subsection (m)(1) of this section; 2
(XI) who receive only an optional State supplementary payment based on need and paid on a regular basis, equal to the difference between the individual's countable income and the income standard used to determine eligibility for such supplementary payment (with countable income being the income remaining after deductions as established by the State pursuant to standards that may be more restrictive than the standards for supplementary security income benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter), which are available to all individuals in the State (but which may be based on different income standards by political subdivision according to cost of living differences), and which are paid by a State that does not have an agreement with the Commissioner of Social Security under
(XII) who are described in subsection (z)(1) of this section (relating to certain TB-infected individuals); 2
(XIII) who are in families whose income is less than 250 percent of the income official poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, and revised annually in accordance with
(XIV) who are optional targeted low-income children described in
(XV) who, but for earnings in excess of the limit established under
(XVI) who are employed individuals with a medically improved disability described in
(XVII) who are independent foster care adolescents (as defined in
(XVIII) who are described in subsection (aa) of this section (relating to certain breast or cervical cancer patients); 2
(XIX) who are disabled children described in subsection (cc)(1); 2
(XX) beginning January 1, 2014, who are under 65 years of age and are not described in or enrolled under a previous subclause of this clause, and whose income (as determined under subsection (e)(14)) exceeds 133 percent of the poverty line (as defined in
(XXI) who are described in subsection (ii) (relating to individuals who meet certain income standards); 2 or
(XXII) who are eligible for home and community-based services under needs-based criteria established under paragraph (1)(A) of
(B) that the medical assistance made available to any individual described in subparagraph (A)—
(i) shall not be less in amount, duration, or scope than the medical assistance made available to any other such individual, and
(ii) shall not be less in amount, duration, or scope than the medical assistance made available to individuals not described in subparagraph (A);
(C) that if medical assistance is included for any group of individuals described in
(i) the plan must include a description of (I) the criteria for determining eligibility of individuals in the group for such medical assistance, (II) the amount, duration, and scope of medical assistance made available to individuals in the group, and (III) the single standard to be employed in determining income and resource eligibility for all such groups, and the methodology to be employed in determining such eligibility, which shall be no more restrictive than the methodology which would be employed under the supplemental security income program in the case of groups consisting of aged, blind, or disabled individuals in a State in which such program is in effect, and which shall be no more restrictive than the methodology which would be employed under the appropriate State plan (described in subparagraph (A)(i)) to which such group is most closely categorically related in the case of other groups;
(ii) the plan must make available medical assistance—
(I) to individuals under the age of 18 who (but for income and resources) would be eligible for medical assistance as an individual described in subparagraph (A)(i), and
(II) to pregnant women, during the course of their pregnancy, who (but for income and resources) would be eligible for medical assistance as an individual described in subparagraph (A);
(iii) such medical assistance must include (I) with respect to children under 18 and individuals entitled to institutional services, ambulatory services, and (II) with respect to pregnant women, prenatal care and delivery services; and
(iv) if such medical assistance includes services in institutions for mental diseases or in an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded (or both) for any such group, it also must include for all groups covered at least the care and services listed in paragraphs (1) through (5) and (17) of
(D) for the inclusion of home health services for any individual who, under the State plan, is entitled to nursing facility services;
(E)(i) for making medical assistance available for medicare cost-sharing (as defined in
(ii) for making medical assistance available for payment of medicare cost-sharing described in
(iii) for making medical assistance available for medicare cost sharing described in
(iv) subject to
(F) at the option of a State, for making medical assistance available for COBRA premiums (as defined in subsection (u)(2) of this section) for qualified COBRA continuation beneficiaries described in subsection (u)(1) of this section; and
(G) that, in applying eligibility criteria of the supplemental security income program under subchapter XVI of this chapter for purposes of determining eligibility for medical assistance under the State plan of an individual who is not receiving supplemental security income, the State will disregard the provisions of subsections (c) and (e) of
except that (I) the making available of the services described in paragraph (4), (14), or (16) of
(11)(A) provide for entering into cooperative arrangements with the State agencies responsible for administering or supervising the administration of health services and vocational rehabilitation services in the State looking toward maximum utilization of such services in the provision of medical assistance under the plan, (B) provide, to the extent prescribed by the Secretary, for entering into agreements, with any agency, institution, or organization receiving payments under (or through an allotment under) subchapter V of this chapter, (i) providing for utilizing such agency, institution, or organization in furnishing care and services which are available under such subchapter or allotment and which are included in the State plan approved under this section 5 (ii) making such provision as may be appropriate for reimbursing such agency, institution, or organization for the cost of any such care and services furnished any individual for which payment would otherwise be made to the State with respect to the individual under
(12) provide that, in determining whether an individual is blind, there shall be an examination by a physician skilled in the diseases of the eye or by an optometrist, whichever the individual may select;
(13) provide—
(A) for a public process for determination of rates of payment under the plan for hospital services, nursing facility services, and services of intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded under which—
(i) proposed rates, the methodologies underlying the establishment of such rates, and justifications for the proposed rates are published,
(ii) providers, beneficiaries and their representatives, and other concerned State residents are given a reasonable opportunity for review and comment on the proposed rates, methodologies, and justifications,
(iii) final rates, the methodologies underlying the establishment of such rates, and justifications for such final rates are published, and
(iv) in the case of hospitals, such rates take into account (in a manner consistent with
(B) for payment for hospice care in amounts no lower than the amounts, using the same methodology, used under part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter and for payment of amounts under
(C) payment for primary care services (as defined in subsection (jj)) furnished in 2013 and 2014 by a physician with a primary specialty designation of family medicine, general internal medicine, or pediatric medicine at a rate not less than 100 percent of the payment rate that applies to such services and physician under part B of subchapter XVIII (or, if greater, the payment rate that would be applicable under such part if the conversion factor under
(14) provide that enrollment fees, premiums, or similar charges, and deductions, cost sharing, or similar charges, may be imposed only as provided in
(15) provide for payment for services described in clause (B) or (C) of
(16) provide for inclusion, to the extent required by regulations prescribed by the Secretary, of provisions (conforming to such regulations) with respect to the furnishing of medical assistance under the plan to individuals who are residents of the State but are absent therefrom;
(17) except as provided in subsections (e)(14), (l)(3), (m)(3), and (m)(4) of this section, include reasonable standards (which shall be comparable for all groups and may, in accordance with standards prescribed by the Secretary, differ with respect to income levels, but only in the case of applicants or recipients of assistance under the plan who are not receiving aid or assistance under any plan of the State approved under subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI, or part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, and with respect to whom supplemental security income benefits are not being paid under subchapter XVI of this chapter, based on the variations between shelter costs in urban areas and in rural areas) for determining eligibility for and the extent of medical assistance under the plan which (A) are consistent with the objectives of this subchapter, (B) provide for taking into account only such income and resources as are, as determined in accordance with standards prescribed by the Secretary, available to the applicant or recipient and (in the case of any applicant or recipient who would, except for income and resources, be eligible for aid or assistance in the form of money payments under any plan of the State approved under subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI, or part A of subchapter IV, or to have paid with respect to him supplemental security income benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter) as would not be disregarded (or set aside for future needs) in determining his eligibility for such aid, assistance, or benefits, (C) provide for reasonable evaluation of any such income or resources, and (D) do not take into account the financial responsibility of any individual for any applicant or recipient of assistance under the plan unless such applicant or recipient is such individual's spouse or such individual's child who is under age 21 or (with respect to States eligible to participate in the State program established under subchapter XVI of this chapter), is blind or permanently and totally disabled, or is blind or disabled as defined in
(18) comply with the provisions of
(19) provide such safeguards as may be necessary to assure that eligibility for care and services under the plan will be determined, and such care and services will be provided, in a manner consistent with simplicity of administration and the best interests of the recipients;
(20) if the State plan includes medical assistance in behalf of individuals 65 years of age or older who are patients in institutions for mental diseases—
(A) provide for having in effect such agreements or other arrangements with State authorities concerned with mental diseases, and, where appropriate, with such institutions, as may be necessary for carrying out the State plan, including arrangements for joint planning and for development of alternate methods of care, arrangements providing assurance of immediate readmittance to institutions where needed for individuals under alternate plans of care, and arrangements providing for access to patients and facilities, for furnishing information, and for making reports;
(B) provide for an individual plan for each such patient to assure that the institutional care provided to him is in his best interests, including, to that end, assurances that there will be initial and periodic review of his medical and other needs, that he will be given appropriate medical treatment within the institution, and that there will be a periodic determination of his need for continued treatment in the institution; and
(C) provide for the development of alternate plans of care, making maximum utilization of available resources, for recipients 65 years of age or older who would otherwise need care in such institutions, including appropriate medical treatment and other aid or assistance; for services referred to in section 303(a)(4)(A)(i) and (ii) 1 or section 1383(a)(4)(A)(i) and (ii) 1 of this title which are appropriate for such recipients and for such patients; and for methods of administration necessary to assure that the responsibilities of the State agency under the State plan with respect to such recipients and such patients will be effectively carried out;
(21) if the State plan includes medical assistance in behalf of individuals 65 years of age or older who are patients in public institutions for mental diseases, show that the State is making satisfactory progress toward developing and implementing a comprehensive mental health program, including provision for utilization of community mental health centers, nursing facilities, and other alternatives to care in public institutions for mental diseases;
(22) include descriptions of (A) the kinds and numbers of professional medical personnel and supporting staff that will be used in the administration of the plan and of the responsibilities they will have, (B) the standards, for private or public institutions in which recipients of medical assistance under the plan may receive care or services, that will be utilized by the State authority or authorities responsible for establishing and maintaining such standards, (C) the cooperative arrangements with State health agencies and State vocational rehabilitation agencies entered into with a view to maximum utilization of and coordination of the provision of medical assistance with the services administered or supervised by such agencies, and (D) other standards and methods that the State will use to assure that medical or remedial care and services provided to recipients of medical assistance are of high quality;
(23) provide that (A) any individual eligible for medical assistance (including drugs) may obtain such assistance from any institution, agency, community pharmacy, or person, qualified to perform the service or services required (including an organization which provides such services, or arranges for their availability, on a prepayment basis), who undertakes to provide him such services, and (B) an enrollment of an individual eligible for medical assistance in a primary care case-management system (described in
(24) effective July 1, 1969, provide for consultative services by health agencies and other appropriate agencies of the State to hospitals, nursing facilities, home health agencies, clinics, laboratories, and such other institutions as the Secretary may specify in order to assist them (A) to qualify for payments under this chapter, (B) to establish and maintain such fiscal records as may be necessary for the proper and efficient administration of this chapter, and (C) to provide information needed to determine payments due under this chapter on account of care and services furnished to individuals;
(25) provide—
(A) that the State or local agency administering such plan will take all reasonable measures to ascertain the legal liability of third parties (including health insurers, self-insured plans, group health plans (as defined in section 607(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [
(i) the collection of sufficient information (as specified by the Secretary in regulations) to enable the State to pursue claims against such third parties, with such information being collected at the time of any determination or redetermination of eligibility for medical assistance, and
(ii) the submission to the Secretary of a plan (subject to approval by the Secretary) for pursuing claims against such third parties, which plan shall be integrated with, and be monitored as a part of the Secretary's review of, the State's mechanized claims processing and information retrieval systems required under
(B) that in any case where such a legal liability is found to exist after medical assistance has been made available on behalf of the individual and where the amount of reimbursement the State can reasonably expect to recover exceeds the costs of such recovery, the State or local agency will seek reimbursement for such assistance to the extent of such legal liability;
(C) that in the case of an individual who is entitled to medical assistance under the State plan with respect to a service for which a third party is liable for payment, the person furnishing the service may not seek to collect from the individual (or any financially responsible relative or representative of that individual) payment of an amount for that service (i) if the total of the amount of the liabilities of third parties for that service is at least equal to the amount payable for that service under the plan (disregarding
(D) that a person who furnishes services and is participating under the plan may not refuse to furnish services to an individual (who is entitled to have payment made under the plan for the services the person furnishes) because of a third party's potential liability for payment for the service;
(E) that in the case of prenatal or preventive pediatric care (including early and periodic screening and diagnosis services under
(i) make payment for such service in accordance with the usual payment schedule under such plan for such services without regard to the liability of a third party for payment for such services; and
(ii) seek reimbursement from such third party in accordance with subparagraph (B);
(F) that in the case of any services covered under such plan which are provided to an individual on whose behalf child support enforcement is being carried out by the State agency under part D of subchapter IV of this chapter, the State shall—
(i) make payment for such service in accordance with the usual payment schedule under such plan for such services without regard to any third-party liability for payment for such services, if such third-party liability is derived (through insurance or otherwise) from the parent whose obligation to pay support is being enforced by such agency, if payment has not been made by such third party within 30 days after such services are furnished; and
(ii) seek reimbursement from such third party in accordance with subparagraph (B);
(G) that the State prohibits any health insurer (including a group health plan, as defined in section 607(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [
(H) that to the extent that payment has been made under the State plan for medical assistance in any case where a third party has a legal liability to make payment for such assistance, the State has in effect laws under which, to the extent that payment has been made under the State plan for medical assistance for health care items or services furnished to an individual, the State is considered to have acquired the rights of such individual to payment by any other party for such health care items or services; and
(I) that the State shall provide assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the State has in effect laws requiring health insurers, including self-insured plans, group health plans (as defined in section 607(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [
(i) provide, with respect to individuals who are eligible (and, at State option, individuals who apply or whose eligibility for medical assistance is being evaluated in accordance with
(ii) accept the State's right of recovery and the assignment to the State of any right of an individual or other entity to payment from the party for an item or service for which payment has been made under the State plan;
(iii) respond to any inquiry by the State regarding a claim for payment for any health care item or service that is submitted not later than 3 years after the date of the provision of such health care item or service; and
(iv) agree not to deny a claim submitted by the State solely on the basis of the date of submission of the claim, the type or format of the claim form, or a failure to present proper documentation at the point-of-sale that is the basis of the claim, if—
(I) the claim is submitted by the State within the 3-year period beginning on the date on which the item or service was furnished; and
(II) any action by the State to enforce its rights with respect to such claim is commenced within 6 years of the State's submission of such claim;
(26) if the State plan includes medical assistance for inpatient mental hospital services, provide, with respect to each patient receiving such services, for a regular program of medical review (including medical evaluation) of his need for such services, and for a written plan of care;
(27) provide for agreements with every person or institution providing services under the State plan under which such person or institution agrees (A) to keep such records as are necessary fully to disclose the extent of the services provided to individuals receiving assistance under the State plan, and (B) to furnish the State agency or the Secretary with such information, regarding any payments claimed by such person or institution for providing services under the State plan, as the State agency or the Secretary may from time to time request;
(28) provide—
(A) that any nursing facility receiving payments under such plan must satisfy all the requirements of subsections (b) through (d) of
(B) for including in "nursing facility services" at least the items and services specified (or deemed to be specified) by the Secretary under
(C) for procedures to make available to the public the data and methodology used in establishing payment rates for nursing facilities under this subchapter; and
(D) for compliance (by the date specified in the respective sections) with the requirements of—
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(29) include a State program which meets the requirements set forth in
(30)(A) provide such methods and procedures relating to the utilization of, and the payment for, care and services available under the plan (including but not limited to utilization review plans as provided for in
(B) provide, under the program described in subparagraph (A), that—
(i) each admission to a hospital, intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, or hospital for mental diseases is reviewed or screened in accordance with criteria established by medical and other professional personnel who are not themselves directly responsible for the care of the patient involved, and who do not have a significant financial interest in any such institution and are not, except in the case of a hospital, employed by the institution providing the care involved, and
(ii) the information developed from such review or screening, along with the data obtained from prior reviews of the necessity for admission and continued stay of patients by such professional personnel, shall be used as the basis for establishing the size and composition of the sample of admissions to be subject to review and evaluation by such personnel, and any such sample may be of any size up to 100 percent of all admissions and must be of sufficient size to serve the purpose of (I) identifying the patterns of care being provided and the changes occurring over time in such patterns so that the need for modification may be ascertained, and (II) subjecting admissions to early or more extensive review where information indicates that such consideration is warranted to a hospital, intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, or hospital for mental diseases;
(31) with respect to services in an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded (where the State plan includes medical assistance for such services) provide, with respect to each patient receiving such services, for a written plan of care, prior to admission to or authorization of benefits in such facility, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, and for a regular program of independent professional review (including medical evaluation) which shall periodically review his need for such services;
(32) provide that no payment under the plan for any care or service provided to an individual shall be made to anyone other than such individual or the person or institution providing such care or service, under an assignment or power of attorney or otherwise; except that—
(A) in the case of any care or service provided by a physician, dentist, or other individual practitioner, such payment may be made (i) to the employer of such physician, dentist, or other practitioner if such physician, dentist, or practitioner is required as a condition of his employment to turn over his fee for such care or service to his employer, or (ii) (where the care or service was provided in a hospital, clinic, or other facility) to the facility in which the care or service was provided if there is a contractual arrangement between such physician, dentist, or practitioner and such facility under which such facility submits the bill for such care or service;
(B) nothing in this paragraph shall be construed (i) to prevent the making of such a payment in accordance with an assignment from the person or institution providing the care or service involved if such assignment is made to a governmental agency or entity or is established by or pursuant to the order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) to preclude an agent of such person or institution from receiving any such payment if (but only if) such agent does so pursuant to an agency agreement under which the compensation to be paid to the agent for his services for or in connection with the billing or collection of payments due such person or institution under the plan is unrelated (directly or indirectly) to the amount of such payments or the billings therefor, and is not dependent upon the actual collection of any such payment;
(C) in the case of services furnished (during a period that does not exceed 14 continuous days in the case of an informal reciprocal arrangement or 90 continuous days (or such longer period as the Secretary may provide) in the case of an arrangement involving per diem or other fee-for-time compensation) by, or incident to the services of, one physician to the patients of another physician who submits the claim for such services, payment shall be made to the physician submitting the claim (as if the services were furnished by, or incident to, the physician's services), but only if the claim identifies (in a manner specified by the Secretary) the physician who furnished the services; and
(D) in the case of payment for a childhood vaccine administered before October 1, 1994, to individuals entitled to medical assistance under the State plan, the State plan may make payment directly to the manufacturer of the vaccine under a voluntary replacement program agreed to by the State pursuant to which the manufacturer (i) supplies doses of the vaccine to providers administering the vaccine, (ii) periodically replaces the supply of the vaccine, and (iii) charges the State the manufacturer's price to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the vaccine so administered (which price includes a reasonable amount to cover shipping and the handling of returns);
(33) provide—
(A) that the State health agency, or other appropriate State medical agency, shall be responsible for establishing a plan, consistent with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, for the review by appropriate professional health personnel of the appropriateness and quality of care and services furnished to recipients of medical assistance under the plan in order to provide guidance with respect thereto in the administration of the plan to the State agency established or designated pursuant to paragraph (5) and, where applicable, to the State agency described in the second sentence of this subsection; and
(B) that, except as provided in
(34) provide that in the case of any individual who has been determined to be eligible for medical assistance under the plan, such assistance will be made available to him for care and services included under the plan and furnished in or after the third month before the month in which he made application (or application was made on his behalf in the case of a deceased individual) for such assistance if such individual was (or upon application would have been) eligible for such assistance at the time such care and services were furnished;
(35) provide that any disclosing entity (as defined in
(36) provide that within 90 days following the completion of each survey of any health care facility, laboratory, agency, clinic, or organization, by the appropriate State agency described in paragraph (9), such agency shall (in accordance with regulations of the Secretary) make public in readily available form and place the pertinent findings of each such survey relating to the compliance of each such health care facility, laboratory, clinic, agency, or organization with (A) the statutory conditions of participation imposed under this subchapter, and (B) the major additional conditions which the Secretary finds necessary in the interest of health and safety of individuals who are furnished care or services by any such facility, laboratory, clinic, agency, or organization;
(37) provide for claims payment procedures which (A) ensure that 90 per centum of claims for payment (for which no further written information or substantiation is required in order to make payment) made for services covered under the plan and furnished by health care practitioners through individual or group practices or through shared health facilities are paid within 30 days of the date of receipt of such claims and that 99 per centum of such claims are paid within 90 days of the date of receipt of such claims, and (B) provide for procedures of prepayment and postpayment claims review, including review of appropriate data with respect to the recipient and provider of a service and the nature of the service for which payment is claimed, to ensure the proper and efficient payment of claims and management of the program;
(38) require that an entity (other than an individual practitioner or a group of practitioners) that furnishes, or arranges for the furnishing of, items or services under the plan, shall supply (within such period as may be specified in regulations by the Secretary or by the single State agency which administers or supervises the administration of the plan) upon request specifically addressed to such entity by the Secretary or such State agency, the information described in
(39) provide that the State agency shall exclude any specified individual or entity from participation in the program under the State plan for the period specified by the Secretary, when required by him to do so pursuant to
(40) require each health services facility or organization which receives payments under the plan and of a type for which a uniform reporting system has been established under
(41) provide that whenever a provider of services or any other person is terminated, suspended, or otherwise sanctioned or prohibited from participating under the State plan, the State agency shall promptly notify the Secretary and, in the case of a physician and notwithstanding paragraph (7), the State medical licensing board of such action;
(42) provide that—
(A) the records of any entity participating in the plan and providing services reimbursable on a cost-related basis will be audited as the Secretary determines to be necessary to insure that proper payments are made under the plan; and
(B) not later than December 31, 2010, the State shall—
(i) establish a program under which the State contracts (consistent with State law and in the same manner as the Secretary enters into contracts with recovery audit contractors under
(ii) provide assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that—
(I) under such contracts, payment shall be made to such a contractor only from amounts recovered;
(II) from such amounts recovered, payment—
(aa) shall be made on a contingent basis for collecting overpayments; and
(bb) may be made in such amounts as the State may specify for identifying underpayments;
(III) the State has an adequate process for entities to appeal any adverse determination made by such contractors; and
(IV) such program is carried out in accordance with such requirements as the Secretary shall specify, including—
(aa) for purposes of
(bb) that
(cc) that the State and any such contractors under contract with the State shall coordinate such recovery audit efforts with other contractors or entities performing audits of entities receiving payments under the State plan or waiver in the State, including efforts with Federal and State law enforcement with respect to the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations,7 the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the State medicaid fraud control unit; and
(43) provide for—
(A) informing all persons in the State who are under the age of 21 and who have been determined to be eligible for medical assistance including services described in
(B) providing or arranging for the provision of such screening services in all cases where they are requested,
(C) arranging for (directly or through referral to appropriate agencies, organizations, or individuals) corrective treatment the need for which is disclosed by such child health screening services, and
(D) reporting to the Secretary (in a uniform form and manner established by the Secretary, by age group and by basis of eligibility for medical assistance, and by not later than April 1 after the end of each fiscal year, beginning with fiscal year 1990) the following information relating to early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services provided under the plan during each fiscal year:
(i) the number of children provided child health screening services,
(ii) the number of children referred for corrective treatment (the need for which is disclosed by such child health screening services),
(iii) the number of children receiving dental services, and other information relating to the provision of dental services to such children described in section 1397hh(e) 8 of this title and
(iv) the State's results in attaining the participation goals set for the State under
(44) in each case for which payment for inpatient hospital services, services in an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, or inpatient mental hospital services is made under the State plan—
(A) a physician (or, in the case of skilled nursing facility services or intermediate care facility services, a physician, or a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist who is not an employee of the facility but is working in collaboration with a physician) certifies at the time of admission, or, if later, the time the individual applies for medical assistance under the State plan (and a physician, a physician assistant under the supervision of a physician, or, in the case of skilled nursing facility services or intermediate care facility services, a physician, or a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist who is not an employee of the facility but is working in collaboration with a physician, recertifies, where such services are furnished over a period of time, in such cases, at least as often as required under
(B) such services were furnished under a plan established and periodically reviewed and evaluated by a physician, or, in the case of skilled nursing facility services or intermediate care facility services, a physician, or a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist who is not an employee of the facility but is working in collaboration with a physician;
(45) provide for mandatory assignment of rights of payment for medical support and other medical care owed to recipients, in accordance with
(46)(A) provide that information is requested and exchanged for purposes of income and eligibility verification in accordance with a State system which meets the requirements of
(B) provide, with respect to an individual declaring to be a citizen or national of the United States for purposes of establishing eligibility under this subchapter, that the State shall satisfy the requirements of—
(i)
(ii) subsection (ee);
(47) at the option of the State, provide for making ambulatory prenatal care available to pregnant women during a presumptive eligibility period in accordance with
(48) provide a method of making cards evidencing eligibility for medical assistance available to an eligible individual who does not reside in a permanent dwelling or does not have a fixed home or mailing address;
(49) provide that the State will provide information and access to certain information respecting sanctions taken against health care practitioners and providers by State licensing authorities in accordance with
(50) provide, in accordance with subsection (q) of this section, for a monthly personal needs allowance for certain institutionalized individuals and couples;
(51) meet the requirements of
(52) meet the requirements of
(53) provide—
(A) for notifying in a timely manner all individuals in the State who are determined to be eligible for medical assistance and who are pregnant women, breastfeeding or postpartum women (as defined in section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 [
(B) for referring any such individual to the State agency responsible for administering such program;
(54) in the case of a State plan that provides medical assistance for covered outpatient drugs (as defined in
(55) provide for receipt and initial processing of applications of individuals for medical assistance under subsection (a)(10)(A)(i)(IV), (a)(10)(A)(i)(VI), (a)(10)(A)(i)(VII), or (a)(10)(A)(ii)(IX) of this section—
(A) at locations which are other than those used for the receipt and processing of applications for aid under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter and which include facilities defined as disproportionate share hospitals under
(B) using applications which are other than those used for applications for aid under such part;
(56) provide, in accordance with subsection (s) of this section, for adjusted payments for certain inpatient hospital services;
(57) provide that each hospital, nursing facility, provider of home health care or personal care services, hospice program, or medicaid managed care organization (as defined in
(58) provide that the State, acting through a State agency, association, or other private nonprofit entity, develop a written description of the law of the State (whether statutory or as recognized by the courts of the State) concerning advance directives that would be distributed by providers or organizations under the requirements of subsection (w) of this section;
(59) maintain a list (updated not less often than monthly, and containing each physician's unique identifier provided under the system established under subsection (x) of this section) of all physicians who are certified to participate under the State plan;
(60) provide that the State agency shall provide assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the State has in effect the laws relating to medical child support required under
(61) provide that the State must demonstrate that it operates a medicaid fraud and abuse control unit described in
(62) provide for a program for the distribution of pediatric vaccines to program-registered providers for the immunization of vaccine-eligible children in accordance with
(63) provide for administration and determinations of eligibility with respect to individuals who are (or seek to be) eligible for medical assistance based on the application of
(64) provide, not later than 1 year after August 5, 1997, a mechanism to receive reports from beneficiaries and others and compile data concerning alleged instances of waste, fraud, and abuse relating to the operation of this subchapter;
(65) provide that the State shall issue provider numbers for all suppliers of medical assistance consisting of durable medical equipment, as defined in
(A)(i) full and complete information as to the identity of each person with an ownership or control interest (as defined in
(ii) to the extent determined to be feasible under regulations of the Secretary, the name of any disclosing entity (as defined in
(B) a surety bond in a form specified by the Secretary under
(66) provide for making eligibility determinations under
(67) provide, with respect to services covered under the State plan (but not under subchapter XVIII of this chapter) that are furnished to a PACE program eligible individual enrolled with a PACE provider by a provider participating under the State plan that does not have a contract or other agreement with the PACE provider that establishes payment amounts for such services, that such participating provider may not require the PACE provider to pay the participating provider an amount greater than the amount that would otherwise be payable for the service to the participating provider under the State plan for the State where the PACE provider is located (in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary);
(68) provide that any entity that receives or makes annual payments under the State plan of at least $5,000,000, as a condition of receiving such payments, shall—
(A) establish written policies for all employees of the entity (including management), and of any contractor or agent of the entity, that provide detailed information about the False Claims Act established under
(B) include as part of such written policies, detailed provisions regarding the entity's policies and procedures for detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse; and
(C) include in any employee handbook for the entity, a specific discussion of the laws described in subparagraph (A), the rights of employees to be protected as whistleblowers, and the entity's policies and procedures for detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse;
(69) provide that the State must comply with any requirements determined by the Secretary to be necessary for carrying out the Medicaid Integrity Program established under
(70) at the option of the State and notwithstanding paragraphs (1), (10)(B), and (23), provide for the establishment of a non-emergency medical transportation brokerage program in order to more cost-effectively provide transportation for individuals eligible for medical assistance under the State plan who need access to medical care or services and have no other means of transportation which—
(A) may include a wheelchair van, taxi, stretcher car, bus passes and tickets, secured transportation, and such other transportation as the Secretary determines appropriate; and
(B) may be conducted under contract with a broker who—
(i) is selected through a competitive bidding process based on the State's evaluation of the broker's experience, performance, references, resources, qualifications, and costs;
(ii) has oversight procedures to monitor beneficiary access and complaints and ensure that transport personnel are licensed, qualified, competent, and courteous;
(iii) is subject to regular auditing and oversight by the State in order to ensure the quality of the transportation services provided and the adequacy of beneficiary access to medical care and services; and
(iv) complies with such requirements related to prohibitions on referrals and conflict of interest as the Secretary shall establish (based on the prohibitions on physician referrals under
(71) provide that the State will implement an asset verification program as required under
(72) provide that the State will not prevent a Federally-qualified health center from entering into contractual relationships with private practice dental providers in the provision of Federally-qualified health center services;
(73) in the case of any State in which 1 or more Indian Health Programs or Urban Indian Organizations furnishes health care services, provide for a process under which the State seeks advice on a regular, ongoing basis from designees of such Indian Health Programs and Urban Indian Organizations on matters relating to the application of this subchapter that are likely to have a direct effect on such Indian Health Programs and Urban Indian Organizations and that—
(A) shall include solicitation of advice prior to submission of any plan amendments, waiver requests, and proposals for demonstration projects likely to have a direct effect on Indians, Indian Health Programs, or Urban Indian Organizations; and
(B) may include appointment of an advisory committee and of a designee of such Indian Health Programs and Urban Indian Organizations to the medical care advisory committee advising the State on its State plan under this subchapter;
(74) provide for maintenance of effort under the State plan or under any waiver of the plan in accordance with subsection (gg);
(75) provide that, beginning January 2015, and annually thereafter, the State shall submit a report to the Secretary that contains—
(A) the total number of enrolled and newly enrolled individuals in the State plan or under a waiver of the plan for the fiscal year ending on September 30 of the preceding calendar year, disaggregated by population, including children, parents, nonpregnant childless adults, disabled individuals, elderly individuals, and such other categories or sub-categories of individuals eligible for medical assistance under the State plan or under a waiver of the plan as the Secretary may require;
(B) a description, which may be specified by population, of the outreach and enrollment processes used by the State during such fiscal year; and
(C) any other data reporting determined necessary by the Secretary to monitor enrollment and retention of individuals eligible for medical assistance under the State plan or under a waiver of the plan;
(76) provide that any data collected under the State plan meets the requirements of section 3101 of the Public Health Service Act [
(77) provide that the State shall comply with provider and supplier screening, oversight, and reporting requirements in accordance with subsection (kk);
(79) 10 provide that any agent, clearinghouse, or other alternate payee (as defined by the Secretary) that submits claims on behalf of a health care provider must register with the State and the Secretary in a form and manner specified by the Secretary;
(80) provide that the State shall not provide any payments for items or services provided under the State plan or under a waiver to any financial institution or entity located outside of the United States;
(81) provide that the State will comply with such regulations regarding the application of primary and secondary payor rules with respect to individuals who are eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter and are eligible beneficiaries under the CLASS program established under title XXXII of the Public Health Service Act [
(82) provide that, not later than 2 years after March 23, 2010, each State shall—
(A) assess the extent to which entities such as providers of home care, home health services, home and community service providers, public authorities created to provide personal care services to individuals eligible for medical assistance under the State plan, and nonprofit organizations, are serving or have the capacity to serve as fiscal agents for, employers of, and providers of employment-related benefits for, personal care attendant workers who provide personal care services to individuals receiving benefits under the CLASS program established under title XXXII of the Public Health Service Act [
(B) designate or create such entities to serve as fiscal agents for, employers of, and providers of employment-related benefits for, such workers to ensure an adequate supply of the workers for individuals receiving benefits under the CLASS program, including in rural and underserved areas; and
(C) ensure that the designation or creation of such entities will not negatively alter or impede existing programs, models, methods, or administration of service delivery that provide for consumer controlled or self-directed home and community services and further ensure that such entities will not impede the ability of individuals to direct and control their home and community services, including the ability to select, manage, dismiss, co-employ, or employ such workers or inhibit such individuals from relying on family members for the provision of personal care services; and
(83) provide for implementation of the payment models specified by the Secretary under
Notwithstanding paragraph (5), if on January 1, 1965, and on the date on which a State submits its plan for approval under this subchapter, the State agency which administered or supervised the administration of the plan of such State approved under subchapter X of this chapter (or subchapter XVI of this chapter, insofar as it relates to the blind) was different from the State agency which administered or supervised the administration of the State plan approved under subchapter I of this chapter (or subchapter XVI of this chapter, insofar as it relates to the aged), the State agency which administered or supervised the administration of such plan approved under subchapter X of this chapter (or subchapter XVI of this chapter, insofar as it relates to the blind) may be designated to administer or supervise the administration of the portion of the State plan for medical assistance which relates to blind individuals and a different State agency may be established or designated to administer or supervise the administration of the rest of the State plan for medical assistance; and in such case the part of the plan which each such agency administers, or the administration of which each such agency supervises, shall be regarded as a separate plan for purposes of this subchapter (except for purposes of paragraph (10)). The provisions of paragraphs (9)(A), (31), and (33) and of
For purposes of paragraph (10) any individual who, for the month of August 1972, was eligible for or receiving aid or assistance under a State plan approved under subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter, or part A of subchapter IV of this chapter and who for such month was entitled to monthly insurance benefits under subchapter II of this chapter shall for purposes of this subchapter only be deemed to be eligible for financial aid or assistance for any month thereafter if such individual would have been eligible for financial aid or assistance for such month had the increase in monthly insurance benefits under subchapter II of this chapter resulting from enactment of
The requirement of clause (A) of paragraph (37) with respect to a State plan may be waived by the Secretary if he finds that the State has exercised good faith in trying to meet such requirement. For purposes of this subchapter, any child who meets the requirements of paragraph (1) or (2) of
(b) Approval by Secretary
The Secretary shall approve any plan which fulfills the conditions specified in subsection (a) of this section, except that he shall not approve any plan which imposes, as a condition of eligibility for medical assistance under the plan—
(1) an age requirement of more than 65 years; or
(2) any residence requirement which excludes any individual who resides in the State, regardless of whether or not the residence is maintained permanently or at a fixed address; or
(3) any citizenship requirement which excludes any citizen of the United States.
(c) Lower payment levels or applying for benefits as condition of applying for, or receiving, medical assistance
Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall not approve any State plan for medical assistance if the State requires individuals described in subsection (l)(1) of this section to apply for assistance under the State program funded under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter as a condition of applying for or receiving medical assistance under this subchapter.
(d) Performance of medical or utilization review functions
If a State contracts with an entity which meets the requirements of
(e) Continued eligibility of families determined ineligible because of income and resources or hours of work limitations of plan; individuals enrolled with health maintenance organizations; persons deemed recipients of supplemental security income or State supplemental payments; entitlement for certain newborns; postpartum eligibility for pregnant women
(1)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, effective January 1, 1974, subject to subparagraph (B) each State plan approved under this subchapter must provide that each family which was receiving aid pursuant to a plan of the State approved under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter in at least 3 of the 6 months immediately preceding the month in which such family became ineligible for such aid because of increased hours of, or increased income from, employment, shall, while a member of such family is employed, remain eligible for assistance under the plan approved under this subchapter (as though the family was receiving aid under the plan approved under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter) for 4 calendar months beginning with the month in which such family became ineligible for aid under the plan approved under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter because of income and resources or hours of work limitations contained in such plan.
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to families that cease to be eligible for aid under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter during the period beginning on April 1, 1990, and ending on December 31, 2011. During such period, for provisions relating to extension of eligibility for medical assistance for certain families who have received aid pursuant to a State plan approved under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter and have earned income, see
(2)(A) In the case of an individual who is enrolled with a medicaid managed care organization (as defined in
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "minimum enrollment period" means, with respect to an individual's enrollment with an organization or entity under a State plan, a period, established by the State, of not more than six months beginning on the date the individual's enrollment with the organization or entity becomes effective.
(3) At the option of the State, any individual who—
(A) is 18 years of age or younger and qualifies as a disabled individual under
(B) with respect to whom there has been a determination by the State that—
(i) the individual requires a level of care provided in a hospital, nursing facility, or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded,
(ii) it is appropriate to provide such care for the individual outside such an institution, and
(iii) the estimated amount which would be expended for medical assistance for the individual for such care outside an institution is not greater than the estimated amount which would otherwise be expended for medical assistance for the individual within an appropriate institution; and
(C) if the individual were in a medical institution, would be eligible for medical assistance under the State plan under this subchapter,
shall be deemed, for purposes of this subchapter only, to be an individual with respect to whom a supplemental security income payment, or State supplemental payment, respectively, is being paid under subchapter XVI of this chapter.
(4) A child born to a woman eligible for and receiving medical assistance under a State plan on the date of the child's birth shall be deemed to have applied for medical assistance and to have been found eligible for such assistance under such plan on the date of such birth and to remain eligible for such assistance for a period of one year. During the period in which a child is deemed under the preceding sentence to be eligible for medical assistance, the medical assistance eligibility identification number of the mother shall also serve as the identification number of the child, and all claims shall be submitted and paid under such number (unless the State issues a separate identification number for the child before such period expires). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in the case of a child who is born in the United States to an alien mother for whom medical assistance for the delivery of the child is made available pursuant to
(5) A woman who, while pregnant, is eligible for, has applied for, and has received medical assistance under the State plan, shall continue to be eligible under the plan, as though she were pregnant, for all pregnancy-related and postpartum medical assistance under the plan, through the end of the month in which the 60-day period (beginning on the last day of her pregnancy) ends.
(6) In the case of a pregnant woman described in subsection (a)(10) of this section who, because of a change in income of the family of which she is a member, would not otherwise continue to be described in such subsection, the woman shall be deemed to continue to be an individual described in subsection (a)(10)(A)(i)(IV) of this section and subsection (l)(1)(A) of this section without regard to such change of income through the end of the month in which the 60-day period (beginning on the last day of her pregnancy) ends. The preceding sentence shall not apply in the case of a woman who has been provided ambulatory prenatal care pursuant to
(7) In the case of an infant or child described in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of subsection (l)(1) of this section or paragraph (2) of
(A) who is receiving inpatient services for which medical assistance is provided on the date the infant or child attains the maximum age with respect to which coverage is provided under the State plan for such individuals, and
(B) who, but for attaining such age, would remain eligible for medical assistance under such subsection,
the infant or child shall continue to be treated as an individual described in such respective provision until the end of the stay for which the inpatient services are furnished.
(8) If an individual is determined to be a qualified medicare beneficiary (as defined in
(9)(A) At the option of the State, the plan may include as medical assistance respiratory care services for any individual who—
(i) is medically dependent on a ventilator for life support at least six hours per day;
(ii) has been so dependent for at least 30 consecutive days (or the maximum number of days authorized under the State plan, whichever is less) as an inpatient;
(iii) but for the availability of respiratory care services, would require respiratory care as an inpatient in a hospital, nursing facility, or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded and would be eligible to have payment made for such inpatient care under the State plan;
(iv) has adequate social support services to be cared for at home; and
(v) wishes to be cared for at home.
(B) The requirements of subparagraph (A)(ii) may be satisfied by a continuous stay in one or more hospitals, nursing facilities, or intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded.
(C) For purposes of this paragraph, respiratory care services means services provided on a part-time basis in the home of the individual by a respiratory therapist or other health care professional trained in respiratory therapy (as determined by the State), payment for which is not otherwise included within other items and services furnished to such individual as medical assistance under the plan.
(10)(A) The fact that an individual, child, or pregnant woman may be denied aid under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter pursuant to section 602(a)(43) 1 of this title shall not be construed as denying (or permitting a State to deny) medical assistance under this subchapter to such individual, child, or woman who is eligible for assistance under this subchapter on a basis other than the receipt of aid under such part.
(B) If an individual, child, or pregnant woman is receiving aid under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter and such aid is terminated pursuant to section 602(a)(43) 1 of this title, the State may not discontinue medical assistance under this subchapter for the individual, child, or woman until the State has determined that the individual, child, or woman is not eligible for assistance under this subchapter on a basis other than the receipt of aid under such part.
(11)(A) In the case of an individual who is enrolled with a group health plan under
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "minimum enrollment period" means, with respect to an individual's enrollment with a group health plan, a period established by the State, of not more than 6 months beginning on the date the individual's enrollment under the plan becomes effective.
(12) At the option of the State, the plan may provide that an individual who is under an age specified by the State (not to exceed 19 years of age) and who is determined to be eligible for benefits under a State plan approved under this subchapter under subsection (a)(10)(A) of this section shall remain eligible for those benefits until the earlier of—
(A) the end of a period (not to exceed 12 months) following the determination; or
(B) the time that the individual exceeds that age.
(13)
(A)
(i)
(I)
(II)
(III)
(IV)
(V)
(ii)
(B)
(i) to limit or prohibit a State from taking any actions otherwise permitted under this subchapter or subchapter XXI in determining eligibility for or enrolling children into medical assistance under this subchapter or child health assistance under subchapter XXI; or
(ii) to modify the limitations in
(C)
(i)
(ii)
(I)
(II)
(III)
(aa) Notice that the child may be eligible to receive medical assistance under the State plan under this subchapter if evaluated for such assistance under the State's regular procedures and notice of the process through which a parent, guardian, or custodial relative can request that the State evaluate the child's eligibility for medical assistance under this subchapter using such regular procedures.
(bb) A description of differences between the medical assistance provided under this subchapter and child health assistance under subchapter XXI, including differences in cost-sharing requirements and covered benefits.
(iii)
(I)
(II)
(III)
(IV)
(V)
(D)
(i)
(ii)
(E)
(i)
(I) assign such codes as the Secretary shall require to the children who are enrolled in the State Medicaid plan or the State CHIP plan through reliance on a finding made by an Express Lane agency for the duration of the State's election under this paragraph;
(II) annually provide the Secretary with a statistically valid sample (that is approved by Secretary) of the children enrolled in such plans through reliance on such a finding by conducting a full Medicaid eligibility review of the children identified for such sample for purposes of determining an eligibility error rate (as described in clause (iv)) with respect to the enrollment of such children (and shall not include such children in any data or samples used for purposes of complying with a Medicaid Eligibility Quality Control (MEQC) review or a payment error rate measurement (PERM) requirement);
(III) submit the error rate determined under subclause (II) to the Secretary;
(IV) if such error rate exceeds 3 percent for either of the first 2 fiscal years in which the State elects to apply this paragraph, demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary the specific corrective actions implemented by the State to improve upon such error rate; and
(V) if such error rate exceeds 3 percent for any fiscal year in which the State elects to apply this paragraph, a reduction in the amount otherwise payable to the State under
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(F)
(i)
(I) is determined by the State Medicaid agency or the State CHIP agency (as applicable) to be capable of making the determinations of one or more eligibility requirements described in subparagraph (A)(i);
(II) is identified in the State Medicaid plan or the State CHIP plan; and
(III) notifies the child's family—
(aa) of the information which shall be disclosed in accordance with this paragraph;
(bb) that the information disclosed will be used solely for purposes of determining eligibility for medical assistance under the State Medicaid plan or for child health assistance under the State CHIP plan; and
(cc) that the family may elect to not have the information disclosed for such purposes; and
(IV) enters into, or is subject to, an interagency agreement to limit the disclosure and use of the information disclosed.
(ii)
(I) A public agency that determines eligibility for assistance under any of the following:
(aa) The temporary assistance for needy families program funded under part A of subchapter IV.
(bb) A State program funded under part D of subchapter IV.
(cc) The State Medicaid plan.
(dd) The State CHIP plan.
(ee) The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (
(ff) The Head Start Act [
(gg) The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (
(hh) The Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (
(ii) The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (
(jj) The Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act 1 (
(kk) The United States Housing Act of 1937 (
(ll) The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (
(II) A State-specified governmental agency that has fiscal liability or legal responsibility for the accuracy of the eligibility determination findings relied on by the State.
(III) A public agency that is subject to an interagency agreement limiting the disclosure and use of the information disclosed for purposes of determining eligibility under the State Medicaid plan or the State CHIP plan.
(IV) The Indian Health Service, an Indian Tribe, Tribal Organization, or Urban Indian Organization (as defined in
(iii)
(iv)
(I) exempting a State Medicaid agency from complying with the requirements of
(II) authorizing a State Medicaid agency that elects to use Express Lane agencies under this subparagraph to use the Express Lane option to avoid complying with such requirements for purposes of making eligibility determinations under the State Medicaid plan.
(v)
(I)
(II)
(III)
(IV)
(V)
(G)
(H)
(I)
(14)
(f) Effective date of State plan as determinative of duty of State to provide medical assistance to aged, blind, or disabled individuals
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, except as provided in subsection (e) of this section and
(g) Reduction of aid or assistance to providers of services attempting to collect from beneficiary in violation of third-party provisions
In addition to any other sanction available to a State, a State may provide for a reduction of any payment amount otherwise due with respect to a person who furnishes services under the plan in an amount equal to up to three times the amount of any payment sought to be collected by that person in violation of subsection (a)(25)(C) of this section.
(h) Payments for hospitals serving disproportionate number of low-income patients and for home and community care
Nothing in this subchapter (including subsections (a)(13) and (a)(30) of this section) shall be construed as authorizing the Secretary to limit the amount of payment that may be made under a plan under this subchapter for home and community care.
(i) Termination of certification for participation of and suspension of State payments to intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded
(1) In addition to any other authority under State law, where a State determines that a 13 intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded which is certified for participation under its plan no longer substantially meets the requirements for such a facility under this subchapter and further determines that the facility's deficiencies—
(A) immediately jeopardize the health and safety of its patients, the State shall provide for the termination of the facility's certification for participation under the plan and may provide, or
(B) do not immediately jeopardize the health and safety of its patients, the State may, in lieu of providing for terminating the facility's certification for participation under the plan, establish alternative remedies if the State demonstrates to the Secretary's satisfaction that the alternative remedies are effective in deterring noncompliance and correcting deficiencies, and may provide
that no payment will be made under the State plan with respect to any individual admitted to such facility after a date specified by the State.
(2) The State shall not make such a decision with respect to a facility until the facility has had a reasonable opportunity, following the initial determination that it no longer substantially meets the requirements for such a facility under this subchapter, to correct its deficiencies, and, following this period, has been given reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing.
(3) The State's decision to deny payment may be made effective only after such notice to the public and to the facility as may be provided for by the State, and its effectiveness shall terminate (A) when the State finds that the facility is in substantial compliance (or is making good faith efforts to achieve substantial compliance) with the requirements for such a facility under this subchapter, or (B) in the case described in paragraph (1)(B), with the end of the eleventh month following the month such decision is made effective, whichever occurs first. If a facility to which clause (B) of the previous sentence applies still fails to substantially meet the provisions of the respective section on the date specified in such clause, the State shall terminate such facility's certification for participation under the plan effective with the first day of the first month following the month specified in such clause.
(j) Waiver or modification of subchapter requirements with respect to medical assistance program in American Samoa
Notwithstanding any other requirement of this subchapter, the Secretary may waive or modify any requirement of this subchapter with respect to the medical assistance program in American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands, other than a waiver of the Federal medical assistance percentage, the limitation in
(k) Minimum coverage for individuals with income at or below 133 percent of the poverty line
(1) The medical assistance provided to an individual described in subclause (VIII) of subsection (a)(10)(A)(i) shall consist of benchmark coverage described in
(2) Beginning with the first day of any fiscal year quarter that begins on or after April 1, 2010, and before January 1, 2014, a State may elect through a State plan amendment to provide medical assistance to individuals who would be described in subclause (VIII) of subsection (a)(10)(A)(i) if that subclause were effective before January 1, 2014. A State may elect to phase-in the extension of eligibility for medical assistance to such individuals based on income, so long as the State does not extend such eligibility to individuals described in such subclause with higher income before making individuals described in such subclause with lower income eligible for medical assistance.
(3) If an individual described in subclause (VIII) of subsection (a)(10)(A)(i) is the parent of a child who is under 19 years of age (or such higher age as the State may have elected) who is eligible for medical assistance under the State plan or under a waiver of such plan (under that subclause or under a State plan amendment under paragraph (2),14 the individual may not be enrolled under the State plan unless the individual's child is enrolled under the State plan or under a waiver of the plan or is enrolled in other health insurance coverage. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term "parent" includes an individual treated as a caretaker relative for purposes of carrying out
(l) Description of group
(1) Individuals described in this paragraph are—
(A) women during pregnancy (and during the 60-day period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy),
(B) infants under one year of age,
(C) children who have attained one year of age but have not attained 6 years of age, and
(D) children born after September 30, 1983 (or, at the option of a State, after any earlier date), who have attained 6 years of age but have not attained 19 years of age,
who are not described in any of subclauses (I) through (III) of subsection (a)(10)(A)(i) of this section and whose family income does not exceed the income level established by the State under paragraph (2) for a family size equal to the size of the family, including the woman, infant, or child.
(2)(A)(i) For purposes of paragraph (1) with respect to individuals described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of that paragraph, the State shall establish an income level which is a percentage (not less than the percentage provided under clause (ii) and not more than 185 percent) of the income official poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, and revised annually in accordance with
(ii) The percentage provided under this clause, with respect to eligibility for medical assistance on or after—
(I) July 1, 1989, is 75 percent, or, if greater, the percentage provided under clause (iii), and
(II) April 1, 1990, 133 percent, or, if greater, the percentage provided under clause (iv).
(iii) In the case of a State which, as of July 1, 1988, has elected to provide, and provides, medical assistance to individuals described in this subsection or has enacted legislation authorizing, or appropriating funds, to provide such assistance to such individuals before July 1, 1989, the percentage provided under clause (ii)(I) shall not be less than—
(I) the percentage specified by the State in an amendment to its State plan (whether approved or not) as of July 1, 1988, or
(II) if no such percentage is specified as of July 1, 1988, the percentage established under the State's authorizing legislation or provided for under the State's appropriations;
but in no case shall this clause require the percentage provided under clause (ii)(I) to exceed 100 percent.
(iv) In the case of a State which, as of December 19, 1989, has established under clause (i), or has enacted legislation authorizing, or appropriating funds, to provide for, a percentage (of the income official poverty line) that is greater than 133 percent, the percentage provided under clause (ii) for medical assistance on or after April 1, 1990, shall not be less than—
(I) the percentage specified by the State in an amendment to its State plan (whether approved or not) as of December 19, 1989, or
(II) if no such percentage is specified as of December 19, 1989, the percentage established under the State's authorizing legislation or provided for under the State's appropriations.
(B) For purposes of paragraph (1) with respect to individuals described in subparagraph (C) of such paragraph, the State shall establish an income level which is equal to 133 percent of the income official poverty line described in subparagraph (A) applicable to a family of the size involved.
(C) For purposes of paragraph (1) with respect to individuals described in subparagraph (D) of that paragraph, the State shall establish an income level which is equal to 100 percent (or, beginning January 1, 2014, 133 percent) of the income official poverty line described in subparagraph (A) applicable to a family of the size involved.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(17) of this section, for individuals who are eligible for medical assistance because of subsection (a)(10)(A)(i)(IV), (a)(10)(A)(i)(VI), (a)(10) (A)(i)(VII), or (a)(10)(A)(ii)(IX) of this section—
(A) application of a resource standard shall be at the option of the State;
(B) any resource standard or methodology that is applied with respect to an individual described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) may not be more restrictive than the resource standard or methodology that is applied under subchapter XVI of this chapter;
(C) any resource standard or methodology that is applied with respect to an individual described in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (1) may not be more restrictive than the corresponding methodology that is applied under the State plan under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter;
(D) the income standard to be applied is the appropriate income standard established under paragraph (2); and
(E) family income shall be determined in accordance with the methodology employed under the State plan under part A or E of subchapter IV of this chapter (except to the extent such methodology is inconsistent with clause (D) of subsection (a)(17) of this section), and costs incurred for medical care or for any other type of remedial care shall not be taken into account.
Any different treatment provided under this paragraph for such individuals shall not, because of subsection (a)(17) of this section, require or permit such treatment for other individuals.
(4)(A) In the case of any State which is providing medical assistance to its residents under a waiver granted under
(B) In the case of a State which is not one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia, the State need not meet the requirement of subsection (a)(10)(A)(i)(IV), (a)(10)(A)(i)(VI), or (a)(10)(A)(i)(VII) of this section and, for purposes of paragraph (2)(A), the State may substitute for the percentage provided under clause (ii) of such paragraph any percentage.
(m) Description of individuals
(1) Individuals described in this paragraph are individuals—
(A) who are 65 years of age or older or are disabled individuals (as determined under
(B) whose income (as determined under
(C) whose resources (as determined under
(2)(A) The income level established under paragraph (1)(B) may not exceed a percentage (not more than 100 percent) of the official poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, and revised annually in accordance with
(B) In the case of a State that provides medical assistance to individuals not described in subsection (a)(10)(A) of this section and at the State's option, the State may use under paragraph (1)(C) such resource level (which is higher than the level described in that paragraph) as may be applicable with respect to individuals described in paragraph (1)(A) who are not described in subsection (a)(10)(A) of this section.
(C) The provisions of
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(17) of this section, for individuals described in paragraph (1) who are covered under the State plan by virtue of subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)(X) of this section—
(A) the income standard to be applied is the income standard described in paragraph (1)(B), and
(B) except as provided in
Any different treatment provided under this paragraph for such individuals shall not, because of subsection (a)(17) of this section, require or permit such treatment for other individuals.
(4) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(17) of this section, for qualified medicare beneficiaries described in
(A) the income standard to be applied is the income standard described in
(B) except as provided in
Any different treatment provided under this paragraph for such individuals shall not, because of subsection (a)(17) of this section, require or permit such treatment for other individuals.
(n) Payment amounts
(1) In the case of medical assistance furnished under this subchapter for medicare cost-sharing respecting the furnishing of a service or item to a qualified medicare beneficiary, the State plan may provide payment in an amount with respect to the service or item that results in the sum of such payment amount and any amount of payment made under subchapter XVIII of this chapter with respect to the service or item exceeding the amount that is otherwise payable under the State plan for the item or service for eligible individuals who are not qualified medicare beneficiaries.
(2) In carrying out paragraph (1), a State is not required to provide any payment for any expenses incurred relating to payment for deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments for medicare cost-sharing to the extent that payment under subchapter XVIII of this chapter for the service would exceed the payment amount that otherwise would be made under the State plan under this subchapter for such service if provided to an eligible recipient other than a medicare beneficiary.
(3) In the case in which a State's payment for medicare cost-sharing for a qualified medicare beneficiary with respect to an item or service is reduced or eliminated through the application of paragraph (2)—
(A) for purposes of applying any limitation under subchapter XVIII of this chapter on the amount that the beneficiary may be billed or charged for the service, the amount of payment made under subchapter XVIII of this chapter plus the amount of payment (if any) under the State plan shall be considered to be payment in full for the service;
(B) the beneficiary shall not have any legal liability to make payment to a provider or to an organization described in
(C) any lawful sanction that may be imposed upon a provider or such an organization for excess charges under this subchapter or subchapter XVIII of this chapter shall apply to the imposition of any charge imposed upon the individual in such case.
This paragraph shall not be construed as preventing payment of any medicare cost-sharing by a medicare supplemental policy or an employer retiree health plan on behalf of an individual.
(o) Certain benefits disregarded for purposes of determining post-eligibility contributions
Notwithstanding any provision of subsection (a) of this section to the contrary, a State plan under this subchapter shall provide that any supplemental security income benefits paid by reason of subparagraph (E) or (G) of
(1) is eligible for medical assistance under the plan, and
(2) is in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or intermediate care facility at the time such benefits are paid,
will be disregarded for purposes of determining the amount of any post-eligibility contribution by the individual to the cost of the care and services provided by the hospital, skilled nursing facility, or intermediate care facility.
(p) Exclusion power of State; exclusion as prerequisite for medical assistance payments; "exclude" defined
(1) In addition to any other authority, a State may exclude any individual or entity for purposes of participating under the State plan under this subchapter for any reason for which the Secretary could exclude the individual or entity from participation in a program under subchapter XVIII of this chapter under
(2) In order for a State to receive payments for medical assistance under
(A) could be excluded under
(B) has, directly or indirectly, a substantial contractual relationship (as defined by the Secretary) with an individual or entity that is described in
(C) employs or contracts with any individual or entity that is excluded from participation under this subchapter under
(3) As used in this subsection, the term "exclude" includes the refusal to enter into or renew a participation agreement or the termination of such an agreement.
(q) Minimum monthly personal needs allowance deduction; "institutionalized individual or couple" defined
(1)(A) In order to meet the requirement of subsection (a)(50) of this section, the State plan must provide that, in the case of an institutionalized individual or couple described in subparagraph (B), in determining the amount of the individual's or couple's income to be applied monthly to payment for the cost of care in an institution, there shall be deducted from the monthly income (in addition to other allowances otherwise provided under the State plan) a monthly personal needs allowance—
(i) which is reasonable in amount for clothing and other personal needs of the individual (or couple) while in an institution, and
(ii) which is not less (and may be greater) than the minimum monthly personal needs allowance described in paragraph (2).
(B) In this subsection, the term "institutionalized individual or couple" means an individual or married couple—
(i) who is an inpatient (or who are inpatients) in a medical institution or nursing facility for which payments are made under this subchapter throughout a month, and
(ii) who is or are determined to be eligible for medical assistance under the State plan.
(2) The minimum monthly personal needs allowance described in this paragraph 15 is $30 for an institutionalized individual and $60 for an institutionalized couple (if both are aged, blind, or disabled, and their incomes are considered available to each other in determining eligibility).
(r) Disregarding payments for certain medical expenses by institutionalized individuals
(1)(A) For purposes of
(i) medicare and other health insurance premiums, deductibles, or coinsurance, and
(ii) necessary medical or remedial care recognized under State law but not covered under the State plan under this subchapter, subject to reasonable limits the State may establish on the amount of these expenses.
(B)(i) In the case of a veteran who does not have a spouse or a child, if the veteran—
(I) receives, after the veteran has been determined to be eligible for medical assistance under the State plan under this subchapter, a veteran's pension in excess of $90 per month, and
(II) resides in a State veterans home with respect to which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs makes per diem payments for nursing home care pursuant to
any such pension payment, including any payment made due to the need for aid and attendance, or for unreimbursed medical expenses, that is in excess of $90 per month shall be counted as income only for the purpose of applying such excess payment to the State veterans home's cost of providing nursing home care to the veteran.
(ii) The provisions of clause (i) shall apply with respect to a surviving spouse of a veteran who does not have a child in the same manner as they apply to a veteran described in such clause.
(2)(A) The methodology to be employed in determining income and resource eligibility for individuals under subsection (a)(10)(A)(i)(III), (a)(10)(A)(i)(IV), (a)(10)(A)(i)(VI), (a)(10) (A)(i)(VII), (a)(10)(A)(ii), (a)(10)(C)(i)(III), or (f) of this section or under
(i) in the case of groups consisting of aged, blind, or disabled individuals, under the supplemental security income program under subchapter XVI of this chapter, or
(ii) in the case of other groups, under the State plan most closely categorically related.
(B) For purposes of this subsection and subsection (a)(10) of this section, methodology is considered to be "no more restrictive" if, using the methodology, additional individuals may be eligible for medical assistance and no individuals who are otherwise eligible are made ineligible for such assistance.
(s) Adjustment in payment for hospital services furnished to low-income children under age of 6 years
In order to meet the requirements of subsection (a)(55) 16 of this section, the State plan must provide that payments to hospitals under the plan for inpatient hospital services furnished to infants who have not attained the age of 1 year, and to children who have not attained the age of 6 years and who receive such services in a disproportionate share hospital described in
(1) if made on a prospective basis (whether per diem, per case, or otherwise) provide for an outlier adjustment in payment amounts for medically necessary inpatient hospital services involving exceptionally high costs or exceptionally long lengths of stay,
(2) not be limited by the imposition of day limits with respect to the delivery of such services to such individuals, and
(3) not be limited by the imposition of dollar limits (other than such limits resulting from prospective payments as adjusted pursuant to paragraph (1)) with respect to the delivery of such services to any such individual who has not attained their first birthday (or in the case of such an individual who is an inpatient on his first birthday until such individual is discharged).
(t) Limitation on payments to States for expenditures attributable to taxes
Nothing in this subchapter (including
(u) Qualified COBRA continuation beneficiaries
(1) Individuals described in this paragraph are individuals—
(A) who are entitled to elect COBRA continuation coverage (as defined in paragraph (3)),
(B) whose income (as determined under
(C) whose resources (as determined under
(D) with respect to whose enrollment for COBRA continuation coverage the State has determined that the savings in expenditures under this subchapter resulting from such enrollment is likely to exceed the amount of payments for COBRA premiums made.
(2) For purposes of subsection (a)(10)(F) of this section and this subsection, the term "COBRA premiums" means the applicable premium imposed with respect to COBRA continuation coverage.
(3) In this subsection, the term "COBRA continuation coverage" means coverage under a group health plan provided by an employer with 75 or more employees provided pursuant to title XXII of the Public Health Service Act [
(4) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(17) of this section, for individuals described in paragraph (1) who are covered under the State plan by virtue of subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XI) of this section—
(A) the income standard to be applied is the income standard described in paragraph (1)(B), and
(B) except as provided in
Any different treatment provided under this paragraph for such individuals shall not, because of subsection (a)(10)(B) or (a)(17) of this section, require or permit such treatment for other individuals.
(v) State agency disability and blindness determinations for medical assistance eligibility
A State plan may provide for the making of determinations of disability or blindness for the purpose of determining eligibility for medical assistance under the State plan by the single State agency or its designee, and make medical assistance available to individuals whom it finds to be blind or disabled and who are determined otherwise eligible for such assistance during the period of time prior to which a final determination of disability or blindness is made by the Social Security Administration with respect to such an individual. In making such determinations, the State must apply the definitions of disability and blindness found in
(w) Maintenance of written policies and procedures respecting advance directives
(1) For purposes of subsection (a)(57) of this section and
(A) to provide written information to each such individual concerning—
(i) an individual's rights under State law (whether statutory or as recognized by the courts of the State) to make decisions concerning such medical care, including the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment and the right to formulate advance directives (as defined in paragraph (3)), and
(ii) the provider's or organization's written policies respecting the implementation of such rights;
(B) to document in the individual's medical record whether or not the individual has executed an advance directive;
(C) not to condition the provision of care or otherwise discriminate against an individual based on whether or not the individual has executed an advance directive;
(D) to ensure compliance with requirements of State law (whether statutory or as recognized by the courts of the State) respecting advance directives; and
(E) to provide (individually or with others) for education for staff and the community on issues concerning advance directives.
Subparagraph (C) shall not be construed as requiring the provision of care which conflicts with an advance directive.
(2) The written information described in paragraph (1)(A) shall be provided to an adult individual—
(A) in the case of a hospital, at the time of the individual's admission as an inpatient,
(B) in the case of a nursing facility, at the time of the individual's admission as a resident,
(C) in the case of a provider of home health care or personal care services, in advance of the individual coming under the care of the provider,
(D) in the case of a hospice program, at the time of initial receipt of hospice care by the individual from the program, and
(E) in the case of a medicaid managed care organization, at the time of enrollment of the individual with the organization.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the application of a State law which allows for an objection on the basis of conscience for any health care provider or any agent of such provider which as a matter of conscience cannot implement an advance directive.
(4) In this subsection, the term "advance directive" means a written instruction, such as a living will or durable power of attorney for health care, recognized under State law (whether statutory or as recognized by the courts of the State) and relating to the provision of such care when the individual is incapacitated.
(5) For construction relating to this subsection, see
(x) Physician identifier system; establishment
The Secretary shall establish a system, for implementation by not later than July 1, 1991, which provides for a unique identifier for each physician who furnishes services for which payment may be made under a State plan approved under this subchapter.
(y) Intermediate sanctions for psychiatric hospitals
(1) In addition to any other authority under State law, where a State determines that a psychiatric hospital which is certified for participation under its plan no longer meets the requirements for a psychiatric hospital (referred to in
(A) immediately jeopardize the health and safety of its patients, the State shall terminate the hospital's participation under the State plan; or
(B) do not immediately jeopardize the health and safety of its patients, the State may terminate the hospital's participation under the State plan, or provide that no payment will be made under the State plan with respect to any individual admitted to such hospital after the effective date of the finding, or both.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), if a psychiatric hospital described in paragraph (1)(B) has not complied with the requirements for a psychiatric hospital under this subchapter—
(A) within 3 months after the date the hospital is found to be out of compliance with such requirements, the State shall provide that no payment will be made under the State plan with respect to any individual admitted to such hospital after the end of such 3-month period, or
(B) within 6 months after the date the hospital is found to be out of compliance with such requirements, no Federal financial participation shall be provided under
(3) The Secretary may continue payments, over a period of not longer than 6 months from the date the hospital is found to be out of compliance with such requirements, if—
(A) the State finds that it is more appropriate to take alternative action to assure compliance of the hospital with the requirements than to terminate the certification of the hospital,
(B) the State has submitted a plan and timetable for corrective action to the Secretary for approval and the Secretary approves the plan of corrective action, and
(C) the State agrees to repay to the Federal Government payments received under this paragraph if the corrective action is not taken in accordance with the approved plan and timetable.
(z) Optional coverage of TB-related services
(1) Individuals described in this paragraph are individuals not described in subsection (a)(10)(A)(i) of this section—
(A) who are infected with tuberculosis;
(B) whose income (as determined under the State plan under this subchapter with respect to disabled individuals) does not exceed the maximum amount of income a disabled individual described in subsection (a)(10)(A)(i) of this section may have and obtain medical assistance under the plan; and
(C) whose resources (as determined under the State plan under this subchapter with respect to disabled individuals) do not exceed the maximum amount of resources a disabled individual described in subsection (a)(10)(A)(i) of this section may have and obtain medical assistance under the plan.
(2) For purposes of subsection (a)(10) of this section, the term "TB-related services" means each of the following services relating to treatment of infection with tuberculosis:
(A) Prescribed drugs.
(B) Physicians' services and services described in
(C) Laboratory and X-ray services (including services to confirm the presence of infection).
(D) Clinic services and Federally-qualified health center services.
(E) Case management services (as defined in
(F) Services (other than room and board) designed to encourage completion of regimens of prescribed drugs by outpatients, including services to observe directly the intake of prescribed drugs.
(aa) Certain breast or cervical cancer patients
Individuals described in this subsection are individuals who—
(1) are not described in subsection (a)(10)(A)(i) of this section;
(2) have not attained age 65;
(3) have been screened for breast and cervical cancer under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention breast and cervical cancer early detection program established under title XV of the Public Health Service Act (
(4) are not otherwise covered under creditable coverage, as defined in section 2701(c) 1 of the Public Health Service Act (
(bb) Payment for services provided by Federally-qualified health centers and rural health clinics
(1) In general
Beginning with fiscal year 2001 with respect to services furnished on or after January 1, 2001, and each succeeding fiscal year, the State plan shall provide for payment for services described in
(2) Fiscal year 2001
Subject to paragraph (4), for services furnished on and after January 1, 2001, during fiscal year 2001, the State plan shall provide for payment for such services in an amount (calculated on a per visit basis) that is equal to 100 percent of the average of the costs of the center or clinic of furnishing such services during fiscal years 1999 and 2000 which are reasonable and related to the cost of furnishing such services, or based on such other tests of reasonableness as the Secretary prescribes in regulations under
(3) Fiscal year 2002 and succeeding fiscal years
Subject to paragraph (4), for services furnished during fiscal year 2002 or a succeeding fiscal year, the State plan shall provide for payment for such services in an amount (calculated on a per visit basis) that is equal to the amount calculated for such services under this subsection for the preceding fiscal year—
(A) increased by the percentage increase in the MEI (as defined in
(B) adjusted to take into account any increase or decrease in the scope of such services furnished by the center or clinic during that fiscal year.
(4) Establishment of initial year payment amount for new centers or clinics
In any case in which an entity first qualifies as a Federally-qualified health center or rural health clinic after fiscal year 2000, the State plan shall provide for payment for services described in
(5) Administration in the case of managed care
(A) In general
In the case of services furnished by a Federally-qualified health center or rural health clinic pursuant to a contract between the center or clinic and a managed care entity (as defined in
(B) Payment schedule
The supplemental payment required under subparagraph (A) shall be made pursuant to a payment schedule agreed to by the State and the Federally-qualified health center or rural health clinic, but in no case less frequently than every 4 months.
(6) Alternative payment methodologies
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the State plan may provide for payment in any fiscal year to a Federally-qualified health center for services described in
(A) is agreed to by the State and the center or clinic; and
(B) results in payment to the center or clinic of an amount which is at least equal to the amount otherwise required to be paid to the center or clinic under this section.
(cc) Disabled children eligible to receive medical assistance at option of State
(1) Individuals described in this paragraph are individuals—
(A) who are children who have not attained 19 years of age and are born—
(i) on or after January 1, 2001 (or, at the option of a State, on or after an earlier date), in the case of the second, third, and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2007;
(ii) on or after October 1, 1995 (or, at the option of a State, on or after an earlier date), in the case of each quarter of fiscal year 2008; and
(iii) after October 1, 1989, in the case of each quarter of fiscal year 2009 and each quarter of any fiscal year thereafter;
(B) who would be considered disabled under
(C) whose family income does not exceed such income level as the State establishes and does not exceed—
(i) 300 percent of the poverty line (as defined in
(ii) such higher percent of such poverty line as a State may establish, except that—
(I) any medical assistance provided to an individual whose family income exceeds 300 percent of such poverty line may only be provided with State funds; and
(II) no Federal financial participation shall be provided under
(2)(A) If an employer of a parent of an individual described in paragraph (1) offers family coverage under a group health plan (as defined in section 2791(a) of the Public Health Service Act [
(i) notwithstanding
(ii) if such coverage is obtained—
(I) subject to paragraph (2) of section 1396o(h) 17 of this title, reduce the premium imposed by the State under that section in an amount that reasonably reflects the premium contribution made by the parent for private coverage on behalf of a child with a disability; and
(II) treat such coverage as a third party liability under subsection (a)(25).
(B) In the case of a parent to which subparagraph (A) applies, a State, notwithstanding
(dd) Electronic transmission of information
If the State agency determining eligibility for medical assistance under this subchapter or child health assistance under subchapter XXI verifies an element of eligibility based on information from an Express Lane Agency 18 (as defined in subsection (e)(13)(F)), or from another public agency, then the applicant's signature under penalty of perjury shall not be required as to such element. Any signature requirement for an application for medical assistance may be satisfied through an electronic signature, as defined in section 1710(1) of the Government Paperwork Elimination Act (
(ee) Alternate State process for verification of citizenship or nationality declaration
(1) For purposes of subsection (a)(46)(B)(ii), the requirements of this subsection with respect to an individual declaring to be a citizen or national of the United States for purposes of establishing eligibility under this subchapter, are, in lieu of requiring the individual to present satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality under
(A) The State submits the name and social security number of the individual to the Commissioner of Social Security as part of the program established under paragraph (2).
(B) If the State receives notice from the Commissioner of Social Security that the name or social security number, or the declaration of citizenship or nationality, of the individual is inconsistent with information in the records maintained by the Commissioner—
(i) the State makes a reasonable effort to identify and address the causes of such inconsistency, including through typographical or other clerical errors, by contacting the individual to confirm the accuracy of the name or social security number submitted or declaration of citizenship or nationality and by taking such additional actions as the Secretary, through regulation or other guidance, or the State may identify, and continues to provide the individual with medical assistance while making such effort; and
(ii) in the case such inconsistency is not resolved under clause (i), the State—
(I) notifies the individual of such fact;
(II) provides the individual with a period of 90 days from the date on which the notice required under subclause (I) is received by the individual to either present satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality (as defined in
(III) disenrolls the individual from the State plan under this subchapter within 30 days after the end of such 90-day period if no such documentary evidence is presented or if such inconsistency is not resolved.
(2)(A) Each State electing to satisfy the requirements of this subsection for purposes of
(B) In establishing the State program under this paragraph, the State may enter into an agreement with the Commissioner of Social Security—
(i) to provide, through an on-line system or otherwise, for the electronic submission of, and response to, the information submitted under subparagraph (A) for an individual enrolled in the State plan under this subchapter who declares to be 19 citizen or national on at least a monthly basis; or
(ii) to provide for a determination of the consistency of the information submitted with the information maintained in the records of the Commissioner through such other method as agreed to by the State and the Commissioner and approved by the Secretary, provided that such method is no more burdensome for individuals to comply with than any burdens that may apply under a method described in clause (i).
(C) The program established under this paragraph shall provide that, in the case of any individual who is required to submit a social security number to the State under subparagraph (A) and who is unable to provide the State with such number, shall be provided with at least the reasonable opportunity to present satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality (as defined in
(3)(A) The State agency implementing the plan approved under this subchapter shall, at such times and in such form as the Secretary may specify, provide information on the percentage each month that the inconsistent submissions bears to the total submissions made for comparison for such month. For purposes of this subparagraph, a name, social security number, or declaration of citizenship or nationality of an individual shall be treated as inconsistent and included in the determination of such percentage only if—
(i) the information submitted by the individual is not consistent with information in records maintained by the Commissioner of Social Security;
(ii) the inconsistency is not resolved by the State;
(iii) the individual was provided with a reasonable period of time to resolve the inconsistency with the Commissioner of Social Security or provide satisfactory documentation of citizenship status and did not successfully resolve such inconsistency; and
(iv) payment has been made for an item or service furnished to the individual under this subchapter.
(B) If, for any fiscal year, the average monthly percentage determined under subparagraph (A) is greater than 3 percent—
(i) the State shall develop and adopt a corrective plan to review its procedures for verifying the identities of individuals seeking to enroll in the State plan under this subchapter and to identify and implement changes in such procedures to improve their accuracy; and
(ii) pay to the Secretary an amount equal to the amount which bears the same ratio to the total payments under the State plan for the fiscal year for providing medical assistance to individuals who provided inconsistent information as the number of individuals with inconsistent information in excess of 3 percent of such total submitted bears to the total number of individuals with inconsistent information.
(C) The Secretary may waive, in certain limited cases, all or part of the payment under subparagraph (B)(ii) if the State is unable to reach the allowable error rate despite a good faith effort by such State.
(D) Subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall not apply to a State for a fiscal year if there is an agreement described in paragraph (2)(B) in effect as of the close of the fiscal year that provides for the submission on a real-time basis of the information described in such paragraph.
(4) Nothing in this subsection shall affect the rights of any individual under this subchapter to appeal any disenrollment from a State plan.
(ff) Disregard of certain property in determination of eligibility of Indians
Notwithstanding any other requirement of this subchapter or any other provision of Federal or State law, a State shall disregard the following property from resources for purposes of determining the eligibility of an individual who is an Indian for medical assistance under this subchapter:
(1) Property, including real property and improvements, that is held in trust, subject to Federal restrictions, or otherwise under the supervision of the Secretary of the Interior, located on a reservation, including any federally recognized Indian Tribe's reservation, pueblo, or colony, including former reservations in Oklahoma, Alaska Native regions established by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act [
(2) For any federally recognized Tribe not described in paragraph (1), property located within the most recent boundaries of a prior Federal reservation.
(3) Ownership interests in rents, leases, royalties, or usage rights related to natural resources (including extraction of natural resources or harvesting of timber, other plants and plant products, animals, fish, and shellfish) resulting from the exercise of federally protected rights.
(4) Ownership interests in or usage rights to items not covered by paragraphs (1) through (3) that have unique religious, spiritual, traditional, or cultural significance or rights that support subsistence or a traditional lifestyle according to applicable tribal law or custom.
(gg) Maintenance of effort
(1) General requirement to maintain eligibility standards until State exchange is fully operational
Subject to the succeeding paragraphs of this subsection, during the period that begins on March 23, 2010, and ends on the date on which the Secretary determines that an Exchange established by the State under
(2) Continuation of eligibility standards for children until October 1, 2019
The requirement under paragraph (1) shall continue to apply to a State through September 30, 2019, with respect to the eligibility standards, methodologies, and procedures under the State plan under this subchapter or under any waiver of such plan that are applicable to determining the eligibility for medical assistance of any child who is under 19 years of age (or such higher age as the State may have elected).
(3) Nonapplication
During the period that begins on January 1, 2011, and ends on December 31, 2013, the requirement under paragraph (1) shall not apply to a State with respect to nonpregnant, nondisabled adults who are eligible for medical assistance under the State plan or under a waiver of the plan at the option of the State and whose income exceeds 133 percent of the poverty line (as defined in
(4) Determination of compliance
(A) States shall apply modified adjusted gross income
A State's determination of income in accordance with subsection (e)(14) shall not be considered to be eligibility standards, methodologies, or procedures that are more restrictive than the standards, methodologies, or procedures in effect under the State plan or under a waiver of the plan on March 23, 2010, for purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1), (2), or (3).
(B) States may expand eligibility or move waivered populations into coverage under the State plan
With respect to any period applicable under paragraph (1), (2), or (3), a State that applies eligibility standards, methodologies, or procedures under the State plan under this subchapter or under any waiver of the plan that are less restrictive than the eligibility standards, methodologies, or procedures, applied under the State plan or under a waiver of the plan on March 23, 2010, or that makes individuals who, on March 23, 2010, are eligible for medical assistance under a waiver of the State plan, after March 23, 2010, eligible for medical assistance through a State plan amendment with an income eligibility level that is not less than the income eligibility level that applied under the waiver, or as a result of the application of subclause (VIII) of subsection (a)(10)(A)(i), shall not be considered to have in effect eligibility standards, methodologies, or procedures that are more restrictive than the standards, methodologies, or procedures in effect under the State plan or under a waiver of the plan on March 23, 2010, for purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1), (2), or (3).
(hh) State option for coverage for individuals with income that exceeds 133 percent of the poverty line
(1) A State may elect to phase-in the extension of eligibility for medical assistance to individuals described in subclause (XX) of subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii) based on the categorical group (including nonpregnant childless adults) or income, so long as the State does not extend such eligibility to individuals described in such subclause with higher income before making individuals described in such subclause with lower income eligible for medical assistance.
(2) If an individual described in subclause (XX) of subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii) is the parent of a child who is under 19 years of age (or such higher age as the State may have elected) who is eligible for medical assistance under the State plan or under a waiver of such plan, the individual may not be enrolled under the State plan unless the individual's child is enrolled under the State plan or under a waiver of the plan or is enrolled in other health insurance coverage. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term "parent" includes an individual treated as a caretaker relative for purposes of carrying out
(ii) State eligibility option for family planning services
(1) Individuals described in this subsection are individuals—
(A) whose income does not exceed an income eligibility level established by the State that does not exceed the highest income eligibility level established under the State plan under this subchapter (or under its State child health plan under subchapter XXI) for pregnant women; and
(B) who are not pregnant.
(2) At the option of a State, individuals described in this subsection may include individuals who, had individuals applied on or before January 1, 2007, would have been made eligible pursuant to the standards and processes imposed by that State for benefits described in clause (XVI) of the matter following subparagraph (G) of section 20 subsection (a)(10) pursuant to a waiver granted under
(3) At the option of a State, for purposes of subsection (a)(17)(B), in determining eligibility for services under this subsection, the State may consider only the income of the applicant or recipient.
(jj) Primary care services defined
For purposes of subsection (a)(13)(C), the term "primary care services" means—
(1) evaluation and management services that are procedure codes (for services covered under subchapter XVIII) for services in the category designated Evaluation and Management in the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (established by the Secretary under
(2) services related to immunization administration for vaccines and toxoids for which CPT codes 90465, 90466, 90467, 90468, 90471, 90472, 90473, or 90474 (as subsequently modified) apply under such System.
(kk) Provider and supplier screening, oversight, and reporting requirements
For purposes of subsection (a)(77), the requirements of this subsection are the following:
(1) Screening
The State complies with the process for screening providers and suppliers under this subchapter, as established by the Secretary under section 1395cc(j)(2) 1 of this title.
(2) Provisional period of enhanced oversight for new providers and suppliers
The State complies with procedures to provide for a provisional period of enhanced oversight for new providers and suppliers under this subchapter, as established by the Secretary under section 1395cc(j)(3) 1 of this title.
(3) Disclosure requirements
The State requires providers and suppliers under the State plan or under a waiver of the plan to comply with the disclosure requirements established by the Secretary under section 1395cc(j)(4) 1 of this title.
(4) Temporary moratorium on enrollment of new providers or suppliers
(A) Temporary moratorium imposed by the Secretary
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), the State complies with any temporary moratorium on the enrollment of new providers or suppliers imposed by the Secretary under section 1395cc(j)(6) 1 of this title.
(ii) Exception
A State shall not be required to comply with a temporary moratorium described in clause (i) if the State determines that the imposition of such temporary moratorium would adversely impact beneficiaries' access to medical assistance.
(B) Moratorium on enrollment of providers and suppliers
At the option of the State, the State imposes, for purposes of entering into participation agreements with providers or suppliers under the State plan or under a waiver of the plan, periods of enrollment moratoria, or numerical caps or other limits, for providers or suppliers identified by the Secretary as being at high-risk for fraud, waste, or abuse as necessary to combat fraud, waste, or abuse, but only if the State determines that the imposition of any such period, cap, or other limits would not adversely impact beneficiaries' access to medical assistance.
(5) Compliance programs
The State requires providers and suppliers under the State plan or under a waiver of the plan to establish, in accordance with the requirements of section 1395cc(j)(7) 1 of this title, a compliance program that contains the core elements established under subparagraph (B) of that section 1395cc(j)(7) 1 of this title for providers or suppliers within a particular industry or category.
(6) Reporting of adverse provider actions
The State complies with the national system for reporting criminal and civil convictions, sanctions, negative licensure actions, and other adverse provider actions to the Secretary, through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary.
(7) Enrollment and NPI of ordering or referring providers
The State requires—
(A) all ordering or referring physicians or other professionals to be enrolled under the State plan or under a waiver of the plan as a participating provider; and
(B) the national provider identifier of any ordering or referring physician or other professional to be specified on any claim for payment that is based on an order or referral of the physician or other professional.
(8) Other State oversight
Nothing in this subsection shall be interpreted to preclude or limit the ability of a State to engage in provider and supplier screening or enhanced provider and supplier oversight activities beyond those required by the Secretary.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1902, as added
Amendment of Subsection (a)
For repeal of amendment by section 3(e) of
(1) by striking "or" at the end of subclause (VII);
(2) by adding "or" at the end of subclause (VIII); and
(3) by inserting after subclause (VIII) the following:
(IX) who—
(aa) are under 26 years of age;
(bb) are not described in or enrolled under any of subclauses (I) through (VII) of this clause or are described in any of such subclauses but have income that exceeds the level of income applicable under the State plan for eligibility to enroll for medical assistance under such subclause;
(cc) were in foster care under the responsibility of the State on the date of attaining 18 years of age or such higher age as the State has elected under
(dd) were enrolled in the State plan under this subchapter or under a waiver of the plan while in such foster care;
(1) by striking "at the option of the State, provide" and inserting "provide—
(A) "at the option of the State,";
(2) by inserting "and" after the semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
(B) that any hospital that is a participating provider under the State plan may elect to be a qualified entity for purposes of determining, on the basis of preliminary information, whether any individual is eligible for medical assistance under the State plan or under a waiver of the plan for purposes of providing the individual with medical assistance during a presumptive eligibility period, in the same manner, and subject to the same requirements, as apply to the State options with respect to populations described in
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: "and provide for making medical assistance available to individuals described in subsection (a) of
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking "or 1396r–1b of this title" and inserting "1396r–1b, or 1396r–1c of this title".
Amendment of Subsection (e)(14)
For repeal of amendment by section 3(e) of
(14)
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(i)
(I) Individuals who are eligible for medical assistance under the State plan or under a waiver of the plan on a basis that does not require a determination of income by the State agency administering the State plan or waiver, including as a result of eligibility for, or receipt of, other Federal or State aid or assistance, individuals who are eligible on the basis of receiving (or being treated as if receiving) supplemental security income benefits under subchapter XVI, and individuals who are eligible as a result of being or being deemed to be a child in foster care under the responsibility of the State.
(II) Individuals who have attained age 65.
(III) Individuals who qualify for medical assistance under the State plan or under any waiver of such plan on the basis of being blind or disabled (or being treated as being blind or disabled) without regard to whether the individual is eligible for supplemental security income benefits under subchapter XVI on the basis of being blind or disabled and including an individual who is eligible for medical assistance on the basis of paragraph (3).
(IV) Individuals described in subsection (a)(10)(C).
(V) Individuals described in any clause of subsection (a)(10)(E).
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(E)
(F)
(G)
(H)
(i) the requirement under this subchapter and under the State plan or a waiver of the plan to determine an individual's income as of the point in time at which an application for medical assistance under the State plan or a waiver of the plan is processed; or
(ii) any rules established under this subchapter or under the State plan or a waiver of the plan regarding sources of countable income.
(I)
(i) determine the dollar equivalent of the difference between the upper income limit on eligibility for such an individual (expressed as a percentage of the poverty line) and such upper income limit increased by 5 percentage points; and
(ii) notwithstanding the requirement in subparagraph (A) with respect to use of modified adjusted gross income, utilize as the applicable income of such individual, in determining such income eligibility, an amount equal to the modified adjusted gross income applicable to such individual reduced by such dollar equivalent amount.
References in Text
Parts A, D, and E of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a), (c), (e)(1), (10), (13)(F)(ii)(I)(aa), (bb), and (l)(3), are classified to sections 601 et seq., 651 et seq., and 670 et seq., respectively, of this title.
The Child Nutrition Act of 1966, referred to in subsecs. (a)(7) and (e)(13)(F)(ii)(I)(hh), is
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)(7) and (e)(13)(F)(ii)(I)(gg), is act June 4, 1946, ch. 281,
Parts A and B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(10), (13)(B), (C), are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
The date of the enactment of section 211(a) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (a)(10)(A)(i)(II)(aa), is the date of enactment of
Section 1383(a)(4)(A)(i) and (ii) of this title, referred to in subsec. (a)(20)(C), is a reference to section 1383(a)(4)(A)(i) and (ii) existing prior to the general revision of subchapter XVI of this chapter by
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)(81), (82)(A), (u)(3) and (aa)(3), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373,
Part B of subchapter XI of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (d), is classified to
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (e)(13)(F)(ii)(I)(ee), is
The Head Start Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(13)(F)(ii)(I)(ff), is subchapter B (§635 et seq.) of
The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (e)(13)(F)(ii)(I)(ii), is subchapter C (§658A et seq.) of
The Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(13)(F)(ii)(I)(jj), was
The United States Housing Act of 1937, referred to in subsec. (e)(13)(F)(ii)(I)(kk), is act Sept. 1, 1937, ch. 896, as revised generally by
The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (e)(13)(F)(ii)(I)(ll), is
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (u)(3), is classified generally to Title 26.
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (u)(3), is
Section 2701 of the Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (aa)(4), is section 2701 of act July 1, 1944, which was classified to
Section 1710(1) of the Government Paperwork Elimination Act, referred to in subsec. (dd), is section 1710(1) of
The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, referred to in subsec. (ff)(1), is
Codification
In subsec. (a)(4)(D), "
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(7).
"(A) the administration of the plan; and
"(B) at State option, the exchange of information necessary to verify the certification of eligibility of children for free or reduced price breakfasts under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and free or reduced price lunches under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, in accordance with section 9(b) of that Act, using data standards and formats established by the State agency;".
Subsec. (a)(9)(D).
Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XX).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXI).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXII).
Subsec. (a)(10)(E)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(13)(C).
Subsec. (a)(17).
Subsec. (a)(23).
Subsec. (a)(39).
Subsec. (a)(42).
Subsec. (a)(74).
Subsec. (a)(75).
Subsec. (a)(76).
Subsec. (a)(77).
Subsec. (a)(78).
"(A) has unpaid overpayments (as defined by the Secretary) under this subchapter during such period determined by the Secretary or the State agency to be delinquent;
"(B) is suspended or excluded from participation under or whose participation is terminated under this subchapter during such period; or
"(C) is affiliated with an individual or entity that has been suspended or excluded from participation under this subchapter or whose participation is terminated under this subchapter during such period;".
Subsec. (a)(79).
Subsec. (a)(80).
Subsec. (a)(81).
Subsec. (a)(82).
Subsec. (a)(83).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
Subsec. (e)(13)(F)(ii).
Subsec. (e)(14).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (k)(2).
Subsec. (l)(2)(C).
Subsec. (gg).
Subsec. (gg)(4)(A).
Subsec. (hh).
Subsec. (ii).
Subsec. (ii)(2).
Subsec. (jj).
Subsec. (kk).
2009—Subsec. (a)(10)(E)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(25)(I)(i).
Subsec. (a)(43)(D)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(46).
Subsec. (a)(72).
Subsec. (a)(73).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(13).
Subsec. (dd).
Subsec. (ee).
Subsec. (ff).
2008—Subsec. (a)(10)(E)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(71).
2007—Subsec. (a)(10)(E)(iv).
2006—Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(i)(II).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XIX).
Subsec. (a)(25)(A).
Subsec. (a)(25)(G).
Subsec. (a)(25)(I).
Subsec. (a)(68).
Subsec. (a)(69).
Subsec. (a)(70).
Subsec. (cc).
Subsec. (cc)(2).
2005—Subsec. (a)(10)(E)(iv).
2004—Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(10)(E)(iv).
2003—Subsec. (a)(10)(E)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(66).
Subsec. (a)(67).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
2002—Subsec. (a)(15).
Subsec. (aa).
Subsec. (aa)(4).
Subsec. (bb).
2000—Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XVIII).
Subsec. (a)(13)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(13)(B).
Subsec. (a)(13)(C).
Subsec. (a)(15).
Subsec. (a)(47).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
Subsec. (aa).
1999—Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XIV).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XV).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XVI).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XVII).
Subsec. (a)(10)(G).
Subsec. (a)(13)(C)(i).
Subsec. (a)(30)(A).
Subsec. (a)(30)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(30)(C).
Subsec. (a)(60).
Subsec. (a)(64).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (l)(1)(C).
Subsec. (l)(3).
Subsec. (l)(4)(B).
Subsec. (v).
1997—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(4)(C), (D).
Subsec. (a)(9)(C).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(i)(II).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XIII).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XIV).
Subsec. (a)(10)(E)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(13)(A).
Subsec. (a)(13)(B).
Subsec. (a)(13)(C).
"(i) one-half of the percentage increase (as measured over the same period of time, or, if necessary, as extrapolated retrospectively by the Secretary) in the Dodge Construction Systems Costs for Nursing Homes, applied in the aggregate with respect to those facilities which have undergone a change of ownership during the fiscal year, or
"(ii) one-half of the percentage increase (as measured over the same period of time) in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (United States city average);".
Subsec. (a)(13)(D), (E).
Subsec. (a)(13)(F).
Subsec. (a)(23).
Subsec. (a)(23)(B).
Subsec. (a)(25)(A)(ii).
"(I) be integrated with, and be monitored as a part of the Secretary's review of, the State's mechanized claims processing and information retrieval system under
"(II) be subject to the provisions of
Subsec. (a)(25)(G) to (I).
Subsec. (a)(26).
"(A) with respect to each patient"
and struck out subpars. (B) and (C) which read as follows:
"(B) for periodic inspections to be made in all mental institutions within the State by one or more medical review teams (composed of physicians and other appropriate health and social service personnel) of the care being provided to each person receiving medical assistance, including (i) the adequacy of the services available to meet his current health needs and promote his maximum physical well-being, (ii) the necessity and desirability of his continued placement in the institution, and (iii) the feasibility of meeting his health care needs through alternative institutional or noninstitutional services; and
"(C) for full reports to the State agency by each medical review team of the findings of each inspection under subparagraph (B), together with any recommendations;".
Subsec. (a)(31).
"(A) with respect to each patient"
and struck out subpars. (B) and (C) which read as follows:
"(B) with respect to each intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded within the State, for periodic onsite inspections of the care being provided to each person receiving medical assistance, by one or more independent professional review teams (composed of a physician or registered nurse and other appropriate health and social service personnel), including with respect to each such person (i) the adequacy of the services available to meet his current health needs and promote his maximum physical well-being, (ii) the necessity and desirability of his continued placement in the facility, and (iii) the feasibility of meeting his health care needs through alternative institutional or noninstitutional services; and
"(C) for full reports to the State agency by each independent professional review team of the findings of each inspection under subparagraph (B), together with any recommendations;".
Subsec. (a)(47).
Subsec. (a)(57).
Subsec. (a)(63).
Subsec. (a)(64).
Subsec. (a)(65).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(12).
Subsec. (i)(1)(B).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (l)(1)(D).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (p)(2).
Subsec. (r)(1).
Subsec. (w)(2)(E).
Subsec. (w)(5).
1996—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(25)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(59).
Subsec. (a)(63).
Subsec. (c).
"(1) the State has in effect, under its plan established under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, payment levels that are less than the payment levels in effect under such plan on May 1, 1988; or
"(2) the State requires individuals described in subsection (l)(1) of this section to apply for benefits under such part as a condition of applying for, or receiving, medical assistance under this subchapter."
Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
Subsec. (j).
1994—Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XI).
Subsec. (a)(11)(C), (53)(A).
1993—Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XII).
Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(11).
Subsec. (a)(18).
Subsec. (a)(25)(A).
Subsec. (a)(25)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(25)(H).
Subsec. (a)(25)(I).
Subsec. (a)(32)(D).
Subsec. (a)(43)(A).
Subsec. (a)(51).
Subsec. (a)(54).
"(A) provide that, any formulary or similar restriction (except as provided in
"(B) comply with the reporting requirements of
Subsec. (a)(55).
Subsec. (a)(56).
Subsec. (a)(57).
Subsec. (a)(58).
Subsec. (a)(59).
Subsec. (a)(60).
Subsec. (a)(61).
Subsec. (a)(62).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k).
"(k)(1) In the case of a medicaid qualifying trust (described in paragraph (2)), the amounts from the trust deemed available to a grantor, for purposes of subsection (a)(17) of this section, is the maximum amount of payments that may be permitted under the terms of the trust to be distributed to the grantor, assuming the full exercise of discretion by the trustee or trustees for the distribution of the maximum amount to the grantor. For purposes of the previous sentence, the term 'grantor' means the individual referred to in paragraph (2).
"(2) For purposes of this subsection, a 'medicaid qualifying trust' is a trust, or similar legal device, established (other than by will) by an individual (or an individual's spouse) under which the individual may be the beneficiary of all or part of the payments from the trust and the distribution of such payments is determined by one or more trustees who are permitted to exercise any discretion with respect to the distribution to the individual.
"(3) This subsection shall apply without regard to—
"(A) whether or not the medicaid qualifying trust is irrevocable or is established for purposes other than to enable a grantor to qualify for medical assistance under this subchapter; or
"(B) whether or not the discretion described in paragraph (2) is actually exercised.
"(4) The State may waive the application of this subsection with respect to an individual where the State determines that such application would work an undue hardship."
Subsec. (z).
1991—Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (t).
1990—Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(i)(VII).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(IX).
Subsec. (a)(10)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(10)(E)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(10)(F).
Subsec. (a)(13)(A).
Subsec. (a)(13)(E).
Subsec. (a)(13)(F).
Subsec. (a)(17).
Subsec. (a)(25)(G).
Subsec. (a)(32)(C).
Subsec. (a)(41).
Subsec. (a)(54).
Subsec. (a)(55).
Subsec. (a)(57).
Subsec. (a)(58).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(6).
Subsec. (e)(11).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (l)(1)(C).
Subsec. (l)(1)(D).
Subsec. (l)(2)(C).
Subsec. (l)(3).
Subsec. (l)(4)(A).
Subsec. (l)(4)(B).
Subsec. (m)(1)(B).
Subsec. (m)(2)(C).
Subsec. (r)(1).
Subsec. (r)(2)(A).
Subsec. (s).
Subsec. (t).
Subsec. (u).
Subsec. (v).
Subsec. (w).
Subsec. (x).
Subsec. (y).
1989—Subsec. (a)(9)(C).
Subsec.(a)(10)(A).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(i)(VI).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(IX).
Subsec. (a)(10)(E).
Subsec. (a)(11)(C).
Subsec. (a)(13)(D).
Subsec. (a)(13)(E).
Subsec. (a)(30)(A).
Subsec. (a)(43)(A).
Subsec. (a)(43)(D).
Subsec. (a)(53).
Subsec. (e)(7).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (l)(1)(C), (D).
Subsec. (l)(2)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (l)(2)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (l)(2)(B), (C).
Subsec. (l)(3).
Subsec. (l)(3)(C).
Subsec. (l)(4)(A).
Subsec. (l)(4)(B).
Subsec. (p)(2)(C).
Subsec. (r)(2)(A).
1988—Subsec. (a)(9)(C).
Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(i)(I).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(i)(IV).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(i)(V).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(VI).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(IX).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(X).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XI).
Subsec. (a)(10)(C)(i)(III).
Subsec. (a)(10)(E).
Subsec. (a)(13)(A).
Subsec. (a)(13)(C).
Subsec. (a)(13)(D).
Subsec. (a)(15).
Subsec. (a)(17).
Subsec. (a)(28)(D)(i).
Subsec. (a)(33)(B).
Subsec. (a)(44)(A).
Subsec. (a)(50).
Subsec. (a)(51).
Subsec. (a)(52).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(6).
Subsec. (e)(7).
Subsec. (e)(10).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (l)(1).
Subsec. (l)(1)(C).
Subsec. (l)(2)(A).
Subsec. (l)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (l)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (l)(3).
Subsec. (l)(4).
"(A) A State plan may not elect the option of furnishing medical assistance to individuals described in subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)(IX) of this section unless the State has in effect, under its plan established under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, payment levels that are not less than the payment levels in effect under its plan on July 1, 1987.
"(B)(i) A State may not elect, under subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)(IX) of this section, to cover only individuals described in paragraph (1)(A) or to cover only individuals described in paragraph (1)(B).
"(ii) A State may not elect, under subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)(IX) of this section, to cover individuals described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) unless the State has elected, under such subsection, to cover individuals described in the preceding subparagraphs of such paragraph.
"(C) A State plan may not provide, in its election of the option of furnishing medical assistance to individuals described in paragraph (1), that such individuals must apply for benefits under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter as a condition of applying for, or receiving, medical assistance under this subchapter."
Subsec. (m)(3).
Subsec. (m)(4).
Subsec. (m)(4)(A).
Subsec. (m)(5).
Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (q).
Subsec. (r).
Subsec. (r)(2)(A).
1987—Subsec. (a)(9)(C).
Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(VI).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(IX), (X).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XI).
Subsec. (a)(10)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(10)(D).
Subsec. (a)(13)(A).
Subsec. (a)(13)(C).
Subsec. (a)(13)(D).
Subsec. (a)(17).
Subsec. (a)(23).
Subsec. (a)(28).
Subsec. (a)(30)(B)(i), (ii).
Subsec. (a)(30)(C).
Subsec. (a)(31).
Subsec. (a)(33)(B).
Subsec. (a)(38).
Subsec. (a)(39).
Subsec. (a)(42).
Subsec. (a)(44).
Subsec. (a)(44)(A).
Subsec. (a)(44)(B).
Subsec. (a)(46).
Subsec. (a)(47).
Subsec. (a)(48).
Subsec. (a)(49).
Subsec. (a)(50).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (e)(3)(C).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (e)(7).
Subsec. (e)(9).
Subsec. (e)(9)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (e)(9)(B).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (l).
Subsec. (l)(1).
Subsec. (l)(1)(C).
Subsec. (l)(1)(D) to (F).
Subsec. (l)(2).
Subsec. (l)(3)(C).
Subsec. (l)(3)(D).
Subsec. (l)(3)(E).
Subsec. (l)(4)(A).
Subsec. (l)(4)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (l)(4)(C).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A).
Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (p).
Subsec. (q).
1986—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(9)(C).
Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(i)(I).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(i)(II).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(V).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(VII).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(VIII).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(IX).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(X).
Subsec. (a)(10)(C).
Subsec. (a)(10)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(10)(E).
Subsec. (a)(13)(B).
Subsec. (a)(13)(C).
Subsec. (a)(13)(D).
Subsec. (a)(13)(E).
Subsec. (a)(15).
Subsec. (a)(17).
Subsec. (a)(25).
Subsec. (a)(30)(C).
Subsec. (a)(47).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (e)(6), (7).
Subsec. (e)(8).
Subsec. (e)(9).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l).
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (m)(3).
Subsec. (m)(5).
Subsec. (n).
1984—Subsec. (a)(9)(C).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(10(A)(i)(I).
Subsec. (a)(13)(A).
Subsec. (a)(13)(B), (C).
Subsec. (a)(20)(B).
Subsec. (a)(20)(C).
Subsec. (a)(26).
Subsec. (a)(26)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(26)(C).
Subsec. (a)(28).
Subsec. (a)(30).
Subsec. (a)(31).
Subsec. (a)(33)(A).
Subsec. (a)(42).
Subsec. (a)(43).
Subsec. (a)(44).
Subsec. (a)(45).
Subsec. (a)(46).
Subsec. (a), foll. par. (46).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (f).
1982—Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A).
Subsec. (a)(10)(C), (D).
Subsec. (a)(10)(C)(i).
Subsec. (a)(10)(C)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (a)(18).
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(2) to (4).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (j).
1981—Subsec. (a)(9)(C).
Subsec. (a)(10)(A).
Subsec. (a)(10)(B).
Subsec. (a)(10)(C).
Subsec. (a)(10)(D).
Subsec. (a)(11).
Subsec. (a)(13)(A).
Subsec. (a)(13)(B).
Subsec. (a)(13)(C).
Subsec. (a)(13)(D).
Subsec. (a)(13)(E), (F).
Subsec. (a)(20)(D).
Subsec. (a)(23).
Subsec. (a)(25)(C).
Subsec. (a)(30).
Subsec. (a)(39).
Subsec. (a)(44).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (h).
1980—Subsec. (a)(13)(B).
Subsec. (a)(13)(C)(i).
Subsec. (a)(13)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(13)(D).
Subsec. (a)(13)(D)(i).
Subsec. (a)(13)(E).
Subsec. (a)(14)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(33)(B).
Subsec. (a)(35).
Subsec. (a)(39).
Subsec. (a)(41).
Subsec. (a)(42).
Subsec. (a)(43).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j).
1978—Subsec. (a)(4)(C).
1977—Subsec. (a)(13)(F).
Subsec. (a)(23).
Subsec. (a)(26).
Subsec. (a)(27)(B).
Subsec. (a)(32).
Subsec. (a)(35).
Subsec. (a)(37).
Subsec. (a)(38).
Subsec. (a)(39).
Subsec. (a)(40).
Subsec. (a), foll. par. (40).
Subsec. (g).
1976—Subsec. (g).
1975—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(23).
Subsec. (g).
1974—Subsec. (a)(14)(B)(i).
1973—Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (a)(13)(B).
Subsec. (a)(13)(C)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (a)(14)(A).
Subsec. (a)(14)(B).
Subsec. (a)(17).
Subsec. (a)(18).
Subsec. (a)(20)(C).
Subsec. (a)(21), (24).
Subsec. (a)(26)(B).
Subsec. (a)(33)(A).
Subsec. (a)(34).
Subsec. (a)(35)(A).
Subsec. (a)(35) to (37).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(9).
Subsec. (a)(13)(A)(ii), (C).
Subsec. (a)(13)(D).
Subsec. (a)(13)(E).
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (a)(23).
Subsec. (a)(26).
Subsec. (a)(28).
Subsec. (a)(30).
Subsec. (a)(31)(A).
Subsec. (a)(32).
Subsec. (a)(33).
Subsec. (a)(34).
Subsec. (a)(35).
Subsec. (a)(37).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
1971—Subsec. (a)(31).
1969—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
1968—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(10).
Subsec. (a)(11).
Subsec. (a)(13).
Subsec. (a)(13)(A).
Subsec. (a)(14)(A).
Subsec. (a)(14)(B).
Subsec. (a)(15).
Subsec. (a)(17).
Subsec. (a)(23) to (30).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c).
Effective and Termination Dates of 2010 Amendment
"(A)
"(B)
Amendment by
Amendment by
"(1)
"(2)
"(a)
"(b)
Amendment by section 8002(a)(2), (b) of
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by section 113(b)(1) of
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (b) [amending this section and
"(ii) paragraph (4) of subsection (b) [amending
"(2)
"(3)
[For definition of "Medicaid", see section 1(c)(2) of
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2003 Amendments
Amendment by section 236(b)(1) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
Effective Date of 2000 Amendments
Effective Date of 1999 Amendments
Amendment by section 205(c) of
Amendment by section 206(b) of
"(1) The amendment made by subsection (a)(1) [amending this section] applies to expenditures made on and after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 29, 1999].
"(2) The amendments made by subsections (a)(2) and (b) [amending this section and
Effective Date of 1997 Amendments
Amendment by section 4106(c) of
Amendment by section 4454(b)(1) of
Amendment by section 4701(b)(2)(A)(i)–(iv), (d)(1) of
Amendment by section 4702(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 4709 of
Section 4711(d) of
Section 4712(b)(3) of
Section 4714(c) of
Section 4715(b) of
Section 4724(c)(2) of
Section 4724(g)(2) of
Section 4731(c) of
Section 4741(c) of
Section 4751(c) of
Section 4752(b) of
Section 4753(c) of
Section 4911(c) of
Section 4912(c) of
Section 4913(b) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendments
Section 1(a)(2) of
Amendment by sections 108(k) and 114(b)–(d)(1), of
Section 913 of
Effective Date of 1994 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by section 13581(b)(2) of
Section 13601(c) of
Amendment by section 13602(c) of
Section 13603(f) of
Amendment by section 13611(d)(1) of
Section 13622(d) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by subsections (a)(1), (b), and (c) [amending this section] shall apply to calendar quarters beginning on or after October 1, 1993, without regard to whether or not final regulations to carry out such amendments have been promulgated by such date.
"(2) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and
"(3) The amendment made by subsection (a)(2) [amending
Amendment by section 13623(a) of
Section 13625(b) of
Section 13631(e)(2) of
Section 13631(f)(3) of
"(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and
"(B) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this subsection, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 1993]. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature."
Section 13631(i) of
Effective Date of 1991 Amendment
Section 2(c)(1) of
Section 3(e)(1) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4402(e) of
"(1) The amendments made by this section [enacting
"(2) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation authorizing or appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by subsection (a) [enacting
Section 4501(f) of
Section 4601(b) of
"(1) The amendments made by this subsection [probably should be "section", which amended this section and
"(2) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation authorizing or appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this subsection [section], the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 5, 1990]. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature."
Section 4602(b) of
Section 4603(b) of
"(1)
"(2)
Section 4604(d) of
"(1) The amendments made by this subsection [probably should be "section", which amended this section and
"(2) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation authorizing or appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this subsection [section], the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 5, 1990]. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature."
Amendment by section 4701(b)(1) of
Section 4704(f) of
Section 4708(b) of
Section 4711(e) of
"(1) Except as provided in this subsection, the amendments made by this section [enacting
"(2)(A) The amendments made by subsection (c)(1) [amending this section] shall apply to home and community care furnished on or after July 1, 1991, or, if later, 30 days after the date of publication of interim regulations under section 1929(k)(1) [
"(B) The amendment made by subsection (c)(2) [amending
Section 4713(c) of
Section 4715(b) of
Section 4732(e) of
Section 4751(c) of
Section 4752(c)(2) of
Section 4754(b) of
Section 4755(c)(1) of
Section 4801(e)(11) of
Section 4801(e)(19) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendments
Amendment by section 6115(c) of
Section 6401(c) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 1989]. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature."
Section 6402(c), formerly §6402(d), of
Section 6403(e) of
Section 6404(d) of
"(1) The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 1989]. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature."
Section 6405(c) of
Section 6406(b) of
Section 6408(c)(2) of
Section 6408(d)(5) of
"(A) The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and
"(B) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this subsection, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 1989]. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature."
Section 6411(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 6411(d)(3)(B) of
Section 6411(e)(4) of
"(A)
"(B)
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Section 8434(c) of
Amendment by section 202(c)(4) of
Section 303(f) of
"(1) The amendments made by this section [enacting
"(2) The amendment made by subsection (b)(3) [amending
"(3) The amendment made by subsection (d) [amending this section] shall become effective on the effective date of section 402(a)(43) of the Social Security Act, as inserted by section 403(a) of this Act [the first day of the first calendar quarter to begin one year or more after Oct. 13, 1988, see section 403(b) of
"(4) The amendment made by subsection (e) [amending provisions formerly set out as a note under
Section 401(g) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), and in section 1905(m)(2) of the Social Security Act [
"(2) The amendments made by this section shall not become effective with respect to Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, or the Virgin Islands, until the date of the repeal of the limitations contained in section 1108(a) of the Social Security Act [
[Section 234(b) of
Amendment by section 608(d)(14)(I), (15)(A), (B), (16)(C), (27)(F)–(H), (28) of
Amendment by section 204(d)(3) of
Amendment by section 301(e)(2) of
Section 301(h) of
"(1) The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(A) monthly premiums under title XVIII of such Act [subchapter XVIII of this chapter] for months beginning with January 1989, and
"(B) items and services furnished on and after January 1, 1989.
"(2) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 1, 1988]. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature."
Section 302(f) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
Amendment by section 303(d) of
Amendment by section 303(e)(1), (5) of
Subsec. (a)(51)(A), as enacted by section 303(e)(2)–(4) of
Subsec. (a)(51)(B), as enacted by section 303(e)(2)–(4) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendments
For effective date of amendment by section 4072(d) of
Section 4101(a)(3) of
Section 4101(b)(3) of
Amendment by section 4101(c)(2) of
Section 4101(e)(6) of
"(A) The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall become effective on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987].
"(B) The amendments made by paragraphs (2) and (3) [amending this section] shall be effective as if they had been included in the enactment of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 [
"(C) The amendment made by paragraph (4) [amending this section] shall apply to elections made on or after the enactment of this Act.
"(D) The amendment made by paragraph (5) [amending this section] shall apply as if included in the enactment of section 9401 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 [
Section 4113(c)(3) of
Section 4118(c)(2) of
Section 4118(h)(3), formerly §4118(h)(2), of
Section 4118(m)(2) of
Amendments by sections 4211(b)(1), (h)(1)–(5), 4212(d)(2), (3), (e)(1) of
Section 4212(d)(4) of
"(A) the State has specified the resident assessment instrument under section 1919(e)(5) of the Social Security Act [
"(B) the State has begun conducting surveys under section 1919(g)(2) of such Act."
Amendment by section 4213(b)(1) of
Section 4218(b) of
Amendment by section 9115(b) of
Section 9119(d)(2) of
Amendment by sections 5(a) and 8(f) of
Amendment by section 7 of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Section 10(b) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by sections 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 [amending this section and
"(2) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation in order for the plan to meet the requirements imposed by the amendments made by section 3(b) [amending this section] and section 7 of this Act [amending this section and
Section 11005(c)(2) of
Amendment by
Amendment by section 9320(h)(3) of
Section 9401(f) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) Subparagraph (C) of section 1902(l)(1) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (l)(1)(C) of this section], as added by subsection (b) of this section, shall apply to medical assistance furnished in calendar quarters beginning on or after October 1, 1987.
"(3) An amendment made by this section shall become effective as provided in paragraph (1) or (2) without regard to whether or not final regulations to carry out such amendment have been promulgated by the applicable date."
Section 9402(c) of
Section 9403(h) of
Section 9404(c) of
"(1) The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1986]."
Section 9406(c) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirement imposed by the amendment made in subsection (b) [amending this section], the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet such additional requirement before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1986]."
Section 9407(d) of
Section 9408(d) of
Section 9431(c) of
Section 9433(b) of
Section 9435(f) of
Section 9501(d)(2), (3) of
"(2)
"(3)
Section 9503(g) of
"(1) Except as otherwise provided, the amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act.
"(3) No penalty may be applied against any State for a violation of section 1902(a)(25) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(25) of this section] occurring prior to the effective date of the amendments made by this section.
"(4) The amendment made by subsection (c) [enacting provisions set out below] shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 7, 1986]."
Section 9505(e) of
Section 9506(b), (c) of
"(b)
"(c)
Section 9509(b) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and enacting provisions set out below] shall apply to medical assistance furnished on or after October 1, 1985, but only with respect to changes of ownership occurring on or after such date.
"(2) The amendments made by this section shall not apply with respect to a change of ownership pursuant to an enforceable agreement entered into prior to October 1, 1985.
"(3) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet the requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 7, 1986]."
Section 9510(b) of
Section 9529(a)(2) of
Section 9529(b)(3) of
Amendment by section 12305(b)(3) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 2303(g)(1) of
Section 2314(c)(3) of
"(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to medical assistance furnished on or after October 1, 1984.
"(B) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation in order for the plan to meet the additional requirement imposed by the amendments made by this section [amending this section and
Amendment by section 2335(e) of
Section 2361(d) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984]."
Section 2362(b) of
Amendment by section 2363(a)(1) of
Section 2367(c) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation in order for the plan to meet the additional requirement imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet this additional requirement before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984]."
Section 2368(c) of
Amendment by section 2651(c) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by section 131(a), (c) of
Amendment by section 132(a), (c) of
Section 134(b) of
Amendment by section 136(d) of
Section 137(d) of
"(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, any amendment to the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 [
"(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, any amendment to the Social Security Act [this chapter] made by the preceding provisions of this section [amending this section and
Amendment by section 146(a) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 2113(o) of
Section 2171(c) of
Section 2172(c) of
Section 2173(b)(2) of
Section 2174(c) of
Section 2175(d)(2) of
"(A) The amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall (except as provided under subparagraph (B)) be effective with respect to payments under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] for calendar quarters beginning on or after October 1, 1981.
"(B) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation in order for the plan to meet the additional requirement imposed by the amendment made by paragraph (1)(C), the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet this additional requirement before the first day of the first calendar year beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 13, 1981]."
Section 2178(c) of
Section 2181(b) of
For effective date, savings, and transitional provisions relating to amendment by section 2193(c)(9) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by section 902(b) of
Section 914(b)(2) of
"(A) The amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall (except as provided under subparagraph (B)) apply to cost reporting periods, beginning on or after April 1, 1981, of an entity providing services under a State plan approved under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter]."
"(B) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary determines requires State legislation in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by paragraph (1), the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act."
Section 918(b)(2) of
"(A) The amendments made by paragraph (1) [enacting this section] shall (except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (B)) apply to medical assistance provided, under a State plan approved under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], on and after the first day of the first calendar quarter that begins more than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 5, 1980].
"(B) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by paragraph (1), the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act."
Section 962(b) of
Section 965(c) of
"(1) The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act."
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Section 14(a)(2) of
"(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall take effect one hundred and eighty days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 1, 1978].
"(B) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] which the Secretary determines requires State legislation in order for the plan to meet the requirement added by the amendments made by paragraph (1), such amendments shall not apply with respect to such State plan before ninety days after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act."
Effective Date of 1977 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 2(a)(3) of
Section 2(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 3(c)(1) of
Section 7(e)(2) of
Section 19(c)(2) of
"(A) The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section and
"(B) The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section and
"(C) Except as provided in subparagraphs (A) and (B), the amendments made by subsection (b)(2) [amending this section] shall apply, with respect to State plans approved under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], on and after October 1, 1977."
Amendment by section 20(b) of
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Section 2 of
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Section 111(c) of
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Section 9(b) of
Effective Date of 1973 Amendment
Section 13(d) of
Section 18(z–3)(4) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 208(b) of
Section 209(b)(2) of
Section 232(c) of
Amendment by section 236(b) of
Section 237(d)(2) of
Section 239(d) of
Amendment by section 246(a) of
Section 255(b) of
Section 268(c) of
Amendment by section 299D(b) of
Effective Date of 1971 Amendment
Section 4(d) of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by section 210(a)(6) of
Section 223(b) of
Section 224(b) of
Section 224(c)(2) of
Section 227(b) of
Section 229(b) of
Section 234(b) of
Section 235(b) of
Enactment by section 236(a) of
Section 237 of
Section 238 of
Regulations
Section 9503(c) of
Construction of 2009 Amendment
Construction of 1999 Amendment
"(1) the amendments made by that Act [see Tables for classification] shall be executed as if this Act [see Short Title of 1999 Amendment note under
"(2) with respect to subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section [amending this section], any reference to subclause (XIII) is deemed a reference to subclause (XV);
"(3) with respect to subsection (a)(1)(B) of this section [amending this section], any reference to subclause (XIV) is deemed a reference to subclause (XVI);
"(4) [Amended this section.]
"(5) [Amended
Transfer of Functions
Functions, powers, and duties of Secretary of Health and Human Services under subsec. (a)(4)(A) of this section, insofar as relates to the prescription of personnel standards on a merit basis, transferred to Office of Personnel Management, see
Reports to Congress
Demonstration Project To Evaluate Integrated Care Around a Hospitalization
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) with respect to an episode of care that includes a hospitalization; and
"(B) for concurrent physicians services provided during a hospitalization.
"(2)
"(b)
"(1) The demonstration project shall be conducted in up to 8 States, determined by the Secretary based on consideration of the potential to lower costs under the Medicaid program while improving care for Medicaid beneficiaries. A State selected to participate in the demonstration project may target the demonstration project to particular categories of beneficiaries, beneficiaries with particular diagnoses, or particular geographic regions of the State, but the Secretary shall insure [sic] that, as a whole, the demonstration project is, to the greatest extent possible, representative of the demographic and geographic composition of Medicaid beneficiaries nationally.
"(2) The demonstration project shall focus on conditions where there is evidence of an opportunity for providers of services and suppliers to improve the quality of care furnished to Medicaid beneficiaries while reducing total expenditures under the State Medicaid programs selected to participate, as determined by the Secretary.
"(3) A State selected to participate in the demonstration project shall specify the 1 or more episodes of care the State proposes to address in the project, the services to be included in the bundled payments, and the rationale for the selection of such episodes of care and services. The Secretary may modify the episodes of care as well as the services to be included in the bundled payments prior to or after approving the project. The Secretary may also vary such factors among the different States participating in the demonstration project.
"(4) The Secretary shall ensure that payments made under the demonstration project are adjusted for severity of illness and other characteristics of Medicaid beneficiaries within a category or having a diagnosis targeted as part of the demonstration project. States shall ensure that Medicaid beneficiaries are not liable for any additional cost sharing than if their care had not been subject to payment under the demonstration project.
"(5) Hospitals participating in the demonstration project shall have or establish robust discharge planning programs to ensure that Medicaid beneficiaries requiring post-acute care are appropriately placed in, or have ready access to, post-acute care settings.
"(6) The Secretary and each State selected to participate in the demonstration project shall ensure that the demonstration project does not result in the Medicaid beneficiaries whose care is subject to payment under the demonstration project being provided with less items and services for which medical assistance is provided under the State Medicaid program than the items and services for which medical assistance would have been provided to such beneficiaries under the State Medicaid program in the absence of the demonstration project.
"(c)
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
Pediatric Accountable Care Organization Demonstration Project
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(d)
"(e)
Medicaid Emergency Psychiatric Demonstration Project
"(a)
"(1) have attained age 21, but have not attained age 65;
"(2) are eligible for medical assistance under such plan; and
"(3) require such medical assistance to stabilize an emergency medical condition.
"(b)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(d)
"(e)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(2) 5-
"(3)
"(A) the aggregate amount of payments made by the Secretary to eligible States under this section exceed $75,000,000; or
"(B) payments be provided by the Secretary under this section after December 31, 2015.
"(4)
"(5)
"(f)
"(1)
"(A) An assessment of access to inpatient mental health services under the Medicaid program; average lengths of inpatient stays; and emergency room visits.
"(B) An assessment of discharge planning by participating hospitals.
"(C) An assessment of the impact of the demonstration project on the costs of the full range of mental health services (including inpatient, emergency and ambulatory care).
"(D) An analysis of the percentage of consumers with Medicaid coverage who are admitted to inpatient facilities as a result of the demonstration project as compared to those admitted to these same facilities through other means.
"(E) A recommendation regarding whether the demonstration project should be continued after December 31, 2013, and expanded on a national basis.
"(2)
"(g)
"(1)
"(2)
"(h)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
Incentives for Prevention of Chronic Diseases in Medicaid
"(a)
"(1)
"(A)
"(i) successfully participate in a program described in paragraph (3); and
"(ii) upon completion of such participation, demonstrate changes in health risk and outcomes, including the adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviors by meeting specific targets (as described in subsection (c)(2)).
"(B)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(3)
"(A)
"(i) Ceasing use of tobacco products.
"(ii) Controlling or reducing their weight.
"(iii) Lowering their cholesterol.
"(iv) Lowering their blood pressure.
"(v) Avoiding the onset of diabetes or, in the case of a diabetic, improving the management of that condition.
"(B)
"(C)
"(D)
"(4)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(c)
"(1) track Medicaid beneficiary participation in the program and validate changes in health risk and outcomes with clinical data, including the adoption and maintenance of health behaviors by such beneficiaries;
"(2) to the extent practicable, establish standards and health status targets for Medicaid beneficiaries participating in the program and measure the degree to which such standards and targets are met;
"(3) evaluate the effectiveness of the program and provide the Secretary with such evaluations;
"(4) report to the Secretary on processes that have been developed and lessons learned from the program; and
"(5) report on preventive services as part of reporting on quality measures for Medicaid managed care programs.
"(d)
"(1)
"(A) the effect of such initiatives on the use of health care services by Medicaid beneficiaries participating in the program;
"(B) the extent to which special populations (including adults with disabilities, adults with chronic illnesses, and children with special health care needs) are able to participate in the program;
"(C) the level of satisfaction of Medicaid beneficiaries with respect to the accessibility and quality of health care services provided through the program; and
"(D) the administrative costs incurred by State agencies that are responsible for administration of the program.
"(2)
"(A) the specific uses of the grant funds;
"(B) an assessment of program implementation and lessons learned from the programs;
"(C) an assessment of quality improvements and clinical outcomes under such programs; and
"(D) estimates of cost savings resulting from such programs.
"(3)
"(4)
"(e)
"(f)
"(g)
"(1)
"(2)
Coordination of Expansion of the Recovery Audit Contractor Program; Regulations
"(A)
"(B)
Annual Report
Purposes of 2009 Amendment
"(1) To provide fiscal relief to States in a period of economic downturn.
"(2) To protect and maintain State Medicaid programs during a period of economic downturn, including by helping to avert cuts to provider payment rates and benefits or services, and to prevent constrictions of income eligibility requirements for such programs, but not to promote increases in such requirements."
Limitation on Waiver Authority
Extension of SSI Web-Based Asset Demonstration Project to the Medicaid Program
Demonstration Projects Regarding Home and Community-Based Alternatives to Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities for Children
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(e)
"(f)
"(1)
"(A) the amount specified in paragraph (2) shall be available for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011; and
"(B) a total of $1,000,000 shall be available to the Secretary for the evaluations and report under subsection (e).
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) fiscal year 2007 is $21,000,000;
"(ii) fiscal year 2008 is $37,000,000;
"(iii) fiscal year 2009 is $49,000,000;
"(iv) fiscal year 2010 is $53,000,000; and
"(v) fiscal year 2011 is $57,000,000."
Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) who, immediately before beginning participation in the MFP demonstration project—
"(i) resides (and has resided for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days) in an inpatient facility;
"(ii) is receiving Medicaid benefits for inpatient services furnished by such inpatient facility; and
"(iii) with respect to whom a determination has been made that, but for the provision of home and community-based long-term care services, the individual would continue to require the level of care provided in an inpatient facility and, in any case in which the State applies a more stringent level of care standard as a result of implementing the State plan option permitted under section 1915(i) of the Social Security Act [
"(B) who resides in a qualified residence beginning on the initial date of participation in the demonstration project.
Any days that an individual resides in an institution on the basis of having been admitted solely for purposes of receiving short-term rehabilitative services for a period for which payment for such services is limited under title XVIII [
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
"(A) a home owned or leased by the individual or the individual's family member;
"(B) an apartment with an individual lease, with lockable access and egress, and which includes living, sleeping, bathing, and cooking areas over which the individual or the individual's family has domain and control; and
"(C) a residence, in a community-based residential setting, in which no more than 4 unrelated individuals reside.
"(7)
"(8)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) specifies those services, if any, which the individual or the individual's authorized representative would be responsible for directing;
"(ii) identifies the methods by which the individual or the individual's authorized representative or an agency designated by an individual or representative will select, manage, and dismiss providers of such services;
"(iii) specifies the role of family members and others whose participation is sought by the individual or the individual's authorized representative with respect to such services;
"(iv) is developed through a person-centered process that—
"(I) is directed by the individual or the individual's authorized representative;
"(II) builds upon the individual's capacity to engage in activities that promote community life and that respects the individual's preferences, choices, and abilities; and
"(III) involves families, friends, and professionals as desired or required by the individual or the individual's authorized representative;
"(v) includes appropriate risk management techniques that recognize the roles and sharing of responsibilities in obtaining services in a self-directed manner and assure the appropriateness of such plan based upon the resources and capabilities of the individual or the individual's authorized representative; and
"(vi) may include an individualized budget which identifies the dollar value of the services and supports under the control and direction of the individual or the individual's authorized representative.
"(C)
"(i) describes the method for calculating the dollar values in such budgets based on reliable costs and service utilization;
"(ii) defines a process for making adjustments in such dollar values to reflect changes in individual assessments and service plans; and
"(iii) provides a procedure to evaluate expenditures under such budgets.
"(9)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(A) the target groups of eligible individuals to be assisted to transition from an inpatient facility to a qualified residence during each fiscal year of the MFP demonstration project;
"(B) the projected numbers of eligible individuals in each targeted group of eligible individuals to be so assisted during each such year; and
"(C) the estimated total annual qualified expenditures for each fiscal year of the MFP demonstration project.
"(6)
"(A) each eligible individual or the individual's authorized representative will be provided the opportunity to make an informed choice regarding whether to participate in the MFP demonstration project;
"(B) each eligible individual or the individual's authorized representative will choose the qualified residence in which the individual will reside and the setting in which the individual will receive home and community-based long-term care services;
"(C) the State will continue to make available, so long as the State operates its qualified HCB program consistent with applicable requirements, home and community-based long-term care services to each individual who completes participation in the MFP demonstration project for as long as the individual remains eligible for medical assistance for such services under such qualified HCB program (including meeting a requirement relating to requiring a level of care provided in an inpatient facility and continuing to require such services, and, if the State applies a more stringent level of care standard as a result of implementing the State plan option permitted under section 1915(i) of the Social Security Act [
"(7)
"(A) provide such information as the Secretary may require concerning the dollar amounts of State Medicaid expenditures for the fiscal year, immediately preceding the first fiscal year of the State's MFP demonstration project, for long-term care services and the percentage of such expenditures that were for institutional long-term care services or were for home and community-based long-term care services;
"(B)(i) specify the methods to be used by the State to increase, for each fiscal year during the MFP demonstration project, the dollar amount of such total expenditures for home and community-based long-term care services and the percentage of such total expenditures for long-term care services that are for home and community-based long-term care services; and
"(ii) describe the extent to which the MFP demonstration project will contribute to accomplishment of objectives described in subsection (a).
"(8)
"(9)
"(A) total expenditures under the State Medicaid program for home and community-based long-term care services will not be less for any fiscal year during the MFP demonstration project than for the greater of such expenditures for—
"(i) fiscal year 2005; or
"(ii) any succeeding fiscal year before the first year of the MFP demonstration project; and
"(B) in the case of a qualified HCB program operating under a waiver under subsection (c) or (d) of section 1915 of the Social Security Act (
"(10)
"(11)
"(A) a plan satisfactory to the Secretary for quality assurance and quality improvement for home and community-based long-term care services under the State Medicaid program, including a plan to assure the health and welfare of individuals participating in the MFP demonstration project; and
"(B) an assurance that the State will cooperate in carrying out activities under subsection (f) to develop and implement continuous quality assurance and quality improvement systems for home and community-based long-term care services.
"(12)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(D)
Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a State to make an election under the project to provide for home and community-based long-term care services as self-directed services, or as requiring an individual to elect to receive self-directed services under the project.
"(13)
"(A) the State will furnish to the Secretary such reports concerning the MFP demonstration project, on such timetable, in such uniform format, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, as will allow for reliable comparisons of MFP demonstration projects across States; and
"(B) the State will participate in and cooperate with the evaluation of the MFP demonstration project.
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) shall take into consideration the manner in which, and extent to which, the State proposes to achieve the objectives specified in subsection (a);
"(B) shall seek to achieve an appropriate national balance in the numbers of eligible individuals, within different target groups of eligible individuals, who are assisted to transition to qualified residences under MFP demonstration projects, and in the geographic distribution of States operating MFP demonstration projects;
"(C) shall give preference to State applications proposing—
"(i) to provide transition assistance to eligible individuals within multiple target groups; and
"(ii) to provide eligible individuals with the opportunity to receive home and community-based long-term care services as self-directed services, as defined in subsection (b)(8); and
"(D) shall take such objectives into consideration in setting the annual amounts of State grant awards under this section.
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(D)
"(4)
"(A)
"(i) increasing State Medicaid support for home and community-based long-term care services under subsection (c)(5); and
"(ii) numbers of eligible individuals assisted to transition to qualified residences.
"(B)
"(e)
"(1)
"(A) the MFP-enhanced FMAP (as defined in paragraph (5)) of the amount of qualified expenditures made during such quarter; or
"(B) the total amount remaining in such grant award for such fiscal year (taking into account the application of paragraph (2)).
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5) MFP-
"(f)
"(1)
"(A) dissemination of information on promising practices;
"(B) guidance on system design elements addressing the unique needs of participating beneficiaries;
"(C) ongoing consultation on quality, including assistance in developing necessary tools, resources, and monitoring systems; and
"(D) guidance on remedying programmatic and systemic problems.
"(2)
"(g)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(h)
"(1)
"(A) $250,000,000 for the portion of fiscal year 2007 beginning on January 1, 2007, and ending on September 30, 2007;
"(B) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
"(C) $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
"(D) $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
"(E) $450,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2016.
"(2)
[
Study Regarding Barriers to Participation of Farmworkers in Health Programs
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
"(c)
"(1) Farmworkers affected by the lack of portability of coverage under the Medicaid program or the State children's health insurance program (under titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act [this subchapter and subchapter XXI of this chapter]).
"(2) Individuals with expertise in providing health care to farmworkers, including designees of national and local organizations representing migrant health centers and other providers.
"(3) Resources with expertise in health care financing.
"(4) Representatives of foundations and other nonprofit entities that have conducted or supported research on farmworker health care financial issues.
"(5) Representatives of Federal agencies which are involved in the provision or financing of health care to farmworkers, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Health Resources and Services Administration.
"(6) Representatives of State governments.
"(7) Representatives from the farm and agricultural industries.
"(8) Designees of labor organizations representing farmworkers.
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3) SCHIP.—The term 'SCHIP' means the State children's health insurance program under title XXI of the Social Security Act [subchapter XXI of this chapter].
"(e)
Study on Limitation on State Payment for Medicare Cost-Sharing Affecting Access to Services for Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries
"(a)
"(b)
GAO Study of Future Rebasing
GAO Reports
"(1) the extent to which higher health care costs for individuals with disabilities at higher income levels deter employment or progress in employment;
"(2) whether such individuals have health insurance coverage or could benefit from the State option established under such amendments to provide a medicaid buy-in; and
"(3) how the States are exercising such option, including—
"(A) how such States are exercising the flexibility afforded them with regard to income disregards;
"(B) what income and premium levels have been set;
"(C) the degree to which States are subsidizing premiums above the dollar amount specified in section 1916(g)(2) of the Social Security Act (
"(D) the extent to which there exists any crowd-out effect."
Demonstration of Coverage Under the Medicaid Program of Workers With Potentially Severe Disabilities
"(a)
"(1) that provided under section 1905(a) of the Social Security Act (
"(2) in the case of a State that has not elected to provide medical assistance under that section to such individuals, such medical assistance as the Secretary determines is an appropriate equivalent to the medical assistance described in paragraph (1).
"(b)
"(1)
"(A) is at least 16, but less than 65, years of age;
"(B) has a specific physical or mental impairment that, as defined by the State under the demonstration project, is reasonably expected, but for the receipt of items and services described in section 1905(a) of the Social Security Act (
"(C) is employed (as defined in paragraph (2)).
"(2)
"(A) is earning at least the applicable minimum wage requirement under section 6 of the Fair Labor Standards Act (
"(B) is engaged in a work effort that meets substantial and reasonable threshold criteria for hours of work, wages, or other measures, as defined under the demonstration project and approved by the Secretary.
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(3)
"(A)
"(i)
"(I) $42,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2004; and
"(II) $41,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006.
"(ii)
"(B)
"(i) the aggregate amount of payments made by the Secretary to States under this section exceed $250,000,000;
"(ii) the aggregate amount of payments made by the Secretary to States for administrative expenses relating to annual reports required under subsection (d) exceed $2,000,000 of such $250,000,000; or
"(iii) payments be provided by the Secretary for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2009.
"(C)
"(D)
"(E)
"(d)
"(1) the total population of workers with potentially severe disabilities served by the demonstration project; and
"(2) each population of such workers with a specific physical or mental impairment described in subsection (b)(1)(B) served by such project.
"(e)
"(f)
Medical Assistance Payments for Eligible PACE Program Enrollees
Study and Report by Secretary of Health and Human Services
Section 4711(b) of
"(1)
"(2)
Dual Eligibles; Monitoring Payments
Section 4724(e) of
Extension of Effective Date for State Law Amendment
Section 4759 of title IV of
References to Provisions of Part A of Subchapter IV Considered References to Such Provisions as in Effect July 16, 1996
For provisions that certain references to provisions of part A (§601 et seq.) of subchapter IV of this chapter be considered references to such provisions of part A as in effect July 16, 1996, see
Demonstration Projects To Study Effect of Allowing States To Extend Medicaid Coverage to Certain Low-Income Families Not Otherwise Qualified To Receive Medicaid Benefits
Section 4745 of
"(a)
"(1)
"(B) In entering into agreements with States under this section the Secretary shall provide that at least 1 and no more than 2 of the projects are conducted on a substate basis.
"(2)
"(i) the project can reasonably be expected to improve access to health insurance coverage for the uninsured;
"(ii) with respect to projects for which the statewideness requirement has not been waived, the State provides, under its plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], for eligibility for medical assistance for all individuals described in subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of paragraph (1) of section 1902(l) of such Act [subsec. (l)(1)(A), (B), (C), (D) of this section] (based on the State's election of certain eligibility options the highest income standards and, based on the State's waiver of the application of any resource standard);
"(iii) eligibility for benefits under the project is limited to individuals in families with income below 150 percent of the income official poverty line and who are not individuals receiving benefits under title XIX of the Social Security Act;
"(iv) if the Secretary determines that it is cost-effective for the project to utilize employer coverage (as described in section 1925(b)(4)(D) of the Social Security Act [
"(v) the project provides for coverage of benefits consistent with subsection (b); and
"(vi) the project only imposes premiums, coinsurance, and other cost-sharing consistent with subsection (c).
"(B) The Secretary may waive the requirements of clause (ii) of this paragraph [probably means subparagraph (A)] with respect to those projects described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1).
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(A)
"(B)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(3)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(d)
"(e)
"(1)
"(B) Of the amounts appropriated under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall provide that no more than one-third of such amounts shall be used to carry out the projects described in paragraph (1)(B) of subsection (a) (for which the statewideness requirement has been waived).
"(2)
"(3)
"(f)
"(1)
"(A) access to, and costs of, health care,
"(B) private health care insurance coverage, and
"(C) premiums and cost-sharing.
"(2)
"(g)
"(1) The term 'income official poverty line' means such line as defined by the Office of Management and Budget and revised annually in accordance with section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 [
"(2) The term 'project' refers to a demonstration project under subsection (a)."
[Section 13643(a) of
Demonstration Project To Provide Medicaid Coverage for HIV-Positive Individuals
Section 4747 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(2) A demonstration project under subsection (a) shall provide services in addition to the services described in paragraph (1) which shall be limited only on the basis of medical necessity or the appropriateness of such services. To the extent not provided as described in paragraph (1), such additional services shall include—
"(A) general and preventative medical care services (including inpatient, outpatient, residential care, physician visits, clinic visits, and hospice care);
"(B) prescription drugs, including drugs for the purposes of preventative health care services;
"(C) counseling and social services;
"(D) substance abuse treatment services (including services for multiple substances abusers);
"(E) home care services (including assistance in carrying out activities of daily living);
"(F) case management;
"(G) health education services;
"(H) respite care for caregivers;
"(I) dental services; and
"(J) diagnostic and laboratory services[.]
"(c)
"(2) A demonstration project described in subsection (a) shall be limited to an enrollment of not more than 200 individuals.
"(3) A demonstration project conducted under subsection (a) shall commence not later than 9 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 5, 1990] and shall terminate on the date that is 3 years after the date of commencement.
"(4)(A) The Secretary shall provide for an evaluation of the comparative costs of providing services to individuals who have tested positive for the presence of HIV virus at an early stage after detection of such virus and those that are treated at a later stage after such detection.
"(B) The Secretary shall report to Congress on the results of the evaluation conducted under subparagraph (A) no later than 6 months after the date of termination of the demonstration projects described in this section.
"(d)
"(e)
"(f)
Public Education Campaign
Section 4751(d) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
Physician Identifier System; Deadline and Considerations
Section 4752(a)(1)(B) of
Foreign Medical Graduate Certification
Section 4752(d) of
"(1)
"(A) has passed the FMGEMS examination (as defined in section 1886(h)(5)(E) of such Act);
"(B) has previously received certification from, or has previously passed the examination of, the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates; or
"(C) has held a license from 1 or more States continuously since 1958.
"(2)
Exclusions in Determination of Income and Resources Under This Subchapter
Section 11115(c) of
Development of Model Applications for Medicaid Program
Section 6506(b) of
"(1)
"(2)
Clarification of Federal Financial Participation for Case-Management Services
Section 8435 of
Treatment of States Operating Under Demonstration Projects
Section 301(g)(1) of
Adjustment in Medicaid Payment for Inpatient Hospital Services Furnished by Disproportionate Share Hospitals
Amendment to State Plan To Provide Adjustment for Services Furnished During Fiscal Year 1990
Section 4211(b)(2) of
Technical Assistance With Respect to Facilities That Take Into Account Case Mix of Residents
Section 4211(j) of
State Utilization Review Systems
Section 9432 of
"(a)
"(2) The Secretary may not, during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 [Nov. 5, 1990] and ending on the date that is 180 days after the date on which the report required by subsection (d) is submitted to the Congress, publish final or interim final regulations requiring a State plan approved under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] to include a program for ambulatory surgery, preadmission testing, or same-day surgery.
"(b)
"(1) The Secretary shall report to Congress, by not later than October 1, 1988, for each State in a representative sample of States—
"(A) the identity of those procedures which are high volume or high cost procedures among patients who are covered under the State medicaid plan,
"(B) the payment rates under those plans for such procedures, and the aggregate annual payment amounts made under such plans for such procedures (including the Federal share of such payment amounts),
"(C) the rate at which each such procedure is performed on medicaid patients and (to the extent that data are available) comparisons to the rate at which such procedure is performed on patients of comparable age who are not medicaid patients,
"(D) with respect to each such procedure—
"(i) the number of board certified or board eligible physicians in the State who provide care and services to medicaid patients and who perform the procedure, and
"(ii) in the case of a State with a mandatory second surgical opinion program in operation, the number of physicians described in clause (i) who provide second opinions (of the type described in section 1164 of the Social Security Act [
"(E) in the case of a State with a mandatory second surgical opinion program or a program of inpatient hospital preadmission review in operation, a description of—
"(i) the extent to which such program impedes access to necessary care and services, and
"(ii) the measures that the State has taken to address such impediments, particularly in rural areas.
"(2) Such report shall also include a list of those surgical procedures which the Secretary believes meet the following criteria and for which a mandatory second opinion program under medicaid plans may be appropriate:
"(A) The procedure is one which generally can be postponed without undue risk to the patient.
"(B) The procedure is a high volume procedure among patients who are covered under State medicaid plans or is a high cost procedure.
"(C) The procedure has a comparatively high rate of nonconfirmation upon examination by another qualified physician, there is substantial geographic variation in the rates of performance of the procedure, or there are other reasons why requiring second opinions for 100 percent of such procedures would be cost effective.
"(3) The representative sample of States required to be included in the report shall include States with mandatory second surgical opinion programs in operation, States with programs of inpatient hospital preadmission review in operation, and States with neither such program in operation.
"(4) In this subsection and subsection (d), the term 'medicaid plan' means a State plan approved under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter].
"(c)
"(1) The Secretary shall conduct a study of the utilization of selected medical treatments and surgical procedures by medicaid beneficiaries in order to assess the appropriateness, necessity, and effectiveness of such treatments and procedures.
"(2) The study shall analyze the extent to which there is significant variation in the rate of utilization by medicaid beneficiaries of selected treatments and procedures for different geographic areas within States and among States.
"(3) The study shall also identify underutilized, medically necessary treatments and procedures for which—
"(A) a failure to furnish could have an adverse effect on health status, and
"(B) the rate of utilization by medicaid beneficiaries is significantly less than the rate for comparable, age-adjusted populations.
"(4) The study shall be coordinated, to the extent practicable, with the research program established pursuant to section 1875(c) of the Social Security Act [
"(5) The Secretary shall submit an interim report on the results of the study, including an analysis of the geographic variations under paragraph (2), to the Congress not later than January 1, 1990, and shall report the final results of the study to the Congress not later than January 1, 1992.
"(d)
"(1) an analysis of the procedures for which programs for ambulatory surgery, preadmission testing, and same-day surgery are appropriate for patients who are covered under the State medicaid plan, and
"(2) the effects of such programs on access of such patients to necessary care, quality of care, and costs of care.
In selecting such a sample of States, the Secretary shall include some States with medicaid plans that include such programs."
Study by Comptroller General of Effect of Amendment to Subsection (a)(13)
Section 9509(c) of
Task Force on Technology-Dependent Children
Section 9520 of
Medicaid Coverage Relating to Adoption Assistance Agreements Entered Into Before April 7, 1986
Section 9529(b)(2) of
"(A) the requirements of subdivisions (aa) and (bb) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(VIII) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(10)(A)(ii)(VIII)(aa), (bb) of this section] shall be deemed to be met if the State agency responsible for adoption assistance agreements determines that—
"(i) at the time of adoptive placement the child had special needs for medical or rehabilitative care that made the child difficult to place; and
"(ii) there is in effect with respect to such child an adoption assistance agreement between the State and an adoptive parent or parents; and
"(B) the requirement of subdivision (cc) of such section shall be deemed to be met if the child was found by the State to be eligible for medical assistance prior to such agreement being entered into."
Payment for Psychiatric Hospital Services
Section 2366 of
Moratorium on Regulatory Actions by Secretary
Section 2373(c) of
"(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall not take any compliance, disallowance, penalty, or other regulatory action against a State with respect to the moratorium period described in paragraph (2) by reason of such State's plan described in paragraph (5) under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] (including any part of the plan operating pursuant to section 1902(f) of such Act [subsec. (f) of this section]), or the operation thereunder, being determined to be in violation of clause (IV), (V), or (VI) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) or section 1902(a)(10)(C)(i)(III) of such Act on account of such plan's (or its operation) having a standard or methodology which the Secretary interprets as being less restrictive than the standard or methodology required under such section, provided that such plan (or its operation) does not make ineligible any individual who would be eligible but for the provisions of this subsection.
"(2) The moratorium period is the period beginning on October 1, 1981, and ending 18 months after the date on which the Secretary submits the report required under paragraph (3).
"(3) The Secretary shall report to the Congress within 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984] with respect to the appropriateness, and impact on States and recipients of medical assistance, of applying standards and methodologies utilized in cash assistance programs to those recipients of medical assistance who do not receive cash assistance, and any recommendations for changes in such requirements.
"(4) No provision of law shall repeal or suspend the moratorium imposed by this subsection unless such provision specifically amends or repeals this subsection.
"(5) In this subsection, a State plan is considered to include—
"(A) any amendment or other change in the plan which is submitted by a State, or
"(B) any policy or guideline delineated in the Medicaid operation or program manuals of the State which are submitted by the State to the Secretary,
whether before or after the date of enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984] and whether or not the amendment or change, or the operating or program manual was approved, disapproved, acted upon, or not acted upon by the Secretary.
"(6) During the moratorium period, the Secretary shall implement (and shall not change by any administrative action) the policy in effect at the beginning of such moratorium period with respect to—
"(A) the point in time at which an institutionalized individual must sell his home (in order that it not be counted as a resource); and
"(B) the time period allowed for sale of a home of any such individual,
who is an applicant for or recipient of medical assistance under the State plan as a medically needy individual (described in section 1902(a)(10)(C) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(10)(C) of this section]) or as an optional categorically needy individual (described in section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of such Act)."
[Amendment of section 2373(c) of
Evaluation and Study of Reasons for Termination by Medicaid Beneficiaries of Membership in Health Maintenance Organizations
Section 2178(d) of
Continuing Medicaid Eligibility for Certain Recipients of Veterans' Administration Pensions
Section 310(b)(1) of
"(A) For purposes of section 1902(a)(10)(A) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(10)(A) of this section], any individual who, prior to the date of enactment of this Act [June 17, 1980] and for the month of December 1978, was eligible for and received aid or assistance under a State plan approved under title I, X, XIV, or XVI, or part A of title IV of such Act [subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI, or part A of subchapter IV of this chapter], or was eligible for and received supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of such Act [subchapter XVI of this chapter] (or a supplementary payment described in section 13(c) of
"(B)(i) The provisions of subparagraph (A) shall take effect on January 1, 1979, and shall cease to be effective, in the case of any individual, for and after the first calendar month beginning more than 10 days after an 'informed election' (as defined in subdivision (ii) of this subparagraph) has been made by such individual (or, if such individual is not eligible to make such an election, by a member of such individual's family who is eligible to make such an election which affects such individual's eligibility for aid, assistance, or benefits under a plan or program referred to in subparagraph (A)).
"(ii) The term 'informed election' means an election made under section 306 of the Veterans' and Survivors' Pension Improvement Act of 1978 [section 306 of
Preservation of Medicaid Eligibility for Individuals Who Cease To Be Eligible for Supplemental Security Income Benefits on Account of Cost-of-Living Increases in Social Security Benefits
Medicaid Eligibility for Individuals Receiving Mandatory State Supplementary Payments; Effective Date
Section 13(c) of
"(1) for any month for which there (A) is payable with respect to such individual a supplementary payment pursuant to an agreement entered into between the State and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services] under section 212(a) of
"(2) in like manner, and subject to the same terms and conditions, as medical assistance is provided under such plan to individuals with respect to whom benefits are payable for such month under the supplementary security income program established by title XVI of the Social Security Act [subchapter XVI of this chapter].
Federal matching under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] shall be available for the medical assistance furnished to individuals who are eligible for such assistance under this subsection."
Coverage of Essential Persons Under Medicaid
Section 230 of
"(1) the individual (referred to in the last sentence of section 1905(a) of such Act [
"(2) such person continues to have the relationship with such individual described in such sentence and meets the other criteria (referred to in such sentence) with respect to a State plan (so referred to) as such plan was in effect for December 1973.
Federal matching under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] shall be available for the medical assistance furnished to individuals eligible for such assistance under this section."
Persons in Medical Institutions
Section 231 of
"(1) was an inpatient in an institution qualified for reimbursement under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], and
"(2)(A) received or would (except for his being an inpatient in such institution) have been eligible to receive aid or assistance under a State plan approved under title I, X, XIV, or XVI of such Act [subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter], and
"(B), [sic] on the basis of his status as described in subparagraph (A), was included as an individual eligible for medical assistance under a State plan approved under title XIX of such Act [this subchapter] (whether or not such individual actually received aid or assistance under a State plan referred to in subparagraph (A)),
shall be deemed to be receiving such aid or assistance for such month and for each succeeding month in a continuous period of months if, for each month in such period—
"(3) such individual continues to be (for all of such month) an inpatient in such an institution and would (except for his being an inpatient in such institution) continue to meet the conditions of eligibility to receive aid or assistance under such plan (as such plan was in effect for December 1973), and
"(4) such individual is determined (under the utilization review and other professional audit procedures applicable to State plans approved under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter]) to be in need of care in such an institution.
Federal matching under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] shall be available for the medical assistance furnished to individuals eligible for such assistance under this section."
Blind and Disabled Medically Indigent Persons
Section 232 of
Impact of 1972 Social Security Benefits Increase Under Pub. L. 92–336 Upon Eligibility for Assistance Under This Subchapter
Section 249E of
Nursing Homes Eligible for Matching Funds for Home Services When Meeting State Licensure Requirements After June 30, 1968
Section 234(c) of
District of Columbia; Plan for Medical Assistance
"(b)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commissioner may take such action as may be necessary to submit such plan to the Secretary and to establish and carry out such medical assistance program, except that in prescribing the standards for determining eligibility for and the extent of medical assistance under the District of Columbia's plan for medical assistance, the Commissioner may not (except to the extent required by title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter])—
"(A) prescribe maximum income levels for recipients of medical assistance under such plan which exceed (i) the title XIX maximum income levels if such levels are in effect, or (ii) the Commissioner's maximum income levels for the local medical assistance program if there are no title XIX maximum income levels in effect; or
"(B) prescribe criteria which would permit an individual or family to be eligible for such assistance if such individual or family would be ineligible, solely by reason of his or its resources, for medical assistance both under the plan of the State of Maryland approved under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] and under the plan of the State of Virginia approved under such title.
"(2) For purposes of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of this subsection—
"(A) the term 'title XIX maximum income levels' means any maximum income levels which may be specified by title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] for recipients of medical assistance under State plans approved under that title;
"(B) the term 'the Commissioner's maximum income levels for the local medical assistance program' means the maximum income levels prescribed for recipients of medical assistance under the District of Columbia's medical assistance program in effect in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1967; and
"(C) during any of the first four calendar quarters in which medical assistance is provided under such plan there shall be deemed to be no title XIX maximum income levels in effect if the title XIX maximum income levels in effect during such quarter are higher than the Commissioner's maximum income levels for the local medical assistance program."
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. The semicolon probably should be a comma.
3 So in original. Probably should be followed by "and".
4 So in original. The word "to" probably should not appear.
5 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
7 So in original. Probably should be "Investigation,".
9 So in original. Probably should be section "1396d(l)(2)(B)".
10 So in original. There is no par. (78).
11 So in original. Probably should be "subparagraph (A)(i)(V),".
12 So in original. The closing parenthesis probably should not appear.
13 So in original. Probably should be "an".
14 So in original. Another closing parenthesis probably should precede the comma.
15 So in original. Probably should be "this subsection".
16 So in original. Probably should be subsection "(a)(56)".
17 So in original. Probably should be section "1396o(i)".
18 So in original. Probably should be "agency".
19 So in original. Probably should be followed by "a".
20 So in original. The word "section" probably should not appear.
§1396b. Payment to States
(a) Computation of amount
From the sums appropriated therefor, the Secretary (except as otherwise provided in this section) shall pay to each State which has a plan approved under this subchapter, for each quarter, beginning with the quarter commencing January 1, 1966—
(1) an amount equal to the Federal medical assistance percentage (as defined in
(2)(A) an amount equal to 75 per centum of so much of the sums expended during such quarter (as found necessary by the Secretary for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan) as are attributable to compensation or training of skilled professional medical personnel, and staff directly supporting such personnel, of the State agency or any other public agency; plus
(B) notwithstanding paragraph (1) or subparagraph (A), with respect to amounts expended for nursing aide training and competency evaluation programs, and competency evaluation programs, described in
(C) an amount equal to 75 percent of so much of the sums expended during such quarter (as found necessary by the Secretary for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan) as are attributable to preadmission screening and resident review activities conducted by the State under
(D) for each calendar quarter during—
(i) fiscal year 1991, an amount equal to 90 percent,
(ii) fiscal year 1992, an amount equal to 85 percent,
(iii) fiscal year 1993, an amount equal to 80 percent, and
(iv) fiscal year 1994 and thereafter, an amount equal to 75 percent,
of so much of the sums expended during such quarter (as found necessary by the Secretary for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan) as are attributable to State activities under
(E) an amount equal to 75 percent of so much of the sums expended during such quarter (as found necessary by the Secretary for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan) as are attributable to translation or interpretation services in connection with the enrollment of, retention of, and use of services under this subchapter by, children of families for whom English is not the primary language; plus
(3) an amount equal to—
(A)(i) 90 per centum of so much of the sums expended during such quarter as are attributable to the design, development, or installation of such mechanized claims processing and information retrieval systems as the Secretary determines are likely to provide more efficient, economical, and effective administration of the plan and to be compatible with the claims processing and information retrieval systems utilized in the administration of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, including the State's share of the cost of installing such a system to be used jointly in the administration of such State's plan and the plan of any other State approved under this chapter,
(ii) 90 per centum of so much of the sums expended during any such quarter in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1972, or the fiscal year ending June 30, 1973, as are attributable to the design, development, or installation of cost determination systems for State-owned general hospitals (except that the total amount paid to all States under this clause for either such fiscal year shall not exceed $150,000), and
(iii) an amount equal to the Federal medical assistance percentage (as defined in
(B) 75 per centum of so much of the sums expended during such quarter as are attributable to the operation of systems (whether such systems are operated directly by the State or by another person under a contract with the State) of the type described in subparagraph (A)(i) (whether or not designed, developed, or installed with assistance under such subparagraph) which are approved by the Secretary and which include provision for prompt written notice to each individual who is furnished services covered by the plan, or to each individual in a sample group of individuals who are furnished such services, of the specific services (other than confidential services) so covered, the name of the person or persons furnishing the services, the date or dates on which the services were furnished, and the amount of the payment or payments made under the plan on account of the services; and
(C)(i) 75 per centum of the sums expended with respect to costs incurred during such quarter (as found necessary by the Secretary for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan) as are attributable to the performance of medical and utilization review by a utilization and quality control peer review organization or by an entity which meets the requirements of
(ii) 75 percent of the sums expended with respect to costs incurred during such quarter (as found necessary by the Secretary for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan) as are attributable to the performance of independent external reviews conducted under
(D) 75 percent of so much of the sums expended by the State plan during a quarter in 1991, 1992, or 1993, as the Secretary determines is attributable to the statewide adoption of a drug use review program which conforms to the requirements of
(E) 50 percent of the sums expended with respect to costs incurred during such quarter as are attributable to providing—
(i) services to identify and educate individuals who are likely to be eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter and who have Sickle Cell Disease or who are carriers of the sickle cell gene, including education regarding how to identify such individuals; or
(ii) education regarding the risks of stroke and other complications, as well as the prevention of stroke and other complications, in individuals who are likely to be eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter and who have Sickle Cell Disease; and
(F)(i) 100 percent of so much of the sums expended during such quarter as are attributable to payments to Medicaid providers described in subsection (t)(1) to encourage the adoption and use of certified EHR technology; and
(ii) 90 percent of so much of the sums expended during such quarter as are attributable to payments for reasonable administrative expenses related to the administration of payments described in clause (i) if the State meets the condition described in subsection (t)(9); plus
(H)(i) 1 90 percent of the sums expended during the quarter as are attributable to the design, development, or installation of such mechanized verification and information retrieval systems as the Secretary determines are necessary to implement
(ii) 75 percent of the sums expended during the quarter as are attributable to the operation of systems to which clause (i) applies,2 plus
(4) an amount equal to 100 percent of the sums expended during the quarter which are attributable to the costs of the implementation and operation of the immigration status verification system described in
(5) an amount equal to 90 per centum of the sums expended during such quarter which are attributable to the offering, arranging, and furnishing (directly or on a contract basis) of family planning services and supplies;
(6) subject to subsection (b)(3) of this section, an amount equal to—
(A) 90 per centum of the sums expended during such a quarter within the twelve-quarter period beginning with the first quarter in which a payment is made to the State pursuant to this paragraph, and
(B) 75 per centum of the sums expended during each succeeding calendar quarter,
with respect to costs incurred during such quarter (as found necessary by the Secretary for the elimination of fraud in the provision and administration of medical assistance provided under the State plan) which are attributable to the establishment and operation of (including the training of personnel employed by) a State medicaid fraud control unit (described in subsection (q) of this section); plus
(7) subject to
(b) Quarterly expenditures beginning after December 31, 1969
(1) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, the amount determined under subsection (a)(1) of this section for any State for any quarter beginning after December 31, 1969, shall not take into account any amounts expended as medical assistance with respect to individuals aged 65 or over and disabled individuals entitled to hospital insurance benefits under subchapter XVIII of this chapter which would not have been so expended if the individuals involved had been enrolled in the insurance program established by part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, other than amounts expended under provisions of the plan of such State required by
(2) For limitation on Federal participation for capital expenditures which are out of conformity with a comprehensive plan of a State or areawide planning agency, see
(3) The amount of funds which the Secretary is otherwise obligated to pay a State during a quarter under subsection (a)(6) of this section may not exceed the higher of—
(A) $125,000, or
(B) one-quarter of 1 per centum of the sums expended by the Federal, State, and local governments during the previous quarter in carrying out the State's plan under this subchapter.
(4) Amounts expended by a State for the use of an enrollment broker in marketing medicaid managed care organizations and other managed care entities to eligible individuals under this subchapter shall be considered, for purposes of subsection (a)(7) of this section, to be necessary for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan but only if the following conditions are met with respect to the broker:
(A) The broker is independent of any such entity and of any health care providers (whether or not any such provider participates in the State plan under this subchapter) that provide coverage of services in the same State in which the broker is conducting enrollment activities.
(B) No person who is an owner, employee, consultant, or has a contract with the broker either has any direct or indirect financial interest with such an entity or health care provider or has been excluded from participation in the program under this subchapter or subchapter XVIII of this chapter or debarred by any Federal agency, or subject to a civil money penalty under this chapter.
(5) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, the amount determined under subsection (a)(1) of this section for any State shall be decreased in a quarter by the amount of any health care related taxes (described in subsection (w)(3)(A) of this section) 3 that are imposed on a hospital described in subsection (w)(3)(F) of this section in that quarter.
(c) Treatment of educationally-related services
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as prohibiting or restricting, or authorizing the Secretary to prohibit or restrict, payment under subsection (a) of this section for medical assistance for covered services furnished to a child with a disability because such services are included in the child's individualized education program established pursuant to part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [
(d) Estimates of State entitlement; installments; adjustments to reflect overpayments or underpayments; time for recovery or adjustment; uncollectable or discharged debts; obligated appropriations; disputed claims
(1) Prior to the beginning of each quarter, the Secretary shall estimate the amount to which a State will be entitled under subsections (a) and (b) of this section for such quarter, such estimates to be based on (A) a report filed by the State containing its estimate of the total sum to be expended in such quarter in accordance with the provisions of such subsections, and stating the amount appropriated or made available by the State and its political subdivisions for such expenditures in such quarter, and if such amount is less than the State's proportionate share of the total sum of such estimated expenditures, the source or sources from which the difference is expected to be derived, and (B) such other investigation as the Secretary may find necessary.
(2)(A) The Secretary shall then pay to the State, in such installments as he may determine, the amount so estimated, reduced or increased to the extent of any overpayment or underpayment which the Secretary determines was made under this section to such State for any prior quarter and with respect to which adjustment has not already been made under this subsection.
(B) Expenditures for which payments were made to the State under subsection (a) of this section shall be treated as an overpayment to the extent that the State or local agency administering such plan has been reimbursed for such expenditures by a third party pursuant to the provisions of its plan in compliance with
(C) For purposes of this subsection, when an overpayment is discovered, which was made by a State to a person or other entity, the State shall have a period of 1 year in which to recover or attempt to recover such overpayment before adjustment is made in the Federal payment to such State on account of such overpayment. Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (D), the adjustment in the Federal payment shall be made at the end of the 1-year period, whether or not recovery was made.
(D)(i) In any case where the State is unable to recover a debt which represents an overpayment (or any portion thereof) made to a person or other entity on account of such debt having been discharged in bankruptcy or otherwise being uncollectable, no adjustment shall be made in the Federal payment to such State on account of such overpayment (or portion thereof).
(ii) In any case where the State is unable to recover a debt which represents an overpayment (or any portion thereof) made to a person or other entity due to fraud within 1 year of discovery because there is not a final determination of the amount of the overpayment under an administrative or judicial process (as applicable), including as a result of a judgment being under appeal, no adjustment shall be made in the Federal payment to such State on account of such overpayment (or portion thereof) before the date that is 30 days after the date on which a final judgment (including, if applicable, a final determination on an appeal) is made.
(3)(A) The pro rata share to which the United States is equitably entitled, as determined by the Secretary, of the net amount recovered during any quarter by the State or any political subdivision thereof with respect to medical assistance furnished under the State plan shall be considered an overpayment to be adjusted under this subsection.
(B)(i) Subparagraph (A) and paragraph (2)(B) shall not apply to any amount recovered or paid to a State as part of the comprehensive settlement of November 1998 between manufacturers of tobacco products, as defined in section 5702(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and State Attorneys General, or as part of any individual State settlement or judgment reached in litigation initiated or pursued by a State against one or more such manufacturers.
(ii) Except as provided in subsection (i)(19) of this section, a State may use amounts recovered or paid to the State as part of a comprehensive or individual settlement, or a judgment, described in clause (i) for any expenditures determined appropriate by the State.
(4) Upon the making of any estimate by the Secretary under this subsection, any appropriations available for payments under this section shall be deemed obligated.
(5) In any case in which the Secretary estimates that there has been an overpayment under this section to a State on the basis of a claim by such State that has been disallowed by the Secretary under
(6)(A) Each State (as defined in subsection (w)(7)(D) of this section) shall include, in the first report submitted under paragraph (1) after the end of each fiscal year, information related to—
(i) provider-related donations made to the State or units of local government during such fiscal year, and
(ii) health care related taxes collected by the State or such units during such fiscal year.
(B) Each State shall include, in the first report submitted under paragraph (1) after the end of each fiscal year, information related to the total amount of payment adjustments made, and the amount of payment adjustments made to individual providers (by provider), under
(e) Transition costs of closures or conversions permitted
A State plan approved under this subchapter may include, as a cost with respect to hospital services under the plan under this subchapter, periodic expenditures made to reflect transitional allowances established with respect to a hospital closure or conversion under
(f) Limitation on Federal participation in medical assistance
(1)(A) Except as provided in paragraph (4), payment under the preceding provisions of this section shall not be made with respect to any amount expended as medical assistance in a calendar quarter, in any State, for any member of a family the annual income of which exceeds the applicable income limitation determined under this paragraph.
(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii) of this subparagraph, the applicable income limitation with respect to any family is the amount determined, in accordance with standards prescribed by the Secretary, to be equivalent to 1331/3 percent of the highest amount which would ordinarily be paid to a family of the same size without any income or resources, in the form of money payments, under the plan of the State approved under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter.
(ii) If the Secretary finds that the operation of a uniform maximum limits payments to families of more than one size, he may adjust the amount otherwise determined under clause (i) to take account of families of different sizes.
(C) The total amount of any applicable income limitation determined under subparagraph (B) shall, if it is not a multiple of $100 or such other amount as the Secretary may prescribe, be rounded to the next higher multiple of $100 or such other amount, as the case may be.
(2)(A) In computing a family's income for purposes of paragraph (1), there shall be excluded any costs (whether in the form of insurance premiums or otherwise and regardless of whether such costs are reimbursed under another public program of the State or political subdivision thereof) incurred by such family for medical care or for any other type of remedial care recognized under State law or, (B) notwithstanding
(3) For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), in the case of a family consisting of only one individual, the "highest amount which would ordinarily be paid" to such family under the State's plan approved under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter shall be the amount determined by the State agency (on the basis of reasonable relationship to the amounts payable under such plan to families consisting of two or more persons) to be the amount of the aid which would ordinarily be payable under such plan to a family (without any income or resources) consisting of one person if such plan provided for aid to such a family.
(4) The limitations on payment imposed by the preceding provisions of this subsection shall not apply with respect to any amount expended by a State as medical assistance for any individual described in section 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(III), 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(IV), 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(V), 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(VI), 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(VII), 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII), 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(IX), 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(X), 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XIII), 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XIV), or 4 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XV), 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XVI), 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XVII), 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XVIII), 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XIX), 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XX), 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXI), 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXII), 1396d(p)(1) of this title or for any individual—
(A) who is receiving aid or assistance under any plan of the State approved under subchapter I, X, XIV or XVI, or part A of subchapter IV, or with respect to whom supplemental security income benefits are being paid under subchapter XVI of this chapter, or
(B) who is not receiving such aid or assistance, and with respect to whom such benefits are not being paid, but (i) is eligible to receive such aid or assistance, or to have such benefits paid with respect to him, or (ii) would be eligible to receive such aid or assistance, or to have such benefits paid with respect to him if he were not in a medical institution, or
(C) with respect to whom there is being paid, or who is eligible, or would be eligible if he were not in a medical institution, to have paid with respect to him, a State supplementary payment and is eligible for medical assistance equal in amount, duration, and scope to the medical assistance made available to individuals described in
at the time of the provision of the medical assistance giving rise to such expenditure.
(g) Decrease in Federal medical assistance percentage of amounts paid for services furnished under State plan after June 30, 1973
(1) Subject to paragraph (3), with respect to amounts paid for the following services furnished under the State plan after June 30, 1973 (other than services furnished pursuant to a contract with a health maintenance organization as defined in
(2) The Secretary shall, as part of his validation procedures under this subsection, conduct timely sample onsite surveys of private and public institutions in which recipients of medical assistance may receive care and services under a State plan approved under this subchapter, and his findings with respect to such surveys (as well as the showings of the State agency required under this subsection) shall be made available for public inspection.
(3)(A) No reduction in the Federal medical assistance percentage of a State otherwise required to be imposed under this subsection shall take effect—
(i) if such reduction is due to the State's unsatisfactory or invalid showing made with respect to a calendar quarter beginning before January 1, 1977;
(ii) before January 1, 1978;
(iii) unless a notice of such reduction has been provided to the State at least 30 days before the date such reduction takes effect; or
(iv) due to the State's unsatisfactory or invalid showing made with respect to a calendar quarter beginning after September 30, 1977, unless notice of such reduction has been provided to the State no later than the first day of the fourth calendar quarter following the calendar quarter with respect to which such showing was made.
(B) The Secretary shall waive application of any reduction in the Federal medical assistance percentage of a State otherwise required to be imposed under paragraph (1) because a showing by the State, made under such paragraph with respect to a calendar quarter ending after January 1, 1977, and before January 1, 1978, is determined to be either unsatisfactory under such paragraph or invalid under paragraph (2), if the Secretary determines that the State's showing made under paragraph (1) with respect to any calendar quarter ending on or before December 31, 1978, is satisfactory under such paragraph and is valid under paragraph (2).
(4)(A) The Secretary may not find the showing of a State, with respect to a calendar quarter under paragraph (1), to be satisfactory if the showing is submitted to the Secretary later than the 30th day after the last day of the calendar quarter, unless the State demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary good cause for not meeting such deadline.
(B) The Secretary shall find a showing of a State, with respect to a calendar quarter under paragraph (1), to be satisfactory under such paragraph with respect to the requirement that the State conduct annual onsite inspections in mental hospitals and intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded under paragraphs (26) and (31) of
(i) in each of not less than 98 per centum of the number of such hospitals and facilities requiring such inspection, and
(ii) in every such hospital or facility which has 200 or more beds,
and that, with respect to such hospitals and facilities not inspected within such period, the State has exercised good faith and due diligence in attempting to conduct such inspection, or if the State demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that it would have made such a showing but for failings of a technical nature only.
(5) In the case of a State's unsatisfactory or invalid showing made with respect to a type of facility or institutional services in a calendar quarter, the per centum amount of the reduction of the State's Federal medical assistance percentage for that type of services under paragraph (1) is equal to 331/3 per centum multiplied by a fraction, the denominator of which is equal to the total number of patients receiving that type of services in that quarter under the State plan in facilities or institutions for which a showing was required to be made under this subsection, and the numerator of which is equal to the number of such patients receiving such type of services in that quarter in those facilities or institutions for which a satisfactory and valid showing was not made for that calendar quarter.
(6)(A) Recertifications required under
(B) Such recertifications in the case of services in an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded shall be conducted at least—
(i) 60 days after the date of the initial certification,
(ii) 180 days after the date of the initial certification,
(iii) 12 months after the date of the initial certification,
(iv) 18 months after the date of the initial certification,
(v) 24 months after the date of the initial certification, and
(vi) every 12 months thereafter.
(C) For purposes of determining compliance with the schedule established by this paragraph, a recertification shall be considered to have been done on a timely basis if it was performed not later than 10 days after the date the recertification was otherwise required and the State establishes good cause why the physician or other person making such recertification did not meet such schedule.
(h) Repealed. Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §4211(g)(1), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–205
(i) Payment for organ transplants; item or service furnished by excluded individual, entity, or physician; other restrictions
Payment under the preceding provisions of this section shall not be made—
(1) for organ transplant procedures unless the State plan provides for written standards respecting the coverage of such procedures and unless such standards provide that—
(A) similarly situated individuals are treated alike; and
(B) any restriction, on the facilities or practitioners which may provide such procedures, is consistent with the accessibility of high quality care to individuals eligible for the procedures under the State plan; or
(2) with respect to any amount expended for an item or service (other than an emergency item or service, not including items or services furnished in an emergency room of a hospital) furnished—
(A) under the plan by any individual or entity during any period when the individual or entity is excluded from participation under subchapter V, XVIII, or XX of this chapter or under this subchapter pursuant to
(B) at the medical direction or on the prescription of a physician, during the period when such physician is excluded from participation under subchapter V, XVIII, or XX of this chapter or under this subchapter pursuant to
(C) by any individual or entity to whom the State has failed to suspend payments under the plan during any period when there is pending an investigation of a credible allegation of fraud against the individual or entity, as determined by the State in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary for purposes of
(3) with respect to any amount expended for inpatient hospital services furnished under the plan (other than amounts attributable to the special situation of a hospital which serves a disproportionate number of low income patients with special needs) to the extent that such amount exceeds the hospital's customary charges with respect to such services or (if such services are furnished under the plan by a public institution free of charge or at nominal charges to the public) exceeds an amount determined on the basis of those items (specified in regulations prescribed by the Secretary) included in the determination of such payment which the Secretary finds will provide fair compensation to such institution for such services; or
(4) with respect to any amount expended for care or services furnished under the plan by a hospital unless such hospital has in effect a utilization review plan which meets the requirements imposed by
(5) with respect to any amount expended for any drug product for which payment may not be made under part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter because of
(6) with respect to any amount expended for inpatient hospital tests (other than in emergency situations) not specifically ordered by the attending physician or other responsible practitioner; or
(7) with respect to any amount expended for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests performed by a physician, independent laboratory, or hospital, to the extent such amount exceeds the amount that would be recognized under
(8) with respect to any amount expended for medical assistance (A) for nursing facility services to reimburse (or otherwise compensate) a nursing facility for payment of a civil money penalty imposed under
(9) Repealed.
(10)(A) with respect to covered outpatient drugs unless there is a rebate agreement in effect under
(B) with respect to any amount expended for an innovator multiple source drug (as defined in
(C) with respect to covered outpatient drugs described in
(D) with respect to any amount expended for reimbursement to a pharmacy under this subchapter for the ingredient cost of a covered outpatient drug for which the pharmacy has already received payment under this subchapter (other than with respect to a reasonable restocking fee for such drug); or
(11) with respect to any amount expended for physicians' services furnished on or after the first day of the first quarter beginning more than 60 days after the date of establishment of the physician identifier system under
(12) Repealed.
(13) with respect to any amount expended to reimburse (or otherwise compensate) a nursing facility for payment of legal expenses associated with any action initiated by the facility that is dismissed on the basis that no reasonable legal ground existed for the institution of such action; or
(14) with respect to any amount expended on administrative costs to carry out the program under
(15) with respect to any amount expended for a single-antigen vaccine and its administration in any case in which the administration of a combined-antigen vaccine was medically appropriate (as determined by the Secretary); or
(16) with respect to any amount expended for which funds may not be used under the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 [
(17) with respect to any amount expended for roads, bridges, stadiums, or any other item or service not covered under a State plan under this subchapter; or
(18) with respect to any amount expended for home health care services provided by an agency or organization unless the agency or organization provides the State agency on a continuing basis a surety bond in a form specified by the Secretary under paragraph (7) of
(19) with respect to any amount expended on administrative costs to initiate or pursue litigation described in subsection (d)(3)(B) of this section;
(20) with respect to amounts expended for medical assistance provided to an individual described in subclause (XV) or (XVI) of
(21) with respect to amounts expended for covered outpatient drugs described in
(22) with respect to amounts expended for medical assistance for an individual who declares under
(23) with respect to amounts expended for medical assistance for covered outpatient drugs (as defined in
(24) if a State is required to implement an asset verification program under
(A) the State demonstrates to the Secretary's satisfaction that the State made a good faith effort to comply;
(B) not later than 60 days after the date of a finding that the State is in noncompliance, the State submits to the Secretary (and the Secretary approves) a corrective action plan to remedy such noncompliance; and
(C) not later than 12 months after the date of such submission (and approval), the State fulfills the terms of such corrective action plan;
(25) with respect to any amounts expended for medical assistance for individuals for whom the State does not report enrollee encounter data (as defined by the Secretary) to the Medicaid Statistical Information System (MSIS) in a timely manner (as determined by the Secretary); or
(26) with respect to any amounts expended for medical assistance for individuals described in subclause (VIII) of subsection (a)(10)(A)(i) 6 other than medical assistance provided through benchmark coverage described in
Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed as permitting a State to provide services under its plan under this subchapter that are not reasonable in amount, duration, and scope to achieve their purpose. Paragraphs (1), (2), (16), (17), and (18) shall apply with respect to items or services furnished and amounts expended by or through a managed care entity (as defined in
(j) Adjustment of amount
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, the amount determined under subsection (a)(1) of this section for any State for any quarter shall be adjusted in accordance with
(k) Technical assistance to States
The Secretary is authorized to provide at the request of any State (and without cost to such State) such technical and actuarial assistance as may be necessary to assist such State to contract with any medicaid managed care organization which meets the requirements of subsection (m) of this section for the purpose of providing medical care and services to individuals who are entitled to medical assistance under this subchapter.
(l) Repealed. Pub. L. 94–552, §1, Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2540
(m) "Medicaid managed care organization" defined; duties and functions of Secretary; payments to States; reporting requirements; remedies
(1)(A) The term "medicaid managed care organization" means a health maintenance organization, an eligible organization with a contract under
(i) makes services it provides to individuals eligible for benefits under this subchapter accessible to such individuals, within the area served by the organization, to the same extent as such services are made accessible to individuals (eligible for medical assistance under the State plan) not enrolled with the organization, and
(ii) has made adequate provision against the risk of insolvency, which provision is satisfactory to the State, meets the requirements of subparagraph (C)(i) (if applicable), and which assures that individuals eligible for benefits under this subchapter are in no case held liable for debts of the organization in case of the organization's insolvency.
An organization that is a qualified health maintenance organization (as defined in section 300e–9(d) 3 of this title) is deemed to meet the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii).
(B) The duties and functions of the Secretary, insofar as they involve making determinations as to whether an organization is a medicaid managed care organization within the meaning of subparagraph (A), shall be integrated with the administration of section 300e–11(a) and (b) of this title.
(C)(i) Subject to clause (ii), a provision meets the requirements of this subparagraph for an organization if the organization meets solvency standards established by the State for private health maintenance organizations or is licensed or certified by the State as a risk-bearing entity.
(ii) Clause (i) shall not apply to an organization if—
(I) the organization is not responsible for the provision (directly or through arrangements with providers of services) of inpatient hospital services and physicians' services;
(II) the organization is a public entity;
(III) the solvency of the organization is guaranteed by the State; or
(IV) the organization is (or is controlled by) one or more Federally-qualified health centers and meets solvency standards established by the State for such an organization.
For purposes of subclause (IV), the term "control" means the possession, whether direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the organization through membership, board representation, or an ownership interest equal to or greater than 50.1 percent.
(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (G), no payment shall be made under this subchapter to a State with respect to expenditures incurred by it for payment (determined under a prepaid capitation basis or under any other risk basis) for services provided by any entity (including a health insuring organization) which is responsible for the provision (directly or through arrangements with providers of services) of inpatient hospital services and any other service described in paragraph (2), (3), (4), (5), or (7) of
(i) the Secretary has determined that the entity is a medicaid managed care organization as defined in paragraph (1);
(ii) Repealed.
(iii) such services are provided for the benefit of individuals eligible for benefits under this subchapter in accordance with a contract between the State and the entity under which prepaid payments to the entity are made on an actuarially sound basis and under which the Secretary must provide prior approval for contracts providing for expenditures in excess of $1,000,000 for 1998 and, for a subsequent year, the amount established under this clause for the previous year increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers over the previous year;
(iv) such contract provides that the Secretary and the State (or any person or organization designated by either) shall have the right to audit and inspect any books and records of the entity (and of any subcontractor) that pertain (I) to the ability of the entity to bear the risk of potential financial losses, or (II) to services performed or determinations of amounts payable under the contract;
(v) such contract provides that in the entity's enrollment, reenrollment, or disenrollment of individuals who are eligible for benefits under this subchapter and eligible to enroll, reenroll, or disenroll with the entity pursuant to the contract, the entity will not discriminate among such individuals on the basis of their health status or requirements for health care services;
(vi) such contract (I) permits individuals who have elected under the plan to enroll with the entity for provision of such benefits to terminate such enrollment in accordance with
(vii) such contract provides that, in the case of medically necessary services which were provided (I) to an individual enrolled with the entity under the contract and entitled to benefits with respect to such services under the State's plan and (II) other than through the organization because the services were immediately required due to an unforeseen illness, injury, or condition, either the entity or the State provides for reimbursement with respect to those services,2
(viii) such contract provides for disclosure of information in accordance with
(ix) such contract provides, in the case of an entity that has entered into a contract for the provision of services with a Federally-qualified health center or a rural health clinic, that the entity shall provide payment that is not less than the level and amount of payment which the entity would make for the services if the services were furnished by a provider which is not a Federally-qualified health center or a rural health clinic;
(x) any physician incentive plan that it operates meets the requirements described in
(xi) such contract provides for maintenance of sufficient patient encounter data to identify the physician who delivers services to patients and for the provision of such data to the State at a frequency and level of detail to be specified by the Secretary;
(xii) such contract, and the entity complies with the applicable requirements of
(xiii) such contract provides that (I) covered outpatient drugs dispensed to individuals eligible for medical assistance who are enrolled with the entity shall be subject to the same rebate required by the agreement entered into under
(B) Subparagraph (A) 7 except with respect to clause (ix) of subparagraph (A), does not apply with respect to payments under this subchapter to a State with respect to expenditures incurred by it for payment for services provided by an entity which—
(i)(I) received a grant of at least $100,000 in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, under
(II) provides to its enrollees, on a prepaid capitation risk basis or on any other risk basis, all of the services and benefits described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4)(C), and (5) of
(ii) is a nonprofit primary health care entity located in a rural area (as defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission)—
(I) which received in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, at least $100,000 (by grant, subgrant, or subcontract) under the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965,3 and
(II) for the period beginning July 1, 1976, and ending on the expiration of the period for which payments are to be made under this subchapter either has been the recipient of a grant, subgrant, or subcontract under such Act or has provided services under a contract (initially entered into during a year in which the entity was the recipient of such a grant, subgrant, or subcontract) with a State agency under this subchapter on a prepaid capitation risk basis or on any other risk basis; or
(iii) which has contracted with the single State agency for the provision of services (but not including inpatient hospital services) to persons eligible under this subchapter on a prepaid risk basis prior to 1970.
(C) to (E) Repealed.
(F) Repealed.
(G) In the case of an entity which is receiving (and has received during the previous two years) a grant of at least $100,000 under
(H) In the case of an individual who—
(i) in a month is eligible for benefits under this subchapter and enrolled with a medicaid managed care organization with a contract under this paragraph or with a primary care case manager with a contract described in
(ii) in the next month (or in the next 2 months) is not eligible for such benefits, but
(iii) in the succeeding month is again eligible for such benefits,
the State plan, subject to subparagraph (A)(vi), may enroll the individual for that succeeding month with the organization described in clause (i) if the organization continues to have a contract under this paragraph with the State or with the manager described in such clause if the manager continues to have a contract described in
(3) Repealed.
(4)(A) Each medicaid managed care organization which is not a qualified health maintenance organization (as defined in section 300e–9(d) 3 of this title) must report to the State and, upon request, to the Secretary, the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Comptroller General a description of transactions between the organization and a party in interest (as defined in
(i) Any sale or exchange, or leasing of any property between the organization and such a party.
(ii) Any furnishing for consideration of goods, services (including management services), or facilities between the organization and such a party, but not including salaries paid to employees for services provided in the normal course of their employment.
(iii) Any lending of money or other extension of credit between the organization and such a party.
The State or Secretary may require that information reported respecting an organization which controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another entity be in the form of a consolidated financial statement for the organization and such entity.
(B) Each organization shall make the information reported pursuant to subparagraph (A) available to its enrollees upon reasonable request.
(5)(A) If the Secretary determines that an entity with a contract under this subsection—
(i) fails substantially to provide medically necessary items and services that are required (under law or under the contract) to be provided to an individual covered under the contract, if the failure has adversely affected (or has substantial likelihood of adversely affecting) the individual;
(ii) imposes premiums on individuals enrolled under this subsection in excess of the premiums permitted under this subchapter;
(iii) acts to discriminate among individuals in violation of the provision of paragraph (2)(A)(v), including expulsion or refusal to re-enroll an individual or engaging in any practice that would reasonably be expected to have the effect of denying or discouraging enrollment (except as permitted by this subsection) by eligible individuals with the organization whose medical condition or history indicates a need for substantial future medical services;
(iv) misrepresents or falsifies information that is furnished—
(I) to the Secretary or the State under this subsection, or
(II) to an individual or to any other entity under this subsection,2 or
(v) fails to comply with the requirements of
the Secretary may provide, in addition to any other remedies available under law, for any of the remedies described in subparagraph (B).
(B) The remedies described in this subparagraph are—
(i) civil money penalties of not more than $25,000 for each determination under subparagraph (A), or, with respect to a determination under clause (iii) or (iv)(I) of such subparagraph, of not more than $100,000 for each such determination, plus, with respect to a determination under subparagraph (A)(ii), double the excess amount charged in violation of such subparagraph (and the excess amount charged shall be deducted from the penalty and returned to the individual concerned), and plus, with respect to a determination under subparagraph (A)(iii), $15,000 for each individual not enrolled as a result of a practice described in such subparagraph, or
(ii) denial of payment to the State for medical assistance furnished under the contract under this subsection for individuals enrolled after the date the Secretary notifies the organization of a determination under subparagraph (A) and until the Secretary is satisfied that the basis for such determination has been corrected and is not likely to recur.
The provisions of
(6)(A) For purposes of this subsection and
(B) The undertaking described in subparagraph (A) must provide—
(i) for the establishment of a separate entity responsible for the operation of a program meeting the requirements of this subsection, which entity may be a subdivision of the State agency administering the State plan under this subchapter;
(ii) for separate accounting for the funds used to operate such program; and
(iii) for setting the capitation rates and any other payment rates for services provided in accordance with this subsection using a methodology satisfactory to the Secretary designed to ensure that total Federal matching payments under this subchapter for such services will be lower than the matching payments that would be made for the same services, if provided under the State plan on a fee for service basis to an actuarially equivalent population.
(C) The undertaking described in subparagraph (A) shall be subject to approval (and annual re-approval) by the Secretary in the same manner as a contract under this subsection.
(D) The undertaking described in subparagraph (A) shall not be eligible for a waiver under
(n) Repealed. Pub. L. 100–93, §8(h)(1), Aug. 18, 1987, 101 Stat. 694
(o) Restrictions on authorized payments to States
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, no payment shall be made to a State under the preceding provisions of this section for expenditures for medical assistance provided for an individual under its State plan approved under this subchapter to the extent that a private insurer (as defined by the Secretary by regulation and including a group health plan (as defined in
(p) Assignment of rights of payment; incentive payments for enforcement and collection
(1) When a political subdivision of a State makes, for the State of which it is a political subdivision, or one State makes, for another State, the enforcement and collection of rights of support or payment assigned under
(2) Where more than one jurisdiction is involved in such enforcement or collection, the amount of the incentive payment determined under paragraph (1) shall be allocated among the jurisdictions in a manner to be prescribed by the Secretary.
(q) "State medicaid fraud control unit" defined
For the purposes of this section, the term "State medicaid fraud control unit" means a single identifiable entity of the State government which the Secretary certifies (and annually recertifies) as meeting the following requirements:
(1) The entity (A) is a unit of the office of the State Attorney General or of another department of State government which possesses statewide authority to prosecute individuals for criminal violations, (B) is in a State the constitution of which does not provide for the criminal prosecution of individuals by a statewide authority and has formal procedures, approved by the Secretary, that (i) assure its referral of suspected criminal violations relating to the program under this subchapter to the appropriate authority or authorities in the State for prosecution and (ii) assure its assistance of, and coordination with, such authority or authorities in such prosecutions, or (C) has a formal working relationship with the office of the State Attorney General and has formal procedures (including procedures for its referral of suspected criminal violations to such office) which are approved by the Secretary and which provide effective coordination of activities between the entity and such office with respect to the detection, investigation, and prosecution of suspected criminal violations relating to the program under this subchapter.
(2) The entity is separate and distinct from the single State agency that administers or supervises the administration of the State plan under this subchapter.
(3) The entity's function is conducting a statewide program for the investigation and prosecution of violations of all applicable State laws regarding any and all aspects of fraud in connection with (A) any aspect of the provision of medical assistance and the activities of providers of such assistance under the State plan under this subchapter; and (B) upon the approval of the Inspector General of the relevant Federal agency, any aspect of the provision of health care services and activities of providers of such services under any Federal health care program (as defined in
(4)(A) The entity has—
(i) procedures for reviewing complaints of abuse or neglect of patients in health care facilities which receive payments under the State plan under this subchapter;
(ii) at the option of the entity, procedures for reviewing complaints of abuse or neglect of patients residing in board and care facilities; and
(iii) procedures for acting upon such complaints under the criminal laws of the State or for referring such complaints to other State agencies for action.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "board and care facility" means a residential setting which receives payment (regardless of whether such payment is made under the State plan under this subchapter) from or on behalf of two or more unrelated adults who reside in such facility, and for whom one or both of the following is provided:
(i) Nursing care services provided by, or under the supervision of, a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or licensed nursing assistant.
(ii) A substantial amount of personal care services that assist residents with the activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, dressing, bathing, eating, toileting, ambulation, transfer, positioning, self-medication, body care, travel to medical services, essential shopping, meal preparation, laundry, and housework.
(5) The entity provides for the collection, or referral for collection to a single State agency, of overpayments that are made under the State plan or under any Federal health care program (as so defined) to health care facilities and that are discovered by the entity in carrying out its activities. All funds collected in accordance with this paragraph shall be credited exclusively to, and available for expenditure under, the Federal health care program (including the State plan under this subchapter) that was subject to the activity that was the basis for the collection.
(6) The entity employs such auditors, attorneys, investigators, and other necessary personnel and is organized in such a manner as is necessary to promote the effective and efficient conduct of the entity's activities.
(7) The entity submits to the Secretary an application and annual reports containing such information as the Secretary determines, by regulation, to be necessary to determine whether the entity meets the other requirements of this subsection.
(r) Mechanized claims processing and information retrieval systems; operational, etc., requirements
(1) In order to receive payments under subsection (a) of this section for use of automated data systems in administration of the State plan under this subchapter, a State must, in addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph (3), have in operation mechanized claims processing and information retrieval systems that meet the requirements of this subsection and that the Secretary has found—
(A) are adequate to provide efficient, economical, and effective administration of such State plan;
(B) are compatible with the claims processing and information retrieval systems used in the administration of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, and for this purpose—
(i) have a uniform identification coding system for providers, other payees, and beneficiaries under this subchapter or subchapter XVIII of this chapter;
(ii) provide liaison between States and carriers and intermediaries with agreements under subchapter XVIII of this chapter to facilitate timely exchange of appropriate data;
(iii) provide for exchange of data between the States and the Secretary with respect to persons sanctioned under this subchapter or subchapter XVIII of this chapter; and
(iv) effective for claims filed on or after October 1, 2010, incorporate compatible methodologies of the National Correct Coding Initiative administered by the Secretary (or any successor initiative to promote correct coding and to control improper coding leading to inappropriate payment) and such other methodologies of that Initiative (or such other national correct coding methodologies) as the Secretary identifies in accordance with paragraph (4);
(C) are capable of providing accurate and timely data;
(D) are complying with the applicable provisions of part C of subchapter XI of this chapter;
(E) are designed to receive provider claims in standard formats to the extent specified by the Secretary; and
(F) effective for claims filed on or after January 1, 1999, provide for electronic transmission of claims data in the format specified by the Secretary and consistent with the Medicaid Statistical Information System (MSIS) (including detailed individual enrollee encounter data and other information that the Secretary may find necessary and including, for data submitted to the Secretary on or after January 1, 2010, data elements from the automated data system that the Secretary determines to be necessary for program integrity, program oversight, and administration, at such frequency as the Secretary shall determine).
(2) In order to meet the requirements of this paragraph, mechanized claims processing and information retrieval systems must meet the following requirements:
(A) The systems must be capable of developing provider, physician, and patient profiles which are sufficient to provide specific information as to the use of covered types of services and items, including prescribed drugs.
(B) The State must provide that information on probable fraud or abuse which is obtained from, or developed by, the systems, is made available to the State's medicaid fraud control unit (if any) certified under subsection (q) of this section.
(C) The systems must meet all performance standards and other requirements for initial approval developed by the Secretary.
(3) In order to meet the requirements of this paragraph, a State must have in operation an eligibility determination system which provides for data matching through the Public Assistance Reporting Information System (PARIS) facilitated by the Secretary (or any successor system), including matching with medical assistance programs operated by other States.
(4) For purposes of paragraph (1)(B)(iv), the Secretary shall do the following:
(A) Not later than September 1, 2010:
(i) Identify those methodologies of the National Correct Coding Initiative administered by the Secretary (or any successor initiative to promote correct coding and to control improper coding leading to inappropriate payment) which are compatible to claims filed under this subchapter.
(ii) Identify those methodologies of such Initiative (or such other national correct coding methodologies) that should be incorporated into claims filed under this subchapter with respect to items or services for which States provide medical assistance under this subchapter and no national correct coding methodologies have been established under such Initiative with respect to subchapter XVIII.
(iii) Notify States of—
(I) the methodologies identified under subparagraphs (A) and (B) (and of any other national correct coding methodologies identified under subparagraph (B)); and
(II) how States are to incorporate such methodologies into claims filed under this subchapter.
(B) Not later than March 1, 2011, submit a report to Congress that includes the notice to States under clause (iii) of subparagraph (A) and an analysis supporting the identification of the methodologies made under clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A).
(s) Limitations on certain physician referrals
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, no payment shall be made to a State under this section for expenditures for medical assistance under the State plan consisting of a designated health service (as defined in subsection (h)(6) of
(t) Payments to encourage adoption and use of certified EHR technology
(1) For purposes of subsection (a)(3)(F), the payments described in this paragraph to encourage the adoption and use of certified EHR technology are payments made by the State in accordance with this subsection—
(A) to Medicaid providers described in paragraph (2)(A) not in excess of 85 percent of net average allowable costs (as defined in paragraph (3)(E)) for certified EHR technology (and support services including maintenance and training that is for, or is necessary for the adoption and operation of, such technology) with respect to such providers; and
(B) to Medicaid providers described in paragraph (2)(B) not in excess of the maximum amount permitted under paragraph (5) for the provider involved.
(2) In this subsection and subsection (a)(3)(F), the term "Medicaid provider" means—
(A) an eligible professional (as defined in paragraph (3)(B))—
(i) who is not hospital-based and has at least 30 percent of the professional's patient volume (as estimated in accordance with a methodology established by the Secretary) attributable to individuals who are receiving medical assistance under this subchapter;
(ii) who is not described in clause (i), who is a pediatrician, who is not hospital-based, and who has at least 20 percent of the professional's patient volume (as estimated in accordance with a methodology established by the Secretary) attributable to individuals who are receiving medical assistance under this subchapter; and
(iii) who practices predominantly in a Federally qualified health center or rural health clinic and has at least 30 percent of the professional's patient volume (as estimated in accordance with a methodology established by the Secretary) attributable to needy individuals (as defined in paragraph (3)(F)); and
(B)(i) a children's hospital, or
(ii) an acute-care hospital that is not described in clause (i) and that has at least 10 percent of the hospital's patient volume (as estimated in accordance with a methodology established by the Secretary) attributable to individuals who are receiving medical assistance under this subchapter.
An eligible professional shall not qualify as a Medicaid provider under this subsection unless any right to payment under
(3) In this subsection and subsection (a)(3)(F):
(A) The term "certified EHR technology" means a qualified electronic health record (as defined in 8 300jj(13) of this title) that is certified pursuant to
(B) The term "eligible professional" means a—
(i) physician;
(ii) dentist;
(iii) certified nurse mid-wife;
(iv) nurse practitioner; and
(v) physician assistant insofar as the assistant is practicing in a rural health clinic that is led by a physician assistant or is practicing in a Federally qualified health center that is so led.
(C) The term "average allowable costs" means, with respect to certified EHR technology of Medicaid providers described in paragraph (2)(A) for—
(i) the first year of payment with respect to such a provider, the average costs for the purchase and initial implementation or upgrade of such technology (and support services including training that is for, or is necessary for the adoption and initial operation of, such technology) for such providers, as determined by the Secretary based upon studies conducted under paragraph (4)(C); and
(ii) a subsequent year of payment with respect to such a provider, the average costs not described in clause (i) relating to the operation, maintenance, and use of such technology for such providers, as determined by the Secretary based upon studies conducted under paragraph (4)(C).
(D) The term "hospital-based" means, with respect to an eligible professional, a professional (such as a pathologist, anesthesiologist, or emergency physician) who furnishes substantially all of the individual's professional services in a hospital inpatient or emergency room setting and through the use of the facilities and equipment, including qualified electronic health records, of the hospital. The determination of whether an eligible professional is a hospital-based eligible professional shall be made on the basis of the site of service (as defined by the Secretary) and without regard to any employment or billing arrangement between the eligible professional and any other provider.
(E) The term "net average allowable costs" means, with respect to a Medicaid provider described in paragraph (2)(A), average allowable costs reduced by the average payment the Secretary estimates will be made to such Medicaid providers (determined on a percentage or other basis for such classes or types of providers as the Secretary may specify) from other sources (other than under this subsection, or by the Federal government or a State or local government) that is directly attributable to payment for certified EHR technology or support services described in subparagraph (C).
(F) The term "needy individual" means, with respect to a Medicaid provider, an individual—
(i) who is receiving assistance under this subchapter;
(ii) who is receiving assistance under subchapter XXI;
(iii) who is furnished uncompensated care by the provider; or
(iv) for whom charges are reduced by the provider on a sliding scale basis based on an individual's ability to pay.
(4)(A) With respect to a Medicaid provider described in paragraph (2)(A), subject to subparagraph (B), in no case shall—
(i) the net average allowable costs under this subsection for the first year of payment (which may not be later than 2016), which is intended to cover the costs described in paragraph (3)(C)(i), exceed $25,000 (or such lesser amount as the Secretary determines based on studies conducted under subparagraph (C));
(ii) the net average allowable costs under this subsection for a subsequent year of payment, which is intended to cover costs described in paragraph (3)(C)(ii), exceed $10,000; and
(iii) payments be made for costs described in clause (ii) after 2021 or over a period of longer than 5 years.
(B) In the case of Medicaid 9 provider described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii), the dollar amounts specified in subparagraph (A) shall be 2/3 of the dollar amounts otherwise specified.
(C) For the purposes of determining average allowable costs under this subsection, the Secretary shall study the average costs to Medicaid providers described in paragraph (2)(A) of purchase and initial implementation and upgrade of certified EHR technology described in paragraph (3)(C)(i) and the average costs to such providers of operations, maintenance, and use of such technology described in paragraph (3)(C)(ii). In determining such costs for such providers, the Secretary may utilize studies of such amounts submitted by States.
(5)(A) In no case shall the payments described in paragraph (1)(B) with respect to a Medicaid provider described in paragraph (2)(B) exceed—
(i) in the aggregate the product of—
(I) the overall hospital EHR amount for the provider computed under subparagraph (B); and
(II) the Medicaid share for such provider computed under subparagraph (C);
(ii) in any year 50 percent of the product described in clause (i); and
(iii) in any 2-year period 90 percent of such product.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the overall hospital EHR amount, with respect to a Medicaid provider, is the sum of the applicable amounts specified in
(C) The Medicaid share computed under this subparagraph, for a Medicaid provider for a period specified by the Secretary, shall be calculated in the same manner as the Medicare share under
(D) In no case may the payments described in paragraph (1)(B) with respect to a Medicaid provider described in paragraph (2)(B) be paid—
(i) for any year beginning after 2016 unless the provider has been provided payment under paragraph (1)(B) for the previous year; and
(ii) over a period of more than 6 years of payment.
(6) Payments described in paragraph (1) are not in accordance with this subsection unless the following requirements are met:
(A)(i) The State provides assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that amounts received under subsection (a)(3)(F) with respect to payments to a Medicaid provider are paid, subject to clause (ii), directly to such provider (or to an employer or facility to which such provider has assigned payments) without any deduction or rebate.
(ii) Amounts described in clause (i) may also be paid to an entity promoting the adoption of certified EHR technology, as designated by the State, if participation in such a payment arrangement is voluntary for the eligible professional involved and if such entity does not retain more than 5 percent of such payments for costs not related to certified EHR technology (and support services including maintenance and training) that is for, or is necessary for the operation of, such technology.
(B) A Medicaid provider described in paragraph (2)(A) is responsible for payment of the remaining 15 percent of the net average allowable cost and shall be determined to have met such responsibility to the extent that the payment to the Medicaid provider is not in excess of 85 percent of the net average allowable cost.
(C)(i) Subject to clause (ii), with respect to payments to a Medicaid provider—
(I) for the first year of payment to the Medicaid provider under this subsection, the Medicaid provider demonstrates that it is engaged in efforts to adopt, implement, or upgrade certified EHR technology; and
(II) for a year of payment, other than the first year of payment to the Medicaid provider under this subsection, the Medicaid provider demonstrates meaningful use of certified EHR technology through a means that is approved by the State and acceptable to the Secretary, and that may be based upon the methodologies applied under
(ii) In the case of a Medicaid provider who has completed adopting, implementing, or upgrading such technology prior to the first year of payment to the Medicaid provider under this subsection, clause (i)(I) shall not apply and clause (i)(II) shall apply to each year of payment to the Medicaid provider under this subsection, including the first year of payment.
(D) To the extent specified by the Secretary, the certified EHR technology is compatible with State or Federal administrative management systems.
For purposes of subparagraph (B), a Medicaid provider described in paragraph (2)(A) may accept payments for the costs described in such subparagraph from a State or local government. For purposes of subparagraph (C), in establishing the means described in such subparagraph, which may include clinical quality reporting to the State, the State shall ensure that populations with unique needs, such as children, are appropriately addressed.
(7) With respect to Medicaid providers described in paragraph (2)(A), the Secretary shall ensure coordination of payment with respect to such providers under
(8) In carrying out paragraph (6)(C), the State and Secretary shall seek, to the maximum extent practicable, to avoid duplicative requirements from Federal and State governments to demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology under this subchapter and subchapter XVIII. In doing so, the Secretary may deem satisfaction of requirements for such meaningful use for a payment year under subchapter XVIII to be sufficient to qualify as meaningful use under this subsection. The Secretary may also specify the reporting periods under this subsection in order to carry out this paragraph.
(9) In order to be provided Federal financial participation under subsection (a)(3)(F)(ii), a State must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that the State—
(A) is using the funds provided for the purposes of administering payments under this subsection, including tracking of meaningful use by Medicaid providers;
(B) is conducting adequate oversight of the program under this subsection, including routine tracking of meaningful use attestations and reporting mechanisms; and
(C) is pursuing initiatives to encourage the adoption of certified EHR technology to promote health care quality and the exchange of health care information under this subchapter, subject to applicable laws and regulations governing such exchange.
(10) The Secretary shall periodically submit reports to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate on status, progress, and oversight of payments described in paragraph (1), including steps taken to carry out paragraph (7). Such reports shall also describe the extent of adoption of certified EHR technology among Medicaid providers resulting from the provisions of this subsection and any improvements in health outcomes, clinical quality, or efficiency resulting from such adoption.
(u) Limitation of Federal financial participation in erroneous medical assistance expenditures
(1)(A) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(1) of this section, if the ratio of a State's erroneous excess payments for medical assistance (as defined in subparagraph (D)) to its total expenditures for medical assistance under the State plan approved under this subchapter exceeds 0.03, for the period consisting of the third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 1983, or for any full fiscal year thereafter, then the Secretary shall make no payment for such period or fiscal year with respect to so much of such erroneous excess payments as exceeds such allowable error rate of 0.03.
(B) The Secretary may waive, in certain limited cases, all or part of the reduction required under subparagraph (A) with respect to any State if such State is unable to reach the allowable error rate for a period or fiscal year despite a good faith effort by such State.
(C) In estimating the amount to be paid to a State under subsection (d) of this section, the Secretary shall take into consideration the limitation on Federal financial participation imposed by subparagraph (A) and shall reduce the estimate he makes under subsection (d)(1) of this section, for purposes of payment to the State under subsection (d)(3) of this section, in light of any expected erroneous excess payments for medical assistance (estimated in accordance with such criteria, including sampling procedures, as he may prescribe and subject to subsequent adjustment, if necessary, under subsection (d)(2) of this section).
(D)(i) For purposes of this subsection, the term "erroneous excess payments for medical assistance" means the total of—
(I) payments under the State plan with respect to ineligible individuals and families, and
(II) overpayments on behalf of eligible individuals and families by reason of error in determining the amount of expenditures for medical care required of an individual or family as a condition of eligibility.
(ii) In determining the amount of erroneous excess payments for medical assistance to an ineligible individual or family under clause (i)(I), if such ineligibility is the result of an error in determining the amount of the resources of such individual or family, the amount of the erroneous excess payment shall be the smaller of (I) the amount of the payment with respect to such individual or family, or (II) the difference between the actual amount of such resources and the allowable resource level established under the State plan.
(iii) In determining the amount of erroneous excess payments for medical assistance to an individual or family under clause (i)(II), the amount of the erroneous excess payment shall be the smaller of (I) the amount of the payment on behalf of the individual or family, or (II) the difference between the actual amount incurred for medical care by the individual or family and the amount which should have been incurred in order to establish eligibility for medical assistance.
(iv) In determining the amount of erroneous excess payments, there shall not be included any error resulting from a failure of an individual to cooperate or give correct information with respect to third-party liability as required under section 1396k(a)(1)(C) or 602(a)(26)(C) 3 of this title or with respect to payments made in violation of
(v) In determining the amount of erroneous excess payments, there shall not be included any erroneous payments made for ambulatory prenatal care provided during a presumptive eligibility period (as defined in
(E) For purposes of subparagraph (D), there shall be excluded, in determining both erroneous excess payments for medical assistance and total expenditures for medical assistance—
(i) payments with respect to any individual whose eligibility therefor was determined exclusively by the Secretary under an agreement pursuant to
(ii) payments made as the result of a technical error.
(2) The State agency administering the plan approved under this subchapter shall, at such times and in such form as the Secretary may specify, provide information on the rates of erroneous excess payments made (or expected, with respect to future periods specified by the Secretary) in connection with its administration of such plan, together with any other data he requests that are reasonably necessary for him to carry out the provisions of this subsection.
(3)(A) If a State fails to cooperate with the Secretary in providing information necessary to carry out this subsection, the Secretary, directly or through contractual or such other arrangements as he may find appropriate, shall establish the error rates for that State on the basis of the best data reasonably available to him and in accordance with such techniques for sampling and estimating as he finds appropriate.
(B) In any case in which it is necessary for the Secretary to exercise his authority under subparagraph (A) to determine a State's error rates for a fiscal year, the amount that would otherwise be payable to such State under this subchapter for quarters in such year shall be reduced by the costs incurred by the Secretary in making (directly or otherwise) such determination.
(4) This subsection shall not apply with respect to Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa.
(v) Medical assistance to aliens not lawfully admitted for permanent residence
(1) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (4), no payment may be made to a State under this section for medical assistance furnished to an alien who is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing in the United States under color of law.
(2) Payment shall be made under this section for care and services that are furnished to an alien described in paragraph (1) only if—
(A) such care and services are necessary for the treatment of an emergency medical condition of the alien,
(B) such alien otherwise meets the eligibility requirements for medical assistance under the State plan approved under this subchapter (other than the requirement of the receipt of aid or assistance under subchapter IV of this chapter, supplemental security income benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter, or a State supplementary payment), and
(C) such care and services are not related to an organ transplant procedure.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term "emergency medical condition" means a medical condition (including emergency labor and delivery) manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in—
(A) placing the patient's health in serious jeopardy,
(B) serious impairment to bodily functions, or
(C) serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part.
(4)(A) A State may elect (in a plan amendment under this subchapter) to provide medical assistance under this subchapter, notwithstanding
(i) Pregnant women
Women during pregnancy (and during the 60-day period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy).
(ii) Children
Individuals under 21 years of age, including optional targeted low-income children described in
(B) In the case of a State that has elected to provide medical assistance to a category of aliens under subparagraph (A), no debt shall accrue under an affidavit of support against any sponsor of such an alien on the basis of provision of assistance to such category and the cost of such assistance shall not be considered as an unreimbursed cost.
(C) As part of the State's ongoing eligibility redetermination requirements and procedures for an individual provided medical assistance as a result of an election by the State under subparagraph (A), a State shall verify that the individual continues to lawfully reside in the United States using the documentation presented to the State by the individual on initial enrollment. If the State cannot successfully verify that the individual is lawfully residing in the United States in this manner, it shall require that the individual provide the State with further documentation or other evidence to verify that the individual is lawfully residing in the United States.
(w) Prohibition on use of voluntary contributions, and limitation on use of provider-specific taxes to obtain Federal financial participation under medicaid
(1)(A) Notwithstanding the previous provisions of this section, for purposes of determining the amount to be paid to a State (as defined in paragraph (7)(D)) under subsection (a)(1) of this section for quarters in any fiscal year, the total amount expended during such fiscal year as medical assistance under the State plan (as determined without regard to this subsection) shall be reduced by the sum of any revenues received by the State (or by a unit of local government in the State) during the fiscal year—
(i) from provider-related donations (as defined in paragraph (2)(A)), other than—
(I) bona fide provider-related donations (as defined in paragraph (2)(B)), and
(II) donations described in paragraph (2)(C);
(ii) from health care related taxes (as defined in paragraph (3)(A)), other than broad-based health care related taxes (as defined in paragraph (3)(B));
(iii) from a broad-based health care related tax, if there is in effect a hold harmless provision (described in paragraph (4)) with respect to the tax; or
(iv) only with respect to State fiscal years (or portions thereof) occurring on or after January 1, 1992, and before October 1, 1995, from broad-based health care related taxes to the extent the amount of such taxes collected exceeds the limit established under paragraph (5).
(B) Notwithstanding the previous provisions of this section, for purposes of determining the amount to be paid to a State under subsection (a)(7) of this section for all quarters in a Federal fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1993), the total amount expended during the fiscal year for administrative expenditures under the State plan (as determined without regard to this subsection) shall be reduced by the sum of any revenues received by the State (or by a unit of local government in the State) during such quarters from donations described in paragraph (2)(C), to the extent the amount of such donations exceeds 10 percent of the amounts expended under the State plan under this subchapter during the fiscal year for purposes described in paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (6), and (7) of subsection (a) of this section.
(C)(i) Except as otherwise provided in clause (ii), subparagraph (A)(i) shall apply to donations received on or after January 1, 1992.
(ii) Subject to the limits described in clause (iii) and subparagraph (E), subparagraph (A)(i) shall not apply to donations received before the effective date specified in subparagraph (F) if such donations are received under programs in effect or as described in State plan amendments or related documents submitted to the Secretary by September 30, 1991, and applicable to State fiscal year 1992, as demonstrated by State plan amendments, written agreements, State budget documentation, or other documentary evidence in existence on that date.
(iii) In applying clause (ii) in the case of donations received in State fiscal year 1993, the maximum amount of such donations to which such clause may be applied may not exceed the total amount of such donations received in the corresponding period in State fiscal year 1992 (or not later than 5 days after the last day of the corresponding period).
(D)(i) Except as otherwise provided in clause (ii), subparagraphs (A)(ii) and (A)(iii) shall apply to taxes received on or after January 1, 1992.
(ii) Subparagraphs (A)(ii) and (A)(iii) shall not apply to impermissible taxes (as defined in clause (iii)) received before the effective date specified in subparagraph (F) to the extent the taxes (including the tax rate or base) were in effect, or the legislation or regulations imposing such taxes were enacted or adopted, as of November 22, 1991.
(iii) In this subparagraph and subparagraph (E), the term "impermissible tax" means a health care related tax for which a reduction may be made under clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (A).
(E)(i) In no case may the total amount of donations and taxes permitted under the exception provided in subparagraphs (C)(ii) and (D)(ii) for the portion of State fiscal year 1992 occurring during calendar year 1992 exceed the limit under paragraph (5) minus the total amount of broad-based health care related taxes received in the portion of that fiscal year.
(ii) In no case may the total amount of donations and taxes permitted under the exception provided in subparagraphs (C)(ii) and (D)(ii) for State fiscal year 1993 exceed the limit under paragraph (5) minus the total amount of broad-based health care related taxes received in that fiscal year.
(F) In this paragraph in the case of a State—
(i) except as provided in clause (iii), with a State fiscal year beginning on or before July 1, the effective date is October 1, 1992,
(ii) except as provided in clause (iii), with a State fiscal year that begins after July 1, the effective date is January 1, 1993, or
(iii) with a State legislature which is not scheduled to have a regular legislative session in 1992, with a State legislature which is not scheduled to have a regular legislative session in 1993, or with a provider-specific tax enacted on November 4, 1991, the effective date is July 1, 1993.
(2)(A) In this subsection (except as provided in paragraph (6)), the term "provider-related donation" means any donation or other voluntary payment (whether in cash or in kind) made (directly or indirectly) to a State or unit of local government by—
(i) a health care provider (as defined in paragraph (7)(B)),
(ii) an entity related to a health care provider (as defined in paragraph (7)(C)), or
(iii) an entity providing goods or services under the State plan for which payment is made to the State under paragraph (2), (3), (4), (6), or (7) of subsection (a) of this section.
(B) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A)(i)(I), the term "bona fide provider-related donation" means a provider-related donation that has no direct or indirect relationship (as determined by the Secretary) to payments made under this subchapter to that provider, to providers furnishing the same class of items and services as that provider, or to any related entity, as established by the State to the satisfaction of the Secretary. The Secretary may by regulation specify types of provider-related donations described in the previous sentence that will be considered to be bona fide provider-related donations.
(C) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A)(i)(II), donations described in this subparagraph are funds expended by a hospital, clinic, or similar entity for the direct cost (including costs of training and of preparing and distributing outreach materials) of State or local agency personnel who are stationed at the hospital, clinic, or entity to determine the eligibility of individuals for medical assistance under this subchapter and to provide outreach services to eligible or potentially eligible individuals.
(3)(A) In this subsection (except as provided in paragraph (6)), the term "health care related tax" means a tax (as defined in paragraph (7)(F)) that—
(i) is related to health care items or services, or to the provision of, the authority to provide, or payment for, such items or services, or
(ii) is not limited to such items or services but provides for treatment of individuals or entities that are providing or paying for such items or services that is different from the treatment provided to other individuals or entities.
In applying clause (i), a tax is considered to relate to health care items or services if at least 85 percent of the burden of such tax falls on health care providers.
(B) In this subsection, the term "broad-based health care related tax" means a health care related tax which is imposed with respect to a class of health care items or services (as described in paragraph (7)(A)) or with respect to providers of such items or services and which, except as provided in subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F)—
(i) is imposed at least with respect to all items or services in the class furnished by all non-Federal, nonpublic providers in the State (or, in the case of a tax imposed by a unit of local government, the area over which the unit has jurisdiction) or is imposed with respect to all non-Federal, nonpublic providers in the class; and
(ii) is imposed uniformly (in accordance with subparagraph (C)).
(C)(i) Subject to clause (ii), for purposes of subparagraph (B)(ii), a tax is considered to be imposed uniformly if—
(I) in the case of a tax consisting of a licensing fee or similar tax on a class of health care items or services (or providers of such items or services), the amount of the tax imposed is the same for every provider providing items or services within the class;
(II) in the case of a tax consisting of a licensing fee or similar tax imposed on a class of health care items or services (or providers of such services) on the basis of the number of beds (licensed or otherwise) of the provider, the amount of the tax is the same for each bed of each provider of such items or services in the class;
(III) in the case of a tax based on revenues or receipts with respect to a class of items or services (or providers of items or services) the tax is imposed at a uniform rate for all items and services (or providers of such items or services) in the class on all the gross revenues or receipts, or net operating revenues, relating to the provision of all such items or services (or all such providers) in the State (or, in the case of a tax imposed by a unit of local government within the State, in the area over which the unit has jurisdiction); or
(IV) in the case of any other tax, the State establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the tax is imposed uniformly.
(ii) Subject to subparagraphs (D) and (E), a tax imposed with respect to a class of health care items and services is not considered to be imposed uniformly if the tax provides for any credits, exclusions, or deductions which have as their purpose or effect the return to providers of all or a portion of the tax paid in a manner that is inconsistent with subclauses (I) and (II) of subparagraph (E)(ii) or provides for a hold harmless provision described in paragraph (4).
(D) A tax imposed with respect to a class of health care items and services is considered to be imposed uniformly—
(i) notwithstanding that the tax is not imposed with respect to items or services (or the providers thereof) for which payment is made under a State plan under this subchapter or subchapter XVIII of this chapter, or
(ii) in the case of a tax described in subparagraph (C)(i)(III), notwithstanding that the tax provides for exclusion (in whole or in part) of revenues or receipts from a State plan under this subchapter or subchapter XVIII of this chapter.
(E)(i) A State may submit an application to the Secretary requesting that the Secretary treat a tax as a broad-based health care related tax, notwithstanding that the tax does not apply to all health care items or services in class (or all providers of such items and services), provides for a credit, deduction, or exclusion, is not applied uniformly, or otherwise does not meet the requirements of subparagraph (B) or (C). Permissible waivers may include exemptions for rural or sole-community providers.
(ii) The Secretary shall approve such an application if the State establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that—
(I) the net impact of the tax and associated expenditures under this subchapter as proposed by the State is generally redistributive in nature, and
(II) the amount of the tax is not directly correlated to payments under this subchapter for items or services with respect to which the tax is imposed.
The Secretary shall by regulation specify types of credits, exclusions, and deductions that will be considered to meet the requirements of this subparagraph.
(F) In no case shall a tax not qualify as a broad-based health care related tax under this paragraph because it does not apply to a hospital that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code and that does not accept payment under the State plan under this subchapter or under subchapter XVIII of this chapter.
(4) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A)(iii), there is in effect a hold harmless provision with respect to a broad-based health care related tax imposed with respect to a class of items or services if the Secretary determines that any of the following applies:
(A) The State or other unit of government imposing the tax provides (directly or indirectly) for a payment (other than under this subchapter) to taxpayers and the amount of such payment is positively correlated either to the amount of such tax or to the difference between the amount of the tax and the amount of payment under the State plan.
(B) All or any portion of the payment made under this subchapter to the taxpayer varies based only upon the amount of the total tax paid.
(C)(i) The State or other unit of government imposing the tax provides (directly or indirectly) for any payment, offset, or waiver that guarantees to hold taxpayers harmless for any portion of the costs of the tax.
(ii) For purposes of clause (i), a determination of the existence of an indirect guarantee shall be made under paragraph (3)(i) of section 433.68(f) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on November 1, 2006, except that for portions of fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2008, and before October 1, 2011, "5.5 percent" shall be substituted for "6 percent" each place it appears.
The provisions of this paragraph shall not prevent use of the tax to reimburse health care providers in a class for expenditures under this subchapter nor preclude States from relying on such reimbursement to justify or explain the tax in the legislative process.
(5)(A) For purposes of this subsection, the limit under this subparagraph with respect to a State is an amount equal to 25 percent (or, if greater, the State base percentage, as defined in subparagraph (B)) of the non-Federal share of the total amount expended under the State plan during a State fiscal year (or portion thereof), as it would be determined pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) without regard to paragraph (1)(A)(iv).
(B)(i) In subparagraph (A), the term "State base percentage" means, with respect to a State, an amount (expressed as a percentage) equal to—
(I) the total of the amount of health care related taxes (whether or not broad-based) and the amount of provider-related donations (whether or not bona fide) projected to be collected (in accordance with clause (ii)) during State fiscal year 1992, divided by
(II) the non-Federal share of the total amount estimated to be expended under the State plan during such State fiscal year.
(ii) For purposes of clause (i)(I), in the case of a tax that is not in effect throughout State fiscal year 1992 or the rate (or base) of which is increased during such fiscal year, the Secretary shall project the amount to be collected during such fiscal year as if the tax (or increase) were in effect during the entire State fiscal year.
(C)(i) The total amount of health care related taxes under subparagraph (B)(i)(I) shall be determined by the Secretary based on only those taxes (including the tax rate or base) which were in effect, or for which legislation or regulations imposing such taxes were enacted or adopted, as of November 22, 1991.
(ii) The amount of provider-related donations under subparagraph (B)(i)(I) shall be determined by the Secretary based on programs in effect on September 30, 1991, and applicable to State fiscal year 1992, as demonstrated by State plan amendments, written agreements, State budget documentation, or other documentary evidence in existence on that date.
(iii) The amount of expenditures described in subparagraph (B)(i)(II) shall be determined by the Secretary based on the best data available as of December 12, 1991.
(6)(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the Secretary may not restrict States' use of funds where such funds are derived from State or local taxes (or funds appropriated to State university teaching hospitals) transferred from or certified by units of government within a State as the non-Federal share of expenditures under this subchapter, regardless of whether the unit of government is also a health care provider, except as provided in
(B) For purposes of this subsection, funds the use of which the Secretary may not restrict under subparagraph (A) shall not be considered to be a provider-related donation or a health care related tax.
(7) For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Each of the following shall be considered a separate class of health care items and services:
(i) Inpatient hospital services.
(ii) Outpatient hospital services.
(iii) Nursing facility services (other than services of intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded).
(iv) Services of intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded.
(v) Physicians' services.
(vi) Home health care services.
(vii) Outpatient prescription drugs.
(viii) Services of managed care organizations (including health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, and such other similar organizations as the Secretary may specify by regulation).
(ix) Such other classification of health care items and services consistent with this subparagraph as the Secretary may establish by regulation.
(B) The term "health care provider" means an individual or person that receives payments for the provision of health care items or services.
(C) An entity is considered to be "related" to a health care provider if the entity—
(i) is an organization, association, corporation or partnership formed by or on behalf of health care providers;
(ii) is a person with an ownership or control interest (as defined in
(iii) is the employee, spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the provider (or of a person described in clause (ii)); or
(iv) has a similar, close relationship (as defined in regulations) to the provider.
(D) The term "State" means only the 50 States and the District of Columbia but does not include any State whose entire program under this subchapter is operated under a waiver granted under
(E) The "State fiscal year" means, with respect to a specified year, a State fiscal year ending in that specified year.
(F) The term "tax" includes any licensing fee, assessment, or other mandatory payment, but does not include payment of a criminal or civil fine or penalty (other than a fine or penalty imposed in lieu of or instead of a fee, assessment, or other mandatory payment).
(G) The term "unit of local government" means, with respect to a State, a city, county, special purpose district, or other governmental unit in the State.
(x) Satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality by individual declaring to be citizen or national of United States
(1) For purposes of
(2) The requirement of paragraph (1) shall not apply to an individual declaring to be a citizen or national of the United States who is eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter—
(A) and is entitled to or enrolled for benefits under any part of subchapter XVIII;
(B) and is receiving—
(i) disability insurance benefits under
(ii) supplemental security income benefits under subchapter XVI;
(C) and with respect to whom—
(i) child welfare services are made available under part B of subchapter IV on the basis of being a child in foster care; or
(ii) adoption or foster care assistance is made available under part E of subchapter IV;
(D) pursuant to the application of
(E) on such basis as the Secretary may specify under which satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality has been previously presented.
(3)(A) For purposes of this subsection, the term "satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality" means—
(i) any document described in subparagraph (B); or
(ii) a document described in subparagraph (C) and a document described in subparagraph (D).
(B) The following are documents described in this subparagraph:
(i) A United States passport.
(ii) Form N–550 or N–570 (Certificate of Naturalization).
(iii) Form N–560 or N–561 (Certificate of United States Citizenship).
(iv) A valid State-issued driver's license or other identity document described in
(v)(I) Except as provided in subclause (II), a document issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe evidencing membership or enrollment in, or affiliation with, such tribe (such as a tribal enrollment card or certificate of degree of Indian blood).
(II) With respect to those federally recognized Indian tribes located within States having an international border whose membership includes individuals who are not citizens of the United States, the Secretary shall, after consulting with such tribes, issue regulations authorizing the presentation of such other forms of documentation (including tribal documentation, if appropriate) that the Secretary determines to be satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality for purposes of satisfying the requirement of this subsection.
(vi) Such other document as the Secretary may specify, by regulation, that provides proof of United States citizenship or nationality and that provides a reliable means of documentation of personal identity.
(C) The following are documents described in this subparagraph:
(i) A certificate of birth in the United States.
(ii) Form FS–545 or Form DS–1350 (Certification of Birth Abroad).
(iii) Form I–197 (United States Citizen Identification Card).
(iv) Form FS–240 (Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States).
(v) Such other document (not described in subparagraph (B)(iv)) as the Secretary may specify that provides proof of United States citizenship or nationality.
(D) The following are documents described in this subparagraph:
(i) Any identity document described in
(ii) Any other documentation of personal identity of such other type as the Secretary finds, by regulation, provides a reliable means of identification.
(E) A reference in this paragraph to a form includes a reference to any successor form.
(4) In the case of an individual declaring to be a citizen or national of the United States with respect to whom a State requires the presentation of satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality under
(5) Nothing in subparagraph (A) or (B) of
(y) Payments for establishment of alternate non-emergency services providers
(1) Payments
In addition to the payments otherwise provided under subsection (a), subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall provide for payments to States under such subsection for the establishment of alternate non-emergency service providers (as defined in section 1396o–1(e)(5)(B) 10 of this title), or networks of such providers.
(2) Limitation
The total amount of payments under this subsection shall not exceed $50,000,000 during the 4-year period beginning with 2006. This subsection constitutes budget authority in advance of appropriations Acts and represents the obligation of the Secretary to provide for the payment of amounts provided under this subsection.
(3) Preference
In providing for payments to States under this subsection, the Secretary shall provide preference to States that establish, or provide for, alternate non-emergency services providers or networks of such providers that—
(A) serve rural or underserved areas where beneficiaries under this subchapter may not have regular access to providers of primary care services; or
(B) are in partnership with local community hospitals.
(4) Form and manner of payment
Payment to a State under this subsection shall be made only upon the filing of such application in such form and in such manner as the Secretary shall specify. Payment to a State under this subsection shall be made in the same manner as other payments under subsection (a).
(z) Medicaid transformation payments
(1) In general
In addition to the payments provided under subsection (a), subject to paragraph (4), the Secretary shall provide for payments to States for the adoption of innovative methods to improve the effectiveness and efficiency in providing medical assistance under this subchapter.
(2) Permissible uses of funds
The following are examples of innovative methods for which funds provided under this subsection may be used:
(A) Methods for reducing patient error rates through the implementation and use of electronic health records, electronic clinical decision support tools, or e-prescribing programs.
(B) Methods for improving rates of collection from estates of amounts owed under this subchapter.
(C) Methods for reducing waste, fraud, and abuse under the program under this subchapter, such as reducing improper payment rates as measured by annual payment error rate measurement (PERM) project rates.
(D) Implementation of a medication risk management program as part of a drug use review program under
(E) Methods in reducing, in clinically appropriate ways, expenditures under this subchapter for covered outpatient drugs, particularly in the categories of greatest drug utilization, by increasing the utilization of generic drugs through the use of education programs and other incentives to promote greater use of generic drugs.
(F) Methods for improving access to primary and specialty physician care for the uninsured using integrated university-based hospital and clinic systems.
(3) Application; terms and conditions
(A) In general
No payments shall be made to a State under this subsection unless the State applies to the Secretary for such payments in a form, manner, and time specified by the Secretary.
(B) Terms and conditions
Such payments are made under such terms and conditions consistent with this subsection as the Secretary prescribes.
(C) Annual report
Payment to a State under this subsection is conditioned on the State submitting to the Secretary an annual report on the programs supported by such payment. Such report shall include information on—
(i) the specific uses of such payment;
(ii) an assessment of quality improvements and clinical outcomes under such programs; and
(iii) estimates of cost savings resulting from such programs.
(4) Funding
(A) Limitation on funds
The total amount of payments under this subsection shall be equal to, and shall not exceed—
(i) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(ii) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
This subsection constitutes budget authority in advance of appropriations Acts and represents the obligation of the Secretary to provide for the payment of amounts provided under this subsection.
(B) Allocation of funds
The Secretary shall specify a method for allocating the funds made available under this subsection among States. Such method shall provide preference for States that design programs that target health providers that treat significant numbers of Medicaid beneficiaries. Such method shall provide that not less than 25 percent of such funds shall be allocated among States the population of which (as determined according to data collected by the United States Census Bureau) as of July 1, 2004, was more than 105 percent of the population of the respective State (as so determined) as of April 1, 2000.
(C) Form and manner of payment
Payment to a State under this subsection shall be made in the same manner as other payments under subsection (a). There is no requirement for State matching funds to receive payments under this subsection.
(5) Medication risk management program
(A) In general
For purposes of this subsection, the term "medication risk management program" means a program for targeted beneficiaries that ensures that covered outpatient drugs are appropriately used to optimize therapeutic outcomes through improved medication use and to reduce the risk of adverse events.
(B) Elements
Such program may include the following elements:
(i) The use of established principles and standards for drug utilization review and best practices to analyze prescription drug claims of targeted beneficiaries and identify outlier physicians.
(ii) On an ongoing basis provide outlier physicians—
(I) a comprehensive pharmacy claims history for each targeted beneficiary under their care;
(II) information regarding the frequency and cost of relapses and hospitalizations of targeted beneficiaries under the physician's care; and
(III) applicable best practice guidelines and empirical references.
(iii) Monitor outlier physician's prescribing, such as failure to refill, dosage strengths, and provide incentives and information to encourage the adoption of best clinical practices.
(C) Targeted beneficiaries
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "targeted beneficiaries" means Medicaid eligible beneficiaries who are identified as having high prescription drug costs and medical costs, such as individuals with behavioral disorders or multiple chronic diseases who are taking multiple medications.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1903, as added
Amendment of Subsection (f)(4)
Amendment of Subsection (u)(1)(D)(v)
(1) by striking "or for" and inserting "for"; and
(2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: ", or for medical assistance provided to an individual during a presumptive eligibility period resulting from a determination of presumptive eligibility made by a hospital that elects under
References in Text
Parts A and B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (b) and (i), are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Subsection (w)(3)(A) of this section, referred to in subsec. (b)(5), was in the original "section 1902(w)(3)(A)", and was translated as reading "section 1903(w)(3)(A)", meaning section 1903(w)(3)(A) of the Social Security Act, to reflect the probable intent of Congress, because section 1902(w)(3), which is classified to
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, referred to in subsec. (c), is title VI of
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (d)(3)(B)(i) and (w)(3)(F), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (f), is classified to
The Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (i)(16), is
Part C of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (m)(1)(A), is classified to
The Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (m)(2)(B)(ii), (G), is
Part C of subchapter XI of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (r)(1)(D), is classified to
Parts B and E of subchapter IV, referred to in subsec. (x)(2)(C)(i), (ii), are classified to sections 620 et seq. and 670 et seq., respectively, of this title.
The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, referred to in subsec. (x)(5), is
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(3)(E).
Subsec. (a)(3)(H).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C).
Subsec. (d)(2)(D).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (i)(2)(C).
Subsec. (i)(25).
Subsec. (i)(26).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A)(xi).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A)(xiii).
Subsec. (r)(1)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (r)(1)(F).
Subsec. (r)(4).
Subsec. (t)(3)(D).
Subsec. (t)(3)(E).
Subsec. (t)(6)(B).
2009—Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
Subsec. (a)(3)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(3)(D).
Subsec. (a)(3)(E)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(3)(F).
Subsec. (a)(3)(H).
Subsec. (i)(22).
Subsec. (t).
Subsec. (v)(1).
Subsec. (v)(4).
Subsec. (x)(1).
Subsec. (x)(2)(B), (C).
Subsec. (x)(2)(D), (E).
Subsec. (x)(3)(B)(v), (vi).
Subsec. (x)(4), (5).
2008—Subsec. (i)(24).
Subsec. (r)(1).
Subsec. (r)(3).
2007—Subsec. (i)(23).
2006—Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (i)(10)(C).
Subsec. (i)(10)(D).
Subsec. (i)(22).
Subsec. (w)(4)(C).
Subsec. (w)(7)(A)(viii).
Subsec. (x).
Subsec. (x)(1).
Subsec. (x)(2).
Subsec. (x)(2)(B).
Subsec. (x)(2)(C).
Subsec. (x)(2)(D).
Subsec. (x)(3)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (y).
Subsec. (z).
2005—Subsec. (i)(21).
2004—Subsec. (a)(3)(D).
Subsec. (a)(3)(E).
Subsec. (c).
2000—Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A)(ix).
Subsec. (u)(1)(D)(v).
1999—Subsec. (a)(3)(C)(i).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (i)(14).
Subsec. (i)(19).
Subsec. (i)(20).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A)(vi).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A)(xi), (xii).
Subsec. (m)(6)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (m)(6)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (m)(6)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (q)(3).
Subsec. (q)(4).
Subsec. (q)(5).
Subsec. (w)(1)(B).
Subsec. (w)(3)(B).
Subsec. (w)(7)(A)(viii).
1997—Subsec. (a)(3)(C).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (f)(4)(C).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (i)(10)(B), (11).
Subsec. (i)(12).
Subsec. (i)(13).
Subsec. (i)(16).
Subsec. (i)(17).
Subsec. (i)(18).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (m)(1)(A).
Subsec. (m)(1)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (m)(1)(B).
Subsec. (m)(1)(C).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A)(vi).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A)(ix).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A)(xi).
Subsec. (m)(2)(C) to (E).
"(C) Subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not apply with respect to payments under this subchapter to a State with respect to expenditures incurred by it for payment for services by an entity during the three-year period beginning on October 8, 1976, or beginning on the date the entity qualifies as a health maintenance organization (as determined by the Secretary), whichever occurs later, but only if the entity demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary by the submission of plans for each year of such three-year period that it is making continuous efforts and progress toward achieving compliance with subparagraph (A)(ii).
"(D) In the case of a health maintenance organization that is a public entity, the Secretary may modify or waive the requirement described in subparagraph (A)(ii) but only if the Secretary determines that the organization has taken and is taking reasonable efforts to enroll individuals who are not entitled to benefits under the State plan approved under this subchapter or under subchapter XVIII of this chapter.
"(E) In the case of a health maintenance organization that—
"(i) is a nonprofit organization with at least 25,000 members,
"(ii) is and has been a qualified health maintenance organization (as defined in
"(iii) provides basic health services through members of the staff of the organization,
"(iv) is located in an area designated as medically underserved under
"(v) previously received a waiver of the requirement described in subparagraph (A)(ii) under
the Secretary may modify or waive the requirement described in subparagraph (A)(ii) but only if the Secretary determines that special circumstances warrant such modification or waiver and that the organization has taken and is taking reasonable efforts to enroll individuals who are not entitled to benefits under the State plan approved under this subchapter or under subchapter XVIII of this chapter."
Subsec. (m)(2)(F).
"(i) a contract with an entity described in subparagraph (E) or (G), with a qualified health maintenance organization (as defined in
"(ii) a program pursuant to an undertaking described in paragraph (6) in which at least 25 percent of the membership enrolled on a prepaid basis are individuals who (I) are not insured for benefits under part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter or eligible for benefits under this subchapter, and (II) (in the case of such individuals whose prepayments are made in whole or in part by any government entity) had the opportunity at the time of enrollment in the program to elect other coverage of health care costs that would have been paid in whole or in part by any governmental entity,
a State plan may restrict the period in which requests for termination of enrollment without cause under subparagraph (A)(vi)(I) are permitted to the first month of each period of enrollment, each such period of enrollment not to exceed six months in duration, but only if the State provides notification, at least twice per year, to individuals enrolled with such entity or organization of the right to terminate such enrollment and the restriction on the exercise of this right. Such restriction shall not apply to requests for termination of enrollment for cause."
Subsec. (m)(2)(G).
Subsec. (m)(2)(H).
Subsec. (m)(2)(H)(i).
Subsec. (m)(4)(A).
Subsec. (r)(1).
"(1)(A) In order to receive payments under paragraphs (2)(A) and (7) of subsection (a) of this section without being subject to per centum reductions set forth in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph, a State must provide that mechanized claims processing and information retrieval systems of the type described in subsection (a)(3)(B) of this section and detailed in an advance planning document approved by the Secretary are operational on or before the deadline established under subparagraph (B).
"(B) The deadline for operation of such systems for a State is September 30, 1985.
"(C) If a State fails to meet the deadline established under subparagraph (B), the per centums specified in paragraphs (2)(A) and (7) of subsection (a) of this section with respect to that State shall each be reduced by 5 percentage points for the first two quarters beginning on or after such deadline, and shall be further reduced by an additional 5 percentage points after each period consisting of two quarters during which the Secretary determines the State fails to meet the requirements of subparagraph (A); except that—
"(i) neither such per centum may be reduced by more than 25 percentage points by reason of this paragraph; and
"(ii) no reduction shall be made under this paragraph for any quarter following the quarter during which such State meets the requirements of subparagraph (A)."
Subsec. (r)(2).
"(2)(A) In order to receive payments under paragraphs (2)(A) and (7) of subsection (a) of this section without being subject to the per centum reductions set forth in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph, a State must have its mechanized claims processing and information retrieval systems, of the type required to be operational under paragraph (1), initially approved by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (5)(A) on or before the deadline established under subparagraph (B).
"(B) The deadline for approval of such systems for a State is the last day of the fourth quarter that begins after the date on which the Secretary determines that such systems became operational as required under paragraph (1).
"(C) If a State fails to meet the deadline established under subparagraph (B), the per centums specified in paragraphs (2)(A) and (7) of subsection (a) of this section with respect to that State shall each be reduced by 5 percentage points for the first two quarters beginning after such deadline, and shall be further reduced by an additional 5 percentage points at the end of each period consisting of two quarters during which the State fails to meet the requirements of subparagraph (A); except that—
"(i) neither such per centum may be reduced by more than 25 percentage points by reason of this paragraph, and
"(ii) no reduction shall be made under this paragraph for any quarter following the quarter during which such State's systems are approved by the Secretary as provided in subparagraph (A).
"(D) Any State's systems which are approved by the Secretary for purposes of subsection (a)(3)(B) of this section on or before October 7, 1980, shall be deemed to be initially approved for purposes of this subsection."
Subsec. (r)(3), (4).
Subsec. (r)(5).
Subsec. (r)(6) to (8).
Subsec. (u)(1)(D)(v).
Subsec. (w)(3)(B).
Subsec. (w)(3)(F).
Subsec. (w)(7)(A)(viii).
1996—Subsec. (i)(9).
Subsec. (i)(12)(A)(i).
Subsec. (i)(12)(A)(vi).
Subsec. (i)(12)(A)(vii).
Subsec. (i)(12)(B)(i).
Subsec. (i)(12)(B)(vi).
Subsec. (i)(12)(B)(vii).
1993—Subsec. (i)(10).
Subsec. (i)(11).
Subsec. (i)(12).
Subsec. (i)(13).
Subsec. (i)(14).
Subsec. (i)(15).
Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (s).
Subsec. (v)(2)(C).
1991—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(6).
Subsec. (i)(10).
Subsec. (w).
1990—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C), (D).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (i)(8).
Subsec. (i)(10).
Subsec. (i)(11).
Subsec. (i)(12).
Subsec. (i)(14).
Subsec. (m)(1)(A).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A)(ix).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A)(x).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A)(xi).
Subsec. (m)(2)(B).
Subsec. (m)(2)(D).
Subsec. (m)(2)(F)(i).
Subsec. (m)(2)(H).
Subsec. (m)(3).
Subsec. (m)(5)(A)(v).
Subsec. (u)(1)(D)(iv).
1989—Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (i)(5).
1988—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A).
Subsec. (i)(2)(B).
Subsec. (i)(3).
Subsec. (i)(5).
Subsec. (i)(9).
Subsec. (m)(2)(B)(i)(II).
Subsec. (m)(2)(F).
Subsec. (m)(5).
"(A) Any entity with a contract under this subsection that fails substantially to provide medically necessary items and services that are required (under law or such contract) to be provided to individuals covered under such contract, if the failure has adversely affected (or has a substantial likelihood of adversely affecting) these individuals, is subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $10,000 for each such failure.
"(B) The provisions of
1987—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A) to (C).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(4)(B).
Subsec. (g)(6)(B) to (D).
"(i) 30 days after the date of the initial certification,
"(ii) 60 days after the date of the initial certification,
"(iii) 90 days after the date of the initial certification, and
"(iv) every 60 days thereafter."
Subsec. (g)(7).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A).
Subsec. (i)(2)(B).
Subsec. (i)(3).
Subsec. (i)(4).
Subsec. (i)(8).
Subsec. (m)(2)(F).
Subsec. (m)(6).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (r).
1986—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A)(viii).
Subsec. (m)(2)(F).
Subsec. (m)(2)(G).
Subsec. (m)(4).
Subsec. (m)(5).
Subsec. (r)(1)(B).
Subsec. (r)(4)(A).
Subsec. (r)(6)(J).
Subsec. (u)(1)(D)(iv).
Subsec. (u)(1)(D)(v).
Subsec. (v).
1984—Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(4)(B).
Subsec. (g)(6).
Subsec. (g)(7).
Subsec. (i)(7).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A)(vi).
Subsec. (m)(2)(B)(i)(I).
Subsec. (m)(2)(B)(i)(II).
Subsec. (m)(2)(C).
Subsec. (m)(2)(E), (F).
Subsec. (s)(3)(B).
1983—Subsec. (t)(3).
1982—Subsec. (a)(3)(C).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A).
Subsec. (s).
Subsec. (s)(1)(A).
Subsec. (s)(1)(C).
Subsec. (s)(3)(D).
Subsec. (s)(4)(B).
Subsec. (s)(5)(A)(i).
Subsec. (s)(5)(B).
Subsec. (t).
Subsec. (t)(1)(A).
Subsec. (t)(1)(B).
Subsec. (t)(1)(C).
Subsec. (t)(2)(A).
Subsec. (t)(3).
Subsec. (u).
1981—Subsec. (a)(3)(B).
Subsec. (d)(5).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(5).
Subsec. (i)(6).
Subsec. (m)(1)(A).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A).
Subsec. (m)(2)(D).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (s).
Subsec. (t).
1980—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (d)(5).
Subsec. (g)(3)(B).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (n).
Subsec. (r).
1979—Subsec. (m)(2)(C).
1978—Subsec. (m)(1)(B).
Subsec. (m)(2)(B)(i)(I).
1977—Subsec. (a)(3)(B).
Subsec. (a)(6), (7).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (i)(2).
Subsec. (m)(2)(A).
Subsec. (m)(2)(C).
Subsec. (n).
Subsecs. (o), (p).
Subsec. (q).
1976—Subsec. (l).
Subsec. (m).
1975—Subsec. (g)(1)(C).
Subsec. (l).
1973—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (g)(1)(C).
Subsec. (j).
1972—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k).
1969—Subsec. (e).
1968—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (f).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by
Amendment by section 2004(c)(1) of
Amendment by section 2202(b) of
Amendment by section 2303(a)(4)(B), (b)(2)(B) of
Amendment by section 2402(d)(2)(A) of
Amendment by sections 6504(a) and 6507 of
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by sections 201(b)(2)(A), 214(a), and 401(b) of
Amendment by section 211 of
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
[
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
Amendment by section 6062(c)(1) of
Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendments
Amendment by section 702(c)(1) of
"(1) The amendment made by subsection (a)(1) [amending this section] shall be effective as if included in the enactment of section 121 of the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 (
"(2) The amendment made by subsection (a)(2) [amending this section] shall be effective as if included in the enactment of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000 (
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1999 Amendments
Amendment by section 201(a)(4), (b) of
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title VI, §604(a)(2)(B), (b)(2)] of
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title VI, §608(e)–(k)] of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendments
Section 162 of
Section 4710 of title IV of
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2) 75:25
"(3)
"(4)
"(A)
"(B)
"(5)
"(6)
"(7) 6-
"(c)
Amendment by section 4712(b)(2) of
Section 4722(d) of
Section 4724(b)(2) of
Section 4742(b) of
Amendment by section 4753(a) of
Amendment by section 4912(b)(2) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendments
Section 1(b)(2) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by section 13602(b) of
Section 13604(b) of
"(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply as if included in the enactment of OBRA–1986 [
"(2) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall not disallow expenditures made for the care and services described in section 1903(v)(2)(C) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (v)(2)(C) of this section], as added by subsection (a), furnished before the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 1993]."
Amendment by section 13622(a)(2) of
Section 13624(b) of
Section 13631(h)(2) of
Amendment by section 13631(c) of
Effective Date of 1991 Amendment
Amendments by section 2(a), (b)(2) of
Amendment by section 3(b)(2)(B) of
Section 4(b) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendments
Amendment by section 4402(b), (d)(3) of
Amendment by section 4601(a)(3)(A) of
Section 4701(c) of
Amendment by section 4704(b)(1), (2) of
Amendment by section 4711(c)(2) of
Section 4731(c) of
Amendment by section 4751(b)(1) of
Section 4752(b)(2) of
Section 4801(a)(9) of
Section 4801(e)(16)(B) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendments
Amendment by section 6401(b) of
Amendment by section 6901(b)(5)(A) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by section 608(d)(26)(K)(ii) of
Amendment by section 608(f)(4) of
Amendment by section 202(h)(2) of
Section 301(f) of
Amendment by section 302(c)(3) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Section 411(k)(12)(B) of
Section 411(k)(13)(B) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendments
Section 4118(d)(2) of
Amendment by section 4118(h)(1) of
Amendments by sections 4211(d)(1), (g), (i), 4212(c)(1), (2), (d)(1), (e)(2) of
Amendment by section 4212(d)(1) of
Amendment by section 4213(b)(2) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Amendment by section 9401(e)(2) of
Amendment by section 9403(g)(2) of
Amendment by section 9406(a) of
Amendment by section 9407(c) of
Amendment by section 9431(b)(2) of
Section 9434(a)(3) of
"(A) The amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall take effect 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1986].
"(B) The amendment made by paragraph (2) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to contracts entered into, renewed, or extended after the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act."
Amendment by section 9503(b), (f) of
Section 9507(b) of
Section 9512(b) of
Section 9517(c)(2), (3) of
"(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and in paragraph (3), the amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to expenditures incurred for health insuring organizations which first become operational on or after January 1, 1986. For purposes of this paragraph, a health insuring organization is not considered to be operational until the date on which it first enrolls patients.
"(B) In the case of a health insuring organization—
"(i) which first becomes operational on or after January 1, 1986, but
"(ii) for which the Secretary of Health and Human Services has waived, under section 1915(b) of the Social Security Act [
clauses (ii) and (vi) of section 1903(m)(2)(A) of such Act [subsec. (m)(2)(A)(ii) and (vi) of this section] shall not apply during the period for which such waiver is effective.
"(C) In the case of the Hartford Health Network, Inc., clauses (ii) and (vi) of section 1903(m)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act shall not apply during the period for which a waiver by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, under section 1915(b) of such Act, of certain requirements of section 1902 of such Act is in effect (pursuant to a request for a waiver under section 1915(b) of such Act submitted before January 1, 1986).
"(D) Nothing in section 1903(m)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act shall be construed as requiring a health-insuring organization to be organized under the health maintenance organization laws of a State.
"(3)(A) Subject to subparagraph (C), in the case of up to 3 health insuring organizations which are described in subparagraph (B), in the case of any health insuring organization described in such subparagraph that is operated by a public entity established by Ventura County, and in the case of any health insuring organization described in such subparagraph that is operated by a public entity established by Merced County, which first become operational on or after January 1, 1986, and which are designated by the Governor, and approved by the Legislature, of California, the amendments made by paragraph (1) shall not apply.
"(B) A health insuring organization described in this subparagraph is one that—
"(i) is operated directly by a public entity established by a county government in the State of California under a State enabling statute;
"(ii) enrolls all medicaid beneficiaries residing in the county or counties in which it operates;
"(iii) meets the requirements for health maintenance organizations under the Knox-Keene Act (Cal. Health and Safety Code, section 1340 et seq.) and the Waxman-Duffy Act (Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code, section 14450 et seq.);
"(iv) assures a reasonable choice of providers, which includes providers that have historically served medicaid beneficiaries and which does not impose any restriction which substantially impairs access to covered services of adequate quality where medically necessary;
"(v) provides for a payment adjustment for a disproportionate share hospital (as defined under State law consistent with section 1923 of the Social Security Act [
"(vi) provides for payment, in the case of childrens' hospital services provided to medicaid beneficiaries who are under 21 years of age, who are children with special health care needs under title V of the Social Security Act [subchapter V of this chapter], and who are receiving care coordination services under such title, at rates determined by the California Medical Assistance Commission.
"(C) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to any period for which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that the number of medicaid beneficiaries enrolled with health insuring organizations described in subparagraph (B) exceeds 16 percent of the number of such beneficiaries in the State of California.
"(D) In this paragraph, the term 'medicaid beneficiary' means an individual who is entitled to medical assistance under the State plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], other than a qualified medicare beneficiary who is only entitled to such assistance because of section 1902(a)(10)(E) of such title [
[
[
[
Section 9518(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 2303(g)(2) of
Section 2363(c) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Section 133(b) of
Amendment by section 137(a)(1), (2) of
Amendment by section 137(b)(11)–(16), (27) of
Section 137(g) of
Amendment by section 146(b) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by section 2101(a)(2) of
Section 2103(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 2113(n) of
Section 2161(c)(1) of
Section 2161(c)(2) of
Section 2164(b) of
Amendment by section 2174(b) of
Amendment by section 2178(a) of
Section 2183(b) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Section 961(b) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendments
Amendment by section 3(c)(2) of
Amendment by section 8(c) of
Section 10(b) of
Section 11(c) of
Section 17(e)(1) of
Section 20(c) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) The amount of any reduction in the Federal medical assistance percentage of a State, otherwise required to be imposed under section 1903(g)(1) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (g)(1) of this section] because of an unsatisfactory or invalid showing made by the State with respect to a calendar quarter beginning on or after January 1, 1977, shall be determined under such section as amended by this section. Subparagraph (B) of paragraph (4) of section 1903(g) of such Act [subsec. (g)(4)(B) of this section], as added by this section, shall apply to any showing made by a State under such section with respect to a calendar quarter beginning on or after January 1, 1977."
Section 105(a)(3) of
"(A) after October 8, 1976, under contracts under such title [this subchapter] entered into or renegotiated after such date, or
"(B) after the expiration of the one-year period beginning on such date,
whichever occurs first."
Effective Date of 1976 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 202(b) of
"(1) after the date of enactment of subsection (a) [Oct. 8, 1976] under contracts under such title entered into or renegotiated after such date, or
"(2) after the expiration of the 1-year period beginning on such date of enactment,
whichever occurs first."
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Section 110(b) of
Amendment by section 111(b) of
Effective Date of 1973 Amendments
Amendment by section 13(a)(11), (12) of
Amendment by section 18(u) of
Section 234(b) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 207(b) of
Amendment by section 226(e) of
Amendment by section 233(c) of
Section 235(b) of
Section 237(d)(1) of
Section 249B of
Effective Date of 1968 Amendments
Section 220(b) of
"(b)(1) In the case of any State whose plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] is approved by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under section 1902 [
"(2) In the case of any State whose plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] was approved by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under section 1902 of the Social Security Act [
"(A) with respect to the third and fourth calendar quarters of 1968, such subsection shall be applied by substituting in subsection (f) of section 1903 of the Social Security Act [subsec. (f) of this section] 150 percent for 133½ percent each time such latter figure appears in such subsection (f), and
"(B) with respect to all calendar quarters during 1969, such subsection shall be applied by substituting in subsection (f) of section 1903 of such Act [subsec. (f) of this section] 140 percent for 133½ percent each time such latter figure appears in such subsection (f)."
Section 222(d) of
Section 225(b) of
Section 303(b) of
Regulations
Section 5 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate final regulations necessary to carry out subsec. (r)(6)(j) of this section within 6 months after Apr. 7, 1986, see section 9503(c) of
References to Provisions of Part A of Subchapter IV Considered References to Such Provisions as in Effect July 16, 1996
For provisions that certain references to provisions of part A (§601 et seq.) of subchapter IV of this chapter be considered references to such provisions of part A as in effect July 16, 1996, see
Implementation of Subsections (i)(22) and (x) Requirements
Clarification Regarding Non-Regulation of Transfers
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) provides level 1 trauma and burn care services;
"(2) provides level 3 neonatal care services;
"(3) is obligated to serve all patients, regardless of ability to pay;
"(4) is located within a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) that includes at least 3 States;
"(5) provides services as a tertiary care provider for patients residing within a 125-mile radius; and
"(6) meets the criteria for a disproportionate share hospital under section 1923 of such Act (
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) provides level 1 trauma and burn care services;
"(B) provides level 3 neonatal care services;
"(C) is obligated to serve all patients, regardless of State of origin;
"(D) is located within a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) that includes at least 3 States, including the States described in paragraph (1);
"(E) serves as a tertiary care provider for patients residing within a 125 mile radius; and
"(F) meets the criteria for a disproportionate share hospital under section 1923 of such Act [
"(3)
Treatment of Donation or Tax Proceeds Prior to Effective Date of Subsection (w)
Section 2(c)(2) of
Temporary Increase in Federal Match for Administrative Costs
Section 4401(b)(2) of
Report on Errors in Eligibility Determinations; Error Rate Transition Rules
Section 4607 of
Medically Needy Income Levels for Certain 1-Member Families
Section 4718 of
"(a)
"(b)
Day Habilitation and Related Services
Section 6411(g) of
"(1)
"(A) withhold, suspend, disallow, or deny Federal financial participation under section 1903(a) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a) of this section] for day habilitation and related services under paragraph (9) or (13) of section 1905(a) of such Act [
"(B) withdraw Federal approval of any such State plan provision.
"(2)
"(A) specifies the types of day habilitation and related services that a State may cover under paragraph (9) or (13) of section 1905(a) of the Social Security Act on behalf of persons with mental retardation or with related conditions, and
"(B) any requirements respecting such coverage.
"(3)
Nurse Aide Training and Evaluation Programs; Allocation of Costs Before October 1, 1990
Section 6901(b)(5)(B) of
Clarification of Federal Matching Rate for Survey and Certification Activities
Section 6901(d)(2) of
Quality Control Transition Provisions
Section 608(h) of
Delay Quality Control Sanctions for Medicaid
Section 4117 of
Temporary Technical Error Definition
Section 4118(n) of
Enhanced Funding for Nurse Aide Training
Section 4211(d)(2) of
Expenses Incurred for Review of Care Provided to Residents of Nursing Facilities
Section 4212(c)(3) of
Quality Control Studies and Penalty Moratorium
Section 12301 of
"(a)
"(2) The Secretary shall also contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a concurrent independent study for the purpose described in paragraph (1). For purposes of such study, the Secretary shall provide to the National Academy of Sciences any relevant data available to the Secretary at the onset of the study and on an ongoing basis.
"(3) The Secretary and the National Academy of Sciences shall report the results of their respective studies to the Congress within one year after the date the Secretary and the National Academy of Sciences enter into the contract required under paragraph (2).
"(b)
"(2) During the moratorium period, the Secretary and the States shall continue to operate the quality control systems in effect under title IV–A of the Social Security Act, and to calculate the error rates under the provisions referred to in paragraph (1).
"(c)
"(A) restructure the quality control systems under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] to the extent the Secretary determines to be appropriate, taking into account the studies conducted under subsection (a); and
"(B) establish, taking into account the studies conducted under subsection (a), criteria for adjusting the reductions which shall be made for quarters prior to the implementation of the restructured quality control systems so as to eliminate reductions for those quarters which would not be required if the restructured quality control systems had been in effect during those quarters.
"(2) Beginning with the first calendar quarter after the moratorium period, the Secretary shall implement the revised quality control systems under title XIX, and shall reduce payments to States—
"(A) for quarters after the moratorium period in accordance with the restructured quality control systems; and
"(B) for quarters in and before the moratorium period, as provided under the regulations described in paragraph (1)(B).
"(d)
Effectiveness of Laws Limiting Federal Financial Participation With Respect to Erroneous Payments Made by States Under a State Plan Approved Under This Subchapter
Section 133(c) of
Medicaid Payments for Indian Health Service Facilities To Be Paid Entirely by Federal Funds; Exclusion of Payments to States in Computation of Target Amount of Federal Medicaid Expenditures
Promulgation of Regulations for Implementation of Amendments by Section 17 of Pub. L. 95–142
Section 17(e)(2) of
Deferral of Implementation of Decreases in Matching Funds
Section 6 of
Comprehensive Care and Services for Eligible Individuals by July 1, 1977; Requirement Inapplicable for Any Period Prior to July 1, 1971; Regulations; Advice to States
Section 2(b) of
Exemption of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam From Limitations on Federal Payments for Medical Assistance
Section 248(d) of
Nonduplication of Payments to States; Limitation on Institutional Care
Section 121(b) of
1 So in original. There is no subpar. (G).
2 So in original. The comma probably should be a semicolon.
3 See References in Text note below.
4 So in original. The word "or" probably should precede "1396d(p)(1)".
5 So in original. The semicolon probably should be a comma.
6 Probably means subclause (VIII) of subsection (a)(10)(A)(i) of
7 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
8 So in original. The word "section" probably should appear.
9 So in original. Probably should be preceded by "a".
10 So in original. Probably should be section "1396o–1(e)(4)(B)".
§1396b–1. Payment adjustment for health care-acquired conditions
(a) In general
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this subsection referred to as the "Secretary") shall identify current State practices that prohibit payment for health care-acquired conditions and shall incorporate the practices identified, or elements of such practices, which the Secretary determines appropriate for application to the Medicaid program in regulations. Such regulations shall be effective as of July 1, 2011, and shall prohibit payments to States under section 1903 of the Social Security Act [
(b) Health care-acquired condition
In this section.1 the term "health care-acquired condition" means a medical condition for which an individual was diagnosed that could be identified by a secondary diagnostic code described in section 1886(d)(4)(D)(iv) of the Social Security Act (
(c) Medicare provisions
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall apply to State plans (or waivers) under title XIX of the Social Security Act [
(
References in Text
The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (c), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531,
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.
1 So in original. The period probably should be a comma.
§1396c. Operation of State plans
If the Secretary, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing to the State agency administering or supervising the administration of the State plan approved under this subchapter, finds—
(1) that the plan has been so changed that it no longer complies with the provisions of
(2) that in the administration of the plan there is a failure to comply substantially with any such provision;
the Secretary shall notify such State agency that further payments will not be made to the State (or, in his discretion, that payments will be limited to categories under or parts of the State plan not affected by such failure), until the Secretary is satisfied that there will no longer be any such failure to comply. Until he is so satisfied he shall make no further payments to such State (or shall limit payments to categories under or parts of the State plan not affected by such failure).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1904, as added
§1396d. Definitions
For purposes of this subchapter—
(a) Medical assistance
The term "medical assistance" means payment of part or all of the cost of the following care and services or the care and services themselves, or both (if provided in or after the third month before the month in which the recipient makes application for assistance or, in the case of medicare cost-sharing with respect to a qualified medicare beneficiary described in subsection (p)(1) of this section, if provided after the month in which the individual becomes such a beneficiary) for individuals, and, with respect to physicians' or dentists' services, at the option of the State, to individuals (other than individuals with respect to whom there is being paid, or who are eligible, or would be eligible if they were not in a medical institution, to have paid with respect to them a State supplementary payment and are eligible for medical assistance equal in amount, duration, and scope to the medical assistance made available to individuals described in
(i) under the age of 21, or, at the option of the State, under the age of 20, 19, or 18 as the State may choose,
(ii) relatives specified in section 606(b)(1) 1 of this title with whom a child is living if such child is (or would, if needy, be) a dependent child under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter,
(iii) 65 years of age or older,
(iv) blind, with respect to States eligible to participate in the State plan program established under subchapter XVI of this chapter,
(v) 18 years of age or older and permanently and totally disabled, with respect to States eligible to participate in the State plan program established under subchapter XVI of this chapter,
(vi) persons essential (as described in the second sentence of this subsection) to individuals receiving aid or assistance under State plans approved under subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter,
(vii) blind or disabled as defined in
(viii) pregnant women,
(ix) individuals provided extended benefits under
(x) individuals described in
(xi) individuals described in
(xii) employed individuals with a medically improved disability (as defined in subsection (v) of this section),
(xiii) individuals described in
(xiv) individuals described in
(xv) individuals described in
(xvi) individuals described in
(xvii) individuals who are eligible for home and community-based services under needs-based criteria established under paragraph (1)(A) of
but whose income and resources are insufficient to meet all of such cost—
(1) inpatient hospital services (other than services in an institution for mental diseases);
(2)(A) outpatient hospital services, (B) consistent with State law permitting such services, rural health clinic services (as defined in subsection (l)(1) of this section) and any other ambulatory services which are offered by a rural health clinic (as defined in subsection (l)(1) of this section) and which are otherwise included in the plan, and (C) Federally-qualified health center services (as defined in subsection (l)(2) of this section) and any other ambulatory services offered by a Federally-qualified health center and which are otherwise included in the plan;
(3) other laboratory and X-ray services;
(4)(A) nursing facility services (other than services in an institution for mental diseases) for individuals 21 years of age or older; (B) early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services (as defined in subsection (r) of this section) for individuals who are eligible under the plan and are under the age of 21; (C) family planning services and supplies furnished (directly or under arrangements with others) to individuals of child-bearing age (including minors who can be considered to be sexually active) who are eligible under the State plan and who desire such services and supplies; and (D) counseling and pharmacotherapy for cessation of tobacco use by pregnant women (as defined in subsection (bb));
(5)(A) physicians' services furnished by a physician (as defined in
(6) medical care, or any other type of remedial care recognized under State law, furnished by licensed practitioners within the scope of their practice as defined by State law;
(7) home health care services;
(8) private duty nursing services;
(9) clinic services furnished by or under the direction of a physician, without regard to whether the clinic itself is administered by a physician, including such services furnished outside the clinic by clinic personnel to an eligible individual who does not reside in a permanent dwelling or does not have a fixed home or mailing address;
(10) dental services;
(11) physical therapy and related services;
(12) prescribed drugs, dentures, and prosthetic devices; and eyeglasses prescribed by a physician skilled in diseases of the eye or by an optometrist, whichever the individual may select;
(13) other diagnostic, screening, preventive, and rehabilitative services, including any medical or remedial services (provided in a facility, a home, or other setting) recommended by a physician or other licensed practitioner of the healing arts within the scope of their practice under State law, for the maximum reduction of physical or mental disability and restoration of an individual to the best possible functional level;
(14) inpatient hospital services and nursing facility services for individuals 65 years of age or over in an institution for mental diseases;
(15) services in an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded (other than in an institution for mental diseases) for individuals who are determined, in accordance with
(16) effective January 1, 1973, inpatient psychiatric hospital services for individuals under age 21, as defined in subsection (h) of this section;
(17) services furnished by a nurse-midwife (as defined in
(18) hospice care (as defined in subsection (o) of this section);
(19) case management services (as defined in
(20) respiratory care services (as defined in
(21) services furnished by a certified pediatric nurse practitioner or certified family nurse practitioner (as defined by the Secretary) which the certified pediatric nurse practitioner or certified family nurse practitioner is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law), whether or not the certified pediatric nurse practitioner or certified family nurse practitioner is under the supervision of, or associated with, a physician or other health care provider;
(22) home and community care (to the extent allowed and as defined in
(23) community supported living arrangements services (to the extent allowed and as defined in
(24) personal care services furnished to an individual who is not an inpatient or resident of a hospital, nursing facility, intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, or institution for mental disease that are (A) authorized for the individual by a physician in accordance with a plan of treatment or (at the option of the State) otherwise authorized for the individual in accordance with a service plan approved by the State, (B) provided by an individual who is qualified to provide such services and who is not a member of the individual's family, and (C) furnished in a home or other location;
(25) primary care case management services (as defined in subsection (t) of this section);
(26) services furnished under a PACE program under
(27) subject to subsection (x) of this section, primary and secondary medical strategies and treatment and services for individuals who have Sickle Cell Disease;
(28) freestanding birth center services (as defined in subsection (l)(3)(A)) and other ambulatory services that are offered by a freestanding birth center (as defined in subsection (l)(3)(B)) and that are otherwise included in the plan; and
(29) any other medical care, and any other type of remedial care recognized under State law, specified by the Secretary,
except as otherwise provided in paragraph (16), such term does not include—
(A) any such payments with respect to care or services for any individual who is an inmate of a public institution (except as a patient in a medical institution); or
(B) any such payments with respect to care or services for any individual who has not attained 65 years of age and who is a patient in an institution for mental diseases.
For purposes of clause (vi) of the preceding sentence, a person shall be considered essential to another individual if such person is the spouse of and is living with such individual, the needs of such person are taken into account in determining the amount of aid or assistance furnished to such individual (under a State plan approved under subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter), and such person is determined, under such a State plan, to be essential to the well-being of such individual. The payment described in the first sentence may include expenditures for medicare cost-sharing and for premiums under part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter for individuals who are eligible for medical assistance under the plan and (A) are receiving aid or assistance under any plan of the State approved under subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter, or part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, or with respect to whom supplemental security income benefits are being paid under subchapter XVI of this chapter, or (B) with respect to whom there is being paid a State supplementary payment and are eligible for medical assistance equal in amount, duration, and scope to the medical assistance made available to individuals described in
(b) Federal medical assistance percentage; State percentage; Indian health care percentage
Subject to subsections (y), (z), and (aa) and
(c) Nursing facility
For definition of the term "nursing facility", see
(d) Intermediate care facility for mentally retarded
The term "intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded" means an institution (or distinct part thereof) for the mentally retarded or persons with related conditions if—
(1) the primary purpose of such institution (or distinct part thereof) is to provide health or rehabilitative services for mentally retarded individuals and the institution meets such standards as may be prescribed by the Secretary;
(2) the mentally retarded individual with respect to whom a request for payment is made under a plan approved under this subchapter is receiving active treatment under such a program; and
(3) in the case of a public institution, the State or political subdivision responsible for the operation of such institution has agreed that the non-Federal expenditures in any calendar quarter prior to January 1, 1975, with respect to services furnished to patients in such institution (or distinct part thereof) in the State will not, because of payments made under this subchapter, be reduced below the average amount expended for such services in such institution in the four quarters immediately preceding the quarter in which the State in which such institution is located elected to make such services available under its plan approved under this subchapter.
(e) Physicians' services
In the case of any State the State plan of which (as approved under this subchapter)—
(1) does not provide for the payment of services (other than services covered under
(2) at a prior period did provide for the payment of services referred to in paragraph (1);
the term "physicians' services" (as used in subsection (a)(5) of this section) shall include services of the type which an optometrist is legally authorized to perform where the State plan specifically provides that the term "physicians' services", as employed in such plan, includes services of the type which an optometrist is legally authorized to perform, and shall be reimbursed whether furnished by a physician or an optometrist.
(f) Nursing facility services
For purposes of this subchapter, the term "nursing facility services" means services which are or were required to be given an individual who needs or needed on a daily basis nursing care (provided directly by or requiring the supervision of nursing personnel) or other rehabilitation services which as a practical matter can only be provided in a nursing facility on an inpatient basis.
(g) Chiropractors' services
If the State plan includes provision of chiropractors' services, such services include only—
(1) services provided by a chiropractor (A) who is licensed as such by the State and (B) who meets uniform minimum standards promulgated by the Secretary under
(2) services which consist of treatment by means of manual manipulation of the spine which the chiropractor is legally authorized to perform by the State.
(h) Inpatient psychiatric hospital services for individuals under age 21
(1) For purposes of paragraph (16) of subsection (a) of this section, the term "inpatient psychiatric hospital services for individuals under age 21" includes only—
(A) inpatient services which are provided in an institution (or distinct part thereof) which is a psychiatric hospital as defined in
(B) inpatient services which, in the case of any individual (i) involve active treatment which meets such standards as may be prescribed in regulations by the Secretary, and (ii) a team, consisting of physicians and other personnel qualified to make determinations with respect to mental health conditions and the treatment thereof, has determined are necessary on an inpatient basis and can reasonably be expected to improve the condition, by reason of which such services are necessary, to the extent that eventually such services will no longer be necessary; and
(C) inpatient services which, in the case of any individual, are provided prior to (i) the date such individual attains age 21, or (ii) in the case of an individual who was receiving such services in the period immediately preceding the date on which he attained age 21, (I) the date such individual no longer requires such services, or (II) if earlier, the date such individual attains age 22;
(2) Such term does not include services provided during any calendar quarter under the State plan of any State if the total amount of the funds expended, during such quarter, by the State (and the political subdivisions thereof) from non-Federal funds for inpatient services included under paragraph (1), and for active psychiatric care and treatment provided on an outpatient basis for eligible mentally ill children, is less than the average quarterly amount of the funds expended, during the 4-quarter period ending December 31, 1971, by the State (and the political subdivisions thereof) from non-Federal funds for such services.
(i) Institution for mental diseases
The term "institution for mental diseases" means a hospital, nursing facility, or other institution of more than 16 beds, that is primarily engaged in providing diagnosis, treatment, or care of persons with mental diseases, including medical attention, nursing care, and related services.
(j) State supplementary payment
The term "State supplementary payment" means any cash payment made by a State on a regular basis to an individual who is receiving supplemental security income benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter or who would but for his income be eligible to receive such benefits, as assistance based on need in supplementation of such benefits (as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security), but only to the extent that such payments are made with respect to an individual with respect to whom supplemental security income benefits are payable under subchapter XVI of this chapter, or would but for his income be payable under that subchapter.
(k) Supplemental security income benefits
Increased supplemental security income benefits payable pursuant to section 211 of
(l) Rural health clinics
(1) The terms "rural health clinic services" and "rural health clinic" have the meanings given such terms in
(2)(A) The term "Federally-qualified health center services" means services of the type described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of
(B) The term "Federally-qualified health center" means an entity which—
(i) is receiving a grant under
(ii)(I) is receiving funding from such a grant under a contract with the recipient of such a grant, and
(II) meets the requirements to receive a grant under
(iii) based on the recommendation of the Health Resources and Services Administration within the Public Health Service, is determined by the Secretary to meet the requirements for receiving such a grant, including requirements of the Secretary that an entity may not be owned, controlled, or operated by another entity, or
(iv) was treated by the Secretary, for purposes of part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, as a comprehensive Federally funded health center as of January 1, 1990;
and includes an outpatient health program or facility operated by a tribe or tribal organization under the Indian Self-Determination Act (
(3)(A) The term "freestanding birth center services" means services furnished to an individual at a freestanding birth center (as defined in subparagraph (B)) at such center.
(B) The term "freestanding birth center" means a health facility—
(i) that is not a hospital;
(ii) where childbirth is planned to occur away from the pregnant woman's residence;
(iii) that is licensed or otherwise approved by the State to provide prenatal labor and delivery or postpartum care and other ambulatory services that are included in the plan; and
(iv) that complies with such other requirements relating to the health and safety of individuals furnished services by the facility as the State shall establish.
(C) A State shall provide separate payments to providers administering prenatal labor and delivery or postpartum care in a freestanding birth center (as defined in subparagraph (B)), such as nurse midwives and other providers of services such as birth attendants recognized under State law, as determined appropriate by the Secretary. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term "birth attendant" means an individual who is recognized or registered by the State involved to provide health care at childbirth and who provides such care within the scope of practice under which the individual is legally authorized to perform such care under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law), regardless of whether the individual is under the supervision of, or associated with, a physician or other health care provider. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as changing State law requirements applicable to a birth attendant.
(m) Qualified family member
(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the term "qualified family member" means an individual (other than a qualified pregnant woman or child, as defined in subsection (n) of this section) who is a member of a family that would be receiving aid under the State plan under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter pursuant to section 607 1 of this title if the State had not exercised the option under section 607(b)(2)(B)(i) 1 of this title.
(2) No individual shall be a qualified family member for any period after September 30, 1998.
(n) "Qualified pregnant woman or child" defined
The term "qualified pregnant woman or child" means—
(1) a pregnant woman who—
(A) would be eligible for aid to families with dependent children under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter (or would be eligible for such aid if coverage under the State plan under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter included aid to families with dependent children of unemployed parents pursuant to
(B) is a member of a family which would be eligible for aid under the State plan under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter pursuant to
(C) otherwise meets the income and resources requirements of a State plan under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter; and
(2) a child who has not attained the age of 19, who was born after September 30, 1983 (or such earlier date as the State may designate), and who meets the income and resources requirements of the State plan under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter.
(o) Optional hospice benefits
(1)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), the term "hospice care" means the care described in
(B) For purposes of this subchapter, with respect to the definition of hospice program under
(C) A voluntary election to have payment made for hospice care for a child (as defined by the State) shall not constitute a waiver of any rights of the child to be provided with, or to have payment made under this subchapter for, services that are related to the treatment of the child's condition for which a diagnosis of terminal illness has been made.
(2) An individual's voluntary election under this subsection—
(A) shall be made in accordance with procedures that are established by the State and that are consistent with the procedures established under
(B) shall be for such a period or periods (which need not be the same periods described in
(C) may be revoked at any time without a showing of cause and may be modified so as to change the hospice program with respect to which a previous election was made.
(3) In the case of an individual—
(A) who is residing in a nursing facility or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded and is receiving medical assistance for services in such facility under the plan,
(B) who is entitled to benefits under part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter and has elected, under
(C) with respect to whom the hospice program under such subchapter and the nursing facility or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded have entered into a written agreement under which the program takes full responsibility for the professional management of the individual's hospice care and the facility agrees to provide room and board to the individual,
instead of any payment otherwise made under the plan with respect to the facility's services, the State shall provide for payment to the hospice program of an amount equal to the additional amount determined in
(p) Qualified medicare beneficiary; medicare cost-sharing
(1) The term "qualified medicare beneficiary" means an individual—
(A) who is entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter (including an individual entitled to such benefits pursuant to an enrollment under
(B) whose income (as determined under
(C) whose resources (as determined under
(2)(A) The income level established under paragraph (1)(B) shall be at least the percent provided under subparagraph (B) (but not more than 100 percent) of the official poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, and revised annually in accordance with
(B) Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the percent provided under this clause, with respect to eligibility for medical assistance on or after—
(i) January 1, 1989, is 85 percent,
(ii) January 1, 1990, is 90 percent, and
(iii) January 1, 1991, is 100 percent.
(C) In the case of a State which has elected treatment under
(i) January 1, 1989, is 80 percent,
(ii) January 1, 1990, is 85 percent,
(iii) January 1, 1991, is 95 percent, and
(iv) January 1, 1992, is 100 percent.
(D)(i) In determining under this subsection the income of an individual who is entitled to monthly insurance benefits under subchapter II of this chapter for a transition month (as defined in clause (ii)) in a year, such income shall not include any amounts attributable to an increase in the level of monthly insurance benefits payable under such subchapter which have occurred pursuant to
(ii) For purposes of clause (i), the term "transition month" means each month in a year through the month following the month in which the annual revision of the official poverty line, referred to in subparagraph (A), is published.
(3) The term "medicare cost-sharing" means (subject to
(A)(i) premiums under
(ii) premiums under
(B) Coinsurance under subchapter XVIII of this chapter (including coinsurance described in
(C) Deductibles established under subchapter XVIII of this chapter (including those described in
(D) The difference between the amount that is paid under
Such term also may include, at the option of a State, premiums for enrollment of a qualified medicare beneficiary with an eligible organization under
(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, in the case of a State (other than the 50 States and the District of Columbia)—
(A) the requirement stated in
(B) for purposes of paragraph (2), the State may substitute for the percent provided under subparagraph (B) 5 or 6 1396a(a)(10)(E)(iii) of this title of such paragraph 5 any percent.
In the case of any State which is providing medical assistance to its residents under a waiver granted under
(5)(A) The Secretary shall develop and distribute to States a simplified application form for use by individuals (including both qualified medicare beneficiaries and specified low-income medicare beneficiaries) in applying for medical assistance for medicare cost-sharing under this subchapter in the States which elect to use such form. Such form shall be easily readable by applicants and uniform nationally. The Secretary shall provide for the translation of such application form into at least the 10 languages (other than English) that are most often used by individuals applying for hospital insurance benefits under
(B) In developing such form, the Secretary shall consult with beneficiary groups and the States.
(6) For provisions relating to outreach efforts to increase awareness of the availability of medicare cost-sharing, see
(q) Qualified severely impaired individual
The term "qualified severely impaired individual" means an individual under age 65—
(1) who for the month preceding the first month to which this subsection applies to such individual—
(A) received (i) a payment of supplemental security income benefits under
(B) was eligible for medical assistance under the State plan approved under this subchapter; and
(2) with respect to whom the Commissioner of Social Security determines that—
(A) the individual continues to be blind or continues to have the disabling physical or mental impairment on the basis of which he was found to be under a disability and, except for his earnings, continues to meet all non-disability-related requirements for eligibility for benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter,
(B) the income of such individual would not, except for his earnings, be equal to or in excess of the amount which would cause him to be ineligible for payments under
(C) the lack of eligibility for benefits under this subchapter would seriously inhibit his ability to continue or obtain employment, and
(D) the individual's earnings are not sufficient to allow him to provide for himself a reasonable equivalent of the benefits under subchapter XVI of this chapter (including any federally administered State supplementary payments), this subchapter, and publicly funded attendant care services (including personal care assistance) that would be available to him in the absence of such earnings.
In the case of an individual who is eligible for medical assistance pursuant to
(r) Early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services
The term "early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services" means the following items and services:
(1) Screening services—
(A) which are provided—
(i) at intervals which meet reasonable standards of medical and dental practice, as determined by the State after consultation with recognized medical and dental organizations involved in child health care and, with respect to immunizations under subparagraph (B)(iii), in accordance with the schedule referred to in
(ii) at such other intervals, indicated as medically necessary, to determine the existence of certain physical or mental illnesses or conditions; and
(B) which shall at a minimum include—
(i) a comprehensive health and developmental history (including assessment of both physical and mental health development),
(ii) a comprehensive unclothed physical exam,
(iii) appropriate immunizations (according to the schedule referred to in
(iv) laboratory tests (including lead blood level assessment appropriate for age and risk factors), and
(v) health education (including anticipatory guidance).
(2) Vision services—
(A) which are provided—
(i) at intervals which meet reasonable standards of medical practice, as determined by the State after consultation with recognized medical organizations involved in child health care, and
(ii) at such other intervals, indicated as medically necessary, to determine the existence of a suspected illness or condition; and
(B) which shall at a minimum include diagnosis and treatment for defects in vision, including eyeglasses.
(3) Dental services—
(A) which are provided—
(i) at intervals which meet reasonable standards of dental practice, as determined by the State after consultation with recognized dental organizations involved in child health care, and
(ii) at such other intervals, indicated as medically necessary, to determine the existence of a suspected illness or condition; and
(B) which shall at a minimum include relief of pain and infections, restoration of teeth, and maintenance of dental health.
(4) Hearing services—
(A) which are provided—
(i) at intervals which meet reasonable standards of medical practice, as determined by the State after consultation with recognized medical organizations involved in child health care, and
(ii) at such other intervals, indicated as medically necessary, to determine the existence of a suspected illness or condition; and
(B) which shall at a minimum include diagnosis and treatment for defects in hearing, including hearing aids.
(5) Such other necessary health care, diagnostic services, treatment, and other measures described in subsection (a) of this section to correct or ameliorate defects and physical and mental illnesses and conditions discovered by the screening services, whether or not such services are covered under the State plan.
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as limiting providers of early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services to providers who are qualified to provide all of the items and services described in the previous sentence or as preventing a provider that is qualified under the plan to furnish one or more (but not all) of such items or services from being qualified to provide such items and services as part of early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services. The Secretary shall, not later than July 1, 1990, and every 12 months thereafter, develop and set annual participation goals for each State for participation of individuals who are covered under the State plan under this subchapter in early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services.
(s) Qualified disabled and working individual
The term "qualified disabled and working individual" means an individual—
(1) who is entitled to enroll for hospital insurance benefits under part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter under
(2) whose income (as determined under
(3) whose resources (as determined under
(4) who is not otherwise eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter.
(t) Primary care case management services; primary care case manager; primary care case management contract; and primary care
(1) The term "primary care case management services" means case-management related services (including locating, coordinating, and monitoring of health care services) provided by a primary care case manager under a primary care case management contract.
(2) The term "primary care case manager" means any of the following that provides services of the type described in paragraph (1) under a contract referred to in such paragraph:
(A) A physician, a physician group practice, or an entity employing or having other arrangements with physicians to provide such services.
(B) At State option—
(i) a nurse practitioner (as described in subsection (a)(21) of this section);
(ii) a certified nurse-midwife (as defined in
(iii) a physician assistant (as defined in
(3) The term "primary care case management contract" means a contract between a primary care case manager and a State under which the manager undertakes to locate, coordinate, and monitor covered primary care (and such other covered services as may be specified under the contract) to all individuals enrolled with the manager, and which—
(A) provides for reasonable and adequate hours of operation, including 24-hour availability of information, referral, and treatment with respect to medical emergencies;
(B) restricts enrollment to individuals residing sufficiently near a service delivery site of the manager to be able to reach that site within a reasonable time using available and affordable modes of transportation;
(C) provides for arrangements with, or referrals to, sufficient numbers of physicians and other appropriate health care professionals to ensure that services under the contract can be furnished to enrollees promptly and without compromise to quality of care;
(D) prohibits discrimination on the basis of health status or requirements for health care services in enrollment, disenrollment, or reenrollment of individuals eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter;
(E) provides for a right for an enrollee to terminate enrollment in accordance with
(F) complies with the other applicable provisions of
(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term "primary care" includes all health care services customarily provided in accordance with State licensure and certification laws and regulations, and all laboratory services customarily provided by or through, a general practitioner, family medicine physician, internal medicine physician, obstetrician/gynecologist, or pediatrician.
(u) Conditions for State plans
(1) The conditions described in this paragraph for a State plan are as follows:
(A) The State is complying with the requirement of
(B) The plan provides for such reporting of information about expenditures and payments attributable to the operation of this subsection as the Secretary deems necessary in order to carry out the fourth sentence of subsection (b) of this section.
(2)(A) For purposes of subsection (b) of this section, the expenditures described in this subparagraph are expenditures for medical assistance for optional targeted low-income children described in subparagraph (B).
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "optional targeted low-income child" means a targeted low-income child as defined in
(3) For purposes of subsection (b) of this section, the expenditures described in this paragraph are expenditures for medical assistance for children who are born before October 1, 1983, and who would be described in
(4) The limitations on payment under subsections (f) and (g) of
(v) Employed individual with a medically improved disability
(1) The term "employed individual with a medically improved disability" means an individual who—
(A) is at least 16, but less than 65, years of age;
(B) is employed (as defined in paragraph (2));
(C) ceases to be eligible for medical assistance under
(D) continues to have a severe medically determinable impairment, as determined under regulations of the Secretary.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), an individual is considered to be "employed" if the individual—
(A) is earning at least the applicable minimum wage requirement under
(B) is engaged in a work effort that meets substantial and reasonable threshold criteria for hours of work, wages, or other measures, as defined by the State and approved by the Secretary.
(w) Independent foster care adolescent
(1) For purposes of this subchapter, the term "independent foster care adolescent" means an individual—
(A) who is under 21 years of age;
(B) who, on the individual's 18th birthday, was in foster care under the responsibility of a State; and
(C) whose assets, resources, and income do not exceed such levels (if any) as the State may establish consistent with paragraph (2).
(2) The levels established by a State under paragraph (1)(C) may not be less than the corresponding levels applied by the State under
(3) A State may limit the eligibility of independent foster care adolescents under
(x) Strategies, treatment, and services
For purposes of subsection (a)(27) of this section, the strategies, treatment, and services described in that subsection include the following:
(1) Chronic blood transfusion (with deferoxamine chelation) to prevent stroke in individuals with Sickle Cell Disease who have been identified as being at high risk for stroke.
(2) Genetic counseling and testing for individuals with Sickle Cell Disease or the sickle cell trait to allow health care professionals to treat such individuals and to prevent symptoms of Sickle Cell Disease.
(3) Other treatment and services to prevent individuals who have Sickle Cell Disease and who have had a stroke from having another stroke.
(y) Increased FMAP for medical assistance for newly eligible mandatory individuals
(1) Amount of increase
Notwithstanding subsection (b), the Federal medical assistance percentage for a State that is one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia, with respect to amounts expended by such State for medical assistance for newly eligible individuals described in subclause (VIII) of
(A) 100 percent for calendar quarters in 2014, 2015, and 2016;
(B) 95 percent for calendar quarters in 2017;
(C) 94 percent for calendar quarters in 2018;
(D) 93 percent for calendar quarters in 2019; and
(E) 90 percent for calendar quarters in 2020 and each year thereafter.
(2) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Newly eligible
The term "newly eligible" means, with respect to an individual described in subclause (VIII) of
(B) Full benefits
The term "full benefits" means, with respect to an individual, medical assistance for all services covered under the State plan under this subchapter that is not less in amount, duration, or scope, or is determined by the Secretary to be substantially equivalent, to the medical assistance available for an individual described in
(z) Equitable support for certain States
(1)(A) During the period that begins on January 1, 2014, and ends on December 31, 2015, notwithstanding subsection (b), the Federal medical assistance percentage otherwise determined under subsection (b) with respect to a fiscal year occurring during that period shall be increased by 2.2 percentage points for any State described in subparagraph (B) for amounts expended for medical assistance for individuals who are not newly eligible (as defined in subsection (y)(2)) individuals described in subclause (VIII) of
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), a State described in this subparagraph is a State that—
(i) is an expansion State described in paragraph (3);
(ii) the Secretary determines will not receive any payments under this subchapter on the basis of an increased Federal medical assistance percentage under subsection (y) for expenditures for medical assistance for newly eligible individuals (as so defined); and
(iii) has not been approved by the Secretary to divert a portion of the DSH allotment for a State to the costs of providing medical assistance or other health benefits coverage under a waiver that is in effect on July 2009.7
(2)(A) For calendar quarters in 2014 and each year thereafter, the Federal medical assistance percentage otherwise determined under subsection (b) for an expansion State described in paragraph (3) with respect to medical assistance for individuals described in
(B)(i) The percent specified in this subparagraph for a State for a year is equal to the Federal medical assistance percentage (as defined in the first sentence of subsection (b)) for the State increased by a number of percentage points equal to the transition percentage (specified in clause (ii) for the year) of the number of percentage points by which—
(I) such Federal medical assistance percentage for the State, is less than
(II) the percent specified in subsection (y)(1) for the year.
(ii) The transition percentage specified in this clause for—
(I) 2014 is 50 percent;
(II) 2015 is 60 percent;
(III) 2016 is 70 percent;
(IV) 2017 is 80 percent;
(V) 2018 is 90 percent; and
(VI) 2019 and each subsequent year is 100 percent.
(3) A State is an expansion State if, on March 23, 2010, the State offers health benefits coverage statewide to parents and nonpregnant, childless adults whose income is at least 100 percent of the poverty line, that includes inpatient hospital services, is not dependent on access to employer coverage, employer contribution, or employment and is not limited to premium assistance, hospital-only benefits, a high deductible health plan, or alternative benefits under a demonstration program authorized under
(aa) Special adjustment to FMAP determination for certain States recovering from a major disaster
(1) Notwithstanding subsection (b), beginning January 1, 2011, the Federal medical assistance percentage for a fiscal year for a disaster-recovery FMAP adjustment State shall be equal to the following:
(A) In the case of the first fiscal year (or part of a fiscal year) for which this subsection applies to the State, the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the fiscal year without regard to this subsection, subsection (y), subsection (z), and section 10202 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, increased by 50 percent of the number of percentage points by which the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the State for the fiscal year without regard to this subsection, subsection (y), subsection (z), and section 10202 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, is less than the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the State for the preceding fiscal year after the application of only subsection (a) of section 5001 of
(B) In the case of the second or any succeeding fiscal year for which this subsection applies to the State, the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the preceding fiscal year under this subsection for the State, increased by 25 percent of the number of percentage points by which the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the State for the fiscal year without regard to this subsection, subsection (y), subsection (z), and section 10202 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, is less than the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the State for the preceding fiscal year under this subsection.
(2) In this subsection, the term "disaster-recovery FMAP adjustment State" means a State that is one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia, for which, at any time during the preceding 7 fiscal years, the President has declared a major disaster under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act [
(A) in the case of the first fiscal year (or part of a fiscal year) for which this subsection applies to the State, the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the State for the fiscal year without regard to this subsection, subsection (y), subsection (z), and section 10202 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, is less than the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the State for the preceding fiscal year after the application of only subsection (a) of section 5001 of
(B) in the case of the second or any succeeding fiscal year for which this subsection applies to the State, the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the State for the fiscal year without regard to this subsection, subsection (y), subsection (z), and section 10202 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, is less than the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the State for the preceding fiscal year under this subsection by at least 3 percentage points.
(3) The Federal medical assistance percentage determined for a disaster-recovery FMAP adjustment State under paragraph (1) shall apply for purposes of this subchapter (other than with respect to disproportionate share hospital payments described in
(bb) Counseling and pharmacotherapy for cessation of tobacco use by pregnant women
(1) For purposes of this subchapter, the term "counseling and pharmacotherapy for cessation of tobacco use by pregnant women" means diagnostic, therapy, and counseling services and pharmacotherapy (including the coverage of prescription and nonprescription tobacco cessation agents approved by the Food and Drug Administration) for cessation of tobacco use by pregnant women who use tobacco products or who are being treated for tobacco use that is furnished—
(A) by or under the supervision of a physician; or
(B) by any other health care professional who—
(i) is legally authorized to furnish such services under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) of the State in which the services are furnished; and
(ii) is authorized to receive payment for other services under this subchapter or is designated by the Secretary for this purpose.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), such term is limited to—
(A) services recommended with respect to pregnant women in "Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update: A Clinical Practice Guideline", published by the Public Health Service in May 2008, or any subsequent modification of such Guideline; and
(B) such other services that the Secretary recognizes to be effective for cessation of tobacco use by pregnant women.
(3) Such term shall not include coverage for drugs or biologicals that are not otherwise covered under this subchapter.
(cc) Requirement for certain States
Notwithstanding subsections (y), (z), and (aa), in the case of a State that requires political subdivisions within the State to contribute toward the non-Federal share of expenditures required under the State plan under
(dd) Increased FMAP for additional expenditures for primary care services
Notwithstanding subsection (b), with respect to the portion of the amounts expended for medical assistance for services described in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1905, as added
Amendment of Subsection (a)(13)
(13) other diagnostic, screening, preventive, and rehabilitative services, including—
(A) any clinical preventive services that are assigned a grade of A or B by the United States Preventive Services Task Force;
(B) with respect to an adult individual, approved vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (an advisory committee established by the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and their administration; and
(C) any medical or remedial services (provided in a facility, a home, or other setting) recommended by a physician or other licensed practitioner of the healing arts within the scope of their practice under State law, for the maximum reduction of physical or mental disability and restoration of an individual to the best possible functional level;
Amendment of Subsection (b)
(1) by striking ", and (4)" and inserting ", (4)"; and
(2) by inserting before the period the following: ", and (5) in the case of a State that provides medical assistance for services and vaccines described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(13), and prohibits cost-sharing for such services and vaccines, the Federal medical assistance percentage, as determined under this subsection and subsection (y) (without regard to paragraph (1)(C) of such subsection), shall be increased by 1 percentage point with respect to medical assistance for such services and vaccines and for items and services described in subsection (a)(4)(D)".
References in Text
Part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a), (m)(1), and (n), is classified to
Parts A and B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a), (l)(2)(B)(iv), (o)(3)(B), (p)(1)(A), and (s)(1), are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Section 211 of
The Indian Self-Determination Act, referred to in subsec. (l)(2)(B), is title I of
The Indian Health Care Improvement Act, referred to in subsec. (l)(2)(B), is
Clause (ii), referred to in subsec. (l)(2)(B), was redesignated as cl. (iii) by
Section 212 of
Section 5001 of
Section 10202 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to in subsec. (aa)(1), (2), is section 10202 of
The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (aa)(2), is
Section 5001 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, referred to in subsec. (cc), is section 5001 of
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(xiv).
Subsec. (a)(xv).
Subsec. (a)(xvi).
Subsec. (a)(xvii).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(28), (29).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (l)(3).
Subsec. (o)(1)(A).
Subsec. (o)(1)(C).
Subsec. (y).
Subsec. (y)(1).
Subsec. (y)(1)(B)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (y)(2)(A).
Subsec. (z).
Subsec. (z)(1)(A).
Subsec. (z)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (z)(2).
"(A) During the period that begins on January 1, 2014, and ends on December 31, 2016, notwithstanding subsection (b), the Federal medical assistance percentage otherwise determined under subsection (b) with respect to all or any portion of a fiscal year occurring during that period shall be increased by .5 percentage point for a State described in subparagraph (B) for amounts expended for medical assistance under the State plan under this subchapter or under a waiver of that plan during that period.
"(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), a State described in this subparagraph is a State that—
"(i) is described in clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (1)(B); and
"(ii) is the State with the highest percentage of its population insured during 2008, based on the Current Population Survey."
Subsec. (z)(3).
Subsec. (z)(4).
"(A) disproportionate share hospital payments described in
"(B) payments under subchapter IV;
"(C) payments under subchapter XXI; and
"(D) payments under this subchapter that are based on the enhanced FMAP described in
Subsec. (z)(5).
Subsec. (aa).
Subsec. (aa)(1), (2).
Subsec. (bb).
Subsec. (cc).
Subsec. (dd).
2008—Subsec. (p)(1)(C).
Subsec. (p)(5)(A).
2006—Subsec. (u)(2)(B).
2004—Subsec. (a)(27), (28).
Subsec. (x).
2000—Subsec. (a)(xiii).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (p)(5).
Subsec. (p)(6).
Subsec. (u)(1)(B).
1999—Subsec. (a)(xii).
Subsec. (a)(15).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (l)(2)(B).
Subsec. (v).
Subsec. (w).
1997—Subsec. (a)(25).
Subsec. (a)(26).
Subsec. (a)(27).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (l)(2)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (o)(3).
Subsec. (p)(3).
Subsec. (t).
Subsec. (u).
Subsec. (u)(1)(B).
Subsec. (u)(2)(A).
Subsec. (u)(2)(B), (C).
"(B) The amount described in this subparagraph, for a State for a fiscal year, is the amount of the State's allotment under
"(C) For purposes of this paragraph, the term 'optional targeted low-income child' means a targeted low-income child as defined in
Subsec. (u)(3).
Subsec. (u)(4).
1996—Subsec. (l)(2)(B)(i), (ii)(II).
1994—Subsecs. (j), (q)(2).
1993—Subsec. (a)(xi).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(17).
Subsec. (a)(19).
Subsec. (a)(21).
Subsec. (a)(22).
Subsec. (a)(23).
Subsec. (a)(24).
Subsec. (a)(25).
Subsec. (l)(2)(B).
Subsec. (l)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (l)(2)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (l)(2)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (r)(1)(A)(i).
Subsec. (r)(1)(B)(iii).
1990—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(x).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(13).
Subsec. (a)(22).
Subsec. (a)(23).
Subsec. (a)(24).
Subsec. (h)(1)(A).
Subsec. (l)(2)(A).
Subsec. (l)(2)(B).
Subsec. (l)(2)(B)(ii), (iii).
Subsec. (n)(2).
Subsec. (o)(1)(A).
Subsec. (o)(3).
Subsec. (o)(3)(A), (C).
Subsec. (p)(1)(B).
Subsec. (p)(2)(B).
Subsec. (p)(2)(C).
Subsec. (p)(2)(D).
Subsec. (p)(4).
Subsec. (p)(4)(B).
1989—Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(4)(B).
Subsec. (a)(21), (22).
Subsec. (l).
Subsec. (p)(1)(A).
Subsec. (p)(3)(A).
Subsec. (p)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (p)(3)(C).
Subsec. (p)(4), (5).
Subsec. (r).
Subsec. (s).
1988—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(ix).
Subsec. (a)(5)(B).
Subsec. (a)(17).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (o)(1).
Subsec. (o)(1)(B).
Subsec. (o)(3).
Subsec. (p)(1).
Subsec. (p)(1)(B).
Subsec. (p)(1)(C).
Subsec. (p)(1)(D).
Subsec. (p)(2)(A).
Subsec. (p)(2)(B).
Subsec. (p)(2)(C).
Subsec. (p)(3).
Subsec. (p)(3)(A).
Subsec. (p)(3)(B).
Subsec. (p)(3)(C).
Subsec. (p)(4).
Subsec. (p)(5).
1987—Subsec. (a)(4)(A).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(9).
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (a)(15).
Subsec. (a)(17).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (n)(2).
Subsec. (o)(1).
Subsec. (p)(2)(A).
1986—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(18).
Subsec. (a)(19).
Subsec. (a)(20).
Subsec. (a)(21).
Subsec. (n)(1)(C).
Subsec. (n)(2).
Subsec. (o).
Subsec. (o)(3).
Subsec. (p).
Subsec. (q).
1984—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(9).
Subsec. (a)(14), (15).
Subsec. (a)(17).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (h)(1)(A).
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (n).
1982—Subsec. (a)(i).
Subsec. (a)(viii).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (h)(1)(C).
1981—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1980—Subsec. (a)(17), (18).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (m).
1978—Subsec. (c).
1977—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (l).
1976—Subsec. (b).
1973—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(v).
Subsec. (a)(vi).
Subsec. (a)(vii).
Subsec. (a)(16).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (h)(1)(B).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (i).
Subsecs. (j), (k).
1972—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(14).
Subsec. (a)(15) to (17).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
1971—Subsec. (a)(16).
Subsecs. (c), (d).
1968—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(vi).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by section 2301(a) of
Amendment by section 2303(a)(4)(A) of
Amendment by section 2402(d)(2)(B) of
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2000 Amendments
Amendment by section 1(a)(6) [title IX, §911(a)(2)] of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1999 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 121(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title VI, §608(l), (m)] of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendments
Section 162 of
Amendment by section 4702(a) of
Amendment by section 4711(c)(1) of
Section 4712(d)(2) of
Amendment by section 4714(a)(2) of
Section 4725(b)(2) of
"(A) items and services furnished on or after October 1, 1997;
"(B) payments made on a capitation or other risk-basis for coverage occurring on or after such date; and
"(C) payments attributable to DSH allotments for such States determined under section 1923(f) of such Act (
Amendment by section 4911(a) of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by section 13601(a) of
Amendment by section 13603(e) of
Section 13605(b) of
Section 13606(b) of
Amendment by section 13631(f)(2) of
Section 13631(g)(2) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 4402(d)(2) of
Amendment by section 4501(a), (c), (e)(1) of
Amendment by section 4601(a)(2) of
Amendment by section 4704(c), (d), (e)(1) of
Section 4705(b) of
Amendment by section 4711(a) of
Amendment by section 4712(a) of
Amendment by section 4713(b) of
Section 4719(b) of
Section 4721(b) of
Section 4755(a)(1)(B) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendments
Amendment by section 6403(a), (c), (d)(2) of
Amendment by section 6404(a), (b) of
Amendment by section 6405(a) of
Amendment by section 6408(d)(2), (4)(A), (B) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 303(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 401(d)(2) of
Amendment by section 608(d)(14)(A)–(G), (J) of
Amendment by section 608(f)(3) of
Amendment by section 301(a)(2)–(d) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Section 411(k)(14)(B) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by section 4073(d) of
Section 4101(c)(3) of
"(A) The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and
"(B) For purposes of section 1905(n)(2) of the Social Security Act [
Section 4103(b) of
"(1) The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] applies (except as provided under paragraph (2)) to payments under title XIX of the Social Security Act [
"(2) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirement imposed by the amendment made by subsection (a), the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet this additional requirement before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987]."
Section 4105(b) of
Amendments by section 4211(e), (f), (h)(6) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 9403(b), (d), (g)(3) of
Amendment by section 9404(b) of
Amendment by section 9408(c)(1) of
Section 9501(d)(1) of
"(A) The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] apply (except as provided under subparagraph (B)) to payments under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] for calendar quarters beginning on or after the [sic] July 1, 1986, without regard to whether or not final regulations to carry out the amendments have been promulgated by that date.
"(B) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirement imposed by the amendments made by subsection (a), the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet this additional requirement before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 7, 1986]."
Amendment by section 9505(a) of
Section 9511(b) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 2335(f) of
Amendment by section 2340(b) of
Amendment by section 2361(b) of
Section 2371(b) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by section 136(c) of
Amendment by section 137(b)(17), (18) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by section 2172(b) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
For effective date of amendment by
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Section 8(d)(1) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1973 Amendment
Amendment by section 13(a)(13)–(18) of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Section 212(b) of
Amendment by section 247(b) of
Section 275(b) of
Section 297(b) of
Effective Date of 1971 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Section 248(e) of
Construction of 2004 Amendment
Construction of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
Incentives for States To Offer Home and Community-Based Services as a Long-Term Care Alternative to Nursing Homes
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) in which less than 50 percent of the total expenditures for medical assistance under the State Medicaid program for a fiscal year for long-term services and supports (as defined by the Secretary under subsection (f))(1)) [sic] are for non-institutionally-based long-term services and supports described in subsection (f)(1)(B);
"(2) that submits an application and meets the conditions described in subsection (c); and
"(3) that is selected by the Secretary to participate in the State balancing incentive payment program established under this section.
"(c)
"(1)
"(A) a proposed budget that details the State's plan to expand and diversify medical assistance for non-institutionally-based long-term services and supports described in subsection (f)(1)(B) under the State Medicaid program during the balancing incentive period and achieve the target spending percentage applicable to the State under paragraph (2), including through structural changes to how the State furnishes such assistance, such as through the establishment of a 'no wrong door—single entry point system', optional presumptive eligibility, case management services, and the use of core standardized assessment instruments, and that includes a description of the new or expanded offerings of such services that the State will provide and the projected costs of such services; and
"(B) in the case of a State that proposes to expand the provision of home and community-based services under its State Medicaid program through a State plan amendment under section 1915(i) of the Social Security Act [
"(2)
"(A) In the case of a balancing incentive payment State in which less than 25 percent of the total expenditures for long-term services and supports under the State Medicaid program for fiscal year 2009 are for home and community-based services, the target spending percentage for the State to achieve by not later than October 1, 2015, is that 25 percent of the total expenditures for long-term services and supports under the State Medicaid program are for home and community-based services.
"(B) In the case of any other balancing incentive payment State, the target spending percentage for the State to achieve by not later than October 1, 2015, is that 50 percent of the total expenditures for long-term services and supports under the State Medicaid program are for home and community-based services.
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(A) '
"(B)
"(C)
"(6)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(i) measures of beneficiary and family caregiver experience with providers;
"(ii) measures of beneficiary and family caregiver satisfaction with services; and
"(iii) measures for achieving desired outcomes appropriate to a specific beneficiary, including employment, participation in community life, health stability, and prevention of loss in function.
"(d)
"(1) in the case of a balancing incentive payment State subject to the target spending percentage described in subsection (c)(2)(A), 5 percentage points; and
"(2) in the case of any other balancing incentive payment State, 2 percentage points.
"(e)
"(1)
"(2)
"(f)
"(1)
"(A) Institutionally-based long-term services and supports.—Services provided in an institution, including the following:
"(i) Nursing facility services.
"(ii) Services in an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded described in subsection (a)(15) of section 1905 of such Act [
"(B) Non-institutionally-based long-term services and supports.—Services not provided in an institution, including the following:
"(i) Home and community-based services provided under subsection (c), (d), or (i) of section 1915 of such Act [
"(ii) Home health care services.
"(iii) Personal care services.
"(iv) Services described in subsection (a)(26) of section 1905 of such Act [
"(v) Self-directed personal assistance services described in section 1915(j) of such Act [
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
Temporary Increase of Medicaid FMAP
"(a)
"(1) fiscal year 2009 is less than the FMAP as so determined for fiscal year 2008, the FMAP for the State for fiscal year 2008 shall be substituted for the State's FMAP for fiscal year 2009, before the application of this section;
"(2) fiscal year 2010 is less than the FMAP as so determined for fiscal year 2008 or fiscal year 2009 (after the application of paragraph (1)), the greater of such FMAP for the State for fiscal year 2008 or fiscal year 2009 shall be substituted for the State's FMAP for fiscal year 2010, before the application of this section; and
"(3) fiscal year 2011 is less than the FMAP as so determined for fiscal year 2008, fiscal year 2009 (after the application of paragraph (1)), or fiscal year 2010 (after the application of paragraph (2)), the greatest of such FMAP for the State for fiscal year 2008, fiscal year 2009, or fiscal year 2010 shall be substituted for the State's FMAP for fiscal year 2011, before the application of this section, but only for the first 3 calendar quarters in fiscal year 2011.
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
"(c)
"(1)
"(A) the State percentage applicable for the State under section 1905(b) of the Social Security Act (
"(B) the applicable percent determined in paragraph (3) for the calendar quarter (or, if greater, for a previous such calendar quarter).
"(2)
"(A)
"(i) The State unemployment increase percentage (as defined in paragraph (4)) for the quarter is at least 1.5 percentage points but less than 2.5 percentage points.
"(ii) The State unemployment increase percentage for the quarter is at least 2.5 percentage points but less than 3.5 percentage points.
"(iii) The State unemployment increase percentage for the quarter is at least 3.5 percentage points.
"(B)
"(3)
"(A)
"(i) 5.5 percent, if the State satisfies the criteria described in paragraph (2)(A)(i) for the calendar quarter;
"(ii) 8.5 percent if the State satisfies the criteria described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii) for the calendar quarter; and
"(iii) 11.5 percent if the State satisfies the criteria described in paragraph (2)(A)(iii) for the calendar quarter.
"(B)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(4)
"(A)
"(i) the average monthly unemployment rate for the State for months in the most recent previous 3-consecutive-month period for which data are available, subject to subparagraph (C); exceeds
"(ii) the lowest average monthly unemployment rate for the State for any 3-consecutive-month period preceding the period described in clause (i) and beginning on or after January 1, 2006.
"(B)
"(C)
"(i) the first 2 calendar quarters of the recession adjustment period, the most recent previous 3-consecutive-month period described in subparagraph (A)(i) shall be the 3-consecutive-month period beginning with October 2008; and
"(ii) the last 2 calendar quarters of the recession adjustment period, the most recent previous 3-consecutive-month period described in such subparagraph shall be the 3-consecutive-month period beginning with December 2009, or, if it results in a higher applicable percent under paragraph (3), any 3-consecutive-month period that begins after December 2009 and ends before January 2011.
"(d)
"(e)
"(1) disproportionate share hospital payments described in section 1923 of such Act (
"(2) payments under title IV of such Act (
"(3) payments under title XXI of such Act (
"(4) any payments under title XIX of such Act [this subchapter] that are based on the enhanced FMAP described in section 2105(b) of such Act (
"(5) any payments under title XIX of such Act [this subchapter] that are attributable to expenditures for medical assistance provided to individuals made eligible under a State plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (including under any waiver under such title or under section 1115 of such Act (
Notwithstanding paragraph (5), effective for payments made on or after January 1, 2010, the increases in the FMAP for a State under this section shall apply to payments under title XIX of such Act [
"(f)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(i) for the calendar quarters before July 1, 2009, on the basis of a restriction that was applied after July 1, 2008, and before the date of the enactment of this Act [Feb. 17, 2009], if the State prior to July 1, 2009, has reinstated eligibility standards, methodologies, or procedures that are no more restrictive than the eligibility standards, methodologies, or procedures, respectively, under such plan (or waiver) as in effect on July 1, 2008; or
"(ii) on the basis of a restriction that was directed to be made under State law as in effect on July 1, 2008, and would have been in effect as of such date, but for a delay in the effective date of a waiver under section 1115 of such Act [
"(2)
"(A)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(iii)
"(iv)
"(B)
"(i)
"(ii)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
"(g)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(h)
"(1) FMAP.—The term 'FMAP' means the Federal medical assistance percentage, as defined in section 1905(b) of the Social Security Act (
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(i)
"(j)
State Authority Under Medicaid
[For definitions of "CHIP", "Medicaid", and "Secretary", see section 1(c) of
Adjustment in Computation of FMAP To Disregard an Extraordinary Employer Pension Contribution
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(c)
"(d)
"(e) FMAP
[For definitions of "Medicaid" and "Secretary", see section 1(c) of
Temporary State Fiscal Relief
Alaska FMAPs
Section 4725(a) of
"(1) items and services furnished under a State plan under title XIX [this subchapter] or under a State child health plan under title XXI of such Act [subchapter XXI of this chapter] during fiscal years 1998, 1999, and 2000;
"(2) payments made on a capitation or other risk-basis under such titles for coverage occurring during such period; and
"(3) payments under title XIX of such Act attributable to DSH allotments for such State determined under section 1923(f) of such Act (
EPSDT Benefit Study and Report
Section 4744 of
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(b)
References to Provisions of Part A of Subchapter IV Considered References to Such Provisions as in Effect July 16, 1996
For provisions that certain references to provisions of part A (§601 et seq.) of subchapter IV of this chapter be considered references to such provisions of part A as in effect July 16, 1996, see
Limitation on Disallowances or Deferral of Federal Financial Participation for Certain Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital Services for Individuals Under Age 21
Section 4706 of
"(a)
"(2) Any disallowance of Federal financial participation under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] relating to the failure of a psychiatric facility to comply with certification of need requirements—
"(A) shall not exceed 25 percent of the amount of Federal financial participation for the period described in paragraph (1); and
"(B) shall not apply to any fiscal year before the fiscal year that is 3 years before the fiscal year in which the determination of noncompliance described in paragraph (1) is made.
"(b)
Intermediate Care Facility; Access and Visitation Rights
Section 411(l)(3)(C)(i), formerly §411(l)(3)(C), of
Regulations for Intermediate Care Facilities for Mentally Retarded
Section 9514 of
Life Safety Code Recognition
Section 9515 of
Study of Federal Medical Assistance Percentage Formula and of Adjustments of Target Amounts for Federal Medicaid Expenditures; Report to Congress
Section 2165 of
Costs Charged to Personal Funds of Patients in Intermediate Care Facilities; Costs Included in Charges for Services; Regulations
Section 8(c), (d)(2) of
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. Probably should be "a".
3 So in original. Probably should be clause "(iii),". See References in Text note below.
4 So in original. The comma probably should be a period.
5 So in original. The words "of such paragraph" probably should follow "subparagraph (B)".
6 So in original. Probably should be "or section".
8 So in original. Probably should be preceded by "section".
§1396e. Enrollment of individuals under group health plans
(a) Requirements of each State plan; guidelines
Each State plan—
(1) may implement guidelines established by the Secretary, consistent with subsection (b) of this section, to identify those cases in which enrollment of an individual otherwise entitled to medical assistance under this subchapter in a group health plan (in which the individual is otherwise eligible to be enrolled) is cost-effective (as defined in subsection (e)(2) of this section);
(2) may require, in case of an individual so identified and as a condition of the individual being or remaining eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter and subject to subsection (b)(2) of this section, notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, that the individual (or in the case of a child, the child's parent) apply for enrollment in the group health plan; and
(3) in the case of such enrollment (except as provided in subsection (c)(1)(B) of this section), shall provide for payment of all enrollee premiums for such enrollment and all deductibles, coinsurance, and other cost-sharing obligations for items and services otherwise covered under the State plan under this subchapter (exceeding the amount otherwise permitted under
(b) Timing of enrollment; failure to enroll
(1) In establishing guidelines under subsection (a)(1) of this section, the Secretary shall take into account that an individual may only be eligible to enroll in group health plans at limited times and only if other individuals (not entitled to medical assistance under the plan) are also enrolled in the plan simultaneously.
(2) If a parent of a child fails to enroll the child in a group health plan in accordance with subsection (a)(2) of this section, such failure shall not affect the child's eligibility for benefits under this subchapter.
(c) Premiums considered payments for medical assistance; eligibility
(1)(A) In the case of payments of premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and other cost-sharing obligations under this section shall be considered, for purposes of
(B) If all members of a family are not eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter and enrollment of the members so eligible in a group health plan is not possible without also enrolling members not so eligible—
(i) payment of premiums for enrollment of such other members shall be treated as payments for medical assistance for eligible individuals, if it would be cost-effective (taking into account payment of all such premiums), but
(ii) payment of deductibles, coinsurance, and other cost-sharing obligations for such other members shall not be treated as payments for medical assistance for eligible individuals.
(2) The fact that an individual is enrolled in a group health plan under this section shall not change the individual's eligibility for benefits under the State plan, except insofar as
(d) Repealed. Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, §4741(b)(2), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 523
(e) Definitions
In this section:
(1) The term "group health plan" has the meaning given such term in section 5000(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and includes the provision of continuation coverage by such a plan pursuant to title XXII of the Public Health Service Act [
(2) The term "cost-effective" has the meaning given that term in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1906, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (e)(1), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(1), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373,
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (e)(1), is
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1396e, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1906, as added Jan. 2, 1968,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (e)(2).
1997—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (d).
"(1) In the case of any State which is providing medical assistance to its residents under a waiver granted under
"(2) This section, and
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date
Section applicable, except as otherwise provided, to payments under this subchapter for calendar quarters beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1991, without regard to whether or not final regulations to carry out the amendments by section 4402 of
1 See References in Text note below.
§1396e–1. Premium assistance option for children
(a) In general
A State may elect to offer a premium assistance subsidy (as defined in subsection (c)) for qualified employer-sponsored coverage (as defined in subsection (b)) to all individuals under age 19 who are entitled to medical assistance under this subchapter (and to the parent of such an individual) who have access to such coverage if the State meets the requirements of this section and the offering of such a subsidy is cost-effective, as defined for purposes of
(b) Qualified employer-sponsored coverage
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2)),1 in this paragraph, the term "qualified employer-sponsored coverage" means a group health plan or health insurance coverage offered through an employer—
(A) that qualifies as creditable coverage as a group health plan under section 2701(c)(1) of the Public Health Service Act; 2
(B) for which the employer contribution toward any premium for such coverage is at least 40 percent; and
(C) that is offered to all individuals in a manner that would be considered a nondiscriminatory eligibility classification for purposes of paragraph (3)(A)(ii) of section 105(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (but determined without regard to clause (i) of subparagraph (B) of such paragraph).
(2) Exception
Such term does not include coverage consisting of—
(A) benefits provided under a health flexible spending arrangement (as defined in section 106(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986); or
(B) a high deductible health plan (as defined in section 223(c)(2) of such Code), without regard to whether the plan is purchased in conjunction with a health savings account (as defined under section 223(d) of such Code).
(3) Treatment as third party liability
The State shall treat the coverage provided under qualified employer-sponsored coverage as a third party liability under
(c) Premium assistance subsidy
In this section, the term "premium assistance subsidy" means the amount of the employee contribution for enrollment in the qualified employer-sponsored coverage by the individual under age 19 or by the individual's family. Premium assistance subsidies under this section shall be considered, for purposes of
(d) Voluntary participation
(1) Employers
Participation by an employer in a premium assistance subsidy offered by a State under this section shall be voluntary. An employer may notify a State that it elects to opt-out of being directly paid a premium assistance subsidy on behalf of an employee.
(2) Beneficiaries
No subsidy shall be provided to an individual under age 19 under this section unless the individual (or the individual's parent) voluntarily elects to receive such a subsidy. A State may not require such an election as a condition of receipt of medical assistance. State 3 may not require, as a condition of an individual under age 19 (or the individual's parent) being or remaining eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter, apply for enrollment in qualified employer-sponsored coverage under this section.
(3) Opt-out permitted for any month
A State shall establish a process for permitting the parent of an individual under age 19 receiving a premium assistance subsidy to disenroll the individual from the qualified employer-sponsored coverage.
(e) Requirement to pay premiums and cost-sharing and provide supplemental coverage
In the case of the participation of an individual under age 19 (or the individual's parent) in a premium assistance subsidy under this section for qualified employer-sponsored coverage, the State shall provide for payment of all enrollee premiums for enrollment in such coverage and all deductibles, coinsurance, and other cost-sharing obligations for items and services otherwise covered under the State plan under this subchapter (exceeding the amount otherwise permitted under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1906A, as added
Amendment of Section
(1) in the section catchline, by striking "option for children";
(2) in subsection (a)—
(A) [Omitted]
(B) by striking "under age 19"; and
(C) by inserting ", in the case of an individual under age 19," after "(and";
(3) in subsection (c), in the first sentence, by striking "under age 19"; and
(4) in subsection (d)—
(A) in paragraph (2)—
(i) in the first sentence, by striking "under age 19"; and
(ii) by striking the third sentence and inserting "A State may not require, as a condition of an individual (or the individual's parent) being or remaining eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter, that the individual (or the individual's parent) apply for enrollment in qualified employer-sponsored coverage under this section."; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking "the parent of an individual under age 19" and inserting "an individual (or the parent of an individual)"; and
(5) in subsection (e), by striking "under age 19" each place it appears.
References in Text
Section 2701 of the Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(A), is section 2701 of act July 1, 1944, which was classified to
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(C), (2), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date
Section effective Apr. 1, 2009, and applicable to child health assistance and medical assistance provided on or after that date, with certain exceptions, see section 3 of
Effect of Certain Amendment by Pub. L. 111–148
1 So in original. The second closing parenthesis probably should not appear.
2 See References in Text note below.
3 So in original. Probably should be preceded by "A".
§1396f. Observance of religious beliefs
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to require any State which has a plan approved under this subchapter to compel any person to undergo any medical screening, examination, diagnosis, or treatment or to accept any other health care or services provided under such plan for any purpose (other than for the purpose of discovering and preventing the spread of infection or contagious disease or for the purpose of protecting environmental health), if such person objects (or, in case such person is a child, his parent or guardian objects) thereto on religious grounds.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1907, as added
§1396g. State programs for licensing of administrators of nursing homes
(a) Nature of State program
For purposes of
(b) Licensing by State agency or board representative of concerned professions and institutions
Licensing of nursing home administrators shall be carried out by the agency of the State responsible for licensing under the healing arts licensing act of the State, or, in the absence of such act or such an agency, a board representative of the professions and institutions concerned with care of chronically ill and infirm aged patients and established to carry out the purposes of this section.
(c) Functions and duties of State agency or board
It shall be the function and duty of such agency or board to—
(1) develop, impose, and enforce standards which must be met by individuals in order to receive a license as a nursing home administrator, which standards shall be designed to insure that nursing home administrators will be individuals who are of good character and are otherwise suitable, and who, by training or experience in the field of institutional administration, are qualified to serve as nursing home administrators;
(2) develop and apply appropriate techniques, including examinations and investigations, for determining whether an individual meets such standards;
(3) issue licenses to individuals determined, after the application of such techniques, to meet such standards, and revoke or suspend licenses previously issued by the board in any case where the individual holding any such license is determined substantially to have failed to conform to the requirements of such standards;
(4) establish and carry out procedures designed to insure that individuals licensed as nursing home administrators will, during any period that they serve as such, comply with the requirements of such standards;
(5) receive, investigate, and take appropriate action with respect to, any charge or complaint filed with the board to the effect that any individual licensed as a nursing home administrator has failed to comply with the requirements of such standards; and
(6) conduct a continuing study and investigation of nursing homes and administrators of nursing homes within the State with a view to the improvement of the standards imposed for the licensing of such administrators and of procedures and methods for the enforcement of such standards with respect to administrators of nursing homes who have been licensed as such.
(d) Waiver of standards other than good character or suitability standards
No State shall be considered to have failed to comply with the provisions of
(e) "Nursing home" and "nursing home administrator" defined
As used in this section, the term—
(1) "nursing home" means any institution or facility defined as such for licensing purposes under State law, or, if State law does not employ the term nursing home, the equivalent term or terms as determined by the Secretary, but does not include a religious nonmedical health care institution (as defined in
(2) "nursing home administrator" means any individual who is charged with the general administration of a nursing home whether or not such individual has an ownership interest in such home and whether or not his functions and duties are shared with one or more other individuals.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1908, as added
Repeal of Section
Codification
Another section 1908 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1908A and is classified to
Amendments
1997—Subsec. (e)(1).
1996—Subsec. (e)(1).
1973—Subsec. (d).
"(1) such waiver is for a period which ends after being in effect for two years or on June 30, 1972, whichever is earlier, and
"(2) there is provided in the State (during all of the period for which waiver is in effect), a program of training and instruction designed to enable all individuals with respect to whom any such waiver is granted, to attain the qualifications necessary in order to meet such standards" and also "calendar year" instead of "three calendar years" and reference to "subsection (c)(1) of this section" instead of "subsection (c) of this section".
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
1972—Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Section 913 of
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Amendment by section 268(b) of
Effective Date
Section 236(c) of
1 So in original. The period probably should be "; and".
§1396g–1. Required laws relating to medical child support
(a) In general
The laws relating to medical child support, which a State is required to have in effect under
(1) A law that prohibits an insurer from denying enrollment of a child under the health coverage of the child's parent on the ground that—
(A) the child was born out of wedlock,
(B) the child is not claimed as a dependent on the parent's Federal income tax return, or
(C) the child does not reside with the parent or in the insurer's service area.
(2) In any case in which a parent is required by a court or administrative order to provide health coverage for a child and the parent is eligible for family health coverage through an insurer, a law that requires such insurer—
(A) to permit such parent to enroll under such family coverage any such child who is otherwise eligible for such coverage (without regard to any enrollment season restrictions);
(B) if such a parent is enrolled but fails to make application to obtain coverage of such child, to enroll such child under such family coverage upon application by the child's other parent or by the State agency administering the program under this subchapter or part D of subchapter IV of this chapter; and
(C) not to disenroll (or eliminate coverage of) such a child unless the insurer is provided satisfactory written evidence that—
(i) such court or administrative order is no longer in effect, or
(ii) the child is or will be enrolled in comparable health coverage through another insurer which will take effect not later than the effective date of such disenrollment.
(3) In any case in which a parent is required by a court or administrative order to provide health coverage for a child and the parent is eligible for family health coverage through an employer doing business in the State, a law that requires such employer—
(A) to permit such parent to enroll under such family coverage any such child who is otherwise eligible for such coverage (without regard to any enrollment season restrictions);
(B) if such a parent is enrolled but fails to make application to obtain coverage of such child, to enroll such child under such family coverage upon application by the child's other parent or by the State agency administering the program under this subchapter or part D of subchapter IV of this chapter; and
(C) not to disenroll (or eliminate coverage of) any such child unless—
(i) the employer is provided satisfactory written evidence that—
(I) such court or administrative order is no longer in effect, or
(II) the child is or will be enrolled in comparable health coverage which will take effect not later than the effective date of such disenrollment, or
(ii) the employer has eliminated family health coverage for all of its employees; and
(D) to withhold from such employee's compensation the employee's share (if any) of premiums for health coverage (except that the amount so withheld may not exceed the maximum amount permitted to be withheld under
(4) A law that prohibits an insurer from imposing requirements on a State agency, which has been assigned the rights of an individual eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter and covered for health benefits from the insurer, that are different from requirements applicable to an agent or assignee of any other individual so covered.
(5) A law that requires an insurer, in any case in which a child has health coverage through the insurer of a noncustodial parent—
(A) to provide such information to the custodial parent as may be necessary for the child to obtain benefits through such coverage;
(B) to permit the custodial parent (or provider, with the custodial parent's approval) to submit claims for covered services without the approval of the noncustodial parent; and
(C) to make payment on claims submitted in accordance with subparagraph (B) directly to such custodial parent, the provider, or the State agency.
(6) A law that permits the State agency under this subchapter to garnish the wages, salary, or other employment income of, and requires withholding amounts from State tax refunds to, any person who—
(A) is required by court or administrative order to provide coverage of the costs of health services to a child who is eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter,
(B) has received payment from a third party for the costs of such services to such child, but
(C) has not used such payments to reimburse, as appropriate, either the other parent or guardian of such child or the provider of such services,
to the extent necessary to reimburse the State agency for expenditures for such costs under its plan under this subchapter, but any claims for current or past-due child support shall take priority over any such claims for the costs of such services.
(b) "Insurer" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "insurer" includes a group health plan, as defined in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1908A, formerly §1908, as added
References in Text
Part D of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B), (3)(B), is classified to
Effective Date
Section 13623(c) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [enacting this section and amending
"(2) In the case of a State plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 1993]. For purposes of the preceding sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature."
§1396h. State false claims act requirements for increased State share of recoveries
(a) In general
Notwithstanding
(b) Requirements
For purposes of subsection (a), the requirements of this subsection are that the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Attorney General, determines that the State has in effect a law that meets the following requirements:
(1) The law establishes liability to the State for false or fraudulent claims described in
(2) The law contains provisions that are at least as effective in rewarding and facilitating qui tam actions for false or fraudulent claims as those described in
(3) The law contains a requirement for filing an action under seal for 60 days with review by the State Attorney General.
(4) The law contains a civil penalty that is not less than the amount of the civil penalty authorized under
(c) Deemed compliance
A State that, as of January 1, 2007, has a law in effect that meets the requirements of subsection (b) shall be deemed to be in compliance with such requirements for so long as the law continues to meet such requirements.
(d) No preclusion of broader laws
Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting a State that has in effect a law that establishes liability to the State for false or fraudulent claims described in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1909, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1396h, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1909, as added and amended Oct. 30, 1972,
Effective Date
§1396i. Certification and approval of rural health clinics and intermediate care facilities for mentally retarded
(a)(1) Whenever the Secretary certifies a facility in a State to be qualified as a rural health clinic under subchapter XVIII of this chapter, such facility shall be deemed to meet the standards for certification as a rural health clinic for purposes of providing rural health clinic services under this title.
(2) The Secretary shall notify the State agency administering the medical assistance plan of his approval or disapproval of any facility in that State which has applied for certification by him as a qualified rural health clinic.
(b)(1) The Secretary may cancel approval of any intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded at any time if he finds on the basis of a determination made by him as provided in
(2) Any intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded which is dissatisfied with a determination by the Secretary that it no longer qualifies as a 1 intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded for purposes of this subchapter, shall be entitled to a hearing by the Secretary to the same extent as is provided in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1910, as added and amended
Amendments
1999—
1994—Subsec. (b)(2).
1989—
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
1988—Subsec. (b)(1).
1987—
1980—Subsec. (c).
1977—
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective with respect to agreements filed with Secretary under
1 So in original. Probably should be "an".
§1396j. Indian Health Service facilities
(a) Eligibility for reimbursement for medical assistance
A facility of the Indian Health Service (including a hospital, nursing facility, or any other type of facility which provides services of a type otherwise covered under the State plan), whether operated by such Service or by an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as those terms are defined in
(b) Facilities deemed to meet requirements upon submission of acceptable plan for achieving compliance
Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a facility of the Indian Health Service (including a hospital, nursing facility, or any other type of facility which provides services of a type otherwise covered under the State plan) which does not meet all of the conditions and requirements of this title which are applicable generally to such facility, but which submits to the Secretary within six months after September 30, 1976, an acceptable plan for achieving compliance with such conditions and requirements, shall be deemed to meet such conditions and requirements (and to be eligible for reimbursement under this subchapter), without regard to the extent of its actual compliance with such conditions and requirements, during the first twelve months after the month in which such plan is submitted.
(c) Agreement to reimburse State agency for providing care and services
The Secretary is authorized to enter into agreements with the State agency for the purpose of reimbursing such agency for health care and services provided in Indian Health Service facilities to Indians who are eligible for medical assistance under the State plan.
(d) Cross reference
For provisions relating to the authority of certain Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Alaska Native health organizations to elect to directly bill for, and receive payment for, health care services provided by a hospital or clinic of such tribes or organizations and for which payment may be made under this subchapter, see
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1911, as added
References in Text
Amendments
2000—Subsec. (d).
1988—Subsecs. (a), (b).
1987—Subsecs. (a), (b).
Subsec. (c).
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 4118(f)(2) of
Amendment by section 4211(h)(8) of
Agreements To Reimburse State Agency for Health Care and Services Provided by Agency to Indians
Payments Into Special Fund To Improve Indian Health Service Facilities To Achieve Compliance With Conditions and Requirements
Medicaid Payments Not Considered in Determining Appropriations for Indian Health Care
1 See References in Text note below.
§1396k. Assignment, enforcement, and collection of rights of payments for medical care; establishment of procedures pursuant to State plan; amounts retained by State
(a) For the purpose of assisting in the collection of medical support payments and other payments for medical care owed to recipients of medical assistance under the State plan approved under this subchapter, a State plan for medical assistance shall—
(1) provide that, as a condition of eligibility for medical assistance under the State plan to an individual who has the legal capacity to execute an assignment for himself, the individual is required—
(A) to assign the State any rights, of the individual or of any other person who is eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter and on whose behalf the individual has the legal authority to execute an assignment of such rights, to support (specified as support for the purpose of medical care by a court or administrative order) and to payment for medical care from any third party;
(B) to cooperate with the State (i) in establishing the paternity of such person (referred to in subparagraph (A)) if the person is a child born out of wedlock, and (ii) in obtaining support and payments (described in subparagraph (A)) for himself and for such person, unless (in either case) the individual is described in
(C) to cooperate with the State in identifying, and providing information to assist the State in pursuing, any third party who may be liable to pay for care and services available under the plan, unless such individual has good cause for refusing to cooperate as determined by the State agency in accordance with standards prescribed by the Secretary, which standards shall take into consideration the best interests of the individuals involved; and
(2) provide for entering into cooperative arrangements (including financial arrangements), with any appropriate agency of any State (including, with respect to the enforcement and collection of rights of payment for medical care by or through a parent, with a State's agency established or designated under
(b) Such part of any amount collected by the State under an assignment made under the provisions of this section shall be retained by the State as is necessary to reimburse it for medical assistance payments made on behalf of an individual with respect to whom such assignment was executed (with appropriate reimbursement of the Federal Government to the extent of its participation in the financing of such medical assistance), and the remainder of such amount collected shall be paid to such individual.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1912, as added
Amendments
1990—Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
1986—Subsec. (a)(1)(C).
1984—Subsec. (a).
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4606(b) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
§1396l. Hospital providers of nursing facility services
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, payment may be made, in accordance with this section, under a State plan approved under this subchapter for nursing facility services furnished by a hospital which has in effect an agreement under
(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), payment to any such hospital, for any nursing facility services furnished pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, shall be at a rate equal to the average rate per patient-day paid for routine services during the previous calendar year under the State plan to nursing facilities, respectively,1 located in the State in which the hospital is located. The reasonable cost of ancillary services shall be determined in the same manner as the reasonable cost of ancillary services provided for inpatient hospital services.
(2) With respect to any period for which a hospital has an agreement under
(3) Payment to all such hospitals, for any nursing facility services furnished pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, may be made at a payment rate established by the State in accordance with the requirements of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1913, as added
Amendments
1987—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3).
1984—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 2369(b) of
Effective Date
Section effective on date on which final regulations to implement the section are first issued, see section 904(d) of
1 So in original, ", respectively," probably should not appear.
§1396m. Withholding of Federal share of payments for certain medicare providers
(a) Adjustment of Federal matching payments
The Secretary may adjust, in accordance with this section, the Federal matching payment to a State with respect to expenditures for medical assistance for care or services furnished in any quarter by—
(1) an institution (A) which has or previously had in effect an agreement with the Secretary under
(2) any person (A) who (i) has previously accepted payment on the basis of an assignment under
(b) Reductions in payments to and by States
The Secretary may (subject to the remaining provisions of this section) reduce payment to a State under this subchapter for any quarter by an amount equal to the lesser of the Federal matching share of payments to any institution or person specified in subsection (a) of this section, or the total overpayments to such institution or person under subchapter XVIII of this chapter, and may require the State to reduce its payment to such institution or person by such amount.
(c) Notice
The Secretary shall not make any adjustment in the payment to a State, nor require any adjustment in the payment to an institution or person, pursuant to subsection (b) of this section until after he has provided adequate notice (which shall be not less than 60 days) to the State agency and the institution or person.
(d) Regulations
The Secretary shall by regulation provide procedures for implementation of this section, which procedures shall (1) determine the amount of the Federal payment to which the institution or person would otherwise be entitled under this section which shall be treated as a setoff against overpayments under subchapter XVIII of this chapter, and (2) assure the restoration to the institution or person of amounts withheld under this section which are ultimately determined to be in excess of overpayments under subchapter XVIII of this chapter and to which the institution or person would otherwise be entitled under this subchapter.
(e) Restoration to trust funds of recovered amounts
The Secretary shall restore to the trust funds established under
(f) Liability of States for withheld payments
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, an institution or person shall not be entitled to recover from any State any amount in payment for medical care and services under this subchapter which is withheld by the State agency pursuant to an order by the Secretary under subsection (b) of this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1914, as added
§1396n. Compliance with State plan and payment provisions
(a) Activities deemed as compliance
A State shall not be deemed to be out of compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (1), (10), or (23) of
(1) has entered into—
(A) a contract with an organization which has agreed to provide care and services in addition to those offered under the State plan to individuals eligible for medical assistance who reside in the geographic area served by such organization and who elect to obtain such care and services from such organization, or by reason of the fact that the plan provides for payment for rural health clinic services only if those services are provided by a rural health clinic; or
(B) arrangements through a competitive bidding process or otherwise for the purchase of laboratory services referred to in
(i) adequate services or devices will be available under such arrangements, and
(ii) any such laboratory services will be provided only through laboratories—
(I) which meet the applicable requirements of
(II) no more than 75 percent of whose charges for such services are for services provided to individuals who are entitled to benefits under this subchapter or under part A or part B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter; or
(2) restricts for a reasonable period of time the provider or providers from which an individual (eligible for medical assistance for items or services under the State plan) can receive such items or services, if—
(A) the State has found, after notice and opportunity for a hearing (in accordance with procedures established by the State), that the individual has utilized such items or services at a frequency or amount not medically necessary (as determined in accordance with utilization guidelines established by the State), and
(B) under such restriction, individuals eligible for medical assistance for such services have reasonable access (taking into account geographic location and reasonable travel time) to such services of adequate quality.
(b) Waivers to promote cost-effectiveness and efficiency
The Secretary, to the extent he finds it to be cost-effective and efficient and not inconsistent with the purposes of this subchapter, may waive such requirements of
(1) to implement a primary care case-management system or a specialty physician services arrangement which restricts the provider from (or through) whom an individual (eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter) can obtain medical care services (other than in emergency circumstances), if such restriction does not substantially impair access to such services of adequate quality where medically necessary,
(2) to allow a locality to act as a central broker in assisting individuals (eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter) in selecting among competing health care plans, if such restriction does not substantially impair access to services of adequate quality where medically necessary,
(3) to share (through provision of additional services) with recipients of medical assistance under the State plan cost savings resulting from use by the recipient of more cost-effective medical care, and
(4) to restrict the provider from (or through) whom an individual (eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter) can obtain services (other than in emergency circumstances) to providers or practitioners who undertake to provide such services and who meet, accept, and comply with the reimbursement, quality, and utilization standards under the State plan, which standards shall be consistent with the requirements of
No waiver under this subsection may restrict the choice of the individual in receiving services under
(c) Waiver respecting medical assistance requirement in State plan; scope, etc.; "habilitation services" defined; imposition of certain regulatory limits prohibited; computation of expenditures for certain disabled patients; coordinated services; substitution of participants
(1) The Secretary may by waiver provide that a State plan approved under this subchapter may include as "medical assistance" under such plan payment for part or all of the cost of home or community-based services (other than room and board) approved by the Secretary which are provided pursuant to a written plan of care to individuals with respect to whom there has been a determination that but for the provision of such services the individuals would require the level of care provided in a hospital or a nursing facility or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded the cost of which could be reimbursed under the State plan. For purposes of this subsection, the term "room and board" shall not include an amount established under a method determined by the State to reflect the portion of costs of rent and food attributable to an unrelated personal caregiver who is residing in the same household with an individual who, but for the assistance of such caregiver, would require admission to a hospital, nursing facility, or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded.
(2) A waiver shall not be granted under this subsection unless the State provides assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that—
(A) necessary safeguards (including adequate standards for provider participation) have been taken to protect the health and welfare of individuals provided services under the waiver and to assure financial accountability for funds expended with respect to such services;
(B) the State will provide, with respect to individuals who—
(i) are entitled to medical assistance for inpatient hospital services, nursing facility services, or services in an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded under the State plan,
(ii) may require such services, and
(iii) may be eligible for such home or community-based care under such waiver,
for an evaluation of the need for inpatient hospital services, nursing facility services, or services in an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded;
(C) such individuals who are determined to be likely to require the level of care provided in a hospital, nursing facility, or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded are informed of the feasible alternatives, if available under the waiver, at the choice of such individuals, to the provision of inpatient hospital services, nursing facility services, or services in an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded;
(D) under such waiver the average per capita expenditure estimated by the State in any fiscal year for medical assistance provided with respect to such individuals does not exceed 100 percent of the average per capita expenditure that the State reasonably estimates would have been made in that fiscal year for expenditures under the State plan for such individuals if the waiver had not been granted; and
(E) the State will provide to the Secretary annually, consistent with a data collection plan designed by the Secretary, information on the impact of the waiver granted under this subsection on the type and amount of medical assistance provided under the State plan and on the health and welfare of recipients.
(3) A waiver granted under this subsection may include a waiver of the requirements of
(4) A waiver granted under this subsection may, consistent with paragraph (2)—
(A) limit the individuals provided benefits under such waiver to individuals with respect to whom the State has determined that there is a reasonable expectation that the amount of medical assistance provided with respect to the individual under such waiver will not exceed the amount of such medical assistance provided for such individual if the waiver did not apply, and
(B) provide medical assistance to individuals (to the extent consistent with written plans of care, which are subject to the approval of the State) for case management services, homemaker/home health aide services and personal care services, adult day health services, habilitation services, respite care, and such other services requested by the State as the Secretary may approve and for day treatment or other partial hospitalization services, psychosocial rehabilitation services, and clinic services (whether or not furnished in a facility) for individuals with chronic mental illness.
Except as provided under paragraph (2)(D), the Secretary may not restrict the number of hours or days of respite care in any period which a State may provide under a waiver under this subsection.
(5) For purposes of paragraph (4)(B), the term "habilitation services"—
(A) means services designed to assist individuals in acquiring, retaining, and improving the self-help, socialization, and adaptive skills necessary to reside successfully in home and community based settings; and
(B) includes (except as provided in subparagraph (C)) prevocational, educational, and supported employment services; but
(C) does not include—
(i) special education and related services (as such terms are defined in
(ii) vocational rehabilitation services which otherwise are available to the individual through a program funded under
(6) The Secretary may not require, as a condition of approval of a waiver under this section under paragraph (2)(D), that the actual total expenditures for home and community-based services under the waiver (and a claim for Federal financial participation in expenditures for the services) cannot exceed the approved estimates for these services. The Secretary may not deny Federal financial payment with respect to services under such a waiver on the ground that, in order to comply with paragraph (2)(D), a State has failed to comply with such a requirement.
(7)(A) In making estimates under paragraph (2)(D) in the case of a waiver that applies only to individuals with a particular illness or condition who are inpatients in, or who would require the level of care provided in, hospitals, nursing facilities, or intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded, the State may determine the average per capita expenditure that would have been made in a fiscal year for those individuals under the State plan separately from the expenditures for other individuals who are inpatients in, or who would require the level of care provided in, those respective facilities.
(B) In making estimates under paragraph (2)(D) in the case of a waiver that applies only to individuals with developmental disabilities who are inpatients in a nursing facility and whom the State has determined, on the basis of an evaluation under paragraph (2)(B), to need the level of services provided by an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, the State may determine the average per capita expenditures that would have been made in a fiscal year for those individuals under the State plan on the basis of the average per capita expenditures under the State plan for services to individuals who are inpatients in an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, without regard to the availability of beds for such inpatients.
(C) In making estimates under paragraph (2)(D) in the case of a waiver to the extent that it applies to individuals with mental retardation or a related condition who are resident in an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded the participation of which under the State plan is terminated, the State may determine the average per capita expenditures that would have been made in a fiscal year for those individuals without regard to any such termination.
(8) The State agency administering the plan under this subchapter may, whenever appropriate, enter into cooperative arrangements with the State agency responsible for administering the program for children with special health care needs under subchapter V of this chapter in order to assure improved access to coordinated services to meet the needs of such children.
(9) In the case of any waiver under this subsection which contains a limit on the number of individuals who shall receive home or community-based services, the State may substitute additional individuals to receive such services to replace any individuals who die or become ineligible for services under the State plan.
(10) The Secretary shall not limit to fewer than 200 the number of individuals in the State who may receive home and community-based services under a waiver under this subsection.
(d) Home and community-based services for elderly
(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall grant a waiver to provide that a State plan approved under this subchapter shall include as "medical assistance" under such plan payment for part or all of the cost of home or community-based services (other than room and board) which are provided pursuant to a written plan of care to individuals 65 years of age or older with respect to whom there has been a determination that but for the provision of such services the individuals would be likely to require the level of care provided in a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility the cost of which could be reimbursed under the State plan. For purposes of this subsection, the term "room and board" shall not include an amount established under a method determined by the State to reflect the portion of costs of rent and food attributable to an unrelated personal caregiver who is residing in the same household with an individual who, but for the assistance of such caregiver, would require admission to a hospital, nursing facility, or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded.
(2) A waiver shall not be granted under this subsection unless the State provides assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that—
(A) necessary safeguards (including adequate standards for provider participation) have been taken to protect the health and welfare of individuals provided services under the waiver and to assure financial accountability for funds expended with respect to such services;
(B) with respect to individuals 65 years of age or older who—
(i) are entitled to medical assistance for skilled nursing or intermediate care facility services under the State plan,
(ii) may require such services, and
(iii) may be eligible for such home or community-based services under such waiver,
the State will provide for an evaluation of the need for such skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility services; and
(C) such individuals who are determined to be likely to require the level of care provided in a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility are informed of the feasible alternatives to the provision of skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility services, which such individuals may choose if available under the waiver.
Each State with a waiver under this subsection shall provide to the Secretary annually, consistent with a reasonable data collection plan designed by the Secretary, information on the impact of the waiver granted under this subsection on the type and amount of medical assistance provided under the State plan and on the health and welfare of recipients.
(3) A waiver granted under this subsection may include a waiver of the requirements of
(4) A waiver under this subsection may, consistent with paragraph (2), provide medical assistance to individuals for case management services, homemaker/home health aide services and personal care services, adult day health services, respite care, and other medical and social services that can contribute to the health and well-being of individuals and their ability to reside in a community-based care setting.
(5)(A) In the case of a State having a waiver approved under this subsection, notwithstanding any other provision of
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the projected amount under this subparagraph is the sum of the following:
(i) The aggregate amount of the State's medical assistance under this subchapter for skilled nursing facility services and intermediate care facility services furnished to individuals who have attained the age of 65 for the base year increased by a percentage which is equal to the lesser of 7 percent times the number of years (rounded to the nearest quarter of a year) beginning after the base year and ending at the end of the waiver year involved or the sum of—
(I) the percentage increase (based on an appropriate market-basket index representing the costs of elements of such services) between the beginning of the base year and the beginning of the waiver year involved, plus
(II) the percentage increase between the beginning of the base year and the beginning of the waiver year involved in the number of residents in the State who have attained the age of 65, plus
(III) 2 percent for each year (rounded to the nearest quarter of a year) beginning after the base year and ending at the end of the waiver year.
(ii) The aggregate amount of the State's medical assistance under this subchapter for home and community-based services for individuals who have attained the age of 65 for the base year increased by a percentage which is equal to the lesser of 7 percent times the number of years (rounded to the nearest quarter of a year) beginning after the base year and ending at the end of the waiver year involved or the sum of—
(I) the percentage increase (based on an appropriate market-basket index representing the costs of elements of such services) between the beginning of the base year and the beginning of the waiver year involved, plus
(II) the percentage increase between the beginning of the base year and the beginning of the waiver year involved in the number of residents in the State who have attained the age of 65, plus
(III) 2 percent for each year (rounded to the nearest quarter of a year) beginning after the base year and ending at the end of the waiver year.
(iii) The Secretary shall develop and promulgate by regulation (by not later than October 1, 1989)—
(I) a method, based on an index of appropriately weighted indicators of changes in the wages and prices of the mix of goods and services which comprise both skilled nursing facility services and intermediate care facility services (regardless of the source of payment for such services), for projecting the percentage increase for purposes of clause (i)(I);
(II) a method, based on an index of appropriately weighted indicators of changes in the wages and prices of the mix of goods and services which comprise home and community-based services (regardless of the source of payment for such services), for projecting the percentage increase for purposes of clause (ii)(I); and
(III) a method for projecting, on a State specific basis, the percentage increase in the number of residents in each State who are over 65 years of age for any period.
The Secretary shall develop (by not later than October 1, 1989) a method for projecting, on a State-specific basis, the percentage increase in the number of residents in each State who are over 65 years of age for any period. Effective on and after the date the Secretary promulgates the regulation under clause (iii), any reference in this subparagraph to the "lesser of 7 percent" shall be deemed to be a reference to the "greater of 7 percent".
(iv) If there is enacted after December 22, 1987, an Act which amends this subchapter whose provisions become effective on or after such date and which results in an increase in the aggregate amount of medical assistance under this subchapter for nursing facility services and home and community-based services for individuals who have attained the age of 65 years, the Secretary, at the request of a State with a waiver under this subsection for a waiver year or years and in close consultation with the State, shall adjust the projected amount computed under this subparagraph for the waiver year or years to take into account such increase.
(C) In this paragraph:
(i) The term "home and community-based services" includes services described in
(ii)(I) Subject to subclause (II), the term "base year" means the most recent year (ending before December 22, 1987) for which actual final expenditures under this subchapter have been reported to, and accepted by, the Secretary.
(II) For purposes of subparagraph (C), in the case of a State that does not report expenditures on the basis of the age categories described in such subparagraph for a year ending before December 22, 1987, the term "base year" means fiscal year 1989.
(iii) The term "intermediate care facility services" does not include services furnished in an institution certified in accordance with
(6)(A) A determination by the Secretary to deny a request for a waiver (or extension of waiver) under this subsection shall be subject to review to the extent provided under
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, if the Secretary denies a request of the State for an extension of a waiver under this subsection, any waiver under this subsection in effect on the date such request is made shall remain in effect for a period of not less than 90 days after the date on which the Secretary denies such request (or, if the State seeks review of such determination in accordance with subparagraph (A), the date on which a final determination is made with respect to such review).
(e) Waiver for children infected with AIDS or drug dependent at birth
(1)(A) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall grant a waiver to provide that a State plan approved under this subchapter shall include as "medical assistance" under such plan payment for part or all of the cost of nursing care, respite care, physicians' services, prescribed drugs, medical devices and supplies, transportation services, and such other services requested by the State as the Secretary may approve which are provided pursuant to a written plan of care to a child described in subparagraph (B) with respect to whom there has been a determination that but for the provision of such services the infants would be likely to require the level of care provided in a hospital or nursing facility the cost of which could be reimbursed under the State plan.
(B) Children described in this subparagraph are individuals under 5 years of age who—
(i) at the time of birth were infected with (or tested positively for) the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS),
(ii) have such syndrome, or
(iii) at the time of birth were dependent on heroin, cocaine, or phencyclidine,
and with respect to whom adoption or foster care assistance is (or will be) made available under part E of subchapter IV of this chapter.
(2) A waiver shall not be granted under this subsection unless the State provides assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that—
(A) necessary safeguards (including adequate standards for provider participation) have been taken to protect the health and welfare of individuals provided services under the waiver and to assure financial accountability for funds expended with respect to such services;
(B) under such waiver the average per capita expenditure estimated by the State in any fiscal year for medical assistance provided with respect to such individuals does not exceed 100 percent of the average per capita expenditure that the State reasonably estimates would have been made in that fiscal year for expenditures under the State plan for such individuals if the waiver had not been granted; and
(C) the State will provide to the Secretary annually, consistent with a data collection plan designed by the Secretary, information on the impact of the waiver granted under this subsection on the type and amount of medical assistance provided under the State plan and on the health and welfare of recipients.
(3) A waiver granted under this subsection may include a waiver of the requirements of
(4) The provisions of paragraph (6) of subsection (d) of this section shall apply to this subsection in the same manner as it applies to subsection (d) of this section.
(f) Monitor of implementation of waivers; termination of waiver for noncompliance; time limitation for action on requests for plan approval, amendments, or waivers
(1) The Secretary shall monitor the implementation of waivers granted under this section to assure that the requirements for such waiver are being met and shall, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, terminate any such waiver where he finds noncompliance has occurred.
(2) A request to the Secretary from a State for approval of a proposed State plan or plan amendment or a waiver of a requirement of this subchapter submitted by the State pursuant to a provision of this subchapter shall be deemed granted unless the Secretary, within 90 days after the date of its submission to the Secretary, either denies such request in writing or informs the State agency in writing with respect to any additional information which is needed in order to make a final determination with respect to the request. After the date the Secretary receives such additional information, the request shall be deemed granted unless the Secretary, within 90 days of such date, denies such request.
(g) Optional targeted case management services
(1) A State may provide, as medical assistance, case management services under the plan without regard to the requirements of
(2) For purposes of this subsection:
(A)(i) The term "case management services" means services which will assist individuals eligible under the plan in gaining access to needed medical, social, educational, and other services.
(ii) Such term includes the following:
(I) Assessment of an eligible individual to determine service needs, including activities that focus on needs identification, to determine the need for any medical, educational, social, or other services. Such assessment activities include the following:
(aa) Taking client history.
(bb) Identifying the needs of the individual, and completing related documentation.
(cc) Gathering information from other sources such as family members, medical providers, social workers, and educators, if necessary, to form a complete assessment of the eligible individual.
(II) Development of a specific care plan based on the information collected through an assessment, that specifies the goals and actions to address the medical, social, educational, and other services needed by the eligible individual, including activities such as ensuring the active participation of the eligible individual and working with the individual (or the individual's authorized health care decision maker) and others to develop such goals and identify a course of action to respond to the assessed needs of the eligible individual.
(III) Referral and related activities to help an individual obtain needed services, including activities that help link eligible individuals with medical, social, educational providers or other programs and services that are capable of providing needed services, such as making referrals to providers for needed services and scheduling appointments for the individual.
(IV) Monitoring and followup activities, including activities and contacts that are necessary to ensure the care plan is effectively implemented and adequately addressing the needs of the eligible individual, and which may be with the individual, family members, providers, or other entities and conducted as frequently as necessary to help determine such matters as—
(aa) whether services are being furnished in accordance with an individual's care plan;
(bb) whether the services in the care plan are adequate; and
(cc) whether there are changes in the needs or status of the eligible individual, and if so, making necessary adjustments in the care plan and service arrangements with providers.
(iii) Such term does not include the direct delivery of an underlying medical, educational, social, or other service to which an eligible individual has been referred, including, with respect to the direct delivery of foster care services, services such as (but not limited to) the following:
(I) Research gathering and completion of documentation required by the foster care program.
(II) Assessing adoption placements.
(III) Recruiting or interviewing potential foster care parents.
(IV) Serving legal papers.
(V) Home investigations.
(VI) Providing transportation.
(VII) Administering foster care subsidies.
(VIII) Making placement arrangements.
(B) The term "targeted case management services" are case management services that are furnished without regard to the requirements of
(3) With respect to contacts with individuals who are not eligible for medical assistance under the State plan or, in the case of targeted case management services, individuals who are eligible for such assistance but are not part of the target population specified in the State plan, such contacts—
(A) are considered an allowable case management activity, when the purpose of the contact is directly related to the management of the eligible individual's care; and
(B) are not considered an allowable case management activity if such contacts relate directly to the identification and management of the noneligible or nontargeted individual's needs and care.
(4)(A) In accordance with
(B) A State shall allocate the costs of any part of such services which are reimbursable under another federally funded program in accordance with OMB Circular A–87 (or any related or successor guidance or regulations regarding allocation of costs among federally funded programs) under an approved cost allocation program.
(5) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as affecting the application of rules with respect to third party liability under programs, or activities carried out under title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act [
(h) Period of waivers; continuations
(1) No waiver under this section (other than a waiver under subsection (c), (d), or (e), or a waiver described in paragraph (2)) may extend over a period of longer than two years unless the State requests continuation of such waiver, and such request shall be deemed granted unless the Secretary, within 90 days after the date of its submission to the Secretary, either denies such request in writing or informs the State agency in writing with respect to any additional information which is needed in order to make a final determination with respect to the request. After the date the Secretary receives such additional information, the request shall be deemed granted unless the Secretary, within 90 days of such date, denies such request.
(2)(A) Notwithstanding subsections (c)(3) and (d)(3), any waiver under subsection (b), (c), or (d), or a waiver under
(B) In this paragraph, the term "dual eligible individual" means an individual who is entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A of subchapter XVIII, or enrolled for benefits under part B of subchapter XVIII, and is eligible for medical assistance under the State plan under this subchapter or under a waiver of such plan.
(i) State plan amendment option to provide home and community-based services for elderly and disabled individuals
(1) In general
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection, a State may provide through a State plan amendment for the provision of medical assistance for home and community-based services (within the scope of services described in paragraph (4)(B) of subsection (c) for which the Secretary has the authority to approve a waiver and not including room and board) for individuals eligible for medical assistance under the State plan whose income does not exceed 150 percent of the poverty line (as defined in
(A) Needs-based criteria for eligibility for, and receipt of, home and community-based services
The State establishes needs-based criteria for determining an individual's eligibility under the State plan for medical assistance for such home and community-based services, and if the individual is eligible for such services, the specific home and community-based services that the individual will receive.
(B) Establishment of more stringent needs-based eligibility criteria for institutionalized care
The State establishes needs-based criteria for determining whether an individual requires the level of care provided in a hospital, a nursing facility, or an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded under the State plan or under any waiver of such plan that are more stringent than the needs-based criteria established under subparagraph (A) for determining eligibility for home and community-based services.
(C) Projection of number of individuals to be provided home and community-based services
The State submits to the Secretary, in such form and manner, and upon such frequency as the Secretary shall specify, the projected number of individuals to be provided home and community-based services.
(D) Criteria based on individual assessment
(i) In general
The criteria established by the State for purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (B) requires an assessment of an individual's support needs and capabilities, and may take into account the inability of the individual to perform 2 or more activities of daily living (as defined in section 7702B(c)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) or the need for significant assistance to perform such activities, and such other risk factors as the State determines to be appropriate.
(ii) Adjustment authority
The State plan amendment provides the State with the option to modify the criteria established under subparagraph (A) (without having to obtain prior approval from the Secretary) in the event that the enrollment of individuals eligible for home and community-based services exceeds the projected enrollment submitted for purposes of subparagraph (C), but only if—
(I) the State provides at least 60 days notice to the Secretary and the public of the proposed modification;
(II) the State deems an individual receiving home and community-based services on the basis of the most recent version of the criteria in effect prior to the effective date of the modification to continue to be eligible for such services after the effective date of the modification and until such time as the individual no longer meets the standard for receipt of such services under such pre-modified criteria; and
(III) after the effective date of such modification, the State, at a minimum, applies the criteria for determining whether an individual requires the level of care provided in a hospital, a nursing facility, or an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded under the State plan or under any waiver of such plan which applied prior to the application of the more stringent criteria developed under subparagraph (B).
(E) Independent evaluation and assessment
(i) Eligibility determination
The State uses an independent evaluation for making the determinations described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).
(ii) Assessment
In the case of an individual who is determined to be eligible for home and community-based services, the State uses an independent assessment, based on the needs of the individual to—
(I) determine a necessary level of services and supports to be provided, consistent with an individual's physical and mental capacity;
(II) prevent the provision of unnecessary or inappropriate care; and
(III) establish an individualized care plan for the individual in accordance with subparagraph (G).
(F) Assessment
The independent assessment required under subparagraph (E)(ii) shall include the following:
(i) An objective evaluation of an individual's inability to perform 2 or more activities of daily living (as defined in section 7702B(c)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) or the need for significant assistance to perform such activities.
(ii) A face-to-face evaluation of the individual by an individual trained in the assessment and evaluation of individuals whose physical or mental conditions trigger a potential need for home and community-based services.
(iii) Where appropriate, consultation with the individual's family, spouse, guardian, or other responsible individual.
(iv) Consultation with appropriate treating and consulting health and support professionals caring for the individual.
(v) An examination of the individual's relevant history, medical records, and care and support needs, guided by best practices and research on effective strategies that result in improved health and quality of life outcomes.
(vi) If the State offers individuals the option to self-direct the purchase of, or control the receipt of, home and community-based service, an evaluation of the ability of the individual or the individual's representative to self-direct the purchase of, or control the receipt of, such services if the individual so elects.
(G) Individualized care plan
(i) In general
In the case of an individual who is determined to be eligible for home and community-based services, the State uses the independent assessment required under subparagraph (E)(ii) to establish a written individualized care plan for the individual.
(ii) Plan requirements
The State ensures that the individualized care plan for an individual—
(I) is developed—
(aa) in consultation with the individual, the individual's treating physician, health care or support professional, or other appropriate individuals, as defined by the State, and, where appropriate the individual's family, caregiver, or representative; and
(bb) taking into account the extent of, and need for, any family or other supports for the individual;
(II) identifies the necessary home and community-based services to be furnished to the individual (or, if the individual elects to self-direct the purchase of, or control the receipt of, such services, funded for the individual); and
(III) is reviewed at least annually and as needed when there is a significant change in the individual's circumstances.
(iii) State option to offer election for self-directed services
(I) Individual choice
At the option of the State, the State may allow an individual or the individual's representative to elect to receive self-directed home and community-based services in a manner which gives them the most control over such services consistent with the individual's abilities and the requirements of subclauses (II) and (III).
(II) Self-directed services
The term "self-directed" means, with respect to the home and community-based services offered under the State plan amendment, such services for the individual which are planned and purchased under the direction and control of such individual or the individual's authorized representative, including the amount, duration, scope, provider, and location of such services, under the State plan consistent with the following requirements:
(aa) Assessment
There is an assessment of the needs, capabilities, and preferences of the individual with respect to such services.
(bb) Service plan
Based on such assessment, there is developed jointly with such individual or the individual's authorized representative a plan for such services for such individual that is approved by the State and that satisfies the requirements of subclause (III).
(III) Plan requirements
For purposes of subclause (II)(bb), the requirements of this subclause are that the plan—
(aa) specifies those services which the individual or the individual's authorized representative would be responsible for directing;
(bb) identifies the methods by which the individual or the individual's authorized representative will select, manage, and dismiss providers of such services;
(cc) specifies the role of family members and others whose participation is sought by the individual or the individual's authorized representative with respect to such services;
(dd) is developed through a person-centered process that is directed by the individual or the individual's authorized representative, builds upon the individual's capacity to engage in activities that promote community life and that respects the individual's preferences, choices, and abilities, and involves families, friends, and professionals as desired or required by the individual or the individual's authorized representative;
(ee) includes appropriate risk management techniques that recognize the roles and sharing of responsibilities in obtaining services in a self-directed manner and assure the appropriateness of such plan based upon the resources and capabilities of the individual or the individual's authorized representative; and
(ff) may include an individualized budget which identifies the dollar value of the services and supports under the control and direction of the individual or the individual's authorized representative.
(IV) Budget process
With respect to individualized budgets described in subclause (III)(ff), the State plan amendment—
(aa) describes the method for calculating the dollar values in such budgets based on reliable costs and service utilization;
(bb) defines a process for making adjustments in such dollar values to reflect changes in individual assessments and service plans; and
(cc) provides a procedure to evaluate expenditures under such budgets.
(H) Quality assurance; conflict of interest standards
(i) Quality assurance
The State ensures that the provision of home and community-based services meets Federal and State guidelines for quality assurance.
(ii) Conflict of interest standards
The State establishes standards for the conduct of the independent evaluation and the independent assessment to safeguard against conflicts of interest.
(I) Redeterminations and appeals
The State allows for at least annual redeterminations of eligibility, and appeals in accordance with the frequency of, and manner in which, redeterminations and appeals of eligibility are made under the State plan.
(J) Presumptive eligibility for assessment
The State, at its option, elects to provide for a period of presumptive eligibility (not to exceed a period of 60 days) only for those individuals that the State has reason to believe may be eligible for home and community-based services. Such presumptive eligibility shall be limited to medical assistance for carrying out the independent evaluation and assessment under subparagraph (E) to determine an individual's eligibility for such services and if the individual is so eligible, the specific home and community-based services that the individual will receive.
(2) Definition of individual's representative
In this section, the term "individual's representative" means, with respect to an individual, a parent, a family member, or a guardian of the individual, an advocate for the individual, or any other individual who is authorized to represent the individual.
(3) Nonapplication
A State may elect in the State plan amendment approved under this section to not comply with the requirements of
(4) No effect on other waiver authority
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as affecting the option of a State to offer home and community-based services under a waiver under subsections (c) or (d) of this section or under
(5) Continuation of Federal financial participation for medical assistance provided to individuals as of effective date of State plan amendment
Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(B), Federal financial participation shall continue to be available for an individual who is receiving medical assistance in an institutionalized setting, or home and community-based services provided under a waiver under this section or
(6) State option to provide home and community-based services to individuals eligible for services under a waiver
(A) In general
A State that provides home and community-based services in accordance with this subsection to individuals who satisfy the needs-based criteria for the receipt of such services established under paragraph (1)(A) may, in addition to continuing to provide such services to such individuals, elect to provide home and community-based services in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph to individuals who are eligible for home and community-based services under a waiver approved for the State under subsection (c), (d), or (e) or under
(B) Application of same requirements for individuals satisfying needs-based criteria
Subject to subparagraph (C), a State shall provide home and community-based services to individuals under this paragraph in the same manner and subject to the same requirements as apply under the other paragraphs of this subsection to the provision of home and community-based services to individuals who satisfy the needs-based criteria established under paragraph (1)(A).
(C) Authority to offer different type, amount, duration, or scope of home and community-based services
A State may offer home and community-based services to individuals under this paragraph that differ in type, amount, duration, or scope from the home and community-based services offered for individuals who satisfy the needs-based criteria established under paragraph (1)(A), so long as such services are within the scope of services described in paragraph (4)(B) of subsection (c) for which the Secretary has the authority to approve a waiver and do not include room or board.
(7) State option to offer home and community-based services to specific, targeted populations
(A) In general
A State may elect in a State plan amendment under this subsection to target the provision of home and community-based services under this subsection to specific populations and to differ the type, amount, duration, or scope of such services to such specific populations.
(B) 5-year term
(i) In general
An election by a State under this paragraph shall be for a period of 5 years.
(ii) Phase-in of services and eligibility permitted during initial 5-year period
A State making an election under this paragraph may, during the first 5-year period for which the election is made, phase-in the enrollment of eligible individuals, or the provision of services to such individuals, or both, so long as all eligible individuals in the State for such services are enrolled, and all such services are provided, before the end of the initial 5-year period.
(C) Renewal
An election by a State under this paragraph may be renewed for additional 5-year terms if the Secretary determines, prior to beginning 1 of each such renewal period, that the State has—
(i) adhered to the requirements of this subsection and paragraph in providing services under such an election; and
(ii) met the State's objectives with respect to quality improvement and beneficiary outcomes.
(j) Optional choice of self-directed personal assistance services
(1) A State may provide, as "medical assistance", payment for part or all of the cost of self-directed personal assistance services (other than room and board) under the plan which are provided pursuant to a written plan of care to individuals with respect to whom there has been a determination that, but for the provision of such services, the individuals would require and receive personal care services under the plan, or home and community-based services provided pursuant to a waiver under subsection (c). Self-directed personal assistance services may not be provided under this subsection to individuals who reside in a home or property that is owned, operated, or controlled by a provider of services, not related by blood or marriage.
(2) The Secretary shall not grant approval for a State self-directed personal assistance services program under this section unless the State provides assurances satisfactory to the Secretary of the following:
(A) Necessary safeguards have been taken to protect the health and welfare of individuals provided services under the program, and to assure financial accountability for funds expended with respect to such services.
(B) The State will provide, with respect to individuals who—
(i) are entitled to medical assistance for personal care services under the plan, or receive home and community-based services under a waiver granted under subsection (c);
(ii) may require self-directed personal assistance services; and
(iii) may be eligible for self-directed personal assistance services,
an evaluation of the need for personal care under the plan, or personal services under a waiver granted under subsection (c).
(C) Such individuals who are determined to be likely to require personal care under the plan, or home and community-based services under a waiver granted under subsection (c) are informed of the feasible alternatives, if available under the State's self-directed personal assistance services program, at the choice of such individuals, to the provision of personal care services under the plan, or personal assistance services under a waiver granted under subsection (c).
(D) The State will provide for a support system that ensures participants in the self-directed personal assistance services program are appropriately assessed and counseled prior to enrollment and are able to manage their budgets. Additional counseling and management support may be provided at the request of the participant.
(E) The State will provide to the Secretary an annual report on the number of individuals served and total expenditures on their behalf in the aggregate. The State shall also provide an evaluation of overall impact on the health and welfare of participating individuals compared to non-participants every three years.
(3) A State may provide self-directed personal assistance services under the State plan without regard to the requirements of
(4)(A) For purposes of this subsection, the term "self-directed personal assistance services" means personal care and related services, or home and community-based services otherwise available under the plan under this subchapter or subsection (c), that are provided to an eligible participant under a self-directed personal assistance services program under this section, under which individuals, within an approved self-directed services plan and budget, purchase personal assistance and related services, and permits participants to hire, fire, supervise, and manage the individuals providing such services.
(B) At the election of the State—
(i) a participant may choose to use any individual capable of providing the assigned tasks including legally liable relatives as paid providers of the services; and
(ii) the individual may use the individual's budget to acquire items that increase independence or substitute (such as a microwave oven or an accessibility ramp) for human assistance, to the extent that expenditures would otherwise be made for the human assistance.
(5) For purpose of this section, the term "approved self-directed services plan and budget" means, with respect to a participant, the establishment of a plan and budget for the provision of self-directed personal assistance services, consistent with the following requirements:
(A) Self-direction
The participant (or in the case of a participant who is a minor child, the participant's parent or guardian, or in the case of an incapacitated adult, another individual recognized by State law to act on behalf of the participant) exercises choice and control over the budget, planning, and purchase of self-directed personal assistance services, including the amount, duration, scope, provider, and location of service provision.
(B) Assessment of needs
There is an assessment of the needs, strengths, and preferences of the participants for such services.
(C) Service plan
A plan for such services (and supports for such services) for the participant has been developed and approved by the State based on such assessment through a person-centered process that—
(i) builds upon the participant's capacity to engage in activities that promote community life and that respects the participant's preferences, choices, and abilities; and
(ii) involves families, friends, and professionals in the planning or delivery of services or supports as desired or required by the participant.
(D) Service budget
A budget for such services and supports for the participant has been developed and approved by the State based on such assessment and plan and on a methodology that uses valid, reliable cost data, is open to public inspection, and includes a calculation of the expected cost of such services if those services were not self-directed. The budget may not restrict access to other medically necessary care and services furnished under the plan and approved by the State but not included in the budget.
(E) Application of quality assurance and risk management
There are appropriate quality assurance and risk management techniques used in establishing and implementing such plan and budget that recognize the roles and responsibilities in obtaining services in a self-directed manner and assure the appropriateness of such plan and budget based upon the participant's resources and capabilities.
(6) A State may employ a financial management entity to make payments to providers, track costs, and make reports under the program. Payment for the activities of the financial management entity shall be at the administrative rate established in
(k) State plan option to provide home and community-based attendant services and supports
(1) In general
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection, beginning October 1, 2011, a State may provide through a State plan amendment for the provision of medical assistance for home and community-based attendant services and supports for individuals who are eligible for medical assistance under the State plan whose income does not exceed 150 percent of the poverty line (as defined in
(A) Availability
The State shall make available home and community-based attendant services and supports to eligible individuals, as needed, to assist in accomplishing activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and health-related tasks through hands-on assistance, supervision, or cueing—
(i) under a person-centered plan of services and supports that is based on an assessment of functional need and that is agreed to in writing by the individual or, as appropriate, the individual's representative;
(ii) in a home or community setting, which does not include a nursing facility, institution for mental diseases, or an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded;
(iii) under an agency-provider model or other model (as defined in paragraph (6)(C)); and
(iv) the furnishing of which—
(I) is selected, managed, and dismissed by the individual, or, as appropriate, with assistance from the individual's representative;
(II) is controlled, to the maximum extent possible, by the individual or where appropriate, the individual's representative, regardless of who may act as the employer of record; and
(III) provided by an individual who is qualified to provide such services, including family members (as defined by the Secretary).
(B) Included services and supports
In addition to assistance in accomplishing activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and health related tasks, the home and community-based attendant services and supports made available include—
(i) the acquisition, maintenance, and enhancement of skills necessary for the individual to accomplish activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and health related tasks;
(ii) back-up systems or mechanisms (such as the use of beepers or other electronic devices) to ensure continuity of services and supports; and
(iii) voluntary training on how to select, manage, and dismiss attendants.
(C) Excluded services and supports
Subject to subparagraph (D), the home and community-based attendant services and supports made available do not include—
(i) room and board costs for the individual;
(ii) special education and related services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [
(iii) assistive technology devices and assistive technology services other than those under (1)(B)(ii);
(iv) medical supplies and equipment; or
(v) home modifications.
(D) Permissible services and supports
The home and community-based attendant services and supports may include—
(i) expenditures for transition costs such as rent and utility deposits, first month's rent and utilities, bedding, basic kitchen supplies, and other necessities required for an individual to make the transition from a nursing facility, institution for mental diseases, or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded to a community-based home setting where the individual resides; and
(ii) expenditures relating to a need identified in an individual's person-centered plan of services that increase independence or substitute for human assistance, to the extent that expenditures would otherwise be made for the human assistance.
(2) Increased Federal financial participation
For purposes of payments to a State under
(3) State requirements
In order for a State plan amendment to be approved under this subsection, the State shall—
(A) develop and implement such amendment in collaboration with a Development and Implementation Council established by the State that includes a majority of members with disabilities, elderly individuals, and their representatives and consults and collaborates with such individuals;
(B) provide consumer controlled home and community-based attendant services and supports to individuals on a statewide basis, in a manner that provides such services and supports in the most integrated setting appropriate to the individual's needs, and without regard to the individual's age, type or nature of disability, severity of disability, or the form of home and community-based attendant services and supports that the individual requires in order to lead an independent life;
(C) with respect to expenditures during the first full fiscal year in which the State plan amendment is implemented, maintain or exceed the level of State expenditures for medical assistance that is provided under
(D) establish and maintain a comprehensive, continuous quality assurance system with respect to community-based attendant services and supports that—
(i) includes standards for agency-based and other delivery models with respect to training, appeals for denials and reconsideration procedures of an individual plan, and other factors as determined by the Secretary;
(ii) incorporates feedback from consumers and their representatives, disability organizations, providers, families of disabled or elderly individuals, members of the community, and others and maximizes consumer independence and consumer control;
(iii) monitors the health and well-being of each individual who receives home and community-based attendant services and supports, including a process for the mandatory reporting, investigation, and resolution of allegations of neglect, abuse, or exploitation in connection with the provision of such services and supports; and
(iv) provides information about the provisions of the quality assurance required under clauses (i) through (iii) to each individual receiving such services; and
(E) collect and report information, as determined necessary by the Secretary, for the purposes of approving the State plan amendment, providing Federal oversight, and conducting an evaluation under paragraph (5)(A), including data regarding how the State provides home and community-based attendant services and supports and other home and community-based services, the cost of such services and supports, and how the State provides individuals with disabilities who otherwise qualify for institutional care under the State plan or under a waiver the choice to instead receive home and community-based services in lieu of institutional care.
(4) Compliance with certain laws
A State shall ensure that, regardless of whether the State uses an agency-provider model or other models to provide home and community-based attendant services and supports under a State plan amendment under this subsection, such services and supports are provided in accordance with the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 [
(A) withholding and payment of Federal and State income and payroll taxes;
(B) the provision of unemployment and workers compensation insurance;
(C) maintenance of general liability insurance; and
(D) occupational health and safety.
(5) Evaluation, data collection, and report to Congress
(A) Evaluation
The Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the provision of home and community-based attendant services and supports under this subsection in order to determine the effectiveness of the provision of such services and supports in allowing the individuals receiving such services and supports to lead an independent life to the maximum extent possible; the impact on the physical and emotional health of the individuals who receive such services; and an 2 comparative analysis of the costs of services provided under the State plan amendment under this subsection and those provided under institutional care in a nursing facility, institution for mental diseases, or an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded.
(B) Data collection
The State shall provide the Secretary with the following information regarding the provision of home and community-based attendant services and supports under this subsection for each fiscal year for which such services and supports are provided:
(i) The number of individuals who are estimated to receive home and community-based attendant services and supports under this subsection during the fiscal year.
(ii) The number of individuals that received such services and supports during the preceding fiscal year.
(iii) The specific number of individuals served by type of disability, age, gender, education level, and employment status.
(iv) Whether the specific individuals have been previously served under any other home and community based services program under the State plan or under a waiver.
(C) Reports
Not later than—
(i) December 31, 2013, the Secretary shall submit to Congress and make available to the public an interim report on the findings of the evaluation under subparagraph (A); and
(ii) December 31, 2015, the Secretary shall submit to Congress and make available to the public a final report on the findings of the evaluation under subparagraph (A).
(6) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Activities of daily living
The term "activities of daily living" includes tasks such as eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, and transferring.
(B) Consumer controlled
The term "consumer controlled" means a method of selecting and providing services and supports that allow the individual, or where appropriate, the individual's representative, maximum control of the home and community-based attendant services and supports, regardless of who acts as the employer of record.
(C) Delivery models
(i) Agency-provider model
The term "agency-provider model" means, with respect to the provision of home and community-based attendant services and supports for an individual, subject to paragraph (4), a method of providing consumer controlled services and supports under which entities contract for the provision of such services and supports.
(ii) Other models
The term "other models" means, subject to paragraph (4), methods, other than an agency-provider model, for the provision of consumer controlled services and supports. Such models may include the provision of vouchers, direct cash payments, or use of a fiscal agent to assist in obtaining services.
(D) Health-related tasks
The term "health-related tasks" means specific tasks related to the needs of an individual, which can be delegated or assigned by licensed health-care professionals under State law to be performed by an attendant.
(E) Individual's representative
The term "individual's representative" means a parent, family member, guardian, advocate, or other authorized representative of an individual 3
(F) Instrumental activities of daily living
The term "instrumental activities of daily living" includes (but is not limited to) meal planning and preparation, managing finances, shopping for food, clothing, and other essential items, performing essential household chores, communicating by phone or other media, and traveling around and participating in the community.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1915, as added
References in Text
Parts A and B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1)(B)(ii)(II) and (h)(2)(B), are classified to sections 1395c et seq. and 1395j et seq., respectively, of this title.
Part E of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(B), is classified to
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (g)(5), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373,
Section 7702B(c)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (i)(1)(D)(i), (F)(i), is classified to
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, referred to in subsec. (k)(1)(C)(ii), is title VI of
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (k)(1)(C)(ii), is
The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, referred to in subsec. (k)(4), is act June 25, 1938, ch. 676,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(1)(C).
Subsec. (i)(1)(D)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (i)(3).
Subsec. (i)(6), (7).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (k)(1).
2006—Subsec. (g)(2) to (5).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j).
2004—Subsec. (c)(5)(C)(i).
2002—Subsec. (b).
2000—Subsec. (b).
1999—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (h).
1997—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (c)(5).
1993—Subsec. (g)(1).
1991—Subsec. (c)(5)(C)(i).
1990—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (c)(7)(C).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(iv).
1989—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (b)(4).
1988—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (c)(7).
Subsec. (c)(7)(A).
Subsec. (c)(7)(B).
Subsec. (c)(10).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(i), (ii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(iii)(III).
Subsec. (d)(5)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(5)(C)(i).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (h).
1987—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (a)(2).
"(A) for a reasonable period of time the provider or providers from which an individual (eligible for medical assistance for items or services under the State plan) can receive such items or services, if the State has found, after notice and opportunity for a hearing (in accordance with procedures established by the State), that the individual has utilized such items or services at a frequency or amount not medically necessary (as determined in accordance with utilization guidelines established by the State), or
"(B) (through suspension or otherwise) for a reasonable period of time the participation of a provider of items or services under the State plan, if the State has found, after notice and opportunity for a hearing (in accordance with procedures established by the State), that the provider has (in a significant number or proportion of cases) provided such items or services either (i) at a frequency or amount not medically necessary (as determined in accordance with utilization guidelines established by the State), or (ii) of a quality which does not meet professionally recognized standards of health care,
if, under such restriction, individuals eligible for medical assistance for such services have reasonable access (taking into account geographic location and reasonable travel time) to such services of adequate quality."
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(5).
Subsec. (c)(7).
Subsec. (c)(10).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (h).
1986—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(ii)(I).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C).
Subsec. (c)(2)(D).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(4)(B).
Subsec. (c)(5).
Subsec. (c)(6).
Subsec. (c)(7).
Subsec. (c)(8).
Subsec. (c)(9).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (g)(1).
1984—Subsec. (c)(1).
1983—Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
1982—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (f).
1981—Subsecs. (c) to (e).
Subsec. (f).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by section 2402(b), (c), (e), (f) of
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title VI, §608o] of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4106(c) of
Section 4743(b) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendments
Amendment by section 4604(c) of
Amendment by section 4704(b)(3) of
Section 4742(b) of
Section 4742(c)(2) of
Section 4742(d)(2) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendments
Amendment by section 6115(c) of
Section 6411(c)(4) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Section 8432(c) of
Section 8437(b) of
Amendment by section 608(d)(26)(M) of
Amendment by section 608(f)(2) of
Amendment by section 204(d)(3) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendments
For effective date of amendment by section 4072(d) of
Section 4102(a)(2) of
Section 4118(a)(2) of
Section 4118(i)(2) of
Section 4118(l)(2) of
Section 4118(p)(10) of
Amendment by section 4211(h)(10) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by section 9320(h)(3) of
Section 9411(e) of
Section 9502(j) of
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
"(7)
Section 9508(b) of
[Section 4118(j) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Section 137(b)(19)(B) of
Amendment by section 137(b)(20)–(25) of
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 2177(b) of
Regulations
Oversight and Assessment of the Administration of Home and Community-based Services
"(1) allocate resources for services in a manner that is responsive to the changing needs and choices of beneficiaries receiving non-institutionally-based long-term services and supports (including such services and supports that are provided under programs other [than] the State Medicaid program), and that provides strategies for beneficiaries receiving such services to maximize their independence, including through the use of client-employed providers;
"(2) provide the support and coordination needed for a beneficiary in need of such services (and their family caregivers or representative, if applicable) to design an individualized, self-directed, community-supported life; and
"(3) improve coordination among, and the regulation of, all providers of such services under federally and State-funded programs in order to—
"(A) achieve a more consistent administration of policies and procedures across programs in relation to the provision of such services; and
"(B) oversee and monitor all service system functions to assure—
"(i) coordination of, and effectiveness of, eligibility determinations and individual assessments;
"(ii) development and service monitoring of a complaint system, a management system, a system to qualify and monitor providers, and systems for role-setting and individual budget determinations; and
"(iii) an adequate number of qualified direct care workers to provide self-directed personal assistance services."
Quality of Care Measures
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) use the indicators and measures developed under paragraph (1) to assess such home and community-based services, the outcomes associated with the receipt of such services (particularly with respect to the health and welfare of the recipient of the services), and the overall system for providing home and community-based services under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter]; and
"(B) make publicly available the best practices identified through such assessment and a comparative analyses of the system features of each State.
"(3)
Permitting Adjustment in Estimates To Take Into Account Preadmission Screening Requirement
Section 4742(e) of
Extensions of Waivers Under Subsection (c)
Section 4102(c) of
Section 9502(f) of
1 So in original. Probably should be preceded by "the".
2 So in original. Probably should be "a".
3 So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.
§1396o. Use of enrollment fees, premiums, deductions, cost sharing, and similar charges
(a) Imposition of certain charges under plan in case of individuals described in section 1396a(a)(10)(A) or (E)
Subject to subsections (g), (i), and (j) of this section, the State plan shall provide that in the case of individuals described in subparagraph (A) or (E)(i) of
(1) no enrollment fee, premium, or similar charge will be imposed under the plan (except for a premium imposed under subsection (c) of this section);
(2) no deduction, cost sharing or similar charge will be imposed under the plan with respect to—
(A) services furnished to individuals under 18 years of age (and, at the option of the State, individuals under 21, 20, or 19 years of age, or any reasonable category of individuals 18 years of age or over),
(B) services furnished to pregnant women, if such services relate to the pregnancy or to any other medical condition which may complicate the pregnancy, and counseling and pharmacotherapy for cessation of tobacco use by pregnant women (as defined in
(C) services furnished to any individual who is an inpatient in a hospital, nursing facility, intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, or other medical institution, if such individual is required, as a condition of receiving services in such institution under the State plan, to spend for costs of medical care all but a minimal amount of his income required for personal needs,
(D) emergency services (as defined by the Secretary), family planning services and supplies described in
(E) services furnished to an individual who is receiving hospice care (as defined in
(3) any deduction, cost sharing, or similar charge imposed under the plan with respect to other such individuals or other care and services will be nominal in amount (as determined by the Secretary in regulations which shall, if the definition of "nominal" under the regulations in effect on July 1, 1982 is changed, take into account the level of cash assistance provided in such State and such other criteria as the Secretary determines to be appropriate); except that a deduction, cost-sharing, or similar charge of up to twice the nominal amount established for outpatient services may be imposed by a State under a waiver granted by the Secretary for services received at a hospital emergency room if the services are not emergency services (referred to in paragraph (2)(D)) and the State has established to the satisfaction of the Secretary that individuals eligible for services under the plan have actually available and accessible to them alternative sources of nonemergency, outpatient services.
(b) Imposition of certain charges under plan in case of individuals other than those described in section 1396a(a)(10)(A) or (E)
The State plan shall provide that in the case of individuals other than those described in subparagraph (A) or (E) of
(1) there may be imposed an enrollment fee, premium, or similar charge, which (as determined in accordance with standards prescribed by the Secretary) is related to the individual's income,
(2) no deduction, cost sharing, or similar charge will be imposed under the plan with respect to—
(A) services furnished to individuals under 18 years of age (and, at the option of the State, individuals under 21, 20, or 19 years of age, or any reasonable category of individuals 18 years of age or over),
(B) services furnished to pregnant women, if such services relate to the pregnancy or to any other medical condition which may complicate the pregnancy, and counseling and pharmacotherapy for cessation of tobacco use by pregnant women (as defined in
(C) services furnished to any individual who is an inpatient in a hospital, nursing facility, intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, or other medical institution, if such individual is required, as a condition of receiving services in such institution under the State plan, to spend for costs of medical care all but a minimal amount of his income required for personal needs,
(D) emergency services (as defined by the Secretary), family planning services and supplies described in
(E) services furnished to an individual who is receiving hospice care (as defined in
(3) any deduction, cost sharing, or similar charge imposed under the plan with respect to other such individuals or other care and services will be nominal in amount (as determined by the Secretary in regulations which shall, if the definition of "nominal" under the regulations in effect on July 1, 1982 is changed, take into account the level of cash assistance provided in such State and such other criteria as the Secretary determines to be appropriate); except that a deduction, cost-sharing, or similar charge of up to twice the nominal amount established for outpatient services may be imposed by a State under a waiver granted by the Secretary for services received at a hospital emergency room if the services are not emergency services (referred to in paragraph (2)(D)) and the State has established to the satisfaction of the Secretary that individuals eligible for services under the plan have actually available and accessible to them alternative sources of nonemergency, outpatient services.
(c) Imposition of monthly premium; persons affected; amount; prepayment; failure to pay; use of funds from other programs
(1) The State plan of a State may at the option of the State provide for imposing a monthly premium (in an amount that does not exceed the limit established under paragraph (2)) with respect to an individual described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of
(2) In no case may the amount of any premium imposed under paragraph (1) exceed 10 percent of the amount by which the family income (less expenses for the care of a dependent child) of an individual exceeds 150 percent of the line described in paragraph (1).
(3) A State shall not require prepayment of a premium imposed pursuant to paragraph (1) and shall not terminate eligibility of an individual for medical assistance under this subchapter on the basis of failure to pay any such premium until such failure continues for a period of not less than 60 days. The State may waive payment of any such premium in any case where the State determines that requiring such payment would create an undue hardship.
(4) A State may permit State or local funds available under other programs to be used for payment of a premium imposed under paragraph (1). Payment of a premium with such funds shall not be counted as income to the individual with respect to whom such payment is made.
(d) Premiums for qualified disabled and working individuals described in section 1396d(s)
With respect to a qualified disabled and working individual described in
(e) Prohibition of denial of services on basis of individual's inability to pay certain charges
The State plan shall require that no provider participating under the State plan may deny care or services to an individual eligible for such care or services under the plan on account of such individual's inability to pay a deduction, cost sharing, or similar charge. The requirements of this subsection shall not extinguish the liability of the individual to whom the care or services were furnished for payment of the deduction, cost sharing, or similar charge.
(f) Charges imposed under waiver authority of Secretary
No deduction, cost sharing, or similar charge may be imposed under any waiver authority of the Secretary, except as provided in subsections (a)(3) and (b)(3) of this section and
(1) will test a unique and previously untested use of copayments,
(2) is limited to a period of not more than two years,
(3) will provide benefits to recipients of medical assistance which can reasonably be expected to be equivalent to the risks to the recipients,
(4) is based on a reasonable hypothesis which the demonstration is designed to test in a methodologically sound manner, including the use of control groups of similar recipients of medical assistance in the area, and
(5) is voluntary, or makes provision for assumption of liability for preventable damage to the health of recipients of medical assistance resulting from involuntary participation.
(g) Individuals provided medical assistance under section 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XV) or (XVI)
With respect to individuals provided medical assistance only under subclause (XV) or (XVI) of
(1) a State may (in a uniform manner for individuals described in either such subclause)—
(A) require such individuals to pay premiums or other cost-sharing charges set on a sliding scale based on income that the State may determine; and
(B) require payment of 100 percent of such premiums for such year in the case of such an individual who has income for a year that exceeds 250 percent of the income official poverty line (referred to in subsection (c)(1) of this section) applicable to a family of the size involved, except that in the case of such an individual who has income for a year that does not exceed 450 percent of such poverty line, such requirement may only apply to the extent such premiums do not exceed 7.5 percent of such income; and
(2) such State shall require payment of 100 percent of such premiums for a year by such an individual whose adjusted gross income (as defined in section 62 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) for such year exceeds $75,000, except that a State may choose to subsidize such premiums by using State funds which may not be federally matched under this subchapter.
In the case of any calendar year beginning after 2000, the dollar amount specified in paragraph (2) shall be increased in accordance with the provisions of
(h) Indexing nominal cost sharing
In applying this section and subsections (c) and (e) of
(i) State option to impose income-related premiums for families of disabled children
(1) With respect to disabled children provided medical assistance under
(2) A premium requirement imposed under paragraph (1) may only apply to the extent that—
(A) in the case of a disabled child described in that paragraph whose family income—
(i) does not exceed 200 percent of the poverty line, the aggregate amount of such premium and any premium that the parent is required to pay for family coverage under
(ii) exceeds 200, but does not exceed 300, percent of the poverty line, the aggregate amount of such premium and any premium that the parent is required to pay for family coverage under
(B) the requirement is imposed consistent with
(3) A State shall not require prepayment of a premium imposed pursuant to paragraph (1) and shall not terminate eligibility of a child under
(j) No premiums or cost sharing for Indians furnished items or services directly by Indian health programs or through referral under contract health services
(1) No cost sharing for items or services furnished to Indians through Indian health programs
(A) In general
No enrollment fee, premium, or similar charge, and no deduction, copayment, cost sharing, or similar charge shall be imposed against an Indian who is furnished an item or service directly by the Indian Health Service, an Indian Tribe, Tribal Organization, or Urban Indian Organization or through referral under contract health services for which payment may be made under this subchapter.
(B) No reduction in amount of payment to Indian health providers
Payment due under this subchapter to the Indian Health Service, an Indian Tribe, Tribal Organization, or Urban Indian Organization, or a health care provider through referral under contract health services for the furnishing of an item or service to an Indian who is eligible for assistance under such subchapter, may not be reduced by the amount of any enrollment fee, premium, or similar charge, or any deduction, copayment, cost sharing, or similar charge that would be due from the Indian but for the operation of subparagraph (A).
(2) Rule of construction
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as restricting the application of any other limitations on the imposition of premiums or cost sharing that may apply to an individual receiving medical assistance under this subchapter who is an Indian.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1916, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (g)(2), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2010—Subsecs. (a)(2)(B), (b)(2)(B).
2009—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (j).
2006—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
1999—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (g).
1997—Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (b)(2)(D).
1989—Subsec. (a).
Subsecs. (d) to (f).
1988—Subsec. (c)(1).
1987—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsecs. (a)(2)(C), (b)(2)(C).
Subsecs. (c) to (e).
1986—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(2)(E).
1983—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by section 6062(b) of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 4101(d)(2) of
Amendment by section 4211(h)(11) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 131(d), formerly §131(c), of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [enacting this section and amending
"(2) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 3, 1982]."
§1396o–1. State option for alternative premiums and cost sharing
(a) State flexibility
(1) In general
Notwithstanding
(2) Exemption for individuals with family income not exceeding 100 percent of the poverty line
(A) In general
Paragraph (1) and subsection (d) shall not apply, and
(B) Limit on aggregate cost sharing
To the extent cost sharing under subsections (c) and (e) or under
(3) Definitions
In this section:
(A) Premium
The term "premium" includes any enrollment fee or similar charge.
(B) Cost sharing
The term "cost sharing" includes any deduction, copayment, or similar charge.
(b) Limitations on exercise of authority
(1) Individuals with family income between 100 and 150 percent of the poverty line
In the case of an individual whose family income exceeds 100 percent, but does not exceed 150 percent, of the poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved—
(A) no premium may be imposed under the plan; and
(B) with respect to cost sharing—
(i) the cost sharing imposed under subsection (a) with respect to any item or service may not exceed 10 percent of the cost of such item or service; and
(ii) the total aggregate amount of cost sharing imposed under this section (including any cost sharing imposed under subsection (c) or (e)) for all individuals in the family may not exceed 5 percent of the family income of the family involved, as applied on a quarterly or monthly basis (as specified by the State).
(2) Individuals with family income above 150 percent of the poverty line
In the case of an individual whose family income exceeds 150 percent of the poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved—
(A) the total aggregate amount of premiums and cost sharing imposed under this section (including any cost sharing imposed under subsection (c) or (e)) for all individuals in the family may not exceed 5 percent of the family income of the family involved, as applied on a quarterly or monthly basis (as specified by the State); and
(B) with respect to cost sharing, the cost sharing imposed with respect to any item or service under subsection (a) may not exceed 20 percent of the cost of such item or service.
(3) Additional limitations
(A) Premiums
No premiums shall be imposed under this section with respect to the following:
(i) Individuals under 18 years of age that are required to be provided medical assistance under
(ii) Pregnant women.
(iii) Any terminally ill individual who is receiving hospice care (as defined in
(iv) Any individual who is an inpatient in a hospital, nursing facility, intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, or other medical institution, if such individual is required, as a condition of receiving services in such institution under the State plan, to spend for costs of medical care all but a minimal amount of the individual's income required for personal needs.
(v) Women who are receiving medical assistance by virtue of the application of
(vi) Disabled children who are receiving medical assistance by virtue of the application of
(vii) An Indian who is furnished an item or service directly by the Indian Health Service, an Indian Tribe, Tribal Organization or Urban Indian Organization or through referral under contract health services.
(B) Cost sharing
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, no cost sharing shall be imposed under subsection (a) with respect to the following:
(i) Services furnished to individuals under 18 years of age that are required to be provided medical assistance under
(ii) Preventive services (such as well baby and well child care and immunizations) provided to children under 18 years of age regardless of family income.
(iii) Services furnished to pregnant women, if such services relate to the pregnancy or to any other medical condition which may complicate the pregnancy, and counseling and pharmacotherapy for cessation of tobacco use by pregnant women (as defined in
(iv) Services furnished to a terminally ill individual who is receiving hospice care (as defined in
(v) Services furnished to any individual who is an inpatient in a hospital, nursing facility, intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, or other medical institution, if such individual is required, as a condition of receiving services in such institution under the State plan, to spend for costs of medical care all but a minimal amount of the individual's income required for personal needs.
(vi) Emergency services (as defined by the Secretary for purposes of
(vii) Family planning services and supplies described in
(viii) Services furnished to women who are receiving medical assistance by virtue of the application of
(ix) Services furnished to disabled children who are receiving medical assistance by virtue of the application of
(x) Items and services furnished to an Indian directly by the Indian Health Service, an Indian Tribe, Tribal Organization or Urban Indian Organization or through referral under contract health services.
(C) Construction
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as preventing a State from exempting additional classes of individuals from premiums under this section or from exempting additional individuals or services from cost sharing under subsection (a).
(4) Determinations of family income
In applying this subsection, family income shall be determined in a manner specified by the State for purposes of this subsection, including the use of such disregards as the State may provide. Family income shall be determined for such period and at such periodicity as the State may provide under this subchapter.
(5) Poverty line defined
For purposes of this section, the term "poverty line" has the meaning given such term in
(6) Construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed—
(A) as preventing a State from further limiting the premiums and cost sharing imposed under this section beyond the limitations provided under this section;
(B) as affecting the authority of the Secretary through waiver to modify limitations on premiums and cost sharing under this section; or
(C) as affecting any such waiver of requirements in effect under this subchapter before February 8, 2006, with regard to the imposition of premiums and cost sharing.
(c) Special rules for cost sharing for prescription drugs
(1) In general
In order to encourage beneficiaries to use drugs (in this subsection referred to as "preferred drugs") identified by the State as the most (or more) cost effective prescription drugs within a class of drugs (as defined by the State), with respect to one or more groups of beneficiaries specified by the State, subject to paragraph (2), the State may—
(A) provide cost sharing (instead of the level of cost sharing otherwise permitted under
(B) waive or reduce the cost sharing otherwise applicable for preferred drugs within such class and shall not apply any such cost sharing for such preferred drugs for individuals for whom cost sharing may not be imposed under subsection (a) due to the application of subsection (b)(3)(B).
(2) Limitations
(A) By income group
In no case may the cost sharing under paragraph (1)(A) with respect to a non-preferred drug exceed—
(i) in the case of an individual whose family income does not exceed 150 percent of the poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved, the amount of nominal cost sharing (as otherwise determined under
(ii) in the case of an individual whose family income exceeds 150 percent of the poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved, 20 percent of the cost of the drug.
(B) Limitation to nominal for exempt populations
In the case of an individual who is not subject to cost sharing under subsection (a) due to the application of paragraph (1)(B), any cost sharing under paragraph (1)(A) with respect to a non-preferred drug may not exceed a nominal amount (as otherwise determined under
(C) Continued application of aggregate cap
In addition to the limitations imposed under subparagraphs (A) and (B), any cost sharing under paragraph (1)(A) continues to be subject to the aggregate cap on cost sharing applied under subsection (a)(2)(B) or under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b), as the case may be.
(3) Waiver
In carrying out paragraph (1), a State shall provide for the application of cost sharing levels applicable to a preferred drug in the case of a drug that is not a preferred drug if the prescribing physician determines that the preferred drug for treatment of the same condition either would not be as effective for the individual or would have adverse effects for the individual or both.
(4) Exclusion authority
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing a State from excluding specified drugs or classes of drugs from the application of paragraph (1).
(d) Enforceability of premiums and other cost sharing
(1) Premiums
Notwithstanding
(2) Cost sharing
Notwithstanding
(e) State option for permitting hospitals to impose cost sharing for non-emergency care furnished in an emergency department
(1) In general
Notwithstanding
(A) Access to non-emergency room provider
The individual has actually available and accessible (as such terms are applied by the Secretary under
(B) Notice
The hospital must inform the beneficiary after receiving an appropriate medical screening examination under
(i) The hospital may require the payment of the State specified cost sharing before the service can be provided.
(ii) The name and location of an alternate non-emergency services provider (described in subparagraph (A)) that is actually available and accessible (as described in such subparagraph).
(iii) The fact that such alternate provider can provide the services without the imposition of cost sharing described in clause (i).
(iv) The hospital provides a referral to coordinate scheduling of this treatment.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing a State from applying (or waiving) cost sharing otherwise permissible under this section to services described in clause (iii).
(2) Limitations
(A) Individuals with family income between 100 and 150 percent of the poverty line
In the case of an individual described in subsection (b)(1) who is not described in subparagraph (B), the cost sharing imposed under this subsection may not exceed twice the amount determined to be nominal under
(B) Application to exempt populations
In the case of an individual described in subsection (a)(2)(A) or who is not subject to cost sharing under subsection (b)(3)(B) with respect to non-emergency services described in paragraph (1), a State may impose cost sharing under paragraph (1) for care in an amount that does not exceed a nominal amount (as otherwise determined under
(C) Continued application of aggregate cap; relation to other cost sharing
In addition to the limitations imposed under subparagraphs (A) and (B), any cost sharing under paragraph (1) is subject to the aggregate cap on cost sharing applied under subsection (a)(2)(B) or under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b), as the case may be. Cost sharing imposed for services under this subsection shall be instead of any cost sharing that may be imposed for such services under subsection (a) or
(3) Construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed—
(A) to limit a hospital's obligations with respect to screening and stabilizing treatment of an emergency medical condition under
(B) to modify any obligations under either State or Federal standards relating to the application of a prudent-layperson standard with respect to payment or coverage of emergency services by any managed care organization.
(4) Definitions
For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Non-emergency services
The term "non-emergency services" means any care or services furnished in an emergency department of a hospital that do not constitute an appropriate medical screening examination or stabilizing examination and treatment required to be provided by the hospital under
(B) Alternate non-emergency services provider
The term "alternative non-emergency services provider" means, with respect to non-emergency services for the diagnosis or treatment of a condition, a health care provider, such as a physician's office, health care clinic, community health center, hospital outpatient department, or similar health care provider, that can provide clinically appropriate services for the diagnosis or treatment of a condition contemporaneously with the provision of the non-emergency services that would be provided in an emergency department of a hospital for the diagnosis or treatment of a condition, and that is participating in the program under this subchapter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1916A, as added and amended
References in Text
Parts B and E of subchapter IV, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i), (B)(i), are classified to sections 620 et seq. and 670 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(iii).
2009—Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(vii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(x).
2006—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2), (3).
Subsec. (b)(1), (2).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(vi).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ix).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B).
Subsec. (e)(2)(C).
Subsec. (e)(4)(A).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by section 4107(c)(2) of
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by section 6043(a) of
Effective Date
Section applicable to cost sharing imposed for items and services furnished on or after Mar. 31, 2006, see section 6041(c) of
§1396p. Liens, adjustments and recoveries, and transfers of assets
(a) Imposition of lien against property of an individual on account of medical assistance rendered to him under a State plan
(1) No lien may be imposed against the property of any individual prior to his death on account of medical assistance paid or to be paid on his behalf under the State plan, except—
(A) pursuant to the judgment of a court on account of benefits incorrectly paid on behalf of such individual, or
(B) in the case of the real property of an individual—
(i) who is an inpatient in a nursing facility, intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, or other medical institution, if such individual is required, as a condition of receiving services in such institution under the State plan, to spend for costs of medical care all but a minimal amount of his income required for personal needs, and
(ii) with respect to whom the State determines, after notice and opportunity for a hearing (in accordance with procedures established by the State), that he cannot reasonably be expected to be discharged from the medical institution and to return home,
except as provided in paragraph (2).
(2) No lien may be imposed under paragraph (1)(B) on such individual's home if—
(A) the spouse of such individual,
(B) such individual's child who is under age 21, or (with respect to States eligible to participate in the State program established under subchapter XVI of this chapter) is blind or permanently and totally disabled, or (with respect to States which are not eligible to participate in such program) is blind or disabled as defined in
(C) a sibling of such individual (who has an equity interest in such home and who was residing in such individual's home for a period of at least one year immediately before the date of the individual's admission to the medical institution),
is lawfully residing in such home.
(3) Any lien imposed with respect to an individual pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) shall dissolve upon that individual's discharge from the medical institution and return home.
(b) Adjustment or recovery of medical assistance correctly paid under a State plan
(1) No adjustment or recovery of any medical assistance correctly paid on behalf of an individual under the State plan may be made, except that the State shall seek adjustment or recovery of any medical assistance correctly paid on behalf of an individual under the State plan in the case of the following individuals:
(A) In the case of an individual described in subsection (a)(1)(B) of this section, the State shall seek adjustment or recovery from the individual's estate or upon sale of the property subject to a lien imposed on account of medical assistance paid on behalf of the individual.
(B) In the case of an individual who was 55 years of age or older when the individual received such medical assistance, the State shall seek adjustment or recovery from the individual's estate, but only for medical assistance consisting of—
(i) nursing facility services, home and community-based services, and related hospital and prescription drug services, or
(ii) at the option of the State, any items or services under the State plan (but not including medical assistance for medicare cost-sharing or for benefits described in
(C)(i) In the case of an individual who has received (or is entitled to receive) benefits under a long-term care insurance policy in connection with which assets or resources are disregarded in the manner described in clause (ii), except as provided in such clause, the State shall seek adjustment or recovery from the individual's estate on account of medical assistance paid on behalf of the individual for nursing facility and other long-term care services.
(ii) Clause (i) shall not apply in the case of an individual who received medical assistance under a State plan of a State which had a State plan amendment approved as of May 14, 1993, and which satisfies clause (iv), or which has a State plan amendment that provides for a qualified State long-term care insurance partnership (as defined in clause (iii)) which provided for the disregard of any assets or resources—
(I) to the extent that payments are made under a long-term care insurance policy; or
(II) because an individual has received (or is entitled to receive) benefits under a long-term care insurance policy.
(iii) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "qualified State long-term care insurance partnership" means an approved State plan amendment under this subchapter that provides for the disregard of any assets or resources in an amount equal to the insurance benefit payments that are made to or on behalf of an individual who is a beneficiary under a long-term care insurance policy if the following requirements are met:
(I) The policy covers an insured who was a resident of such State when coverage first became effective under the policy.
(II) The policy is a qualified long-term care insurance policy (as defined in section 7702B(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) issued not earlier than the effective date of the State plan amendment.
(III) The policy meets the model regulations and the requirements of the model Act specified in paragraph (5).
(IV) If the policy is sold to an individual who—
(aa) has not attained age 61 as of the date of purchase, the policy provides compound annual inflation protection;
(bb) has attained age 61 but has not attained age 76 as of such date, the policy provides some level of inflation protection; and
(cc) has attained age 76 as of such date, the policy may (but is not required to) provide some level of inflation protection.
(V) The State Medicaid agency under
(VI) The issuer of the policy provides regular reports to the Secretary, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, that include notification regarding when benefits provided under the policy have been paid and the amount of such benefits paid, notification regarding when the policy otherwise terminates, and such other information as the Secretary determines may be appropriate to the administration of such partnerships.
(VII) The State does not impose any requirement affecting the terms or benefits of such a policy unless the State imposes such requirement on long-term care insurance policies without regard to whether the policy is covered under the partnership or is offered in connection with such a partnership.
In the case of a long-term care insurance policy which is exchanged for another such policy, subclause (I) shall be applied based on the coverage of the first such policy that was exchanged. For purposes of this clause and paragraph (5), the term "long-term care insurance policy" includes a certificate issued under a group insurance contract.
(iv) With respect to a State which had a State plan amendment approved as of May 14, 1993, such a State satisfies this clause for purposes of clause (ii) if the Secretary determines that the State plan amendment provides for consumer protection standards which are no less stringent than the consumer protection standards which applied under such State plan amendment as of December 31, 2005.
(v) The regulations of the Secretary required under clause (iii)(VI) shall be promulgated after consultation with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, issuers of long-term care insurance policies, States with experience with long-term care insurance partnership plans, other States, and representatives of consumers of long-term care insurance policies, and shall specify the type and format of the data and information to be reported and the frequency with which such reports are to be made. The Secretary, as appropriate, shall provide copies of the reports provided in accordance with that clause to the State involved.
(vi) The Secretary, in consultation with other appropriate Federal agencies, issuers of long-term care insurance, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, State insurance commissioners, States with experience with long-term care insurance partnership plans, other States, and representatives of consumers of long-term care insurance policies, shall develop recommendations for Congress to authorize and fund a uniform minimum data set to be reported electronically by all issuers of long-term care insurance policies under qualified State long-term care insurance partnerships to a secure, centralized electronic query and report-generating mechanism that the State, the Secretary, and other Federal agencies can access.
(2) Any adjustment or recovery under paragraph (1) may be made only after the death of the individual's surviving spouse, if any, and only at a time—
(A) when he has no surviving child who is under age 21, or (with respect to States eligible to participate in the State program established under subchapter XVI of this chapter) is blind or permanently and totally disabled, or (with respect to States which are not eligible to participate in such program) is blind or disabled as defined in
(B) in the case of a lien on an individual's home under subsection (a)(1)(B) of this section, when—
(i) no sibling of the individual (who was residing in the individual's home for a period of at least one year immediately before the date of the individual's admission to the medical institution), and
(ii) no son or daughter of the individual (who was residing in the individual's home for a period of at least two years immediately before the date of the individual's admission to the medical institution, and who establishes to the satisfaction of the State that he or she provided care to such individual which permitted such individual to reside at home rather than in an institution),
is lawfully residing in such home who has lawfully resided in such home on a continuous basis since the date of the individual's admission to the medical institution.
(3)(A) The State agency shall establish procedures (in accordance with standards specified by the Secretary) under which the agency shall waive the application of this subsection (other than paragraph (1)(C)) if such application would work an undue hardship as determined on the basis of criteria established by the Secretary.
(B) The standards specified by the Secretary under subparagraph (A) shall require that the procedures established by the State agency under subparagraph (A) exempt income, resources, and property that are exempt from the application of this subsection as of April 1, 2003, under manual instructions issued to carry out this subsection (as in effect on such date) because of the Federal responsibility for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as preventing the Secretary from providing additional estate recovery exemptions under this subchapter for Indians.
(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term "estate", with respect to a deceased individual—
(A) shall include all real and personal property and other assets included within the individual's estate, as defined for purposes of State probate law; and
(B) may include, at the option of the State (and shall include, in the case of an individual to whom paragraph (1)(C)(i) applies), any other real and personal property and other assets in which the individual had any legal title or interest at the time of death (to the extent of such interest), including such assets conveyed to a survivor, heir, or assign of the deceased individual through joint tenancy, tenancy in common, survivorship, life estate, living trust, or other arrangement.
(5)(A) For purposes of clause (iii)(III), the model regulations and the requirements of the model Act specified in this paragraph are:
(i) In the case of the model regulation, the following requirements:
(I) Section 6A (relating to guaranteed renewal or noncancellability), other than paragraph (5) thereof, and the requirements of section 6B of the model Act relating to such section 6A.
(II) Section 6B (relating to prohibitions on limitations and exclusions) other than paragraph (7) thereof.
(III) Section 6C (relating to extension of benefits).
(IV) Section 6D (relating to continuation or conversion of coverage).
(V) Section 6E (relating to discontinuance and replacement of policies).
(VI) Section 7 (relating to unintentional lapse).
(VII) Section 8 (relating to disclosure), other than sections 8F, 8G, 8H, and 8I thereof.
(VIII) Section 9 (relating to required disclosure of rating practices to consumer).
(IX) Section 11 (relating to prohibitions against post-claims underwriting).
(X) Section 12 (relating to minimum standards).
(XI) Section 14 (relating to application forms and replacement coverage).
(XII) Section 15 (relating to reporting requirements).
(XIII) Section 22 (relating to filing requirements for marketing).
(XIV) Section 23 (relating to standards for marketing), including inaccurate completion of medical histories, other than paragraphs (1), (6), and (9) of section 23C.
(XV) Section 24 (relating to suitability).
(XVI) Section 25 (relating to prohibition against preexisting conditions and probationary periods in replacement policies or certificates).
(XVII) The provisions of section 26 relating to contingent nonforfeiture benefits, if the policyholder declines the offer of a nonforfeiture provision described in paragraph (4).
(XVIII) Section 29 (relating to standard format outline of coverage).
(XIX) Section 30 (relating to requirement to deliver shopper's guide).
(ii) In the case of the model Act, the following:
(I) Section 6C (relating to preexisting conditions).
(II) Section 6D (relating to prior hospitalization).
(III) The provisions of section 8 relating to contingent nonforfeiture benefits.
(IV) Section 6F (relating to right to return).
(V) Section 6G (relating to outline of coverage).
(VI) Section 6H (relating to requirements for certificates under group plans).
(VII) Section 6J (relating to policy summary).
(VIII) Section 6K (relating to monthly reports on accelerated death benefits).
(IX) Section 7 (relating to incontestability period).
(B) For purposes of this paragraph and paragraph (1)(C)—
(i) the terms "model regulation" and "model Act" mean the long-term care insurance model regulation, and the long-term care insurance model Act, respectively, promulgated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (as adopted as of October 2000);
(ii) any provision of the model regulation or model Act listed under subparagraph (A) shall be treated as including any other provision of such regulation or Act necessary to implement the provision; and
(iii) with respect to a long-term care insurance policy issued in a State, the policy shall be deemed to meet applicable requirements of the model regulation or the model Act if the State plan amendment under paragraph (1)(C)(iii) provides that the State insurance commissioner for the State certifies (in a manner satisfactory to the Secretary) that the policy meets such requirements.
(C) Not later than 12 months after the National Association of Insurance Commissioners issues a revision, update, or other modification of a model regulation or model Act provision specified in subparagraph (A), or of any provision of such regulation or Act that is substantively related to a provision specified in such subparagraph, the Secretary shall review the changes made to the provision, determine whether incorporating such changes into the corresponding provision specified in such subparagraph would improve qualified State long-term care insurance partnerships, and if so, shall incorporate the changes into such provision.
(c) Taking into account certain transfers of assets
(1)(A) In order to meet the requirements of this subsection for purposes of
(B)(i) The look-back date specified in this subparagraph is a date that is 36 months (or, in the case of payments from a trust or portions of a trust that are treated as assets disposed of by the individual pursuant to paragraph (3)(A)(iii) or (3)(B)(ii) of subsection (d) of this section or in the case of any other disposal of assets made on or after February 8, 2006, 60 months) before the date specified in clause (ii).
(ii) The date specified in this clause, with respect to—
(I) an institutionalized individual is the first date as of which the individual both is an institutionalized individual and has applied for medical assistance under the State plan, or
(II) a noninstitutionalized individual is the date on which the individual applies for medical assistance under the State plan or, if later, the date on which the individual disposes of assets for less than fair market value.
(C)(i) The services described in this subparagraph with respect to an institutionalized individual are the following:
(I) Nursing facility services.
(II) A level of care in any institution equivalent to that of nursing facility services.
(III) Home or community-based services furnished under a waiver granted under subsection (c) or (d) of
(ii) The services described in this subparagraph with respect to a noninstitutionalized individual are services (not including any services described in clause (i)) that are described in paragraph (7), (22), or (24) of
(D)(i) In the case of a transfer of asset made before February 8, 2006, the date specified in this subparagraph is the first day of the first month during or after which assets have been transferred for less than fair market value and which does not occur in any other periods of ineligibility under this subsection.
(ii) In the case of a transfer of asset made on or after February 8, 2006, the date specified in this subparagraph is the first day of a month during or after which assets have been transferred for less than fair market value, or the date on which the individual is eligible for medical assistance under the State plan and would otherwise be receiving institutional level care described in subparagraph (C) based on an approved application for such care but for the application of the penalty period, whichever is later, and which does not occur during any other period of ineligibility under this subsection.
(E)(i) With respect to an institutionalized individual, the number of months of ineligibility under this subparagraph for an individual shall be equal to—
(I) the total, cumulative uncompensated value of all assets transferred by the individual (or individual's spouse) on or after the look-back date specified in subparagraph (B)(i), divided by
(II) the average monthly cost to a private patient of nursing facility services in the State (or, at the option of the State, in the community in which the individual is institutionalized) at the time of application.
(ii) With respect to a noninstitutionalized individual, the number of months of ineligibility under this subparagraph for an individual shall not be greater than a number equal to—
(I) the total, cumulative uncompensated value of all assets transferred by the individual (or individual's spouse) on or after the look-back date specified in subparagraph (B)(i), divided by
(II) the average monthly cost to a private patient of nursing facility services in the State (or, at the option of the State, in the community in which the individual is institutionalized) at the time of application.
(iii) The number of months of ineligibility otherwise determined under clause (i) or (ii) with respect to the disposal of an asset shall be reduced—
(I) in the case of periods of ineligibility determined under clause (i), by the number of months of ineligibility applicable to the individual under clause (ii) as a result of such disposal, and
(II) in the case of periods of ineligibility determined under clause (ii), by the number of months of ineligibility applicable to the individual under clause (i) as a result of such disposal.
(iv) A State shall not round down, or otherwise disregard any fractional period of ineligibility determined under clause (i) or (ii) with respect to the disposal of assets.
(F) For purposes of this paragraph, the purchase of an annuity shall be treated as the disposal of an asset for less than fair market value unless—
(i) the State is named as the remainder beneficiary in the first position for at least the total amount of medical assistance paid on behalf of the institutionalized individual under this subchapter; or
(ii) the State is named as such a beneficiary in the second position after the community spouse or minor or disabled child and is named in the first position if such spouse or a representative of such child disposes of any such remainder for less than fair market value.
(G) For purposes of this paragraph with respect to a transfer of assets, the term "assets" includes an annuity purchased by or on behalf of an annuitant who has applied for medical assistance with respect to nursing facility services or other long-term care services under this subchapter unless—
(i) the annuity is—
(I) an annuity described in subsection (b) or (q) of section 408 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
(II) purchased with proceeds from—
(aa) an account or trust described in subsection (a), (c), or (p) of section 408 of such Code;
(bb) a simplified employee pension (within the meaning of section 408(k) of such Code); or
(cc) a Roth IRA described in section 408A of such Code; or
(ii) the annuity—
(I) is irrevocable and nonassignable;
(II) is actuarially sound (as determined in accordance with actuarial publications of the Office of the Chief Actuary of the Social Security Administration); and
(III) provides for payments in equal amounts during the term of the annuity, with no deferral and no balloon payments made.
(H) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this paragraph, in the case of an individual (or individual's spouse) who makes multiple fractional transfers of assets in more than 1 month for less than fair market value on or after the applicable look-back date specified in subparagraph (B), a State may determine the period of ineligibility applicable to such individual under this paragraph by—
(i) treating the total, cumulative uncompensated value of all assets transferred by the individual (or individual's spouse) during all months on or after the look-back date specified in subparagraph (B) as 1 transfer for purposes of clause (i) or (ii) (as the case may be) of subparagraph (E); and
(ii) beginning such period on the earliest date which would apply under subparagraph (D) to any of such transfers.
(I) For purposes of this paragraph with respect to a transfer of assets, the term "assets" includes funds used to purchase a promissory note, loan, or mortgage unless such note, loan, or mortgage—
(i) has a repayment term that is actuarially sound (as determined in accordance with actuarial publications of the Office of the Chief Actuary of the Social Security Administration);
(ii) provides for payments to be made in equal amounts during the term of the loan, with no deferral and no balloon payments made; and
(iii) prohibits the cancellation of the balance upon the death of the lender.
In the case of a promissory note, loan, or mortgage that does not satisfy the requirements of clauses (i) through (iii), the value of such note, loan, or mortgage shall be the outstanding balance due as of the date of the individual's application for medical assistance for services described in subparagraph (C).
(J) For purposes of this paragraph with respect to a transfer of assets, the term "assets" includes the purchase of a life estate interest in another individual's home unless the purchaser resides in the home for a period of at least 1 year after the date of the purchase.
(2) An individual shall not be ineligible for medical assistance by reason of paragraph (1) to the extent that—
(A) the assets transferred were a home and title to the home was transferred to—
(i) the spouse of such individual;
(ii) a child of such individual who (I) is under age 21, or (II) (with respect to States eligible to participate in the State program established under subchapter XVI of this chapter) is blind or permanently and totally disabled, or (with respect to States which are not eligible to participate in such program) is blind or disabled as defined in
(iii) a sibling of such individual who has an equity interest in such home and who was residing in such individual's home for a period of at least one year immediately before the date the individual becomes an institutionalized individual; or
(iv) a son or daughter of such individual (other than a child described in clause (ii)) who was residing in such individual's home for a period of at least two years immediately before the date the individual becomes an institutionalized individual, and who (as determined by the State) provided care to such individual which permitted such individual to reside at home rather than in such an institution or facility;
(B) the assets—
(i) were transferred to the individual's spouse or to another for the sole benefit of the individual's spouse,
(ii) were transferred from the individual's spouse to another for the sole benefit of the individual's spouse,
(iii) were transferred to, or to a trust (including a trust described in subsection (d)(4) of this section) established solely for the benefit of, the individual's child described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(II), or
(iv) were transferred to a trust (including a trust described in subsection (d)(4) of this section) established solely for the benefit of an individual under 65 years of age who is disabled (as defined in
(C) a satisfactory showing is made to the State (in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary) that (i) the individual intended to dispose of the assets either at fair market value, or for other valuable consideration, (ii) the assets were transferred exclusively for a purpose other than to qualify for medical assistance, or (iii) all assets transferred for less than fair market value have been returned to the individual; or
(D) the State determines, under procedures established by the State (in accordance with standards specified by the Secretary), that the denial of eligibility would work an undue hardship as determined on the basis of criteria established by the Secretary.
The procedures established under subparagraph (D) shall permit the facility in which the institutionalized individual is residing to file an undue hardship waiver application on behalf of the individual with the consent of the individual or the personal representative of the individual. While an application for an undue hardship waiver is pending under subparagraph (D) in the case of an individual who is a resident of a nursing facility, if the application meets such criteria as the Secretary specifies, the State may provide for payments for nursing facility services in order to hold the bed for the individual at the facility, but not in excess of payments for 30 days.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, in the case of an asset held by an individual in common with another person or persons in a joint tenancy, tenancy in common, or similar arrangement, the asset (or the affected portion of such asset) shall be considered to be transferred by such individual when any action is taken, either by such individual or by any other person, that reduces or eliminates such individual's ownership or control of such asset.
(4) A State (including a State which has elected treatment under
(5) In this subsection, the term "resources" has the meaning given such term in
(d) Treatment of trust amounts
(1) For purposes of determining an individual's eligibility for, or amount of, benefits under a State plan under this subchapter, subject to paragraph (4), the rules specified in paragraph (3) shall apply to a trust established by such individual.
(2)(A) For purposes of this subsection, an individual shall be considered to have established a trust if assets of the individual were used to form all or part of the corpus of the trust and if any of the following individuals established such trust other than by will:
(i) The individual.
(ii) The individual's spouse.
(iii) A person, including a court or administrative body, with legal authority to act in place of or on behalf of the individual or the individual's spouse.
(iv) A person, including any court or administrative body, acting at the direction or upon the request of the individual or the individual's spouse.
(B) In the case of a trust the corpus of which includes assets of an individual (as determined under subparagraph (A)) and assets of any other person or persons, the provisions of this subsection shall apply to the portion of the trust attributable to the assets of the individual.
(C) Subject to paragraph (4), this subsection shall apply without regard to—
(i) the purposes for which a trust is established,
(ii) whether the trustees have or exercise any discretion under the trust,
(iii) any restrictions on when or whether distributions may be made from the trust, or
(iv) any restrictions on the use of distributions from the trust.
(3)(A) In the case of a revocable trust—
(i) the corpus of the trust shall be considered resources available to the individual,
(ii) payments from the trust to or for the benefit of the individual shall be considered income of the individual, and
(iii) any other payments from the trust shall be considered assets disposed of by the individual for purposes of subsection (c) of this section.
(B) In the case of an irrevocable trust—
(i) if there are any circumstances under which payment from the trust could be made to or for the benefit of the individual, the portion of the corpus from which, or the income on the corpus from which, payment to the individual could be made shall be considered resources available to the individual, and payments from that portion of the corpus or income—
(I) to or for the benefit of the individual, shall be considered income of the individual, and
(II) for any other purpose, shall be considered a transfer of assets by the individual subject to subsection (c) of this section; and
(ii) any portion of the trust from which, or any income on the corpus from which, no payment could under any circumstances be made to the individual shall be considered, as of the date of establishment of the trust (or, if later, the date on which payment to the individual was foreclosed) to be assets disposed by the individual for purposes of subsection (c) of this section, and the value of the trust shall be determined for purposes of such subsection by including the amount of any payments made from such portion of the trust after such date.
(4) This subsection shall not apply to any of the following trusts:
(A) A trust containing the assets of an individual under age 65 who is disabled (as defined in
(B) A trust established in a State for the benefit of an individual if—
(i) the trust is composed only of pension, Social Security, and other income to the individual (and accumulated income in the trust),
(ii) the State will receive all amounts remaining in the trust upon the death of such individual up to an amount equal to the total medical assistance paid on behalf of the individual under a State plan under this subchapter; and
(iii) the State makes medical assistance available to individuals described in
(C) A trust containing the assets of an individual who is disabled (as defined in
(i) The trust is established and managed by a non-profit association.
(ii) A separate account is maintained for each beneficiary of the trust, but, for purposes of investment and management of funds, the trust pools these accounts.
(iii) Accounts in the trust are established solely for the benefit of individuals who are disabled (as defined in
(iv) To the extent that amounts remaining in the beneficiary's account upon the death of the beneficiary are not retained by the trust, the trust pays to the State from such remaining amounts in the account an amount equal to the total amount of medical assistance paid on behalf of the beneficiary under the State plan under this subchapter.
(5) The State agency shall establish procedures (in accordance with standards specified by the Secretary) under which the agency waives the application of this subsection with respect to an individual if the individual establishes that such application would work an undue hardship on the individual as determined on the basis of criteria established by the Secretary.
(6) The term "trust" includes any legal instrument or device that is similar to a trust but includes an annuity only to such extent and in such manner as the Secretary specifies.
(e) Disclosure and treatment of annuities
(1) In order to meet the requirements of this section for purposes of
(2)(A) In the case of disclosure concerning an annuity under subsection (c)(1)(F), the State shall notify the issuer of the annuity of the right of the State under such subsection as a preferred remainder beneficiary in the annuity for medical assistance furnished to the individual. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as preventing such an issuer from notifying persons with any other remainder interest of the State's remainder interest under such subsection.
(B) In the case of such an issuer receiving notice under subparagraph (A), the State may require the issuer to notify the State when there is a change in the amount of income or principal being withdrawn from the amount that was being withdrawn at the time of the most recent disclosure described in paragraph (1). A State shall take such information into account in determining the amount of the State's obligations for medical assistance or in the individual's eligibility for such assistance.
(3) The Secretary may provide guidance to States on categories of transactions that may be treated as a transfer of asset for less than fair market value.
(4) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing a State from denying eligibility for medical assistance for an individual based on the income or resources derived from an annuity described in paragraph (1).
(f) Disqualification for long-term care assistance for individuals with substantial home equity
(1)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C) of this paragraph and paragraph (2), in determining eligibility of an individual for medical assistance with respect to nursing facility services or other long-term care services, the individual shall not be eligible for such assistance if the individual's equity interest in the individual's home exceeds $500,000.
(B) A State may elect, without regard to the requirements of
(C) The dollar amounts specified in this paragraph shall be increased, beginning with 2011, from year to year based on the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average), rounded to the nearest $1,000.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to an individual if—
(A) the spouse of such individual, or
(B) such individual's child who is under age 21, or (with respect to States eligible to participate in the State program established under subchapter XVI) is blind or permanently and totally disabled, or (with respect to States which are not eligible to participate in such program) is blind or disabled as defined in
is lawfully residing in the individual's home.
(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing an individual from using a reverse mortgage or home equity loan to reduce the individual's total equity interest in the home.
(4) The Secretary shall establish a process whereby paragraph (1) is waived in the case of a demonstrated hardship.
(g) Treatment of entrance fees of individuals residing in continuing care retirement communities
(1) In general
For purposes of determining an individual's eligibility for, or amount of, benefits under a State plan under this subchapter, the rules specified in paragraph (2) shall apply to individuals residing in continuing care retirement communities or life care communities that collect an entrance fee on admission from such individuals.
(2) Treatment of entrance fee
For purposes of this subsection, an individual's entrance fee in a continuing care retirement community or life care community shall be considered a resource available to the individual to the extent that—
(A) the individual has the ability to use the entrance fee, or the contract provides that the entrance fee may be used, to pay for care should other resources or income of the individual be insufficient to pay for such care;
(B) the individual is eligible for a refund of any remaining entrance fee when the individual dies or terminates the continuing care retirement community or life care community contract and leaves the community; and
(C) the entrance fee does not confer an ownership interest in the continuing care retirement community or life care community.
(h) Definitions
In this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) The term "assets", with respect to an individual, includes all income and resources of the individual and of the individual's spouse, including any income or resources which the individual or such individual's spouse is entitled to but does not receive because of action—
(A) by the individual or such individual's spouse,
(B) by a person, including a court or administrative body, with legal authority to act in place of or on behalf of the individual or such individual's spouse, or
(C) by any person, including any court or administrative body, acting at the direction or upon the request of the individual or such individual's spouse.
(2) The term "income" has the meaning given such term in
(3) The term "institutionalized individual" means an individual who is an inpatient in a nursing facility, who is an inpatient in a medical institution and with respect to whom payment is made based on a level of care provided in a nursing facility, or who is described in
(4) The term "noninstitutionalized individual" means an individual receiving any of the services specified in subsection (c)(1)(C)(ii) of this section.
(5) The term "resources" has the meaning given such term in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1917, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (b)(1)(C)(iii)(II) and (c)(1)(G)(i), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2009—Subsec. (b)(3).
2008—Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(ii).
2006—Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(iii) to (vi).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (c)(1)(D).
Subsec. (c)(1)(E)(iv).
Subsec. (c)(1)(F).
Subsec. (c)(1)(F)(i).
Subsec. (c)(1)(G).
Subsec. (c)(1)(H).
Subsec. (c)(1)(I).
Subsec. (c)(1)(J).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
1993—Subsec. (b)(1).
"(A) in the case of an individual described in subsection (a)(1)(B) of this section, from his estate or upon sale of the property subject to a lien imposed on account of medical assistance paid on behalf of such individual, and
"(B) in the case of any other individual who was 65 years of age or older when he received such assistance, from his estate."
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c)(1).
"(A) 30 months, or
"(B)(i) the total uncompensated value of the resources so transferred, divided by (ii) the average cost, to a private patient at the time of the application, of nursing facility services in the State or, at State option, in the community in which the individual is institutionalized."
Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C).
Subsec. (c)(2)(D).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
1989—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(ii), (iii).
1988—Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(5).
1987—Subsecs. (a)(1)(B)(i), (c)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(ii).
1983—Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(iii).
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) to medical assistance provided for services furnished before the date of enactment;
"(B) with respect to assets disposed of on or before the date of enactment of this Act; or
"(C) with respect to trusts established on or before the date of enactment of this Act.
"(3)
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13611(e) of
"(1) The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) The amendments made by this section shall not apply—
"(A) to medical assistance provided for services furnished before October 1, 1993,
"(B) with respect to assets disposed of on or before the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 1993], or
"(C) with respect to trusts established on or before the date of the enactment of this Act.
"(3) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section], the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements imposed by such amendment solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 1993]. For purposes of the preceding sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature."
Section 13612(d) of
"(1)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to payments under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] for calendar quarters beginning on or after October 1, 1993, without regard to whether or not final regulations to carry out such amendments have been promulgated by such date.
"(B) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements imposed by such amendments solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 1993]. For purposes of the preceding sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
"(2) The amendments made by this section shall not apply to individuals who died before October 1, 1993."
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 303(b) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 132(d) of
Availability of Hardship Waivers
"(1) under which an undue hardship exists when application of the transfer of assets provision would deprive the individual—
"(A) of medical care such that the individual's health or life would be endangered; or
"(B) of food, clothing, shelter, or other necessities of life; and
"(2) which provides for—
"(A) notice to recipients that an undue hardship exception exists;
"(B) a timely process for determining whether an undue hardship waiver will be granted; and
"(C) a process under which an adverse determination can be appealed."
Expansion of State Long-Term Care Partnership Program
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(b)
"(1) benefits paid under such policies will be treated the same by all such States; and
"(2) States with such partnerships shall be subject to such standards unless the State notifies the Secretary in writing of the State's election to be exempt from such standards.
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(i) educate consumers with respect to the availability and limitations of coverage for long-term care under the Medicaid program and provide contact information for obtaining State-specific information on long-term care coverage, including eligibility and estate recovery requirements under State Medicaid programs;
"(ii) provide objective information to assist consumers with the decisionmaking process for determining whether to purchase long-term care insurance or to pursue other private market alternatives for purchasing long-term care and provide contact information for additional objective resources on planning for long-term care needs;
"(iii) maintain a list of States with State long-term care insurance partnerships under the Medicaid program that provide reciprocal recognition of long-term care insurance policies issued under such partnerships; and
"(iv) include information regarding the CLASS program established under title XXXII of the Public Health Service Act [
"(B)
"(3)
§1396q. Application of provisions of subchapter II relating to subpoenas
The provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1918, as added
Amendments
1994—
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 2370(b) of
§1396r. Requirements for nursing facilities
(a) "Nursing facility" defined
In this subchapter, the term "nursing facility" means an institution (or a distinct part of an institution) which—
(1) is primarily engaged in providing to residents—
(A) skilled nursing care and related services for residents who require medical or nursing care,
(B) rehabilitation services for the rehabilitation of injured, disabled, or sick persons, or
(C) on a regular basis, health-related care and services to individuals who because of their mental or physical condition require care and services (above the level of room and board) which can be made available to them only through institutional facilities,
and is not primarily for the care and treatment of mental diseases;
(2) has in effect a transfer agreement (meeting the requirements of
(3) meets the requirements for a nursing facility described in subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section.
Such term also includes any facility which is located in a State on an Indian reservation and is certified by the Secretary as meeting the requirements of paragraph (1) and subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section.
(b) Requirements relating to provision of services
(1) Quality of life
(A) In general
A nursing facility must care for its residents in such a manner and in such an environment as will promote maintenance or enhancement of the quality of life of each resident.
(B) Quality assessment and assurance
A nursing facility must maintain a quality assessment and assurance committee, consisting of the director of nursing services, a physician designated by the facility, and at least 3 other members of the facility's staff, which (i) meets at least quarterly to identify issues with respect to which quality assessment and assurance activities are necessary and (ii) develops and implements appropriate plans of action to correct identified quality deficiencies. A State or the Secretary may not require disclosure of the records of such committee except insofar as such disclosure is related to the compliance of such committee with the requirements of this subparagraph.
(2) Scope of services and activities under plan of care
A nursing facility must provide services and activities to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident in accordance with a written plan of care which—
(A) describes the medical, nursing, and psychosocial needs of the resident and how such needs will be met;
(B) is initially prepared, with the participation to the extent practicable of the resident or the resident's family or legal representative, by a team which includes the resident's attending physician and a registered professional nurse with responsibility for the resident; and
(C) is periodically reviewed and revised by such team after each assessment under paragraph (3).
(3) Residents' assessment
(A) Requirement
A nursing facility must conduct a comprehensive, accurate, standardized, reproducible assessment of each resident's functional capacity, which assessment—
(i) describes the resident's capability to perform daily life functions and significant impairments in functional capacity;
(ii) is based on a uniform minimum data set specified by the Secretary under subsection (f)(6)(A) of this section;
(iii) uses an instrument which is specified by the State under subsection (e)(5) of this section; and
(iv) includes the identification of medical problems.
(B) Certification
(i) In general
Each such assessment must be conducted or coordinated (with the appropriate participation of health professionals) by a registered professional nurse who signs and certifies the completion of the assessment. Each individual who completes a portion of such an assessment shall sign and certify as to the accuracy of that portion of the assessment.
(ii) Penalty for falsification
(I) An individual who willfully and knowingly certifies under clause (i) a material and false statement in a resident assessment is subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $1,000 with respect to each assessment.
(II) An individual who willfully and knowingly causes another individual to certify under clause (i) a material and false statement in a resident assessment is subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $5,000 with respect to each assessment.
(III) The provisions of
(iii) Use of independent assessors
If a State determines, under a survey under subsection (g) of this section or otherwise, that there has been a knowing and willful certification of false assessments under this paragraph, the State may require (for a period specified by the State) that resident assessments under this paragraph be conducted and certified by individuals who are independent of the facility and who are approved by the State.
(C) Frequency
(i) In general
Such an assessment must be conducted—
(I) promptly upon (but no later than 14 days after the date of) admission for each individual admitted on or after October 1, 1990, and by not later than October 1, 1991, for each resident of the facility on that date;
(II) promptly after a significant change in the resident's physical or mental condition; and
(III) in no case less often than once every 12 months.
(ii) Resident review
The nursing facility must examine each resident no less frequently than once every 3 months and, as appropriate, revise the resident's assessment to assure the continuing accuracy of the assessment.
(D) Use
The results of such an assessment shall be used in developing, reviewing, and revising the resident's plan of care under paragraph (2).
(E) Coordination
Such assessments shall be coordinated with any State-required preadmission screening program to the maximum extent practicable in order to avoid duplicative testing and effort. In addition, a nursing facility shall notify the State mental health authority or State mental retardation or developmental disability authority, as applicable, promptly after a significant change in the physical or mental condition of a resident who is mentally ill or mentally retarded.
(F) Requirements relating to preadmission screening for mentally ill and mentally retarded individuals
Except as provided in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subsection (e)(7)(A) of this section, a nursing facility must not admit, on or after January 1, 1989, any new resident who—
(i) is mentally ill (as defined in subsection (e)(7)(G)(i) of this section) unless the State mental health authority has determined (based on an independent physical and mental evaluation performed by a person or entity other than the State mental health authority) prior to admission that, because of the physical and mental condition of the individual, the individual requires the level of services provided by a nursing facility, and, if the individual requires such level of services, whether the individual requires specialized services for mental illness, or
(ii) is mentally retarded (as defined in subsection (e)(7)(G)(ii) of this section) unless the State mental retardation or developmental disability authority has determined prior to admission that, because of the physical and mental condition of the individual, the individual requires the level of services provided by a nursing facility, and, if the individual requires such level of services, whether the individual requires specialized services for mental retardation.
A State mental health authority and a State mental retardation or developmental disability authority may not delegate (by subcontract or otherwise) their responsibilities under this subparagraph to a nursing facility (or to an entity that has a direct or indirect affiliation or relationship with such a facility).
(4) Provision of services and activities
(A) In general
To the extent needed to fulfill all plans of care described in paragraph (2), a nursing facility must provide (or arrange for the provision of)—
(i) nursing and related services and specialized rehabilitative services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident;
(ii) medically-related social services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident;
(iii) pharmaceutical services (including procedures that assure the accurate acquiring, receiving, dispensing, and administering of all drugs and biologicals) to meet the needs of each resident;
(iv) dietary services that assure that the meals meet the daily nutritional and special dietary needs of each resident;
(v) an on-going program, directed by a qualified professional, of activities designed to meet the interests and the physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident;
(vi) routine dental services (to the extent covered under the State plan) and emergency dental services to meet the needs of each resident; and
(vii) treatment and services required by mentally ill and mentally retarded residents not otherwise provided or arranged for (or required to be provided or arranged for) by the State.
The services provided or arranged by the facility must meet professional standards of quality.
(B) Qualified persons providing services
Services described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and (vi) of subparagraph (A) must be provided by qualified persons in accordance with each resident's written plan of care.
(C) Required nursing care; facility waivers
(i) General requirements
With respect to nursing facility services provided on or after October 1, 1990, a nursing facility—
(I) except as provided in clause (ii), must provide 24-hour licensed nursing services which are sufficient to meet the nursing needs of its residents, and
(II) except as provided in clause (ii), must use the services of a registered professional nurse for at least 8 consecutive hours a day, 7 days a week.
(ii) Waiver by State
To the extent that a facility is unable to meet the requirements of clause (i), a State may waive such requirements with respect to the facility if—
(I) the facility demonstrates to the satisfaction of the State that the facility has been unable, despite diligent efforts (including offering wages at the community prevailing rate for nursing facilities), to recruit appropriate personnel,
(II) the State determines that a waiver of the requirement will not endanger the health or safety of individuals staying in the facility,
(III) the State finds that, for any such periods in which licensed nursing services are not available, a registered professional nurse or a physician is obligated to respond immediately to telephone calls from the facility,
(IV) the State agency granting a waiver of such requirements provides notice of the waiver to the State long-term care ombudsman (established under section 307(a)(12) 1 of the Older Americans Act of 1965) and the protection and advocacy system in the State for the mentally ill and the mentally retarded, and
(V) the nursing facility that is granted such a waiver by a State notifies residents of the facility (or, where appropriate, the guardians or legal representatives of such residents) and members of their immediate families of the waiver.
A waiver under this clause shall be subject to annual review and to the review of the Secretary and subject to clause (iii) shall be accepted by the Secretary for purposes of this subchapter to the same extent as is the State's certification of the facility. In granting or renewing a waiver, a State may require the facility to use other qualified, licensed personnel.
(iii) Assumption of waiver authority by Secretary
If the Secretary determines that a State has shown a clear pattern and practice of allowing waivers in the absence of diligent efforts by facilities to meet the staffing requirements, the Secretary shall assume and exercise the authority of the State to grant waivers.
(5) Required training of nurse aides
(A) In general
(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), a nursing facility must not use on a full-time basis any individual as a nurse aide in the facility on or after October 1, 1990, for more than 4 months unless the individual—
(I) has completed a training and competency evaluation program, or a competency evaluation program, approved by the State under subsection (e)(1)(A) of this section, and
(II) is competent to provide nursing or nursing-related services.
(ii) A nursing facility must not use on a temporary, per diem, leased, or on any other basis other than as a permanent employee any individual as a nurse aide in the facility on or after January 1, 1991, unless the individual meets the requirements described in clause (i).
(B) Offering competency evaluation programs for current employees
A nursing facility must provide, for individuals used as a nurse aide by the facility as of January 1, 1990, for a competency evaluation program approved by the State under subsection (e)(1) of this section and such preparation as may be necessary for the individual to complete such a program by October 1, 1990.
(C) Competency
The nursing facility must not permit an individual, other than in a training and competency evaluation program approved by the State, to serve as a nurse aide or provide services of a type for which the individual has not demonstrated competency and must not use such an individual as a nurse aide unless the facility has inquired of any State registry established under subsection (e)(2)(A) of this section that the facility believes will include information concerning the individual.
(D) Re-training required
For purposes of subparagraph (A), if, since an individual's most recent completion of a training and competency evaluation program, there has been a continuous period of 24 consecutive months during none of which the individual performed nursing or nursing-related services for monetary compensation, such individual shall complete a new training and competency evaluation program, or a new competency evaluation program.
(E) Regular in-service education
The nursing facility must provide such regular performance review and regular in-service education as assures that individuals used as nurse aides are competent to perform services as nurse aides, including training for individuals providing nursing and nursing-related services to residents with cognitive impairments.
(F) "Nurse aide" defined
In this paragraph, the term "nurse aide" means any individual providing nursing or nursing-related services to residents in a nursing facility, but does not include an individual—
(i) who is a licensed health professional (as defined in subparagraph (G)) or a registered dietician, or
(ii) who volunteers to provide such services without monetary compensation.
Such term includes an individual who provides such services through an agency or under a contract with the facility.
(G) Licensed health professional defined
In this paragraph, the term "licensed health professional" means a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, physical, speech, or occupational therapist, physical or occupational therapy assistant, registered professional nurse, licensed practical nurse, or licensed or certified social worker.
(6) Physician supervision and clinical records
A nursing facility must—
(A) require that the health care of every resident be provided under the supervision of a physician (or, at the option of a State, under the supervision of a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant who is not an employee of the facility but who is working in collaboration with a physician);
(B) provide for having a physician available to furnish necessary medical care in case of emergency; and
(C) maintain clinical records on all residents, which records include the plans of care (described in paragraph (2)) and the residents' assessments (described in paragraph (3)), as well as the results of any pre-admission screening conducted under subsection (e)(7) of this section.
(7) Required social services
In the case of a nursing facility with more than 120 beds, the facility must have at least one social worker (with at least a bachelor's degree in social work or similar professional qualifications) employed full-time to provide or assure the provision of social services.
(8) Information on nurse staffing
(A) In general
A nursing facility shall post daily for each shift the current number of licensed and unlicensed nursing staff directly responsible for resident care in the facility. The information shall be displayed in a uniform manner (as specified by the Secretary) and in a clearly visible place.
(B) Publication of data
A nursing facility shall, upon request, make available to the public the nursing staff data described in subparagraph (A).
(c) Requirements relating to residents' rights
(1) General rights
(A) Specified rights
A nursing facility must protect and promote the rights of each resident, including each of the following rights:
(i) Free choice
The right to choose a personal attending physician, to be fully informed in advance about care and treatment, to be fully informed in advance of any changes in care or treatment that may affect the resident's well-being, and (except with respect to a resident adjudged incompetent) to participate in planning care and treatment or changes in care and treatment.
(ii) Free from restraints
The right to be free from physical or mental abuse, corporal punishment, involuntary seclusion, and any physical or chemical restraints imposed for purposes of discipline or convenience and not required to treat the resident's medical symptoms. Restraints may only be imposed—
(I) to ensure the physical safety of the resident or other residents, and
(II) only upon the written order of a physician that specifies the duration and circumstances under which the restraints are to be used (except in emergency circumstances specified by the Secretary until such an order could reasonably be obtained).
(iii) Privacy
The right to privacy with regard to accommodations, medical treatment, written and telephonic communications, visits, and meetings of family and of resident groups.
(iv) Confidentiality
The right to confidentiality of personal and clinical records and to access to current clinical records of the resident upon request by the resident or the resident's legal representative, within 24 hours (excluding hours occurring during a weekend or holiday) after making such a request.
(v) Accommodation of needs
The right—
(I) to reside and receive services with reasonable accommodation of individual needs and preferences, except where the health or safety of the individual or other residents would be endangered, and
(II) to receive notice before the room or roommate of the resident in the facility is changed.
(vi) Grievances
The right to voice grievances with respect to treatment or care that is (or fails to be) furnished, without discrimination or reprisal for voicing the grievances and the right to prompt efforts by the facility to resolve grievances the resident may have, including those with respect to the behavior of other residents.
(vii) Participation in resident and family groups
The right of the resident to organize and participate in resident groups in the facility and the right of the resident's family to meet in the facility with the families of other residents in the facility.
(viii) Participation in other activities
The right of the resident to participate in social, religious, and community activities that do not interfere with the rights of other residents in the facility.
(ix) Examination of survey results
The right to examine, upon reasonable request, the results of the most recent survey of the facility conducted by the Secretary or a State with respect to the facility and any plan of correction in effect with respect to the facility.
(x) Refusal of certain transfers
The right to refuse a transfer to another room within the facility, if a purpose of the transfer is to relocate the resident from a portion of the facility that is not a skilled nursing facility (for purposes of subchapter XVIII of this chapter) to a portion of the facility that is such a skilled nursing facility.
(xi) Other rights
Any other right established by the Secretary.
Clause (iii) shall not be construed as requiring the provision of a private room. A resident's exercise of a right to refuse transfer under clause (x) shall not affect the resident's eligibility or entitlement to medical assistance under this subchapter or a State's entitlement to Federal medical assistance under this subchapter with respect to services furnished to such a resident.
(B) Notice of rights
A nursing facility must—
(i) inform each resident, orally and in writing at the time of admission to the facility, of the resident's legal rights during the stay at the facility and of the requirements and procedures for establishing eligibility for medical assistance under this subchapter, including the right to request an assessment under
(ii) make available to each resident, upon reasonable request, a written statement of such rights (which statement is updated upon changes in such rights) including the notice (if any) of the State developed under subsection (e)(6) of this section;
(iii) inform each resident who is entitled to medical assistance under this subchapter—
(I) at the time of admission to the facility or, if later, at the time the resident becomes eligible for such assistance, of the items and services (including those specified under
(II) of changes in the items and services described in subclause (I) and of changes in the charges imposed for items and services described in that subclause; and
(iv) inform each other resident, in writing before or at the time of admission and periodically during the resident's stay, of services available in the facility and of related charges for such services, including any charges for services not covered under subchapter XVIII of this chapter or by the facility's basic per diem charge.
The written description of legal rights under this subparagraph shall include a description of the protection of personal funds under paragraph (6) and a statement that a resident may file a complaint with a State survey and certification agency respecting resident abuse and neglect and misappropriation of resident property in the facility.
(C) Rights of incompetent residents
In the case of a resident adjudged incompetent under the laws of a State, the rights of the resident under this subchapter shall devolve upon, and, to the extent judged necessary by a court of competent jurisdiction, be exercised by, the person appointed under State law to act on the resident's behalf.
(D) Use of psychopharmacologic drugs
Psychopharmacologic drugs may be administered only on the orders of a physician and only as part of a plan (included in the written plan of care described in paragraph (2)) designed to eliminate or modify the symptoms for which the drugs are prescribed and only if, at least annually an independent, external consultant reviews the appropriateness of the drug plan of each resident receiving such drugs.
(2) Transfer and discharge rights
(A) In general
A nursing facility must permit each resident to remain in the facility and must not transfer or discharge the resident from the facility unless—
(i) the transfer or discharge is necessary to meet the resident's welfare and the resident's welfare cannot be met in the facility;
(ii) the transfer or discharge is appropriate because the resident's health has improved sufficiently so the resident no longer needs the services provided by the facility;
(iii) the safety of individuals in the facility is endangered;
(iv) the health of individuals in the facility would otherwise be endangered;
(v) the resident has failed, after reasonable and appropriate notice, to pay (or to have paid under this subchapter or subchapter XVIII of this chapter on the resident's behalf) for a stay at the facility; or
(vi) the facility ceases to operate.
In each of the cases described in clauses (i) through (iv), the basis for the transfer or discharge must be documented in the resident's clinical record. In the cases described in clauses (i) and (ii), the documentation must be made by the resident's physician, and in the case described in clause (iv) the documentation must be made by a physician. For purposes of clause (v), in the case of a resident who becomes eligible for assistance under this subchapter after admission to the facility, only charges which may be imposed under this subchapter shall be considered to be allowable.
(B) Pre-transfer and pre-discharge notice
(i) In general
Before effecting a transfer or discharge of a resident, a nursing facility must—
(I) notify the resident (and, if known, an immediate family member of the resident or legal representative) of the transfer or discharge and the reasons therefor,
(II) record the reasons in the resident's clinical record (including any documentation required under subparagraph (A)), and
(III) include in the notice the items described in clause (iii).
(ii) Timing of notice
The notice under clause (i)(I) must be made at least 30 days in advance of the resident's transfer or discharge except—
(I) in a case described in clause (iii) or (iv) of subparagraph (A);
(II) in a case described in clause (ii) of subparagraph (A), where the resident's health improves sufficiently to allow a more immediate transfer or discharge;
(III) in a case described in clause (i) of subparagraph (A), where a more immediate transfer or discharge is necessitated by the resident's urgent medical needs; or
(IV) in a case where a resident has not resided in the facility for 30 days.
In the case of such exceptions, notice must be given as many days before the date of the transfer or discharge as is practicable.
(iii) Items included in notice
Each notice under clause (i) must include—
(I) for transfers or discharges effected on or after October 1, 1989, notice of the resident's right to appeal the transfer or discharge under the State process established under subsection (e)(3) of this section;
(II) the name, mailing address, and telephone number of the State long-term care ombudsman (established under title III or VII of the Older Americans Act of 1965 [
(III) in the case of residents with developmental disabilities, the mailing address and telephone number of the agency responsible for the protection and advocacy system for developmentally disabled individuals established under subtitle C of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 [
(IV) in the case of mentally ill residents (as defined in subsection (e)(7)(G)(i) of this section), the mailing address and telephone number of the agency responsible for the protection and advocacy system for mentally ill individuals established under the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act 2 [
(C) Orientation
A nursing facility must provide sufficient preparation and orientation to residents to ensure safe and orderly transfer or discharge from the facility.
(D) Notice on bed-hold policy and readmission
(i) Notice before transfer
Before a resident of a nursing facility is transferred for hospitalization or therapeutic leave, a nursing facility must provide written information to the resident and an immediate family member or legal representative concerning—
(I) the provisions of the State plan under this subchapter regarding the period (if any) during which the resident will be permitted under the State plan to return and resume residence in the facility, and
(II) the policies of the facility regarding such a period, which policies must be consistent with clause (iii).
(ii) Notice upon transfer
At the time of transfer of a resident to a hospital or for therapeutic leave, a nursing facility must provide written notice to the resident and an immediate family member or legal representative of the duration of any period described in clause (i).
(iii) Permitting resident to return
A nursing facility must establish and follow a written policy under which a resident—
(I) who is eligible for medical assistance for nursing facility services under a State plan,
(II) who is transferred from the facility for hospitalization or therapeutic leave, and
(III) whose hospitalization or therapeutic leave exceeds a period paid for under the State plan for the holding of a bed in the facility for the resident,
will be permitted to be readmitted to the facility immediately upon the first availability of a bed in a semiprivate room in the facility if, at the time of readmission, the resident requires the services provided by the facility.
(E) Information respecting advance directives
A nursing facility must comply with the requirement of
(F) Continuing rights in case of voluntary withdrawal from participation
(i) In general
In the case of a nursing facility that voluntarily withdraws from participation in a State plan under this subchapter but continues to provide services of the type provided by nursing facilities—
(I) the facility's voluntary withdrawal from participation is not an acceptable basis for the transfer or discharge of residents of the facility who were residing in the facility on the day before the effective date of the withdrawal (including those residents who were not entitled to medical assistance as of such day);
(II) the provisions of this section continue to apply to such residents until the date of their discharge from the facility; and
(III) in the case of each individual who begins residence in the facility after the effective date of such withdrawal, the facility shall provide notice orally and in a prominent manner in writing on a separate page at the time the individual begins residence of the information described in clause (ii) and shall obtain from each such individual at such time an acknowledgment of receipt of such information that is in writing, signed by the individual, and separate from other documents signed by such individual.
Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as affecting any requirement of a participation agreement that a nursing facility provide advance notice to the State or the Secretary, or both, of its intention to terminate the agreement.
(ii) Information for new residents
The information described in this clause for a resident is the following:
(I) The facility is not participating in the program under this subchapter with respect to that resident.
(II) The facility may transfer or discharge the resident from the facility at such time as the resident is unable to pay the charges of the facility, even though the resident may have become eligible for medical assistance for nursing facility services under this subchapter.
(iii) Continuation of payments and oversight authority
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, with respect to the residents described in clause (i)(I), a participation agreement of a facility described in clause (i) is deemed to continue in effect under such plan after the effective date of the facility's voluntary withdrawal from participation under the State plan for purposes of—
(I) receiving payments under the State plan for nursing facility services provided to such residents;
(II) maintaining compliance with all applicable requirements of this subchapter; and
(III) continuing to apply the survey, certification, and enforcement authority provided under subsections (g) and (h) of this section (including involuntary termination of a participation agreement deemed continued under this clause).
(iv) No application to new residents
This paragraph (other than subclause (III) of clause (i)) shall not apply to an individual who begins residence in a facility on or after the effective date of the withdrawal from participation under this subparagraph.
(3) Access and visitation rights
A nursing facility must—
(A) permit immediate access to any resident by any representative of the Secretary, by any representative of the State, by an ombudsman or agency described in subclause (II), (III), or (IV) of paragraph (2)(B)(iii), or by the resident's individual physician;
(B) permit immediate access to a resident, subject to the resident's right to deny or withdraw consent at any time, by immediate family or other relatives of the resident;
(C) permit immediate access to a resident, subject to reasonable restrictions and the resident's right to deny or withdraw consent at any time, by others who are visiting with the consent of the resident;
(D) permit reasonable access to a resident by any entity or individual that provides health, social, legal, or other services to the resident, subject to the resident's right to deny or withdraw consent at any time; and
(E) permit representatives of the State ombudsman (described in paragraph (2)(B)(iii)(II)), with the permission of the resident (or the resident's legal representative) and consistent with State law, to examine a resident's clinical records.
(4) Equal access to quality care
(A) In general
A nursing facility must establish and maintain identical policies and practices regarding transfer, discharge, and the provision of services required under the State plan for all individuals regardless of source of payment.
(B) Construction
(i) Nothing prohibiting any charges for non-medicaid patients
Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed as prohibiting a nursing facility from charging any amount for services furnished, consistent with the notice in paragraph (1)(B) describing such charges.
(ii) No additional services required
Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed as requiring a State to offer additional services on behalf of a resident than are otherwise provided under the State plan.
(5) Admissions policy
(A) Admissions
With respect to admissions practices, a nursing facility must—
(i)(I) not require individuals applying to reside or residing in the facility to waive their rights to benefits under this subchapter or subchapter XVIII of this chapter, (II) subject to subparagraph (B)(v), not require oral or written assurance that such individuals are not eligible for, or will not apply for, benefits under this subchapter or subchapter XVIII of this chapter, and (III) prominently display in the facility written information, and provide to such individuals oral and written information, about how to apply for and use such benefits and how to receive refunds for previous payments covered by such benefits;
(ii) not require a third party guarantee of payment to the facility as a condition of admission (or expedited admission) to, or continued stay in, the facility; and
(iii) in the case of an individual who is entitled to medical assistance for nursing facility services, not charge, solicit, accept, or receive, in addition to any amount otherwise required to be paid under the State plan under this subchapter, any gift, money, donation, or other consideration as a precondition of admitting (or expediting the admission of) the individual to the facility or as a requirement for the individual's continued stay in the facility.
(B) Construction
(i) No preemption of stricter standards
Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed as preventing States or political subdivisions therein from prohibiting, under State or local law, the discrimination against individuals who are entitled to medical assistance under the State plan with respect to admissions practices of nursing facilities.
(ii) Contracts with legal representatives
Subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not be construed as preventing a facility from requiring an individual, who has legal access to a resident's income or resources available to pay for care in the facility, to sign a contract (without incurring personal financial liability) to provide payment from the resident's income or resources for such care.
(iii) Charges for additional services requested
Subparagraph (A)(iii) shall not be construed as preventing a facility from charging a resident, eligible for medical assistance under the State plan, for items or services the resident has requested and received and that are not specified in the State plan as included in the term "nursing facility services".
(iv) Bona fide contributions
Subparagraph (A)(iii) shall not be construed as prohibiting a nursing facility from soliciting, accepting, or receiving a charitable, religious, or philanthropic contribution from an organization or from a person unrelated to the resident (or potential resident), but only to the extent that such contribution is not a condition of admission, expediting admission, or continued stay in the facility.
(v) Treatment of continuing care retirement communities admission contracts
Notwithstanding subclause (II) of subparagraph (A)(i), subject to subsections (c) and (d) of
(6) Protection of resident funds
(A) In general
The nursing facility—
(i) may not require residents to deposit their personal funds with the facility, and
(ii) upon the written authorization of the resident, must hold, safeguard, and account for such personal funds under a system established and maintained by the facility in accordance with this paragraph.
(B) Management of personal funds
Upon written authorization of a resident under subparagraph (A)(ii), the facility must manage and account for the personal funds of the resident deposited with the facility as follows:
(i) Deposit
The facility must deposit any amount of personal funds in excess of $50 with respect to a resident in an interest bearing account (or accounts) that is separate from any of the facility's operating accounts and credits all interest earned on such separate account to such account. With respect to any other personal funds, the facility must maintain such funds in a non-interest bearing account or petty cash fund.
(ii) Accounting and records
The facility must assure a full and complete separate accounting of each such resident's personal funds, maintain a written record of all financial transactions involving the personal funds of a resident deposited with the facility, and afford the resident (or a legal representative of the resident) reasonable access to such record.
(iii) Notice of certain balances
The facility must notify each resident receiving medical assistance under the State plan under this subchapter when the amount in the resident's account reaches $200 less than the dollar amount determined under
(iv) Conveyance upon death
Upon the death of a resident with such an account, the facility must convey promptly the resident's personal funds (and a final accounting of such funds) to the individual administering the resident's estate.
(C) Assurance of financial security
The facility must purchase a surety bond, or otherwise provide assurance satisfactory to the Secretary, to assure the security of all personal funds of residents deposited with the facility.
(D) Limitation on charges to personal funds
The facility may not impose a charge against the personal funds of a resident for any item or service for which payment is made under this subchapter or subchapter XVIII of this chapter.
(7) Limitation on charges in case of medicaid-eligible individuals
(A) In general
A nursing facility may not impose charges, for certain medicaid-eligible individuals for nursing facility services covered by the State under its plan under this subchapter, that exceed the payment amounts established by the State for such services under this subchapter.
(B) "Certain medicaid-eligible individual" defined
In subparagraph (A), the term "certain medicaid-eligible individual" means an individual who is entitled to medical assistance for nursing facility services in the facility under this subchapter but with respect to whom such benefits are not being paid because, in determining the amount of the individual's income to be applied monthly to payment for the costs of such services, the amount of such income exceeds the payment amounts established by the State for such services under this subchapter.
(8) Posting of survey results
A nursing facility must post in a place readily accessible to residents, and family members and legal representatives of residents, the results of the most recent survey of the facility conducted under subsection (g) of this section.
(d) Requirements relating to administration and other matters
(1) Administration
(A) In general
A nursing facility must be administered in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident (consistent with requirements established under subsection (f)(5) of this section).
(B) Required notices
If a change occurs in—
(i) the persons with an ownership or control interest (as defined in
(ii) the persons who are officers, directors, agents, or managing employees (as defined in
(iii) the corporation, association, or other company responsible for the management of the facility, or
(iv) the individual who is the administrator or director of nursing of the facility,
the nursing facility must provide notice to the State agency responsible for the licensing of the facility, at the time of the change, of the change and of the identity of each new person, company, or individual described in the respective clause.
(C) Nursing facility administrator
The administrator of a nursing facility must meet standards established by the Secretary under subsection (f)(4) of this section.
(2) Licensing and Life Safety Code
(A) Licensing
A nursing facility must be licensed under applicable State and local law.
(B) Life Safety Code
A nursing facility must meet such provisions of such edition (as specified by the Secretary in regulation) of the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association as are applicable to nursing homes; except that—
(i) the Secretary may waive, for such periods as he deems appropriate, specific provisions of such Code which if rigidly applied would result in unreasonable hardship upon a facility, but only if such waiver would not adversely affect the health and safety of residents or personnel, and
(ii) the provisions of such Code shall not apply in any State if the Secretary finds that in such State there is in effect a fire and safety code, imposed by State law, which adequately protects residents of and personnel in nursing facilities.
(3) Sanitary and infection control and physical environment
A nursing facility must—
(A) establish and maintain an infection control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment in which residents reside and to help prevent the development and transmission of disease and infection, and
(B) be designed, constructed, equipped, and maintained in a manner to protect the health and safety of residents, personnel, and the general public.
(4) Miscellaneous
(A) Compliance with Federal, State, and local laws and professional standards
A nursing facility must operate and provide services in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations (including the requirements of
(B) Other
A nursing facility must meet such other requirements relating to the health and safety of residents or relating to the physical facilities thereof as the Secretary may find necessary.
(e) State requirements relating to nursing facility requirements
As a condition of approval of its plan under this subchapter, a State must provide for the following:
(1) Specification and review of nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs and of nurse aide competency evaluation programs
The State must—
(A) by not later than January 1, 1989, specify those training and competency evaluation programs, and those competency evaluation programs, that the State approves for purposes of subsection (b)(5) of this section and that meet the requirements established under subsection (f)(2) of this section, and
(B) by not later than January 1, 1990, provide for the review and reapproval of such programs, at a frequency and using a methodology consistent with the requirements established under subsection (f)(2)(A)(iii) of this section.
The failure of the Secretary to establish requirements under subsection (f)(2) of this section shall not relieve any State of its responsibility under this paragraph.
(2) Nurse aide registry
(A) In general
By not later than January 1, 1989, the State shall establish and maintain a registry of all individuals who have satisfactorily completed a nurse aide training and competency evaluation program, or a nurse aide competency evaluation program, approved under paragraph (1) in the State, or any individual described in subsection (f)(2)(B)(ii) of this section or in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of section 6901(b)(4) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989.
(B) Information in registry
The registry under subparagraph (A) shall provide (in accordance with regulations of the Secretary) for the inclusion of specific documented findings by a State under subsection (g)(1)(C) of this section of resident neglect or abuse or misappropriation of resident property involving an individual listed in the registry, as well as any brief statement of the individual disputing the findings. The State shall make available to the public information in the registry. In the case of inquiries to the registry concerning an individual listed in the registry, any information disclosed concerning such a finding shall also include disclosure of any such statement in the registry relating to the finding or a clear and accurate summary of such a statement.
(C) Prohibition against charges
A State may not impose any charges on a nurse aide relating to the registry established and maintained under subparagraph (A).
(3) State appeals process for transfers and discharges
The State, for transfers and discharges from nursing facilities effected on or after October 1, 1989, must provide for a fair mechanism, meeting the guidelines established under subsection (f)(3) of this section, for hearing appeals on transfers and discharges of residents of such facilities; but the failure of the Secretary to establish such guidelines under such subsection shall not relieve any State of its responsibility under this paragraph.
(4) Nursing facility administrator standards
By not later than July 1, 1989, the State must have implemented and enforced the nursing facility administrator standards developed under subsection (f)(4) of this section respecting the qualification of administrators of nursing facilities.
(5) Specification of resident assessment instrument
Effective July 1, 1990, the State shall specify the instrument to be used by nursing facilities in the State in complying with the requirement of subsection (b)(3)(A)(iii) of this section. Such instrument shall be—
(A) one of the instruments designated under subsection (f)(6)(B) of this section, or
(B) an instrument which the Secretary has approved as being consistent with the minimum data set of core elements, common definitions, and utilization guidelines specified by the Secretary under subsection (f)(6)(A) of this section.
(6) Notice of medicaid rights
Each State, as a condition of approval of its plan under this subchapter, effective April 1, 1988, must develop (and periodically update) a written notice of the rights and obligations of residents of nursing facilities (and spouses of such residents) under this subchapter.
(7) State requirements for preadmission screening and resident review
(A) Preadmission screening
(i) In general
Effective January 1, 1989, the State must have in effect a preadmission screening program, for making determinations (using any criteria developed under subsection (f)(8) of this section) described in subsection (b)(3)(F) of this section for mentally ill and mentally retarded individuals (as defined in subparagraph (G)) who are admitted to nursing facilities on or after January 1, 1989. The failure of the Secretary to develop minimum criteria under subsection (f)(8) of this section shall not relieve any State of its responsibility to have a preadmission screening program under this subparagraph or to perform resident reviews under subparagraph (B).
(ii) Clarification with respect to certain readmissions
The preadmission screening program under clause (i) need not provide for determinations in the case of the readmission to a nursing facility of an individual who, after being admitted to the nursing facility, was transferred for care in a hospital.
(iii) Exception for certain hospital discharges
The preadmission screening program under clause (i) shall not apply to the admission to a nursing facility of an individual—
(I) who is admitted to the facility directly from a hospital after receiving acute inpatient care at the hospital,
(II) who requires nursing facility services for the condition for which the individual received care in the hospital, and
(III) whose attending physician has certified, before admission to the facility, that the individual is likely to require less than 30 days of nursing facility services.
(B) State requirement for resident review
(i) For mentally ill residents
As of April 1, 1990, in the case of each resident of a nursing facility who is mentally ill, the State mental health authority must review and determine (using any criteria developed under subsection (f)(8) of this section and based on an independent physical and mental evaluation performed by a person or entity other than the State mental health authority)—
(I) whether or not the resident, because of the resident's physical and mental condition, requires the level of services provided by a nursing facility or requires the level of services of an inpatient psychiatric hospital for individuals under age 21 (as described in
(II) whether or not the resident requires specialized services for mental illness.
(ii) For mentally retarded residents
As of April 1, 1990, in the case of each resident of a nursing facility who is mentally retarded, the State mental retardation or developmental disability authority must review and determine (using any criteria developed under subsection (f)(8) of this section)—
(I) whether or not the resident, because of the resident's physical and mental condition, requires the level of services provided by a nursing facility or requires the level of services of an intermediate care facility described under
(II) whether or not the resident requires specialized services for mental retardation.
(iii) Review required upon change in resident's condition
A review and determination under clause (i) or (ii) must be conducted promptly after a nursing facility has notified the State mental health authority or State mental retardation or developmental disability authority, as applicable, under subsection (b)(3)(E) of this section with respect to a mentally ill or mentally retarded resident, that there has been a significant change in the resident's physical or mental condition.
(iv) Prohibition of delegation
A State mental health authority, a State mental retardation or developmental disability authority, and a State may not delegate (by subcontract or otherwise) their responsibilities under this subparagraph to a nursing facility (or to an entity that has a direct or indirect affiliation or relationship with such a facility).
(C) Response to preadmission screening and resident review
As of April 1, 1990, the State must meet the following requirements:
(i) Long-term residents not requiring nursing facility services, but requiring specialized services
In the case of a resident who is determined, under subparagraph (B), not to require the level of services provided by a nursing facility, but to require specialized services for mental illness or mental retardation, and who has continuously resided in a nursing facility for at least 30 months before the date of the determination, the State must, in consultation with the resident's family or legal representative and care-givers—
(I) inform the resident of the institutional and noninstitutional alternatives covered under the State plan for the resident,
(II) offer the resident the choice of remaining in the facility or of receiving covered services in an alternative appropriate institutional or noninstitutional setting,
(III) clarify the effect on eligibility for services under the State plan if the resident chooses to leave the facility (including its effect on readmission to the facility), and
(IV) regardless of the resident's choice, provide for (or arrange for the provision of) such specialized services for the mental illness or mental retardation.
A State shall not be denied payment under this subchapter for nursing facility services for a resident described in this clause because the resident does not require the level of services provided by such a facility, if the resident chooses to remain in such a facility.
(ii) Other residents not requiring nursing facility services, but requiring specialized services
In the case of a resident who is determined, under subparagraph (B), not to require the level of services provided by a nursing facility, but to require specialized services for mental illness or mental retardation, and who has not continuously resided in a nursing facility for at least 30 months before the date of the determination, the State must, in consultation with the resident's family or legal representative and care-givers—
(I) arrange for the safe and orderly discharge of the resident from the facility, consistent with the requirements of subsection (c)(2) of this section,
(II) prepare and orient the resident for such discharge, and
(III) provide for (or arrange for the provision of) such specialized services for the mental illness or mental retardation.
(iii) Residents not requiring nursing facility services and not requiring specialized services
In the case of a resident who is determined, under subparagraph (B), not to require the level of services provided by a nursing facility and not to require specialized services for mental illness or mental retardation, the State must—
(I) arrange for the safe and orderly discharge of the resident from the facility, consistent with the requirements of subsection (c)(2) of this section, and
(II) prepare and orient the resident for such discharge.
(iv) Annual report
Each State shall report to the Secretary annually concerning the number and disposition of residents described in each of clauses (ii) and (iii).
(D) Denial of payment
(i) For failure to conduct preadmission screening or review
No payment may be made under
(ii) For certain residents not requiring nursing facility level of services
No payment may be made under
(E) Permitting alternative disposition plans
With respect to residents of a nursing facility who are mentally retarded or mentally ill and who are determined under subparagraph (B) not to require the level of services of such a facility, but who require specialized services for mental illness or mental retardation, a State and the nursing facility shall be considered to be in compliance with the requirements of subparagraphs (A) through (C) of this paragraph if, before April 1, 1989, the State and the Secretary have entered into an agreement relating to the disposition of such residents of the facility and the State is in compliance with such agreement. Such an agreement may provide for the disposition of the residents after the date specified in subparagraph (C). The State may revise such an agreement, subject to the approval of the Secretary, before October 1, 1991, but only if, under the revised agreement, all residents subject to the agreement who do not require the level of services of such a facility are discharged from the facility by not later than April 1, 1994.
(F) Appeals procedures
Each State, as a condition of approval of its plan under this subchapter, effective January 1, 1989, must have in effect an appeals process for individuals adversely affected by determinations under subparagraph (A) or (B).
(G) Definitions
In this paragraph and in subsection (b)(3)(F) of this section:
(i) An individual is considered to be "mentally ill" if the individual has a serious mental illness (as defined by the Secretary in consultation with the National Institute of Mental Health) and does not have a primary diagnosis of dementia (including Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder) or a diagnosis (other than a primary diagnosis) of dementia and a primary diagnosis that is not a serious mental illness.
(ii) An individual is considered to be "mentally retarded" if the individual is mentally retarded or a person with a related condition (as described in
(iii) The term "specialized services" has the meaning given such term by the Secretary in regulations, but does not include, in the case of a resident of a nursing facility, services within the scope of services which the facility must provide or arrange for its residents under subsection (b)(4) of this section.
(f) Responsibilities of Secretary relating to nursing facility requirements
(1) General responsibility
It is the duty and responsibility of the Secretary to assure that requirements which govern the provision of care in nursing facilities under State plans approved under this subchapter, and the enforcement of such requirements, are adequate to protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of residents and to promote the effective and efficient use of public moneys.
(2) Requirements for nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs and for nurse aide competency evaluation programs
(A) In general
For purposes of subsections (b)(5) and (e)(1)(A) of this section, the Secretary shall establish, by not later than September 1, 1988—
(i) requirements for the approval of nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs, including requirements relating to (I) the areas to be covered in such a program (including at least basic nursing skills, personal care skills, recognition of mental health and social service needs, care of cognitively impaired residents, basic restorative services, and residents' rights) and content of the curriculum (including, in the case of initial training and, if the Secretary determines appropriate, in the case of ongoing training, dementia management training, and patient abuse prevention training 3, (II) minimum hours of initial and ongoing training and retraining (including not less than 75 hours in the case of initial training), (III) qualifications of instructors, and (IV) procedures for determination of competency;
(ii) requirements for the approval of nurse aide competency evaluation programs, including requirement relating to the areas to be covered in such a program, including at least basic nursing skills, personal care skills, recognition of mental health and social service needs, care of cognitively impaired residents, basic restorative services, and residents' rights, and procedures for determination of competency;
(iii) requirements respecting the minimum frequency and methodology to be used by a State in reviewing such programs' compliance with the requirements for such programs; and
(iv) requirements, under both such programs, that—
(I) provide procedures for determining competency that permit a nurse aide, at the nurse aide's option, to establish competency through procedures or methods other than the passing of a written examination and to have the competency evaluation conducted at the nursing facility at which the aide is (or will be) employed (unless the facility is described in subparagraph (B)(iii)(I)),
(II) prohibit the imposition on a nurse aide who is employed by (or who has received an offer of employment from) a facility on the date on which the aide begins either such program of any charges (including any charges for textbooks and other required course materials and any charges for the competency evaluation) for either such program, and
(III) in the case of a nurse aide not described in subclause (II) who is employed by (or who has received an offer of employment from) a facility not later than 12 months after completing either such program, the State shall provide for the reimbursement of costs incurred in completing such program on a prorata basis during the period in which the nurse aide is so employed.
(B) Approval of certain programs
Such requirements—
(i) may permit approval of programs offered by or in facilities, as well as outside facilities (including employee organizations), and of programs in effect on December 22, 1987;
(ii) shall permit a State to find that an individual who has completed (before July 1, 1989) a nurse aide training and competency evaluation program shall be deemed to have completed such a program approved under subsection (b)(5) of this section if the State determines that, at the time the program was offered, the program met the requirements for approval under such paragraph; and
(iii) subject to subparagraphs (C) and (D), shall prohibit approval of such a program—
(I) offered by or in a nursing facility which, within the previous 2 years—
(a) has operated under a waiver under subsection (b)(4)(C)(ii) of this section that was granted on the basis of a demonstration that the facility is unable to provide the nursing care required under subsection (b)(4)(C)(i) of this section for a period in excess of 48 hours during a week;
(b) has been subject to an extended (or partial extended) survey under
(c) has been assessed a civil money penalty described in
(II) offered by or in a nursing facility unless the State makes the determination, upon an individual's completion of the program, that the individual is competent to provide nursing and nursing-related services in nursing facilities.
A State may not delegate (through subcontract or otherwise) its responsibility under clause (iii)(II) to the nursing facility.
(C) Waiver authorized
Clause (iii)(I) of subparagraph (B) shall not apply to a program offered in (but not by) a nursing facility (or skilled nursing facility for purposes of subchapter XVIII of this chapter) in a State if the State—
(i) determines that there is no other such program offered within a reasonable distance of the facility,
(ii) assures, through an oversight effort, that an adequate environment exists for operating the program in the facility, and
(iii) provides notice of such determination and assurances to the State long-term care ombudsman.
(D) Waiver of disapproval of nurse-aide training programs
Upon application of a nursing facility, the Secretary may waive the application of subparagraph (B)(iii)(I)(c) if the imposition of the civil monetary penalty was not related to the quality of care provided to residents of the facility. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as eliminating any requirement upon a facility to pay a civil monetary penalty described in the preceding sentence.
(3) Federal guidelines for State appeals process for transfers and discharges
For purposes of subsections (c)(2)(B)(iii) and (e)(3) of this section, by not later than October 1, 1988, the Secretary shall establish guidelines for minimum standards which State appeals processes under subsection (e)(3) of this section must meet to provide a fair mechanism for hearing appeals on transfers and discharges of residents from nursing facilities.
(4) Secretarial standards qualification of administrators
For purposes of subsections (d)(1)(C) and (e)(4) of this section, the Secretary shall develop, by not later than March 1, 1988, standards to be applied in assuring the qualifications of administrators of nursing facilities.
(5) Criteria for administration
The Secretary shall establish criteria for assessing a nursing facility's compliance with the requirement of subsection (d)(1) of this section with respect to—
(A) its governing body and management,
(B) agreements with hospitals regarding transfers of residents to and from the hospitals and to and from other nursing facilities,
(C) disaster preparedness,
(D) direction of medical care by a physician,
(E) laboratory and radiological services,
(F) clinical records, and
(G) resident and advocate participation.
(6) Specification of resident assessment data set and instruments
The Secretary shall—
(A) not later than January 1, 1989, specify a minimum data set of core elements and common definitions for use by nursing facilities in conducting the assessments required under subsection (b)(3) of this section, and establish guidelines for utilization of the data set; and
(B) by not later than April 1, 1990, designate one or more instruments which are consistent with the specification made under subparagraph (A) and which a State may specify under subsection (e)(5)(A) of this section for use by nursing facilities in complying with the requirements of subsection (b)(3)(A)(iii) of this section.
(7) List of items and services furnished in nursing facilities not chargeable to the personal funds of a resident
(A) Regulations required
Pursuant to the requirement of section 21(b) of the Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud and Abuse Amendments of 1977, the Secretary shall issue regulations, on or before the first day of the seventh month to begin after December 22, 1987, that define those costs which may be charged to the personal funds of residents in nursing facilities who are individuals receiving medical assistance with respect to nursing facility services under this subchapter and those costs which are to be included in the payment amount under this subchapter for nursing facility services.
(B) Rule if failure to publish regulations
If the Secretary does not issue the regulations under subparagraph (A) on or before the date required in that subparagraph, in the case of a resident of a nursing facility who is eligible to receive benefits for nursing facility services under this subchapter, for purposes of
(8) Federal minimum criteria and monitoring for preadmission screening and resident review
(A) Minimum criteria
The Secretary shall develop, by not later than October 1, 1988, minimum criteria for States to use in making determinations under subsections (b)(3)(F) and (e)(7)(B) of this section and in permitting individuals adversely affected to appeal such determinations, and shall notify the States of such criteria.
(B) Monitoring compliance
The Secretary shall review, in a sufficient number of cases to allow reasonable inferences, each State's compliance with the requirements of subsection (e)(7)(C)(ii) of this section (relating to discharge and placement for active treatment of certain residents).
(9) Criteria for monitoring State waivers
The Secretary shall develop, by not later than October 1, 1988, criteria and procedures for monitoring State performances in granting waivers pursuant to subsection (b)(4)(C)(ii) of this section.
(10) Special focus facility program
(A) In general
The Secretary shall conduct a special focus facility program for enforcement of requirements for nursing facilities that the Secretary has identified as having substantially failed to meet applicable requirements of this chapter.
(B) Periodic surveys
Under such program the Secretary shall conduct surveys of each facility in the program not less often than once every 6 months.
(g) Survey and certification process
(1) State and Federal responsibility
(A) In general
Under each State plan under this subchapter, the State shall be responsible for certifying, in accordance with surveys conducted under paragraph (2), the compliance of nursing facilities (other than facilities of the State) with the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section. The Secretary shall be responsible for certifying, in accordance with surveys conducted under paragraph (2), the compliance of State nursing facilities with the requirements of such subsections.
(B) Educational program
Each State shall conduct periodic educational programs for the staff and residents (and their representatives) of nursing facilities in order to present current regulations, procedures, and policies under this section.
(C) Investigation of allegations of resident neglect and abuse and misappropriation of resident property
The State shall provide, through the agency responsible for surveys and certification of nursing facilities under this subsection, for a process for the receipt and timely review and investigation of allegations of neglect and abuse and misappropriation of resident property by a nurse aide of a resident in a nursing facility or by another individual used by the facility in providing services to such a resident. The State shall, after notice to the individual involved and a reasonable opportunity for a hearing for the individual to rebut allegations, make a finding as to the accuracy of the allegations. If the State finds that a nurse aide has neglected or abused a resident or misappropriated resident property in a facility, the State shall notify the nurse aide and the registry of such finding. If the State finds that any other individual used by the facility has neglected or abused a resident or misappropriated resident property in a facility, the State shall notify the appropriate licensure authority. A State shall not make a finding that an individual has neglected a resident if the individual demonstrates that such neglect was caused by factors beyond the control of the individual.
(D) Removal of name from nurse aide registry
(i) In general
In the case of a finding of neglect under subparagraph (C), the State shall establish a procedure to permit a nurse aide to petition the State to have his or her name removed from the registry upon a determination by the State that—
(I) the employment and personal history of the nurse aide does not reflect a pattern of abusive behavior or neglect; and
(II) the neglect involved in the original finding was a singular occurrence.
(ii) Timing of determination
In no case shall a determination on a petition submitted under clause (i) be made prior to the expiration of the 1-year period beginning on the date on which the name of the petitioner was added to the registry under subparagraph (C).
(E) Construction
The failure of the Secretary to issue regulations to carry out this subsection shall not relieve a State of its responsibility under this subsection.
(2) Surveys
(A) Annual standard survey
(i) In general
Each nursing facility shall be subject to a standard survey, to be conducted without any prior notice to the facility. Any individual who notifies (or causes to be notified) a nursing facility of the time or date on which such a survey is scheduled to be conducted is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $2,000. The provisions of
(ii) Contents
Each standard survey shall include, for a case-mix stratified sample of residents—
(I) a survey of the quality of care furnished, as measured by indicators of medical, nursing, and rehabilitative care, dietary and nutrition services, activities and social participation, and sanitation, infection control, and the physical environment,
(II) written plans of care provided under subsection (b)(2) of this section and an audit of the residents' assessments under subsection (b)(3) of this section to determine the accuracy of such assessments and the adequacy of such plans of care, and
(III) a review of compliance with residents' rights under subsection (c) of this section.
(iii) Frequency
(I) In general
Each nursing facility shall be subject to a standard survey not later than 15 months after the date of the previous standard survey conducted under this subparagraph. The statewide average interval between standard surveys of a nursing facility shall not exceed 12 months.
(II) Special surveys
If not otherwise conducted under subclause (I), a standard survey (or an abbreviated standard survey) may be conducted within 2 months of any change of ownership, administration, management of a nursing facility, or director of nursing in order to determine whether the change has resulted in any decline in the quality of care furnished in the facility.
(B) Extended surveys
(i) In general
Each nursing facility which is found, under a standard survey, to have provided substandard quality of care shall be subject to an extended survey. Any other facility may, at the Secretary's or State's discretion, be subject to such an extended survey (or a partial extended survey).
(ii) Timing
The extended survey shall be conducted immediately after the standard survey (or, if not practicable, not later than 2 weeks after the date of completion of the standard survey).
(iii) Contents
In such an extended survey, the survey team shall review and identify the policies and procedures which produced such substandard quality of care and shall determine whether the facility has complied with all the requirements described in subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section. Such review shall include an expansion of the size of the sample of residents' assessments reviewed and a review of the staffing, of in-service training, and, if appropriate, of contracts with consultants.
(iv) Construction
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring an extended or partial extended survey as a prerequisite to imposing a sanction against a facility under subsection (h) of this section on the basis of findings in a standard survey.
(C) Survey protocol
Standard and extended surveys shall be conducted—
(i) based upon a protocol which the Secretary has developed, tested, and validated by not later than January 1, 1990, and
(ii) by individuals, of a survey team, who meet such minimum qualifications as the Secretary establishes by not later than such date.
The failure of the Secretary to develop, test, or validate such protocols or to establish such minimum qualifications shall not relieve any State of its responsibility (or the Secretary of the Secretary's responsibility) to conduct surveys under this subsection.
(D) Consistency of surveys
Each State shall implement programs to measure and reduce inconsistency in the application of survey results among surveyors.
(E) Survey teams
(i) In general
Surveys under this subsection shall be conducted by a multidisciplinary team of professionals (including a registered professional nurse).
(ii) Prohibition of conflicts of interest
A State may not use as a member of a survey team under this subsection an individual who is serving (or has served within the previous 2 years) as a member of the staff of, or as a consultant to, the facility surveyed respecting compliance with the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, or who has a personal or familial financial interest in the facility being surveyed.
(iii) Training
The Secretary shall provide for the comprehensive training of State and Federal surveyors in the conduct of standard and extended surveys under this subsection, including the auditing of resident assessments and plans of care. No individual shall serve as a member of a survey team unless the individual has successfully completed a training and testing program in survey and certification techniques that has been approved by the Secretary.
(3) Validation surveys
(A) In general
The Secretary shall conduct onsite surveys of a representative sample of nursing facilities in each State, within 2 months of the date of surveys conducted under paragraph (2) by the State, in a sufficient number to allow inferences about the adequacies of each State's surveys conducted under paragraph (2). In conducting such surveys, the Secretary shall use the same survey protocols as the State is required to use under paragraph (2). If the State has determined that an individual nursing facility meets the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, but the Secretary determines that the facility does not meet such requirements, the Secretary's determination as to the facility's noncompliance with such requirements is binding and supersedes that of the State survey.
(B) Scope
With respect to each State, the Secretary shall conduct surveys under subparagraph (A) each year with respect to at least 5 percent of the number of nursing facilities surveyed by the State in the year, but in no case less than 5 nursing facilities in the State.
(C) Reduction in administrative costs for substandard performance
If the Secretary finds, on the basis of such surveys, that a State has failed to perform surveys as required under paragraph (2) or that a State's survey and certification performance otherwise is not adequate, the Secretary may provide for the training of survey teams in the State and shall provide for a reduction of the payment otherwise made to the State under
(D) Special surveys of compliance
Where the Secretary has reason to question the compliance of a nursing facility with any of the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, the Secretary may conduct a survey of the facility and, on the basis of that survey, make independent and binding determinations concerning the extent to which the nursing facility meets such requirements.
(4) Investigation of complaints and monitoring nursing facility compliance
Each State shall maintain procedures and adequate staff to—
(A) investigate complaints of violations of requirements by nursing facilities, and
(B) monitor, on-site, on a regular, as needed basis, a nursing facility's compliance with the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, if—
(i) the facility has been found not to be in compliance with such requirements and is in the process of correcting deficiencies to achieve such compliance;
(ii) the facility was previously found not to be in compliance with such requirements, has corrected deficiencies to achieve such compliance, and verification of continued compliance is indicated; or
(iii) the State has reason to question the compliance of the facility with such requirements.
A State may maintain and utilize a specialized team (including an attorney, an auditor, and appropriate health care professionals) for the purpose of identifying, surveying, gathering and preserving evidence, and carrying out appropriate enforcement actions against substandard nursing facilities.
(5) Disclosure of results of inspections and activities
(A) Public information
Each State, and the Secretary, shall make available to the public—
(i) information respecting all surveys and certifications made respecting nursing facilities, including statements of deficiencies, within 14 calendar days after such information is made available to those facilities, and approved plans of correction,
(ii) copies of cost reports of such facilities filed under this subchapter or under subchapter XVIII of this chapter,
(iii) copies of statements of ownership under
(iv) information disclosed under
(B) Notice to ombudsman
Each State shall notify the State long-term care ombudsman (established under title III or VII of the Older Americans Act of 1965 [
(C) Notice to physicians and nursing facility administrator licensing board
If a State finds that a nursing facility has provided substandard quality of care, the State shall notify—
(i) the attending physician of each resident with respect to which such finding is made, and
(ii) any State board responsible for the licensing of the nursing facility administrator of the facility.
(D) Access to fraud control units
Each State shall provide its State medicaid fraud and abuse control unit (established under
(E) Submission of survey and certification information to the Secretary
In order to improve the timeliness of information made available to the public under subparagraph (A) and provided on the Nursing Home Compare Medicare website under subsection (i), each State shall submit information respecting any survey or certification made respecting a nursing facility (including any enforcement actions taken by the State) to the Secretary not later than the date on which the State sends such information to the facility. The Secretary shall use the information submitted under the preceding sentence to update the information provided on the Nursing Home Compare Medicare website as expeditiously as practicable but not less frequently than quarterly.
(h) Enforcement process
(1) In general
If a State finds, on the basis of a standard, extended, or partial extended survey under subsection (g)(2) of this section or otherwise, that a nursing facility no longer meets a requirement of subsection (b), (c), or (d) of this section, and further finds that the facility's deficiencies—
(A) immediately jeopardize the health or safety of its residents, the State shall take immediate action to remove the jeopardy and correct the deficiencies through the remedy specified in paragraph (2)(A)(iii), or terminate the facility's participation under the State plan and may provide, in addition, for one or more of the other remedies described in paragraph (2); or
(B) do not immediately jeopardize the health or safety of its residents, the State may—
(i) terminate the facility's participation under the State plan,
(ii) provide for one or more of the remedies described in paragraph (2), or
(iii) do both.
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as restricting the remedies available to a State to remedy a nursing facility's deficiencies. If a State finds that a nursing facility meets the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, but, as of a previous period, did not meet such requirements, the State may provide for a civil money penalty under paragraph (2)(A)(ii) for the days in which it finds that the facility was not in compliance with such requirements.
(2) Specified remedies
(A) Listing
Except as provided in subparagraph (B)(ii), each State shall establish by law (whether statute or regulation) at least the following remedies:
(i) Denial of payment under the State plan with respect to any individual admitted to the nursing facility involved after such notice to the public and to the facility as may be provided for by the State.
(ii) A civil money penalty assessed and collected, with interest, for each day in which the facility is or was out of compliance with a requirement of subsection (b), (c), or (d) of this section. Funds collected by a State as a result of imposition of such a penalty (or as a result of the imposition by the State of a civil money penalty for activities described in subsections (b)(3)(B)(ii)(I), (b)(3)(B)(ii)(II), or (g)(2)(A)(i) of this section) shall be applied to the protection of the health or property of residents of nursing facilities that the State or the Secretary finds deficient, including payment for the costs of relocation of residents to other facilities, maintenance of operation of a facility pending correction of deficiencies or closure, and reimbursement of residents for personal funds lost.
(iii) The appointment of temporary management to oversee the operation of the facility and to assure the health and safety of the facility's residents, where there is a need for temporary management while—
(I) there is an orderly closure of the facility, or
(II) improvements are made in order to bring the facility into compliance with all the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section.
The temporary management under this clause shall not be terminated under subclause (II) until the State has determined that the facility has the management capability to ensure continued compliance with all the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section.
(iv) The authority, in the case of an emergency, to close the facility, to transfer residents in that facility to other facilities, or both.
The State also shall specify criteria, as to when and how each of such remedies is to be applied, the amounts of any fines, and the severity of each of these remedies, to be used in the imposition of such remedies. Such criteria shall be designed so as to minimize the time between the identification of violations and final imposition of the remedies and shall provide for the imposition of incrementally more severe fines for repeated or uncorrected deficiencies. In addition, the State may provide for other specified remedies, such as directed plans of correction.
(B) Deadline and guidance
(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), as a condition for approval of a State plan for calendar quarters beginning on or after October 1, 1989, each State shall establish the remedies described in clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph (A) by not later than October 1, 1989. The Secretary shall provide, through regulations by not later than October 1, 1988, guidance to States in establishing such remedies; but the failure of the Secretary to provide such guidance shall not relieve a State of the responsibility for establishing such remedies.
(ii) A State may establish alternative remedies (other than termination of participation) other than those described in clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph (A), if the State demonstrates to the Secretary's satisfaction that the alternative remedies are as effective in deterring noncompliance and correcting deficiencies as those described in subparagraph (A).
(C) Assuring prompt compliance
If a nursing facility has not complied with any of the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, within 3 months after the date the facility is found to be out of compliance with such requirements, the State shall impose the remedy described in subparagraph (A)(i) for all individuals who are admitted to the facility after such date.
(D) Repeated noncompliance
In the case of a nursing facility which, on 3 consecutive standard surveys conducted under subsection (g)(2) of this section, has been found to have provided substandard quality of care, the State shall (regardless of what other remedies are provided)—
(i) impose the remedy described in subparagraph (A)(i), and
(ii) monitor the facility under subsection (g)(4)(B) of this section,
until the facility has demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the State, that it is in compliance with the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, and that it will remain in compliance with such requirements.
(E) Funding
The reasonable expenditures of a State to provide for temporary management and other expenses associated with implementing the remedies described in clauses (iii) and (iv) of subparagraph (A) shall be considered, for purposes of
(F) Incentives for high quality care
In addition to the remedies specified in this paragraph, a State may establish a program to reward, through public recognition, incentive payments, or both, nursing facilities that provide the highest quality care to residents who are entitled to medical assistance under this subchapter. For purposes of
(3) Secretarial authority
(A) For State nursing facilities
With respect to a State nursing facility, the Secretary shall have the authority and duties of a State under this subsection, including the authority to impose remedies described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of paragraph (2)(A).
(B) Other nursing facilities
With respect to any other nursing facility in a State, if the Secretary finds that a nursing facility no longer meets a requirement of subsection (b), (c), (d), or (e) of this section, and further finds that the facility's deficiencies—
(i) immediately jeopardize the health or safety of its residents, the Secretary shall take immediate action to remove the jeopardy and correct the deficiencies through the remedy specified in subparagraph (C)(iii), or terminate the facility's participation under the State plan and may provide, in addition, for one or more of the other remedies described in subparagraph (C); or
(ii) do not immediately jeopardize the health or safety of its residents, the Secretary may impose any of the remedies described in subparagraph (C).
Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as restricting the remedies available to the Secretary to remedy a nursing facility's deficiencies. If the Secretary finds that a nursing facility meets such requirements but, as of a previous period, did not meet such requirements, the Secretary may provide for a civil money penalty under subparagraph (C)(ii) for the days on which he finds that the facility was not in compliance with such requirements.
(C) Specified remedies
The Secretary may take the following actions with respect to a finding that a facility has not met an applicable requirement:
(i) Denial of payment
The Secretary may deny any further payments to the State for medical assistance furnished by the facility to all individuals in the facility or to individuals admitted to the facility after the effective date of the finding.
(ii) Authority with respect to civil money penalties
(I) In general
Subject to subclause (II), the Secretary may impose a civil money penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for each day of noncompliance. The provisions of
(II) Reduction of civil money penalties in certain circumstances
Subject to subclause (III), in the case where a facility self-reports and promptly corrects a deficiency for which a penalty was imposed under this clause not later than 10 calendar days after the date of such imposition, the Secretary may reduce the amount of the penalty imposed by not more than 50 percent.
(III) Prohibitions on reduction for certain deficiencies
(aa) Repeat deficiencies
The Secretary may not reduce the amount of a penalty under subclause (II) if the Secretary had reduced a penalty imposed on the facility in the preceding year under such subclause with respect to a repeat deficiency.
(bb) Certain other deficiencies
The Secretary may not reduce the amount of a penalty under subclause (II) if the penalty is imposed on the facility for a deficiency that is found to result in a pattern of harm or widespread harm, immediately jeopardizes the health or safety of a resident or residents of the facility, or results in the death of a resident of the facility.
(IV) Collection of civil money penalties
In the case of a civil money penalty imposed under this clause, the Secretary shall issue regulations that—
(aa) subject to item (cc), not later than 30 days after the imposition of the penalty, provide for the facility to have the opportunity to participate in an independent informal dispute resolution process which generates a written record prior to the collection of such penalty;
(bb) in the case where the penalty is imposed for each day of noncompliance, provide that a penalty may not be imposed for any day during the period beginning on the initial day of the imposition of the penalty and ending on the day on which the informal dispute resolution process under item (aa) is completed;
(cc) may provide for the collection of such civil money penalty and the placement of such amounts collected in an escrow account under the direction of the Secretary on the earlier of the date on which the informal dispute resolution process under item (aa) is completed or the date that is 90 days after the date of the imposition of the penalty;
(dd) may provide that such amounts collected are kept in such account pending the resolution of any subsequent appeals;
(ee) in the case where the facility successfully appeals the penalty, may provide for the return of such amounts collected (plus interest) to the facility; and
(ff) in the case where all such appeals are unsuccessful, may provide that some portion of such amounts collected may be used to support activities that benefit residents, including assistance to support and protect residents of a facility that closes (voluntarily or involuntarily) or is decertified (including offsetting costs of relocating residents to home and community-based settings or another facility), projects that support resident and family councils and other consumer involvement in assuring quality care in facilities, and facility improvement initiatives approved by the Secretary (including joint training of facility staff and surveyors, technical assistance for facilities implementing quality assurance programs, the appointment of temporary management firms, and other activities approved by the Secretary).
(iii) Appointment of temporary management
In consultation with the State, the Secretary may appoint temporary management to oversee the operation of the facility and to assure the health and safety of the facility's residents, where there is a need for temporary management while—
(I) there is an orderly closure of the facility, or
(II) improvements are made in order to bring the facility into compliance with all the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section.
The temporary management under this clause shall not be terminated under subclause (II) until the Secretary has determined that the facility has the management capability to ensure continued compliance with all the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section.
The Secretary shall specify criteria, as to when and how each of such remedies is to be applied, the amounts of any fines, and the severity of each of these remedies, to be used in the imposition of such remedies. Such criteria shall be designed so as to minimize the time between the identification of violations and final imposition of the remedies and shall provide for the imposition of incrementally more severe fines for repeated or uncorrected deficiencies. In addition, the Secretary may provide for other specified remedies, such as directed plans of correction.
(D) Continuation of payments pending remediation
The Secretary may continue payments, over a period of not longer than 6 months after the effective date of the findings, under this subchapter with respect to a nursing facility not in compliance with a requirement of subsection (b), (c), or (d) of this section, if—
(i) the State survey agency finds that it is more appropriate to take alternative action to assure compliance of the facility with the requirements than to terminate the certification of the facility, and
(ii) the State has submitted a plan and timetable for corrective action to the Secretary for approval and the Secretary approves the plan of corrective action.
The Secretary shall establish guidelines for approval of corrective actions requested by States under this subparagraph.
(4) Effective period of denial of payment
A finding to deny payment under this subsection shall terminate when the State or Secretary (or both, as the case may be) finds that the facility is in substantial compliance with all the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section.
(5) Immediate termination of participation for facility where State or Secretary finds noncompliance and immediate jeopardy
If either the State or the Secretary finds that a nursing facility has not met a requirement of subsection (b), (c), or (d) of this section, and finds that the failure immediately jeopardizes the health or safety of its residents, the State or the Secretary, respectively 6 shall notify the other of such finding, and the State or the Secretary, respectively, shall take immediate action to remove the jeopardy and correct the deficiencies through the remedy specified in paragraph (2)(A)(iii) or (3)(C)(iii), or terminate the facility's participation under the State plan. If the facility's participation in the State plan is terminated by either the State or the Secretary, the State shall provide for the safe and orderly transfer of the residents eligible under the State plan consistent with the requirements of subsection (c)(2) of this section.
(6) Special rules where State and Secretary do not agree on finding of noncompliance
(A) State finding of noncompliance and no secretarial finding of noncompliance
If the Secretary finds that a nursing facility has met all the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, but a State finds that the facility has not met such requirements and the failure does not immediately jeopardize the health or safety of its residents, the State's findings shall control and the remedies imposed by the State shall be applied.
(B) Secretarial finding of noncompliance and no State finding of noncompliance
If the Secretary finds that a nursing facility has not met all the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, and that the failure does not immediately jeopardize the health or safety of its residents, but the State has not made such a finding, the Secretary—
(i) may impose any remedies specified in paragraph (3)(C) with respect to the facility, and
(ii) shall (pending any termination by the Secretary) permit continuation of payments in accordance with paragraph (3)(D).
(7) Special rules for timing of termination of participation where remedies overlap
If both the Secretary and the State find that a nursing facility has not met all the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, and neither finds that the failure immediately jeopardizes the health or safety of its residents—
(A)(i) if both find that the facility's participation under the State plan should be terminated, the State's timing of any termination shall control so long as the termination date does not occur later than 6 months after the date of the finding to terminate;
(ii) if the Secretary, but not the State, finds that the facility's participation under the State plan should be terminated, the Secretary shall (pending any termination by the Secretary) permit continuation of payments in accordance with paragraph (3)(D); or
(iii) if the State, but not the Secretary, finds that the facility's participation under the State plan should be terminated, the State's decision to terminate, and timing of such termination, shall control; and
(B)(i) if the Secretary or the State, but not both, establishes one or more remedies which are additional or alternative to the remedy of terminating the facility's participation under the State plan, such additional or alternative remedies shall also be applied, or
(ii) if both the Secretary and the State establish one or more remedies which are additional or alternative to the remedy of terminating the facility's participation under the State plan, only the additional or alternative remedies of the Secretary shall apply.
(8) Construction
The remedies provided under this subsection are in addition to those otherwise available under State or Federal law and shall not be construed as limiting such other remedies, including any remedy available to an individual at common law. The remedies described in clauses (i), (ii)(IV),7 (iii), and (iv) of paragraph (2)(A) may be imposed during the pendency of any hearing. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to a nursing facility (or portion thereof) notwithstanding that the facility (or portion thereof) also is a skilled nursing facility for purposes of subchapter XVIII of this chapter.
(9) Sharing of information
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all information concerning nursing facilities required by this section to be filed with the Secretary or a State agency shall be made available by such facilities to Federal or State employees for purposes consistent with the effective administration of programs established under this subchapter and subchapter XVIII of this chapter, including investigations by State medicaid fraud control units.
(i) Nursing Home Compare website
(1) Inclusion of additional information
(A) In general
The Secretary shall ensure that the Department of Health and Human Services includes, as part of the information provided for comparison of nursing homes on the official Internet website of the Federal Government for Medicare beneficiaries (commonly referred to as the "Nursing Home Compare" Medicare website) (or a successor website), the following information in a manner that is prominent, updated on a timely basis, easily accessible, readily understandable to consumers of long-term care services, and searchable:
(i) Staffing data for each facility (including resident census data and data on the hours of care provided per resident per day) based on data submitted under
(I) concise explanations of how to interpret the data (such as plain English explanation of data reflecting "nursing home staff hours per resident day");
(II) differences in types of staff (such as training associated with different categories of staff);
(III) the relationship between nurse staffing levels and quality of care; and
(IV) an explanation that appropriate staffing levels vary based on patient case mix.
(ii) Links to State Internet websites with information regarding State survey and certification programs, links to Form 2567 State inspection reports (or a successor form) on such websites, information to guide consumers in how to interpret and understand such reports, and the facility plan of correction or other response to such report. Any such links shall be posted on a timely basis.
(iii) The standardized complaint form developed under
(iv) Summary information on the number, type, severity, and outcome of substantiated complaints.
(v) The number of adjudicated instances of criminal violations by a facility or the employees of a facility—
(I) that were committed inside of the facility; and
(II) with respect to such instances of violations or crimes committed outside of the facility, that were violations or crimes that resulted in the serious bodily injury of an elder.
(B) Deadline for provision of information
(i) In general
Except as provided in clause (ii), the Secretary shall ensure that the information described in subparagraph (A) is included on such website (or a successor website) not later than 1 year after March 23, 2010.
(ii) Exception
The Secretary shall ensure that the information described in subparagraph (A)(i) is included on such website (or a successor website) not later than the date on which the requirements under
(2) Review and modification of website
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish a process—
(i) to review the accuracy, clarity of presentation, timeliness, and comprehensiveness of information reported on such website as of the day before March 23, 2010; and
(ii) not later than 1 year after March 23, 2010, to modify or revamp such website in accordance with the review conducted under clause (i).
(B) Consultation
In conducting the review under subparagraph (A)(i), the Secretary shall consult with—
(i) State long-term care ombudsman programs;
(ii) consumer advocacy groups;
(iii) provider stakeholder groups;
(iv) skilled nursing facility employees and their representatives; and
(v) any other representatives of programs or groups the Secretary determines appropriate.
(j) Construction
Where requirements or obligations under this section are identical to those provided under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1919, as added and amended
Amendment of Subsection (d)(1)
(V) [sic] Availability of survey, certification, and complaint investigation reports
A nursing facility must—
(i) have reports with respect to any surveys, certifications, and complaint investigations made respecting the facility during the 3 preceding years available for any individual to review upon request; and
(ii) post notice of the availability of such reports in areas of the facility that are prominent and accessible to the public.
The facility shall not make available under clause (i) identifying information about complainants or residents.
References in Text
The Older Americans Act of 1965, referred to in subsecs. (b)(4)(C)(ii)(IV), (c)(2)(B)(iii)(II), and (g)(5)(B), is
The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(B)(iii)(III), is
The Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act [of 1986], referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(B)(iii)(IV), was
Section 6901(b)(4)(B)–(D) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989, referred to in subsec. (e)(2)(A), is section 6901(b)(4)(B)–(D) of
Section 21(b) of the Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud and Abuse Amendments of 1977, referred to in subsec. (f)(7)(A), probably means section 21(b) of the Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud and Abuse Amendments,
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1919 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1922 and is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(5)(F).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(i)(I).
Subsec. (f)(10).
Subsec. (g)(5)(E).
Subsec. (h)(3)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(8).
Subsecs. (i), (j).
2006—Subsec. (c)(5)(A)(i)(II).
Subsec. (c)(5)(B)(v).
2003—Subsec. (f)(2)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (f)(2)(D).
2000—Subsec. (b)(8).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(iii)(III).
1999—Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(i)(I).
Subsec. (c)(2)(F).
Subsec. (d)(4)(A).
1997—Subsec. (f)(2)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (f)(2)(C).
Subsec. (g)(1)(D), (E).
Subsec. (h)(3)(D).
1996—Subsec. (b)(3)(E).
Subsec. (e)(7)(B).
Subsec. (e)(7)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (e)(7)(D)(i).
1992—Subsecs. (c)(2)(B)(iii)(II), (g)(5)(B).
1990—Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(i)(I).
Subsec. (b)(3)(F).
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(vii).
Subsec. (b)(4)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(4)(C)(ii)(IV), (V).
Subsec. (b)(5)(A).
Subsec. (b)(5)(C).
Subsec. (b)(5)(D).
Subsec. (b)(5)(F)(i).
Subsec. (b)(6)(A).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(x), (xi).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(E).
Subsec. (c)(7), (8).
Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2)(C).
Subsec. (e)(7)(A).
Subsec. (e)(7)(B)(i)(II), (ii)(II).
Subsec. (e)(7)(B)(iv).
Subsec. (e)(7)(C)(i) to (iii).
Subsec. (e)(7)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (e)(7)(D).
Subsec. (e)(7)(E).
Subsec. (e)(7)(G)(i).
Subsec. (e)(7)(G)(iii).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(iv)(II).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(iv)(III).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B)(iii)(I).
Subsec. (g)(1)(C).
Subsec. (g)(5)(A)(i).
Subsec. (g)(5)(B).
1989—Subsec. (b)(5)(A).
Subsec. (b)(5)(B).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(v)(I).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(i)(I).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(3)(D).
Subsec. (h)(8).
1988—Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii)(III).
Subsec. (b)(4)(C)(i)(II).
Subsec. (b)(4)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(4)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(5)(A).
Subsec. (b)(5)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(5)(G).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(v).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(iii)(III).
Subsec. (c)(6).
Subsec. (c)(7).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (e)(7)(E).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A)(i)(I).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(7)(A).
Subsec. (f)(7)(B).
Subsec. (g)(1)(C).
Subsec. (g)(1)(D).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (g)(2)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (g)(3)(C).
Subsec. (g)(3)(D).
Subsec. (g)(4).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (h)(1).
Subsec. (h)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (h)(3)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (h)(5).
Subsec. (h)(9).
1987—Subsec. (c)(7).
Subsecs. (e), (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by section 6101(c)(1)(B) of
Amendment by section 6103(c)(2) of
Amendment by section 6111(b) of
Amendment by section 6121(b) of
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 4754(b) of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Section 1(b) of
Section 2(c) of
Effective Date of 1992 Amendment
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 4751(b)(2) of
Section 4801(a)(6)(B) of
"(i) had its participation terminated under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [subchapter XVIII of this chapter] or under the State plan under title XIX of such Act [this subchapter];
"(ii) was subject to a denial of payment under either such title;
"(iii) was assessed a civil money penalty not less than $5,000 for deficiencies in nursing facility standards;
"(iv) operated under a temporary management appointed to oversee the operation of the facility and to ensure the health and safety of the facility's residents; or
"(v) pursuant to State action, was closed or had its residents transferred."
Amendment by section 4801(a)(2)–(5), (7) of
Section 4801(b)(9) of
"(A)
"(B)
Section 4801(d)(2) of
Section 4801(e)(7)(B) of
Amendment by section 4801(e)(2)–(6), (8)–(10), (12)–(15), and (18) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by section 6901(b)(1), (4)(A) of
Amendment by section 6901(d)(1) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 303(a)(2) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date
Section 4214 of title IV of
"(a)
"(b)
"(2) In applying the amendments made by this part [part 2 of subtitle C (§§4211–4218) of title IV of
"(A) any reference to a nursing facility is deemed a reference to a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility (other than an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded), and
"(B) with respect to such a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility, any reference to a requirement of subsection (b), (c), or (d) of section 1919 of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b), (c), or (d) of this section], is deemed a reference to the provisions of section 1861(j) or section 1905(c), respectively, of the Social Security Act [
"(c)
Retroactive Review
For requirement that procedures developed by a State permit individual to petition for review of any finding made by a State under subsec. (g)(1)(C) of this section or
Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation; Compliance Actions
Section 4801(a)(1) of
Preadmission Screening and Annual Resident Review; Compliance Actions
Section 4801(b)(1) of
Restriction on Enforcement Process
Section 4801(c) of
Staffing Requirements
"(A)
"(B)
Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation; Satisfaction of Requirements; Waiver
For satisfaction of training and competency evaluation requirements of subsec. (b)(5)(A) of this section and
Publication of Proposed Regulations Respecting Preadmission Screening and Annual Resident Review
Section 6901(c) of
Evaluation and Report on Implementation of Resident Assessment Process
Section 4211(c) of
Report on Staffing Requirements
Section 4211(k) of
Annual Report on Statutory Compliance and Enforcement Actions
Section 4215 of
1 See References in Text note below.
2 See References in Text note below.
3 So in original. Probably should be followed by a closing parenthesis.
4 So in original. Probably should be "clause".
5 So in original. Probably should be "paragraph".
6 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
§1396r–1. Presumptive eligibility for pregnant women
(a) Ambulatory prenatal care
A State plan approved under
(b) Definitions
For purposes of this section—
(1) the term "presumptive eligibility period" means, with respect to a pregnant woman, the period that—
(A) begins with the date on which a qualified provider determines, on the basis of preliminary information, that the family income of the woman does not exceed the applicable income level of eligibility under the State plan, and
(B) ends with (and includes) the earlier of—
(i) the day on which a determination is made with respect to the eligibility of the woman for medical assistance under the State plan, or
(ii) in the case of a woman who does not file an application by the last day of the month following the month during which the provider makes the determination referred to in subparagraph (A), such last day; and
(2) the term "qualified provider" means any provider that—
(A) is eligible for payments under a State plan approved under this subchapter,
(B) provides services of the type described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of
(C) is determined by the State agency to be capable of making determinations of the type described in paragraph (1)(A), and
(D)(i) receives funds under—
(I)
(II) subchapter V of this chapter, or
(III) title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act [
(ii) participates in a program established under—
(I)
(II) section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973;
(iii) participates in a State perinatal program; or
(iv) is the Indian Health Service or is a health program or facility operated by a tribe or tribal organization under the Indian Self-Determination Act (
The term "qualified provider" also includes a qualified entity, as defined in
(c) Duties of State agency, qualified providers, and presumptively eligible pregnant women
(1) The State agency shall provide qualified providers with—
(A) such forms as are necessary for a pregnant woman to make application for medical assistance under the State plan, and
(B) information on how to assist such women in completing and filing such forms.
(2) A qualified provider that determines under subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section that a pregnant woman is presumptively eligible for medical assistance under a State plan shall—
(A) notify the State agency of the determination within 5 working days after the date on which determination is made, and
(B) inform the woman at the time the determination is made that she is required to make application for medical assistance under the State plan by not later than the last day of the month following the month during which the determination is made.
(3) A pregnant woman who is determined by a qualified provider to be presumptively eligible for medical assistance under a State plan shall make application for medical assistance under such plan by not later than the last day of the month following the month during which the determination is made, which application may be the application used for the receipt of medical assistance by individuals described in
(d) Ambulatory prenatal care as medical assistance
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, ambulatory prenatal care that—
(1) is furnished to a pregnant woman—
(A) during a presumptive eligibility period,
(B) by a provider that is eligible for payments under the State plan; and
(2) is included in the care and services covered by a State plan;
shall be treated as medical assistance provided by such plan for purposes of
(e) Option to provide presumptive eligibility
If the State has elected the option to provide a presumptive eligibility period under this section or
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1920, as added
Amendment of Subsection (e)
References in Text
The Indian Health Care Improvement Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(D)(i)(III), is
Section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(D)(ii)(II), is section 4(a) of
The Indian Self-Determination Act (
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1920 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1939 and is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (e).
2009—Subsec. (b).
1999—Subsec. (b)(2)(D)(i)(I).
1990—Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
"(ii) the day that is 45 days after the date on which the provider makes the determination referred to in subparagraph (A), or
"(iii) in the case of a woman who does not file an application for medical assistance within 14 calendar days after the date on which the provider makes the determination referred to in subparagraph (A), the fourteenth calendar day after such determination is made; and".
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(3).
1988—Subsec. (b)(2)(D)(i).
Subsec. (b)(2)(D)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (b)(2)(D)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(2)(D)(iv).
Subsec. (d)(1)(B).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by section 2004(b) of
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4605(c) of
"(1) The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] apply to payments under title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] for calendar quarters beginning on or after July 1, 1991, without regard to whether or not final regulations to carry out such amendments have been promulgated by such date.
"(2) The amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall be effective as if included in the enactment of section 9407(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 [
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Section 411(k)(16)(C) of
Effective Date
Section applicable to ambulatory prenatal care furnished in calendar quarters beginning on or after Apr. 1, 1987, without regard to whether or not final regulations to carry out such section have been promulgated, see section 9407(d) of
1 So in original. Probably means subsection (a)(10)(A) of
§1396r–1a. Presumptive eligibility for children
(a) In general
A State plan approved under
(b) Definitions; regulations
For purposes of this section:
(1) The term "child" means an individual under 19 years of age.
(2) The term "presumptive eligibility period" means, with respect to a child, the period that—
(A) begins with the date on which a qualified entity determines, on the basis of preliminary information, that the family income of the child does not exceed the applicable income level of eligibility under the State plan, and
(B) ends with (and includes) the earlier of—
(i) the day on which a determination is made with respect to the eligibility of the child for medical assistance under the State plan, or
(ii) in the case of a child on whose behalf an application is not filed by the last day of the month following the month during which the entity makes the determination referred to in subparagraph (A), such last day.
(3)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the term "qualified entity" means any entity that—
(i)(I) is eligible for payments under a State plan approved under this subchapter and provides items and services described in subsection (a) of this section, (II) is authorized to determine eligibility of a child to participate in a Head Start program under the Head Start Act (
(ii) is determined by the State agency to be capable of making determinations of the type described in paragraph (2).
(B) The Secretary may issue regulations further limiting those entities that may become qualified entities in order to prevent fraud and abuse and for other reasons.
(C) Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing a State from limiting the classes of entities that may become qualified entities, consistent with any limitations imposed under subparagraph (B).
(c) Application for medical assistance; procedure upon determination of presumptive eligibility
(1) The State agency shall provide qualified entities with—
(A) such forms as are necessary for an application to be made on behalf of a child for medical assistance under the State plan, and
(B) information on how to assist parents, guardians, and other persons in completing and filing such forms.
(2) A qualified entity that determines under subsection (b)(2) of this section that a child is presumptively eligible for medical assistance under a State plan shall—
(A) notify the State agency of the determination within 5 working days after the date on which determination is made, and
(B) inform the parent or custodian of the child at the time the determination is made that an application for medical assistance under the State plan is required to be made by not later than the last day of the month following the month during which the determination is made.
(3) In the case of a child who is determined by a qualified entity to be presumptively eligible for medical assistance under a State plan, the parent, guardian, or other person shall make application on behalf of the child for medical assistance under such plan by not later than the last day of the month following the month during which the determination is made, which application may be the application used for the receipt of medical assistance by individuals described in
(d) Treatment of medical assistance
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, medical assistance for items and services described in subsection (a) of this section that—
(1) are furnished to a child—
(A) during a presumptive eligibility period,
(B) by an entity that is eligible for payments under the State plan; and
(2) are included in the care and services covered by a State plan;
shall be treated as medical assistance provided by such plan for purposes of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1920A, as added
References in Text
The Head Start Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i)(II), is subchapter B (§§635–657) of
The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i)(II), is subchapter C (§§658A–658R) of
The Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i)(III), was
Part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i)(III), is classified to
The United States Housing Act of 1937, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i)(III), is act Sept. 1, 1937, ch. 896, as revised generally by
The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i)(III), is
Amendments
2000—Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(2).
1999—Subsec. (d)(1)(B).
1 So in original. A comma probably should appear after "title".
2 See References in Text note below.
§1396r–1b. Presumptive eligibility for certain breast or cervical cancer patients
(a) State option
A State plan approved under
(b) Definitions
For purposes of this section:
(1) Presumptive eligibility period
The term "presumptive eligibility period" means, with respect to an individual described in subsection (a) of this section, the period that—
(A) begins with the date on which a qualified entity determines, on the basis of preliminary information, that the individual is described in
(B) ends with (and includes) the earlier of—
(i) the day on which a determination is made with respect to the eligibility of such individual for services under the State plan; or
(ii) in the case of such an individual who does not file an application by the last day of the month following the month during which the entity makes the determination referred to in subparagraph (A), such last day.
(2) Qualified entity
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the term "qualified entity" means any entity that—
(i) is eligible for payments under a State plan approved under this subchapter; and
(ii) is determined by the State agency to be capable of making determinations of the type described in paragraph (1)(A).
(B) Regulations
The Secretary may issue regulations further limiting those entities that may become qualified entities in order to prevent fraud and abuse and for other reasons.
(C) Rule of construction
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as preventing a State from limiting the classes of entities that may become qualified entities, consistent with any limitations imposed under subparagraph (B).
(c) Administration
(1) In general
The State agency shall provide qualified entities with—
(A) such forms as are necessary for an application to be made by an individual described in subsection (a) of this section for medical assistance under the State plan; and
(B) information on how to assist such individuals in completing and filing such forms.
(2) Notification requirements
A qualified entity that determines under subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section that an individual described in subsection (a) of this section is presumptively eligible for medical assistance under a State plan shall—
(A) notify the State agency of the determination within 5 working days after the date on which determination is made; and
(B) inform such individual at the time the determination is made that an application for medical assistance under the State plan is required to be made by not later than the last day of the month following the month during which the determination is made.
(3) Application for medical assistance
In the case of an individual described in subsection (a) of this section who is determined by a qualified entity to be presumptively eligible for medical assistance under a State plan, the individual shall apply for medical assistance under such plan by not later than the last day of the month following the month during which the determination is made.
(d) Payment
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, medical assistance that—
(1) is furnished to an individual described in subsection (a) of this section—
(A) during a presumptive eligibility period;
(B) by a 1 entity that is eligible for payments under the State plan; and
(2) is included in the care and services covered by the State plan,
shall be treated as medical assistance provided by such plan for purposes of clause (4) of the first sentence of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1920B, as added
Effective Date
Section applicable to medical assistance for items and services furnished on or after Oct. 1, 2000, without regard to whether final regulations to carry out such amendments have been promulgated by such date, see section 2(d) of
1 So in original. Probably should be "an".
§1396r–1c. Presumptive eligibility for family planning services
(a) State option
State 1 plan approved under
(b) Definitions
For purposes of this section:
(1) Presumptive eligibility period
The term "presumptive eligibility period" means, with respect to an individual described in subsection (a), the period that—
(A) begins with the date on which a qualified entity determines, on the basis of preliminary information, that the individual is described in
(B) ends with (and includes) the earlier of—
(i) the day on which a determination is made with respect to the eligibility of such individual for services under the State plan; or
(ii) in the case of such an individual who does not file an application by the last day of the month following the month during which the entity makes the determination referred to in subparagraph (A), such last day.
(2) Qualified entity
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the term "qualified entity" means any entity that—
(i) is eligible for payments under a State plan approved under this subchapter; and
(ii) is determined by the State agency to be capable of making determinations of the type described in paragraph (1)(A).
(B) Rule of construction
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as preventing a State from limiting the classes of entities that may become qualified entities in order to prevent fraud and abuse.
(c) Administration
(1) In general
The State agency shall provide qualified entities with—
(A) such forms as are necessary for an application to be made by an individual described in subsection (a) for medical assistance under the State plan; and
(B) information on how to assist such individuals in completing and filing such forms.
(2) Notification requirements
A qualified entity that determines under subsection (b)(1)(A) that an individual described in subsection (a) is presumptively eligible for medical assistance under a State plan shall—
(A) notify the State agency of the determination within 5 working days after the date on which determination is made; and
(B) inform such individual at the time the determination is made that an application for medical assistance is required to be made by not later than the last day of the month following the month during which the determination is made.
(3) Application for medical assistance
In the case of an individual described in subsection (a) who is determined by a qualified entity to be presumptively eligible for medical assistance under a State plan, the individual shall apply for medical assistance by not later than the last day of the month following the month during which the determination is made.
(d) Payment
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, medical assistance that—
(1) is furnished to an individual described in subsection (a)—
(A) during a presumptive eligibility period; and
(B) by a 3 entity that is eligible for payments under the State plan; and
(2) is included in the care and services covered by the State plan,
shall be treated as medical assistance provided by such plan for purposes of clause (4) of the first sentence of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1920C, as added
Effective Date
Section effective Mar. 23, 2010, and applicable to items and services furnished on or after such date, see section 2303(d) of
1 So in original. Probably should be preceded by "A".
2 So in original. Probably should be preceded by "section".
3 So in original. Probably should be "an".
§1396r–2. Information concerning sanctions taken by State licensing authorities against health care practitioners and providers
(a) Information reporting requirement
The requirement referred to in
(1) Information reporting system
(A) Licensing or certification actions
The State must have in effect a system of reporting the following information with respect to formal proceedings (as defined by the Secretary in regulations) concluded against a health care practitioner or entity by a State licensing or certification agency:
(i) Any adverse action taken by such licensing authority as a result of the proceeding, including any revocation or suspension of a license (and the length of any such suspension), reprimand, censure, or probation.
(ii) Any dismissal or closure of the proceedings by reason of the practitioner or entity surrendering the license or leaving the State or jurisdiction.
(iii) Any other loss of license or the right to apply for, or renew, a license by the practitioner or entity, whether by operation of law, voluntary surrender, nonrenewability, or otherwise.
(iv) Any negative action or finding by such authority, organization, or entity regarding the practitioner or entity.
(B) Other final adverse actions
The State must have in effect a system of reporting information with respect to any final adverse action (not including settlements in which no findings of liability have been made) taken against a health care provider, supplier, or practitioner by a State law or fraud enforcement agency.
(2) Access to documents
The State must provide the Secretary (or an entity designated by the Secretary) with access to such documents of a State licensing or certification agency or State law or fraud enforcement agency as may be necessary for the Secretary to determine the facts and circumstances concerning the actions and determinations described in such paragraph for the purpose of carrying out this chapter.
(b) Form of information
The information described in subsection (a)(1) of this section shall be provided to the Secretary (or to an appropriate private or public agency, under suitable arrangements made by the Secretary with respect to receipt, storage, protection of confidentiality, and dissemination of information) in such a form and manner as the Secretary determines to be appropriate in order to provide for activities of the Secretary under this chapter and in order to provide, directly or through suitable arrangements made by the Secretary, information—
(1) to agencies administering Federal health care programs, including private entities administering such programs under contract,
(2) to State licensing or certification agencies and Federal agencies responsible for the licensing and certification of health care providers, suppliers, and licensed health care practitioners; 1
(3) to State agencies administering or supervising the administration of State health care programs (as defined in
(4) to utilization and quality control peer review organizations described in part B of subchapter XI of this chapter and to appropriate entities with contracts under
(5) to State law or fraud enforcement agencies,
(6) to hospitals and other health care entities (as defined in section 431 of the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 [
(7) to health plans (as defined in
(8) to the Attorney General and such other law enforcement officials as the Secretary deems appropriate, and
(9) upon request, to the Comptroller General,
in order for such authorities to determine the fitness of individuals to provide health care services, to protect the health and safety of individuals receiving health care through such programs, and to protect the fiscal integrity of such programs.
(c) Confidentiality of information provided
The Secretary shall provide for suitable safeguards for the confidentiality of the information furnished under subsection (a) of this section. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent the disclosure of such information by a party which is otherwise authorized, under applicable State law, to make such disclosure.
(d) Disclosure and correction of information
(1) Disclosure
With respect to information reported pursuant to subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall—
(A) provide for disclosure of the information, upon request, to the health care practitioner who, or the entity that, is the subject of the information reported; and
(B) establish procedures for the case where the health care practitioner or entity disputes the accuracy of the information reported.
(2) Corrections
Each State licensing or certification agency and State law or fraud enforcement agency shall report corrections of information already reported about any formal proceeding or final adverse action described in subsection (a), in such form and manner as the Secretary prescribes by regulation.
(e) Fees for disclosure
The Secretary may establish or approve reasonable fees for the disclosure of information under this section. The amount of such a fee may not exceed the costs of processing the requests for disclosure and of providing such information. Such fees shall be available to the Secretary to cover such costs.
(f) Protection from liability for reporting
No person or entity, including any agency designated by the Secretary in subsection (b), shall be held liable in any civil action with respect to any reporting of information as required under this section, without knowledge of the falsity of the information contained in the report.
(g) References
For purposes of this section:
(1) State licensing or certification agency
The term "State licensing or certification agency" includes any authority of a State (or of a political subdivision thereof) responsible for the licensing of health care practitioners (or any peer review organization or private accreditation entity reviewing the services provided by health care practitioners) or entities.
(2) State law or fraud enforcement agency
The term "State law or fraud enforcement agency" includes—
(A) a State law enforcement agency; and
(B) a State medicaid fraud control unit (as defined in
(3) Final adverse action
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the term "final adverse action" includes—
(i) civil judgments against a health care provider, supplier, or practitioner in State court related to the delivery of a health care item or service;
(ii) State criminal convictions related to the delivery of a health care item or service;
(iii) exclusion from participation in State health care programs (as defined in
(iv) any licensing or certification action described in subsection (a)(1)(A) taken against a supplier by a State licensing or certification agency; and
(v) any other adjudicated actions or decisions that the Secretary shall establish by regulation.
(B) Exception
Such term does not include any action with respect to a malpractice claim.
(h) Appropriate coordination
In implementing this section, the Secretary shall provide for the maximum appropriate coordination with part B of the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 (
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1921, as added
References in Text
Part B of subchapter XI of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(4), is classified to
The Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 and that Act, referred to in subsecs. (b)(6) and (h), are title IV of
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1921 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1939 and is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (b)(7) to (9).
Subsecs. (d) to (g).
Subsec. (h).
1990—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(1)(D).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4752(f)(2) of
Effective Date
Section applicable, with certain exceptions, to payments under subchapter XIX of this chapter for calendar quarters beginning more than thirty days after Aug. 18, 1987, without regard to whether or not final regulations to carry out this section have been published by that date, see section 15(c)(1), (2) of
1 So in original. The semicolon probably should be a comma.
§1396r–3. Correction and reduction plans for intermediate care facilities for mentally retarded
(a) Written plans to remedy substantial deficiencies; time for submission
If the Secretary finds that an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded has substantial deficiencies which do not pose an immediate threat to the health and safety of residents (including failure to provide active treatment), the State may elect, subject to the limitations in this section, to—
(1) submit, within the number of days specified by the Secretary in regulations which apply to submission of compliance plans with respect to deficiencies of such type, a written plan of correction which details the extent of the facility's current compliance with the standards promulgated by the Secretary, including all deficiencies identified during a validation survey, and which provides for a timetable for completion of necessary steps to correct all staffing deficiencies within 6 months, and a timetable for rectifying all physical plant deficiencies within 6 months; or
(2) submit, within a time period consisting of the number of days specified for submissions under paragraph (1) plus 35 days, a written plan for permanently reducing the number of certified beds, within a maximum of 36 months, in order to permit any noncomplying buildings (or distinct parts thereof) to be vacated and any staffing deficiencies to be corrected (hereinafter in this section referred to as a "reduction plan").
(b) Conditions for approval of reduction plans
As conditions of approval of any reduction plan submitted pursuant to subsection (a)(2) of this section, the State must—
(1) provide for a hearing to be held at the affected facility at least 35 days prior to submission of the reduction plan, with reasonable notice thereof to the staff and residents of the facility, responsible members of the residents' families, and the general public;
(2) demonstrate that the State has successfully provided home and community services similar to the services proposed to be provided under the reduction plan for similar individuals eligible for medical assistance; and
(3) provide assurances that the requirements of subsection (c) of this section shall be met with respect to the reduction plan.
(c) Contents of reduction plan
The reduction plan must—
(1) identify the number and service needs of existing facility residents to be provided home or community services and the timetable for providing such services, in 6 month intervals, within the 36-month period;
(2) describe the methods to be used to select such residents for home and community services and to develop the alternative home and community services to meet their needs effectively;
(3) describe the necessary safeguards that will be applied to protect the health and welfare of the former residents of the facility who are to receive home or community services, including adequate standards for consumer and provider participation and assurances that applicable State licensure and applicable State and Federal certification requirements will be met in providing such home or community services;
(4) provide that residents of the affected facility who are eligible for medical assistance while in the facility shall, at their option, be placed in another setting (or another part of the affected facility) so as to retain their eligibility for medical assistance;
(5) specify the actions which will be taken to protect the health and safety of, and to provide active treatment for, the residents who remain in the affected facility while the reduction plan is in effect;
(6) provide that the ratio of qualified staff to residents at the affected facility (or the part thereof) which is subject to the reduction plan will be the higher of—
(A) the ratio which the Secretary determines is necessary in order to assure the health and safety of the residents of such facility (or part thereof); or
(B) the ratio which was in effect at the time that the finding of substantial deficiencies (referred to in subsection (a) of this section) was made; and
(7) provide for the protection of the interests of employees affected by actions under the reduction plan, including—
(A) arrangements to preserve employee rights and benefits;
(B) training and retraining of such employees where necessary;
(C) redeployment of such employees to community settings under the reduction plan; and
(D) making maximum efforts to guarantee the employment of such employees (but this requirement shall not be construed to guarantee the employment of any employee).
(d) Notice and comment; approval of more than 15 reduction plans in any fiscal year; corrections costing $2,000,000 or more
(1) The Secretary must provide for a period of not less than 30 days after the submission of a reduction plan by a State, during which comments on such reduction plan may be submitted to the Secretary, before the Secretary approves or disapproves such reduction plan.
(2) If the Secretary approves more than 15 reduction plans under this section in any fiscal year, any reduction plans approved in addition to the first 15 such plans approved, must be for a facility (or part thereof) for which the costs of correcting the substantial deficiencies (referred to in subsection (a) of this section) are $2,000,000 or greater (as demonstrated by the State to the satisfaction of the Secretary).
(e) Termination of provider agreements; disallowance of percentage amounts for purposes of Federal financial participation
(1) If the Secretary, at the conclusion of the 6-month plan of correction described in subsection (a)(1) of this section, determines that the State has substantially failed to correct the deficiencies described in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary may terminate the facility's provider agreement in accordance with the provisions of
(2) In the case of a reduction plan described in subsection (a)(2) of this section, if the Secretary determines, at the conclusion of the initial 6-month period or any 6-month interval thereafter, that the State has substantially failed to meet the requirements of subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary shall—
(A) terminate the facility's provider agreement in accordance with the provisions of
(B) if the State has failed to meet such requirements despite good faith efforts, disallow, for purposes of Federal financial participation, an amount equal to 5 percent of the cost of care for all eligible individuals in the facility for each month for which the State fails to meet such requirements.
(f) Applicability of section limited to plans approved by January 1, 1990
The provisions of this section shall apply only to plans of correction and reduction plans approved by the Secretary by January 1, 1990.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1922, formerly §1919, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1922 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1939 and is classified to
Amendments
1988—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c)(5).
Subsec. (e)(1), (2)(A).
Subsec. (f).
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Section 8433(b) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date
Section 9516(b) of
"(1) The amendment made by this section [enacting this section] shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 7, 1986].
"(2) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking with respect to section 1919 of the Social Security Act [this section] within 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall allow a period of 30 days for comment thereon prior to promulgating final regulations implementing such section."
Regulations
Section 4217 of
"(a)
"(b) The regulations promulgated under paragraph (1) shall be effective as if promulgated on the date of enactment of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 [Apr. 7, 1986]."
Report to Congress on Implementation and Results of This Section
Section 9516(c) of
§1396r–4. Adjustment in payment for inpatient hospital services furnished by disproportionate share hospitals
(a) Implementation of requirement
(1) A State plan under this subchapter shall not be considered to meet the requirement of
(A) specifically defines the hospitals so described (and includes in such definition any disproportionate share hospital described in subsection (b)(1) of this section which meets the requirements of subsection (d) of this section), and
(B) provides, effective for inpatient hospital services provided not later than July 1, 1988, for an appropriate increase in the rate or amount of payment for such services provided by such hospitals, consistent with subsection (c) of this section.
(2)(A) In order to be considered to have met such requirement of
(B) In order to be considered to have met such requirement of
(C) If a State plan under this subchapter provides for payments for inpatient hospital services on a prospective basis (whether per diem, per case, or otherwise), in order for the plan to be considered to have met such requirement of
(D) A State plan under this subchapter shall not be considered to meet the requirements of
(3) The Secretary shall, not later than 90 days after the date a State submits an amendment under this subsection, review each such amendment for compliance with such requirement and by such date shall approve or disapprove each such amendment. If the Secretary disapproves such an amendment, the State shall immediately submit a revised amendment which meets such requirement.
(4) The requirement of this subsection may not be waived under
(b) Hospitals deemed disproportionate share
(1) For purposes of subsection (a)(1) of this section, a hospital which meets the requirements of subsection (d) of this section is deemed to be a disproportionate share hospital if—
(A) the hospital's medicaid inpatient utilization rate (as defined in paragraph (2)) is at least one standard deviation above the mean medicaid inpatient utilization rate for hospitals receiving medicaid payments in the State; or
(B) the hospital's low-income utilization rate (as defined in paragraph (3)) exceeds 25 percent.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), the term "medicaid inpatient utilization rate" means, for a hospital, a fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which is the hospital's number of inpatient days attributable to patients who (for such days) were eligible for medical assistance under a State plan approved under this subchapter in a period (regardless of whether such patients receive medical assistance on a fee-for-service basis or through a managed care entity), and the denominator of which is the total number of the hospital's inpatient days in that period. In this paragraph, the term "inpatient day" includes each day in which an individual (including a newborn) is an inpatient in the hospital, whether or not the individual is in a specialized ward and whether or not the individual remains in the hospital for lack of suitable placement elsewhere.
(3) For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), the term "low-income utilization rate" means, for a hospital, the sum of—
(A) the fraction (expressed as a percentage)—
(i) the numerator of which is the sum (for a period) of (I) the total revenues paid the hospital for patient services under a State plan under this subchapter (regardless of whether the services were furnished on a fee-for-service basis or through a managed care entity) and (II) the amount of the cash subsidies for patient services received directly from State and local governments, and
(ii) the denominator of which is the total amount of revenues of the hospital for patient services (including the amount of such cash subsidies) in the period; and
(B) a fraction (expressed as a percentage)—
(i) the numerator of which is the total amount of the hospital's charges for inpatient hospital services which are attributable to charity care in a period, less the portion of any cash subsidies described in clause (i)(II) of subparagraph (A) in the period reasonably attributable to inpatient hospital services, and
(ii) the denominator of which is the total amount of the hospital's charges for inpatient hospital services in the hospital in the period.
The numerator under subparagraph (B)(i) shall not include contractual allowances and discounts (other than for indigent patients not eligible for medical assistance under a State plan approved under this subchapter).
(4) The Secretary may not restrict a State's authority to designate hospitals as disproportionate share hospitals under this section. The previous sentence shall not be construed to affect the authority of the Secretary to reduce payments pursuant to
(c) Payment adjustment
Subject to subsections (f) and (g) of this section, in order to be consistent with this subsection, a payment adjustment for a disproportionate share hospital must either—
(1) be in an amount equal to at least the product of (A) the amount paid under the State plan to the hospital for operating costs for inpatient hospital services (of the kind described in
(2) provide for a minimum specified additional payment amount (or increased percentage payment) and (without regard to whether the hospital is described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (b)(1) of this section) for an increase in such a payment amount (or percentage payment) in proportion to the percentage by which the hospital's medicaid utilization rate (as defined in subsection (b)(2) of this section) exceeds one standard deviation above the mean medicaid inpatient utilization rate for hospitals receiving medicaid payments in the State or the hospital's low-income utilization rate (as defined in paragraph 1 (b)(3) of this section); or
(3) provide for a minimum specified additional payment amount (or increased percentage payment) that varies according to type of hospital under a methodology that—
(A) applies equally to all hospitals of each type; and
(B) results in an adjustment for each type of hospital that is reasonably related to the costs, volume, or proportion of services provided to patients eligible for medical assistance under a State plan approved under this subchapter or to low-income patients,
except that, for purposes of paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(A) of subsection (a) of this section, the payment adjustment for a disproportionate share hospital is consistent with this subsection if the appropriate increase in the rate or amount of payment is equal to at least one-third of the increase otherwise applicable under this subsection (in the case of such paragraph (1)(B)) and at least two-thirds of such increase (in the case of such paragraph (2)(A)). In the case of a hospital described in subsection (d)(2)(A)(i) of this section (relating to children's hospitals), in computing the hospital's disproportionate share adjustment percentage for purposes of paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection, the disproportionate patient percentage (defined in
(d) Requirements to qualify as disproportionate share hospital
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), no hospital may be defined or deemed as a disproportionate share hospital under a State plan under this subchapter or under subsection (b) of this section unless the hospital has at least 2 obstetricians who have staff privileges at the hospital and who have agreed to provide obstetric services to individuals who are entitled to medical assistance for such services under such State plan.
(2)(A) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a hospital—
(i) the inpatients of which are predominantly individuals under 18 years of age; or
(ii) which does not offer nonemergency obstetric services to the general population as of December 22, 1987.
(B) In the case of a hospital located in a rural area (as defined for purposes of
(3) No hospital may be defined or deemed as a disproportionate share hospital under a State plan under this subchapter or under subsection (b) or (e) of this section unless the hospital has a medicaid inpatient utilization rate (as defined in subsection (b)(2) of this section) of not less than 1 percent.
(e) Special rule
(1) A State plan shall be considered to meet the requirement of
(2) In the case of a State that used a health insuring organization before January 1, 1986, to administer a portion of its plan on a statewide basis, beginning on July 1, 1988—
(A) the requirements of subsections (b) and (c) of this section (other than the last sentence of subsection (c) of this section) shall not apply if the aggregate amount of the payment adjustments under the plan for disproportionate share hospitals (as defined under the State plan) is not less than the aggregate amount of payment adjustments otherwise required to be made if such subsections applied,
(B) subsection (d)(2)(B) of this section shall apply to hospitals located in urban areas, as well as in rural areas,
(C) subsection (d)(3) of this section shall apply, and
(D) subsection (g) of this section shall apply.
(f) Limitation on Federal financial participation
(1) In general
Payment under
(2) State DSH allotments for fiscal years 1998 through 2002
Subject to paragraph (4), the DSH allotment for a State for each fiscal year during the period beginning with fiscal year 1998 and ending with fiscal year 2002 is determined in accordance with the following table:
State or District | DSH Allotment (in millions of dollars) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
FY 98 | FY 99 | FY 00 | FY 01 | FY 02 | |
Alabama | 293 | 269 | 248 | 246 | 246 |
Alaska | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
Arizona | 81 | 81 | 81 | 81 | 81 |
Arkansas | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
California | 1,085 | 1,068 | 986 | 931 | 877 |
Colorado | 93 | 85 | 79 | 74 | 74 |
Connecticut | 200 | 194 | 164 | 160 | 160 |
Delaware | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
District of Columbia | 23 | 23 | 49 | 49 | 49 |
Florida | 207 | 203 | 197 | 188 | 160 |
Georgia | 253 | 248 | 241 | 228 | 215 |
Hawaii | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Idaho | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Illinois | 203 | 199 | 193 | 182 | 172 |
Indiana | 201 | 197 | 191 | 181 | 171 |
Iowa | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Kansas | 51 | 49 | 42 | 36 | 33 |
Kentucky | 137 | 134 | 130 | 123 | 116 |
Louisiana | 880 | 795 | 713 | 658 | 631 |
Maine | 103 | 99 | 84 | 84 | 84 |
Maryland | 72 | 70 | 68 | 64 | 61 |
Massachusetts | 288 | 282 | 273 | 259 | 244 |
Michigan | 249 | 244 | 237 | 224 | 212 |
Minnesota | 16 | 16 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
Mississippi | 143 | 141 | 136 | 129 | 122 |
Missouri | 436 | 423 | 379 | 379 | 379 |
Montana | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
Nebraska | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Nevada | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 |
New Hampshire | 140 | 136 | 130 | 130 | 130 |
New Jersey | 600 | 582 | 515 | 515 | 515 |
New Mexico | 5 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
New York | 1,512 | 1,482 | 1,436 | 1,361 | 1,285 |
North Carolina | 278 | 272 | 264 | 250 | 236 |
North Dakota | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Ohio | 382 | 374 | 363 | 344 | 325 |
Oklahoma | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Oregon | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Pennsylvania | 529 | 518 | 502 | 476 | 449 |
Rhode Island | 62 | 60 | 58 | 55 | 52 |
South Carolina | 313 | 303 | 262 | 262 | 262 |
South Dakota | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Tennessee | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Texas | 979 | 950 | 806 | 765 | 765 |
Utah | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Vermont | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Virginia | 70 | 68 | 66 | 63 | 59 |
Washington | 174 | 171 | 166 | 157 | 148 |
West Virginia | 64 | 63 | 61 | 58 | 54 |
Wisconsin | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Wyoming | 0 | 0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1. |
(3) State DSH allotments for fiscal year 2003 and thereafter
(A) In general
Except as provided in paragraphs (6) and (7) and subparagraph (E), the DSH allotment for any State for fiscal year 2003 and each succeeding fiscal year is equal to the DSH allotment for the State for the preceding fiscal year under paragraph (2) or this paragraph, increased, subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C) and paragraph (5), by the percentage change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; U.S. city average), for the previous fiscal year.
(B) Limitation
The DSH allotment for a State shall not be increased under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year to the extent that such an increase would result in the DSH allotment for the year exceeding the greater of—
(i) the DSH allotment for the previous year, or
(ii) 12 percent of the total amount of expenditures under the State plan for medical assistance during the fiscal year.
(C) Special, temporary increase in allotments on a one-time, non-cumulative basis
The DSH allotment for any State (other than a State with a DSH allotment determined under paragraph (5))—
(i) for fiscal year 2004 is equal to 116 percent of the DSH allotment for the State for fiscal year 2003 under this paragraph, notwithstanding subparagraph (B); and
(ii) for each succeeding fiscal year is equal to the DSH allotment for the State for fiscal year 2004 or, in the case of fiscal years beginning with the fiscal year specified in subparagraph (D) for that State, the DSH allotment for the State for the previous fiscal year increased by the percentage change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; U.S. city average), for the previous fiscal year.
(D) Fiscal year specified
For purposes of subparagraph (C)(ii), the fiscal year specified in this subparagraph for a State is the first fiscal year for which the Secretary estimates that the DSH allotment for that State will equal (or no longer exceed) the DSH allotment for that State under the law as in effect before December 8, 2003.
(E) Temporary increase in allotments during recession
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), the DSH allotment for any State—
(I) for fiscal year 2009 is equal to 102.5 percent of the DSH allotment that would be determined under this paragraph for the State for fiscal year 2009 without application of this subparagraph, notwithstanding subparagraphs (B) and (C);
(II) for fiscal year 2010 is equal to 102.5 percent of the DSH allotment for the State for fiscal year 2009, as determined under subclause (I); and
(III) for each succeeding fiscal year is equal to the DSH allotment for the State under this paragraph determined without applying subclauses (I) and (II).
(ii) Application
Clause (i) shall not apply to a State for a year in the case that the DSH allotment for such State for such year under this paragraph determined without applying clause (i) would grow higher than the DSH allotment specified under clause (i) for the State for such year.
(4) Special rule for fiscal years 2001 and 2002
(A) In general
Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the DSH allotment for any State for—
(i) fiscal year 2001, shall be the DSH allotment determined under paragraph (2) for fiscal year 2000 increased, subject to subparagraph (B) and paragraph (5), by the percentage change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; U.S. city average) for fiscal year 2000; and
(ii) fiscal year 2002, shall be the DSH allotment determined under clause (i) increased, subject to subparagraph (B) and paragraph (5), by the percentage change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; U.S. city average) for fiscal year 2001.
(B) Limitation
Subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) shall apply to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph in the same manner as that subparagraph (B) applies to paragraph (3)(A).
(C) No application to allotments after fiscal year 2002
The DSH allotment for any State for fiscal year 2003 or any succeeding fiscal year shall be determined under paragraph (3) without regard to the DSH allotments determined under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.
(5) Special rule for low DSH States
(A) For fiscal years 2001 through 2003 for extremely low DSH States
In the case of a State in which the total expenditures under the State plan (including Federal and State shares) for disproportionate share hospital adjustments under this section for fiscal year 1999, as reported to the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration as of August 31, 2000, is greater than 0 but less than 1 percent of the State's total amount of expenditures under the State plan for medical assistance during the fiscal year, the DSH allotment for fiscal year 2001 shall be increased to 1 percent of the State's total amount of expenditures under such plan for such assistance during such fiscal year. In subsequent fiscal years before fiscal year 2004, such increased allotment is subject to an increase for inflation as provided in paragraph (3)(A).
(B) For fiscal year 2004 and subsequent fiscal years
In the case of a State in which the total expenditures under the State plan (including Federal and State shares) for disproportionate share hospital adjustments under this section for fiscal year 2000, as reported to the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as of August 31, 2003, is greater than 0 but less than 3 percent of the State's total amount of expenditures under the State plan for medical assistance during the fiscal year, the DSH allotment for the State with respect to—
(i) fiscal year 2004 shall be the DSH allotment for the State for fiscal year 2003 increased by 16 percent;
(ii) each succeeding fiscal year before fiscal year 2009 shall be the DSH allotment for the State for the previous fiscal year increased by 16 percent; and
(iii) fiscal year 2009 and any subsequent fiscal year, shall be the DSH allotment for the State for the previous year subject to an increase for inflation as provided in paragraph (3)(A).
(6) Allotment adjustments
(A) Tennessee
(i) In general
Only with respect to fiscal year 2007, the DSH allotment for Tennessee for such fiscal year, notwithstanding the table set forth in paragraph (2) or the terms of the TennCare Demonstration Project in effect for the State, shall be the greater of—
(I) the amount that the Secretary determines is equal to the Federal medical assistance percentage component attributable to disproportionate share hospital payment adjustments for the demonstration year ending in 2006 that is reflected in the budget neutrality provision of the TennCare Demonstration Project; and
(II) $280,000,000.
Only with respect to fiscal years 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, the DSH allotment for Tennessee for the fiscal year, notwithstanding such table or terms, shall be the amount specified in the previous sentence for fiscal year 2007. Only with respect to fiscal year 2012 for the period ending on December 31, 2011, the DSH allotment for Tennessee for such portion of the fiscal year, notwithstanding such table or terms, shall be ¼ of the amount specified in the first sentence for fiscal year 2007.
(ii) Limitation on amount of payment adjustments eligible for Federal financial participation
Payment under
(iii) State plan amendment
The Secretary shall permit Tennessee to submit an amendment to its State plan under this subchapter that describes the methodology to be used by the State to identify and make payments to disproportionate share hospitals, including children's hospitals and institutions for mental diseases or other mental health facilities. The Secretary may not approve such plan amendment unless the methodology described in the amendment is consistent with the requirements under this section for making payment adjustments to disproportionate share hospitals. For purposes of demonstrating budget neutrality under the TennCare Demonstration Project, payment adjustments made pursuant to a State plan amendment approved in accordance with this subparagraph shall be considered expenditures under such project.
(iv) Offset of Federal share of payment adjustments for fiscal years 2007 through 2011 and the first calendar quarter of fiscal year 2012 against Essential Access Hospital supplemental pool payments under the TennCare Demonstration Project
(I) The total amount of Essential Access Hospital supplemental pool payments that may be made under the TennCare Demonstration Project for fiscal year 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, or for a period in fiscal year 2012 described in clause (i) shall be reduced on a dollar for dollar basis by the amount of any payments made under
(II) The sum of the total amount of payments made under
(v) Allotment for 2d, 3rd, and 4th quarters of fiscal year 2012 and for fiscal year 2013
Notwithstanding the table set forth in paragraph (2):
(I) 2d, 3rd, and 4th quarters of fiscal year 2012
In the case of a State that has a DSH allotment of $0 for the 2d, 3rd, and 4th quarters of fiscal year 2012, the DSH allotment shall be $47,200,000 for such quarters.
(II) Fiscal year 2013
In the case of a State that has a DSH allotment of $0 for fiscal year 2013, the DSH allotment shall be $53,100,000 for such fiscal year.
(B) Hawaii
(i) In general
Only with respect to each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011, the DSH allotment for Hawaii for such fiscal year, notwithstanding the table set forth in paragraph (2), shall be $10,000,000. Only with respect to fiscal year 2012 for the period ending on December 31, 2011, the DSH allotment for Hawaii for such portion of the fiscal year, notwithstanding the table set forth in paragraph (2), shall be $2,500,000.
(ii) State plan amendment
The Secretary shall permit Hawaii to submit an amendment to its State plan under this subchapter that describes the methodology to be used by the State to identify and make payments to disproportionate share hospitals, including children's hospitals and institutions for mental diseases or other mental health facilities. The Secretary may not approve such plan amendment unless the methodology described in the amendment is consistent with the requirements under this section for making payment adjustments to disproportionate share hospitals.
(iii) Allotment for 2d, 3rd, and 4th quarter of fiscal year 2012, fiscal year 2013, and succeeding fiscal years
Notwithstanding the table set forth in paragraph (2):
(I) 2d, 3rd, and 4th quarter of fiscal year 2012
The DSH allotment for Hawaii for the 2d, 3rd, and 4th quarters of fiscal year 2012 shall be $7,500,000.
(II) Treatment as a low-DSH State for fiscal year 2013 and succeeding fiscal years
With respect to fiscal year 2013, and each fiscal year thereafter, the DSH allotment for Hawaii shall be increased in the same manner as allotments for low DSH States are increased for such fiscal year under clause (iii) of paragraph (5)(B).
(III) Certain hospital payments
The Secretary may not impose a limitation on the total amount of payments made to hospitals under the QUEST section 1115 Demonstration Project except to the extent that such limitation is necessary to ensure that a hospital does not receive payments in excess of the amounts described in subsection (g), or as necessary to ensure that such payments under the waiver and such payments pursuant to the allotment provided in this clause do not, in the aggregate in any year, exceed the amount that the Secretary determines is equal to the Federal medical assistance percentage component attributable to disproportionate share hospital payment adjustments for such year that is reflected in the budget neutrality provision of the QUEST Demonstration Project.
(7) Medicaid DSH reductions
(A) Reductions
(i) In general
For each of fiscal years 2014 through 2020 the Secretary shall effect the following reductions:
(I) Reduction in DSH allotments
The Secretary shall reduce DSH allotments to States in the amount specified under the DSH health reform methodology under subparagraph (B) for the State for the fiscal year.
(II) Reductions in payments
The Secretary shall reduce payments to States under
(ii) Aggregate reductions
The aggregate reductions in DSH allotments for all States under clause (i)(I) shall be equal to—
(I) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2014;
(II) $600,000,000 for fiscal year 2015;
(III) $600,000,000 for fiscal year 2016;
(IV) $1,800,000,000 for fiscal year 2017;
(V) $5,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2018;
(VI) $5,600,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; and
(VII) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2020.
The Secretary shall distribute such aggregate reductions among States in accordance with subparagraph (B).
(iii) Manner of payment reduction
The amount of the payment reduction under clause (i)(II) for a State for a quarter shall be deemed an overpayment to the State under this subchapter to be disallowed against the State's regular quarterly draw for all spending under
(iv) Definition
In this paragraph, the term "State" means the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
(B) DSH Health Reform methodology
The Secretary shall carry out subparagraph (A) through use of a DSH Health Reform methodology that meets the following requirements:
(i) The methodology imposes the largest percentage reductions on the States that—
(I) have the lowest percentages of uninsured individuals (determined on the basis of data from the Bureau of the Census, audited hospital cost reports, and other information likely to yield accurate data) during the most recent year for which such data are available; or
(II) do not target their DSH payments on—
(aa) hospitals with high volumes of Medicaid inpatients (as defined in subsection (b)(1)(A)); and
(bb) hospitals that have high levels of uncompensated care (excluding bad debt).
(ii) The methodology imposes a smaller percentage reduction on low DSH States described in paragraph (5)(B).
(iii) The methodology takes into account the extent to which the DSH allotment for a State was included in the budget neutrality calculation for a coverage expansion approved under
(8) "State" defined
In this subsection, the term "State" means the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
(g) Limit on amount of payment to hospital
(1) Amount of adjustment subject to uncompensated costs
(A) In general
A payment adjustment during a fiscal year shall not be considered to be consistent with subsection (c) of this section with respect to a hospital if the payment adjustment exceeds the costs incurred during the year of furnishing hospital services (as determined by the Secretary and net of payments under this subchapter, other than under this section, and by uninsured patients) by the hospital to individuals who either are eligible for medical assistance under the State plan or have no health insurance (or other source of third party coverage) for services provided during the year. For purposes of the preceding sentence, payments made to a hospital for services provided to indigent patients made by a State or a unit of local government within a State shall not be considered to be a source of third party payment.
(B) Limit to public hospitals during transition period
With respect to payment adjustments during a State fiscal year that begins before January 1, 1995, subparagraph (A) shall apply only to hospitals owned or operated by a State (or by an instrumentality or a unit of government within a State).
(C) Modifications for private hospitals
With respect to hospitals that are not owned or operated by a State (or by an instrumentality or a unit of government within a State), the Secretary may make such modifications to the manner in which the limitation on payment adjustments is applied to such hospitals as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(2) Additional amount during transition period for certain hospitals with high disproportionate share
(A) In general
In the case of a hospital with high disproportionate share (as defined in subparagraph (B)), a payment adjustment during a State fiscal year that begins before January 1, 1995, shall be considered consistent with subsection (c) of this section if the payment adjustment does not exceed 200 percent of the costs of furnishing hospital services described in paragraph (1)(A) during the year, but only if the Governor of the State certifies to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the hospital's applicable minimum amount is used for health services during the year. In determining the amount that is used for such services during a year, there shall be excluded any amounts received under the Public Health Service Act [
(B) "Hospital with high disproportionate share" defined
In subparagraph (A), a hospital is a "hospital with high disproportionate share" if—
(i) the hospital is owned or operated by a State (or by an instrumentality or a unit of government within a State); and
(ii) the hospital—
(I) meets the requirement described in subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section, or
(II) has the largest number of inpatient days attributable to individuals entitled to benefits under the State plan of any hospital in such State for the previous State fiscal year.
(C) "Applicable minimum amount" defined
In subparagraph (A), the "applicable minimum amount" for a hospital for a fiscal year is equal to the difference between the amount of the hospital's payment adjustment for the fiscal year and the costs to the hospital of furnishing hospital services described in paragraph (1)(A) during the fiscal year.
(h) Limitation on certain State DSH expenditures
(1) In general
Payment under
(A) 1995 IMD DSH payment adjustments
The total State DSH expenditures that are attributable to fiscal year 1995 for payments to institutions for mental diseases and other mental health facilities (based on reporting data specified by the State on HCFA Form 64 as mental health DSH, and as approved by the Secretary).
(B) Applicable percentage of 1995 total DSH payment allotment
The amount of such payment adjustments which are equal to the applicable percentage of the Federal share of payment adjustments made to hospitals in the State under subsection (c) of this section that are attributable to the 1995 DSH allotment for the State for payments to institutions for mental diseases and other mental health facilities (based on reporting data specified by the State on HCFA Form 64 as mental health DSH, and as approved by the Secretary).
(2) Applicable percentage
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (1), the applicable percentage with respect to—
(i) each of fiscal years 1998, 1999, and 2000, is the percentage determined under subparagraph (B); or
(ii) a succeeding fiscal year is the lesser of the percentage determined under subparagraph (B) or the following percentage:
(I) For fiscal year 2001, 50 percent.
(II) For fiscal year 2002, 40 percent.
(III) For each succeeding fiscal year, 33 percent.
(B) 1995 percentage
The percentage determined under this subparagraph is the ratio (determined as a percentage) of—
(i) the Federal share of payment adjustments made to hospitals in the State under subsection (c) of this section that are attributable to the 1995 DSH allotment for the State (as reported by the State not later than January 1, 1997, on HCFA Form 64, and as approved by the Secretary) for payments to institutions for mental diseases and other mental health facilities, to
(ii) the State 1995 DSH spending amount.
(C) State 1995 DSH spending amount
For purposes of subparagraph (B)(ii), the "State 1995 DSH spending amount", with respect to a State, is the Federal medical assistance percentage (for fiscal year 1995) of the payment adjustments made under subsection (c) of this section under the State plan that are attributable to the fiscal year 1995 DSH allotment for the State (as reported by the State not later than January 1, 1997, on HCFA Form 64, and as approved by the Secretary).
(i) Requirement for direct payment
(1) In general
No payment may be made under
(A) is made directly to the hospital by the State; and
(B) is not used to determine the amount of a prepaid capitation payment under the State plan to the entity or arrangement with respect to such individuals.
(2) Exception for current arrangements
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a payment adjustment provided pursuant to a payment arrangement in effect on July 1, 1997.
(j) Annual reports and other requirements regarding payment adjustments
With respect to fiscal year 2004 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary shall require a State, as a condition of receiving a payment under
(1) Report
The State shall submit an annual report that includes the following:
(A) An identification of each disproportionate share hospital that received a payment adjustment under this section for the preceding fiscal year and the amount of the payment adjustment made to such hospital for the preceding fiscal year.
(B) Such other information as the Secretary determines necessary to ensure the appropriateness of the payment adjustments made under this section for the preceding fiscal year.
(2) Independent certified audit
The State shall annually submit to the Secretary an independent certified audit that verifies each of the following:
(A) The extent to which hospitals in the State have reduced their uncompensated care costs to reflect the total amount of claimed expenditures made under this section.
(B) Payments under this section to hospitals that comply with the requirements of subsection (g) of this section.
(C) Only the uncompensated care costs of providing inpatient hospital and outpatient hospital services to individuals described in paragraph (1)(A) of such subsection are included in the calculation of the hospital-specific limits under such subsection.
(D) The State included all payments under this subchapter, including supplemental payments, in the calculation of such hospital-specific limits.
(E) The State has separately documented and retained a record of all of its costs under this subchapter, claimed expenditures under this subchapter, uninsured costs in determining payment adjustments under this section, and any payments made on behalf of the uninsured from payment adjustments under this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1923, formerly
References in Text
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (g)(2)(A), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373,
Codification
Prior to redesignation by
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1923 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1939 and is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(3)(A).
Subsec. (f)(6).
Subsec. (f)(6)(A)(v).
Subsec. (f)(6)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (f)(7).
Subsec. (f)(7)(A).
Subsec. (f)(7)(B)(i).
"(I) if the State is a low DSH State described in paragraph (5)(B), the applicable percentage is equal to 25 percent; and
"(II) if the State is any other State, the applicable percentage is 50 percent."
Subsec. (f)(7)(B)(ii).
"(I) if the State is a low DSH State described in paragraph (5)(B), the applicable percentage is equal to the product of the percentage reduction in uncovered individuals for the fiscal year from the preceding fiscal year and 25 percent; and
"(II) if the State is any other State, the applicable percentage is equal to the product of the percentage reduction in uncovered individuals for the fiscal year from the preceding fiscal year and 50 percent."
Subsec. (f)(7)(E).
Subsec. (f)(7)(G).
Subsec. (f)(8).
2009—Subsec. (f)(3)(A).
Subsec. (f)(3)(E).
Subsec. (f)(6).
Subsec. (f)(6)(A)(i).
Subsec. (f)(6)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(6)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (f)(6)(A)(iv)(I), (II).
Subsec. (f)(6)(B)(i).
2008—Subsec. (f)(6).
Subsec. (f)(6)(A)(i).
Subsec. (f)(6)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(6)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (f)(6)(B)(i).
2007—Subsec. (f)(6).
Subsec. (f)(6)(A)(i).
Subsec. (f)(6)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(6)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (f)(6)(B)(i).
2006—Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(6).
2003—Subsec. (f)(3)(A).
Subsec. (f)(3)(C), (D).
Subsec. (f)(5).
Subsec. (f)(5)(A).
Subsec. (f)(6), (7).
Subsec. (j).
2000—Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i)(I).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(3)(A).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (f)(5).
Subsec. (f)(6).
1999—Subsec. (c)(3)(B).
Subsec. (f)(2).
1997—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(D).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
1993—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (e)(1)(C).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2)(C).
Subsec. (e)(2)(D).
Subsec. (g).
1991—Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (f).
1990—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (e)(2).
1989—Subsec. (e)(1).
1988—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B).
Subsec. (e).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title VI, §608(s)] of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4711(c)(2) of
Section 4721(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13621(a)(2) of
"(A) the end of the State fiscal year that ends during 1994, or
"(B) in the case of a State with a State legislature which is not scheduled to have a regular legislative session in 1994, the end of the State fiscal year that ends during 1995;
without regard to whether or not final regulations to carry out such amendments have been promulgated by either such date."
Section 13621(b)(3) of
"(A)
"(i) the end of the State fiscal year that ends during 1994, or
"(ii) in the case of a State with a State legislature which is not scheduled to have a regular legislative session in 1994, the end of the State fiscal year that ends during 1995;
without regard to whether or not final regulations to carry out such amendments have been promulgated by either such date.
"(B)
Effective Date of 1991 Amendment
Amendments by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4702(b) of
Section 4703(d) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by section 302(b)(2) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Application of Medicaid DSH Transition Rule to Public Hospitals in All States
"(1)
"(A) 'September 30, 2002' were substituted for 'July 1, 1997' each place it appears;
"(B) 'hospitals owned or operated by a State (as defined for purposes of title XIX of such Act [this subchapter]), or by an instrumentality or a unit of government within a State (as so defined)' were substituted for 'the State of California';
"(C) paragraph (3) were redesignated as paragraph (4);
"(D) 'and' were omitted from the end of paragraph (2); and
"(E) the following new paragraph were inserted after paragraph (2):
'(3) "(as defined in subparagraph (B) but without regard to clause (ii) of that subparagraph and subject to subsection (d))" were substituted for "(as defined in subparagraph (B))" in subparagraph (A) of such section; and'.
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
Assistance for Certain Public Hospitals
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) is owned or operated by a State (as defined for purposes of title XIX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter]), or by an instrumentality or a unit of government within a State (as so defined);
"(B) as of October 1, 2000—
"(i) is in existence and operating as a hospital described in subparagraph (A); and
"(ii) is not receiving disproportionate share hospital payments from the State in which it is located under title XIX of such Act [this subchapter]; and
"(C) has a low-income utilization rate (as defined in section 1923(b)(3) of the Social Security Act (
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) For fiscal year 2002, $15,000,000.
"(ii) For fiscal year 2003, $176,000,000.
"(iii) For fiscal year 2004, $269,000,000.
"(iv) For fiscal year 2005, $330,000,000.
"(v) For fiscal year 2006 and each fiscal year thereafter, $375,000,000."
DSH Payment Accountability Standards
DSH Allotments for Specific Years
Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriations act:
Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriations act:
California Transition Rule
"(1) '(or that begins on or after July 1, 1997)' were inserted in subparagraph (A) of such section after 'January 1, 1995,';
"(2) '(or 175 percent in the case of a State fiscal year that begins on or after July 1, 1997)' were inserted in subparagraph (A) of such section after '200 percent'; and
"(3) effective for State fiscal years that begin on or after July 1, 1999, 'or (b)(1)(B)' were inserted in section 1923(g)(2)(B)(ii)(I) after '(b)(1)(A)'."
[
Study of DSH Payment Adjustments
Section 3(d) of
1 So in original. Probably should be "subsection".
2 So in original. Probably should be preceded by "a".
§1396r–5. Treatment of income and resources for certain institutionalized spouses
(a) Special treatment for institutionalized spouses
(1) Supersedes other provisions
In determining the eligibility for medical assistance of an institutionalized spouse (as defined in subsection (h)(1) of this section), the provisions of this section supersede any other provision of this subchapter (including
(2) No comparable treatment required
Any different treatment provided under this section for institutionalized spouses shall not, by reason of paragraph (10) or (17) of
(3) Does not affect certain determinations
Except as this section specifically provides, this section does not apply to—
(A) the determination of what constitutes income or resources, or
(B) the methodology and standards for determining and evaluating income and resources.
(4) Application in certain States and territories
(A) Application in States operating under demonstration projects
In the case of any State which is providing medical assistance to its residents under a waiver granted under
(B) No application in commonwealths and territories
This section shall only apply to a State that is one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia.
(5) Application to individuals receiving services under PACE programs
This section applies to individuals receiving institutional or noninstitutional services under a PACE demonstration waiver program (as defined in
(b) Rules for treatment of income
(1) Separate treatment of income
During any month in which an institutionalized spouse is in the institution, except as provided in paragraph (2), no income of the community spouse shall be deemed available to the institutionalized spouse.
(2) Attribution of income
In determining the income of an institutionalized spouse or community spouse for purposes of the post-eligibility income determination described in subsection (d) of this section, except as otherwise provided in this section and regardless of any State laws relating to community property or the division of marital property, the following rules apply:
(A) Non-trust property
Subject to subparagraphs (C) and (D), in the case of income not from a trust, unless the instrument providing the income otherwise specifically provides—
(i) if payment of income is made solely in the name of the institutionalized spouse or the community spouse, the income shall be considered available only to that respective spouse;
(ii) if payment of income is made in the names of the institutionalized spouse and the community spouse, one-half of the income shall be considered available to each of them; and
(iii) if payment of income is made in the names of the institutionalized spouse or the community spouse, or both, and to another person or persons, the income shall be considered available to each spouse in proportion to the spouse's interest (or, if payment is made with respect to both spouses and no such interest is specified, one-half of the joint interest shall be considered available to each spouse).
(B) Trust property
In the case of a trust—
(i) except as provided in clause (ii), income shall be attributed in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter (including
(ii) income shall be considered available to each spouse as provided in the trust, or, in the absence of a specific provision in the trust—
(I) if payment of income is made solely to the institutionalized spouse or the community spouse, the income shall be considered available only to that respective spouse;
(II) if payment of income is made to both the institutionalized spouse and the community spouse, one-half of the income shall be considered available to each of them; and
(III) if payment of income is made to the institutionalized spouse or the community spouse, or both, and to another person or persons, the income shall be considered available to each spouse in proportion to the spouse's interest (or, if payment is made with respect to both spouses and no such interest is specified, one-half of the joint interest shall be considered available to each spouse).
(C) Property with no instrument
In the case of income not from a trust in which there is no instrument establishing ownership, subject to subparagraph (D), one-half of the income shall be considered to be available to the institutionalized spouse and one-half to the community spouse.
(D) Rebutting ownership
The rules of subparagraphs (A) and (C) are superseded to the extent that an institutionalized spouse can establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the ownership interests in income are other than as provided under such subparagraphs.
(c) Rules for treatment of resources
(1) Computation of spousal share at time of institutionalization
(A) Total joint resources
There shall be computed (as of the beginning of the first continuous period of institutionalization (beginning on or after September 30, 1989) of the institutionalized spouse)—
(i) the total value of the resources to the extent either the institutionalized spouse or the community spouse has an ownership interest, and
(ii) a spousal share which is equal to ½ of such total value.
(B) Assessment
At the request of an institutionalized spouse or community spouse, at the beginning of the first continuous period of institutionalization (beginning on or after September 30, 1989) of the institutionalized spouse and upon the receipt of relevant documentation of resources, the State shall promptly assess and document the total value described in subparagraph (A)(i) and shall provide a copy of such assessment and documentation to each spouse and shall retain a copy of the assessment for use under this section. If the request is not part of an application for medical assistance under this subchapter, the State may, at its option as a condition of providing the assessment, require payment of a fee not exceeding the reasonable expenses of providing and documenting the assessment. At the time of providing the copy of the assessment, the State shall include a notice indicating that the spouse will have a right to a fair hearing under subsection (e)(2) of this section.
(2) Attribution of resources at time of initial eligibility determination
In determining the resources of an institutionalized spouse at the time of application for benefits under this subchapter, regardless of any State laws relating to community property or the division of marital property—
(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), all the resources held by either the institutionalized spouse, community spouse, or both, shall be considered to be available to the institutionalized spouse, and
(B) resources shall be considered to be available to an institutionalized spouse, but only to the extent that the amount of such resources exceeds the amount computed under subsection (f)(2)(A) of this section (as of the time of application for benefits).
(3) Assignment of support rights
The institutionalized spouse shall not be ineligible by reason of resources determined under paragraph (2) to be available for the cost of care where—
(A) the institutionalized spouse has assigned to the State any rights to support from the community spouse;
(B) the institutionalized spouse lacks the ability to execute an assignment due to physical or mental impairment but the State has the right to bring a support proceeding against a community spouse without such assignment; or
(C) the State determines that denial of eligibility would work an undue hardship.
(4) Separate treatment of resources after eligibility for benefits established
During the continuous period in which an institutionalized spouse is in an institution and after the month in which an institutionalized spouse is determined to be eligible for benefits under this subchapter, no resources of the community spouse shall be deemed available to the institutionalized spouse.
(5) Resources defined
In this section, the term "resources" does not include—
(A) resources excluded under subsection (a) or (d) of
(B) resources that would be excluded under
(d) Protecting income for community spouse
(1) Allowances to be offset from income of institutionalized spouse
After an institutionalized spouse is determined or redetermined to be eligible for medical assistance, in determining the amount of the spouse's income that is to be applied monthly to payment for the costs of care in the institution, there shall be deducted from the spouse's monthly income the following amounts in the following order:
(A) A personal needs allowance (described in
(B) A community spouse monthly income allowance (as defined in paragraph (2)), but only to the extent income of the institutionalized spouse is made available to (or for the benefit of) the community spouse.
(C) A family allowance, for each family member, equal to at least 1/3 of the amount by which the amount described in paragraph (3)(A)(i) exceeds the amount of the monthly income of that family member.
(D) Amounts for incurred expenses for medical or remedial care for the institutionalized spouse (as provided under
In subparagraph (C), the term "family member" only includes minor or dependent children, dependent parents, or dependent siblings of the institutionalized or community spouse who are residing with the community spouse.
(2) Community spouse monthly income allowance defined
In this section (except as provided in paragraph (5)), the "community spouse monthly income allowance" for a community spouse is an amount by which—
(A) except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance (established under and in accordance with paragraph (3)) for the spouse, exceeds
(B) the amount of monthly income otherwise available to the community spouse (determined without regard to such an allowance).
(3) Establishment of minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance
(A) In general
Each State shall establish a minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance for each community spouse which, subject to subparagraph (C), is equal to or exceeds—
(i) the applicable percent (described in subparagraph (B)) of 1/12 of the income official poverty line (defined by the Office of Management and Budget and revised annually in accordance with
(ii) an excess shelter allowance (as defined in paragraph (4)).
A revision of the official poverty line referred to in clause (i) shall apply to medical assistance furnished during and after the second calendar quarter that begins after the date of publication of the revision.
(B) Applicable percent
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(i), the "applicable percent" described in this paragraph, effective as of—
(i) September 30, 1989, is 122 percent,
(ii) July 1, 1991, is 133 percent, and
(iii) July 1, 1992, is 150 percent.
(C) Cap on minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance
The minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance established under subparagraph (A) may not exceed $1,500 (subject to adjustment under subsections (e) and (g) of this section).
(4) Excess shelter allowance defined
In paragraph (3)(A)(ii), the term "excess shelter allowance" means, for a community spouse, the amount by which the sum of—
(A) the spouse's expenses for rent or mortgage payment (including principal and interest), taxes and insurance and, in the case of a condominium or cooperative, required maintenance charge, for the community spouse's principal residence, and
(B) the standard utility allowance (used by the State under
exceeds 30 percent of the amount described in paragraph (3)(A)(i), except that, in the case of a condominium or cooperative, for which a maintenance charge is included under subparagraph (A), any allowance under subparagraph (B) shall be reduced to the extent the maintenance charge includes utility expenses.
(5) Court ordered support
If a court has entered an order against an institutionalized spouse for monthly income for the support of the community spouse, the community spouse monthly income allowance for the spouse shall be not less than the amount of the monthly income so ordered.
(6) Application of "income first" rule to revision of community spouse resource allowance
For purposes of this subsection and subsections (c) and (e), a State must consider that all income of the institutionalized spouse that could be made available to a community spouse, in accordance with the calculation of the community spouse monthly income allowance under this subsection, has been made available before the State allocates to the community spouse an amount of resources adequate to provide the difference between the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance and all income available to the community spouse.
(e) Notice and fair hearing
(1) Notice
Upon—
(A) a determination of eligibility for medical assistance of an institutionalized spouse, or
(B) a request by either the institutionalized spouse, or the community spouse, or a representative acting on behalf of either spouse,
each State shall notify both spouses (in the case described in subparagraph (A)) or the spouse making the request (in the case described in subparagraph (B)) of the amount of the community spouse monthly income allowance (described in subsection (d)(1)(B) of this section), of the amount of any family allowances (described in subsection (d)(1)(C) of this section), of the method for computing the amount of the community spouse resources allowance permitted under subsection (f) of this section, and of the spouse's right to a fair hearing under this subsection respecting ownership or availability of income or resources, and the determination of the community spouse monthly income or resource allowance.
(2) Fair hearing
(A) In general
If either the institutionalized spouse or the community spouse is dissatisfied with a determination of—
(i) the community spouse monthly income allowance;
(ii) the amount of monthly income otherwise available to the community spouse (as applied under subsection (d)(2)(B) of this section);
(iii) the computation of the spousal share of resources under subsection (c)(1) of this section;
(iv) the attribution of resources under subsection (c)(2) of this section; or
(v) the determination of the community spouse resource allowance (as defined in subsection (f)(2) of this section);
such spouse is entitled to a fair hearing described in
(B) Revision of minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance
If either such spouse establishes that the community spouse needs income, above the level otherwise provided by the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance, due to exceptional circumstances resulting in significant financial duress, there shall be substituted, for the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance in subsection (d)(2)(A) of this section, an amount adequate to provide such additional income as is necessary.
(C) Revision of community spouse resource allowance
If either such spouse establishes that the community spouse resource allowance (in relation to the amount of income generated by such an allowance) is inadequate to raise the community spouse's income to the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance, there shall be substituted, for the community spouse resource allowance under subsection (f)(2) of this section, an amount adequate to provide such a minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance.
(f) Permitting transfer of resources to community spouse
(1) In general
An institutionalized spouse may, without regard to
(2) Community spouse resource allowance defined
In paragraph (1), the "community spouse resource allowance" for a community spouse is an amount (if any) by which—
(A) the greatest of—
(i) $12,000 (subject to adjustment under subsection (g) of this section), or, if greater (but not to exceed the amount specified in clause (ii)(II)) an amount specified under the State plan,
(ii) the lesser of (I) the spousal share computed under subsection (c)(1) of this section, or (II) $60,000 (subject to adjustment under subsection (g) of this section),
(iii) the amount established under subsection (e)(2) of this section; or
(iv) the amount transferred under a court order under paragraph (3);
exceeds
(B) the amount of the resources otherwise available to the community spouse (determined without regard to such an allowance).
(3) Transfers under court orders
If a court has entered an order against an institutionalized spouse for the support of the community spouse,
(g) Indexing dollar amounts
For services furnished during a calendar year after 1989, the dollar amounts specified in subsections (d)(3)(C), (f)(2)(A)(i), and (f)(2)(A)(ii)(II) of this section shall be increased by the same percentage as the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; U.S. city average) between September 1988 and the September before the calendar year involved.
(h) Definitions
In this section:
(1) The term "institutionalized spouse" means an individual who—
(A) is in a medical institution or nursing facility or who (at the option of the State) is described in
(B) is married to a spouse who is not in a medical institution or nursing facility;
but does not include any such individual who is not likely to meet the requirements of subparagraph (A) for at least 30 consecutive days.
(2) The term "community spouse" means the spouse of an institutionalized spouse.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1924, as added
Codification
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1924 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1939 and is classified to
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (d)(4)(B).
2006—Subsec. (d)(6).
1997—Subsec. (a)(5).
1994—Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(i).
1993—Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(i).
1990—Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (f)(1).
1989—Subsecs. (b)(2), (d)(1).
1988—Subsec. (c)(1)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by section 4002(b)(1)(B), (2)(V) of
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by section 13611(d)(2) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Section 4714(d) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section 303(g) of
"(1)(A) The amendments made by this section [enacting this section and amending
"(B) Section 1924 of the Social Security Act [this section] (as inserted by subsection (a)) shall only apply to institutionalized individuals who begin continuous periods of institutionalization on or after September 30, 1989, except that subsections (b) and (d) of such section (and so much of subsection (e) of such section as relates to such other subsections) shall apply as of such date to individuals institutionalized on or after such date.
"(2)(A) The amendment made by subsection (b) [amending
"(B) Section 1917(c) of the Social Security Act [
"(C) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), a State may continue to apply the policies contained in the State plan as of June 30, 1988, with respect to resources disposed of before July 1, 1988, and the laws and policies established by the State as of June 30, 1988, or provided for before July 1, 1988, shall continue to apply through September 30, 1989, (and may, at a State's option continue after such date) to inter-spousal transfers occurring before October 1, 1989.
"(3) The amendments made by subsection (c) [amending
"(4) The amendment made by subsection (d) [amending
"(5) In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section (other than paragraphs (1) and (5) of subsection (e) [amending
"(6) The amendments made by paragraphs (1) and (5) of subsection (e) [amending
Protection for Recipients of Home and Community-Based Services Against Spousal Impoverishment
§1396r–6. Extension of eligibility for medical assistance
(a) Initial 6-month extension
(1) Requirement
(A) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter but subject to subparagraph (B) and paragraph (5), each State plan approved under this subchapter must provide that each family which was receiving aid pursuant to a plan of the State approved under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter in at least 3 of the 6 months immediately preceding the month in which such family becomes ineligible for such aid, because of hours of, or income from, employment of the caretaker relative (as defined in subsection (e) of this section) or because of section 602(a)(8)(B)(ii)(II) 1 of this title (providing for a time-limited earned income disregard), shall, subject to paragraph (3) and without any reapplication for benefits under the plan, remain eligible for assistance under the plan approved under this subchapter during the immediately succeeding 6-month period in accordance with this subsection.
(B) State option to waive requirement for 3 months before receipt of medical assistance
A State may, at its option, elect also to apply subparagraph (A) in the case of a family that was receiving such aid for fewer than three months or that had applied for and was eligible for such aid for fewer than 3 months during the 6 immediately preceding months described in such subparagraph.
(2) Notice of benefits
Each State, in the notice of termination of aid under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter sent to a family meeting the requirements of paragraph (1)—
(A) shall notify the family of its right to extended medical assistance under this subsection and include in the notice a description of the reporting requirement of subsection (b)(2)(B)(i) of this section and of the circumstances (described in paragraph (3)) under which such extension may be terminated; and
(B) shall include a card or other evidence of the family's entitlement to assistance under this subchapter for the period provided in this subsection.
(3) Termination of extension
(A) No dependent child
Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), extension of assistance during the 6-month period described in paragraph (1) to a family shall terminate (during such period) at the close of the first month in which the family ceases to include a child, whether or not the child is (or would if needy be) a dependent child under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter.
(B) Notice before termination
No termination of assistance shall become effective under subparagraph (A) until the State has provided the family with notice of the grounds for the termination.
(C) Continuation in certain cases until redetermination
With respect to a child who would cease to receive medical assistance because of subparagraph (A) but who may be eligible for assistance under the State plan because the child is described in clause (i) of
(4) Scope of coverage
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), during the 6-month extension period under this subsection, the amount, duration, and scope of medical assistance made available with respect to a family shall be the same as if the family were still receiving aid under the plan approved under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter.
(B) State medicaid "wrap-around" option
A State, at its option, may pay a family's expenses for premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and similar costs for health insurance or other health coverage offered by an employer of the caretaker relative or by an employer of the absent parent of a dependent child. In the case of such coverage offered by an employer of the caretaker relative—
(i) the State may require the caretaker relative, as a condition of extension of coverage under this subsection for the caretaker and the caretaker's family, to make application for such employer coverage, but only if—
(I) the caretaker relative is not required to make financial contributions for such coverage (whether through payroll deduction, payment of deductibles, coinsurance, or similar costs, or otherwise), and
(II) the State provides, directly or otherwise, for payment of any of the premium amount, deductible, coinsurance, or similar expense that the employee is otherwise required to pay; and
(ii) the State shall treat the coverage under such an employer plan as a third party liability (under
Payments for premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and similar expenses under this subparagraph shall be considered, for purposes of
(5) Option of 12-month initial eligibility period
A State may elect to treat any reference in this subsection to a 6-month period (or 6 months) as a reference to a 12-month period (or 12 months). In the case of such an election, subsection (b) shall not apply.
(b) Additional 6-month extension
(1) Requirement
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter but subject to subsection (a)(5), each State plan approved under this subchapter shall provide that the State shall offer to each family, which has received assistance during the entire 6-month period under subsection (a) of this section and which meets the requirement of paragraph (2)(B)(i), in the last month of the period the option of extending coverage under this subsection for the succeeding 6-month period, subject to paragraph (3).
(2) Notice and reporting requirements
(A) Notices
(i) Notice during initial extension period of option and requirements
Each State, during the 3rd and 6th month of any extended assistance furnished to a family under subsection (a) of this section, shall notify the family of the family's option for additional extended assistance under this subsection. Each such notice shall include (I) in the 3rd month notice, a statement of the reporting requirement under subparagraph (B)(i), and, in the 6th month notice, a statement of the reporting requirement under subparagraph (B)(ii), (II) a statement as to whether any premiums are required for such additional extended assistance, and (III) a description of other out-of-pocket expenses, benefits, reporting and payment procedures, and any pre-existing condition limitations, waiting periods, or other coverage limitations imposed under any alternative coverage options offered under paragraph (4)(D). The 6th month notice under this subparagraph shall describe the amount of any premium required of a particular family for each of the first 3 months of additional extended assistance under this subsection.
(ii) Notice during additional extension period of reporting requirements and premiums
Each State, during the 3rd month of any additional extended assistance furnished to a family under this subsection, shall notify the family of the reporting requirement under subparagraph (B)(ii) and a statement of the amount of any premium required for such extended assistance for the succeeding 3 months.
(B) Reporting requirements
(i) During initial extension period
Each State shall require (as a condition for additional extended assistance under this subsection) that a family receiving extended assistance under subsection (a) of this section report to the State, not later than the 21st day of the 4th month in the period of extended assistance under subsection (a) of this section, on the family's gross monthly earnings and on the family's costs for such child care as is necessary for the employment of the caretaker relative in each of the first 3 months of that period. A State may permit such additional extended assistance under this subsection notwithstanding a failure to report under this clause if the family has established, to the satisfaction of the State, good cause for the failure to report on a timely basis.
(ii) During additional extension period
Each State shall require that a family receiving extended assistance under this subsection report to the State, not later than the 21st day of the 1st month and of the 4th month in the period of additional extended assistance under this subsection, on the family's gross monthly earnings and on the family's costs for such child care as is necessary for the employment of the caretaker relative in each of the 3 preceding months.
(iii) Clarification on frequency of reporting
A State may not require that a family receiving extended assistance under this subsection or subsection (a) of this section report more frequently than as required under clause (i) or (ii).
(3) Termination of extension
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), extension of assistance during the 6-month period described in paragraph (1) to a family shall terminate (during the period) as follows:
(i) No dependent child
The extension shall terminate at the close of the first month in which the family ceases to include a child, whether or not the child is (or would if needy be) a dependent child under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter.
(ii) Failure to pay any premium
If the family fails to pay any premium for a month under paragraph (5) by the 21st day of the following month, the extension shall terminate at the close of that following month, unless the family has established, to the satisfaction of the State, good cause for the failure to pay such premium on a timely basis.
(iii) Quarterly income reporting and test
The extension under this subsection shall terminate at the close of the 1st or 4th month of the 6-month period if—
(I) the family fails to report to the State, by the 21st day of such month, the information required under paragraph (2)(B)(ii), unless the family has established, to the satisfaction of the State, good cause for the failure to report on a timely basis;
(II) the caretaker relative had no earnings in one or more of the previous 3 months, unless such lack of any earnings was due to an involuntary loss of employment, illness, or other good cause, established to the satisfaction of the State; or
(III) the State determines that the family's average gross monthly earnings (less such costs for such child care as is necessary for the employment of the caretaker relative) during the immediately preceding 3-month period exceed 185 percent of the official poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, and revised annually in accordance with
Information described in clause (iii)(I) shall be subject to the restrictions on use and disclosure of information provided under section 602(a)(9) 2 of this title. Instead of terminating a family's extension under clause (iii)(I), a State, at its option, may provide for suspension of the extension until the month after the month in which the family reports information required under paragraph (2)(B)(ii), but only if the family's extension has not otherwise been terminated under subclause (II) or (III) of clause (iii). The State shall make determinations under clause (iii)(III) for a family each time a report under paragraph (2)(B)(ii) for the family is received.
(B) Notice before termination
No termination of assistance shall become effective under subparagraph (A) until the State has provided the family with notice of the grounds for the termination, which notice shall include (in the case of termination under subparagraph (A)(iii)(II), relating to no continued earnings) a description of how the family may reestablish eligibility for medical assistance under the State plan. No such termination shall be effective earlier than 10 days after the date of mailing of such notice.
(C) Continuation in certain cases until redetermination
(i) Dependent children
With respect to a child who would cease to receive medical assistance because of subparagraph (A)(i) but who may be eligible for assistance under the State plan because the child is described in clause (i) of
(ii) Medically needy
With respect to an individual who would cease to receive medical assistance because of clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (A) but who may be eligible for assistance under the State plan because the individual is within a category of person for which medical assistance under the State plan is available under
(4) Coverage
(A) In general
During the extension period under this subsection—
(i) the State plan shall offer to each family medical assistance which (subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C)) is the same amount, duration, and scope as would be made available to the family if it were still receiving aid under the plan approved under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter; and
(ii) the State plan may offer alternative coverage described in subparagraph (D).
(B) Elimination of most non-acute care benefits
At a State's option and notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, a State may choose not to provide medical assistance under this subsection with respect to any (or all) of the items and services described in paragraphs (4)(A), (6), (7), (8), (11), (13), (14), (15), (16), (18), (20), and (21) 2 of
(C) State medicaid "wrap-around" option
At a State's option, the State may elect to apply the option described in subsection (a)(4)(B) of this section (relating to "wrap-around" coverage) for families electing medical assistance under this subsection in the same manner as such option applies to families provided extended eligibility for medical assistance under subsection (a) of this section.
(D) Alternative assistance
At a State's option, the State may offer families a choice of health care coverage under one or more of the following, instead of the medical assistance otherwise made available under this subsection:
(i) Enrollment in family option of employer plan
Enrollment of the caretaker relative and dependent children in a family option of the group health plan offered to the caretaker relative.
(ii) Enrollment in family option of State employee plan
Enrollment of the caretaker relative and dependent children in a family option within the options of the group health plan or plans offered by the State to State employees.
(iii) Enrollment in State uninsured plan
Enrollment of the caretaker relative and dependent children in a basic State health plan offered by the State to individuals in the State (or areas of the State) otherwise unable to obtain health insurance coverage.
(iv) Enrollment in medicaid managed care organization
Enrollment of the caretaker relative and dependent children in a medicaid managed care organization (as defined in
If a State elects to offer an option to enroll a family under this subparagraph, the State shall pay any premiums and other costs for such enrollment imposed on the family and may pay deductibles and coinsurance imposed on the family. A State's payment of premiums for the enrollment of families under this subparagraph (not including any premiums otherwise payable by an employer and less the amount of premiums collected from such families under paragraph (5)) and payment of any deductibles and coinsurance shall be considered, for purposes of
(E) Prohibition on cost-sharing for maternity and preventive pediatric care
(i) In general
If a State offers any alternative option under subparagraph (D) for families, under each such option the State must assure that care described in clause (ii) is available without charge to the families through—
(I) payment of any deductibles, coinsurance, and other cost-sharing respecting such care, or
(II) providing coverage under the State plan for such care without any cost-sharing,
or any combination of such mechanisms.
(ii) Care described
The care described in this clause consists of—
(I) services related to pregnancy (including prenatal, delivery, and post partum services), and
(II) ambulatory preventive pediatric care (including ambulatory early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment services under
(5) Premium
(A) Permitted
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter (including
(B) Level may vary by option offered
The level of such premium may vary, for the same family, for each option offered by a State under paragraph (4)(D).
(C) Limit on premium
In no case may the amount of any premium under this paragraph for a family for a month in either of the premium payment periods described in subparagraph (D)(i) exceed 3 percent of the family's average gross monthly earnings (less the average monthly costs for such child care as is necessary for the employment of the caretaker relative) during the premium base period (as defined in subparagraph (D)(ii)).
(D) Definitions
In this paragraph:
(i) A "premium payment period" described in this clause is a 3-month period beginning with the 1st or 4th month of the 6-month additional extension period provided under this subsection.
(ii) The term "premium base period" means, with respect to a particular premium payment period, the period of 3 consecutive months the last of which is 4 months before the beginning of that premium payment period.
(c) Applicability in States and territories
(1) States operating under demonstration projects
In the case of any State which is providing medical assistance to its residents under a waiver granted under
(2) Inapplicability in commonwealths and territories
The provisions of this section shall only apply to the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
(d) General disqualification for fraud
(1) Ineligibility for aid
This section shall not apply to an individual who is a member of a family which has received aid under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter if the State makes a finding that, at any time during the last 6 months in which the family was receiving such aid before otherwise being provided extended eligibility under this section, the individual was ineligible for such aid because of fraud.
(2) General disqualifications
For additional provisions relating to fraud and program abuse, see
(e) "Caretaker relative" defined
In this section, the term "caretaker relative" has the meaning of such term as used in part A of subchapter IV of this chapter.
(f) Sunset
This section shall not apply with respect to families that cease to be eligible for aid under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter after December 31, 2011.
(g) Collection and reporting of participation information
(1) Collection of information from States
Each State shall collect and submit to the Secretary (and make publicly available), in a format specified by the Secretary, information on average monthly enrollment and average monthly participation rates for adults and children under this section and of the number and percentage of children who become ineligible for medical assistance under this section whose medical assistance is continued under another eligibility category or who are enrolled under the State's child health plan under subchapter XXI. Such information shall be submitted at the same time and frequency in which other enrollment information under this subchapter is submitted to the Secretary.
(2) Annual reports to Congress
Using the information submitted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress annual reports concerning enrollment and participation rates described in such paragraph.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1925, as added
References in Text
Part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in text, is classified to
Paragraph (21) of
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1925 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1939 and is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (f).
2009—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
2003—Subsec. (f).
2000—Subsec. (f).
1999—Subsec. (a)(3)(C).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(i).
1997—Subsec. (b)(4)(D)(iv).
1996—Subsec. (f).
1990—Subsec. (a)(3)(C).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(i).
1989—Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(i).
1988—Subsec. (b)(5)(C).
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by section 5004(a)(1) of
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 4701(b)(2)(A)(ix), (D) of
Amendment by section 4703(b)(2) of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 4601(a)(3)(B) of
Section 4716(b) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 6411(i)(4) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 8436(b) of
Effective Date
Section applicable to payments under this subchapter for calendar quarters beginning on or after Apr. 1, 1990 (or, in the case of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Oct. 1, 1990) (without regard to whether implementing regulations are promulgated by that date), with respect to families that cease to be eligible for aid under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter on or after that date, see section 303(f)(1) of
References to Provisions of Part A of Subchapter IV Considered References to Such Provisions as in Effect July 16, 1996
For provisions that certain references to provisions of part A (§601 et seq.) of subchapter IV of this chapter be considered references to such provisions of part A as in effect July 16, 1996, see
Study and Report to Congress on Impact of Medicaid Extension Provisions
Section 303(c) of
1 See References in Text note below.
2 See References in Text note below.
§1396r–7. Repealed. Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, §4713(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 509
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1926, as added Dec. 19, 1989,
Effective Date of Repeal
Section 4713(b) of
§1396r–8. Payment for covered outpatient drugs
(a) Requirement for rebate agreement
(1) In general
In order for payment to be available under
(2) Effective date
Paragraph (1) shall first apply to drugs dispensed under this subchapter on or after January 1, 1991.
(3) Authorizing payment for drugs not covered under rebate agreements
Paragraph (1), and
(4) Effect on existing agreements
In the case of a rebate agreement in effect between a State and a manufacturer on November 5, 1990, such agreement, for the initial agreement period specified therein, shall be considered to be a rebate agreement in compliance with this section with respect to that State, if the State agrees to report to the Secretary any rebates paid pursuant to the agreement and such agreement provides for a minimum aggregate rebate of 10 percent of the State's total expenditures under the State plan for coverage of the manufacturer's drugs under this subchapter. If, after the initial agreement period, the State establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that an agreement in effect on November 5, 1990, provides for rebates that are at least as large as the rebates otherwise required under this section, and the State agrees to report any rebates under the agreement to the Secretary, the agreement shall be considered to be a rebate agreement in compliance with the section for the renewal periods of such agreement.
(5) Limitation on prices of drugs purchased by covered entities
(A) Agreement with Secretary
A manufacturer meets the requirements of this paragraph if the manufacturer has entered into an agreement with the Secretary that meets the requirements of
(B) "Covered entity" defined
In this subsection, the term "covered entity" means an entity described in
(C) Establishment of alternative mechanism to ensure against duplicate discounts or rebates
If the Secretary does not establish a mechanism under
(i) Entities
Each covered entity shall inform the single State agency under
(ii) State agency
Each such single State agency shall provide a means by which a covered entity shall indicate on any drug reimbursement claims form (or format, where electronic claims management is used) that a unit of the drug that is the subject of the form is subject to an agreement under
(D) Effect of subsequent amendments
In determining whether an agreement under subparagraph (A) meets the requirements of
(E) Determination of compliance
A manufacturer is deemed to meet the requirements of this paragraph if the manufacturer establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the manufacturer would comply (and has offered to comply) with the provisions of
(6) Requirements relating to master agreements for drugs procured by Department of Veterans Affairs and certain other Federal agencies
(A) In general
A manufacturer meets the requirements of this paragraph if the manufacturer complies with the provisions of
(B) Effect of subsequent amendments
In determining whether a master agreement described in subparagraph (A) meets the requirements of
(C) Determination of compliance
A manufacturer is deemed to meet the requirements of this paragraph if the manufacturer establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the manufacturer would comply (and has offered to comply) with the provisions of
(7) Requirement for submission of utilization data for certain physician administered drugs
(A) Single source drugs
In order for payment to be available under
(B) Multiple source drugs
(i) Identification of most frequently physician administered multiple source drugs
Not later than January 1, 2007, the Secretary shall publish a list of the 20 physician administered multiple source drugs that the Secretary determines have the highest dollar volume of physician administered drugs dispensed under this subchapter. The Secretary may modify such list from year to year to reflect changes in such volume.
(ii) Requirement
In order for payment to be available under
(C) Use of NDC codes
Not later than January 1, 2007, the information shall be submitted under subparagraphs (A) and (B)(ii) using National Drug Code codes unless the Secretary specifies that an alternative coding system should be used.
(D) Hardship waiver
The Secretary may delay the application of subparagraph (A) or (B)(ii), or both, in the case of a State to prevent hardship to States which require additional time to implement the reporting system required under the respective subparagraph.
(b) Terms of rebate agreement
(1) Periodic rebates
(A) In general
A rebate agreement under this subsection shall require the manufacturer to provide, to each State plan approved under this subchapter, a rebate for a rebate period in an amount specified in subsection (c) of this section for covered outpatient drugs of the manufacturer dispensed after December 31, 1990, for which payment was made under the State plan for such period, including such drugs dispensed to individuals enrolled with a medicaid managed care organization if the organization is responsible for coverage of such drugs. Such rebate shall be paid by the manufacturer not later than 30 days after the date of receipt of the information described in paragraph (2) for the period involved.
(B) Offset against medical assistance
Amounts received by a State under this section (or under an agreement authorized by the Secretary under subsection (a)(1) of this section or an agreement described in subsection (a)(4) of this section) in any quarter shall be considered to be a reduction in the amount expended under the State plan in the quarter for medical assistance for purposes of
(C) Special rule for increased minimum rebate percentage
(i) In general
In addition to the amounts applied as a reduction under subparagraph (B), for rebate periods beginning on or after January 1, 2010, during a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reduce payments to a State under
(I) 100 percent minus the Federal medical assistance percentage applicable to the rebate period for the State; and
(II) the amounts received by the State under such subparagraph that are attributable (as estimated by the Secretary based on utilization and other data) to the increase in the minimum rebate percentage effected by the amendments made by subsections (a)(1), (b), and (d) of section 2501 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, taking into account the additional drugs included under the amendments made by subsection (c) of section 2501 of such Act.
The Secretary shall adjust such payment reduction for a calendar quarter to the extent the Secretary determines, based upon subsequent utilization and other data, that the reduction for such quarter was greater or less than the amount of payment reduction that should have been made.
(ii) Manner of payment reduction
The amount of the payment reduction under clause (i) for a State for a quarter shall be deemed an overpayment to the State under this subchapter to be disallowed against the State's regular quarterly draw for all Medicaid spending under
(2) State provision of information
(A) State responsibility
Each State agency under this subchapter shall report to each manufacturer not later than 60 days after the end of each rebate period and in a form consistent with a standard reporting format established by the Secretary, information on the total number of units of each dosage form and strength and package size of each covered outpatient drug dispensed after December 31, 1990, for which payment was made under the plan during the period, including such information reported by each medicaid managed care organization, and shall promptly transmit a copy of such report to the Secretary.
(B) Audits
A manufacturer may audit the information provided (or required to be provided) under subparagraph (A). Adjustments to rebates shall be made to the extent that information indicates that utilization was greater or less than the amount previously specified.
(3) Manufacturer provision of price information
(A) In general
Each manufacturer with an agreement in effect under this section shall report to the Secretary—
(i) not later than 30 days after the last day of each rebate period under the agreement—
(I) on the average manufacturer price (as defined in subsection (k)(1)) for covered outpatient drugs for the rebate period under the agreement (including for all such drugs that are sold under a new drug application approved under section 505(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [
(II) for single source drugs and innovator multiple source drugs (including all such drugs that are sold under a new drug application approved under section 505(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act), on the manufacturer's best price (as defined in subsection (c)(1)(C)) for such drugs for the rebate period under the agreement;
(ii) not later than 30 days after the date of entering into an agreement under this section on the average manufacturer price (as defined in subsection (k)(1) of this section) as of October 1, 1990 for each of the manufacturer's covered outpatient drugs (including for such drugs that are sold under a new drug application approved under section 505(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act); and 1
(iii) for calendar quarters beginning on or after January 1, 2004, in conjunction with reporting required under clause (i) and by National Drug Code (including package size)—
(I) the manufacturer's average sales price (as defined in
(II) if required to make payment under
(III) information on those sales that were made at a nominal price or otherwise described in
for a drug or biological described in subparagraph (C), (D), (E), or (G) of
(iv) not later than 30 days after the last day of each month of a rebate period under the agreement, on the manufacturer's total number of units that are used to calculate the monthly average manufacturer price for each covered outpatient drug;
Information reported under this subparagraph is subject to audit by the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services. Beginning July 1, 2006, the Secretary shall provide on a monthly basis to States under subparagraph (D)(iv) the most recently reported average manufacturer prices for single source drugs and for multiple source drugs and shall, on at least a quarterly basis, update the information posted on the website under subparagraph (D)(v) (relating to the weighted average of the most recently reported monthly average manufacturer prices).
(B) Verification surveys of average manufacturer price and manufacturer's average sales price
The Secretary may survey wholesalers and manufacturers that directly distribute their covered outpatient drugs, when necessary, to verify manufacturer prices and manufacturer's average sales prices (including wholesale acquisition cost) if required to make payment reported under subparagraph (A). The Secretary may impose a civil monetary penalty in an amount not to exceed $100,000 on a wholesaler, manufacturer, or direct seller, if the wholesaler, manufacturer, or direct seller of a covered outpatient drug refuses a request for information about charges or prices by the Secretary in connection with a survey under this subparagraph or knowingly provides false information. The provisions of
(C) Penalties
(i) Failure to provide timely information
In the case of a manufacturer with an agreement under this section that fails to provide information required under subparagraph (A) on a timely basis, the amount of the penalty shall be increased by $10,000 for each day in which such information has not been provided and such amount shall be paid to the Treasury, and, if such information is not reported within 90 days of the deadline imposed, the agreement shall be suspended for services furnished after the end of such 90-day period and until the date such information is reported (but in no case shall such suspension be for a period of less than 30 days).
(ii) False information
Any manufacturer with an agreement under this section that knowingly provides false information is subject to a civil money penalty in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for each item of false information. Such civil money penalties are in addition to other penalties as may be prescribed by law. The provisions of
(D) Confidentiality of information
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, information disclosed by manufacturers or wholesalers under this paragraph or under an agreement with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs described in subsection (a)(6)(A)(ii) of this section (other than the wholesale acquisition cost for purposes of carrying out
(i) as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this section, to carry out
(ii) to permit the Comptroller General to review the information provided,
(iii) to permit the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to review the information provided,
(iv) to States to carry out this subchapter, and
(v) to the Secretary to disclose (through a website accessible to the public) the weighted average of the most recently reported monthly average manufacturer prices and the average retail survey price determined for each multiple source drug in accordance with subsection (f).
The previous sentence shall also apply to information disclosed under section 1395w–102(d)(2) or 1395w–104(c)(2)(E) 3 of this title and drug pricing data reported under the first sentence of
(4) Length of agreement
(A) In general
A rebate agreement shall be effective for an initial period of not less than 1 year and shall be automatically renewed for a period of not less than one year unless terminated under subparagraph (B).
(B) Termination
(i) By the Secretary
The Secretary may provide for termination of a rebate agreement for violation of the requirements of the agreement or other good cause shown. Such termination shall not be effective earlier than 60 days after the date of notice of such termination. The Secretary shall provide, upon request, a manufacturer with a hearing concerning such a termination, but such hearing shall not delay the effective date of the termination.
(ii) By a manufacturer
A manufacturer may terminate a rebate agreement under this section for any reason. Any such termination shall not be effective until the calendar quarter beginning at least 60 days after the date the manufacturer provides notice to the Secretary.
(iii) Effectiveness of termination
Any termination under this subparagraph shall not affect rebates due under the agreement before the effective date of its termination.
(iv) Notice to States
In the case of a termination under this subparagraph, the Secretary shall provide notice of such termination to the States within not less than 30 days before the effective date of such termination.
(v) Application to terminations of other agreements
The provisions of this subparagraph shall apply to the terminations of agreements described in
(C) Delay before reentry
In the case of any rebate agreement with a manufacturer under this section which is terminated, another such agreement with the manufacturer (or a successor manufacturer) may not be entered into until a period of 1 calendar quarter has elapsed since the date of the termination, unless the Secretary finds good cause for an earlier reinstatement of such an agreement.
(c) Determination of amount of rebate
(1) Basic rebate for single source drugs and innovator multiple source drugs
(A) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amount of the rebate specified in this subsection for a rebate period (as defined in subsection (k)(8) of this section) with respect to each dosage form and strength of a single source drug or an innovator multiple source drug shall be equal to the product of—
(i) the total number of units of each dosage form and strength paid for under the State plan in the rebate period (as reported by the State); and
(ii) subject to subparagraph (B)(ii), the greater of—
(I) the difference between the average manufacturer price and the best price (as defined in subparagraph (C)) for the dosage form and strength of the drug, or
(II) the minimum rebate percentage (specified in subparagraph (B)(i)) of such average manufacturer price,
for the rebate period.
(B) Range of rebates required
(i) Minimum rebate percentage
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii)(II), the "minimum rebate percentage" for rebate periods beginning—
(I) after December 31, 1990, and before October 1, 1992, is 12.5 percent;
(II) after September 30, 1992, and before January 1, 1994, is 15.7 percent;
(III) after December 31, 1993, and before January 1, 1995, is 15.4 percent;
(IV) after December 31, 1994, and before January 1, 1996, is 15.2 percent;
(V) after December 31, 1995, and before January 1, 2010 4 is 15.1 percent; and
(VI) except as provided in clause (iii), after December 31, 2009,5 23.1 percent.
(ii) Temporary limitation on maximum rebate amount
In no case shall the amount applied under subparagraph (A)(ii) for a rebate period beginning—
(I) before January 1, 1992, exceed 25 percent of the average manufacturer price; or
(II) after December 31, 1991, and before January 1, 1993, exceed 50 percent of the average manufacturer price.
(iii) Minimum rebate percentage for certain drugs
(I) In general
In the case of a single source drug or an innovator multiple source drug described in subclause (II), the minimum rebate percentage for rebate periods specified in clause (i)(VI) is 17.1 percent.
(II) Drug described
For purposes of subclause (I), a single source drug or an innovator multiple source drug described in this subclause is any of the following drugs:
(aa) A clotting factor for which a separate furnishing payment is made under
(bb) A drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration exclusively for pediatric indications.
(C) "Best price" defined
For purposes of this section—
(i) In general
The term "best price" means, with respect to a single source drug or innovator multiple source drug of a manufacturer (including the lowest price available to any entity for any such drug of a manufacturer that is sold under a new drug application approved under section 505(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [
(I) any prices charged on or after October 1, 1992, to the Indian Health Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs, a State home receiving funds under
(II) any prices charged under the Federal Supply Schedule of the General Services Administration;
(III) any prices used under a State pharmaceutical assistance program;
(IV) any depot prices and single award contract prices, as defined by the Secretary, of any agency of the Federal Government;
(V) the prices negotiated from drug manufacturers for covered discount card drugs under an endorsed discount card program under
(VI) any prices charged which are negotiated by a prescription drug plan under part D of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, by an MA–PD plan under part C of such subchapter with respect to covered part D drugs or by a qualified retiree prescription drug plan (as defined in
(ii) Special rules
The term "best price"—
(I) shall be inclusive of cash discounts, free goods that are contingent on any purchase requirement, volume discounts, and rebates (other than rebates under this section);
(II) shall be determined without regard to special packaging, labeling, or identifiers on the dosage form or product or package;
(III) shall not take into account prices that are merely nominal in amount; and
(IV) in the case of a manufacturer that approves, allows, or otherwise permits any other drug of the manufacturer to be sold under a new drug application approved under section 505(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [
(iii) Application of auditing and recordkeeping requirements
With respect to a covered entity described in
(D) Limitation on sales at a nominal price
(i) In general
For purposes of subparagraph (C)(ii)(III) and subsection (b)(3)(A)(iii)(III), only sales by a manufacturer of covered outpatient drugs at nominal prices to the following shall be considered to be sales at a nominal price or merely nominal in amount:
(I) A covered entity described in
(II) An intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded.
(III) A State-owned or operated nursing facility.
(IV) An entity that—
(aa) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Act or is State-owned or operated; and
(bb) would be a covered entity described in section 256b(a)(4) 3 of this title insofar as the entity provides the same type of services to the same type of populations as a covered entity described in such section provides, but does not receive funding under a provision of law referred to in such section;
(V) A public or nonprofit entity, or an entity based at an institution of higher learning whose primary purpose is to provide health care services to students of that institution, that provides a service or services described under
(VI) Any other facility or entity that the Secretary determines is a safety net provider to which sales of such drugs at a nominal price would be appropriate based on the factors described in clause (ii).
(ii) Factors
The factors described in this clause with respect to a facility or entity are the following:
(I) The type of facility or entity.
(II) The services provided by the facility or entity.
(III) The patient population served by the facility or entity.
(IV) The number of other facilities or entities eligible to purchase at nominal prices in the same service area.
(iii) Nonapplication
Clause (i) shall not apply with respect to sales by a manufacturer at a nominal price of covered outpatient drugs pursuant to a master agreement under
(iv) Rule of construction
Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to alter any existing statutory or regulatory prohibition on services with respect to an entity described in clause (i)(IV), including the prohibition set forth in
(2) Additional rebate for single source and innovator multiple source drugs
(A) In general
The amount of the rebate specified in this subsection for a rebate period, with respect to each dosage form and strength of a single source drug or an innovator multiple source drug, shall be increased by an amount equal to the product of—
(i) the total number of units of such dosage form and strength dispensed after December 31, 1990, for which payment was made under the State plan for the rebate period; and
(ii) the amount (if any) by which—
(I) the average manufacturer price for the dosage form and strength of the drug for the period, exceeds
(II) the average manufacturer price for such dosage form and strength for the calendar quarter beginning July 1, 1990 (without regard to whether or not the drug has been sold or transferred to an entity, including a division or subsidiary of the manufacturer, after the first day of such quarter), increased by the percentage by which the consumer price index for all urban consumers (United States city average) for the month before the month in which the rebate period begins exceeds such index for September 1990.
(B) Treatment of subsequently approved drugs
In the case of a covered outpatient drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration after October 1, 1990, clause (ii)(II) of subparagraph (A) shall be applied by substituting "the first full calendar quarter after the day on which the drug was first marketed" for "the calendar quarter beginning July 1, 1990" and "the month prior to the first month of the first full calendar quarter after the day on which the drug was first marketed" for "September 1990".
(C) Treatment of new formulations
In the case of a drug that is a line extension of a single source drug or an innovator multiple source drug that is an oral solid dosage form, the rebate obligation with respect to such drug under this section shall be the amount computed under this section for such new drug or, if greater, the product of—
(i) the average manufacturer price of the line extension of a single source drug or an innovator multiple source drug that is an oral solid dosage form;
(ii) the highest additional rebate (calculated as a percentage of average manufacturer price) under this section for any strength of the original single source drug or innovator multiple source drug; and
(iii) the total number of units of each dosage form and strength of the line extension product paid for under the State plan in the rebate period (as reported by the State).
In this subparagraph, the term "line extension" means, with respect to a drug, a new formulation of the drug, such as an extended release formulation.
(D) Maximum rebate amount
In no case shall the sum of the amounts applied under paragraph (1)(A)(ii) and this paragraph with respect to each dosage form and strength of a single source drug or an innovator multiple source drug for a rebate period beginning after December 31, 2009, exceed 100 percent of the average manufacturer price of the drug.
(3) Rebate for other drugs
(A) In general
The amount of the rebate paid to a State for a rebate period with respect to each dosage form and strength of covered outpatient drugs (other than single source drugs and innovator multiple source drugs) shall be equal to the product of—
(i) the applicable percentage (as described in subparagraph (B)) of the average manufacturer price for the dosage form and strength for the rebate period, and
(ii) the total number of units of such dosage form and strength dispensed after December 31, 1990, for which payment was made under the State plan for the rebate period.
(B) "Applicable percentage" defined
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(i), the "applicable percentage" for rebate periods beginning—
(i) before January 1, 1994, is 10 percent,
(ii) after December 31, 1993, and before January 1, 2010, is 11 percent; 6 and
(iii) after December 31, 2009, is 13 percent.
(d) Limitations on coverage of drugs
(1) Permissible restrictions
(A) A State may subject to prior authorization any covered outpatient drug. Any such prior authorization program shall comply with the requirements of paragraph (5).
(B) A State may exclude or otherwise restrict coverage of a covered outpatient drug if—
(i) the prescribed use is not for a medically accepted indication (as defined in subsection (k)(6) of this section);
(ii) the drug is contained in the list referred to in paragraph (2);
(iii) the drug is subject to such restrictions pursuant to an agreement between a manufacturer and a State authorized by the Secretary under subsection (a)(1) of this section or in effect pursuant to subsection (a)(4) of this section; or
(iv) the State has excluded coverage of the drug from its formulary established in accordance with paragraph (4).
(2) List of drugs subject to restriction
The following drugs or classes of drugs, or their medical uses, may be excluded from coverage or otherwise restricted:
(A) Agents when used for anorexia, weight loss, or weight gain.
(B) Agents when used to promote fertility.
(C) Agents when used for cosmetic purposes or hair growth.
(D) Agents when used for the symptomatic relief of cough and colds.
(E) Agents when used to promote smoking cessation.
(F) Prescription vitamins and mineral products, except prenatal vitamins and fluoride preparations.
(G) Nonprescription drugs.
(H) Covered outpatient drugs which the manufacturer seeks to require as a condition of sale that associated tests or monitoring services be purchased exclusively from the manufacturer or its designee.
(I) Barbiturates.
(J) Benzodiazepines.
(K) Agents when used for the treatment of sexual or erectile dysfunction, unless such agents are used to treat a condition, other than sexual or erectile dysfunction, for which the agents have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
(3) Update of drug listings
The Secretary shall, by regulation, periodically update the list of drugs or classes of drugs described in paragraph (2) or their medical uses, which the Secretary has determined, based on data collected by surveillance and utilization review programs of State medical assistance programs, to be subject to clinical abuse or inappropriate use.
(4) Requirements for formularies
A State may establish a formulary if the formulary meets the following requirements:
(A) The formulary is developed by a committee consisting of physicians, pharmacists, and other appropriate individuals appointed by the Governor of the State (or, at the option of the State, the State's drug use review board established under subsection (g)(3) of this section).
(B) Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the formulary includes the covered outpatient drugs of any manufacturer which has entered into and complies with an agreement under subsection (a) of this section (other than any drug excluded from coverage or otherwise restricted under paragraph (2)).
(C) A covered outpatient drug may be excluded with respect to the treatment of a specific disease or condition for an identified population (if any) only if, based on the drug's labeling (or, in the case of a drug the prescribed use of which is not approved under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [
(D) The State plan permits coverage of a drug excluded from the formulary (other than any drug excluded from coverage or otherwise restricted under paragraph (2)) pursuant to a prior authorization program that is consistent with paragraph (5).
(E) The formulary meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose in order to achieve program savings consistent with protecting the health of program beneficiaries.
A prior authorization program established by a State under paragraph (5) is not a formulary subject to the requirements of this paragraph.
(5) Requirements of prior authorization programs
A State plan under this subchapter may require, as a condition of coverage or payment for a covered outpatient drug for which Federal financial participation is available in accordance with this section, with respect to drugs dispensed on or after July 1, 1991, the approval of the drug before its dispensing for any medically accepted indication (as defined in subsection (k)(6) of this section) only if the system providing for such approval—
(A) provides response by telephone or other telecommunication device within 24 hours of a request for prior authorization; and
(B) except with respect to the drugs on the list referred to in paragraph (2), provides for the dispensing of at least 72-hour supply of a covered outpatient prescription drug in an emergency situation (as defined by the Secretary).
(6) Other permissible restrictions
A State may impose limitations, with respect to all such drugs in a therapeutic class, on the minimum or maximum quantities per prescription or on the number of refills, if such limitations are necessary to discourage waste, and may address instances of fraud or abuse by individuals in any manner authorized under this chapter.
(e) Treatment of pharmacy reimbursement limits
(1) In general
During the period beginning on January 1, 1991, and ending on December 31, 1994—
(A) a State may not reduce the payment limits established by regulation under this subchapter or any limitation described in paragraph (3) with respect to the ingredient cost of a covered outpatient drug or the dispensing fee for such a drug below the limits in effect as of January 1, 1991, and
(B) except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary may not modify by regulation the formula established under sections 447.331 through 447.334 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, in effect on November 5, 1990, to reduce the limits described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Special rule
If a State is not in compliance with the regulations described in paragraph (1)(B), paragraph (1)(A) shall not apply to such State until such State is in compliance with such regulations.
(3) Effect on State maximum allowable cost limitations
This section shall not supersede or affect provisions in effect prior to January 1, 1991, or after December 31, 1994, relating to any maximum allowable cost limitation established by a State for payment by the State for covered outpatient drugs, and rebates shall be made under this section without regard to whether or not payment by the State for such drugs is subject to such a limitation or the amount of such a limitation.
[(4)] 7 Establishment of upper payment limits
Subject to paragraph (5), the Secretary shall establish a Federal upper reimbursement limit for each multiple source drug for which the FDA has rated three or more products therapeutically and pharmaceutically equivalent, regardless of whether all such additional formulations are rated as such and shall use only such formulations when determining any such upper limit.
(5) Use of amp in upper payment limits
The Secretary shall calculate the Federal upper reimbursement limit established under paragraph (4) as no less than 175 percent of the weighted average (determined on the basis of utilization) of the most recently reported monthly average manufacturer prices for pharmaceutically and therapeutically equivalent multiple source drug products that are available for purchase by retail community pharmacies on a nationwide basis. The Secretary shall implement a smoothing process for average manufacturer prices. Such process shall be similar to the smoothing process used in determining the average sales price of a drug or biological under
(f) Survey of retail prices; State payment and utilization rates; and performance rankings
(1) Survey of retail prices
(A) Use of vendor
The Secretary may contract services for—
(i) with respect to a retail community pharmacy, the determination on a monthly basis of retail survey prices for covered outpatient drugs that represent a nationwide average of consumer purchase prices for such drugs, net of all discounts and rebates (to the extent any information with respect to such discounts and rebates is available); and
(ii) the notification of the Secretary when a drug product that is therapeutically and pharmaceutically equivalent and bioequivalent becomes generally available.
(B) Secretary response to notification of availability of multiple source products
If contractor notifies the Secretary under subparagraph (A)(ii) that a drug product described in such subparagraph has become generally available, the Secretary shall make a determination, within 7 days after receiving such notification, as to whether the product is now described in subsection (e)(4).3
(C) Use of competitive bidding
In contracting for such services, the Secretary shall competitively bid for an outside vendor that has a demonstrated history in—
(i) surveying and determining, on a representative nationwide basis, retail prices for ingredient costs of prescription drugs;
(ii) working with retail community pharmacies, commercial payers, and States in obtaining and disseminating such price information; and
(iii) collecting and reporting such price information on at least a monthly basis.
In contracting for such services, the Secretary may waive such provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation as are necessary for the efficient implementation of this subsection, other than provisions relating to confidentiality of information and such other provisions as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(D) Additional provisions
A contract with a vendor under this paragraph shall include such terms and conditions as the Secretary shall specify, including the following:
(i) The vendor must monitor the marketplace and report to the Secretary each time there is a new covered outpatient drug generally available.
(ii) The vendor must update the Secretary no less often than monthly on the retail survey prices for covered outpatient drugs.
(iii) The contract shall be effective for a term of 2 years.
(E) Availability of information to States
Information on retail survey prices obtained under this paragraph, including applicable information on single source drugs, shall be provided to States on at least a monthly basis. The Secretary shall devise and implement a means for providing access to each State agency designated under
(2) Annual State report
Each State shall annually report to the Secretary information on—
(A) the payment rates under the State plan under this subchapter for covered outpatient drugs;
(B) the dispensing fees paid under such plan for such drugs; and
(C) utilization rates for noninnovator multiple source drugs under such plan.
(3) Annual State performance rankings
(A) Comparative analysis
The Secretary annually shall compare, for the 50 most widely prescribed drugs identified by the Secretary, the national retail sales price data (collected under paragraph (1)) for such drugs with data on prices under this subchapter for each such drug for each State.
(B) Availability of information
The Secretary shall submit to Congress and the States full information regarding the annual rankings made under subparagraph (A).
(4) Appropriation
Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated to the Secretary of Health and Human Services $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010 to carry out this subsection.
(g) Drug use review
(1) In general
(A) In order to meet the requirement of
(B) The program shall assess data on drug use against predetermined standards, consistent with the following:
(i) compendia which shall consist of the following:
(I) American Hospital Formulary Service Drug Information;
(II) United States Pharmacopeia-Drug Information (or its successor publications); and
(III) the DRUGDEX Information System; and
(ii) the peer-reviewed medical literature.
(C) The Secretary, under the procedures established in
(D) States shall not be required to perform additional drug use reviews with respect to drugs dispensed to residents of nursing facilities which are in compliance with the drug regimen review procedures prescribed by the Secretary for such facilities in regulations implementing
(2) Description of program
Each drug use review program shall meet the following requirements for covered outpatient drugs:
(A) Prospective drug review
(i) The State plan shall provide for a review of drug therapy before each prescription is filled or delivered to an individual receiving benefits under this subchapter, typically at the point-of-sale or point of distribution. The review shall include screening for potential drug therapy problems due to therapeutic duplication, drug-disease contraindications, drug-drug interactions (including serious interactions with nonprescription or over-the-counter drugs), incorrect drug dosage or duration of drug treatment, drug-allergy interactions, and clinical abuse/misuse. Each State shall use the compendia and literature referred to in paragraph (1)(B) as its source of standards for such review.
(ii) As part of the State's prospective drug use review program under this subparagraph applicable State law shall establish standards for counseling of individuals receiving benefits under this subchapter by pharmacists which includes at least the following:
(I) The pharmacist must offer to discuss with each individual receiving benefits under this subchapter or caregiver of such individual (in person, whenever practicable, or through access to a telephone service which is toll-free for long-distance calls) who presents a prescription, matters which in the exercise of the pharmacist's professional judgment (consistent with State law respecting the provision of such information), the pharmacist deems significant including the following:
(aa) The name and description of the medication.
(bb) The route, dosage form, dosage, route of administration, and duration of drug therapy.
(cc) Special directions and precautions for preparation, administration and use by the patient.
(dd) Common severe side or adverse effects or interactions and therapeutic contraindications that may be encountered, including their avoidance, and the action required if they occur.
(ee) Techniques for self-monitoring drug therapy.
(ff) Proper storage.
(gg) Prescription refill information.
(hh) Action to be taken in the event of a missed dose.
(II) A reasonable effort must be made by the pharmacist to obtain, record, and maintain at least the following information regarding individuals receiving benefits under this subchapter:
(aa) Name, address, telephone number, date of birth (or age) and gender.
(bb) Individual history where significant, including disease state or states, known allergies and drug reactions, and a comprehensive list of medications and relevant devices.
(cc) Pharmacist comments relevant to the individual's drug therapy.
Nothing in this clause shall be construed as requiring a pharmacist to provide consultation when an individual receiving benefits under this subchapter or caregiver of such individual refuses such consultation, or to require verification of the offer to provide consultation or a refusal of such offer.
(B) Retrospective drug use review
The program shall provide, through its mechanized drug claims processing and information retrieval systems (approved by the Secretary under
(C) Application of standards
The program shall, on an ongoing basis, assess data on drug use against explicit predetermined standards (using the compendia and literature referred to in subsection 8 (1)(B) as the source of standards for such assessment) including but not limited to monitoring for therapeutic appropriateness, overutilization and underutilization, appropriate use of generic products, therapeutic duplication, drug-disease contraindications, drug-drug interactions, incorrect drug dosage or duration of drug treatment, and clinical abuse/misuse and, as necessary, introduce remedial strategies, in order to improve the quality of care and to conserve program funds or personal expenditures.
(D) Educational program
The program shall, through its State drug use review board established under paragraph (3), either directly or through contracts with accredited health care educational institutions, State medical societies or State pharmacists associations/societies or other organizations as specified by the State, and using data provided by the State drug use review board on common drug therapy problems, provide for active and ongoing educational outreach programs (including the activities described in paragraph (3)(C)(iii) of this subsection) to educate practitioners on common drug therapy problems with the aim of improving prescribing or dispensing practices.
(3) State drug use review board
(A) Establishment
Each State shall provide for the establishment of a drug use review board (hereinafter referred to as the "DUR Board") either directly or through a contract with a private organization.
(B) Membership
The membership of the DUR Board shall include health care professionals who have recognized knowledge and expertise in one or more of the following:
(i) The clinically appropriate prescribing of covered outpatient drugs.
(ii) The clinically appropriate dispensing and monitoring of covered outpatient drugs.
(iii) Drug use review, evaluation, and intervention.
(iv) Medical quality assurance.
The membership of the DUR Board shall be made up at least 1/3 but no more than 51 percent licensed and actively practicing physicians and at least 1/3 * * * 9 licensed and actively practicing pharmacists.
(C) Activities
The activities of the DUR Board shall include but not be limited to the following:
(i) Retrospective DUR as defined in section 8 (2)(B).
(ii) Application of standards as defined in section 8 (2)(C).
(iii) Ongoing interventions for physicians and pharmacists, targeted toward therapy problems or individuals identified in the course of retrospective drug use reviews performed under this subsection. Intervention programs shall include, in appropriate instances, at least:
(I) information dissemination sufficient to ensure the ready availability to physicians and pharmacists in the State of information concerning its duties, powers, and basis for its standards;
(II) written, oral, or electronic reminders containing patient-specific or drug-specific (or both) information and suggested changes in prescribing or dispensing practices, communicated in a manner designed to ensure the privacy of patient-related information;
(III) use of face-to-face discussions between health care professionals who are experts in rational drug therapy and selected prescribers and pharmacists who have been targeted for educational intervention, including discussion of optimal prescribing, dispensing, or pharmacy care practices, and follow-up face-to-face discussions; and
(IV) intensified review or monitoring of selected prescribers or dispensers.
The Board shall re-evaluate interventions after an appropriate period of time to determine if the intervention improved the quality of drug therapy, to evaluate the success of the interventions and make modifications as necessary.
(D) Annual report
Each State shall require the DUR Board to prepare a report on an annual basis. The State shall submit a report on an annual basis to the Secretary which shall include a description of the activities of the Board, including the nature and scope of the prospective and retrospective drug use review programs, a summary of the interventions used, an assessment of the impact of these educational interventions on quality of care, and an estimate of the cost savings generated as a result of such program. The Secretary shall utilize such report in evaluating the effectiveness of each State's drug use review program.
(h) Electronic claims management
(1) In general
In accordance with
(2) Encouragement
In order to carry out paragraph (1)—
(A) for calendar quarters during fiscal years 1991 and 1992, expenditures under the State plan attributable to development of a system described in paragraph (1) shall receive Federal financial participation under
(B) the Secretary may permit, in the procurement described in subparagraph (A) in the application of part 433 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, and parts 95, 205, and 307 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, the substitution of the State's request for proposal in competitive procurement for advance planning and implementation documents otherwise required.
(i) Omitted
(j) Exemption of organized health care settings
(1) Covered outpatient drugs are not subject to the requirements of this section if such drugs are—
(A) dispensed by health maintenance organizations, including Medicaid managed care organizations that contract under
(B) subject to discounts under
(2) The State plan shall provide that a hospital (providing medical assistance under such plan) that dispenses covered outpatient drugs using drug formulary systems, and bills the plan no more than the hospital's purchasing costs for covered outpatient drugs (as determined under the State plan) shall not be subject to the requirements of this section.
(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as providing that amounts for covered outpatient drugs paid by the institutions described in this subsection should not be taken into account for purposes of determining the best price as described in subsection (c) of this section.
(k) Definitions
In this section—
(1) Average manufacturer price
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the term "average manufacturer price" means, with respect to a covered outpatient drug of a manufacturer for a rebate period, the average price paid to the manufacturer for the drug in the United States by—
(i) wholesalers for drugs distributed to retail community pharmacies; and
(ii) retail community pharmacies that purchase drugs directly from the manufacturer.
(B) Exclusion of customary prompt pay discounts and other payments
(i) In general
The average manufacturer price for a covered outpatient drug shall exclude—
(I) customary prompt pay discounts extended to wholesalers;
(II) bona fide service fees paid by manufacturers to wholesalers or retail community pharmacies, including (but not limited to) distribution service fees, inventory management fees, product stocking allowances, and fees associated with administrative services agreements and patient care programs (such as medication compliance programs and patient education programs);
(III) reimbursement by manufacturers for recalled, damaged, expired, or otherwise unsalable returned goods, including (but not limited to) reimbursement for the cost of the goods and any reimbursement of costs associated with return goods handling and processing, reverse logistics, and drug destruction;
(IV) payments received from, and rebates or discounts provided to, pharmacy benefit managers, managed care organizations, health maintenance organizations, insurers, hospitals, clinics, mail order pharmacies, long term care providers, manufacturers, or any other entity that does not conduct business as a wholesaler or a retail community pharmacy, unless the drug is an inhalation, infusion, instilled, implanted, or injectable drug that is not generally dispensed through a retail community pharmacy; and
(V) discounts provided by manufacturers under
(ii) Inclusion of other discounts and payments
Notwithstanding clause (i), any other discounts, rebates, payments, or other financial transactions that are received by, paid by, or passed through to, retail community pharmacies shall be included in the average manufacturer price for a covered outpatient drug.
(C) Inclusion of section 505(c) drugs
In the case of a manufacturer that approves, allows, or otherwise permits any drug of the manufacturer to be sold under a new drug application approved under section 505(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [
(2) Covered outpatient drug
Subject to the exceptions in paragraph (3), the term "covered outpatient drug" means—
(A) of those drugs which are treated as prescribed drugs for purposes of
(i) which is approved for safety and effectiveness as a prescription drug under section 505 [
(ii)(I) which was commercially used or sold in the United States before October 10, 1962, or which is identical, similar, or related (within the meaning of section 310.6(b)(1) of title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations) to such a drug, and (II) which has not been the subject of a final determination by the Secretary that it is a "new drug" (within the meaning of section 201(p) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [
(iii)(I) which is described in section 107(c)(3) of the Drug Amendments of 1962 and for which the Secretary has determined there is a compelling justification for its medical need, or is identical, similar, or related (within the meaning of section 310.6(b)(1) of title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations) to such a drug, and (II) for which the Secretary has not issued a notice of an opportunity for a hearing under section 505(e) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [
(B) a biological product, other than a vaccine which—
(i) may only be dispensed upon prescription,
(ii) is licensed under
(iii) is produced at an establishment licensed under such section to produce such product; and
(C) insulin certified under section 506 3 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
(3) Limiting definition
The term "covered outpatient drug" does not include any drug, biological product, or insulin provided as part of, or as incident to and in the same setting as, any of the following (and for which payment may be made under this subchapter as part of payment for the following and not as direct reimbursement for the drug):
(A) Inpatient hospital services.
(B) Hospice services.
(C) Dental services, except that drugs for which the State plan authorizes direct reimbursement to the dispensing dentist are covered outpatient drugs.
(D) Physicians' services.
(E) Outpatient hospital services.
(F) Nursing facility services and services provided by an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded.
(G) Other laboratory and x-ray services.
(H) Renal dialysis.
Such term also does not include any such drug or product for which a National Drug Code number is not required by the Food and Drug Administration or a drug or biological 10 used for a medical indication which is not a medically accepted indication. Any drug, biological product, or insulin excluded from the definition of such term as a result of this paragraph shall be treated as a covered outpatient drug for purposes of determining the best price (as defined in subsection (c)(1)(C) of this section) for such drug, biological product, or insulin.
(4) Nonprescription drugs
If a State plan for medical assistance under this subchapter includes coverage of prescribed drugs as described in
(5) Manufacturer
The term "manufacturer" means any entity which is engaged in—
(A) the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, conversion, or processing of prescription drug products, either directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of natural origin, or independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis, or
(B) in the packaging, repackaging, labeling, relabeling, or distribution of prescription drug products.
Such term does not include a wholesale distributor of drugs or a retail pharmacy licensed under State law.
(6) Medically accepted indication
The term "medically accepted indication" means any use for a covered outpatient drug which is approved under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [
(7) Multiple source drug; innovator multiple source drug; noninnovator multiple source drug; single source drug
(A) Defined
(i) Multiple source drug
The term "multiple source drug" means, with respect to a rebate period, a covered outpatient drug (not including any drug described in paragraph (5)) for which there 5 at least 1 other drug product which—
(I) is rated as therapeutically equivalent (under the Food and Drug Administration's most recent publication of "Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations"),
(II) except as provided in subparagraph (B), is pharmaceutically equivalent and bioequivalent, as defined in subparagraph (C) and as determined by the Food and Drug Administration, and
(III) is sold or marketed in the United States during the period.
(ii) Innovator multiple source drug
The term "innovator multiple source drug" means a multiple source drug that was originally marketed under an original new drug application approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
(iii) Noninnovator multiple source drug
The term "noninnovator multiple source drug" means a multiple source drug that is not an innovator multiple source drug.
(iv) Single source drug
The term "single source drug" means a covered outpatient drug which is produced or distributed under an original new drug application approved by the Food and Drug Administration, including a drug product marketed by any cross-licensed producers or distributors operating under the new drug application.
(B) Exception
Subparagraph (A)(i)(II) shall not apply if the Food and Drug Administration changes by regulation the requirement that, for purposes of the publication described in subparagraph (A)(i)(I), in order for drug products to be rated as therapeutically equivalent, they must be pharmaceutically equivalent and bioequivalent, as defined in subparagraph (C).
(C) Definitions
For purposes of this paragraph—
(i) drug products are pharmaceutically equivalent if the products contain identical amounts of the same active drug ingredient in the same dosage form and meet compendial or other applicable standards of strength, quality, purity, and identity; and
(ii) drugs are bioequivalent if they do not present a known or potential bioequivalence problem, or, if they do present such a problem, they are shown to meet an appropriate standard of bioequivalence.
(8) Rebate period
The term "rebate period" means, with respect to an agreement under subsection (a) of this section, a calendar quarter or other period specified by the Secretary with respect to the payment of rebates under such agreement.
(9) State agency
The term "State agency" means the agency designated under
(10) Retail community pharmacy
The term "retail community pharmacy" means an independent pharmacy, a chain pharmacy, a supermarket pharmacy, or a mass merchandiser pharmacy that is licensed as a pharmacy by the State and that dispenses medications to the general public at retail prices. Such term does not include a pharmacy that dispenses prescription medications to patients primarily through the mail, nursing home pharmacies, long-term care facility pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, clinics, charitable or not-for-profit pharmacies, government pharmacies, or pharmacy benefit managers.
(11) Wholesaler
The term "wholesaler" means a drug wholesaler that is engaged in wholesale distribution of prescription drugs to retail community pharmacies, including (but not limited to) manufacturers, repackers, distributors, own-label distributors, private-label distributors, jobbers, brokers, warehouses (including manufacturer's and distributor's warehouses, chain drug warehouses, and wholesale drug warehouses) independent wholesale drug traders, and retail community pharmacies that conduct wholesale distributions.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1927, as added
Amendment of Subsection (d)
(1) in paragraph (2)—
(A) by striking subparagraphs (E), (I), and (J), respectively; and
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (F), (G), (H), and (K) as subparagraphs (E), (F), (G), and (H), respectively; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(7) Non-excludable drugs
The following drugs or classes of drugs, or their medical uses, shall not be excluded from coverage:
(A) Agents when used to promote smoking cessation, including agents approved by the Food and Drug Administration under the over-the-counter monograph process for purposes of promoting, and when used to promote, tobacco cessation.
(B) Barbiturates.
(C) Benzodiazepines.
References in Text
Parts A, B, C, and D of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (c)(1)(C)(i)(VI), are classified to sections 1395c et seq., 1395j et seq., 1395w–21 et seq., and 1395w–101 et seq., respectively, of this title.
The amendments made by subsections (a)(1), (b), (c), and (d) of section 2501 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(C)(i)(II), mean the amendments made by section 2501(a)(1), (b), (c), and (d) of
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(D)(i)(IV)(aa), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, referred to in subsecs. (d)(4)(C) and (k)(6), is act June 25, 1938, ch. 675,
Paragraph (4) and subsection (e)(4), referred to in subsecs. (e)(5) and (f)(1)(B), probably means text that was editorially designated as par. (4) of subsec. (e). See 1993 Amendment note below.
Section 507 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, referred to in subsec. (k)(2)(A)(i), was repealed by
Section 107(c)(3) of the Drug Amendments of 1962, referred to in subsec. (k)(2)(A)(iii)(I), is section 107(c)(3) of
Section 506 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, referred to in subsec. (k)(2)(C), was repealed and a new section 506 enacted by
Codification
Subsec. (i) of this section, which required the Secretary to transmit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the Committees on Aging of the Senate and the House of Representatives an annual report on the operation of this section in the preceding fiscal year, terminated, effective May 15, 2000, pursuant to section 3003 of
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1927 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1939 and is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(5)(B).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(3)(D)(v).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(i)(IV) to (VI).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C)(i)(VI).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C).
"(i)
"(I) the average manufacturer price for each dosage form and strength of the new formulation of the single source drug or innovator multiple source drug;
"(II) the highest additional rebate (calculated as a percentage of average manufacturer price) under this section for any strength of the original single source drug or innovator multiple source drug; and
"(III) the total number of units of each dosage form and strength of the new formulation paid for under the State plan in the rebate period (as reported by the State).
"(ii)
Subsec. (c)(2)(D).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (f)(1)(A)(i).
Subsec. (f)(1)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (j)(1).
Subsec. (k)(1)(A).
Subsec. (k)(1)(B).
Subsec. (k)(1)(B)(i)(IV).
Subsec. (k)(1)(B)(i)(V).
Subsec. (k)(1)(C).
Subsec. (k)(7)(A)(i)(III).
Subsec. (k)(7)(C).
Subsec. (k)(10), (11).
2009—Subsec. (c)(1)(D)(i)(IV) to (VI).
Subsec. (c)(1)(D)(iv).
2006—Subsec. (a)(5)(B).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(3)(D)(iv), (v).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C)(i).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (c)(1)(D).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g)(1)(B)(i)(II).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (k)(1).
Subsec. (k)(1)(C).
Subsec. (k)(7)(A)(i).
2005—Subsec. (d)(2)(K).
2003—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
Subsec. (b)(3)(D).
Subsec. (b)(3)(D)(i).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C)(i)(I).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C)(i)(V), (VI).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (e)[(4)].
Subsec. (g)(1)(B)(i)(II).
Subsec. (g)(1)(B)(i)(IV).
1999—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A)(ii)(II)(cc).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (k)(7)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (k)(7)(C)(i).
1997—Subsec. (g)(1)(B)(i)(III), (IV).
Subsec. (j)(1).
1993—Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i).
Subsec. (c).
Subsecs. (d) to (f).
Subsec. (k)(1).
Subsec. (k)(3).
Subsec. (k)(3)(E).
Subsec. (k)(3)(F).
Subsec. (k)(6).
Subsec. (k)(7)(A)(i).
Subsec. (k)(8), (9).
1992—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(5), (6).
Subsec. (b)(3)(D).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B)(iv), (v).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(ii) to (v).
"(I) the difference between the average manufacturer price for a drug and 85 percent of such price, or
"(II) the difference between the average manufacturer price for a drug and the best price (as defined in paragraph (2)(B)) for such quarter (or period) for such drug."
Subsec. (c)(1)(C).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by section 3301(d)(2) of
Amendment by section 4107(b) of
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 1000(a)(6) [title VI, §608(u)] of
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1993 Amendments
Section 13602(d) of
"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and
"(2) The amendment made by subsection (a)(1) [amending this section] (insofar as such subsection amends section 1927(d) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (d) of this section]) and the amendment made by subsection (c) [amending
Section 2(b) of
Effective Date of 1992 Amendment
Section 601(e) of
Regulations
"(A)
"(i) review the requirements for, and manner in which, average manufacturer prices are determined under section 1927 of the Social Security Act [this section], as amended by this section; and
"(ii) shall submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and Congress such recommendations for changes in such requirements or manner as the Inspector General determines to be appropriate.
"(B)
Pharmacy Reimbursement Under Medicaid
"(a)
"(1) the specific upper limit under section 447.332 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on December 31, 2006) applicable to payments made by a State for multiple source drugs under a State Medicaid plan shall continue to apply through September 30, 2009, for purposes of the availability of Federal financial participation for such payments; and
"(2) the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall not, prior to October 1, 2009, finalize, implement, enforce, or otherwise take any action (through promulgation of regulation, issuance of regulatory guidance, use of Federal payment audit procedures, or other administrative action, policy, or practice, including a Medical Assistance Manual transmittal or letter to State Medicaid directors) to impose the specific upper limit established under section 447.514(b) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations as published on July 17, 2007 (72 Federal Register 39142).
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) The term 'multiple source drug' has the meaning given that term in section 1927(k)(7)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act (
"(2) The term 'AMP' has the meaning given 'average manufacturer price' in section 1927(k)(1) of the Social Security Act (
Application of 2003 Amendment to Physician Specialties
Amendment by section 303 of
Notwithstanding section 303(j) of
Reports on Best Price Changes and Payment of Rebates
Section 601(d) of
Demonstration Projects To Evaluate Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness of Prospective Drug Utilization Review
Section 4401(c) of title IV of
Study of Drug Purchasing and Billing Practices in Health Care Industry; Report
Section 4401(d) of title IV of
1 So in original. The word "and" probably should not appear.
2 So in original. The period probably should be "; and".
3 See References in Text note below.
4 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
5 So in original. Probably should be followed by "is".
6 So in original. The semicolon probably should be a comma.
7 See 1993 Amendment note below.
8 So in original. Probably should be "paragraph".
10 So in original. Probably should be "biological product".
§1396s. Program for distribution of pediatric vaccines
(a) Establishment of program
(1) In general
In order to meet the requirement of
(A) each vaccine-eligible child (as defined in subsection (b) of this section), in receiving an immunization with a qualified pediatric vaccine (as defined in subsection (h)(8) of this section) from a program-registered provider (as defined in subsection (c) of this section) on or after October 1, 1994, is entitled to receive the immunization without charge for the cost of such vaccine; and
(B)(i) each program-registered provider who administers such a pediatric vaccine to a vaccine-eligible child on or after such date is entitled to receive such vaccine under the program without charge either for the vaccine or its delivery to the provider, and (ii) no vaccine is distributed under the program to a provider unless the provider is a program-registered provider.
(2) Delivery of sufficient quantities of pediatric vaccines to immunize federally vaccine-eligible children
(A) In general
The Secretary shall provide under subsection (d) of this section for the purchase and delivery on behalf of each State meeting the requirement of
(B) Special rules where vaccine is unavailable
To the extent that a sufficient quantity of a vaccine is not available for purchase or delivery under subsection (d) of this section, the Secretary shall provide for the purchase and delivery of the available vaccine in accordance with priorities established by the Secretary, with priority given to federally vaccine-eligible children unless the Secretary finds there are other public health considerations.
(C) Special rules where State is a manufacturer
(i) Payments in lieu of vaccines
In the case of a State that manufactures a pediatric vaccine the Secretary, instead of providing the vaccine on behalf of a State under subparagraph (A), shall provide to the State an amount equal to the value of the quantity of such vaccine that otherwise would have been delivered on behalf of the State under such subparagraph, but only if the State agrees that such payments will only be used for purposes relating to pediatric immunizations.
(ii) Determination of value
In determining the amount to pay a State under clause (i) with respect to a pediatric vaccine, the value of the quantity of vaccine shall be determined on the basis of the price in effect for the qualified pediatric vaccine under contracts under subsection (d) of this section. If more than 1 such contract is in effect, the Secretary shall determine such value on the basis of the average of the prices under the contracts, after weighting each such price in relation to the quantity of vaccine under the contract involved.
(b) Vaccine-eligible children
For purposes of this section:
(1) In general
The term "vaccine-eligible child" means a child who is a federally vaccine-eligible child (as defined in paragraph (2)) or a State vaccine-eligible child (as defined in paragraph (3)).
(2) Federally vaccine-eligible child
(A) In general
The term "federally vaccine-eligible child" means any of the following children:
(i) A medicaid-eligible child.
(ii) A child who is not insured.
(iii) A child who (I) is administered a qualified pediatric vaccine by a federally-qualified health center (as defined in
(iv) A child who is an Indian (as defined in subsection (h)(3) of this section).
(B) Definitions
In subparagraph (A):
(i) The term "medicaid-eligible" means, with respect to a child, a child who is entitled to medical assistance under a state 1 plan approved under this subchapter.
(ii) The term "insured" means, with respect to a child—
(I) for purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), that the child is enrolled under, and entitled to benefits under, a health insurance policy or plan, including a group health plan, a prepaid health plan, or an employee welfare benefit plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [
(II) for purposes of subparagraph (A)(iii)(II) with respect to a pediatric vaccine, that the child is entitled to benefits under such a health insurance policy or plan, but such benefits are not available with respect to the cost of the pediatric vaccine.
(3) State vaccine-eligible child
The term "State vaccine-eligible child" means, with respect to a State and a qualified pediatric vaccine, a child who is within a class of children for which the State is purchasing the vaccine pursuant to subsection (d)(4)(B) of this section.
(c) Program-registered providers
(1) Defined
In this section, except as otherwise provided, the term "program-registered provider" means, with respect to a State, any health care provider that—
(A) is licensed or otherwise authorized for administration of pediatric vaccines under the law of the State in which the administration occurs (subject to
(B) submits to the State an executed provider agreement described in paragraph (2); and
(C) has not been found, by the Secretary or the State, to have violated such agreement or other applicable requirements established by the Secretary or the State consistent with this section.
(2) Provider agreement
A provider agreement for a provider under this paragraph is an agreement (in such form and manner as the Secretary may require) that the provider agrees as follows:
(A)(i) Before administering a qualified pediatric vaccine to a child, the provider will ask a parent of the child such questions as are necessary to determine whether the child is a vaccine-eligible child, but the provider need not independently verify the answers to such questions.
(ii) The provider will, for a period of time specified by the Secretary, maintain records of responses made to the questions.
(iii) The provider will, upon request, make such records available to the State and to the Secretary, subject to
(B)(i) Subject to clause (ii), the provider will comply with the schedule, regarding the appropriate periodicity, dosage, and contraindications applicable to pediatric vaccines, that is established and periodically reviewed and, as appropriate, revised by the advisory committee referred to in subsection (e) of this section, except in such cases as, in the provider's medical judgment subject to accepted medical practice, such compliance is medically inappropriate.
(ii) The provider will provide pediatric vaccines in compliance with applicable State law, including any such law relating to any religious or other exemption.
(C)(i) In administering a qualified pediatric vaccine to a vaccine-eligible child, the provider will not impose a charge for the cost of the vaccine. A program-registered provider is not required under this section to administer such a vaccine to each child for whom an immunization with the vaccine is sought from the provider.
(ii) The provider may impose a fee for the administration of a qualified pediatric vaccine so long as the fee in the case of a federally vaccine-eligible child does not exceed the costs of such administration (as determined by the Secretary based on actual regional costs for such administration).
(iii) The provider will not deny administration of a qualified pediatric vaccine to a vaccine-eligible child due to the inability of the child's parent to pay an administration fee.
(3) Encouraging involvement of providers
Each program under this section shall provide, in accordance with criteria established by the Secretary—
(A) for encouraging the following to become program-registered providers: private health care providers, the Indian Health Service, health care providers that receive funds under title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act [
(B) for identifying, with respect to any population of vaccine-eligible children a substantial portion of whose parents have a limited ability to speak the English language, those program-registered providers who are able to communicate with the population involved in the language and cultural context that is most appropriate.
(4) State requirements
Except as the Secretary may permit in order to prevent fraud and abuse and for related purposes, a State may not impose additional qualifications or conditions, in addition to the requirements of paragraph (1), in order that a provider qualify as a program-registered provider under this section. This subsection does not limit the exercise of State authority under
(d) Negotiation of contracts with manufacturers
(1) In general
For the purpose of meeting obligations under this section, the Secretary shall negotiate and enter into contracts with manufacturers of pediatric vaccines consistent with the requirements of this subsection and, to the maximum extent practicable, consolidate such contracting with any other contracting activities conducted by the Secretary to purchase vaccines. The Secretary may enter into such contracts under which the Federal Government is obligated to make outlays, the budget authority for which is not provided for in advance in appropriations Acts, for the purchase and delivery of pediatric vaccines under subsection (a)(2)(A) of this section.
(2) Authority to decline contracts
The Secretary may decline to enter into such contracts and may modify or extend such contracts.
(3) Contract price
(A) In general
The Secretary, in negotiating the prices at which pediatric vaccines will be purchased and delivered from a manufacturer under this subsection, shall take into account quantities of vaccines to be purchased by States under the option under paragraph (4)(B).
(B) Negotiation of discounted price for current vaccines
With respect to contracts entered into under this subsection for a pediatric vaccine for which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a contract in effect under
(C) Negotiation of discounted price for new vaccines
With respect to contracts entered into for a pediatric vaccine not described in subparagraph (B), the price for the purchase of such vaccine shall be a discounted price negotiated by the Secretary that may be established without regard to such subparagraph.
(4) Quantities and terms of delivery
Under such contracts—
(A) the Secretary shall provide, consistent with paragraph (6), for the purchase and delivery on behalf of States (and tribes and tribal organizations) of quantities of pediatric vaccines for federally vaccine-eligible children; and
(B) each State, at the option of the State, shall be permitted to obtain additional quantities of pediatric vaccines (subject to amounts specified to the Secretary by the State in advance of negotiations) through purchasing the vaccines from the manufacturers at the applicable price negotiated by the Secretary consistent with paragraph (3), if (i) the State agrees that the vaccines will be used to provide immunizations only for children who are not federally vaccine-eligible children and (ii) the State provides to the Secretary such information (at a time and manner specified by the Secretary, including in advance of negotiations under paragraph (1)) as the Secretary determines to be necessary, to provide for quantities of pediatric vaccines for the State to purchase pursuant to this subsection and to determine annually the percentage of the vaccine market that is purchased pursuant to this section and this subparagraph.
The Secretary shall enter into the initial negotiations under the preceding sentence not later than 180 days after August 10, 1993.
(5) Charges for shipping and handling
The Secretary may enter into a contract referred to in paragraph (1) only if the manufacturer involved agrees to submit to the Secretary such reports as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to assure compliance with the contract and if, with respect to a State program under this section that does not provide for the direct delivery of qualified pediatric vaccines, the manufacturer involved agrees that the manufacturer will provide for the delivery of the vaccines on behalf of the State in accordance with such program and will not impose any charges for the costs of such delivery (except to the extent such costs are provided for in the price established under paragraph (3)).
(6) Assuring adequate supply of vaccines
The Secretary, in negotiations under paragraph (1), shall negotiate for quantities of pediatric vaccines such that an adequate supply of such vaccines will be maintained to meet unanticipated needs for the vaccines. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the Secretary shall negotiate for a 6-month supply of vaccines in addition to the quantity that the Secretary otherwise would provide for in such negotiations. In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall consider the potential for outbreaks of the diseases with respect to which the vaccines have been developed.
(7) Multiple suppliers
In the case of the pediatric vaccine involved, the Secretary shall, as appropriate, enter into a contract referred to in paragraph (1) with each manufacturer of the vaccine that meets the terms and conditions of the Secretary for an award of such a contract (including terms and conditions regarding safety and quality). With respect to multiple contracts entered into pursuant to this paragraph, the Secretary may have in effect different prices under each of such contracts and, with respect to a purchase by States pursuant to paragraph (4)(B), the Secretary shall determine which of such contracts will be applicable to the purchase.
(e) Use of pediatric vaccines list
The Secretary shall use, for the purpose of the purchase, delivery, and administration of pediatric vaccines under this section, the list established (and periodically reviewed and as appropriate revised) by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (an advisory committee established by the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
(f) Requirement of State maintenance of immunization laws
In the case of a State that had in effect as of May 1, 1993, a law that requires some or all health insurance policies or plans to provide some coverage with respect to a pediatric vaccine, a State program under this section does not comply with the requirements of this section unless the State certifies to the Secretary that the State has not modified or repealed such law in a manner that reduces the amount of coverage so required.
(g) Termination
This section, and the requirement of
(h) Definitions
For purposes of this section:
(1) The term "child" means an individual 18 years of age or younger.
(2) The term "immunization" means an immunization against a vaccine-preventable disease.
(3) The terms "Indian", "Indian tribe" and "tribal organization" have the meanings given such terms in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act [
(4) The term "manufacturer" means any corporation, organization, or institution, whether public or private (including Federal, State, and local departments, agencies, and instrumentalities), which manufactures, imports, processes, or distributes under its label any pediatric vaccine. The term "manufacture" means to manufacture, import, process, or distribute a vaccine.
(5) The term "parent" includes, with respect to a child, an individual who qualifies as a legal guardian under State law.
(6) The term "pediatric vaccine" means a vaccine included on the list under subsection (e) of this section.
(7) The term "program-registered provider" has the meaning given such term in subsection (c) of this section.
(8) The term "qualified pediatric vaccine" means a pediatric vaccine with respect to which a contract is in effect under subsection (d) of this section.
(9) The terms "vaccine-eligible child", "federally vaccine-eligible child", and "State vaccine-eligible child" have the meaning given such terms in subsection (b) of this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1928, as added
References in Text
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(B)(ii)(I), is
The Indian Health Care Improvement Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(A), is
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (d)(3)(B), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1396s, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1928, formerly §1920, as added Apr. 7, 1986,
Effective Date
Section applicable to payments under State plans approved under this subchapter for calendar quarters beginning on or after Oct. 1, 1994, see section 13631(i) of
1 So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
§1396t. Home and community care for functionally disabled elderly individuals
(a) "Home and community care" defined
In this subchapter, the term "home and community care" means one or more of the following services furnished to an individual who has been determined, after an assessment under subsection (c) of this section, to be a functionally disabled elderly individual, furnished in accordance with an individual community care plan (established and periodically reviewed and revised by a qualified community care case manager under subsection (d) of this section):
(1) Homemaker/home health aide services.
(2) Chore services.
(3) Personal care services.
(4) Nursing care services provided by, or under the supervision of, a registered nurse.
(5) Respite care.
(6) Training for family members in managing the individual.
(7) Adult day care.
(8) In the case of an individual with chronic mental illness, day treatment or other partial hospitalization, psychosocial rehabilitation services, and clinic services (whether or not furnished in a facility).
(9) Such other home and community-based services (other than room and board) as the Secretary may approve.
(b) "Functionally disabled elderly individual" defined
(1) In general
In this subchapter, the term "functionally disabled elderly individual" means an individual who—
(A) is 65 years of age or older,
(B) is determined to be a functionally disabled individual under subsection (c) of this section, and
(C) subject to
(2) Treatment of certain individuals previously covered under a waiver
(A) In the case of a State which—
(i) at the time of its election to provide coverage for home and community care under this section has a waiver approved under
(ii) subsequently discontinues such waiver, individuals who were eligible for benefits under the waiver as of the date of its discontinuance and who would, but for income or resources, be eligible for medical assistance for home and community care under the plan shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, be deemed a functionally disabled elderly individual for so long as the individual would have remained eligible for medical assistance under such waiver.
(B) In the case of a State which used a health insuring organization before January 1, 1986, and which, as of December 31, 1990, had in effect a waiver under
(i) is 65 years of age or older or is disabled (as determined under the supplemental security income program under subchapter XVI of this chapter);
(ii) is determined to meet the test of functional disability applied under the waiver as of such date; and
(iii) meets the resource requirement and income standard that apply in the State to individuals described in
(3) Use of projected income
In applying
(c) Determinations of functional disability
(1) In general
In this section, an individual is "functionally disabled" if the individual—
(A) is unable to perform without substantial assistance from another individual at least 2 of the following 3 activities of daily living: toileting, transferring, and eating; or
(B) has a primary or secondary diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and is (i) unable to perform without substantial human assistance (including verbal reminding or physical cueing) or supervision at least 2 of the following 5 activities of daily living: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, and eating; or (ii) cognitively impaired so as to require substantial supervision from another individual because he or she engages in inappropriate behaviors that pose serious health or safety hazards to himself or herself or others.
(2) Assessments of functional disability
(A) Requests for assessments
If a State has elected to provide home and community care under this section, upon the request of an individual who is 65 years of age or older and who meets the requirements of subsection (b)(1)(C) of this section (or another person on such individual's behalf), the State shall provide for a comprehensive functional assessment under this subparagraph which—
(i) is used to determine whether or not the individual is functionally disabled,
(ii) is based on a uniform minimum data set specified by the Secretary under subparagraph (C)(i), and
(iii) uses an instrument which has been specified by the State under subparagraph (B).
No fee may be charged for such an assessment.
(B) Specification of assessment instrument
The State shall specify the instrument to be used in the State in complying with the requirement of subparagraph (A)(iii) which instrument shall be—
(i) one of the instruments designated under subparagraph (C)(ii); or
(ii) an instrument which the Secretary has approved as being consistent with the minimum data set of core elements, common definitions, and utilization guidelines specified by the Secretary in subparagraph (C)(i).
(C) Specification of assessment data set and instruments
The Secretary shall—
(i) not later than July 1, 1991—
(I) specify a minimum data set of core elements and common definitions for use in conducting the assessments required under subparagraph (A); and
(II) establish guidelines for use of the data set; and
(ii) by not later than July 1, 1991, designate one or more instruments which are consistent with the specification made under subparagraph (A) and which a State may specify under subparagraph (B) for use in complying with the requirements of subparagraph (A).
(D) Periodic review
Each individual who qualifies as a functionally disabled elderly individual shall have the individual's assessment periodically reviewed and revised not less often than once every 12 months.
(E) Conduct of assessment by interdisciplinary teams
An assessment under subparagraph (A) and a review under subparagraph (D) must be conducted by an interdisciplinary team designated by the State. The Secretary shall permit a State to provide for assessments and reviews through teams under contracts—
(i) with public organizations; or
(ii) with nonpublic organizations which do not provide home and community care or nursing facility services and do not have a direct or indirect ownership or control interest in, or direct or indirect affiliation or relationship with, an entity that provides, community care or nursing facility services.
(F) Contents of assessment
The interdisciplinary team must—
(i) identify in each such assessment or review each individual's functional disabilities and need for home and community care, including information about the individual's health status, home and community environment, and informal support system; and
(ii) based on such assessment or review, determine whether the individual is (or continues to be) functionally disabled.
The results of such an assessment or review shall be used in establishing, reviewing, and revising the individual's ICCP under subsection (d)(1) of this section.
(G) Appeal procedures
Each State which elects to provide home and community care under this section must have in effect an appeals process for individuals adversely affected by determinations under subparagraph (F).
(d) Individual community care plan (ICCP)
(1) "Individual community care plan" defined
In this section, the terms "individual community care plan" and "ICCP" mean, with respect to a functionally disabled elderly individual, a written plan which—
(A) is established, and is periodically reviewed and revised, by a qualified case manager after a face-to-face interview with the individual or primary caregiver and based upon the most recent comprehensive functional assessment of such individual conducted under subsection (c)(2) of this section;
(B) specifies, within any amount, duration, and scope limitations imposed on home and community care provided under the State plan, the home and community care to be provided to such individual under the plan, and indicates the individual's preferences for the types and providers of services; and
(C) may specify other services required by such individual.
An ICCP may also designate the specific providers (qualified to provide home and community care under the State plan) which will provide the home and community care described in subparagraph (B). Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing an ICCP or the State to restrict the specific persons or individuals (who are competent to provide home and community care under the State plan) who will provide the home and community care described in subparagraph (B).
(2) "Qualified community care case manager" defined
In this section, the term "qualified community care case manager" means a nonprofit or public agency or organization which—
(A) has experience or has been trained in establishing, and in periodically reviewing and revising, individual community care plans and in the provision of case management services to the elderly;
(B) is responsible for (i) assuring that home and community care covered under the State plan and specified in the ICCP is being provided, (ii) visiting each individual's home or community setting where care is being provided not less often than once every 90 days, and (iii) informing the elderly individual or primary caregiver on how to contact the case manager if service providers fail to properly provide services or other similar problems occur;
(C) in the case of a nonpublic agency, does not provide home and community care or nursing facility services and does not have a direct or indirect ownership or control interest in, or direct or indirect affiliation or relationship with, an entity that provides, home and community care or nursing facility services;
(D) has procedures for assuring the quality of case management services that includes a peer review process;
(E) completes the ICCP in a timely manner and reviews and discusses new and revised ICCPs with elderly individuals or primary caregivers; and
(F) meets such other standards, established by the Secretary, as to assure that—
(i) such a manager is competent to perform case management functions;
(ii) individuals whose home and community care they manage are not at risk of financial exploitation due to such a manager; and
(iii) meets such other standards as the State may establish.
The Secretary may waive the requirement of subparagraph (C) in the case of a nonprofit agency located in a rural area.
(3) Appeals process
Each State which elects to provide home and community care under this section must have in effect an appeals process for individuals who disagree with the ICCP established.
(e) Ceiling on payment amounts and maintenance of effort
(1) Ceiling on payment amounts
Payments may not be made under
(A) the average number of individuals in the quarter receiving such care under this section;
(B) the average per diem rate of payment which the Secretary has determined (before the beginning of the quarter) will be payable under subchapter XVIII of this chapter (without regard to coinsurance) for extended care services to be provided in the State during such quarter; and
(C) the number of days in such quarter.
(2) Maintenance of effort
(A) Annual reports
As a condition for the receipt of payment under
(B) Reduction in payment if failure to maintain effort
If the amount reported under subparagraph (A) by a State with respect to a fiscal year is less than the amount reported under subparagraph (A) with respect to fiscal year 1989, the Secretary shall provide for a reduction in payments to the State under
(f) Minimum requirements for home and community care
(1) Requirements
Home and Community 1 care provided under this section must meet such requirements for individuals' rights and quality as are published or developed by the Secretary under subsection (k) of this section. Such requirements shall include—
(A) the requirement that individuals providing care are competent to provide such care; and
(B) the rights specified in paragraph (2).
(2) Specified rights
The rights specified in this paragraph are as follows:
(A) The right to be fully informed in advance, orally and in writing, of the care to be provided, to be fully informed in advance of any changes in care to be provided, and (except with respect to an individual determined incompetent) to participate in planning care or changes in care.
(B) The right to voice grievances with respect to services that are (or fail to be) furnished without discrimination or reprisal for voicing grievances, and to be told how to complain to State and local authorities.
(C) The right to confidentiality of personal and clinical records.
(D) The right to privacy and to have one's property treated with respect.
(E) The right to refuse all or part of any care and to be informed of the likely consequences of such refusal.
(F) The right to education or training for oneself and for members of one's family or household on the management of care.
(G) The right to be free from physical or mental abuse, corporal punishment, and any physical or chemical restraints imposed for purposes of discipline or convenience and not included in an individual's ICCP.
(H) The right to be fully informed orally and in writing of the individual's rights.
(I) Guidelines for such minimum compensation for individuals providing such care as will assure the availability and continuity of competent individuals to provide such care for functionally disabled individuals who have functional disabilities of varying levels of severity.
(J) Any other rights established by the Secretary.
(g) Minimum requirements for small community care settings
(1) "Small community care setting" defined
In this section, the term "small community care setting" means—
(A) a nonresidential setting that serves more than 2 and less than 8 individuals; or
(B) a residential setting in which more than 2 and less than 8 unrelated adults reside and in which personal services (other than merely board) are provided in conjunction with residing in the setting.
(2) Minimum requirements
A small community care setting in which community care is provided under this section must—
(A) meet such requirements as are published or developed by the Secretary under subsection (k) of this section;
(B) meet the requirements of paragraphs (1)(A), (1)(C), (1)(D), (3), and (6) of
(C) inform each individual receiving community care under this section in the setting, orally and in writing at the time the individual first receives community care in the setting, of the individual's legal rights with respect to such a setting and the care provided in the setting;
(D) meet any applicable State or local requirements regarding certification or licensure;
(E) meet any applicable State and local zoning, building, and housing codes, and State and local fire and safety regulations; and
(F) be designed, constructed, equipped, and maintained in a manner to protect the health and safety of residents.
(h) Minimum requirements for large community care settings
(1) "Large community care setting" defined
In this section, the term "large community care setting" means—
(A) a nonresidential setting in which more than 8 individuals are served; or
(B) a residential setting in which more than 8 unrelated adults reside and in which personal services are provided in conjunction with residing in the setting in which home and community care under this section is provided.
(2) Minimum requirements
A large community care setting in which community care is provided under this section must—
(A) meet such requirements as are published or developed by the Secretary under subsection (k) of this section;
(B) meet the requirements of paragraphs (1)(A), (1)(C), (1)(D), (3), and (6) of
(C) inform each individual receiving community care under this section in the setting, orally and in writing at the time the individual first receives home and community care in the setting, of the individual's legal rights with respect to such a setting and the care provided in the setting; and
(D) meet the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) of
(3) Disclosure of ownership and control interests and exclusion of repeated violators
A community care setting—
(A) must disclose persons with an ownership or control interest (including such persons as defined in
(B) may not have, as a person with an ownership or control interest in the setting, any individual or person who has been excluded from participation in the program under this subchapter or who has had such an ownership or control interest in one or more community care settings which have been found repeatedly to be substandard or to have failed to meet the requirements of paragraph (2).
(i) Survey and certification process
(1) Certifications
(A) Responsibilities of the State
Under each State plan under this subchapter, the State shall be responsible for certifying the compliance of providers of home and community care and community care settings with the applicable requirements of subsections (f), (g) and (h) of this section. The failure of the Secretary to issue regulations to carry out this subsection shall not relieve a State of its responsibility under this subsection.
(B) Responsibilities of the Secretary
The Secretary shall be responsible for certifying the compliance of State providers of home and community care, and of State community care settings in which such care is provided, with the requirements of subsections (f), (g) and (h) of this section.
(C) Frequency of certifications
Certification of providers and settings under this subsection shall occur no less frequently than once every 12 months.
(2) Reviews of providers
(A) In general
The certification under this subsection with respect to a provider of home or community care must be based on a periodic review of the provider's performance in providing the care required under ICCP's in accordance with the requirements of subsection (f) of this section.
(B) Special reviews of compliance
Where the Secretary has reason to question the compliance of a provider of home or community care with any of the requirements of subsection (f) of this section, the Secretary may conduct a review of the provider and, on the basis of that review, make independent and binding determinations concerning the extent to which the provider meets such requirements.
(3) Surveys of community care settings
(A) In general
The certification under this subsection with respect to community care settings must be based on a survey. Such survey for such a setting must be conducted without prior notice to the setting. Any individual who notifies (or causes to be notified) a community care setting of the time or date on which such a survey is scheduled to be conducted is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $2,000. The provisions of
(B) Survey protocol
Surveys under this paragraph shall be conducted based upon a protocol which the Secretary has provided for under subsection (k) of this section.
(C) Prohibition of conflict of interest in survey team membership
A State and the Secretary may not use as a member of a survey team under this paragraph an individual who is serving (or has served within the previous 2 years) as a member of the staff of, or as a consultant to, the community care setting being surveyed (or the person responsible for such setting) respecting compliance with the requirements of subsection (g) or (h) of this section or who has a personal or familial financial interest in the setting being surveyed.
(D) Validation surveys of community care settings
The Secretary shall conduct onsite surveys of a representative sample of community care settings in each State, within 2 months of the date of surveys conducted under subparagraph (A) by the State, in a sufficient number to allow inferences about the adequacies of each State's surveys conducted under subparagraph (A). In conducting such surveys, the Secretary shall use the same survey protocols as the State is required to use under subparagraph (B). If the State has determined that an individual setting meets the requirements of subsection (g) of this section, but the Secretary determines that the setting does not meet such requirements, the Secretary's determination as to the setting's noncompliance with such requirements is binding and supersedes that of the State survey.
(E) Special surveys of compliance
Where the Secretary has reason to question the compliance of a community care setting with any of the requirements of subsection (g) or (h) of this section, the Secretary may conduct a survey of the setting and, on the basis of that survey, make independent and binding determinations concerning the extent to which the setting meets such requirements.
(4) Investigation of complaints and monitoring of providers and settings
Each State and the Secretary shall maintain procedures and adequate staff to investigate complaints of violations of applicable requirements imposed on providers of community care or on community care settings under subsections (f), (g) and (h) of this section.
(5) Investigation of allegations of individual neglect and abuse and misappropriation of individual property
The State shall provide, through the agency responsible for surveys and certification of providers of home or community care and community care settings under this subsection, for a process for the receipt, review, and investigation of allegations of individual neglect and abuse (including injuries of unknown source) by individuals providing such care or in such setting and of misappropriation of individual property by such individuals. The State shall, after notice to the individual involved and a reasonable opportunity for hearing for the individual to rebut allegations, make a finding as to the accuracy of the allegations. If the State finds that an individual has neglected or abused an individual receiving community care or misappropriated such individual's property, the State shall notify the individual against whom the finding is made. A State shall not make a finding that a person has neglected an individual receiving community care if the person demonstrates that such neglect was caused by factors beyond the control of the person. The State shall provide for public disclosure of findings under this paragraph upon request and for inclusion, in any such disclosure of such findings, of any brief statement (or of a clear and accurate summary thereof) of the individual disputing such findings.
(6) Disclosure of results of inspections and activities
(A) Public information
Each State, and the Secretary, shall make available to the public—
(i) information respecting all surveys, reviews, and certifications made under this subsection respecting providers of home or community care and community care settings, including statements of deficiencies,
(ii) copies of cost reports (if any) of such providers and settings filed under this subchapter,
(iii) copies of statements of ownership under
(iv) information disclosed under
(B) Notices of substandard care
If a State finds that—
(i) a provider of home or community care has provided care of substandard quality with respect to an individual, the State shall make a reasonable effort to notify promptly (I) an immediate family member of each such individual and (II) individuals receiving home or community care from that provider under this subchapter, or
(ii) a community care setting is substandard, the State shall make a reasonable effort to notify promptly (I) individuals receiving community care in that setting, and (II) immediate family members of such individuals.
(C) Access to fraud control units
Each State shall provide its State medicaid fraud and abuse control unit (established under
(j) Enforcement process for providers of community care
(1) State authority
(A) In general
If a State finds, on the basis of a review under subsection (i)(2) of this section or otherwise, that a provider of home or community care no longer meets the requirements of this section, the State may terminate the provider's participation under the State plan and may provide in addition for a civil money penalty. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as restricting the remedies available to a State to remedy a provider's deficiencies. If the State finds that a provider meets such requirements but, as of a previous period, did not meet such requirements, the State may provide for a civil money penalty under paragraph (2)(A) for the period during which it finds that the provider was not in compliance with such requirements.
(B) Civil money penalty
(i) In general
Each State shall establish by law (whether statute or regulation) at least the following remedy: A civil money penalty assessed and collected, with interest, for each day in which the provider is or was out of compliance with a requirement of this section. Funds collected by a State as a result of imposition of such a penalty (or as a result of the imposition by the State of a civil money penalty under subsection (i)(3)(A) of this section) may be applied to reimbursement of individuals for personal funds lost due to a failure of home or community care providers to meet the requirements of this section. The State also shall specify criteria, as to when and how this remedy is to be applied and the amounts of any penalties. Such criteria shall be designed so as to minimize the time between the identification of violations and final imposition of the penalties and shall provide for the imposition of incrementally more severe penalties for repeated or uncorrected deficiencies.
(ii) Deadline and guidance
Each State which elects to provide home and community care under this section must establish the civil money penalty remedy described in clause (i) applicable to all providers of community care covered under this section. The Secretary shall provide, through regulations or otherwise by not later than July 1, 1990, guidance to States in establishing such remedy; but the failure of the Secretary to provide such guidance shall not relieve a State of the responsibility for establishing such remedy.
(2) Secretarial authority
(A) For State providers
With respect to a State provider of home or community care, the Secretary shall have the authority and duties of a State under this subsection, except that the civil money penalty remedy described in subparagraph (C) shall be substituted for the civil money remedy described in paragraph (1)(B)(i).
(B) Other providers
With respect to any other provider of home or community care in a State, if the Secretary finds that a provider no longer meets a requirement of this section, the Secretary may terminate the provider's participation under the State plan and may provide, in addition, for a civil money penalty under subparagraph (C). If the Secretary finds that a provider meets such requirements but, as of a previous period, did not meet such requirements, the Secretary may provide for a civil money penalty under subparagraph (C) for the period during which the Secretary finds that the provider was not in compliance with such requirements.
(C) Civil money penalty
If the Secretary finds on the basis of a review under subsection (i)(2) of this section or otherwise that a home or community care provider no longer meets the requirements of this section, the Secretary shall impose a civil money penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for each day of noncompliance. The provisions of
(k) Secretarial responsibilities
(1) Publication of interim requirements
(A) In general
The Secretary shall publish, by December 1, 1991, a proposed regulation that sets forth interim requirements, consistent with subparagraph (B), for the provision of home and community care and for community care settings, including—
(i) the requirements of subsection (c)(2) of this section (relating to comprehensive functional assessments, including the use of assessment instruments), of subsection (d)(2)(E) of this section (relating to qualifications for qualified case managers), of subsection (f) of this section (relating to minimum requirements for home and community care), of subsection (g) of this section (relating to minimum requirements for small community care settings), and of subsection (h) of this section (relating to minimum requirements for large community care settings), and
(ii) survey protocols (for use under subsection (i)(3)(A) of this section) which relate to such requirements.
(B) Minimum protections
Interim requirements under subparagraph (A) and final requirements under paragraph (2) shall assure, through methods other than reliance on State licensure processes, that individuals receiving home and community care are protected from neglect, physical and sexual abuse, financial exploitation, inappropriate involuntary restraint, and the provision of health care services by unqualified personnel in community care settings.
(2) Development of final requirements
The Secretary shall develop, by not later than October 1, 1992—
(A) final requirements, consistent with paragraph (1)(B), respecting the provision of appropriate, quality home and community care and respecting community care settings under this section, and including at least the requirements referred to in paragraph (1)(A)(i), and
(B) survey protocols and methods for evaluating and assuring the quality of community care settings.
The Secretary may, from time to time, revise such requirements, protocols, and methods.
(3) No delegation to States
The Secretary's authority under this subsection shall not be delegated to States.
(4) No prevention of more stringent requirements by States
Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing States from imposing requirements that are more stringent than the requirements published or developed by the Secretary under this subsection.
(l) Waiver of Statewideness
States may waive the requirement of
(m) Limitation on amount of expenditures as medical assistance
(1) Limitation on amount
The amount of funds that may be expended as medical assistance to carry out the purposes of this section shall be for fiscal year 1991, $40,000,000, for fiscal year 1992, $70,000,000, for fiscal year 1993, $130,000,000, for fiscal year 1994, $160,000,000, and for fiscal year 1995, $180,000,000.
(2) Assurance of entitlement to service
A State which receives Federal medical assistance for expenditures for home and community care under this section must provide home and community care specified under the Individual Community Care Plan under subsection (d) of this section to individuals described in subsection (b) of this section for the duration of the election period, without regard to the amount of funds available to the State under paragraph (1). For purposes of this paragraph, an election period is the period of 4 or more calendar quarters elected by the State, and approved by the Secretary, for the provision of home and community care under this section.
(3) Limitation on eligibility
The State may limit eligibility for home and community care under this section during an election period under paragraph (2) to reasonable classifications (based on age, degree of functional disability, and need for services).
(4) Allocation of medical assistance
The Secretary shall establish a limitation on the amount of Federal medical assistance available to any State during the State's election period under paragraph (2). The limitation under this paragraph shall take into account the limitation under paragraph (1) and the number of elderly individuals age 65 or over residing in such State in relation to the number of such elderly individuals in the United States during 1990. For purposes of the previous sentence, elderly individuals shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be low-income elderly individuals.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1929, as added
Codification
Amendments
1999—Subsec. (c)(2)(E)(i), (ii).
Subsec. (k)(1)(A)(i).
Subsec. (l).
Effective Date
Section applicable to home and community care furnished on or after July 1, 1991, without regard to whether or not final regulations to carry out the amendments made by section 4711 of
1 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.
§1396u. Community supported living arrangements services
(a) Community supported living arrangements services
In this subchapter, the term "community supported living arrangements services" means one or more of the following services meeting the requirements of subsection (h) of this section provided in a State eligible to provide services under this section (as defined in subsection (d) of this section) to assist a developmentally disabled individual (as defined in subsection (b) of this section) in activities of daily living necessary to permit such individual to live in the individual's own home, apartment, family home, or rental unit furnished in a community supported living arrangement setting:
(1) Personal assistance.
(2) Training and habilitation services (necessary to assist the individual in achieving increased integration, independence and productivity).
(3) 24-hour emergency assistance (as defined by the Secretary).
(4) Assistive technology.
(5) Adaptive equipment.
(6) Other services (as approved by the Secretary, except those services described in subsection (g) of this section).
(7) Support services necessary to aid an individual to participate in community activities.
(b) "Developmentally disabled individual" defined
In this subchapter the term,1 "developmentally disabled individual" means an individual who as defined by the Secretary is described within the term "mental retardation and related conditions" as defined in regulations as in effect on July 1, 1990, and who is residing with the individual's family or legal guardian in such individual's own home in which no more than 3 other recipients of services under this section are residing and without regard to whether or not such individual is at risk of institutionalization (as defined by the Secretary).
(c) Criteria for selection of participating States
The Secretary shall develop criteria to review the applications of States submitted under this section to provide community supported living arrangement services. The Secretary shall provide in such criteria that during the first 5 years of the provision of services under this section that no less than 2 and no more than 8 States shall be allowed to receive Federal financial participation for providing the services described in this section.
(d) Quality assurance
A State selected by the Secretary to provide services under this section shall in order to continue to receive Federal financial participation for providing services under this section be required to establish and maintain a quality assurance program, that provides that—
(1) the State will certify and survey providers of services under this section (such surveys to be unannounced and average at least 1 a year);
(2) the State will adopt standards for survey and certification that include—
(A) minimum qualifications and training requirements for provider staff;
(B) financial operating standards; and
(C) a consumer grievance process;
(3) the State will provide a system that allows for monitoring boards consisting of providers, family members, consumers, and neighbors;
(4) the State will establish reporting procedures to make available information to the public;
(5) the State will provide ongoing monitoring of the health and well-being of each recipient;
(6) the State will provide the services defined in subsection (a) of this section in accordance with an individual support plan (as defined by the Secretary in regulations); and
(7) the State plan amendment under this section shall be reviewed by the State Council on Developmental Disabilities established under section 125 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 [42 U.S.C. §15025] and the protection and advocacy system established under subtitle C of that Act [
The Secretary shall not approve a quality assurance plan under this subsection and allow a State to continue to receive Federal financial participation under this section unless the State provides for public hearings on the plan prior to adoption and implementation of its plan under this subsection.
(e) Maintenance of effort
States selected by the Secretary to receive Federal financial participation to provide services under this section shall maintain current levels of spending for such services in order to be eligible to continue to receive Federal financial participation for the provision of such services under this section.
(f) Excluded services
No Federal financial participation shall be allowed for the provision of the following services under this section:
(1) Room and board.
(2) Cost of prevocational, vocational and supported employment.
(g) Waiver of requirements
The Secretary may waive such provisions of this subchapter as necessary to carry out the provisions of this section including the following requirements of this subchapter—
(1) comparability of amount, duration, and scope of services; and
(2) statewideness.
(h) Minimum protections
(1) Publication of interim and final requirements
(A) In general
The Secretary shall publish, by July 1, 1991, a regulation (that shall be effective on an interim basis pending the promulgation of final regulations), and by October 1, 1992, a final regulation, that sets forth interim and final requirements, respectively, consistent with subparagraph (B), to protect the health, safety, and welfare of individuals receiving community supported living arrangements services.
(B) Minimum protections
Interim and final requirements under subparagraph (A) shall assure, through methods other than reliance on State licensure processes or the State quality assurance programs under subsection (d) of this section, that—
(i) individuals receiving community supported living arrangements services are protected from neglect, physical and sexual abuse, and financial exploitation;
(ii) a provider of community supported living arrangements services may not use individuals who have been convicted of child or client abuse, neglect, or mistreatment or of a felony involving physical harm to an individual and shall take all reasonable steps to determine whether applicants for employment by the provider have histories indicating involvement in child or client abuse, neglect, or mistreatment or a criminal record involving physical harm to an individual;
(iii) individuals or entities delivering such services are not unjustly enriched as a result of abusive financial arrangements (such as owner lease-backs); and
(iv) individuals or entities delivering such services to clients, or relatives of such individuals, are prohibited from being named beneficiaries of life insurance policies purchased by (or on behalf of) such clients.
(2) Specified remedies
If the Secretary finds that a provider has not met an applicable requirement under subsection (h) of this section, the Secretary shall impose a civil money penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for each day of noncompliance. The provisions of
(i) Treatment of funds
Any funds expended under this section for medical assistance shall be in addition to funds expended for any existing services covered under the State plan, including any waiver services for which an individual receiving services under this program is already eligible.
(j) Limitation on amounts of expenditures as medical assistance
The amount of funds that may be expended as medical assistance to carry out the purposes of this section shall be for fiscal year 1991, $5,000,000, for fiscal year 1992, $10,000,000, for fiscal year 1993, $20,000,000, for fiscal year 1994, $30,000,000, for fiscal year 1995, $35,000,000, and for fiscal years thereafter such sums as provided by Congress.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1930, as added
References in Text
The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, referred to in subsec. (d)(7), is
Codification
Amendments
2000—Subsec. (d)(7).
Effective Date
Section 4712(c) of
"(1)
"(2)
1 So in original. The comma probably should precede "the term".
§1396u–1. Assuring coverage for certain low-income families
(a) References to subchapter IV–A are references to pre-welfare-reform provisions
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, with respect to a State any reference in this subchapter (or any other provision of law in relation to the operation of this subchapter) to a provision of part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, or a State plan under such part (or a provision of such a plan), including income and resource standards and income and resource methodologies under such part or plan, shall be considered a reference to such a provision or plan as in effect as of July 16, 1996, with respect to the State.
(b) Application of pre-welfare-reform eligibility criteria
(1) In general
For purposes of this subchapter, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), in determining eligibility for medical assistance—
(A) an individual shall be treated as receiving aid or assistance under a State plan approved under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter only if the individual meets—
(i) the income and resource standards for determining eligibility under such plan, and
(ii) the eligibility requirements of such plan under subsections (a) through (c) of
as in effect as of July 16, 1996; and
(B) the income and resource methodologies under such plan as of such date shall be used in the determination of whether any individual meets income and resource standards under such plan.
(2) State option
For purposes of applying this section, a State—
(A) may lower its income standards applicable with respect to part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, but not below the income standards applicable under its State plan under such part on May 1, 1988;
(B) may increase income or resource standards under the State plan referred to in paragraph (1) over a period (beginning after July 16, 1996) by a percentage that does not exceed the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) over such period; and
(C) may use income and resource methodologies that are less restrictive than the methodologies used under the State plan under such part as of July 16, 1996.
(3) Option to terminate medical assistance for failure to meet work requirement
(A) Individuals receiving cash assistance under TANF
In the case of an individual who—
(i) is receiving cash assistance under a State program funded under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter,
(ii) is eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter on a basis not related to
(iii) has the cash assistance under such program terminated pursuant to
the State may terminate such individual's eligibility for medical assistance under this subchapter until such time as there no longer is a basis for the termination of such cash assistance because of such refusal.
(B) Exception for children
Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed as permitting a State to terminate medical assistance for a minor child who is not the head of a household receiving assistance under a State program funded under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter.
(c) Treatment for purposes of transitional coverage provisions
(1) Transition in the case of child support collections
The provisions of
(2) Transition in the case of earnings from employment
For continued medical assistance in the case of individuals (and families composed of individuals) described in subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section who would otherwise become ineligible because of hours or income from employment, see
(d) Waivers
In the case of a waiver of a provision of part A of subchapter IV of this chapter in effect with respect to a State as of July 16, 1996, or which is submitted to the Secretary before August 22, 1996, and approved by the Secretary on or before July 1, 1997, if the waiver affects eligibility of individuals for medical assistance under this subchapter, such waiver may (but need not) continue to be applied, at the option of the State, in relation to this subchapter after the date the waiver would otherwise expire.
(e) State option to use 1 application form
Nothing in this section, or part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, shall be construed as preventing a State from providing for the same application form for assistance under a State program funded under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter (on or after the welfare reform effective date) and for medical assistance under this subchapter.
(f) Additional rules of construction
(1) With respect to the reference in
(2) Any reference in
(3) In applying
(g) Relation to other provisions
The provisions of this section shall apply notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter.
(h) Transitional increased Federal matching rate for increased administrative costs
(1) In general
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection, the Secretary shall provide that with respect to administrative expenditures described in paragraph (2) the per centum specified in
(2) Administrative expenditures described
The administrative expenditures described in this paragraph are expenditures described in
(3) Limitation
The total amount of additional Federal funds that are expended as a result of the application of this subsection for the period beginning with fiscal year 1997 shall not exceed $500,000,000. In applying this paragraph, the Secretary shall ensure the equitable distribution of additional funds among the States.
(i) Welfare reform effective date
In this section, the term "welfare reform effective date" means the effective date, with respect to a State, of title I of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (as specified in section 116 of such Act).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1931, as added
References in Text
Parts A and D of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in text, are classified to sections 601 et seq. and 651 et seq., respectively, of this title.
For effective date, with respect to a State, of title I of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (as specified in section 116 of such Act), referred to in subsec. (i), see section 116 of
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1931 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1939 and is classified to
Amendments
1999—Subsec. (h)(3).
Subsec. (h)(4).
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of
§1396u–2. Provisions relating to managed care
(a) State option to use managed care
(1) Use of medicaid managed care organizations and primary care case managers
(A) In general
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, and notwithstanding paragraph (1), (10)(B), or (23)(A) of
(i) may require an individual who is eligible for medical assistance under the State plan under this subchapter to enroll with a managed care entity as a condition of receiving such assistance (and, with respect to assistance furnished by or under arrangements with such entity, to receive such assistance through the entity), if—
(I) the entity and the contract with the State meet the applicable requirements of this section and
(II) the requirements described in the succeeding paragraphs of this subsection are met; and
(ii) may restrict the number of provider agreements with managed care entities under the State plan if such restriction does not substantially impair access to services.
(B) "Managed care entity" defined
In this section, the term "managed care entity" means—
(i) a medicaid managed care organization, as defined in
(ii) a primary care case manager, as defined in
(2) Special rules
(A) Exemption of certain children with special needs
A State may not require under paragraph (1) the enrollment in a managed care entity of an individual under 19 years of age who—
(i) is eligible for supplemental security income under subchapter XVI of this chapter;
(ii) is described in
(iii) is described in
(iv) is receiving foster care or adoption assistance under part E of subchapter IV of this chapter; or
(v) is in foster care or otherwise in an out-of-home placement.
(B) Exemption of medicare beneficiaries
A State may not require under paragraph (1) the enrollment in a managed care entity of an individual who is a qualified medicare beneficiary (as defined in
(C) Indian enrollment
A State may not require under paragraph (1) the enrollment in a managed care entity of an individual who is an Indian (as defined in section 4(c) 1 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act of 1976 (
(i) The Indian Health Service.
(ii) An Indian health program operated by an Indian tribe or tribal organization pursuant to a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or compact with the Indian Health Service pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination Act [
(iii) An urban Indian health program operated by an urban Indian organization pursuant to a grant or contract with the Indian Health Service pursuant to title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act [
(3) Choice of coverage
(A) In general
A State must permit an individual to choose a managed care entity from not less than two such entities that meet the applicable requirements of this section, and of
(B) State option
At the option of the State, a State shall be considered to meet the requirements of subparagraph (A) in the case of an individual residing in a rural area, if the State requires the individual to enroll with a managed care entity if such entity—
(i) permits the individual to receive such assistance through not less than two physicians or case managers (to the extent that at least two physicians or case managers are available to provide such assistance in the area), and
(ii) permits the individual to obtain such assistance from any other provider in appropriate circumstances (as established by the State under regulations of the Secretary).
(C) Treatment of certain county-operated health insuring organizations
A State shall be considered to meet the requirement of subparagraph (A) if—
(i) the managed care entity in which the individual is enrolled is a health-insuring organization which—
(I) first became operational prior to January 1, 1986, or
(II) is described in section 9517(c)(3) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (as added by section 4734(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990), and
(ii) the individual is given a choice between at least two providers within such entity.
(4) Process for enrollment and termination and change of enrollment
As conditions under paragraph (1)(A)—
(A) In general
The State, enrollment broker (if any), and managed care entity shall permit an individual eligible for medical assistance under the State plan under this subchapter who is enrolled with the entity under this subchapter to terminate (or change) such enrollment—
(i) for cause at any time (consistent with
(ii) without cause—
(I) during the 90-day period beginning on the date the individual receives notice of such enrollment, and
(II) at least every 12 months thereafter.
(B) Notice of termination rights
The State shall provide for notice to each such individual of the opportunity to terminate (or change) enrollment under such conditions. Such notice shall be provided at least 60 days before each annual enrollment opportunity described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(II).
(C) Enrollment priorities
In carrying out paragraph (1)(A), the State shall establish a method for establishing enrollment priorities in the case of a managed care entity that does not have sufficient capacity to enroll all such individuals seeking enrollment under which individuals already enrolled with the entity are given priority in continuing enrollment with the entity.
(D) Default enrollment process
In carrying out paragraph (1)(A), the State shall establish a default enrollment process—
(i) under which any such individual who does not enroll with a managed care entity during the enrollment period specified by the State shall be enrolled by the State with such an entity which has not been found to be out of substantial compliance with the applicable requirements of this section and of
(ii) that takes into consideration—
(I) maintaining existing provider-individual relationships or relationships with providers that have traditionally served beneficiaries under this subchapter; and
(II) if maintaining such provider relationships is not possible, the equitable distribution of such individuals among qualified managed care entities available to enroll such individuals, consistent with the enrollment capacities of the entities.
(5) Provision of information
(A) Information in easily understood form
Each State, enrollment broker, or managed care entity shall provide all enrollment notices and informational and instructional materials relating to such an entity under this subchapter in a manner and form which may be easily understood by enrollees and potential enrollees of the entity who are eligible for medical assistance under the State plan under this subchapter.
(B) Information to enrollees and potential enrollees
Each managed care entity that is a medicaid managed care organization shall, upon request, make available to enrollees and potential enrollees in the organization's service area information concerning the following:
(i) Providers
The identity, locations, qualifications, and availability of health care providers that participate with the organization.
(ii) Enrollee rights and responsibilities
The rights and responsibilities of enrollees.
(iii) Grievance and appeal procedures
The procedures available to an enrollee and a health care provider to challenge or appeal the failure of the organization to cover a service.
(iv) Information on covered items and services
All items and services that are available to enrollees under the contract between the State and the organization that are covered either directly or through a method of referral and prior authorization. Each managed care entity that is a primary care case manager shall, upon request, make available to enrollees and potential enrollees in the organization's service area the information described in clause (iii).
(C) Comparative information
A State that requires individuals to enroll with managed care entities under paragraph (1)(A) shall annually (and upon request) provide, directly or through the managed care entity, to such individuals a list identifying the managed care entities that are (or will be) available and information (presented in a comparative, chart-like form) relating to the following for each such entity offered:
(i) Benefits and cost-sharing
The benefits covered and cost-sharing imposed by the entity.
(ii) Service area
The service area of the entity.
(iii) Quality and performance
To the extent available, quality and performance indicators for the benefits under the entity.
(D) Information on benefits not covered under managed care arrangement
A State, directly or through managed care entities, shall, on or before an individual enrolls with such an entity under this subchapter, inform the enrollee in a written and prominent manner of any benefits to which the enrollee may be entitled to under this subchapter but which are not made available to the enrollee through the entity. Such information shall include information on where and how such enrollees may access benefits not made available to the enrollee through the entity.
(b) Beneficiary protections
(1) Specification of benefits
Each contract with a managed care entity under
(2) Assuring coverage to emergency services
(A) In general
Each contract with a medicaid managed care organization under
(i) to provide coverage for emergency services (as defined in subparagraph (B)) without regard to prior authorization or the emergency care provider's contractual relationship with the organization or manager, and
(ii) to comply with guidelines established under
The requirement under clause (ii) shall first apply 30 days after the date of promulgation of the guidelines referred to in such clause.
(B) "Emergency services" defined
In subparagraph (A)(i), the term "emergency services" means, with respect to an individual enrolled with an organization, covered inpatient and outpatient services that—
(i) are furnished by a provider that is qualified to furnish such services under this subchapter, and
(ii) are needed to evaluate or stabilize an emergency medical condition (as defined in subparagraph (C)).
(C) "Emergency medical condition" defined
In subparagraph (B)(ii), the term "emergency medical condition" means a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that a prudent layperson, who possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine, could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in—
(i) placing the health of the individual (or, with respect to a pregnant woman, the health of the woman or her unborn child) in serious jeopardy,
(ii) serious impairment to bodily functions, or
(iii) serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part.
(D) Emergency services furnished by non-contract providers
Any provider of emergency services that does not have in effect a contract with a Medicaid managed care entity that establishes payment amounts for services furnished to a beneficiary enrolled in the entity's Medicaid managed care plan must accept as payment in full no more than the amounts (less any payments for indirect costs of medical education and direct costs of graduate medical education) that it could collect if the beneficiary received medical assistance under this subchapter other than through enrollment in such an entity. In a State where rates paid to hospitals under the State plan are negotiated by contract and not publicly released, the payment amount applicable under this subparagraph shall be the average contract rate that would apply under the State plan for general acute care hospitals or the average contract rate that would apply under such plan for tertiary hospitals.
(3) Protection of enrollee-provider communications
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), under a contract under
(B) Construction
Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed as requiring a medicaid managed care organization to provide, reimburse for, or provide coverage of, a counseling or referral service if the organization—
(i) objects to the provision of such service on moral or religious grounds; and
(ii) in the manner and through the written instrumentalities such organization deems appropriate, makes available information on its policies regarding such service to prospective enrollees before or during enrollment and to enrollees within 90 days after the date that the organization adopts a change in policy regarding such a counseling or referral service.
Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to affect disclosure requirements under State law or under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [
(C) "Health care professional" defined
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "health care professional" means a physician (as defined in
(4) Grievance procedures
Each medicaid managed care organization shall establish an internal grievance procedure under which an enrollee who is eligible for medical assistance under the State plan under this subchapter, or a provider on behalf of such an enrollee, may challenge the denial of coverage of or payment for such assistance.
(5) Demonstration of adequate capacity and services
Each medicaid managed care organization shall provide the State and the Secretary with adequate assurances (in a time and manner determined by the Secretary) that the organization, with respect to a service area, has the capacity to serve the expected enrollment in such service area, including assurances that the organization—
(A) offers an appropriate range of services and access to preventive and primary care services for the population expected to be enrolled in such service area, and
(B) maintains a sufficient number, mix, and geographic distribution of providers of services.
(6) Protecting enrollees against liability for payment
Each medicaid managed care organization shall provide that an individual eligible for medical assistance under the State plan under this subchapter who is enrolled with the organization may not be held liable—
(A) for the debts of the organization, in the event of the organization's insolvency,
(B) for services provided to the individual—
(i) in the event of the organization failing to receive payment from the State for such services; or
(ii) in the event of a health care provider with a contractual, referral, or other arrangement with the organization failing to receive payment from the State or the organization for such services, or
(C) for payments to a provider that furnishes covered services under a contractual, referral, or other arrangement with the organization in excess of the amount that would be owed by the individual if the organization had directly provided the services.
(7) Antidiscrimination
A medicaid managed care organization shall not discriminate with respect to participation, reimbursement, or indemnification as to any provider who is acting within the scope of the provider's license or certification under applicable State law, solely on the basis of such license or certification. This paragraph shall not be construed to prohibit an organization from including providers only to the extent necessary to meet the needs of the organization's enrollees or from establishing any measure designed to maintain quality and control costs consistent with the responsibilities of the organization.
(8) Compliance with certain maternity and mental health requirements
Each medicaid managed care organization shall comply with the requirements of subpart 2 of part A of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act 1 insofar as such requirements apply and are effective with respect to a health insurance issuer that offers group health insurance coverage.
(c) Quality assurance standards
(1) Quality assessment and improvement strategy
(A) In general
If a State provides for contracts with medicaid managed care organizations under
(i) Access standards
Standards for access to care so that covered services are available within reasonable timeframes and in a manner that ensures continuity of care and adequate primary care and specialized services capacity.
(ii) Other measures
Examination of other aspects of care and service directly related to the improvement of quality of care (including grievance procedures and marketing and information standards).
(iii) Monitoring procedures
Procedures for monitoring and evaluating the quality and appropriateness of care and services to enrollees that reflect the full spectrum of populations enrolled under the contract and that includes requirements for provision of quality assurance data to the State using the data and information set that the Secretary has specified for use under part C of subchapter XVIII of this chapter or such alternative data as the Secretary approves, in consultation with the State.
(iv) Periodic review
Regular, periodic examinations of the scope and content of the strategy.
(B) Standards
The strategy developed under subparagraph (A) shall be consistent with standards that the Secretary first establishes within 1 year after August 5, 1997. Such standards shall not preempt any State standards that are more stringent than such standards. Guidelines relating to quality assurance that are applied under
(C) Monitoring
The Secretary shall monitor the development and implementation of strategies under subparagraph (A).
(D) Consultation
The Secretary shall conduct activities under subparagraphs (B) and (C) in consultation with the States.
(2) External independent review of managed care activities
(A) Review of contracts
(i) In general
Each contract under
(ii) Qualifications of reviewer
The Secretary, in consultation with the States, shall establish a method for the identification of entities that are qualified to conduct reviews under clause (i).
(iii) Use of protocols
The Secretary, in coordination with the National Governors' Association, shall contract with an independent quality review organization (such as the National Committee for Quality Assurance) to develop the protocols to be used in external independent reviews conducted under this paragraph on and after January 1, 1999.
(iv) Availability of results
The results of each external independent review conducted under this subparagraph shall be available to participating health care providers, enrollees, and potential enrollees of the organization, except that the results may not be made available in a manner that discloses the identity of any individual patient.
(B) Nonduplication of accreditation
A State may provide that, in the case of a medicaid managed care organization that is accredited by a private independent entity (such as those described in
(C) Deemed compliance for medicare managed care organizations
At the option of a State, the requirements of subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to a medicaid managed care organization if the organization is an eligible organization with a contract in effect under
(d) Protections against fraud and abuse
(1) Prohibiting affiliations with individuals debarred by Federal agencies
(A) In general
A managed care entity may not knowingly—
(i) have a person described in subparagraph (C) as a director, officer, partner, or person with beneficial ownership of more than 5 percent of the entity's equity, or
(ii) have an employment, consulting, or other agreement with a person described in such subparagraph for the provision of items and services that are significant and material to the entity's obligations under its contract with the State.
(B) Effect of noncompliance
If a State finds that a managed care entity is not in compliance with clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A), the State—
(i) shall notify the Secretary of such noncompliance;
(ii) may continue an existing agreement with the entity unless the Secretary (in consultation with the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services) directs otherwise; and
(iii) may not renew or otherwise extend the duration of an existing agreement with the entity unless the Secretary (in consultation with the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services) provides to the State and to Congress a written statement describing compelling reasons that exist for renewing or extending the agreement.
(C) Persons described
A person is described in this subparagraph if such person—
(i) is debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from participating in procurement activities under the Federal Acquisition Regulation or from participating in nonprocurement activities under regulations issued pursuant to Executive Order No. 12549 or under guidelines implementing such order; or
(ii) is an affiliate (as defined in such Regulation) of a person described in clause (i).
(2) Restrictions on marketing
(A) Distribution of materials
(i) In general
A managed care entity, with respect to activities under this subchapter, may not distribute directly or through any agent or independent contractor marketing materials within any State—
(I) without the prior approval of the State, and
(II) that contain false or materially misleading information.
The requirement of subclause (I) shall not apply with respect to a State until such date as the Secretary specifies in consultation with such State.
(ii) Consultation in review of market materials
In the process of reviewing and approving such materials, the State shall provide for consultation with a medical care advisory committee.
(B) Service market
A managed care entity shall distribute marketing materials to the entire service area of such entity covered under the contract under
(C) Prohibition of tie-ins
A managed care entity, or any agency of such entity, may not seek to influence an individual's enrollment with the entity in conjunction with the sale of any other insurance.
(D) Prohibiting marketing fraud
Each managed care entity shall comply with such procedures and conditions as the Secretary prescribes in order to ensure that, before an individual is enrolled with the entity, the individual is provided accurate oral and written information sufficient to make an informed decision whether or not to enroll.
(E) Prohibition of "cold-call" marketing
Each managed care entity shall not, directly or indirectly, conduct door-to-door, telephonic, or other "cold-call" marketing of enrollment under this subchapter.
(3) State conflict-of-interest safeguards in medicaid risk contracting
A medicaid managed care organization may not enter into a contract with any State under
(4) Use of unique physician identifier for participating physicians
Each medicaid managed care organization shall require each physician providing services to enrollees eligible for medical assistance under the State plan under this subchapter to have a unique identifier in accordance with the system established under
(e) Sanctions for noncompliance
(1) Use of intermediate sanctions by the State to enforce requirements
(A) In general
A State may not enter into or renew a contract under
(i) fails substantially to provide medically necessary items and services that are required (under law or under such organization's contract with the State) to be provided to an enrollee covered under the contract;
(ii) imposes premiums or charges on enrollees in excess of the premiums or charges permitted under this subchapter;
(iii) acts to discriminate among enrollees on the basis of their health status or requirements for health care services, including expulsion or refusal to reenroll an individual, except as permitted by this subchapter, or engaging in any practice that would reasonably be expected to have the effect of denying or discouraging enrollment with the organization by eligible individuals whose medical condition or history indicates a need for substantial future medical services;
(iv) misrepresents or falsifies information that is furnished—
(I) to the Secretary or the State under this subchapter; or
(II) to an enrollee, potential enrollee, or a health care provider under such subchapter; or
(v) fails to comply with the applicable requirements of
The State may also impose such intermediate sanction against a managed care entity if the State determines that the entity distributed directly or through any agent or independent contractor marketing materials in violation of subsection (d)(2)(A)(i)(II) of this section.
(B) Rule of construction
Clause (i) of subparagraph (A) shall not apply to the provision of abortion services, except that a State may impose a sanction on any medicaid managed care organization that has a contract to provide abortion services if the organization does not provide such services as provided for under the contract.
(2) Intermediate sanctions
The sanctions described in this paragraph are as follows:
(A) Civil money penalties as follows:
(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), (iii), or (iv), not more than $25,000 for each determination under paragraph (1)(A).
(ii) With respect to a determination under clause (iii) or (iv)(I) of paragraph (1)(A), not more than $100,000 for each such determination.
(iii) With respect to a determination under paragraph (1)(A)(ii), double the excess amount charged in violation of such subsection (and the excess amount charged shall be deducted from the penalty and returned to the individual concerned).
(iv) Subject to clause (ii), with respect to a determination under paragraph (1)(A)(iii), $15,000 for each individual not enrolled as a result of a practice described in such subsection.
(B) The appointment of temporary management—
(i) to oversee the operation of the medicaid managed care organization upon a finding by the State that there is continued egregious behavior by the organization or there is a substantial risk to the health of enrollees; or
(ii) to assure the health of the organization's enrollees, if there is a need for temporary management while—
(I) there is an orderly termination or reorganization of the organization; or
(II) improvements are made to remedy the violations found under paragraph (1),
except that temporary management under this subparagraph may not be terminated until the State has determined that the medicaid managed care organization has the capability to ensure that the violations shall not recur.
(C) Permitting individuals enrolled with the managed care entity to terminate enrollment without cause, and notifying such individuals of such right to terminate enrollment.
(D) Suspension or default of all enrollment of individuals under this subchapter after the date the Secretary or the State notifies the entity of a determination of a violation of any requirement of
(E) Suspension of payment to the entity under this subchapter for individuals enrolled after the date the Secretary or State notifies the entity of such a determination and until the Secretary or State is satisfied that the basis for such determination has been corrected and is not likely to recur.
(3) Treatment of chronic substandard entities
In the case of a medicaid managed care organization which has repeatedly failed to meet the requirements of
(4) Authority to terminate contract
(A) In general
In the case of a managed care entity which has failed to meet the requirements of this part or a contract under
(B) Availability of hearing prior to termination of contract
A State may not terminate a contract with a managed care entity under subparagraph (A) unless the entity is provided with a hearing prior to the termination.
(C) Notice and right to disenroll in cases of termination hearing
A State may—
(i) notify individuals enrolled with a managed care entity which is the subject of a hearing to terminate the entity's contract with the State of the hearing, and
(ii) in the case of such an entity, permit such enrollees to disenroll immediately with the entity without cause.
(5) Other protections for managed care entities against sanctions imposed by State
Before imposing any sanction against a managed care entity other than termination of the entity's contract, the State shall provide the entity with notice and such other due process protections as the State may provide, except that a State may not provide a managed care entity with a pre-termination hearing before imposing the sanction described in paragraph (2)(B).
(f) Timeliness of payment; adequacy of payment for primary care services
A contract under
(g) Identification of patients for purposes of making DSH payments
Each contract with a managed care entity under
(1) to report to the State information necessary to determine the hospital services provided under the contract (and the identity of hospitals providing such services) for purposes of applying
(2) to include a sponsorship code in the identification card issued to individuals covered under this subchapter in order that a hospital may identify a patient as being entitled to benefits under this subchapter.
(h) Special rules with respect to Indian enrollees, Indian health care providers, and Indian managed care entities
(1) Enrollee option to select an Indian health care provider as primary care provider
In the case of a non-Indian Medicaid managed care entity that—
(A) has an Indian enrolled with the entity; and
(B) has an Indian health care provider that is participating as a primary care provider within the network of the entity,
insofar as the Indian is otherwise eligible to receive services from such Indian health care provider and the Indian health care provider has the capacity to provide primary care services to such Indian, the contract with the entity under
(2) Assurance of payment to Indian health care providers for provision of covered services
Each contract with a managed care entity under
(A) Demonstration of access to Indian health care providers and application of alternative payment arrangements
Subject to subparagraph (C), to—
(i) demonstrate that the number of Indian health care providers that are participating providers with respect to such entity are sufficient to ensure timely access to covered Medicaid managed care services for those Indian enrollees who are eligible to receive services from such providers; and
(ii) agree to pay Indian health care providers, whether such providers are participating or nonparticipating providers with respect to the entity, for covered Medicaid managed care services provided to those Indian enrollees who are eligible to receive services from such providers at a rate equal to the rate negotiated between such entity and the provider involved or, if such a rate has not been negotiated, at a rate that is not less than the level and amount of payment which the entity would make for the services if the services were furnished by a participating provider which is not an Indian health care provider.
The Secretary shall establish procedures for applying the requirements of clause (i) in States where there are no or few Indian health providers.
(B) Prompt payment
To agree to make prompt payment (consistent with rule for prompt payment of providers under
(C) Application of special payment requirements for federally-qualified health centers and for services provided by certain Indian health care providers
(i) Federally-qualified health centers
(I) Managed care entity payment requirement
To agree to pay any Indian health care provider that is a federally-qualified health center under this subchapter but not a participating provider with respect to the entity, for the provision of covered Medicaid managed care services by such provider to an Indian enrollee of the entity at a rate equal to the amount of payment that the entity would pay a federally-qualified health center that is a participating provider with respect to the entity but is not an Indian health care provider for such services.
(II) Continued application of State requirement to make supplemental payment
Nothing in subclause (I) or subparagraph (A) or (B) shall be construed as waiving the application of
(ii) Payment rate for services provided by certain Indian health care providers
If the amount paid by a managed care entity to an Indian health care provider that is not a federally-qualified health center for services provided by the provider to an Indian enrollee with the managed care entity is less than the rate that applies to the provision of such services by the provider under the State plan, the plan shall provide for payment to the Indian health care provider, whether the provider is a participating or nonparticipating provider with respect to the entity, of the difference between such applicable rate and the amount paid by the managed care entity to the provider for such services.
(D) Construction
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as waiving the application of
(3) Special rule for enrollment for Indian managed care entities
Regarding the application of a Medicaid managed care program to Indian Medicaid managed care entities, an Indian Medicaid managed care entity may restrict enrollment under such program to Indians in the same manner as Indian Health Programs may restrict the delivery of services to Indians.
(4) Definitions
For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Indian health care provider
The term "Indian health care provider" means an Indian Health Program or an Urban Indian Organization.
(B) Indian Medicaid managed care entity
The term "Indian Medicaid managed care entity" means a managed care entity that is controlled (within the meaning of the last sentence of
(C) Non-Indian Medicaid managed care entity
The term "non-Indian Medicaid managed care entity" means a managed care entity that is not an Indian Medicaid managed care entity.
(D) Covered Medicaid managed care services
The term "covered Medicaid managed care services" means, with respect to an individual enrolled with a managed care entity, items and services for which benefits are available with respect to the individual under the contract between the entity and the State involved.
(E) Medicaid managed care program
The term "Medicaid managed care program" means a program under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1932, as added and amended
References in Text
Part E of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iv), is classified to
Section 4(c) of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act of 1976, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(C), probably means section 4(c) of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which was redesignated section 4(13) of the Act by
The Indian Self-Determination Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(C)(ii), is title I of
The Indian Health Care Improvement Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(C)(iii), is
Section 9517(c)(3) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, referred to in subsec. (a)(3)(C)(i)(II), is section 9517(c)(3) of
Part C of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (b)(2)(A)(ii) and (c)(1)(A)(iii), (2)(C), is classified to
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(B), is
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(8), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373,
Executive Order No. 12549, referred to in subsec. (d)(1)(C)(i), is set out as a note under
Codification
In subsec. (d)(3), "
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1932 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1939 and is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (f).
2009—Subsec. (h).
2006—Subsec. (b)(2)(D).
2000—Subsec. (g).
1999—Subsec. (c)(2)(C).
Subsec. (d)(1)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B).
1997—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsecs. (d), (e).
Subsec. (f).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date
Section effective Aug. 5, 1997, and applicable to contracts entered into or renewed on or after Oct. 1, 1997, except that, subject to provisions relating to extension of effective date for State law amendments, and to nonapplication to waivers, subsec. (c)(1) effective Jan. 1, 1999, and subsec. (e) applicable to contracts entered into or renewed on or after Apr. 1, 1998, see section 4710(a), (b)(3), (5) of
Studies and Reports
Section 4705(c) of
"(1)
"(A)
"(i) if such programs and standards include consideration of the accessibility and quality of the health care items and services delivered under such contracts to low-income individuals; and
"(ii) the appropriateness of applying such programs and standards to medicaid managed care organizations under section 1932(c) of such Act [subsec. (c) of this section].
"(B)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
1 See References in Text note below.
§1396u–3. State coverage of medicare cost-sharing for additional low-income medicare beneficiaries
(a) In general
A State plan under this subchapter shall provide, under
(b) Selection of qualifying individuals
A State shall select qualifying individuals, and provide such individuals with assistance, under this section consistent with the following:
(1) All qualifying individuals may apply
The State shall permit all qualifying individuals to apply for assistance during a calendar year.
(2) Selection on first-come, first-served basis
(A) In general
For each calendar year (beginning with 1998), from (and to the extent of) the amount of the allocation under subsection (c) of this section for the State for the fiscal year ending in such calendar year, the State shall select qualifying individuals who apply for the assistance in the order in which they apply.
(B) Carryover
For calendar years after 1998, the State shall give preference to individuals who were provided such assistance (or other assistance described in
(3) Limit on number of individuals based on allocation
The State shall limit the number of qualifying individuals selected with respect to assistance in a calendar year so that the aggregate amount of such assistance provided to such individuals in such year is estimated to be equal to (but not exceed) the State's allocation under subsection (c) of this section for the fiscal year ending in such calendar year.
(4) Receipt of assistance during duration of year
If a qualifying individual is selected to receive assistance under this section for a month in a year, the individual is entitled to receive such assistance for the remainder of the year if the individual continues to be a qualifying individual. The fact that an individual is selected to receive assistance under this section at any time during a year does not entitle the individual to continued assistance for any succeeding year.
(c) Allocation
(1) Total allocation
The total amount available for allocation under this section for—
(A) fiscal year 1998 is $200,000,000;
(B) fiscal year 1999 is $250,000,000;
(C) fiscal year 2000 is $300,000,000;
(D) fiscal year 2001 is $350,000,000; and
(E) each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003 is $400,000,000.
(2) Allocation to States
The Secretary shall provide for the allocation of the total amount described in paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, among the States that executed a plan amendment in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, based upon the Secretary's estimate of the ratio of—
(A) an amount equal to the total number of individuals described in
(B) the sum of the amounts computed under subparagraph (A) for all eligible States.
(d) Applicable FMAP
With respect to assistance described in
(1) to the extent that such assistance does not exceed the State's allocation under subsection (c) of this section for the fiscal year ending in the calendar year, the Federal medical assistance percentage shall be equal to 100 percent; and
(2) to the extent that such assistance exceeds such allocation, the Federal medical assistance percentage is 0 percent.
(e) Limitation on entitlement
Except as specifically provided under this section, nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as establishing any entitlement of individuals described in
(f) Coverage of costs through part B of medicare program
For each fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide for the transfer from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund under
(g) Special rules
(1) In general
With respect to each period described in paragraph (2), a State shall select qualifying individuals, subject to paragraph (3), and provide such individuals with assistance, in accordance with the provisions of this section as in effect with respect to calendar year 2003, except that for such purpose—
(A) references in the preceding subsections of this section to a year, whether fiscal or calendar, shall be deemed to be references to such period; and
(B) the total allocation amount under subsection (c) of this section for such period shall be the amount described in paragraph (2) for that period.
(2) Periods and total allocation amounts described
For purposes of this subsection—
(A) for the period that begins on January 1, 2004, and ends on September 30, 2004, the total allocation amount is $300,000,000;
(B) for the period that begins on October 1, 2004, and ends on December 31, 2004, the total allocation amount is $100,000,000;
(C) for the period that begins on January 1, 2005, and ends on September 30, 2005, the total allocation amount is $300,000,000;
(D) for the period that begins on October 1, 2005, and ends on December 31, 2005, the total allocation amount is $100,000,000;
(E) for the period that begins on January 1, 2006, and ends on September 30, 2006, the total allocation amount is $300,000,000;
(F) for the period that begins on October 1, 2006, and ends on December 31, 2006, the total allocation amount is $100,000,000;
(G) for the period that begins on January 1, 2007, and ends on September 30, 2007, the total allocation amount is $300,000,000;
(H) for the period that begins on October 1, 2007, and ends on December 31, 2007, the total allocation amount is $100,000,000;
(I) for the period that begins on January 1, 2008, and ends on September 30, 2008, the total allocation amount is $315,000,000;
(J) for the period that begins on October 1, 2008, and ends on December 31, 2008, the total allocation amount is $130,000,000;
(K) for the period that begins on January 1, 2009, and ends on September 30, 2009, the total allocation amount is $350,000,000;
(L) for the period that begins on October 1, 2009, and ends on December 31, 2009, the total allocation amount is $150,000,000;
(M) for the period that begins on January 1, 2010, and ends on September 30, 2010, the total allocation amount is $462,500,000;
(N) for the period that begins on October 1, 2010, and ends on December 31, 2010, the total allocation amount is $165,000,000;
(O) for the period that begins on January 1, 2011, and ends on September 30, 2011, the total allocation amount is $720,000,000; and
(P) for the period that begins on October 1, 2011, and ends on December 31, 2011, the total allocation amount is $280,000,000.
(3) Rules for periods that begin after January 1
For any specific period described in subparagraph (B), (D), (F), (H), (J), (L), (N), or (P) of paragraph (2), the following applies:
(A) The specific period shall be treated as a continuation of the immediately preceding period in that calendar year for purposes of applying subsection (b)(2) of this section and qualifying individuals who received assistance in the last month of such immediately preceding period shall be deemed to be selected for the specific period (without the need to complete an application for assistance for such period).
(B) The limit to be applied under subsection (b)(3) of this section for the specific period shall be the same as the limit applied under such subsection for the immediately preceding period.
(C) The ratio to be applied under subsection (c)(2) of this section for the specific period shall be the same as the ratio applied under such subsection for the immediately preceding period.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1933, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1933 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1939 and is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (g)(2)(M).
Subsec. (g)(2)(N).
Subsec. (g)(2)(O), (P).
Subsec. (g)(3).
2009—Subsec. (g)(2)(M), (N).
Subsec. (g)(3).
2008—Subsec. (g)(2)(I).
Subsec. (g)(2)(J).
Subsec. (g)(2)(K), (L).
Subsec. (g)(3).
2007—Subsec. (g)(2)(H).
Subsec. (g)(2)(I).
Subsec. (g)(3).
2005—Subsec. (g)(2)(D) to (G).
Subsec. (g)(3).
2004—Subsec. (g).
"(1) references in the preceding subsections of this section to 'fiscal year' and 'calendar year' shall be deemed to be references to such period; and
"(2) the total allocation amount under subsection (c) of this section for such period shall be $300,000,000."
2003—Subsec. (c)(1)(E).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
"(i) twice the total number of individuals described in
"(ii) the total number of individuals described in
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (g)(2).
1999—Subsec. (b)(4).
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by
§1396u–4. Program of all-inclusive care for elderly (PACE)
(a) State option
(1) In general
A State may elect to provide medical assistance under this section with respect to PACE program services to PACE program eligible individuals who are eligible for medical assistance under the State plan and who are enrolled in a PACE program under a PACE program agreement. Such individuals need not be eligible for benefits under part A, or enrolled under part B, of subchapter XVIII of this chapter to be eligible to enroll under this section. In the case of an individual enrolled with a PACE program pursuant to such an election—
(A) the individual shall receive benefits under the plan solely through such program, and
(B) the PACE provider shall receive payment in accordance with the PACE program agreement for provision of such benefits.
A State may establish a numerical limit on the number of individuals who may be enrolled in a PACE program under a PACE program agreement.
(2) "PACE program" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "PACE program" means a program of all-inclusive care for the elderly that meets the following requirements:
(A) Operation
The entity operating the program is a PACE provider (as defined in paragraph (3)).
(B) Comprehensive benefits
The program provides comprehensive health care services to PACE program eligible individuals in accordance with the PACE program agreement and regulations under this section.
(C) Transition
In the case of an individual who is enrolled under the program under this section and whose enrollment ceases for any reason (including that the individual no longer qualifies as a PACE program eligible individual, the termination of a PACE program agreement, or otherwise), the program provides assistance to the individual in obtaining necessary transitional care through appropriate referrals and making the individual's medical records available to new providers.
(3) "PACE provider" defined
(A) In general
For purposes of this section, the term "PACE provider" means an entity that—
(i) subject to subparagraph (B), is (or is a distinct part of) a public entity or a private, nonprofit entity organized for charitable purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and
(ii) has entered into a PACE program agreement with respect to its operation of a PACE program.
(B) Treatment of private, for-profit providers
Clause (i) of subparagraph (A) shall not apply—
(i) to entities subject to a demonstration project waiver under subsection (h) of this section; and
(ii) after the date the report under section 4804(b) of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 is submitted, unless the Secretary determines that any of the findings described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (2) of such section are true.
(4) "PACE program agreement" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "PACE program agreement" means, with respect to a PACE provider, an agreement, consistent with this section,
(5) "PACE program eligible individual" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "PACE program eligible individual" means, with respect to a PACE program, an individual who—
(A) is 55 years of age or older;
(B) subject to subsection (c)(4) of this section, is determined under subsection (c) of this section to require the level of care required under the State medicaid plan for coverage of nursing facility services;
(C) resides in the service area of the PACE program; and
(D) meets such other eligibility conditions as may be imposed under the PACE program agreement for the program under subsection (e)(2)(A)(ii) of this section.
(6) "PACE protocol" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "PACE protocol" means the Protocol for the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), as published by On Lok, Inc., as of April 14, 1995, or any successor protocol that may be agreed upon between the Secretary and On Lok, Inc.
(7) "PACE demonstration waiver program" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "PACE demonstration waiver program" means a demonstration program under either of the following sections (as in effect before the date of their repeal):
(A) Section 603(c) of the Social Security Amendments of 1983 (
(B) Section 9412(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (
(8) "State administering agency" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "State administering agency" means, with respect to the operation of a PACE program in a State, the agency of that State (which may be the single agency responsible for administration of the State plan under this subchapter in the State) responsible for administering PACE program agreements under this section and
(9) "Trial period" defined
(A) In general
For purposes of this section, the term "trial period" means, with respect to a PACE program operated by a PACE provider under a PACE program agreement, the first 3 contract years under such agreement with respect to such program.
(B) Treatment of entities previously operating PACE demonstration waiver programs
Each contract year (including a year occurring before the effective date of this section) during which an entity has operated a PACE demonstration waiver program shall be counted under subparagraph (A) as a contract year during which the entity operated a PACE program as a PACE provider under a PACE program agreement.
(10) "Regulations" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "regulations" refers to interim final or final regulations promulgated under subsection (f) of this section to carry out this section and
(b) Scope of benefits; beneficiary safeguards
(1) In general
Under a PACE program agreement, a PACE provider shall—
(A) provide to PACE program eligible individuals, regardless of source of payment and directly or under contracts with other entities, at a minimum—
(i) all items and services covered under subchapter XVIII of this chapter (for individuals enrolled under
(ii) all additional items and services specified in regulations, based upon those required under the PACE protocol;
(B) provide such enrollees access to necessary covered items and services 24 hours per day, every day of the year;
(C) provide services to such enrollees through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary health and social services delivery system which integrates acute and long-term care services pursuant to regulations; and
(D) specify the covered items and services that will not be provided directly by the entity, and to arrange for delivery of those items and services through contracts meeting the requirements of regulations.
(2) Quality assurance; patient safeguards
The PACE program agreement shall require the PACE provider to have in effect at a minimum—
(A) a written plan of quality assurance and improvement, and procedures implementing such plan, in accordance with regulations, and
(B) written safeguards of the rights of enrolled participants (including a patient bill of rights and procedures for grievances and appeals) in accordance with regulations and with other requirements of this subchapter and Federal and State law designed for the protection of patients.
(3) Treatment of medicare services furnished by noncontract physicians and other entities
(A) Application of medicare advantage requirement with respect to medicare services furnished by noncontract physicians and other entities
(B) Reference to related provision for noncontract providers of services
For the provision relating to limitations on balance billing against PACE providers for services covered under subchapter XVIII of this chapter furnished by noncontract providers of services, see
(4) Reference to related provision for services covered under this subchapter but not under subchapter XVIII
For provisions relating to limitations on payments to providers participating under the State plan under this subchapter that do not have a contract or other agreement with a PACE provider establishing payment amounts for services covered under such plan (but not under subchapter XVIII of this chapter) when such services are furnished to enrollees of that PACE provider, see
(c) Eligibility determinations
(1) In general
The determination of—
(A) whether an individual is a PACE program eligible individual shall be made under and in accordance with the PACE program agreement, and
(B) who is entitled to medical assistance under this subchapter shall be made (or who is not so entitled, may be made) by the State administering agency.
(2) Condition
An individual is not a PACE program eligible individual (with respect to payment under this section) unless the individual's health status has been determined by the Secretary or the State administering agency, in accordance with regulations, to be comparable to the health status of individuals who have participated in the PACE demonstration waiver programs. Such determination shall be based upon information on health status and related indicators (such as medical diagnoses and measures of activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and cognitive impairment) that are part of a uniform minimum data set collected by PACE providers on potential eligible individuals.
(3) Annual eligibility recertifications
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the determination described in subsection (a)(5)(B) of this section for an individual shall be reevaluated at least annually.
(B) Exception
The requirement of annual reevaluation under subparagraph (A) may be waived during a period in accordance with regulations in those cases in which the State administering agency determines that there is no reasonable expectation of improvement or significant change in an individual's condition during the period because of the severity of chronic condition, or degree of impairment of functional capacity of the individual involved.
(4) Continuation of eligibility
An individual who is a PACE program eligible individual may be deemed to continue to be such an individual notwithstanding a determination that the individual no longer meets the requirement of subsection (a)(5)(B) of this section if, in accordance with regulations, in the absence of continued coverage under a PACE program the individual reasonably would be expected to meet such requirement within the succeeding 6-month period.
(5) Enrollment; disenrollment
(A) Voluntary disenrollment at any time
The enrollment and disenrollment of PACE program eligible individuals in a PACE program shall be pursuant to regulations and the PACE program agreement and shall permit enrollees to voluntarily disenroll without cause at any time.
(B) Limitations on disenrollment
(i) In general
Regulations promulgated by the Secretary under this section and
(I) for nonpayment of premiums (if applicable) on a timely basis; or
(II) for engaging in disruptive or threatening behavior, as defined in such regulations (developed in close consultation with State administering agencies).
(ii) No disenrollment for noncompliant behavior
Except as allowed under regulations promulgated to carry out clause (i)(II), a PACE program may not disenroll a PACE program eligible individual on the ground that the individual has engaged in noncompliant behavior if such behavior is related to a mental or physical condition of the individual. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term "noncompliant behavior" includes repeated noncompliance with medical advice and repeated failure to appear for appointments.
(iii) Timely review of proposed nonvoluntary disenrollment
A proposed disenrollment, other than a voluntary disenrollment, shall be subject to timely review and final determination by the Secretary or by the State administering agency (as applicable), prior to the proposed disenrollment becoming effective.
(d) Payments to PACE providers on a capitated basis
(1) In general
In the case of a PACE provider with a PACE program agreement under this section, except as provided in this subsection or by regulations, the State shall make prospective monthly payments of a capitation amount for each PACE program eligible individual enrolled under the agreement under this section.
(2) Capitation amount
The capitation amount to be applied under this subsection for a provider for a contract year shall be an amount specified in the PACE program agreement for the year. Such amount shall be an amount, specified under the PACE agreement, which is less than the amount that would otherwise have been made under the State plan if the individuals were not so enrolled and shall be adjusted to take into account the comparative frailty of PACE enrollees and such other factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. The payment under this section shall be in addition to any payment made under
(e) PACE program agreement
(1) Requirement
(A) In general
The Secretary, in close cooperation with the State administering agency, shall establish procedures for entering into, extending, and terminating PACE program agreements for the operation of PACE programs by entities that meet the requirements for a PACE provider under this section,
(B) Numerical limitation
(i) In general
The Secretary shall not permit the number of PACE providers with which agreements are in effect under this section or under section 9412(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 to exceed—
(I) 40 as of August 5, 1997, or
(II) as of each succeeding anniversary of August 5, 1997, the numerical limitation under this subparagraph for the preceding year plus 20.
Subclause (II) shall apply without regard to the actual number of agreements in effect as of a previous anniversary date.
(ii) Treatment of certain private, for-profit providers
The numerical limitation in clause (i) shall not apply to a PACE provider that—
(I) is operating under a demonstration project waiver under subsection (h) of this section, or
(II) was operating under such a waiver and subsequently qualifies for PACE provider status pursuant to subsection (a)(3)(B)(ii) of this section.
(2) Service area and eligibility
(A) In general
A PACE program agreement for a PACE program—
(i) shall designate the service area of the program;
(ii) may provide additional requirements for individuals to qualify as PACE program eligible individuals with respect to the program;
(iii) shall be effective for a contract year, but may be extended for additional contract years in the absence of a notice by a party to terminate, and is subject to termination by the Secretary and the State administering agency at any time for cause (as provided under the agreement);
(iv) shall require a PACE provider to meet all applicable State and local laws and requirements; and
(v) shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the parties may agree to, so long as such terms and conditions are consistent with this section and regulations.
(B) Service area overlap
In designating a service area under a PACE program agreement under subparagraph (A)(i), the Secretary (in consultation with the State administering agency) may exclude from designation an area that is already covered under another PACE program agreement, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of services and avoid impairing the financial and service viability of an existing program.
(3) Data collection; development of outcome measures
(A) Data collection
(i) In general
Under a PACE program agreement, the PACE provider shall—
(I) collect data;
(II) maintain, and afford the Secretary and the State administering agency access to, the records relating to the program, including pertinent financial, medical, and personnel records; and
(III) submit to the Secretary and the State administering agency such reports as the Secretary finds (in consultation with State administering agencies) necessary to monitor the operation, cost, and effectiveness of the PACE program.
(ii) Requirements during trial period
During the first 3 years of operation of a PACE program (either under this section or under a PACE demonstration waiver program), the PACE provider shall provide such additional data as the Secretary specifies in regulations in order to perform the oversight required under paragraph (4)(A).
(B) Development of outcome measures
Under a PACE program agreement, the PACE provider, the Secretary, and the State administering agency shall jointly cooperate in the development and implementation of health status and quality of life outcome measures with respect to PACE program eligible individuals.
(4) Oversight
(A) Annual, close oversight during trial period
During the trial period (as defined in subsection (a)(9) of this section) with respect to a PACE program operated by a PACE provider, the Secretary (in cooperation with the State administering agency) shall conduct a comprehensive annual review of the operation of the PACE program by the provider in order to assure compliance with the requirements of this section and regulations. Such a review shall include—
(i) an onsite visit to the program site;
(ii) comprehensive assessment of a provider's fiscal soundness;
(iii) comprehensive assessment of the provider's capacity to provide all PACE services to all enrolled participants;
(iv) detailed analysis of the entity's substantial compliance with all significant requirements of this section and regulations; and
(v) any other elements the Secretary or the State administering agency considers necessary or appropriate.
(B) Continuing oversight
After the trial period, the Secretary (in cooperation with the State administering agency) shall continue to conduct such review of the operation of PACE providers and PACE programs as may be appropriate, taking into account the performance level of a provider and compliance of a provider with all significant requirements of this section and regulations.
(C) Disclosure
The results of reviews under this paragraph shall be reported promptly to the PACE provider, along with any recommendations for changes to the provider's program, and shall be made available to the public upon request.
(5) Termination of PACE provider agreements
(A) In general
Under regulations—
(i) the Secretary or a State administering agency may terminate a PACE program agreement for cause, and
(ii) a PACE provider may terminate such an agreement after appropriate notice to the Secretary, the State administering agency, and enrollees.
(B) Causes for termination
In accordance with regulations establishing procedures for termination of PACE program agreements, the Secretary or a State administering agency may terminate a PACE program agreement with a PACE provider for, among other reasons, the fact that—
(i) the Secretary or State administering agency determines that—
(I) there are significant deficiencies in the quality of care provided to enrolled participants; or
(II) the provider has failed to comply substantially with conditions for a program or provider under this section or
(ii) the entity has failed to develop and successfully initiate, within 30 days of the date of the receipt of written notice of such a determination, a plan to correct the deficiencies, or has failed to continue implementation of such a plan.
(C) Termination and transition procedures
An entity whose PACE provider agreement is terminated under this paragraph shall implement the transition procedures required under subsection (a)(2)(C) of this section.
(6) Secretary's oversight; enforcement authority
(A) In general
Under regulations, if the Secretary determines (after consultation with the State administering agency) that a PACE provider is failing substantially to comply with the requirements of this section and regulations, the Secretary (and the State administering agency) may take any or all of the following actions:
(i) Condition the continuation of the PACE program agreement upon timely execution of a corrective action plan.
(ii) Withhold some or all further payments under the PACE program agreement under this section or
(iii) Terminate such agreement.
(B) Application of intermediate sanctions
Under regulations, the Secretary may provide for the application against a PACE provider of remedies described in section 1395w–27(g)(2) (or, for periods before January 1, 1999,
(7) Procedures for termination or imposition of sanctions
Under regulations, the provisions of
(8) Timely consideration of applications for PACE program provider status
In considering an application for PACE provider program status, the application shall be deemed approved unless the Secretary, within 90 days after the date of the submission of the application to the Secretary, either denies such request in writing or informs the applicant in writing with respect to any additional information that is needed in order to make a final determination with respect to the application. After the date the Secretary receives such additional information, the application shall be deemed approved unless the Secretary, within 90 days of such date, denies such request.
(f) Regulations
(1) In general
The Secretary shall issue interim final or final regulations to carry out this section and
(2) Use of PACE protocol
(A) In general
In issuing such regulations, the Secretary shall, to the extent consistent with the provisions of this section, incorporate the requirements applied to PACE demonstration waiver programs under the PACE protocol.
(B) Flexibility
In order to provide for reasonable flexibility in adapting the PACE service delivery model to the needs of particular organizations (such as those in rural areas or those that may determine it appropriate to use nonstaff physicians according to State licensing law requirements) under this section and
(i) The focus on frail elderly qualifying individuals who require the level of care provided in a nursing facility.
(ii) The delivery of comprehensive, integrated acute and long-term care services.
(iii) The interdisciplinary team approach to care management and service delivery.
(iv) Capitated, integrated financing that allows the provider to pool payments received from public and private programs and individuals.
(v) The assumption by the provider of full financial risk.
(C) Continuation of modifications or waivers of operational requirements under demonstration status
If a PACE program operating under demonstration authority has contractual or other operating arrangements which are not otherwise recognized in regulation and which were in effect on July 1 1 2000, the Secretary (in close consultation with, and with the concurrence of, the State administering agency) shall permit any such program to continue such arrangements so long as such arrangements are found by the Secretary and the State to be reasonably consistent with the objectives of the PACE program.
(3) Application of certain additional beneficiary and program protections
(A) In general
In issuing such regulations and subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary may apply with respect to PACE programs, providers, and agreements such requirements of part C of subchapter XVIII of this chapter (or, for periods before January 1, 1999,
(B) Considerations
In issuing such regulations, the Secretary shall—
(i) take into account the differences between populations served and benefits provided under this section and under part C of subchapter XVIII of this chapter (or, for periods before January 1, 1999,
(ii) not include any requirement that conflicts with carrying out PACE programs under this section; and
(iii) not include any requirement restricting the proportion of enrollees who are eligible for benefits under this subchapter or subchapter XVIII of this chapter.
(4) Construction
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing the Secretary from including in regulations provisions to ensure the health and safety of individuals enrolled in a PACE program under this section that are in addition to those otherwise provided under paragraphs (2) and (3).
(g) Waivers of requirements
With respect to carrying out a PACE program under this section, the following requirements of this subchapter (and regulations relating to such requirements) shall not apply:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5) Such other provisions of this subchapter that, as added or amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, the Secretary determines are inapplicable to carrying out a PACE program under this section.
(h) Demonstration project for for-profit entities
(1) In general
In order to demonstrate the operation of a PACE program by a private, for-profit entity, the Secretary (in close consultation with State administering agencies) shall grant waivers from the requirement under subsection (a)(3) of this section that a PACE provider may not be a for-profit, private entity.
(2) Similar terms and conditions
(A) In general
Except as provided under subparagraph (B), and paragraph (1), the terms and conditions for operation of a PACE program by a provider under this subsection shall be the same as those for PACE providers that are nonprofit, private organizations.
(B) Numerical limitation
The number of programs for which waivers are granted under this subsection shall not exceed 10. Programs with waivers granted under this subsection shall not be counted against the numerical limitation specified in subsection (e)(1)(B) of this section.
(i) Post-eligibility treatment of income
A State may provide for post-eligibility treatment of income for individuals enrolled in PACE programs under this section in the same manner as a State treats post-eligibility income for individuals receiving services under a waiver under
(j) Miscellaneous provisions
Nothing in this section or
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1934, as added
References in Text
Parts A, B, and C of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1), (e)(7), (f)(3), and (j), are classified to sections 1395c et seq., 1395j et seq., and 1395w–21 et seq., respectively, of this title.
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a)(3)(A)(i), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
The Balanced Budget Act of 1997, referred to in subsecs. (a)(3)(B)(ii) and (g)(5), is
Section 603(c) of the Social Security Amendments of 1983, referred to in subsec. (a)(7)(A), is section 603(c) of
Section 9220 of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, referred to in subsec. (a)(7)(A), is section 9220 of
Section 9412(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (a)(7)(B) and (e)(1)(B)(i), is section 9412(b) of
For the effective date of this section, referred to in subsec. (a)(9)(B), see section 4803 of
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1934 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1939 and is classified to
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (b)(3), (4).
2000—Subsec. (f)(2)(C).
Change of Name
References to Medicare+Choice deemed to refer to Medicare Advantage or MA, subject to an appropriate transition provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the use of those terms, see section 201 of
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
§1396u–5. Special provisions relating to medicare prescription drug benefit
(a) Requirements relating to medicare prescription drug low-income subsidies, medicare transitional prescription drug assistance, and medicare cost-sharing
As a condition of its State plan under this subchapter under
(1) Information for transitional prescription drug assistance verification
The State shall provide the Secretary with information to carry out
(2) Eligibility determinations for low-income subsidies
The State shall—
(A) make determinations of eligibility for premium and cost-sharing subsidies under and in accordance with
(B) inform the Secretary of such determinations in cases in which such eligibility is established; and
(C) otherwise provide the Secretary with such information as may be required to carry out part D, other than subpart 4, of subchapter XVIII of this chapter (including
(3) Screening for eligibility, and enrollment of, beneficiaries for medicare cost-sharing
As part of making an eligibility determination required under paragraph (2) for an individual, the State shall make a determination of the individual's eligibility for medical assistance for any medicare cost-sharing described in
(4) Consideration of data transmitted by the Social Security Administration for purposes of Medicare Savings Program
The State shall accept data transmitted under
(b) Regular Federal subsidy of administrative costs
The amounts expended by a State in carrying out subsection (a) of this section are expenditures reimbursable under the appropriate paragraph of
(c) Federal assumption of medicaid prescription drug costs for dually eligible individuals
(1) Phased-down State contribution
(A) In general
Each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia for each month beginning with January 2006 shall provide for payment under this subsection to the Secretary of the product of—
(i) the amount computed under paragraph (2)(A) for the State and month;
(ii) the total number of full-benefit dual eligible individuals (as defined in paragraph (6)) for such State and month; and
(iii) the factor for the month specified in paragraph (5).
(B) Form and manner of payment
Payment under subparagraph (A) shall be made in a manner specified by the Secretary that is similar to the manner in which State payments are made under an agreement entered into under
(C) Compliance
If a State fails to pay to the Secretary an amount required under subparagraph (A), interest shall accrue on such amount at the rate provided under
(D) Data match
The Secretary shall perform such periodic data matches as may be necessary to identify and compute the number of full-benefit dual eligible individuals for purposes of computing the amount under subparagraph (A).
(2) Amount
(A) In general
The amount computed under this paragraph for a State described in paragraph (1) and for a month in a year is equal to—
(i) 1/12 of the product of—
(I) the base year State medicaid per capita expenditures for covered part D drugs for full-benefit dual eligible individuals (as computed under paragraph (3)); and
(II) a proportion equal to 100 percent minus the Federal medical assistance percentage (as defined in
(ii) increased for each year (beginning with 2004 up to and including the year involved) by the applicable growth factor specified in paragraph (4) for that year.
(B) Notice
The Secretary shall notify each State described in paragraph (1) not later than October 15 before the beginning of each year (beginning with 2006) of the amount computed under subparagraph (A) for the State for that year.
(3) Base year state medicaid per capita expenditures for covered part D drugs for full-benefit dual eligible individuals
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (2)(A), the "base year State medicaid per capita expenditures for covered part D drugs for full-benefit dual eligible individuals" for a State is equal to the weighted average (as weighted under subparagraph (C)) of—
(i) the gross per capita medicaid expenditures for prescription drugs for 2003, determined under subparagraph (B); and
(ii) the estimated actuarial value of prescription drug benefits provided under a capitated managed care plan per full-benefit dual eligible individual for 2003, as determined using such data as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(B) Gross per capita medicaid expenditures for prescription drugs
(i) In general
The gross per capita medicaid expenditures for prescription drugs for 2003 under this subparagraph is equal to the expenditures, including dispensing fees, for the State under this subchapter during 2003 for covered outpatient drugs, determined per full-benefit-dual-eligible-individual for such individuals not receiving medical assistance for such drugs through a medicaid managed care plan.
(ii) Determination
In determining the amount under clause (i), the Secretary shall—
(I) use data from the Medicaid Statistical Information System (MSIS) and other available data;
(II) exclude expenditures attributable to covered outpatient prescription drugs that are not covered part D drugs (as defined in
(III) reduce such expenditures by the product of such portion and the adjustment factor (described in clause (iii)).
(iii) Adjustment factor
The adjustment factor described in this clause for a State is equal to the ratio for the State for 2003 of—
(I) aggregate payments under agreements under
(II) the gross expenditures under this subchapter for covered outpatient drugs referred to in clause (i).
Such factor shall be determined based on information reported by the State in the medicaid financial management reports (form CMS–64) for the 4 quarters of calendar year 2003 and such other data as the Secretary may require.
(C) Weighted average
The weighted average under subparagraph (A) shall be determined taking into account—
(i) with respect to subparagraph (A)(i), the average number of full-benefit dual eligible individuals in 2003 who are not described in clause (ii); and
(ii) with respect to subparagraph (A)(ii), the average number of full-benefit dual eligible individuals in such year who received in 2003 medical assistance for covered outpatient drugs through a medicaid managed care plan.
(4) Applicable growth factor
The applicable growth factor under this paragraph for—
(A) each of 2004, 2005, and 2006, is the average annual percent change (to that year from the previous year) of the per capita amount of prescription drug expenditures (as determined based on the most recent National Health Expenditure projections for the years involved); and
(B) a succeeding year, is the annual percentage increase specified in
(5) Factor
The factor under this paragraph for a month—
(A) in 2006 is 90 percent;
(B) in 2007 is 881/3 percent;
(C) in 2008 is 862/3 percent;
(D) in 2009 is 85 percent;
(E) in 2010 is 831/3 percent;
(F) in 2011 is 812/3 percent;
(G) in 2012 is 80 percent;
(H) in 2013 is 781/3 percent;
(I) in 2014 is 762/3 percent; or
(J) after December 2014, is 75 percent.
(6) Full-benefit dual eligible individual defined
(A) In general
For purposes of this section, the term "full-benefit dual eligible individual" means for a State for a month an individual who—
(i) has coverage for the month for covered part D drugs under a prescription drug plan under part D of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, or under an MA–PD plan under part C of such subchapter; and
(ii) is determined eligible by the State for medical assistance for full benefits under this subchapter for such month under
(B) Treatment of medically needy and other individuals required to spend down
In applying subparagraph (A) in the case of an individual determined to be eligible by the State for medical assistance under
(d) Coordination of prescription drug benefits
(1) Medicare as primary payor
In the case of a part D eligible individual (as defined in
(2) Coverage of certain excludable drugs
In the case of medical assistance under this subchapter with respect to a covered outpatient drug (other than a covered part D drug) furnished to an individual who is enrolled in a prescription drug plan under part D of subchapter XVIII of this chapter or an MA–PD plan under part C of such subchapter, the State may elect to provide such medical assistance in the manner otherwise provided in the case of individuals who are not full-benefit dual eligible individuals or through an arrangement with such plan.
(e) Treatment of territories
(1) In general
In the case of a State, other than the 50 States and the District of Columbia—
(A) the previous provisions of this section shall not apply to residents of such State; and
(B) if the State establishes and submits to the Secretary a plan described in paragraph (2) (for providing medical assistance with respect to the provision of prescription drugs to part D eligible individuals), the amount otherwise determined under
(2) Plan
The Secretary shall determine that a plan is described in this paragraph if the plan—
(A) provides medical assistance with respect to the provision of covered part D drugs (as defined in
(B) provides assurances that additional amounts received by the State that are attributable to the operation of this subsection shall be used only for such assistance and related administrative expenses and that no more than 10 percent of the amount specified in paragraph (3)(A) for the State for any fiscal period shall be used for such administrative expenses; and
(C) meets such other criteria as the Secretary may establish.
(3) Increased amount
(A) In general
The amount specified in this paragraph for a State for a year is equal to the product of—
(i) the aggregate amount specified in subparagraph (B); and
(ii) the ratio (as estimated by the Secretary) of—
(I) the number of individuals who are entitled to benefits under part A 2 or enrolled under part B 2 and who reside in the State (as determined by the Secretary based on the most recent available data before the beginning of the year); to
(II) the sum of such numbers for all States that submit a plan described in paragraph (2).
(B) Aggregate amount
The aggregate amount specified in this subparagraph for—
(i) the last 3 quarters of fiscal year 2006, is equal to $28,125,000;
(ii) fiscal year 2007, is equal to $37,500,000; or
(iii) a subsequent year, is equal to the aggregate amount specified in this subparagraph for the previous year increased by annual percentage increase specified in
(4) Report
The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the application of this subsection and may include in the report such recommendations as the Secretary deems appropriate.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1935, as added and amended
References in Text
Part D of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2)(C), (c)(6)(A)(i), and (d)(2), is classified to
No act with the title Federal Claims Collection Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(C), has been enacted. However,
Part C of subchapter XVIII of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (c)(6)(A)(i) and (d)(2), is classified to
Parts A and B, referred to in subsec. (e)(3)(A)(ii)(I), probably means parts A and B of subchapter XVIII of this chapter. This subchapter does not contain parts.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1935 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1939 and is classified to
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (a).
2005—Subsec. (c)(3)(B)(ii)(II).
2003—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
Amendment by
1 See References in Text note below.
2 See References in Text note below.
§1396u–6. Medicaid Integrity Program
(a) In general
There is hereby established the Medicaid Integrity Program (in this section referred to as the "Program") under which the Secretary shall promote the integrity of the program under this subchapter by entering into contracts in accordance with this section with eligible entities to carry out the activities described in subsection (b).
(b) Activities described
Activities described in this subsection are as follows:
(1) Review of the actions of individuals or entities furnishing items or services (whether on a fee-for-service, risk, or other basis) for which payment may be made under a State plan approved under this subchapter (or under any waiver of such plan approved under
(2) Audit of claims for payment for items or services furnished, or administrative services rendered, under a State plan under this subchapter, including—
(A) cost reports;
(B) consulting contracts; and
(C) risk contracts under
(3) Identification of overpayments to individuals or entities receiving Federal funds under this subchapter.
(4) Education or training, including at such national, State, or regional conferences as the Secretary may establish, of State or local officers, employees, or independent contractors responsible for the administration or the supervision of the administration of the State plan under this subchapter, providers of services, managed care entities, beneficiaries, and other individuals with respect to payment integrity and quality of care.
(c) Eligible entity and contracting requirements
(1) In general
An entity is eligible to enter into a contract under the Program to carry out any of the activities described in subsection (b) if the entity satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) Eligibility requirements
The requirements of this paragraph are the following:
(A) The entity has demonstrated capability to carry out the activities described in subsection (b).
(B) In carrying out such activities, the entity agrees to cooperate with the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Attorney General, and other law enforcement agencies, as appropriate, in the investigation and deterrence of fraud and abuse in relation to this subchapter and in other cases arising out of such activities.
(C) The entity complies with such conflict of interest standards as are generally applicable to Federal acquisition and procurement.
(D) The entity agrees to provide the Secretary and the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services with such performance statistics (including the number and amount of overpayments recovered, the number of fraud referrals, and the return on investment of such activities by the entity) as the Secretary or the Inspector General may request.
(E) The entity meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose.
(3) Contracting requirements
The entity has contracted with the Secretary in accordance with such procedures as the Secretary shall by regulation establish, except that such procedures shall include the following:
(A) Procedures for identifying, evaluating, and resolving organizational conflicts of interest that are generally applicable to Federal acquisition and procurement.
(B) Competitive procedures to be used—
(i) when entering into new contracts under this section;
(ii) when entering into contracts that may result in the elimination of responsibilities under section 202(b) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; and
(iii) at any other time considered appropriate by the Secretary.
(C) Procedures under which a contract under this section may be renewed without regard to any provision of law requiring competition if the contractor has met or exceeded the performance requirements established in the current contract.
The Secretary may enter into such contracts without regard to final rules having been promulgated.
(4) Limitation on contractor liability
The Secretary shall by regulation provide for the limitation of a contractor's liability for actions taken to carry out a contract under the Program, and such regulation shall, to the extent the Secretary finds appropriate, employ the same or comparable standards and other substantive and procedural provisions as are contained in
(d) Comprehensive plan for program integrity
(1) 5-year plan
With respect to the 5-fiscal year period beginning with fiscal year 2006, and each such 5-fiscal year period that begins thereafter, the Secretary shall establish a comprehensive plan for ensuring the integrity of the program established under this subchapter by combatting fraud, waste, and abuse.
(2) Consultation
Each 5-fiscal year plan established under paragraph (1) shall be developed by the Secretary in consultation with the Attorney General, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Comptroller General of the United States, the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, and State officials with responsibility for controlling provider fraud and abuse under State plans under this subchapter.
(e) Appropriation
(1) In general
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated to carry out the Medicaid Integrity Program under this section, without further appropriation—
(A) for fiscal year 2006, $5,000,000;
(B) for each of fiscal years 2007 and 2008, $50,000,000;
(C) for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010, $75,000,000; and
(D) for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2010, the amount appropriated under this paragraph for the previous fiscal year, increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) over the previous year.
(2) Availability; authority for use of funds
(A) Availability
Amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall remain available until expended.
(B) Authority for use of funds for transportation and travel expenses for attendees at education, training, or consultative activities
(i) In general
The Secretary may use amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) to pay for transportation and the travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of
(ii) Public disclosure
The Secretary shall make available on a website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that is accessible to the public—
(I) the total amount of funds expended for each conference conducted under the authority of subsection (b)(4); and
(II) the amount of funds expended for each such conference that were for transportation and for travel expenses.
(3) Increase in cms staffing devoted to protecting Medicaid program integrity
From the amounts appropriated under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall increase by 100 the number of full-time equivalent employees whose duties consist solely of protecting the integrity of the Medicaid program established under this section by providing effective support and assistance to States to combat provider fraud and abuse.
(4) Evaluations
The Secretary shall conduct evaluations of eligible entities which the Secretary contracts with under the Program not less frequently than every 3 years.
(5) Annual report
Not later than 180 days after the end of each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2006), the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress which identifies—
(A) the use of funds appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1); and
(B) the effectiveness of the use of such funds.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1936, as added
References in Text
Section 202(b) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(B)(ii), is section 202(b) of title II of
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1936 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1939 and is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (c)(2)(D), (E).
Subsec. (e)(1)(C).
Subsec. (e)(1)(D).
Subsec. (e)(4), (5).
2008—Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B)(ii).
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
§1396u–7. State flexibility in benefit packages
(a) State option of providing benchmark benefits
(1) Authority
(A) In general
Notwithstanding
(i) provides benchmark coverage described in subsection (b)(1) or benchmark equivalent coverage described in subsection (b)(2); and
(ii) for any individual described in
(B) Limitation
The State may only exercise the option under subparagraph (A) for an individual eligible under subclause (VIII) of
(C) Option of additional benefits
In the case of coverage described in subparagraph (A), a State, at its option, may provide such additional benefits as the State may specify.
(D) Treatment as medical assistance
Payment of premiums for such coverage under this subsection shall be treated as payment of other insurance premiums described in the third sentence of
(E) Rule of construction
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as—
(i) requiring a State to offer all or any of the items and services required by subparagraph (A)(ii) through an issuer of benchmark coverage described in subsection (b)(1) or benchmark equivalent coverage described in subsection (b)(2);
(ii) preventing a State from offering all or any of the items and services required by subparagraph (A)(ii) through an issuer of benchmark coverage described in subsection (b)(1) or benchmark equivalent coverage described in subsection (b)(2); or
(iii) affecting a child's entitlement to care and services described in subsections (a)(4)(B) and (r) of
(2) Application
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a State may require that a full-benefit eligible individual (as defined in subparagraph (C)) within a group obtain benefits under this subchapter through enrollment in coverage described in paragraph (1)(A). A State may apply the previous sentence to individuals within 1 or more groups of such individuals.
(B) Limitation on application
A State may not require under subparagraph (A) an individual to obtain benefits through enrollment described in paragraph (1)(A) if the individual is within one of the following categories of individuals:
(i) Mandatory pregnant women
The individual is a pregnant woman who is required to be covered under the State plan under
(ii) Blind or disabled individuals
The individual qualifies for medical assistance under the State plan on the basis of being blind or disabled (or being treated as being blind or disabled) without regard to whether the individual is eligible for supplemental security income benefits under subchapter XVI on the basis of being blind or disabled and including an individual who is eligible for medical assistance on the basis of
(iii) Dual eligibles
The individual is entitled to benefits under any part of subchapter XVIII.
(iv) Terminally ill hospice patients
The individual is terminally ill and is receiving benefits for hospice care under this subchapter.
(v) Eligible on basis of institutionalization
The individual is an inpatient in a hospital, nursing facility, intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, or other medical institution, and is required, as a condition of receiving services in such institution under the State plan, to spend for costs of medical care all but a minimal amount of the individual's income required for personal needs.
(vi) Medically frail and special medical needs individuals
The individual is medically frail or otherwise an individual with special medical needs (as identified in accordance with regulations of the Secretary).
(vii) Beneficiaries qualifying for long-term care services
The individual qualifies based on medical condition for medical assistance for long-term care services described in
(viii) Children in foster care receiving child welfare services and children receiving foster care or adoption assistance
The individual is an individual with respect to whom child welfare services are made available under part B of subchapter IV on the basis of being a child in foster care or with respect to whom adoption or foster care assistance is made available under part E of such subchapter, without regard to age.
(ix) TANF and section 1396u–1 parents
The individual qualifies for medical assistance on the basis of eligibility to receive assistance under a State plan funded under part A of subchapter IV (as in effect on or after the welfare reform effective date defined in
(x) Women in the breast or cervical cancer program
The individual is a woman who is receiving medical assistance by virtue of the application of
(xi) Limited services beneficiaries
The individual—
(I) qualifies for medical assistance on the basis of
(II) is not a qualified alien (as defined in
(C) Full-benefit eligible individuals
(i) In general
For purposes of this paragraph, subject to clause (ii), the term "full-benefit eligible individual" means for a State for a month an individual who is determined eligible by the State for medical assistance for all services defined in
(ii) Exclusion of medically needy and spend-down populations
Such term shall not include an individual determined to be eligible by the State for medical assistance under
(b) Benchmark benefit packages
(1) In general
For purposes of subsection (a)(1), subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), each of the following coverages shall be considered to be benchmark coverage:
(A) FEHBP-equivalent health insurance coverage
The standard Blue Cross/Blue Shield preferred provider option service benefit plan, described in and offered under
(B) State employee coverage
A health benefits coverage plan that is offered and generally available to State employees in the State involved.
(C) Coverage offered through HMO
The health insurance coverage plan that—
(i) is offered by a health maintenance organization (as defined in
(ii) has the largest insured commercial, non-medicaid enrollment of covered lives of such coverage plans offered by such a health maintenance organization in the State involved.
(D) Secretary-approved coverage
Any other health benefits coverage that the Secretary determines, upon application by a State, provides appropriate coverage for the population proposed to be provided such coverage.
(2) Benchmark-equivalent coverage
For purposes of subsection (a)(1), subject to paragraphs (5) and (6) 2 coverage that meets the following requirement shall be considered to be benchmark-equivalent coverage:
(A) Inclusion of basic services
The coverage includes benefits for items and services within each of the following categories of basic services:
(i) Inpatient and outpatient hospital services.
(ii) Physicians' surgical and medical services.
(iii) Laboratory and x-ray services.
(iv) Coverage of prescription drugs.
(v) Mental health services.
(vi) Well-baby and well-child care, including age-appropriate immunizations.
(vii) Other appropriate preventive services, as designated by the Secretary.
(B) Aggregate actuarial value equivalent to benchmark package
The coverage has an aggregate actuarial value that is at least actuarially equivalent to one of the benchmark benefit packages described in paragraph (1).
(C) Substantial actuarial value for additional services included in benchmark package
With respect to each of the following categories of additional services for which coverage is provided under the benchmark benefit package used under subparagraph (B), the coverage has an actuarial value that is equal to at least 75 percent of the actuarial value of the coverage of that category of services in such package:
(i) Vision services.
(ii) Hearing services.
(3) Determination of actuarial value
The actuarial value of coverage of benchmark benefit packages shall be set forth in an actuarial opinion in an actuarial report that has been prepared—
(A) by an individual who is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries;
(B) using generally accepted actuarial principles and methodologies;
(C) using a standardized set of utilization and price factors;
(D) using a standardized population that is representative of the population involved;
(E) applying the same principles and factors in comparing the value of different coverage (or categories of services);
(F) without taking into account any differences in coverage based on the method of delivery or means of cost control or utilization used; and
(G) taking into account the ability of a State to reduce benefits by taking into account the increase in actuarial value of benefits coverage offered under this subchapter that results from the limitations on cost sharing under such coverage.
The actuary preparing the opinion shall select and specify in the memorandum the standardized set and population to be used under subparagraphs (C) and (D).
(4) Coverage of rural health clinic and FQHC services
Notwithstanding the previous provisions of this section, a State may not provide for medical assistance through enrollment of an individual with benchmark coverage or benchmark equivalent coverage under this section unless—
(A) the individual has access, through such coverage or otherwise, to services described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of
(B) payment for such services is made in accordance with the requirements of
(5) Minimum standards
Effective January 1, 2014, any benchmark benefit package under paragraph (1) or benchmark equivalent coverage under paragraph (2) must provide at least essential health benefits as described in
(6) Mental health services parity
(A) In general
In the case of any benchmark benefit package under paragraph (1) or benchmark equivalent coverage under paragraph (2) that is offered by an entity that is not a medicaid managed care organization and that provides both medical and surgical benefits and mental health or substance use disorder benefits, the entity shall ensure that the financial requirements and treatment limitations applicable to such mental health or substance use disorder benefits comply with the requirements of
(B) Deemed compliance
Coverage provided with respect to an individual described in
(7) Coverage of family planning services and supplies
Notwithstanding the previous provisions of this section, a State may not provide for medical assistance through enrollment of an individual with benchmark coverage or benchmark-equivalent coverage under this section unless such coverage includes for any individual described in
(c) Publication of provisions affected
With respect to a State plan amendment to provide benchmark benefits in accordance with subsections (a) and (b) that is approved by the Secretary, the Secretary shall publish on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a list of the provisions of this subchapter that the Secretary has determined do not apply in order to enable the State to carry out the plan amendment and the reason for each such determination on the date such approval is made, and shall publish such list in the Federal Register and 3 not later than 30 days after such date of approval.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1937, as added
Amendment of Subsection (a)(2)(B)(viii)
References in Text
Parts A, B, and E of subchapter IV, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B)(viii), (ix), are classified to sections 601 et seq., 620 et seq., and 670 et seq., respectively, of this title.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1937 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1939 and is classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(iv) to (vii).
Subsec. (b)(2)(C).
"(i) Coverage of prescription drugs.
"(ii) Mental health services."
Subsec. (b)(5), (6).
Subsec. (b)(7).
2009—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(i).
Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(1)(C).
Subsec. (a)(1)(E).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(viii).
Subsec. (c).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by section 2004(c)(2) of
Amendment by section 2303(c) of
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Effective Date
1 So in original. Probably should be "subparagraph".
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
§1396u–8. Health opportunity accounts
(a) Authority
(1) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, the Secretary shall establish a demonstration program under which States may provide under their State plans under this subchapter (including such a plan operating under a statewide waiver under
(2) Initial demonstration
(A) In general
The demonstration program under this section shall begin on January 1, 2007. During the first 5 years of such program, the Secretary shall not approve more than 10 States to conduct demonstration programs under this section, with each State demonstration program covering 1 or more geographic areas specified by the State. After such 5-year period—
(i) unless the Secretary finds, taking into account cost-effectiveness, quality of care, and other criteria that the Secretary specifies, that a State demonstration program previously implemented has been unsuccessful, such a demonstration program may be extended or made permanent in the State; and
(ii) unless the Secretary finds, taking into account cost-effectiveness, quality of care, and other criteria that the Secretary specifies, that all State demonstration programs previously implemented were unsuccessful, other States may implement State demonstration programs.
(B) GAO report
(i) In general
Not later than 3 months after the end of the 5-year period described in subparagraph (A), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress evaluating the demonstration programs conducted under this section during such period.
(ii) Appropriation
Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated to the Comptroller General of the United States, $550,000 for the period of fiscal years 2007 through 2010 to carry out clause (i).
(3) Approval
The Secretary shall not approve a State demonstration program under paragraph (1) unless the program includes the following:
(A) Creating patient awareness of the high cost of medical care.
(B) Providing incentives to patients to seek preventive care services.
(C) Reducing inappropriate use of health care services.
(D) Enabling patients to take responsibility for health outcomes.
(E) Providing enrollment counselors and ongoing education activities.
(F) Providing transactions involving health opportunity accounts to be conducted electronically and without cash.
(G) Providing access to negotiated provider payment rates consistent with this section.
Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing a State demonstration program from providing incentives for patients obtaining appropriate preventive care (as defined for purposes of section 223(c)(2)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), such as additional account contributions for an individual demonstrating healthy prevention practices.
(4) No requirement for statewideness
Nothing in this section or any other provision of law shall be construed to require that a State must provide for the implementation of a State demonstration program on a Statewide 1 basis.
(b) Eligible population groups
(1) In general
A State demonstration program under this section shall specify the eligible population groups consistent with paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) Eligibility limitations during initial demonstration period
During the initial 5 years of the demonstration program under this section, a State demonstration program shall not apply to any of the following individuals:
(A) Individuals who are 65 years of age or older.
(B) Individuals who are disabled, regardless of whether or not their eligibility for medical assistance under this subchapter is based on such disability.
(C) Individuals who are eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter only because they are (or were within the previous 60 days) pregnant.
(D) Individuals who have been eligible for medical assistance for a continuous period of less than 3 months.
(3) Additional limitations
A State demonstration program shall not apply to any individual within a category of individuals described in
(4) Limitations
(A) State option
This subsection shall not be construed as preventing a State from further limiting eligibility.
(B) On enrollees in Medicaid managed care organizations
Insofar as the State provides for eligibility of individuals who are enrolled in Medicaid managed care organizations, such individuals may participate in the State demonstration program only if the State provides assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the following conditions are met with respect to any such organization:
(i) In no case may the number of such individuals enrolled in the organization who participate in the program exceed 5 percent of the total number of individuals enrolled in such organization.
(ii) The proportion of enrollees in the organization who so participate is not significantly disproportionate to the proportion of such enrollees in other such organizations who participate.
(iii) The State has provided for an appropriate adjustment in the per capita payments to the organization to account for such participation, taking into account differences in the likely use of health services between enrollees who so participate and enrollees who do not so participate.
(5) Voluntary participation
An eligible individual shall be enrolled in a State demonstration program only if the individual voluntarily enrolls. Except in such hardship cases as the Secretary shall specify, such an enrollment shall be effective for a period of 12 months, but may be extended for additional periods of 12 months each with the consent of the individual.
(6) 1-year moratorium for reenrollment
An eligible individual who, for any reason, is disenrolled from a State demonstration program conducted under this section shall not be permitted to reenroll in such program before the end of the 1-year period that begins on the effective date of such disenrollment.
(c) Alternative benefits
(1) In general
The alternative benefits provided under this section shall consist, consistent with this subsection, of at least—
(A) coverage for medical expenses in a year for items and services for which benefits are otherwise provided under this subchapter after an annual deductible described in paragraph (2) has been met; and
(B) contribution into a health opportunity account.
Nothing in subparagraph (A) shall be construed as preventing a State from providing for coverage of preventive care (referred to in subsection (a)(3)) within the alternative benefits without regard to the annual deductible.
(2) Annual deductible
The amount of the annual deductible described in paragraph (1)(A) shall be at least 100 percent, but no more than 110 percent, of the annualized amount of contributions to the health opportunity account under subsection (d)(2)(A)(i), determined without regard to any limitation described in subsection (d)(2)(C)(i)(II).
(3) Access to negotiated provider payment rates
(A) Fee-for-service enrollees
In the case of an individual who is participating in a State demonstration program and who is not enrolled with a Medicaid managed care organization, the State shall provide that the individual may obtain demonstration program Medicaid services from—
(i) any participating provider under this subchapter at the same payment rates that would be applicable to such services if the deductible described in paragraph (1)(A) was not applicable; or
(ii) any other provider at payment rates that do not exceed 125 percent of the payment rate that would be applicable to such services furnished by a participating provider under this subchapter if the deductible described in paragraph (1)(A) was not applicable.
(B) Treatment under medicaid managed care plans
In the case of an individual who is participating in a State demonstration program and is enrolled with a Medicaid managed care organization, the State shall enter into an arrangement with the organization under which the individual may obtain demonstration program Medicaid services from any provider described in clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) at payment rates that do not exceed the payment rates that may be imposed under that clause.
(C) Computation
The payment rates described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be computed without regard to any cost sharing that would be otherwise applicable under
(D) Definitions
For purposes of this paragraph:
(i) The term "demonstration program Medicaid services" means, with respect to an individual participating in a State demonstration program, services for which the individual would be provided medical assistance under this subchapter but for the application of the deductible described in paragraph (1)(A).
(ii) The term "participating provider" means—
(I) with respect to an individual described in subparagraph (A), a health care provider that has entered into a participation agreement with the State for the provision of services to individuals entitled to benefits under the State plan; or
(II) with respect to an individual described in subparagraph (B) who is enrolled in a Medicaid managed care organization, a health care provider that has entered into an arrangement for the provision of services to enrollees of the organization under this subchapter.
(4) No effect on subsequent benefits
Except as provided under paragraphs (1) and (2), alternative benefits for an eligible individual shall consist of the benefits otherwise provided to the individual, including cost sharing relating to such benefits.
(5) Overriding cost sharing and comparability requirements for alternative benefits
The provisions of this subchapter relating to cost sharing for benefits (including
(6) Treatment as medical assistance
Subject to subparagraphs (D) and (E) of subsection (d)(2), payments for alternative benefits under this section (including contributions into a health opportunity account) shall be treated as medical assistance for purposes of
(7) Use of tiered deductible and cost sharing
(A) In general
A State—
(i) may vary the amount of the annual deductible applied under paragraph (1)(A) based on the income of the family involved so long as it does not favor families with higher income over those with lower income; and
(ii) may vary the amount of the maximum out-of-pocket cost sharing (as defined in subparagraph (B)) based on the income of the family involved so long as it does not favor families with higher income over those with lower income.
(B) Maximum out-of-pocket cost sharing
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), the term "maximum out-of-pocket cost sharing" means, for an individual or family, the amount by which the annual deductible level applied under paragraph (1)(A) to the individual or family exceeds the balance in the health opportunity account for the individual or family.
(8) Contributions by employers
Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing an employer from providing health benefits coverage consisting of the coverage described in paragraph (1)(A) to individuals who are provided alternative benefits under this section.
(d) Health opportunity account
(1) In general
For purposes of this section, the term "health opportunity account" means an account that meets the requirements of this subsection.
(2) Contributions
(A) In general
No contribution may be made into a health opportunity account except—
(i) contributions by the State under this subchapter; and
(ii) contributions by other persons and entities, such as charitable organizations, as permitted under
(B) State contribution
A State shall specify the contribution amount that shall be deposited under subparagraph (A)(i) into a health opportunity account.
(C) Limitation on annual State contribution provided and permitting imposition of maximum account balance
(i) In general
A State—
(I) may impose limitations on the maximum contributions that may be deposited under subparagraph (A)(i) into a health opportunity account in a year;
(II) may limit contributions into such an account once the balance in the account reaches a level specified by the State; and
(III) subject to clauses (ii) and (iii) and subparagraph (D)(i), may not provide contributions described in subparagraph (A)(i) to a health opportunity account on behalf of an individual or family to the extent the amount of such contributions (including both State and Federal shares) exceeds, on an annual basis, $2,500 for each individual (or family member) who is an adult and $1,000 for each individual (or family member) who is a child.
(ii) Indexing of dollar limitations
For each year after 2006, the dollar amounts specified in clause (i)(III) shall be annually increased by the Secretary by a percentage that reflects the annual percentage increase in the medical care component of the consumer price index for all urban consumers.
(iii) Budget neutral adjustment
A State may provide for dollar limitations in excess of those specified in clause (i)(III) (as increased under clause (ii)) for specified individuals if the State provides assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that contributions otherwise made to other individuals will be reduced in a manner so as to provide for aggregate contributions that do not exceed the aggregate contributions that would otherwise be permitted under this subparagraph.
(D) Limitations on Federal matching
(i) State contribution
A State may contribute under subparagraph (A)(i) amounts to a health opportunity account in excess of the limitations provided under subparagraph (C)(i)(III), but no Federal financial participation shall be provided under
(ii) No FFP for private contributions
No Federal financial participation shall be provided under
(E) Application of different matching rates
The Secretary shall provide a method under which, for expenditures made from a health opportunity account for medical care for which the Federal matching rate under
(3) Use
(A) General uses
(i) In general
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this paragraph, amounts in a health opportunity account may be used for payment of such health care expenditures as the State specifies.
(ii) General limitation
Subject to subparagraph (B)(ii), in no case shall such account be used for payment for health care expenditures that are not payment of medical care (as defined by section 213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).
(iii) State restrictions
In applying clause (i), a State may restrict payment for—
(I) providers of items and services to providers that are licensed or otherwise authorized under State law to provide the item or service and may deny payment for such a provider on the basis that the provider has been found, whether with respect to this subchapter or any other health benefit program, to have failed to meet quality standards or to have committed 1 or more acts of fraud or abuse; and
(II) items and services insofar as the State finds they are not medically appropriate or necessary.
(iv) Electronic withdrawals
The State demonstration program shall provide for a method whereby withdrawals may be made from the account for such purposes using an electronic system and shall not permit withdrawals from the account in cash.
(B) Maintenance of health opportunity account after becoming ineligible for public benefit
(i) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if an account holder of a health opportunity account becomes ineligible for benefits under this subchapter because of an increase in income or assets—
(I) no additional contribution shall be made into the account under paragraph (2)(A)(i);
(II) subject to clause (iii), the balance in the account shall be reduced by 25 percent; and
(III) subject to the succeeding provisions of this subparagraph, the account shall remain available to the account holder for 3 years after the date on which the individual becomes ineligible for such benefits for withdrawals under the same terms and conditions as if the account holder remained eligible for such benefits, and such withdrawals shall be treated as medical assistance in accordance with subsection (c)(6).
(ii) Special rules
Withdrawals under this subparagraph from an account—
(I) shall be available for the purchase of health insurance coverage; and
(II) may, subject to clause (iv), be made available (at the option of the State) for such additional expenditures (such as job training and tuition expenses) specified by the State (and approved by the Secretary) as the State may specify.
(iii) Exception from 25 percent savings to Government for private contributions
Clause (i)(II) shall not apply to the portion of the account that is attributable to contributions described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii). For purposes of accounting for such contributions, withdrawals from a health opportunity account shall first be attributed to contributions described in paragraph (2)(A)(i).
(iv) Condition for non-health withdrawals
No withdrawal may be made from an account under clause (ii)(II) unless the account holder has participated in the program under this section for at least 1 year.
(v) No requirement for continuation of coverage
An account holder of a health opportunity account, after becoming ineligible for medical assistance under this subchapter, is not required to purchase high-deductible or other insurance as a condition of maintaining or using the account.
(4) Administration
A State may coordinate administration of health opportunity accounts through the use of a third party administrator and reasonable expenditures for the use of such administrator shall be reimbursable to the State in the same manner as other administrative expenditures under
(5) Treatment
Amounts in, or contributed to, a health opportunity account shall not be counted as income or assets for purposes of determining eligibility for benefits under this subchapter.
(6) Unauthorized withdrawals
A State may establish procedures—
(A) to penalize or remove an individual from the health opportunity account based on nonqualified withdrawals by the individual from such an account; and
(B) to recoup costs that derive from such nonqualified withdrawals.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1938, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (a)(3) and (d)(3)(A)(ii), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1938 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was renumbered section 1939 and is classified to
Prohibiting Initiation of New Health Opportunity Account Demonstration Programs
1 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.
§1396v. References to laws directly affecting medicaid program
(a) Authority or requirements to cover additional individuals
For provisions of law which make additional individuals eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter, see the following:
(1) AFDC
(A) Section 602(a)(32) 1 of this title (relating to individuals who are deemed recipients of aid but for whom a payment is not made).
(B) Section 602(a)(37) 1 of this title (relating to individuals who lose AFDC eligibility due to increased earnings).
(C) Section 606(h) 1 of this title (relating to individuals who lose AFDC eligibility due to increased collection of child or spousal support).
(D) Section 682(e)(6) 1 of this title (relating to certain individuals participating in work supplementation programs).
(2) SSI
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(3) Foster care and adoption assistance
(4) Refugee assistance
(5) Miscellaneous
(A) Section 230 of
(B) Section 231 of
(C) Section 232 of
(D) Section 13(c) of
(E) Section 503 of
(F) Section 310(b)(1) of
(b) Additional State plan requirements
For other provisions of law that establish additional requirements for State plans to be approved under this subchapter, see the following:
(1)
(2) Section 212(a) of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1939, formerly §1920, as added
References in Text
Sections 230, 231, and 232 of
Section 13(c) of
Section 503 of
Section 310(b)(1) of
Section 212(a) of
Codification
Section was formerly classified to
Amendments
1991—Subsec. (a)(5)(F).
1988—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(1)(D).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
1987—Subsec. (a)(1).
"(1) AFDC.—(A)
"(C)
"(D)
Subsec. (a)(2).
"(2) SSI.—(A)
"(B)
"(B)[(C)]
Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
1986—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by section 202(c)(5) of
Amendment by section 608(d)(28) of
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
References to Provisions of Part A of Subchapter IV Considered References to Such Provisions as in Effect July 16, 1996
For provisions that certain references to provisions of part A (§601 et seq.) of subchapter IV of this chapter be considered references to such provisions of part A as in effect July 16, 1996, see
1 See References in Text note below.
§1396w. Asset verification through access to information held by financial institutions
(a) Implementation
(1) In general
Subject to the provisions of this section, each State shall implement an asset verification program described in subsection (b), for purposes of determining or redetermining the eligibility of an individual for medical assistance under the State plan under this subchapter.
(2) Plan submittal
In order to meet the requirement of paragraph (1), each State shall—
(A) submit not later than a deadline specified by the Secretary consistent with paragraph (3), a State plan amendment under this subchapter that describes how the State intends to implement the asset verification program; and
(B) provide for implementation of such program for eligibility determinations and redeterminations made on or after 6 months after the deadline established for submittal of such plan amendment.
(3) Phase-in
(A) In general
(i) Implementation in current asset verification demo States
The Secretary shall require those States specified in subparagraph (C) (to which an asset verification program has been applied before June 30, 2008) to implement an asset verification program under this subsection by the end of fiscal year 2009.
(ii) Implementation in other States
The Secretary shall require other States to submit and implement an asset verification program under this subsection in such manner as is designed to result in the application of such programs, in the aggregate for all such other States, to enrollment of approximately, but not less than, the following percentage of enrollees, in the aggregate for all such other States, by the end of the fiscal year involved:
(I) 12.5 percent by the end of fiscal year 2009.
(II) 25 percent by the end of fiscal year 2010.
(III) 50 percent by the end of fiscal year 2011.
(IV) 75 percent by the end of fiscal year 2012.
(V) 100 percent by the end of fiscal year 2013.
(B) Consideration
In selecting States under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary shall consult with the States involved and take into account the feasibility of implementing asset verification programs in each such State.
(C) States specified
The States specified in this subparagraph are California, New York, and New Jersey.
(D) Construction
Nothing in subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be construed as preventing a State from requesting, and the Secretary from approving, the implementation of an asset verification program in advance of the deadline otherwise established under such subparagraph.
(4) Exemption of territories
This section shall only apply to the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
(b) Asset verification program
(1) In general
For purposes of this section, an asset verification program means a program described in paragraph (2) under which a State—
(A) requires each applicant for, or recipient of, medical assistance under the State plan under this subchapter on the basis of being aged, blind, or disabled to provide authorization by such applicant or recipient (and any other person whose resources are required by law to be disclosed to determine the eligibility of the applicant or recipient for such assistance) for the State to obtain (subject to the cost reimbursement requirements of section 1115(a) of the Right to Financial Privacy Act 1 [
(B) uses the authorization provided under subparagraph (A) to verify the financial resources of such applicant or recipient (and such other person, as applicable), in order to determine or redetermine the eligibility of such applicant or recipient for medical assistance under the State plan.
(2) Program described
A program described in this paragraph is a program for verifying individual assets in a manner consistent with the approach used by the Commissioner of Social Security under
(c) Duration of authorization
Notwithstanding section 1104(a)(1) of the Right to Financial Privacy Act 1 [
(1) the rendering of a final adverse decision on the applicant's application for medical assistance under the State's plan under this subchapter;
(2) the cessation of the recipient's eligibility for such medical assistance; or
(3) the express revocation by the applicant or recipient (or such other person described in subsection (b)(1), as applicable) of the authorization, in a written notification to the State.
(d) Treatment of Right to Financial Privacy Act requirements
(1) An authorization obtained by the State under subsection (b)(1) shall be considered to meet the requirements of the Right to Financial Privacy Act 1 for purposes of section 1103(a) of such Act [
(2) The certification requirements of section 1103(b) of the Right to Financial Privacy Act 1 [
(3) A request by the State pursuant to an authorization provided under subsection (b)(1) is deemed to meet the requirements of section 1104(a)(3) of the Right to Financial Privacy Act 1 [
(e) Required disclosure
The State shall inform any person who provides authorization pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(A) of the duration and scope of the authorization.
(f) Refusal or revocation of authorization
If an applicant for, or recipient of, medical assistance under the State plan under this subchapter (or such other person described in subsection (b)(1), as applicable) refuses to provide, or revokes, any authorization made by the applicant or recipient (or such other person, as applicable) under subsection (b)(1)(A) for the State to obtain from any financial institution any financial record, the State may, on that basis, determine that the applicant or recipient is ineligible for medical assistance.
(g) Use of contractor
For purposes of implementing an asset verification program under this section, a State may select and enter into a contract with a public or private entity meeting such criteria and qualifications as the State determines appropriate, consistent with requirements in regulations relating to general contracting provisions and with
(h) Technical assistance
The Secretary shall provide States with technical assistance to aid in implementation of an asset verification program under this section.
(i) Reports
A State implementing an asset verification program under this section shall furnish to the Secretary such reports concerning the program, at such times, in such format, and containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(j) Treatment of program expenses
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, reasonable expenses of States in carrying out the program under this section shall be treated, for purposes of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1940, as added
References in Text
The Right to Financial Privacy Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), probably means the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978, title XI of
1 See References in Text note below.
§1396w–1. Medicaid Improvement Fund
(a) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish under this subchapter a Medicaid Improvement Fund (in this section referred to as the "Fund") which shall be available to the Secretary to improve the management of the Medicaid program by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, including oversight of contracts and contractors and evaluation of demonstration projects. Payments made for activities under this subsection shall be in addition to payments that would otherwise be made for such activities.
(b) Funding
(1) In general
There shall be available to the Fund, for expenditures from the Fund—
(A) for fiscal year 2014, $0; and
(B) for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2018, $0.
(2) Funding limitation
Amounts in the Fund shall be available in advance of appropriations but only if the total amount obligated from the Fund does not exceed the amount available to the Fund under paragraph (1). The Secretary may obligate funds from the Fund only if the Secretary determines (and the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the appropriate budget officer certify) that there are available in the Fund sufficient amounts to cover all such obligations incurred consistent with the previous sentence.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1941, as added
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
2009—Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
§1396w–2. Authorization to receive relevant information
(a) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a Federal or State agency or private entity in possession of the sources of data directly relevant to eligibility determinations under this subchapter (including eligibility files maintained by Express Lane agencies described in
(b) Requirements for conveyance
Data or information may be conveyed pursuant to subsection (a) only if the following requirements are met:
(1) The individual whose circumstances are described in the data or information (or such individual's parent, guardian, caretaker relative, or authorized representative) has either provided advance consent to disclosure or has not objected to disclosure after receiving advance notice of disclosure and a reasonable opportunity to object.
(2) Such data or information are used solely for the purposes of—
(A) identifying individuals who are eligible or potentially eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter and enrolling or attempting to enroll such individuals in the State plan; and
(B) verifying the eligibility of individuals for medical assistance under the State plan.
(3) An interagency or other agreement, consistent with standards developed by the Secretary—
(A) prevents the unauthorized use, disclosure, or modification of such data and otherwise meets applicable Federal requirements safeguarding privacy and data security; and
(B) requires the State agency administering the State plan to use the data and information obtained under this section to seek to enroll individuals in the plan.
(c) Penalties for improper disclosure
(1) Civil money penalty
A private entity described in the 1 subsection (a) that publishes, discloses, or makes known in any manner, or to any extent not authorized by Federal law, any information obtained under this section is subject to a civil money penalty in an amount equal to $10,000 for each such unauthorized publication or disclosure. The provisions of
(2) Criminal penalty
A private entity described in the 1 subsection (a) that willfully publishes, discloses, or makes known in any manner, or to any extent not authorized by Federal law, any information obtained under this section shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both, for each such unauthorized publication or disclosure.
(d) Rule of construction
The limitations and requirements that apply to disclosure pursuant to this section shall not be construed to prohibit the conveyance or disclosure of data or information otherwise permitted under Federal law (without regard to this section).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1942, as added
Authorization for States Electing Express Lane Option To Receive Certain Data Directly Relevant to Determining Eligibility and Correct Amount of Assistance
"(1) The National Directory of New Hires established under section 453(i) of the Social Security Act (
"(2) Data regarding enrollment in insurance that may help to facilitate outreach and enrollment under the State Medicaid plan, the State CHIP plan, and such other programs as the Secretary may specify."
[For definitions of "CHIP", "Medicaid", and "Secretary", see section 1(c) of
§1396w–3. Enrollment simplification and coordination with State health insurance exchanges
(a) Condition for participation in Medicaid
As a condition of the State plan under this subchapter and receipt of any Federal financial assistance under
(b) Enrollment simplification and coordination with State health insurance exchanges and CHIP
(1) In general
A State shall establish procedures for—
(A) enabling individuals, through an Internet website that meets the requirements of paragraph (4), to apply for medical assistance under the State plan or under a waiver of the plan, to be enrolled in the State plan or waiver, to renew their enrollment in the plan or waiver, and to consent to enrollment or reenrollment in the State plan through electronic signature;
(B) enrolling, without any further determination by the State and through such website, individuals who are identified by an Exchange established by the State under
(i) medical assistance under the State plan or under a waiver of the plan; or
(ii) child health assistance under the State child health plan under subchapter XXI;
(C) ensuring that individuals who apply for but are determined to be ineligible for medical assistance under the State plan or a waiver or ineligible for child health assistance under the State child health plan under subchapter XXI, are screened for eligibility for enrollment in qualified health plans offered through such an Exchange and, if applicable, premium assistance for the purchase of a qualified health plan under section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (and, if applicable, advance payment of such assistance under
(D) ensuring that the State agency responsible for administering the State plan under this subchapter (in this section referred to as the "State Medicaid agency"), the State agency responsible for administering the State child health plan under subchapter XXI (in this section referred to as the "State CHIP agency") and an Exchange established by the State under
(E) coordinating, for individuals who are enrolled in the State plan or under a waiver of the plan and who are also enrolled in a qualified health plan offered through such an Exchange, and for individuals who are enrolled in the State child health plan under subchapter XXI and who are also enrolled in a qualified health plan, the provision of medical assistance or child health assistance to such individuals with the coverage provided under the qualified health plan in which they are enrolled, including services described in
(F) conducting outreach to and enrolling vulnerable and underserved populations eligible for medical assistance under this subchapter or for child health assistance under subchapter XXI, including children, unaccompanied homeless youth, children and youth with special health care needs, pregnant women, racial and ethnic minorities, rural populations, victims of abuse or trauma, individuals with mental health or substance-related disorders, and individuals with HIV/AIDS.
(2) Agreements with State health insurance exchanges
The State Medicaid agency and the State CHIP agency may enter into an agreement with an Exchange established by the State under
(3) Streamlined enrollment system
The State Medicaid agency and State CHIP agency shall participate in and comply with the requirements for the system established under
(4) Enrollment website requirements
The procedures established by State under paragraph (1) shall include establishing and having in operation, not later than January 1, 2014, an Internet website that is linked to any website of an Exchange established by the State under
(5) Continued need for assessment for home and community-based services
Nothing in paragraph (1) shall limit or modify the requirement that the State assess an individual for purposes of providing home and community-based services under the State plan or under any waiver of such plan for individuals described in subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)(VI).2
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1943, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(C), (2), (4), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
1 So in original. Probably should be "are".
2 Probably means subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)(VI) of
§1396w–4. State option to provide coordinated care through a health home for individuals with chronic conditions
(a) In general
Notwithstanding
(b) Health home qualification standards
The Secretary shall establish standards for qualification as a designated provider for the purpose of being eligible to be a health home for purposes of this section.
(c) Payments
(1) In general
A State shall provide a designated provider, a team of health care professionals operating with such a provider, or a health team with payments for the provision of health home services to each eligible individual with chronic conditions that selects such provider, team of health care professionals, or health team as the individual's health home. Payments made to a designated provider, a team of health care professionals operating with such a provider, or a health team for such services shall be treated as medical assistance for purposes of
(2) Methodology
(A) In general
The State shall specify in the State plan amendment the methodology the State will use for determining payment for the provision of health home services. Such methodology for determining payment—
(i) may be tiered to reflect, with respect to each eligible individual with chronic conditions provided such services by a designated provider, a team of health care professionals operating with such a provider, or a health team, as well as the severity or number of each such individual's chronic conditions or the specific capabilities of the provider, team of health care professionals, or health team; and
(ii) shall be established consistent with
(B) Alternate models of payment
The methodology for determining payment for provision of health home services under this section shall not be limited to a per-member per-month basis and may provide (as proposed by the State and subject to approval by the Secretary) for alternate models of payment.
(3) Planning grants
(A) In general
Beginning January 1, 2011, the Secretary may award planning grants to States for purposes of developing a State plan amendment under this section. A planning grant awarded to a State under this paragraph shall remain available until expended.
(B) State contribution
A State awarded a planning grant shall contribute an amount equal to the State percentage determined under
(C) Limitation
The total amount of payments made to States under this paragraph shall not exceed $25,000,000.
(d) Hospital referrals
A State shall include in the State plan amendment a requirement for hospitals that are participating providers under the State plan or a waiver of such plan to establish procedures for referring any eligible individuals with chronic conditions who seek or need treatment in a hospital emergency department to designated providers.
(e) Coordination
A State shall consult and coordinate, as appropriate, with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in addressing issues regarding the prevention and treatment of mental illness and substance abuse among eligible individuals with chronic conditions.
(f) Monitoring
A State shall include in the State plan amendment—
(1) a methodology for tracking avoidable hospital readmissions and calculating savings that result from improved chronic care coordination and management under this section; and
(2) a proposal for use of health information technology in providing health home services under this section and improving service delivery and coordination across the care continuum (including the use of wireless patient technology to improve coordination and management of care and patient adherence to recommendations made by their provider).
(g) Report on quality measures
As a condition for receiving payment for health home services provided to an eligible individual with chronic conditions, a designated provider shall report to the State, in accordance with such requirements as the Secretary shall specify, on all applicable measures for determining the quality of such services. When appropriate and feasible, a designated provider shall use health information technology in providing the State with such information.
(h) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Eligible individual with chronic conditions
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the term "eligible individual with chronic conditions" means an individual who—
(i) is eligible for medical assistance under the State plan or under a waiver of such plan; and
(ii) has at least—
(I) 2 chronic conditions;
(II) 1 chronic condition and is at risk of having a second chronic condition; or
(III) 1 serious and persistent mental health condition.
(B) Rule of construction
Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent the Secretary from establishing higher levels as to the number or severity of chronic or mental health conditions for purposes of determining eligibility for receipt of health home services under this section.
(2) Chronic condition
The term "chronic condition" has the meaning given that term by the Secretary and shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
(A) A mental health condition.
(B) Substance use disorder.
(C) Asthma.
(D) Diabetes.
(E) Heart disease.
(F) Being overweight, as evidenced by having a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 25.
(3) Health home
The term "health home" means a designated provider (including a provider that operates in coordination with a team of health care professionals) or a health team selected by an eligible individual with chronic conditions to provide health home services.
(4) Health home services
(A) In general
The term "health home services" means comprehensive and timely high-quality services described in subparagraph (B) that are provided by a designated provider, a team of health care professionals operating with such a provider, or a health team.
(B) Services described
The services described in this subparagraph are—
(i) comprehensive care management;
(ii) care coordination and health promotion;
(iii) comprehensive transitional care, including appropriate follow-up, from inpatient to other settings;
(iv) patient and family support (including authorized representatives);
(v) referral to community and social support services, if relevant; and
(vi) use of health information technology to link services, as feasible and appropriate.
(5) Designated provider
The term "designated provider" means a physician, clinical practice or clinical group practice, rural clinic, community health center, community mental health center, home health agency, or any other entity or provider (including pediatricians, gynecologists, and obstetricians) that is determined by the State and approved by the Secretary to be qualified to be a health home for eligible individuals with chronic conditions on the basis of documentation evidencing that the physician, practice, or clinic—
(A) has the systems and infrastructure in place to provide health home services; and
(B) satisfies the qualification standards established by the Secretary under subsection (b).
(6) Team of health care professionals
The term "team of health care professionals" means a team of health professionals (as described in the State plan amendment) that may—
(A) include physicians and other professionals, such as a nurse care coordinator, nutritionist, social worker, behavioral health professional, or any professionals deemed appropriate by the State; and
(B) be free standing, virtual, or based at a hospital, community health center, community mental health center, rural clinic, clinical practice or clinical group practice, academic health center, or any entity deemed appropriate by the State and approved by the Secretary.
(7) Health team
The term "health team" has the meaning given such term for purposes of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1945, as added
References in Text
Section 5001 of
Survey and Interim Report
"(A)
"(i) hospital admission rates;
"(ii) chronic disease management;
"(iii) coordination of care for individuals with chronic conditions;
"(iv) assessment of program implementation;
"(v) processes and lessons learned (as described in subparagraph (B));
"(vi) assessment of quality improvements and clinical outcomes under such option; and
"(vii) estimates of cost savings.
"(B)
§1396w–5. Addressing health care disparities
(a) Evaluating data collection approaches
The Secretary shall evaluate approaches for the collection of data under this subchapter and subchapter XXI, to be performed in conjunction with existing quality reporting requirements and programs under this subchapter and subchapter XXI, that allow for the ongoing, accurate, and timely collection and evaluation of data on disparities in health care services and performance on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, primary language, and disability status. In conducting such evaluation, the Secretary shall consider the following objectives:
(1) Protecting patient privacy.
(2) Minimizing the administrative burdens of data collection and reporting on States, providers, and health plans participating under this subchapter or subchapter XXI.
(3) Improving program data under this subchapter and subchapter XXI on race, ethnicity, sex, primary language, and disability status.
(b) Reports to Congress
(1) Report on evaluation
Not later than 18 months after March 23, 2010, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the evaluation conducted under subsection (a). Such report shall, taking into consideration the results of such evaluation—
(A) identify approaches (including defining methodologies) for identifying and collecting and evaluating data on health care disparities on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, primary language, and disability status for the programs under this subchapter and subchapter XXI; and
(B) include recommendations on the most effective strategies and approaches to reporting HEDIS quality measures as required under
(2) Reports on data analyses
Not later than 4 years after March 23, 2010, and 4 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that includes recommendations for improving the identification of health care disparities for beneficiaries under this subchapter and under subchapter XXI based on analyses of the data collected under subsection (c).
(c) Implementing effective approaches
Not later than 24 months after March 23, 2010, the Secretary shall implement the approaches identified in the report submitted under subsection (b)(1) for the ongoing, accurate, and timely collection and evaluation of data on health care disparities on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, primary language, and disability status.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XIX, §1946, as added
SUBCHAPTER XX—BLOCK GRANTS TO STATES FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AND ELDER JUSTICE
Amendments
2010—
Division A—Block Grants to States for Social Services
§1397. Purposes of division; authorization of appropriations
For the purposes of consolidating Federal assistance to States for social services into a single grant, increasing State flexibility in using social service grants, and encouraging each State, as far as practicable under the conditions in that State, to furnish services directed at the goals of—
(1) achieving or maintaining economic self-support to prevent, reduce, or eliminate dependency;
(2) achieving or maintaining self-sufficiency, including reduction or prevention of dependency;
(3) preventing or remedying neglect, abuse, or exploitation of children and adults unable to protect their own interests, or preserving, rehabilitating or reuniting families;
(4) preventing or reducing inappropriate institutional care by providing for community-based care, home-based care, or other forms of less intensive care; and
(5) securing referral or admission for institutional care when other forms of care are not appropriate, or providing services to individuals in institutions,
there are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this division.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2001, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1397, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2001, as added Jan. 4, 1975,
Amendments
2010—
Effective Date
Section 2354 of
Study of State Social Service Programs; Report to Congress
Section 2355 of
§1397a. Payments to States
(a) Amount; covered services
(1) Each State shall be entitled to payment under this division for each fiscal year in an amount equal to its allotment for such fiscal year, to be used by such State for services directed at the goals set forth in
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1)—
(A) services which are directed at the goals set forth in
(B) expenditures for such services may include expenditures for—
(i) administration (including planning and evaluation);
(ii) personnel training and retraining directly related to the provision of those services (including both short- and long-term training at educational institutions through grants to such institutions or by direct financial assistance to students enrolled in such institutions); and
(iii) conferences or workshops, and training or retraining through grants to nonprofit organizations within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or to individuals with social services expertise, or through financial assistance to individuals participating in such conferences, workshops, and training or retraining (and this clause shall apply with respect to all persons involved in the delivery of such services).
(b) Funding requirements
The Secretary shall make payments in accordance with
(c) Expenditure of funds
Payments to a State from its allotment for any fiscal year must be expended by the State in such fiscal year or in the succeeding fiscal year.
(d) Transfers of funds
A State may transfer up to 10 percent of its allotment under
(e) Use of portion of funds
A State may use a portion of the amounts described in subsection (a) of this section for the purpose of purchasing technical assistance from public or private entities if the State determines that such assistance is required in developing, implementing, or administering programs funded under this division.
(f) Authority to use vouchers
A State may use funds provided under this division to provide vouchers, for services directed at the goals set forth in
(1) families who have become ineligible for assistance under a State program funded under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter by reason of a durational limit on the provision of such assistance; and
(2) families denied cash assistance under the State program funded under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter for a child who is born to a member of the family who is—
(A) a recipient of assistance under the program; or
(B) a person who received such assistance at any time during the 10-month period ending with the birth of the child.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2002, as added
References in Text
Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iii), is classified to
Part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (f), is classified to
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1397a, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2002, as added Jan. 4, 1975,
Amendments
2010—
1996—Subsec. (f).
1986—Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iii).
1984—Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Temporary Suspension of Child Day Care Services Requirements
Reimbursement of Expenditures for Social Services Provided by States Prior to October 1, 1975; Authorization of Appropriations; Procedures Applicable to Payment of Unpaid Claims of States
Payments to States for Fiscal Period Beginning July 1, 1976, and Ending September 30, 1976, and Fiscal Years Ending September 30, 1977, 1978, and 1979, Computation Amounts, Limitations, Etc.
Requirements of Child Day Care Services
§1397b. Allotments
(a) Computation of amounts for jurisdictions of Puerto Rico, Guam, etc.
The allotment for any fiscal year to each of the jurisdictions of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to the amount specified in subsection (c) of this section as the amount which was specified for allocation to the particular jurisdiction involved for the fiscal year 1981 under
(b) Computation of amounts for each State other than jurisdictions of Puerto Rico, Guam, etc.
The allotment for any fiscal year for each State other than the jurisdictions of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to—
(1) the amount specified in subsection (c) of this section, reduced by
(2) the total amount allotted to those jurisdictions for that fiscal year under subsection (a) of this section,
as the population of that State bears to the population of all the States (other than Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands) as determined by the Secretary (on the basis of the most recent data available from the Department of Commerce) and promulgated prior to the first day of the third month of the preceding fiscal year.
(c) Appropriations
The amount specified for purposes of subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall be—
(1) $2,400,000,000 for the fiscal year 1982;
(2) $2,450,000,000 for the fiscal year 1983;
(3) $2,700,000,000 for the fiscal years 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1989;
(4) $2,750,000,000 for the fiscal year 1988;
(5) $2,800,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1990 through 1995;
(6) $2,381,000,000 for the fiscal year 1996;
(7) $2,380,000,000 for the fiscal year 1997;
(8) $2,299,000,000 for the fiscal year 1998;
(9) $2,380,000,000 for the fiscal year 1999;
(10) $2,380,000,000 for the fiscal year 2000; and
(11) $1,700,000,000 for the fiscal year 2001 and each fiscal year thereafter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2003, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1397b, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2003, as added Jan. 4, 1975,
Amendments
1998—Subsec. (c)(7).
Subsec. (c)(8).
Subsec. (c)(9) to (11).
1996—Subsec. (c)(5) to (8).
1989—Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(5).
1987—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(4).
1986—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d).
1983—Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(4), (5).
1982—Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 1998 Amendments
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by section 9135(a)(2) of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by
Requirement That Additional Funds Supplement and Not Supplant Funds Available From Other Sources
Section 9134(b) of
"(A) be used only for the purpose of providing additional services under title XX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter]; and
"(B) be expended only to supplement the level of any funds that would, in the absence of the additional funds appropriated pursuant to such amendments, be available from other sources (including any amounts available under title XX of the Social Security Act without regard to such amendments) for services in accordance with such title, and shall in no case supplant such funds from other sources or reduce the level thereof."
Appropriations
"(a)(1) Notwithstanding any provision of title XX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], the amount applicable under section 2003(c)(3) of such Act [subsec. (c)(3) of this section] shall be $2,725,000,000 for fiscal year 1985. Of such amount, $25,000,000 shall be allotted and used in accordance with this section.
"(2) In addition to any other amounts appropriated under this resolution [
"(3) Amounts appropriated under this section shall remain available until September 30, 1985, without regard to section 102 of this resolution.
"(4) Except as otherwise provided in this section, each State's allotment of the additional amounts authorized and appropriated under this section shall be the same proportion of $25,000,000 as such State's proportional allotment of other title XX funds for fiscal year 1985, as determined under section 2003 of the Social Security Act [this section].
"(b) The additional $25,000,000 made available to the States for fiscal year 1985 pursuant to subsection (a) shall—
"(1) be used only for the purpose of providing training and retraining (including training in the prevention of child abuse in child care settings) to providers of licensed or registered child care services, operators and staffs (including those receiving in-service training) of facilities where licensed or registered child care services are provided, State licensing and enforcement officials, and parents;
"(2) be expended only to supplement the level of any funds that would, in the absence of the additional funds appropriated under this section, be available from other sources (including any amounts available under title XX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter] without regard to this section) for the purpose specified in paragraph (1), and shall in no case supplant such funds from other sources or reduce the level thereof; and
"(3) be separately accounted for in the reports and audits provided for in section 2006 of the Social Security Act [
"(c)(1) In order to provide guidance and assistance to the States in utilizing funds allocated pursuant to title XX of the Social Security Act [this subchapter], not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this section [Oct. 12, 1984], the Secretary shall draft and distribute to the States for their consideration, a Model Child Care Standards Act containing—
"(A) minimum licensing or registration standards for day care centers, group homes, and family day care homes regarding matters including—
"(i) the training, development, supervision, and evaluation of staff;
"(ii) staff qualification requirements, by job classification;
"(iii) staff-child ratios;
"(iv) probation periods for new staff;
"(v) employment history checks for staff; and
"(vi) parent visitation; and
"(2)(A) Any State receiving an allotment under such title from the funds made available as a result of subsection (a) shall have in effect, not later than September 30, 1985—
"(i) procedures, established by State law or regulation, to provide for employment history and background checks; and
"(ii) provisions of State law, enacted in accordance with the provisions of
for all operators, staff or employees, or prospective operators, staff or employees of child care facilities (including any facility or program having primary custody of children for 20 hours or more per week), juvenile detention, correction or treatment facilities, with the objective of protecting the children involved and promoting such children's safety and welfare while receiving service through such facilities or programs.
"(B) In the case of any State not meeting the requirements of subparagraph (A) by September 30, 1985, such State's allotment for fiscal year 1986 or 1987 shall be reduced in the aggregate by an amount equal to one-half of the amount by which such State's allotment under such title was increased for fiscal year 1985 as a result of subsection (a).
"(d) The determination and promulgation required by section 2003(b) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b) of this section] with respect to the fiscal year 1985 (to take into account the preceding provisions of this section) shall be made as soon as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 12, 1984]."
§1397c. State reporting requirements
Prior to expenditure by a State of payments made to it under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2004, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1397c, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2004, as added Jan. 4, 1975,
Amendments
2010—
§1397d. Limitation on use of grants; waiver
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, grants made under this division may not be used by the State, or by any other person with which the State makes arrangements to carry out the purposes of this division—
(1) for the purchase or improvement of land, or the purchase, construction, or permanent improvement (other than minor remodeling) of any building or other facility;
(2) for the provision of cash payments for costs of subsistence or for the provision of room and board (other than costs of subsistence during rehabilitation, room and board provided for a short term as an integral but subordinate part of a social service, or temporary emergency shelter provided as a protective service);
(3) for payment of the wages of any individual as a social service (other than payment of the wages of welfare recipients employed in the provision of child day care services);
(4) for the provision of medical care (other than family planning services, rehabilitation services, or initial detoxification of an alcoholic or drug dependent individual) unless it is an integral but subordinate part of a social service for which grants may be used under this division;
(5) for social services (except services to an alcoholic or drug dependent individual or rehabilitation services) provided in and by employees of any hospital, skilled nursing facility, intermediate care facility, or prison, to any individual living in such institution;
(6) for the provision of any educational service which the State makes generally available to its residents without cost and without regard to their income;
(7) for any child day care services unless such services meet applicable standards of State and local law;
(8) for the provision of cash payments as a service (except as otherwise provided in this section);
(9) for payment for any item or service (other than an emergency item or service) furnished—
(A) by an individual or entity during the period when such individual or entity is excluded under this division or subchapter V, XVIII, or XIX of this chapter pursuant to
(B) at the medical direction or on the prescription of a physician during the period when the physician is excluded under this division or subchapter V, XVIII, or XIX of this chapter pursuant to
(10) in a manner inconsistent with the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 [
(b) The Secretary may waive the limitation contained in subsection (a)(1) and (4) of this section upon the State's request for such a waiver if he finds that the request describes extraordinary circumstances to justify the waiver and that permitting the waiver will contribute to the State's ability to carry out the purposes of this division.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2005, as added
References in Text
The Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (a)(10), is
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1397d, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2005, as added Jan. 4, 1975,
Amendments
2010—
1997—Subsec. (a)(10).
1988—Subsec. (a)(9)(A), (B).
1987—Subsec. (a)(9).
Subsec. (a)(9)(A), (B).
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Amendment by
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by
§1397e. Administrative and fiscal accountability
(a) Reporting requirements; form, contents, etc.
Each State shall prepare reports on its activities carried out with funds made available (or transferred for use) under this division. Reports shall be prepared annually, covering the most recently completed fiscal year, and shall be in such form and contain such information (including but not limited to the information specified in subsection (c) of this section) as the State finds necessary to provide an accurate description of such activities, to secure a complete record of the purposes for which funds were spent, and to determine the extent to which funds were spent in a manner consistent with the reports required by
(b) Audits; implementation, etc.
Each State shall, not less often than every two years, audit its expenditures from amounts received (or transferred for use) under this division. Such State audits shall be conducted by an entity independent of any agency administering activities funded under this division, in accordance with generally accepted auditing principles. Within 30 days following the completion of each audit, the State shall submit a copy of that audit to the legislature of the State and to the Secretary. Each State shall repay to the United States amounts ultimately found not to have been expended in accordance with this division, or the Secretary may offset such amounts against any other amount to which the State is or may become entitled under this division.
(c) State reports on expenditure and use of social services funds
Each report prepared and transmitted by a State under subsection (a) of this section shall set forth (with respect to the fiscal year covered by the report)—
(1) the number of individuals who received services paid for in whole or in part with funds made available under this division, showing separately the number of children and the number of adults who received such services, and broken down in each case to reflect the types of services and circumstances involved;
(2) the amount spent in providing each such type of service, showing separately for each type of service the amount spent per child recipient and the amount spent per adult recipient;
(3) the criteria applied in determining eligibility for services (such as income eligibility guidelines, sliding fee scales, the effect of public assistance benefits, and any requirements for enrollment in school or training programs); and
(4) the methods by which services were provided, showing separately the services provided by public agencies and those provided by private agencies, and broken down in each case to reflect the types of services and circumstances involved.
The Secretary shall establish uniform definitions of services for use by the States in preparing the information required by this subsection, and make such other provision as may be necessary or appropriate to assure that compliance with the requirements of this subsection will not be unduly burdensome on the States.
(d) Additional accounting requirements
For other provisions requiring States to account for Federal grants, see
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2006, as added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1397e, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2006, as added Jan. 4, 1975,
A prior section 1397e–1, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2007, as added Jan. 2, 1980,
Amendments
2010—
1988—Subsec. (a).
Subsecs. (c), (d).
1984—Subsec. (c).
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
§1397f. Additional grants
(a) Entitlement
(1) In general
In addition to any payment under
(A) 2 grants under this section for each qualified empowerment zone in the State; and
(B) 1 grant under this section for each qualified enterprise community in the State.
(2) Amount of grants
(A) Empowerment grants
The amount of each grant to a State under this section for a qualified empowerment zone shall be—
(i) if the zone is designated in an urban area, $50,000,000, multiplied by that proportion of the population of the zone that resides in the State; or
(ii) if the zone is designated in a rural area, $20,000,000, multiplied by such proportion.
(B) Enterprise grants
The amount of the grant to a State under this section for a qualified enterprise community shall be 1/95 of $280,000,000, multiplied by that proportion of the population of the community that resides in the State.
(C) Population determinations
The Secretary shall make population determinations for purposes of this paragraph based on the most recent decennial census data available.
(3) Timing of grants
(A) Qualified empowerment zones
With respect to each qualified empowerment zone, the Secretary shall make—
(i) 1 grant under this section to each State in which the zone lies, on the date of the designation of the zone under part I of subchapter U of
(ii) 1 grant under this section to each such State, on the 1st day of the 1st fiscal year that begins after the date of the designation.
(B) Qualified enterprise communities
With respect to each qualified enterprise community, the Secretary shall make 1 grant under this section to each State in which the community lies, on the date of the designation of the community under part I of subchapter U of
(4) Funding
$1,000,000,000 shall be made available to the Secretary for grants under this section.
(b) Program options
Notwithstanding
(1) In order to prevent and remedy the neglect and abuse of children, a State may use amounts paid under this section to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, entities to provide residential or nonresidential drug and alcohol prevention and treatment programs that offer comprehensive services for pregnant women and mothers, and their children.
(2) In order to assist disadvantaged adults and youths in achieving and maintaining self-sufficiency, a State may use amounts paid under this section to make grants to, or enter into contracts with—
(A) organizations operated for profit or not for profit, for the purpose of training and employing disadvantaged adults and youths in construction, rehabilitation, or improvement of affordable housing, public infrastructure, and community facilities; and
(B) nonprofit organizations and community or junior colleges, for the purpose of enabling such entities to provide short-term training courses in entrepreneurism and self-employment, and other training that will promote individual self-sufficiency and the interests of the community.
(3) A State may use amounts paid under this section to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, nonprofit community-based organizations to enable such organizations to provide activities designed to promote and protect the interests of children and families, outside of school hours, including keeping schools open during evenings and weekends for mentoring and study.
(4) In order to assist disadvantaged adults and youths in achieving and maintaining economic self-support, a State may use amounts paid under this section to—
(A) fund services designed to promote community and economic development in qualified empowerment zones and qualified enterprise communities, such as skills training, job counseling, transportation services, housing counseling, financial management, and business counseling;
(B) assist in emergency and transitional shelter for disadvantaged families and individuals; or
(C) support programs that promote home ownership, education, or other routes to economic independence for low-income families and individuals.
(c) Use of grants
(1) In general
Subject to subsection (d) of this section, each State that receives a grant under this section with respect to an area shall use the grant—
(A) for services directed only at the goals set forth in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of
(B) in accordance with the strategic plan for the area; and
(C) for activities that benefit residents of the area for which the grant is made.
(2) Technical assistance
A State may use a portion of any grant made under this section in the manner described in
(d) Remittance of certain amounts
(1) Portion of grant upon termination of designation
Each State to which an amount is paid under this subsection during a fiscal year with respect to an area the designation of which under part I of subchapter U of
(2) Amounts paid to the States and not obligated within 2 years
Each State shall remit to the Secretary any amount paid to the State under this section that is not obligated by the end of the 2-year period that begins with the date of the payment.
(e) Reallocation of remaining funds
(1) Remitted amounts
The amount specified in
(2) Amounts not paid to the States
The amount specified in
(f) Definitions
As used in this section:
(1) Qualified empowerment zone
The term "qualified empowerment zone" means, with respect to a State, an area—
(A) which has been designated (other than by the Secretary of the Interior) as an empowerment zone under part I of subchapter U of
(B) with respect to which the designation is in effect;
(C) the strategic plan for which is a qualified plan; and
(D) part or all of which is in the State.
(2) Qualified enterprise community
The term "qualified enterprise community" means, with respect to a State, an area—
(A) which has been designated (other than by the Secretary of the Interior) as an enterprise community under part I of subchapter U of
(B) with respect to which the designation is in effect;
(C) the strategic plan for which is a qualified plan; and
(D) part or all of which is in the State.
(3) Strategic plan
The term "strategic plan" means, with respect to an area, the plan contained in the application for designation of the area under part I of subchapter U of
(4) Qualified plan
The term "qualified plan" means, with respect to an area, a plan that—
(A) includes a detailed description of the activities proposed for the area that are to be funded with amounts provided under this section;
(B) contains a commitment that the amounts provided under this section to any State for the area will not be used to supplant Federal or non-Federal funds for services and activities which promote the purposes of this section;
(C) was developed in cooperation with the local government or governments with jurisdiction over the area; and
(D) to the extent that any State will not use the amounts provided under this section for the area in the manner described in subsection (b) of this section, explains the reasons why not.
(5) Rural area
The term "rural area" has the meaning given such term in section 1393(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(6) Urban area
The term "urban area" has the meaning given such term in section 1393(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2007, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (a)(3), (d)(1), and (f), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1397f, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2007, as added Aug. 13, 1981,
Another prior section 1397f, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2008, formerly §2007, as added Jan. 4, 1975,
Amendments
1994—Subsecs. (e), (f).
§1397g. Demonstration projects to address health professions workforce needs
(a) Demonstration projects to provide low-income individuals with opportunities for education, training, and career advancement to address health professions workforce needs
(1) Authority to award grants
The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall award grants to eligible entities to conduct demonstration projects that are designed to provide eligible individuals with the opportunity to obtain education and training for occupations in the health care field that pay well and are expected to either experience labor shortages or be in high demand.
(2) Requirements
(A) Aid and supportive services
(i) In general
A demonstration project conducted by an eligible entity awarded a grant under this section shall, if appropriate, provide eligible individuals participating in the project with financial aid, child care, case management, and other supportive services.
(ii) Treatment
Any aid, services, or incentives provided to an eligible beneficiary participating in a demonstration project under this section shall not be considered income, and shall not be taken into account for purposes of determining the individual's eligibility for, or amount of, benefits under any means-tested program.
(B) Consultation and coordination
An eligible entity applying for a grant to carry out a demonstration project under this section shall demonstrate in the application that the entity has consulted with the State agency responsible for administering the State TANF program, the local workforce investment board in the area in which the project is to be conducted (unless the applicant is such board), the State workforce investment board established under
(C) Assurance of opportunities for Indian populations
The Secretary shall award at least 3 grants under this subsection to an eligible entity that is an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or Tribal College or University.
(3) Reports and evaluation
(A) Eligible entities
An eligible entity awarded a grant to conduct a demonstration project under this subsection shall submit interim reports to the Secretary on the activities carried out under the project and a final report on such activities upon the conclusion of the entities' participation in the project. Such reports shall include assessments of the effectiveness of such activities with respect to improving outcomes for the eligible individuals participating in the project and with respect to addressing health professions workforce needs in the areas in which the project is conducted.
(B) Evaluation
The Secretary shall, by grant, contract, or interagency agreement, evaluate the demonstration projects conducted under this subsection. Such evaluation shall include identification of successful activities for creating opportunities for developing and sustaining, particularly with respect to low-income individuals and other entry-level workers, a health professions workforce that has accessible entry points, that meets high standards for education, training, certification, and professional development, and that provides increased wages and affordable benefits, including health care coverage, that are responsive to the workforce's needs.
(C) Report to Congress
The Secretary shall submit interim reports and, based on the evaluation conducted under subparagraph (B), a final report to Congress on the demonstration projects conducted under this subsection.
(4) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Eligible entity
The term "eligible entity" means a State, an Indian tribe or tribal organization, an institution of higher education, a local workforce investment board established under
(B) Eligible individual
(i) In general
The term "eligible individual" means a 1 individual receiving assistance under the State TANF program.
(ii) Other low-income individuals
Such term may include other low-income individuals described by the eligible entity in its application for a grant under this section.
(C) Indian tribe; tribal organization
The terms "Indian tribe" and "tribal organization" have the meaning given such terms in
(D) Institution of higher education
The term "institution of higher education" has the meaning given that term in
(E) State
The term "State" means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.
(F) State TANF program
The term "State TANF program" means the temporary assistance for needy families program funded under part A of subchapter IV.
(G) Tribal College or University
The term "Tribal College or University" has the meaning given that term in
(b) Demonstration project to develop training and certification programs for personal or home care aides
(1) Authority to award grants
Not later than 18 months after March 23, 2010, the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities that are States to conduct demonstration projects for purposes of developing core training competencies and certification programs for personal or home care aides. The Secretary shall—
(A) evaluate the efficacy of the core training competencies described in paragraph (3)(A) for newly hired personal or home care aides and the methods used by States to implement such core training competencies in accordance with the issues specified in paragraph (3)(B); and
(B) ensure that the number of hours of training provided by States under the demonstration project with respect to such core training competencies are not less than the number of hours of training required under any applicable State or Federal law or regulation.
(2) Duration
A demonstration project shall be conducted under this subsection for not less than 3 years.
(3) Core training competencies for personal or home care aides
(A) In general
The core training competencies for personal or home care aides described in this subparagraph include competencies with respect to the following areas:
(i) The role of the personal or home care aide (including differences between a personal or home care aide employed by an agency and a personal or home care aide employed directly by the health care consumer or an independent provider).
(ii) Consumer rights, ethics, and confidentiality (including the role of proxy decision-makers in the case where a health care consumer has impaired decision-making capacity).
(iii) Communication, cultural and linguistic competence and sensitivity, problem solving, behavior management, and relationship skills.
(iv) Personal care skills.
(v) Health care support.
(vi) Nutritional support.
(vii) Infection control.
(viii) Safety and emergency training.
(ix) Training specific to an individual consumer's needs (including older individuals, younger individuals with disabilities, individuals with developmental disabilities, individuals with dementia, and individuals with mental and behavioral health needs).
(x) Self-Care.
(B) Implementation
The implementation issues specified in this subparagraph include the following:
(i) The length of the training.
(ii) The appropriate trainer to student ratio.
(iii) The amount of instruction time spent in the classroom as compared to on-site in the home or a facility.
(iv) Trainer qualifications.
(v) Content for a "hands-on" and written certification exam.
(vi) Continuing education requirements.
(4) Application and selection criteria
(A) In general
(i) Number of States
The Secretary shall enter into agreements with not more than 6 States to conduct demonstration projects under this subsection.
(ii) Requirements for States
An agreement entered into under clause (i) shall require that a participating State—
(I) implement the core training competencies described in paragraph (3)(A); and
(II) develop written materials and protocols for such core training competencies, including the development of a certification test for personal or home care aides who have completed such training competencies.
(iii) Consultation and collaboration with community and vocational colleges
The Secretary shall encourage participating States to consult with community and vocational colleges regarding the development of curricula to implement the project with respect to activities, as applicable, which may include consideration of such colleges as partners in such implementation.
(B) Application and eligibility
A State seeking to participate in the project shall—
(i) submit an application to the Secretary containing such information and at such time as the Secretary may specify;
(ii) meet the selection criteria established under subparagraph (C); and
(iii) meet such additional criteria as the Secretary may specify.
(C) Selection criteria
In selecting States to participate in the program, the Secretary shall establish criteria to ensure (if applicable with respect to the activities involved)—
(i) geographic and demographic diversity;
(ii) that participating States offer medical assistance for personal care services under the State Medicaid plan;
(iii) that the existing training standards for personal or home care aides in each participating State—
(I) are different from such standards in the other participating States; and
(II) are different from the core training competencies described in paragraph (3)(A);
(iv) that participating States do not reduce the number of hours of training required under applicable State law or regulation after being selected to participate in the project; and
(v) that participating States recruit a minimum number of eligible health and long-term care providers to participate in the project.
(D) Technical assistance
The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to States in developing written materials and protocols for such core training competencies.
(5) Evaluation and report
(A) Evaluation
The Secretary shall develop an experimental or control group testing protocol in consultation with an independent evaluation contractor selected by the Secretary. Such contractor shall evaluate—
(i) the impact of core training competencies described in paragraph (3)(A), including curricula developed to implement such core training competencies, for personal or home care aides within each participating State on job satisfaction, mastery of job skills, beneficiary and family caregiver satisfaction with services, and additional measures determined by the Secretary in consultation with the expert panel;
(ii) the impact of providing such core training competencies on the existing training infrastructure and resources of States; and
(iii) whether a minimum number of hours of initial training should be required for personal or home care aides and, if so, what minimum number of hours should be required.
(B) Reports
(i) Report on initial implementation
Not later than 2 years after March 23, 2010, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the initial implementation of activities conducted under the demonstration project, including any available results of the evaluation conducted under subparagraph (A) with respect to such activities, together with such recommendations for legislation or administrative action as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(ii) Final report
Not later than 1 year after the completion of the demonstration project, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the evaluation conducted under subparagraph (A), together with such recommendations for legislation or administrative action as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(6) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Eligible health and long-term care provider
The term "eligible health and long-term care provider" means a personal or home care agency (including personal or home care public authorities), a nursing home, a home health agency (as defined in
(i) is licensed or authorized to provide services in a participating State; and
(ii) receives payment for services under subchapter XIX.
(B) Personal care services
The term "personal care services" has the meaning given such term for purposes of subchapter XIX.
(C) Personal or home care aide
The term "personal or home care aide" means an individual who helps individuals who are elderly, disabled, ill, or mentally disabled (including an individual with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia) to live in their own home or a residential care facility (such as a nursing home, assisted living facility, or any other facility the Secretary determines appropriate) by providing routine personal care services and other appropriate services to the individual.
(D) State
The term "State" has the meaning given that term for purposes of subchapter XIX.
(c) Funding
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated to the Secretary to carry out subsections (a) and (b), $85,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014.
(2) Training and certification programs for personal and home care aides
With respect to the demonstration projects under subsection (b), the Secretary shall use $5,000,000 of the amount appropriated under paragraph (1) for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2012 to carry out such projects. No funds appropriated under paragraph (1) shall be used to carry out demonstration projects under subsection (b) after fiscal year 2012.
(d) Nonapplication
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the preceding sections of this division shall not apply to grant 2 awarded under this section.
(2) Limitations on use of grants
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2008, as added and amended
References in Text
The Act of August 16, 1937, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B), (4)(A), is act Aug. 16, 1937, ch. 663,
Part A of subchapter IV, referred to in subsec. (a)(4)(F), is classified to §601 et seq. of this title.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (d).
1 So in original. Probably should be "an".
§1397h. Program for early detection of certain medical conditions related to environmental health hazards
(a) Program establishment
The Secretary shall establish a program in accordance with this section to make competitive grants to eligible entities specified in subsection (b) for the purpose of—
(1) screening at-risk individuals (as defined in subsection (c)(1)) for environmental health conditions (as defined in subsection (c)(3)); and
(2) developing and disseminating public information and education concerning—
(A) the availability of screening under the program under this section;
(B) the detection, prevention, and treatment of environmental health conditions; and
(C) the availability of Medicare benefits for certain individuals diagnosed with environmental health conditions under
(b) Eligible entities
(1) In general
For purposes of this section, an eligible entity is an entity described in paragraph (2) which submits an application to the Secretary in such form and manner, and containing such information and assurances, as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(2) Types of eligible entities
The entities described in this paragraph are the following:
(A) A hospital or community health center.
(B) A Federally qualified health center.
(C) A facility of the Indian Health Service.
(D) A National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center.
(E) An agency of any State or local government.
(F) A nonprofit organization.
(G) Any other entity the Secretary determines appropriate.
(c) Definitions
In this section:
(1) At-risk individual
The term "at-risk individual" means an individual who—
(A)(i) as demonstrated in such manner as the Secretary determines appropriate, has been present for an aggregate total of 6 months in the geographic area subject to an emergency declaration specified under paragraph (2), during a period ending—
(I) not less than 10 years prior to the date of such individual's application under subparagraph (B); and
(II) prior to the implementation of all the remedial and removal actions specified in the Record of Decision for Operating Unit 4 and the Record of Decision for Operating Unit 7; or
(ii) meets such other criteria as the Secretary determines appropriate considering the type of environmental health condition at issue; and
(B) has submitted an application (or has an application submitted on the individual's behalf), to an eligible entity receiving a grant under this section, for screening under the program under this section.
(2) Emergency declaration
The term "emergency declaration" means a declaration of a public health emergency under
(3) Environmental health condition
The term "environmental health condition" means—
(A) asbestosis, pleural thickening, or pleural plaques, as established by—
(i) interpretation by a "B Reader" qualified physician of a plain chest x-ray or interpretation of a computed tomographic radiograph of the chest by a qualified physician, as determined by the Secretary; or
(ii) such other diagnostic standards as the Secretary specifies;
(B) mesothelioma, or malignancies of the lung, colon, rectum, larynx, stomach, esophagus, pharynx, or ovary, as established by—
(i) pathologic examination of biopsy tissue;
(ii) cytology from bronchioalveolar lavage; or
(iii) such other diagnostic standards as the Secretary specifies; and
(C) any other medical condition which the Secretary determines is caused by exposure to a hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant at a Superfund site to which an emergency declaration applies, based on such criteria and as established by such diagnostic standards as the Secretary specifies.
(4) Hazardous substance; pollutant; contaminant
The terms "hazardous substance", "pollutant", and "contaminant" have the meanings given those terms in
(5) Superfund site
The term "Superfund site" means a site included on the National Priorities List developed by the President in accordance with
(d) Health coverage unaffected
Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any coverage obligation of a governmental or private health plan or program relating to an at-risk individual.
(e) Funding
(1) In general
Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated to the Secretary, to carry out the program under this section—
(A) $23,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2010 through 2014; and
(B) $20,000,000 for each 5-fiscal year period thereafter.
(2) Availability
Funds appropriated under paragraph (1) shall remain available until expended.
(f) Nonapplication
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the preceding sections of this subchapter shall not apply to grants awarded under this section.
(2) Limitations on use of grants
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2009, as added
Codification
Division B—Elder Justice
§1397j. Definitions
In this division:
(1) Abuse
The term "abuse" means the knowing infliction of physical or psychological harm or the knowing deprivation of goods or services that are necessary to meet essential needs or to avoid physical or psychological harm.
(2) Adult protective services
The term "adult protective services" means such services provided to adults as the Secretary may specify and includes services such as—
(A) receiving reports of adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation;
(B) investigating the reports described in subparagraph (A);
(C) case planning, monitoring, evaluation, and other case work and services; and
(D) providing, arranging for, or facilitating the provision of medical, social service, economic, legal, housing, law enforcement, or other protective, emergency, or support services.
(3) Caregiver
The term "caregiver" means an individual who has the responsibility for the care of an elder, either voluntarily, by contract, by receipt of payment for care, or as a result of the operation of law, and means a family member or other individual who provides (on behalf of such individual or of a public or private agency, organization, or institution) compensated or uncompensated care to an elder who needs supportive services in any setting.
(4) Direct care
The term "direct care" means care by an employee or contractor who provides assistance or long-term care services to a recipient.
(5) Elder
The term "elder" means an individual age 60 or older.
(6) Elder justice
The term "elder justice" means—
(A) from a societal perspective, efforts to—
(i) prevent, detect, treat, intervene in, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and
(ii) protect elders with diminished capacity while maximizing their autonomy; and
(B) from an individual perspective, the recognition of an elder's rights, including the right to be free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
(7) Eligible entity
The term "eligible entity" means a State or local government agency, Indian tribe or tribal organization, or any other public or private entity that is engaged in and has expertise in issues relating to elder justice or in a field necessary to promote elder justice efforts.
(8) Exploitation
The term "exploitation" means the fraudulent or otherwise illegal, unauthorized, or improper act or process of an individual, including a caregiver or fiduciary, that uses the resources of an elder for monetary or personal benefit, profit, or gain, or that results in depriving an elder of rightful access to, or use of, benefits, resources, belongings, or assets.
(9) Fiduciary
The term "fiduciary"—
(A) means a person or entity with the legal responsibility—
(i) to make decisions on behalf of and for the benefit of another person; and
(ii) to act in good faith and with fairness; and
(B) includes a trustee, a guardian, a conservator, an executor, an agent under a financial power of attorney or health care power of attorney, or a representative payee.
(10) Grant
The term "grant" includes a contract, cooperative agreement, or other mechanism for providing financial assistance.
(11) Guardianship
The term "guardianship" means—
(A) the process by which a State court determines that an adult individual lacks capacity to make decisions about self-care or property, and appoints another individual or entity known as a guardian, as a conservator, or by a similar term, as a surrogate decisionmaker;
(B) the manner in which the court-appointed surrogate decisionmaker carries out duties to the individual and the court; or
(C) the manner in which the court exercises oversight of the surrogate decisionmaker.
(12) Indian tribe
(A) In general
The term "Indian tribe" has the meaning given such term in
(B) Inclusion of Pueblo and Rancheria
The term "Indian tribe" includes any Pueblo or Rancheria.
(13) Law enforcement
The term "law enforcement" means the full range of potential responders to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation including—
(A) police, sheriffs, detectives, public safety officers, and corrections personnel;
(B) prosecutors;
(C) medical examiners;
(D) investigators; and
(E) coroners.
(14) Long-term care
(A) In general
The term "long-term care" means supportive and health services specified by the Secretary for individuals who need assistance because the individuals have a loss of capacity for self-care due to illness, disability, or vulnerability.
(B) Loss of capacity for self-care
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "loss of capacity for self-care" means an inability to engage in 1 or more activities of daily living, including eating, dressing, bathing, management of one's financial affairs, and other activities the Secretary determines appropriate.
(15) Long-term care facility
The term "long-term care facility" means a residential care provider that arranges for, or directly provides, long-term care.
(16) Neglect
The term "neglect" means—
(A) the failure of a caregiver or fiduciary to provide the goods or services that are necessary to maintain the health or safety of an elder; or
(B) self-neglect.
(17) Nursing facility
(A) In general
The term "nursing facility" has the meaning given such term under
(B) Inclusion of skilled nursing facility
The term "nursing facility" includes a skilled nursing facility (as defined in
(18) Self-neglect
The term "self-neglect" means an adult's inability, due to physical or mental impairment or diminished capacity, to perform essential self-care tasks including—
(A) obtaining essential food, clothing, shelter, and medical care;
(B) obtaining goods and services necessary to maintain physical health, mental health, or general safety; or
(C) managing one's own financial affairs.
(19) Serious bodily injury
(A) In general
The term "serious bodily injury" means an injury—
(i) involving extreme physical pain;
(ii) involving substantial risk of death;
(iii) involving protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty; or
(iv) requiring medical intervention such as surgery, hospitalization, or physical rehabilitation.
(B) Criminal sexual abuse
Serious bodily injury shall be considered to have occurred if the conduct causing the injury is conduct described in section 2241 (relating to aggravated sexual abuse) or 2242 (relating to sexual abuse) of title 18 or any similar offense under State law.
(20) Social
The term "social", when used with respect to a service, includes adult protective services.
(21) State legal assistance developer
The term "State legal assistance developer" means an individual described in
(22) State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
The term "State Long-Term Care Ombudsman" means the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman described in
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2011, as added
§1397j–1. General provisions
(a) Protection of privacy
In pursuing activities under this division, the Secretary shall ensure the protection of individual health privacy consistent with the regulations promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and applicable State and local privacy regulations.
(b) Rule of construction
Nothing in this division shall be construed to interfere with or abridge an elder's right to practice his or her religion through reliance on prayer alone for healing when this choice—
(1) is contemporaneously expressed, either orally or in writing, with respect to a specific illness or injury which the elder has at the time of the decision by an elder who is competent at the time of the decision;
(2) is previously set forth in a living will, health care proxy, or other advance directive document that is validly executed and applied under State law; or
(3) may be unambiguously deduced from the elder's life history.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2012, as added
References in Text
Section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (a), is section 264(c) of
Part I—National Coordination of Elder Justice Activities and Research
subpart a—elder justice coordinating council and advisory board on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation
§1397k. Elder Justice Coordinating Council
(a) Establishment
There is established within the Office of the Secretary an Elder Justice Coordinating Council (in this section referred to as the "Council").
(b) Membership
(1) In general
The Council shall be composed of the following members:
(A) The Secretary (or the Secretary's designee).
(B) The Attorney General (or the Attorney General's designee).
(C) The head of each Federal department or agency or other governmental entity identified by the Chair referred to in subsection (d) as having responsibilities, or administering programs, relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
(2) Requirement
Each member of the Council shall be an officer or employee of the Federal Government.
(c) Vacancies
Any vacancy in the Council shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made.
(d) Chair
The member described in subsection (b)(1)(A) shall be Chair of the Council.
(e) Meetings
The Council shall meet at least 2 times per year, as determined by the Chair.
(f) Duties
(1) In general
The Council shall make recommendations to the Secretary for the coordination of activities of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Justice, and other relevant Federal, State, local, and private agencies and entities, relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation and other crimes against elders.
(2) Report
Not later than the date that is 2 years after March 23, 2010, and every 2 years thereafter, the Council shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report that—
(A) describes the activities and accomplishments of, and challenges faced by—
(i) the Council; and
(ii) the entities represented on the Council; and
(B) makes such recommendations for legislation, model laws, or other action as the Council determines to be appropriate.
(g) Powers of the Council
(1) Information from Federal agencies
Subject to the requirements of
(2) Postal services
The Council may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
(h) Travel expenses
The members of the Council shall not receive compensation for the performance of services for the Council. The members shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of
(i) Detail of Government employees
Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Council without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.
(j) Status as permanent Council
Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Council.
(k) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2021, as added
References in Text
Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, referred to in subsec. (j), is section 14 of
§1397k–1. Advisory Board on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
(a) Establishment
There is established a board to be known as the "Advisory Board on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation" (in this section referred to as the "Advisory Board") to create short- and long-term multidisciplinary strategic plans for the development of the field of elder justice and to make recommendations to the Elder Justice Coordinating Council established under
(b) Composition
The Advisory Board shall be composed of 27 members appointed by the Secretary from among members of the general public who are individuals with experience and expertise in elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation prevention, detection, treatment, intervention, or prosecution.
(c) Solicitation of nominations
The Secretary shall publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting nominations for the appointment of members of the Advisory Board under subsection (b).
(d) Terms
(1) In general
Each member of the Advisory Board shall be appointed for a term of 3 years, except that, of the members first appointed—
(A) 9 shall be appointed for a term of 3 years;
(B) 9 shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and
(C) 9 shall be appointed for a term of 1 year.
(2) Vacancies
(A) In general
Any vacancy on the Advisory Board shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made.
(B) Filling unexpired term
An individual chosen to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member replaced.
(3) Expiration of terms
The term of any member shall not expire before the date on which the member's successor takes office.
(e) Election of officers
The Advisory Board shall elect a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members. The Advisory Board shall elect its initial Chair and Vice Chair at its initial meeting.
(f) Duties
(1) Enhance communication on promoting quality of, and preventing abuse, neglect, and exploitation in, long-term care
The Advisory Board shall develop collaborative and innovative approaches to improve the quality of, including preventing abuse, neglect, and exploitation in, long-term care.
(2) Collaborative efforts to develop consensus around the management of certain quality-related factors
(A) In general
The Advisory Board shall establish multidisciplinary panels to address, and develop consensus on, subjects relating to improving the quality of long-term care. At least 1 such panel shall address, and develop consensus on, methods for managing resident-to-resident abuse in long-term care.
(B) Activities conducted
The multidisciplinary panels established under subparagraph (A) shall examine relevant research and data, identify best practices with respect to the subject of the panel, determine the best way to carry out those best practices in a practical and feasible manner, and determine an effective manner of distributing information on such subject.
(3) Report
Not later than the date that is 18 months after March 23, 2010, and annually thereafter, the Advisory Board shall prepare and submit to the Elder Justice Coordinating Council, the Committee on Finance of the Senate, and the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report containing—
(A) information on the status of Federal, State, and local public and private elder justice activities;
(B) recommendations (including recommended priorities) regarding—
(i) elder justice programs, research, training, services, practice, enforcement, and coordination;
(ii) coordination between entities pursuing elder justice efforts and those involved in related areas that may inform or overlap with elder justice efforts, such as activities to combat violence against women and child abuse and neglect; and
(iii) activities relating to adult fiduciary systems, including guardianship and other fiduciary arrangements;
(C) recommendations for specific modifications needed in Federal and State laws (including regulations) or for programs, research, and training to enhance prevention, detection, and treatment (including diagnosis) of, intervention in (including investigation of), and prosecution of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation;
(D) recommendations on methods for the most effective coordinated national data collection with respect to elder justice, and elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and
(E) recommendations for a multidisciplinary strategic plan to guide the effective and efficient development of the field of elder justice.
(g) Powers of the Advisory Board
(1) Information from Federal agencies
Subject to the requirements of
(2) Sharing of data and reports
The Advisory Board may request from any entity pursuing elder justice activities under the Elder Justice Act of 2009 or an amendment made by that Act, any data, reports, or recommendations generated in connection with such activities.
(3) Postal services
The Advisory Board may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
(h) Travel expenses
The members of the Advisory Board shall not receive compensation for the performance of services for the Advisory Board. The members shall be allowed travel expenses for up to 4 meetings per year, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of
(i) Detail of Government employees
Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Advisory Board without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.
(j) Status as permanent advisory committee
Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the advisory board.1
(k) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2022, as added
References in Text
The Elder Justice Act of 2009, referred to in subsec. (g)(2), is subtitle H (§§6701–6703) of title VI of
Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, referred to in subsec. (j), is section 14 of
1 So in original. Probably should be "Advisory Board".
§1397k–2. Research protections
(a) Guidelines
The Secretary shall promulgate guidelines to assist researchers working in the area of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, with issues relating to human subject protections.
(b) Definition of legally authorized representative for application of regulations
For purposes of the application of subpart A of part 46 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, to research conducted under this subpart, the term "legally authorized representative" means, unless otherwise provided by law, the individual or judicial or other body authorized under the applicable law to consent to medical treatment on behalf of another person.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2023, as added
§1397k–3. Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subpart—
(1) for fiscal year 2011, $6,500,000; and
(2) for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2014, $7,000,000.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2024, as added
subpart b—elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation forensic centers
§1397l. Establishment and support of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation forensic centers
(a) In general
The Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall make grants to eligible entities to establish and operate stationary and mobile forensic centers, to develop forensic expertise regarding, and provide services relating to, elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
(b) Stationary forensic centers
The Secretary shall make 4 of the grants described in subsection (a) to institutions of higher education with demonstrated expertise in forensics or commitment to preventing or treating elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation, to establish and operate stationary forensic centers.
(c) Mobile centers
The Secretary shall make 6 of the grants described in subsection (a) to appropriate entities to establish and operate mobile forensic centers.
(d) Authorized activities
(1) Development of forensic markers and methodologies
An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use funds made available through the grant to assist in determining whether abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurred and whether a crime was committed and to conduct research to describe and disseminate information on—
(A) forensic markers that indicate a case in which elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation may have occurred; and
(B) methodologies for determining, in such a case, when and how health care, emergency service, social and protective services, and legal service providers should intervene and when the providers should report the case to law enforcement authorities.
(2) Development of forensic expertise
An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use funds made available through the grant to develop forensic expertise regarding elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation in order to provide medical and forensic evaluation, therapeutic intervention, victim support and advocacy, case review, and case tracking.
(3) Collection of evidence
The Secretary, in coordination with the Attorney General, shall use data made available by grant recipients under this section to develop the capacity of geriatric health care professionals and law enforcement to collect forensic evidence, including collecting forensic evidence relating to a potential determination of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
(e) Application
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(f) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—
(1) for fiscal year 2011, $4,000,000;
(2) for fiscal year 2012, $6,000,000; and
(3) for each of fiscal years 2013 and 2014, $8,000,000.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2031, as added
Part II—Programs To Promote Elder Justice
§1397m. Enhancement of long-term care
(a) Grants and incentives for long-term care staffing
(1) In general
The Secretary shall carry out activities, including activities described in paragraphs (2) and (3), to provide incentives for individuals to train for, seek, and maintain employment providing direct care in long-term care.
(2) Specific programs to enhance training, recruitment, and retention of staff
(A) Coordination with Secretary of Labor to recruit and train long-term care staff
The Secretary shall coordinate activities under this subsection with the Secretary of Labor in order to provide incentives for individuals to train for and seek employment providing direct care in long-term care.
(B) Career ladders and wage or benefit increases to increase staffing in long-term care
(i) In general
The Secretary shall make grants to eligible entities to carry out programs through which the entities—
(I) offer, to employees who provide direct care to residents of an eligible entity or individuals receiving community-based long-term care from an eligible entity, continuing training and varying levels of certification, based on observed clinical care practices and the amount of time the employees spend providing direct care; and
(II) provide, or make arrangements to provide, bonuses or other increased compensation or benefits to employees who achieve certification under such a program.
(ii) Application
To be eligible to receive a grant under this subparagraph, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require (which may include evidence of consultation with the State in which the eligible entity is located with respect to carrying out activities funded under the grant).
(iii) Authority to limit number of applicants
Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as prohibiting the Secretary from limiting the number of applicants for a grant under this subparagraph.
(3) Specific programs to improve management practices
(A) In general
The Secretary shall make grants to eligible entities to enable the entities to provide training and technical assistance.
(B) Authorized activities
An eligible entity that receives a grant under subparagraph (A) shall use funds made available through the grant to provide training and technical assistance regarding management practices using methods that are demonstrated to promote retention of individuals who provide direct care, such as—
(i) the establishment of standard human resource policies that reward high performance, including policies that provide for improved wages and benefits on the basis of job reviews;
(ii) the establishment of motivational and thoughtful work organization practices;
(iii) the creation of a workplace culture that respects and values caregivers and their needs;
(iv) the promotion of a workplace culture that respects the rights of residents of an eligible entity or individuals receiving community-based long-term care from an eligible entity and results in improved care for the residents or the individuals; and
(v) the establishment of other programs that promote the provision of high quality care, such as a continuing education program that provides additional hours of training, including on-the-job training, for employees who are certified nurse aides.
(C) Application
To be eligible to receive a grant under this paragraph, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require (which may include evidence of consultation with the State in which the eligible entity is located with respect to carrying out activities funded under the grant).
(D) Authority to limit number of applicants
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as prohibiting the Secretary from limiting the number of applicants for a grant under this paragraph.
(4) Accountability measures
The Secretary shall develop accountability measures to ensure that the activities conducted using funds made available under this subsection benefit individuals who provide direct care and increase the stability of the long-term care workforce.
(5) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Community-based long-term care
The term "community-based long-term care" has the meaning given such term by the Secretary.
(B) Eligible entity
The term "eligible entity" means the following:
(i) A long-term care facility.
(ii) A community-based long-term care entity (as defined by the Secretary).
(b) Certified EHR technology grant program
(1) Grants authorized
The Secretary is authorized to make grants to long-term care facilities for the purpose of assisting such entities in offsetting the costs related to purchasing, leasing, developing, and implementing certified EHR technology (as defined in
(2) Use of grant funds
Funds provided under grants under this subsection may be used for any of the following:
(A) Purchasing, leasing, and installing computer software and hardware, including handheld computer technologies.
(B) Making improvements to existing computer software and hardware.
(C) Making upgrades and other improvements to existing computer software and hardware to enable e-prescribing.
(D) Providing education and training to eligible long-term care facility staff on the use of such technology to implement the electronic transmission of prescription and patient information.
(3) Application
(A) In general
To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a long-term care facility shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require (which may include evidence of consultation with the State in which the long-term care facility is located with respect to carrying out activities funded under the grant).
(B) Authority to limit number of applicants
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as prohibiting the Secretary from limiting the number of applicants for a grant under this subsection.
(4) Participation in State health exchanges
A long-term care facility that receives a grant under this subsection shall, where available, participate in activities conducted by a State or a qualified State-designated entity (as defined in
(5) Accountability measures
The Secretary shall develop accountability measures to ensure that the activities conducted using funds made available under this subsection help improve patient safety and reduce adverse events and health care complications resulting from medication errors.
(c) Adoption of standards for transactions involving clinical data by long-term care facilities
(1) Standards and compatibility
The Secretary shall adopt electronic standards for the exchange of clinical data by long-term care facilities, including, where available, standards for messaging and nomenclature. Standards adopted by the Secretary under the preceding sentence shall be compatible with standards established under part C of subchapter XI, standards established under subsections (b)(2)(B)(i) and (e)(4) of
(2) Electronic submission of data to the Secretary
(A) In general
Not later than 10 years after March 23, 2010, the Secretary shall have procedures in place to accept the optional electronic submission of clinical data by long-term care facilities pursuant to the standards adopted under paragraph (1).
(B) Rule of construction
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require a long-term care facility to submit clinical data electronically to the Secretary.
(3) Regulations
The Secretary shall promulgate regulations to carry out this subsection. Such regulations shall require a State, as a condition of the receipt of funds under this part, to conduct such data collection and reporting as the Secretary determines are necessary to satisfy the requirements of this subsection.
(d) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—
(1) for fiscal year 2011, $20,000,000;
(2) for fiscal year 2012, $17,500,000; and
(3) for each of fiscal years 2013 and 2014, $15,000,000.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2041, as added
References in Text
Part C of subchapter XI, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), is classified to
§1397m–1. Adult protective services functions and grant programs
(a) Secretarial responsibilities
(1) In general
The Secretary shall ensure that the Department of Health and Human Services—
(A) provides funding authorized by this part to State and local adult protective services offices that investigate reports of the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elders;
(B) collects and disseminates data annually relating to the abuse, exploitation, and neglect of elders in coordination with the Department of Justice;
(C) develops and disseminates information on best practices regarding, and provides training on, carrying out adult protective services;
(D) conducts research related to the provision of adult protective services; and
(E) provides technical assistance to States and other entities that provide or fund the provision of adult protective services, including through grants made under subsections (b) and (c).
(2) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2011 and $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2014.
(b) Grants to enhance the provision of adult protective services
(1) Establishment
There is established an adult protective services grant program under which the Secretary shall annually award grants to States in the amounts calculated under paragraph (2) for the purposes of enhancing adult protective services provided by States and local units of government.
(2) Amount of payment
(A) In general
Subject to the availability of appropriations and subparagraphs (B) and (C), the amount paid to a State for a fiscal year under the program under this subsection shall equal the amount appropriated for that year to carry out this subsection multiplied by the percentage of the total number of elders who reside in the United States who reside in that State.
(B) Guaranteed minimum payment amount
(i) 50 States
Subject to clause (ii), if the amount determined under subparagraph (A) for a State for a fiscal year is less than 0.75 percent of the amount appropriated for such year, the Secretary shall increase such determined amount so that the total amount paid under this subsection to the State for the year is equal to 0.75 percent of the amount so appropriated.
(ii) Territories
In the case of a State other than 1 of the 50 States, clause (i) shall be applied as if each reference to "0.75" were a reference to "0.1".
(C) Pro rata reductions
The Secretary shall make such pro rata reductions to the amounts described in subparagraph (A) as are necessary to comply with the requirements of subparagraph (B).
(3) Authorized activities
(A) Adult protective services
Funds made available pursuant to this subsection may only be used by States and local units of government to provide adult protective services and may not be used for any other purpose.
(B) Use by agency
Each State receiving funds pursuant to this subsection shall provide such funds to the agency or unit of State government having legal responsibility for providing adult protective services within the State.
(C) Supplement not supplant
Each State or local unit of government shall use funds made available pursuant to this subsection to supplement and not supplant other Federal, State, and local public funds expended to provide adult protective services in the State.
(4) State reports
Each State receiving funds under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require, a report on the number of elders served by the grants awarded under this subsection.
(5) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2014.
(c) State demonstration programs
(1) Establishment
The Secretary shall award grants to States for the purposes of conducting demonstration programs in accordance with paragraph (2).
(2) Demonstration programs
Funds made available pursuant to this subsection may be used by States and local units of government to conduct demonstration programs that test—
(A) training modules developed for the purpose of detecting or preventing elder abuse;
(B) methods to detect or prevent financial exploitation of elders;
(C) methods to detect elder abuse;
(D) whether training on elder abuse forensics enhances the detection of elder abuse by employees of the State or local unit of government; or
(E) other matters relating to the detection or prevention of elder abuse.
(3) Application
To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a State shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(4) State reports
Each State that receives funds under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary a report at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require on the results of the demonstration program conducted by the State using funds made available under this subsection.
(5) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2014.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2042, as added
§1397m–2. Long-term care ombudsman program grants and training
(a) Grants to support the long-term care ombudsman program
(1) In general
The Secretary shall make grants to eligible entities with relevant expertise and experience in abuse and neglect in long-term care facilities or long-term care ombudsman programs and responsibilities, for the purpose of—
(A) improving the capacity of State long-term care ombudsman programs to respond to and resolve complaints about abuse and neglect;
(B) conducting pilot programs with State long-term care ombudsman offices or local ombudsman entities; and
(C) providing support for such State long-term care ombudsman programs and such pilot programs (such as through the establishment of a national long-term care ombudsman resource center).
(2) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection—
(A) for fiscal year 2011, $5,000,000;
(B) for fiscal year 2012, $7,500,000; and
(C) for each of fiscal years 2013 and 2014, $10,000,000.
(b) Ombudsman training programs
(1) In general
The Secretary shall establish programs to provide and improve ombudsman training with respect to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation for national organizations and State long-term care ombudsman programs.
(2) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2014, $10,000,000.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2043, as added
§1397m–3. Provision of information regarding, and evaluations of, elder justice programs
(a) Provision of information
To be eligible to receive a grant under this part, an applicant shall agree—
(1) except as provided in paragraph (2), to provide the eligible entity conducting an evaluation under subsection (b) of the activities funded through the grant with such information as the eligible entity may require in order to conduct such evaluation; or
(2) in the case of an applicant for a grant under
(b) Use of eligible entities to conduct evaluations
(1) Evaluations required
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall—
(A) reserve a portion (not less than 2 percent) of the funds appropriated with respect to each program carried out under this part; and
(B) use the funds reserved under subparagraph (A) to provide assistance to eligible entities to conduct evaluations of the activities funded under each program carried out under this part.
(2) Certified EHR technology grant program not included
The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the certified EHR technology grant program under
(3) Authorized activities
A recipient of assistance described in paragraph (1)(B) shall use the funds made available through the assistance to conduct a validated evaluation of the effectiveness of the activities funded under a program carried out under this part.
(4) Applications
To be eligible to receive assistance under paragraph (1)(B), an entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a proposal for the evaluation.
(5) Reports
Not later than a date specified by the Secretary, an eligible entity receiving assistance under paragraph (1)(B) shall submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report containing the results of the evaluation conducted using such assistance together with such recommendations as the entity determines to be appropriate.
(c) Evaluations and audits of certified EHR technology grant program by the Secretary
(1) Evaluations
The Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the activities funded under the certified EHR technology grant program under
(2) Audits
The Secretary shall conduct appropriate audits of grants made under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2044, as added
§1397m–4. Report
Not later than October 1, 2014, the Secretary shall submit to the Elder Justice Coordinating Council established under
(1) compiling, summarizing, and analyzing the information contained in the State reports submitted under subsections (b)(4) and (c)(4) of
(2) containing such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2045, as added
§1397m–5. Rule of construction
Nothing in this division shall be construed as—
(1) limiting any cause of action or other relief related to obligations under this division that is available under the law of any State, or political subdivision thereof; or
(2) creating a private cause of action for a violation of this division.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, §2046, as added
SUBCHAPTER XXI—STATE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM
§1397aa. Purpose; State child health plans
(a) Purpose
The purpose of this subchapter is to provide funds to States to enable them to initiate and expand the provision of child health assistance to uninsured, low-income children in an effective and efficient manner that is coordinated with other sources of health benefits coverage for children. Such assistance shall be provided primarily for obtaining health benefits coverage through—
(1) obtaining coverage that meets the requirements of
(2) providing benefits under the State's medicaid plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter,
or a combination of both.
(b) State child health plan required
A State is not eligible for payment under
(1) sets forth how the State intends to use the funds provided under this subchapter to provide child health assistance to needy children consistent with the provisions of this subchapter, and
(2) has been approved under
(c) State entitlement
This subchapter constitutes budget authority in advance of appropriations Acts and represents the obligation of the Federal Government to provide for the payment to States of amounts provided under
(d) Effective date
No State is eligible for payments under
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XXI, §2101, as added
References to SCHIP and State Children's Health Insurance Program
§1397bb. General contents of State child health plan; eligibility; outreach
(a) General background and description
A State child health plan shall include a description, consistent with the requirements of this subchapter, of—
(1) the extent to which, and manner in which, children in the State, including targeted low-income children and other classes of children classified by income and other relevant factors, currently have creditable health coverage (as defined in
(2) current State efforts to provide or obtain creditable health coverage for uncovered children, including the steps the State is taking to identify and enroll all uncovered children who are eligible to participate in public health insurance programs and health insurance programs that involve public-private partnerships;
(3) how the plan is designed to be coordinated with such efforts to increase coverage of children under creditable health coverage;
(4) the child health assistance provided under the plan for targeted low-income children, including the proposed methods of delivery, and utilization control systems;
(5) eligibility standards consistent with subsection (b) of this section;
(6) outreach activities consistent with subsection (c) of this section; and
(7) methods (including monitoring) used—
(A) to assure the quality and appropriateness of care, particularly with respect to well-baby care, well-child care, and immunizations provided under the plan, and
(B) to assure access to covered services, including emergency services and services described in
(b) General description of eligibility standards and methodology
(1) Eligibility standards
(A) In general
The plan shall include a description of the standards used to determine the eligibility of targeted low-income children for child health assistance under the plan. Such standards may include (to the extent consistent with this subchapter) those relating to the geographic areas to be served by the plan, age, income and resources (including any standards relating to spenddowns and disposition of resources), residency, disability status (so long as any standard relating to such status does not restrict eligibility), access to or coverage under other health coverage, and duration of eligibility. Such standards may not discriminate on the basis of diagnosis.
(B) Limitations on eligibility standards
Such eligibility standards—
(i) shall, within any defined group of covered targeted low-income children, not cover such children with higher family income without covering children with a lower family income;
(ii) may not deny eligibility based on a child having a preexisting medical condition;
(iii) may not apply a waiting period (including a waiting period to carry out paragraph (3)(C)) in the case of a targeted low-income pregnant woman provided pregnancy-related assistance under
(iv) at State option, may not apply a waiting period in the case of a child provided dental-only supplemental coverage under
(v) shall, beginning January 1, 2014, use modified adjusted gross income and household income (as defined in section 36B(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) to determine eligibility for child health assistance under the State child health plan or under any waiver of such plan and for any other purpose applicable under the plan or waiver for which a determination of income is required, including with respect to the imposition of premiums and cost-sharing, consistent with
(2) Methodology
The plan shall include a description of methods of establishing and continuing eligibility and enrollment.
(3) Eligibility screening; coordination with other health coverage programs
The plan shall include a description of procedures to be used to ensure—
(A) through both intake and followup screening, that only targeted low-income children are furnished child health assistance under the State child health plan;
(B) that children found through the screening to be eligible for medical assistance under the State medicaid plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter are enrolled for such assistance under such plan;
(C) that the insurance provided under the State child health plan does not substitute for coverage under group health plans;
(D) the provision of child health assistance to targeted low-income children in the State who are Indians (as defined in section 1603(c) 1 of title 25); and
(E) coordination with other public and private programs providing creditable coverage for low-income children.
(4) Reduction of administrative barriers to enrollment
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the plan shall include a description of the procedures used to reduce administrative barriers to the enrollment of children and pregnant women who are eligible for medical assistance under subchapter XIX or for child health assistance or health benefits coverage under this subchapter. Such procedures shall be established and revised as often as the State determines appropriate to take into account the most recent information available to the State identifying such barriers.
(B) Deemed compliance if joint application and renewal process that permits application other than in person
A State shall be deemed to comply with subparagraph (A) if the State's application and renewal forms and supplemental forms (if any) and information verification process is the same for purposes of establishing and renewing eligibility for children and pregnant women for medical assistance under subchapter XIX and child health assistance under this subchapter, and such process does not require an application to be made in person or a face-to-face interview.
(5) Nonentitlement
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as providing an individual with an entitlement to child health assistance under a State child health plan.
(c) Outreach and coordination
A State child health plan shall include a description of the procedures to be used by the State to accomplish the following:
(1) Outreach
Outreach (through community health workers and others) to families of children likely to be eligible for child health assistance under the plan or under other public or private health coverage programs to inform these families of the availability of, and to assist them in enrolling their children in, such a program.
(2) Coordination with other health insurance programs
Coordination of the administration of the State program under this subchapter with other public and private health insurance programs.
(3) Premium assistance subsidies
In the case of a State that provides for premium assistance subsidies under the State child health plan in accordance with paragraph (2)(B), (3), or (10) of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XXI, §2102, as added
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(B)(v), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(v).
2009—Subsec. (a)(7)(B).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iii), (iv).
Subsec. (b)(4), (5).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by sections 111(b)(2), 201(b)(2)(B)(i), 212, 302(a), and 501(b)(2) of
1 See References in Text note below.
§1397cc. Coverage requirements for children's health insurance
(a) Required scope of health insurance coverage
The child health assistance provided to a targeted low-income child under the plan in the form described in paragraph (1) of
(1) Benchmark coverage
Health benefits coverage that is at least equivalent to the benefits coverage in a benchmark benefit package described in subsection (b) of this section.
(2) Benchmark-equivalent coverage
Health benefits coverage that meets the following requirements:
(A) Inclusion of basic services
The coverage includes benefits for items and services within each of the categories of basic services described in subsection (c)(1) of this section.
(B) Aggregate actuarial value equivalent to benchmark package
The coverage has an aggregate actuarial value that is at least actuarially equivalent to one of the benchmark benefit packages.
(C) Substantial actuarial value for additional services included in benchmark package
With respect to each of the categories of additional services described in subsection (c)(2) of this section for which coverage is provided under the benchmark benefit package used under subparagraph (B), the coverage has an actuarial value that is equal to at least 75 percent of the actuarial value of the coverage of that category of services in such package.
(3) Existing comprehensive State-based coverage
Health benefits coverage under an existing comprehensive State-based program, described in subsection (d)(1) of this section.
(4) Secretary-approved coverage
Any other health benefits coverage that the Secretary determines, upon application by a State, provides appropriate coverage for the population of targeted low-income children proposed to be provided such coverage.
(b) Benchmark benefit packages
The benchmark benefit packages are as follows:
(1) FEHBP-equivalent children's health insurance coverage
The standard Blue Cross/Blue Shield preferred provider option service benefit plan, described in and offered under
(2) State employee coverage
A health benefits coverage plan that is offered and generally available to State employees in the State involved.
(3) Coverage offered through HMO
The health insurance coverage plan that—
(A) is offered by a health maintenance organization (as defined in section 2791(b)(3) of the Public Health Service Act [
(B) has the largest insured commercial, non-medicaid enrollment of covered lives of such coverage plans offered by such a health maintenance organization in the State involved.
(c) Categories of services; determination of actuarial value of coverage
(1) Categories of basic services
For purposes of this section, the categories of basic services described in this paragraph are as follows:
(A) Inpatient and outpatient hospital services.
(B) Physicians' surgical and medical services.
(C) Laboratory and x-ray services.
(D) Well-baby and well-child care, including age-appropriate immunizations.
(2) Categories of additional services
For purposes of this section, the categories of additional services described in this paragraph are as follows:
(A) Coverage of prescription drugs.
(B) Vision services.
(C) Hearing services.
(3) Treatment of other categories
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing a State child health plan from providing coverage of benefits that are not within a category of services described in paragraph (1) or (2).
(4) Determination of actuarial value
The actuarial value of coverage of benchmark benefit packages, coverage offered under the State child health plan, and coverage of any categories of additional services under benchmark benefit packages and under coverage offered by such a plan, shall be set forth in an actuarial opinion in an actuarial report that has been prepared—
(A) by an individual who is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries;
(B) using generally accepted actuarial principles and methodologies;
(C) using a standardized set of utilization and price factors;
(D) using a standardized population that is representative of privately insured children of the age of children who are expected to be covered under the State child health plan;
(E) applying the same principles and factors in comparing the value of different coverage (or categories of services);
(F) without taking into account any differences in coverage based on the method of delivery or means of cost control or utilization used; and
(G) taking into account the ability of a State to reduce benefits by taking into account the increase in actuarial value of benefits coverage offered under the State child health plan that results from the limitations on cost sharing under such coverage.
The actuary preparing the opinion shall select and specify in the memorandum the standardized set and population to be used under subparagraphs (C) and (D).
(5) Dental benefits
(A) In general
The child health assistance provided to a targeted low-income child shall include coverage of dental services necessary to prevent disease and promote oral health, restore oral structures to health and function, and treat emergency conditions.
(B) Permitting use of dental benchmark plans by certain States
A State may elect to meet the requirement of subparagraph (A) through dental coverage that is equivalent to a benchmark dental benefit package described in subparagraph (C).
(C) Benchmark dental benefit packages
The benchmark dental benefit packages are as follows:
(i) FEHBP children's dental coverage
A dental benefits plan under
(ii) State employee dependent dental coverage
A dental benefits plan that is offered and generally available to State employees in the State involved and that has been selected most frequently by employees seeking dependent coverage, among such plans that provide such dependent coverage, in either of the previous 2 plan years.
(iii) Coverage offered through commercial dental plan
A dental benefits plan that has the largest insured commercial, non-medicaid enrollment of dependent covered lives of such plans that is offered in the State involved.
(6) Mental health services parity
(A) In general
In the case of a State child health plan that provides both medical and surgical benefits and mental health or substance use disorder benefits, such plan shall ensure that the financial requirements and treatment limitations applicable to such mental health or substance use disorder benefits comply with the requirements of section 2705(a) of the Public Health Service Act 1 in the same manner as such requirements apply to a group health plan.
(B) Deemed compliance
To the extent that a State child health plan includes coverage with respect to an individual described in
(7) Construction on prohibited coverage
Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring any health benefits coverage offered under the plan to provide coverage for items or services for which payment is prohibited under this subchapter, notwithstanding that any benchmark benefit package includes coverage for such an item or service.
(8) Availability of coverage for items and services furnished through school-based health centers
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as limiting a State's ability to provide child health assistance for covered items and services that are furnished through school-based health centers (as defined in
(d) Description of existing comprehensive State-based coverage
(1) In general
A program described in this paragraph is a child health coverage program that—
(A) includes coverage of a range of benefits;
(B) is administered or overseen by the State and receives funds from the State;
(C) is offered in New York, Florida, or Pennsylvania; and
(D) was offered as of August 5, 1997.
(2) Modifications
A State may modify a program described in paragraph (1) from time to time so long as it continues to meet the requirement of subparagraph (A) and does not reduce the actuarial value of the coverage under the program below the lower of—
(A) the actuarial value of the coverage under the program as of August 5, 1997, or
(B) the actuarial value described in subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section,
evaluated as of the time of the modification.
(e) Cost-sharing
(1) Description; general conditions
(A) Description
A State child health plan shall include a description, consistent with this subsection, of the amount (if any) of premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and other cost sharing imposed. Any such charges shall be imposed pursuant to a public schedule.
(B) Protection for lower income children
The State child health plan may only vary premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and other cost sharing based on the family income of targeted low-income children in a manner that does not favor children from families with higher income over children from families with lower income.
(2) No cost sharing on benefits for preventive services or pregnancy-related assistance
The State child health plan may not impose deductibles, coinsurance, or other cost sharing with respect to benefits for services within the category of services described in subsection (c)(1)(D) of this section or for pregnancy-related assistance.
(3) Limitations on premiums and cost-sharing
(A) Children in families with income below 150 percent of poverty line
In the case of a targeted low-income child whose family income is at or below 150 percent of the poverty line, the State child health plan may not impose—
(i) an enrollment fee, premium, or similar charge that exceeds the maximum monthly charge permitted consistent with standards established to carry out
(ii) a deductible, cost sharing, or similar charge that exceeds an amount that is nominal (as determined consistent with regulations referred to in
(B) Other children
For children not described in subparagraph (A), subject to paragraphs (1)(B) and (2), any premiums, deductibles, cost sharing or similar charges imposed under the State child health plan may be imposed on a sliding scale related to income, except that the total annual aggregate cost-sharing with respect to all targeted low-income children in a family under this subchapter may not exceed 5 percent of such family's income for the year involved.
(C) Premium grace period
The State child health plan—
(i) shall afford individuals enrolled under the plan a grace period of at least 30 days from the beginning of a new coverage period to make premium payments before the individual's coverage under the plan may be terminated; and
(ii) shall provide to such an individual, not later than 7 days after the first day of such grace period, notice—
(I) that failure to make a premium payment within the grace period will result in termination of coverage under the State child health plan; and
(II) of the individual's right to challenge the proposed termination pursuant to the applicable Federal regulations.
For purposes of clause (i), the term "new coverage period" means the month immediately following the last month for which the premium has been paid.
(4) Relation to medicaid requirements
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as affecting the rules relating to the use of enrollment fees, premiums, deductions, cost sharing, and similar charges in the case of targeted low-income children who are provided child health assistance in the form of coverage under a medicaid program under
(f) Application of certain requirements
(1) Restriction on application of preexisting condition exclusions
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the State child health plan shall not permit the imposition of any preexisting condition exclusion for covered benefits under the plan.
(B) Group health plans and group health insurance coverage
If the State child health plan provides for benefits through payment for, or a contract with, a group health plan or group health insurance coverage, the plan may permit the imposition of a preexisting condition exclusion but only insofar as it is permitted under the applicable provisions of part 7 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [
(2) Compliance with other requirements
Coverage offered under this section shall comply with the requirements of subpart 2 of part A of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act 1 insofar as such requirements apply with respect to a health insurance issuer that offers group health insurance coverage.
(3) Compliance with managed care requirements
The State child health plan shall provide for the application of subsections (a)(4), (a)(5), (b), (c), (d), and (e) of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XXI, §2103, as added
References in Text
Section 2705 of the Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(6)(A), is section 2705 of act July 1, 1944, which was classified to
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (f)(1)(B), is
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (f), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373,
Amendments
2009—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B) to (D).
Subsec. (c)(5).
Subsec. (c)(6).
Subsec. (c)(7).
Subsec. (c)(8).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(3)(C).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by sections 111(b)(1), 502, and 505(a) of
Amendment by section 501(a)(1) of
1 See References in Text note below.
§1397dd. Allotments
(a) Appropriation; total allotment
For the purpose of providing allotments to States under this section, subject to subsection (d), there is appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated—
(1) for fiscal year 1998, $4,295,000,000;
(2) for fiscal year 1999, $4,275,000,000;
(3) for fiscal year 2000, $4,275,000,000;
(4) for fiscal year 2001, $4,275,000,000;
(5) for fiscal year 2002, $3,150,000,000;
(6) for fiscal year 2003, $3,150,000,000;
(7) for fiscal year 2004, $3,150,000,000;
(8) for fiscal year 2005, $4,050,000,000;
(9) for fiscal year 2006, $4,050,000,000;
(10) for fiscal year 2007, $5,000,000,000;
(11) for fiscal year 2008, $5,000,000,000.1
(12) for fiscal year 2009, $10,562,000,000;
(13) for fiscal year 2010, $12,520,000,000;
(14) for fiscal year 2011, $13,459,000,000;
(15) for fiscal year 2012, $14,982,000,000;
(16) for fiscal year 2013, $17,406,000,000;
(17) for fiscal year 2014, $19,147,000,000; and
(18) for fiscal year 2015, for purposes of making 2 semi-annual allotments—
(A) $2,850,000,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2014, and ending on March 31, 2015, and
(B) $2,850,000,000 for the period beginning on April 1, 2015, and ending on September 30, 2015.
(b) Allotments to 50 States and District of Columbia
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (4) and subsections (d) and (m), of the amount available for allotment under subsection (a) of this section for a fiscal year, reduced by the amount of allotments made under subsection (c) of this section (determined without regard to paragraph (4) thereof) for the fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to each State (other than a State described in such subsection) with a State child health plan approved under this subchapter the same proportion as the ratio of—
(A) the product of (i) the number of children described in paragraph (2) for the State for the fiscal year and (ii) the State cost factor for that State (established under paragraph (3)); to
(B) the sum of the products computed under subparagraph (A).
(2) Number of children
(A) In general
The number of children described in this paragraph for a State for—
(i) each of fiscal years 1998 and 1999 is equal to the number of low-income children in the State with no health insurance coverage for the fiscal year;
(ii) fiscal year 2000 is equal to—
(I) 75 percent of the number of low-income children in the State for the fiscal year with no health insurance coverage, plus
(II) 25 percent of the number of low-income children in the State for the fiscal year; and
(iii) each succeeding fiscal year is equal to—
(I) 50 percent of the number of low-income children in the State for the fiscal year with no health insurance coverage, plus
(II) 50 percent of the number of low-income children in the State for the fiscal year.
(B) Determination of number of children
For purposes of subparagraph (A), a determination of the number of low-income children (and of such children who have no health insurance coverage) for a State for a fiscal year shall be made on the basis of the arithmetic average of the number of such children, as reported and defined in the 3 most recent March supplements to the Current Population Survey of the Bureau of the Census before the beginning of the calendar year in which such fiscal year begins.
(3) Adjustment for geographic variations in health costs
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (1)(A)(ii), the "State cost factor" for a State for a fiscal year equal to the sum of—
(i) 0.15, and
(ii) 0.85 multiplied by the ratio of—
(I) the annual average wages per employee for the State for such year (as determined under subparagraph (B)), to
(II) the annual average wages per employee for the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
(B) Annual average wages per employee
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the "annual average wages per employee" for a State, or for all the States, for a fiscal year is equal to the average of the annual wages per employee for the State or for the 50 States and the District of Columbia for employees in the health services industry (SIC code 8000), as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor for each of the most recent 3 years before the beginning of the calendar year in which such fiscal year begins.
(4) Floors and ceilings in State allotments
(A) In general
The proportion of the allotment under this subsection for a subsection (b) State (as defined in subparagraph (D)) for fiscal year 2000 and each fiscal year thereafter shall be subject to the following floors and ceilings:
(i) Floor of $2,000,000
A floor equal to $2,000,000 divided by the total of the amount available under this subsection for all such allotments for the fiscal year.
(ii) Annual floor of 10 percent below preceding fiscal year's proportion
A floor of 90 percent of the proportion for the State for the preceding fiscal year.
(iii) Cumulative floor of 30 percent below the FY 1999 proportion
A floor of 70 percent of the proportion for the State for fiscal year 1999.
(iv) Cumulative ceiling of 45 percent above FY 1999 proportion
A ceiling of 145 percent of the proportion for the State for fiscal year 1999.
(B) Reconciliation
(i) Elimination of any deficit by establishing a percentage increase ceiling for States with highest annual percentage increases
To the extent that the application of subparagraph (A) would result in the sum of the proportions of the allotments for all subsection (b) States exceeding 1.0, the Secretary shall establish a maximum percentage increase in such proportions for all subsection (b) States for the fiscal year in a manner so that such sum equals 1.0.
(ii) Allocation of surplus through pro rata increase
To the extent that the application of subparagraph (A) would result in the sum of the proportions of the allotments for all subsection (b) States being less than 1.0, the proportions of such allotments (as computed before the application of floors under clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph (A)) for all subsection (b) States shall be increased in a pro rata manner (but not to exceed the ceiling established under subparagraph (A)(iv)) so that (after the application of such floors and ceiling) such sum equals 1.0.
(C) Construction
This paragraph shall not be construed as applying to (or taking into account) amounts of allotments redistributed under subsection (f) of this section.
(D) Definitions
In this paragraph:
(i) Proportion of allotment
The term "proportion" means, with respect to the allotment of a subsection (b) State for a fiscal year, the amount of the allotment of such State under this subsection for the fiscal year divided by the total of the amount available under this subsection for all such allotments for the fiscal year.
(ii) Subsection (b) State
The term "subsection (b) State" means one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia.
(c) Allotments to territories
(1) In general
Of the amount available for allotment under subsection (a) of this section for a fiscal year, subject to subsections (d) and (m)(4), the Secretary shall allot 0.25 percent among each of the commonwealths and territories described in paragraph (3) in the same proportion as the percentage specified in paragraph (2) for such commonwealth or territory bears to the sum of such percentages for all such commonwealths or territories so described.
(2) Percentage
The percentage specified in this paragraph for—
(A) Puerto Rico is 91.6 percent,
(B) Guam is 3.5 percent,
(C) the Virgin Islands is 2.6 percent,
(D) American Samoa is 1.2 percent, and
(E) the Northern Mariana Islands is 1.1 percent.
(3) Commonwealths and territories
A commonwealth or territory described in this paragraph is any of the following if it has a State child health plan approved under this subchapter:
(A) Puerto Rico.
(B) Guam.
(C) The Virgin Islands.
(D) American Samoa.
(E) The Northern Mariana Islands.
(4) Additional allotment
(A) In general
In addition to the allotment under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall allot each commonwealth and territory described in paragraph (3) the applicable percentage specified in paragraph (2) of the amount appropriated under subparagraph (B).
(B) Appropriations
For purposes of providing allotments pursuant to subparagraph (A), there is appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated $32,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, $34,200,000 for each of fiscal years 2000 and 2001, $25,200,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2004, $32,400,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006, and $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2009.
(d) Additional allotments to eliminate funding shortfalls
(1) Appropriation; allotment authority
For the purpose of providing additional allotments to shortfall States described in paragraph (2), there is appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $283,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.
(2) Shortfall States described
For purposes of paragraph (1), a shortfall State described in this paragraph is a State with a State child health plan approved under this subchapter for which the Secretary estimates, on the basis of the most recent data available to the Secretary as of December 16, 2005, that the projected expenditures under such plan for such State for fiscal year 2006 will exceed the sum of—
(A) the amount of the State's allotments for each of fiscal years 2004 and 2005 that will not be expended by the end of fiscal year 2005;
(B) the amount, if any, that is to be redistributed to the State during fiscal year 2006 in accordance with subsection (f); and
(C) the amount of the State's allotment for fiscal year 2006.
(3) Allotments
In addition to the allotments provided under subsections (b) and (c), subject to paragraph (4), of the amount available for the additional allotments under paragraph (1) for fiscal year 2006, the Secretary shall allot—
(A) to each shortfall State described in paragraph (2) such amount as the Secretary determines will eliminate the estimated shortfall described in such paragraph for the State; and
(B) to each commonwealth or territory described in subsection (c)(3), the same proportion as the proportion of the commonwealth's or territory's allotment under subsection (c) (determined without regard to subsection (f)) to 1.05 percent of the amount appropriated under paragraph (1).
(4) Use of additional allotment
Additional allotments provided under this subsection are only available for amounts expended under a State plan approved under this subchapter for child health assistance for targeted low-income children.
(5) 1-year availability; no redistribution of unexpended additional allotments
Notwithstanding subsections (e) and (f), amounts allotted to a State pursuant to this subsection for fiscal year 2006 shall only remain available for expenditure by the State through September 30, 2006. Any amounts of such allotments that remain unexpended as of such date shall not be subject to redistribution under subsection (f) and shall revert to the Treasury on October 1, 2006.
(e) Availability of amounts allotted
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), amounts allotted to a State pursuant to this section—
(A) for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2008, shall remain available for expenditure by the State through the end of the second succeeding fiscal year; and
(B) for fiscal year 2009 and each fiscal year thereafter, shall remain available for expenditure by the State through the end of the succeeding fiscal year.
(2) Availability of amounts redistributed
Amounts redistributed to a State under subsection (f) shall be available for expenditure by the State through the end of the fiscal year in which they are redistributed.
(f) Procedure for redistribution of unused allotments
(1) In general
The Secretary shall determine an appropriate procedure for redistribution of allotments from States that were provided allotments under this section for a fiscal year but that do not expend all of the amount of such allotments during the period in which such allotments are available for expenditure under subsection (e) of this section, to States that the Secretary determines with respect to the fiscal year for which unused allotments are available for redistribution under this subsection, are shortfall States described in paragraph (2) for such fiscal year, but not to exceed the amount of the shortfall described in paragraph (2)(A) for each such State (as may be adjusted under paragraph (2)(C)).
(2) Shortfall States described
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (1), with respect to a fiscal year, a shortfall State described in this subparagraph is a State with a State child health plan approved under this subchapter for which the Secretary estimates on the basis of the most recent data available to the Secretary, that the projected expenditures under such plan for the State for the fiscal year will exceed the sum of—
(i) the amount of the State's allotments for any preceding fiscal years that remains available for expenditure and that will not be expended by the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year;
(ii) the amount (if any) of the child enrollment contingency fund 2 payment under subsection (n); and
(iii) the amount of the State's allotment for the fiscal year.
(B) Proration rule
If the amounts available for redistribution under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year are less than the total amounts of the estimated shortfalls determined for the year under subparagraph (A), the amount to be redistributed under such paragraph for each shortfall State shall be reduced proportionally.
(C) Retrospective adjustment
The Secretary may adjust the estimates and determinations made under paragraph (1) and this paragraph with respect to a fiscal year as necessary on the basis of the amounts reported by States not later than November 30 of the succeeding fiscal year, as approved by the Secretary.
(g) Rule for redistribution and extended availability of fiscal years 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 allotments
(1) Amount redistributed
(A) In general
In the case of a State that expends all of its allotment under subsection (b) or (c) of this section for fiscal year 1998 by the end of fiscal year 2000, or for fiscal year 1999 by the end of fiscal year 2001, or for fiscal year 2000 by the end of fiscal year 2002, or for fiscal year 2001 by the end of fiscal year 2003, the Secretary shall redistribute to the State under subsection (f) of this section (from the fiscal year 1998, 1999, 2000, or 2001 allotments of other States, respectively, as determined by the application of paragraphs (2) and (3) with respect to the respective fiscal year) the following amount:
(i) State
In the case of one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia, with respect to—
(I) the fiscal year 1998 allotment, the amount by which the State's expenditures under this subchapter in fiscal years 1998, 1999, and 2000 exceed the State's allotment for fiscal year 1998 under subsection (b) of this section;
(II) the fiscal year 1999 allotment, the amount by which the State's expenditures under this subchapter in fiscal years 1999, 2000, and 2001 exceed the State's allotment for fiscal year 1999 under subsection (b) of this section;
(III) the fiscal year 2000 allotment, the amount specified in subparagraph (C)(i) (less the total of the amounts under clause (ii) for such fiscal year), multiplied by the ratio of the amount specified in subparagraph (C)(ii) for the State to the amount specified in subparagraph (C)(iii); or
(IV) the fiscal year 2001 allotment, the amount specified in subparagraph (D)(i) (less the total of the amounts under clause (ii) for such fiscal year), multiplied by the ratio of the amount specified in subparagraph (D)(ii) for the State to the amount specified in subparagraph (D)(iii).
(ii) Territory
In the case of a commonwealth or territory described in subsection (c)(3) of this section, an amount that bears the same ratio to 1.05 percent of the total amount described in paragraph (2)(B)(i)(I) as the ratio of the commonwealth's or territory's fiscal year 1998, 1999, 2000, or 2001 allotment under subsection (c) of this section (as the case may be) bears to the total of all such allotments for such fiscal year under such subsection.
(B) Expenditure rules
An amount redistributed to a State under this paragraph—
(i) shall not be included in the determination of the State's allotment for any fiscal year under this section;
(ii) notwithstanding subsection (e) of this section, with respect to fiscal year 1998, 1999, or 2000, shall remain available for expenditure by the State through the end of fiscal year 2004;
(iii) notwithstanding subsection (e) of this section, with respect to fiscal year 2001, shall remain available for expenditure by the State through the end of fiscal year 2005; and
(iv) shall be counted as being expended with respect to a fiscal year allotment in accordance with applicable regulations of the Secretary.
(C) Amounts used in computing redistributions for fiscal year 2000
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(i)(III)—
(i) the amount specified in this clause is the amount specified in paragraph (2)(B)(i)(I) for fiscal year 2000, less the total amount remaining available pursuant to paragraph (2)(A)(iii);
(ii) the amount specified in this clause for a State is the amount by which the State's expenditures under this subchapter in fiscal years 2000, 2001, and 2002 exceed the State's allotment for fiscal year 2000 under subsection (b) of this section; and
(iii) the amount specified in this clause is the sum, for all States entitled to a redistribution under subparagraph (A) from the allotments for fiscal year 2000, of the amounts specified in clause (ii).
(D) Amounts used in computing redistributions for fiscal year 2001
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(i)(IV)—
(i) the amount specified in this clause is the amount specified in paragraph (2)(B)(i)(I) for fiscal year 2001, less the total amount remaining available pursuant to paragraph (2)(A)(iv);
(ii) the amount specified in this clause for a State is the amount by which the State's expenditures under this subchapter in fiscal years 2001, 2002, and 2003 exceed the State's allotment for fiscal year 2001 under subsection (b) of this section; and
(iii) the amount specified in this clause is the sum, for all States entitled to a redistribution under subparagraph (A) from the allotments for fiscal year 2001, of the amounts specified in clause (ii).
(2) Extension of availability of portion of unexpended fiscal years 1998 through 2001 allotments
(A) In general
Notwithstanding subsection (e) of this section:
(i) Fiscal year 1998 allotment
Of the amounts allotted to a State pursuant to this section for fiscal year 1998 that were not expended by the State by the end of fiscal year 2000, the amount specified in subparagraph (B) for fiscal year 1998 for such State shall remain available for expenditure by the State through the end of fiscal year 2004.
(ii) Fiscal year 1999 allotment
Of the amounts allotted to a State pursuant to this subsection for fiscal year 1999 that were not expended by the State by the end of fiscal year 2001, the amount specified in subparagraph (B) for fiscal year 1999 for such State shall remain available for expenditure by the State through the end of fiscal year 2004.
(iii) Fiscal year 2000 allotment
Of the amounts allotted to a State pursuant to this section for fiscal year 2000 that were not expended by the State by the end of fiscal year 2002, 50 percent of that amount shall remain available for expenditure by the State through the end of fiscal year 2004.
(iv) Fiscal year 2001 allotment
Of the amounts allotted to a State pursuant to this section for fiscal year 2001 that were not expended by the State by the end of fiscal year 2003, 50 percent of that amount shall remain available for expenditure by the State through the end of fiscal year 2005.
(B) Amount remaining available for expenditure
The amount specified in this subparagraph for a State for a fiscal year is equal to—
(i) the amount by which (I) the total amount available for redistribution under subsection (f) of this section from the allotments for that fiscal year, exceeds (II) the total amounts redistributed under paragraph (1) for that fiscal year; multiplied by
(ii) the ratio of the amount of such State's unexpended allotment for that fiscal year to the total amount described in clause (i)(I) for that fiscal year.
(C) Use of up to 10 percent of retained 1998 allotments for outreach activities
Notwithstanding
(3) Determination of amounts
For purposes of calculating the amounts described in paragraphs (1) and (2) relating to the allotment for fiscal year 1998, fiscal year 1999, fiscal year 2000, or fiscal year 2001, the Secretary shall use the amounts reported by the States not later than December 15, 2000, November 30, 2001, November 30, 2002, or November 30, 2003, respectively, on HCFA Form 64 or HCFA Form 21 or CMS Form 64 or CMS Form 21, as the case may be,,3 as approved by the Secretary.
(h) Special rules to address fiscal year 2007 shortfalls
(1) Redistribution of unused fiscal year 2004 allotments
(A) In general
Notwithstanding subsection (f) and subject to subparagraphs (C) and (D), with respect to months beginning during fiscal year 2007, the Secretary shall provide for a redistribution under such subsection from the allotments for fiscal year 2004 under subsection (b) that are not expended by the end of fiscal year 2006, to a shortfall State described in subparagraph (B), such amount as the Secretary determines will eliminate the estimated shortfall described in such subparagraph for such State for the month.
(B) Shortfall State described
For purposes of this paragraph, a shortfall State described in this subparagraph is a State with a State child health plan approved under this subchapter for which the Secretary estimates, on a monthly basis using the most recent data available to the Secretary as of such month, that the projected expenditures under such plan for such State for fiscal year 2007 will exceed the sum of—
(i) the amount of the State's allotments for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006 that was not expended by the end of fiscal year 2006; and
(ii) the amount of the State's allotment for fiscal year 2007.
(C) Funds redistributed in the order in which States realize funding shortfalls
The Secretary shall redistribute the amounts available for redistribution under subparagraph (A) to shortfall States described in subparagraph (B) in the order in which such States realize monthly funding shortfalls under this subchapter for fiscal year 2007. The Secretary shall only make redistributions under this paragraph to the extent that there are unexpended fiscal year 2004 allotments under subsection (b) available for such redistributions.
(D) Proration rule
If the amounts available for redistribution under subparagraph (A) for a month are less than the total amounts of the estimated shortfalls determined for the month under that subparagraph, the amount computed under such subparagraph for each shortfall State shall be reduced proportionally.
(2) Funding part of shortfall for fiscal year 2007 through redistribution of certain unused fiscal year 2005 allotments
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraphs (C) and (D) and paragraph (5)(B), with respect to months beginning during fiscal year 2007 after March 31, 2007, the Secretary shall provide for a redistribution under subsection (f) from amounts made available for redistribution under paragraph (3) to each shortfall State described in subparagraph (B), such amount as the Secretary determines will eliminate the estimated shortfall described in such subparagraph for such State for the month.
(B) Shortfall State described
For purposes of this paragraph, a shortfall State described in this subparagraph is a State with a State child health plan approved under this subchapter for which the Secretary estimates, on a monthly basis using the most recent data available to the Secretary as of March 31, 2007, that the projected expenditures under such plan for such State for fiscal year 2007 will exceed the sum of—
(i) the amount of the State's allotments for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006 that was not expended by the end of fiscal year 2006;
(ii) the amount, if any, that is to be redistributed to the State in accordance with paragraph (1); and
(iii) the amount of the State's allotment for fiscal year 2007.
(C) Funds redistributed in the order in which States realize funding shortfalls
The Secretary shall redistribute the amounts available for redistribution under subparagraph (A) to shortfall States described in subparagraph (B) in the order in which such States realize monthly funding shortfalls under this subchapter for fiscal year 2007. The Secretary shall only make redistributions under this paragraph to the extent that such amounts are available for such redistributions.
(D) Proration rule
If the amounts available for redistribution under paragraph (3) for a month are less than the total amounts of the estimated shortfalls determined for the month under subparagraph (A), the amount computed under such subparagraph for each shortfall State shall be reduced proportionally.
(3) Treatment of certain States with fiscal year 2005 allotments unexpended at the end of the first half of fiscal year 2007
(A) Identification of States
The Secretary, on the basis of the most recent data available to the Secretary as of March 31, 2007—
(i) shall identify those States that received an allotment for fiscal year 2005 under subsection (b) which have not expended all of such allotment by March 31, 2007; and
(ii) for each such State shall estimate—
(I) the portion of such allotment that was not so expended by such date; and
(II) whether the State is described in subparagraph (B).
(B) States with funds in excess of 200 percent of need
A State described in this subparagraph is a State for which the Secretary determines, on the basis of the most recent data available to the Secretary as of March 31, 2007, that the total of all available allotments under this subchapter to the State as of such date,4 is at least equal to 200 percent of the total projected expenditures under this subchapter for the State for fiscal year 2007.
(C) Redistribution and limitation on availability of portion of unused allotments for certain States
(i) In general
In the case of a State identified under subparagraph (A)(i) that is also described in subparagraph (B), notwithstanding subsection (e), the applicable amount described in clause (ii) shall not be available for expenditure by the State on or after April 1, 2007, and shall be redistributed in accordance with paragraph (2).
(ii) Applicable amount
For purposes of clause (i), the applicable amount described in this clause is the lesser of—
(I) 50 percent of the amount described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I); or
(II) $20,000,000.
(4) Additional amounts to eliminate remainder of fiscal year 2007 funding shortfalls
(A) In general
From the amounts provided in advance in appropriations Acts, the Secretary shall allot to each remaining shortfall State described in subparagraph (B) such amount as the Secretary determines will eliminate the estimated shortfall described in such subparagraph for the State for fiscal year 2007.
(B) Remaining shortfall State described
For purposes of subparagraph (A), a remaining shortfall State is a State with a State child health plan approved under this subchapter for which the Secretary estimates, on the basis of the most recent data available to the Secretary as of May 25, 2007, that the projected Federal expenditures under such plan for the State for fiscal year 2007 will exceed the sum of—
(i) the amount of the State's allotments for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006 that will not be expended by the end of fiscal year 2006;
(ii) the amount of the State's allotment for fiscal year 2007; and
(iii) the amounts, if any, that are to be redistributed to the State during fiscal year 2007 in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2).
(5) Retrospective adjustment
(A) In general
The Secretary may adjust the estimates and determinations made under paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) as necessary on the basis of the amounts reported by States not later than November 30, 2007, on CMS Form 64 or CMS Form 21, as the case may be and as approved by the Secretary, but in no case may the applicable amount described in paragraph (3)(C)(ii) exceed the amount determined by the Secretary on the basis of the most recent data available to the Secretary as of March 31, 2007.
(B) Funding of any retrospective adjustments only from unexpended 2005 allotments
Notwithstanding subsections (e) and (f), to the extent the Secretary determines it necessary to adjust the estimates and determinations made for purposes of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), the Secretary may use only the allotments for fiscal year 2005 under subsection (b) that remain unexpended through the end of fiscal year 2007 for providing any additional amounts to States described in paragraph (2)(B) (without regard to whether such unexpended allotments are from States described in paragraph (3)(B)).
(C) Rules of construction
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as—
(i) authorizing the Secretary to use the allotments for fiscal year 2006 or 2007 under subsection (b) of States described in paragraph (3)(B) to provide additional amounts to States described in paragraph (2)(B) for purposes of eliminating the funding shortfall for such States for fiscal year 2007; or
(ii) limiting the authority of the Secretary to redistribute the allotments for fiscal year 2005 under subsection (b) that remain unexpended through the end of fiscal year 2007 and are available for redistribution under subsection (f) after the application of subparagraph (B).
(6) 1-year availability; no further redistribution
Notwithstanding subsections (e) and (f), amounts redistributed or allotted to a State pursuant to this subsection for fiscal year 2007 shall only remain available for expenditure by the State through September 30, 2007, and any amounts of such redistributions or allotments that remain unexpended as of such date,4 shall not be subject to redistribution under subsection (f). Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed as limiting the ability of the Secretary to adjust the determinations made under paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) in accordance with paragraph (5).
(7) Definition of State
For purposes of this subsection, the term "State" means a State that receives an allotment for fiscal year 2007 under subsection (b).
(i) Redistribution of unused fiscal year 2005 allotments to States with estimated funding shortfalls for fiscal year 2008
(1) In general
Notwithstanding subsection (f) and subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), with respect to months beginning during fiscal year 2008, the Secretary shall provide for a redistribution under such subsection from the allotments for fiscal year 2005 under subsection (b) that are not expended by the end of fiscal year 2007, to a fiscal year 2008 shortfall State described in paragraph (2), such amount as the Secretary determines will eliminate the estimated shortfall described in such paragraph for such State for the month.
(2) Fiscal year 2008 shortfall State described
A fiscal year 2008 shortfall State described in this paragraph is a State with a State child health plan approved under this subchapter for which the Secretary estimates, on a monthly basis using the most recent data available to the Secretary as of such month, that the projected expenditures under such plan for such State for fiscal year 2008 will exceed the sum of—
(A) the amount of the State's allotments for each of fiscal years 2006 and 2007 that was not expended by the end of fiscal year 2007; and
(B) the amount of the State's allotment for fiscal year 2008.
(3) Funds redistributed in the order in which States realize funding shortfalls
The Secretary shall redistribute the amounts available for redistribution under paragraph (1) to fiscal year 2008 shortfall States described in paragraph (2) in the order in which such States realize monthly funding shortfalls under this subchapter for fiscal year 2008. The Secretary shall only make redistributions under this subsection to the extent that there are unexpended fiscal year 2005 allotments under subsection (b) available for such redistributions.
(4) Proration rule
If the amounts available for redistribution under paragraph (1) are less than the total amounts of the estimated shortfalls determined for the month under that paragraph, the amount computed under such paragraph for each fiscal year 2008 shortfall State for the month shall be reduced proportionally.
(5) Retrospective adjustment
The Secretary may adjust the estimates and determinations made to carry out this subsection as necessary on the basis of the amounts reported by States not later than November 30, 2007, on CMS Form 64 or CMS Form 21, as the case may be, and as approved by the Secretary.
(6) 1–year availability; no further redistribution
Notwithstanding subsections (e) and (f), amounts redistributed to a State pursuant to this subsection for fiscal year 2008 shall only remain available for expenditure by the State through September 30, 2008, and any amounts of such redistributions that remain unexpended as of such date, shall not be subject to redistribution under subsection (f).
(j) Additional allotments to eliminate funding shortfalls for fiscal year 2008
(1) Appropriation; allotment authority
For the purpose of providing additional allotments described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (3), there is appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary, not to exceed $1,600,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(2) Shortfall States described
For purposes of paragraph (3), a shortfall State described in this paragraph is a State with a State child health plan approved under this subchapter for which the Secretary estimates, on the basis of the most recent data available to the Secretary as of November 30, 2007, that the Federal share amount of the projected expenditures under such plan for such State for fiscal year 2008 will exceed the sum of—
(A) the amount of the State's allotments for each of fiscal years 2006 and 2007 that will not be expended by the end of fiscal year 2007;
(B) the amount, if any, that is to be redistributed to the State during fiscal year 2008 in accordance with subsection (i); and
(C) the amount of the State's allotment for fiscal year 2008.
(3) Allotments
In addition to the allotments provided under subsections (b) and (c), subject to paragraph (4), of the amount available for the additional allotments under paragraph (1) for fiscal year 2008, the Secretary shall allot—
(A) to each shortfall State described in paragraph (2) not described in subparagraph (B), such amount as the Secretary determines will eliminate the estimated shortfall described in such paragraph for the State; and
(B) to each commonwealth or territory described in subsection (c)(3), an amount equal to the percentage specified in subsection (c)(2) for the commonwealth or territory multiplied by 1.05 percent of the sum of the amounts determined for each shortfall State under subparagraph (A).
(4) Proration rule
If the amounts available for additional allotments under paragraph (1) are less than the total of the amounts determined under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (3), the amounts computed under such subparagraphs shall be reduced proportionally.
(5) Retrospective adjustment
The Secretary may adjust the estimates and determinations made to carry out this subsection as necessary on the basis of the amounts reported by States not later than November 30, 2008, on CMS Form 64 or CMS Form 21, as the case may be, and as approved by the Secretary.
(6) One-year availability; no redistribution of unexpended additional allotments
Notwithstanding subsections (e) and (f), amounts allotted to a State pursuant to this subsection for fiscal year 2008, subject to paragraph (5), shall only remain available for expenditure by the State through September 30, 2008. Any amounts of such allotments that remain unexpended as of such date shall not be subject to redistribution under subsection (f).
(k) Redistribution of unused fiscal year 2006 allotments to States with estimated funding shortfalls during fiscal year 2009
(1) In general
Notwithstanding subsection (f) and subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), with respect to months beginning during fiscal year 2009, the Secretary shall provide for a redistribution under such subsection from the allotments for fiscal year 2006 under subsection (b) that are not expended by the end of fiscal year 2008, to a fiscal year 2009 shortfall State described in paragraph (2), such amount as the Secretary determines will eliminate the estimated shortfall described in such paragraph for such State for the month.
(2) Fiscal year 2009 shortfall State described
A fiscal year 2009 shortfall State described in this paragraph is a State with a State child health plan approved under this subchapter for which the Secretary estimates, on a monthly basis using the most recent data available to the Secretary as of such month, that the Federal share amount of the projected expenditures under such plan for such State for the first 2 quarters of fiscal year 2009 will exceed the sum of—
(A) the amount of the State's allotments for each of fiscal years 2007 and 2008 that was not expended by the end of fiscal year 2008; and
(B) the amount of the State's allotment for fiscal year 2009.
(3) Funds redistributed in the order in which States realize funding shortfalls
The Secretary shall redistribute the amounts available for redistribution under paragraph (1) to fiscal year 2009 shortfall States described in paragraph (2) in the order in which such States realize monthly funding shortfalls under this subchapter for fiscal year 2009. The Secretary shall only make redistributions under this subsection to the extent that there are unexpended fiscal year 2006 allotments under subsection (b) available for such redistributions.
(4) Proration rule
If the amounts available for redistribution under paragraph (1) are less than the total amounts of the estimated shortfalls determined for the month under that paragraph, the amount computed under such paragraph for each fiscal year 2009 shortfall State for the month shall be reduced proportionally.
(5) Retrospective adjustment
The Secretary may adjust the estimates and determinations made to carry out this subsection as necessary on the basis of the amounts reported by States not later than May 31, 2009, on CMS Form 64 or CMS Form 21, as the case may be, and as approved by the Secretary.
(6) Availability; no further redistribution
Notwithstanding subsections (e) and (f), amounts redistributed to a State pursuant to this subsection for fiscal year 2009 shall only remain available for expenditure by the State through September 30, 2009, and any amounts of such redistributions that remain unexpended as of such date, shall not be subject to redistribution under subsection (f).
(l) Additional allotments to eliminate funding shortfalls for the first 2 quarters of fiscal year 2009
(1) Appropriation; allotment authority
For the purpose of providing additional allotments described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (3), there is appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary, not to exceed $275,000,000 for the first 2 quarters of fiscal year 2009.
(2) Shortfall States described
For purposes of paragraph (3), a shortfall State described in this paragraph is a State with a State child health plan approved under this subchapter for which the Secretary estimates, on the basis of the most recent data available to the Secretary, that the Federal share amount of the projected expenditures under such plan for such State for the first 2 quarters of fiscal year 2009 will exceed the sum of—
(A) the amount of the State's allotments for each of fiscal years 2007 and 2008 that will not be expended by the end of fiscal year 2008;
(B) the amount, if any, that is to be redistributed to the State during fiscal year 2009 in accordance with subsection (k); and
(C) the amount of the State's allotment for fiscal year 2009.
(3) Allotments
In addition to the allotments provided under subsections (b) and (c), subject to paragraph (4), of the amount available for the additional allotments under paragraph (1) for the first 2 quarters of fiscal year 2009, the Secretary shall allot—
(A) to each shortfall State described in paragraph (2) not described in subparagraph (B) such amount as the Secretary determines will eliminate the estimated shortfall described in such paragraph for the State; and
(B) to each commonwealth or territory described in subsection (c)(3), an amount equal to the percentage specified in subsection (c)(2) for the commonwealth or territory multiplied by 1.05 percent of the sum of the amounts determined for each shortfall State under subparagraph (A).
(4) Proration rule
If the amounts available for additional allotments under paragraph (1) are less than the total of the amounts determined under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (3), the amounts computed under such subparagraphs shall be reduced proportionally.
(5) Retrospective adjustment
The Secretary may adjust the estimates and determinations made to carry out this subsection as necessary on the basis of the amounts reported by States not later than May 31, 2009, on CMS Form 64 or CMS Form 21, as the case may be, and as approved by the Secretary.
(6) Availability; no redistribution of unexpended additional allotments
Notwithstanding subsections (e) and (f), amounts allotted to a State pursuant to this subsection for fiscal year 2009, subject to paragraph (5), shall only remain available for expenditure by the State through March 31, 2009. Any amounts of such allotments that remain unexpended as of such date shall not be subject to redistribution under subsection (f).
(m) Allotments for fiscal years 2009 through 2015
(1) For fiscal year 2009
(A) For the 50 States and the District of Columbia
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this paragraph and paragraph (4), the Secretary shall allot for fiscal year 2009 from the amount made available under subsection (a)(12), to each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia 110 percent of the highest of the following amounts for such State or District:
(i) The total Federal payments to the State under this subchapter for fiscal year 2008, multiplied by the allotment increase factor determined under paragraph (5) for fiscal year 2009.
(ii) The amount allotted to the State for fiscal year 2008 under subsection (b), multiplied by the allotment increase factor determined under paragraph (5) for fiscal year 2009.
(iii) The projected total Federal payments to the State under this subchapter for fiscal year 2009, as determined on the basis of the February 2009 projections certified by the State to the Secretary by not later than March 31, 2009.
(B) For the commonwealths and territories
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this paragraph and paragraph (4), the Secretary shall allot for fiscal year 2009 from the amount made available under subsection (a)(12) to each of the commonwealths and territories described in subsection (c)(3) an amount equal to the highest amount of Federal payments to the commonwealth or territory under this subchapter for any fiscal year occurring during the period of fiscal years 1999 through 2008, multiplied by the allotment increase factor determined under paragraph (5) for fiscal year 2009, except that subparagraph (B) thereof shall be applied by substituting "the United States" for "the State".
(C) Adjustment for qualifying States
In the case of a qualifying State described in paragraph (2) of
(2) For fiscal years 2010 through 2014
(A) In general
Subject to paragraphs (4) and (6), from the amount made available under paragraphs (13) through (15) of subsection (a) for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2012, respectively, the Secretary shall compute a State allotment for each State (including the District of Columbia and each commonwealth and territory) for each such fiscal year as follows:
(i) Growth factor update for fiscal year 2010
For fiscal year 2010, the allotment of the State is equal to the sum of—
(I) the amount of the State allotment under paragraph (1) for fiscal year 2009; and
(II) the amount of any payments made to the State under subsection (k), (l), or (n) for fiscal year 2009,
multiplied by the allotment increase factor under paragraph (5) for fiscal year 2010.
(ii) Rebasing in fiscal year 2011
For fiscal year 2011, the allotment of the State is equal to the Federal payments to the State that are attributable to (and countable towards) the total amount of allotments available under this section to the State in fiscal year 2010 (including payments made to the State under subsection (n) for fiscal year 2010 as well as amounts redistributed to the State in fiscal year 2010), multiplied by the allotment increase factor under paragraph (5) for fiscal year 2011.
(iii) Growth factor update for fiscal year 2012
For fiscal year 2012, the allotment of the State is equal to the sum of—
(I) the amount of the State allotment under clause (ii) for fiscal year 2011; and
(II) the amount of any payments made to the State under subsection (n) for fiscal year 2011,
multiplied by the allotment increase factor under paragraph (5) for fiscal year 2012.
(B) Fiscal years 2013 and 2014
Subject to paragraphs (4) and (6), from the amount made available under paragraphs (16) and (17) of subsection (a) for fiscal years 2013 and 2014, respectively, the Secretary shall compute a State allotment for each State (including the District of Columbia and each commonwealth and territory) for each such fiscal year as follows:
(i) Rebasing in fiscal year 2013
For fiscal year 2013, the allotment of the State is equal to the Federal payments to the State that are attributable to (and countable towards) the total amount of allotments available under this section to the State in fiscal year 2012 (including payments made to the State under subsection (n) for fiscal year 2012 as well as amounts redistributed to the State in fiscal year 2012), multiplied by the allotment increase factor under paragraph (5) for fiscal year 2013.
(ii) Growth factor update for fiscal year 2014
For fiscal year 2014, the allotment of the State is equal to the sum of—
(I) the amount of the State allotment under clause (i) for fiscal year 2013; and
(II) the amount of any payments made to the State under subsection (n) for fiscal year 2013,
multiplied by the allotment increase factor under paragraph (5) for fiscal year 2014.
(3) For fiscal year 2015
(A) First half
Subject to paragraphs (4) and (6), from the amount made available under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (18) of subsection (a) for the semi-annual period described in such paragraph, increased by the amount of the appropriation for such period under section 108 of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009, the Secretary shall compute a State allotment for each State (including the District of Columbia and each commonwealth and territory) for such semi-annual period in an amount equal to the first half ratio (described in subparagraph (D)) of the amount described in subparagraph (C).
(B) Second half
Subject to paragraphs (4) and (6), from the amount made available under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (18) of subsection (a) for the semi-annual period described in such paragraph, the Secretary shall compute a State allotment for each State (including the District of Columbia and each commonwealth and territory) for such semi-annual period in an amount equal to the amount made available under such subparagraph, multiplied by the ratio of—
(i) the amount of the allotment to such State under subparagraph (A); to
(ii) the total of the amount of all of the allotments made available under such subparagraph.
(C) Full year amount based on rebased amount
The amount described in this subparagraph for a State is equal to the Federal payments to the State that are attributable to (and countable towards) the total amount of allotments available under this section to the State in fiscal year 2014 (including payments made to the State under subsection (n) for fiscal year 2014 as well as amounts redistributed to the State in fiscal year 2014), multiplied by the allotment increase factor under paragraph (5) for fiscal year 2015.
(D) First half ratio
The first half ratio described in this subparagraph is the ratio of—
(i) the sum of—
(I) the amount made available under subsection (a)(18)(A); and
(II) the amount of the appropriation for such period under section 108 of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009; to
(ii) the sum of the—
(I) amount described in clause (i); and
(II) the amount made available under subsection (a)(18)(B).
(4) Proration rule
If, after the application of this subsection without regard to this paragraph, the sum of the allotments determined under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) for a fiscal year (or, in the case of fiscal year 2015, for a semi-annual period in such fiscal year) exceeds the amount available under subsection (a) for such fiscal year or period, the Secretary shall reduce each allotment for any State under such paragraph for such fiscal year or period on a proportional basis.
(5) Allotment increase factor
The allotment increase factor under this paragraph for a fiscal year is equal to the product of the following:
(A) Per capita health care growth factor
1 plus the percentage increase in the projected per capita amount of National Health Expenditures from the calendar year in which the previous fiscal year ends to the calendar year in which the fiscal year involved ends, as most recently published by the Secretary before the beginning of the fiscal year.
(B) Child population growth factor
1 plus the percentage increase (if any) in the population of children in the State from July 1 in the previous fiscal year to July 1 in the fiscal year involved, as determined by the Secretary based on the most recent published estimates of the Bureau of the Census before the beginning of the fiscal year involved, plus 1 percentage point.
(6) Increase in allotment to account for approved program expansions
In the case of one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia that—
(A) has submitted to the Secretary, and has approved by the Secretary, a State plan amendment or waiver request relating to an expansion of eligibility for children or benefits under this subchapter that becomes effective for a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2010 and ending with fiscal year 2015); and
(B) has submitted to the Secretary, before the August 31 preceding the beginning of the fiscal year, a request for an expansion allotment adjustment under this paragraph for such fiscal year that specifies—
(i) the additional expenditures that are attributable to the eligibility or benefit expansion provided under the amendment or waiver described in subparagraph (A), as certified by the State and submitted to the Secretary by not later than August 31 preceding the beginning of the fiscal year; and
(ii) the extent to which such additional expenditures are projected to exceed the allotment of the State or District for the year,
subject to paragraph (4), the amount of the allotment of the State or District under this subsection for such fiscal year shall be increased by the excess amount described in subparagraph (B)(i). A State or District may only obtain an increase under this paragraph for an allotment for fiscal year 2010, fiscal year 2012, or fiscal year 2014.
(7) Adjustment of fiscal year 2010 allotments to account for changes in projected spending for certain previously approved expansion programs
For purposes of recalculating the fiscal year 2010 allotment, in the case of one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia that has an approved State plan amendment effective January 1, 2006, to provide child health assistance through the provision of benefits under the State plan under subchapter XIX for children from birth through age 5 whose family income does not exceed 200 percent of the poverty line, the Secretary shall increase the allotment by an amount that would be equal to the Federal share of expenditures that would have been claimed at the enhanced FMAP rate rather than the Federal medical assistance percentage matching rate for such population.
(8) Availability of amounts for semi-annual periods in fiscal year 2015
Each semi-annual allotment made under paragraph (3) for a period in fiscal year 2015 shall remain available for expenditure under this subchapter for periods after the end of such fiscal year in the same manner as if the allotment had been made available for the entire fiscal year.
(n) Child Enrollment Contingency Fund
(1) Establishment
There is hereby established in the Treasury of the United States a fund which shall be known as the "Child Enrollment Contingency Fund" (in this subsection referred to as the "Fund"). Amounts in the Fund shall be available without further appropriations for payments under this subsection.
(2) Deposits into Fund
(A) Initial and subsequent appropriations
Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (D), out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated to the Fund—
(i) for fiscal year 2009, an amount equal to 20 percent of the amount made available under paragraph (12) of subsection (a) for the fiscal year; and
(ii) for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014 (and for each of the semi-annual allotment periods for fiscal year 2015), such sums as are necessary for making payments to eligible States for such fiscal year or period, but not in excess of the aggregate cap described in subparagraph (B).
(B) Aggregate cap
The total amount available for payment from the Fund for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014 (and for each of the semi-annual allotment periods for fiscal year 2015), taking into account deposits made under subparagraph (C), shall not exceed 20 percent of the amount made available under subsection (a) for the fiscal year or period.
(C) Investment of Fund
The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest, in interest bearing securities of the United States, such currently available portions of the Fund as are not immediately required for payments from the Fund. The income derived from these investments constitutes a part of the Fund.
(D) Availability of excess funds for performance bonuses
Any amounts in excess of the aggregate cap described in subparagraph (B) for a fiscal year or period shall be made available for purposes of carrying out
(3) Child Enrollment Contingency Fund payments
(A) In general
If a State's expenditures under this subchapter in fiscal year 2009, fiscal year 2010, fiscal year 2011, fiscal year 2012, fiscal year 2013, fiscal year 2014, or a semi-annual allotment period for fiscal year 2015, exceed the total amount of allotments available under this section to the State in the fiscal year or period (determined without regard to any redistribution it receives under subsection (f) that is available for expenditure during such fiscal year or period, but including any carryover from a previous fiscal year) and if the average monthly unduplicated number of children enrolled under the State plan under this subchapter (including children receiving health care coverage through funds under this subchapter pursuant to a waiver under
(i) the amount by which such average monthly caseload exceeds such target number of enrollees; and
(ii) the projected per capita expenditures under the State child health plan (as determined under subparagraph (C) for the fiscal year), multiplied by the enhanced FMAP (as defined in
(B) Target average number of child enrollees
In this paragraph, the target average number of child enrollees for a State—
(i) for fiscal year 2009 is equal to the monthly average unduplicated number of children enrolled in the State child health plan under this subchapter (including such children receiving health care coverage through funds under this subchapter pursuant to a waiver under
(ii) for a subsequent fiscal year (or semi-annual period occurring in a fiscal year) is equal to the target average number of child enrollees for the State for the previous fiscal year increased by the child population growth factor described in subsection (m)(5)(B) for the State for the prior fiscal year.
(C) Projected per capita expenditures
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), the projected per capita expenditures under a State child health plan—
(i) for fiscal year 2009 is equal to the average per capita expenditures (including both State and Federal financial participation) under such plan for the targeted low-income children counted in the average monthly caseload for purposes of this paragraph during fiscal year 2008, increased by the annual percentage increase in the projected per capita amount of National Health Expenditures (as estimated by the Secretary) for 2009; or
(ii) for a subsequent fiscal year (or semi-annual period occurring in a fiscal year) is equal to the projected per capita expenditures under such plan for the previous fiscal year (as determined under clause (i) or this clause) increased by the annual percentage increase in the projected per capita amount of National Health Expenditures (as estimated by the Secretary) for the year in which such subsequent fiscal year ends.
(D) Proration rule
If the amounts available for payment from the Fund for a fiscal year or period are less than the total amount of payments determined under subparagraph (A) for the fiscal year or period, the amount to be paid under such subparagraph to each eligible State shall be reduced proportionally.
(E) Timely payment; reconciliation
Payment under this paragraph for a fiscal year or period shall be made before the end of the fiscal year or period based upon the most recent data for expenditures and enrollment and the provisions of subsection (e) of
(F) Continued reporting
For purposes of this paragraph and subsection (f), the State shall submit to the Secretary the State's projected Federal expenditures, even if the amount of such expenditures exceeds the total amount of allotments available to the State in such fiscal year or period.
(G) Application to commonwealths and territories
No payment shall be made under this paragraph to a commonwealth or territory described in subsection (c)(3) until such time as the Secretary determines that there are in effect methods, satisfactory to the Secretary, for the collection and reporting of reliable data regarding the enrollment of children described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) in order to accurately determine the commonwealth's or territory's eligibility for, and amount of payment, under this paragraph.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XXI, §2104, as added
References in Text
Section 108 of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009, referred to in subsec. (m)(3)(A), (D)(i)(II), is section 108 of title I of
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(16) to (18).
"(A) $2,850,000,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2012, and ending on March 31, 2013, and
"(B) $2,850,000,000 for the period beginning on April 1, 2013, and ending on September 30, 2013."
Subsec. (m).
Subsec. (m)(2).
Subsec. (m)(3).
Subsec. (m)(3)(A), (B).
Subsec. (m)(3)(C).
Subsec. (m)(3)(D)(i)(I).
Subsec. (m)(3)(D)(ii)(II).
Subsec. (m)(4).
Subsec. (m)(6).
Subsec. (m)(6)(A).
Subsec. (m)(7).
Subsec. (m)(8).
Subsec. (n)(2)(A)(ii), (B).
Subsec. (n)(3)(A).
2009—Subsec. (a)(11).
Subsec. (a)(12) to (16).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (k)(1).
Subsec. (k)(6).
Subsecs. (m), (n).
2007—Subsec. (a)(11).
Subsec. (c)(4)(B).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (h)(1)(B).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (h)(4).
"(A)
"(B)
Subsec. (h)(5)(A).
Subsec. (h)(6).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j) to (l).
2006—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (d).
2003—Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A)(i)(III).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A)(i)(IV).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (g)(1)(B).
Subsec. (g)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (g)(1)(B)(iii), (iv).
Subsec. (g)(1)(C).
Subsec. (g)(1)(D).
Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A)(i), (ii).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (g)(3).
2000—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (d).
"(1) the amount (if any) of the payments made to that State under
"(2) the amount (if any) of the payments made to that State under
Subsec. (g).
1999—Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(i).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c)(4)(B).
1998—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(4).
1997—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C).
Subsec. (c)(3)(C), (E).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by sections 101–103, 105, and 106(b) of
Termination Date of 2007 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by section 802(b), (d)(3) of
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 162 of
Authority To Transfer Subchapter XXI Appropriations to Subchapter XIX Appropriation Account as Reimbursement for Medicaid Expenditures for Medicaid Expansion SCHIP Services
Determination of Number of Children and State Cost Factors for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999
"(1) the number of children under clause (i) of such section shall be the number of low-income children specified for the State in Column B of the table on pages 48101–48102 of the Federal Register published on September 12, 1997, adjusted by the Census Bureau as necessary to treat children as being without health insurance if they have access to health care funded by the Indian Health Service but do not have health insurance; and
"(2) the State cost factor under clause (ii) of such section shall be the State cost factor specified for the State in Column C of such table."
1 So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.
2 So in original. Probably should be "Child Enrollment Contingency Fund".
4 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
§1397ee. Payments to States
(a) Payments
(1) In general
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, the Secretary shall pay to each State with a plan approved under this subchapter, from its allotment under
(A) for child health assistance under the plan for targeted low-income children in the form of providing medical assistance for which payment is made on the basis of an enhanced FMAP under the fourth sentence of
(B) [reserved]
(C) for child health assistance under the plan for targeted low-income children in the form of providing health benefits coverage that meets the requirements of
(D) only to the extent permitted consistent with subsection (c) of this section—
(i) for payment for other child health assistance for targeted low-income children;
(ii) for expenditures for health services initiatives under the plan for improving the health of children (including targeted low-income children and other low-income children);
(iii) for expenditures for outreach activities as provided in
(iv) for translation or interpretation services in connection with the enrollment of, retention of, and use of services under this subchapter by, individuals for whom English is not their primary language (as found necessary by the Secretary for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan); and
(v) for other reasonable costs incurred by the State to administer the plan.
(2) Order of payments
Payments under paragraph (1) from a State's allotment shall be made in the following order:
(A) First, for expenditures for items described in paragraph (1)(A).
(B) Second, for expenditures for items described in paragraph (1)(B).
(C) Third, for expenditures for items described in paragraph (1)(C).
(D) Fourth, for expenditures for items described in paragraph (1)(D).
(3) Performance bonus payment to offset additional Medicaid and CHIP child enrollment costs resulting from enrollment and retention efforts
(A) In general
In addition to the payments made under paragraph (1), for each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2009 and ending with fiscal year 2013), the Secretary shall pay from amounts made available under subparagraph (E), to each State that meets the condition under paragraph (4) for the fiscal year, an amount equal to the amount described in subparagraph (B) for the State and fiscal year. The payment under this paragraph shall be made, to a State for a fiscal year, as a single payment not later than the last day of the first calendar quarter of the following fiscal year.
(B) Amount for above baseline Medicaid child enrollment costs
Subject to subparagraph (E), the amount described in this subparagraph for a State for a fiscal year is equal to the sum of the following amounts:
(i) First tier above baseline Medicaid enrollees
An amount equal to the number of first tier above baseline child enrollees (as determined under subparagraph (C)(i)) under subchapter XIX for the State and fiscal year, multiplied by 15 percent of the projected per capita State Medicaid expenditures (as determined under subparagraph (D)) for the State and fiscal year under subchapter XIX.
(ii) Second tier above baseline Medicaid enrollees
An amount equal to the number of second tier above baseline child enrollees (as determined under subparagraph (C)(ii)) under subchapter XIX for the State and fiscal year, multiplied by 62.5 percent of the projected per capita State Medicaid expenditures (as determined under subparagraph (D)) for the State and fiscal year under subchapter XIX.
(C) Number of first and second tier above baseline child enrollees; baseline number of child enrollees
For purposes of this paragraph:
(i) First tier above baseline child enrollees
The number of first tier above baseline child enrollees for a State for a fiscal year under subchapter XIX is equal to the number (if any, as determined by the Secretary) by which—
(I) the monthly average unduplicated number of qualifying children (as defined in subparagraph (F)) enrolled during the fiscal year under the State plan under subchapter XIX; exceeds
(II) the baseline number of enrollees described in clause (iii) for the State and fiscal year under subchapter XIX;
but not to exceed 10 percent of the baseline number of enrollees described in subclause (II).
(ii) Second tier above baseline child enrollees
The number of second tier above baseline child enrollees for a State for a fiscal year under subchapter XIX is equal to the number (if any, as determined by the Secretary) by which—
(I) the monthly average unduplicated number of qualifying children (as defined in subparagraph (F)) enrolled during the fiscal year under subchapter XIX as described in clause (i)(I); exceeds
(II) the sum of the baseline number of child enrollees described in clause (iii) for the State and fiscal year under subchapter XIX, as described in clause (i)(II), and the maximum number of first tier above baseline child enrollees for the State and fiscal year under subchapter XIX, as determined under clause (i).
(iii) Baseline number of child enrollees
Subject to subparagraph (H), the baseline number of child enrollees for a State under subchapter XIX—
(I) for fiscal year 2009 is equal to the monthly average unduplicated number of qualifying children enrolled in the State plan under subchapter XIX during fiscal year 2007 increased by the population growth for children in that State from 2007 to 2008 (as estimated by the Bureau of the Census) plus 4 percentage points, and further increased by the population growth for children in that State from 2008 to 2009 (as estimated by the Bureau of the Census) plus 4 percentage points;
(II) for each of fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2012, is equal to the baseline number of child enrollees for the State for the previous fiscal year under subchapter XIX, increased by the population growth for children in that State from the calendar year in which the respective fiscal year begins to the succeeding calendar year (as estimated by the Bureau of the Census) plus 3.5 percentage points;
(III) for each of fiscal years 2013, 2014, and 2015, is equal to the baseline number of child enrollees for the State for the previous fiscal year under subchapter XIX, increased by the population growth for children in that State from the calendar year in which the respective fiscal year begins to the succeeding calendar year (as estimated by the Bureau of the Census) plus 3 percentage points; and
(IV) for a subsequent fiscal year is equal to the baseline number of child enrollees for the State for the previous fiscal year under subchapter XIX, increased by the population growth for children in that State from the calendar year in which the fiscal year involved begins to the succeeding calendar year (as estimated by the Bureau of the Census) plus 2 percentage points.
(D) Projected per capita State Medicaid expenditures
For purposes of subparagraph (B), the projected per capita State Medicaid expenditures for a State and fiscal year under subchapter XIX is equal to the average per capita expenditures (including both State and Federal financial participation) for children under the State plan under such subchapter, including under waivers but not including such children eligible for assistance by virtue of the receipt of benefits under subchapter XVI, for the most recent fiscal year for which actual data are available (as determined by the Secretary), increased (for each subsequent fiscal year up to and including the fiscal year involved) by the annual percentage increase in per capita amount of National Health Expenditures (as estimated by the Secretary) for the calendar year in which the respective subsequent fiscal year ends and multiplied by a State matching percentage equal to 100 percent minus the Federal medical assistance percentage (as defined in
(E) Amounts available for payments
(i) Initial appropriation
Out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated $3,225,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 for making payments under this paragraph, to be available until expended.
(ii) Transfers
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, the following amounts shall also be available, without fiscal year limitation, for making payments under this paragraph:
(I) Unobligated national allotment
(aa) Fiscal years 2009 through 2012
As of December 31 of fiscal year 2009, and as of December 31 of each succeeding fiscal year through fiscal year 2012, the portion, if any, of the amount appropriated under subsection (a) for such fiscal year that is unobligated for allotment to a State under subsection (m) 1 for such fiscal year or set aside under subsection (a)(3) or (b)(2) of
(bb) First half of fiscal year 2013
As of December 31 of fiscal year 2013, the portion, if any, of the sum of the amounts appropriated under subsection (a)(16)(A) 2 and under section 108 of the Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act of 2009 for the period beginning on October 1, 2012, and ending on March 31, 2013, that is unobligated for allotment to a State under subsection (m) 1 for such fiscal year or set aside under subsection (b)(2) of
(cc) Second half of fiscal year 2013
As of June 30 of fiscal year 2013, the portion, if any, of the amount appropriated under subsection (a)(16)(B) 2 for the period beginning on April 1, 2013, and ending on September 30, 2013, that is unobligated for allotment to a State under subsection (m) 1 for such fiscal year or set aside under subsection (b)(2) of
(II) Unexpended allotments not used for redistribution
As of November 15 of each of fiscal years 2010 through 2013, the total amount of allotments made to States under
(III) Excess child enrollment contingency funds
As of October 1 of each of fiscal years 2010 through 2013, any amount in excess of the aggregate cap applicable to the Child Enrollment Contingency Fund for the fiscal year under
(iii) Proportional reduction
If the sum of the amounts otherwise payable under this paragraph for a fiscal year exceeds the amount available for the fiscal year under this subparagraph, the amount to be paid under this paragraph to each State shall be reduced proportionally.
(F) Qualifying children defined
(i) In general
For purposes of this subsection, subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), the term "qualifying children" means children who meet the eligibility criteria (including income, categorical eligibility, age, and immigration status criteria) in effect as of July 1, 2008, for enrollment under subchapter XIX, taking into account criteria applied as of such date under subchapter XIX pursuant to a waiver under
(ii) Limitation
A child described in clause (i) who is provided medical assistance during a presumptive eligibility period under
(iii) Exclusion
Such term does not include any children for whom the State has made an election to provide medical assistance under paragraph (4) of
(G) Application to commonwealths and territories
The provisions of subparagraph (G) of
(H) Application to States that implement a Medicaid expansion for children after fiscal year 2008
In the case of a State that provides coverage under section 115 of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 for any fiscal year after fiscal year 2008—
(i) any child enrolled in the State plan under subchapter XIX through the application of such an election shall be disregarded from the determination for the State of the monthly average unduplicated number of qualifying children enrolled in such plan during the first 3 fiscal years in which such an election is in effect; and
(ii) in determining the baseline number of child enrollees for the State for any fiscal year subsequent to such first 3 fiscal years, the baseline number of child enrollees for the State under subchapter XIX for the third of such fiscal years shall be the monthly average unduplicated number of qualifying children enrolled in the State plan under subchapter XIX for such third fiscal year.
(4) Enrollment and retention provisions for children
For purposes of paragraph (3)(A), a State meets the condition of this paragraph for a fiscal year if it is implementing at least 5 of the following enrollment and retention provisions (treating each subparagraph as a separate enrollment and retention provision) throughout the entire fiscal year:
(A) Continuous eligibility
The State has elected the option of continuous eligibility for a full 12 months for all children described in
(B) Liberalization of asset requirements
The State meets the requirement specified in either of the following clauses:
(i) Elimination of asset test
The State does not apply any asset or resource test for eligibility for children under subchapter XIX or this subchapter.
(ii) Administrative verification of assets
The State—
(I) permits a parent or caretaker relative who is applying on behalf of a child for medical assistance under subchapter XIX or child health assistance under this subchapter to declare and certify by signature under penalty of perjury information relating to family assets for purposes of determining and redetermining financial eligibility; and
(II) takes steps to verify assets through means other than by requiring documentation from parents and applicants except in individual cases of discrepancies or where otherwise justified.
(C) Elimination of in-person interview requirement
The State does not require an application of a child for medical assistance under subchapter XIX (or for child health assistance under this subchapter), including an application for renewal of such assistance, to be made in person nor does the State require a face-to-face interview, unless there are discrepancies or individual circumstances justifying an in-person application or face-to-face interview.
(D) Use of joint application for Medicaid and CHIP
The application form and supplemental forms (if any) and information verification process is the same for purposes of establishing and renewing eligibility for children for medical assistance under subchapter XIX and child health assistance under this subchapter.
(E) Automatic renewal (use of administrative renewal)
(i) In general
The State provides, in the case of renewal of a child's eligibility for medical assistance under subchapter XIX or child health assistance under this subchapter, a pre-printed form completed by the State based on the information available to the State and notice to the parent or caretaker relative of the child that eligibility of the child will be renewed and continued based on such information unless the State is provided other information. Nothing in this clause shall be construed as preventing a State from verifying, through electronic and other means, the information so provided.
(ii) Satisfaction through demonstrated use of ex parte process
A State shall be treated as satisfying the requirement of clause (i) if renewal of eligibility of children under subchapter XIX or this subchapter is determined without any requirement for an in-person interview, unless sufficient information is not in the State's possession and cannot be acquired from other sources (including other State agencies) without the participation of the applicant or the applicant's parent or caretaker relative.
(F) Presumptive eligibility for children
The State is implementing
(G) Express Lane
The State is implementing the option described in
(H) Premium assistance subsidies
The State is implementing the option of providing premium assistance subsidies under subsection (c)(10) or
(b) Enhanced FMAP
For purposes of subsection (a) of this section, the "enhanced FMAP", for a State for a fiscal year, is equal to the Federal medical assistance percentage (as defined in the first sentence of
(c) Limitation on certain payments for certain expenditures
(1) General limitations
Funds provided to a State under this subchapter shall only be used to carry out the purposes of this subchapter (as described in
(2) Limitation on expenditures not used for medicaid or health insurance assistance
(A) In general
Except as provided in this paragraph, the amount of payment that may be made under subsection (a) of this section for a fiscal year for expenditures for items described in paragraph (1)(D) of such subsection shall not exceed 10 percent of the total amount of expenditures for which payment is made under subparagraphs (A), (C), and (D) of paragraph (1) of such subsection.
(B) Waiver authorized for cost-effective alternative
The limitation under subparagraph (A) on expenditures for items described in subsection (a)(1)(D) of this section shall not apply to the extent that a State establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that—
(i) coverage provided to targeted low-income children through such expenditures meets the requirements of
(ii) the cost of such coverage is not greater, on an average per child basis, than the cost of coverage that would otherwise be provided under
(iii) such coverage is provided through the use of a community-based health delivery system, such as through contracts with health centers receiving funds under
(C) Nonapplication to certain expenditures
The limitation under subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to the following expenditures:
(i) Expenditures to increase outreach to, and the enrollment of, Indian children under this subchapter and subchapter XIX
Expenditures for outreach activities to families of Indian children likely to be eligible for child health assistance under the plan or medical assistance under the State plan under subchapter XIX (or under a waiver of such plan), to inform such families of the availability of, and to assist them in enrolling their children in, such plans, including such activities conducted under grants, contracts, or agreements entered into under
(ii) Expenditures to comply with citizenship or nationality verification requirements
Expenditures necessary for the State to comply with paragraph (9)(A).
(iii) Expenditures for outreach to increase the enrollment of children under this subchapter and subchapter XIX through premium assistance subsidies
Expenditures for outreach activities to families of children likely to be eligible for premium assistance subsidies in accordance with paragraph (2)(B), (3), or (10), or a waiver approved under
(iv) Payment error rate measurement (PERM) expenditures
Expenditures related to the administration of the payment error rate measurement (PERM) requirements applicable to the State child health plan in accordance with the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 and parts 431 and 457 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or any related or successor guidance or regulations).
(3) Waiver for purchase of family coverage
Payment may be made to a State under subsection (a)(1) of this section for the purchase of family coverage under a group health plan or health insurance coverage that includes coverage of targeted low-income children only if the State establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that—
(A) purchase of such coverage is cost-effective relative to—
(i) the amount of expenditures under the State child health plan, including administrative expenditures, that the State would have made to provide comparable coverage of the targeted low-income child involved or the family involved (as applicable); or
(ii) the aggregate amount of expenditures that the State would have made under the State child health plan, including administrative expenditures, for providing coverage under such plan for all such children or families; and
(B) such coverage shall not be provided if it would otherwise substitute for health insurance coverage that would be provided to such children but for the purchase of family coverage.
(4) Use of non-Federal funds for State matching requirement
Amounts provided by the Federal Government, or services assisted or subsidized to any significant extent by the Federal Government, may not be included in determining the amount of non-Federal contributions required under subsection (a) of this section.
(5) Offset of receipts attributable to premiums and other cost-sharing
For purposes of subsection (a) of this section, the amount of the expenditures under the plan shall be reduced by the amount of any premiums and other cost-sharing received by the State.
(6) Prevention of duplicative payments
(A) Other health plans
No payment shall be made to a State under this section for expenditures for child health assistance provided for a targeted low-income child under its plan to the extent that a private insurer (as defined by the Secretary by regulation and including a group health plan (as defined in
(B) Other Federal governmental programs
Except as provided in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(1) of this section or any other provision of law, no payment shall be made to a State under this section for expenditures for child health assistance provided for a targeted low-income child under its plan to the extent that payment has been made or can reasonably be expected to be made promptly (as determined in accordance with regulations) under any other federally operated or financed health care insurance program, other than an insurance program operated or financed by the Indian Health Service, as identified by the Secretary. For purposes of this paragraph, rules similar to the rules for overpayments under
(7) Limitation on payment for abortions
(A) In general
Payment shall not be made to a State under this section for any amount expended under the State plan to pay for any abortion or to assist in the purchase, in whole or in part, of health benefit coverage that includes coverage of abortion.
(B) Exception
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to an abortion only if necessary to save the life of the mother or if the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest.
(C) Rule of construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the expenditure by a State, locality, or private person or entity of State, local, or private funds (other than funds expended under the State plan) for any abortion or for health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion.
(8) Limitation on matching rate for expenditures for child health assistance provided to children whose effective family income exceeds 300 percent of the poverty line
(A) FMAP applied to expenditures
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), for fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 2009, the Federal medical assistance percentage (as determined under
(B) Exception
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any State that, on February 4, 2009, has an approved State plan amendment or waiver to provide, or has enacted a State law to submit a State plan amendment to provide, expenditures described in such subparagraph under the State child health plan.
(9) Citizenship documentation requirements
(A) In general
No payment may be made under this section with respect to an individual who has, or is, declared to be a citizen or national of the United States for purposes of establishing eligibility under this subchapter unless the State meets the requirements of
(B) Enhanced payments
Notwithstanding subsection (b), the enhanced FMAP with respect to payments under subsection (a) for expenditures described in clause (i) or (ii) of
(10) State option to offer premium assistance
(A) In general
A State may elect to offer a premium assistance subsidy (as defined in subparagraph (C)) for qualified employer-sponsored coverage (as defined in subparagraph (B)) to all targeted low-income children who are eligible for child health assistance under the plan and have access to such coverage in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph if the offering of such a subsidy is cost-effective, as defined for purposes of paragraph (3)(A). No subsidy shall be provided to a targeted low-income child under this paragraph unless the child (or the child's parent) voluntarily elects to receive such a subsidy. A State may not require such an election as a condition of receipt of child health assistance.
(B) Qualified employer-sponsored coverage
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), in this paragraph, the term "qualified employer-sponsored coverage" means a group health plan or health insurance coverage offered through an employer—
(I) that qualifies as creditable coverage as a group health plan under section 2701(c)(1) of the Public Health Service Act; 4
(II) for which the employer contribution toward any premium for such coverage is at least 40 percent; and
(III) that is offered to all individuals in a manner that would be considered a nondiscriminatory eligibility classification for purposes of paragraph (3)(A)(ii) of section 105(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (but determined without regard to clause (i) of subparagraph (B) of such paragraph).
(ii) Exception
Such term does not include coverage consisting of—
(I) benefits provided under a health flexible spending arrangement (as defined in section 106(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986); or
(II) a high deductible health plan (as defined in section 223(c)(2) of such Code), without regard to whether the plan is purchased in conjunction with a health savings account (as defined under section 223(d) of such Code).
(C) Premium assistance subsidy
(i) In general
In this paragraph, the term "premium assistance subsidy" means, with respect to a targeted low-income child, the amount equal to the difference between the employee contribution required for enrollment only of the employee under qualified employer-sponsored coverage and the employee contribution required for enrollment of the employee and the child in such coverage, less any applicable premium cost-sharing applied under the State child health plan (subject to the limitations imposed under
(ii) State payment option
A State may provide a premium assistance subsidy either as reimbursement to an employee for out-of-pocket expenditures or, subject to clause (iii), directly to the employee's employer.
(iii) Employer opt-out
An employer may notify a State that it elects to opt-out of being directly paid a premium assistance subsidy on behalf of an employee. In the event of such a notification, an employer shall withhold the total amount of the employee contribution required for enrollment of the employee and the child in the qualified employer-sponsored coverage and the State shall pay the premium assistance subsidy directly to the employee.
(iv) Treatment as child health assistance
Expenditures for the provision of premium assistance subsidies shall be considered child health assistance described in paragraph (1)(C) of subsection (a) for purposes of making payments under that subsection.
(D) Application of secondary payor rules
The State shall be a secondary payor for any items or services provided under the qualified employer-sponsored coverage for which the State provides child health assistance under the State child health plan.
(E) Requirement to provide supplemental coverage for benefits and cost-sharing protection provided under the State child health plan
(i) In general
Notwithstanding
(I) items or services that are not covered, or are only partially covered, under the qualified employer-sponsored coverage; and
(II) cost-sharing protection consistent with
(ii) Record keeping requirements
For purposes of carrying out clause (i), a State may elect to directly pay out-of-pocket expenditures for cost-sharing imposed under the qualified employer-sponsored coverage and collect or not collect all or any portion of such expenditures from the parent of the child.
(F) Application of waiting period imposed under the State
Any waiting period imposed under the State child health plan prior to the provision of child health assistance to a targeted low-income child under the State plan shall apply to the same extent to the provision of a premium assistance subsidy for the child under this paragraph.
(G) Opt-out permitted for any month
A State shall establish a process for permitting the parent of a targeted low-income child receiving a premium assistance subsidy to disenroll the child from the qualified employer-sponsored coverage and enroll the child in, and receive child health assistance under, the State child health plan, effective on the first day of any month for which the child is eligible for such assistance and in a manner that ensures continuity of coverage for the child.
(H) Application to parents
If a State provides child health assistance or health benefits coverage to parents of a targeted low-income child in accordance with
(i) the amount of the premium assistance subsidy shall be increased to take into account the cost of the enrollment of the parent in the qualified employer-sponsored coverage or, at the option of the State if the State determines it cost-effective, the cost of the enrollment of the child's family in such coverage; and
(ii) any reference in this paragraph to a child is deemed to include a reference to the parent or, if applicable under clause (i), the family of the child.
(I) Additional State option for providing premium assistance
(i) In general
A State may establish an employer-family premium assistance purchasing pool for employers with less than 250 employees who have at least 1 employee who is a pregnant woman eligible for assistance under the State child health plan (including through the application of an option described in
(ii) Access to choice of coverage
A State that elects the option under clause (i) shall identify and offer access to not less than 2 private health plans that are health benefits coverage that is equivalent to the benefits coverage in a benchmark benefit package described in
(iii) Clarification of payment for administrative expenditures
Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as permitting payment under this section for administrative expenditures attributable to the establishment or operation of such pool, except to the extent that such payment would otherwise be permitted under this subchapter.
(J) No effect on premium assistance waiver programs
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as limiting the authority of a State to offer premium assistance under
(K) Notice of availability
If a State elects to provide premium assistance subsidies in accordance with this paragraph, the State shall—
(i) include on any application or enrollment form for child health assistance a notice of the availability of premium assistance subsidies for the enrollment of targeted low-income children in qualified employer-sponsored coverage;
(ii) provide, as part of the application and enrollment process under the State child health plan, information describing the availability of such subsidies and how to elect to obtain such a subsidy; and
(iii) establish such other procedures as the State determines necessary to ensure that parents are fully informed of the choices for receiving child health assistance under the State child health plan or through the receipt of premium assistance subsidies.
(L) Application to qualified employer-sponsored benchmark coverage
If a group health plan or health insurance coverage offered through an employer is certified by an actuary as health benefits coverage that is equivalent to the benefits coverage in a benchmark benefit package described in
(M) Coordination with medicaid
In the case of a targeted low-income child who receives child health assistance through a State plan under subchapter XIX and who voluntarily elects to receive a premium assistance subsidy under this section, the provisions of
(11) Enhanced payments
Notwithstanding subsection (b), the enhanced FMAP with respect to payments under subsection (a) for expenditures related to the administration of the payment error rate measurement (PERM) requirements applicable to the State child health plan in accordance with the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 and parts 431 and 457 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or any related or successor guidance or regulations) shall in no event be less than 90 percent.
(d) Maintenance of effort
(1) In medicaid eligibility standards
No payment may be made under subsection (a) of this section with respect to child health assistance provided under a State child health plan if the State adopts income and resource standards and methodologies for purposes of determining a child's eligibility for medical assistance under the State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter that are more restrictive than those applied as of June 1, 1997, except as required under
(2) In amounts of payment expended for certain State-funded health insurance programs for children
(A) In general
The amount of the allotment for a State in a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1999) shall be reduced by the amount by which—
(i) the total of the State children's health insurance expenditures in the preceding fiscal year, is less than
(ii) the total of such expenditures in fiscal year 1996.
(B) State children's health insurance expenditures
The term "State children's health insurance expenditures" means the following:
(i) The State share of expenditures under this subchapter.
(ii) The State share of expenditures under subchapter XIX of this chapter that are attributable to an enhanced FMAP under the fourth sentence of
(iii) State expenditures under health benefits coverage under an existing comprehensive State-based program, described in
(3) Continuation of eligibility standards for children until October 1, 2019
(A) In general
During the period that begins on March 23, 2010, and ends on September 30, 2019, as a condition of receiving payments under
(i) applying eligibility standards, methodologies, or procedures for children under the State child health plan or under any waiver of the plan that are less restrictive than the eligibility standards, methodologies, or procedures, respectively, for children under the plan or waiver that are in effect on March 23, 2010;
(ii) after September 30, 2015, enrolling children eligible to be targeted low-income children under the State child health plan in a qualified health plan that has been certified by the Secretary under subparagraph (C); or
(iii) imposing a limitation described in
(B) Assurance of exchange coverage for targeted low-income children unable to be provided child health assistance as a result of funding shortfalls
In the event that allotments provided under
(C) Certification of comparability of pediatric coverage offered by qualified health plans
With respect to each State, the Secretary, not later than April 1, 2015, shall review the benefits offered for children and the cost-sharing imposed with respect to such benefits by qualified health plans offered through an Exchange established by the State under
(e) Advance payment; retrospective adjustment
The Secretary may make payments under this section for each quarter on the basis of advance estimates of expenditures submitted by the State and such other investigation as the Secretary may find necessary, and may reduce or increase the payments as necessary to adjust for any overpayment or underpayment for prior quarters.
(f) Flexibility in submittal of claims
Nothing in this section or subsections (e) and (f) of
(g) Authority for qualifying States to use certain funds for medicaid expenditures
(1) State option
(A) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, subject to paragraph (4), a qualifying State (as defined in paragraph (2)) may elect to use not more than 20 percent of any allotment under
(B) Payments to States
(i) In general
In the case of a qualifying State that has elected the option described in subparagraph (A), subject to the availability of funds under such subparagraph with respect to the State, the Secretary shall pay the State an amount each quarter equal to the additional amount that would have been paid to the State under subchapter XIX of this chapter with respect to expenditures described in clause (ii) if the enhanced FMAP (as determined under subsection (b) of this section) had been substituted for the Federal medical assistance percentage (as defined in
(ii) Expenditures described
For purposes of this subparagraph, the expenditures described in this clause are expenditures, made after August 15, 2003, and during the period in which funds are available to the qualifying State for use under subparagraph (A), for medical assistance under subchapter XIX of this chapter to individuals who have not attained age 19 and whose family income exceeds 150 percent of the poverty line.
(iii) No impact on determination of budget neutrality for waivers
In the case of a qualifying State that uses amounts paid under this subsection for expenditures described in clause (ii) that are incurred under a waiver approved for the State, any budget neutrality determinations with respect to such waiver shall be determined without regard to such amounts paid.
(2) Qualifying State
In this subsection, the term "qualifying State" means a State that, on and after April 15, 1997, has an income eligibility standard that is at least 184 percent of the poverty line with respect to any 1 or more categories of children (other than infants) who are eligible for medical assistance under
(3) Construction
Nothing in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be construed as modifying the requirements applicable to States implementing State child health plans under this subchapter.
(4) Option for allotments for fiscal years 2009 through 2015
(A) Payment of enhanced portion of matching rate for certain expenditures
In the case of expenditures described in subparagraph (B), a qualifying State (as defined in paragraph (2)) may elect to be paid from the State's allotment made under
(B) Expenditures described
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the expenditures described in this subparagraph are expenditures made after February 4, 2009, and during the period in which funds are available to the qualifying State for use under subparagraph (A), for the provision of medical assistance to individuals residing in the State who are eligible for medical assistance under the State plan under subchapter XIX or under a waiver of such plan and who have not attained age 19 (or, if a State has so elected under the State plan under subchapter XIX, age 20 or 21), and whose family income equals or exceeds 133 percent of the poverty line but does not exceed the Medicaid applicable income level.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XXI, §2105, as added
References in Text
Sections 108 and 115 of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009, referred to in subsec. (a)(3)(E)(ii)(I)(bb), (H), are sections 108 and 115, respectively, of title I of
The Improper Payments Information Act of 2002, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(C)(iv), (11), is
Section 2701 of the Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(10)(B)(i)(I), is section 2701 of act July 1, 1944, which was classified to
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (c)(10)(B)(i)(III), (ii) and (d)(3)(B), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(3)(C)(i)(I), (II).
Subsec. (a)(3)(E)(ii)(IV).
Subsec. (a)(3)(F)(iii).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(9)(B).
Subsec. (c)(10)(A).
Subsec. (c)(10)(M), (N).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(ii), (iii).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B).
Subsec. (d)(3)(C).
Subsec. (g)(4).
Subsec. (g)(4)(A).
2009—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(1)(D)(iv), (v).
Subsec. (a)(3), (4).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(8).
Subsec. (c)(9).
Subsec. (c)(10).
Subsec. (c)(11).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A).
Subsec. (g)(4).
2007—Subsec. (g)(1)(A).
2006—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A).
2003—Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (g)(2).
2000—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
"(i) the total of such expenditures for such fiscal year, and
"(ii) the total expenditures for medical assistance by the State under subchapter XIX of this chapter for which Federal payments made under
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(6)(B).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B)(ii).
1999—Subsec. (d)(2)(B)(iii).
1997—Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
"(i) the total Federal payments made under subsection (a) of this section for such quarter in the fiscal year, and
"(ii) the total Federal payments made under
Subsec. (f).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Except as otherwise provided, amendment by
Amendment by section 211(c) of
Termination Date of 2007 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by section 6102(b) of
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 162 of
Construction of 2009 Amendment
"(1) changing any income eligibility level for children under title XXI of the Social Security Act [this subchapter]; or
"(2) changing the flexibility provided States under such title to establish the income eligibility level for targeted low-income children under a State child health plan and the methodologies used by the State to determine income or assets under such plan."
Payment Error Rate Measurement Requirements
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) include—
"(A) clearly defined criteria for errors for both States and providers;
"(B) a clearly defined process for appealing error determinations by—
"(i) review contractors; or
"(ii) the agency and personnel described in section 431.974(a)(2) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on September 1, 2007, responsible for the development, direction, implementation, and evaluation of eligibility reviews and associated activities; and
"(C) clearly defined responsibilities and deadlines for States in implementing any corrective action plans; and
"(2) provide that the payment error rate determined for a State shall not take into account payment errors resulting from the State's verification of an applicant's self-declaration or self-certification of eligibility for, and the correct amount of, medical assistance or child health assistance, if the State process for verifying an applicant's self-declaration or self-certification satisfies the requirements for such process applicable under regulations promulgated by the Secretary or otherwise approved by the Secretary.
"(d)
"(e)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(f)
"(1) minimize the administrative cost burden on States under Medicaid and CHIP; and
"(2) maintain State flexibility to manage such programs.
"(g)
[For definitions of "CHIP", "Medicaid", and "Secretary", see section 1(c) of
1 So in original. This section does not contain a subsec. (m).
2 So in original. Subsec. (a) of this section does not contain a par. (16).
3 So in original. Probably means subpar. (B) of par. (10).
4 See References in Text note below.
§1397ff. Process for submission, approval, and amendment of State child health plans
(a) Initial plan
(1) In general
As a condition of receiving payment under
(2) Approval
Except as the Secretary may provide under subsection (e) of this section, a State plan submitted under paragraph (1)—
(A) shall be approved for purposes of this subchapter, and
(B) shall be effective beginning with a calendar quarter that is specified in the plan, but in no case earlier than October 1, 1997.
(b) Plan amendments
(1) In general
A State may amend, in whole or in part, its State child health plan at any time through transmittal of a plan amendment.
(2) Approval
Except as the Secretary may provide under subsection (e) of this section, an amendment to a State plan submitted under paragraph (1)—
(A) shall be approved for purposes of this subchapter, and
(B) shall be effective as provided in paragraph (3).
(3) Effective dates for amendments
(A) In general
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this paragraph, an amendment to a State plan shall take effect on one or more effective dates specified in the amendment.
(B) Amendments relating to eligibility or benefits
(i) Notice requirement
Any plan amendment that eliminates or restricts eligibility or benefits under the plan may not take effect unless the State certifies that it has provided prior public notice of the change, in a form and manner provided under applicable State law.
(ii) Timely transmittal
Any plan amendment that eliminates or restricts eligibility or benefits under the plan shall not be effective for longer than a 60-day period unless the amendment has been transmitted to the Secretary before the end of such period.
(C) Other amendments
Any plan amendment that is not described in subparagraph (B) and that becomes effective in a State fiscal year may not remain in effect after the end of such fiscal year (or, if later, the end of the 90-day period on which it becomes effective) unless the amendment has been transmitted to the Secretary.
(c) Disapproval of plans and plan amendments
(1) Prompt review of plan submittals
The Secretary shall promptly review State plans and plan amendments submitted under this section to determine if they substantially comply with the requirements of this subchapter.
(2) 90-day approval deadlines
A State plan or plan amendment is considered approved unless the Secretary notifies the State in writing, within 90 days after receipt of the plan or amendment, that the plan or amendment is disapproved (and the reasons for disapproval) or that specified additional information is needed.
(3) Correction
In the case of a disapproval of a plan or plan amendment, the Secretary shall provide a State with a reasonable opportunity for correction before taking financial sanctions against the State on the basis of such disapproval.
(d) Program operation
(1) In general
The State shall conduct the program in accordance with the plan (and any amendments) approved under subsection (c) of this section and with the requirements of this subchapter.
(2) Violations
The Secretary shall establish a process for enforcing requirements under this subchapter. Such process shall provide for the withholding of funds in the case of substantial noncompliance with such requirements. In the case of an enforcement action against a State under this paragraph, the Secretary shall provide a State with a reasonable opportunity for correction before taking financial sanctions against the State on the basis of such an action.
(e) Continued approval
An approved State child health plan shall continue in effect unless and until the State amends the plan under subsection (b) of this section or the Secretary finds, under subsection (d) of this section, substantial noncompliance of the plan with the requirements of this subchapter.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XXI, §2106, as added
§1397gg. Strategic objectives and performance goals; plan administration
(a) Strategic objectives and performance goals
(1) Description
A State child health plan shall include a description of—
(A) the strategic objectives,
(B) the performance goals, and
(C) the performance measures,
the State has established for providing child health assistance to targeted low-income children under the plan and otherwise for maximizing health benefits coverage for other low-income children and children generally in the State.
(2) Strategic objectives
Such plan shall identify specific strategic objectives relating to increasing the extent of creditable health coverage among targeted low-income children and other low-income children.
(3) Performance goals
Such plan shall specify one or more performance goals for each such strategic objective so identified.
(4) Performance measures
Such plan shall describe how performance under the plan will be—
(A) measured through objective, independently verifiable means, and
(B) compared against performance goals, in order to determine the State's performance under this subchapter.
(b) Records, reports, audits, and evaluation
(1) Data collection, records, and reports
A State child health plan shall include an assurance that the State will collect the data, maintain the records, and furnish the reports to the Secretary, at the times and in the standardized format the Secretary may require in order to enable the Secretary to monitor State program administration and compliance and to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of State plans under this subchapter.
(2) State assessment and study
A State child health plan shall include a description of the State's plan for the annual assessments and reports under
(3) Audits
A State child health plan shall include an assurance that the State will afford the Secretary access to any records or information relating to the plan for the purposes of review or audit.
(c) Program development process
A State child health plan shall include a description of the process used to involve the public in the design and implementation of the plan and the method for ensuring ongoing public involvement.
(d) Program budget
A State child health plan shall include a description of the budget for the plan. The description shall be updated periodically as necessary and shall include details on the planned use of funds and the sources of the non-Federal share of plan expenditures, including any requirements for cost-sharing by beneficiaries.
(e) Application of certain general provisions
The following sections of this chapter shall apply to States under this subchapter in the same manner as they apply to a State under subchapter XIX of this chapter:
(1) Subchapter XIX provisions
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D) Subsections (a)(77) and (kk) of
(E)
(F)
(G)
(H)
(I) Paragraphs (2), (16), and (17) of
(J) Paragraph (4) of
(K)
(L)
(M) Subsections (a)(2)(C) and (h) of
(N)
(O)
(2) Subchapter XI provisions
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
(G)
(f) Limitation of waiver authority
Notwithstanding subsection (e)(2)(A) and
(1) The Secretary may not approve a waiver, experimental, pilot, or demonstration project that would allow funds made available under this subchapter to be used to provide child health assistance or other health benefits coverage to a nonpregnant childless adult or a parent (as defined in
(2) The Secretary may not approve, extend, renew, or amend a waiver, experimental, pilot, or demonstration project with respect to a State after February 4, 2009, that would waive or modify the requirements of
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XXI, §2107, as added
Codification
Amendment by section 501(d)(2) of
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (e)(1)(D).
Subsec. (e)(1)(E).
Subsec. (e)(1)(F).
Subsec. (e)(1)(G) to (M).
Subsec. (e)(1)(N).
Subsec. (e)(1)(O).
2009—Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
Subsec. (e)(1)(C).
Subsec. (e)(1)(D).
Subsec. (e)(1)(E).
Subsec. (e)(1)(F).
Subsec. (e)(1)(G).
Subsec. (e)(1)(H).
Subsec. (e)(1)(I).
Subsec. (e)(1)(J).
Subsec. (e)(1)(K).
Subsec. (e)(1)(L).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2).
2006—Subsec. (f).
2000—Subsec. (e)(1)(D).
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by
Except as otherwise provided, amendment by
Amendment by section 203(a)(2), (d)(2) of
Amendment by section 501(d)(2) of
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Rule of Construction
"(1) authorize the waiver of any provision of title XIX or XXI of the Social Security Act (
"(2) imply congressional approval of any waiver, experimental, pilot, or demonstration project affecting funds made available under the State children's health insurance program under title XXI of the Social Security Act (
"(3) apply to any waiver, experimental, pilot, or demonstration project that would allow funds made available under title XXI of the Social Security Act (
§1397hh. Annual reports; evaluations
(a) Annual report
Subject to subsection (e), the State shall—
(1) assess the operation of the State plan under this subchapter in each fiscal year, including the progress made in reducing the number of uncovered low-income children; and
(2) report to the Secretary, by January 1 following the end of the fiscal year, on the result of the assessment.
(b) State evaluations
(1) In general
By March 31, 2000, each State that has a State child health plan shall submit to the Secretary an evaluation that includes each of the following:
(A) An assessment of the effectiveness of the State plan in increasing the number of children with creditable health coverage.
(B) A description and analysis of the effectiveness of elements of the State plan, including—
(i) the characteristics of the children and families assisted under the State plan including age of the children, family income, and the assisted child's access to or coverage by other health insurance prior to the State plan and after eligibility for the State plan ends,
(ii) the quality of health coverage provided including the types of benefits provided,
(iii) the amount and level (including payment of part or all of any premium) of assistance provided by the State,
(iv) the service area of the State plan,
(v) the time limits for coverage of a child under the State plan,
(vi) the State's choice of health benefits coverage and other methods used for providing child health assistance, and
(vii) the sources of non-Federal funding used in the State plan.
(C) An assessment of the effectiveness of other public and private programs in the State in increasing the availability of affordable quality individual and family health insurance for children.
(D) A review and assessment of State activities to coordinate the plan under this subchapter with other public and private programs providing health care and health care financing, including medicaid and maternal and child health services.
(E) An analysis of changes and trends in the State that affect the provision of accessible, affordable, quality health insurance and health care to children.
(F) A description of any plans the State has for improving the availability of health insurance and health care for children.
(G) Recommendations for improving the program under this subchapter.
(H) Any other matters the State and the Secretary consider appropriate.
(2) Report of the Secretary
The Secretary shall submit to Congress and make available to the public by December 31, 2001, a report based on the evaluations submitted by States under paragraph (1), containing any conclusions and recommendations the Secretary considers appropriate.
(c) Federal evaluation
(1) In general
The Secretary, directly or through contracts or interagency agreements, shall conduct an independent evaluation of 10 States with approved child health plans.
(2) Selection of States
In selecting States for the evaluation conducted under this subsection, the Secretary shall choose 10 States that utilize diverse approaches to providing child health assistance, represent various geographic areas (including a mix of rural and urban areas), and contain a significant portion of uncovered children.
(3) Matters included
In addition to the elements described in subsection (b)(1) of this section, the evaluation conducted under this subsection shall include each of the following:
(A) Surveys of the target population (enrollees, disenrollees, and individuals eligible for but not enrolled in the program under this subchapter).
(B) Evaluation of effective and ineffective outreach and enrollment practices with respect to children (for both the program under this subchapter and the medicaid program under subchapter XIX of this chapter), and identification of enrollment barriers and key elements of effective outreach and enrollment practices, including practices (such as through community health workers and others) that have successfully enrolled hard-to-reach populations such as children who are eligible for medical assistance under subchapter XIX of this chapter but have not been enrolled previously in the medicaid program under that subchapter.
(C) Evaluation of the extent to which State medicaid eligibility practices and procedures under the medicaid program under subchapter XIX of this chapter are a barrier to the enrollment of children under that program, and the extent to which coordination (or lack of coordination) between that program and the program under this subchapter affects the enrollment of children under both programs.
(D) An assessment of the effect of cost-sharing on utilization, enrollment, and coverage retention.
(E) Evaluation of disenrollment or other retention issues, such as switching to private coverage, failure to pay premiums, or barriers in the recertification process.
(4) Submission to Congress
Not later than December 31, 2001, the Secretary shall submit to Congress the results of the evaluation conducted under this subsection.
(5) Subsequent evaluation using updated information
(A) In general
The Secretary, directly or through contracts or interagency agreements, shall conduct an independent subsequent evaluation of 10 States with approved child health plans.
(B) Selection of States and matters included
Paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply to such subsequent evaluation in the same manner as such provisions apply to the evaluation conducted under paragraph (1).
(C) Submission to Congress
Not later than December 31, 2011, the Secretary shall submit to Congress the results of the evaluation conducted under this paragraph.
(D) Funding
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 for the purpose of conducting the evaluation authorized under this paragraph. Amounts appropriated under this subparagraph shall remain available for expenditure through fiscal year 2012.
(d) Access to records for IG and GAO audits and evaluations
For the purpose of evaluating and auditing the program established under this subchapter, or subchapter XIX, the Secretary, the Office of Inspector General, and the Comptroller General shall have access to any books, accounts, records, correspondence, and other documents that are related to the expenditure of Federal funds under this subchapter and that are in the possession, custody, or control of States receiving Federal funds under this subchapter or political subdivisions thereof, or any grantee or contractor of such States or political subdivisions.
(e) 1 Information required for inclusion in State annual report
The State shall include the following information in the annual report required under subsection (a):
(1) Eligibility criteria, enrollment, and retention data (including data with respect to continuity of coverage or duration of benefits).
(2) Data regarding the extent to which the State uses process measures with respect to determining the eligibility of children under the State child health plan, including measures such as 12-month continuous eligibility, self-declaration of income for applications or renewals, or presumptive eligibility.
(3) Data regarding denials of eligibility and redeterminations of eligibility.
(4) Data regarding access to primary and specialty services, access to networks of care, and care coordination provided under the State child health plan, using quality care and consumer satisfaction measures included in the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey.
(5) If the State provides child health assistance in the form of premium assistance for the purchase of coverage under a group health plan, data regarding the provision of such assistance, including the extent to which employer-sponsored health insurance coverage is available for children eligible for child health assistance under the State child health plan, the range of the monthly amount of such assistance provided on behalf of a child or family, the number of children or families provided such assistance on a monthly basis, the income of the children or families provided such assistance, the benefits and cost-sharing protection provided under the State child health plan to supplement the coverage purchased with such premium assistance, the effective strategies the State engages in to reduce any administrative barriers to the provision of such assistance, and,2 the effects, if any, of the provision of such assistance on preventing the coverage provided under the State child health plan from substituting for coverage provided under employer-sponsored health insurance offered in the State.
(6) To the extent applicable, a description of any State activities that are designed to reduce the number of uncovered children in the State, including through a State health insurance connector program or support for innovative private health coverage initiatives.
(7) Data collected and reported in accordance with
(e) 1 Information on dental care for children
(1) In general
Each annual report under subsection (a) shall include the following information with respect to care and services described in
(A) The number of enrolled children by age grouping used for reporting purposes under
(B) For children within each such age grouping, information of the type contained in questions 12(a)–(c) of CMS Form 416 (that consists of the number of enrolled targeted low income children who receive any,2 preventive, or restorative dental care under the State plan).
(C) For the age grouping that includes children 8 years of age, the number of such children who have received a protective sealant on at least one permanent molar tooth.
(2) Inclusion of information on enrollees in managed care plans
The information under paragraph (1) shall include information on children who are enrolled in managed care plans and other private health plans and contracts with such plans under this subchapter shall provide for the reporting of such information by such plans to the State.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XXI, §2108, as added
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (e)(7).
2009—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B).
Subsec. (c)(5).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
1999—Subsecs. (c), (d).
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Except as otherwise provided, amendment by
Amendment by section 501(e)(2) of
Standardized Reporting Format
"(1)
"(2)
1 So in original. Two subsecs. (e) have been enacted.
2 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
§1397ii. Miscellaneous provisions
(a) Relation to other laws
(1) HIPAA
Health benefits coverage provided under
(2) ERISA
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as affecting or modifying section 514 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (
(b) Adjustment to Current Population Survey to include State-by-State data relating to children without health insurance coverage
(1) In general
The Secretary of Commerce shall make appropriate adjustments to the annual Current Population Survey conducted by the Bureau of the Census in order to produce statistically reliable annual State data on the number of low-income children who do not have health insurance coverage, so that real changes in the uninsurance rates of children can reasonably be detected. The Current Population Survey should produce data under this subsection that categorizes such children by family income, age, and race or ethnicity. The adjustments made to produce such data shall include, where appropriate, expanding the sample size used in the State sampling units, expanding the number of sampling units in a State, and an appropriate verification element.
(2) Additional requirements
In addition to making the adjustments required to produce the data described in paragraph (1), with respect to data collection occurring for fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 2009, in appropriate consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Commerce shall do the following:
(A) Make appropriate adjustments to the Current Population Survey to develop more accurate State-specific estimates of the number of children enrolled in health coverage under subchapter XIX or this subchapter.
(B) Make appropriate adjustments to the Current Population Survey to improve the survey estimates used to determine a high-performing State under
(C) Include health insurance survey information in the American Community Survey related to children.
(D) Assess whether American Community Survey estimates, once such survey data are first available, produce more reliable estimates than the Current Population Survey with respect to the purposes described in subparagraph (B).
(E) On the basis of the assessment required under subparagraph (D), recommend to the Secretary of Health and Human Services whether American Community Survey estimates should be used in lieu of, or in some combination with, Current Population Survey estimates for the purposes described in subparagraph (B).
(F) Continue making the adjustments described in the last sentence of paragraph (1) with respect to expansion of the sample size used in State sampling units, the number of sampling units in a State, and using an appropriate verification element.
(3) Authority for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to transition to the use of all, or some combination of, ACS estimates upon recommendation of the Secretary of Commerce
If, on the basis of the assessment required under paragraph (2)(D), the Secretary of Commerce recommends to the Secretary of Health and Human Services that American Community Survey estimates should be used in lieu of, or in some combination with, Current Population Survey estimates for the purposes described in paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the States, may provide for a period during which the Secretary may transition from carrying out such purposes through the use of Current Population Survey estimates to the use of American Community Survey estimates (in lieu of, or in combination with the Current Population Survey estimates, as recommended), provided that any such transition is implemented in a manner that is designed to avoid adverse impacts upon States with approved State child health plans under this subchapter.
(4) Appropriation
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and each fiscal year thereafter for the purpose of carrying out this subsection (except that only with respect to fiscal year 2008, there are appropriated $20,000,000 for the purpose of carrying out this subsection, to remain available until expended).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XXI, §2109, as added
References in Text
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373,
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. Subtitle K of such Code appears at
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
2009—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3), (4).
2007—Subsec. (b)(2).
1999—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by
§1397jj. Definitions
(a) Child health assistance
For purposes of this subchapter, the term "child health assistance" means payment for part or all of the cost of health benefits coverage for targeted low-income children that includes any of the following (and includes, in the case described in
(1) Inpatient hospital services.
(2) Outpatient hospital services.
(3) Physician services.
(4) Surgical services.
(5) Clinic services (including health center services) and other ambulatory health care services.
(6) Prescription drugs and biologicals and the administration of such drugs and biologicals, only if such drugs and biologicals are not furnished for the purpose of causing, or assisting in causing, the death, suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing of a person.
(7) Over-the-counter medications.
(8) Laboratory and radiological services.
(9) Prenatal care and prepregnancy family planning services and supplies.
(10) Inpatient mental health services, other than services described in paragraph (18) but including services furnished in a State-operated mental hospital and including residential or other 24-hour therapeutically planned structured services.
(11) Outpatient mental health services, other than services described in paragraph (19) but including services furnished in a State-operated mental hospital and including community-based services.
(12) Durable medical equipment and other medically-related or remedial devices (such as prosthetic devices, implants, eyeglasses, hearing aids, dental devices, and adaptive devices).
(13) Disposable medical supplies.
(14) Home and community-based health care services and related supportive services (such as home health nursing services, home health aide services, personal care, assistance with activities of daily living, chore services, day care services, respite care services, training for family members, and minor modifications to the home).
(15) Nursing care services (such as nurse practitioner services, nurse midwife services, advanced practice nurse services, private duty nursing care, pediatric nurse services, and respiratory care services) in a home, school, or other setting.
(16) Abortion only if necessary to save the life of the mother or if the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest.
(17) Dental services.
(18) Inpatient substance abuse treatment services and residential substance abuse treatment services.
(19) Outpatient substance abuse treatment services.
(20) Case management services.
(21) Care coordination services.
(22) Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and services for individuals with speech, hearing, and language disorders.
(23) Hospice care (concurrent, in the case of an individual who is a child, with care related to the treatment of the child's condition with respect to which a diagnosis of terminal illness has been made.1
(24) Any other medical, diagnostic, screening, preventive, restorative, remedial, therapeutic, or rehabilitative services (whether in a facility, home, school, or other setting) if recognized by State law and only if the service is—
(A) prescribed by or furnished by a physician or other licensed or registered practitioner within the scope of practice as defined by State law,
(B) performed under the general supervision or at the direction of a physician, or
(C) furnished by a health care facility that is operated by a State or local government or is licensed under State law and operating within the scope of the license.
(25) Premiums for private health care insurance coverage.
(26) Medical transportation.
(27) Enabling services (such as transportation, translation, and outreach services) only if designed to increase the accessibility of primary and preventive health care services for eligible low-income individuals.
(28) Any other health care services or items specified by the Secretary and not excluded under this section.
(b) "Targeted low-income child" defined
For purposes of this subchapter—
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), the term "targeted low-income child" means a child—
(A) who has been determined eligible by the State for child health assistance under the State plan;
(B)(i) who is a low-income child, or
(ii) is a child—
(I) whose family income (as determined under the State child health plan) exceeds the medicaid applicable income level (as defined in paragraph (4)), but does not exceed 50 percentage points above the medicaid applicable income level;
(II) whose family income (as so determined) does not exceed the medicaid applicable income level (as defined in paragraph (4) but determined as if "June 1, 1997" were substituted for "March 31, 1997"); or
(III) who resides in a State that does not have a medicaid applicable income level (as defined in paragraph (4)); and
(C) who is not found to be eligible for medical assistance under subchapter XIX of this chapter or, subject to paragraph (5), covered under a group health plan or under health insurance coverage (as such terms are defined in
(2) Children excluded
Such term does not include—
(A) a child who is an inmate of a public institution or a patient in an institution for mental diseases; or
(B) except as provided in paragraph (6), a child who is a member of a family that is eligible for health benefits coverage under a State health benefits plan on the basis of a family member's employment with a public agency in the State.
(3) Special rule
A child shall not be considered to be described in paragraph (1)(C) notwithstanding that the child is covered under a health insurance coverage program that has been in operation since before July 1, 1997, and that is offered by a State which receives no Federal funds for the program's operation.
(4) Medicaid applicable income level
The term "medicaid applicable income level" means, with respect to a child, the effective income level (expressed as a percent of the poverty line) that has been specified under the State plan under subchapter XIX of this chapter (including under a waiver authorized by the Secretary or under
(5) Option for States with a separate CHIP program to provide dental-only supplemental coverage
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), in the case of any child who is enrolled in a group health plan or health insurance coverage offered through an employer who would, but for the application of paragraph (1)(C), satisfy the requirements for being a targeted low-income child under a State child health plan that is implemented under this subchapter, a State may waive the application of such paragraph to the child in order to provide—
(i) dental coverage consistent with the requirements of subsection (c)(5) of
(ii) cost-sharing protection for dental coverage consistent with such requirements and the requirements of subsection (e)(3)(B) of such section.
(B) Limitation
A State may limit the application of a waiver of paragraph (1)(C) to children whose family income does not exceed a level specified by the State, so long as the level so specified does not exceed the maximum income level otherwise established for other children under the State child health plan.
(C) Conditions
A State may not offer dental-only supplemental coverage under this paragraph unless the State satisfies the following conditions:
(i) Income eligibility
The State child health plan under this subchapter—
(I) has the highest income eligibility standard permitted under this subchapter (or a waiver) as of January 1, 2009;
(II) does not limit the acceptance of applications for children or impose any numerical limitation, waiting list, or similar limitation on the eligibility of such children for child health assistance under such State plan; and
(III) provides benefits to all children in the State who apply for and meet eligibility standards.
(ii) No more favorable treatment
The State child health plan may not provide more favorable dental coverage or cost-sharing protection for dental coverage to children provided dental-only supplemental coverage under this paragraph than the dental coverage and cost-sharing protection for dental coverage provided to targeted low-income children who are eligible for the full range of child health assistance provided under the State child health plan.
(6) Exceptions to exclusion of children of employees of a public agency in the State
(A) In general
A child shall not be considered to be described in paragraph (2)(B) if—
(i) the public agency that employs a member of the child's family to which such paragraph applies satisfies subparagraph (B); or
(ii) subparagraph (C) applies to such child.
(B) Maintenance of effort with respect to agency contribution for family coverage
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(i), a public agency satisfies this subparagraph if the amount of annual agency expenditures made on behalf of employees enrolled in health coverage paid for by the agency that includes dependent coverage for the most recent State fiscal year is not less than the amount of such expenditures made by the agency for the 1997 State fiscal year, increased by the percentage increase in the medical care expenditure category of the Consumer Price Index for All-Urban Consumers (all items: U.S. City Average) for such preceding fiscal year.
(C) Hardship exception
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), this subparagraph applies to a child if the State determines that the annual aggregate amount of premiums and cost-sharing imposed for coverage of the family of the child would exceed 5 percent of such family's income for the year involved.
(c) Additional definitions
For purposes of this subchapter:
(1) Child
The term "child" means an individual under 19 years of age.
(2) Creditable health coverage
The term "creditable health coverage" has the meaning given the term "creditable coverage" under section 2701(c) 2 of the Public Health Service Act (
(3) Group health plan; health insurance coverage; etc.
The terms "group health plan", "group health insurance coverage", and "health insurance coverage" have the meanings given such terms in
(4) Low-income child
The term "low-income child" means a child whose family income is at or below 200 percent of the poverty line for a family of the size involved.
(5) Poverty line defined
The term "poverty line" has the meaning given such term in
(6) Preexisting condition exclusion
The term "preexisting condition exclusion" has the meaning given such term in section 2701(b)(1)(A) 2 of the Public Health Service Act (
(7) State child health plan; plan
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "State child health plan" and "plan" mean a State child health plan approved under
(8) Uncovered child
The term "uncovered child" means a child that does not have creditable health coverage.
(9) School-based health center
(A) In general
The term "school-based health center" means a health clinic that—
(i) is located in or near a school facility of a school district or board or of an Indian tribe or tribal organization;
(ii) is organized through school, community, and health provider relationships;
(iii) is administered by a sponsoring facility;
(iv) provides through health professionals primary health services to children in accordance with State and local law, including laws relating to licensure and certification; and
(v) satisfies such other requirements as a State may establish for the operation of such a clinic.
(B) Sponsoring facility
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(iii), the term "sponsoring facility" includes any of the following:
(i) A hospital.
(ii) A public health department.
(iii) A community health center.
(iv) A nonprofit health care agency.
(v) A local educational agency (as defined under
(vi) A program administered by the Indian Health Service or the Bureau of Indian Affairs or operated by an Indian tribe or a tribal organization.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XXI, §2110, as added
References in Text
Section 2701 of the Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), (6), is section 2701 of act July 1, 1944, which was classified to
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(23).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (b)(6)(B).
Subsec. (b)(6)(C).
Subsec. (c)(9)(B)(v).
2009—Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (c)(9).
2000—Subsec. (a).
1997—Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 162 of
CHIP Eligibility for Children Ineligible for Medicaid as a Result of Elimination of Disregards
1 So in original. A closing parenthesis probably should precede the period.
2 See References in Text note below.
§1397kk. Phase-out of coverage for nonpregnant childless adults; conditions for coverage of parents
(a) Termination of coverage for nonpregnant childless adults
(1) No new CHIP waivers; automatic extensions at State option through 2009
Notwithstanding
(A) the Secretary shall not on or after February 4, 2009, approve or renew a waiver, experimental, pilot, or demonstration project that would allow funds made available under this subchapter to be used to provide child health assistance or other health benefits coverage to a nonpregnant childless adult; and
(B) notwithstanding the terms and conditions of an applicable existing waiver, the provisions of paragraph (2) shall apply for purposes of any period beginning on or after January 1, 2010, in determining the period to which the waiver applies, the individuals eligible to be covered by the waiver, and the amount of the Federal payment under this subchapter.
(2) Termination of CHIP coverage under applicable existing waivers at the end of 2009
(A) In general
No funds shall be available under this subchapter for child health assistance or other health benefits coverage that is provided to a nonpregnant childless adult under an applicable existing waiver after December 31, 2009.
(B) Extension upon State request
If an applicable existing waiver described in subparagraph (A) would otherwise expire before January 1, 2010, notwithstanding the requirements of subsections (e) and (f) of
(C) Application of enhanced FMAP
The enhanced FMAP determined under
(3) State option to apply for Medicaid waiver to continue coverage for nonpregnant childless adults
(A) In general
Each State for which coverage under an applicable existing waiver is terminated under paragraph (2)(A) may submit, not later than September 30, 2009, an application to the Secretary for a waiver under
(B) Deadline for approval
The Secretary shall make a decision to approve or deny an application for a Medicaid nonpregnant childless adults waiver submitted under subparagraph (A) within 90 days of the date of the submission of the application. If no decision has been made by the Secretary as of December 31, 2009, on the application of a State for a Medicaid nonpregnant childless adults waiver that was submitted to the Secretary by September 30, 2009, the application shall be deemed approved.
(C) Standard for budget neutrality
The budget neutrality requirement applicable with respect to expenditures for medical assistance under a Medicaid nonpregnant childless adults waiver shall—
(i) in the case of fiscal year 2010, allow expenditures for medical assistance under subchapter XIX for all such adults to not exceed the total amount of payments made to the State under paragraph (2)(B) for fiscal year 2009, increased by the percentage increase (if any) in the projected nominal per capita amount of National Health Expenditures for 2010 over 2009, as most recently published by the Secretary; and
(ii) in the case of any succeeding fiscal year, allow such expenditures to not exceed the amount in effect under this subparagraph for the preceding fiscal year, increased by the percentage increase (if any) in the projected nominal per capita amount of National Health Expenditures for the calendar year that begins during the year involved over the preceding calendar year, as most recently published by the Secretary.
(b) Rules and conditions for coverage of parents of targeted low-income children
(1) Two-year period; automatic extension at State option through fiscal year 2011
(A) No new CHIP waivers
Notwithstanding
(i) the Secretary shall not on or after February 4, 2009, approve or renew a waiver, experimental, pilot, or demonstration project that would allow funds made available under this subchapter to be used to provide child health assistance or other health benefits coverage to a parent of a targeted low-income child; and
(ii) notwithstanding the terms and conditions of an applicable existing waiver, the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply for purposes of any fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 2011, in determining the period to which the waiver applies, the individuals eligible to be covered by the waiver, and the amount of the Federal payment under this subchapter.
(B) Extension upon State request
If an applicable existing waiver described in subparagraph (A) would otherwise expire before October 1, 2011, and the State requests an extension of such waiver, the Secretary shall grant such an extension, but only, subject to paragraph (2)(A), through September 30, 2011.
(C) Application of enhanced FMAP
The enhanced FMAP determined under
(2) Rules for fiscal years 2012 through 2013
(A) Payments for coverage limited to block grant funded from State allotment
Any State that provides child health assistance or health benefits coverage under an applicable existing waiver for a parent of a targeted low-income child may elect to continue to provide such assistance or coverage through fiscal year 2012 or 2013, subject to the same terms and conditions that applied under the applicable existing waiver, unless otherwise modified in subparagraph (B).
(B) Terms and conditions
(i) Block grant set aside from State allotment
If the State makes an election under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall set aside for the State for each such fiscal year an amount equal to the Federal share of 110 percent of the State's projected expenditures under the applicable existing waiver for providing child health assistance or health benefits coverage to all parents of targeted low-income children enrolled under such waiver for the fiscal year (as certified by the State and submitted to the Secretary by not later than August 31 of the preceding fiscal year). In the case of fiscal year 2013, the set aside for any State shall be computed separately for each period described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
(ii) Payments from block grant
The Secretary shall pay the State from the amount set aside under clause (i) for the fiscal year, an amount for each quarter of such fiscal year equal to the applicable percentage determined under clause (iii) or (iv) for expenditures in the quarter for providing child health assistance or other health benefits coverage to a parent of a targeted low-income child.
(iii) Enhanced FMAP only in fiscal year 2012 for States with significant child outreach or that achieve child coverage benchmarks; FMAP for any other States
For purposes of clause (ii), the applicable percentage for any quarter of fiscal year 2012 is equal to—
(I) the enhanced FMAP determined under
(II) the Federal medical assistance percentage (as determined under
(iv) Amount of Federal matching payment in 2013
For purposes of clause (ii), the applicable percentage for any quarter of fiscal year 2013 is equal to—
(I) the REMAP percentage if—
(aa) the applicable percentage for the State under clause (iii) was the enhanced FMAP for fiscal year 2012; and
(bb) the State met either of the coverage benchmarks described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (3) for fiscal year 2012; or
(II) the Federal medical assistance percentage (as so determined) in the case of any State to which subclause (I) does not apply.
For purposes of subclause (I), the REMAP percentage is the percentage which is the sum of such Federal medical assistance percentage and a number of percentage points equal to one-half of the difference between such Federal medical assistance percentage and such enhanced FMAP.
(v) No Federal payments other than from block grant set aside
No payments shall be made to a State for expenditures described in clause (ii) after the total amount set aside under clause (i) for a fiscal year has been paid to the State.
(vi) No increase in income eligibility level for parents
No payments shall be made to a State from the amount set aside under clause (i) for a fiscal year for expenditures for providing child health assistance or health benefits coverage to a parent of a targeted low-income child whose family income exceeds the income eligibility level applied under the applicable existing waiver to parents of targeted low-income children on February 4, 2009.
(3) Outreach or coverage benchmarks
For purposes of paragraph (2), the outreach or coverage benchmarks described in this paragraph are as follows:
(A) Significant child outreach campaign
The State—
(i) was awarded a grant under
(ii) implemented 1 or more of the enrollment and retention provisions described in
(iii) has submitted a specific plan for outreach for such fiscal year.
(B) High-performing State
The State, on the basis of the most timely and accurate published estimates of the Bureau of the Census, ranks in the lowest 1/3 of States in terms of the State's percentage of low-income children without health insurance.
(C) State increasing enrollment of low-income children
The State qualified for a performance bonus payment under
(4) Rules of construction
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as prohibiting a State from submitting an application to the Secretary for a waiver under
(c) Applicable existing waiver
For purposes of this section—
(1) In general
The term "applicable existing waiver" means a waiver, experimental, pilot, or demonstration project under
(A) would allow funds made available under this subchapter to be used to provide child health assistance or other health benefits coverage to—
(i) a parent of a targeted low-income child;
(ii) a nonpregnant childless adult; or
(iii) individuals described in both clauses (i) and (ii); and
(B) was in effect during fiscal year 2009.
(2) Definitions
(A) Parent
The term "parent" includes a caretaker relative (as such term is used in carrying out
(B) Nonpregnant childless adult
The term "nonpregnant childless adult" has the meaning given such term by
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XXI, §2111, as added
References in Text
Section 6102(c)(3) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), is section 6102(c)(3) of
Effective Date
Section effective Apr. 1, 2009, and applicable to child health assistance and medical assistance provided on or after that date, with certain exceptions, see section 3 of
§1397ll. Optional coverage of targeted low-income pregnant women through a State plan amendment
(a) In general
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, a State may elect through an amendment to its State child health plan under
(b) Conditions
A State may only elect the option under subsection (a) if the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) Minimum income eligibility levels for pregnant women and children
The State has established an income eligibility level—
(A) for pregnant women under subsection (a)(10)(A)(i)(III), (a)(10)(A)(i)(IV), or (l)(1)(A) of
(B) for children under 19 years of age under this subchapter (or subchapter XIX) that is at least 200 percent of the poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved.
(2) No CHIP income eligibility level for pregnant women lower than the State's Medicaid level
The State does not apply an effective income level for pregnant women under the State plan amendment that is lower than the effective income level (expressed as a percent of the poverty line and considering applicable income disregards) specified under subsection (a)(10)(A)(i)(III), (a)(10)(A)(i)(IV), or (l)(1)(A) of
(3) No coverage for higher income pregnant women without covering lower income pregnant women
The State does not provide coverage for pregnant women with higher family income without covering pregnant women with a lower family income.
(4) Application of requirements for coverage of targeted low-income children
The State provides pregnancy-related assistance for targeted low-income pregnant women in the same manner, and subject to the same requirements, as the State provides child health assistance for targeted low-income children under the State child health plan, and in addition to providing child health assistance for such women.
(5) No preexisting condition exclusion or waiting period
The State does not apply any exclusion of benefits for pregnancy-related assistance based on any preexisting condition or any waiting period (including any waiting period imposed to carry out
(6) Application of cost-sharing protection
The State provides pregnancy-related assistance to a targeted low-income woman consistent with the cost-sharing protections under
(7) No waiting list for children
The State does not impose, with respect to the enrollment under the State child health plan of targeted low-income children during the quarter, any enrollment cap or other numerical limitation on enrollment, any waiting list, any procedures designed to delay the consideration of applications for enrollment, or similar limitation with respect to enrollment.
(c) Option to provide presumptive eligibility
A State that elects the option under subsection (a) and satisfies the conditions described in subsection (b) may elect to apply
(d) Definitions
For purposes of this section:
(1) Pregnancy-related assistance
The term "pregnancy-related assistance" has the meaning given the term "child health assistance" in
(2) Targeted low-income pregnant woman
The term "targeted low-income pregnant woman" means an individual—
(A) during pregnancy and through the end of the month in which the 60-day period (beginning on the last day of her pregnancy) ends;
(B) whose family income exceeds 185 percent (or, if higher, the percent applied under subsection (b)(1)(A)) of the poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved, but does not exceed the income eligibility level established under the State child health plan under this subchapter for a targeted low-income child; and
(C) who satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (1)(A), (1)(C), (2), and (3) of
(e) Automatic enrollment for children born to women receiving pregnancy-related assistance
If a child is born to a targeted low-income pregnant woman who was receiving pregnancy-related assistance under this section on the date of the child's birth, the child shall be deemed to have applied for child health assistance under the State child health plan and to have been found eligible for such assistance under such plan or to have applied for medical assistance under subchapter XIX and to have been found eligible for such assistance under such subchapter, as appropriate, on the date of such birth and to remain eligible for such assistance until the child attains 1 year of age. During the period in which a child is deemed under the preceding sentence to be eligible for child health or medical assistance, the child health or medical assistance eligibility identification number of the mother shall also serve as the identification number of the child, and all claims shall be submitted and paid under such number (unless the State issues a separate identification number for the child before such period expires).
(f) States providing assistance through other options
(1) Continuation of other options for providing assistance
The option to provide assistance in accordance with the preceding subsections of this section shall not limit any other option for a State to provide—
(A) child health assistance through the application of sections 457.10, 457.350(b)(2), 457.622(c)(5), and 457.626(a)(3) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect after the final rule adopted by the Secretary and set forth at 67 Fed. Reg. 61956–61974 (October 2, 2002)), or
(B) pregnancy-related services through the application of any waiver authority (as in effect on June 1, 2008).
(2) Clarification of authority to provide postpartum services
Any State that provides child health assistance under any authority described in paragraph (1) may continue to provide such assistance, as well as postpartum services, through the end of the month in which the 60-day period (beginning on the last day of the pregnancy) ends, in the same manner as such assistance and postpartum services would be provided if provided under the State plan under subchapter XIX, but only if the mother would otherwise satisfy the eligibility requirements that apply under the State child health plan (other than with respect to age) during such period.
(3) No inference
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed—
(A) to infer congressional intent regarding the legality or illegality of the content of the sections specified in paragraph (1)(A); or
(B) to modify the authority to provide pregnancy-related services under a waiver specified in paragraph (1)(B).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XXI, §2112, as added
Effective Date
Section effective Apr. 1, 2009, and applicable to child health assistance and medical assistance provided on or after that date, with certain exceptions, see section 3 of
§1397mm. Grants to improve outreach and enrollment
(a) Outreach and enrollment grants; national campaign
(1) In general
From the amounts appropriated under subsection (g), subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities during the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2015 to conduct outreach and enrollment efforts that are designed to increase the enrollment and participation of eligible children under this subchapter and subchapter XIX.
(2) Ten percent set aside for national enrollment campaign
An amount equal to 10 percent of such amounts shall be used by the Secretary for expenditures during such period to carry out a national enrollment campaign in accordance with subsection (h).
(b) Priority for award of grants
(1) In general
In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that—
(A) propose to target geographic areas with high rates of—
(i) eligible but unenrolled children, including such children who reside in rural areas; or
(ii) racial and ethnic minorities and health disparity populations, including those proposals that address cultural and linguistic barriers to enrollment; and
(B) submit the most demonstrable evidence required under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c).
(2) Ten percent set aside for outreach to Indian children
An amount equal to 10 percent of the funds appropriated under subsection (g) shall be used by the Secretary to award grants to Indian Health Service providers and urban Indian organizations receiving funds under title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (
(c) Application
An eligible entity that desires to receive a grant under subsection (a) shall submit an application to the Secretary in such form and manner, and containing such information, as the Secretary may decide. Such application shall include—
(1) evidence demonstrating that the entity includes members who have access to, and credibility with, ethnic or low-income populations in the communities in which activities funded under the grant are to be conducted;
(2) evidence demonstrating that the entity has the ability to address barriers to enrollment, such as lack of awareness of eligibility, stigma concerns and punitive fears associated with receipt of benefits, and other cultural barriers to applying for and receiving child health assistance or medical assistance;
(3) specific quality or outcomes performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of activities funded by a grant awarded under this section; and
(4) an assurance that the eligible entity shall—
(A) conduct an assessment of the effectiveness of such activities against the performance measures;
(B) cooperate with the collection and reporting of enrollment data and other information in order for the Secretary to conduct such assessments; and
(C) in the case of an eligible entity that is not the State, provide the State with enrollment data and other information as necessary for the State to make necessary projections of eligible children and pregnant women.
(d) Dissemination of enrollment data and information determined from effectiveness assessments; annual report
The Secretary shall—
(1) make publicly available the enrollment data and information collected and reported in accordance with subsection (c)(4)(B); and
(2) submit an annual report to Congress on the outreach and enrollment activities conducted with funds appropriated under this section.
(e) Maintenance of effort for States awarded grants; no match required for any eligible entity awarded a grant
(1) State maintenance of effort
In the case of a State that is awarded a grant under this section, the State share of funds expended for outreach and enrollment activities under the State child health plan shall not be less than the State share of such funds expended in the fiscal year preceding the first fiscal year for which the grant is awarded.
(2) No matching requirement
No eligible entity awarded a grant under subsection (a) shall be required to provide any matching funds as a condition for receiving the grant.
(f) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Eligible entity
The term "eligible entity" means any of the following:
(A) A State with an approved child health plan under this subchapter.
(B) A local government.
(C) An Indian tribe or tribal consortium, a tribal organization, an urban Indian organization receiving funds under title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (
(D) A Federal health safety net organization.
(E) A national, State, local, or community-based public or nonprofit private organization, including organizations that use community health workers or community-based doula programs.
(F) A faith-based organization or consortia, to the extent that a grant awarded to such an entity is consistent with the requirements of
(G) An elementary or secondary school.
(2) Federal health safety net organization
The term "Federal health safety net organization" means—
(A) a Federally-qualified health center (as defined in
(B) a hospital defined as a disproportionate share hospital for purposes of
(C) a covered entity described in
(D) any other entity or consortium that serves children under a federally funded program, including the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC) established under
(3) Indians; Indian tribe; tribal organization; urban Indian organization
The terms "Indian", "Indian tribe", "tribal organization", and "urban Indian organization" have the meanings given such terms in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (
(4) Community health worker
The term "community health worker" means an individual who promotes health or nutrition within the community in which the individual resides—
(A) by serving as a liaison between communities and health care agencies;
(B) by providing guidance and social assistance to community residents;
(C) by enhancing community residents' ability to effectively communicate with health care providers;
(D) by providing culturally and linguistically appropriate health or nutrition education;
(E) by advocating for individual and community health or nutrition needs; and
(F) by providing referral and followup services.
(g) Appropriation
There is appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $140,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2015, for the purpose of awarding grants under this section. Amounts appropriated and paid under the authority of this section shall be in addition to amounts appropriated under
(h) National enrollment campaign
From the amounts made available under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall develop and implement a national enrollment campaign to improve the enrollment of underserved child populations in the programs established under this subchapter and subchapter XIX. Such campaign may include—
(1) the establishment of partnerships with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Agriculture to develop national campaigns to link the eligibility and enrollment systems for the assistance programs each Secretary administers that often serve the same children;
(2) the integration of information about the programs established under this subchapter and subchapter XIX in public health awareness campaigns administered by the Secretary;
(3) increased financial and technical support for enrollment hotlines maintained by the Secretary to ensure that all States participate in such hotlines;
(4) the establishment of joint public awareness outreach initiatives with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Labor regarding the importance of health insurance to building strong communities and the economy;
(5) the development of special outreach materials for Native Americans or for individuals with limited English proficiency; and
(6) such other outreach initiatives as the Secretary determines would increase public awareness of the programs under this subchapter and subchapter XIX.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XXI, §2113, as added
References in Text
The Indian Health Care Improvement Act, referred to in subsecs. (b)(2) and (f)(1)(C), is
The Head Start Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(2)(D), is subchapter B (§635 et seq.) of
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(2)(D), is act June 4, 1946, ch. 281,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (g).
Effective Date
Section effective Apr. 1, 2009, and applicable to child health assistance and medical assistance provided on or after that date, with certain exceptions, see section 3 of